Lunenburg Fire

Firefighters from at least five departments were still on the scene of a major house fire in the Town of Lunenburg at 7:30 Wednesday night. The blaze started around 2:30 in the afternoon and had fully engulfed the house at 201 York Street. Firefighters were also fighting the elements as a mix of snow and rain had moved into the area and winds with gusts to 100 kilometers were expected. Fire departments from Dayspring, Blockhouse, Mahone Bay and Bridgewater were called for back-up to assist the Lunenburg Fire Department.

Marine Park Stalled

The Municipality of Lunenburg has given permission to the United Communities Marine Park Society to spend up to 35 hundred of their budget allotment of 16 thousand for their proposed project. Phase one of the project has already been approved by Council in total but it could not be funded at the provincial level during this fiscal year. Despite that fact, due to the quality of the project and the support of the community, the volunteers persevere. Council felt the financial commitment associated with the request was relatively small, yet would make a worthy show of support to the United Communities Marine Park Society and their efforts in this project.

Yacht Club Grant

A recommendation to award the Lunenburg Yacht Club a grant of almost 175 thousand dollars from the Designated Community Fund has been approved by Lunenburg Municipal Council. At the request of the Yacht Club, Council created the Designated Community Project Fund Policy and it was adopted in April of this year. The money from donations is being used by the Yacht Club to purchase a neighbouring property to be used for future development of the club to increase its services.

Zoning Request Denied

A request to amend the Princess Inlet Land Use By-law has been denied by Lunenburg Municipal Council. Harley and Eileen Eisener requested the requirement for lot frontage to be reduced to allow for the subdivision of their property. A proposal was put forward to create an Ocean Shoreline Zone which would accommodate their request and allow other residents the same opportunity. However, it was made very clear at a public hearing the majority of the residents were opposed to the zoning change. Council unanimously refused the Eisener's request although the Area Advisory Committee can review the matter further.

Outdoor Wood Furnace Denied

A variance request to reduce the setback requirements to install an outdoor wood furnace in Riverport has been denied by Lunenburg Municipal Council. Area Councillor Don Zwicker says despite new technology they had to make their decision using the current land use bylaw. Zwicker says the applicant has other options such as electricity or oil. The applicant requested a reduction to the yard setbacks from 125 feet to 10 feet on one side. The applicant, Diego Medina can also ask the Area Advisory Committee to consider an amendment to the currentLand Use By-law.

Regional Transit Possible

Efforts are continuing towards developing a regional transit operation for Lunenburg County. Mayor Don Downe of the Municipality of Lunenburg says the partner units are assessing the associated costs.Downe says they'll be taking incremental steps in regards to knowing what the route mechanism will be, the cost and size of application to run. He says the idea of Transit is good from a number of fronts..such as environmental and access point of view.

Shoplifter Sentenced

A confrontation with police outside the Cookville Wal-Mart last December has resulted in a year on probation for a 19 year old. Luke Matthew Robar of Springfield pled guilty to resisting arrest and one count of shoplifting while two other charges of assaulting police and theft were withdrawn. The incident happened last December 17th when police responded to a complaint of shoplifting. Robar along with two other teens got into a fracas with the officers outside the store. The three officers sustained minor injuries in the scuffle.

South Shore Schools Pass Accreditation

Two more South Shore schools have been awarded accreditation under the provincial government's school improvement program.Liverpool Regional High School and Lunenburg Junior/Senior High School join New Ross Consolidated, Forest Heights , Dr. J.C. Wickwire Academy and Park View Education Centre in receiving provincial recognition for their work in setting higher standards, increasing student achievement and improving overall performance. Eight schools - including Dr. J.C. Wickwire - were selected to pilot the Nova Scotia Accreditation Program in 2002. Since then, the number of schools participating in the province-wide program has been gradually increased. It will be mandatory for all Nova Scotia schools in 2010.

Rural Mail Study Complete

The rural mailbox safety review for Bridgewater and surrounding areas is now complete. Canada Post says they have assessed all mailboxes in the local area and are now working with local residents on various mail delivery options. The Rural Mailbox Safety Review is being conducted as a result of health and safety complaints from rural mail drivers across the country. Common complaints from rural mail drivers include: volume of traffic, speed of traffic, width of the shoulders and limited sightlines. The rural mailbox safety review began in Bridgewater and surrounding areas in August 2009. Since the review began a total of 42 hundred rural mailboxes, on nine rural routes, have been assessed.

Tip # 3 - Don't drink & drive

Don't drink and drive is today's tip from the RCMP on the 3rd day of their 12 days of Christmas tips. One drink can reduce your ability to concentrate and react to things that happen suddenly while you are driving. In Nova Scotia, there have been 17 traffic fatalities where alcohol was a factor in the crash, 15 of those in RCMP service areas. This equates to 27% of all fatal crashes in RCMP jurisdictions involving alcohol.

H1N1 Clinic cancelled due to weather

The Forest Heights Community School in Chester will NOT be holding the H1N1 Vaccination Clinic today that was suppose to be held from 4 until 6:30. Due to weather. However there will be a clinic tomorrow at the Park View Education Centre in Bridgewater that will go from 4 until 6:30. Students and adults are reminded to bring their health card to the clinics.
For more information you can visit our website at CKBW.ca and click on the Flu button.