Police in Truro arrest 2 men in killing of Prabhjot Singh Katri

Two people have been arrested in last month’s homicide of Prabhjot Singh Katri.

Dylan Robert MacDonald of Valley, just east of Bible Hill, was arrested Thursday. Truro Police Service have charged the 21-year-old man with accessory after the fact to murder, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and flight from police.  On Friday, the Truro Police Service arrested a second man 20 years of age from Pictou Landing First Nation for murder who is currently in police custody. Further charges are anticipated.

Emergency crews were called to a Truro apartment building just after 2 a.m. on Monday, September 5 where they found Singh Katri with serious injuries. The 23-year-old was rushed to hospital where he died. The international student had been working as a taxi driver in the town.

 

Gasoline prices in N.S. reach record high

Gas has increased for a fourth week in a row to the highest price in the local area since regulation began in 2006. Regular self-serve increased 3.1 cents per litre and is now sitting at $1.482. Diesel is up for the fifth week in a row, increasing 1.9 cents per litre to $1.456.

 

Flu shots available Monday in Nova Scotia

The seasonal influenza vaccine will be available for free from most pharmacies, family doctors, family practice nurses and nurse practitioners across the province, starting on Monday.  It can take up to two weeks for the vaccination to provide protection. Nova Scotians should get vaccinated in the coming weeks to see the full benefit before flu season arrives, which is usually late December to early January.  For more information on the flu and the vaccine, visit: http://novascotia.ca/flu

 

19 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Nova Scotia Thursday

Photo credit: Communications Nova Scotia

Health officials in Nova Scotia reported 19 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the active case count to 163. Along with the new cases, 21 recoveries have also been recorded. Nine of the new cases are in the northern zone, eight are in the central zone, and there are two new infections in the western zone. The province also issued four more exposure notices, two of which are in Amherst while the other two are in the Halifax area. Meanwhile a fifth patient in a non-COVID unit at a hospital in Kentville has tested positive for the disease following the announcement of an outbreak at Valley Regional Hospital on Tuesday.

Starting today, the province is introducing VaxCheckNS which will enable businesses to scan QR codes to help determine vaccine status. Dr. Robert Strang said businesses will be able to download the app on smart phones for free. In the briefing earlier this week – Strang said the app will also protect a person’s personal health information. He said the proof-of-vaccination with a QR code is not required to access non-essential services, but he is encouraging residents to download it. People can get the new version of proof-of-vaccination on the province’s website.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says as soon as Health Canada approves the COVID-19 vaccine for kids, Pfizer will ship millions of doses to vaccinate children as young as five. Pfizer and BioNTech asked Health Canada Monday to approve the vaccine for children between five and 11 years old but said the doses already shipped for adults are different. The pediatric formula is for a dose one-third the size as that given to adults and teenagers. Trudeau said he knows Canadian parents are anxious to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible but urged patience because Health Canada will take the time it needs to complete its process to ensure the data confirms the vaccine is safe and effective for children.

 

As some pandemic benefits expire, feds to spend $7.4B on new programs

The federal government has unveiled a $7 billion redesign of pandemic aid for businesses and individuals that kicks in Sunday. It would cut support to almost 900,000 workers and potentially put thousands of jobs at risk in the near-term. The Liberals have long said the federal wage and rent subsidies, along with benefits like the Canada Recovery Benefit, were always designed to be temporary to get the country through the economic crisis COVID-19 caused. After a last-minute extension this summer, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said yesterday that most would not be given an extra month of life past October 23rd, but reshaped until late November. Freeland says under a new program wage and rent subsidies for businesses will be more generous and targeted to the still-hurting tourism and hospitality sectors, so long as they can prove a prolonged and deep revenue loss. Restaurants Canada told its members it was happy for ongoing help, but disappointed that eligibility requirements will leave many operators out in the cold this winter. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says it will push Ottawa to let a wider array of businesses qualify for help. (The Canadian Press)

 

Nova Scotians can now take driver licence knowledge tests online, with ‘anti-fraud features’

Nova Scotians will now be able to take their driver licence knowledge test online. Service Nova Scotia says the new bilingual service introduced yesterday will provide a more convenient option to get a learner’s licence. The online knowledge test needs to be completed on a device that has a camera to capture the applicant during testing, and in person tests can still be taken at Access Nova Scotia Centres. The province says assessments were conducted to ensure all appropriate security controls were in place before the new digital service was launched, and there are anti-fraud features to protect the integrity of the test. There is a $15.15 fee to complete a driver license knowledge test in person or online. The online knowledge test and more information on the service are available at: novascotia.ca/take-driver-knowledge-test-learners-licence-class-7

The province has announced amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act regarding impaired driving, bicycle traffic lights, and muffler noise. The changes, introduced today, confirm that police officers have the authority to issue a 90-day suspension to anyone who fails or refuses to comply with a demand to take a test related to impairment. Municipalities and the province will be allowed to install traffic control signals for bicycles. The amendments also authorize municipalities to create bylaws for muffler noise. Government says the Motor Vehicle Act is outdated and is being replaced with a new, modern Traffic Safety Act that is expected to take three to four years to proclaim.

 

Local sports notes:

A sports note, after going into OT Summerside defeated the Crushers last night in a shootout 7-6 at the Wellness Centre.

In the Northern NS High School Hockey League this weekend – the North Nova Education Center Boys Hockey team will be taking on the Northumberland Nighthawks in the first game of the season. Puck drops on Sunday at 4pm at the Pictou County Wellness Centre.