BRANDON – Graduates of Brandon University (BU) and Brandon College will be in the spotlight at the BU Homecoming Dinner and Awards on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Harvest Hall. Gerald Brown and Nathan Peto will be recognized with Alumni Awards at the annual celebration. Brown, who graduated from the Teacher Training Certificate (TTC) program in 1956, and with a Bachelor of Arts in 1963, will receive the Brandon University Alumni Award for Exceptional Service. Peto, who earned a B.A. with honours in 2008, will be this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumni Award. “In addition to an alumni event, Homecoming is open to all and is a fantastic opportunity to connect with the community,” said Carla Eisler, Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs at BU. “As we celebrate our 50th year as a university, we’re delighted to recognize Nathan and Gerald, who represent two different eras in BU history, and have maintained strong ties with the university and community through their distinguished careers and volunteer activities.” Gerald Brown Following his graduation from the TTC program at Brandon College, Brown began a notable career as an educator, teaching in Ninga and later Shilo. In 1965, he joined the Winnipeg School Division as its School Librarian Program Organizer, a position he held until his retirement in 1992. In recognition of the first Dean of Education at Brandon College, Brown garnered support and established the Dr. Wilfred McCutcheon Scholarship in Education, which has provided more than $81,000 in student awards since its inception in 1998. He also helped to raise funds for the development of the McCutcheon Alcove, a popular study spot for students, in the Education Building. “Brandon College helped me learn how to navigate the challenges ahead,” Brown said. “I believe that is what the faculty are doing for young people for Southwest Manitoba, and also around the world. Brandon University is a wonderful gem on the prairies. It has the staff to help students reach for new dreams.” Nathan Peto Peto became one of the youngest city managers in Western Canada in 2017 when he was named the City Manager of Portage la Prairie, providing leadership for a team of 150 municipal employees. Throughout his career in administration he has spearheaded efforts on Indigenous inclusion and supported community mobilization efforts and municipal partnerships. Peto served on the Brandon University Students’ Union for four years, rising to the role of President in 2007-08. He was active on the Brandon University Foundation for 10 years following his graduation, participating in several major fundraising campaigns and serving as President of the Foundation. “My time at Brandon University had a profound impact on the course of my life,” Peto said. “The friendships made, learning opportunities provided, and overall experience created an outstanding foundation from which to build my career.” The Dinner and Awards are a crowning event of Homecoming for many attendees as they reminisce with their classmates and other alumni, ending the evening by gathering for class cheers. Classes celebrating milestone anniversaries of their graduation years are also recognized at the event. Members of the class of 1968 are marking 50 years since they became the first BU graduates, following the institution’s chartering as a university in 1967. “There is tremendous excitement around this Homecoming as we reach the culmination of our BU50 celebrations, which have taken place over the last year,” Eisler said. “This year we are making an extra effort to throw our doors open and welcome everyone with events the whole family can enjoy.” Homecoming runs from October 11 to 14. Special events planned for this year include Friday’s appearance by keynote speaker Chris Hadfield. Saturday’s schedule will begin with Family Fun Day activities and be capped by Fifty Fest, a free concert headlined by Royal Canoe and Begonia. Saturday’s schedule also includes New Beginnings, a conference open to the public that will share BU research with the community. Food trucks will be on campus on Friday and Saturday, while the BU observatory will host public viewings each evening from Thursday through Sunday. Returning favourites include the Pro Series Homecoming Concert, Bobcat games and the Sports Wall of Fame Brunch.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release An ongoing Police investigation revealed between May 12th 2014 and November 5th 2016, a male suspect was an employee with local company in Brandon and was responsible for sales and book keeping. Over a period of approximately two and half years, he made multiple personal purchases and paid for them with the company bank account. The male suspect also applied for a truck loan using the financial information of the company’s owner. On Thursday, a 37yr old Brandon man was arrested and released to appear in Court on November 29th

Emergency crews and Manitoba Hydro crews were kept busy throughout Wednesday as multiple calls came in for downed power lines, likely due to the large dump of wet snow. Brandon Fire and Emergency Services responded to a report of downed power lines in the back lane between Queens Ave and Aster Cres near Meadows School. Downed power lines could be seen arching and smoking while resting on and near objects in the back lane. Manitoba Hydro, as well as Westman Cable and MTS were called in to assess the situation, and the scene was handed off to them by fire crews. Fire crews were on scene from about 3:50 to 5:20 in the afternoon.   Photos by: Liam Pattison Photography.

Source: Province of Manitoba News Release Twelve new members have been appointed to Manitoba’s Mental Health Review Board, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen announced today. “By providing oversight for decisions relating to the admission and treatment of psychiatric patients, the Mental Health Review Board performs a valuable service for Manitoba’s health-care system,” said Friesen.  “Our government congratulates the new members on their appointments and have faith they will excel in their new roles.” The review board hears applications regarding decisions about specific aspects of the admission and treatment of patients in a designated psychiatric facility. There are 27 members of the board, which is broken down to include eight lawyers, 11 psychiatrists and eight public members.  A quorum for a review board hearing, which under The Mental Health Act must begin within 21 days of an application being received, includes a lawyer to chair the hearing, as well as a psychiatrist and a public member. Today’s appointments include six lawyers and six public members.  Lawyers appointed are Norm Sims (QC) of Minnedosa and five Winnipeg attorneys:  Krista Boryskavich, Ceci Kaufman (QC), Christopher Kozier, Robert Olson and Kyle Mirecki. New public members to the board are Aline Nostedt and Pamela McCallum Beazley of Winnipeg, as well as Brandon’s Maureen Stitt, Sharon Bissonnette of Dugald, Steinbach resident Candice Cancade and Treena Ross of Fraserwood. The new appointees were appointed to two- and three-year terms.  The start dates and terms for the appointments have been staggered to allow for the uninterrupted continuation of the board’sday-to-day operations, Friesen said. The minister thanked outgoing board members for their service and dedication.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release Operation Impact is a national public awareness campaign set to take place over the Thanksgiving weekend, from October 5th – 8th 2018. This year’s theme is Drive to Save Lives and will once again the focus will be on the behaviours drivers, passengers and other road users most at risk: impaired driving, occupant restraint use (seatbelts), aggressive driving and distracted driving; the main causes of death and injury on Canadian highways.