Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon and Brandon Transit wish to inform transit patrons and the public of forthcoming changes to the hours of operation on the recently-established transit Route #16. After a number of months monitoring and evaluating usage of the City of Brandon’s new transit route network – which originally came into effect in late July of 2017 – transit officials have determined a number of changes are necessary ensure the best use of Brandon Transit resources. As of Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018, Route 16 (South End Link) will switch to hourly service at the bottom of the hour, with hours of operation on Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. All service on this route will begin and end at the Richmond Avenue Terminal. However, to provide better access for transit patrons in the City’s south end to the main Downtown Terminal, a new route originating from the Richmond Avenue Terminal will be added into the route schedule. Beginning Tuesday, January 2nd, Route #19 (Name To Be Determined) will run on hourly service at the top of the hour, with hours of operation on Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All service on this route will begin and end at the Richmond Avenue Terminal. Minor changes to Route #8 (Maryland West) and Route #23 (1st Street South), including the removal of a handful of stop locations along Princess Avenue, will also come into effect on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 to better reflect ridership usage. Maps of all Brandon Transit routes and schedules, including the above modifications, can be found by visiting www.brandontransit.ca. Brandon Transit’s Google Trip planner site will be updated to prior to the changes coming into effect. Transit riders with questions about the changes can contact Brandon Transit via email at transit@brandon.ca, by phone at 204-729-2279 or via online form at http://brandontransit.ca/contact-info/contact-us-online.

Benjamin Graham will become the new president and chief executive officer of Manitoba Public Insurance effective Feb. 1, 2018, Premier Brian Pallister announced today. “Mr. Graham brings nearly 15 years of senior leadership to his new role as president and CEO of MPI, with particular expertise in risk management, energy, financial services and insurance companies internationally,” said Pallister. “I am pleased to welcome Mr. Graham to Manitoba, and am confident that his broad insurance-industry experience and risk-management focus will strengthen MPI’s mandate and its leadership team.” Graham will succeed current president and CEO Dan Guimond, who announced his retirement plans earlier this year.  The premier noted Graham’s appointment results from an exhaustive local, national and international search.  Originally from Australia, Graham’s most recent appointment was as the head of risk for QBE Insurance Asia Pacific, headquartered in Hong Kong. “Mr. Graham’s international experience will bring new perspectives to the organization and ensure the Crown corporation is delivering industry best-practice solutions within the public insurance context that we are so proud to offer to Manitobans,” said Crown Services Minister Cliff Cullen.  “I have no doubt the selection of Mr. Graham by the corporation’s board of directors will serve to strengthen and secure the long-term sustainability of the public insurance program in Manitoba.” Graham holds a master’s degree in risk management from Monash University in Australia and an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of New South Wales.  He also holds numerous professional affiliations including memberships in the Institutes of Risk Management in the Middle East and Australia. “The board of directors is very pleased to welcome Mr. Graham as the organization’s new president and CEO,” said Brent VanKoughnet, chair of the MPI board.  “We are confident that he can build on the successes and dedicated leadership of the corporation’s current president and CEO, Dan Guimond. “On behalf of the entire board of directors, I want to once again extend our gratitude to Mr. Guimond for his passion, expertise and extraordinary work ethic as a steward and a champion of Manitoba’s public insurance program over his distinguished 28-year career at MPI.”

Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 12:05 a.m., Police responded to a report of a taxicab driver in need of assistance in the 100 Block of Princess Avenue East. Police attended and found the male taxi driver bleeding from his forehead. Investigation revealed that a male passenger hired the cab and did not have money for the fare. The driver asked the male to exit the cab and the male passenger became aggressive and punched a window causing it to break. The driver exited his cab and told the man to stop and the man head butted the cab driver causing a large cut to the cab drivers forehead. The highly intoxicated 40-year-old male suspect from Brandon was arrested for Assault Causing Bodily Harm and Mischief to Property Under $5000. The suspect was lodged at the Brandon Correctional Center to be released when sober to attend Court in February. The victim attended the hospital for treatment of the injury and has been released.

BRANDON – Members of Brandon University’s administration have embraced a call to give back with a combined pledge of $50,000 to the BU50 staff and faculty fundraising appeal. As BU celebrates the 50th anniversary of receiving its charter as a university, as it continues a remarkable five-year streak of growth, and as it embarks with a new Campus Master Plan on a transformative downtown expansion, now is an ideal time for donors to make a difference by contributing to BU through the Brandon University Foundation. To help mark this pivotal moment in BU’s history, members of the President’s Administrative Council pulled together to pledge a total of $50,000 to the BU Foundation for its current appeal. The President’s Administrative Council, or PAC, is an 18-member group made up of senior-level administrators, including Deans and Directors, who meet every two weeks to consider matters of importance to BU and to advise the President on suggested courses of action. “I am humbled by this show of dedication and love for our university, and I am proud to be one of the faculty and staff contributing to this appeal,” said Interim President Dr. Steve Robinson. “I find it truly remarkable how individual contributions can so quickly add up to such a significant amount.” Support from PAC includes donations as well as pledges to give through automatic payroll deduction. Many members who had already been giving are now increasing their amounts. The $50,000 will help support many of the worthy causes identified through this year’s Annual Fund appeal. These include options to fund scholarships, to support particular Faculties or the Library, to invest in university priorities like Indigenization or research and innovation, and to advance new initiatives like the Campus Master Plan and Brandon College Heritage Fund. Many donors choose to direct their gifts to the area of greatest need. All faculty and staff have been invited to contribute to this year’s fundraising appeal — much of which will go to directly support students, research and equipment, areas that are close to the hearts of all members of the BU community. “Charitable giving is its own reward,” said BU Development Officer Shawna English. “Still, there is something special about being able to personally see the difference that your donation can make, whether that is through a scholarship, a student travel fund, equipment, or a research grant. These are the kinds of immediate and meaningful supports that your gifts make possible.” Alumni and friends of the university have also embraced this opportunity to fuel the next phase of Brandon University’s success. Early numbers from the Annual Fund appeal show it on track to set a new fundraising record this year. “Everyone with a connection to Brandon University knows what a valuable and lasting impact it continues to have on people and on our community,” said Dr. Bill Myers, President of the BU Foundation. “I would like to personally thank everyone who chooses to pay that impact forward by helping BU flourish for the future, through donations to the BU Foundation.” As well as serving as BU Foundation President, Dr. Myers is a BU Associate of ’68. That class year, the first from the newly-chartered Brandon University, will be celebrating their 50-year reunion at the next Homecoming, scheduled for Oct. 12–14, 2018. It will be the culmination of a year’s worth of BU50 commemoration. “This year, Brandon University is celebrating a milestone achievement, and as we look ahead to the next 50 years we strive to honour our past by providing a strong foundation for our bright future,” Dr. Robinson said. “Our students, our researchers and our entire community deserve the best we can give them. I’m so proud, and so grateful, to those who choose to give to the Brandon University Foundation, and I encourage everyone to make it a part of their giving this year. With your help, the coming generations will look back with pride and with gratitude on the work we have done together to build this outstanding academic institution.” Donating to the Brandon University Foundation is easy. You can donate online at BrandonU.ca/Give, call 204-727-7374 or visit the BU Foundation office in Clark Hall. Donations to the BU Foundation can also be arranged through BU payroll deduction. Donations received before the end of the year are eligible for a 2017 tax receipt.

A public open house last evening at the Victoria Inn revealed four options for a new overpass to be built on 18th Street in the Wheat City.  The proposed overpass carries an estimated cost of $60 million dollars and will be similar to the recently completed First Street bridge with two separate structures, each with two lanes. The redeveloped overpass will also include a multi-use pathway on each side for pedestrians and cyclists. Manitoba Infrastructure has not yet determined a timeline for the construction.  For more information on the Daly Overpass Project, and the four options, please see follow this link.