Heat warning issued for a number areas in N.S.
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for a number of counties in Nova Scotia. The weather agency says a combination of very warm temperatures and elevated humidity will create high humidex values over the next several days. The warning covers Pictou, Colchester, Hants, Annapolis, and Kings counties, as well as northern Cumberland County. Environment Canada says maximum daytime temperatures will be 29 degrees Celsius (Humidex up to 35), except cooler along parts of the coast. Overnight temperatures will range from 16 to 20 degrees. Temperatures are forecast to turn cooler over all areas later on Sunday. Warnings will likely be extended into the most other regions of Nova Scotia over the next few days. With the heat warning comes a reminder to never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle. Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Information is provided on the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness website at https://novascotia.ca/heat-related-illness/
Westville Police investigating armed robbery
Westville Police are investigating an armed robbery at the Circle K gas bar and convenience store at Exit 21 in Westville. It happened at about midnight on Saturday. Police say a man threatened the employee with having a weapon, took money from the cash register and ran off. No one was physically injured. The suspect is described as being between 30 and 40 years old, about 5’8” tall with a slender build, wearing dirty denim blue jeans, a white t-shirt with black markings, a blue and white bandanna, work boots and a straw Panama style hat. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information or may have witnessed this incident is asked to call the Westville Police Service at 902-396-4911 or to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Nova Scotia election campaign enters final week, early voting up over 2017
There is one week to go in Nova Scotia’s provincial election campaign. While election day is Aug. 17, Elections Nova Scotia says that 60,684 early votes had been cast as of Aug. 7. The agency says that at the same point in the 2017 provincial election, a total of 26,857 early votes had been cast. Meanwhile, the three main parties kicked off the stretch drive Monday, with Liberal Leader Iain Rankin promising to introduce a non-mandatory COVID-19 vaccination passport system if elected. The NDP released its costed election platform, saying it would spend $151 million during its first year for initiatives such as affordable housing, mental health care, child care and long-term care. The Tories highlighted a platform promise to fund about 40 per cent of the cost of fertility treatments for people who want to become parents. (The Canadian Press)
Nova Scotia reports 7 new COVID-19 cases Monday
Nova Scotia reported seven new cases of COVID-19 on Monday – Four new cases in the central health zone and two in the western zone. All six are related to travel, according to a news release from the Department of Health. There’s also one new case in the northern zone, which is a close contact of a previously reported case. Four people recovered from the virus over the weekend, bringing the province’s active total to 16. Of those cases, one person is in intensive care.
As of Monday, 76.7 per cent of Nova Scotians have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 66.9 per cent have two doses. Nova Scotia Health is working to improve vaccine accessibility in the province’s northern zone this week by hosting two new drop-in clinics. In the local area, the following outreach vaccine clinic will be providing Pfizer-BioNTech to residents 12 and up for first and second doses: Scotsburn Elementary School at 4100 Scotsburn Rd. in Scotsburn Thursday, August 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those who wish to receive their second dose must have had their first dose at least 28 days prior. People are asked to bring their health card number and a piece of identification to the vaccine clinics.
Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential exposure to COVID-19 at one location in Central Zone and on one United Airlines/Air Canada flight. All potential exposure notifications are listed here: http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures.
New Glasgow native appointed to Nova Scotia Power Board of Directors
The Nova Scotia Power Board of Directors has announced New Glasgow native Cassandra Dorrington as its newest member. Dorrington has spent more than 30 years working in private and not-for-profit organizations. Among her many accolades, she has been the recipient of the Woman of Excellence Award, the Influential Woman in Diversity and HR award and was named one of Atlantic Canada’s 25 Most Powerful Women in Business in 2021. Dorrington says “the ongoing transition of NS Power towards sustainable energy sources is integral to the success and stability of an inclusive Nova Scotian economy,” adding she’s “excited to be part of the Board of Directors at such a pivotal time.”
