INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AFTER WEEKEND FIRE IN DOWNTOWN NEW GLASGOW
NGRP Photo (submitted)
No injuries are reported in a fire Sunday morning at a business/apartment complex in New Glasgow. The fire broke out about 7am in the complex at the corner of MacLean and Provost Streets, and the New Glasgow, Stellarton, and Trenton Fire Departments all responded along with New Glasgow Regional Police and Emergency Health Services. Extensive fire and smoke damage was sustained throughout the building. Police say only the bottom floor apartment was occupied at the time, and a woman was able to get to safety. New Glasgow Regional Police, New Glasgow Fire Department and the Nova Scotia Provincial Fire Marshalls Office continue to investigate.
Creating permanent memorial to Nova Scotia mass shooting victims a delicate task
Photo: Board member Cees van den Hoek of the Nova Scotia Remembers Legacy Society
Volunteers working on a permanent memorial for the victims of the Nova Scotia mass shooting say it’s a delicate task that may take years to complete. Cees van den Hoek, a board member of the Nova Scotia Remembers Legacy Society, is promoting a run that includes a marathon from Portapique to Truro as a fundraiser for the project. It will be one of several events this coming weekend to remember the 23 victims, including a pregnant woman, on April 18th and 19th last year. The non-profit society says in the longer term, they envision a quiet spot with a garden and places where visitors can reflect on those lost. However, community leaders in Portapique have cautioned it shouldn’t be too close to the site of the shootings and fires, because locals don’t want a steady stream of cars and reminders of the attack. Van den Hoek says the first steps are to gradually consult with families, as they feel ready, and start fundraising for the site. (The Canadian Press)
N.S. Reports 5 New Covid-19 Cases in Latest Update
Nova Scotia has five new cases of COVID-19. There are four cases in Central Zone with two of the cases related to travel outside Atlantic Canada and the other two being close contacts of previously reported cases. There is also one case in Eastern Zone. It is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. The province has 40 active cases of COVID-19.
The vaccine rollout continues. People can book appointments at community clinics and participating pharmacy and primary care clinics that offer the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Appointments for all three vaccines will be released continuously as vaccine supply is confirmed. There are 10 community clinics, 124 pharmacy clinics and 9 primary care clinics offering COVID-19 vaccine across the province. COVID-19 vaccination appointments must be made online at https://www.novascotia.ca/vaccination or by phone at 1-833-797-7772. Appointments cannot be booked directly through a community, pharmacy or primary care clinic. Walk-ins will be turned away.
The recent flood of COVID-19 vaccine doses into Canada is expected to taper off this week, with a little more than 1 million shots scheduled for delivery over the next seven days. Canada had received millions of new shots in recent weeks thanks to deliveries from various pharmaceutical firms. But the Public Health Agency of Canada says the only shipment expected this week will come from Pfizer and BioNTech, which have been consistently delivering more than 1 million doses weekly since March. The federal government is hoping this week’s lull in deliveries will be an exception to the rule over the next few months. Public Procurement Minister Anita Anand has promised millions more shots in the coming weeks. (The Canadian Press)
Canada’s second-largest grocery retailer is reinstating a lockdown bonus for workers in areas with renewed stay-at-home orders. Sobeys Inc. says the pay bump is “the right thing to do” and that it will run until the end of mandated lockdowns or until the company determines based on “ever-changing circumstances.” The company says the bonus is a temporary program that rewards employees for the amount of time they work during the lockdown period. Sobeys says the more an employee works during the government-mandated lockdown the more they earn, ranging from $10 to $100 more a week. For example, an employee that works a 40-hour work week would earn a $100 bonus that week. The company says the bonus is being paid to front-line workers at Sobeys, Foodland, FreshCo, Farm Boy, Voila by Sobeys, retail support centre employees and certain IGA locations in locked down regions of Quebec. (The Canadian Press)
Graham MacNeil Appointed as Wellness Centre Chief Operating Officer
The Pictou County Wellness Centre has a new Chief Operating Officer. Graham MacNeil has been appointed to the position effective April 1st. MacNeil was Director of Operations for a Nova Scotia based Hospitality management company. He is a life long resident of Pictou County, and has been involved in many volunteer organizations throughout the county including serving terms as chair of the Pictou County Regional Enterprise Network, the YM/YWCA, Pictou County Minor Hockey, the local Tourist Association and the Pictou County Fuel Fund.
MHL announces round-robin schedule for the Eastlink South Division
The Maritime Junior Hockey League has announced its round-robin schedule for the Eastlink South Division, which will run April 14th until April 26th. The Pictou County Weeks Junior A Crushers will host the Summerside Western Capitals on Wednesday. The Crushers lost their weekend game against Summerside 5-2. The full schedule will be posted on the MHL website as soon as game times are finalized.
