Gas Cash

The NDP is handing out almost 900-thousand-dollars over the next several days for projects that will help reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau was in Lunenburg today (September 11th) where he announced 85-thousand dollars for six projects along the South Shore. There is a $40,834 grant for an energy-savings project by the Town of Lunenburg to help reduce energy consumption in seven of the town's buildings. That will happen through energy-efficient lighting and upgrades to insulation, and building system and heating systems. Funding will also allow the Dayspring and District Fire Hall to be fitted with solar panels and Lockeport, Mahone Bay and the town and municipality of Shelburne to conduct an energy inventory and audit of municipal infrastructure. The Dayspring project will receive $8,694, while Lockeport will get $4,160, Mahone Bay $10,000, the Municipality of the District of Shelburne $9,487 and the Town of Shelburne $9,930. Belliveau says government wants Nova Scotia to be one of the cleanest and greenest places in the world. He says the projects announced today will each play a part in helping achieve that goal.

Schooner Launch

It's a page out of the history of Lunenburg Harbour. But this weekend it's living history. For the first time in nearly four decades, a newly-built wooden schooner is being launched. The Dory Shop has been building watercraft in Lunenburg since 1917 at the east end of Bluenose Drive. Tomorrow (Saturday) around noon as the tide is coming in, they'll be launching Kitty Cochran from the shop. David Westergaard is the builder and the owner and captain is Duncan Veasey. A ceremony will be taking place and people are being invited to take it all in. This weekend is also when the Lunenburg Waterfront Seafood Festival is happening with International Dory Races, greased pole and the celebrity shucking contest featuring CKBW's Joan Fillmore.

Chamber Executive

A returning President and a few new faces around the table on the executive for the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce. Craig Collins of the NSCC's Lunenburg campus is back as the head of the business advocacy group. Glen Hall, Shawn O'Hara and Aidan Matchett were also elected. And retired CKBW Sales Manager Barry Smith is the Chamber's new treasurer. Cy Mayo is the 1st Vice President and Judy Koster is Past President. The positions were filled at the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting this week.

Shelburne Pot

Two Shelburne county men with green thumbs have been caught red-handed by RCMP. Police say they arrested the two and seized 61 mature marihuana plants at an outdoor grow-op in the Upper Ohio area of the county. Corporal Nancy Mason says the 45 and 51-year old men were caught as they were tending their crop yesterday. Both are facing charges of production of marihuana and their court date is set for December 16th in Shelburne. Corporal Mason says the Street Crime Unit continues its work to eradicate outdoor grows throughout the county. But she says they can't always do it alone and they are asking the public to report suspicious activity to the RCMP or Crimestoppers.

Lunenburg Exercise

Just before ten this morning a sailboat inbound to Lunenburg is going to report an engine room fire and that it's listing heavily to starboard before rolling over. We know this, because it's part of a Search and Rescue Exercise in Lunenburg's Front Harbour. Bill Towndrow says they do a lot of work to get ready for real emergencies. The exercise will involve divers from a rescue helicopter along with a Canadian Coast Guard lifeboat, and a US Coast Guard cutter from Gloucester.

Opening Scenario provided by RCC:

At 1000/11(Local), Halifax Coast Guard radio receives a broken mayday message from the F/V Paul’s Pride. The vessel is inbound Lunenburg Hrb. with a reported engine room fire and listing heavily to starboard. Vessel is described as a 25’ orange and white open style fishing vessel with 3 POB’s

JRCC Halifax tasks CCGC Sambro , USCG Grand Isle,&413 Squad.

More info:

413 Squad to lower sartecs to overturned vessel (RIB) and transfer casualties to Grand Isle & Sambro for first-aid. Hoisting ops. from Grand Isle and Sambro.

Boat Fire

A man had to be rescued from a pleasure boat that caught fire in Mahone Bay. He was pulled from the eight-metre fibreglass craft by other boaters in the Clay Island area. There were no injuries. The boat was towed ashore where it burned to the waterline. There's no word on what caused the fire before noon yesterday (Thursday).

Flood Money Flows

The Town of Bridgewater will be receiving a little more than $208,000 as a final payment for flood damage sustained in March 2003, The town was one of several communities affected as a result of unprecedented rainfall combined with spring runoff. Floodwaters washed out roads and severely damaged a number of bridges. The damage expenses were claimed by the province on behalf of the towns and municipalities affected by the flooding. The federal Minister of Public Safety, Peter Van Loan announced a final payment of $7.5 million to the Province of Nova Scotia under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements. The Minister made the announcement following a visit to Truro Fire Service, whose firefighters helped with flood relief efforts in 2003.

Clamming Pickle

A Port Mouton man is facing a charge for selling clams without a commercial license. DFO officers from Liverpool arrested the man on August 16th in the Port Mouton area. He's accused of digging clams recreationally but then offering them for sale. He will be appearing in Liverpool Court on October 6th.