For the past nearly 15 years eBrandon has built a tradition of driving conversation in the community and connecting folks to information on topics of interest. 2019 saw an enhancement of that role as the first full year of posts in the buzz section, which has aimed to share current, locally-focused stories that are capturing the interest or concern of folks in Brandon and Westman.
In choosing what to cover I’ve made a point of focusing on quality over quantity, with an emphasis on writing my own unique stories that I feel add value to the local information landscape. Sometimes that means posting as soon as a story is learned, others that means taking time to first discuss with sources and ask the kinds of questions that further help an audience learn about the topic and resist the urge to simply directly copy and paste a press release that’s been sent. The latter, while easier, doesn’t provide a lot of value to you as a reader that you aren’t already getting from sources directly on their websites or social media and potentially sets a dangerous precedent since press releases are sometimes written from only one perspective and are often intended as a starting point for unique stories that media might write moreso than to be the whole story.
In trying to further improve the service, I keep an eye on which stories you find value in and the running theme has been that the posts have been read and shared so much more than I initially envisioned when the new section was added. eBrandon is unique in that it gets so much traffic by itself without relying on social media yet it’s really added one more dimension to also be able to track what gets usage in the social media world.
Based on overall usage tracking that includes all story views by regular eBrandon users as well as those that find our stories through social media, below is a look back on the top 12 posts of 2019 out of the 583 that there have been so far this year starting with #12....
12. New Rivers hotel: From foundation to standing building in two days
November 19
A Westman town is getting a new hotel, constructed by among the more unique development processes
Full post: https://eBrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=592
11. RCMP: Human remains found near Brandon identified as missing man
November 8
Closure for family and those who knew a Westman man reported missing in May
Full post: https://eBrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=578
10. Emergency personnel respond to house explosion
October 22
Police charge a 63-year-old man with second degree murder following a home explosion in the city’s Green Acres neighbourhood.
Full post: https://eBrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=559
9. Highway 1A at Kemnay re-opened after semi-underpass incident
November 15
The area’s most notorious piece of infrastructure claims is latest victim
Full post: https://eBrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=588
8. Fast-casual chain Wayback Burgers to open 18th street location
November 23
2019 was a year of “you heard it here firsts” when it came to posts in this section on new developments in the city, one of the most popular on eBrandon and its social media being announcement of this soon-to-be new fast casual dining option on 18th street
Full post: https://eBrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=518
7. Winter storm warning continues for Brandon
October 10
You knew the snow would come, you just didn’t expect it to be so soon. Mid-October’s snowstorm wound up dumping a 30cm on the city, among the most ever on the ground for Thanksgiving
Full post: https://eBrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=544 and then post-storm gallery at https://ebrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=547
6. Locally viral video shows 10th and Rosser like you haven’t seen before
August 22
A unique video released by a local production company gave a new perspective of the city’s downtown core
Full post: https://eBrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=453
5. In pictures: Brandon's top holiday light displays
November 26
I loved having the chance to tell some of the year’s stories in pictures in 2019, few more than the eBrandon annual tradition of sharing some of the area’s top holiday light displays
Full post: https://eBrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=598
4. Downtown’s newest mural, 'Grandmother Giver,' was completed on Wednesday
June 5
Downtown was the recipient of many works of public art during the spring and summer and this particular one really resonated with readers for its combination of visuals and messaging
Full post: https://eBrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=326
3. Brandon-based Tim Hortons franchisees welcome 9th location
December 16
Brandon itself has five Tim’s locations, with local franchisees this month adding Dauphin as their 9th overall restaurant.
Full post: http://eBrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=633
2. Manitoba’s first floating inflatable water park coming to Minnedosa
March 26
Late in a winter that wouldn’t end came hope of nicer days ahead with the announcement of a unique to Westman attraction
Full post: http://eBrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=205
1. Early Friday morning storm brings downpours, up to loonie hail
September 20
Brandon saw its wettest September on record in 2019 thanks in large part to a record-setting two days that began with a surprise pre-dawn storm that deluged the city with heavy rain and hail. 73.9mm of further rain fell the following day, giving the city a 2-day total of a whopping 122.3mm
Full post: https://eBrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=509
Thanks to everyone for their continued interest in the site in 2019. Thank you also to those who submit story tips and to folks that are subject of posts that have been so willing to share their stories. The running trend is that posts toward the end of the year saw more usage than earlier in the year (22 of the top 30 came since September) and so it will be interesting to see what 2020 has in store!
BONUS: The top 12 discussion threads of 2019
1. What happened in Superstore Parking lot this afternoon?
2. House explosion on Queens Avenue
3. Winter Storm
4. Brandon Lowlifes
5. Someone going into old Shoppers building?
6. Who to call to put a window air conditioner in
7. What are they doing with the bags?
8. Looking to start counselling/therapy
9. Single…..????
10. Unplanned the Movie In Brandon Theatre
11. Used Car Dealership Recommendations
12. Question about Ebay