Is your vehicle covered in a sticky glue-type substance? Have you noticed the dark patches on the pavement under large trees or felt your shoes sticking to the sidewalk? At first, you might think that the trees are sapping, but according to horticulturalist Marci Bomford, the sticky substance is actually coming from aphids. In fact, it’s their poop. “It may be due to the drier weather this year or perhaps because of the milder temperatures during the winter months that there wasn’t much winter kill of the eggs. As a result, aphids are high in numbers and their only natural predator is lady bugs. And unfortunately, I haven’t seen a lot of lady bugs this year,” said Bomford. The aphids are feeding on the underside of the leaf on tree sap. The sugar-rich liquid, known as honeydew, is the secretion of the aphids. Once the aphids are done sucking or feeding on all the sap from a tree, they generally move on. The number of aphids increase rapidly because of asexual reproduction and their ability to lay eggs up to 60 times in their lifecycle. While Bombford said it doesn’t actually harm older, well established trees, it does stress them somewhat. In order to get rid of the aphids you would have to spray the entire tree, specifically the underside of the leaf, with a liquid insecticide soap. While this may be feasible for smaller trees and shrubs, it’s not always realistic for the towering species like Linden or Elm trees, which seem to be popular with the aphids this year. With any luck, we’ll start to see more lady bugs real soon so they can help control the aphids and we don’t have to deal with all this sticky poo much longer!

CALGARY, Alberta. July 13, 2017. WestJet announced today it will add two more weekly flights between Brandon and Calgary this winter, bringing the total number of weekly flights to 12 from 10, a 20 per cent increase year over year. All flights are operated by WestJet Encore on board its fleet of 40 Canadian-made Bombardier Q400 aircraft. “WestJet continues to enrich the lives of residents of Westman,” said Charles Duncan, President, WestJet Encore. “Since its inaugural flight to Brandon in September 2013, WestJet Encore has operated more than 3,000 flights in and out of the Brandon Municipal Airport, giving residents more connectivity to family and friends, more affordable travel options for business and leisure, and more opportunities for local businesses and organizations to grow and expand. Air service is an engine for economic growth and WestJet’s investment in the region has helped it unlock its potential and drive growth.” “The chorus of Westman residents asking for convenient air travel options continues to grow and we thank WestJet for listening,” added Brandon Mayor Rick Chrest. “With WestJet’s commitment to providing two daily flights on five of seven days each week this winter at our newly-expanded airport facility, we are confident that residents will continue to demonstrate we can fill those seats and, indeed, take on additional flight capacity in the future.” Details of WestJet’s increased service between Brandon and Calgary for winter 2017-18: Route Frequency Departing Arriving Effective Brandon – Calgary 12 times weekly 6:20 a.m.1 1:20 p.m. 7:43 a.m. 2:38 p.m. December 16, 2017 (existing daily flight) Calgary – Brandon 12 times weekly 9:45 a.m. 8:30 p.m.2 12:48 p.m. 11:32 p.m. (existing daily flight) December 15, 2017 1 This flight will operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 2 This flight will operate Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Royal Canadian Police in Manitoba Facebook On June 29, 2017, at approximately 10:45 pm, Brandon RCMP received a report of a missing 15-year-old female from the RM Elton, Manitoba. Mary-Ann Mansfield left a note in her room saying she would be gone for a few days. While Mary-Ann has been in contact with family members and friends, police are concerned for her well-being and have been unable to locate her. Mary-Ann is described as Caucasian, 5’3” tall and 110 pounds, with long red hair. It is believed she is in the Brandon or Flin Flon area. Anyone with information is asked to contact Brandon RCMP at 204-726-7519 or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, submit a secure tip online or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).

From Vimy to Juno Commemorates Canada’s Role in First and Second World Wars A special commemorative exhibition entitled From Vimy to Juno: Canada in France 1914-45 opens on Saturday at The RCA Museum just in time for Brandon Doors Open. This national travelling exhibition explores the connections between defining moments in Canadian history and the experiences of Canadians who fought in both world wars. From Vimy to Juno was developed by the Juno Beach Centre, Canada’s only museum on the D-Day Landing beaches in Normandy, France. “We’re delighted to host this exhibition,” says Kathleen Christensen, Senior Curator. “It provides a great opportunity for our visitors to learn about Canada’s role in the First and Second World Wars and understand the local connections to these defining moments in our history.” “In two world wars, hundreds of thousands of Canadians fought in France, where their achievements helped shape our national identity,” said Jenna Zuschlag Misener, Executive Director of the Juno Beach Centre. “The Juno Beach Centre is proud to bring this legacy from the sacred ground of Vimy Ridge and Juno Beach to all Canadians coast to coast through this special program, especially in CFB Shilo whose own history connects the two wars.” This initiative was launched to commemorate a number of important Canadian anniversaries and milestones, including the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 2017 and the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Normandy Landings in 2019. From Vimy to Juno will be on display at The RCA Museum from 12 July to 25 August. This exhibit enhances the RCA Museum’s current temporary exhibit, In the Footsteps of Vimy as well as a photographic display called Fathers and Sons Marching to War.  These original Regimental photographs were taken at training camps throughout Canada during the two wars and are from the museum’s archives.  Fathers and Sons will be on display for the duration of the Vimy to Juno exhibit.  In the Footsteps of Vimy will be on display until24 November. ABOUT THE RCA MUSEUM, CFB SHILO: The RCA Museum was established in 1962 at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, Manitoba in order to preserve and interpret this proud heritage for future generations. With 5 galleries in 24,000 square ft, it is one of the largest military museums in Canada and tells the story of the more than 200,000 Canadian Gunners who have served Canada in war and peace since 1855. Its collection and archives includes over 65,000 artifacts and archival records, including more than 150 artillery pieces and vehicles. www.themilitarymuseums.ca ABOUT THE JUNO BEACH CENTRE: The Juno Beach Centre was established in 2003 by veterans with a vision to create a permanent memorial to all Canadians who served Canada during the Second World War, and to preserve this legacy for future generations through education. The Centre in Normandy pays homage to the nearly 45,000 Canadians who died during the War, of which 5,500 during the Battle of Normandy and 359 on D-Day. A decade and over 750,000 visitors later, the Centre has been designated a site of national historic significance to Canada. The Association in Canada is a charitable organization which owns and operates the Centre. www.junobeach.org

BRANDON, Man. — Early application and registration numbers for the 2017–18 academic year show strong continued growth in enrolment is expected at Brandon University (BU). “The numbers are excellent, with healthy increases in applications, admissions and new-student registrations at Brandon University,” said University Registrar Andrea McDaniel. “It is still fairly early in our registration cycle, but the trend is clear and it is looking like another year of very strong growth of the student population at BU.” Compared to this same point last year, she said that applications to the university have increased by 11 per cent, admission offers are up by 20 per cent, and registrations by first-time students are up by eight per cent. The increases in application and registration numbers among new students have BU administration optimistic that the University will continue to build on significant increases in enrolment shown over the past several years. Brandon University experienced seven per cent growth in student enrolment in 2016 and 3.5 per cent the year before. The numbers are positive in just about every category, including very strong growth in full-time enrolment by first-time students as well as international applications. “At this time there is a greater proportion of new students who are registering as full-time students than at the same point last year,” McDaniel said.“International student interest has also increased significantly, with applications up 15 per cent and registration of new students up 23 per cent over this time last year.” Brandon University continues to be a top choice for local high school students, with Vincent Massey, Crocus Plains and Neelin the top three schools sending graduates to BU. High schools in Portage la Prairie and Virden round out the top five, with significant numbers of students also coming from high schools in Dauphin, Russell, Thompson, Neepawa and Swan River. “Brandon University brings thousands of young people to the city from near and far away, and many of them choose to stay here to live, work and invest,” said Steve Robinson, Vice President (Academic & Provost). “As we look at the demographic trends in Brandon and in the province, it is clear that Brandon is a destination for post-secondary education and we are working hard to serve that diverse student body by growing the number and type of programs that we offer.” The soon-to-be released Campus Master Plan and Campus Space Plan both point to strategies for the university to accommodate the burgeoning number of students. “A growing BU student population means that classroom, labs and schedules will all be fuller, as will student residences,” Robinson said. “Our downtown campus expansion, which will include a significant new-style residential component as well as innovative academic spaces, will help us welcome new students and new faculty to a new level of community engagement in the coming years.” Last year, BU welcomed nearly 3,300 students. Final numbers for each year are tallied and reported on Nov. 1.