Fraudulently Obtain Food x2 A woman has been charged following two incidents of unpaid bills at a local restaurant. The accused attended the establishment on November 10th, 2025, and January 23rd, 2026, ordering food and drinks totaling $87.86 and $203.29 respectively. On both occasions, she left without paying. Video surveillance was provided to police, and the suspect was identified. On March 1st at 10:15 p.m., officers located the 43-year-old woman walking in the 200 block of 10th Street and placed her under arrest. She was interviewed and later released on an Undertaking with a court date scheduled for May 11th, 2026. Arrest Warrant On March 2nd at approximately 3:00 a.m. a pedestrian stop was conducted in the 900 block of Rosser Avenue. The 38-year-old male was found to be wanted on an Unendorsed Warrant for Arrest (Breach of Probation x4 and Failure to Attend Court). The male was arrested, held at BPS detention cells and will attend court in the morning.

Traffic Stop leads to Drug / Weapons Charge Just after 9pm on Friday evening, Police conducted a vehicle stop in the 1900 block Aagard Ave. The subsequent investigation revealed that the 22year-old male driver was in possession of small amount of Cocaine as well as a can of bear spray. He was charged with Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Possession of a Controlled Substance and for Failing to Comply with his Release Order. He released on an Undertaking with a scheduled court date set in May. Theft Charge On the morning of Friday February 27th, around 930am, Police received a report of a suspicious male and a theft from a business in the 500 block of 34th St. Police located the male in the 3300 block of Victoria Ave., and he was found to have in his possession a stolen backpack and laptop. The 28year-old was charged with Theft Under $5,000, Failing to Comply with his Probation Order and was held in the Bps cells to appear in Court.   Prohibited Driver At approximately 3:30pm on Friday afternoon Police stopped a vehicle in the 1600 block of Princess Ave. The operator of the vehicle was found to be Prohibited from Driving Canada Wide. The 24year-old male was charged accordingly and will appear in Court in April.  

Breach of the Peace Within the past 24 hours, two individuals in separate incidents were arrested for Breach of the Peace. The individuals, a 42-year-old female and a 21-year-old male, were both intoxicated at the time of arrest. They were transported to Brandon Police Service (BPS) detention cells, where they will remain in custody until sober for release. Protective Detention & Care of Intoxicated Persons Act Within the past 24 hours, one individual, a 60-year-old male, was intoxicated and no longer welcome at a residence in the 200 block of 5th Street. He was brought to BPS detention cells to be released once sober.  Arrest Warrants In the past 24 hours six individuals were arrested on the strength of their Warrants for Arrest. One individual was taken to Brandon Correctional Centre post court after not meeting bail conditions, two were held for court in the morning on February 27th, and three were released via Appearance Notice with future court dates. Theft Under $5000 On February 21st, BPS received a report of a theft from a business located in the 900 block of 18th Street North. Approximately $31.80 worth of merchandise was stolen. Through video surveillance, officers were able to identify the suspect. On February 26th, a 42-year-old male was located in the 000 block of 9th Street and placed under arrest for the incident. He was later released on an Undertaking with a court date scheduled for May 7, 2026. Impaired Driver On February 26th at 12:47 p.m., police received a report of a possible impaired driver stopped at the intersection of 12th Street North and Stickney Avenue. The caller advised that the vehicle had been stationary at the stop sign for approximately 20–30 minutes. The driver was reportedly honking at pedestrians and, when approached, made obscene gestures, appeared incoherent, and seemed heavily impaired. Police attended and located the vehicle with the driver operating it. A 36-year-old female was arrested for impaired driving after providing samples of 340 mg% and 320 mg%. She was lodged in BPS detention cells to be released once sober. The vehicle was towed from the scene. The accused was charged with Operation While Impaired and Operation Over .08 and was also issued tickets for Operating a Class 5 Vehicle Without a Supervising Driver and Failing to Comply with License Restrictions. She will be released once sober on an Appearance Notice with a court date of March 2nd, 2026. Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine On February 26th at 9:44 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted in the 800 block of 15th Street. During the stop, officers observed a baggie on the floor behind the passenger seat believed to contain a controlled substance. Both occupants were removed from the vehicle and arrested for Possession of Cocaine. A subsequent search of the vehicle located 14.77 grams of cocaine, along with measuring devices bearing white powder residue, a digital scale, packaging materials, and other drug paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking. A 52-year-old female and a 25-year-old female were both arrested, charged, and later released on Undertakings with a court date of May 14th, 2026. Immediate Roadside Prohibition On February 27th at 3:07 a.m., a vehicle was stopped in the 1600 block of 18th Street. The driver failed two Approved Screening Device (ASD) tests. A 19-year-old male was arrested and transported to BPS detention cells, where he will be held until sober and served with Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) paperwork in the morning. A ticket was also served As A Novice Driver, Operate or Have Care or Control of a Motor Vehicle While Having Alcohol in The Blood. The vehicle was towed from the scene. The driver will receive a 90-day driver’s license suspension, and the vehicle will be impounded for 30 days.

Brandon School Division’s 2026-2027 Preliminary Budget Presentation and Board Deliberations were held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. A video recording of the meeting will be added here soon. The 2026-2027 Tentative Operating Budget is as follows: The tentative budget includes the following: Expected enrollment growth: Brandon School Division is a growing division and enrollment continues to increase. In 2025-2026, the Division experienced an increase of 77 (0.8%) students. For the 2026-2027 school year, the Division is projecting that enrolment will increase by 134 (1.3%) to 10,214 students. A net increase of 5.40 FTE teaching positions, which includes the following: A decrease of (1.10) FTE non-ratio teaching positions due to grants and other funding An increase of 5.00 FTE teachers to assist with the pupil/teacher ratio An increase of 1.50 FTE teachers for instructional support / professional development A net increase of 39.01 FTE support staff, which includes the following: An increase of 4.51 FTE Educational Assistants due to additional funding for Level 3 Special Needs students An increase of 1.82 FTE Lunchroom Educational Assistants due to enrollment An increase of 1.06 FTE Custodial Assistant positions due to enrollment and school additions Reclassification of expenses related to the Nutrition Program for 10.50 FTE Educational Assistants and 1.00 FTE Administration Assistant Addition of 2.00 FTE Maintenance Workers Addition of 1.00 FTE Carpenter Addition of 6.39 FTE Educational Assistants for implementation of a teacher / EA ratio Addition of 10.73 FTE Home School Liaisons for controlled/monitored access at schools The budget provides a 2.5% inflationary increase to the school instructional supply budgets, capital & maintenance budget and other controllable supplies and services. Allocation of $275,000 towards maintenance and adaptations of aging facilities Allocation of $66,460 towards Cyber security service Replacement of school buses will be funded through the school bus capital reserve. 2026 School Tax Impact The tentative budget results in an annual increase of $138.49 (7.25%) on total school taxes based on an average single-family home valued at $301,300, prior to the Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit (HATC) provided by the Province on a homeowner’s principal residence. For 2026, the Province increased the HATC by $100 to $1,600 (2025 - $1,500). After factoring the increased tax credit on the homeowner’s principal residence valued at $301,300, the net school tax increase is $38.49. 2027 School Tax Impact As 56.5% of the 2026-2027 Special Requirement is carried over to the 2027 Tax year, this results in an increase of $84.39 (4.12%) in total school taxes for 2027 prior to factoring changes for assessment, enrolment, funding, salary increases and expenses. Public Budget Presentation & Consultation: Monday, March 2, 2026, at 7:30 pm  BSD Administration Office, Board Room, 1031 – 6th Street, Brandon Members of the public who wish to present to the Board of Trustees during this meeting are asked to pre-register by contacting: Office of the Secretary-Treasurer Email: delegations@bsd.ca | Phone: 204-729-3114 Final Budget Approval, Monday, March 9, 2026, at 7:30 pm  BSD Administration Office, Board Room, 1031 – 6th Street, Brandon If you are unable to attend these meetings in person, you can watch the live stream on our website at www.bsd.ca. A recording will also be posted online following the meeting. Accessibility at Brandon School Division  Brandon School Division is committed to accessibility. If you require accommodations to take part in this event, please feel free to call or email us. We kindly ask that you inform us as early as possible, and we will make every effort to fulfill your request. Brandon School Division 1031 – 6th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 4K5 Phone: 204-729-0388 | Email: info@bsd.ca Pursuant to Bylaw 9/2019:  6.5       The number of persons in the Board Room may never exceed the Manitoba Fire Code occupant load posting of 50 persons. The Chairperson has the discretion to adjourn the meeting to another larger location if it is deemed necessary.    

The Manitoba government is announcing the creation of the Manitoba Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Task Force to strengthen the response to the trafficking of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and other illicit drugs, which continue to threaten community safety, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced today. “Manitobans have been clear, the meth crisis needs to end and the people profiting off of creating misery in our communities need to be held to account,” said Wiebe. “This task force will provide law enforcement in Manitoba access to the best minds and practices in Canada when it comes to fighting back against drug trafficking and organized crime.” The task force will include senior leadership from: Manitoba Justice; Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Canada Border Services Agency; Manitoba Criminal Intelligence Centre; Winnipeg Police Service; Brandon Police Service; Manitoba First Nations Police Service; and Altona, Winkler and Morden police services. Kevin Brosseau, Canada’s fentanyl czar, will advise the task force. During its first meeting today, members will share local experiences, set priorities and work toward a provincewide drug enforcement strategy focused on disrupting supply chains including a targeted meth sweep that will focus on those producing and distributing methamphetamine. “I cannot overstate the significance of Manitoba’s leadership in establishing this new Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Task Force as part of our ongoing, collective efforts to protect Manitobans and, by extension, Canadian communities,” said Brosseau. “By strengthening co-ordination, improving information-sharing and disrupting the criminal networks that profit from addiction and violence, the work being announced here today will help reduce the supply of dangerous drugs and enhance community safety across the province.  I look forward to working closely with Manitoba and law enforcement partners to ensure a strong, unified response that delivers safer outcomes for all of us.” Illicit drugs in Manitoba are increasingly tied to organized crime groups operating within the province and across borders, the minister noted. The task force will work to reduce drug supply, disrupt criminal networks, co-ordinate enforcement and support safer outcomes for communities. Reporting to the justice minister, it will provide advice on co-ordination priorities, while supporting better information-sharing and joint enforcement work. This work will be aligned with the Manitoba government’s broader efforts on addictions, harm reduction, social supports and community well-being. “Illicit drugs and organized crime are having a devastating impact on families and neighbourhoods in Winnipeg,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham, City of Winnipeg. “Complicated problems require well-thought-out solutions, and the creation of this task force strengthens the co-ordinated response we need by bringing together police services, provincial and federal partners, and national expertise.” The task force will help police and Manitoba Justice share information more effectively and learn from the best approaches used in other jurisdictions to stop illegal drugs, and ensure agencies have the tools and resources they need to target drug traffickers and organized crime groups. It will explore new ways to disrupt criminal organizations, such as using unexplained wealth orders, and support joint police operations. Its advice will help guide policies that strengthen public safety. The task force’s work will be informed by ongoing input from Indigenous leaders, community organizations, law enforcement and service providers.