--Atlantic Update--

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(NL-Unknown-Soldier-Repatriation)

The remains of an unknown Newfoundland soldier who died in France during the First World War are expected to arrive in St. John’s today.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the Newfoundland National War Memorial in downtown St. John’s, where the unknown soldier’s remains will be placed in a black granite tomb on Memorial Day, July 1st.

The government of France is expected to formally transfer the remains of the unknown soldier to the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador during a repatriation ceremony at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial today.

The ceremony will be followed by ramp ceremonies at airports in France and St. John’s.

(The Canadian Press)

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(PEI-Fatal-Crash-Investigation)

Nearly six months after a head-on crash claimed four lives outside Charlottetown, police are now clarifying that a 30-year-old victim was actually the driver of one of the vehicles.

R-C-M-P initially identified the deceased man as a passenger in a pickup truck that collided with an oncoming car in the community of Marshfield on December 8th.

A man and a woman, both 18, and a male youth in the car died from their injuries, while a teenage boy in the car was seriously injured – a 20-year-old man initially identified as the driver of the truck was also injured and was later arrested, although he was never charged.

Police issued a news release yesterday saying their conclusion is based on independent witness accounts and corroborating physical evidence.

(The Canadian Press)

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(NS-Sexual-Assault)

Nova Scotia R-C-M-P say a 67-year-old Hebbville man faces charges involving sexual offences involving four children after a seven month investigation.

Police say the man was arrested Wednesday and appeared in court in Bridgewater Thursday and was released on conditions.

He faces four charges of sexual assault and four charges of sexual interference.

The Mounties say their investigation is ongoing and they anticipate additional charges in the case.

(The Canadian Press)

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(NB-Tory-Leaving)

New Brunswick government member Andrea Anderson-Mason says she won't run in this year's provincial election.

Anderson-Mason is leaving politics after six years as the M-L-A for Fundy-The Isles-Saint John West.

The former cabinet minister is the 12th member of the Progressive Conservative caucus who has decided not to run again for the party.

Anderson-Mason was one of six government members who rebelled against Premier Blaine Higgs last year on Policy 713, and she voted in favour of an opposition motion that called for further study of the policy changes by Child and Youth Advocate Kelly Lamrock.

(CBC NB)

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(NS-Highway-Collision)

R-C-M-P in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley are investigating a collision between a car and a cyclist in Berwick West.

Police say they responded early yesterday following a report of the collision on Highway 1.

The cyclist, a 20-year-old Aylesford man, sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.

The Mounties say the 38-year-old Aylesford woman who was driving the car wasn’t hurt.

(The Canadian Press)

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(NL-Osborne-Retires)

The longest serving elected member of Newfoundland and Labrador’s House of Assembly is calling it a political career after 28 years of service.

Health Minister Tom Osborne told reporters yesterday that he will be retiring from political life this July.

Osborne was first elected as a Progressive Conservative in 1996, but crossed the floor in a dispute with then-premier Danny Williams, first sitting as an Independent and then joining the Liberal Party.

Last year he became the longest-serving elected official in the province’s history.

(VOCM)

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(Atlantic Update by The Canadian Press)

The Canadian Press