Strait of Canso News

A community centre in Antigonish County is receiving some upgrades. The Havre Boucher and Area Cultural, Development and Recreation Association received a $33,000 grant to replace the roof of the Havre Boucher Community Centre, the Department of Communities Culture Tourism and Heritage said, noting that the centre serves as a central hub offering social, recreational and cultural opportunities for people of all ages. “The centre is the main piece of social infrastructure in the community and benefits the entire community,” said Hugh O’Neill, Treasurer of the Havre Boucher and Area Cultural, Development and Recreation Association. “It is very well used and to ensure continuity of use, we need to address building life-cycle issues. The facility was completed in 2006 and having experienced the wrath of nature in terms of two hurricanes, the roof has reached its end of life and needs to be replaced. This funding is extremely important to help us maintain this critical infrastructure. In addition, it will enable us to move forward with a roof-mounted solar project that is a joint initiative of all three levels of government.” The department said this community grant is part of a series of announcements taking place across the province. “The funding will help the association continue to enrich community life, build connections among residents and have a positive impact in the community,” added Greg Morrow, MLA for Guysborough-Tracadie.

An account of Bishop MacKinnon’s pastoral visit of 1861 to the Notre Dame de l’Assomption Convent in Arichat states that: “111 pupils, all arrayed in snow-white robes, afforded a highly enlightened audience the clearest proofs of their progress in refined female education.” The same account mentions the brothers of the Christian Schools as teaching the boys of the district, and notes that “both institutions are on a very permanent footing.” Another eventful episode in the story of the local nuns came in 1861 when Prince Alfred, 17-year-old son of Queen Victoria, visited Arichat twice, from June 27 to 29 and from October 26 to 30. On both occasions the sisters and students were invited to dine with his majesty on his ship the H.M.S. St. George. By 1863, Arichat is said to be “not far behind Halifax, the metropolis of Nova Scotia, in the great race for general prosperity.” For more, check out: https://lnkd.in/ePQt8V_g #nshistory #acadianhistory #catholichistory

The Congregation of Notre Dame was a previously well-funded women’s religious order created in France by Pierre Fourier and Alix Le Clerc, and was committed to education through the organization of the Catholic Church. Marguerite Bourgeoys joined the externe congregation following a great spiritual experience in 1640 and a long search for a place within the more conventional contemplative women’s religious communities. As Bourgeoys helped in Le Congregation de Notre Dame, she had a vision of a new kind of religious community for women. This new order took Mary, the mother of Jesus, as their role model and saw her in the Bible as a key figure along with Jesus and his apostles. Bourgeoys wanted the women of her new order to be active among those who needed their help and not simply cloistered in a convent waiting for the downtrodden to come to them. Ultimately, this vision, together with her experience in teaching and working in the Congregation of Notre Dame in Troyes, France and an invitation by Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve would inspire Bourgeoys to journey to New France and establish an educative/proselytizing order for women: Le Congregation de Notre Dame of Montreal, 1658. The Congregation received civil recognition in 1671 from King Louis XIV and finally was granted official status by the Catholic Church in 1698, some 40 years after its creation and only two years before the death of Marguerite Bourgeoys. The Congregation held an important role in the development of New France as it offered education to girls in their boarding school, watched over newly arrived womento the colony, and served as missionaries to the Aboriginal people. The community’s motherhouse has been based in Montreal for over 350 years. For more, go to: https://lnkd.in/ePQt8V_g #cnd #frenchhistory #catholichistory #nshistory #acadianhistory

The RCMP is investigating mischief complaints in Antigonish. Antigonish County District RCMP said they received a series of calls from town residents “involving homemade devices intended to puncture vehicle tires.” On Aug.13, RCMP officers said they responded to a report of mischief at a local business on James Street. “Upon arrival, officers learned that over the previous two weeks, homemade devices made to puncture tires had been placed in front of the tires of a parked vehicle on more than one occasion,” the RCMP said. “In the days since the initial report, five more incidents of this nature have been reported to the Antigonish County District RCMP. Investigators believe that there may also have been other unreported incidents.” As a precaution, the RCMP recommends that “drivers take a moment to verify there are no hazard present near their vehicle before driving.” The investigation is ongoing and the RCMP asks that anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity around vehicles, either in person or on surveillance footage, or has any other information to support the investigation, can contact Antigonish County District RCMP at 902-863-6500 or Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers. #nsrcmp #crimestoppers

Trees will be planted in communities across the Strait region. The Department of Natural Resources and Renewables said the projects are among 23 around the province that have been approved to date. In total, more than 570,000 trees will be planted this fall with about $974,000 in funding, the province noted. The first 23 Thriving Forests projects include Arisaig Provincial Park in Antigonish County; Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Inverness and Victoria counties; a private landowner in Margaree, Inverness County; Potlotek First Nation in Richmond County; the Saint Mary's River Association, which entails one project with six sites in Guysborough and Pictou counties and one project in Stillwater, Guysborough County; and the Strait Area Trails Association in Inverness County. “We are grateful to be part of the Thriving Forests program and for the commitment to further enhance our existing Forest of Hope trail in the community of Potlotek First Nation,” Veronica Bernard, organizer of the Forest of Hope in Potlotek First Nation stated. “This October, 1,000 trees will be planted during our Forest of Hope event, which will include 250 each of red spruce, white pine, red maple and red oak, which for us is a symbol of rebirth and regrowth.” #ForestofHope #Potlotek #ThrivingForests #dnrr

The RCMP is investigating two motor vehicle fatalities in the region. Richmond County District RCMP is investigating a fatal crash that occurred near Lynches River on Aug. 15, at approximately 2:40 p.m. Along with the police, volunteer fire departments, and Emergency Health Services responded to a report of a motorcycle crash on Highway 4. “RCMP officers learned that a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was travelling east on the highway when it left the road,” the RCMP said in a press release. “The driver and sole occupant of the motorcycle, a 62-year-old Sydney man, was transported to hospital by EHS and later pronounced deceased.” On Aug. 16 at approximately 12:05 a.m., Antigonish County District RCMP, volunteer fire departments, and EHS responded to a report of a collision near the 4000 block of Highway 4. “RCMP officers learned that a Dodge Caravan and a Honda Pilot were travelling in opposite directions when they collided,” the RCMP said. “The driver of the Dodge Caravan, a 41-year-old Antigonish woman, was transported by EHS to hospital and later pronounced deceased. Four passengers in this vehicle were also transported to hospital by EHS with non-life-threatening injuries.” The RCMP said a 58-year-old Afton woman, who was the driver and only occupant of the Honda Pilot, was pronounced dead at the scene. #nsrcmp #ehs #nspublicworks

The search is on for a missing man in Inverness County. The RCMP said 42-year-old Christoper (Chris) Jeffrey was last seen on Cenotaph Road in Glenora at around 6:34 p.m. on Aug. 17, Inverness County District RCMP stated. “Jeffrey is described as 6-feet, 191 lbs,” the RCMP said in a press release. “He has dark hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt.” Anyone with information on Jeffrey’s whereabouts is asked to contact Inverness County District RCMP at 902-625-2220 or Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers. #nsrcmp #crimestoppers #missing

Local municipalities and communities were among the 62 infrastructure improvement, innovation, and community development projects across Nova Scotia that will receive funding. The 2024-2025 grant recipients under the Beautification and Streetscaping Program includes the Town of Port Hawkesbury for waterfront enhancements, $25,000; the Village of St Peter's bench rejuvenation project, $16,000; the Municipality of the District of Victoria exterior facility beautification, $22,153; the Village of Baddeck Village flowers and waterfront beautification, $14,875; the Municipality of the County of Antigonish signage and beautification, $25,000; and the Municipality of the County of Inverness Destination 252 - Phase 1, $25,000. “We appreciate that the province recognizes the importance of maintaining and sustaining critical water and wastewater treatment infrastructure,” Jennifer MacDonald, Chair of the Village Commission with the Village of Baddeck. “This funding through the Provincial Capital Assistance Program will help us identify the challenges our systems currently face and ensure that capital projects can be planned appropriately.” Recipients for 2024-2025 under the Community Works Program include the Municipality of the District of St. Mary's Community Support Coordinator term position, $12,500; the Town of Port Hawkesbury summer recreation, $24,339; the Municipality of the County of Inverness Culture and Heritage Development Coordinator, $25,000; and the Municipality of the County of Inverness modernization, digitization of mapping assets, $25,000. For the fiscal year 2024-2025, the recipients of the Municipal Innovation Program include the Municipality of the County of Antigonish, the Town of Antigonish, and Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation Antigonish for the Paqtnkek Partnership, $75,000. #dmah #pcap #infrastructure

An Antigonish County man was charged in connection with what the RCMP is calling “hate motivated incidents” in Antigonish. On Aug. 12, the RCMP said 69-year-old Daniel Doiron of Antigonish was arrested in relation to the incidents. “Doiron has been charged with causing a disturbance and mischief motivated by bias, prejudice or hate,” the RCMP said in a press release. The RCMP said Doiron was released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in Antigonish Provincial Court on Oct. 16. On July 24, Antigonish County District RCMP said they received a report of a person “causing a disturbance to a group in a public park.” They said the incident took place the previous day. “Officers learned that a man was recording a group of women and children on a mobile device,” the RCMP said at the time. “When a woman in the group asked him to stop recording, he made threats and comments related to the perceived race and background of the group members. He left on foot and did not follow through on the threats.” The RCMP then received a call of mischief at a mosque. “On July 28, officers received a report that at approximately 9:30 a.m., a man was observed leaving garbage and urine at the entrance to a mosque in Antigonish,” the RCMP stated. The RCMP said it “takes incidents of hate with utmost seriousness and condemns these criminal acts.” “Based on the nature of the comments made and the acts at the mosque, investigators believe that both incidents were motivated by hate,” said the RCMP. “Based on witness statements, photos, and surveillance footage, officers believe the same man is involved in both incidents.” While thanking the public for their assistance with the investigation, the RCMP added that this “is not believed to be linked to a previous report of hate-motivated mischief in West River.”

Two people were arrested and charged after drugs, cash, and weapons were seized at residences in Antigonish. On Aug. 2, the Antigonish County District RCMP SCEU, with assistance from RCMP Police Dog Services and Antigonish County District RCMP, executed search warrants at two residences on Martin Street in Antigonish. “The searches were the result of an ongoing investigation into suspected drug trafficking,” the RCMP noted. At the first residence, the RCMP said officers arrested two people and seized “what is believed to be dried psilocybin mushrooms,” as well as “a quantity of cash and drug paraphernalia.” At the second residence, the RCMP said officers safely one person and seized “cocaine, a quantity of cash, two cell phones and a machete.” The RCMP said 73-year-old Anthony Upshaw and 36-year-old Jerome Dorsey, both of Antigonish, were each charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and trafficking cocaine. They were released on conditions and are scheduled to appear in Antigonish Provincial Court on Oct. 30, the RCMP said, adding that “the third person arrested was released without charges.” #rcmp #sceu #drugtrafficking