RCMP charge man with attempted murder in Pictou shooting, home invasion
Pictou County District RCMP have charged a 22 year old man with multiple offences after a shots fired investigation at a house party on Veteran’s Drive in Pictou on October 31. Dylan MacNeil will appear in Pictou Provincial Court today on numerous charges that include Attempted Murder Using a Firearm; Aggravated Assault; Break and Enter and Commit; Assault with a Weapon X 2; Assault Causing Bodily Harm; and Uttering Threat to Cause Death or Bodily Harm. Police say some of the victims were treated at hospital as a result of the incident, however, no serious injuries were reported.
Woman injured by gunshot near Melville-Seafoam
Pictou County District RCMP responded to a 911 call of a gun shot wound to a woman’s foot near Melville-Seafoam last Thursday night. The woman was taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries. The RCMP is asking that anyone with information on the incident to contact Pictou County District RCMP at 902-755-4141 or Crime Stoppers.
Nova Scotia reports weekend total of 111 new COVID-19 cases
On Monday, the province reported a three-day total of 111 new COVID-19 cases from over the weekend, nearly double the three-day total identified a week earlier when there were 59. Among the new cases was an outbreak of the disease at the East Cumberland Lodge nursing home in Pugwash, where four residents and one staff member have tested positive for COVID-19.
During a briefing yesterday, deputy chief medical officer Dr. Shelley Deeks said the staff member’s infection was tied to a multi-day faith gathering in late October. One of the residents was in hospital and the facility increased health measures to control the spread. “I fully expect we will see more cases at this facility,” Deeks said. “The good news is that vaccination coverage of residents and staff is very high in this facility.” Under the province’s vaccine mandate, faith services do not require proof of vaccination.
Health officials said the new cases were largely centred in the province’s western region, and they attributed the rise to ongoing spread of the disease in Amherst and Cumberland County. There are 255 active reported cases of COVID-19 in the province, with nine people in hospital, including one in intensive care.
Vaccine Clinic in Westville today
Nova Scotia Health says Outreach Vaccine Clinics are continuing to tour the Northern Zone this week to help support vaccine booking availability for Nova Scotians. There will be a clinic today (Tuesday) at the Westville Town Hall Gym from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. **Drop-ins only.
75 years after Viola Desmond’s arrest, a group in Halifax’s north-end seeks to honour her
To mark the 75 years since Viola Desmond was arrested at the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow for challenging racial segregation by sitting in a “whites only” section, the North End Business Association in Halifax has announced a new commemorative art piece. The Association is working with the Viola Desmond Legacy Committee to create an art piece on the street in Halifax where Desmond’s old hairdressing shop was. What form that art piece will take isn’t clear as it’s open for submission, but it’s hoped it will be in place by next spring. (With files from CBC)
Old-Growth Forest Policy Open for Public Input
The Nova Scotia government is seeking input on its new policy protecting old-growth forests on Crown land. The draft policy replaces an 11-year-old set of rules. Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton says old-growth forests are an important part of the province’s biodiversity and must be protected. Rushton has made it clear the province wants to change the way Crown land is managed in the province.
