James Saunders wears a shirt with a photo of his sister and their father as he hands out pink bracelets in her memory. The bracelets say “Loretta and the stolen sisters,” and the shirt, one of more than a dozen worn by her family in court last week, reads: “Speak the truth, even if your […]
Hilary Beaumont
Posted inNews + Opinion
Saunders family grieves as inquiry continues
[Image-1] Loretta Saunders’ death six months ago was still fresh for her grieving family as they attended the inquiry into her murder this week. After justice Anne Derrick called a recess Wednesday, there was an outburst in the court. In an apparent reaction to evidence, one of Saunders’ uncles stood up and made a move […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Saunders inquiry doubles down on secrecy
[Image-1] As the inquiry into Loretta Saunders’ murder resumed Tuesday morning, a member of her family leaned over the back of a courtroom pew and handed a Halifax Regional Police constable a pink rubber bracelet. The constable, who investigated the case, thanked him. The bracelets, which say, “Loretta and the stolen sisters,” are meant to […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Overrepresented in the stats
[Image-1] Before her short life ended, Inuk woman and SMU student Loretta Saunders was researching the murders of three indigenous women from Nova Scotia. Two of the three cases resulted in convictions. One didn’t make it as far as Loretta’s. It took 35 years to convict the person who put a bullet in Anna Mae […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Justice inches forward in Loretta Saunders case
[Image-1] As the Crown played a video in Halifax provincial court Monday morning, Blake Legette covered his eyes with his hands and Victoria Henneberry buried her face in her arms. The acoustics in the room were poor, the judge noted, but as the clip played, sobs and sniffles from the second row where members of […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Former Pride executive charged with stealing funds disappears
A former vice-chair of Halifax Pride is missing in action after he allegedly stole $16,400 from the festival last year. After making every attempt to contact him, police have an arrest warrant out for 27-year-old Chris Scullino, who they believe is currently in Quebec. Scullino is accused of depositing money meant for Halifax Pride in […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The colour of justice
A multiracial crowd of about 75 people gathers outside the George Dixon Centre at noon on June 25. Men and women carry signs that read, “Justice for Lyle, justice for men,” “Regret doesn’t equal rape” and “Jury of whose peers?” The supporters of former lawyer Lyle Howe are here to express their dismay at his […]
Posted inLifestyle
Hazy situation
The THC Club is growing. The medicinal marijuana club that police raided last summer in Porters Lake has opened Halifax’s only vapour lounge on Gottingen Street—but whether it’s legal remains to be seen. Lounge owners Chris Enns and Sherri Reeve, who both face drug charges as a result of last year’s raid, say they’re operating […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Sex workers, supporters rally against Bill C-36
Red umbrellas were fitting for June 14’s rally in support of sex workers. Many of the 40 or so people who attended carried them, not only to shield their bodies and signs from the pouring rain, but as an international symbol against discrimination. Advocacy organizations and people in the industry gathered in cities across the […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Coburg Coffee’s move to unionize
Aunion vote at Coburg Coffee has tipped into uncertainty. Two pro-union baristas who cast ballots Monday afternoon say they’re confident the count went their way, however, of the 15 votes cast, they’re sure of only six that favour joining the Service Employees International Union. Laura Spaetzel cast her ballot on top of a laundry machine […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Celebrating Johanna Dean
As rush hour ends on May 28, a crowd of about 300 cyclists pedals along Dartmouth’s Windmill Road at a jogger’s pace. At times a bike bell rings out and others chime in. It is cool but sunny, much like the afternoon Johanna Dean passed away. A week earlier, just before 3pm, the 30-year-old elementary […]
Posted inArts + Music
Picturing Dartmouth’s new optimism
It’s Saturday morning and downtown Dartmouth is bustling as customers flit between cafes, brunch spots and the Alderney Landing market. Inside The Dart Gallery on Portland Street, a couple picks up a painting before leaving for vacation, and Huxley the rabbit, named after the author of Brave New World, naps in his cage behind the […]
