Environment Canada says a tropical storm that may make landfall in Florida as a category one hurricane tomorrow could track into the Maritimes early Saturday night.
Tropical cyclone information statements have been issued for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P-E-I and the Magdalen Islands saying Nicole is forecast to turn northward after it hits Florida and become a post-tropical storm over Georgia and the Carolinas.
The weather agency says it should essentially be an autumn-type storm when it impacts Eastern Canada with rain and wind likely over the Maritimes along with very mild temperatures and gusty winds.
But it says the Canadian Hurricane Agency is tracking the storm and it will issue another bulletin today and likely another on Thursday.
The Nova Scotia government has passed legislation limiting a pending power rate increase to 1.8 per cent over the next two years – excluding increases linked to fuel costs.
Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton has said the amendments to the Public Utilities Act are aimed at limiting the effects of a rate increase on consumers.
However, Rushton has also said that a significant increase is likely still in store for customers because of rising fuel costs affecting the private utility.
Nova Scotia Power maintains the legislation will restrict its ability to make the immediate investments needed to strengthen the power grid and move to renewable sources of energy.
Striking school support workers with the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education voted by 92.3 per cent Tuesday to accept the new tentative agreement being recommended to them by their bargaining committee.
The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union says the new agreement achieves what members were asking for — wage parity with workers doing the same job elsewhere in the province.
Annapolis Valley School Support workers will be leveled up to the highest rates of pay for their positions in Nova Scotia during the life of the collective agreement, which extends from April 1st, 2021 to March 31st, 2024.
Pickets have now ended, and members of Local 73 will be back in schools today.
For members of Local 70 on the South Shore, their bargaining committee was able to achieve a tentative agreement in conciliation on Tuesday, which they will bring forward to their members for a ratification vote today.
The federal government has withdrawn from a joint communique on health funding with provincial and territorial ministers, ending two days of widely anticipated meetings in Vancouver without any agreement.
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says he went to the meetings “in good faith” but blamed premiers for giving their ministers “marching orders” to force the talks to end with no deal.
B-C’s Health Minister, who hosted the meeting, says the outcome isn’t what Canadians expected, and the federal government made the decision not to participate in the joint conversation and a news conference.
The Nova Scotia government says children aged six months to four years are now eligible for Pfizer’s infant COVID-19 vaccine.
Health officials say three doses of the Pfizer vaccine are needed at least eight weeks apart to complete the primary series of vaccinations for young children.
They say that compares to two doses of Moderna’s infant COVID-19 vaccine, which has been available for a few months.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says there is no substantial difference between the vaccines other than the number of doses and there are plenty of appointments available for both for children who have not yet been vaccinated.
The RCMP says an alert has been issued and the investigation to locate a missing 11-year old — Arionna Duran of Mount Pleasant, Digby County — continues.
Arionna was last seen at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Mount Pleasant area.
Police are urging anyone who may have information about Arionna’s whereabouts or anyone who sees Arionna to call 911, Digby RCMP at 902-245-2579 or local police.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
***UPDATE***
The 11-year-old child reported missing yesterday from Mount Pleasant in Digby County has been found safe.
The RCMP would like to thank the public for their assistance and retweets on social media.
