Magazine

Kentville’s Pumpkin People HAVE RETURNED

One of the Annapolis Valley’s most recognizable fall traditions is about to take over Kentville. The annual Kentville Pumpkin People Festival begins Saturday, October 3, with more than 300 pumpkin-headed characters expected to appear in displays throughout town. Each October, volunteers transform pumpkins, clothing and props into elaborate scenes spread around Kentville, creating a free outdoor attraction that draws visitors from around the Valley and beyond. The displays are designed so residents and visitors can tour them throughout the month, […]

October 2, 2026 1

News

Canadian Astronaut Joshua Kutryk Set for Six-Month Mission to Space

Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk is preparing to leave Earth today for a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station. The 44-year-old Canadian is flying aboard SpaceX Crew-13 with two American astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut. Kutryk will conduct scientific experiments during the mission, including Canadian research examining how the human body adapts to extended periods in microgravity. His flight also continues Canada’s decades-long participation in the International Space Station program through technology including Canadarm2 and Dextre. Federal Industry Minister Mélanie […]

October 1, 2026 1

New 0 Nova Scotia EV Levy Takes Effect Today

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New $500 Nova Scotia EV Levy Takes Effect Today

Electric-vehicle owners renewing their registration in Nova Scotia will begin seeing a new charge today. The province’s EV road levy officially takes effect October 1. Owners of fully electric passenger vehicles, light trucks and vans will pay $500 on top of their normal two-year vehicle registration fee. Plug-in hybrid owners will pay $250. Conventional hybrids are exempt. The province says gasoline taxes help fund road construction and maintenance, while fully electric vehicles don’t contribute through fuel taxes and plug-in hybrids […]

October 1, 2026 1

News

Kentville Marks Treaty Day and Beginning of Mi’kmaq History Month

KENTVILLE — Kentville is marking Treaty Day today with a ceremony recognizing the beginning of Mi’kmaq History Month in Nova Scotia. A Mi’kmaq History Month flag-raising ceremony was at 12:30 p.m. at Kentville Town Hall as communities across the province recognize October 1 as Treaty Day. This year carries particular significance. It marks 40 years since Grand Chief Donald Marshall Sr. proclaimed October 1 as Treaty Day, as well as the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of 1726. Treaty Day […]

October 1, 2026 2

News

Emergency departments work to recognize sepsis sooner

Nova Scotia Health says emergency teams are working to identify sepsis earlier and make treatment more consistent across rural and regional hospitals. In a September 29 update, the health authority described screening patients for possible sepsis when they arrive, standardizing care and improving information for patients and families. Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening response to infection. Northern Zone teams are also reviewing patient cases and results to identify improvements. Nova Scotia Health says the work aims to help staff recognize […]

October 1, 2026 1

News

Donation helps keep four Valley libraries operating into 2027

Four Annapolis Valley library branches are continuing service beyond September after a donation from Nova Scotia author Rachel Reid and community fundraising. Annapolis Valley Regional Library says Reid’s $300,000 contribution, together with money raised at a September 12 fundraiser, will support roughly seven additional months of service at Hantsport, Kentville, Middleton and Port Williams. The library system begins drawing on that funding October 1. The extension provides temporary support following earlier closure plans, but does not establish permanent funding for […]

October 1, 2026 2

Nova Scotia’s minimum wage rises to an hour

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Nova Scotia’s minimum wage rises to $17 an hour

Nova Scotia’s minimum wage increased to $17 an hour on October 1, up 25 cents from the rate introduced in April. The province says about 31,000 workers earn minimum wage, representing roughly 6.5 per cent of the workforce. The increase follows a unanimous recommendation from the Minimum Wage Review Committee, which includes employer and employee representatives. For someone working 40 hours a week at minimum wage, the latest increase amounts to an additional $10 a week before deductions.

October 1, 2026 1

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Halifax’s NATO Connection Deepens as BDC Joins Defence-Tech Investor Network

HALIFAX/CANADA — Canada's federal development bank is joining a NATO defence-technology investment network — and Halifax has a direct connection to the initiative. The Business Development Bank of Canada has been accepted into the investor network supporting NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, known as DIANA. BDC says it is the first Canadian investor to join the network, which connects technology companies with investors and potential defence markets across NATO countries. Halifax hosts DIANA's North American regional office, […]

September 21, 2026 5

News

Bank of Canada Governor Speaks in Halifax Today

HALIFAX — Canada's top central banker is in Halifax today for a closely watched speech on the state of the economy. Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem is addressing the Halifax Partnership at the Halifax Convention Centre. The Bank says Macklem's remarks will focus on economic developments, with a question-and-answer session and news conference following the speech. The appearance comes as Canadians continue dealing with inflation around three per cent, elevated energy costs and economic uncertainty surrounding the country's trade […]

September 21, 2026 1