covid

Yesterday we brought you The Advocate’s top stories from January and February of 2020.

It was a year dominated by COVID-19 globally, and punctuated by tragedy in Nova Scotia. We are not sad to see it behind us!

As in previous years, we’ve put together a list of the past year’s top news stories, those picked by staff and those picked by our readers, from Facebook.

Here are highlights from March and April of 2020:

MARCH

Staff Pick: The arrival of COVID-19

Although not one specific story this staff pick rather is for the biggest ongoing story of March 2020, the arrival of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia and the beginning of lockdown and states of emergency being called in Nova Scotia. Our March 18 was the beginning of all of COVID headlines and it remained a theme for the rest of the year.

Website Pick:

A press release published on The Advocate website on March 3, 2020, detailed the information available at the time on a home invasion that took place in the Hopewell area. The homeowner was met at their door and subsequently sprayed with a sensory irritant. Four suspects were being sought by law enforcement; they were wearing masks and managed to steal a rifle and other items.

APRIL

Staff Pick: Portapique shooting

Victims of the Portapique shooting were remembered in this article after the tragic events that took place on April 18 and 19. The news made national headlines as the province’s most deadly shooting claiming 22 lives. Those lost included an RCMP officer, a nurse, a teacher, families, and children. The story that made the front page of The Advocate recalled the victims and noted the loss was being felt in the province and beyond.

Website Pick:

Northern Pulp announces it was still very much interested in operating in Abercrombie Point after requesting that Nova Scotia Environment issue an outcome-based environmental assessment process for the proposed effluent treatment facility. The company shared that it would be willing to continue to invest in the area and work closely with the local government.