Today BDNMB.CA had the chance to give the new GM of the Keystone Centre Connie Lawrence 20 questions to get a bit of idea of who she is. Q - What do you feel is going to be the toughest part of this new job position? A - Changing the face of the Keystone Centre,  we want to teach people the importance of the Keystone and what it means to our economy. Q – Favorite moment so far working at the Keystone Centre A -  Tough question,  I have many favorite moments,  but I think the best is Ag Days this year,  a show that normally takes 36 hours to set up and watching our team come together and do it in a time crunch of 12 -  everyone worked together and it showed what true team work is all about. Q – Does the general public not truly understand the value of the Keystone A - I think there is a huge need to educate everyone,  most people do not know we have 11 conference rooms Q - TV guilty pleasure A - Caribbean Life Q – Last three purchases on Amazon A - Phone charger, Ben’s 30% deet Mosquito spray and a white Kimono Q – Would you say Darryl Wolski and Jody Sass are the worst clients you have had to deal with? A - Lol don’t even make the top 10 Q – COVID was tough on many businesses how did that effect a huge building and operation like the Keystone Centre A -  fortunately because of the size and location we became a testing site and a vaccine site not just for Brandon but for the Westman region, which allowed us to keep most of our full time staff employed. Q – When you go for dinner or lunch do you split the bill or pick it up yourself. A - normally split but again depends on the reason for the dinner and whom its with Q – What things would you like to see change in the events industry A -Cap on concert ticket pricing Q -  Favorite Super Bowl commercial A - Of course anything to do with the Clydesdales and the yellow lab puppy -  the best happy cry! Q– Are you a social media influencer A - Not At ALL Q - Did you have a childhood hero A - Wayne Gretzky Q – Describe yourself in 5 words A -  honest, humble, compassionate, strong and driven Q – Dog or cat person A - DOG Q – Favorite movie of all time A – Dances with Wolves Q– Country you would like to visit A - Sweden Q – Biggest pet peeve A - Rude people Q – What is a purchase you made that you regret today A - lol a Pub and Grill Q – How many hours on average do you work A– 60 hr. a week Q - Artist you would like to see at Country Fest A – Jelly Roll

On February 20th at 04:55 am Police were called to a multi vehicle accident in the 5500 block of Richmond Avenue East. A semi-truck was traveling northbound on Limestone Rd east, turning westbound onto Richmond Avenue when the vehicle broke down. The semi-trailer was blocking the westbound lane and partially blocking the east bound lane. An eastbound Dodge Caravan struck the back driver’s side of the semi-trailer. A Mitsubishi Lancer that was also traveling eastbound then struck the Dodge Caravan. The 52-year-old male who was operating the Carvan has been taken to hospital with serious injuries. Police are still on scene and continuing the investigation.

At 11:03 am, a 32 year old male was found illegally riding a bicycle on the sidewalk in the 100 block of 6th St. Upon being stopped by Police, he provided a false name. When searching the subject, he was found to be in possession of a concealed knife as well as a small quantity of cocaine. The subject was charged with Public Mischief, Possession of a Weapon, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He also had a warrant for his arrest for Fail to Attend court. He was held in custody for court in the morning.

The Keystone Centre is excited to announce the beginning of the process to replace the arena seats in Westoba Place, the main arena and home to a wide variety of events, including Manitoba Ag Days, Dakota Nation Winterfest, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, numerous concerts, and the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings. TBD Architecture + Urban Planning and OCL have been working with the Keystone Centre team on several projects in a strategic, operational, and design capacity. The modernization of the Westoba Place seating will transform the fan and experience and will provide the guest with new seating opportunities. TBD Architecture + Urban Planning will be responsible for the seating design, project delivery, and contract management while OCL will support with operational modeling and business planning. “The interest and enthusiasm we have seen from potential partners in the project speaks volumes about the leadership at the Keystone Centre and the desire to work in the great community of Brandon,” said Brian Bengert, Principal, with TBD Architecture and Urban Planning. “Westoba Place is at the heart of live sport, entertainment, agricultural and cultural celebrations in Manitoba and this seating revitalization project will provide the guest with most modern and competitive seating products in the industry” said, Tim Reid President with OCL. "We are excited to continue creating a first-class experience for all of our guests at Westoba Place," said Connie Lawrence, general manager of the Keystone Centre. "From new rink boards to a state-of-the-art centre-hung scoreboard, this seat replacement project further elevates the comfort and enjoyment of the current fan experience, and aims to create a new, premium experience available to a larger number of fans than ever before.” The project is made possible by the Arts, Culture, and Sport in Community Fund grant from the Province of Manitoba, which was awarded in 9March of 2023. This grant will allow the Keystone Centre to make these much-needed upgrades to Westoba Place, enhancing the experience for all attendees. "We extend our sincere gratitude to the Province of Manitoba for their support in realizing this project," added Lawrence. "We are excited to welcome fans to experience the enhanced seating options and premium amenities at Westoba Place, as we set a new standard for live entertainment in the region.”

On August 8th, 2023, at 11:47 P.M. members of the Brandon Police Service and Brandon Fire and Emergency Services responded to the west alley of the 400 Block of 12th Street and located an unresponsive male, later identified as 37-year-old, Ryan Daryl BENSON. Upon investigation, it was discovered he had been stabbed multiple times in the upper torso. He later succumbed to these injuries. Upon initial Police investigation it was determined that the deceased had been at an apartment in the 400 Block of 12th street earlier that evening and engaged in an argument with an adult male suspect and male youth suspect. The argument led to a physical altercation with both suspects brandishing weapons. The deceased received fatal wounds during the fight while the male youth suspect received a significant injury to his hand. Police were able to recover several exhibits from multiple locations including DNA samples. On February 15th, 2024, Arrest Warrants, a Search Warrant and DNA Warrants were obtained and members of the Brandon Police Service Major Crime Section, Crime Suppression Section, and the RCMP attended to a residence in St. Rita Manitoba. As a result of this investigation and the warrant execution, a 21-year-old adult male, Joshua Chad Ross was arrested without incident for 2nd Degree Murder. He is scheduled to appear in court later today. The 16-year-old male youth suspect turned himself in on Thursday evening and has also been arrested for 2nd Degree Murder and will also make his first appearance in court today.