DiscoverWestman News

Sources close to Peavey Mart have said it will be closing all its stores across Canada, including their location in Brandon.

The decision is part of a nationwide shutdown that will see nearly two dozen stores close by the end of February.  There is no specific timeline announced for all stores.

The retailer, which has been known for offering agricultural supplies, hardware, and home improvement products, has stated in a press release, that changing market conditions and declining profits are behind the closures.

We are getting into our Monday with less than ideal driving conditions in the aftermath of yesterday's wet snow and freezing drizzle.

"That moisture-packed low pressure system delivered on what we were expecting for the southwestern corner of the province," explained CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner. "We landed in that 5-10cm+ range of heavy wet snow, alongside freezing drizzle in some pockets of the region throughout Sunday. Add in temperatures which dropped from just above freezing to well below overnight, and that slushy mess has now frozen."

A return to spring-like weather is in the forecast for the weekend, but so is a messy mix of snow, rain and freezing rain... just like we could see on any given Spring day.

According to CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner, the potentially sloppy situation will come courtesy of a low pressure system coming off the Pacific, over the Rockies and then crossing the southern Prairies Saturday night through at least Monday morning.

Parts of Western Manitoba had the first taste of winter Saturday, with 5-15cms of wet snow falling across parts of the region as a low pressure system pushing northward out of North Dakota brought the white blanket.

Assiniboine Community College’s Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment is launching a new two-year advanced diploma program. 

Digital Agriculture Technology is designed to integrate conventional agricultural practices with emerging digital technologies. The program starts in September 2024 and includes a work integrated learning placement between the first and second year. 

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has recognized five farms in southwestern Manitoba for outstanding agronomy in establishing perennial forages, awarding $10,000 in cash prizes to the landowners. 

“DUC’s mission is to make farms more profitable and sustainable,” explains Alex Griffiths, lead agrologist for the Forage Program in Manitoba. “We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of these top producers who increased biodiversity on their land by converting cropland to grass and pasture.” 

Voters in Ward 3 in the Municipality of Grassland will be heading to the polls April 2nd. 

A by-election is taking place, and the nomination deadline is February 26th. Should more than one candidate file papers voters will head to the polls. The by-election was called after Gwen Wooley resigned for personal reasons. 

The successful candidate will complete the term that runs to October of 2026. 

It’s the end of the season for the skating oval in Brandon. 

City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services want outdoor enthusiasts to know the skating oval located west of McGregor Avenue is closed for the season due to deteriorating ice conditions and recent warmer temperatures.   

“Oval Closed” signs and barricades have been placed at the oval and all associated flood lighting will be turned off. The Waterfall of Lights display has also been turned off.   

The City of Brandon recently completed an update to all City of Brandon parking meters. Effective immediately, the parking meter rates in the 2024 fee schedule apply to all meters. 

In the fall of 2023, the City Council formally adopted the 2024 fee schedule. As part of this process, administrators conducted a study to evaluate the existing parking meter rates. The findings revealed that Brandon’s rates were significantly below the average when compared to rates in 10 other Canadian cities. 

An icy, slippery and blustery Friday is in store as the impacts of the Colorado low which arrived yesterday continue to linger across Southern Manitoba. Northwesterly wind gusts up to 60 km/h are expected throughout today, alongside light snow, meaning blowing snow and reduced visibility will be a factor.

As of Friday morning, on your Killarney Tire Road Report, highways throughout Western Manitoba are ice covered.