Brandon, MB – With a focus on creating economic opportunities, the City of Brandon has embarked upon a development strategy for Brandon’s eastern industrial area and is currently looking for community feedback. The East Brandon Industrial Development Zone is defined as the industrial area bordered by the Assiniboine River to the north and the east, 17th Street East to the west, and Patricia Avenue to the south. Within it, there are total of 86 property owners of parcels of land of various sizes, composition and use or non-use. With the creation of a servicing and development strategy for this area, the City of Brandon hopes to remove barriers to development and work with property owners to create “shovel-ready” serviced land in order to attract new industry and diversify the City’s tax base. “Brandon City Council has identified economic prosperity as one of its strategic areas of focus, and growing the City of Brandon’s industrial area is a key component to achieving economic prosperity,” notes City of Brandon Chief Planner Ryan Nickel. “As such, the proposed East Brandon Industrial Development Strategy will identify areas for growth, the phasing of new infrastructure investment, and establish a vision for growth in our industrial area for the next 30 years.” A brainstorming session for identified landowners and interested members of the public has been scheduled for Thursday, October 5th, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. within the Brandon Design Studio space of the Cultural Resource Centre at the A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex, 638 Princess Avenue. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by emailing b.hogan@brandon.ca. “We all have an interest in growing our industrial area, especially the property and business owners within the industrial area,” notes Nickel. “We want all stakeholders and residents of Brandon to be involved in planning for how we can grow our industrial area.” Nickel adds the intention is to have an East Brandon Industrial Development Strategy proposal ready for Brandon City Council consideration in the spring of 2018. More information on the East Brandon Industrial Development Strategy can be found on the City of Brandon website at http://www.brandon.ca/what-is-happening-in-your-neighbourhood/active-projects/1294-east-brandon-industrial-development-strategy.

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation will be holding their annual “Dakota Nation Winterfest” for four days inside Westman Communications Group Place starting January 25th, 2018. The event is a long standing tradition in Western Manitoba and is a combination of cultural and aboriginal sports. Now in it's 46th year the festival encompasses activities and events for all age groups including a square dance competition, talent show, strong man competition, volleyball and moccasin games. One of the more popular events each year is the adult and minor hockey tournaments drawing teams from all over Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. The Sr. Mens hockey tournament is especially popular and brings in players with WHL and Jr. A hockey experience. Please note that this year the minor hockey games with begin on the Thursday evening starting at 6:00 pm.  The volleyball games have also moved into the Canada room with games starting at 9:00 am sharp on the Friday.

A fire at Hargreaves Farms, in the RM of Cornwallis, destroyed two buildings beyond repair including a service shop and a barn. The fire happened Saturday evening and no-one was injured in the fire. Photos below by Caley Brown.

Brandon Police Service Media Release At 9:48 pm on Friday night, a BPS member located a child alone on the street in front of 30 Orchard Way.  The child is a Caucasian male, approximately 2 years old with blonde hair. He is wearing a green t-shirt and blue pyjama bottoms and was not wearing shoes.   The child has been turned over to Child and Family Services. At 0915 am on Saturday, the child’s parents were located.  There were no concerns regarding the child after Child and Family Services and BPS spoke to the family. He has returned home and the matter is concluded.

More than 3,000 family members, fire fighters and friends from across the United States and Canada gathered September 17 under sunny skies in Colorado Springs to honor 86 fire fighters whose names were added to the Wall of Honor at the 19th annual IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial observance.  Two Brandon Firefighter/ Parmedics were recognized among the 86 including Mel McEachen and Norman Roziere. Below are a few pictures and some links for details on the memorial. http://www.iaff.org/hs/ffm/05index.aspx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzzd60KK7GI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh_7Bcm90Zc