Thousands of Nova Scotians still without power Monday morning after Friday’s storm
Officials with Nova Scotia Power said they hoped to have most electricity restored across the province by today after outages were caused by freezing rain over the weekend. At one point some 120-thousand customers were without power as a result of a thick build-up of ice on trees, power lines and equipment. By early this morning about nine-thousand customers were still waiting for the lights and heat to be turned back on. The utility has deployed about 600 people to restore power, but officials say they’ve been hampered by icy roads and debris.
Nova Scotia reports 95 people in designated COVID-19 units Sunday
Nova Scotia reported a drop in COVID-19 hospitalizations Sunday. Officials say 95 people are being treated in units designated for COVID-19, while 135 people in hospital for other reasons have tested positive. Another 139 people contracted the virus after being admitted to hospital — and 13 people are in intensive care.
Restrictions for sports practices and arts rehearsals will be eased beginning today in Nova Scotia. Sports practices and rehearsals for arts and culture performances will be able to have up to 25 people indoors and 50 outdoors, although spectators are still not permitted. Previously the limit was up to 10 people indoors and up to 25 people outdoors. All other restrictions put in place in mid-December to help curb the spread of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus are to remain until Feb. 14. They include indoor and outdoor informal gathering limits of 10 people and 50 per cent capacity limits for bars and restaurants, where social distancing and masks are required.
On Friday, the province moved to prohibit protesters from blockading or disrupting traffic on any road, street or highway in Nova Scotia. The Province did so by issuing a directive under the Emergency Management Act.
Ottawa mayor declares state of emergency as police crackdown on convoy supplies
Ottawa police say they’ve seized fuel and vehicles from demonstrators protesting vaccine mandates and other COVID-19 public health measures. They’ve also made seven arrests and issued more than 100 tickets. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has declared a state of emergency to give the city more flexibility to deal with the ongoing protest. (The Canadian Press)
Nova Scotia Liberal member Angela Simmonds first to declare for party leadership
Photo: Angela Simmonds/Twitter
Provincial Liberal caucus member Angela Simmonds is seeking the leadership of Nova Scotia’s Liberal party. Simmonds, who was first elected to represent the riding of Preston in the Aug. 17 provincial election, said Friday she is running to bring “a new energy and direction” to the province and Liberal party. She is the first candidate to officially declare for the post since Iain Rankin announced last month that he is stepping down as leader. If successful, Simmonds would become the first female leader of the party and the first Black leader of any of Nova Scotia’s main political parties. The Liberals have set a March 21 deadline for candidates to register and will hold will hold a leadership convention on July 9. (The Canadian Press)
Pierre Poilievre has launched his bid to be the next leader of the federal Conservatives, saying he wants to make ”Canadians the freest people on earth.” In a video released on social media, Poilievre makes no mention of the Conservative party by name or the leadership contest, only saying he’s running to be the next prime minister.
Police in New Glasgow charge man with having a fake inspection sticker
NGRP Photo of a Fake Motor Vehicle Inspection Certificate seized by police when compared to a real Motor Vehicle Inspection Certificate.
New Glasgow Regional Police have charged a 47-year-old Pictou County man with having a fake inspection sticker on his vehicle. It was during a traffic stop last Thursday morning that the driver was charged under the Motor Vehicle Act with Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid Inspection Sticker.
Pictou County RCMP officers rescue elderly woman trapped outside her home during recent snowstorm
Photo: Const. Peach and Const. Doe /N.S. RCMP – Facebook
Pictou County District RCMP say two officers recently rescued an elderly woman who was trapped outside her home during a snowstorm. Initially, police got a call from someone who was concerned because they had seen their elderly neighbour get out of her car and crawl towards her home. Because of the conditions, two officers ended up walking a distance to the home , and when they got there they tracked the woman’s footprints and found her trapped outside the home with severe frostbite. They took her inside the home and administered some first aid before getting her to an ambulance, which took her to hospital.
Nova Scotia commemorates the Queen’s 70th year on the throne
Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc held a flag-raising ceremony on Sunday to mark the commencement of the Platinum Jubilee Year, marking the Queen’s 70 years of service to Canadians and the rest of the Commonwealth. Sunday marked an unprecedented historic event; the Queen is Canada’s longest reigning head of state and the first to celebrate a platinum jubilee. The ceremony, outside of Government House in Halifax, included members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who hoisted the Queen’s personal Canadian flag.
It’s a golden day for Canada at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Canadians dominated the men’s snowboard slopestyle competition, with Max Parrot winning gold and teammate Mark McMorris claiming bronze. It’s the second straight Olympics that Parrot and McMorris have shared the podium in the event. Parrot, from Bromont, Que., upgraded his silver from the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, winning Canada’s first gold medal in Beijing, while Regina’s McMorris also won bronze for a third straight Olympics. Canada’s medal tally in Beijing now stands at four — one gold, one silver and two bronze. (The Canadian Press)
