Leons Headlines July 23: Air quality warning is in effect for Brandon as wildfire smoke causes poor visibility & health risks, especially for vulnerable groups.
-A handful of residents attend the BPS downtown safety meeting Tuesday morning, the second, after low turnout for the first.
-A serious crash between a semi & another vehicle shut down eastbound lanes of the #1 Tuesday morning as first responders attended the scene.
-Brandon’s Kinsmen Pool finally opens today after over a month of delays caused by serious repairs to the 57yr old facility.
-MB puts $400K into its new Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund, with over $120K for Pelican Lake.
-Brandon’s Greenstone Building Products is expanding its Richmond Ave plant by 45K square feet to boost production of its energy-efficient ICE panels, a major upgrade supporting both local & national construction projects.
-Benny’s Restaurant closes August 2, as fans flood social media with memories & love for the downtown spot.
-New Fraser Institute report; Canadian families spent 42% of their income on taxes in 2024, more than they spent on housing, food & clothing combined.
-Crews prep for hundreds of classic cars, trucks & bikes to roll in for Western Canadian Nationals at Keystone Centre Aug 2–3.
-Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath frontman, dies at 76.
Keeping it Canadian this Summer, but it can BE EXPENSIVE. Many Canadians are choosing to vacation at home this summer, driven by affordability and patriotism. However, rising travel costs within Canada are making even local getaways financially challenging.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/affordable-vacation-canada-1.7588565
Then again, it can get expensive south of the border too. A family was stunned after receiving a nearly $1,000 bill for a princess-themed breakfast at Disneyland. The viral receipt has sparked debate over theme park pricing and vacation value.
Near miss in the skies over MINOT makes international news! A Delta Air Lines plane had to take sharp evasive action to avoid a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber flying nearby. The midair incident is under FAA investigation amid safety concerns.
What flavour are YOU? A lighthearted guide matches Hawaiian shave ice flavors to your zodiac sign, from fiery Aries pineapple to dreamy Pisces coconut. It’s a fun, tropical twist for astrology fans and dessert lovers alike.
https://www.tastingtable.com/1914956/hawaiian-shaved-ice-flavor-zodiac-sign
Is real cane sugar that much better? Coca-Cola will debut a cane sugar version of its flagship soda in the U.S. this fall. The move caters to consumer demand for less processed sweeteners and a retro taste experience. A Dr. Pepper Documentary shows how important the ingredient, and a soda’s roots, really are.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/22/coca-cola-to-roll-out-cane-sugar-soda-in-us.html
Should Summer vacation be shortened to 1 month. A new study out of the UK asked parents, and most like the idea. A UK study suggests summer holidays should be shortened to four weeks to ease financial strain on families. Researchers say the move would reduce childcare costs and help ensure consistent access to meals for children.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp82x4709n0o
