Leons Headlines Dec 2: Manitoba schools ordered by province to review safety rules after student grabbed by intruder; $500K made available to fund assessments, training & a safety forum, helping divisions like BSD with delayed “controlled-access” upgrades previously cut from tight budgets.
-Sioux Valley DN announces the long-running Dakota Nation Winterfest will be postponed for 2026 & return in January 2027.
-Brandon University receives nearly $1.1M from longtime supporter Michael Chernoff to expand the Chernoff Family Award, honoring his late wife Dorine & creating new opportunities for top incoming students.
-An Elm Creek resident was arrested after Park Wardens seized firearms and ATVs during a Nov. 2 search & faces multiple charges for illegal hunting & firearm offences in Riding Mountain National Park.
-MPI urges drivers to slow down this winter after 6K crashes last season, recommending longer distances, earlier braking, winter tires, full snow clearing, and emergency kits.
-40th Westman Traditional Christmas Dinner will go at the Vic Inn Imperial Ballroom, offering meals and companionship on December 25th from noon to 4 p.m.
-CRA’s 2026 tax brackets set rates at 14% under $58,500 and 20.5% up to $117,000, with bracket changes on January 1st and benefits updating July 1st.
-After Black Friday, Small Saturday & Cyber Monday, today is Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity where people support charities, causes & community efforts through donations, volunteering & acts of kindness.
-NHL; Buffalo beat Wpg 5-1.
Samaritan House Ministries — major food bank, shelter, employment, housing, and community support.
The Salvation Army Brandon Corps — outreach, food/clothing bank, emergency relief and community services.
United Way of Brandon & District — central funding/support hub for many local social-service agencies.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westman — youth mentoring and support programs for kids and teens.
Westman Immigrant Services — settlement, employment, ESL, and support services for newcomers and refugees.
Brandon Community Builders Inc. — works on affordable housing and relief-of-poverty efforts for low-income families.
CFS Foundation (supporting Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba) — raises funds for child- & family-support services in Westman.
The Compassionate Friends of Southwestern Manitoba Inc. — peer support for families grieving the death of a child.
Brandon Riverbank Inc. — community and environmental projects around the Assiniboine River corridor.
Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba — nonprofit art gallery and cultural institution, supporting arts & heritage.
Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation — charitable foundation fundraising for healthcare and hospital services locally.
Westman Hospice — volunteer-based end-of-life companion care and support services.
A & O Support Services for Older Adults Inc. — services and programs supporting seniors in Brandon and region (social engagement, safety, counselling).
Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba (Westman) — mental-health support, resources, and advocacy for those living with mood disorders.
Canadian Cancer Society (Westman branch) — cancer awareness, support, and services for individuals and families.
Canadian Hard of Hearing Association Manitoba Chapter — support and advocacy for people with hearing loss in the region.
The Counselling Centre for Hope, Healing and Encouragement — offers therapeutic counselling services to individuals, couples, and families in Westman.
Diabetes Canada (Westman services) — provides resources, education, and support for people living with diabetes.
Westman Lions Manor — retirement home / seniors support and housing services.
Community Futures Westman — supports community & economic development, small businesses, and youth entrepreneurship in the region.
Brandon Westman Christmas Cheer Registry — seasonal support, hampers, volunteer coordination around holidays.
Brandon Literacy Council Inc. — literacy, education and programs for children and adults.
Manitoba Band Association (Brandon Level) — supports cultural and music education/community arts in the region.
Manitoba Naturalists Society Inc. — local nature, environment and conservation initiatives.
YMCA Brandon & District — community recreation, childcare and family support programs.
Young Women’s Christian Association of Brandon — women/family support, advocacy, and various social-support programs.
Children’s Den Inc. — early-childhood programming and support for families.
Souris River Conservation District — environmental and wildlife conservation efforts in Westman/region.
STARS Foundation (Manitoba) — supports emergency health services and air ambulance/medical support needs.
Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba (support via Brandon donations) — charity supporting child-health care and pediatric services in Manitoba.
Brandon and Area Brain Injury Walk — support and fundraising for brain injury survivors and their families (via community-organization networks).
Brandon Crime Stoppers — crime prevention, community safety and support for local safety initiatives.
Helping Hands Centre of Brandon — community support, meals and services for vulnerable residents.
Brandon Wheelchair Sports & Leisure — recreational and inclusive sports opportunities for people with mobility impairments.
Brandon Seniors Resource & Age‑Friendly Programs — services, activities, and support for seniors in the community.
The CPKCR Holiday Train is coming Saturday! Times have been adjusted for Shoal Lake and it’s best you’re ready for action at 7pm Friday if you’re headed up the Yellowhead to catch it!
https://gis.cpkcr.com/…/Canada_Holiday_Train_Route.pdf
Costa Rica vs. the Damaged Passport. An Ontario woman was denied entry to Costa Rica after border officials flagged her torn passport, which had been damaged by her dog. She says authorities treated her “like a criminal,” sparking warnings to Canadians about how strict passport rules have become.
Kevin McCallister’s 1990 Grocery Trip in 2025. Kevin’s famous Home Alone grocery haul thanks to inflation and higher prices on basics like detergent and toilet paper is triple or even x4 times the cost. His original $19.83 bill now barely covers the milk, bread, and juice alone. In Canada his complete list of Half gallon of milk Half gallon of orange juice Loaf of Wonder Bread Frozen macaroni and cheese (specifically Kraft brand) TV dinner (specifically Stouffer’s frozen turkey dinner) Tide liquid detergent Saran wrap (specifically “Wrappit!” plastic wrap) Snuggle dryer sheets Toilet paper (specifically a 4-pack of Quilted Northern) Bag of toy soldiers would come to $74-$85. And depending where you bought it, $100 is not out of the question for the $20 2 bag 1990 haul.
15 Online Shopping Fails. Cyber Tuesday is now behind us, and online shoppers shared photos of products that looked amazing in ads but arrived tiny, broken, or hilariously wrong. The fails quickly went viral as proof that hype doesn’t always match reality.
Parents Debate if ‘Wicked: For Good’ Is Kid-Friendly. Parents are split on whether Wicked: For Good is appropriate for younger children, with some praising its themes and others worried about darker scenes. The debate continues as more families share mixed reviews.
Top 25 TV Shows of the Year. Critics released their list of the 25 best TV shows of the year, highlighting the most creative and talked-about series across all genres. The ranking sparked major online discussion as fans compared the picks to their own favourites. As for me, I’m so out of the loop I’ve only seen 1 of the Top 25. Maybe that’s why I can’t find anything good on TV.
https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/best-tv-shows-of-2025
Costco vs. Trump Administration Tariffs. Costco is suing the former Trump administration to recover millions in tariff payments it says were improperly collected before a Supreme Court ruling. The lawsuit could have major implications for retailers seeking refunds on past import fees.
