Brandon Sun – Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada

A pair of Manitoba Hydro employees work on an electrical transformer high up on a hydro pole on Pacific Avenue on a cold and windy Wednesday afternoon. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun)

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Man gets 9 years for infant daughter’s death

By Skye Anderson 3 minute read Preview

Man gets 9 years for infant daughter’s death

By Skye Anderson 3 minute read Yesterday at 10:20 PM CST

A man convicted of manslaughter in the 2016 death of his infant daughter was sentenced to nine years in prison in Brandon’s Court of King’s Bench on Wednesday.

Keifer Mecas, 35, was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of his 11-week-old daughter, Haelin Taylor, after standing trial in April 2025.

On Wednesday, Justice Scott Abel sentenced Mecas to nine years in custody, minus the time he has spent in incarceration, which is the equivalent of roughly 40 months.

“The circumstances surrounding this offence are tragic. They involve the death of a child at the hands of their parent, with whom they ought to have been safe,” Abel said.

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Yesterday at 10:20 PM CST

Dauphin man charged with breach, weapons offences

1 minute read Preview

Dauphin man charged with breach, weapons offences

1 minute read Yesterday at 10:19 PM CST

A Dauphin man faces several weapon-related charges after police found a prohibited rifle in his bag on Monday, RCMP say.

Dauphin RCMP members were patrolling Main Street South in Dauphin when they saw a man who was out past his court-ordered curfew at around 10:15 p.m., RCMP said in a news release.

While officers were arresting the man, they found a knife inside his hoodie pocket, police said.

Officers then searched his backpack and found a prohibited rifle, a magazine and drug paraphernalia, Mounties said.

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Yesterday at 10:19 PM CST

Items Dauphin RCMP seized while arresting a Dauphin man for allegedly breaching his court-ordered curfew on Monday. (Supplied)

CFB Shilo receives $84M housing boost

By Alex Lambert 5 minute read Preview

CFB Shilo receives $84M housing boost

By Alex Lambert 5 minute read Yesterday at 10:19 PM CST

The federal government is planning to build about 180 homes at CFB Shilo as part of a national housing expansion for Canadian Armed Forces bases.

The Shilo homes will cost $84 million to build, and are needed as the army grows, CFB Shilo Base Commander Lt.-Col. Jack Nguyen said.

“The Canadian Army is modernizing and is growing. As the army conducts ongoing assessments related to that future we anticipate CFB Shilo will continue to play an important role in army operations and training,” Nguyen said in a statement.

“We are planning for the future.”

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Yesterday at 10:19 PM CST

One of several existing military housing units is seen from Highway 340 at CFB Shilo on Wednesday afternoon. (Photos by Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun)

Carney says Canada, Australia hold ‘rare convening power’ in Parliament speech

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Carney says Canada, Australia hold ‘rare convening power’ in Parliament speech

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:13 PM CST

CANBERRA - Canada and Australia have a "rare" ability to help convene a coalition of middle powers because their allies know they can be trusted, Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a speech to Australia's Parliament on Thursday.

Carney's words built on the headline-grabbing speech he delivered in January at the World Economic Forum, in which he said the old world order had been ruptured and calling on middle powers to unite to prevent hegemons from dictating how the world is going to work.

"In a post-rupture world, the nations that are trusted and can work together will be quicker to the punch, more effective in their responses and more proactive in shaping outcomes, and ultimately those countries will be more secure and prosperous," he said in Australia Thursday.

"Middle powers like Australia and Canada hold this rare convening power. Because others know we mean what we say and we will match our values with our actions. Canada and Australia have earned this trust throughout our history. The question now is what we do with it."

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Updated: Yesterday at 8:13 PM CST

Prime Minister Mark Carney responds to a question as he takes part in an armchair discussion at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Neepawa grocery store linked to possible measles exposure

2 minute read Preview

Neepawa grocery store linked to possible measles exposure

2 minute read Yesterday at 10:15 PM CST

A grocery store in Neepawa has been identified as a possible measles exposure site, Manitoba public health officials warn.

Those who went grocery shopping at the Neepawa Co-op Food Store on Feb. 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. should monitor for symptoms until March 14, the province said.

Public health is asking anyone who may have been exposed to ensure they’re up to date with their immunization records, which can be checked by contacting their local public health office, doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist.

The measles (MMR or MMRV) vaccine is recommended for people who might have been exposed at this location and were born in 1970 or later, have never received the vaccine and have never had a measles infection, the province said.

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Yesterday at 10:15 PM CST

This undated image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February 2015, shows an electron microscope image of a measles virus particle (centre). (The Canadian Press files)

Let’s Do Something — March 5, 2026

21 minute read Preview

Let’s Do Something — March 5, 2026

21 minute read Yesterday at 10:17 PM CST

To get your event featured in a future edition of Let’s Do Something, please send an email to carthur@brandonsun.com with “Let’s Do Something” in the subject line.

TODAY

• Day — The Skating Oval is open at 2020 McGregor Ave. The display of lights is immediately east of the Parks Complex at 2020 McGregor Ave. (also accessible via Hilton Avenue). The lights are on from 5 to 11 p.m. Warming shacks are operational from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. No public vehicles are allowed in the direct area of the Waterfall of Lights display. Visitors are encouraged to park in the designated areas along McGregor Avenue or Hilton Avenue and enjoy the walk through this magical winter scene.

• 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. — The Brandon Festival of the Arts showcases and promotes the development of the Performing Arts community in Brandon and the surrounding area. All sessions are open to the public. Prices vary according to venue. For a complete schedule and more information, visit brandonfestivalofthearts.com. Today: Vocal — Classical at 9 a.m. and Musical Theatre at 6 p.m. at Knox United Church.

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Yesterday at 10:17 PM CST

Dave Barnes taps a maple tree for sap near his property and the Assiniboine Food Forest in Brandon’s east end in this 2023 photo. Barnes will be speaking about the Assiniboine Food Forest and local maple syrup production this evening at the Central Community Centre. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

BU students staging 10-minute plays

By Tessa Adamski 4 minute read Preview

BU students staging 10-minute plays

By Tessa Adamski 4 minute read Yesterday at 10:14 PM CST

Fourteen Brandon University creative arts students are hosting a rapid-fire succession of 10-minute plays at the Evans Theatre this evening.

Ten of the 14 plays were written by students taking a senior directing class, with the remaining students having chosen works they admire, said Rochelle Douris, who’s a drama instructor at the university.

The one-night-only production is free to watch and begins at 5 p.m. in the McKenzie Building.

Douris said there were no defined parameters for the students, most of whom started writing or directing their shows in January. She simply told her class to “direct something that you would really like to see.”

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Yesterday at 10:14 PM CST

Alycia Oleson (left), a fourth-year drama student at Brandon University, sits on stage at a table with third-year Bachelor of Arts student Rebecca Porteous, during rehearsal for a 10-minute play that Oleson wrote called “No Attachments.” The performance is one of 14 mini-plays that will take the stage today at BU’s Evans Theatre, starting at 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Green energy orgs applaud Canada-India agreements on renewables

Nick Murray, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Green energy orgs applaud Canada-India agreements on renewables

Nick Murray, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:12 AM CST

OTTAWA - Some of Canada's renewable energy organizations are applauding commitments Ottawa signed with India this week to advance development of solar, wind and hydrogen power.

Prime Minister Mark Carney spent four days in Mumbai and New Delhi, a trip which concluded with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and signing a series of agreements, including a strategic energy partnership.

Canada also committed to joining the India-led International Solar Alliance, an organization dedicated to building solar capacity. All other G7 countries are already members.

Simon Fraser University also signed an agreement with the Hydrogen Association of India to collaborate with Indian researchers to advance hydrogen development.

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Updated: Yesterday at 8:12 AM CST

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands following the presentation of agreements and joint statements in New Delhi, India on Monday, March 2, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Meth detention and other health-care issues dominate first day of legislature sitting

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Meth detention and other health-care issues dominate first day of legislature sitting

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:40 PM CST

WINNIPEG - A recently built protective care centre in central Winnipeg has started to detain people intoxicated with methamphetamines and other drugs for up to 72 hours, Premier Wab Kinew said Wednesday.

The NDP government passed a law last fall to extend detentions beyond the traditional 24 hours — a time frame designed for people intoxicated by alcohol — and set up a building with small cell-like rooms.

Work was then done to ensure there was enough medical oversight and other services so that the longer detentions could start Wednesday, Kinew said.

"What has been going on ... is just making sure the equipment, the facility, the expertise, the training for the people who are going to be in this protective care centre, that that is all up to par," Kinew said.

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Updated: Yesterday at 6:40 PM CST

The legislative assembly during the first session of the 43rd Manitoba legislature at the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim

Mother urges Canada to swiftly repatriate her son after reported transfer to Iraq

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Mother urges Canada to swiftly repatriate her son after reported transfer to Iraq

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:12 AM CST

OTTAWA - The mother of a Canadian man says she fears for his safety behind bars in Iraq after receiving word from Canada's foreign ministry he may have been transferred there from detention in northeastern Syria.

Global Affairs Canada has told Sally Lane that her son Jack Letts might be among the detainees recently sent to Iraq, but that Canadian officials are still working to confirm his identity.

Letts and several other Canadian men were among the many foreign nationals held in detention centres long run by Kurdish forces that reclaimed the strife-torn region from the militant group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

It was revealed earlier this year that the decision to move prisoners to Iraq came after a request by officials in Baghdad that was welcomed by the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State and the Syrian government.

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Updated: Yesterday at 8:12 AM CST