MINERS SPORTS CENTRE OIL LINE CUT, SAY POLICEWestville Police are looking into a crime of pure stupidity. Sometime between 4 o’clock Tuesday afternoon and 8 o’clock yesterday morning (Wed.) , officers say it appears a culprit willfilly vandalized the oil line leading to the Westville Miners Rink. That means hundreds of dollars to repair the damage, so police are on the hunt for whoever did it. If you know something, you can call the Westville Miners Sports Centre at 902-396-3677 or the Westville Police Service at 902-396-2777.
LOCAL POWER OUTAGES CUT IN HALFRepair crews working on restoring the Pictou County power grid are making progress. The number of people without power across the province has almost been cut in half in the past 24 hours, with 34,000 addresses still off the grid. There were about 2,500 addresses without power spread in pockets across Pictou County when we began the day on Wednesday. This morning, that’s reduced to just over 1200 home and business connections. Some of the linesmen are thanking local restaurants for giving them coffee. They’re also reminding folks to check the condition of the electrical mast on the side of your house before they hook you back up. And PLEASE, slow down where you see power trucks working today and tomorrow.
The vice president of Atlantic Restaurants Canada says Hurricane Dorian impacted a large number of restaurants throughout the region. Luc Erjavec says local eateries without power lost out on some good business….with many being closed Saturday, Sunday and some even lost business right into yesterday and today, as crews pour on the steam to get everyone back on the power grid.
NB GAS PRICES UP SLIGHTLY, DIESEL UP MORENew Brunswick’s pump price regulator has increased the price of driving this week. Gas prices across the border are up 6-tenths of a cent. Diesel is up by 2.8 cents. NS gas and diesel prices are being reviewed today and will be adjusted, as usual, tonight at midnight.
MORE DOCTORS ACHIEVABLE – MARRIEThe province’s acting deputy minister of health says 97 per cent of Nova Scotians should have their own family doctor in the near future. But Dr. Thomas Marrie says that’s going to take 3 to 5 years to achieve. Marrie says when you put retirements into the mix, this province has added about 20 doctors per year over the last decade. He admits that’s not enough. But he says the main recruitment program working alongside a separate program that sets aside seats for Dalhousie medical students already living in rural parts of the province is one thing we can soon count on to bear fruit.
NEW POLL FROM LEGER KICKS OFF ELECTION CAMPAIGNThe federal election race is now officially underway. And the Trudeau Liberals and Andrew Scheer’s Conservatives are running neck-and-neck according to a new Leger poll.
It suggests Jagmeet Singh’s NDP and Elizabeth May’s Greens are also in a dead heat, competing for a distant third place.
The poll puts Conservative support at 35 per cent nationally to the Liberals’ 34 per cent _ essentially a tie.
The NDP and Greens were also tied at 11 per cent, with Maxime Bernier’s fledgling People’s Party bringing up the rear with just three per cent.
The poll suggests the Liberals are ahead in Ontario and Quebec, the two provinces that account for almost 60 per cent of the 338 seats up for grabs.
In Ontario, support for the Liberals stood at 37 per cent, compared to 31 per cent for the Conservatives, 15 per cent for both the Greens and NDP and two per cent for the People’s Party.
In Quebec, the Liberals enjoyed the support of 37 per cent, well ahead of the Conservatives at 22 per cent, the Bloc Quebecois at 21 per cent, the Greens at 10 per cent, the NDP at six per cent and the People’s Party at five per cent.
The Liberals are also leading comfortably here in Atlantic Canada, with 53 per cent support compared to 28 per cent for the Conservatives, nine per cent for the NDP, seven for the Greens and three for the People’s Party.
It suggests Jagmeet Singh’s NDP and Elizabeth May’s Greens are also in a dead heat, competing for a distant third place.
The poll puts Conservative support at 35 per cent nationally to the Liberals’ 34 per cent _ essentially a tie.
The NDP and Greens were also tied at 11 per cent, with Maxime Bernier’s fledgling People’s Party bringing up the rear with just three per cent.
The poll suggests the Liberals are ahead in Ontario and Quebec, the two provinces that account for almost 60 per cent of the 338 seats up for grabs.
In Ontario, support for the Liberals stood at 37 per cent, compared to 31 per cent for the Conservatives, 15 per cent for both the Greens and NDP and two per cent for the People’s Party.
In Quebec, the Liberals enjoyed the support of 37 per cent, well ahead of the Conservatives at 22 per cent, the Bloc Quebecois at 21 per cent, the Greens at 10 per cent, the NDP at six per cent and the People’s Party at five per cent.
The Liberals are also leading comfortably here in Atlantic Canada, with 53 per cent support compared to 28 per cent for the Conservatives, nine per cent for the NDP, seven for the Greens and three for the People’s Party.
CANADIANS ON TWITTER DON’T REPRESENT MAJORITYAccording to a new report on digital democracy in Canada, social media might not be to blame for Canadians’ ideological polarization.
The latest findings are from an ongoing effort led by Montreal’s McGill University. Researcher Eric Merkley says “A lot of people don’t use social media very actively.” He says people on Twitter don’t really represent of the broader population.”
Instead, the study argues polarization in Canada arises partly from intense party loyalty and how far apart Canada’s political parties are, meaning party positions are an important factor. Also, researchers jave found that people did not appear to make meaningful distinctions in their views between politicians from opposing parties and their supporters.
Researchers have found evidence that Canadians are “affectively polarized” — they feel negatively towards other people simply for supporting an opposing political party.
That was based on three measures, including the levels of warmth participants in the study feel for their ideological comrades and opponents; how much they associate their allies and opponents with positive and negative traits; and how comfortable they feel with having someone from an opposing ideology as a neighbour, friend or relative.
The study goes on to note that though Canadians do seem to be polarized, it’s probably not our use of social media that is causing the divide.
The Digital Democracy projects bases its analysis on the activity of about 50,000 Twitter accounts.
The latest findings are from an ongoing effort led by Montreal’s McGill University. Researcher Eric Merkley says “A lot of people don’t use social media very actively.” He says people on Twitter don’t really represent of the broader population.”
Instead, the study argues polarization in Canada arises partly from intense party loyalty and how far apart Canada’s political parties are, meaning party positions are an important factor. Also, researchers jave found that people did not appear to make meaningful distinctions in their views between politicians from opposing parties and their supporters.
Researchers have found evidence that Canadians are “affectively polarized” — they feel negatively towards other people simply for supporting an opposing political party.
That was based on three measures, including the levels of warmth participants in the study feel for their ideological comrades and opponents; how much they associate their allies and opponents with positive and negative traits; and how comfortable they feel with having someone from an opposing ideology as a neighbour, friend or relative.
The study goes on to note that though Canadians do seem to be polarized, it’s probably not our use of social media that is causing the divide.
The Digital Democracy projects bases its analysis on the activity of about 50,000 Twitter accounts.
WOMAN MISSING FROM TRURORCMP are optimistic somebody listening can help them locate a woman last seen in Truro this week.
The Mounties say 34-year-old Sasha Fern Roasting hasn’t been heard from since she was last seen at a business on Wade Road on Tuesday afternoon. Roasting is 5-foot-6, weighing about 145 pounds with dark hair and brown eyes. If you can help, you’re asked to get in touch with Millbrook RCMP or Crimestoppers.
The Mounties say 34-year-old Sasha Fern Roasting hasn’t been heard from since she was last seen at a business on Wade Road on Tuesday afternoon. Roasting is 5-foot-6, weighing about 145 pounds with dark hair and brown eyes. If you can help, you’re asked to get in touch with Millbrook RCMP or Crimestoppers.
NEW GLASGOW MAYOR LOOKING FOR A FILL-INHave you ever wondered what it would be like to be the Mayor of New Glasgow and what is involved? If you become mayor for a day, you get to share a great idea to make the town an even better place to live. If you live in New Glasgow and go to school in grades 9 – 12 then Town Hall wants to hear from you. Last year’s winner, Joseph McCarron, a grade 11 student from North Nova Education Centre, spent the day with Mayor Dicks, visited various departments within the Town, participated in Culture Days events and experienced a day in the life of the Mayor of New Glasgow. The application process will be the same model as last year. You just share one to three ideas for making New Glasgow a better place to live and work for teenagers and young adults. Submissions can include an essay or video explaining your ideas, any challenges that may arise, and how you foresee overcoming those challenges – either financially or practically. Mayor Nancy Dicks will again have one lucky applicant shadow her for one day, on September 27th, where she and Town Council will hear the winner’s ideas and thoughts. Mayor Dicks and Community Economic Development Director Geralyn MacDonald say they can’t wait to see what ideas are brought forward this year. Contact Kaitlyn Siddall at 902-752-4800 or kaitlyn.siddall@newglasgow.ca, or visit www.newglasgow.ca for full contest details and to receive your application form. (Mayor Nancy Dicks Photo – courtesy, Town of New Glasgow
LOCAL SPORTS
The Weeks Jr A Crushers will play their first regular season home game tonight (Thursday) against the Fredericton Red Wings. The puck drops at 7 from the Wellness Center.
The Pictou County Y Triathlon Club kicks off a fall training season this Sunday morning at the Pictou County YMCA pool at 7am. They swim, they bike and they run and it’s a great way to learn about the sport and get into shape.Beginners welcome! For more information, contact the front desk at the YMCA or see the Pictou County “Y” Tri Club Facebook page.
Fundy Highland Female Hockey is hosting the NHL/NHLPA FIRST SHIFT program, open to any females between the ages of six and 10.
The NHL/NHLPA FIRST SHIFT program is designed to show girls how to make hockey safe and fun.
It’s a 6-week learn to play program focusing on basic hockey skills.
Registration is only $199, and includes head-to-toe Bauer equipment (including skates, sticks, and gear bags).
The program will take place in Pictou this year, with ice times at the Hector Arena.
For more details and to register, visit:
https://www.firstshift.ca/locations/ns/ (Click on the Hockey Nova Scotia (Fundy) – New Glasgow option)
http://www.hockeynovascotia.ca/hns_12370_53941.html
Deadline to register is Sept. 28th.
The Pictou County Mariners Swim Club will be holding out a *free* trial week for any youth who may be interested in giving it a try! This is the team’s 40th year, and there will be several special events over the year to mark this anniversary. Swimmers who are ages 7+, and able to make it from one end of the pool to the other, are invited to come out and see what it’s about! (Stroke skills will be taught!) In addition to the free week, there is also a 10-Week beginner program. After this new swimmers can decide if they would like to continue – either as a competitive or non-competitive swimmer. Anyone interested is invited to the Pictou Fisheries Pool on the following dates to watch a practice, or jump in the water and give it a try!
Monday, Sept 23rd 5:30 – 6:30
Tuesday, Sept 24th 5:00 – 6:00
Thursday, Sept 26th 4:30 – 5:30.
Any questions or for further information, email pcm-president@outlook.com.
