Fiddler Carl MacKenzie Dies

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

Cape Breton has lost another well-known traditional fiddler player.

Carl MacKenzie died on Saturday at the Regional Hospital in Sydney.

MacKenzie was a member of the Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association.

His obituary describes him a fixture on the Celtic Music scene in Cape Breton and a regular performer at dances, concerts, and workshops across the island.

He also brought his traditional fiddling style to stages across Canada, Ireland, Scotland and the U.S.

His funeral Mass will take place at St. Mary’s Parish in East Bay, on Wednesday afternoon.

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Whycocomaugh march for justice

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

Around 70 people took to Main Street in Whycocomagh to march for justice in the death of 22-year-old Cassidy Bernard.
Led by drummers carrying hand drums, adults of all ages and children clad in red and carrying red dresses gathered outside the Whycocomagh Education Centre at 10 this morning, and made their way down Main Street across the bridge to the Skye River Trail.
Cassidy Bernard was found dead in her We’koma’q home in October, with her healthy infant twin girls located nearby.
Other than to say the death wasn’t a random act, RCMP have been tight-lipped about Bernard’s death, continuing to refer to it as suspicious rather than a homicide.
The RCMP continues to ask that anyone with tips regarding the case to contact them or Crime Stoppers.

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Union discouraging Cape Breton Post boycott

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

The union representing staff at the Cape Breton Post is discouraging readers from boycotting the paper over parent company SaltWire’s decision to print the Post in Halifax.
Instead, Sydney Typographical Union Local 30460 is telling people to express their displeasure with the decision by writing letters to the editor and contacting Saltwire’s management directly.
Fourteen full- and part-time workers in the press and mailroom were laid off when the company decided to shut down the Sydney presses.
The company says the presses are too old and will cost too much money to upgrade.
About 40 unionized employees remain at the newspaper.

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More Federal Money For Chapel Point Project

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

Sydney-Victoria MP Mark Eyking announced just over 450-thousand dollars in federal money for the Chapel Point Battery restoration project, this morning.

That’s on top of 390-thousand dollars in federal money announced in July.

The province is kicking in just under 29-thousand dollars for the Sydney Mines project while the Membertou Band Council is investing $5,000.

The Atlantic Memorial Park Society issued a tender earlier this month for design, construction and administration services for Phase 1 of the project.

It includes restoring the battery command post, building a multi-use trail from the command post to the beach, an onsite washroom, security fencing and signage.

The Chapel Point Battery guarded Sydney Harbour during the Second World War and was one of seven fortifications in the Sydney area.

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Cancellations, Delays And Road Closures, Today

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

Classes are cancelled today at all schools in the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education.

Classes are also cancelled at Etoile de l’Acadie in Sydney and the Marconi Campus of the Community College is closed today.

Provincial government offices in Cape Breton and Victoria counties will delay opening until 10:00, this morning.

Meanwhile, Regional Police are warning drivers roads are slushy and slippery, this morning.

The Trans Canada from Seal Island over Kelly’s Mountain to St. Ann’s is now closed because of weather conditions.

The Cabot Trail from Pleasant Bay to Big Intervale is also closed.

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