Court: Eisnor Breaks Down on Witness Stand

The judge overseeing a hearing to determine whether or not a New Germany man is fit to stand trial on a charge of first degree murder will issue a decision next month. A two day fitness hearing for 49 year-old Wayne Paul Eisnor concluded this afternoon in Bridgewater Provincial Court. Eisnor is accused of shooting his wife in a Barss Corner grocery store parking lot in June of 2010 before turning the gun on himself. He suffered significant brain damage as a result and told court this morning he recalls parts of his recovery but doesn't remember the shooting. He was found unfit to stand trial in October 2010 because of a mental impairment caused by the self-inflicted gunshot wound. Hoever, Crown Prosecutor Alonzo Wright argues Eisnor's condition has improved significantly and is fit to stand trial for murdering his wife. Eisnor broke down a number times on the witness stand when asked questions about his son and daughter.  Judge Gregory Lenehan will issue his decision on April 3rd.

Woman found dead in Chester Basin

A 57-year-old woman has been found dead in Chester Basin. RCMP and EHS received a call just after 9am Friday morning from a home on Borgels Point Road. Staff Sgt. Bruce Hill says its too early to indicate what happened.

"Just at this point, we're investigating the circumstances surrounding her death. Our major crime unit has been called to the scene along with our identification section. We're currently in the preliminary stages of our investigation, so we can't release much at this time."

 Hill says they are trying to determine what activity happened before a phone call was made to police. He says community members shouldn't worry about any other incidents occurring.

Mayor of District of Queens Not Re-Offering

He's been involved in South Shore politics for nearly 4 decades but now, John Leefe says its time to go. The Mayor of the District of Queens tells us he will not reoffer for another term when municipal elections are held this October. The mayor says he decided some time ago its time for fresh ideas and younger blood at the helm. He says he's been warned though not to use an over-used term to explain why he's leaving.

"Nancy (my wife) told me sometime ago that if at my age and after 35 years, if I told people I was leaving public life to spend more time with my family, she would kill me! Seriously though, its just time, time for both of us personally to move on and its time for fresh faces to come along and move us into the future."

Leefe was a member of the provincial legislature for 20 years representing Queens and was a cabinet minister in several portfolios in the government of former premier John Buchanan. He served on the province's Executive Council as Minister of Fisheries from 1983 to 1989, Minister of the Environment from 1989 to 1992 and Minister of Natural Resources from 1992 to 1993. Leefe also served as government house leader in 1991. He was elected Mayor of the District of Queens in 2000 and re-elected in 2004 and 2008. In 2010 he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. He has served on the National and Provincial Round Tables on the Environment and Economy and in 2011 was appointed to the Nova Scotia Round Table on the Environment and Sustainable Prosperity. In 2002 he was granted the degree of Doctor of Civil Law by the University of King's College. He is also an author and a former school teacher.

Eisnor Hearing Resumes in Bridgewater

A hearing to determine whether or not a New Germany man is mentally fit to stand trial resumes this morning in Bridgewater. Forty-nine year old Wayne Paul Eisnor is facing a first degree murder charge in the shooting death of his wife Tina Eisnor in June of 2010. Eisnor then turned the gun on himself and suffered serious brain damage as a result. His son, 21 year-old Devin told reporters outside the courtroom that its been a difficult eighteen months for the family. "It's been stressful, we're staying strong together. Everyday you wake up hoping to see her, but you realize it's not going to happen. I got to spend 20 years with her and they were the best years of my life...so you just hold on to the good memories and block the bad ones out," Eisnor was initially deemed unfit to stand trial for murdering his wife, but the Nova Scotia Criminal Review Board ruled last year that he has improved significantly with treatment and is fit to stand trial. He remains in the East Coast Forensic Hospital in Dartmouth, pending a decision by the court.

BDA shows off new pole banners

One of 16 new banners

New banners portraying Bridgewater's past and present will soon grace the town. Council agreed to give the Bridgewater Development Association $1,400 to help the group install, take down and re-install 16 banners in the community. Barb Thompson with the BDA's Riverfront Renaissance Action Team says the banners will serve many purposes.

"So, our goal here was to provide a banner that was exciting, that was fun, that was interesting, that the community would be proud of, excited about, be pleased to show off to their visitors and at the same time, for us, would help educate the community a little bit about their heritage."

Some of the banners display images of Acadia gas engines, a lumberjack and the town's fire department band. Mayor Carroll Publicover says the banners will be a splash of colour and excitement for the downtown core. The 16 banners are expected to be installed in the spring and removed in the fall.