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

It was a scene that one would typically expect to see only in the movie theatre but today the action played out live in Brandon in a crazy afternoon on Kirkcaldy Drive. Below are a few photos taken earlier today immediately following a police pursuit which ended with three suspects being taken into custody. For more information on today events please see the Brandon Police Services report at the link provided.

There is a ribbon-cutting ceremony set to take place today at 12 pm for the newly built Métis housing triplex at 527-12th Street in Brandon, Manitoba. Minister of Housing for the MMF, Will Goodon along with Len Isleifson, MLA for Brandon East are scheduled to be on-hand for the ceremony. From today's press release “Affordable housing allows our Métis Citizens and their families to maintain a good quality of life,” says Minister of Housing for the MMF, Will Goodon. “It helps ensure there is a strong, stable foundation for our Métis children to be raised happy and healthy.” The new triplex will be comprised of three suites, each 1069 square feet. One suite is currently occupied while the other two are expected to be filled in early October. The building is part of larger overall project to supply affordable housing to Métis Citizens based on a combined initiative of the Government of Manitoba’s partnership with the MMF that began in 2013. Overall 5.5 million dollars was allocated over a 5-year span through the Manitoba Housing & Renewal Corporation to help achieve their goals.