Wednesday, June 20, 2012

One Injured After Two Vehicle Collision in Bridgewater

At least one person has been taken to hospital after a two vehicle collision in Bridgewater. The incident occurred on North Street in front of Guys Frenchy's early Wednesday afternoon. Town police, EHS and the Bridgewater Fire Department responded to the scene. The extent of the injuries are not known at this time

Bowater: Dexter Appoints Response Team


Its another avenue to help those affected by the Bowater closure. Premier Darrell Dexter has announced the creation of a provincial response team. The team is expected to bring expertise and resources from across government to get the support and services for people who need them. Dexter says it is a top priority for government and the province is committed to do what it takes to see the community and industry through a very tough time. The team is led by Jeff Larsen, executive director of investment and trade in the Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, and Allan Eddy, senior director with the Department of Natural Resources. It will also include resources from the departments of Labour and Advanced Education, Natural Resources, Community Services, Energy and Nova Scotia Business Inc. The team will support transition advisor Ron Smith, who was appointed earlier this week to help communities impacted by the Bowater mill closing. The response team will focus on three key areas:

  • Community Adjustment: Help community, workers and businesses through transition. Increase and diversify the local skills base.
  • Economic Diversification: Identify growth opportunities in key sectors. Implement strategies to attract investment and create jobs. Support entrepreneurship.
  • Forestry Transition and Supply Chain: Pursue opportunities to support the forestry sector. Transition regional forestry sector and supply chain. Identify short, medium and long term opportunities for forestry innovation.

 The team will also meet with the forestry sector to discuss immediate needs. The province is also gathering information on the 500,000 acres of land for sale by Resolute. 


Support Builds Around Shelburne Food Bank

Residents of Shelburne are ready to return the favour and help an organization in need. The Shelburne Loyalist Food Bank is preparing for its summer food drive and community members are stepping up to help re-stock their shelves. Students and staff at Shelburne Regional High School have already indicated they are willing to help. Principal Mary Manning says parents and students are being asked to bring a donation to this year's prom and graduation celebrations later this month.



Food bank volunteer Wayne Dukes says a two-week food drive will begin next week. He says the food bank sees around 80 to 100 people on a regular basis.



Donations will be accepted at location throughout Shelburne including  Sobeys, Goulden's Shell and the Post Office.

South Shore Under High Risk For Forest Fires

DNR Fire Weather Index Map as of June 20
Its considered a risky time to have a fire on the South Shore. The entire region is under a high risk hazard for forest fires. The Department of Natural Resources says dry conditions mixed with warm temperatures has led to the warning. Supervisor of Wildfire Management, Jim Rudderham, says the high risk is typical for this time of year.



He encourages people not to have fires right now, but if they do, to make sure its properly extinguished. Rudderham is hoping weekend rains will reduce the risk.


What Will Become Of Bowater Woodlands?


What will become of the assets of Bowater Mersey? 
Thats a question bothering many people.

As private woodlot owners in the western part of the province struggle to find a new buyer or buyers for their product, the president of the woodlot owners association hopes his fears don't become a reality.

Marc Chisholm hopes a big international conglomerate will not be allowed to buy up the 600-thousand acres of Bowater woodland, harvest the trees and ship them elsewhere.  He and his fellow members are hoping government will step-in to protect private woodlot owners.



Chisholm says allowing Bowater's woodland assets to be sold indiscrimately would be a disaster for the forest industry in general.

Serious Injuries In New Germany-Area Crash


A man and a woman are in a South Shore hospital this morning as a result of a crash involving two motorcycles Tuesday evening near New Germany. The collision between the two occurred in Maplewood on the Newburne Road. 

RCMP investigators say the man has a severe injury to his left leg and is in critical condition at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. Police don't know the woman's condition, but say she's not as badly hurt.

The names of the injured haven't been released.