Brandon University will welcome as its next President and Vice-Chancellor an accomplished academic and administrator who has a distinguished history of leading institutions through growth and transformative change. Dr. David Docherty will commence a five-year term on May 1, 2019. “The success of any university is measured by the success of our students, our faculty and our staff, and by that measure I am privileged to be joining an extremely successful institution,” said Dr. Docherty. “I am eager to contribute as President to Brandon University’s continuing success, to meeting the challenges and opportunities of growth, and to celebrating and deepening BU’s collaborative and collegial campus culture.” Dr. Docherty will be coming to BU from Mount Royal University in Calgary, where he is concluding an extended term as President. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto as well as degrees from McMaster University and Wilfrid Laurier University. The BU Board of Governors confirmed Dr. Docherty’s selection at a special meeting last week. “This is an exciting time for Brandon University, rich with opportunity as we grow in size and in ambition. Dr. Docherty brings the right mix of experience and enthusiasm to be a visionary and effective leader for BU,” said Derrick Stewart, chair of the BU Board of Governors. “Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Docherty has demonstrated commitments — to diversity, to transparency, to personal accessibility, to community-building, and more — that make him a perfect fit for our closely-knit campus.” Dr. Steven Robinson will remain as Interim President until April 30, 2019. “We are pleased that Dr. Robinson will continue to serve the University for a few more months in this demanding role. His guidance and hard work have been essential over the past year,” Stewart said. “Brandon University will continue to benefit from his leadership both through the coming academic year and as he returns to his ongoing duties as Vice-President (Academic).” The appointment of Dr. Docherty is the result of an extensive national search by the BU Presidential Search Committee, supported by executive search firm Perret Laver, who are specialists in educational leadership. Since 2011, Dr. Docherty has led the completion of Mount Royal’s transition to a university, including building new degree programs, forging national partnerships with other Canadian universities, introducing a 10-year strategic plan, and completing Phase Two of the University Campus Master Plan. He also oversaw the completion of the largest fundraising campaign in Mount Royal’s history, which raised over $250 million for capital projects, scholarships and learning opportunities, as well as completing other major capital projects. Prior to his time at Mount Royal, Dr. Docherty spent more than 17 years at Wilfrid Laurier University, serving as a Professor of Political Science, as Dean of Arts, and as a Senior Advisor on Multi-Campus Initiatives in the Office of the Vice-President, Academic, among other roles. At Wilfrid Laurier, Dr. Docherty led the introduction of seven new graduate programs and was a founding member of the university’s Laurier Institute for the Study of Public Opinion, among other successes.

Eric and Jason Shultz have been safely located. The Manitoba RCMP thanks the public for their assistance. Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba Facebook Neepawa RCMP needs help to locate Jason Shultz, 11, & Eric Shultz, 13, to confirm their safety. Believed to be with their father David Shultz, age 50, 5’8, 150 lb. May be in Portage la Prairie or Winnipeg area. Likely travelling in a 2004 Chevy Silverado with MB licence plate: GHK 319. If seen, please call Neepawa RCMP at: 204-476-7338.

Source: City of Brandon Beginning on Monday, August 13th at 7 a.m., the 200-and-300-blocks of 18th Street North will be closed to all traffic and will remain closed until late afternoon on Friday, September 7th. This closure is necessary to allow for the installation of a new water main and associated infrastructure in the area of 18th Street North at Parker Boulevard. During the closure, southbound traffic on 18th Street North will be required to detour at McGregor Avenue and turn onto 19th Street North, then onto Fred Brown Way, before being able to turn back onto 18th Street North. Meanwhile, northbound traffic on 18th Street North will be required to detour onto Maple Avenue and head up to 16th Street North and then on to McGregor Avenue, before being able to turn back onto 18th Street North. The detour route for heavy truck traffic will be 1st Street via Victoria Avenue & the Trans-Canada Highway, with heavy truck access to Parker Boulevard via McGregor Avenue. Local access provisions will be made for businesses within the area.

Manitoba Finance’s Taxation Special Investigations Unit (SIU), working in conjunction with the RCMP, the Ontario Ministry of Finance, Ontario Provincial Police and Quebec Provincial Police recently seized 470,500 contraband cigarettes and 2,000 cigars. On Aug. 5 at approximately 6:30 p.m., the RCMP conducted a traffic stop on two vehicles travelling on PR 207.  The officers conducted a legal search of the vehicles, and the tobacco products were seized because the cigarettes were not marked for Manitoba tax purposes.  There was no proof the related Manitoba tobacco tax was paid to a registered collector or wholesaler for the cigars.  The seizure also included $3,105 in cash. The RCMP arrested Ross Livingston, 66, and Ernest Delaronde, 49, both of Winnipeg.  The individuals are facing charges under the Criminal Code of Canada for trafficking contraband tobacco, as well as The Excise Act, The Manitoba Tobacco Tax Act and The Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act. Manitoba stood to lose approximately $139,365.50 in tax revenue if these cigarettes and cigars had been sold.  If convicted, the individuals face fines between $1,000 and $10,000 and/or up to six months’ imprisonment.  In addition, they will face a mandatory triple tax penalty of $418,096.50. The province urges anyone who has information on contraband tobacco to contact their local police department, call the Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit at 204-945-1137, email smuggling_manitoba@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers (toll-free) at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At about 8:30 PM Thursday evening, a report of 6-7 people fighting in the 700 block Rosser Avenue was received. The subsequent investigation revealed that a 36 year-old male had struck 2 male youths after they tried to intervene when the suspect was in an argument with 31 year-old female. One of the youths, 15 years of age, was taken to BRHC by ambulance as he was reported to have lost consciousness after being struck by the accused. A search of the accused located a set of brass knuckles. The suspect was arrested, for two counts of assault and possession of a prohibited weapon, and was lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre overnight. He is to be released this morning on appropriate police-imposed conditions with a court date of September 10th. The 31 year-old female involved was intoxicated and continued to cause problems so she too was lodged at BCC to prevent any further breach of the peace.