Premier Brian Pallister announced changes to the provincial cabinet today and welcomed one new member to cabinet. “Since our election in April of 2016, our government has focused on fixing the finances, repairing the services and rebuilding the economy of our province,” said Pallister.  “Our team has made great progress.  Taxes have been lowered, the deficit has come down, we are seeing record private investment in our province, bond rating agencies are giving Manitoba a vote of confidence and emergency room wait times have come down. “We have achieved this through a strong team.  But there is much left to do.  Today, I’m announcing some key changes and additions to the team that build on the significant progress achieved over the first two years and position us for further improvements in our finances, services and economy over the second half of our mandate.” Pallister welcomed Colleen Mayer, MLA for St. Vital, as the new minister of Crown services. He also announced new portfolios for the following ministers: Heather Stefanson (MLA for Tuxedo) – Department of Families and she will continue to serve as deputy premier; Cameron Friesen (MLA for Morden-Winkler) – Department of Health, Seniors and Active Living; Kelvin Goertzen (MLA for Steinbach) – Department of Education and Training, and government house leader; Cliff Cullen (MLA for Spruce Woods) – Department of Justice and attorney general; and Scott Fielding (MLA for Kirkfield Park) – Department of Finance and minister responsible for the civil service. These changes represent a comprehensive and strategic repositioning at the mid-point of this government’s mandate of the key portfolios essential to the work of fixing the finances, repairing the services and rebuilding the economy, said Pallister. “The energy, experience and enthusiasm these ministers will bring to their new portfolios will ensure progress continues on our task of making Manitoba the most improved province in Canada,” he said. “We are harnessing key ministers to refocus on that work at this critical point in our mandate.” Ian Wishart (MLA for Portage la Prairie) has been appointed legislative assistant to the minister of education and training and tasked with co-ordinating a thorough review of the kindergarten to Grade 12 education system that will lead to reforms essential to ensuring youth are leaving school prepared to succeed in today’s competitive climate. Other legislative assistant changes are: Reg Helwer (MLA for Brandon West) has been named legislative assistant to the minister of finance; and Greg Nesbitt (MLA for Riding Mountain) has been named legislative assistant to the minister of health, seniors and active living. The following MLAs remain in their current portfolios: Brian Pallister (MLA for Fort Whyte) – premier and president of the Executive Council; minister of intergovernmental affairs and international relations; Jeff Wharton (MLA for Gimli) – Department of Municipal Relations; Eileen Clarke (MLA for Agassiz) – Department of Indigenous and northern relations; Ron Schuler (MLA for St. Paul) – Department of Infrastructure; Ralph Eichler (MLA for Lakeside) – Department of Agriculture; Blaine Pedersen (MLA for Midland) – Department of Growth, Enterprise and Trade; Cathy Cox (MLA for River East) – Department of Sport, Culture and Heritage; and Rochelle Squires (MLA for Riel) – Department of Sustainable Development and minister responsible for francophone affairs and status of women. Updated mandate letters will be provided to the cabinet before the commencement of the fall legislative session.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On Tuesday afternoon, Police received a report of Break, Enter and Theft to a garage located in the 200 block of 12th Street. The incident occurred between 8:00pm on July 30th and 12:30pm on July 31st. Entry was gained through an open window. Stolen from the garage was a sliding compound mitre saw. This incident is still under investigation. On Tuesday afternoon, Police received a report of Break, Enter and Theft from a warehouse located in the 1600 block of 1st Street. The incident occurred between 4:00pm on July 30th and 1:30pm on July 31st. Among the items stolen was a leather couch, fridge, upright freezer, snow blower and garden rototiller. This incident is under investigation. On Tuesday morning, Police received a report of Break, Enter and Theft to an unlocked garage located in the 400 block of 7th Street. This incident occurred sometime overnight. Stolen from the garage were Avon products. This incident is still under investigation. Early Wednesday morning, Police attended to a business in the 100 block of 9th Street for a Break, Enter and Theft complaint. Police discovered a large rock was thrown through the front window of the business. A display purse was taken but recovered near the business. No entry gained to the business. This incident is still under investigation.

Prior to the fire Massey Manor provided housing for 53 families and 5 homeless individuals. As a result of the devastating fire and water damage almost all the tenants lost most if not all of their possessions. The Province of Manitoba, the City Of Brandon, many businesses and churches and numerous individuals have donated cash, furniture and clothing to help the victims of this fire.   To further display our community’s altruistic support, Dufresne Furniture has made a most generous donation of 30 new mattresses and bed frames which will be given to the Massey Manor fire evacuees who had no household insurance. These beds will be delivered to our Building Re-Fit Store located at 23 - 12th Street on August 2, 2018 at 1pm and members of the media are invited to attend to see firsthand the generosity displayed by the people of our community.   “At Dufresne, we believe it is our responsibility to give back to the communities that have supported us over our 32 year history.  It is a privilege for us to support the communities where our teams, our guests and our families live, work and play.  A proper mattress is the foundation of a good night’s sleep and we’re honored to be providing mattresses to those in need in the Brandon community”, said Larry Millar, Senior Director of Marketing, Dufresne Furniture and Appliance.   The Building Re-Fit Store will provide free delivery of these beds to those uninsured fire evacuees who are still in need of proper beds.

In a hotly contested battle, Royal Lepage upended Remax / Vionell Holdings Partnership 11-7 to win the 2018 Jake Cup. The Jake Cup is named after the founder of VHP Vionell Bertineous (Jake) Jacobson.  VBJ (the original) Jake was an entrepreneur and a competitive guy, and the trophy is named in his honor.  The Jake Cup was created to reward summer students at VHP for their effort over the summer and bring a team bonding experience to VHP. The cup started in 2016 and was a friendly game between VHP staff and friends.  This year through collaboration between Tyler Plante and Jason Roblin the game evolved into a more competitive match between Remax/VHP and Royal Lepage Martin Liberty for the overall benefit of local charities. Fun was had by both teams and over $800 was generated for Career Connections and the YWCA.  Organizers hope next years game will be just as fun and raise the bar one more notch and plans are already underway to add to the experience.  

Source:Brandon Police Service Media Release Police have arrested and charged a 24 year old male with Break and Enter, Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Possession of a controlled Substance.  The male had entered into a home in the 600blk of 16th street and confronted the homeowner with a large kitchen knife. The male was located in the area and has been arrested.  He will appear in court on September 27th.