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Natalie Chiasson

About Natalie Chiasson

Natalie Chiasson is a Halifax-based multimedia news reporter with a background in Journalism and Visual Arts & Design. She is passionate about local news, culture, photography, and community storytelling. Reach her at ChiassonN@radioabl.ca.

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A seat at the table: Souls Harbour serves 2,000 Thanksgiving meals across N.S.

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Souls Harbour Rescue Mission is serving Thanksgiving dinner to thousands of Nova Scotians at nine locations across the province over the holiday weekend.

“This is our 15th year of doing Thanksgiving dinners at Souls Harbour, and we have two new locations this year – one in Dartmouth and one in Yarmouth,” said Michelle Porter, CEO of Souls Harbour Rescue Mission. “We’re serving 2,000 meals, an increase of more than 66% over last year.”

Volunteers serving guests at Souls Harbour. PHOTO: NATALIE CHIASSON/ACADIA BROADCASTING

The new drop-in centres served their first holiday meals earlier this spring during Easter celebrations.

“People love these events,” boasts Porter. “They make you feel like you’re part of something bigger and special. Everything from the turkey dinner right to being able to take home some treats.

“The vibe at all the locations is just one of a celebration.”

Volunteer serving hot meals to guests at Souls Harbour. PHOTO: NATALIE CHIASSON/ACADIA BROADCASTING

Porter said each location is serving the same menu, but puts its own spin on the meal by choosing one non-traditional side dish.

“I know the volunteer department is in overdrive on weeks like this, and to top it off, we have a volunteer drive at Mission Mart for the whole month of October.”

She said donations help make the dinners possible. Monetary donations can be made through the organization’s website, at any Souls Harbour location, or at Mission Mart in Bayer’s Lake.

Volunteer spending time with guests at Souls Harbour. PHOTO: NATALIE CHIASSON/ACADIA BROADCASTING

“Mission Mart is our thrift store, it’s our social enterprise, and so it’s convenient for people who want to come and do a bit of shopping but also drop off their donation,” Porter explained.

For Thanksgiving, Souls Harbour is also collecting special donations for what it calls “a little happy pack” that guests receive on their way out the door.

“That is a chocolate bar, a bag of chips, and a can of pop.”

Volunteers handing out “happy packs” at Souls Harbour. PHOTO: NATALIE CHIASSON/ACADIA BROADCASTING

At the organization’s Cunard Street location in Halifax on Friday, the room was packed with people as the smell of turkey and gravy drifted from the kitchen and guests were served generous plates of hot food.

Porter said Souls Harbour added an extra personal touch by including a greeting for each guest at their table.

Placemat with personal greeting written by Nova Scotians for Souls Harbour guests. PHOTO: NATALIE CHIASSON/ACADIA BROADCASTING

“We have had people from across Nova Scotia giving their greetings to all of our guests. Every table is set with this amazing placemat with a personalized greeting, and I think that just adds to the specialness of Thanksgiving Day.

“It’s a real milestone for Souls Harbor to be able to help that many folks.”

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What’s open and closed on Thanksgiving in Ontario

Most Ontario retailers will be closed on Thanksgiving Monday.

Retail and Shopping

  • Major grocery chains, including Sobeys and Superstore, will be closed, except in Kenora and Fort Frances where Safeway and Walmart will be open
  • LCBO and Beer Stores across Ontario will be closed
  • Shopping malls like Intercity Shopping Centre in Thunder Bay will be closed.
  • Some smaller convenience stores, gas stations, and pharmacies may be open with reduced hours.

Municipal Services

  • In Ontario, city halls and other government offices are generally closed on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Thunder Bay Transit, Dryden’s TTC, and Kenora’s The Wave microtransit service will operate on a holiday service schedule.
  • All banks, post offices, and public libraries are closed.
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What’s open and closed on Thanksgiving in N.S.

Most Nova Scotia retailers will be closed this Thanksgiving Monday.

Retail and Shopping

  • Major grocery chains, including Sobeys and Atlantic Superstore, will be closed, as well as all NSLC locations.
  • Malls like the Halifax Shopping Centre, Mic Mac Mall, Dartmouth Crossing, Scotia Square, and Sunnyside Mall will also close for the holiday.
  • Smaller convenience stores, gas stations, and some pharmacies may remain open with reduced hours.

Municipal Services

  • If Monday is your garbage day, it will be picked up in advance on Saturday, Oct. 10, according to the HRM. The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility and the Materials Recovery Facility are open regular hours Saturday, but closed Monday.
  • Municipal offices and customer service centres across the province will be closed, and 311 contact centres in Halifax will only take urgent calls.
  • Libraries will be closed.
  • Halifax Transit buses and ferries will operate on a holiday schedule. There is no Woodside ferry service. Other municipal transit systems across Nova Scotia will also operate on holiday schedules.
  • There will be no mail delivery or pickup by Canada Post, and banks will be closed.

Recreation and Attractions

  • The Bluenose Ghosts Festival at Alderney Landing in Dartmouth runs until Sunday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. There is a haunted house, an escape room, spiritual readings, and more family friendly activities.

Parking

  • On-street paid parking in Halifax will be free on Monday, though drivers must still follow all other posted rules.
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IWK opens new clinical space for perinatal care in north end Halifax

A new larger space in the IWK is now open in the north end of Halifax to transition patients of the Perinatal Clinic (PNC) into the community in an effort to make care more accessible and integrated.

The IWK says the new clinic in Richmond Yards has five additional exam rooms, an additional intake room, and more pregnancy and diabetes spaces.

There is a range of services including primary maternity care and high risk/tertiary obstetrical care. The care team includes perinatal nurses, physicians, clinical nutritionists, physiotherapists, social workers, and other specialists.

Several other specialty clinics are included that care for higher risk pregnancies, such as Diabetes in Pregnancy Clinic, Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic, and Newcomer’s with Diabetes Clinic.

The Adult Infusion Clinic, which provides iron and WinRho IV infusions for referred obstetrical and gynecology patients, has also moved to the new space with additional chairs.

The clinic is now accepting patients.

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Impaired driver arrested following large propane leak, damages in New Minas

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A significant propane leak in New Minas led to the arrest of an impaired driver, according to Kings District RCMP.

Last Tuesday, Sept. 29, officers responded to a report of a propane tank leaking in a busy parking lot on Commercial Street. RCMP initially attended the scene to assist fire crews with road closures and evacuations, but further investigation revealed what had happened.

A propane truck had filled a large tank and then drove away with the hose still attached, causing significant damage. As the truck left the area, the hose struck another vehicle in the lot. The driver of that vehicle reported injuries and was treated at the scene by EHS.

Investigators contacted the company that owns the propane truck, and the driver returned to the scene. Officers noted signs of alcohol impairment.

The driver was taken to the Kings District RCMP detachment in New Minas, where he provided breath samples that registered 180 mg% and 170 mg%, resulting in a failed test.

The 46-year-old North Kentville man was later released and is scheduled to appear in court in November on impaired driving-related charges.

Fire crews contained the leak and reported that no bystanders or first responders were injured.

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Two more European connections set to disappear from Halifax Stanfield

Halifax Stanfield says travelers will still have a number of international travel options despite upcoming changes to its European route network.

Spokesperson for the airport, Leah Batstone, says WestJet plans to suspend its Halifax-to-Copenhagen and Halifax-to-Madrid services for summer 2027, both of which were added earlier this year as part of the airline’s expanded transatlantic offering.

The route changes come as Icelandair prepares to end its Halifax service later this month, reducing the number of direct flights between the region and Europe.

Even so, Halifax Stanfield says it continues to be one of North America’s most internationally connected airports, with nonstop service to 12 international destinations available from Halifax.

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Middleton man charged after gun threats

A man is facing firearms and uttering threats-related charges following an investigation by the Southwest Street Crime Enforcement Unit.

RCMP say they were contacted last Sunday, Sept. 27, after receiving a report that the man had made threats during a phone call.

As the investigation progressed, officers executed a search warrant at a home in Middleton on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and arrested the suspect without incident.

Police also seized a rifle and ammunition during the search.

The accused was later released on conditions and is scheduled to return to court later this month.

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Carleton County man caught stealing vehicles

A 40-year-old Carleton County man is facing charges following an RCMP investigation into a string of vehicle thefts.

Police say they had been investigating several thefts reported since mid-August.

The investigation led officers to a suspect last Wednesday, Sept. 23, when the man was arrested without incident.

RCMP have not released additional details about the charges, but say the case remains a reminder for vehicle owners to take steps to protect their property.

Police are encouraging residents to lock their vehicles, remove valuables from sight, and take other precautions to help prevent theft.

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Driver charged with stunting after OPP catch them going 128km/h in a 70 zone

Nipigon OPP are reminding motorists to slow down after charging a driver with stunt driving.

Police say a Brampton resident was stopped after travelling nearly 60 kilometres an hour over the posted speed limit. They were going 128km/h in a 70km/h zone.

As a result, the driver’s licence was suspended and the vehicle was impounded.

Officers say excessive speed puts everyone on the road at risk and that saving a few seconds behind the wheel is never worth the potential consequences.

This follows similar charges involving a 29-year-old Brampton driver on Sept. 30.

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19-year-old facing drug trafficking charges

A 19-year-old from Hamilton is facing drug trafficking offences after a multi-unit investigation in the Rainy River District.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say members of its canine unit worked alongside officers from several detachments during the investigation.

On Wednesday, Sept. 23, police seized a quantity of suspected drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl.

The accused faces charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

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