PREMIER TO ANNOUNCE DECISION ON NORTHERN PULP TODAY
Photo Credit: Canadian Press
The fate of thousands of Northern Nova Scotia jobs in the forestry sector remains uncertain this morning, and Premier Stephen McNeil has the answer. Northern Pulp workers ‘ rallied at the legislature and there was a gathering in the Gym at Pictou Landing First Nation yesterday, representing both ends of the Northern Pulp opinion scale. The Mill workers and forestry reps were greeted by huge numbers of truck drivers lining the side of highway 102 on their way to that legislature rally. The Premier is promising to reveal his decision in a major public statement today. Meanwhile, Northern Pulp says it’s already taking steps allowing them to shut down operations if today’s decision DOES NOT go in their favour. We’ll be breaking into regular programming with news bulletins today as the details become clear. ***UPDATED***Press conference is scheduled to begin at 10:30am. It will also be livestreamed on the Nova Scotia Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/nsgov
Gas prices are up by just over a penny per litre going into the Christmas Break. Regular self-serve is the local pricing zone is now selling for $114.1, an increase of 1.1 cents from last week.
RCMP WARN OF CHRISTMAS SCAMS
It’s the time of year when fake scammers and people who just invent pretend charities hit you up online, and even come knocking on your door. Pictou County RCMP Corporal Ron Bryce says they’re just trying to prey on your Christmas spirit, so be careful. If you’re in doubt, police are always a pretty good resource when you have questions, if a request for donations sounds too fishy.
NS GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE DRINKING WATER TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Photo Credit: Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese
The Province has announced it will provide drinking water to 324 public schools in January, until lead testing in all schools can be completed. These include 284 schools not yet tested for lead and 40 schools that have been tested and require drinking water. Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Zach Churchill says they don’t want families to worry about the quality of drinking water in their schools, saying “Until we can resume testing in the spring, we will provide drinking water to schools that need it.” Health Canada recently lowered the acceptable level of lead in drinking water and introduced new testing guidelines. The guidelines indicate the testing can only be done in warmer weather. Testing began in Nova Scotia schools in fall 2019 and will resume in spring 2020, with the goal of having all schools tested by the end of the current school year.
NS POPULATION SETS RECORD GROWTH, NEARS ONE-MILLION MARK
The province’s population growth continues to set records thanks to the number of immigrants and people from other provinces who are choosing to live in Nova Scotia. Stats-Canada numbers show that since Oct. 1st, 2018, Nova Scotia’s population has grown by more than 12,000 people. That means the population going into the new year is only about 20 to 22-thousand under the psychologically-important ONE MILLION mark. These numbers mark the fastest population growth over a 12-month period since 1972, at 1.28 per cent.
NG POLICE REWARD SAFE DRIVERS WITH GIFT CARDS
New Glasgow Regional Police are in full swing with Operation Christmas Gift Card. The safe driving initiative is designed to promote safe driving over the holidays. Throughout the month of December, leading up to Christmas, New Glasgow Regional Police Officers will be setting up Checkpoints and passing out gift cards to motorists to promote safe driving. Corporal Nick Hirtle of the New Glasgow Regional Police says, “the gift cards are designed to reward safe driving over the holidays, as December is one of the busiest travel times of the year.” Also, worth noting, is that this weekend (the last one before Christmas) is usually the busiest travel period of the year, so please be careful.
SPORTS:
The Weeks Major Midgets will host the Valley Wildcats tomorrow night at the PC Wellness Center….7 PM start…The Weeks have won 8 out of their last 10 games and are coming into the Christmas break looking for another win this weekend.
In the MHL:
The Weeks Crushers defeated Fredericton last night 4-3. The Crushers were down 3-1 in the 3rd but scored 3 straight, Dallas Farrell pocketed the winner with less then 15 seconds left.
In World Junior Hockey Pre-Tournament action.. Team Canada defeated Switzerland 3-0.
Shout out to the Pictou County Raptors Under 14 Girls Basketball Team who recently hosted a four team round robin and won silver!
Pictured front row: Coach Maureen MacDonald, Avery Cameron, Addison Snell, Cheyenne MacKenzie, Lacey Matheson, Kayla Greencorn. Back row: Ryland Duplessis, AJ (Alex Johnson) Piper Arnold, Coach Yaya Sulla, Jorja Rorison, Coach Kim Arnold, Trinity Dlamini.
The Raptors opened up the tournament with a win against the Bedford Eagles 49-38. The Raptors next game was against Amherst, but they lost a close match to the opposition with a final score of 33-31. In their third round robin match the Raptors faced the KMBA Gators and took the win with a final score of 57-44. With a 2-1 record the Raptors advanced to the Championship game and had to face Amherst again. The Raptors were down at the half 20-12. They clawed their way back and out scored the opposition in the second half but unfortunately fell short. Amherst took the win 40-39. It was an amazing game and and to quote someone who said “losing by one point in the Championship game, Silver is just as good as Gold! Top scorers for the Raptors were Rorison 71 pts and Dlamini with 55 pts.
