WESTVILLE CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS CANCELLED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY
Westville’s Canada Day celebrations are the latest event to be cancelled by COVID-19, as organizers now look ahead to next year. That includes the big parade that usually goes each summer as part of the July 1st celebrations. This is the first time that Westville has ever had to postpone its much-loved Canada Day event. Click here to read the official announcement from Westville Deputy Fire Chief, Tom Steele.
NOVA SCOTIA GAS PRICES UP
After rising in New Brunswick by 5.5 cents per litre yesterday, gas prices here in Nova Scotia are up by 3.1 cents, to 81 cents per litre for drivers in Pictou, Colchester, Antigonish and Guysborough Counties. Diesel prices are up by a penny and a half, to 72 cents per litre.
LOCAL LOBSTER SEASON KICKS OFF TODAY
“The Glass Glider 93” out of Skinner’s Cove (Photo bu Amy Fraser)
It’s a big day for pumping some money into Pictou County and into the economies of our neighbouring counties with setting day well underway for the spring lobster fishery. Amy Fraser operates her boat, “The Glass Glider 93” out of Skinner’s Cove, and plans to set 280 traps. She tells us she and other lobster fishing families are hoping to sell their sweet crustaceans for up to $6 a pound to kick off the season. But like others in the industry, she’ll have to wait and see what the market brings. Fraser has been fishing the waters of the Northumberland Strait for 5 years.
In the meantime, Ottawa is allowing people who fish for a living to base their Employment Insurance claims on last year’s income, instead of what they earn this year. On top of that, the federal government has set up a $10,000 loan and grant program for people who work in the fishing sector and whose incomes fall below a set percentage. Both owners and crews will have rules to follow. And there’s a separate program set up for “fixed costs.” The Prime Minister also says you should check your grocery store labels and buy fish that’s caught in Canadian waters.
66 ACTIVE CASES OF COVID-19 REPORTED IN NOVA SCOTIA
Of more than 1,000 people diagnosed with Coronavirus across the province since mid-March, only 66 remain active cases. That, after yesterday produced just two new cases of coronavirus infection, and neither of them were here in the local health region. Also, yesterday, the welcome news that there were no new deaths from the virus.
The provincial energy minister says he can’t ask Nova Scotia Power to lower its rates to ease the financial pressure during COVID-19 because it’s the utility and review board that regulates power rates, not cabinet. Derek Mombourquette was asked about it after yesterday’s cabinet meeting. But the minister did highlight to reporters that the utility, owned by Emera, has suspended disconnections for people who aren’t paying their bills and that measure lasts for 90 days.
A Saint John, New Brunswick man has donated what’s known as the Atlantic region’s first “COVID-19 convalescent plasma,” as part of a national collection program. The plan is to study the plasma of people who’ve recovered from the infection to look for effective new treatments. Percy Wilbur says after recovering from COVID-19, he wanted to help in any way he could. Canadian Blood Services is setting up 14 blood donor collection points. Charlottetown, Saint John and Halifax are among them. The collections come under the supervision of the recovered patients’ doctors and are supervised by Health Canada.
Westville Mayor Lennie White says the door-knocking and personal meetings that usually precede municipal elections will be sorely missed with yesterday’s confirmation that voting this fall is going ahead. White says he’s going to ask the province to re-consider.
Tourism operators are nervous with the long weekend on our doorstep and still no visitors allowed. In the wine sector, Peter Luckett of Luckett Vineyards in the Valley says his patio should be full this weekend. And although that definitely won’t be happening, he is optimistic that the 2nd half of the season can be salvaged, possibly from August and into the fall. (With files from CBC)
Ottawa is taking steps to open up parts of the country’s national parks, but so far, no camping. Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says some trails, day-use areas, green spaces and recreational boating will be available starting June 1st at national parks, historic sites and waterways along with marine conservation areas. Camping in parks will remain off limits until at least June 21, when the federal government will re-assess that idea.
A SALUTE TO ESSENTIAL WORKERS PLANNED FOR TODAY IN HONOUR OF POLICE WEEK
National Police Week is an annual celebration of police agencies across Pictou County and throughout Canada. It began 50 years ago, and this year, with distancing rules from the pandemic, police week looks a little different, with no community events and no tours of police stations and detachments. Instead, this year’s police week in Pictou County is being used to salute our essential workers, police and all of our other valuable people who serve the community in time of need. To salute those essential workers, a short video will be shared on the Facebook pages of Stellarton Police, New Glasgow Regional Police and the Westville Police Facebook at approximately 2pm today, (Friday) to recognize their efforts.
Premier McNeil still isn’t committing to a provincial inquiry, but now says his government would play a “support” role if a public inquiry is called into a shooting rampage that took 22 lives in the province last month. The premier is repeating that it’s his belief the national government will lead and the provincial government will play a secondary role. Federal Public Safety minister Bill Blair hasn’t yet commented on whether the Liberal government intends to call an independent commission of inquiry into the shootings. McNeil says since the RCMP is a federal police force with national standards, Ottawa should take the lead.
