Pictou County District RCMP say they were dispatched to a structure fire at a house on St. Andrews Street in Pictou just before 10:00pm last night. Corporal Natasha Farrell says the Pictou Fire Department was on scene and all occupants were safely evacuated with minor injuries. The fire is not believed to be suspicious.
N.S. reports six new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday
Nova Scotia reported six new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and 20 recoveries. Three of the new cases are in Central Zone, one is in the eastern zone and two are in the Northern region. The number of active cases has fallen to 159 with four people remaining in hospital COVID-19 units. Nova Scotia’s health authority says hospitals are experiencing higher-than-normal visits to emergency rooms and demand for beds, resulting in service delays. The authority is blaming the pressure on “considerable staffing challenges,” including a shortage of nurses that has been made worse by the pandemic. As a result, it says further reductions will be made to surgical capacity in the Halifax area and in the province’s northern health zone.
Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of a potential exposure to COVID-19 at a number of locations, including: The Nook and Cranny (627 Prince Street, Truro) on September 11 between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. If you were at that location during that timeframe, and you are fully vaccinated, you are NOT required to self-isolate or to be tested, unless you develop symptoms. If you are not fully vaccinated you are NOT required to isolate, unless you develop symptoms. It is strongly recommended though that you get tested at least 72 hours after the exposure, whether or not you have symptoms.
Desmond inquiry: former soldier sought counselling the same day he killed his family
The inquiry investigating why Lionel Desmond — a former soldier from Nova Scotia — killed himself and his family heard Wednesday that less than a month before their deaths in 2017, Lionel Desmond called a community group near his home to seek couples counselling. Desmond called for help on December 9, 2016. The Executive Director of Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia testified that Desmond and his wife, Shanna, were scheduled for a counselling session on Jan. 16, 2017, but that Desmond called back on Jan. 3, 2017 to say he wanted individual counselling instead. Hours later, Desmond killed his family and himself in their home in Upper Big Tracadie. A key mandate in the inquiry is to determine if Desmond and his family had access to mental health services and domestic violence prevention services. (The Canadian Press)
Cumberland-Colchester NDP candidate resigns after social media post causes backlash
Social media photo
The NDP candidate for the riding of Cumberland-Colchester has resigned in the wake of a controversial social media post. Dan Osborne reportedly Tweeted Oprah in 2019 asking if Auschwitz was a real place. Osborne apologized, saying he was a teenager at the time, and he’s now resigned as a candidate. When asked about the situation, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said there is no place in the New Democrats for racism or prejudice. (With files from the Canadian Press)
Trudeau in Quebec, O’Toole in N.B., N.S., Singh in Ontario
Photo credit: CBC
With less than a week to go before Monday’s federal election, the three main party leaders are continuing their tour of Eastern and Central Canada. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is back home in Montreal, where he will make an announcement in the morning. Conservative boss Erin O’Toole is visiting two Atlantic provinces, starting with an announcement in Saint John, N.B., and ending with an evening event with supporters in Truro, N.S. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is staying in Ontario, with an affordable housing announcement in Toronto in the morning, followed by visits with supporters in Oshawa and Kingston. Affordability was the hot topic yesterday after Statistics Canada reported prices increased by 4.1 per cent in August compared with the same month one year earlier, fueled by rising consumer demand and supply-chain constraints for many goods. Singh and O’Toole blamed rising prices on what they called Trudeau’s inaction on multiple fronts, including the country’s hot housing sector. (The Canadian Press)
Truro Police seeking public assistance locating missing person
Truro Police is seeking the public assistance in locating Samuel Mutch. He was last seen on September 1st, 2021, at that time he was wearing a black Thrasher hoodie, black Adidas pants, black Nike sneakers, and Navy T- Shirt. While no foul play is suspected, police are concerned for his well being and any information pertaining to his location is being asked. Anyone with information is asked to call Truro Police at 902 895-5351 or their local police agency.
Fuel prices up in N.B.
Fuel prices are up in New Brunswick this morning. Regular self-serve gas increased 1.8 cents overnight. Diesel went up by just three-tenths of a cent. Nova Scotia sets its fuel prices at midnight tonight.
New Glasgow Regional Police buy 6 body-cams
Some new equipment for officers with the New Glasgow Regional police service. Six body cameras have been purchased for the members after a pilot program that saw four members of the police service wear cameras from January to May.
