A 41-year-old Pictou County man is facing charges after New Glasgow Police say he was caught operating an ATV while impaired by drugs. Officers stopped the vehicle on East River Road around 10:30 Monday night after observing the driver without a helmet. Police say a Drug Recognition Expert determined the man was impaired. He has been charged with impaired operation by drug, failing to wear a helmet, and operating an off-highway vehicle on a highway. He’s scheduled to appear in Pictou Provincial Court on October 26.

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A 19-year-old Addington Forks man is facing charges after a motorcycle crash in Antigonish. RCMP say an officer attempted to stop the rider the afternoon of July 21st after spotting him travelling without a helmet. Police say the rider fled and drove the wrong way on Highway 104. Officers did not pursue the motorcycle for public safety reasons. A short time later, the rider lost control and crashed before attempting to flee on foot. Cole Sinclair is charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and flight from police, and also received nine tickets under the Motor Vehicle Act, including for riding without a helmet, insurance and the proper licence. He’s due in Antigonish Provincial Court on September 16.

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Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is defending the cost of a government trade mission to Switzerland earlier this year. Provincial travel disclosures show the premier’s trip to Geneva in May cost nearly $12,900 in airfare and more than $2,500 in accommodation expenses. Houston travelled to meet with officials from the world’s largest shipping company in support of a proposed expansion of the Port of Halifax. Opposition leaders say the trip underscores the need for government accountability and are questioning whether the expense will deliver a measurable return for Nova Scotians.

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Nova Scotia is seeing another reminder that tick season is far from over. Health officials say cases of anaplasmosis are on the rise, and while it’s usually spread through tick bites, in rare cases it can also be passed through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or from mother to baby during pregnancy. Seniors and people with underlying health conditions are at greater risk of serious illness. Officials say the best defence is avoiding tick bites and doing a thorough tick check after spending time outdoors.