🗞 The consequences of a retired police chief

EXCUSES & PROPAGANDA

Police plan to do better by women hits chief-shaped roadblock

Halifax’s Board of Police Commissioners met on Wednesday, and learned that former police chief Dan Kinsella’s sudden retirement is negatively impacting women who have been the victims of violent crimes. That’s because the city, in a proven effort to make the legal system a bit less dismissive of assaulted women, wants to automatically review any case involving violence against women. But the implementation timeline fell apart after Kinsella announced his retirement a month ago.

Read Matt Stickland’s full Board of Police Commissioners recap at The Coast.

Need to know

⚠️ A special weather statement is in effect this weekend as Atlantic Canada braces for tropical storm Phillipe. Wind gusts of up to 80km/h and 50mm of rain is expected.

🚨 The search for 78-year-old Derek Kruger, who was last seen at an Antigonish gas station on Sept. 29, continues. The RCMP is asking anyone with information to contact the Inverness County District RCMP or Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers.

🏗️ Phase one of the Cogswell District construction will begin on Oct. 18, forcing the closure of Cogswell from Brunswick to Barrington Streets until June! Detours will be in place.

🗣️ A public Halifax and West Community Council meeting happens Oct. 10 at 6pm. Sign up to speak and look over the agenda here.

💲 Applications for the city’s Affordable Housing Grant Program are now open. Non-profits and charities investing in development, renovation or purchase can apply for help financially. Applications close Dec. 1.

SPONSORED BY NOCTURNE HALIFAX

🗣️ Nocturne begins Oct 12, 6 pm, with Activating Art in Mi'kma'ki

Activating Art in Mi'kma'ki will be held at the Paul O’Regan Hall at the Halifax Central Library on Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 6-8pm.

Presented by Nocturne, VANS and the Native American Art Studies Association, this in-person keynote panel discussion will be moderated by Tiffany Morris, a L’nu’skw (Mi’kmaw) artist and writer from K’jipuktuk (Halifax), Nova Scotia, who will discuss with Jordan Bennett, Jordan Hill, Amy Malbeuf, Carrie Allison and Melissa Peter-Paul their lived experiences in Mi'kma'ki, how their environments contribute to the type of work they create, and offer insight into their work being exhibited as part of Nocturne this year.

On The Coast

SPONSORED BY ATLANTIC NEWS

50th Birthday Raffles

The festivities continue! Atlantic News has been a landmark destination on the corner of Morris and Queen Streets since Sept 1973, opening as Halifax's original newsstand. The shop is celebrating its 50th birthday with ongoing raffles. Drop in to fill in a ballot.

In other news

🎥 Halifax filmmaker Sean MacDougall was recently awarded Best Environmental Short Documentary by New York’s Sugar Loaf Film Festival for his film Saltwater Souvenirs.

✊ Nova Scotia breast cancer advocates believe more screening is needed for women with dense breasts. CBC speaks with the Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program’s medical advisor about the movement. 

🎨 The Canadian Museum of Immigration has announced poet, artist and ecologist shalan joudry as its 2023 artist-in-residence.

🏠 The province has announced that legislative amendments will be introduced this fall for short-term rentals in an attempt to tackle the housing crisis.

⚖️ Rand Riley, accused of second-degree murder for the death of a Dartmouth pizza delivery driver in 2010, has been found not guilty in a second trial.

ARTS & CULTURE

Comedian Dave Merheje has a soft spot for donair—and Halifax, too

Dave Merheje knows his way around Halifax. As a cast member of CBC’s Mr. D in seasons 7 and 8—Merheje played economics teacher Dave Bechara—the Los Angeles-based comedian and actor spent time wandering around the city in between shoots and even got to make friends here. Until next week, he’s calling the city home again: First, for a stand-up set in Dartmouth this Saturday, Oct. 7, and then for a midweek show in New Glasgow on Oct. 11.

“I truly do love it,” he says, speaking by phone with The Coast, “so any time I can find a reason to stay longer, I will.”

It’s been a busy year for the Windsor, Ont.-raised entertainer: Merheje stars opposite Daisy Ridley in the forthcoming indie drama Sometimes I Think About Dying. (The Hollywood Reporter calls it a “graceful treatise on how challenging—but liberating—it can be to make connections.”) Meanwhile, filming still awaits for the fourth and final season of Hulu’s Emmy-nominated comedy series Ramy, in which Merheje stars in a recurring role.

Ahead of Merheje’s show at The Sanctuary in Dartmouth, he speaks with The Coast about humble beginnings, finding a way in a difficult industry and—yes—donair.