Some relief at the pumps in N.S. today
Fuel prices are down in Nova Scotia today. Regular self-serve gas sits at $1.449 cents per litre in the local area, dropping 3.3 cents overnight. Diesel dipped 1.4 cents to $1.442 cents per litre.
Nova Scotia guarantees jobs for all nursing graduates over next five years
All Nova Scotia nursing school graduates have been given a standing job offer by Premier Tim Houston for the next five years. Houston is guaranteeing every graduating nurse through 2026 a job with Nova Scotia Health, the I-W-K Health Centre or the continuing care sector. He says the move is in response to recent criticism that not enough is being done to recruit new nurses and to let them know that they are needed in the province. He says about 700 registered and licensed practical nurses graduate every year in Nova Scotia and the province needs to hire as many as possible to address chronic staffing shortages.
Trailer where N.S. family of 6 died lacked smoke detector, probe finds
The Sears-Robertson family died in a fire in Amherst, N.S., on Sept. 12, 2021. PHOTO BY HANDOUT /Arbor Memorial
A probe by Nova Scotia’s fire marshal’s office has found that the travel trailer where a family of six died amid toxic smoke last month no longer had smoke detection devices. Doug MacKenzie, the acting chief fire marshal, said in an interview Thursday “there were no smoke alarms discovered” in the camper during the investigation, despite federal records indicating they were present at the time the trailer was manufactured. The fire safety expert said a properly mounted device would have been capable of alerting people within seconds of the fire. MacKenzie said the overnight fire discovered Sept. 12 in remote Millvale, N.S., started due to “accidental misuse of smoking materials” found in the kitchen area of the trailer. He said his team’s Oct. 13 report into the cause found that toxins emitted during the smouldering fire included carbon monoxide and gases from burning polyurethane foam in the ultra-lite Passport trailer. (The Canadian Press)
N.S. reports 31 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday
Nova Scotia is reporting 31 new cases of COVID-19 but only five recoveries. That has pushed the number of active cases in the province up to 171 with 10 people in hospital, including one in intensive care. Provincial health officials say more than half of the new infections are in the central zone and one school was notified of a COVID-19 exposure yesterday in the Halifax area. The latest update on COVID-19 vaccinations shows 78.2 per cent of the population is now fully vaccinated and more than 83 per cent have at least one dose.
Province investing $1 million to mitigate flood risk, support municipal infrastructure – Town of Pictou among recipients
Nova Scotia is investing more than $1 million in 16 municipal projects to help mitigate flood risk and support municipal infrastructure. Through the Provincial Capital Assistance Program, the province contributes funds toward priority municipal infrastructure projects, including $50,000 for infrastructure renewal on Water Street in Pictou. Mayor Jim Ryan says funds received will be used to improve existing water and wastewater services, while improving accessibility and enhancing the aesthetics of the downtown.
Government introduces legislation to extend cap on rent increases
Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative government has introduced legislation on its promised two-year rent cap extension. The bill holds annual increases for tenants staying in the same unit to two per cent until December 31st, 2023. Legislation was also introduced to create an executive panel on housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality. Housing Minister John Lohr says he will appoint a chair for the panel, while the province and municipality will each appoint two representatives.
Pictou RCMP and New Glasgow Police share safety tips ahead of Halloween weekend
Pictou County District RCMP and New Glasgow Regional Police reminding everyone to drive slowly through residential areas on Halloween night, and watch for pedestrians walking near roadways and on the shoulder of the road. You should also review Covid-19 guidelines before planning your Halloween celebrations.
Some other safety tips include:
- having a responsible adult accompany young children
- Teach children never to enter a stranger’s home or car, and travel only in well-lit areas
- wear bright colours
Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to look at candy packaging for holes, tears, punctures prior to consumption.
Sports note:
The Yarmouth Mariners defeated the Pictou County Weeks Junior A Crushers 3-0 last night at the Wellness Centre.
