Weekend fire in Stellarton temporarily displaces four people

Four people have been temporarily displaced after a fire that caused mostly smoke damage inside one half of older wood-frame duplex in Stellarton. The Canadian Red Cross says the fire on North Foord Street was reported around 10 a.m. Saturday. Red Cross volunteers are helping the four people with temporary lodging, meals, and some clothing purchases pending cleanup and repairs.

 

Mass shooting inquiry in Nova Scotia to hear testimony today from three RCMP officers

The public inquiry investigating the mass shooting in Nova Scotia that claimed 22 lives resumes today with testimony expected from the first three RCMP officers to arrive at the chaotic scene in Portapique, N.S., on April 18, 2020. The testimony will mark the first time the inquiry hears from anyone directly involved in the worst mass shooting in modern Canadian history. Lawyers for some of the victims’ families have said they are worried the inquiry’s rules will limit their ability to directly question the officers and other witnesses. The inquiry’s three commissioners have said participating lawyers must ask permission before they can cross-examine any witness, a rule that is unusual for public inquiries. The three first responders scheduled to testify are constables Stuart Beselt, Adam Merchant and Aaron Patton, who have already provided previous, closed-door statements to the RCMP and the commission. The RCMP and the union that represents officers had argued their members should be exempt from testifying because it would be too traumatic for them, but the commissioners rejected that request. (The Canadian Press)

 

Bail for pair accused of holding protest outside home of N.S. senior health official

Two people arrested for allegedly planning an anti-mask protest outside the home of Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health appeared in court in Dartmouth on Friday. 36-year-old Jeremy MacKenzie and 31-year-old Morgan May Guptill were each released on $10,000 bail and must abide by certain conditions.  The pair agreed to the conditions of the order, which state the two are not to contact Dr. Robert Strang or his family, either directly or indirectly, unless through a lawyer. They also agreed not to enter within 50 metres of Dr. Strang or his wife’s home or workplace, or own firearms and other prohibited weapons. The order also prevents the two from posting on social media about Dr. Strang and his family and engaging in or counselling anyone to protest against health officials, education professionals or elected officials. It also prohibits the two from going within 25 metres of the homes of any health officials, education professionals or elected officials. MacKenzie and Guptill were charged with criminal harassment, intimidation of a health professional, mischief and making harassing phone calls following protests outside Strang’s home on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.  Both MacKenzie and Guptill will stay at the MacKenzie family home in Pictou until their next court appearance in April.  Last week, the Nova Scotia legislature rapidly adopted new legislation protecting senior health officials from harassment and intimidation directly outside their homes.  (With files from the Canadian Press)

 

Peter Boyles appeared recently in Pictou Provincial Court (March 24th, 2022) and has been given more time once again to find legal counsel. The councillor for the Municipality of Pictou County said he’s trying to find legal counsel and has been in talks with lawyers, but has had no success. Boyles was charged with 24 offences under the Municipal Election Act in August of 2021. The matter has been adjourned until April 14, 2022.

 

COVID-19 exposure notification for Nova Scotia politicians rankles online critics

Politicians in Nova Scotia are facing a bit of a backlash after a warning was issued on the weekend about a potential COVID-19 exposure last week at the provincial legislature. Social media lit up with complaints pointing to a double standard because the province no longer provides COVID-19 exposure notices when infections are detected in schools or other places frequented by the public. The controversy started when the Speaker of the house of assembly issued a statement Saturday saying that a person infected with the virus had visited the downtown building on Thursday and Friday. The letter advised those working at the legislature on those days to get tested for the virus. The statement was sent to members of the legislature, their staff and the press gallery — but it quickly attracted attention when it was posted online. Nova Scotia dropped virtually all of its COVID-19 health protection measures last Monday, though masks must still be worn in public schools until mid-April. (The Canadian Press)

 

Ukrainian flag raising ceremony to be held in Westville at noon today

The Town of Westville is holding a Ukrainian flag raising ceremony at the town cenotaph today at noon. Mayor Lennie White says the ceremony is a show of support for the people of Ukraine and will include brief comments and prayer. The public is encouraged to attend to show support.

 

Government is considering amendments to the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations. The amendments would reformat the regulations into the standard format used for all Nova Scotia regulations. Nova Scotians are invited to comment on the proposed changes by 29 April 2022. The proposed changes to the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations will reformat the regulations into standard format and wording. The Registrar of Regulations requires this standard format and wording for all Nova Scotia regulations. Without reformatting the regulations, no further amendments can be made to the regulations. The amendments are proposed to come into effect on or after 1 October 2022. Nova Scotians are invited to review the proposed amendments and provide their feedback.

 

Two Canadians take home Oscars, including Halifax director Ben Proudfoot 

Newly minted Oscar-winner Patrice Vermette says his Academy Award win for production design on “Dune” is “a dream” come true.  The Montreal artist is one of two Canadians to take home Oscars at last night’s star-studded bash in Hollywood.  Vermette won the best production design trophy for his work on “Dune,” which was directed by longtime collaborator and Montreal director Denis Villeneuve.  Meanwhile, Halifax director Ben Proudfoot won best documentary short subject with his film “The Queen of Basketball.” It’s about Lucy Harris, the only woman to be drafted by the N-B-A.  Both won their awards at an hour-long ceremony just before the live broadcast on A-B-C and C-T-V, which included edited footage from the early celebration.  “Dune” director/producer Villeneuve was one of several Canadians chasing hardware for best picture, with Quebec producer Roger Frappier behind nominee “The Power of the Dog” and Toronto producer J. Miles Dale behind “Nightmare Alley.”  “CODA” from Apple T-V Plus ultimately took the top prize.

Will Smith marched on stage and smacked presenter Chris Rock in the face during last night’s Oscars after Rock made a joke about the appearance of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.  Smith was awarded best actor for his role in “King Richard” moments later and while tearfully apologizing to the academy during his speech, he pointedly did not apologize to Rock.  The crowd at the Dolby Theatre hushed as Smith twice shouted at Rock to “keep my wife’s name out of your (expletive) mouth.”   Rock made a joke about Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.  Pinkett Smith revealed in 2018 that she was diagnosed with alopecia.  She has often discussed the challenges of hair loss on Instagram and other social media platforms. (The Canadian Press)

 

Sports:

In U18 AAA Female Provincial Championship hockey over the weekend, the Northern Subway Selects defeated the Bussey Auto Penguins on Sunday 6-5. Game 3 will be played on Friday at Sackville Arena.

Canadian soccer fans rejoiced upon seeing Canada’s men’s soccer team clinch a berth in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a 4-0 win over Jamaica on Sunday.  This is just the second time Canada’s men’s soccer team has reached the World Cup in its history and the first time since 1986.  The World Cup is considered to be the most prestigious international soccer event in the world, taking place every four years.  The 2022 World Cup will take place from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18.