King’s College investigative journalism workshop’s project for last year—902911—is a finalist in the Data Journalism Awards, a global competition sponsored by Google and organized by the Global Editors Network and the European Journalism Centre. Readers will recall that King’s project’s written component appeared in The Coast as “HRM’s worst neighbourhood.” Congratulations to the students!
Tim Bousquet
Posted inNews + Opinion
Missing concert money not accounted for in city budget
Halifax council has passed two annual budgets since the concert loan scandal became public, but the missing money still hasn’t been accounted for. In March, 2011, then-city finance director Cathie O’Toole told Halifax council that city officials had improperly advanced a series of loans to concert promoter Harold MacKay, that those loans violated the city […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Marcel Ayoub takes over Hairs To Ya
Barber Marcel Ayoub has sold his old shop at 2830 Gottingen and bought Hairs To Ya (6261 Quinpool Road, 423-3300). Ayoub started cutting hair when he was just 12 years old at a barbershop in Lebanon, where he had to reach customers’ hair by standing on a stool. He’s been cutting hair for 37 years […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
John W. Doull Bookseller move almost complete
A reader sends a picture of the interior of John W. Doull Bookseller (1684 Barrington Street, 429-1652): They’re not answering the phone, but word is the new store at 122 Main Street in Dartmouth should be open in the next few days.
Posted inNews + Opinion
I Heart Bikes announces new guided tour
I Heart Bikes (boardwalk, (406-7774) has announced a new tour for the upcoming season. “Old Halifax, new Halifax” will “touch on key historical aspects of the City while also highlighting the more forward thinking part,” says the company’s website. “Starting at the Halifax Harbour we will make our way up into the historical and charming […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Cafe Brea opens in Dartmouth
Melita Scott writes to say she has opened a coffee shop in Dartmouth on Earth Day. Cafe Brea (530 Portland Street, 789-1354) is in the new commercial strip that sits across from what used to be Penhorn Mall.
Posted inNews + Opinion
Tip Top tussle
Besides the ferry issue, Halifax council had an unusually mundane meeting Tuesday. But council did discuss the potential demolition of the former Tip Top Tailor building at 1592 Barrington Street—the cubist-inspired structure sandwiched between the Tramway building (hosting Venus Envy and Obladee Wine Bar) and the Khyber. The building is in horrible condition, but is […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Twilight zoning
You’ve heard how Halifax mayor Peter Kelly betrayed the trust of of a family friend. What you haven’t heard is how city hall doubly abused the same woman, forcing her to live out her final days in poverty. On February 16, The Coast published my expose of Halifax mayor Peter Kelly’s failure, as executor, to […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The long, strange story of Mary Thibeault’s property
According to documents filed with the court by Halifax mayor Peter Kelly in 2005, Mary Thibeault’s estate was valued at $503,730.37, almost all of it in cash and bonds. That amount, plus the $160,000 or so that Kelly had transferred from Thibeault’s personal bank account to his and his son’s control (see “A trust betrayed,” […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Council sends ferry issue to transportation committee
Following up on my report from yesterday, Halifax council today briefly discussed the reduction of ferry service scheduled to begin May 21. The cuts were actually presented to council in one of the voluminous reports that were given to councillors as part of the budget debate earlier this month. Councillor Gloria McCluskey said she didn’t […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Breaking News: Metro Transit to reduce ferry service
Metro Transit is planning to significantly reduce ferry service, effective May 21. The changes are: Alderney Service reduced to every 30 minutes from noon to 2:00pm on weekdays; remove service after 10:30pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and before 11:30am on Sundays. This ferry route does not meet Service Standard of 390 passengers per hour in […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Bob Blumenthal Auto Sales and Service expands
The ever-delightful Megan Blumenthal tells me that her dad, Bob, is expanding his business. Bob Blumenthal Auto Sales and Service has been in Sackville (54 Sackville Drive, 880-3388) since 2004; now he is opening a new Dartmouth location at 336 Portland Street—at the former gas station/repair shop near Neighbours Pub. The new location is close […]
