Man charged with second-degree murder in relation to New Glasgow death
A 25-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in relation to the death of a 56-year-old woman. New Glasgow Regional Police were called to a residence in the 400 block of Nelson Street, New Glasgow shortly after 10:30am on Friday and say officers located a deceased woman. Devon Cory Butler was arrested at the apartment and was remanded into custody. He’s scheduled to appear in Provincial Court today. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 902-752-1941. Anonymous tips can be called into Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
N.S. reports 92 people in designated COVID-19 hospital units Sunday
The Nova Scotia government says 92 people were in hospital Sunday due to COVID-19. That was five more than on Saturday. The province says 15 of those hospitalized are in the intensive care unit, and the average age of the COVID patients is 67. Nova Scotia also reported an additional 425 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.
The Province has issued a directive under the Emergency Management Act prohibiting protesters from blockading Highway 104 near the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border. The directive will remain in place for the duration of the provincial state of emergency.
Protesters show no sign of rolling off as Ottawa residents brace for more disruption
Many of the horn-honking demonstrators who brought Ottawa to a near standstill showed no signs of budging Sunday as parliamentarians, businesses and school administrators were left wondering when the usual rhythm of the frazzled national capital would resume. Several criminal investigations are underway into actions — including the desecration of monuments — during the ongoing protest of government-imposed vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions, Ottawa police said Sunday. A discordant symphony of truck horns blared across downtown as demonstrators wound up their second full day on local streets, but the effects of the protest were felt far beyond Parliament Hill. Residents of the capital were again told to avoid travelling to the city centre as trucks snarled numerous roads. Several city bus routes were redirected to avoid the area around the Hill, and the nearby Rideau Centre shopping mall remained closed after shutting down early on Saturday. The House of Commons is slated to resume sitting this morning, though many members had already planned to attend virtually to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Canada Unity, the primary group behind the truck convoy, said speeches would take place Monday at Confederation Park, just south of the parliamentary precinct. The group’s website also suggested the demonstrators planned to arrive at shopping centres en masse without masks to flout public health rules, throw loud block parties and pressure the media. (The Canadian Press)
New Glasgow Regional Police investigate afternoon disturbance at shopping mall
On Friday afternoon, New Glasgow Regional Police received several reports of a disturbance at a shopping mall on Westville Road. Those reports indicated that a number of people were running up and down the mall hallway with flags and posters, protesting public health measures and COVID-19 mandates – they were not wearing masks at the time of the protest. When police arrived members of the group dispersed and were in the process of leaving the area. Police continue to investigate those responsible for the disturbance and Health Protection Act violations. Any one with information on the incident is asked to contact New Glasgow Regional Police or Crime Stoppers.
Nova Scotia Power CEO says proposed new solar fee about ‘fairness for all customers’
The head of Nova Scotia’s electrical utility is defending a proposal to charge fees to customers who sell renewable power back to the grid. Nova Scotia Power president and C-E-O Peter Gregg says without the fee, homeowners who generate their own electricity using solar panels are currently being subsidized by other customers. He says the monthly fee for people who sell excess power back to the system will ensure fairness for all customers. But critics say the proposed fee could wipe out the province’s emerging solar industry, calling it an attempt by the private monopoly to push small-scale renewable competition out of the market.
Provincial NDP, Liberals announce leadership plans
June is when Nova Scotia New Democrats will decide on a new party leader. The Nova Scotia NDP has announced that voting will begin on June 20th and end on June 25th. The party is seeking a new leader after Gary Burrill announced in November that he would be stepping down as leader. Meanwhile, the Nova Scotia Liberal Party says a convention to elect its next leader will be held in July. The party’s provincial board says the candidate registration fee will be 25-thousand dollars. It says the election will be conducted via electronic and phone voting due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns. The board has also appointed new members to its leadership organizing committee, including M-L-A Kelly Regan and emergency room physician Dr. John Gillis.
N.S. ban on ‘renovictions’ extended past Feb. 1 expiry date due to pandemic
Nova Scotia is extending its ban on landlords ending apartment leases for the purpose of renovations. The ban introduced last fall was set to end February 1st or whenever the province’s current state of emergency to deal with COVID-19 ends. It has now been extended until the state of emergency is lifted, or when the government decides to repeal it. Service Nova Scotia Minister Colton LeBlanc says the move is necessary in order to help keep people in their homes while there’s uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic.
