Crossing the Line Charity Event Launches Progressive 50/50 Raffle Brandon, MB - Crossing the Line, the highly anticipated charity event dedicated to raising funds for transitional housing in Brandon, is thrilled to announce the launch of its Progressive 50/50 Raffle. This exciting addition to the event promises not only generous cash prizes but also the opportunity for participants to contribute to a vital cause supporting the construction of a transformative 24-unit transitional housing facility with essential community services. The main objective of this raffle is to bridge the funding gap of $1 million needed to make this facility a reality. ● Participants can purchase raffle tickets at various price points, including $5 for 1, $10 for 3, $25 for 10, $50 for 50, and $100 for 200 tickets. ● The pot is drawn on the last day of each month in September and October, with a grand draw scheduled for November 16th at the Crossing the Line charity event. ● An exciting twist: 25% of all tickets purchased will be entered into the jackpot draw! Participating in the Progressive 50/50 Raffle is easy. Simply purchase your tickets before the deadline of midnight on October 31 to qualify for the next draw on November 1st. Anyone in Manitoba can buy tickets online at: raffle.link/johnhoward The Crossing the Line charity event will be held on November 16th from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Victoria Ave. It's an evening filled with laughter, entertainment, and, most importantly, a chance to support the creation of transitional housing in Brandon. “I was excited to be invited to be the Chair for Crossing the Line. This initiative gives Brandon businesses an opportunity to take a leadership role in making a positive impact on our downtown. I invite businesses large and small to do what they can to make the Transitional Housing project a success. There are many ways to get involved: purchase a ticket or table for the event, provide a gift for auction at the event, be sponsor for the event or a purchase 50/50 raffle ticket.” Jason Roblin, CEO Vionell Holdings Partnership. Crossing the Line is a fundraising initiative dedicated to creating transformative transitional housing in Brandon. The project aims to provide a safe, stable environment that fosters healing.growth, and community for individuals transitioning out of incarceration. To date, Crossing the Line has secured significant funding but requires additional support to achieve its $1 million funding goal. For media inquiries and further information, please contact: Ross Robinson Executive Director 204-727-1696 rrobinson@brandonjohnhoward.ca

On October 10, 2023, at approximately 9:00 pm, police responded to a report of an attempted robbery in the 600 block of 18th street.  The victim reports being approached by a female with a knife who threatened to stab her and demanded money.  The victim managed to get away from the suspect who then fled on foot.  The victim was physically unharmed. Police located and arrested the 17-year-old female suspect hiding in a shed in the 1600 block of McTavish.  The suspect was from a rural address and was lodged at Brandon Police Service until a parent could attend to pick her up this morning.  She will appear in court on December 19, 2023, on a charge of Attempted Robbery.

  As Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) begins its annual Public Utilities Board (PUB) hearing today, it requests no overall revenue or rate change for the basic insurance program in the upcoming 2024/25 insurance year. Despite no overall rate change requested, individual insurance rates would continue to vary based on vehicle type, vehicle use, rating territory, and driving record. In June, MPI filed its General Rate Application requesting the zero per cent overall rate change, in accordance with a directive issued by the Government of Manitoba. However, the directive does not apply to the PUB which operates independently, and has ultimate authority to establish basic insurance rates for the 2024/25 insurance year. The PUB relies on many factors in rate setting, one being Accepted Actuarial Practice (AAP). At the time of June’s filing, the provisional overall revenue requirement calculated in accordance with AAP was minus 0.13 per cent. In October, the overall requirement further decreased to minus 1.48 per cent, primarily driven by positive investment yields, which is great news for Manitobans. “MPI’s application, including the updated overall AAP indication of minus 1.48 per cent, demonstrates the positive overall financial position of the corporation,” said Marnie Kacher, MPI’s interim President and Chief Executive Officer. “MPI continues to focus on fiscal prudence for the year ahead, while providing Manitobans with affordable products and services to meet their needs.” MPI’s application is based, in part, on its fiscal year-end financials and current interest rates. As part of its application, MPI also proposes continued expansion of the Driver Safety Rating (DSR) scale, which provides premium discounts for the safest drivers. If approved, MPI will add an additional discount level to the top of the DSR scale, resulting in a 48 per cent vehicle premium discount for drivers at the newly established DSR Level +18. MPI would also apply greater discounts to all DSR levels over DSR Level +8, thereby offering larger premium discounts to more of Manitoba’s safest drivers. MPI expects the PUB to issue its order in December. Approved rates would become effective April 1, 2024, however because renewal dates are staggered, some vehicle owners will not pay their new rates until March 31, 2025. (MPI News Release)

On October 7, 2023, at approximately 1:22pm, police were dispatched to a break and enter that had occurred to a motel in the 1700 block of Middleton Avenue.  Police located and arrested 3 male individuals aged 28, 29, and 47 years, within a room.  The three males had forcibly entered a motel room via a window.  The males were found to be in possession of stolen property as well as a small amount of cocaine and methamphetamine.  The 29 and 47 year old were later released with a future court date.  The 28 year old was also found to be breaching condition of a court order and was lodged at the Brandon Police Service to appear before a Justice regarding the matter.

On October 7, 2023, at 4:03pm, police were dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of 10th Street regarding a robbery that had transpired.  The female victim reported that 2 females and male had entered the residence and proceeded to assault her and steal her property, which included her pet kitten.  The investigation led police to a residence in the 600 block of 10th Street, where a 29 and 46 year old female, along with a 29 year old male were located and arrested.  A search warrant was obtained, which led to the recovery of some of the stolen items, including the kitten.  The male and females were released with several conditions and a future court date.