On the afternoon of 2023-11-05, police received a report of an individual that was walking around the 1400 block of 1st , smashing windows while wearing a ski mask and in possession of a hammer.  At the time, police located and arrested the individual, resulting in him being held in custody.  Follow-up police investigation found the 25-year-old male to be responsible for damaging a window to a business nearby. On 2023-11-14, the accused was charged while in custody and will appear before the court 2023-11-15, for the charge of Mischief Under $5000.

Food Truck Warz, owned and operated by BDNMB.CA, today presented a payment for $18,215.00 to Westman Dreams for Kids. Jody Sass said this is a key part of the event where we can give back to some local charities that both Darryl and myself believe in.

On 2023-11-13, at approximately 1:15pm, the Brandon Police Service received a report from the 800 block of 15th Street that a suspect was attacking people with a hammer.  A description of the suspect was provided by witnesses on scene, and officers subsequently located the accused a short distance from the area.  While on scene, 911 received a second call of a possible house fire on the same block.  Brandon Fire (BFES) attended the home and made entry after witnesses indicated that a victim of the hammer attack was potentially still inside the building.  An adult male was pulled from the burning house by BFES.  The patient was found to have severe trauma to his head from multiple hammer strikes and was transported to the BRHC before being air lifted by STARS Air Ambulance to the Health Sciences Center in Winnipeg.  Investigation resulted in learning that the initial fire to the home was deliberately set using accelerants.  A canister of accelerant and the weapon used during the assault was recovered by police at the scene of the fire.  A second adult male victim was found to have been struck in the head with a hammer by the suspect, however sustained minor injuries to the top of his head.  The suspect and the victims are known to each other and the most recent medical condition of the victim transported to HSC is listed as “critical but stable”.  A 32-year-old male has been lodged at BPS to appear for court 2023-11-14, for the charges of Aggravated Assault, Assault with a Weapon, and Arson with Disregard for Human Life.

At 4:30 pm, Police were called to a disturbance in the 200 block of 15th St. It was determined the 47 year old female had assaulted another female by punching her in the face. The suspect was arrested and released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date.

Premier Wab Kinew travelled to Brandon today to announce the establishment of a new Westman regional cabinet office that will act as a liaison between families, businesses and community organizations in Westman and the Manitoba government. “Our government has been entrusted to govern on behalf of all Manitobans and we are very happy to announce our plans to serve the people of Brandon and Westman region,” said Kinew. “This is a region that deserves a strong provincial partner–to develop new economic opportunities, spur on health-care innovation, expand job training and educate the workforce of Westman’s future. Coming a day after a Hydro announcement that will bring more power to Brandon, I can say our government is ready to do the work. This cabinet office will be a hub for those great ideas to turn into tangible action.” The new regional cabinet office will be led by Jason Gobeil, a former school trustee with Brandon School Division (BSD), board member at Brandon University and community co-ordinator with more than 10 years of experience working directly in the areas of employment counselling, project management and community program development across the Westman region. Gobeil has volunteered his time serving on boards with BSD’s Indigenous Advisory Committee, the Westman chapter of the Interprovincial Association on Native Employment, the Brandon Bear Clan and the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council, and has put on events like 100 Men 100 Drums, which offered cultural connection and trauma healing for Indigenous men. Gobeil is also a proud French speaker. “The people of Westman have so much to offer our province,” said Gobeil. “I can’t wait to bring those great ideas to the Manitoba government so we can get to work building a Westman for the future.” “I have all the confidence in Jason Gobeil to help the Brandon community realize its incredible potential as a critical city within our province,” said Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Glen Simard. “He believes in this community and he understands what Westman folks bring to the table. We are lucky to have his expertise in our government and I look forward to working with him.” Gobeil will offer a direct link for important provincial stakeholders in the Westman area with the premier’s office and each member of the premier’s cabinet, noted Kinew.