Cape Breton is set to get a new pump park. Jamie Battiste the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and a member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, announced a 75,000 -dollar investment through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund for Cape Breton.

The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The money will allow Cape Breton to construct a pump park. The park will feature small humps, and banked turns for Pedal Bikes, Skateboards, Scooters, Rollerblades, and Wheelchairs.

Users can ride the track by pumping their bodies up and down to gain momentum and speed. Pump tracks have become more popular in parks around the world among users of all skill levels.

If you’re heading out this holiday season, you will want to give yourself some extra time if you’re traveling Highway 104.

The westbound lane about one kilometer west of the James River, will be reduced to one lane because of twinning work that will continue until 2023.

Signs are in place and drivers are encouraged to use caution.

The highly transmissible Omicron has had people scrambling for rapid test kits not only in the Province but here in the Quad Counties as well.

Libraries in the Quad Counties that had the kits have now all run out. Staff at all Quad County libraries kindly ask you to stop calling in regards to rapid test kits.

No word as of yet when more will become available. If you want to book a COVID-19 testing site here are some options.

Antigonish Market Square, 149 Church St. Unit 686

• Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

15763 Central Ave, Inverness

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Port Hawkesbury – Causeway Shopping Centre

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All places listed are by appointment only, for a complete list please visit Visit a COVID-19 testing site | Nova Scotia Health Authority (nshealth.ca)

The Christmas season is right around the corner, and with that New Glasgow police are kicking off their “Lock it or Lose it” campaign.

As vehicles are left unlocked thieves see it as an opportunity to see your valuables especially if it’s in plain sight.

Last year during the holiday season police say over a dozen vehicles were had valuables stolen, with a majority of them unlocked.

Constable Ken MacDonald says valuables left out in the open such as cameras, laptops, shopping bags, presents, gifts, money and other valuables are the most stolen.

MacDonald says locking your vehicle and hiding your valuables can go a long way in stopping this kind of crime.

With COVID-19 continuing to climb, Antigonish County is holding a pop-up clinic tomorrow from 3 pm until 6.

The clinic is taking place at the St.FX University Health Centre (Bloomfield Centre) and is for adults and children aged six months, who feel they have either new or worsening respiratory symptoms, and don’t feel they need emergency care.

You’re asked to arrive 5 minutes before your appointment time bringing your health card and stay in your vehicle until your appointment time.

Appointment booking times over the phone are only available for one hour before the clinic opens over the phone by calling 902-870-7008, there are no options to leave a message.

People who have tested negative or are unsure of their status can attend the clinic.

The Nova Scotia Public Health Unit will be conducting testing for COVID-19 at St. Andrew’s Consolidated School in Antigonish today from 11 am until 4.

The testing comes after COVID exposures were reported on December 10th, 14th, and 15th.

Testing is free and open to all students, staff, and families of the school.

Rapid COVID-19 tests are available at the People’s Place Library at 283 Main Street in Antigonish.

The tests are available in limited supply and are given out by the number of people living in your household.

It’s important to use the rapid tests right away as they expire on December 26th.

More tests will become available in the coming weeks.

Nova Scotia’s Public Health Unit will be once again offering drop-in COVID-19 clinics.

Starting today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Keating Centre at StFX.

The vaccine clinic is focusing on first and second shots of the Pfizer vaccine for ages 5-11 and 12 plus

Appointments can be booked over the phone by calling 1-833-797-7772 or by dropping in.

A Sydney man appeared in Provincial court yesterday. 72-year-old Francis William Halloway was charged with Possession for Trafficking after Cape Breton Regional Police seized $10,000 worth of drugs from his residence.

Officers executed a search warrant under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and found 3 ounces of Cocaine and 12 cartons of
unstamped cigarettes and cash. Halloway was arrested and held for court and charged with Possession of Trafficking in Cocaine, Oxycodone, and Ritalin, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Obstruction of Justice.

Further charges are pending under the Revenue Act relating to the unstamped tobacco.

The Canso Lions Club has supported the Eastern Memorial Hospital in Canso for over 50 years.

The hospital staff and doctors have identified the need for a portable ultrasound machine for patient care.

A $10,000 donation, which is one of the largest donations the club has ever given out is going towards an Ultrasound machine for the Eastern Memorial Hospital.

The Lions will be working with the hospital foundation to reach its goal of $60,000.

If you want to support the Lions Club and help them reach their goal, a flyer in your mail will soon inform you on how you can support the project.