Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (PCISCEU) charge three with drug offences
On Thursday, the Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit with help from Westville, Stellarton and New Glasgow Regional Police as well as Pictou District RCMP, arrested three people in connection with a drug and stolen property investigation. Two men were arrested in a traffic stop in Westville for possession of cocaine, methamphetamine and hydromorphone for the purpose of trafficking, as well as being in possession of stolen property. At roughly the same time, police searched a home in Central West River, where a man was arrested for possessing cocaine and methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and being in possession of stolen property. Police located and seized cocaine, methamphetamine, hydromorphone, an illegal marihuana grow operation, illegal cigarettes, a firearm, a stolen side-by-side, a stolen utility trailer and several other stolen tools/equipment and electronics. As a result, a 37 year old man and 51-year old man are both facing numerous drug and firearms charges. The third man was released with no charges.
Pictou County man charged following New Glasgow collision
New Glasgow Regional Police have charged a 32-year-old Pictou County man after a two vehicle collision on the morning of February 2nd at the intersection of Park Street and Terra Cotta Drive in New Glasgow. Police say the man was driving one of the vehicles invoked but fled the scene on foot. He was immediately located nearby and arrested. He’s been charged with Failing to Stop at an Accident; Failing to Comply with Probation Order; Driving while Prohibited; Driving without Insurance; and Failing to Yield When Making Left Turn on Highway. No injuries are reported in the accident but both vehicles sustained extensive damage and had to be towed from the scene.
Gasoline prices hit record high in Nova Scotia
For the seventh week in a row, gas prices have increased in the province, and it’s the tenth week in a row that the price of diesel increased. Gas prices rose 3.9 cents overnight to 157.6 cents per litre locally. Diesel jumped 4.1 cents per litre to sit at 164.8 in the local area.
Nova Scotia reports 1 COVID-19 death Thursday
(AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
Nova Scotia reported one new death related to COVID-19 on Thursday. Health officials say a woman in her 80s died in the Halifax area. The province also reported 90 people in hospital yesterday as a result of COVID-19. There were 10 new hospital admissions reported and eight patients discharged, while 11 patients were in intensive care.
Ottawa has approved a request to help Nova Scotia long-term care homes that have been hit hard by support staff shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Barbara Adams, the minister responsible for long-term care, says two 10-person teams will be made available through the Canadian Red Cross to work in as many as 14 long-term homes in the province. The teams will be available seven days a week until the end of March. Adams says the help is needed because many long-term care homes are working at staffing levels of just 70 to 80 per cent.
Nova Scotia’s minimum wage will rise to $15 an hour in 2024: minister
The provincial government says Nova Scotia’s minimum wage will be 15-dollars an hour in just over two years. It says it’s accepted the timeline of the minimum wage review committee, which recommended the rate rise to $13.60 an hour in October and then to 15-dollars by April 2024. The government had earlier announced it would implement the first recommended increase of 40 cents to $13.35 an hour this spring.
Suspicious packages arriving by mail at Nova Scotia MP, MLA offices
More suspicious packages to report. Suspicious packages were sent to Nova Scotia MPs Mike Kelloway, Andy Fillmore and Darren Fisher on Thursday. Earlier this week, suspicious packages were also sent to three Nova Scotia MLAs and two Nova Scotia MPs. The packages have contained chemical irritants. Police are investigating.
‘Security risk’ closes Nova Scotia legislature to visitors
Photo: @NSLeg/Twitter
After reports of suspicious envelopes sent several MP offices into a frenzy earlier this week, Nova Scotia’s legislature is now closed to visitors. The closure of Province House to visitors comes in the wake of continued threats to politicians and their offices as the trucker occupation continues in Ottawa. The legislature noted in a tweet the closure is due to security risks.
The prime minister and members of the opposition met Thursday night to get everyone on the same page. Justin Trudeau stressed the need for a united call to end the blockades set up by COVID restriction protesters in Ottawa and at border crossings in three provinces. After the virtual get-together, the Bloc Quebecois continued to advocate for a peaceful solution, hoping for the voluntary and rapid departure of the occupiers and demonstrators. According to Bloc officials, the P-M and opposition leaders agreed to keep details of the meeting confidential for security reasons.
Sports:
After defeating Team USA 4-2 in the final preliminary round game Monday night, Canada will face Sweden in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Winter Olympics women’s hockey tournament this morning at 9:10am. Yesterday, Antigonish’s Alex Grant scored to help Canada’s men’s hockey team beat Germany 5-1 in their opener.
