BRANDON, MB – The Keystone Centre has received a grant of $45,000 from the Brandon Area Community Foundation (BACF). The Brandon Area Community Foundation originally contributed to the purchase and install of retractable bleachers for the Kinsmen and Enns Brother Arenas in 2016. This grant will support the purchase of a specialized motor to retract the bleachers which will, in-turn, extend the life of the equipment. “This was a crucial purchase to ensure these bleachers will be able to sustain the frequent conversions to accommodate our multi-use facility,” said Jeff Schumacher, general manager, Keystone Centre. “The price tag was too high for us to purchase this add-on at the outset but with this support from BACF we are pleased to be able to install the bleacher motor so that we can ensure this important equipment has as long of a lifespan as possible.” "The Brandon Area Community Foundation is pleased to provide this funding to the Keystone Centre. The two smaller hockey rinks where the BACF-sponsored bleachers are located play host to many families in Brandon and the Westman area, and we're happy to support the Keystone Centre staff in the work they do to adapt the areas for multiple uses,” said Bev Cumming Chairperson for Brandon Area Community Foundation.  

As of the end of November, 237 Manitoba drivers have had their driver’s licence suspended ─ for the minimum three-day period ─ since Manitoba’s new distracted driving law took effect November 1. The Winnipeg Police Service reports having apprehended 149 drivers, while the RCMP and Brandon Police Service reported that 67 and 21 drivers, respectively, were charged for using hand-operated electronic devices while driving. “Distracted driving remains a very serious road safety issue in Manitoba,” said Satvir Jatana, vice-president responsible for communications, Manitoba Public Insurance. “In 2017 alone, distracted driving was a contributing factor in more than 15,000 collisions, while 30 Manitobans lost their lives in distracted-related motor vehicle collisions. “These police enforcement numbers confirm that too many Manitobans are still not getting the message about the dangers and consequences of distracted driving, and that should be a concern for all road users,” added Jatana. In addition to an immediate roadside suspension, drivers convicted of using a hand-operated electronic device while driving also face a fine of $672 and five demerits on the Driver Safety Rating Scale. "Our officers regularly see distracted drivers cause collisions that result in serious injury and even death on roadways throughout the province, these drivers are a clear risk to all Manitobans,” said Assistant Commissioner Scott Kolody, Commanding Officer of the Manitoba RCMP and President of the Manitoba Association Chiefs of Police. “These new, strong penalties send a very clear message that such driving behaviour will not be tolerated. Officers across the province will continue to look for, ticket and suspend distracted drivers so that Manitoba roads are safer for everyone.”

Brandon, MB – Award-winning Inspirational Keynote Speaker Joe Roberts, AKA “The Skid Row CEO”, will headline Brandon Mayor Rick Chrest’s “N.E.O: Not Even Once” youth addictions prevention program being presented to several hundred high school students in Brandon later this week. The idea for such an educational program originated during Brandon City Council’s 2018 budget discussions, during which Mayor Chrest proposed additional funding to develop a program to get the message directly to local students about the devastating, highly addictive, and potentially life-threatening consequences of trying addictive drugs, such as crystal methamphetamine, even one time. With input from the Brandon School Division, student leaders, and numerous local organizations, the “N.E.O: Not Even Once” program took shape, and the City of Brandon then sought out Joe Roberts as a notable speaker to headline the program’s events. Roberts went from being a homeless drug addict in Vancouver, to attaining extraordinary business success as a celebrated entrepreneur. He has subsequently inspired and motivated the nation to create ripple effects of transformation in the lives of at-risk youth throughout the country via his national awareness campaign, The Push for Change, which made a stop in Brandon in the spring of 2017. Roberts and his wife, Marie, will return to Brandon this week, bringing his message of perseverance, determination and the resiliency of the human spirit to hundreds of Grade 11 students at all three of Brandon’s high schools during in-school events this Thursday and Friday, and will also present a keynote speech on Friday morning at the Brandon and Area Suicide Prevention Implementation Network’s (SPIN) 14th Annual Youth Wellness Day conference, an event open to all Grade 9 students in the Brandon School Division. “We’re very privileged to have Joe and Marie Roberts from The Push for Change return to Brandon to provide Joe’s story of lived experience as a homeless drug addict and his inspirational message to aid our addictions prevention effort,” notes Mayor Chrest. “City Council placed a high priority on funding a Mayor’s initiative to help prevent youth addictions in our community.  As many Canadian communities are gripped with the consequences of addictive drugs such as crystal meth, we are dedicated to engage and support any efforts that combat this issue in our City.” Roberts will wrap up this week’s speaking engagements in Brandon with a public event on the evening of Friday, December 7th, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Cultural Resource Centre at the A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex. The event is FREE to attend; however, pre-registration is encouraged by calling the City of Brandon Community Development section at 204-729-2257 or by emailing communitydevelopment@brandon.ca. More information about Joe and Marie Roberts and their motivational and inspirational work can be found at https://skidrowceo.com/.

Source:Brandon Police Service Media Release On Tuesday evening at approximately 8:49pm, CP Police advised they apprehended a male after he jumped off the Holiday Train as it passed through Brandon. CP Police learned the male had an outstanding Warrant of Arrest for Breach of Probation. CP Police arrested and released a 40yr old Brandon man to appear in Court on January 08th 2019.

Vincent Massey will be hosting it's 4th Annual Stuff the Bus in support of Samaritan House this December. The event kicked-off Monday, December 3rd and will run until Monday, December 17th.  Students from Massey's youth Revolution and Youth in Philanthropy will be helping to stuff the bus on Tuesday, December 18th from 9-10:00am and they will be delivering the closed items to Samartian House immediately following. Their goal is to completely fill one school bus with donations from our school community in order to give back to our community.  Staff and students at Massey hope to help to meet the growing need for hampers in Brandon.