City of Portage News Release Portage la Prairie City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Nathan Peto as the new City Manager of the City of Portage la Prairie. Nathan will assume his responsibilities on December 11, 2017 and will succeed Jean-Marc Nadeau, who announced his departure last month. Nathan comes to the position with over ten years senior management experience within municipal and non-profit environments, coupled with an educational background in Political Science and Public Administration. Since 2011, he has worked with the City of Brandon as a Policy Analyst and Manager of Corporate Initiatives, directly supporting the City Manager in areas of corporate and strategic importance. He also served as General Manager of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce prior to 2011. Nathan has proven leadership abilities and brings in-depth knowledge and experience in data driven analysis, policy making, and strategic planning as well as being actively involved in the municipal budget process. As the City Manager, Nathan will report directly to Mayor and Council. He will be responsible for implementing strategic priorities to serve the citizens by identifying, evaluating, and meeting the community needs in accordance with policies and guidelines determined by Council under the provisions of the Municipal Act. The City Manager is responsible for the management of a $31 million budget and a dedicated senior leadership team who oversee all the departments within the City. “We want to welcome Nathan to the City of Possibilities” said Mayor Irvine Ferris. “We look forward to working with him to serve the needs of our Citizens.” “It is an honour to be joining the City of Portage la Prairie as its new City Manager.” Said Peto. “This is an opportunity for me to contribute my knowledge and experience toward the continuing growth and development of this great community. I look forward to working with Mayor Ferris and Council, as well as the dedicated staff, in serving the people of Portage la Prairie.”

Brandon Police Service Media Release At 3:27 AM, police were called to a residence in the 400 blk of 11th St. for a report of an assault with a weapon. A female resident of the building had been in an argument with a male. She left the residence but returned a short time later armed with a knife. She brandished the knife at the male and threatened to kill him. The 31-year-old female was arrested at the scene and held to appear in court this morning charged with Assault with a Weapon, Uttering Threats to Cause Death and Three counts of Breach Recognizance.

Vincent Massey will, for the 3rd year, be holding their annual Stuff the Bus for Samaritan House. The event will occur from December 1 till December 18 with the Youth Revolution and Youth in Philanthrope student groups stuffing the bus and delivering donations to the Samaritan House December 19th. All donations are welcome.  Their goal is to fill with donations from the school community.  In 2016 Samaritan House gave out 19,000 food hampers.  In 027 they have already give out over 22,000 hampers.  Staff and students at Massey hope to help meet the growing needs in Brandon. The following are most needed by the Samaritan House: healthy soups & stews, instand formula, whole grain pasta, 100% real fruit juice, canned vegetables, canned fish, canned meat, laundry & dish soap, diapers & pull-ups, toilet paper and tissues, 

Brandon, Manitoba – Len Isleifson, MLA for Brandon East, today announced that the Manitoba Government is investing in community-based training and employment services in the Brandon East constituency. “I am pleased that our Progressive Conservative government is investing in employment and training services in our constituency,” said MLA Isleifson. “This investment will help unemployed and low-income Manitobans in the community learn new skills to improve their employment opportunities. By connecting Manitobans looking for work with jobs that are in-demand, our government is delivering on our commitment to improve people’s lives while growing our local economy.” Through this investment from Manitoba Education and Training, the Manitoba Government will be providing $1,591,444.00 for eight projects in Brandon East. Projects being funded include: Assiniboine Community College Strive Finding Your Place In the Work World BNRC BEEP Program. Community Futures Self Employment Program. CARM Carpentry Trade Qualification Program. Samaritan House Ministries Age Is An Asset Employment Resource Centre Holistic Approach To Training Computer & Literacy Programs Walker Business Services Westman Immigrant Services Employment Project The investments in Brandon East are part of an overall investment of $25 million supporting 86 projects across Manitoba.

BRANDON: Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba is asking the public to help Westman children in need during the 2017 holiday season. “Many children will be without a gift at all this year unless we can all open our hearts and wallets to help,” said Susan Cable, Community Education Coordinator. “We know that in the past the Brandon and Westman communities have been very generous in donating gifts for us to give to these kids. “Our hope is that we can count on the public again to come through for us.” CFS Western is very grateful to Brandon and Westman shoppers for their many years of past support. This year, new unwrapped gifts for boys and girls aged newborn to 17 can be dropped off for the Gift Tree at the front reception desks at: 800 McTavish Avenue, Brandon, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre, 255 -9th Street, Brandon, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm Both locations will accept gift donations until 4:30 pm, Friday, December 15. “This is a chance for people to really show their spirit of giving for a child who may otherwise not receive a Christmas gift at all this year,” said Cable, “and to help others and bring families in need priceless smiles and laughter. “What a wonderful way to truly show the real magic of the season to children less fortunate!”