Looking Back — May 6, 2024

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/05/2024 (871 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SIXTY YEARS AGO

Joanne Pettis walked off with top honours and the Chrest Trophy for senior spoken poetry at the annual Brandon Festival of Music and Fine Arts. Francesca Green captured the Fred’s Dry Cleaners Trophy in the primary piano finals.

Brandon will have a consultant on special education this fall. High school trustees appointed Alex Venables to the new post. Venables, now principal of Neelin High School, will also move to Vincent Massey as vice-principal.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

Fred McGuinness, vice-president of the Brandon Sun, was honoured over the weekend by Toastmasters International District 64, which held its 50th anniversary at the Red Oak Inn.

Alderman E.C. Gorrie accepted a gift of a painting of the old First Street Bridge by George Buytendorp from the Prince Alexander of Teck Chapter IODE commemorating the chapter’s 60th anniversary.

FORTY YEARS AGO

Community forces have mobilized in Melita to welcome more than 500 United Church delegates. They are in town for a three-day Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario conference this weekend. About 200 billets have been placed in more than 50 homes in Melita, Tilston, Napinka, Deloraine and Reston.

Former Saskatchewan energy minister Colin Thatcher has been charged with first-degree murder in the Jan. 21, 1983, slaying of his former wife, JoAnn Wilson.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

A new conservation district is being formed to take in parts of four rural municipalities in the southwestern corner of the province. The province has approved formation of the West Souris River Conservation District which will take in the RMs of Edward, Albert, Pipestone and Sifton.

The Valleyview Greenspace Association, which is fighting to keep the former Sacred Heart schoolyard green, has filed an objection with Rural Development Minister Len Derkach.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Lyndenn Behm has returned to the Brandon Sun as city editor. Behm was a columnist, agriculture/regional reporter and copy editor with the Sun for 12 years prior to returning to Brandon University to complete his master’s degree in rural development.

TEN YEARS AGO

Construction plans are being finalized for major improvements on one of Brandon’s main arterial roads. Victoria Avenue from First Street to 18th Street is expected to be under construction for most of the summer — with a completion goal of Sept. 30.

City crews continue to monitor Assiniboine River water levels, with a crest now expected sometime later this week. Brandon experienced an inflow of water from the Shellmouth Reservoir on Saturday, resulting in water flooding the soccer pitches along First Street North. That area remains under water and is closed to public access, as are all recreational areas along the Assiniboine River corridor. Water levels, as measured at First Street, continue to sit at a level around 358 metres above sea level, though precipitation is forecast in the coming days and could increase that. Officials say they anticipate a peak level of 358.4 metres above sea level; however, the arrival of the crest might occur anytime from today through Thursday.