MODL changing street light policy

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is making a change to its street light policy. Current wording in the policy is inaccurate and states "all property owners in the charge area boundary in Riverport shall be charged a street light rate." Municipal Engineer Satu Peori says its a simple wording change.

"We have proposed that we change the wording in section 3.5 to 'Street light ratepayers within the Riverport charge area shall be determined as all properties with an assessment code of residential or commercial that are within the charge area boundary'."

CAO Tammy Wilson noted the change doesn't add properties or take properties out. She says it clarifies that they apply rates to residential and commercial customers.

Mustangs name Grant Johnston new head coach

The South Shore Canadian Tire Mustangs have a new boss behind the bench. Grant Johnston has been named the new head coach after former coach Tim Boyce informed president Lionel Haughn he wasn't returning. Johnston says he brings a hard working philosophy.

"When you are in an organization, usually you get a lot of talent but you have to instill hard work, you have to instill preparation whether it be hockey, off-ice, on-ice, you know we want to do our best in any situation and preparing and working hard will definitely be a main factor in our success."

Johnston hasn't named any assistant coaches yet, but says he has a few people in mind. Boyce led the Mustangs to one of their best regular seasons, matching a franchise-best 19 wins and third in the Nova Scotia Major Midget standings behind Halifax and Dartmouth. Johnston says he learned a lot from Boyce.

"Not only to gain a lot of knowledge in terms of x's and o's with the game of hockey, but you know, from road trips to hockey practices to the games, the way a bench should be ran, he had so much to offer in terms of all levels of the game."

Johnston spent last season as an assistant coach with the Mustangs. Before that, he coached Peewee 'AAA' and Atom 'AAA' teams on the South Shore. President Haughn says Johnston was hired over the weekend after a series of interviews.

Chester Basin: Mounties Identify Homicide Victim

RCMP have released the identity of a woman found dead in her home in Chester Basin. Mounties say the body of Victoria Rae Brauns-Buckley was found Friday morning at a home on Borgels Point Road after paramedics had responded to an emergency call of a sudden death. The 57-year-old woman's death is being treated as a homicide, however no arrests have been made. It's still not known how the woman was killed although an autopsy was completed on the woman's body on Sunday. Investigators concluded their work at the crime scene on Monday.

Trial Underway: Woman Accused of Stabbing

The trial for a woman accused of stabbing her boyfriend last year is underway in Bridgewater. Katelin Leigh Whitney-Joudrey is charged with two charges of aggravated assault and one of assault causing bodily harm. She appeared in Bridgewater Provincial court on Monday for the beginning of her trial. The woman's former boyfriend, Kiel Naugler of Bridgewater, was rushed to hospital in Halifax on January 1st, 2011 after being stabbed in the neck and head. He underwent surgery and was later released from hospital. The trial continues March 16th.

Home Invasion: Date set for Show Cause Hearing

A Dartmouth man charged in a six year old home invasion in Chelsea is due back in Bridgewater court later this month. Forty-six year old Brian Hector Oickle will remain in custody until a show cause hearing on March 21st. Oickle is facing four charges including robbery and forcible confinement. He's accused of breaking into a home and stealing money from a 72 year-old woman during an incident in July of 2005. RCMP were able to make an arrest last week after they recently received new information in the case.

Investigators Conclude Work at Chester Basin Home

Police are expected to release more information today into a homicide investigation in Chester Basin. Investigators concluded their work at a home on Borgels Point Road last night. A 57 year-old woman's body was found inside the two storey home on Friday morning. Mounties say they are following some leads but haven't released any details surrounding their investigation to this point. An autopsy on the woman's body was completed on Sunday but police have yet to release the victims name.

Housing units to be built on Olde Town land

Eric Shaw

Olde Town Golf Club is going from golf course to residential housing. The club, which officially opened in 1928, is expected to be developed into housing as early as 2014. The town of Bridgewater and Genivar Inc., on behalf of the course, are currently exploring the option of building 157 units in the proposed Eagleridge Estates including 128 in phase one. Director of Planning, Eric Shaw, says phase one would provide a mixture of housing including singles, town-houses, semi-detached dwellings and two apartment buildings.

"If council decides to move ahead with the application and this development moves forward and those units are built, certainly it just introduces a lot of housing choices and opportunities for folks either living in town or interested in moving to town."

Amendments are needed in the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use by-law to re-designate the property as comprehensive residential. The first phase would be built on Bridgewater land, with negotiations needed with the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg to acquire property to complete the three phase project. A public participation meeting will be held March 21 at 6pm in Bridgewater council chambers.

Leash-free park moves closer to reality

Another step in the right direction for a leash-free dog park in Bridgewater. The town will hold a public hearing later this month to amend its Municipal Planning strategy and Land Use by-law. Town council decided to move ahead after its planning department heard comments during a public participation meeting in February. Director of Planning, Eric Shaw, says the public's main concern was around the design of a proposed leash-free dog space in Generations Active Park. Councillor David Mitchell pointed out, the amendments to the MPS and LUB does not mean every town park will become an off-leash dog space. The public hearing will be held March 26 at 6pm in Bridgewater town hall.