Lohnes Wins Bronze At Judo Nationals

Bridgewater's Whitney Lohnes has added a bronze medal to her collection. The 19-year-old finished third in the 48kg category of the senior's division at the Canadian Judo Championships in Toronto, Ontario. Lohnes says she's happy with the results but knows she has lots to work on to get better.




She's now preparing for the under-20 division competition on Sunday. Lohnes says she's trying not to be over-confident before hitting the mat.




Lohnes won gold at the 2010 judo nationals.

Martin Finishes Close Second At Moncton Meet

It was a near win for Jenna Martin in Moncton, New Brunswick. The newly-minted Olympian finished second at the Hub City Track and Field Classic Thursday evening, finishing two-hundredths of a second behind winner Carol Rodriguez of Puerto Rico. Martin clocked in at a time of 52.04 seconds while Rodriguez crossed the finish line at 52.02 seconds. Next up for the Bridgewater runner will be the Aileen Meagher track meet, held this Sunday at Saint Mary's University.

Composites Atlantic Increasing Workforce

A Lunenburg-based manufacturing company is hiring more staff to meet demand. Composites Atlantic is looking to add at least 30 production operators to its workforce. The company is getting more orders from their current clients, prompting the need for more workers. Composites Atlantic is expected to have about 340 workers when hiring wraps up at the end of the summer. The company is considered a world leader in the design, development and manufacturing of advanced composites for the aeronautic, space and defense industries

Former Bowater Workers Being Recruited

Premier Darrell Dexter says he's not surprised former Bowater Mersey employees are being recruited by other companies. Northern Pulp Nova Scotia in Pictou County and J.D. Irving Limited each held job fairs this week in Liverpool. Both companies are courting the former workers who lost their job when the Brooklyn mill closed last month. Dexter says its an indication the Bowater workers are highly skilled and in demand.



He says the government did the right thing when it offered $1.5 million to upgrade the skills of Bowater workers as part of a bailout package for the mill. Dexter believes the training will help some of those workers who lost their jobs find other work that might not be tied to the pulp and paper industry.

Chester: Screening Operation Shuts Down

An illegal screening operation within the Village of Chester has been dismantled. Chester council made the decision to seek a court order last week but work at the site stopped last Friday. An individual had been processing earth and rock without a permit in a location next to the Old Stone Bridge. The operation was also in violation of municipal bylaws in Chester. An official with the municipality says they will no longer need to pursue the court injunction. However, the individual will be fined an undisclosed amount for each day the work was taking place.

Hurlburt Will Be Sentenced Today

Sentencing will be held today in Yarmouth for a former provincial politician charged in the province's spending scandal.  Richard Hurlburt pleaded guilty in April to fraud and breach of trust. 

Hurlburt resigned from the legislature on February 9, 2010, following revelations that he had spent his constituency allowance on a generator and a 40" television, which together cost over $11,000.

The former Tory cabinet minister is the second former member of the legislature to plead guilty in the scandal.  Former Liberal Dave Wilson was sentenced in April to nine months in jail for defrauding the public purse of 61-thousand dollars.

Two More Fish Farms For Shelburne County Receive Federal Approval

Two proposed fish farm sites in Shelburne County have received the approval of Transport Canada.  They will be located in Jordan Bay, about 2 kilometers apart, and will be operated by Cooke Aquaculture.  Transport Canada says its convinced ... proper safeguards will be in place for wildlife and marine habitat and the project will not cause adverse environmental effects.  The province must now give its approval to the sites.

Health Services Foundation: Fundraising Complete For New Echo

The Health Services Foundation of the South Shore has reached their fundraising goal for a new Echo Ultrasound system. The 14th annual Hit it for Health golf tournament Wednesday raised $31,380, helping the group over the $244,000 mark to buy the equipment. A local anonymous donor also stepped up and provided funds to help the Foundation achieve their goal. Managing Director Arleen Stevens says the individual's donations helped their campaign become a big success.



Stevens adds, it was another successful year for the event.

She says they will now have to go through a purchase process, with hopes of getting the new equipment this fall.

Olympian Martin Races In Moncton

It will be the first event for Jenna Martin since she qualified for the Olympics. The 24-year-old Bridgewater native races in Moncton Thursday evening at the Hub City Track and Field Classic. Martin will compete in the 400 metre portion of the meet. She has the fastest time this season out of the seven competitors. The two-time Canadian champion is using the event as a tune-up and preparation for the Olympic Games, which start almost three weeks from today. Martin will run at 6:40 Thursday evening.