Health care is shaping up to be a major theme in the provincial election.  On the campaign trail Wednesday, Liberal Leader Zach Churchill announced that the Liberals will build 20 new collaborative care centres and expand services at 20 existing health clinics if elected on November 26th.  The party estimates the total cost to build the 20 new clinics to be about 40 million dollars.  To encourage health workers to staff the new centres, the Liberals would offer a one-time 15-thousand-dollars bonus to professionals such as pharmacists and therapists, and would double the existing incentive for doctors to 10-thousand-dollars a year.

Meanwhile, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston made a health announcement as well, promising to open a Halifax-based medical clinic to treat symptoms of menopause.  He says such a clinic is needed for the 350-thousand women over 40 who don’t get adequate treatment for those types of symptoms.

 

 

A new report says Nova Scotia saw the second highest increase in food bank usage in the region over the past five years.  The Food Banks Canada report says Nova Scotia saw a jump of nearly 54 percent in the number of food bank visits between 2019 and 2024.  P-E-I saw the highest increase at 84 percent.  Food bank visits went up in New Brunswick by 44 per cent and in Newfoundland and Labrador by 33 per cent.

 

 

Shortly after 4:00pm Wednesday afternoon, Pictou County District RCMP reported that they safely arrested a man in an incident on MacLellan’s Brook Rd.  Earlier in the afternoon, police advised that officers were responding to that area as a man had barricaded himself inside a home. The RCMP said at the time that there was no risk to the public, and asked people to avoid the area.

 

 

New Glasgow Regional Police and other police agencies throughout Pictou County will be out on patrol helping ensure a safe Halloween.  Police are also offering some safety tips for the big night.

·         Kids should trick-or-treat in groups or with parents/guardians. If older kids go alone, designate areas for them to stay within.

·         Walk on well-lit streets and avoid alleys or dark areas. Avoid houses that do not have lights on.

·         Watch for traffic when you cross the street.

·         Do not enter the home, trick or treat from the outside the home.

·         Ensure that kids can properly see through a mask or makeup

·         Wear light-colored costumes or costumes with reflective strips.

·         Check the candy your child brings home – throw out anything that is opened.

·         Drive with extra caution, especially when driving in residential neighborhoods.