POLICE INVESTIGATING FIRE IN DOWNTOWN NEW GLASGOW AS ACT OF ARSON

NGRP Photo (submitted)

New Glasgow Regional Police are investigating an act of arson that occurred at the business/apartment complex on the corner of Provost Street and MacLean Street.  The fire was reported in the early morning hours of Sunday April 11, 2021 at approximately 7:00am. The business/apartment complex sustained extensive fire and smoke damage.  New Glasgow Police, New Glasgow Fire Department, and the Nova Scotia Provincial Fire Marshalls office has determined that the fire was intentionally set.  The New Glasgow Regional Police Major Crime Unit are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying those involved or any information that may assist in the investigation.  Police are also asking the public to check camera footage, dash cams, and other video devices that may assist investigators in solving this crime.  Constable Ken Macdonald says as the arson investigation continues, “police are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any unusual or suspicious activity,” adding  “Any information provided may be crucial in helping solve this investigation.”  If you have any information about this incident, please contact New Glasgow Regional Police at 902-752-1941. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or use the P3 Tips App.

 

Reopening of Atlantic Bubble Delayed

Photo credit: CBC

The planned April 19th opening of the Atlantic Bubble has been delayed.  The Atlantic Premiers held a conference call Tuesday afternoon and, with the recent surge in cases and emergence of more transmissible forms of the virus, agreed to delay the reopening of the Atlantic Bubble by at least two weeks until May 3rd.  The Premiers will meet during the last week of April to review the status of outbreaks and determine if a further delay to May 10th is required.  Six new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Nova Scotia on Tuesday.

Restrictions on the New Brunswick border will be reinstated tomorrow (Thursday, April 15) at 8 a.m.  Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang made the announcement during their Tuesday briefing.  This means people coming from New Brunswick will have to self-isolate upon arrival in Nova Scotia and complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form.  “We are seeing the increased cases in New Brunswick and we are also seeing the presence of variants in the Saint John area. Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to reinstate our border restrictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Premier Rankin. “As I have said before, we follow the science and public health guidance. When we see changes, we act. This is a reminder of how quickly the situation can change with this virus. We ask Nova Scotians to remain vigilant with all the public health measures.”

The school year will be ending one week early for the province’s secondary school students. At yesterday’s Covid briefing Tuesday, Premier Iain Rankin said the early dismissal will allow schools to hold graduation ceremonies, which must adhere to COVID-19 regulations. Rankin called it a “large undertaking” which is expected to span several days for many schools, which is why classes will end early this year. More information is expected to come from individual schools. And with the focus on graduations, schools will not be organizing proms, however parents or community groups are welcome to do so, as long as the rules are followed. Currently, indoor events hosted by recognized businesses and organizations can have up to 100 people attend, depending on the size of the venue, or 150 if it’s held outside.

Nova Scotia reported six new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.  Two cases are in Central Zone and are related to travel outside Canada. Three cases are in Western Zone and are related to travel outside Canada. The other case is in Eastern Zone and is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. The people are self-isolating, as required.  Nova Scotia has 45 active cases of COVID-19.

Health Canada is expected to release updated data today as concerns about vaccine safety emerge again.  Canada reported its first case of vaccine-induced blood clots linked to Oxford-AstraZeneca yesterday, and the United States put the brakes on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine following six reports of blood clots there.  The Johnson vaccine held immense promise because its single-dose regimen and relatively simple storage requirements would make it easier to use, especially in less affluent countries.  The clots, which happened six to 13 days after vaccination in veins that drain blood from the brain, occurred together with low platelets — the fragments in blood that normally form clots.  Canada has approved Johnson & Johnson but isn’t expecting any deliveries until the last week of April.  However, officials in both countries continue to stress the vaccines are safe, and their benefits outweigh their risks, even as investigations into what is causing the clots continue. (The Canadian Press)

 

Pat Dunn tables petition for new Trenton School

Facebook photo: Pat Dunn, MLA – Pictou Centre

On Tuesday, Pictou Centre MLA Pat Dunn tabled a petition calling on the government to replace the elementary and middle school in the Town of Trenton.  Dunn says they are in poor condition as the elementary school was built in 1965 and the middle school was constructed in three phases — 1925, 1953 and 1986. Dunn and New School Committee Chairperson Scott Cameron met with representatives from the Town Council, School Advisory Council, and concerned parents on Sunday to discuss the need for the new school.

 

Red Cross collects $6.2 million for families affected by Nova Scotia mass shooting

Canadians and people from around the world donated $6.2 million to help the families in Nova Scotia affected by the mass shooting last spring that claimed 23 lives, the Canadian Red Cross confirmed Tuesday. With the one-year anniversary approaching, the not-for-profit organization said 99 per cent of the Stronger Together Nova Scotia Fund has been distributed or committed to those families. The fund was established at the request of the Nova Scotia government in the days following the tragedy.  Bill Lawlor, a provincial director with the Red Cross, said the centralized fund helped alleviate early concerns about how donations were being collected. He said 60 per cent of the money was distributed based on financial need after the Red Cross spoke to all of the families involved, though immediate financial assistance was made available to those who needed it. The remaining 40 per cent has been set aside for those with more complex and long-term needs, which includes children who lost parents or families who lost their primary breadwinners. Administration costs were covered by the Nova Scotia government, which means all the money raised will be distributed to those who need help. (The Canadian Press)

 

N.S. introduces bill to mark end of slavery in British colonies with Emancipation Day

Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs Tony Ince says a bill he tabled in the legislature on Tuesday will introduce residents to the unknown history of slavery in the province. Ince’s bill would officially designate Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day, which is the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. The British Parliament outlawed the owning, buying and selling of humans as property throughout its colonies on that day in 1834. Ince said commemorating the day with a non-statutory holiday gives residents an opportunity to educate themselves on the history of slavery in the province. The day will serve to reflect on the history of slavery and its part in modern anti-Black racism, he said. The announcement came weeks after MPs in the House of Commons voted unanimously to designate Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day across Canada. (The Canadian Press)

 

Applications Open for Sexual Violence Prevention Innovation Grants

Nova Scotians can now apply for Sexual Violence Prevention Innovation grants of up to $5,000. The province says grants support community groups and organizations, including youth and marginalized groups, to reach out to their peers and build healthier, safer and more resilient communities. Applications are open until 5 p.m. on May 20.  The application and program guidelines are available at: https://breakthesilencens.ca/prevention  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the prevalence of sexual assault, share information about available resources and foster a greater understanding of consent.

 

Federal COVID-relief funding to help people struggling with heating, electric bills

Community Services Minister Kelly Regan speaks with Maj. Vaden Vincent, executive director at The Salvation Army Halifax Centre of Hope about the new Nova Scotia COVID Relief Fund.  (Communications Nova Scotia)

Vulnerable Nova Scotians will continue to have the resources and protection they need during the pandemic, thanks to $11.5 million in funding from the federal Safe Restart Agreement. The province says community groups and organizations that support vulnerable Nova Scotians have received funds, so they can help those who need it most.  The Salvation Army received $3.5 million for their new Nova Scotia COVID Relief Fund, which will help Nova Scotians with lower incomes impacted by the pandemic catch up on their heating or power bills. The maximum rebate is $400 and the funding is expected to help about 8,000 households.

The Department of Community Services used $700,000 to purchase phones for Disability Support Program participants living independently, to reduce isolation and enhance communications with the program. As well, $1.7 million was used for COVID-19 related respite support for participants of the Disability Support Program who live at home with family and whose needs increased due to the pandemic.

In addition:
— transition houses and other women-serving organizations across the province have received an additional $600,000 for COVID-19 related supports, including personal protective equipment and sanitation supplies
— government provided more than $680,000 for renovations to expand services to Pictou County Roots for Youth, Viola’s Place in New Glasgow, and Cape Breton Community Housing Association
— government earmarked $205,000 for three housing locators positions for Sydney, Kentville and Halifax/Colchester County, $45,000 for eviction prevention funds, and $27,000 to support homeless shelters in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak
— a $40,000 contribution to Harvest House Community Outreach Association in Windsor supported the purchase of a new building to provide community services and outreach services
— Autism Nova Scotia received $150,000 for COVID-19 related respite care for families not currently eligible for respite through the Department of Community Services
— over $400,000 helped support children in the care of the Minister with educational needs, and youth exiting the care of the Minister or ending their involvement with Youth Services with accommodations, food, transportation, internet costs and counselling services
— foster families and families being supported under the Alternative Family Care program received $213,000 to help cover costs of cleaning supplies, internet, at-home learning needs, respite support and accommodations for quarantining if necessary

Further investments include $180,000 to waive Pharmacare co-pay fees for Income Assistance clients, $276,000 to re-open adult day programs, and $300,000 to Feed Nova Scotia.

 

The Canadian women’s hockey team starts a 47-player selection camp today in Halifax ahead of the women’s world championship in the province next month. The 10-country tournament May 6-16 in Halifax and Truro will be the first women’s world championship held in over two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 championship in Nova Scotia was cancelled and this year’s tournament was postponed from April to May.