RCMP break up blockade of highway at Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border

Photo credit: Global News

RCMP moved in last night and made some arrests as they dispersed the protestors who had set up a blockade at the main border crossing between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to voice concerns about border restrictions. It was about 8:00pmn when Police started making arrests and moving the crowd out, and by a little after 9:30pm the RCMP reported that Highway 104 had reopened westbound to New Brunswick, and it opened eastbound soon after.  The protestors were upset by the isolation and testing measures announced for those individuals travelling to Nova Scotia from New Brunswick. The blockade had impacted health care services with many appointments having to be cancelled; as well as the transportation sector and supply chains with many truckers left waiting to get through.

N.S. is reporting one COVID-19 case connected to Joseph Howe Elementary in Halifax. Public Health says the school will be closed until Monday to allow for a deep cleaning and the testing of close contacts. The new case will be included in today’s COVID-19 update.  In Wednesday’s update, the province reported no new cases of COVID-19 and there was fourteen recoveries – leaving 60 active cases.  Three people are in hospital as a result of the virus including one patient in intensive care.  As of Tuesday, nearly 809-thousand doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered with more than 112-thousand people having received their booster shot.

 

First Nation to hold news conference about discovery of ‘hundreds of unmarked graves’

A First Nation in southern Saskatchewan is to hold a virtual news conference Thursday morning about what it calls “the horrific and shocking discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves” at the site of a former residential school. The Cowessess First Nation says the number of unmarked graves at the former Marieval Indian Residential School will be the most substantial to date found in Canada. The First Nation and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations say the community and school site about 160 kilometres east of Regina are closed. They are asking the media to be respectful of survivors, descendants and the communities affected by the discovery. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation says on its website that the Cowessess school was built in 1899 by Roman Catholic missionaries. Perry Bellegarde, the chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said in a tweet late Wednesday that the finding at Cowessess is “absolutely tragic, but not surprising.” (The Canadian Press)

 

New Glasgow Regional Police investigating four arsons – seeking information from the public

NGRP Photo (submitted)

The New Glasgow Regional Police Major Crime Unit is investigating four acts of arson early Wednesday morning in New Glasgow and Trenton.  Three of the incidents were in Trenton, where Trenton Fire and New Glasgow Regional Police responded. The first was reported at about 1:30am at a vacant house on North Main Street, and it caused extensive fire and smoke damage.  The next was at about 1:45am at a backyard shed on First Street; and then at 2:35am at a vacant house on North Main Street. New Glasgow Fire Department and New Glasgow Regional Police responded at about 7:20am to a fire at a vacant home on Nelson Street in New Glasgow. The home sustained extensive fire and smoke damage. There were no injuries in any of the fires.

 

RCMP charge three men in relation to stabbing in Pictou Landing First Nation

Pictou County District RCMP have charged three men in relation to a stabbing that occurred on June 12 in Pictou Landing First Nation.  Late that night, when police responded to the scene they located three men with non-life-threatening injuries. One of the victims was taken to hospital by EHS.  On Monday, police arrested three men in Colchester County in relation to the incident. All three are facing assault related charges and police continue to search for a fourth suspect.

 

Slight increase in N.B. Fuel prices 

New Brunswick fuel prices are up slightly this morning.  Regular self-serve gas increased seven-tenths of a cent overnight.  The price of diesel went up four-tenths of a cent per litre. Nova Scotia sets its fuel prices at midnight tonight.