-$32 million dollars is the new proposed renovation bill for City Hall and the Library. The Brandon Sun reports that City Council says significant upgrades are required to both buildings. Starting this year, the Library and Arts building could cost $18.27 million dollars plus $6.6 million dollars in critical components. City hall renos are pegged at $7.26 million. Council budget deliberations are now proposing a 6.6 per cent property tax increase.
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-Brandon Fire and Emergency Services are looking for new recruits. B-F-E-S launched a recruitment drive yesterday, seeking firefighter and paramedics to bolster its units. Local firefighters and paramedics are serving a growing population of more than 53,000 residents.
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-A 24-year-old Brandon man accused of firing a gun at a bathroom door his ex-girlfriend was hiding behind; has been acquitted of all firearms-related charges, but has been convicted of assault. The Brandon Sun says no names will be released due to a publication ban. The 24-year-old man was sentenced January 12th to 2 months in custody, and 2 years of unsupervised probation.
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-The RCMP has issued an arrest warrant for a Winnipeg man. Police are looking for a 37-year-old Matthew Govereau. He’s charged in a head-on collision that killed 3 people near Swan River July 1st, 2025; facing 18 charges related to the incident. Mounties say Govereau crossed the center line on Highway 10, striking a parked vehicle, killing 2 occupants and the passenger of his vehicle.
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-Brandon Police are planning to spend almost half a million dollars on body-worn cameras and digital evidence upgrades. The Police Inspector says 65 cameras for front-line officers will roll out early April, and be fully deployed by September. This, City council is takes a final vote on the 2026 budget this weekend, with concerns about costs and property tax increases.
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-General Motors Canada is set to lay off up to 1,200 workers at its Oshawa plant on Friday. The Midnight shift is being cut, due to “forecasted demand and the evolving trade environment”, as seniority rules push newer workers out across all shifts. Oshawa’s Union President is urging premiers to aggressively pursue the renewal of the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement.
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-If you purchase a singular donut, or a box of donuts at Tim Hortons, 100% of proceeds go to the Special Olympics.
The exclusive Tim Hortons’ Donut supports sports programs for athletes with an intellectual disability in communities here in Westman, and across Canada.
Timmie’s’ donut has raised over $3.4M for Special Olympics Canada.
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-The 2026 Winter Olympic Games begin February 6th. Mikael Kingsbury (from Quebec) and Marielle Thompson (from North Vancouver, B.C.) have been chosen to be Canada’s flag-bearers for the opening ceremony. This is their 4th time competing in the Olympics, with both athletes previously winning gold in 2018 and silver in 2022.
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-If you’re looking for something to do this Friday, The Brandon University Bobcats basketball teams are hosting the MaceWan University Griffins at the Healthy Living Centre. The women’s game starts at 6pm, and the men’s game starts at 8pm.
