Listen to Tantramar Report for the following stories:

Calling for more climate focus in 2022 budget

Councillor Sabine Dietz wants the town of Sackville to set its sights a little higher in terms of reducing greenhouse gasses and building infrastructure to withstand the increased risks associated with climate change. Dietz has made a detailed proposal to adjust the 2022 budget and make room for a contingency fund to make town projects more climate friendly. On today’s Tantramar Report, we chat with Dietz about her proposal.

Westcock railway crossing closure leads to 50 km detour Thursday

The railway crossing at Wood Point Road leading into Westcock will be closed Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., so that CN can replace the crossing. The closed crossing will mean a detour of up to 50 kilometres for residents of Westcock, British Settlement, Wood Point and beyond. CN says its received many complaints about the crossing surface, and also has work to do on the rails to either side. Check out the web story here.

COVID-19 update: no new deaths, lower daily case numbers

For the first time in two weeks, the province reported no new deaths from COVID-19. And there’s more good news. Tuesday marked the second day of daily new case numbers in the low twenties. Just 21 new cases were reported Tuesday, with just two new cases in Zone 1.

But still rather worrying is the fact that the origins of all 21 cases reported Tuesday are still under investigation, meaning the new cases were not already known to be close contacts of previous cases, or had recently travelled.

There are now 521 active cases province-wide, and 201 in Zone 1.

The provinicial COVID-19 update for Oct. 26. Photo courtesy of the Government of New Brunwick.

Halloween guidelines depend on 'circuit breaker' status

Sackville kids are headed for another COVID-19 Halloween this Sunday night, and the jury’s still out on exactly what that will mean. The province released its guidelines last weekend, asking that kids in circuit breaker areas wear a mask (not the scary kind) and follow the one household rule when going outside trick-or-treating.

For the rest of the province, the guidelines ask that kids stay in their household-plus-20 bubbles while collecting candy and showing off their costumes.

Sackville’s circuit-breaker status was extended last week until this Friday, and so the specific guidelines for Sackville kids will depend on whether the province extends it again later this week. We’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, check chmafm.com for more details on the guidelines.

Canada Post hiring and training to fill staff shortage

Canada Post says the hours at the Sackville post office will be back to normal once the crown corporation hires and trains new staff. That should happen in the coming weeks, according to a spokesperson. The post office moved to reduced hours at the beginning of the pandemic, and has been closing even earlier on occasion due to staff shortages. Canada Post says in the meantime, full postal services are available at Hirtle’s Variety in Middle Sackville. Check out the web story here.

Rapid test distribution continues today in Port Elgin

COVID-19 rapid test kits are being distributed today in Port Elgin in the parking lot beside Victoria Park. The Horizon van will be there from 10am until 2:30pm, or until they run out of test kits. On Tuesday, the van was parked at the Tantramar Veterans Memorial Civic Centre for the morning, handing out kits to a steady stream of people in cars, on bikes, and walking. Horizon spokesperson Kris McDavid says 1100 kits were handed out by noon on Tuesday in Sackville.

Drop in vaccination clinic today at Sackville Visitor Information Centre

The Vitalité Health Network is operating a vaccination clinic at the Sackville Visitor Information Centre today from 9am to 5pm. The clinic will offer pre-booked and drop-in appointments for both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. In addition, the Corner Drug Store continues to offer both scheduled appointments and drop in days.

Opening night for The Book of Darkness and Light

It’s opening night for the Performers Theatre Company as they bring The Book of Darkness and Light to stage for the first time in North America. The play is a collection of three ghost stories written by UK playwright Adam Robinson, which reviewers have called “astoundingly unsettling”, and “creepy and captivating”. More information is available at performerstheatre.ca, or check the web story here.