Paramedic Awards

A Lunenburg County man will be among 14 paramedics receiving an Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal today. Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis will present the honour to Jay Albert Walker of Hubbards at a ceremony at Province house this afternoon. The lieutenant-governor will be joined by Health Minister Maureen MacDonald. The award honours years of service and for performance above and beyond the call of duty.

Medal recipients are:
--Albert Walker, Hubbards, Lunenburg Co.
--Glen Diggdon, Pubnico, Yarmouth Co.
--Darrell Bardua, Dartmouth
--Mark Turner, Kentville
--Terry Muise, Yarmouth
--Dean Vokey, Bellville, Yarmouth Co.
--Gary Galley, Berwick
--Frank McPhee, Halifax
--Franklin Johnston, Goodwood, Halifax Regional Municipality --Prema Cooper, Whites Lake, Halifax Regional Municipality --Dwayne Semple, Tatamagouche --Steve Connell, Kentville --Brian Joseph Bunch, New Minas --Joseph MacDonald, Inverness

Eat Local

Agriculture Minister John MacDonell is enjoying a day of eating locally produced food as part of his pledge to Eat Atlantic today (September 4th). The minister started his day with a Nova Scotian breakfast of scrambled eggs from his daughter's 4H chicken, locally made toasted bread and a cup of fair trade coffee, along with wild blueberries and a peach. He then visited a farmers' market at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, VG site this morning to pick up some fresh produce for supper. He says health applies to everything when eating local -- health of our communities, our environment, our economy and our people. He is joined by Atlantic ministers from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Almost 2,000 Nova Scotians have made the pledge to Eat Atlantic, more than any other Atlantic province. To sign up for the Eat Atlantic Challenge, visit www.eatatlantic.ca .

Biker Critical

A 56 year old man is in critical condition at the QE-2 in Halifax (as of the last update given to police yesterday afternoon around four). The man was involved in a car/bicycle collision Thursday morning. The cyclist, from Garden Lots was struck by a car around 7:40 in the morning on Route 3 in front of Center Consolidated School. The driver of the car is a 35 year old man from Bridgewater. He is an employee with the South Shore Regional School Board. RCMP say the vehicle was pulling into the driveway at the school when it collided with the cyclist. The driver told police he was blinded by the sun and didn't see the bicycle. Police say they are still investigating.

Dog Back Home

A dog shot by police in a residential neighbourhood as it was ravaging a live baby deer is back home with its owner. Bridgewater's Deputy Police Chief says the animal made it's way home sometime yesterday. John Collyer says the owner then took it to a veterinarian who treated it for a gunshot wound. The bullet apparently passed through the animal without hitting any vital organs. Collyer says the husky doesn't have rabies and police are still looking into the incident. They will involve wildlife experts and animal control officials to see what their assessment of the situation. The dog had taken off after a cat when it picked up the scent of the fawn in the area of Olympiad Avenue. It was in the middle of a "killing frenzy" and officers were concerned for the people who were trying to help the deer when they made the decision to shoot the dog. There were two gunshots. The second round missed the husky and it took off into the woods.

Cyclist Update

A 50 year old man has been transferred to the QE2 in critical condition after he was involved in a car/bicycle accident Thursday morning. The cyclist, from Garden Lots was struck by a car around 7:40 Thursday morning on Route 3 near Center Consolidated School. The operator of the vehicle, a 35 year old male from Bridgewater is an employee with the South Shore Regional School Board. RCMP Staff-Sgt. Mark Furey says the accident is still under investigation, the cause has yet to be determined. He says these were unfortunate circumstances and has a caution for motorists and pedestrians. Staff Sgt. Furey says there is zero tolerance for those who don't obey the regulations in school zones.