With the sun shining brightly and temperatures soaring to 31 degrees celsius at mid afternoon (on August 28, no less!), it was an ideal day for harvest. Various crews were seen swathing and combining at a number of different plots at the Brandon Research and Development Centre along Grand Valley Road, just west of 18th Street. The team shown in the photographs were harvesting barley with a mini-combine earlier today in the midday heat.

You can help support families needing to be close to their sick or injured child at Ronald McDonald House Charities Manitoba (RMHC Manitoba)’s two core programs: Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room. Support RMHC Manitoba and our families by joining in on our 3rd annual Red Shoe Crew Walk in Brandon on Saturday, September 16th at the Riverbank Discovery Centre! When you register as a walker on our website, you will receive a 2017 Red Shoe Crew Week t-shirt!* [Registration cost: $25 / 12 and under registration cost: $5] Raise pledges for this fun, family-friendly 3 km walk. All proceeds benefit RMHC Manitoba and the families we serve. Together we can support family-centered healthcare across the province! Visit www.rmhcmanitoba.org/news-events/red-shoe-crew-walk to learn how you can keep families close one step at a time. See below for other Red Shoe Crew Walks taking place in Manitoba: Dauphin, Manitoba Date: Saturday, September 16th Location: Vermillion Park Campground Time: Registration - 9 am | Walk warm up - 10 am | Walk start - 10:15 am Portage la Prairie, Manitoba Date: Sunday, September 17th Location: Island Park Time: Registration - 1 pm | Walk warm up - 2 pm | Walk start - 2:15 pm Winnipeg, Manitoba Date: Saturday, September 23rd, 2017 Location: Assiniboine Park's Lyric Theatre Time: Registration - 9 am | Walk warm up - 10 am | Walk start - 10:15 am *Some conditions apply

Cory Alexander Burke, of Virden, is facing a series of charges after Westman RCMP pulled him over on August the 23rd. A search of his vehicle found more than 75 grams of methamphetamine, 77 grams of cocaine, 77 grams of marihuana, 12 grams of “shatter” and a small amount of cash. Burke had been on conditions following a previous arrest on August the 9th when RCMP had executed a search warrant at his residence where they located methamphetamine, cocaine, marihauna, and a firearm. “This is our third significant seizure in the past 30 days” said Cpl. Aaron Bailey, Shift Supervisor for the Westman RCMP Detachment. “We will continue to investigate and hold those responsible who traffic illicit drugs in our communities and we continue to request that anyone with information to please contact the Virden RCMP Detachment.” Cory Alexander Burke has been charged with: four counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, two counts of Failing to Comply with an Undertaking, & one count of Possession of Proceeds of Crime. He has an August 28 court date and Westman RCMP continue to investigate.  

Brandon, Manitoba – Len Isleifson, MLA for Brandon East and Reg Helwer, MLA for Brandon West, today jointly announced that the Manitoba Government is investing in local education infrastructure renewal projects in both Brandon constituencies. “Our Progressive Conservative government understands the importance of safe and healthy places for Manitoba students,” said MLA Isleifson. “These projects, which include necessary health and safety-related upgrades, will help ensure the children of Brandon will have a positive learning environment.” “The Manitoba Government is investing a total of $53.7 million in education infrastructure renewal projects across the province,” said Helwer. “This province-wide investment includes six (6) in Brandon.” The local schools that are receiving upgrades are: ·         George Fitton (Roof Replacement) ·         Green Acres (Heating system and unit ventilator replacement) ·         King George (Roof replacement) ·         Earl Oxford (Grooming Room) ·         Meadows (Foundation waterproofing at boiler room) ·         Waverly Park (Roof Replacement) This investment of $53.7 million is part of planned capital spending of over $92.4 million in 2017-18 for public school infrastructure projects across the province. The projects will be completed within a timeframe of six to 24 months following the award of tenders and start of construction.

Halloween is still nine weeks away, but that doesn’t mean that work hasn’t begun to prep for the ghoulish event. In fact, it seems at though the folks at Halloween Alley, pictured above, are busy setting up shop at this year’s pop-up location at 1240-18th Street.  They are hoping for a September 1st opening.  This will be their 4th season in Brandon. Hours: Monday - Saturday 9:30 am -9:00 pm Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Holidays 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Each year they collect used costumes so everyone can celebrate Halloween.  This year the YWCA Westman Women's Shelter will be the recipient of all donated costumes.  Residents in the West end of the city are no longer faced with a detour as the Traffic Circle at 34th Street and Willowdale Crescent recently reopened. It was closed at the end of June for complete reconstruction, using concrete versus asphalt. It’s looking mighty fine! If you haven’t been to the Shoppers Mall lately, you’ll be in for a bit of surprise. Construction is well underway at the Southwest corner of 18th Street and Richmond Avenue for freestanding restaurants that will complement existing interior food services that are part of the mall community.  ’Tis the season! A construction crew works today along the 400 block of 21st Street in the University Ward. Kudos to all the crews who’ve been working long hours this summer to get projects done in and around the city.