CURRENT EVENTS SEPTEMBER 26

1. CURRENT EVENTS SEPTEMBER 26 STOLEN ARTIFACTS HOARDER PLEADS GUILTY TO 40 CHARGES • John Mark Tillman, the Halifax-area man at the centre of a hoard of stolen artifacts, pleaded guilty today to 40 charges, including theft, fraud and possession. • He was sentenced to nine years for his crimes. Tillman is getting a year's credit for the months he' has spent in jail since his arrest last January. • Tillman also agreed to forfeit everything — the house, his bank account worth more than $300,000 and everything he stole over a lengthy criminal career.  • In a surprise move toward the end of the sentencing, Tillman agreed to help authorities reunite people with their stolen items CURRENT EVENTS TERM ONE Sept 26 #4

2. CURRENT EVENTS SEPTEMBER 26 • The case kicked off when when police pulled over Tillman's car in a routine traffic stop in July 2012. • An officer spotted a historic letter from British Gen. James Wolfe and a cheque for $1,500. • The court was told of how Tillman snagged a first edition copy of Charles Darwin's seminal book Origin of Species from the collection at Mount Saint Vincent University.  Some of the 1,300 items seized from a house in Fall River, N.S., in January. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/stolen-artifacts-hoarder-pleads-guilty-to-40-charges-1.1866403 CURRENT EVENTS TERM ONE Sept 26 #4

3. CURRENT EVENTS SEPTEMBER 26 MONARCH BUTTERFLY NUMBERS DROP TO NEW LOWS • Monarch butterflies appear headed for a perhaps unprecedented population crash, according to scientists and monarch watchers who have been keeping tabs on the species in their main summer home in Eastern and Central North America. • There had been hope that on their journey north from their overwintering zone in Mexico, the insects' numbers would build through the generations, but there's no indication that happened. • Early indications are that the past year's record lows will be followed by even lower numbers this fall. CURRENT EVENTS TERM ONE Sept 26 #4

4. CURRENT EVENTS SEPTEMBER 26 • At this time in 2011, Journey North had already received 55 reports of roosts, followed by just 25 in 2012. This year, only 17 reports of roosts came in. • While monarch numbers have fluctuated dramatically over the years, for the past 16 years the trend has been downward. • Last year's unfavourable climatic conditions — a hot spring followed by the drought in the U.S. Midwest — had monarch watchers hoping for a recovery in 2013. Monarch butterflies overwintering in Mexico descend on a small creek near El Rosario, Dec. 12, 2012. The monarchs began their journey north in March. http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/monarch-butterfly-numbers-drop-to-new-lows-1.1867164 CURRENT EVENTS TERM ONE Sept 26 #4

5. CURRENT EVENTS SEPTEMBER 26 LOCAL ELECTIONS ON OCTOBER 21 • On October 21 this year, local elections will be held • For the first time, the successful candidates will serve terms of four years, up from three years in the past. • In local elections for the town of Eckville, there will be choice for mayor, town councillors, and school trustee Current Mayor Helen Posti has been in office since 1991 CURRENT EVENTS TERM ONE Sept 26 #4

6. CURRENT EVENTS SEPTEMBER 26 • Running for the position of mayor, are incumbent Helen Posti, who is opposed by Laurie Phillips • For town Council positions incumbents Scott Kinley, Colleen Ebden, Andrew Van Dirstein, and Kevin See are seeking re-election. Newcomers seeking election are Shaun Byrne, Stuart Carde, Dwayne Meyers and Sandi Hallgren • For the local school trustee incumbent Karin engen. Newcomers Peter Sutherland and Pam Hansen are also in the running. • Traditionally in Canada, local elections have the lowest turnout levels at election time CURRENT EVENTS TERM ONE Sept 26 #4