Media Releases
March 24, 2025 Amherst Town Council – Meeting Highlights
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During Monday night’s regular meeting of Amherst Town Council, a motion was passed approving a new Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (AIDE) Strategic Plan. This new plan combines Amherst’s previous Accessibility Strategic Plan and the previous Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan into one new document, and is the result of diligent research and stakeholder input.
The former two separate plans were required to be updated, approved by Council, and forwarded to the Province by April 1, 2025, which led to the decision to produce the new combined AIDE plan.
Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee (AIDE) Terms of Reference
Through the process of combining the Accessibility Strategic Plan and the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan, it was learned that these same Town committees could also be combined, continuing to advise Council as before. As part of this process, the Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee was dissolved through a motion from Council. Old Terms of Reference were repealed and, on Monday night, new Terms of Reference for the AIDE Committee were approved by Council, thereby allowing for more collaboration amongst committee members and discussion on a broader range of topics for underserved and underrepresented groups.
Themed Crosswalks Policy
Through collaborative work with community allies, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, and the development of the new combined AIDE Strategic Plan, staff have proposed the addition of new themed crosswalks representing African Nova Scotians and Indigenous partnerships – to complement the existing three Veteran themed crosswalks and the Pride crosswalk. These new crosswalks and the Town’s new Themed Crosswalk Policy were all approved by Council.
Fireworks
Council approved a motion allocating $20,000 in the 2025/26 operating budget for fireworks – $10,000 for Canada Day fireworks to be held at the Robb Complex, and $10,000 for New Year’s Eve fireworks to be held at the Amherst Stadium.
New security measures in place at Amherst Stadium for Ramblers playoff games
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The Town of Amherst is thrilled that our Amherst Jr. A Ramblers will be proceeding to the divisional semi-finals for the Maritime Junior Hockey League. Many others are just as excited, so new security measures have been implemented to ensure a positive experience for all attending hockey games at the Amherst Stadium.
With game one of the semi-finals set for this Saturday, March 15, starting at 7 p.m. in Amherst, we want everyone to be familiar with these regulations as they prepare to attend live games:
- Doors open one hour before game time;
- No backpacks allowed in the facility;
- Smaller bags may be checked at the door;
- No external beverage cups allowed in the facility (Yetis, Stanleys, etc.);
- The north side stairwell will only be accessible in case of emergency (Stairwell beside the opposing team’s dressing room);
- Foul language will not be tolerated, subject to ejection from the facility.
Officer Suspension
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Amherst Police Department
Earlier today the Amherst Police Department was advised that formal charges had been laid against one of their members by the Cumberland RCMP.
Based upon those charges, the member was later served with a Notice of Allegations under the Police Act of Nova Scotia by the Amherst Police Department. Sergeant Christopher Jobe has been suspended indefinitely under Section 63 of the Police Act Regulations.
The Officer has not been on active duty or at work for the past several months.
At this time the Police Act investigation is suspended until the criminal matters are resolved.
Jobe is scheduled to appear in Amherst Provincial Court on April 14.
Direct enquiries to:
Sean Payne
Corporate Communications Officer
902-694-6265
Rob Small
Mayor
902-694-0014
February 24, 2025 Amherst Town Council – Meeting Highlights
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At Monday night’s regular meeting of Amherst Town Council, members voted to approve amendments to the pdf Sidewalk and Curb Construction Policy (1.90 MB) , including language updates to specify that any sidewalk construction projects moving forward will involve replacement of existing brick pavers with concrete, to improve accessibility. Language will also be added to the policy that will ensure the use of tactile warning indicator plates at crosswalks, to improve accessibility for the visually impaired.
This policy was reviewed by the Accessibility Advisory Committee who provided their recommendations for Council’s consideration.
Staff will prepare a long-range brick paver replacement plan and include brick paver replacements in future capital budgets for consideration.
Appointments of Members of Council to External Boards, Committees and Commissions Policy
Following the municipal election in October, Council completed a review of external Boards, Committees and Commissions to which they appoint members of Council. Amendments to Appendix A of the pdf Appointment of Members of Council to External Boards, Committees and Commissions Policy (5.17 MB) were approved by Council on Monday night, to reflect the following appointments:
Cumberland Public Libraries Board: 1 Member appointed; Regional Emergency Management: 2 Members appointed; Northern Region Solid Waste: 1 Member appointed; Cumberland YMCA: 1 Member appointed; LA Animal Shelter: 1 Member appointed; Senior Safety Advisory Committee: 1 Member appointed; and, GFL Community Liaison Committee: 1 Member appointed.
The GFL Community Liaison Committee is a new addition to the list of member appointments, while members were not re-appointed to the Cornerstone Board of Directors or the Municipal Alcohol Project.
Male Facing Multiple Charges After Fleeing Police
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Amherst Police Department
A 45-year-old Springhill man is in custody and is facing numerous charges after a late-night incident that resulted in a vehicle roll-over in Amherst on Friday night.
On February 14th 2025 at approximately 11:46 pm, Police observed a vehicle in the Poplar Street area in Amherst that they believed was operated by a known male who was on curfew and other release conditions as a result of previous charges. When the Police vehicle emergency equipment was activated to stop the vehicle, it fled at a high rate of speed and on Poplar Street towards the 6-way stop. As Police discontinued the pursuit, they were able to see what appeared to be headlights shining up a telephone pole in the distance. Police attended and located the vehicle that had fled on its roof in a yard on East Pleasant Street, just east of the 6-way stop. The lone male driver was exiting the vehicle and fled on foot through backyards and over a fence. A member of the public also assisted in attempting to stop the fleeing male but was unsuccessful. During the foot pursuit. Police also observed the accused having some kind of interaction with a person driving a white SUV. The SUV sped off prior to police catching up to the male on Wellington Street where he was arrested and taken into custody. A firearm was also located and seized by police.
John Alan Warner, aged 45 of Springhill, Nova Scotia has been charged with multiple charges that include:
- Fail to Comply with Released Order Condition – Section 145(5)(a) Criminal Code x 3
- Flight from Police – Section 320.17 Criminal Code
- Resist/Obstruct Police Officer – Section 129(a) Criminal Code
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restriction weapon – Section 91(2) Criminal Code
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm – Section 91(1) Criminal Code
- Damage to Property – Section 430(4) Criminal Code
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle – Section 94(2) Criminal Code
- Uttering Threats – Section 264.1(1)(a) Criminal Code
Warner has pending charges in relation to an incident on January 25th, 2025 in Amherst in which he has been stopped by Police and charged with possession of Methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of Fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking. He is also facing several charges under the Motor Vehicle Act. He had been remanded into custody on these matters, but was released by the courts on January 27th, 2025 on conditions.
Warner was remanded on the latest charges and is scheduled to appear in court on February 18th 2025.
Anyone with further information related to this incident is asked to contact the Amherst Police Department at 902-667-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Police are interested in speaking with the driver of the white SUV who came into contact with the accused during this incident.
APD Media Contact:
Cpl. Tom Wood – APD Major Crime Unit
e-mail:
PH: 902-667-860
Three People Charged Defrauding Vulnerable Person
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Amherst Police Department
After a 13-month investigation, the Amherst Police Major Crime Unit has laid charges of fraud over $5,000 against three individuals.
In November of 2023, a female victim who suffers from Lou Gehrig’s disease, reported to Amherst Police that a large amount of money was missing from her bank account. The victim, who cannot move, requires several hours of care each day from a variety of care workers. The victim was provided with government funding to allow her to stay in her home.
Investigation into the matter revealed that three staff members assigned to provide care for the victim had removed large sums of money from the victim’s bank account, allegedly to cover hours they had worked. The investigation indicated there were discrepancies between the hours of work reported and the actual hours that had been worked.
Clara Harvey, age 29 years, Stacy Leblanc, age 41 years and Gracie Meisner, age 20 years have all been charged with fraud over $5,000.
Harvey, Leblanc and Meisner were arrested in December 2024 and appeared in court on February 3rd, 2025. All three adjourned their pleas and will next appear in Amherst Provincial Court on March 17th, 2025.
Anyone with further information related to this incident is asked to contact the Amherst Police Department at 902-667-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
APD Media Contact:
Cpl. Tom Wood – APD Major Crime Unit
E-mail:
PH: 902-667-8600
