New Glasgow Regional Police investigating attempted armed robbery in Trenton

NGRP Photos (submitted)

New Glasgow Regional Police responded to a complaint of an armed robbery at the Needs Convenience Store on Main St. in Trenton at around 11:50 last night. Officers immediately attended with assistance of the RCMP K-9 Unit. Police say the preliminary investigation has confirmed that a man had entered the store with a knife demanded cash and then immediately exited the store after a brief verbal altercation with the employee. The male suspect left the store on foot. No one was physically injured as a result of this incident and no money was taken. The man is described as medium build. He was wearing black sneakers, blue shorts and carrying a dark coloured bag. The investigation is continuing.  Anyone who has information or may have witnessed this incident is asked to call New Glasgow Regional Police at 902-752-1941. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

 

Trudeau expected to trigger fall election this weekend

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to trigger an election on Sunday by asking Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament even though Canada’s top doctor says the country is now in the grips of a fourth wave of COVID-19. A senior Liberal Party of Canada source, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss matters not public, confirmed Thursday the prime minister’s plan to visit Simon, with the election expected to take place on Sept. 20. The confirmation followed months of speculation that Trudeau would send Canadians to the polls two years after the last election, in which he was only able to secure a minority government.

The real question had been when, rather than if, the prime minister would pull the trigger given the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, which chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam warned Thursday is again on the upswing. “The latest national surveillance data indicate that a fourth wave is underway in Canada and that cases are plotting along a strong resurgence trajectory,” Tam said during a federal COVID-19 update. Polls suggest it’s far from certain the Liberals can regain a majority but Trudeau is gambling that general satisfaction with his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic — and the unprecedented billions doled out in emergency aid — will propel them to a majority.

Opposition parties have blasted the idea of an early election and accused the Liberals of sending Canadians to the polls during the pandemic for the sole purpose of trying to win a majority, a move they describe as unnecessary and reckless.  The Liberals, who need 170 seats for a majority, currently have 155 in the 338-seat House of Commons.  The Conservatives have 119 while the Bloc Quebecois has 32, the N-D-P 24 and the Greens have two.  There are also five Independents and one seat is vacant. (With files from the Canadian Press)

 

Nova Scotia reports 7 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday

Nova Scotia reported seven new cases of COVID-19 and two new recoveries on Thursday.  Five of the cases are in the central health zone and are related to travel. Of those five cases, three are from earlier this year and are no longer active.  Those three cases were identified during an audit of data.  The sixth case is in the eastern zone and is also related to travel. The seventh case is in the western zone and is a close contact of a previous case.  One person is hospitalized and in intensive care.  There are now 24 known active cases in the province.  As of Wednesday, 76.7 per cent of Nova Scotians have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 67.1 per cent have two doses.

Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential exposure to COVID-19 on one WestJet flight and three Air Canada flights.  All potential exposure notifications are listed here: http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures.

Public Health Mobile Units offering drop-in COVID-19 testing at several new locations across the province this weekend

The Public Health Mobile Units will be heading to several new locations across the province this weekend to offer drop-in testing for COIVD-19. Testing is free and available to all ages and all visitors.  Locally, Public Health’s mobile unit will offer drop-in testing today (Aug 13th) at the Museum of Industry in Stellarton.  Vaccines aren’t available at the testing clinics, however Public Health team members can support people with booking a vaccination appointment or answer any questions.

Important notes when visiting the mobile unit:

• Unless you have symptoms you do not need to self-isolate while you wait for your results, unless directly advised by Public Health to isolate.
• The testing method is standard PCR swab or Swish and Gargle for children and youth.
• Please bring your health card with you, if you have one.
• When testing is offered outside, please dress accordingly.

 

Drop at the pumps in N.S.

A drop in gasoline and diesel prices today.  Gasoline prices are down 1.1 cents per litre and diesel prices dropped overnight by 2.5 cents per litre.  So, the minimum price for regular self-serve gas is 135.7 cents per litre and for diesel it’s 122.9 cents per litre.

 

Members of province’s forest industry form lobby group to reopen Northern Pulp mill

Some forestry companies in the province have formed a lobby group called Friends of a New Northern Pulp in support of restarting the Northern Pulp Mill.  The group has taken to social media to garner support for Northern Pulp’s plan for reopening the idle mill.  The mill in Abercrombie Point closed in 2020 when the Nova Scotia government carried through on a commitment to shut down the mill’s effluent treatment system in Boat Harbour next to the Pictou Landing First Nation. A replacement plan to pump treated effluent into the Northumberland Strait was a non-starter for skeptical fishermen and environmentalists. The proposal, with a price tag of $120 million, was in the midst of an environmental review when the existing treatment facility was forced to close by government. (With files from CBC)

 

100 Miles for Autism set for Saturday

Nearly 40 riders are expected for the second annual 100 Miles for Autism, which is taking place in Pictou County tomorrow.  The 100 mile bike ride is held to help raise funds for Autism Pictou County in support of their essential programs and services for Pictou County families living with autism.  The riders will have a police escort from the Community College in Stellarton back to the Autism Centre between 2:00 and 2:30pm. After the ride there will be a reception in the parking lot of the Autism Centre for the riders and community members are encouraged to come out and show their support.

 

N.S. researchers join Atlantic Cancer Consortium to improve cancer outcomes

Nova Scotia doctors and scientists are partnering with colleagues in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador to focus on research that will improve cancer outcomes in Atlantic Canada. Nova Scotia Health says the group will work together under a joint pilot project over the next two years with the goal of becoming a member of the Terry Fox Research Institute’s new Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, a pan-Canadian research network to accelerate precision medicine for cancer patients. The Atlantic Cancer Consortium has a commitment of $3.6 million in new funding for the region from provincial and national partners.