N.S. reports 17 new COVID-19 cases Monday; announces travel now permitted throughout the province and all schools to reopen
On Monday, Nova Scotia reported 17 new cases of COVID-19 and 74 recoveries. All the new cases are in Central Zone. Nova Scotia has 448 active cases of COVID-19. There are 40 people in hospital, including 16 in ICU. As of Sunday, more than 583,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, over 43,000 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
Effective today, Nova Scotians can start to travel throughout the entire province. Previously, residents were required to stay within their municipality. Premier Iain Rankin says that does mean you can see loved ones and friends but you need stay outside right now. Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, say they expect phase two of Nova Scotia’s reopening plan will take effect in two weeks.
In-person classes at public and private schools in Halifax Regional Municipality and Sydney will resume on Thursday. The province says the decision is based on advice from public health about the province’s improving epidemiology. All public health measures as outlined in Nova Scotia’s Back to School plan will remain in place. In-person classes will resume for students outside of Halifax Regional Municipality and Sydney on Wednesday.
RCMP charge New Glasgow man after investigation into a shooting in Pictou last week
Pictou County District RCMP have charged a 32-year-old New Glasgow man after an investigation into a shooting in Pictou that left one man injured. Early in the morning on May 24th, the RCMP responded to a call of a shooting at a motel in Pictou that sent a 32-year-old man to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. On May 28, police went to a home in New Glasgow and arrested Gary Cameron, who was injured in the shooting. Cameron remains in custody and is charged with Careless Use of a Firearm; Carrying a Concealed Weapon; Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm; Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized; Possession of a Firearm while Prohibited; and Failure to Comply with Release Order The investigation determined that another person was involved, and a warrant has been issued for a 26-year-old woman.
New Glasgow Police lay several charges after weekend disturbance call
Early Sunday, at about 2:00 a.m. New Glasgow Regional Police were called to a disturbance that involved several people on Brother Street Extension in New Glasgow. When Police arrived, several people were charged. A 23-year-old-man was charged with Possession of a Dangerous Weapon and Mischief; a 29-year-old-man was charged with Possession of a Dangerous Weapon and Mischief; and a 28-year-old-man was charged with Possession of a Dangerous Weapon Dangerous. All three , plus two others were also charged under the Health Protection Act for failing to social distance.
Pictou County Wellness Centre engaged in Energy Savings Project
After more than eight years of operation, Pictou County Wellness Centre has entered into a Energy Savings Performance Contract with Johnson Controls Inc.. The project is designed to develop utility cost reduction recommendations and retrofits in conjunction with a Greenhouse Gas emissions reduction plan. New PCWC Chief Operating Officer, Graham MacNeil will help oversee the effort with New Glasgow’s Climate Change & Sustainability Manager, Rachel Mitchell. It’s scheduled to start in June. MacNeil says utility costs are the largest expenditures at the Wellness Centre/YMCA, representing 41% of total annual costs.
Commission says N.S. must spend $25M on affordable housing now
Nova Scotia’s affordable housing commission is calling on the province to spend 25-million over the next 100 days to help solve the province’s housing crisis. The commission says about 600 to 900 individuals and families need immediate access to reasonably priced, safe accommodation. The province appointed the 17-member commission after a public outcry last fall over a series of evictions of low-income tenants and rising homelessness in Halifax. The commission says the need for long-term funding is much larger, but the initial investment would help deal with the current crisis. Here’s a link to the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission final report: https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/affordable-housing-report-spring-2021
