Manitobans with unwanted firearms or ammunition are encouraged to participate in a provincewide gun amnesty this month to help ensure these weapons will not be used in a crime, Justice Minister Heather Stefanson announced today. “The gun amnesty program will help keep Manitobans safer in their homes, and reduce the chances a weapon could be stolen and used in a crime,” said Stefanson.  “Our government is proud to partner with police agencies across the province to make this program accessible to everyone who may need it.” Any Manitoban can safely and legally have firearms or ammunition removed from their home in June.  The first step is to call the local police service’s non-emergency number with some information about the items.  Officers will set up a time to pick up the guns or ammunition from the home and then safely dispose of them.  Manitobans should not drop off guns or ammunition at their local police station. “We encourage everyone across the province who has firearms or ammunition they simply don’t need or want, to participate in the Gun Amnesty Program,” said Scott Kolody, assistant commissioner, RCMP, and president of the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police.  “By turning in your unwanted firearm, you are removing a potential hazard and helping to make your home and your community safer.  This initiative is designed to enhance public safety and we are looking forward to working with all Manitobans to make it a success.” The police will not lay charges against someone turning in a weapon unless it was used to commit a crime or was stolen. Manitoba’s last gun amnesty program collected nearly 300 weapons and more than 74 boxes or bags of ammunition and the province is hopeful Manitobans will exceed those numbers during this year’s campaign, Stefanson said. For more information about gun amnesty month in Manitoba, contact the local police service or visit www.gov.mb.ca.

Late Friday afternoon, Brandon Fire and Police crews were called to the intersection of 21st St. and College Ave for a two-vehicle collision involving a small SUV and a sports car. It appears as though the SUV made contact with the passenger side of the sports car, however details about exactly how the crash occurred have not been released. Both vehicles had to be towed by Accel Towing. No one was transported to hospital from this crash.  Photos by Liam Pattison Phoptography.

Brandon Police Service Media Release At about 8:45 PM Thursday evening, a report was received from Canada Post that a vehicle had been stolen from their Douglas Street compound about an hour prior. A male suspect used artifice to gain entry to the building and upon exiting had apparently accessed keys for the vehicle. The suspect took the vehicle and was last seen driving towards 17th Street East. The suspect is described as a white male, approx. 5’8” tall, black hair, beard, wearing blue jeans and dark grey hoodie. The vehicle is a marked Canada Post Ford Transit Connect XLT Cargo van, bearing MB license plate GBB557. The theft is still under investigation.

June 1, Brandon, MB – The Manitoba Summer Fair will be back at the Keystone Centre June 6 – 10 and promises something for all ages. “We are putting the Fair back in the fair this year.” Said Ellen Murray, Co-Chair of the MSF planning committee. Murray explained that there are many reasons why people come to the fair. “There are those that thrive on the thrill of the rides and there are those that just love the over-all experience of the fair; the sideshow entertainment, the food, the shopping. The fair is a unique spectacle that only comes to town once a year offering sights you just don’t see every day in Brandon.” The five-day event includes a variety of outdoor and indoor activities. In the UCT Pavilion, visitors can view the newly added Homecraft competition entries as well as an assortment of other artisan and historical displays. Kidzone, located next door features a petting zoo, pony rides and live entertainment with Doodles the Clown, Markus Family Fun and the Skateboard Circus Show. Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo will have their Endangered Canada display in the Manitoba Room and the Brandon Curling Club will host multiple sport demo activities and a $5000 cash bingo on Thursday night. On the grounds of the Keystone, North American Midway Entertainment is will kick off their Canadian tour with Brandon as their first stop. “We just closed on St. Louis and are super thrilled to be on our way to the summer fair in Brandon. Said Gregg Korek, VP of Client Relations - North American Midway & President of Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions. “We have in our arsenal of thrill rides the newly refurbished “Zipper” that missed the tour last year as it underwent an extensive overhaul.” Korek added. Indigo Circus will perform their unique brand of circus fire entertainment and the main stage will feature The Fire Guy Show and local acts such as Jakeleg Blues Band, Roman Clarke and Julianna Moore. Brandon Pride will host an early kick off to Pride week with the Queer & Present Danger Comedy Showcase on Thursday and Stacey Kay Music from Toronto brings her unique style of soul and machine gun rap to the stage on Friday and Saturday. There will been a mixture of indoor and outdoor horse shows including Miniature, Hackney and Draft horses in the Westoba Ag Centre of Excellence and the Alberta Mini Chuckwagon racing daily in the outdoor show ring. Along with planning, the Provincial Ex will be moving its office to the Dome Building for the fair. “ We are used to moving our offices right before the fairs, this time we are moving to stay! “ Said Ron Kristjansson, General Manager at the Provincial Exhibition. “This building was built for our community in 1913 as a part of a national fair that attracted thousands of visitors to Brandon. We are proud to bring it back to the centre of the fair this year.” Approximately 100 new citizens with take the oath to become Canadians in the Dome building on Wednesday, and Thursday the Monterery Jammers will provide entertainment for the senior’s tea and dance. On Sunday, June 10 the traditional Cando Rail Breakfast will take place under the Domes from 9 – 11 AM; pay $5 and stay the day at the fair for free to enjoy crowd favourites such as the Demo Derby and Chrome in the Trees. Organizers ask that you bring a tin for the bin in support of Samaritan House. Details and schedules for the 2018 Manitoba Summer Fair are available at www.manitobasummerfair.com . Follow the Provincial Exhibition on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and use #MBSummerFair for fair updates.

BRANDON – Nearly 600 students will receive degrees on Friday as Brandon University’s (BU’s) largest graduating class in six years takes part in the Spring 2018 Convocation. Two ceremonies at BU’s Healthy Living Centre (HLC) will confer degrees on 583 graduates. The morning ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., with students from the Faculties of Science and Health Studies receiving their degrees. During the afternoon ceremony, which begins at 2:30 p.m., students from the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education and School of Music will take their turn. “It is extremely gratifying and uplifting to welcome each student to the stage, to congratulate them and to see their smiles as they realize the culmination of this remarkable journey,” said Dr. Steven Robinson, BU’s Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “To have such a large class this year amplifies the joy of the occasion and is a tremendous credit to the graduates for their hard work over the years and to our staff and faculty for the guidance and the support they’ve given our students.” This year’s graduating class is 12 per cent larger than last year, when degrees were conferred on 520 BU students. The last class larger than this year’s group was in 2013. Two valedictorians will speak to their graduating classmates as part of the ceremonies. Rebecca Storey, the morning valedictorian, was raised in Brandon and has completed a three-year Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Mathematics and a minor in French. She plans to continue her studies at BU in the Faculty of Education with the goal of becoming a French immersion teacher. Afternoon valedictorian Abby Ziprick will receive a Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education concurrent degree on Friday and hopes to return to her home city of Winnipeg to teach music or drama. “One of the great things about working at Brandon University is how well we get to know the students during their time here,” said Katie Gross, BU’s Dean of Students. “We’ve seen them put a great deal of time and effort in their education and the pursuit of their dreams. It’s wonderful to share the feeling of accomplishment with them and I’m excited to see what great successes await them in the future.” The afternoon ceremony will include the conferral of an honorary Doctor of Literature degree on Dr. Linda Hutcheon, in recognition of her exceptional career as a writer, a critic and an educator. Several other honours will be presented during the day, including Brandon University Senate and Alumni Association awards that will recognize outstanding teaching and research at BU, Lifetime Achievement Awards, and the Distinguished Teacher Awards that are presented annually to teachers from elementary and high school programs. For those who aren’t able to attend the ceremonies, a livestream will be available at BrandonU.ca/Convocation. The celebration will continue the day after Convocation with the All Nations Pow Wow taking place on Saturday at the HLC. The Pow Wow will begin with a pipe ceremony at 10 a.m. outside the HLC. The event will include grand entries at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. as well as a ceremony to honour graduates at 3 p.m. More details are available at Events.BrandonU.ca.