New Glasgow Police Charge 62-year-old Man with Weapons Offenses and Uttering Threats
A 62-year-old Pictou County man is facing charges of Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Assault with a Weapon, and Uttering Threats. The charges stem from an incident Monday when New Glasgow Regional Police were called to a home on Reservoir Street in New Glasgow after getting a call about a man threatening an animal control officer with a weapon. The suspect had left the home by the time police arrived, but they located him early Tuesday afternoon on Westville Road and arrested him. A search of the home resulted in police finding the weapon described as a machete.
NOVA SCOTIA IMPOSING NEW RESTRICTIONS ON TRAVEL
Photo credit: NS Government
Nova Scotia is imposing restrictions on non-essential travel to the province for four weeks to help curb the spread of COVID-19 variants. People from outside Nova Scotia, P-E-I and Newfoundland and Labrador will not be allowed to enter the province starting Thursday unless their travel is essential or they’re residents. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang says it’s a critical time to cut off travel-related cases at the source and he’s asking all Nova Scotians to cancel any travel plans.
The following types of travel from outside Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador are considered essential:
— people who live in Nova Scotia but their primary employment is in another province
— federally approved temporary foreign workers
— people who need to participate in-person in a legal proceeding in another province
— post-secondary students coming to study in Nova Scotia
— post-secondary students returning to their primary or family residence in Nova Scotia and parents who accompany them
— parents picking up a student in Nova Scotia to take them home as quickly as possible
— people who can demonstrate that they already have a new permanent address in Nova Scotia as of April 21 and are moving here permanently
— people traveling for child custody reasons following the child custody protocol
— people who are exempt from self-isolation following the exempt traveler protocol
— people traveling between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for work, school or children in child care, following conditions in the protocol for travel between these provinces
There were nine new cases of COVID-19 reported in Nova Scotia on Tuesday. Six cases are in Central Zone. Five of those are close contacts of previously reported cases and the other case is under investigation. Two cases are in Western Zone and are related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. One case is in Eastern Zone and is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada.
Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential exposure to COVID-19 at various locations in the Central, Northern and Western Zones and two Air Canada flights. All potential exposure notifications are listed here: http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures.
The Atlantic Premiers met on Tuesday and after discussions confirmed, based on the advice of the region’s chief medical officers of health, that all four Atlantic provinces will continue to provide the AstraZeneca vaccine to Atlantic Canadians over the age of 55. Meanwhile, discussions continue among the four Premiers on the timing of reducing travel restrictions within the four provinces and reopening the Atlantic Bubble. It was announced last week that the reopening of the Atlantic bubble had been delayed until at least May 3rd. But given present conditions in the region and elsewhere in Canada, Premiers will also consider dates later in May 2021 for reducing travel restrictions.
Local woman successful in efforts to have federal employment insurance sickness benefits extended
Photo credit: Adam MacInnis (Saltwire News)
Kathy MacNaughton of Westville has successfully lobbied to have federal employment insurance sickness benefits extended from 15 to 26 weeks. MacNaughton lost her husband, David Fraser, in August 2014 after a cancer diagnosis just eight months earlier. Her husband went on EI, but sick benefits only last 15 weeks. Since that time, MacNaughton has been fighting to have federal employment insurance sickness benefits extended. The Liberals’ recent Budget proposes $3 billion in funding over five years, starting in 2021-22, and over $900 million per year ongoing to enhance the sickness benefits. If passed, this extension, which would take effect in summer 2022, would provide approximately 169,000 Canadians every year with additional time and flexibility to recover and return to work. Provided the Liberal budget is approved, MacNaughton says it will be the fulfilment of a seven-year promise she made to David. In an interview with Saltwire news, MacNaughton says she’s been walking around with a big smile after receiving the good news from Central Nova MP Sean Fraser. She credits Fraser for making it happen. He helped bring her cause to the attention of the Canadian Cancer Society, which began lobbying for it. He also helped her talk to cabinet ministers in positions to make changes and also helped her gain an audience at the Liberal party convention in 2018. (With files from Saltwire News)
Update from County Council
Warden Robert Parker complimented the MOPC recreation staff on expanding its equipment loan program. The program loans out winter and summer equipment free of charge to residents. More information is available from the MOPC recreation department by contacting clare.steele@munpict.ca or by calling 902-485-2247. He also commented that it was good to see free time available at the Pictou County Wellness Centre on Sundays for the month of April adding both programs give people the chance to have recreation in their life at no cost to themselves.
A motion was approved for all of council to attend the Federation of Canadian Municipalities virtual conference from May 31 to June 4, 2021. The cost of the virtual conference is $600 a person. Typically, council sends four councillors and the warden each year in person, however, because of public health restrictions, the conference is virtual this year. Council agreed this year’s registration is at a lower cost than booking accommodations, registration, and travel for a small number of councillors and it was a good opportunity for everyone to attend and learn more about the work municipalities from across the country are doing. Councillors interested in registering for the FCM should contact staff soon to make arrangements.
Council passed a motion for MOPC to set guidelines regarding recognition for retiring volunteer fire fighters. The Fire Liaison Committee brought the issue forward to Council to see if it had interest in the Municipality awarding firefighters certificates, pins, or medals when they retire from service. Council said there are many issues to take into consideration and it asked staff for recommendations on how such awards could be given to everyone uniformly. Council will discuss the recommendation further once its review staff’s suggestions.
Council has agreed to appoint Ed and Diane Kennedy to its Climate Change Advisory Committee. It established the Climate Change Advisory Committee to address climate and energy issues that effect the MOPC. It is comprised of both elected and non-elected people who will make recommendations to council.
Warden Robert Parker welcomed Graham MacNeil to the Chief Operating Officer’s position at the Pictou County Wellness Centre. Mr. MacNeil recently started in the position after it was left vacant former COO Greg Smith who resigned from the job to pursue other career goals. Warden Parker said he is looking forward to working with Mr. MacNeil who will offer new ideas and be a new voice for the wellness centre. (Update provided by the Municipality of Pictou County)
Ex-cop Derek Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter in death of George Floyd
People in Minneapolis celebrate the guilty verdict at the intersection of 38th Street & Chicago Avenue — the site where George Floyd died in May 2020. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Reaction poured in Tuesday following the conviction of a white former Minneapolis, Minn., police officer in the death of George Floyd last year. Derek Chauvin, 45, was handcuffed and taken away to prison, where he could stay for decades when he is sentenced in about two months. The case triggered worldwide protests and a furious re-examination of racism and policing in the United States. Following the verdict, hundreds of people poured into the streets of Minneapolis, some running through traffic with banners. Drivers blared their horns in celebration. U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the verdict, saying Floyd’s death was “a murder in full light of day, and it ripped the blinders off for the whole world” to see systemic racism. But he warned: “It’s not enough. We can’t stop here. We’re going to deliver real change and reform. We can and we must do more to reduce the likelihood that tragedies like this will ever happen again.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also welcomed the guilty verdict. “What we saw over the course of last year with the sudden awareness by everyone of what racialized Canadians and racialized people around the world had known for far too long that systemic discrimination continues,” Trudeau told Edmonton-based online talk show host Ryan Jespersen in an interview. “The micro-aggressions, the overt racism, the challenges within our institutions and within our daily lives that exist need to be addressed.” (The Canadian Press)
2021 Pictou Lobster Carnival has been Cancelled
Plans to hold the Pictou Lobster Carnival this summer are no longer going ahead. The carnival committee says this year’s festival has been cancelled, but they’re working hard and collaborating with the DeCoste Centre on solidifying an entertainment showcase to take place July 8th through the 11th. Details are expected to be announced soon on their Facebook page. Pictou Mayor Jim Ryan conveyed his thanks to the dedicated members of the Carnival Committee for their efforts. Adding “As much as we all look forward to a return to ‘normalcy’, the health and safety of our residents must be our primary concern.”
Sports Notes:
The Pictou County Weeks Crushers lost 4-1 to the Yarmouth Mariners last night in their round robin play. The Crushers visit Amherst on Saturday.
Pictou County Athletics Run Jump Throw Wheel program for interested athletes aged 4-8 will be beginning Thursday April 29th at New Glasgow Academy from 6-7pm. This session will be 8 weeks long and end on June 17th. Registration for the program will be held during the first two evenings of the programs. More information available here: pictoucountyathletics.com
