Town News
Amherst Man Charged with Multiple Offences
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Amherst Police Department
The Amherst Police Department has made an arrest and laid a charge of sexual assault against a "holistic practitioner" operating in Amherst, Nova Scotia.
Mangala Ranasinghe, aged 59 years old, who operates “Healing Touch Holistic” located in Amherst Nova Scotia was arrested on November 27th 2024 after the Amherst Police Major Crime Unit, with the assistance of the Patrol Section, executed a search warrant at that location. The investigation was initiated after Amherst Police received a complaint from an adult female that she had allegedly been sexually assaulted during a visit to the location in October 2024.
Sexual assault is any touching of another person without their consent where the touching is of a sexual nature, or where the sexual integrity of the victim is violated. A sexual assault can range from unwanted touching to sexual assault involving penetration.
There is no statute of limitation when it comes to reporting a sexual assault. This means that no matter how long ago the sexual assault happened, you can still report it to police for investigation.
Ranasinghe was arrested, held in custody and is expected to appear in court later on November 28th, 2024.
Anyone with information related to this incident or similar incidents is asked to contact the Amherst Police Department at 902-667-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
APD Media Contact:
Cpl. Tom Wood
902-667-8600
November 25 Town Council - Meeting Highlights
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Deputy Mayor
Councillor Hal Davidson was elected deputy mayor of the Town of Amherst at Monday’s council meeting. Davidson, who was first elected to council in 2020 and re-elected in October 2024, will serve a one-year term.
Council Committee Appointments
Following a municipal election, Mayor and members of Council must be formally appointed to a number of committees. All members of Council are appointed to the Committee of the Whole of Amherst Town Council, as well as the Amherst Audit Committee. The following appointments were also approved by a motion of Council, effective November 25, 2024, and expiring on October 31, 2025 (unless otherwise noted):
Mayor Small: GFL Community Liaison Committee; Regional Emergency Management; and, Tyndal Wellfield Advisory Committee.
Councillor Chambers: Amherst Board of Police Commissioners (expiring October 31, 2027); Planning Advisory Committee; and, YMCA Board of Directors.
Councillor Davidson: Amherst Board of Police Commissioners (expiring October 31, 2026); and, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee.
Councillor Furlong: Amherst Board of Police Commissioners (expiring October 31, 2027); Northern Region Solid Waste Committee; and, Regional Emergency Management.
Councillor McManaman: Accessibility Advisory Committee; Cumberland Public Libraries Board; Planning Advisory Committee; and, Tyndal Wellfield Advisory Committee.
Councillor Ripley: Intermunicipal Tourism Committee; and, Planning Advisory Committee.
Councillor Wells: Accessibility Advisory Committee; Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee; and, Senior Safety Advisory Committee.
Holiday Events in Amherst
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This weekend marks the start of the holiday season in Amherst. For complete details on events this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, please visit our Holiday Events webpage.
Traffic Disruption During Weekend Holiday Events
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- Category: Public Notices
The holiday season begins this weekend in Amherst, with events planned for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. More details are available on our Holiday Events page, and by contacting Town Hall (Monday-Friday) at 902-667-3352 or
Christmas Parade Traffic Disruption
NEW DATE: Sunday, November 24, 2024 - 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- 4 p.m. - Parade floats gather in the Town Square Mall parking lot (i.e. Dollarama)
- 5 p.m. - Albion Street will start to be blocked to traffic
- Traffic cones may be placed to prevent parking along the parade route
- 6 p.m - Parade begins, turning left from Town Square Mall parking lot onto Albion Street
- Streets feeding onto Albion will be blocked as the parade progresses
- Parade turns left onto Church Street - traffic blocked as necessary
- Parade then turns right onto Victoria - traffic blocked as necessary
- Parade end points: TD Bank parking lot and Dayle's parking lot
Drivers are asked to avoid these areas on Saturday evening and plan an alternate route, or to anticipate delays.
Emergency Water Repair Complete
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- Category: Public Notices
Water service has been restored to customers on Albion Street, after completing an emergency watermain repair.
Questions can be directed to: 902-667-3352 or
Test of Alert Ready System Nov 20 in Nova Scotia
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- Category: Public Notices
This afternoon at 1:55 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time, a test of the Alert Ready system is taking place across Nova Scotia.
You may hear the alert tone coming from your radio, TV, or cell phone - but, this will only be a test.
Test alerts help you learn what an emergency alert would look and sound like.
For more information about emergency preparedness and emergency alerts in Nova Scotia, visit the Province of Nova Scotia's Emergency Management Office website, Emergency Ready in Canada's Facebook page, or the Alert Ready emergency alert system website.
