Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 5:30 a.m., Officers located a female in distress walking in the 1400 Block of 6th Street. The female advised that she drove to a residence on Cornell Bay and when she arrived, a male armed with a handgun approached her demanding she get out and give him the keys. The victim complied and the suspect left in the vehicle. Officers in the area observed the vehicle on Cornwallis Crescent and attempted a vehicle stop but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed. Police pursued the vehicle and after the vehicle went through red lights at 1st and Richmond Avenue and 1st and Park Avenue at a very high rate of speed the pursuit was terminated. A 911 call a short time later indicated the vehicle was seen travelling east on Princess Avenue. Officers responded to the area but were not able to locate the vehicle. The stolen vehicle is a 2012 White Hyundai Elantra with Manitoba License plate HUS 435. The suspect in this offence is described as male, aboriginal in appearance, wearing red clothing with tattoos on his face. The victim did not receive any physical injuries during this incident and Police continue to investigate

BRANDON, Man. (March 14, 2018)— Welding students at Assiniboine Community College are benefiting from excellent learning opportunities provided by Koch Fertilizer Canada’s donation of nearly $200,000 worth of steel. “This donation helped students gain experience in welding a variety of different stainless steel products not normally welded in the school environment,” Welding instructor James McGhie said. Koch Fertilizer occasionally has material left over from other jobs or material where the markings become illegible or the supporting documentation is no longer available.  This material cannot be used in the plant as it is not 100 per cent identifiable. On approval from Paul Liddle, the Plant Manager, Henry Verner, the Transportation Compliance Coordinator, was tasked to clean up the material and have it removed from the site.  He contacted McGhie to see if the material could be put to good use in the college’s Welding program. “I thought Jimmy (McGhie) could do good things with the material to aid in the development of our next generation of welders. I am pleased that our donation will assist the program for years to come,” Verner said. McGhie said the donation allows instructors to bridge the gap between college classrooms and shops with industry, so students feel confident and comfortable working in these environments upon graduating. “It helps keep us current and provides us with the information we need on what is in demand from employers, including Koch,” said McGhie. “It offers students a sample of the products currently used in industry that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to fit into our budget.”

Mike and Naomi Waddell have revived a part of Brandon history, with the purchase of News In A Minute. Recently the owner of News In A Minute, Robert ‘Bob’ Ferguson, passed away at which point the 28-year-old publication ceased to exist. Mike had been interested in News In A Minute for several years and had many discussions with Robert about taking over from him when he chose to retire.  Mike’s family has been involved with the newspaper industry for years. “We believe in print media...we have a print background with my family in Neepawa” said Mike.  “This is Bobs legacy, and has been a big part of the community for almost 30 years” added Mike. News in a Minute will be expanding to further locations in the future. The plan for now is to reestablish connections with the local business community and to get the paper on tables at local restaurants, coffee shops, etc. The Waddell’s hope to start with publication shortly with the first edition on the street by April 2nd. For advertising, or information, call Mike at 204-724-7825.

Brandon Police Service Media Release Just before 4:00AM Tuesday morning, a 21 year old female was checked in the 800 block Rosser Avenue. She was identified as a suspect in two recent thefts of product from SuperStore. The suspect initially falsely identified herself during the investigation, and it was determined that she was failing to comply with a Probation Order by attending to the store. The accused was lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre and will appear in Court today facing charges of theft under $5000 (x2), public mischief, and failing to comply with probation order.

Tax cuts for individuals and business, record spending in health, education and families, and a dramatically reduced deficit are the highlights of Manitoba’s 2018 budget, Finance Minister Cameron Friesen said as he introduced the budget today in the legislature. “We promised to fix the finances, repair the services and rebuild the economy,” said Friesen.  “We are keeping our promises.” By increasing the threshold under which individuals pay no income tax by $2,020 over the next two years, the Government of Manitoba is taking more than 30,000 Manitobans off the tax rolls – that is more than 30,000 more Manitobans who will pay no income tax – and adding more than $230 million to the economy by putting it back in the pockets of Manitobans. Budget 2018 also gives small and medium-sized businesses a break by raising the small business income tax threshold to $500,000 from $450,000.  This will save individual businesses up to $6,000 a year – money they can reinvest in new jobs or technology – and pump $7 million back into the economy each year starting in 2019. This year’s budget makes a further dramatic step on the path to balancing the budget with the biggest reduction in the deficit since summary budgeting was introduced in 2007, Friesen noted.  Budget 2018 reduces the deficit by $319 million from Budget 2017. “Manitobans face challenges of rising hydro rates, increased federal and municipal taxes, and interest rates rising. They deserve a break,” the minister said.  “With this budget, and the biggest tax cut in Manitoba’s history, we are giving them a break by taking money from the cabinet table and putting it back on the kitchen table.” Other highlights include: a historic investment of $102 million to establish an independently run conservation trust that will fund projects to support the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan; a record investment of $6.2 billion in Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living including an additional $14 million for the Home Cancer Drug program, $7.7 million for expanded dialysis treatment and $3.1 million for rare disease drugs, and the creation of 60 new full-time paramedic positions decreasing ambulance fees to $340 from $425, totalling a 32 per cent decrease since forming government and keeping on track to reduce to $250 as promised; a $60.5-million increase in funding to Manitoba Families including $13 million more for Community Living DisABILITY Services, an increase in funding to improve the supply and quality of affordable housing; support funding for over 700 new child-care spaces including funding for the construction of 251 new spaces; a $13.7-million increase in education funding and confirmation of the construction of five new schools:  Seven Oaks (kindergarten to Grade 5); Waterford Green (kindergarten to Grade 8); Southeast Brandon (kindergarten to Grade 8); Pembina Trails Waverley West (kindergarten to Grade 8), and Pembina Trails Waverley West (grades 9 to  12); a new Child Care Centre Development Tax Credit that gives businesses an incentive valued up to $10,000 over five years to create daycare spaces for workers’ children; $70 million to launch the Lake Manitoba outlet project; funding to complete ‘Freedom Road’ this year, to complete the Waverley Street underpass and upgrade the Portage la Prairie wastewater treatment plant; partnering with the federal government to invest $176.8 million in strategic agricultural initiatives over the next five years; investing in Look North, the long-term economic development strategy for growth and prosperity in northern Manitoba; supporting a northern tourism strategy; and a $16-million commitment for the coming fiscal year for the Manitoba Film and Video Production Tax Credit. “Even as we take a moderate and balanced approach to fiscal management and fixing our finances, we are investing in the priorities of Manitobans,” said Friesen.  “Whether you are a small business owner, a student, a senior or a working Manitoban, Budget 2018 is designed with you in mind.” The importance of fiscal discipline and fixing the province’s finances is demonstrated by the fact that for the first time in Manitoba history, debt servicing costs will exceed $1 billion. “Years of mismanagement and reckless spending by the previous government have created a situation where we take $1 billion out of our economy and ship it to out-of-province bankers – money that cannot be invested on health, education, families or any priorities of Manitobans,” the minister said. If debt servicing was a government department, noted Friesen, it would be the fourth-largest spending department by budget. “We cannot lose sight of the importance of fixing our finances,” said Friesen.  “Debt and deficits are not abstract concepts.  It is about people, Manitobans and ensuring government can continue to provide the services that citizens need and deserve.  Not just now, but into the future.” Budget 2018 reaffirms the government’s commitments to reduce the PST to seven per cent by 2020 and balance the budget during its second term. “Our plan is working, and when you have a plan that is succeeding – that’s getting the results you promised – you stick with it,” said Friesen. “That’s what Budget 2018 does.” A list of Budget 2018 fact sheets for government departments can be found at: www.gov.mb.ca/budget2018/department/index.html.