Welcome to the inaugural "Community Connection" feature on www.bdnmb.ca where every few weeks we will be asking a friendly Brandon resident 20 questions about themselves and their life in the area.  Questions will range from silly to serious in an effort to provide greater insight into the individual and their thoughts about living in Brandon.  Our first featured guest (Cam Toews) was a unanimous choice among bdnmb.ca staff and advisers when the topic of who we should interview first came up. Occupation: Real estate sales. First job: Grew up on a farm but first off farm job was carpentry. Nickname: I get a lot of Tazer from my last name, said the right way. Childhood celebrity crush: Wow! Long time ago but probably Tanya Tucker. Years lived in Brandon: Since 2002, 17 years. Hobbies: Golf, curling, music. If you were trying out for Canadian Idol what would be your go to song: Something classic country, Ghost in This House - Shenandoah or Don't Close Your Eyes - Keith Whitley. Chicken wings or lettuce wraps: Wings. Favorite city to visit: Nashville but want to visit New York & Boston. Favorite All-Time Wheat King: Ryan Craig was the man when I moved here and played a great all around game. Have to mention our current NHL local boys Matt Calvert and Michael Ferland. Good western Canada grit there. A new business you would like to see make an appearance in Brandon: Disc golf. A concert the Keystone Centre should bring to town: Something classic or retro country, either from the 1990's or a current act that plays that style. Sunny Sweeney and Wade Bowen from Texas are newer or Bellamy Brothers and Shenandoah are still touring. Dinner party dream guests (4): Merle Haggard, Nolan Ryan, Wayne Gretzky, & Patty Loveless. A movie you would watch again tonight:Bull Durham, Forrest Gump, or Old School. You've got friends visiting Brandon for the first time, where are you taking them: Joe Beeverz, Firehouse, Keystone Centre. A business from the past you would like to see return to Brandon: Arby's You have just won $100,000, what do you spend it on: $10,000 to Westman Dreams for Kids. Spend some on myself and family, and then invest the most of it (probably in real estate). Between a ski chalet and summer cottage I would rather have: Summer cottage Early riser or night owl: Night owl What do you enjoy most about living in Brandon: I describe Brandon as "a small town with big city clothes on".   Everybody knows everybody but we have most conveniences of a large city.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release On Sunday morning at approximately 10:50am, Police received a report of a stolen vehicle from the 3400 block of Victoria Avenue. The vehicle is described as a 2014 Chevrolet Traverse. The vehicle was located by Police in the 100 block laneway between 15th and 16th Street. The vehicle tried to flee the scene, backed up into a Police vehicle and then forward into another Police vehicle. The driver refused to exit the vehicle and Police removed the driver and placed him under arrested. Police found in the driver’s possession a concealed weapon. A 32yr old man was arrested for Theft of Motor Vehicle, Dangerous Driving, Assault with a Weapon, Carry concealed Weapon and Drive while Prohibited. The male was lodged at BCC for Court on February 04th.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 11:56 hours, Saturday morning, police received a call in the 300 block of 11th Street of a male on the street with a knife in both hands.  The 33-year-old Brandon male was located with a butcher knife and a steak knife and arrested without incident.  The male is also on a court order prohibiting the possession of any weapon.  The male was lodged at BCC due to his level of intoxication and released when sober to appear in court in March.

Brandon Fire and Emergency Services along with Brandon Police Service responded to the same intersection, at the same time of day, for another two-vehicle crash this afternoon. There was driver-side damage on the gray SUV, while there was front-passenger side damage on the red truck. Thankfully, just like yesterday, there were no injuries related to this crash.  Photos by Liam Pattison Photography.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release At about 11:30 PM Friday night, a member on patrol came across a running, parked car in the 800 block 9th Street, with a female passed-out in the driver’s seat. Upon being awoken, the female displayed signs of impairment and was arrested for care and control of a motor vehicle while impaired. She was conveyed back to the BPS station where she refused to provide breath samples. The 41 year-old accused was lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre and will be released later today, once sober. She is scheduled to appear in Court on February 7th. A 26 year-old Saskatchewan male faces numerous charges after being stopped at around 3:30 AM this morning in the 1600 block 18th Street, while operating his truck. The accused, who was the driver, showed signs of impairment and subsequently provided breath samples that resulted in readings showing a blood alcohol content of nearly twice the legal limit. A check of the vehicle also located several open cans of beer and a small amount of cannabis. As a result, the accused faces charges of impaired driving, driver over.08, unlawful transportation of cannabis, and unlawful transportation of liquor. He was released from police custody and is to appear in Court in Brandon on February 7th