Police are investigating an armed robbery that took place at the Stellarton Medical Hall on Foord Street in Stellarton just before 3pm yesterday. Stellarton Police, along with the assistance of Westville and New Glasgow Police departments arrested a 57 year old man from New Glasgow who is facing several charges. Police executed a Search Warrant at a residence in New Glasgow in regards to this incident. The man is due in Pictou Provincial Court this morning.
There was another jump at the gas pump in Nova Scotia overnight. Provincially regulated prices were raised by 3.7 cents at midnight. Regular self-serve gas is now at 130.2. Diesel prices are also up this morning with the price for fuel climbing by 1.9 cents.
Northern Pulp says it is set to resume survey operations on the sea floor of the Northumberland Strait early next week. NG News reports Kathy Cloutier, spokesperson for Northern Pulp’s parent company, Paper Excellence says they anticipate work to begin as soon as Monday. Survey work in the Strait was delayed last year by fishermen protesting the controversial pipeline. As a result, Northern Pulp sought a temporary injunction prohibiting future interference while surveyors assess the site for the proposed pipeline’s discharge point. The injunction, which both Northern Pulp and fishermen agreed to this past January, prohibits any further interference.
A newly released summary of federal consultations says Canadians have wildly diverging views on banning handguns and assault-style firearms. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked Crime Reduction Minister Bill Blair last August to study the possibility of such a ban shortly after a shooting spree in Toronto. The report released yesterday says opinions expressed during in-person discussions and through written submissions both opposed and supported a ban. In contrast, most people who responded to a questionnaire were against a ban. The report says many participants felt strongly that a ban would target law-abiding owners, rather than illicit firearms, and would not reduce gang violence. As a result, many called for beefing up police and border services, as well as harsher punishments for firearms trafficking and gun-related crime. (Canadian Press)
Montreal-based Transcontinental Inc. is defending its handling of the sale of its East Coast media assets to SaltWire Network, and says it’s considering a counter-suit against Atlantic Canada’s largest media company. Transcontinental says the 2017 sale to SaltWire was “conducted based on fair, accurate and timely information.” SaltWire, which owns 35 newspapers in Atlantic Canada, has launched a lawsuit accusing Transcontinental of overstating its printing and distribution business and misrepresenting revenue streams of the acquired assets. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court claims Transcontinental substantially overstated revenues, hid material facts about the condition of the assets and was not forthcoming about a number of questionable business practices. But Transcontinental responded yesterday saying it’s a reputable organization with the highest ethical practices, and added it is considering a counter-suit because SaltWire has “failed to fulfil its payment obligations and is in breach of contract.” SaltWire chief operating officer Ian Scott said Thursday the company “has, in all instances, adhered to the purchase contract with Transcontinental.” (Canadian Press)
National Volunteer Week 2019 continues!
The Town of New Glasgow held its Volunteer Reception this week to recognize and celebrate volunteers in our community. Congratulations to: Henderson Paris – Award of Merit Recognizing Contributions Towards the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Hunter Francis – Outgoing Committee Member, Race Relations and Anti-Discrimination Committee, Mariam Ibriham – Youth Leadership Arts & Culture Award, Ian Grant – The Carlton Munroe Music & Event Memorial Award, Charlie ten Brinke – Community Representative Award – Pictou County Roots for Youth Society, Aliyah Fraser – Youth Athletics Award, Abby Coleman – Youth Leadership Award, Bev McGuigan – Community Representative Award – IODE, Teela Billington – Community Representative Award – IODE, Philip MacKenzie – Cultural Heritage Award, Bob Curley – Community Representative Award – West Side Community Centre, Greg Burrows – New Glasgow’s Provincial Volunteer of the Year
Missing from photo: Amy Tate – Community Representative Award – North End Recreation Centre, Barb King – Community Representative Award – VON, Marcus MacLean – Community Representative Award – North Nova Education Centre, Cara MacDonald – Youth Athletics Award, Clyde MacDonald – Cultural Heritage Award, Wendy Hughes – Outgoing Committee Member, Race Relations and Anti-Discrimination Committee, Angela Bowden – Outgoing Committee Member Race Relations and Anti-Discrimination Committee, Jake Chisholm – Outgoing Committee Member Race Relations and Anti-Discrimination Committee, Deanna Mohamed – Outgoing Committee Member Race Relations and Anti-Discrimination Committee, Haley Bernard – Outgoing Committee Member Race Relations and Anti-Discrimination Committee, Ivan Baker – Outgoing Committee Member Police Commission and Terry Curley – Provincial Volunteer Community Service Award Recipient, NS Tourism Industry Association Awards.
Musical selection performed by the Pictou County Brass & Reed Band.
The Town of Westville held it’s Volunteer Reception last night and Gordon MacIntosh of the Westville Social Committee was awarded the Volunteer of the Year. Other nominees were Darlene Baker MacDonald from the Westville Heritage Society, Kathy Graham from the WARM Hearts Committee, John Muirhead from St.Paul’s United, Audrey Crosby from the Westville Rotary Club, and Mary K and Clarrie MacKinnon from the Westville and Area Garden Club. A big thank you to everyone for all of the work the do for the Town of Westville and beyond!
CCRCE and the Nova Scotia Teachers Union are now accepting nominations for the esteemed Excellence in Teaching Awards. The recognition program is dedicated to acknowledging outstanding teachers who demonstrate creativity, innovation, and effective teaching practices. If you are interested in nominating an outstanding educator, visit the Excellence in Teaching Awards webpage: http://ccrce.ca/excellence-teaching-awards
Sexual Assault Awareness Month was officially recognized by proclamation in Pictou County this week. Municipal mayors and wardens, along with community members, and officers with the New Glasgow Police Department attended an event at Glasgow Square hosted by Baillie MacDonald of the Pictou County Women’s Resource and Sexual Assault Centre. MacDonald is the MORPH Navigator with the centre, which is an initiative in partnership with local agencies and organizations, aiming to support and empower people living in the region who have been affected by sexual violence. Every April, a Wednesday is deemed “Denim Day”, this is a day where individuals are encouraged to wear denim to raise awareness and support survivors of rape and sexualized violence. It is also a visible means of protesting against the misconceptions that surround sexual assault. MORPH is asking organizations and agencies to participate by wearing denim on April 24th.
For more information, contact Baillie MacDonald at the PC Women’s Centre: (902) 755-4647.
