N.S. GAS PRICES DOWN SLIGHTLY
Gas prices are down a bit this morning in Nova Scotia. Regular self-serve gas sits at 126.2 cents per litre in the local area, down eight-tenths of a cent overnight. Diesel increased 1.2 cents per litre to 113.1 cents per litre.
3 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 REPORTED IN LATEST PROVINCIAL UPDATE
Three new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Nova Scotia on Thursday. One case is in Western Zone and two cases are in Eastern Zone. All are confirmed UK variant cases. The people are not in Nova Scotia, but since they are Nova Scotia residents, they are included in the cumulative provincial data. The cases have no known close contacts in Nova Scotia. It brings the total number of cases of the UK variant in Nova Scotia to 44. The number of South African variant cases remains at 10. Nova Scotia has 42 active cases of COVID-19. Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, will provide an update today – Friday, April 16 at 1 p.m.
Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential exposure to COVID-19 on an Air Canada flight. It’s Air Canada flight 624 on April 13 from Toronto (9:15 p.m.) to Halifax (12:15 a.m. April 14). Passengers in rows 21-27 seats C, D, E and F should immediately book a COVID-19 test.
N.S. mass shooting remembrance service planned one year after gunman’s rampage
Twenty-two people died on April 18 and 19. Top row from left: Gina Goulet, Dawn Gulenchyn, Jolene Oliver, Frank Gulenchyn, Sean McLeod, Alanna Jenkins. Second row: John Zahl, Lisa McCully, Joey Webber, Heidi Stevenson, Heather O’Brien and Jamie Blair. Third row from top: Kristen Beaton, Lillian Campbell, Joanne Thomas, Peter Bond, Tom Bagley and Greg Blair. Bottom row: Emily Tuck, Joy Bond, Corrie Ellison and Aaron Tuck. (CBC)
This coming Sunday marks the first anniversary of the mass killing in Nova Scotia. Premier Iain Rankin is inviting people to participate in two minutes of silence at 3pm, coinciding with the start of the memorial ceremony. The private ceremony on Sunday is closed to the public, but a live stream will be available on the Nova Scotia Remembers Legacy Society’s Facebook page. The volunteer group has also organized a memorial race and a private gathering for the families of the victims and special guests on Sunday. The day starts at 7 a.m. with runs in and around Truro and Colchester County. Proceeds from participants will go toward installing a permanent memorial for the victims. There is also Nova Scotia Remembers memorial walk in Truro’s Victoria Park to honour the victims, which will remain in place until April 19 — organizers say the commemorative stones will then be given to family members. On Sunday, April 18th from 12:00 – 2:00pm, the walk will be reserved for victims’ family members only. (With files from CBC)
The province says a confidential, toll-free line is now open to help anyone in need of emotional support as they reflect on the April 2020 tragedy that began in Portapique, Colchester Co. People can call the free support line at 1-866-885-6540. It is available 24 hours a day every day and includes service for the hearing impaired. People who call the line will receive professional counselling support and/or a referral to resources in their community.
Nova Scotia minister ninth Liberal to announce exit ahead of provincial election
Photo Credit: NS Legislature
Another senior member of Nova Scotia’s Liberal government will not be running for the party in the next provincial election. In a statement released Thursday, Lands and Forestry Minister Chuck Porter says after 15 years in the legislature, it’s “time to turn the page.” Porter is the ninth member of the Liberal caucus to announce they won’t run again. He joins former premier Stephen McNeil, former deputy premier Karen Casey, current cabinet member Geoff MacLellan, former cabinet members Mark Furey, Leo Glavine, Gordon Wilson and Margaret Miller and backbencher Bill Horne in announcing their impending retirements. Porter, a former Progressive Conservative, was sitting as an Independent for the riding of Hants West when he crossed the floor to join the Liberals in 2016. Premier Iain Rankin must call an election by the spring of next year. (The Canadian Press)
Town of New Glasgow Unveils Plaque in Memory of Sammy Stewart
The Town of New Glasgow hosted a ceremony on Thursday in honor of Sammy Stewart who passed away in February of last year. Sammy was a local musician and beloved community member. He was well known for singing and playing his guitar around town and bringing moments of joy to everyone he met. Sammy is also remembered as a local hero, on the occasion of the incident of the runaway crane on MacLean Street in 2006. A plaque was installed on the corner of Provost and Dalhousie streets and a ceremony held to honor his life.
