Source: Brandon Area Community Foundation The Brandon Area Community Foundation (BACF) have received a second gift of $1 million of personal shares in Cando Rail Services from Gord and Diane Peters for granting throughout Westman. The shares will not become an endowed fund. The Peters want the money to be spent within the next 15 to 20 years to see the projects they are able to support now. Half the funds will be granted by BACF through their formal granting process and half the funds will be donor advised by the Peters.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release On June 16th, Police received a complaint from a female victim stating that her ex had sent intimate images of her, without her consent, to other people. Through the course of the investigation a second female victim was identified as it was discovered that this same male suspect had shared intimate images of this 2nd female without her consent. As a result a 40-year-old Brandon man was arrested for Distribute Intimate Images without Consent x2, later released and is scheduled to appear in Court in August

The new 65,660 square kindergarten to Grade 8 school in southeast Brandon will be called Maryland Park School.  The name was selected at Monday night's School Board meeting.  More than thirty suggested names were submitted for consideration.  The new school will be constructed for 450 students with ability to expand to a capacity of 675 students.  The facility will also include a child care centre for 20 infants, 54 pre-school children, and an additional 40 nursery school spaces.  Construction is expected to be completed for the beginning of the school year in September 2020.

At around 7:00 Tuesday night, fire and police crews were called to the area just south of 26th St and Victoria Ave in the median for a pickup truck vs a tree. It appears as though a pickup truck left the roadway and struck a tree in the median, and got hung up on the stump of the torn off tree. Nobody was injured during the crash, and crews cleared within half an hour.  Photos by Liam Pattison Photography.

Once again, the Riding Mountain National Park Film Festival (RMNPFF) will offer the Assiniboine Community College Digital Media Camp for youth this summer. Amidst the inspiring natural setting of Riding Mountain National Park, youth ages nine to 17 will learn the basics of film making from experienced film makers and create a short film in two days. Festival Director Steve Langston is pleased with the team set to work with youth is in the Keeseekowenin Sharing Lodge in Wasagaming, at 126 Ta-Wa-Pit Drive. The camp is from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., July 19 and 20 and costs $100 per participant. Finished work from this camp will be screened at the festival, July 17 - 22. For more information or to register, visit rmnpfilmfest.ca/digital-media-camp. “We are excited to be a partner of the digital media camp for the fourth year running, welcoming kids from communities across southwestern Manitoba. Introducing creative young minds to careers and opportunities in film production and digital media is something we’re passionate about as a college,” said Danielle Adriaansen, Director of Public Affairs for Assiniboine Community College. Into its sixth year, RMNPFF continues to celebrate independent films in one of Canada’s most beautiful national parks. Langston noted the partnership with ACC makes it possible to offer an incredible opportunity for youth and promote excellence in the Manitoba film industry. “It’s pretty cool to see kids go from the camp into ACC’s Interactive Media Arts program, and then into the business. I think it helps build the industry and develop quality film makers,” he said. About the festival RMNPFF is an annual event screening films at different venues in RMNP and was created to motivate visitors to connect with their natural environment through the power of film and storytelling. The festival features documentaries focusing on environmentalism, adventure and local interest, plus the Popular Taste for Film event. Check the RMNPFF website at www.rmnpfilmfest.ca for a soon-to be released movie and activity schedule.