Nova Scotia reports 1 COVID death Thursday, 93 in designated hospital units
On Thursday, Nova Scotia reported one death related to COVID-19, 11 new hospital admissions and seven discharges. The death was that of a woman in her 70s in Central Zone. There are 93 people in hospital who were admitted due to COVID-19 and are receiving specialized care in a COVID-19 designated unit. That includes 15 people in ICU. An additional 366 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported on Thursday. There are an estimated 4,276 active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.
RCMP charge woman in Pictou for failing to isolate under the Health Protection Act
Pictou County District RCMP have charged a 28 year old woman in Pictou with failing to isolate under the Health Protection Act. Police say the woman posted on social media that she had tested positive for COVID-19, but was choosing not to isolate. The investigation revealed that the woman was positive on a rapid test and attended her workplace despite COVID-19 guidelines. The fine for a first offence of failing to comply with the Health Protection Act is $2422.
Union says teachers feeling strain of staff shortages caused by COVID-19
The head of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union says its members are feeling the strain of staff shortages in schools, even though none have been forced to close because of COVID-19. Paul Wozney says significant teacher shortages are having an impact on student learning less than two weeks after in-person learning resumed in schools. Premier Tim Houston said Wednesday that the system was stressed with about 11 per cent of teachers and staff reported absent earlier this week — but he said the situation was manageable. But Wozney says current staff shortages could be compounded over time as the remaining teachers and other staff are asked to cover off for absent colleagues.
Convoy rolls on toward Ottawa
Hundreds of people waving signs and Canadian flags lined the sides of the Trans-Canada highway and an overpass near Fredericton Thursday afternoon to show their support for the convoy of trucks from Atlantic Canada headed to Ottawa. The convoy is intended to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates, but most of the supporters said it has gone beyond that to an effort to restore freedoms to Canadians. Ottawa says nobody wants the planned anti-vaccination mandate protest by truckers converging on Parliament Hill this weekend to turn into a violent anti-government event. Several thousand people are expected in Ottawa as early as Friday as part of the Canada Unity group demanding an end to vaccine mandates and COVID restrictions. Some of the group’s leaders are calling for a peaceful event, but statements from others associated with the group have included threats of violence. Multiple police forces — including the Ottawa Police Service, R-C-M-P and Parliamentary Protective Service — are co-ordinating the response. Ottawa police are warning they won’t tolerate criminal behaviour. (With files and photo from The Canadian Press)
N.S. Power seeks 10 per cent rate hike and system to defer green energy costs
Nova Scotia’s power utility is asking for an average general rate increase for residential customers of just under 10 per cent over three years. There’s also the possibility of added costs Nova Scotia Power could seek to recover in the event of severe storms. The application is filed before the Utility and Review Board for this year, 2023 and 2024. The average cost to a residential customer if approved would be about five dollars more on an average monthly bill of about 157 dollars.
Nova Scotia Power says there’s a one year delay for the retirement of one of its coal-fired electrical units at the Trenton Generating Station. The utility says the delay is needed because it’s still working to find a reliable replacement source of electricity. Nova Scotia Power says the closure is now planned for 2024.
Fuel prices up again in N.S.
A rise in fuel prices again this week in Nova Scotia. Gas increased 2.2 cents per litre overnight to 147.6 cents per litre in the local area. Diesel is up for the eighth week in a row, increasing 1.4 cents per litre to 154.6.
Pictou shares draft Waterfront Plan, looking for community feedback
On Thursday night, the Town of Pictou presented a summary of the draft Waterfront Plan. The community will be invited to share feedback on draft recommendations to shape the final plan expected this spring. Community and stakeholder engagement resulted in over 300 interactions over a six-week period in the fall of 2021 helping to shape the draft plan. Feedback is welcome until Feb. 4. Additional opportunities to provide feedback on the draft summary plan are available at https://www.townofpictou.ca/town-hall/pictou-waterfront-master-plan/
Michelin raises a record amount for the United Way
Photo: (front l-r): Philip Arsenault, Michelin Personnel Manager; David Fearon, United Way Campaign Chair; and Joe Edens, Michelin Plant Manager. Back row are l-r: Matt Connors, United Way GenNext Chair; Jackie Long, Michelin Employee Campaign Coordinator; and Ellen Fanning, Executive Director United Way of Pictou County. (submitted)
Michelin has once again captured the title of the United Way of Pictou County’s #1 Workplace Campaign. Together with their employees, Michelin in Granton has raised a record-breaking $55,600 for the United Way of Pictou County’s 2021 fundraising campaign. The United Way says Michelin’s ongoing commitment helps to ensure that the organization can continue to fund local programs and services for vulnerable people and families who are facing overwhelming challenges.
