Westman pharmacists recognized for outstanding leadership

Two Westman pharmacists have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to community service and empowering staff to deliver an exceptional level of care to patients.

Pharmacists Manitoba, a non-profit advocacy organization that represents pharmacists across the province, held its annual 2026 award ceremony at the Norwood Hotel in Winnipeg on Saturday afternoon.

Among the nine award recipients this year, Jennifer Ludwig of Brandon won the Bowl of Hygeia Award and Matt Williams of Souris received the Ozturk Financial Pharmacy Business Leadership Award.

Ludwig said she was “speechless” and “shocked” when she found out she had won the award that recognizes her devotion to helping her community.

Brandon eateries linked to possible measles exposure

Two Brandon restaurants have been identified as possible measles expsoures sites and Manitoba public health officials are warning people to watch for early symptoms.

Anyone who was at The Dock on Princess on April 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. should monitor for signs until April 23. Similarly, those who went to Browns Socialhouse on March 30 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. should watch for symptoms until today.

There’s been a total of 474 confirmed measles cases and 68 probable ones across Manitoba this year, with 60 new cases reported in the first 11 days of April, provincial data current up to Friday show.

So far, Manitoba has had 155 more cases of measles in 2026 compared to the total amount last year.

Making music

Country artist Lee Brice performed for over 3,500 fans at Assiniboine Credit Union Place in Brandon on Sunday evening as part of his Sunriser Tour. He was joined by Grace Tyler and Bret Kissel who performed ahead of Brice.

» Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun

Drugs, weapons and break-ins

DRUG, WEAPON CHARGES

The Brandon Police Service arrested three males for possession of a controlled substance on Saturday evening during a traffic stop in the 2100 block of Victoria Avenue.

Police observed a white powdery substance in the driver’s door, and located 13 suspected pills of MDMA on the driver, as well as a few grams of cocaine on the rear seat passenger during the search of the accused.

The front passenger was found in possession of a replica Glock pistol and plastic “brass” knuckles. All three males were later released with conditions to attend court in June.

Man, 21, arrested in connection with tire slashings

Brandon police have arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with a spree of tire slashings in the city’s south end last month.

Members of the Brandon Police Service arrested Tristan McKay last Thursday and charged him with mischief over $5,000 and resisting arrest, the city’s chief of police, Tyler Bates, said in an emailed statement on Monday.

On March 11, dozens of south-end residents woke up to find their vehicle tires slashed. Bates said 85 vehicles were affected.

Police previously said several vehicles had also been rummaged through during the same time frame.

Helping Hands delivering food to BU students on campus

Brandon University has partnered with the Helping Hands Centre of Brandon to provide students with free food on a monthly basis.

BU spokesperson Rob Henderson said the partnership grew out of a conversation between members of the university’s administration and the Helping Hands board.

“Supporting students who need food fits within the Helping Hands mandate, and this is a great example of how being connected to our community and being nimble can allow us to quickly put together an initiative that is beneficial for our students,” Henderson told the Sun on Monday.

The first food delivery was unloaded and placed on tables in two locations on the campus earlier this month — and was gone by noon the next day, he said.

Mayor Fawcett touts financial reset, seeks re-election

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett has listed financial stability and stronger regional partnerships as defining achievements of his first term.

Fawcett, who was elected as Mayor in 2022, has confirmed he’ll seek re-election in the upcoming October municipal vote.

Speaking with the Sun after his address at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce State of the City luncheon on Thursday, he said one of the most meaningful impacts of his nearly four years in office is putting the city on a firmer financial footing.

“We had to get our finances looked at,” Fawcett said in an interview. “We took the decision to bring in an independent third party to assess the city’s books. Take the politicians out of it.”

Lawyer argues client not criminally responsible

If a 47-year-old man is found guilty of killing his mother, he should be found not criminally responsible, the man’s lawyer told a Brandon court.

Gabriel Paul Heymans is on trial for second-degree murder in the death of Maureen Heymans, whom court heard he shared an apartment with at 264 McDiarmid Dr. for seven years.

The Crown and defence wrapped up the trial on Monday afternoon with closing arguments.

Crown attorney Rich Lonstrup said the court knows from a pathologist’s evidence that “chop wounds” to Maureen’s head caused her death. An autopsy report showed she had five chop wounds in her head, along with several cuts on her right arm, hand and one of her fingers, he said.

Transit plan’s first phase could take effect this fall

The City of Brandon’s new transit master plan could have seven new main routes and the first phase could come into effect this fall, a city official told the Sun.

Council members were set to vote on approving the plan at Monday’s council meeting after press time.

If approved, the transit plan would almost completely replace the existing network over three phases spanning multiple years.

The first phase, which could start as early as this fall, would see routes 4 and 5 replaced with new loops, one of which would stay on the North Hill at all times, said Courtney Arndt, the city’s manager of transit services.

Young vocalists shine at national competition

Aemilia Moser has won the 49th Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, held April 17-18 at Brandon University’s School of Music.

The Toronto-based soprano took first place in the prestigious competition, which carries a total prize package valued at $11,000, including a $6,000 cash award and a Cross-Canada Winner’s Tour scheduled for October and November 2026.

“I felt really good about my feat … but looking at the singers I was sharing the stage with, I really didn’t expect that,” she told the Sun. “It means that the work I put in was worth it, and now I get to take this program that I’m really proud of and share it across Canada.”

Kendra Dyck, based in the Niagara region, placed second and received $2,500, while Camille Labonté of Toronto finished third and earned $1,500. Each of the six finalists also received $1,000.