WestJet baggage fees climb
If you’re flying WestJet anytime soon, brace for pricier baggage — the airline’s new fees now apply across the board, including Brandon flights. Checked bags now cost more depending on your fare and booking date, and those UltraBasic rules just got a little stricter.
Riverbank Discovery Centre goes solar
Brandon’s Riverbank Discovery Centre is flipping the switch on its new solar array, expected to generate more than 40% of the Centre’s annual power. Executive Director Dean Hammond says it’s not just an energy upgrade — it’s about “sharing important information with visitors about the advantages of generating solar energy.” The panels should pay for themselves within 6–8 years and cut nearly 10 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Two major banks leaving downtown Brandon
Downtown Brandon is losing two major bank branches. According to the Brandon Sun, RBC is moving to 18th Street, while BMO is relocating to the former Kam Lung Restaurant site at 16th and Park. The Brandon Downtown Development Corporation says the impact will depend on what fills the soon‑to‑be‑vacant spaces. Work is already underway with property owners and the city to attract new tenants and keep redevelopment momentum going.
Ambulance staffing shortages hit rural Manitoba
Staffing shortages are forcing some ambulances to rely on lower‑trained emergency medical responders instead of paramedics. The issue is most acute in rural and remote parts of Manitoba, where long distances and vacancies make it difficult to keep fully staffed paramedic units on the road.
AMM Spring Convention underway in Brandon
Municipal leaders from across Manitoba are in Brandon this week for the AMM Spring Convention at the Keystone Centre. The gathering focuses on infrastructure, public safety and long‑term planning, and wraps up tomorrow.
Brandon seeks lower default speed limit
Brandon City Council wants provincial approval to lower the city’s default residential speed limit, saying it would improve neighbourhood safety. Councillor Kris Desjarlais says only the province can change the default limit or allow gateway signage — otherwise Brandon would need thousands of individual signs, a cost pegged at more than $2 million.
Weapons incident prompts lockdown at Grunthal school
Another Manitoba school was briefly locked down — this time in Grunthal — after a student allegedly brought weapons, ammunition and knives onto school property. RCMP say staff located the youth quickly, students were kept safe, and the lockdown was lifted once the situation was under control. The student faces several charges.
K9 tracks down break‑and‑enter suspect in riverbank brush
A break‑and‑enter suspect tried to escape Brandon Police by diving into the riverbank brush, triggering a K9 search through knee‑deep floodwater. Everyone came out soaked — the suspect, the officer and the dog — but police recovered a stolen toolbox and arrested the man for court.
Canada’s unemployment rate holds steady
Canada’s unemployment rate remains at 6.7 percent. Statistics Canada says the rate held steady because more people jumped back into the job hunt, increasing the number of active job‑seekers even as unemployment itself stayed flat.
Keystone Centre announces Legacy & Lights benefit
The Keystone Centre’s first‑ever Legacy & Lights benefit dinner will feature former NFL lineman and entrepreneur Israel Idonije, along with comedian Dave Hemstad. The May 14 event is backed by Assiniboine Credit Union and Rocky Mountain Equipment, supporting the new Keystone Centre Foundation.
Saskatchewan watching Alberta’s time‑change plans
Saskatchewan has stayed on central standard time year‑round since 1966, but says it’s watching Alberta’s move toward permanent daylight time. Manitoba’s western neighbour says it may revisit its own time legislation depending on what Alberta decides.
