HRSB employees in alleged mouth-taping incident no longer working for board
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 16:50:48
The Halifax Regional School Board says two employees with the Excel after-school program accused of taping a child's mouth shut are no longer employed by the board.
Board spokesman Doug Hadley says it has wrapped up its investigation into last week's alleged incident at Bedford South School.
He would not specify if the employees resigned or if they were fired.
The police investigation is still underway and board officials aren't commenting until it's complete.
Kentville man charged with child luring
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 16:47:32
A 26-year-old man is facing charges in connection with a police investigation into alleged online child luring.
Police say they searched a Kentville home yesterday after receiving a complaint that a man was trying to lure a child for sexual purposes over the internet.
Officers seized computers and other computer-related items and arrested a man at the scene.
Andrew Christopher Barrett is charged with possession of child pornography and luring a child.
Suspicious package closes Inglis, turns out to be concrete
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 16:46:36
Another suspicious package forced the closure of another Halifax street for a while this morning.
Inglis Street was shut down between Young Avenue and Maclean Street around 10 a.m. while police investigated.
The street was re-opened about half-an-hour later when officers determined the package was a cooler full of concrete.
Police say the cooler was left out by an engineering firm testing the quality of their concrete in various environments.
They add that police will work with the company in future to ensure similar testing doesn't cause unnecessary public concern and police response.
Police to increase presence in Point Pleasant Park
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 16:45:16
Halifax police say they're stepping up patrols in Point Pleasant Park.
A police news release says the park's lower parking lot is a popular meeting spot for car enthusiasts on Sunday evenings.
Police say people are gathering to watch or participate in vehicle stunts but there have also been reports of dangerous driving, drinking, vandalism and littering.
They say it's also keeping others at the park from using the lot.
Starting this Sunday evening, police will be monitoring the lower parking lot.
Mobile video surveillance will also be used.
Police say drivers will be ticketed if they're caught committing any infractions.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau visits Halifax
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 16:43:47
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is in Halifax today.
He began his day with a meet and greet at the Scotia Square food court over the noon-hour before heading for Dartmouth High School where he spoke to the students and answered a few questions.
This evening, Trudeau will speak at a rally with provincial Liberal leader Stephen McNeil at Pier 21.
Meanwhile, the Harper Conservatives are once again taking aim at the Montreal-area MP.
In statement issued today, Defence Minister Peter McKay attacked the Liberal Party's record and Trudeau's inexperience, while touting Tory successes.
N.S. tourism strategy to target first-time visitors
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 16:42:20
The Nova Scotia Tourism Agency's new five-year tourism strategy will target first-time visitors to the province.
Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Graham Steele released the plan today, at the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia annual general meeting at White Point Beach Resort.
The strategy includes a new marketing campaign and branding for the province.
The Nova Scotia Tourism Agency has already started to implement many aspects of the long-term strategy, such as a new tourism brand and marketing campaign.
Tourism in Nova Scotia is a $2 billion industry, providing 24,000 jobs across the province.
Canadian Hurricane Centre predicts "active" season
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 16:41:26
The Canadian Hurricane Centre is calling for another active season, continuing a 15-year period of high hurricane activity.
An unusually warm tropical Atlantic Ocean is one of the factors behind the forecast.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States is predicting a 70 per cent likelihood of 13 to 20 named Atlantic storms.
NOAA predicts seven to 11 of them could reach hurricane strength and three to six could become major storms.
Hurricane season begins June 1.
Accident and standoff blocks rush hour traffic
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 08:14:55
A high-speed police chase on Highway 111 took a bizarre turn this morning. The suspect fled from his vehicle and climbed up an 18 metre high electrical tower. He held police off for a couple of hours before they finally talked him into coming down.
The speeding car was first spotted on the Circ, or newly named Highway of Heroes, around 3:00 o'clock near Micmac Mall. Minutes later, the driver lost control and rolled the car near the Victoria road ramps. That made a mess of rush hour traffic heading to the MacKay bridge this morning.
The man is facing numerous charges in court.
Teen confinement case
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 07:57:46
The mother of his victim wants 48 year old David James Leblanc to suffer in prison.
Leblanc pleaded guilty yesterday in Bridgewater court to kidnapping, confining and sexually assaulting a 16 year old boy at a cabin in Upper Chelsea last fall. The victim's mother said seeing LeBlanc in court for the first time was difficult and she wants him to suffer. She said her son, who can't be identified, is trying to put the incident behind him and she's glad he won't have to relive the abuse through a trial.
LeBlanc also pleaded guilty to making and distributing child pornography as well as sexual interference in a separate case involving two boys, aged five and two.
The Crown says it will seek between eight to 12 years in prison at a sentencing hearing June 14.
Appeal set against massive wind farm
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 07:57:26
The Utility and Review Board will hear an appeal against the massive South Canoe Wind farm near New Ross.
A community group, Friends of South Canoe Lake, is appealing Chester council's approval of the $200 million project saying it's too close to homes in the area between New Ross and Vaughn. Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Nova Scotia Power and Oxford Frozen Foods want to build 34 turbines, enough to power 32,000 homes.
The Review Board will hold two days of hearings beginning Wednesday the 30th in New Ross.
Child abduction attempt
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 07:56:55
Police are investigating a report of a man who approached a boy near South Woodside Elementary School in Dartmouth yesterday.
An 11 year old boy was approached around noon by a man in a black SUV who invited him to get into the car. The boy refused and the driver took off. The student told staff at the school when he got there and they called police.
The man is described as white, with short gray hair, a small patch of gray hair on his chin and hazel colored eyes. There was no clothing description.
Anyone with information is asked to call police or crimestoppers.
Minister wants crackdown on workplace safety violations
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 07:56:33
The labour minister is planning to beef up enforcement of workplace safety regulations. Frank Corbett wants a special prosecutor designated for workplace safety violations within a month. Corbett says this is a priority for the government...to have someone focussing solely on workplace safety.
His comments come after the deaths of two people at worksites in the city in less than a week...one from electrocution and the other in a fall. Corbett says his department is working on a workplace safety strategy, although he couldn't say when it would be ready.
Minister agrees with child welfare recommendations
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 07:56:01
The Community Services minister says she will accept all of the auditor general's latest recommendations dealing with the child welfare system. Denise Peterson-Rafuse agrees with Jacques Lapointe that some children in care aren't monitored as regularly as they should be. But she says urgent cases are dealt with immediately.
Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie says the Dexter Government hasn't made child welfare a priority.
Minister rejects call for beer in grocery stores
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 07:55:34
Finance Minister Maureen MacDonald has no plans to change liquor laws after Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie called for the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores. MacDonald says she sees no reason to expand the sale of alcohol, adding that the previous Conservative Government of John Hamm already concluded that the current system best serves the interests of taxpayers.
Baillie issued a statement saying allowing grocery and convenience stores to sell beer and wine would help sustain stores in rural communities. He also pointed out rules governing the sale of alcohol have changed little since the '30s.
Student drug use
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 07:55:05
A new survey on drug use says students in four selected grades in the province were most likely to try alcohol over drugs last year.
49% of the over 3,000 students surveyed in grades 7, 9, 10 and 12 told the researchers they used alcohol last year while just under 35% smoked marijuanna. Less than that smoked cigarettes.
Also part of the survey were questions on suicide. Almost one in five said they seriously considered suicide in 2012.
The chief of psychiatry at the IWK, Dr. Kathleen Pajer, says these findings shows it is important for parents to communicate with their children.
Old school...new name
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 07:54:41
The old Charles P. Allen High School in Bedford is getting new students and a new name in the fall. The high school students will have a brand new school and C.P.Allen will become a junior high known as Rocky Lake Junior High School, housing students from Bedford Junior High and Bedford South.
Herd on the big screen again
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 07:52:09
Mooseheads fans are getting one last chance to see the Herd on the big screen.
The Moose take to the ice in Sunday's Memorial Cup final in Saskatoon. Fans here at home are invited to watch the live broadcast at the Grand Parade, beginning at 8 p.m. Seating will not be provided, so you're encouraged to bring your own chair.
Senator Duffy speaks
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 07:51:30
Senator Mike Duffy stopped dodging reporters yesterday and spoke about his troubles on Parliament Hill. Duffy told them he intends to keep his senate seat and he looks forward to an open inquiry into the expense scandal that forced him out of the Conservative caucas. He also said he didn't know whether Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in the loop regarding the $90,000 cheque given to him by Nigel Wright, Harper's former Chief of Staff.
SPORTS
By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-24 07:50:59
NHL Playoffs...the Rangers avoided a sweep beating the Bruins 4-3 in overtime. Boston leads their Eastern Conference semi-final three games to one. The defending Stanley Cup champions are back in front in their Western semi. Johnathon Quick made 24 saves as the Kings shut down the Sharks 3-0...and took a three games to two lead. Jimmy Howard got the shutout as the Red Wings blanked the Black Hawks 2-0. Detroit leads that one three games to one.
Patrick Roy is back with the Colorado Avalanche as coach and vice-president of hockey operations.
At the Memorial Cup...London beat Saskatoon 6-1 to move into a semi-final today against the Portland Winterhawks. The winner will play the Mooseheads Sunday for the Memorial Cup.
In baseball...Blue Jays bats came alive in a 12-6 win over the Orioles in Toronto. The Red Sox were hammered 12-3 by Cleveland.
In Golf...Ryan Palmer missed the course record by one shot, firing an 8 under 62 in the first round at the Colonial in Fort Worth. Canadians David Hearn and Graham DeLaet are two shots behind heading into today's second round.
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