The City of Brandon’s Community Services Department wishes to advise the public that it will begin a controlled burn of Dutch Elm tree debris in the back area of the Brandon Recreation Centre (3500 McDonald Avenue) on Monday, January 8th, 2018 . The City of Brandon undertakes the removal of diseased, dead, or dying Dutch Elm trees in accordance with guidelines laid out by the Province of Manitoba. The department has applied for and received the proper permitting from Brandon Fire and Emergency Services, and the fire will be monitored 24/7 by City staff. It is anticipated the burning should be completed sometime on the afternoon of Friday, January 12th, 2018. The City of Brandon asks that all members of the public stay away from the area until the controlled burning has been completed. For more information on the process, the public may visit http://www.brandon.ca/recreation-parks/dutch-elm-disease-faq or contact the City of Brandon Parks Section at 204-729-2152.

The 2017 BRHC Foundation Gala Committee recently announced that $73,634 had been raised at their sold out "Old Holiday Gala" event held on September 30. The diner and dance was their 27th annual in support of the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, an organization who "helps fund a variety of purchases and projects within the community for the benefit of all who are served by the Brandon Regional Health Centre". Planned equipment purchases for the Brandon Regional Health Centre now include a fetal monitor and waterless milk warmers for the Maternal/Child areas, a physiological monitor for the Dialysis Unit, and a hyper-hypothermia system for the Emergency Department.

BRANDON, Man. (January 4, 2018)—This year marks the 30th anniversary of Assiniboine Community College’s Grey Owl restaurant, an accomplishment perhaps most appreciated by the eyes and stomachs of past and future diners. The Grey Owl restaurant was born from humble beginnings when it was first held at the college’s Victoria Avenue East campus in 1987. At that time, it had space for fewer than 30 guests. Since then, Grey Owl’s location and size have changed, but its purpose remains the same: to provide hands-on learning opportunities for Culinary Arts and Hotel & Restaurant Management students. Students and faculty come together to present a blend of contemporary and classic cuisine in a fine dining environment that runs over 20 nights. The restaurant took a one-year hiatus in 2007 when the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts (MICA) opened, officially marking the college’s relocation and expansion to the North Hill campus. Now set inside the stunning 1920’s heritage building (the former Brandon Mental Health Centre’s Nurses’ Residence), Grey Owl hosts close to 1,400 guests over the four weeks. Reservations to the annual event are among the most sought after in Westman, with tables being fully booked within hours of phone lines opening year after year. To mark this year’s 30th anniversary of Grey Owl and the 10th anniversary of MICA, Hotel & Restaurant Management students are introducing new celebratory cocktails as well as bringing back crowd favourites. The Culinary Arts program have surprises in store for guests, including dishes from past menus and a special dessert. This year’s Grey Owl runs Monday to Friday from January 22 to February 16, 2018. Those interested in booking a reservation may call 204.725.8738 or 800.862.6307 ext 6516 once the phone lines open on Thursday, January 11 at 9 a.m. Reservations are available for tables of two, four or six. There is a maximum of one reservation per caller. This year’s full menu is expected to be made available at assiniboine.net/greyowl<http://assiniboine.net/greyowl> in the coming weeks. Assiniboine is inviting non-profit organizations and community groups to submit their proposals for a complimentary reservation for eight inside the private dining room at the 2019 Grey Owl restaurant. The organization selected by the college may use the donated table to support their fundraising efforts. Details can be found at assiniboine.net/greyowl<http://assiniboine.net/greyowl

Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 1:15 a.m., Police responded to a business in the 1600 Block of 18th Street after receiving a report of a Break and Enter in progress. Officers learned that two male suspects entered the store, stole a mountain bike and fled prior to Police arrival. While checking the area, Officers located the stolen bicycle on Aberdeen Avenue and a search of the area by PSD “Storm” located two male youth suspects. Further investigation revealed that the same suspects were responsible for a Break and Enter to a business in the 2200 Block of Park Avenue on December 31st and a Break, Enter and Mischief at a business in the 2100 Block of Brandon Avenue on December 30th. A fire extinguisher was set off during this incident. Two 13-year-old youths were arrested for Break, Enter and Theft X 3 and one of the suspects was in possession of a set of Brass Knuckles. He faces an additional charge of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon. Both have been released from custody and are scheduled to attend Court later this month

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon’s Planning, Property & Buildings Department and Brandon’s Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee are pleased to update the community that Phase 1 of the rehabilitation of the iconic stone fence running along the 100-Block of 17th Street is nearing completion. The structure – a rare example of stone fence construction still standing in Brandon – has borne a Municipal Heritage Site designation since 2003. The original fence was constructed in the early 1900’s and encompassed a single estate prior to post-Second World War development. Now, what remains of the structure straddles several private and public property lines along the north, east, and south borders of the block, but is owned and maintained by the City of Brandon. Led by the City of Brandon’s Planning, Property & Buildings Department and Brandon’s Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee, repair work began last summer on portions of the fence that were cracked and significantly leaning, specifically an eight-metre section of fence located at the rear of 143 – 18th Street. Brandon City Council approved $25,000 in funding in its 2017 budget to allow for the rehabilitation, while a further $10,000 in funding was secured through the Province of Manitoba’s Designated Heritage Buildings Grant Program. City of Brandon Heritage Community Planner Andrew Mok says the majority of Phase 1 work was completed last November by project contractor Stiles Masonry, with some minor site work still to be done in the spring. “We’re very pleased to report that Phase 1 of this important project has been substantially completed and has come in under budget, and all those involved would like to express thanks to Brandon City Council and the Government of Manitoba for the funding the project has received,” notes Mok. “With Phase 1 almost at completion, we now look forward the next step in the rehabilitation and preservation process of this unique structural component of Brandon’s history.” Mok adds that funding is currently being sought for Phase 2 of the project to occur in 2018, which would see the rehabilitation of an 11-metre section of the fence located at the northeast corner of the property at 147 – 18th Street. A number of trees have already been removed from the immediate area surrounding this section in preparation for this work; however, the area is currently fenced off to maintain public safety. A full history of the stone fence can be found on the Heritage Brandon website at http://heritagebrandon.ca/municipal/stone-fence.