Liverpool Fire Engine. Photo Ed Halverson

Liverpool firefighters were surprised when a fire call came from their own hall on Tuesday.

Captain John Long was at the Liverpool Fire Hall that morning delivering first aid training when he heard the alarm go off around 8:30.

A fire had broken out in the apparatus bay at the back of the hall.

The fire knocked out power to the department’s paging system so the call went out by text to the member’s phones.

Despite the change in routine, the bulk of the Liverpool fire service were quick to respond.

“Everytime a door opened, more crew came flooding in to see what they could do,” said Long.

He said the power was also cut to the automatic garage door openers which made moving the engines out of the bays difficult.

What really stood out for Long throughout the incident was the teamwork and camaraderie of the members.

“I’ve worked with this crew on how many structure fires before. Never have I been the first person on scene at ours,” said Long. “But just watching them come through, and everybody dug in. It was great to see and not surprising at all, but it was almost magic.”

Port Medway, North Queens and Greenfield fire services responded to the mutual aid call, but the fire was knocked down by the time they arrived.

Long said the damage to the hall and equipment was minimal. Crews had the water from the sprinklers mopped up and the soot from the fire cleaned by mid afternoon.

The department didn’t miss a beat as they turned out to fight a chimney fire that evening.

Because the situation turned out so well, Long said he can look at the lighter side.

“I can remember back when our teachers in school [were] teaching us the definition of irony, they always used the example, the fire hall catches on fire. That’s a great example of irony.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation but Long said it appears to be electrical in nature.

Even though everything turned out well Long expects members will discuss the fire at their meeting this week to determine what went right and how they can be better prepared to deal with a fire I n the hall.

“There’ll certainly be an evaluation of, is this the best we can do for preparedness? We now know it can happen. At the end of the day, nothing may change and that may not be a bad thing. Maybe this is the best that can be done.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

To listen to the broadcast of this story, press play below.

Photo Ed Halverson

With the new year comes change and some new programs here at QCCR.

The host of one of those new shows has been in broadcasting for over 20 years. Todd Veinotte joined me in conversation to discuss his new podcast, which will air twice a week beginning Monday, January 18.

Click play below to listen to the full discussion.

Temporary arrows have been in place since the fall at Exit 22A along Highway 103. Photo Kim Masland

Travellers to Queens will have an easier time getting to some of the area’s beaches and attractions.

The intersection of Highway 103 and Exit 22A will have new directional arrows painted this week.

The turnoff leads to popular locations like White Point, the Quarterdeck and Summerville beach.

Queens-Shelburne MLA Kim Masland said that stretch of Highway 103 has become particularly dangerous since it underwent repairs this summer.

After the micro-sealing took place Masland said the directional arrows were not properly repainted over the multi-lane intersection to indicate to drivers whether or not they could turn.

And the temporary arrows painted on with a spray can are insufficient.

“They look like they were drawn on by my grandson,” said Masland. “It’s absolutely pathetic.”

Temporary arrows at Exit 22A along Highway 103. Photo Kim Masland

Masland has heard from constituents for months how difficult it is to see the arrows and how dangerous that stretch of road can be especially at night or in bad weather.

She followed up on one call and was concerned with what she found.

“I actually got in my car myself that night and drove up to the intersection,” said Masland. “It was pouring rain and it was dark. I’m familiar with that section of the road and I really didn’t know where I was supposed to be because there were no arrows to indicate where I was supposed to be in the road.”

Masland has been in repeated contact with the Nova Scotia department of transportation and infrastructure renewal since October about getting appropriate arrows in place.

She was pleased when she received a call indicating the painting will get underway this week.

A spokesperson from TIR confirmed crews will be out to perform the work as soon as the weather allows.

The department is also set to get to work on a much bigger project in Queens.

Signs are going up this week to detour cars around the Mill Village Bridge.

The condition of the bridge surface is another concern Masland has been hearing about from residents for years.

Mill Village Bridge in need of resurfacing. Photo Kim Masland

While Masland said she has been assured the bridge is completely safe, and has no reason to doubt those assurances, many residents don’t feel safe when they are crossing.

“I had one lady tell me that she travels across that bridge everyday and she literally just holds her wheel and closes her eyes as she goes across. Because, the appearance of it, it does look unsafe, but I have been assured that it is not [unsafe],” said Masland.

The bridge will be resurfaced beginning late this week or early next, again, depending on the weather.

That work is expected to take several months to complete.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

To listen to the broadcast of this story, press play below.

Minister Bernadette Jordan speaks in Mahone Bay, July 2020. Photo Ed Halverson

This is the first in a two-part series with South Shore-St. Margaret’s Member of Parliament Bernadette Jordan. Along with her role as an MP, Jordan is also the federal minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, a role which came with many challenges in 2020.

Here, Jordan explains how the fisheries was one of the first industries to feel the impact of the global pandemic.

In the second of the two-part series Jordan discusses a turbulent year for Nova Scotians and highlights some of what went right over the course of 2020.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia Dr. Robert Strang. Photo credit Nova Scotia Government

The province has announced the three-phase plan to roll out COVID-19 vaccination across Nova Scotia.

The first phase, which is currently underway, will vaccinate 200,000 people including frontline healthcare workers, staff and residents in long-term care and seniors living in the community beginning with those over 80 years old.

Phase 2 is expected to start in May and will include remaining health-care and essential workers.

Anyone not included in the first two phases will begin receiving vaccinations when Phase 3 gets underway this summer.

Premier Stephen McNeil and the province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang praised Nova Scotians for abiding by the public health guidelines over the holidays.

As of Monday, there are 19 active cases in Nova Scotia, including three new cases in the central zone.

Strang says the early indications are looking good, but that praise was tempered with caution as the coronavirus is currently present in every health zone across the province.

He raised concerns about stigmatizing Nova Scotians travelling from other parts of the province, particularly people travelling from Halifax.

“I know there is fear and anxiety out there around COVID-19 and I know that people are trying to keep themselves, their families and communities safe. But I also know that shaming and blaming people does not prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Strang said there is no reason why any Nova Scotian should be turned away or denied service.

“Shaming and blaming creates stigma. It drives people underground and when we drive them underground we lose our ability to work with them and help keep our communities safe, entirely.”

Strang said it’s unrealistic to expect there will be no cases of COVID-19.

But on the plus side, he said by the time the second phase is underway, Nova Scotians can expect 10,000 immunizations will be administered each day.

In the meantime, the chief medical officer of health said everyone must continue to carry on following the health protocols we all know so well including frequent hand washing, wearing a mask and social distancing.

But at the same time, Strang said people must be understanding if they see someone not following the guidelines as no one knows what that person may be going through in their own life.

“We don’t know what other battles and challenges people may be having as they deal with COVID along with all sorts of other issues that we have. So we need to be caring to our neighbours. We need to have compassion for people in our communities, even if they may be a case of COVID or may be identified as a contact, we don’t know their story. And we need to be good to one another. So that’s the energy I’m taking into 2021 and I ask you to do the same: caring, compassion, building up community, not blaming and shaming.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Queens-Shelburne MLA Kim Masland

Kim Masland says 2020 has been a year of challenge and change.

The MLA for Queens-Shelburne sat down to talk about the year that was with QCCR reporter Ed Halverson.

In this first segment, Masland discusses how residents in her constituency came together to face the  COVID-19 pandemic.

Next, Masland describes the challenges of being a legislator during a pandemic when the government doesn’t call the house to sit. She also talks about the role of women in politics and a distinction that sets her riding apart from most across the country.

Finally, Masland discusses how she got legislation passed as an opposition member and how the community rallied around each other during a trying year.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Xaver Varnus and his newly installed pipe organ. Photo contributed by Xaver Varnus.

World-renowned organist Xaver Varnus plans to host a series of mini-concerts during the holidays at the former Pilgram Church.

Varnus bought the church earlier this year and installed a pipe organ shortly afterwards.

He’s made many friends of the neighbours who would stop in to check on his progress.

“In Toronto, in one year, I met only one of my neighbours,” said Varnus. “Since I’m here, I don’t know how big is the population of Brooklyn, perhaps one thousand, I think I already met 999.”

Initially, Varnus had hoped to mount a concert in his church to repay the warm welcome he has received.

Because of COVID-19, he needed to rework his plan. Instead of one gathering of over a hundred people, he will host five nights of organ music for up to 20 people at a time.

“I don’t want to play a very long concert. Maybe 30 minutes or 35 minutes and then after, maybe we have some chat outside the church,” said Varnus.

The program will feature selections from Bach, a personal favourite of Varnus since he was a five year-old child.

In fact, he calls Bach, “his first language.”

“It’s very easy to understand Bach for the twentieth century because, like Shakespeare, of course, one-third of his work was made for his own age but the other two-thirds is general for all over the ages and people.”

Varnus says some of the people who stop in to visit have had little experience with classical music prior to his arrival in the community.

He’s touched to see them embrace the genre so fully as evidenced by a performance by a visiting musician friend.

“This very nice lady was sitting in the first bench next to the piano and during Walter’s wonderful performance of Brahms, she was crying. I thought, this is the first touch, when classical music was touching this lady’s heart.”

Varnus is already making plans for a larger performance in the fall of 2021. Several of the top figures in classical music from around the world have committed to perform in his Brooklyn Church, now rechristened ‘Varnus Hall’ at a festival in September.

“I want to give some hope to people that after COVID we still have light, we still have sunshine, we still have Debussy and Bach and we still have big red apples, so everything, you know?”

Varnus will play his mini-concert series at 5:00pm each evening from December 26 – 30. Admission is free but a donation towards his 2021 festival and ongoing renovations is appreciated.

Unfortunately, if you haven’t secured a seat, you’re out of luck. The concerts were announced Thursday and by Friday, all performances have been filled.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil. Photo: Nova Scotia Government

Nova Scotia’s premier is making his last appearance in the legislature, and he’s none too happy about it.

Premier Stephen McNeil has asked the leaders of the Progressive Conservatives and New Democratic Parties to sit in a virtual session Friday to avoid meeting in a large group during COVID.

McNeil has previously announced he will prorogue the legislature at that sitting. The formality will close the fall session without any legislation being introduced, debated or passed.

The premier expressed his frustration with the other two parties at a press conference following Thursday’s cabinet meeting, accusing them of forcing government to meet in person.

“But I’m going to have to tell people that I have to ignore the public health protocols because the two opposition people think they’re equivalent to health care workers, they’re equivalent to teachers, they’re equivalent to people who have been working their tails off to keep us safe when the very job they do could have easily happened virtually. They have no role tomorrow. The Lieutenant Governor is proroguing it,” said McNeil.

The premier was referring to a letter sent by the NDP, which stated, “Across the province, teachers, nurses, health care workers, public servants, grocery store workers, and others have been going to their workplaces, and we see no reason why MLAs could not be present in the legislature.”

Even with reduced numbers representing all parties, McNeil objects to an in-person sitting of the legislature.

“The very thing I’m asking you to do over the holidays to keep our province safe, by keeping your gatherings at ten, I’m being forced by the opposition to cross the street with more than 15 people. I want you to think about that the next time you go to the polls,” said McNeil. “All the sacrifice you’ve made over the last ten months, all we ask from our elected officials is join you, to be a little courageous, to do things a bit different. But instead they put their own self-interest ahead of yours.”

NDP Leader Gary Burrill said his party isn’t forcing the government to do anything.

“To mischaracterize it as though we were forcing the government to do something that is unsafe, this is entirely a misreading of what we have said, at such a level that, in my judgment, it is manipulative and insincere and untruthful,” said Burrill.

NDP Leader Gary Burrill. Zoom screenshot

PC Leader Tim Houston said no one is asking to violate health orders. It’s clear to him the premier is trying to politicize this final sitting.

“I think what’s happening here,” said Houston, “is the premier is lashing out because he’s embarrassed by his own mismanagement of the whole file.”

By law, the legislature needs to sit twice a year. An early spring session allowed the governing Liberals to pass a budget before the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic set in. But the legislature hasn’t met since then.

House leaders from all three parties have been working since August to find a way to safely return to the legislature.

PC Leader Tim Houston. Zoom screenshot

Houston said his party found out late Tuesday evening McNeil wanted to sit virtually Friday and they began to plan accordingly.

“Now we find out the premier didn’t really have that plan organized, he hadn’t prepared for that, he hadn’t done the work necessary that should’ve been done over the past couple of months.,” said Houston. “And now, if we listen to him, we can’t sit virtually, we don’t know, we’re still waiting for directions.”

Houston said he was going to contact the province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang for his recommendation on how many people could be safely present in the legislature.

At dinnertime Thursday Strang responded to the PC leader that he had already given the Lieutenant Governor’s office direction, and that under the current restrictions in the Public Health Order there can be no more than 5 people together in the legislature chamber.

Strang added, because all Nova Scotians are asked to avoid non-essential travel in and out of Halifax until December 21, MLAs should attend the sitting virtually.

Premier McNeil said an archaic rule of law would compel the legislature to meet in person to pass a motion to allow them to meet virtually.

Whether or not select members of all parties will be present at Friday’s sitting, just like the rest of 2020, the final legislative session for McNeil will be memorable.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Dr. Robert Strang and Premier Stephen McNeil announce new COVID restrictions for Christmas. Photo: Nova Scotia Government

Nova Scotia will have new COVID-19 restrictions beginning December 21 but family members will be allowed to visit over the holidays.

Premier Stephen McNeil says while they are relaxing some restrictions to allow relatives to travel, it’s important people still follow COVID protocols.

“You can travel from A to B. Which essentially means, if your family lives in a different community you can go visit your family at Christmas. You can have up to 10 people, total in your gathering,” said McNeil. “When you get there, stay there. We’re doing this because we know how important it is for families to be together at this time.”

Long-term care residents will have their restrictions eased to allow two designated caregivers to visit. Facilities can also allow a limited number of visitors

A number of new restrictions are coming into place.

Social or special events, festivals, arts/cultural events and sports events are all cancelled.

Faith gatherings, wedding ceremonies and funeral services up to a maximum of 150 people outdoors or 100 indoors are allowed but wedding and funeral receptions are not.

People can gather in groups of up to 10 in their homes, including the people who live there.

They can also gather with up to 10 people in a close social group.

Restaurants and licensed establishments must stop service by 10 p.m. and close by 11 p.m.

Fitness and sport and recreation facilities can open but must restrict the number and proximity of participants.

Retail and shopping mall rules currently in place for areas of HRM and Hants County will extend to the entire province, including operating at 25 per cent of their capacity.

A complete list of the new restrictions is available at this link.

The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says now is not the time to undo all the good work we’ve done just so we can enjoy a holiday they way we are used to.

“We’ll get back there. I’ve said it before, I’d like to have everybody who is here today in Nova Scotia be around next year in Nova Scotia to celebrate Christmas in a different way, to celebrate our holidays in a different way. But to do that, we need to make sure that we’re all safe so we don’t lose people along the way.”

Strang and McNeil were present as the first group of Nova Scotians received the COVID-19 vaccinations in Halifax Wednesday.

Strang said the amount of collaboration that took place to enable this to happen is moving for so many.

“Three weeks ago we weren’t sure how we were going to do the vaccination. We’ve come so far in three weeks. And to see, both in the health system and across government, everybody put up their hand and say what can I do to help?”

Strang reminded people that getting vaccination to every Nova Scotian who wants it will be a long road and COVID restrictions need to be stay in place in the meantime.

He recognizes people are getting tired but he hopes they can take inspiration from the sacrifice of others.

“Think about the healthcare workers in this province who are willing to say, I’m not going to have Christmas with my family like I had planned because I need to be there helping people get immunized. They are there, sacrificing for you. What we are asking the people to follow is not too much to ask given what other people are doing to help you be safe.”

The new restrictions come into effect December 21 and will remain in place until January 10.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

COVID-19 immunization clinic setting up. Photo: Nova Scotia Government

Nova Scotia has received the first 1,950 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Starting Wednesday, December 16, the first immunization clinic will be open in Halifax for those working in COVID-19 units in hospitals, emergency departments, critical care units, birth and early labour units at the IWK Health Centre and regional care units.

Once frontline healthcare workers receive their vaccinations, long term care residents and staff will be next in line followed by Nova Scotians over the age of 80.

Deputy chief medical officer of health for Nova Scotia Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed says healthcare workers were bumped to the front of the line because the number of long-term care staff and residents greatly exceeds the number of initial doses in the province.

“We don’t want to waste the vaccine. We don’t want to let it sit and wait until we accumulate more. Let’s start, at least with the healthcare workers who can come to it and continue to figure out how we work on getting it out to long-term care facilities,” said Watson-Creed.

The vaccine is being stored in a super-cold freezer at Dalhousie University. It must be kept at -70 degrees Celsius during transport, which is why, for now those looking to be vaccinated must come to Halifax.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority is working to find freezer units and appropriate spaces to set up distribution points around the province.

Two doses are required for someone to be effectively vaccinated so the province will be holding back half of the 1,950 doses on hand to ensure everyone being vaccinated can receive the proper amount.

The person in charge of COVID-19 Planning and Implementation for the Nova Scotia Health Authority Dr. Shelly McNeil says it’s important people receive the correct dosage to provide the best chance of immunization.

“We know that the vaccine was highly effective up to a couple of months after the second dose,” said McNeil. “So we know that people do need the two doses to get maximum response but we don’t know how long that protection will last beyond a couple of months at this stage.”

McNeil says the province expects to receive 5,800 doses of the vaccine by the end of December.

Dr. Watson-Creed says another manufacturer; Moderna has a vaccine ready for distribution and are just waiting for Health Canada approval.

“We are hoping to get it before the end of December or early January but we are waiting for more information on that. It doesn’t have quite the same requirements as the Pfizer vaccine does,” said Watson-Creed. “We will definitely be adding it into the mix to see if we can use that to extend out the populations of interests but the details are still being worked out.”

Dr. Watson-Creed says it’s an exciting day for Nova Scotians who have been waiting for the hope of a vaccine.

“I, myself, am completely surprised to find us here in December after having started this long journey at the beginning of this year. I think it truly is a milestone and I think it’s one of those things we’ll all remember where we were when COVID-19 vaccines arrived in our province.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr Robert Strang announce extended holiday. Photo: Nova Scotia Government

Christmas is coming early for Nova Scotia students.

Premier Stephen McNeil announced public schools will be closing December 18 and will remain closed until January 11, extending the festive holiday by nine days.

The premier said government is changing the holiday out of an abundance of caution.

“Christmas is coming and we are concerned that as family and friends gather, even in small groups, COVID could show up’ said McNeil. “Just look what happened in some of our western provinces after Thanksgiving weekend. They saw an uptick in cases.”

While students will enjoy an extra week off, school staff will be back January 4 to undergo five days of professional development.

The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang announced nine new COVID-19 cases bringing the total active number in Nova Scotia to 65.

In the past two days, four cases have been found at The Eden Valley Poultry processing plant in Berwick. Strang announced the plant will be shut for two weeks as a result.

He says the closure is a warning that Nova Scotians can’t let their guard down and relax the precautions they’re taking against spreading the coronavirus.

“Is a stark reminder that we’re not through this yet and things can change very quickly. I know that people are anxious and ready to get back to something a little more normal but moving too quickly away from these restrictions can do the opposite.,” said Strang. “It can put us right back to where we were a month ago and prolong the need for extensive restrictions around COVID.”

Strang says help is on the way in the form of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to arrive in Nova Scotia December 15.

He says public health have been running mock drills to ensure they are prepared to meet the stringent handling requirements of the vaccine.

“It is a complicated operation especially with the Pfizer vaccine, given its unique storage and handling requirements. But I hope people can see by the work that’s gone on that we are absolutely ready to receive vaccine and start administering that,” said Strang.

The premier closed the update by saying the virus moves quickly through communities and tracking it will help chart the course for the province over the next few weeks.

“Movement matters. Where we go, what we do, who we’re with and how we behave. I know how important Christmas is to families, especially those who are spread out across our province. But it is our job to do our best to keep you safe. We will have more to say about this next week.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Queens County Food Bank. Photo: Ed Halverson

RCMP in Queens are working with the community to clamp down on hunger this Christmas.

The annual stuff the cruiser event is taking place again this weekend.

Each year RCMP and their community partners gather donations for the Queens County Food Bank.

Queens-Shelburne MLA Kim Masland has been involved for the past four years and says the community really gets behind the event.

“Oh my gosh, yes, we definitely stuff more than one cruiser. Last year, I forget the actual pounds we had but it was very significant,” said Masland.

In fact, the donations overflowed the cruiser and stuffed two other vehicles.

Masland said support also comes in the form of grocery store gift cards and last year they received around $1,100 in gift cards and cash.

Usually the event would be a great opportunity to socialize and wish each other well over the holidays but like so much of 2020, COVID has changed that.

“We would have hot chocolate that’s donated by Tim Hortons, coffee by McDonalds, Superstore always has sandwiches, that type of stuff, and we’d have carollers there. This year, we’re not going to be able to do all of that,” said Masland. “But we’ll still be there with smiles on our faces, spreading our Christmas cheer and hope that we get to see you pop off a donation.”

Masland said the donations will support all of Queens County as the Liverpool food bank will be helping to supply the Caledonia food bank in North Queens as well.

At this time of year, Masland said people can feel good about helping their neighbours.

“It certainly makes your heart happy and very full,” said Masland. “You know, since becoming the MLA it has become a real eye-opener for me to see the number of people around me in my community that struggle just to make ends meet.”

Masland said there’s a large amount of poverty in Queens. There are children who go to school hungry, parents choosing between paying the power bill or their rent and feeding their families.

It’s good for people to remember that spirit of Christmas giving throughout the year.

“It’s really important and it’s who we are. Nova Scotians are very friendly, caring compassionate people. And in Queens County, through the pandemic, we saw that,” said Masland. “People really opened their arms up and they wrapped them around people. We can’t do that now because of COVID, but we look after each other.”

Masland said she’ll be at the Liverpool Superstore alongside RCMP Constable Ron Duffney on Saturday between 10:00am and 2:00pm to receive donations.

Donations can also be made in advance at Superstore or left at Masland’s office 271 Main Street in Liverpool.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Residential counsellor Carrie Mosher. Photo credit Carrie Mosher.

Just two weeks before Christmas support workers at Queens Association for Supported Living are ready to walk off the job.

The members of Canadian Union of Public Employees local 4963 are upset with inequality in their pension plan.

Residential counsellor Carrie Mosher, who also serves on the bargaining and strike committees said the union discovered vocational instructors had been moved out of the existing pension plan and placed into a new plan with a higher contribution from the employer.

Mosher said the move was made over a year ago without the knowledge of the union or its members and only came to light when they were looking at contract changes.

She said members of local 4963 are not okay with being part of a two-tiered system.

“We were very disappointed. We were upset. It really did separate us to know that the employer, who had been looking after our pensions had taken vocational instructors and put them in a different pension plan with an increased contribution, did not tell them or give them a choice, and as well, did not offer it to the rest of our union members and then weren’t forthright about it,” said Mosher.

The mandate of the Queens Association for Supported Living is to help people with disabilities to reach their full potential.

Mosher said the union is prepared to strike Monday December 14 if this issue is not resolved.

CUPE and the province have been in negotiations on the latest contract for the past 15 months. Mosher is disappointed with the impasse, as up until now, the dialogue between the two sides had been agreeable.

“We have a very successful collective agreement to be signed once this last issue is settled,” said Mosher. “We’ve been waiting, but we’re at a standstill at this point with any decisions.”

Mosher said the union has gone public with their frustrations in order to pressure the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services to resolve the pension issue.

A petition aimed at the department and Minister Kelly Regan has garnered over 200 signatures since it was launched Tuesday.

Minister Regan said despite what the union is saying, the issue is not new.

“The pension differences between these employee groups are actually long-standing and have always been accepted,” said Regan.

The minister said she appreciates the work being done at Queens Association for Supported Living.

“This organization delivers a really important service to the local community and we really, we value the contributions the employees make and we don’t want to see that disrupted,” said Regan.

Mosher said she and her fellow union members are concerned about the impact on residents should there be job action.

“We’re dealing with people. We don’t want to disrupt their lives. We realize the importance of the support that they require. It’s very difficult for us to not be able to support people that we truly care about,” said Mosher.

Queens Association for Supported Living does have an essential services agreement in place so even if there is a job action, workers will be in place to care for residents; although Mosher says the level of service may not include many of the extras things staff do over and above their contracted duties.

Mosher said no one wants to strike over Christmas but they are willing to fight for equality within their union. She said the two sides are still meeting in Bridgewater and she hopes they can come to an agreement on the pension issue before more serious action has to be taken.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

New ultra-low temperature freezer will keep vaccine at -70 degrees Celsius. Photo courtesy Nova Scotia Government

Nova Scotia will be receiving the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines next week.

The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang announced frontline health care workers dealing with COVID-19 in the central zone will be the first to receive the 1,950 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine once it is approved by Health Canada.

“We need to protect and preserve our frontline workers so they are around and can treat, not only those with COVID but everyone else as well,” said Strang.

Each week, beginning December 15, the province expects to receive a supply of the vaccine until it receives its full allotment of 150,000 doses, before the end of March 2021. The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses to be effective which means 75,000 Nova Scotians can be immunized from this supply.

Because the vaccine is delicate and difficult to transport as it must remain at a temperature of -70 Celsius, the focus will be placed on the central zone which currently has the largest number of cases.

The Moderna vaccine, which is expected to be available by the end of the month, is stable at temperatures of -20 Celsius which is consistent with other vaccines.

Strang said Nova Scotia is following the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI) guidance on COVID-19 vaccines. During the first three months of 2021, the focus will be to immunize: long-term care residents and staff, seniors living in the community beginning with those who are over 80 years of age, then people over 75 and then people over 70 and health-care workers directly involved in patient care.

Strang expects more vaccine will be made available by the federal government throughout the year and it may take some time before it can be administered to everyone who wants to be vaccinated.

“And so we’re probably looking at the fall of 2021 before we’re actually finished with the full COVID immunization program and every Nova Scotian has had an opportunity to get COVID vaccine,” said Strang.

The province also announced testing is now available to everyone whether they are showing symptoms or not. To register, go to the Nova Scotia government coronavirus website.

Strang again cautioned people that Christmas will have to look different this year. While he is still recommending against any travel during the holidays, he said if people choose to ignore the recommendation they need to be aware of what restrictions are in place at their destination if they are travelling outside the province as well as what conditions they need to follow when they return.

“We may still have restrictions on travel within the province, that is yet to be determined,” said Strang. “But regardless if we do or not, staying close to home, avoiding non-essential travel out of the province, focusing on small gatherings, small numbers, making sure if you are getting together, try to do it as much as possible with consistent people over time.”

Strang said sacrificing holiday time with loved ones this year will be rewarded in the long run.

“If we have fewer people around our tables this year that means that everyone is going to be here next year to celebrate. I believe that’s a price we’re all willing to pay.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Aqualitas Top Grower, Jake Ward. Photo courtesy Aqualitas

When the pandemic began slowing business around the world, apparently no one told Aqualitas.

The Brooklyn-based cannabis producer is having a banner year by any standard, garnering national awards and forging international partnerships.

Earlier this year, Aqualitas master grower Jake Ward beat out licensed producers from across the country to earn the title of Canada’s top grower from Grow Opportunities magazine.

CEO and co-founder of Aqualitas Myrna Gillis calls the recognition for Ward one of the happiest days she’s had with the company.

“We do things the hard way. We grow organically, we’re certified organic. We do living soil and living water. We have a complex design with the aquaponics,” said Gillis. “There’s only one other company doing that right now in Canada. It was setting a high bar but we did it because we knew that it would matter in the quality of the product.”

Gillis said the company’s success comes from the hard work of a lot of amazing people.

Since launching in 2014, Aqualitas has grown to 80 employees in the Brooklyn production facility and 11 in their Bedford offices.

Gillis was pleased to say they were one of the few cannabis companies who hired through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those positions come as Aqualitas is finding its way into new markets. Gillis said in January 2020, just before COVID hit, the company was selling six SKUs (or distinct products) in three markets. Now they have 26 SKUs being sold in seven markets and are listed to sell medical cannabis on the Shoppers Drug mart site.

“It’s been tough. We took it on the chin just like everybody else did in a couple of those months but overall, when we look at where the year will end and where it began, we have a lot to be proud of,” said Gillis.

And the year is ending with big news for Aqualitas. The local producer has teamed up with U.S.-based edibles producer Sunderstorm to manufacture and distribute their Kanha line of gummies across Canada.

Gillis said funding from the national Industrial Research Assistance program and Nova Scotia Business Inc allowed them to pursue research into keeping the amount of THC consistent in edibles through water-soluble powders.

“Making a gummy, in and of itself, is not particularly complex,” said Gillis. “Making a really good gummy is very complicated.”

Gillis said they will be the only Nova Scotian producer making edibles, setting them up in a David versus Goliath scenario against larger edible producers out of Ontario.

“Our home province is, without question, our most loyal and our most important market to us. So, certainly it will help us here, but I think the quality and the brands outside of the province is what will drive it,” said Gillis.

She calls the partnership with Sunderstorm a great match for both companies.

While she has more big goals set for 2020, Gillis wants her team to take some time to recharge over the holidays.

“I’m hoping that everybody on the team tries to get a little downtime over the holidays because everybody has been just, it’s been such a Herculean effort by everybody.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Photo courtesy Heather Kelly

Retailers in Liverpool hope the festive season will bring shoppers to their doors.

The 4^th annual Christmas in Liverpool Holiday Shopping event will be going ahead Saturday with close to 40 businesses hanging red and green balloons outside their shops to show their participation.

Organizer Heather Kelly said the idea came to her and Brian Fralic when they were both councillors for the Region of Queens.

“It’s kind of meant to bring loads of people downtown,” said Kelly. “Maybe this year will be a little different because of COVID. But hopefully people from other areas will come into town and go shopping.”

Originally, they named the event “Downtown for the Holidays”. But Kelly said she changed it this year as they have now expanded to include businesses throughout Liverpool.

She remembers looking back on Main Street during the first year of the event and thinking how the town must have looked in years past.

“Everybody always thinks about the heyday of Liverpool and when it was really bustling and whatnot,” said Kelly. “But it was a very magical day and we try to recreate that every year but this year’s obviously different.”

Kelly said when people drive through Liverpool they can miss seeing the wide variety of shops and services. That’s why businesses are working together to provide promotions and prizes to get people out of their cars and walking the streets.

“It was, just really to get them to recognize each business and to go through the door. Maybe they might stay, they might buy something but at least they’ve been there. They know where it is, they know what it is and they know what they do,” said Kelly.

Three pop-up shops from the Privateer market will join the established businesses from the new Work Evolved space on Main Street.

Kelly said the event will be offering a prize of a $200 gift card to be used in any of the participating local shops. Ballots are available at many of the locations or by making a donation at the Queens County Food Bank.

She hopes to see the community get out and support their neighbours this weekend.

“Everybody is anxious to get out and do whatever shopping they can do locally and I just want to do my part to drive business through those doors and try to help out those businesses to do as best they can this Christmas,” said Kelly.

The Christmas in Liverpool Holiday shopping event kicks off Saturday morning at 9:00am and runs until approximately 4:00pm. A list of participating merchants is available on the Christmas in Liverpool – Holiday Shopping Event Facebook page.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Education Minister Zach Churchill unveils $14 million for schools. Photo: screen shot from Zoom meeting

Nova Scotia is spending more to help students and schools through COVID-19.

Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Zach Churchill announced $14.3 million from federal Back to School funding would be going to schools to assist with healthy food programs, math and literacy programs, and providing more personal protective equipment.

The $1.5 million investment in healthy food options for students is divided into two streams. $500,000 will go towards buying food for the school lunch programs and the remaining $1 million will support what the department is calling an emergency food response fund. Minister Churchill explained that will be used to respond to the food needs of students if they need to learn from home.

“That can look like pre-paid cards for the grocery store or it can look like delivered bags of food depending on the community, and we’ll leave that up to folks on the ground, on the front lines to determine the best way to get that food, in those situations to the students and families that need it,” said Churchill.

The bulk of the money at $4.1 million will be earmarked for new online math and literacy programs.

Another $3.8 million will be used to install 950 touchless water stations, ensuring they are available in every school.

And $2.7 million will ensure ventilation systems are routinely inspected and repaired. That money is over and above the budgeted costs for maintenance.

Churchill commended students and school staff for their efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus during the second wave. He said so far, it looks like it’s working.

“Speaking on behalf of the education system I think our teachers, principals, support staff, our cleaners, our students should be proud as well because it seems at this point, the majority of people are doing their part to make a difference and protect people from the virus,” said Churchill.

With the holidays approaching, some universities are already looking at extending the Christmas break to allow students to better cope with COVID-19 restrictions around travel.

Churchill said his department hasn’t made a decision yet on whether or not they will follow suit.

“We’re considering our options so those conversations are ongoing currently, in terms of how to approach Christmas break and if there’s any adjustments we need to make in our plan,” said Churchill.

He said any changes will be made after consulting with public health.

The minister was also asked if his department had been approached by public health officials about moving rapid testing into the schools, given the large number of Nova Scotians who are directly connected to the education system.

“We leave that decision to public health. Our job here is to work with them on implementation of their directives and if they believe that that is a necessary tool to enhance our testing protocols here in Nova Scotia, we’ll, of course work with them to implement that,” said Churchill. “We have not received that recommendation to date.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Front country rustic cabin at Kejimkujik National Park. Photo Parks Canada

Campers looking forward to booking their summer excursions in Canada’s national parks will have to wait until spring to do so.

Parks Canada has announced campsite bookings, which normally open in January have been pushed back to April due to COVID-19.

Visitor Experience Manager at Kejimkujik National Park Sophie Borcoman says they want to give campers flexibility in their planning because of the uncertainty around what the pandemic precautions may look like next year.

“This year, across the country, we’re giving visitors the opportunity to make more informed decisions for their vacation plans for 2021 by not opening the reservation system until April,” said Borcoman.

The pandemic has been a bit a boon to Kejimkujik as people looked for ways to get out of the house.

“We had a lot of people coming out, especially from Halifax, who wanted to have an experience outdoors and be outside, and for many of them, it was the first time for them to experience Keji, this summer,” said Borcoman.

That experience looked different this year as Keji’s main camping area, Jeremy’s Bay, was closed for extensive renovations.

Washrooms, wastewater management and water treatment plants and the accompanying infrastructure that had been in place since the 1970s was torn down, dug up and replaced with modern facilities.

Borcoman says because most of the renos were being done outside, their contractors were able to work through the lockdowns and they’re on track to re-open the campground this spring.

New water treatment facility at Kejimkujik. Photo credit Parks Canada

The number of visitors to Keji was about a third of what the park would normally see in the summer season, but Borcoman is impressed that many people came out to enjoy the national park even without facilities.

“The fact that the front-country campground was closed, it didn’t seem to affect the backcountry at all,” said Borcoman. “So we had really good visitation in our backcountry this season. People had lots of space to do their own thing in a socially distanced way.”

Borcoman said the park will close for the winter but the gates will be open and people can still enjoy the trails for hiking, skiing and snowshoeing.

The reservation system will be open for summer bookings at 8:00am Friday, April 23.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Cover art from “Remembering Queens County vol. 3” Courtesy Tim McDonald

A local author’s latest book is sure to stir memories for Queens County residents.

Tim McDonald’s new book is the third volume in the “Remembering Queens County, Nova Scotia” series.

McDonald said because it focuses on the 1950s and 60s it feels a lot less like the typical history books he usually writes.

“People really love it. It’s not just a book of history, it’s a book of memories because there are so many people that would remember what’s in this new book of mine,” said McDonald.

Along with stories, the book is full of photographs of the era. McDonald dedicated the book to the three photographers responsible for the images: Armand Wigglesworth, Ralph Morton and Ken Dagley.

He said part of the research for the book involved posting photos to social media, which, more often than not, would start a lively discussion. McDonald said history he may not have had access to comes pouring out when people recount their memories of a photo.

“People don’t realize I’m asking because it’s for a story I’m working on.,” said McDonald. “I’ll say, who worked at Liverpool Ladies Wear or who worked at the Worthmore store? It creates interest, it creates conversation, but it also gives me the information I need for my stories.”

McDonald began writing this book in the midst of writing his previous release and didn’t think he would have it published until 2021.

The pandemic changed all that for him, in the best possible way.

“With COVID, I was home an awful lot more. I expected this wouldn’t get done until next year,” said McDonald. “But because I was home so much in the spring, night after night, I had to do something.”

McDonald currently lives in Halifax and had planned to return to Liverpool to release the book in person but due to COVID-19 precautions, he decided travelling outside of metro wouldn’t be responsible.

Instead, he has sent a batch of autographed books and enlisted some local friends to sell them in his place Saturday between 10:00am and 2:00pm at Work Evolved, located in the formers Oscars space on Main Street.

McDonald is optimistic the book will resonate for a large swath of people in Queens.

“I think anybody that’s at least 40 years old or older and lived in Liverpool, there’s going to be something in this book they’re going to remember. But for the people my parent’s age, in their 70s or 80s, they’ll remember everything.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Region of Queens administration building

The Region of Queens is getting help from two levels of government with their bottom line.

The federally funded Nova Scotia Safe Re-start program is putting $590,735 into municipal coffers.

Mayor Darlene Norman said the funding is welcome as COVID-19 has upset this year’s budget plans.

“The bulk of the money will be going on the bottom line of this year’s budget in order to meet that projected budget,” said Norman.

The pandemic forced the region to stop operating many of the programs and facilities that make money including closing Queens Place for several months.

“There was no fitness memberships, there was no ice rentals, there were conferences that would’ve been booked there, so that’s lost revenue,” said Norman. “This money will help cover that lost revenue.”

The region estimates losses at Queens Place will be in the neighbourhood of $300,000 this year.

That number could go up as, since this funding was announced, another source of revenue for Queens Place has been shelved. The province has banned sports teams from travelling to and from Halifax. With many of their players coming from the city, the Liverpoool Privateers hockey games have been cancelled for now and with them goes the money that comes along with game nights.

According to Norman, Queens Place has never been profitable but the Region backstops the losses as part of the common good the facility brings to the community.

“Municipalities build these facilities for the social enjoyment, the physical enjoyment of people, to stimulate economic growth in your county, that’s what those are built for,” said Norman.

The Safe Re-start funding will also do some good in the community. As a condition of the funding, the province insisted a portion had to support local transit.

Queens County Transit is the beneficiary of that condition and will receive $27,674.

Another stipulation will see $2020 divided equally between the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities and the Association of Municipal Administrators. The two groups represent municipal interests to the provincial government and have also been unable to hold conferences, which would provide their funding, during the pandemic.

Norman said historically, the Region of Queens has a strong record of managing their finances and meeting their responsibility to the province to produce balanced budgets.

So much so, that even without this funding the municipality would have been okay.

“We would pay our bills. There’s no question of that,” said Norman. “Taking from reserves to meet that would probably be, I’m going to say the first time since amalgamation that that would have ever happened.””

Norman said the Safe Re-start funding should keep the region from dipping into their savings.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Hunter and Kassidy Lowe deliver Santa for Seniors gifts last Christmas. Photo: Lindsay Lowe

A program that surprises seniors at Christmas is returning this year.

Santa for Seniors offers the opportunity for people to anonymously nominate seniors living in North and South Queens to receive a present over Christmas.

Organizer Kendra Shot posts the seniors who have been nominated on the Santa for Seniors Queens County Facebook page. She identifies them only by number and their gender when creating a wish list of a few items for each nominee.

Shot got the idea after hearing about a similar program being operated in Bridgewater and Halifax.

“So it snowballed from there and we started it here and it’s pretty popular,” said Shot.

People can choose which senior they wish to adopt by commenting on the post or by contacting her directly.

Shot said every recipient reacts differently to receiving anonymous presents and sometimes their pride prevents them from accepting the gifts. But once it’s explained that someone thought enough to want to give them a present, it is warmly received.

“But the majority of people basically stood there with tears in their eyes or crying because somebody actually thought of them,” said Shot. “And where so many are living alone, God knows what Christmas is going to be like this year.”

Shot said the idea took off last year with 205 seniors being adopted to receive gifts. This year the group is tracking to smash through that total with over 300 names on her list already.

The wish lists generally ask for toiletries, chocolates, warm clothing and gift cards but Shot said when putting the gift bags together, most people go above and beyond what is expected.

“Everybody goes overboard, which is fine, but it feels good. I think that is the main point,” said Shot. “People are doing it because it makes them feel good that they are helping somebody else as well.”

Shot is taking precautions with COVID-19. Presents are dropped off at Route 3 cellar and then quarantined before being delivered by her team of eight volunteer elves between December 20 and 23.

To nominate a senior to be adopted or to adopt one yourself, follow this link.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Dr Robert Strang unveils new COVID restrictions. Photo: Nova Scotia Government

Heading into one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, Public Health is cracking down on travel to and from Halifax.

The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang announced new restrictions coming at 12:01am November 26 after announcing 37 new COVID cases Tuesday.

“If you were thinking you’re coming to Halifax this weekend for Black Friday, please think again. HRM, for the next two weeks at least, is not a shopping destination for the rest of the province,” said Strang.

In Halifax, retail stores are only allowed to admit 25 percent of their normal capacity, restaurants are limited to take out and delivery, while gyms, libraries, recreational facilities, casinos are all closed.

The province has already reduced gathering limits in the Halifax area from 10 to five. Fines for anyone violating those precautions are also going up from $1,000 for the host to $1,000 for anyone in attendance at the gathering.

Strang said people need to get the message this is a social disease and spread is manageable.

“But it’s important that Nova Scotians understand that we take this seriously. We need them to take it seriously and if they don’t, there are sunstantive financial penalties to that,” said Strang.

The restricted area has also expanded from the Halifax core out to Hubbards, Elmsdale, Porters Lake and Mount Uniacke.

New restrictions are also coming into effect across the province that will close long-term care facilities to visitors except volunteers and designated caregivers, sports teams are restricted to local or regional play and extracurricular activities between schools are cancelled.

Strang said he understands the holidays are coming and Nova Scotians need to put the work in now to ensure they can gather with family in the coming weeks.

“If we come together for the next, at least two weeks, maybe a couple more and then we start to slowly ease up, we will get out of this,” said Strang. “But we’ll only do it if we all do it together.”

Even so, Strang says Nova Scotians may have to reexamine how we celebrate the holidays this year.

“This year the way we care for each other, the way we show that we love each other is by keeping each other COVID safe,” said Strang. “Everything else, gifts, faith celebrations, they are secondary to what we are doing primarily, which is about showing that we care for each other.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Nova Scotia Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Zach Churchill announces $21.5 million in at home technology support via Zoom. (Screenshot)

Nova Scotia is buying computers for students and upgrading school wireless networks in order to continue to educate kids through COVID-19.

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Zach Churchill announced $21.5 million from the federal Safe Return to Class Fund will be used to address concerns raised by students, teachers and parents about online and computer access during the provincial lockdown this spring.

Churchill said close to 30,000 respondents submitted their experience with at-home education.

“It was clear that the experience was different from school to school, teacher to teacher, from home to home. So this year we’ve brought in some standards for at-home learning for teachers and support staff,” said Churchill. “We have guidelines in place to help direct them in terms of how they approach their learning. We have enhanced capabilities now with students having access to technology and also teleconferencing as well, for students who don’t have access to the internet.”

Churchill said the department has already secured the purchase of 24,000 Chromebooks. The province has received 3,000 of those and the remaining 21,000 units are expected in December. They also hope to buy another 8,000 Chromebooks in the new year.

The education minister said it will be up to the regional centres across Nova Scotia to determine where they will be needed.

“Our regions have done work to identify which households, which students, don’t have access to the tech and those will be the folks that receive the technology. This is about ensuring that there’s not a digital divide in our education system, that all of our students have equitable access to the tools they need to learn and succeed even in an at-home learning environment,” said Churchill.

The province is also improving wireless connectivity and system stability at schools through the purchase and installation of new hardware including: firewalls, fibre-optic lines, servers and wireless routers.

Ten new full-time positions are being created to install and facilitate the upgrades.

The education minister said the majority of schools in Nova Scotia do have access to high-speed internet and those with slower speeds will be the target of the upgrades.

For students trying to complete their studies without high-speed access at their homes, Churchill offered a couple of alternatives to submit their work for evaluation.

“One option includes being able to utilize, by appointment, the school facility, even during a blended learning situation where they will have access to a safe learning space with internet and materials,” said Churchill.

The education minister said the program piloted in the spring, which allowed students to submit their work through a USB stick will also be available and those students will have access to devices with USB capabilities.

Should the province need to move to a blended model that would see some students move to at-home learning the biggest change will have nothing to do with technology.

“Everyone will be graded,” said Churchill. “That’s different from last year. We know that helps with motivation in terms of staying engaged with school work, even at home.”

The education minister said figuring out ways to educate in a pandemic has forced everyone to revaluate how things are done.

“That’s the silver lining here is this pandemic has forced us to take a real look at our tech capacity and assess who has access to digital learning tools and who doesn’t,” said Churchill. “I don’t see us moving back from this. In fact, I see us enhancing our ability to utilize technology in the learning environment at school and at home for the long run.”

Churchill said the upgrades have already begun and he hopes the work will be completed in every school in the province by the end of the school year.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Dahl Dispatch founder Evan Dahl. Photo contributed by Evan Dahl

Thousands of people up and down the South Shore now benefit from what began as one man’s hobby.

Close to ten years ago Evan Dahl began posting the location and types of emergencies first responders were being called out to support on his Dahl Dispatch Facebook page.

Since then, it has built a following of 28,000 people. Dahl said he feels like he’s performing a community service.

“I enjoy giving the community the basic info of what’s going on. I can’t always give too much info at the time but I try to give them enough so that when they hear sirens they at least have an idea of what’s going on,” said Dahl.

He focuses his efforts on reporting fire calls from across Queens and Lunenburg counties.

Dahl began the page while he was still in high school and since then he has taken a deeper dive into the world of first responders.

Following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and uncles, Dahl is currently a volunteer firefighter with the *Dayspring fire service.

His day job is spent answering fire calls for Lunenburg and Shelburne counties at Scotia Business Centre.

Keeping the public informed and staying focused at work can be a tricky balance to strike sometimes.

“If it’s busy at work, my hobby has to wait until I get off, I get home,” said Dahl. “I try to balance it and as much as it’s related, I try to keep it separate.”

Many of Dahl’s followers are people in the media who rely on his updates to tip them off to events as they are happening.

“I really like that and usually if there’s a big call on the go they will turn to me for info or that kind of thing. So it’s nice to be able to help them out as well,” said Dahl.

He invests a great deal of time into keeping his page up to date. and recently launched a campaign to try and offset some of his costs.

He set up a “buy me a pizza” fundraiser where anyone who felt like contributing to his work could send him a suggested five-dollar donation. Dahl got the idea from a similar site being run out of metro.

‘There’s a page for Halifax fire calls and he posted this, buy me a coffee site. Basically, you go on and you donate, I think his amount was three or four dollars, enough to buy him a coffee,” said Dahl. “I don’t drink coffee so I put my little spin on it so I put buy me a pizza.”

Dahl raised around $160 but he is not out to make money on the page. He said he does need to update his equipment every few years as technology changes, and may look at doing a yearly fundraising drive.

To follow Dahl’s work go to Dahl Dispatch on Facebook.

*An earlier version of this story indicated Evan Dahl was a volunteer with the Hebbville fire service. It has been corrected to reflect he is a volunteer with Dayspring.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

Liverpool Regional High School. Photo credit Ed Halverson

A new face will be leading the charge for the Liverpool Regional High School Warriors.

Principal Souhail Soujah said some students brought forward concerns about the school using a native chief in full headdress as their mascot.

He said the administration listened to the students and decided to survey the entire school to find out if the rest of the student body felt the same.

“We have a lot of kids who feel very strongly about the logo itself; it not being appropriate, not being sensitive, not being inclusive to our First Nations students and partners,” said Soujah. “So, moving forward, we will be retaining the name Warriors but we will be changing the mascot for something more appropriate.”

While this is Soujah’s first year at LRHS, he knows the conversation about changing the mascot has gone on for years. He said school should be an inclusive place where no one is made to feel uncomfortable.

“We don’t want anyone’s culture to be our mascot, I don’t think that’s appropriate. Consequently, we feel that it’s time for a change and something new that’s more appropriate, more in line with the times that we live in and again, being inclusive and supportive of everybody in our community,” said Soujah.

The current logo being retired by Liverpool Regional High School

The idea to change the logo came from conversations between a group of students, First Nations representatives, and district educational personnel where they discussed the inappropriateness of using the image.

The group decided to move away from the image but keep the name and they are now in search of a new logo.

Soujah said the student body is being asked to submit an sketch or an idea for an image to replace the existing one. He recognizes changing traditions, even with the best intentions, can sometimes be controversial, which is why it’s important the move to change the mascot is being driven from within the school community.

“We know this can be a very polarizing endeavour but we know it’s the right thing to do and the kids are fantastic,” said Soujah. “I mean this is what we want. We want our youth to be leading the way, right? So we want to support them in every way and we’ll deal with the negativity as it comes.”

Soujah said it’s important for everyone to have input on the new logo. He expects if the student body can agree on a new design they could be unveiling the face of the LRHS Warriors before the end of the school year.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson