BRANDON—The Manitoba government is providing funding to the Keystone Centre to ensure it can continue to serve as Westman’s leading event destination, Premier Brian Pallister announced here today. “We made this commitment for the Keystone Centre to remain a valuable multi-use facility that brings quality of life to Westman and economic activity in the region for years to come,” said Pallister.  “Our investment will place the centre on a solid footing to develop a sustainability plan that addresses its long-term needs, while maintaining the services we all enjoy at this important public facility.” The premier confirmed the $2.9-million investment will retire all of the Keystone Centre’s current debt including its outstanding mortgage.  As a result, the centre will realize savings of more than $300,000 annually, allowing more funds to be redirected toward capital infrastructure projects, he said. “I’m absolutely thrilled to see the province’s very impactful contribution to the Keystone Centre,” said Mayor Rick Chrest, City of Brandon.  “Our partnership in this facility, spanning almost 50 years, is a tremendous example of positive collaboration and co-operation between our two levels of government and this is truly a big lift for one of Manitoba’s most prominent facilities.” Chrest noted that in its respective 2019 budget, Brandon city council has committed $875,000 in operating and capital contributions to the Keystone Centre, as well as an additional $140,000 in the form of a continued tax-offsetting grant for one of the Keystone Centre’s property tenants. The province is also endorsing recommendations from an external governance review done by MNP in 2016.  A new governance approach will clarify roles and responsibilities, and empower the board of directors to govern the Keystone Centre.  It will also reduce red tape and enable the centre to be more nimble, and advance opportunities for fiscal sustainability, the premier noted. “Today’s announcement is a recognition of the importance of the Keystone Centre to the province of Manitoba, both as an economic driver, and a recreation and agricultural hub,” said Matt Bolley, chair, board of directors, Keystone Centre.  “The debt relief being provided by the provincial government will assist in our efforts to retain the Keystone Centre’s status as a world-class venue, while ensuring that our facilities remain accessible for all members of the community.” The Keystone Centre is a multi-functional, community-focused facility, which hosts numerous sporting and entertainment events, fairs and agricultural exhibitions and conferences, and is a significant part of the City of Brandon and the surrounding area’s economy. “The Keystone Centre is a hub for agriculture and hosts major events that bring our industry together,” said Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler.  “We recognize the important economic and social contribution the centre makes to the agriculture industry in our province and this investment ensures it will remain a home for the agriculture industry.” The Keystone Centre is located on 90 acres in Brandon, offers 540,000 square feet of multi-use space and hosts more than 1,500 events annually.  These activities contribute to the social, recreational, cultural and agricultural fabric of the area, and is one of Westman’s largest economic catalysts, generating over $62 million in annual economic activity for the region.

As part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Canadian and Manitoba governments are providing $950,000 over five years to Assiniboine Community College (ACC), to support research focused on horticulture crop development and product extension for its Field to Fork applied research program, Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced today.  Field to Fork is a collection of initiatives through ACC that concentrated on strengthening the local food chain through education, research and outreach. “We are proud that this funding will increase the competitive position of the Manitoba horticulture industry, while working to support and increase domestic processing and export capacity,” Eichler said. “This funding will ensure that Manitoba’s horticulture industry will continue to benefit from the research being undertaken by Assiniboine Community College, to keep Manitoba producers on the leading edge of growing our agri-food sector.” The knowledge and expertise developed and expanded through the college’s Horticulture Production and Food Sustainability programs, led by faculty researchers, significantly increases the field, greenhouse and agri-processing research capacity required for Manitoba’s unique fruit and vegetable industries. The Field to Fork initiative also helps to shape curriculum for students enrolled in Horticultural Production, Sustainable Food Systems, and the Culinary Arts programs at ACC, with applied research projects and other hands-on learning opportunities for students. “Agriculture continues to be an area of program leadership at our college,” said Mark Frison, president, Assiniboine Community College. “We are thrilled to have the support of the provincial and federal government to continue the important and meaningful applied research work underway by our talented faculty members. These Field to Fork projects will pay dividends to students and communities for years to come.” Some of the research projects currently underway at ACC include building capacity in northern and remote communities in Canada through sustainable greenhouse energy models, assessing and determining the most viable varieties of sweet potatoes for commercial production in Manitoba, and finding effective ways to combat botrytis neck rot in commercially grown onions. More information about Ag Action Manitoba is available at www.manitoba.ca/agriculture under Canadian Agricultural Partnership, by calling 1-844-769-6224 (toll-free) or emailing agaction@gov.mb.ca. Manitobans can also sign up for a digital newsletter at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/online-resources/signup-for-growing-manitoba-ag.html or follow Manitoba Agriculture’s Twitter channel at www.twitter.com/MBGovAg for more information about Ag Action Manitoba. The five-year, $3-billion Canadian Agricultural Partnership includes $2 billion for cost-shared strategic initiatives delivered by the provinces and territories and $1 billion for federal programs and services. For more information, visit www.canada.ca/Agri-Partnership.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 2nd, 2019 at 6:34 pm Brandon Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle as the driver was using a cell phone. Police determined that the accused was bound by a Recognizance with a condition not to possess a cell phone. During a search of the accused incident to his arrest for Breach of Recognizance, police located a small amount of cocaine on his person. As a result of this incident the accused was lodged at BCC and will appear in court on March 3rd, 2019.

The Brandon School Division recently undertook a review of the Middle Years Options Programming available to our students in Grades 7 and 8. During the 2012-2013 and 2016-2017 school years, a consultant was hired to review our current Middle Years Options Programming and provided a report to Senior Administration for review. Recommendations from this report were then used during a consultation process during the 2017-2018 school year, with our stakeholders to determine the direction we want for our Middle Years Options Programming. The results of the consultation outlined the desire to: Align Grade 7 and 8 timetables to meet the recommended subject time allocations for compulsory and optional programs; Maintain access to French programming for all students; Maintain the mandatory status of Industrial Arts/Home economics; Maintain access to Band programming for all students; Provide choice for students in the areas of options and arts programming. The Division was able to meet almost all of the goals identified in the Middle Years Options Consultation. The only goal that was not achieved was the mandatory status of Industrial Arts/Home Economics. As a result, students will have the opportunity to request French, Home Economics/Industrial Arts, or school based topics (Technology, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Indigenous studies). Students will also have the opportunity to request Band, Drama, Dance, or Visual Arts. A new registration guide is being sent home outlining the Middle Years Options/Arts Registration Process. Please contact your child’s teacher or school counselor if you have any questions regarding the course selection process.

The woman from Brandon reported as missing in a special release on Friday morning contacted family members later in the day on Friday and is no longer considered missing. Source: Brandon Police service Special Media Release The Brandon Police Service is seeking any information into the whereabouts of a missing woman. Leah ERNEST was last seen by her family on Sunday February 24th when she left her residence. She has not returned home since that time. Leah is 20 years old and is described as being 5’5, 150 lbs and is Metis. Leah has naturally curly shoulder length brown hair, brown eyes, with a medium complexion and has a medium build. Leah usually wears a white winter jacket with a green or brown hoodie. If anyone has information regarding Leah’s whereabouts, they are encouraged to contact the Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345.