Sioux Valley Dakota Nation will be holding their annual “Dakota Nation Winterfest” for three days inside Westman Communications Group Place starting January 27th, 2017. The event is a long standing tradition in Western Manitoba and is a combination of cultural and aboriginal sports. Now in it's 45th 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. New to this years event will be a 3 on 3 basketball competition. Attendance at last years event was estimated to be near 30,000 people.

Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Manitoba issued letters to Hotels and Restaurants which have VLT machines that changes are coming. Since 1991 Manitoba VLT’s maximum spin was $1.25 and in 2017 the spin maximum will increase to $2.50 Maximum payouts will increase to $2500.00 per win (currently the maximum win is $1,000.00) These changes are due to the increase in casino’s in Manitoba and the fact that customers are now travelling more to one of the 5 Manitoba based casino’s, or travelling out of province.  Local smaller hotels that need this revenue source for remain in business have felt a change in revenue over the past few years. Nobody from Lotteries & Gaming Authority would comment on this story plus Addictions Foundation of Manitoba also refused to make a comment at this stage. A hotel owner from outside of Brandon stated he feels the new changes will not make a big difference “ people only have so much money maybe they will just spend it quicker now”. He also informed BDNMB.CA that people will have a few drinks and now maybe they won’t be doing this. Another hotel owner from the Interlake told us tonight his concern was about having more cash on hand for ATM Machines and payouts as most customers want cash and not a cheque if they win. “ With more cash on hand it is possible to see more hold ups that have happened in Selkirk and Lockport over the past 12 months."

From a room full of tables in 1989 to over 200 artisan booths, the much anticipated 27th Annual Brandon’s “Big One” is scheduled for October 15th and 16th, 2016. Held annually at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, an amazing array of talented artists and craftspeople exhibit and demonstrate their work as part of Brandon’s “Big One” Arts & Crafts Sale. Brandon’s “Big One” has come a long way over the years. “When I took over the sale at year 8, it was a room full of tables”. “I was a vendor in the sale for a few years, so I was aware of the growth potential”, says Keilback.   The first change she made was to bring in trade show curtains and booths.The idea was to give each of the vendors the opportunity to be creative with their displays and sales areas. It worked, the creativity just kept coming! The sale has now overflown into a second large room at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. With almost 200 booths, they try to accommodate all types of customers by presenting many different mediums of art and craft at the two day sale. With a loyal following of customers who demand a quality show of original work, it is a continuous process, searching out original works to provide variety. Everything is handmade, so you probably won't find the exact same items again next year. Keilback says, “Something I’ve learned over the years: if you find something at a booth that you like, you should buy it. It may be gone when you go back!”   The “Big One” also has a big heart! Over the last eighteen years, from part proceeds from the door admission, they have donated $59,826.20 to the Canadian Cancer Society – Transportation Services in Brandon and area. “We have been very fortunate to have UCT members volunteer at the admission doors”. “One of the charities that they (UCT) support annually is the Cancer Society, so that is where our donation goes each year”, says Keilback. The future of Brandon’s “Big One” is exciting. They hope to continue to draw large crowds and will continue to work on keeping the show filled with variety. Looking forward to seeing everyone! Happy Crafting!

Thanks to our travel guru Cathie Crossin she noticed today that direct flights from Brandon to Toronto have vanished off their website. After a few phone calls to Westjet today they have confirmed all direct flights have been canceled and customers need to re-book their flight from either going Winnipeg to Toronto or by going from Brandon and connecting to Calgary and then going to Toronto. One thing Westjet did say was that this is just for the winter months and perhaps next summer the direct flights could happen again, but nothing has been formally planned, or arranged at this time. Too bad to see this happen as having that flight option was amazing to use. Leaving Brandon at 515 am and getting to Toronto local time at 830 am was outstanding.  But if the flight isn’t being used we do understand that this is a business decision.

Public Service Statement   The Brandon Police Service is issuing the following public safety statement as a result of crimes of a sexual nature that have been committed against female victims over the spring and summer months. On Saturday, April 9th, Police received a report from a 27 year old female that she was approached by two unknown males in an alleyway near 11th Street and Rosser Avenue at approximately 9:30 pm and sexually assaulted. On Sunday, July 3rd, Police received a report from a 45 year old female that she was approached by a lone unknown male in an alleyway near 11th Street and Rosser Avenue at approximately 8:30 am and sexually assaulted. On Thursday, August 18th, Police received a report from a 30 year old female that she was approached by a lone unknown male in an alleyway near 6th Street and Princess avenue at approximately 2:30 am and sexually assaulted. On Monday, September 12th, Police received a report from a 34 year old female that she was approached by two unknown males under the 1st Street bridge at approximately 7:30 am and sexually assaulted. In each case, the victims had previously been socializing at licensed premises or residences in the down town area and were walking alone at the time of the incidents in remote or dimly lit areas.  The suspect(s) in each case preceded the encounter by asking the victim for a cigarette.  Initially, it could not be determined if the incidents were related based on the evidence gathered to date, however Police now believe that they may be related. The suspects in these incidents are described as male, one Caucasian in appearance and one Aboriginal in appearance and approximately 25 to 35 years old. The victims in each case received minor injuries as a result of the incidents and were treated and released from the hospital. Police continue to investigate the matters and encourage anyone with any information in relation to these incidents to contact the Brandon Police Service or Crime Stoppers. Cst T. Robins #128 204-729-2390