BRANDON, Man. (January 17, 2018)— Assiniboine Community College’s Alumni Association has just announced the four recipients of this year’s alumni awards to be presented at the seventh annual Alumni Advancement Dinner in Brandon on March 8, 2018.  This year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award is Wade Barnes. The award is presented annually to a graduate of the college who has distinguished themselves in both their chosen profession and their community.  As one of the foremost agronomists in North America, Barnes is a pioneer in the Precision Agriculture movement. Raised as a grower in rural Manitoba, he combined his love for agriculture, technology and business and studied the Agribusiness program at Assiniboine. He now serves as President & CEO of Farmers Edge, having grown the company into the preeminent provider of precision agriculture platform and independent data management solutions for growers worldwide.  Beny Mwenda will receive the Community Service Award, which recognizes a graduate of the college who has positively impacted the quality of people’s lives through the service of others. Throughout his career, Mwenda has had a deep commitment to education, training and rural community development in his country and has coordinated and secured funding for many training projects for rural Tanzanians, which increased their agricultural and entrepreneurial skills and therefore their ability to thrive in their local communities. Whitney Roberts is this year’s recipient of the One to Watch Award, which honours a graduate who is 30 years of age or younger at the time of nomination and has made exceptional achievements and significant contributions to his or her profession and community. Originally from Deloraine, Man., Whitney attended Assiniboine’s Business Administration program and graduated with a Marketing specialization in 2007. After living for a short while in Western Canada, Roberts and her husband moved back to Manitoba in 2016, where she opened Tour Indoor Cycling, a boutique indoor cycling studio.  The Excellence in Teaching Award honours a faculty member for extraordinary contributions to teaching and the student experience. Hotel and Restaurant Management instructor Kyle Zalluski is the recipient of this year’s award. Originally from Neepawa, Man., Zalluski moved to Brandon to attend the college’s Hospitality Tourism Administration program. In 2004, he started his career at Assiniboine Community College as an instructor. Early on in his career, Kyle coordinated the college’s inaugural Wine & Food Festival, which began as a small event held in a classroom that is now a premiere event at the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts. As well, each year he trains and guides students through the rigorous processes and etiquette required for the highly anticipated Grey Owl restaurant. Award recipients will be formally recognized at the alumni Advancement Dinner on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts, North Hill Campus. Those interested in event details, sponsorship information, or tickets may contact Lisa Huston, Alumni Relations Coordinator at 204.725.8700 ext 7124.

Manitoba Public Insurance reported a net income of $61.3 million for the nine months of its fiscal year ending November 30, 2017 – an increase of $60.6 million over the same time period last year. This includes net income from the Basic insurance line of business of $11.1 million in the first nine months of the 2017/18 fiscal year. “Historically, the first nine months of the Corporation’s fiscal year generate positive financial results, which are then offset by an increase in claims costs during the winter months,” said Mark Giesbrecht, vice-president of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance. “As such, the financial results for the remainder of the fiscal year will continue to be closely monitored and the Corporation remains committed to achieving its corporate goals and serving the best interests of our customers.” Third quarter highlights Total earned revenues for the first nine months rose by $53.1 million from the same period last year, driven mainly by increases in motor vehicle premium revenue from more motor vehicles insured and the value of these vehicles. Revenues were also bolstered by an overall Basic insurance rate increase of 3.7 per cent approved by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) effective March 1, 2017. Total claims costs were $40.1 million higher than in the same nine-month period last year. Manitobans continue to pay among the lowest auto insurance premiums in all of Canada. In December, the PUB approved an overall increase of 2.6 per cent in Basic insurance premiums for the 2018/19 insurance year. In addition, the PUB approved changes to premiums charged under the Driver Safety Rating program to better align the premiums high-risk drivers pay to their actual claims costs, and to provide even greater incentive for dangerous drivers to improve their driving habits. This change is expected to increase driver premium revenue by $17.5 million. In its ruling, the PUB also approved a maximum upper target of $325 million for the basic insurance rate stabilization reserve, which will assist the Corporation in mitigating the need for future premium increases to address unexpected variations in revenues, claims costs and ongoing volatility of the financial markets, which affects forecasted investment revenues.

Manitoba Justice has appointed two new members to the Manitoba Human Rights Commission (MHRC) and selected a new vice-chair. The MHRC is responsible for administering The Human Rights Code in the province, ensuring all Manitobans are treated solely on the basis of personal merit and free from discrimination. John Burchill, a current MHRC member, has been selected to serve as vice-chair.  He was reappointed to the MHRC in October 2017 and is currently a civilian manager with the Winnipeg Police Service.  He has over 25 years’ experience as a police officer, served as a Crown attorney for Manitoba Justice, and taken training related to hate crimes and human rights.  Burchill assumes the role of vice-chair from Loretta Ross, who remains on the board and has been reappointed to a one-year term. Ian Grant and Tracy Leipsic have been newly appointed as members of the MHRCC.  Grant is the former chief of police of the Brandon Police Service and has been a member of law enforcement since 1980.  Leipsic is a speed-skating coach, has worked as an insurance broker and served on many community and non-profit boards.

Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 8:20 p.m., Police responded to an alarm at a business in the 1600 Block of 18th Street. Officers observed two individuals inside the building and upon approaching, both suspects attempted to run away. Officers chased the suspects and apprehended them after a short foot pursuit. The suspects were in possession of BB guns and knives that had been stolen from the store. A 16-year-old male youth and a 14-year-old male youth were arrested for Break, Enter and Theft. They were released on conditions and scheduled to attend Court in February.  

Brandon Police Service Media Release A 43 year old Brandon man, who resides in the 400 block of 4th St, was arrested as a result of a search warrant being done at his house and the resulting search showing evidence of child pornography. The man was charged with Possession of Child Pornography, Access to Child Pornography, and Making Child Pornography Available. He was released for a later court date.