2 injured in home invasion, shooting and stabbing incident in Pictou
Pictou County District RCMP are investigating a number of incidents at a gathering in Pictou, including shooting, home invasion and stabbing. Shortly after 3:am on Sunday, the RCMP responded to a call of a shooting on Veterans Dr. in Pictou. Police say their preliminary investigation indicates a 22-year-old New Glasgow man shot at a woman outside a home where there was a Halloween gathering. The woman was not injured and ran inside, locking the door. Police say the suspect smashed a door window to get into the home and stabbed a person inside before being tackled by others. The suspect suffered serious injuries and was located by police in hospital where he is still being treated. The stabbing victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was treated by EHS, and released. The RCMP says this was not a random incident and there is no further threat to the public. It is believed those involved do know each other.
Canadian Red Cross helping tenants following early-morning fire in Amherst
Twenty people have been displaced by an early-morning fire that heavily damaged an old three-storey rooming house in downtown Amherst today. Canadian Red Cross volunteers are assisting 16 adults with emergency lodging and purchases of food, clothing and some other basics. The other four tenants were either not home at the time or left the scene before Red Cross volunteers could speak with them but will be offered similar help if needed. There were no injuries from the fire on Prince Arthur Street, reported shortly after 4 a.m. today (Monday).
2 people dead after crash near Antigonish late Friday
Two people are dead following a motor vehicle accident Friday night near Maryvale, Nova Scotia. RCMP say a car left Highway 245, struck a ditch and overturned while going over a pick-up truck parked in a woodlot driveway. The driver of the car, a 21-year-old man from Antigonish County and a passenger, a 22-year-old woman from Antigonish, were pronounced dead at the scene. Five occupants in the truck were not injured.
Library in New Glasgow flagged for potential COVID-19 exposure
A few notifications from Nova Scotia Health regarding sites and flights in the province. They include a COVID PRECAUTION NOTIFICATION for: New Glasgow Public Library (182 Dalhousie St, New Glasgow) on October 26 between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, November 9. All potential exposure notifications are listed here: http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures
Nova Scotia political staffer fired over comment about Black member of legislature
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says he fired a political staffer after he was made aware of what he says were racist comments about a Liberal member of the legislature who is Black. Houston didn’t reveal what was said and hasn’t identified the employee, citing privacy issues, although it has been confirmed that the staffer worked in the Justice Department. The premier told reporters at the legislature on Friday that he was made aware of the social media comments through a discussion with his staff on Thursday. Liberal Angela Simmonds says the premier approached her on Thursday and informed her about the comments and that he was considering his options. Simmonds, who was elected to the House of Assembly in the Aug. 17 provincial election, says she’s surprised she was targeted by personal comments so early in her tenure but expected it would happen at some point. She says she’s grateful and feels stronger for the support shown to her and other Black members of the legislature during proceedings today that saw several members stand and express their dismay over the incident. (The Canadian Press)
Nova Scotia passes law fixing provincial elections for middle of July
Nova Scotia has become the last jurisdiction in the country to adopt fixed election dates. Changes to the Elections Act that were proposed by the new Progressive Conservative government passed final reading in the legislature Friday. The change sets elections in the province for the third Tuesday in July, every four years, meaning the next provincial election will be held on July 15, 2025. The Opposition Liberals and NDP along with the lone Independent member voiced opposition to the date chosen, saying summer elections do not promote participation by voters. They advocated for a spring or fall date, when the majority of elections have been set in legislation across Canada. Just over 55 per cent of registered voters cast ballots in the province’s August election — a figure close to a historic low for Nova Scotia. (The Canadian Press)
Spring Legislation will Enshrine Mi’kmaw as Nova Scotia’s First Language
Mi’kmaq is Nova Scotia’s first language and legislation next spring will help preserve, revitalize and promote it. The number of people who can speak Mi’kmaq is in rapid decline and the Mi’kmaq language is at risk. The government will start working immediately with Mi’kmaq organizations and communities to develop legislation to support the effort.
Local Christmas telethon set to return this year
The Pictou County Christmas Fund telethon is set to return in 2021. While the pandemic caused the cancellation of the annual telethon last year, county residents still dug deep and gave to the cause. This generosity enabled organizers to give more than $45,000 to the Pictou County Food Banks (East and West) to provide Christmas hampers to local families. This year, funds raised will also be given to local food banks. In keeping with health protocols, this year’s show will be held at the deCoste Centre featuring virtual performances on Eastlink Community TV, Sunday November 28th from 1pm-6pm. Audio from the show will also be streamed on 941thebreeze.com Lia LeClair from the Pictou County East Food Bank says “Anyone interested in receiving a hamper this year can call the food bank to register, as they did last year.” Additional details on this year’s fundraiser can be found by searching out the Pictou County Christmas Fund Telethon on Facebook.
Justice Scaravelli retires from Supreme Court of Nova Scotia
Photo: Nova Scotia Judiciary
The Honourable Justice Nick Scaravelli retired from the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on Sunday after 15 years of service. The Nova Scotia Judiciary says Scaravelli practiced law with several firms in Halifax and New Glasgow before he was appointed to the bench, while also acting as a provincial Crown Prosecutor on a per diem basis in Pictou County and a Small Claims Court Adjudicator in Pictou, Colchester and Cumberland counties. Scaravelli was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on December 15th, 2006, and was the first judge in the province to allow live tweeting from the courtroom.
Sports note:
In U18 AAA Female action, the Northern Subway Selects blanked the Rockets 3-0 At Hector Arena Pictou. Gabby Arsenault with the shutout.
