Four days have been set aside for a preliminary inquiry for a man who is being charged with second-degree murder. 40-year-old Vernon Edward Gallant is facing a second-degree murder charge relating to the death of 56-year-old Lester MacAulay in the Town of Pictou on the night of June 3, 2022. It is alleged that Gallant struck and killed MacAulay with his pickup truck. The defendant appeared in court by video link from jail where he’s being held on remand, and has been ordered that he remain in custody until his preliminary inquiry. The inquiry will be held from July 25 to 28, 2023. 

A panel of experts told the inquiry into the 2020 mass shootings in Portapique that a broad cultural shift is needed to seriously address gender-based and domestic violence in Canada. During a round-table discussion the Mass Casualty Commission heard that the situation won’t change unless more funding, education, support and political will is applied to the societal problem. The gunman who drove a replica police vehicle and killed 22 people in April 2020 had multiple allegations of domestic abuse and assault against him prior to the shooting that the RCMP were aware of. 

All Nova Scotians in need of a Family doctor will be able to use the VirtualCareNS software. Previously you could only use it with an invitation, but that has now opened up to anyone who is currently on the need a family practice registry. VirtualCareNS was launched in May 2021, and over 21-thousand appointments have been held through the service. The average wait time for someone to be put in touch through the service is 90 minutes.

Pictou County Pride kicks off today with events happening all week to celebrate the local 2SLGBTQ+ community. The Westville flag raising will kick off Pictou County Pride at 12pm today.