RCMP ARREST ATTEMPTED MURDER SUSPECT IN BRIDGEWATER AFTER 6 DAY MANHUNT

Nova Scotia police say a call about an attempted stolen vehicle Saturday night helped locate a man who had been on the lam for nearly a week after he allegedly tried to kill a police officer. In a statement Sunday morning, Bridgewater police said they found Tobias Charles Doucette after searching a wooded area in the nearby village of Hebbville. Doucette had been the subject of a days-long manhunt since the incident at a hotel in Bridgewater on Monday night. The 31-year-old was charged with attempted murder after he allegedly struck an officer in the neck with an edged weapon as police responded to a domestic violence call at the hotel on Monday. He was also charged with assault on his common-law partner. Doucette is expected to appear in court today to respond to the charges against him.  He’s facing several charges including: attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, assault, injuring a law enforcement animal, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (x2), mischief under $5,000, and theft of a motor vehicle.  His common-law partner was treated for minor injuries and released from hospital shortly after the initial incident. The injured officer, Sgt. (Matthew) Bennett is recovering following surgery and police dog, Fergus, is also recovering from his injuries. (The Canadian Press)

 

 

WOMEN’S RIGHTS ADVOCATES TO HOLD STRIKE TO DEMAND PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO N.S. MASS SHOOTING

People are gathering at a Halifax park today to demand a public inquiry into the Nova Scotia mass shootings. The event at Victoria Park comes less than a week after the province unveiled a plan for a panel review into the massacre. Organizers say a 22-minute general strike will begin at noon local time to honour the 22 victims who were killed last April. Many of the victims’ families have called for a public inquiry into what happened during the shootings on April 18 and 19 and what led to the rampage. Activists, lawyers, Nova Scotia opposition parties and federal senators from across Canada have also joined that call over the past several months. But the federal and Nova Scotia governments said last week that a three-person panel would be set up to review the massacre.(The Canadian Press)

 

 

OVERNIGHT VIGIL IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CALL FOR POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY

Photo credit: Joy Polley

An overnight vigil in support of ending violence against women began last night outside the New Glasgow Police Department . The event information which has been shared to the PICTOU COUNTY SUPPORTING #BLM MOVEMENT Facebook page, says there will also be a protest following the Vigil today beginning at 8:30am. Organizers say the vigil and protest to follow is in honour of all women who are victims past or present of domestic violence and to call for accountability in a local domestic violence case.

 

 

NO ACTIVE CASES OF COVID-19 IN NOVA SCOTIA

There have been no new cases of Covid-19 reported in Nova Scotia for 11 straight days and over the weekend the province announced that the one active case has now been resolved. On Friday it was announced that masks will become mandatory in most indoor public places starting this Friday, July 31.

Indoor public places include:
— retail businesses
— shopping centres
— personal services businesses such as hair and nail salons, spas, body art facilities, except during services that require removing a mask
— restaurants and bars, except while people are eating or drinking
— places of worship or faith gatherings
— places for cultural or entertainment services or activities such as movie theatres, concerts and other performances
— places for sports and recreational activities such as a gym, pool or indoor tennis facility, except while doing an activity where a mask cannot be worn
— places for events such as conferences and receptions
— municipal or provincial government locations offering services to the public
— common areas of tourist accommodations such as lobbies, elevators and hallways
— common areas of office buildings such as lobbies, elevators and hallways, but not private offices
— public areas of a university or college campus, such as library or student union building, but not classrooms, labs, offices or residences
— train or bus stations, ferry terminals and airports

Children under two are exempt, as well as children aged two to four when their caregiver cannot get them to wear a mask. People with a valid medical reason for not wearing a mask are exempt. The province says schools, daycares and day camps will continue to follow their reopening plans. The public is being asked to use their own masks and the province says it will help with initial supplies of masks for people who cannot bring their own.

 

 

NEW GLASGOW POLICE LOCATE STOLEN BIKE

New Glasgow Regional Police have located the stolen bicycle. The stolen bicycle was reported abandoned by a citizen in a nearby wooded area.  Police are continuing to ask for information on the theft that took place on Cameron Avenue last Monday at approximately 1:30 a.m.   They thank the public for sharing the information.