Lots of updates over the past 10 days in Brandon. Sharon Shepherd, whom operated and worked at West-Fit Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, has left the company after 33 years.  She has left due to personal reasons and we have not been informed on the latest ownership and business structure.  Sharon has been a great supporter of many sporting events and will be missed. Trend Collection and Bailiff Services are in the process of moving to a new loication as they have been located at 921 Rosser Ave. Town Centre has been officially sold to JB Brar from Winnipeg for roughly 4 million dollars.  No future plans have been confirmed. Town Centre was owned by Don Williamson - Mazer - Fottingham and Doug Murray.  Local real estate mogul Kevin Gregory will take over leasing agreements for the new ownership group. Granite Dynasty will be opening soon in Brandon, no further details are available. Westman Promotions has opened a location downtown that features anything you and your business can desire. Golf shirts to pens to mugs to T shirts the list is endless.  Check them out at www.westmanpromotions.ca Address is 30 - 11th Street Any tips and information about local business let us know - Darryl Wolski / darryl@bdnmb.ca

On November 23, 2023, shortly after 11:00 am, police responded to a report of a female who appeared to be passed out in the driver’s seat of a vehicle, which was in the 000 block of 7th street.  When police attended, the 29-year-old female from Carberry was believed to be under the influence of an illicit substance, and she was arrested for Operation while Impaired.  Following her arrest, she was also found to be in possession of meth.  The suspect provided samples of her blood for further testing. She was later released to appear in court on November 27, 2023, on a charge of Operation while Impaired, and on January 11, 2024, on a charge of Possess Controlled Substance.

At approximately 1:20 a.m., staff from a business in the 1100 Block of 18th ST reported a male suspect was intoxicated, causing a disturbance and assaulted a security guard. Police attended, arrested the suspect for the assault and located a knife in his possession. A criminal record check revealed the suspect is on a Release Order with conditions to observe a daily curfew and not possess any weapons. The 21 year old male suspect from Brandon was arrested for Assault, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose and Fail to comply with conditions of a Release Order. He was lodged at the Police Service and held in custody pending a Court hearing.

The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is “WANTED BY POLICE”: Vladyslav USTYMENKO FOR Flight from Police, Dangerous Operation of Motor Vehicle & Fail to Attend Court. On August 27, 2023, USTYMENKO was operating a motorcycle at a high rate of speed in the City of Brandon and failed to stop for police. USTYMENKO was identified as the operator of the motor and charged accordingly. Vladyslav USTYMENKO’s whereabouts are unknown at this time, please contact Brandon crime stoppers with any information. ***************** If you have any information as to the whereabouts of this person or anyone else “Wanted by Police” you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637).  Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display.  Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous.  Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime. ***************** The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a Theft Under $5000. On November 15th, 2023, a male entered a parked car that was located in the 3500 block of Victoria Avenue. The thief stole a black HP laptop from the vehicle and fled on a bicycle but not before being caught on video surveillance.

The Manitoba government is introducing amendments to the fuel tax act, which would temporarily pause the collection of the provincial tax on gasoline for at least six months starting next year, Finance Minister Adrien Sala announced today. “We know there is an affordability crisis in Manitoba and across Canada,” said Sala. “This legislation would provide much-needed relief to Manitobans during these unprecedented times of high inflation. The bill would help everyone from the family rushing their kids off to different activities, to the small business owner who relies on their car for work.” Bill 3, the fuel tax amendment act (fuel tax holiday) would temporarily reduce the provincial fuel tax rate to zero cents per litre on gasoline, natural gas and diesel fuels for road use. This tax pause would remain in place for six months. During the fuel tax holiday, the 14-cent fuel tax rates on gasoline and diesel used to operate motor vehicles will be eliminated, the minister noted. “This would provide direct relief to Manitoba families struggling with rising costs and is a crucial step in our government’s plan to make life more affordable for all Manitobans,” said Sala. There is no provincial sales tax on the purchase of fuel. Fuel taxes would continue to be collected on aviation, locomotive and propane as these are not included in the fuel tax holiday, the minister added. The average Manitoba family with two cars is expected to save approximately $250 during the six-month fuel tax holiday, the minister noted.