Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba On February 14, 2018, at approximately 5:25 p.m., two members of the Minnedosa RCMP were travelling south on Highway 10 in marked police vehicle, when a small SUV headed in the opposite direction lost control and rolled into the southbound lane. The small SUV first struck a southbound car that was directly in front of the RCMP cruiser, and then struck the RCMP vehicle. The occupants of the small SUV, a 67-year-old female and a 51-year-old female, both from the RM of Glenella-Lansdowne, were pronounced deceased at the scene. One passenger in the southbound car that was first struck, a 56-year-old female from Waywayseecappo, MB, was also pronounced deceased. The three other occupants of the vehicle were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Neither RCMP officer was seriously injured. There were a total of six vehicles involved in the collision with three additional people sent to hospital with minor injuries. RCMP Traffic Analysts, RCMP Coordinated Collision Investigation Team, along with Spruce Plains RCMP and Westman RCMP Traffic Services attended the scene. Road conditions appear to have played a factor in the collision.

Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 11:15 p.m., an employee from a downtown drinking establishment reported a male entered the business and was observed with a gun hidden in the back of his pants. Officers attended and located the male a short distance away, as he; left the business before Police arrived. The male was found to be in possession of a toy handgun as well as a small space heater that he stole from the business.  The male suspect was also found to have outstanding Warrants for his Arrest for Theft Under $5000, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Breach of Recognizance, Fail to Appear for Finger Prints and Fail to Attend Court. The male was additionally found to be in Breach of a Court Order. The 52-year-old man from Brandon was arrested, lodged at the Brandon Correctional Center and is scheduled to appear in Court on Wednesday.

The Brandon School Division is in the process of developing their Budget for the 2018-2019 school year. The Public Consultation will be held on: Thursday, February 15, 2018 in the Green Acres School Gymnasium, located at 335 Queens Avenue East, Brandon. Please use the gymnasium entrance located near the West Parking Lot. The meeting will commence at 7:00 pm with a 2018-2019 Preliminary Budget Overview followed by a “Town Hall” question and answer session, allowing individuals to provide input regarding the Division’s 2018-2019 Budget. This meeting will also be streamed live on the internet at www.bsd.ca. You will be able to participate by sending questions via email: info@bsd.ca. The Board of Trustees would also like to invite you to attend the Regular Board Meeting on Monday, February 26, 2018 at 7:00 pm to hear public presentations regarding the proposed 2018-2019 Budget. If you would like to make a presentation to the Board of Trustees, please call 204-729-3114 to register, prior to February 20, 2018. Please take note of the important dates below: DEVELOPING OUR BUDGET FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR   Public Budget Consultation Forum Budget Deliberations Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 7:00 pm Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 10:00 am Green Acres School, Gymnasium BSD Administration Office, Board Room 335 Queens Avenue East, Brandon 1031 – 6th Street, Brandon Regular Board Meeting – Public Presentations Regular Board Meeting – Final Budget Approval Re. Proposed Budget Monday, March 12, 2018 at 7:00 pm Monday, February 26, 2018 at 7:00 pm BSD Administration Office, Board Room BSD Administration Office, Board Room 1031 – 6th Street, Brandon  

Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba (CFS Western) is excited to announce a two-year pilot project partnership with the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada and RBC that will give 100 vulnerable youth in Westman extra support in accessing the workforce. Called Youth Works, the project will help youth in and from care, aged 16 to 29, with employability supports such as skills training, career mentorships, and job placements. The program is supported by RBC Future Launch in partnership with the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada. The official launch of the program took place Tuesday, January 30, at CFS Western’s Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre. About 50 people attended including CFS staff and youth in and from care; Glenn Crook, RBC Vice President, Commercial Financial Services; other RBC staff; Peggy Hornell, Chief Operating Officer, The Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada; and Tristan Norton, CFS Western’s Youth Care Employment Specialist. “For youth moving into adulthood and out of care, gaining employment is often a significant challenge,” said Dave McGregor, Chief Executive Officer of CFS Western. “Living apart from their family, dealing with needs and vulnerabilities that contributed to their coming into care, and experiencing a lack of support to access opportunities that most kids take for granted, are just a few of the extra barriers these young adults face. “The Youth Works program will help mitigate some of these added obstacles.” James Lavallée, RBC Olympian and Canoe/Kayak athlete, had planned to attend the launch but, due to a highway closure, was unable to make it at the last minute. He made himself available via speakerphone though and told the youth about his struggles growing up with learning disabilities such as dyslexia and ADHD. “I felt angry, lost, and like I had no direction,” said Lavallée. “School was frustrating so I turned to sports to distract me, and I still struggled – a lot - at every one I tried. “Finally I figured out that the one thing that made me feel good was being outside. “So I found kayaking, and from my first time out on the water, I felt different…and free. “It changed my life forever, gave me an outlet for my frustration and anger, and taught me skills that I could apply to everything I do.” Lavallée also told the youth that he opened himself up to the support of others who helped him set and pursue his life goals. “Though we often think – and believe – it, we never truly walk alone. “Welcome others into your circle, gain support and strength from them, and take it one step at time. “There will always be bends and bumps along the way, but take pride in how you navigate them. “For me, they helped make me who I am today.” Tristan Norton, CFS Western’s Youth Care Employment Specialist, told the audience that a goal of the Youth Works program is to help youth in and from care reach their full potential by giving them the tools they need to succeed in the workplace. “Not only just to find jobs,” said Norton. “But to keep them and become great role models in their workplaces which will help them unlock their full potential in all that they do.” The Youth Works program is also operating in three other sites across Canada – Fredericton, Richmond, and Toronto. Each of the fours site have received funding to help 100 vulnerable youth in their area. Peggy Hornell, Chief Operating Officer at The Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, said that while each site and province has their own unique character, across the country youth in and from care face multiple barriers as they move out of care and into independence. “Helping young people in and from the child welfare system find stability in their lives is an important priority for us at the Foundation. “This program will help build brighter futures for these kids by giving them the supports they need to launch successful careers.” On average each year, about 2,300 youth as young as age 16 move out of Canada’s child welfare system and are no longer eligible for the kind of supports they received in care. They often lack a family home or family support while they look for a job, help with groceries and necessities, or someone to help them prepare for a job interview. Without the basic supports to help them become self-sufficient, these young adults may face a future of poverty, homelessness, and hopelessness. “Our goal is to ensure these youth are more confident, better prepared and equipped for the future of work,” said Glenn Crook, RBC Vice President, Commercial Financial Services. “Youth Works provides a unique opportunity for us to support some of the most vulnerable youth in Westman, and we thank our partners for their work in making a measurable difference in the lives of youth transitioning from care.” The Westman Youth Works program began in September 2017. To date, about 25 youth are participating. Youth can access the program on their own, or get referral through a child welfare agency or high school as well as many other community organizations. For more information, please call Tristan Norton at 204-573-3252 or toll free 1-800-483-8980 or email youthemployment@cfswestern.mb.ca.

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon and Brandon Transit wish to draw the public’s attention to forthcoming changes being made to Brandon Transit’s Sunday/statutory holiday hours of operation, effective March 30th, 2018. As per a decision of Brandon City Council during its 2018 budget deliberations, as of Friday, March 30th, 2018, Brandon Transit’s Sunday hours of service will run on a 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (hourly) schedule. In addition, Brandon Transit services will be available on a 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (hourly) schedule on the following statutory holidays ONLY during the 2018 calendar year: Louis Riel Day Easter Monday Victoria Day Terry Fox Day Remembrance Day Thanksgiving Day Boxing Day The above changes mean that buses will NOT run on Good Friday (March 30th) or on Easter Sunday (April 1st) this year, but WILL operate on a 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (hourly) schedule on Easter Monday (April 2nd). Other statutory holidays on which Brandon Transit service will NO LONGER be available include Canada Day, Labour Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. All management and staff of Brandon Transit sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of all transit users during this period of transition. Through the 2018 calendar year, the City of Brandon and Brandon Transit will ensure that public notification of scheduled bus service is available well in advance of each statutory holiday to minimize confusion. For more information on Brandon Transit regular routes and hours of operation, visit www.brandontransit.ca or call directly at 204-729-2279.