BRANDON – Researchers at Brandon University (BU) have launched a new project to study the stress experienced by men in the Westman region. The two-year case study, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, seeks to address growing mental health concerns in the Prairie provinces. Rates of completed suicide on the Prairies are the highest in Canada outside the Territorial North and are higher among men than women. Dr. Rachel Herron “We have seen significant efforts to increase awareness of men’s health issues in Canada,” said project lead Rachel Herron. “Initiatives such as the recent Let’s Talk campaign and Movember have helped to bring mental health and wellness into the public eye, but we also need to understand the challenges and stress men face in the region to provide better support to them and their families. We need to know what is getting in the way of their health.” The research team is looking for men across the Westman region to participate in small group discussions or share their story one-on-one. Anyone interested in participating in the project can contact Herron at 204-727-9771 or at HerronR@BrandonU.ca. Herron, who is the Canada Research Chair in Rural and Remote Mental Health and a member of BU’s Department of Geography, is joined on the research team by Jonathan Allan (Gender and Women’s Studies, BU), Candice Waddell (Department of Psychiatric Nursing, BU) and Kerstin Roger (Department of Community Health Science, University of Manitoba). They are working with a wide group of community partners to reach a diverse group of participants and expand current understandings of men’s mental health in the region. They hope the information collected will help to improve policy and programs in the area. Across Canada, men report lower levels of stress and depression and yet they have much higher rates of suicide than women. In general, men are less likely to talk about, and seek support for, their mental health needs than women and this is particularly the case in rural Canada. Addressing this issue requires a better understanding of how and where men experience stress, how they cope, and how they can express their mental health challenges.

During the regular Board Meeting held on Monday, February 11, 2019, our Board of Trustees passed the following motion: Motion 09/2019: That the low Tender from Fresh Projectsin the amount of $22,679,187 (plus GST) for the construction of the new K-8 Maryland Park School be approved. Fresh Projects, a Winnipeg based company, will start the work this winter on Maryland Park School. Just a few quick steps away from Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, Maryland Park School will be built at the corner of Maryland Avenue and Ninth Street. During the tender period, the Brandon School Division received ten (10) bids in total. Four of these were local, from the City of Brandon and/or surrounding area. The tender was unanimously awarded to Fresh Projects as they had submitted the lowest bid. While Fresh Projects may not be a local company, approximately $10 million dollars of the work associated with the construction will be sub-contracted out to several local contractors for items such as electrical, mechanical and roofing. Official contracts are in the process of being finalized and signed by all parties, and building permits are being prepared and issued. The official ground-breaking event will be scheduled in due course.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release On February 14th, 2019 police located a 40 year old woman from Brandon who had driven her car into a snow bank directly in front of the Brandon Police Station. The woman refused to provide any identification or address and as a result was lodged at BCC until sober.   Once identified properly, she will be released on a PTA for a Brandon Court date.

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to subsection 162(2) of The Municipal Act that the Council of The City of Brandon intends to present its financial plan for the fiscal year 2019 at a public hearing that will be held in the Council Chamber, Civic Administration Building (2nd Floor), 410 - 9th Street, Brandon, on Monday, March 4, 2019 at 7:00 PM. The 2019 Financial Plan includes proposed borrowing of $1,700,000 (One million seven hundred thousand) for the 34th Street Extension from Pacific Avenue to McDonald Avenue. The borrowing will be repaid over 10 years at a maximum interest rate of 5.875% per year.  The annual repayment amount will be no more than $229,609.64 to be levied annually as part of the general municipal levy. First reading of Borrowing By-law No. 7232 will also occur on March 4, 2019, following the public hearing. The meeting is open to the general public and Council will hear any person who wishes to make a representation, ask questions, or register an objection to the proposed financial plan. Copies of the 2019 financial plan and proposed By-law No. 7232 will be available to the public in the City Clerk’s Office, 410 - 9th Street, Brandon during regular office hours 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM or listed on the City’s web site at http://www.brandon.ca/budget/finances-budget.

Weapons Related Charges On January 12th, 2019 at 11:45 pm police were involved in an investigation which led to a vehicle stop in the 1500 blk of Park Avenue. Police noted 2 firearms in plain view in the back seat of the vehicle and as a result 5 people were taken into custody. Arrested in this incident: A 22 year old Winnipeg woman was charged with Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle X 2, Possession of Dangerous Weapon, Possession of a Firearm contrary to a Prohibition Order. The accused was held in custody to appear in Brandon Court on February 13th, 2019. A 22 year old Brandon woman was charged with Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon as well as Carry a Concealed Weapon. The accused was released from custody on a PTA and is to appear in Brandon Court on April 8th, 2019. A 33 year old woman from Regina Saskatchewan was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Gabapentin), Possession for the Purpose (Meth), Possession for the Purpose (Cocaine),Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle X 2, Possession of Dangerous Weapon, Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition as well as Breach of Probation. The accused was held in custody to appear in Brandon Court on February 13th, 2019. A 27 year old man of No Fixed Address was charged with Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle X 2, Possession of Dangerous Weapon, Possession of a Firearm contrary to a Prohibition Order as well as Breach of Probation X 4. The accused was held in custody to appear in Brandon Court on February 13th, 2019. This individual also was found to have 4 warrants out of Russell Manitoba for Assault, Break and Enter, Breach of Recognizance and Breach of Probation. A 26 year old man from Winnipeg was charged with Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle X 2, Possession of Dangerous Weapon X2, Possession of a Firearm contrary to a Prohibition Order as well Possession of a Controlled Substance. The accused was held in custody to appear in Brandon Court on February 13th, 2019.