NEW GLASGOW POLICE RELEASE PHOTO OF PERSON OF INTEREST AFTER WEEKEND BREAK-IN AT TRENTON STORE
NGRP Photo (submitted)
New Glasgow Regional Police have released a photo of a person of interest after a break-in over the weekend in Trenton. Police say they responded around 2:00 a.m. Saturday (March 27) to a break and enter at the Needs Convenience Store on Main Street. The suspect smashed the front door entering the store, stealing an undisclosed amount of items and then immediately fled the area. Police are describing the suspect as a man between 5’9″ and 6′ tall with a thin build, wearing a green hooded sweatshirt, grey pants, black sneakers, and a grey backpack. Anyone with information on the break and enter, or the identity of the person of interest is asked to contact New Glasgow Regional Police at 902-752-1941. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App. The investigation is ongoing.
COVID-19 Vaccine Groups Expanded; Nova Scotians Ages 75 to 79 Eligible
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Nova Scotians aged 75 and older can now book their COVID-19 vaccine. In the announcement made on Friday, the province says most community clinics and pharmacies for this age group have available appointments, and more are being added to new and existing clinics this week. COVID-19 vaccination appointments must be made online at https://www.novascotia.ca/vaccination or by calling 1-833-797-7772. Appointments can’t be booked directly through a community clinic, pharmacy or physician and walk-ins will be turned away. The province is expecting to receive more AstraZeneca vaccine in early April, and will continue offering it to people aged 60-64 through participating pharmacies and primary care offices.
Canada is scheduled to receive a flood of new COVID-19 vaccine doses this week. The Public Health Agency says pharmaceutical companies are expected to deliver around 3.3 million shots over the coming days. That would mark the single-largest week of vaccine doses into Canada since the start of the pandemic.
Nova Scotia health officials reported seven new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend. The cases are all in the Central Zone. Five are close contacts of previously reported cases, one is related to travel and the other is under investigation. Public health also confirmed one new UK variant case from earlier this month in the Central zone. Officials say that case was related to international travel, and is now considered recovered. At this time, community spread has not been determined. In connection with that confirmed variant, Public Health is asking residents of Dartmouth’s Kings Wharf , as well as anyone who worked or visited any residences or businesses at this location from March 10 to March 27, to get tested for COVID-19, whether you have symptoms or not. Nova Scotia currently has 25 active cases of COVID-19, with one person in hospital.
APOLOGY IN THE WORKS FOR DESCENDANTS OF CANADA’S ONLY ALL-BLACK BATTALION: MINISTER
Photo: Members of the all-Black No. 2 Construction Battalion are shown in this historic photo. (Submitted by the Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia)
Canada’s defence minister has paid tribute to Canada’s only all-Black unit to serve during the First World War. Harjit Sajjan has told a virtual event on Sunday that the 600 members of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, based in Pictou, N.S. and their descendants are owed an apology for the racism and discrimination they faced despite their willingness to serve their country. Sajjan says plans are in the works for a formal apology from the federal government, which will highlight the fact that hundreds of Black men in Canada were turned away when they volunteered to fight overseas in 1914. After two years of protests, the Canadian military was given approval in 1916 to establish a segregated, non-combat battalion that would be tasked with building roads, railways and forestry operations as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Sajjan says members of the battalion continued to face hatred and racism while serving in the United Kingdom and in France, and he says their service received no recognition when they returned home. The defence minister says Canada continues to struggle with systemic racism, but he insisted that the best way to deal with it is to recognize the failures of the past. (The Canadian Press)
Northern Zone Orthopedic Assessment Clinic (OAC) celebrates official opening
Nova Scotia Health recently celebrated the official opening of its new Orthopedic Assessment Clinic in New Glasgow. Located in the East River Business Park, the clinic began serving patients in November 2020, replacing an interim clinic established at the Aberdeen Hospital in 2019. NSH says the Aberdeen Health Foundation was instrumental to the opening of the clinic, providing funding to furnish and equip the gym space and other necessary equipment.
Two levels of government are adding to their support of Nova Scotia’s alcoholic beverages sector. The province says the Department of Agriculture is providing $145,950. The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Innovative Communities Fund, is providing a $99,500 non-repayable contribution. The new gear will provide new and improved testing services that measure alcohol content, chemistry and sugar of beverages, and will allow the lab to provide analysis of nutrients, micro-biology and yeast for craft beer, spirits and cider on top of the analysis already available for wine. The Department of Agriculture says the lab analysis will help producers meet regulatory requirements, get their products ready sooner for export markets, guarantee accurate labeling and ensure quality of taste and shelf stability. The funds will also assist the Acadia lab in achieving ISO accreditation, meaning samples will no longer have to be sent out of province for testing.
Mentoring Plus Strategy Launches Website
Anyone looking for more information about becoming a mentor with The Mentoring Plus Strategy here in Pictou County now has a place to find it online. The Mentoring Plus Strategy’s website is now live and it’s a great spot for potential mentors and mentees to learn more about the project that is designed to connect knowledgeable retirees with people whose careers, businesses, and sectors could benefit from that expert experience. The Mentoring Plus Strategy wants to connect with people whether they are students, unemployed, underemployed, struggling with career choices, or needing advice to improve their business acumen. The site will also be a portal for seniors who want to take their free computer training. Visit www.mentoringplus.ca to learn more.
Congratulations going out to the U13 Peewee AA Pictou County Crushers after winning the regular season this year and divisional title on the weekend! The Crushers won a tough 4-3 game versus the Truro Bearcats to win the U13 title Sunday.
