Too Early To Assess Shared Bike Lanes: Shaw

Bridgewater's director of planning isn't phased by a recent poll suggesting residents believe the new shared bike lanes aren't safe. Eric Shaw says work is still being done to the lanes to make sure cyclists and motorists understand how they work. An average of 68% of online voters at http://www.ckbw.ca/ and  http://www.hankfm.ca/ are concerned about the overall safety of the bike lanes. However, Shaw says its too early to jump to conclusions.



Shaw expects the lanes to be finished over the next few weeks.

Feature: Sisters Donate Park Land to Chester

A trio of sisters who grew up in Western Shore want to make sure a local park remains open for everyone to enjoy. Joy van Norden, Frances Sawler and Joan Delorey have donated a parcel of land in Wild Rose Park to the municipality of Chester. The municipality is trying to settle with other property owners in the park after council decided in December to expropriate the land. VanNorden says they didn't want to take the money for their oceanfront property.



A plaque will be placed on a granite rock in Wild Rose Park recognizing their donation. Councillor Bob Myra says the park is a beautiful part of Western Shore and called it an extremely kind donation.

Lohnes Wins Double Bronze At Judo Nationals

(Photo Courtesy: Judo NS)

It was a double bronze medal finish for Whitney Lohnes at the judo nationals in Toronto, Ontario. The 19-year-old finished third in the under-20 division Sunday, after posting a 2-1 record. The Bridgewater resident also placed third earlier in the tournament in the 48kg category of the senior's division. Lohnes is expected to take the rest of the summer off and get back into competition in September.

Province, Society At Odds Over Bluenose II Assets

MLAs Pam Birdsall and Gary Ramey flank Premier Darrell Dexter during an announcement in Lunenburg July 6

There's no end in sight in the battle over the Bluenose II assets. The head of the Preservation Trust Society announced in June, half of its $1.4 million has been turned over to the government. However, the province's heritage minister recently said they're still waiting for full disclosure from Senator Wilfred Moore. Darrell Dexter says the situation remains at a standstill



Dexter says the province wants the money and documents to make sure they aren't assuming a financial liability. The Bluenose II company store is considered the main asset.

PC Leader Says Province Short On Nursing Homes

PC Leader Jamie Baillie

Wait times for acute care beds in some of the province's hospitals are ridiculously long according to PC leader Jamie Baillie.  He says too many patients are tying up beds when they should be cared-for in long-term care facilities.

However, Baillie says there aren't enough nursing homes and not one new nursing home has been built since the NDP government was elected three years ago.  He says an apparent lack of planning is costing dearly and its time something was done about it.



Baillie says better planning and more nursing homes would lead to a less expensive health-care system.

South Shore Drugstore Targetted By Thieves

Chester RCMP are investigating a break, enter and theft in Chester Basin.  It happened early Friday morning at the Highway 3 Pharmasave.

When RCMP officers arrived, they found the store had been broken into and an undisclosed amount of medications were taken. Two males wearing masks were seen fleeing from the store.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have been in the area at the time and may have seen these men to contact Chester RCMP right away.

CUPE Worker Seeking Council Nod

A worker with the Canadian Union of Public Employees is going after a spot on Lunenburg municipal council. Larry Power has announced his intentions to run for District 5. Power believes his experience dealing with three levels of government will serve him well. He says the timing is right.



Power says one major issue for him is the downloading of schools from the provincial government to the municipality.



Power has lived in Lunenburg County for the past eight years. Current District 5 councillor Sandra Statton doesn't intend to run again in the October 20 elections.

Martin Wins 400 Metre Aileen Meagher Title

Martin Crossing the Line 1st (Courtesy: Athletics Canada)

It was a homecoming of sorts for Bridgewater's Jenna Martin. The 24-year-old won the 400 metre event at the 2012 Aileen Meagher Track Classic Sunday night in Halifax, crossing the finish line at 52.67 seconds. Chantel Malone of the British Virgin Islands finished second. The meet was Martin's first in Halifax since last year's event. She now heads to Toronto this week for another stop in her Olympic preparations.