Death of 26-year-old father-to-be ruled a homicide, girlfriend speaks out, says attack was random
The death of a 26-year-old Halifax man last weekend has been ruled a homicide, police say.
In a news release on Wednesday, Halifax Regional Police identified the victim as Davelle Rodney Vance Desmond.
Twila Grosse said no decision yet on her role with African Nova Scotian Affairs, joining caucus [AUDIO]
Twila Grosse won Tuesday’s byelection, making her the first person of African descent to be elected for the provincial PC party.
The next sitting of the legislative assembly will also be the first in Nova Scotia’s history where MLAs of African descent will represent all of the parties in the legislature.
At her campaign announcement event in June, Grosse and Premier Tim Houston said they had had some preliminary discussions about her taking on the role of minister with African Nova Scotian Affairs. In an interview with the Examiner on Thursday, Grosse reiterated that no decision has been made on that matter.
“Now my focus is, in terms of being oriented, being set up as an MLA, getting going with regards to trying to seek solutions, and trying to get up to speed on some of the various issues and some of the things that need to be done in the riding,” Grosse said.
“I’m sure at some point that discussion will be had with regards to moving forward and sort of how I can contribute to our government.”
Former Preston MLAs analyze byelection results [VIDEO]
YouTube: “August 8, 2023 – The Eastern Shore Cooperator is pleased to provide live broadcast coverage of the Nova Scotia Provincial Preston Riding By-Election. The live online broadcast will be […]
Dartmouth mother of two felt “bullied” into signing fixed-term lease in Ocean Breeze
When Destiny Beals moved into her apartment in Ocean Breeze, she expected to be able to stay and live with her family for a few years.
According to Beals, Universal Property Management, a realty group managing leasing agreements in Ocean Breeze, told her and other residents not to worry about the details of their fixed-term leases, and that construction would not impact them for years to come.
“It felt like I was being bullied and pressured,” Beals said in an interview. “We are literally just being thrown to the wolves right now. We have no recourse.”
New union for Black artists launches in Nova Scotia to fight for fair wages, more protections
The founder and president of a new union for Black artists that launched this week says its mandate is to support Black talent and fight for fair wages, unlike local unions from the past that she says were “flawed from the beginning.”
Tara Taylor said the Union of Black Artists Society (UBAS) will have collective agreements for artists in theater, film, television, music, and fashion.
“It’s for anyone that is interested in the industry. So, either you join with an interest and we train you to do what you want, or you join with credits and then we put you to work. It should be as simple as that,” Taylor said.
Justice Institute alleges systemic racism at Nova Scotia’s Crown prosecutor’s office
Systemic racism plagues the Crown prosecutor’s office in Nova Scotia, and the office’s efforts to address the problem have only made the situation worse, say critics.
Robert Wright is the executive director of the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute, an organization made up of Black lawyers and legal experts whose mandate is to support Black Nova Scotians in contact with the law and to address racism and overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system.
In an open letter on behalf of the Justice Institute and in the interview with the Examiner, Wright said the institute’s correspondence with government officials and leadership at the Crown prosecutor’s office, formally known as the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), leaves them doubtful their concerns about systemic racism at the PPS are being heard and addressed.
Angela Simmonds talks leaving politics with CBC’s Portia Clark [AUDIO]
[AUDIO] – Angela Simmonds was elected as a Liberal MLA in 2021 to represent the Preston riding. She left about halfway into her first term, after running for the leadership of the party. Now, she’s taking on a new challenge! Angela Simmonds talks with Portia about her journey.
Aired: July 5, 2023
Black man threatened at gunpoint by Halifax cop in 2021 sues HRM
A Black man threatened at gunpoint by police on video in 2021 is suing the municipality, alleging the officer discriminated upon him, assaulted him, and violated his Charter rights.
Full article available @: Halifax Examiner (HalifaxExaminer.ca)
Nova Scotia Black artist, historian hopes Secret Codes quilt exhibit inspires younger generations
An artist and Black historian says he hopes an exhibit of African Nova Scotian quilts inspires a new generation to take up “a dying craft in the Black community.”
David Woods is the curator of the exhibit titled The Secret Codes, which is currently on display at the Dalhousie Art Gallery in Halifax. The exhibit features works from over two dozen predominately African Nova Scotian painters and quilters.
While the exhibit runs until Aug. 6, the gallery will host other events for Emancipation Day on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2. Those events will include a curator’s talk, a guided tour with Heather Cromwell of the Vale Quilters Association whose work is featured in the exhibit, and a “family quilts gathering” where people are invited to bring in their quilts to share stories about them.
Women with a Vision: North Preston mother continues annual celebration in honour of late daughter [VIDEOS]
Vivian Cain’s daughter, Latoya, died in 2020, but it’s her daughter’s memory that keeps Cain motivated to continue planning and organizing the annual North Preston Day Celebration. The event took place last Saturday, the 16th year for the celebration.
“It was so hard when she passed,” Cain said in an interview. “It’s still hard.”
“I worked hard because I didn’t want to think about her, and I just kept busy, busy, busy. That kept my mind so that I wouldn’t have to, you know, be crying and… It helped me.”