RCMP are looking for a suspect in thefts in Digby and Queens County. (RCMP photo)
RCMP in Queens County and Digby are looking for a person of interest in a break and enter at two businesses.
On Jan. 23, at 11:37 p.m., Digby RCMP responded to a commercial alarm on Prince William Street in Digby.
Somebody broke into the business through the front door and drove away in a blue Mazda with $8,000 in merchandise.
On Jan. 24, at 2:10 a.m., somebody stole a black and yellow 2004 Ford truck from R & C Weare Logging Ltd. in Harmony Mills, Queens County. Shortly afterward, the truck was found undamaged.
RCMP say surveillance footage from the area shows a man wearing a hat, a dark hoodie with CAT on the front and rubber boots.
RCMP are looking for a suspect in thefts in Digby and Queens County. (RCMP photo)
Anyone with information or who can identify the suspect is asked to contact the Digby RCMP Detachment at 902-245-2579 or Queens District RCMP at 902-354-5721. Or you can call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, anonymously and toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can also submit a tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca.
RCMP were at the scene of a crash in the crosswalk at Main and Market streets in Liverpool on Monday morning. (Rick Conrad photo)
By Rick Conrad
A 79-year-old woman was taken to South Shore Regional Hospital on Monday morning after she was hit in the crosswalk at Main and Market streets in Liverpool.
The collision occurred at 11:21 a.m., an RCMP spokesman said. The woman’s injuries are not life-threatening.
Police have charged a driver with failing to yield to a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk.
The three-way stop at the corner of Main and Market streets has seen collisions and close calls before.
Leanne Arnott, owner of Five Girls Baking, said she has witnessed some of them.
“In fact, I myself have had a very close call,” she said Monday. “That was a couple of years ago and I was three-quarters of the way through the intersection when somebody decided not to stop and I actually had to put my hands on the hood of their car and jump back before they ran me over.”
She did not see Monday’s incident, but noticed emergency personnel tending to the woman, who was lying on the street.
Arnott said the intersection is unsafe and the municipality should install pedestrian-controlled lights to help alert drivers.
“As a business owner, watching this intersection daily, it is not safe. And I think if you were to ask anybody who lives around here, walks around here or even drives through the intersection on a regular basis, you’ll be told that this intersection is absolutely not safe.”
She said she’s worried more people will get hurt if something isn’t done soon.
A spokesperson for the municipality was not available to comment Monday.
Nova Scotia RCMP say they charged 125 people with impaired driving offences in December.
In the numbers released Wednesday, RCMP said 55 of those charges involved impaired driving involving alcohol and seven were drug-impaired infractions. Fourteen of the charges were refusing the breathalyzer, while 49 people had their licences suspended for driving while impaired.
RCMP say impaired driving investigations can be complex, especially when they involve both alcohol and drugs. Refusing a breathalyser can result in the same penalty as impaired driving.
The Mounties say you should call 911 immediately if you see somebody driving erratically or unsafely.
A 27-year-old Liverpool man has died after an ATV crash on Old Port Mouton Road in Liverpool on Thursday afternoon.
When Queens District RCMP and other first responders arrived at the scene at about 1 p.m., they found an overturned ATV in the ditch. The driver of the ATV was found dead beside the vehicle.
RCMP said a part of Old Port Mouton Road would be closed for a few hours. A collision reconstruction specialist was on the scene and police continue to investigate.
The Region of Queens will join the majority of municipalities in Nova Scotia when they follow recommendations from the Mass Casualty Commission and create a new Police Advisory Board.
Until earlier this spring, the Region of Queens was one of a small minority of municipalities who used council as the advisory board. That was when they received direction from the province that practice would no longer be acceptable, and they must strike a dedicated police board.
Mayor Darlene Norman explains how the new police board will operate.
“They’re to determine the objectives and goals respecting the policing services in our community which is Queens. They’re to ensure community needs and values are reflected and they’re [to]sort of act as a conduit between the community and the police,” said Norman.
After much discussion, council decided a seven-member advisory board chosen by council would best represent all of Queens. The board will be composed of three council members, three members from the community chosen by council, and one representative selected by Nova Scotia’s Minister of Justice.
Norman says trying to determine the eligibility requirements for board members is difficult as there are no qualifications set out in the Municipal Government Act.
“The question was asked; well do they have to be a year-round resident? Do they have to be a taxpayer? Do they have to even live in our municipality? When you look at what’s in the MGA there’s no reference to any of that,” said Norman. “They could be from anywhere; they could simply have an interest.”
Norman says it’s important to put together an impartial group of people to serve on the board.
“On one hand you really don’t want someone that’s anti RCMP. You know, you don’t want a down with government, down with the police, down with the establishment, that does not help,” said Norman. “On the flip side, you also don’t want someone that thinks that, oh isn’t everything wonderful and you know, you really need to find objective people who will come with no biases, nor will they come with any favouritisms that’s the main thing. Now trying to determine how you find that is challenging.”
Staff are working on a framework for the new police board which they will bring back for council’s consideration.
Council plans to select their three members in the next few weeks. The municipality will advertise for citizen volunteers in July with the goal of appointing them to the board in August.
If all goes to plan, the first Region of Queens Police Board meeting will be held in September.
A cybersecurity breach affecting systems across the province has exposed all Region of Queens tax accounts.
The Nova Scotia Government learned that MOVEit, a system used to transfer files across different departments and levels of government was breached between May 30-31.
The breach exposed names, addresses, account numbers, payment amount and balance owing for 17,500 water and tax bill accounts in Queens but does not include credit card or other financial information.
Mayor Darlene Norman says it’s important for residents to be vigilant about potential scams.
“There’s always the risk of whoever or whatever who has breached and has access to this information can use it in such a way that they may phone someone up and say, you know, this is Region of Queens calling,”
Mayor Norman says a common scam is for someone to pose as a representative of the Region of Queens and demand credit card payment over the phone.
Norman says the Region would never ask for payment in that way.
She advises anyone who receives a similar call to notify RCMP and the Region of Queens.
The province has advised that MOVEit was taken offline June 1 for a security update, then taken offline again on June 2 for further investigation. It has been updated and additional monitoring is in place.
The breach involved more than 5,800 folders, each containing multiple files and records.
The process to notify all the affected individuals and send notification letters is expected to take weeks.
The Region of Queens has passed a $44 million dollar budget without raising taxes.
The budget includes $27.3 million for operations, $14.4 million for capital projects, $1.7 million to operate Hillsview Acres long term care home and $798,000 for the water utility.
Residential property tax rates for 2023/24 have been set at a base of $1.07 for Districts 1-12 and $1.92 for district 13 per $100 of assessment.
Commercial rates have been set at $2.17 in Districts 1-12 and $3.02 in District 13 per $100 of assessment.
Those rates can vary depending on if a resident or business is in a zone that applies a premium to connect to municipal services or charges an area rate to fund the efforts of community organizations.
In an unusual move, council members voted to take $442,835 from their surplus account to balance the operational budget and avoid raising taxes.
Mayor Darlene Norman is worried that decision may come back to bite them next year.
“This has to be a one-time only thing. That $433,000 represents a four-cent tax rate increase,” said Norman. “Council chose not to do a four-cent tax rate increase and instead we’ve taken that operational money out of surplus. These operational costs do not go away, and they will be here next year.”
Norman is concerned pulling money from reserves to cover the operational costs this year just moves the problem into next year’s budget.
“When you’re not bringing in enough revenue to balance your expenses and you have to cut into side money, then are you really balancing your revenue with your expenses?” said Norman.
On the capital side of the budget, residents have a few big-ticket items to look forward to in 2023/24.
Some projects are ongoing such as the $3 million that has been set aside for the construction of a new library to replace the aging Thomas H Raddall in Liverpool.
The municipality is still trying to iron out a plan for the construction of a new outdoor pool.
Two million has been allocated from the Region to be added to the $3 million private donation to fund the pool’s construction.
A project manager has been hired to see if those two projects can be tied together and built alongside Queens Place Emera Centre.
The Region is also setting aside money for a couple of studies: one will look at extending the water infrastructure around Mt Pleasant for $137,000; another will see the municipality spend $175,000 to explore the possibility of moving the sidewalk to the outside of the bridge in Liverpool.
The budget also made clear the Region’s expenses are on the rise.
Policing costs for RCMP are up $200,000.
Queens also needs to increase the amount being placed in reserve for the eventual closure of the municipal landfill.
The landfill cell currently in use is scheduled to close in 10 years and a new one opened in its place.*
The initial estimate for that effort was originally pegged at $8.5 million but as prices have continued to rise that estimate is now closer to $19 million, three times the original amount.
*An earlier version of this story indicated the landfill was set to close in ten years. Mayor Norman has clarified she meant to indicate the cell was closing, to be replaced by opening another.
Security camera photo of vandal. Photo courtesy RCMP
Queens District RCMP continues to investigate mischief at the Liverpool tourist bureau.
Between the evening of January 8 and early morning hours of January 9, someone had vandalized the building with various forms of graffiti.
A photo of a person believed to be involved in the incident was released to the public in the hopes of identifying them.
RCMP investigators have since learned that, later that morning, on January 9 a dark-coloured sedan with Ontario license plates parked at the tourist bureau. The driver exited the vehicle and met with another man who approached on foot. RCMP say the two people had a discussion, expressing the same hateful language that had been spray painted on the tourist bureau.
The driver of the vehicle is described as being in his early 20s with dark hair.
The man who was on foot had a beard.
Investigators say this act of mischief is consistent with being motivated by bias, prejudice or hate against an identifiable group.
Anyone with information, or dash camera footage of the area on January 10, is asked to contact the Queens District RCMP at 902-354-5721.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
Liverpool Visitor Information Centre. Photo courtesy Region of Queens Municipality
The 2SLGBTQ+ community has been targeted by vandals in Liverpool.
Sometime Sunday evening someone spray painted hateful graffiti over the rainbow painted steps at the visitor information centre along Henry Hensey Drive.
Mayor Darlene Norman is disappointed anyone would deface a symbol of inclusion and welcome with hate.
Norman said it’s, “horrible that member or members of our community or people within our province or country would publicly display their hatred toward the 2SLGBTQ+ community is simply a sign of hatred and that is definitely what we are not in our community.”
The vandals also etched hateful graffiti in the panes of glass at the VIC.
Norman says RCMP have been informed of the vandalism and are investigating.
Members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community are calling for more action for instances such as this.
Commenting to QCCR, Chair of Lunenburg Pride Steve Ellis said, “These acts of vandalism are disgusting and need to be investigated by the RCMP as a hate crime; full stop. The stairs are beautiful and a shining example of visibility for our community. We at Lunenburg Co. Pride condemn these acts. We will continue to speak out against any hateful actions or words against our community and this only motivates us to be even louder in our vision of an inclusive space for everyone on the South Shore and beyond.”
Mayor Norman says the offending graffiti has already been painted over and staff are looking into whether the glass can be repaired or will need to be replaced.
She is more concerned about the impact this act will have on the community.
“We can expend money to put in new windows, replace glass, fix glass, scrub paint but what we cannot fix is the damage that has been done by people in our community who have seen this or know of it or have been exposed to this,” said Norman.
She says the Region of Queens has prioritized diversity, inclusion, and accessibility and will continue to do so.
Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact Queens RCMP.
Community Food Cruise volunteers. Photo courtesy Kim Masland’s office
Once again, Queens County came out in a big way last weekend to support the community food cruise.
The annual event organized by Queens MLA Kim Masland and a small group of volunteers parks an RCMP cruiser at the Liverpool Superstore to accept donations for the Queens County Food bank.
This year residents opened their hearts and wallets to cram 1,512 food items into the cruiser along with $1,361.13 in cash, cheques, and gift cards.
The event pulls many groups in the community together to support the Food Bank.
RCMP Community Policing Officer Cst. Winsor, brought the cruiser, Superstore hosts the event in their parking lot and their employees pre-package donation bags for purchase, Queens County Transit provided a van and driver to collect the donations that wouldn’t fit in the cruiser, and a small but mighty team of volunteers including Annette Burke, Al Steele and Masland’s Constituency Assistant Sam Scobey helped collect donations.
Masland expressed her gratitude for everyone involved in a post on social media saying, “The dedicated volunteers of Queens County Foodbank were full of smiles and tears as we rolled up to their doors with a full van. They very quickly went to work on a Saturday afternoon to fill their shelves.”
Masland summed up the event by saying, “It was a cold day, but our hearts were full of warmth, friendship and giving. This is Christmas to me. “
Donations can made to the Queens County Food Bank anytime by dropping items in bins located at the Liverpool Superstore and Sobeys locations or by contacting them by phone or through their Facebook page.
RCMP are offering a few tips to keep kids and all ghouls and goblins safe as they head into neighbourhoods for Halloween.
They recommend costumes should be visible in the dark. Use bright colours, flashlights and reflective tape to help someone stand out against the dark night.
Make sure children can easily see all directions when wearing a mask around their eyes and if possible, use face paint instead.
Have kids go out in groups if they’re trick-or-treating without an adult, and ensure they stick to a pre-planned route and curfew to keep them from getting lost. And take a minute to go over the rules of the road with kids before they head out.
RCMP is reminding drivers they also have a role to play in ensuring a safe Halloween as well.
First, they should avoid driving in residential areas if possible.
Give themselves extra time to get to their destination and drive slowly.
Be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters who may be wearing dark clothing and may dart out in front of their vehicle.
And finally, as always, wear a seat belt, drive sober and stay focused on the road ahead.
Queens Ground Search and Rescue headquarters. Photo Ed Halverson
Queens Ground Search and Rescue is seeing a resurgence in membership and technology.
Based in Queens, the group can be called to respond across Nova Scotia to assist RCMP trying to locate people lost in the woods.
Searcher, Jason Croft says the organization is 20 members strong, half of whom are active searchers, and they are still recruiting.
“The only real requirement is that you are physically fit to walk in the woods. All training is provided by Queens Ground Search and Rescue,” said Croft.
That usually involves completing several modules.
“Your typical training would be map and compass, GPS, maybe clue finding and wilderness survival, for example. Just to make sure that not only can do the job,” said Croft, and “you can stay safe while you’re doing it.”
Croft says Queens Ground Search and Rescue usually receives six to eight calls per year to assist in a search.
The group is also building out a trailer to replace their aging bus as a mobile command centre.
The trailer has several stations including: communications to stay in contact with other search teams, a tracking station to monitor the location of the searchers, a logistics position to track equipment that’s been deployed and a search manager station to coordinate how the search will proceed.
Longer term goals include buying a drone, infra-red thermal imaging equipment and off-road response vehicles to assist in their searches.
Queens Ground Search and Rescue is self-funded and constantly looking for grants and fundraising opportunities.
Croft says the pandemic has put a damper on those activities but hopes that will improve as COVID restrictions lift.
He says the members are excited to see an upward trend in new recruits after declining enrolment over the past few years.
“We’re now trying to look into making sure that our infrastructure and our technology takes the appropriate steps forward now to match not only current demands but our current sizing.”
The only traffic lights in Liverpool at the intersection of Milton Rd and Hwy 3. Photo Ed Halverson
A shift in takeout coffee buying habits is snarling traffic in Liverpool.
Mayor Darlene Norman says since the McDonald’s restaurant closed for renovations consumers have moved across the street to Tim Hortons to buy their coffees causing traffic to spill out through the intersection as people wait in line for takeout.
“It creates a backlog of traffic as people try to turn in and the holding line is full, so they end up sitting out in the road rather than going in through the parking lot and parking and either waiting their turn or walking into the building,” said Norman. “It causes road rage to say the least.”
Norman says she has spoken with RCMP and learned that despite what many people assume, it is not illegal to block an intersection.
“In my discussion with Staff Sergeant Archibald he said according to the Motor Vehicle Act you cannot be ticketed if you happen to be sitting in the middle of an intersection because where you want to go is blocked.”
*That turned out to be inaccurate as drivers can be ticketed and fined for tying up the intersection under section 122 subsection 5 of the Motor Vehicle Act which clearly states:
“no driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk except to make a left or a right turn unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians.”
Further clarification from Liverpool RCMP shows the confusion is the result of a sign posted near the intersection by the Region of Queens which says there is to be no stopping anytime on a green light.
The sign erected by the municipality is unenforceable under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Region of Queens council discussed whether a traffic study is needed around the lone set of traffic lights in the former town but determined it would not resolve the problem.
“The traffic lights work fine. It’s a parking lot issue. It’s a matter of how the cars stack together, how they filter in through that,” said Norman. “What small Tim Hortons built before drive-ins does not have this problem?”
Instead, the mayor will speak with the operators of Tim Hortons and the adjoining Sobeys grocery store to ask them to work out an arrangement that will allow cars to line up for the drive through in the available parking area.
As the Region works to find a solution to the traffic woes, Norman asks residents to be considerate of others.
“Come on people don’t be rude. Don’t sit there knowingly blocking an intersection where, you’re driving from Liverpool to Brooklyn you can’t get there because that whole thing is snarled up. Just please be kind, please be respectful.”
*A previous version of this report did not reference the appropriate section of the Motor Vehicle Act. The story has been updated to properly reflect the traffic laws.
Region of Queens Administration Building. Photo Ed Halverson
After much community discussion and consultation, the Region of Queens new noise bylaw will remain virtually unchanged.
Region staff had proposed a long list of noises which would be subject to new regulations during daytime hours.
Mayor Darlene Norman says an ad hoc committee composed of members from all seven districts in Queens as well as the bylaw officer and CAO decided not to include that list in the new bylaw.
“The committee felt that noise throughout the day was not going to become part of this bylaw and therefore, all of those were thrown out,” said Norman.
The committee did extend quiet time in Queens by one hour, shifting the start from midnight to 11:00pm and continuing to end at 6:00am.
Norman says many of the noise concerns the committee hoped to address were either already covered by another level of government or were outside municipal jurisdiction.
For instance, shooting fireworks is covered under federal law and enforced by RCMP while loud mufflers and subwoofers in cars are the responsibility of the province.
“How can we enforce noisy exhausts when we are not allowed to stop vehicles?” asked Norman. “RCMP have that ability and RCMP also enforce the motor vehicle act.”
The committee did decide to up the fines for noise disturbances.
Currently, fines range from a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $1,000.
Under the proposed bylaw, the minimum is increased to $500 and the maximum fine jumps to $10,000.
“It was simply felt that $100 is not a significant enough deterrent for someone not to be creating a lot of noise during those quiet hours,” said Norman.
Anyone receiving the minimum fine will only be charged $350 if the fine is paid within 14 days.
Council approved first reading of the new bylaw at their last meeting.
Norman expects the noise bylaw will receive a second reading at a council session in late January.
A local racing organization is looking for help identifying the person responsible for setting fire to three cars.
At approximately 5:30pm Sunday night someone entered the track area of the Roughneck Offroad Racing Club destroying the vehicles and ransacking the canteen.
Club president Pam Inness-Westhaver says they’re hoping the public can provide information on who did it.
“We have a description of a vehicle. As of today, [we’re] waiting to see what the RCMP say on that. We have some tips on a person, a description of somebody coming out around that timeline but nothing has been 100 percent confirmed at this point,” said Inness-Westhaver.
Located off exit 20A on Highway 103, the track has been in operation for close to 30 years.
Inness-Westhaver says over the ten years their organization has been using the track for stock car and off-road races she’s seen the odd break-in or minor vandalism but never damage to this extent.
She’s says the cars that were lost were mainly being used for parts and the damage could’ve been much worse as a good deal of heavy equipment such as loaders and excavators were parked alongside the burned vehicles.
“Thankfully they picked three cars that, at one point had been owned by somebody else but now had just been left there for the track,” said Inness-Westhaver.
Fire crews were quick to respond and extinguish the flames.
Inness-Westhaver says the 50 members in their club come from all over the Maritimes to race at the track.
She says it’s fortunate people were in and out of the site that day preparing for races taking place this weekend when the fire was set.
“If somebody wouldn’t have been going up to paint our grandstands at that time, it’s almost frightening what would have happened ‘cause the cars are right by the woods,” said Inness-Westhaver. “There’s still enough fuel in them to make them explode.”
Inness-Westhaver says they’ve forwarded the information they have to investigators and are asking the public to come forward to RCMP with anything that can help identify the people responsible.
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.
Kids trick or treating during COVID-19 have more to think about than finding the house giving out the full-size chocolate bars.
Nova Scotia’s department of public health has released detailed guidelines to enjoy a safe Halloween.
Many of the rules are already familiar such as don’t go out if you are unwell, trick or treat with no more than 10 people from your close family or social group and maintain social distance between groups.
The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang saidone of the most important things to remember is to keep hands clean and watch where they go.
“We’re recommending instead of putting your hand on a doorknob or a doorbell, a light rap with your knuckles on the door. Both for kids getting treats and people giving out treats, we don’t want multiple hands going in a common bowl, so if you’re using a common bowl, use a pair of tongs or put out individual servings,” said Strang. “It’s important that we don’t have lots of hands going in the same place.”
Strang also says people should avoid trick or treating indoors but to wear a non-medical mask if you do.
The province’s chief medical officer of health is reminding kids to bring hand sanitizer to use often while they are out and to wash hands well before eating any candy.
COVID-19 isn’t the only concern people need to be aware of, and RCMP also released their Halloween safety guidelines.
They suggest a costume that is visible in the dark and to ensure any masks don’t obstruct a child’s vision.
Children trick or treating without an adult should have a set route planned and go with a buddy.
RCMP are advising drivers try to avoid residential areas, but if they must, they should plan a little more time for their route and drive slowly.
Dr. Strang reminds any adults planning to participate in Halloween parties that the regular gathering limits are still in place.
No more than 10 people can gather in a home, 50 people can physically distance at community events if they can maintain two metres distance and up to 200 can congregate at recognized businesses if social distancing rules can be met.
“A reminder that non-medical masks are required in indoor public places and Halloween masks don’t count unless it is a noon-medical mask that is covering your nose and mouth. And even if you’ve got great plans, if you’re feeling unwell stay the blazes home,” said Strang.
