An unseasonably warm winter allowed rat populations to survive the season, which means homeowners across Nova Scotia should know everything there is to know about managing the rodents.

It was the first Groundhog Day in the spotlight for this particular rodent, who assumed the mantle of Wiarton Willie last September when his predecessor died after an unusually long 13-year life.

A wildfire burning in Nova Scotia’s Westwood Hills and Tantallon areas is “out of control,” a Monday news release said. The blaze currently spans about 1,947 acres.

At the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, Nova Scotia’s most famous groundhog said no to six more weeks of winter. At first, Shubenacadie Sam took a bit of coaxing to emerge from her hut shortly after ...