MINOR CRASH SENDS ONE TO HOSPITAL
A collision between a car and truck at the intersection of Patterson Hill Road and the # 4 Highway, within sight of the Whistleberry Market this morning sent one person to hospital to be checked over. RCMP Spokesperson Mark Skinner says it was cleaned up fairly quickly, and calls it an “unfortunate accident” with no charges expected to be laid.
CENTRAL NOVA MP ANNOUNCES CASH FOR NEW GLASGOW’S STARK INTERNATIONAL TO CREATE SKILLED JOBS
Resourceful, green innovation and jobs are on the menu at New Glasgow’s Stark International this month. Central Nova MP Sean Fraser has announced a repayable contribution of $350,000 to the company as they build an automated oil diagnostic and research laboratory in Pictou County. The new laboratory will allow the company to research and develop cleaner oil recycling solutions and provide a space for precise testing of transformer oil. Officials at ACOA say having that capability in[1]house will increase the company’s efficiency and productivity, allowing it to expand into new markets. The project will also result in two skilled positions that are full-time.
(Above photo) Stark International President Scott MacEachern and Dave Hetherington speak with local M-P Sean Fraser during his recent tour of their New Glasgow facility.
GAS PRICES UP AGAIN IN NEW BRUNSWICK THIS WEEK
Make it 13 weeks in a row and counting, as gas and diesel prices are showing another price-hike overnight in New Brunswick.
Gas prices across the border are up 4.3 cents per litre, and diesel is more expensive by 2.1 cents. Nova Scotia’s new prices come in tonight at midnight.
ZEBRA MUSSELS COULD BE TURNING UP IN YOUR HOME OR OFFICE AQUARIUM
If you have an aquarium in your house, here’s a heads-up. Invasive species specialists here in the Maritimes are calling on aquarium retailers and hobbyists to check for the highly-invasive zebra mussel that’s been discovered hitching a ride on moss balls. Marimo moss balls are a type of algae that is often used as decoration in aquariums. They’ve turned up in Seattle, B-C, Alberta, Saskatchewan and closer to us, in the State of Maine. So if you’re using Moss Balls to decorate your aquarium, you might want to re-think that. The experts say Zebra mussels can put an end to your domesticated fish and wild fish by killing off plant life pretty quickly, if they’re left un-checked. The only cure is to boil the fast-multiplying pests in water for a full minute, then dispose of them. (Twitter Photo, with files from Global News)
POLL FROM NARRATIVE RESEARCH SHOWS NEW PREMIER NOT QUITE AS POPULAR AS MCNEIL
A new poll shows satisfaction with the Nova Scotia government remains high and well above pre-pandemic levels.
Narrative Research has released its numbers showing satisfaction with the provincial government has risen to 76 per cent compared to 73 per cent in November. Margaret Brigley is CEO of Narrative Research. She says the data shows satisfaction continues to remain stable, despite a shift in leadership. Brigley says no doubt, that’s due to the fact that Nova Scotians are supportive of the government’s actions in managing the pandemic.
Other results from the poll show Iain Rankin remains the preferred choice for premier. But it’s also worth pointing out there’s been a noticeable drop in preference for the government leader compared to last quarter. Rankin has a 34 per cent support rating in the polling done last week. That compares to 43 per cent for Stephen McNeil in November, while support for PC leader Tim Houston stands at 17 per cent…..and the percentage of people opting NDP leader Gary Burrill sits at 13 per cent.
PREMIER THANKS NOVA SCOTIANS FOR KEEPING COVID CASELOAD DOWN
The latest public health report shows one new COVID-19 infection province-wide, and that case is in the Western Zone
The case is related to travel outside the Atlantic Region and the patient is now self-isolating.
Officials say there are now 24 Nova Scotians with active cases of COVID, which is a drop from 26 cases in the previous update.
UNITED WAY POISED TO FUND 26 PICTOU COUNTY PROJECTS
The folks at Pictou County United Way say they’re overwhelmed by the generosity in our local area this year. They’ve raised more than $327,000 with this year’s campaign, an increase of $11,000 from a year ago. Board Chair Richard Carter says 22 local agencies and groups are getting enough money to operate 26 programs across Pictou County this year.
BIDEN’S CENTREPIECE LEGISLATION COULD PUT PROFITS INTO CANADA
USA and Canada Flags
South of the border, President Joe Biden’s first major piece of legislation is a huge deal for Americans, and Canadians. The American Rescue Plan, passed yesterday, touches a broad range of areas in American life at a cost of $1.9 trillion.
That money will help the millions of Americans who have lost jobs during the pandemic. That, as experts say our southern neighbour is already rebounding, and that also affects Canada, as the country’s largest trading partner. According to estimates from Moody’s Analytics and others, this package will double U.S. GDP growth this year to eight per cent, a scorching level by historical standards. That has Canadian companies looking forward to increased sales to the States as the pandemic begins to ease later this year. (With files from Federal Reserve Bank, Brookings Institute and Moody’s Analytics)
MASS INQUIRY COMMISSION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS TO HELP PEOPLE APPEAR BEFORE IT
The public inquiry into the mass shooting across Colchester, Cumberland and Hants Counties last year that claimed 22 lives last year is now accepting applications from people who want to take part.
The panel says its team has moved into new offices in Halifax and Truro.
They say if you want to take part and make a presentation, you can also seek funding, but first, you’ll need to demonstrate a “direct and substantial interest” in the commission’s mandate. You have until April 6th to make an application.
RCMP CELEBRATE PICTOU LANDING COIN DESIGNER
RCMP launched a coin design contest in Pictou Landing First Nation in November. The contest was open to anyone living in Pictou Landing to create a law enforcement coin design that represents the community. 15-year-old Jocelyn Francis is the winner of the contest. Jocelyn chose the Indigenous Medicine Wheel and an image of two people in a canoe to represent her community. The coins will be sold to law enforcement officers all across Canada, so a major congrats to Jocelyn for that winning design!
LOCAL SPORTS
(The MHL) has announced a Crushers game that got postponed from January will now take place this coming Sunday. That means the Pictou County Weeks’ Crushers home game with Summerside ow be played at 3:00 o’clock on Sunday afternoon.
