Brandon Riverbank received a major boost in the form of a $100,000 donation from the family of the late Keay Dobson-Golletz, which will go towards the Sawatzky Sculpture Gardens. The new year will see placement of the first life-size bronze sculpture works of Manitoba born and world-renowned artist, Peter Sawatzky. Riverbank is already home to two of Mr. Sawatzky’s pieces, the “Tranquility” Blue Herons as well as the “Doe and Fawn.” The ultimate goal is to add 14 more pieces that will stretch in a park-like setting from the Riverbank Discovery Centre to the corner of 18th Street and Kirkcaldy Drive. Peter Sawatzky Sculpture Garden Project | Riverbank Discovery Centre Keay was extremely passionate about the possibility of a world-class sculpture garden being located in our city and on the Riverbank grounds. She made it her mission to make these sculptures a reality and she involved herself early on during the initial planning stages. Keay worked tirelessly for this project as a fundraiser, as a design consultant, as a grant writer and as an advocate to all levels of government. She was actively involved in this project right up until her passing in May of this year. “Keay worked with the Riverbank Discovery Centre board for a decade before she collaborated within a committee on the world class project of the Peter Sawatzky Sculpture Park,” said Richard Golletz. “The project represents a beautiful commitment to nature and animals, a sharing space for families to stay active, play and learn, and a way to give back to a city that had given our family so much. The sculpture park will provide our city with an exquisite artistic statement to be enjoyed for generations. It is my honor to provide funds for the project in memory of Keay.” “The idea of the Peter Sawatzky Sculpture Garden encapsulated much of what our friend Keay represented,” said Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett. “It is art in a language everyone understands, it is outside, it is in a natural greenspace setting, and most important, it is of no cost to anyone to enjoy, any time of year, any time of day. This contribution from Richard connects Keay to the city, and the outdoors that she loved, for perpetuity. Thank you for sharing this with our community.” “It was shortly after the announcement of the Peter Sawatzky Sculpture Garden at the Riverbank Discovery Centre in Brandon that I first met Keay”, said Peter Sawatzky. “Her enthusiasm for this sculpture garden was incredible. I’ve never met anyone who dedicated themselves so wholly to a project like this. Keay worked hard and tirelessly to promote this project and she was a joy to work with. Her knowledge and insights into the design of the garden were extremely helpful in creating the final layout. When this garden is finally complete, I will look back and say that without the work of Keay Dobson-Golletz, this sculpture garden might not have been completed. I honour her STRENGTH and DEDICATION.” Landscape planning is currently underway for the gardens and the placement of the first pieces will occur in 2024. Riverbank staff and the Peter Sawatzky Sculpture Gardens team will work closely with the Golletz family to ensure that Keay’s contributions will be recognized as a permanent part of the sculptures park.  

Weeks after settling a strike with a fair deal for Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) workers and ratepayers, Manitobans can expect more affordable auto insurance following a ruling this morning by the Public Utilities Board (PUB), Justice Minister Matt Wiebe, minister responsible for MPI, announced today. “Today’s announcement is a win for Manitobans trying to make ends meet,” said Wiebe. “This is one of the toughest economies we’ve seen in recent memory. People are feeling the pressure, particularly through the holiday season, and our government is pleased to see the board take steps toward making life more affordable for families.” The PUB ordered a five per cent decrease to the rates for compulsory auto insurance premiums in 2024-25, which will take effect April 1, 2024. Wiebe echoed the PUB’s concerns related to the overall costs of Project Nova, which is estimated to cost more than $290 million. “Under the previous government, we saw serious issues at MPI related to Project Nova,” said Wiebe. “We are trying to protect ratepayers from paying the price for their mismanagement. Our government and the new board at MPI will always fight to keep rates as low as possible so people can keep more money in their pockets.” The PUB’s notice of decision is available at http://pubmanitoba.ca/v1/contact-us/media/pubs/2021-2025-nr/nr-mpi-2024-rates.pdf.

On December 15, 2023, at 6:00 pm, police received a report of a motor vehicle collision in the 1500 block of Rosser Avenue. Further investigation revealed that a suspect vehicle was travelling the wrong way on the one way street causing another vehicle to become involved in a collision. The suspect vehicle then fled the scene. The operator then contacted police indicating his vehicle had been stolen but later recanted his report and admitted he was the one driving causing the collision. On December 18, 2023, the 19-year-old male turned himself in at Brandon Police Service. He was arrested and later released to attend court on February 8th on charges of Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm and issued a HTA ticket for Failure to Exchange Particulars.

On December 17, 2023, at 8:00 pm, police responded to a report of theft from a business in the 900 block of Victoria Avenue. Further investigation revealed the 33-year-old male suspect was also wanted for a previous theft that took place at the same location on December 16, 2023. He was located, arrested, and later released to attend court on February 20, 2024, on charges of Theft Under $5000 and Fail to Comply with an Undertaking.

At 1:30 am, Police received a call of a male causing a disturbance at a residence on Westaway Bay. Upon Police arrival they located a 24 year old male who was causing the problems. When Police attempted to arrest the suspect he began fighting with them and during the process of this arrest the suspect spit on one of the officers. The suspect was charged with Resisting Arrest and Assaulting a Police Officer. He was held in custody until sober and then released for court at a later date.