Halifax Regional Municipality is advising people and pets to stay out of the water at a Shubie Canal pond near the Fairbanks Centre in Dartmouth, N.S., because of&nbsp;possible blue-green algae.

The municipality issued a risk advisory for the pond on Friday afternoon. Residents are being advised not to swim and to avoid water contact at the pond until further notice.

When a blue-green algae bloom decays,&nbsp;toxins may be released into the water and pose a risk to people and pets.

According to the municipality, risks include:

The municipality noted children and individuals with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk.

In contact with the water happens, the municipality said people should wash it off with tap water. People should not drink water at the pond or eat any fish from the area.

If the possible algae bloom turns out&nbsp;not to be&nbsp;toxin producing, the risk advisory will be lifted.

Be advised that due to the presence of a possible blue-green algae bloom, a risk advisory is in effect for the Shubie Canal pond near Fairbanks Centre. Residents are encouraged to avoid swimming and water contact in the area until further notice. <a href="https://t.co/9OCXFaQotm">https://t.co/9OCXFaQotm</a>

Former Halifax taxi driver Bassam Al-Rawi found guilty of sexual assault

Al-Rawi was previously acquitted of assaulting another intoxicated female passenger in 2015 after two trials. One of those trials drew national controversy over the judge's comment that 'clearly, a drunk can consent.'

Bassam Al-Rawi, accused of sexually assaulting a woman in December 2012 after he picked her up in his cab, arrives at Nova Scotia Supreme Court with his wife and lawyer for the judge's decision, in Halifax, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. It’s the second time Al-Rawi has been charged with sexual assault. In September 2019, Al-Rawi was found not guilty of sexually assaulting a woman who was found unconscious in the back of his taxi in May 2015.

CRIME NS Taxi Assault 20200828

Bassam Al-Rawi arrives at Nova Scotia Supreme Court with his wife and lawyer on Aug. 28, 2020. 

2 new COVID-19 cases discovered in Nova Scotia's northern zone

Nova Scotia identified two new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, both connected to previous cases in the northern zone.

A health-care worker prepares to swab a man at a walk-in COVID-19 test clinic in Montreal North, Sunday, May 10, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. 

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There are now five known active cases in Nova Scotia.

Small Nova Scotia university towns grapple with big COVID-19 concerns

Nova Scotia's measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are about to be tested by an influx of university students from outside the Atlantic bubble. In the small towns of Wolfville and Antigonish, this is raising concerns about what an outbreak would mean.

Acadia University is preparing for an influx of out-of-province students and their families.

Acadia athletics sign

Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., is preparing for an influx of out-of-province students and their families.

Smoke from wildfire in West Pubnico area prompts health advisory

A wildfire is burning near West Pubnico in Yarmouth County. Officials are advising anyone with respiratory issues to leave the area, amid thick smoke.

The fire near West Pubnico in the Municipality of the District of Argyle is about 15 hectares in size as of Friday afternoon.

Argyle area fire

Cape Breton region to hold in-person elections, and you keep the pencil

Because of COVID-19, some Nova Scotia municipalities are going with electronic voting only this fall. Others are using a mix of paper and electronic ballots. In Richmond County, voters will only be offered in-person paper ballots.

Voters rely on the website or and 1-800 phone line to locate their polling stations. 

Election N.S. municipal

For some candidates in the upcoming municipal elections, it's a smooth-sailing victory with no one running against them. 

A sample glass of Lake Erie water is photographed near the City of Toledo water intake crib in 2014. The sample contains possible blue-green algae. There may be a blue-green algae bloom at a Shubie Canal pond in Dartmouth, N.S.

Blue-green algae possibly spotted in Shubie Canal waterway

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