The former Tory candidate for the provincial byelection in Northside-Westmount who was dropped from the ticket just before the nomination deadline this past Wednesday is laying some of his cards on the table. The party turfed Danny Laffin, saying he failed to comply with its internal disclosure process. Neither the party nor Laffin has revealed detailed about the alleged shortcomings, but we do know it was something that had also surfaced 20 years ago. Laffin says back then, during the John Hamm years, it was also determined to be false after an investigation at that time by the provincial P-C party.   He says he’ll continue to run as an independent.

  GAS PRICES DROP A BIT

Gas prices in Pictou, Colchester and Antigonish Counties are down by just over a penny, hitting $113.6 per litre of self-serve.  Diesel prices remain the same, at $111.5

If you live in New Glasgow and don’t mind having your drinking water tested for lead content, the Town wants to hear from you.  They’ll need to draw one litre from your taps in either August or September to be in line with Health Canada testing methods.  40 homeowners are being asked to volunteer.   The phone number for the water utility at 902-755-2237 or email craig.gerrior@newglasgow.ca.

The Federal Court of Appeal will hear a legal challenge of Canada’s new passenger bill of rights, which increased compensation for travellers subjected to delayed flights and damaged luggage. The appeal was filed last month by a group of 17 airlines — including Air Canada and Porter — as well as two industry groups. They argue the regulations exceed the Canadian Transportation Agency’s authority and contravene the Montreal Convention. Since July 15th, passengers have been able to claim up to 24-hundred-dollars if they are bumped from a flight and receive up to 21-hundred-dollars for lost or damaged luggage.

The president of the NDP’s Central Nova election team is taking shots at the Trudeau Liberals for gouging people at what he’s calling the Liberals’ cash-for-access event in downtown New Glasgow this week.  Maurice Smith says paying the $200 price tag was the way to meet Liberal Finance Minister Bill Morneau at the private event, hosted by local MP Sean Fraser. Smith says “This isn’t new, of course – Stephen Harper did it too.  Is it corruption?  No, unfortunately it’s still legal.”
Smith says the next time you hear the federal Liberals say they’re  “committed to ordinary people, remember the $200.”  If the 3rd party ever forms government, the NDP is promising to ban cash-for-access events.

Two cousins, Connie McLean of Stellarton and Marsha Cunningham of New Glasgow have found the $1500 cash prize in the Mix 941 Ultimate Treasure Hunt.  The ladies tell us they found the treasure trunk under the 2nd boardwalk at Melmerby Beach.  They’ve been looking for that prize since July 3rd, so a big congrats to both Connie and Marsha for their hard work in tracking down that $1500.  Stay tuned for more winning as we get ready for our next contest on Mix 941.

Poor time management and a bit of opposition filibustering kept Liberal MLA’s unable to flex their majority muscle at the legislature’s public accounts committee meeting this week. The McNeil Grits wanted to keep the use of public-private partnerships for twinning the highway between Antigonish and Pictou county away from public accounts. Their plan was to move it into economic development instead. That would keep it away from the TV cameras, but time ran out on them – and it’s now in front of the cameras next month.

An available doctor is good news for Tatamagouche Emergency Room patients again today.  The emergency department in Tatamagouche will now be open (the same as yesterday) from 8 am to 3 this afternoon .  It’ll still be closed down between 3 and 8 this evening, (Friday) before the night shift resumes from that point on.

Pulse Pictou County wants to make sure people in the area get more chances to meet and share positive ideas.  So the’ve organized a Pulse Summer Student Mixer on the River for next week.  It’ll be held at New Glasgow’s Riverfront Marina from 4:30 to 6:30 next Wednesday (August 21st).

The province’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Robert Strange, is encouraging people to make sure their immunizations are up-to-date before the kids head back to school. Health experts point out that contrary to the conspiracy theories promoted by unqualified people on the internet,  vaccines do protect people – so parents and guardians should make sure their children’s – and their own – immunizations are up-to-date and keep a record of them.
Before starting school, children between the ages of four and six should receive a booster vaccine to protect them against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, and polio. They may also need a second vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
Vaccines outlined on Nova Scotia’s Routine Immunization Schedules for Children, Youth and Adults are provided free of charge.  Schools begin to open on the first Thursday in September.

At Riverside Speedway in James River, it’s NASCAR Weekend.  The NAPA Sportsman goes today at 1 o’clock and tomorrow at 3, (Saturday) it’s the Riverside Show and Shine Bumper to Bumper at 3 o’clock.
CFL
Winnipeg 32 B.C. 16
The Blue Jays and Red Sox both had the night off.
StFX football is hosting a pre-season game this Saturday against the Saint Mary’s Huskies. Kick off is at 2pm.
The WearWell Major Bantam Bombers Training Camp dates have been announced at a cost of $150 per player.  The camp starts at 9 o’clock next Tuesday morning, August 20th.   They continue on the 21st and again on Thursday, the 22nd.