Jillian Austin
TorontoStar
Brandon, MB, Canada
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Past articles by Jillian:
Indigenous cuisine restaurant coming to downtown Brandon
Three Sisters Bannock House has chosen downtown Brandon as its new home. → Read More
Swelling gas prices draining Brandonites’ pockets
After a double-digit increase, gasoline prices in Brandon have spiked to a near-record high. → Read More
‘Ask Auntie’ supporting city’s vulnerable population
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Manitobans were directed to stay at home and often to self-isolate. But what if they had nowhere to go? → Read More
All-ward stations give voters another way to cast a ballot in municipal election
From advance polls to all-ward voting stations, there are plenty of ways for Brandon citizens to cast a ballot in the fall civic election. Senior election official Melanie Powers said there are a number of initiatives in play to increase citizen engagement. → Read More
Keystone Centre’s new hospitality provider looks to improve concessions
The Keystone Centre has entered into a 10-year partnership with Centerplate, granting the global hospitality company exclusivity for all catering, food and beverage services. Craig Vidal, district manager of Centerplate, said they have come to the table with numerous suggestions for venue enhancement improvements, which will evolve over time. → Read More
Downtown Brandon ambassadors celebrate successful summer
Brandon’s first Downtown Ambassador program wraps up for the season on Saturday. A total of five ambassadors were hired for the pilot project, and patrolled on foot Monday to Saturday since the program launched on July 2. Wanda Leigh Rains was proud to don the bright orange ambassador T-shirt during the summer months. → Read More
City sets up traps to curb spread of emerald ash borer
With an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 ash trees in Brandon, city officials are concerned about the potential arrival of the emerald ash borer. So far, there have been no sightings of the highly invasive beetle in the Wheat City, but it has been found in Winnipeg. → Read More
Local ANAVETS club celebrating 100th anniversary
The local Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans association will celebrate its 100th anniversary next month. Located at 31 14th St., ANAVETS Unit No. 10 has a long history of serving Canadian veterans, their families and the community. → Read More
Brandon gets mixed grades on municipal spending
The City of Brandon is ranked No. 6 out of 10 Manitoba cities and towns when it comes to sustainable spending growth, according to a report released by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The fourth edition of the Manitoba Municipal Spending Watch was released Tuesday, and highlighted where Brandon did well and where it came up short. → Read More
Seniors housing co-op complex unveiled
With the snip of a ribbon, the Western Manitoba Seniors Non-Profit Housing Co-op officially unveiled... - Local - Brandon Sun. → Read More
Free recycling bins going out to Brandon homes
More than 16,000 free blue bins are being distributed to homes in Brandon, thanks to the Recycle Everywhere program. The goal is to make it easy and convenient for citizens to recycle empty beverage containers at home, according to program manager Christa Rust. → Read More
Teens relish chance to create video games at ACC camp
Sixteen-year-old Zack Louttit got a taste of his potential “dream job” at Assiniboine Community College’s first-ever Game Design Summer Camp. Instead of the typical seasonal activities like swimming and canoeing, this summer camp offered a group of Westman teenagers the chance to learn the basics of programming, animation and game design. → Read More
Algae bloom causes foul-smelling tap water in Brandon
An algae bloom on the Assiniboine River is to blame for foul-smelling water coming out of the taps in some Brandon neighbourhoods. Water treatment plant manager Rob Smith said the algae came to the area Tuesday afternoon, resulting in an unpleasant taste and odour across the water distribution system. → Read More
Brandon not imposing municipal election news blackout period
Today marks a 60-day news blackout for Winnipeg City Council, in the lead-up to the Oct. 24 municipal election. → Read More
Drivers sent to hospital after head-on crash near Neepawa
STARS Air Ambulance was dispatched to a serious crash on Highway 16 near Neepawa Thursday morning. According to RCMP, a head-on collision was reported at approximately 8:45 a.m., several kilometres east of Neepawa. → Read More
City adds safe launch area for canoes, kayaks
Canoe and kayak enthusiasts now have a new spot to access the Assiniboine River. Brandon’s community services department has added a safe launch area in the northwest corner of Queen Elizabeth Park. → Read More
Another pot retailer plans to set up shop in Brandon
Another cannabis dispensary has announced plans to open up shop in Brandon once the drug becomes legal in Canada this fall. The newly minted Garden Variety cannabis corporation unveiled its name on Wednesday, along with plans to open four retail locations in Manitoba — two in Winnipeg, one in Brandon and one in Thompson. → Read More
Developer optimistic of fall start to construction for project at Wheat City Golf Course
Horizon Builders remains optimistic that construction will begin this fall on its Riverside Lifestyle Estates project at the Wheat City Golf Course. The proposed development includes 68 condo units in two buildings, as well as a 5,000-square-foot commercial space and recreational development. → Read More
August expected to be second driest on record in Brandon
With just two millimetres of precipitation so far, this month is poised to be the second-driest August on record in Brandon, according to Environment Canada. Meteorologist Terri Lang said the driest August was recorded in 1961, with just 1.3 millimetres of precipitation. → Read More
Woman charged after hit-and-run on 13th Street
A 25-year-old Brandon woman has been charged following a hit-and-run crash Sunday afternoon. Police received a 911 call at 2:45 p.m., reporting a two-vehicle collision had occurred in the 300 block of 13th Street. → Read More