PENSION $$ ON THE LINE FOR NORTHERN PULP WORKERS
The union representing laid-off Northern Pulp workers says its members are “very nervous” but hopeful the Abercrombie mill’s owners will pay nearly $3.7 million to cover a deficit in pension plans, including $342,000 due next month. Last month, Northern Pulp disclosed in court creditor protection proceedings that the special pension payments are not part of its revised forecast for this year and 2022. Wanda Skinner heads union local 440 with Unifor and says “I believe the company at the end of the day will make the payment.” (With files from CBC news, Photo by Alan Johnson)
FIVE NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES IN NOVA SCOTIA’S LATEST UPDATE
The province is reporting 5 new cases of COVID-19 in the latest update.
Two cases are in the Central zone and one of the cases is an off-campus student at Dal.
Two cases are in the Northern Zone, with one related to travel and the other a close contact of a previous case.
One case is in the Western Zone, and is a student at Acadia University. Health officials say that case is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada and the student lives on-campus and has been self-isolating as required. Two new locations added to the list of local COVID exposure sites are the Sobey’s Store in Truro’s Fundy Trail Centre last Monday, January 4th from 1 until 3 pm. And two days earlier, on Saturday, January 2nd, at the Foodland Store on Pictou Road in Bible Hill between 1 and 3pm. If you were inside those Truro and Bible Hill grocery stores on those dates, you’re advised to get tested for COVID immediately. The latest list of possible exposure locations is found on this link. Potential COVID Exposures | Nova Scotia Health Authority (nshealth.ca)
Nova Scotia noted a milestone yesterday in the provincial vaccine rollout, with the first vaccinations at Northwood long-term care in Halifax and one at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Valley Regional is slated to begin its first COVID vaccinations this week, and the Hospital in Truro is being stocked up with vaccine in time for next week. There are 26 active cases of COVID-19 provincewide.
COMMUNITY HEALTH BOARDS PRESENT TO PICTOU COUNTY COUNCILLORS
Pictou West and Central and East Pictou Community Health Boards are looking to do more collaboration with the County government and with each other. They told last night’s meeting of Pictou County Councillors that they see themselves as playing a community-based intervention role with health care and took the opportunity to put in a request for more members to join their ranks. They’re also looking forward to a more direct liaison among their board members and Pictou County Council itself.
NEW GLASGOW’S TURN TO HOST PROVINCIAL CURLING CANCELLED BY PANDEMIC THIS MONTH
Nova Scotia is the latest province to cancel its curling playdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s a blow to the New Glasgow economy and to our curling fans. The provincial men’s and women’s championships were slated to start a week-long event at the Bluenose Curling Club here in New Glasgow on January 25th, but that’s no longer the case. Andrew Abraham is competition director for the Nova Scotia Curling Association and confirms the provincials are being cancelled by the pandemic. Despite that, the Nationals are still scheduled to take place in Calgary next month. (Bluenose Curling Photo – Facebook)
TRURO MAN IN COURT THIS WEEK ON THEFT CHARGES
A 36-year-old Truro man is facing charges after a series of thefts from sheds and garages in the town over the past few months. Truro Police say Brian Laurie Maxwell was arrested Sunday morning and police nabbed several stolen items from his home address. After a brief court appearance yesterday, Maxwell is due back in front of a Truro judge on Thursday.
PICTOU COUNTY COUNCIL DECLARES AFRICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN FEBRUARY
Warden Robert Parker used last night’s Pictou County Council meeting to declare the upcoming month of February as African Heritage Month. This year’s theme is “Listen, Learn, Share and Act” in order to celebrate black contributions to Nova Scotia culture. (Image – NS Gov’t)
TRUDEAU TO SHUFFLE CABINET LATER THIS MORNING
There’s word Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is planning the country’s first virtual cabinet shuffle this morning. Reports say Science and industry Minister Navdeep Bains has decided not to run in the next election and is leaving cabinet. It appears Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne will replace Bains, and Transport Minister Marc Garneau will move to Foreign Affairs. Omar Alghabra will be promoted to cabinet to take over Transport. (with files from CBC News)
DARTMOUTH-AREA P-C MLA APOLOGIZES FOR WRONG FACEBOOK “LIKE”
A Dartmouth-area Tory MLA is apologizing for recently liking a Facebook comment characterizing participants of the Black Lives Matter movement as terrorists, saying it was accidental and that she fully supports the cause.
The comment came after Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage MLA Barbara Adams posted a story on the Facebook page Cole Harbour Community Connection last Friday in response to the U-S domestic terrorists attacking Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., last week.
The story offered advice to parents about how to discuss the attack with their kids. A group member responded, “same way you talk to them about the Antifa and BLM terrorists.” Adams liked the comment, but said that was a wrong flick of her finger, and what she actually meant to do was give that post a thumbs down. (with files from Saltwire News)
