19-year-old man facing weapons charges in New Glasgow
New Glasgow Regional Police have charged a man with firearms and weapons offences after an incident on Dalhousie Street in New Glasgow. On Wednesday morning at about 9:20am, Police got a report of a man with a knife chasing a woman on Dalhousie Street. Officers responded immediately and arrested a man at a home nearby on Temperance Street. The 19-year-old man was immediately taken into custody and to Aberdeen Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries having suffered a stab wound. He was later released into police custody. Police say the man and woman do know each other and it’s an isolated incident with no risk to the public. The woman wasn’t injured and the man is facing weapons and firearms charges.
Health Canada approves first COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged five to 11**Updated**
Health Canada has approved the first COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11 in Canada. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech submitted a request for approval of a child-sized dose of its mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 on Oct. 18. The companies say the results of their trials in children show comparable safety and efficacy to those recorded in a previous Pfizer-BioNTech study in people aged 16 to 25. After a thorough review of the data, the department has determined the benefits of the vaccine for children between five and 11 years of age outweigh the risks, Health Canada said in a statement Friday. The vaccine was 90.7 per cent effective at preventing COVID-19 in children and no serious side-effects were identified, according to the regulator. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has suggested that two doses may be offered to children between five and 11 years of age, with at least eight weeks between doses. For now NACI suggests children wait at least 14 days before or after receiving another vaccine, such as the flu shot, to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Canada is expecting an accelerated delivery of 2.9 million child-sized doses, enough for a first dose for every child in the five to 11 age group. (The Canadian Press)
On Thursday, Nova Scotia reported 22 new cases of COVID-19 and 22 recoveries. No new cases were reported yesterday at East Cumberland Lodge, a long-term care home in Pugwash. A total of 31 residents and 10 staff members at the home have tested positive for COVID-19, and two of the infected residents have died.
Nova Scotia to impose heftier fines on those who violate COVID-19 health orders
Photo credit: Communications Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia government is bringing in new regulations to impose costly fines on the organizers of gatherings that violate COVID-19 restrictions. Under the new rules, organizations will face the maximum fine under the Health Protection Act of 11,622 dollars for a first offence and 57,622 for the second and each subsequent offence. Individuals organizing illegal events will face fines of 2,422 for a first offence and 11,622 for subsequent offences _ and they can also face jail time. The change came a day after an Amherst pastor was fined 2,422 for organizing a faith gathering linked to three deaths — two at a long-term care home in Pugwash and one at a group home in Amherst.
Province now covering cost of new cystic fibrosis drug
As of Thursday, the province will provide additional support for cystic fibrosis patients by fully covering the cost of the drug Trikafta. Cystic fibrosis is a rare and progressive genetic disease that affects children and adults. Trikafta is used to treat the most common form of the disease, seen in about 90 per cent of patients. Trikafta costs approximately $300,000 per patient per year. An estimated 190 Nova Scotians have cystic fibrosis.
Province launches new Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment
The new Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment is up and running with a focus on ensuring the Province recruits and retains doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. Initiatives underway include:
— developing a Nursing Mentorship Program and an online tool to help match new graduates with jobs in Nova Scotia
— working with Emergency Health Services (EHS) on recruitment and retention of paramedics
— exploring ways to connect more community-based doctors with certain specialists
— exploring onsite child care in long-term care facilities to help recruit and retain continuing care assistants.
Diesel down, gas unchanged in N.S.
The price of diesel is down this morning in Nova Scotia, while gas is unchanged. Gas remains at $1.41 per litre for another week in the local area. Diesel dropped two cents per litre to about $1.40 per litre.
Cathy Mason to be inducted into Nova Scotia Hall of Fame this weekend
Longtime volunteer Cathy Mason from Stellarton will be inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame at an in-person ceremony this weekend, on Sat. Nov. 20 in Halifax. She’s been a coach, coordinator, board member, Chef de Mission, and has received many accolades and awards during her nearly 3 decades with Special Olympics Pictou County. Mason is already a member of the Pictou County Sports Heritage Hall of Fame.
Local Sports:
After winning the 48th Annual Marquis Invitational in Middleton last weekend, the North Nova varsity boys basketball team are getting set to host the Anse MacDonald Basketball Tournament. The tournament will include six teams and is held in honour of Anse MacDonald, a longtime supporter of basketball in Pictou County. Games get underway this afternoon.
Tournament schedule:
Friday, Nov. 19
Game 1 – 2 p.m. – Lockview vs NNEC
Game 2 – 4 p.m. – CEC vs CPA
Game 3 – 6 p.m. – Lockview vs Millwood
Game 4 – 8 p.m. – Horton vs CEC
Saturday, Nov. 20
Game 5 – 9 a.m. – Millwood vs NNEC
Game 6 – 11 p.m. – CPA vs Horton
Game 7 – 1 p.m. – Pool A No. 3 vs. Pool B No. 3
Game 8 – 3 p.m. – Pool A No. 2 vs. Pool B No. 2
Game 9 – 5 p.m. – Pool A No. 1 vs. Pool B No. 1
