The ex-husband of Nicole Ryan says he's no monster and in a YouTube video says he never abused her. Nicole Ryan's the Nova Scotian who tried to hire a hit man to kill her husband Michael Ryan to get out of what she claimed was an abusive marriage. Indeed, the Nova Scotia courts, in acquitting her of charges, described the marriage as a reign of terror. The Supreme Court of Canada overturned the acquittal but ruled she'd been through enough and would face no new trial. Michael Ryan says he was never called on to testify and says his ex-wife's accusations have left a "dark cloud over my name and my family. She has painted me out to be a monster who abused her and our daughter." He says Nicole's story is one big lie. The Supreme Court of Canada described Michael Ryan is "violent, abusive and controlling." It seems however that's based solely on Nicole Ryan's word and as Stephen Kimber asks in yesteday's Metro Halifax, has fairness been the real victim in this case?
Another gun incident in the city. Halifax police last night were called to Willett Street just before 10 o'clock after a shot was fired through the front window of a residence. Two people were home at the time but they were not injured. Police haven't said whether this was a targeted shooting or a random incident.
Thieves sure know how to spoil a good thing. Hundreds of people are taking advantage of the free skating on the Halifax Common oval but Sunday evening someone took off with 6 pairs of sneakers forcing their owners to walk in their socks to their vehicles to get home. Police advise putting your shoes in a bag and skate with them. Good advice, but I do hope they're also going to try to nab the idiot who stole the shoes.
Those new lightbulbs, the compact fluorescent bulbs, are an environmental concern right now with calls for the federal government to bring in regulations for their disposal. Right now the CFL's end up in the landfill and just one can contaminate a small lake according to Dana Emerson of Dan-X, a Dartmouth company that recycles the bulbs. Their machine breaks down the CFL's and they have the capacity to handle all of Atlantic Canada, But again, without regulations in place there is very little recycling done and so many of the bulbs end up in the ground. The federal government has promised new rules by the spring.
Jost Vineyards of Nova Scotia got a mention the other night on the Jay Leno show. Leno used a print ad for Jost's 4 Skin wine as part of his funny headlines segment. It's already attracted thousands of hits on YouTube. 4 Skin wine is actually made from the fermented skins of four grape types and cheeky names are now a staple in the wine industry. There's Fat Bastard wine for example. A case of 4 Skin's on its way to Leno to thank him for the publicity.
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
