Street closure in Trenton this morning due to fire at a vacant house

**UPDATE 8:15am**Main Street has re-opened to traffic, police say the investigation into the fire continues.

NGRP photo (submitted)

Firefighters from Trenton, Abercrombie, Stellarton and New Glasgow were on the scene this morning of a fire in Trenton in a vacant house.  New Glasgow Regional Police says it’s too early at this time to know the cause of the blaze.

 

N.S. Election Roundup

Nova Scotia N-D-P Leader Gary Burrill says if his party wins the election, they’ll introduce a target of reducing greenhouse gases by 50 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030 by potentially putting a price on carbon rather than the province’s existing system of capping and trading carbon emissions. Leader Tim Houston says a PC government will establish a new Chronic Illness Treatment and Prevention Program that focuses funding on an in-home treatment model for patients with chronic illnesses.  The Rankin Liberals unveiled a health care platform that commits new spending initiatives including doctor recruitment, care for seniors, new mental health walk-in clinics, and an expansion of virtual care.

Nova Scotia’s three main party leaders are getting ready for the first face-to-face confrontation of the provincial election campaign tonight.  Liberal Leader Iain Rankin, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston and NDP Leader Gary Burrill will square off in a 90-minute debate to be broadcast on CBC.  Health care, the economy, housing shortages and long-term care are expected to be among the most hotly contested issues.  Meanwhile, all parties will have to finalize their slate of candidates by the 2 p.m. local time deadline set by Elections Nova Scotia.  They will be looking to field candidates in all 55 provincial ridings.  Nova Scotians go to the polls on Aug. 17. (The Canadian Press)

 

2 new Covid-19 cases reported Tuesday

Nova Scotia reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, as well as six recoveries.  The two cases are in Eastern Zone and both are related to travel.  As of today, Nova Scotia has nine active cases of COVID-19. There are currently no hospitalizations.  As of July 26, 1,303,736 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 569,593 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.

Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential exposure to COVID-19 at one location in Eastern Zone and one Air Canada flight.  Anyone who worked at or visited the following location on the specified date and time should visit covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms. You can also call 811 if you don’t have online access, or if you have other symptoms that concern you.

Moderate risk exposure

Regardless of whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms, those present at the following locations on the named dates and times for at least 15 minutes are required to self-isolate while waiting for their test result. If you get a negative result, you do not need to keep self-isolating, however, you are asked to get retested 6-8 days and 12-14 days after this exposure.  If you get a positive result, you will be contacted by Public Health about what to do next.

• Townhouse Restaurant (76 College Street, Antigonish) on July 23 between 8:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, August 6.

High risk exposure – flight

Anyone who was on the following flight in the specified rows and seats should visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms. You can also call 811 if you don’t have online access or if you have other symptoms that concern you. All other passengers on this flight should continue to self-isolate as required and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

• Air Canada 606 travelling on July 23 from Toronto (10:55 a.m.) to Halifax (1:56 p.m.). Passengers in rows 12-16, seats C, D, E and F. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus on this flight on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, August 6.

 

Nova Scotia Observes Emancipation Day

Dr. Késa Munroe-Anderson, deputy minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage, will host the virtual provincial launch of Emancipation Day this morning at 10:00am.  The launch will be streamed at https://www.facebook.com/AfricanNSAffairs and https://www.youtube.com/user/nsgov  Emancipation Day is Sunday, August 1.  It recognizes the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.

 

At the Olympics, Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu, who’s originally from New Glasgow, and All In, have moved into the top 18 after the Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle horse inspection. They are back competing today as they’ve moved on for a chance to earn an individual medal.  Canadian swimmer Penny Oleksiak has won a bronze medal in the women’s 200-metre freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics.  It’s Oleksiak’s sixth career medal, making her Canada’s most decorated summer Olympian.