UPDATE: LeBlanc Appeared Frail, Had Bandages On Feet

A man accused of sexually assaulting and confining a 16-year-old boy in Upper Chelsea sat quietly during a brief court appearance today. David James LeBlanc appeared frail, walked with a limp and wore medical bandages around his feet. His feet suffered frostbite while he was on the run from police in northern Ontario. LeBlanc is facing seven charges in total including forcible confinement, two counts of sexual assault, kidnapping, uttering threats, breach of conditions and administering a noxious substance. He was ordered to return to court again on October 23rd. As Leblanc was escorted out of the courtroom, two boys yelled profanities from the gallery, calling him a ``goof'' and saying they hope he dies. R-C-M-P launched their investigation in the case after a woman reported that a boy showed up at her doorstep in Upper Chelsea, barefoot and chained at his wrists and ankles.

New Tenant At Former Centre School

The Fisheries Marine Museum has struck a deal with the Municipality of Lunenburg to lease the former Centre Consolidated school. The museum signed a two-year lease with an option to extend the contract. The deal is expected to save the municipality $128,000 in operating costs over the two years. Mayor Don Downe says it's a win-win situation.



Downe says the museum is expected to use about 75% of the school's space for storage, office and educational purposes. He expects the museum to start moving into the school once the tourist season winds down.

MODL Receives Cheque For PRO Kids

The Municipality of Lunenburg has received a cheque for $2415.00 for the PRO Kids program in the local area. The fundraising efforts were led by Mary Jayne Veinot, who organized events like a silent auction with items from Olympian Jenna Martin to help raise money for the initiative. The program helps children from low-income families a chance to participate in sports. Nick Foley, Kaylen Bruce and Mayor Don Downe are also in the picture.

MODL Purchases Land On Big Tancook Island

The Municipality of Lunenburg has acquired a small parcel of land on Big Tancook Island. Mayor Don Downe says the municipality spent $1,800 to buy the property from the Federal Government. The land is around 4,000 square feet and located near the old government wharf in Southwest Cove. Downe says it's a good purchase.



The land will eventually be turned into a park with picnic tables and benches. He hopes work will begin on transforming the property at some point next year. Downe says the municipality will partner with the community to develop and manage the site.

LeBlanc Facing New Charges - Appears In Court

Mounties have laid five new charges against David James LeBlanc after leading police on a weeklong man hunt which ended last week in northern Ontario. The 47 year-old is facing seven charges in total including forcible confinement, two counts of sexual assault, kidnapping, uttering threats, breach of conditions and administering a noxious substance. He made his first court appearance this morning in a Bridgewater courtroom. LeBlanc looked frail, walked with a limp and wore bandages around his frostbitten feet. His feet suffered significant damage while he was on the run near Thunder Bay. When police picked him up, LeBlanc was walking on a logging road with no shoes in near freezing temperatures. Leblanc was ordered to appear in court again on October 23rd. He will remain in police custody in Halifax.

Former Shelburne Mayor Wants Job Back

P.G. Comeau

There will be two debates this evening (Oct 9) in separate communities along the South Shore. The first is in Shelburne where residents will hear from all four candidates vying for the mayor`s seat in an open forum. Incumbent Al Delaney is being challenged by P.G. Comeau, Robert Sinden and Karen Mattatall. The debate gets underway at 7PM at the Shelburne Community Centre.
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One of the candidates for mayor in Shelburne is a familiar face to the office. P.G. Comeau is a former mayor. He says one of the biggest issues ahead for the community is electoral boundaries. Comeau believes the recent report by the commission which suggests Argyle become part of the constituency of Barrington and a part of Shelburne become part of Queens would be a mistake.



Meanwhile, the eight candidates seeking one of six seats on town council in Mahone Bay will also debate the issues tonight. The debate will be held at the Mahone Bay Fire Hall starting at 7:30pm.

Court Appearance This Morning For LeBlanc In Bridgewater

47 year old David James LeBlanc is expected to make his first court appearance today in Bridgewater since his arrest more than a week ago. LeBlanc is charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault in connection with an incident in Upper Chelsea where a 16 year-old boy claims he was held captive and sexually assaulted for nearly two weeks. LeBlanc was arrested on September 30th in northern Ontario.
When police picked him up, he was found walking on a logging road with no shoes and little clothing in near freezing temperatures. He spent nearly four days in hospital recovering from frostbite and was flown back to Halifax in a police airplane on Friday. The body of his co-accused, Wayne Cunningham, was found near an abandoned vehicle on October 3rd, not far from where LeBlanc was arrested.

Bridgewater Boy Run Over By Car

No word this morning on the condition of a four-year-old boy, run over by a car on the weekend in Bridgewater. It happened on Deepwood Crescent when a car rolled backwards and over the boy. Police say two youths were seen near the vehicle before it suddenly moved. The boy was apparently alert after the incident, was taken to South Shore Regional Hospital and then flown to the IWK in Halifax. No charges have been laid but the police investigation is continuing.

This Morning's Local News, Sports & Weather - Oct 9

Here is this morning's South Shore News, Sports and Weather.
(Click on arrow below to listen)

Retired Administrator Runs For School Board

Nearly three decades of work with the local school board isn't enough for Jerome Tanner. He's running for the town of Bridgewater's seat on the board after spending time as the board's director of finance before retiring in 2009. Tanner believes he's the right person for the job.



Tanner says declining enrolment and reduced funding are the two biggest issues affecting the school board. He's running against Cheryl Fougere for the town of Bridgewater's lone seat on school board.

Bridgewater Named Baseball Association Of The Year

Bridgewater Baseball has been named 'Association of the Year' by Baseball Nova Scotia. The club had another stand out year with two local teams representing the town at the Eastern Canadian Championships. The Bridgewater club's placed first and third respectively. President Dennis Woodworth says the award means a lot to him and the community.



Bridgewater's Mark Phillips also received major player of the year honours. Baseball Nova Scotia's awards banquet is October 27 in Halifax.

Election: Debates Heat Up Campaign Trial

There will be two debates this evening in separate communities along the South Shore. The first goes in Shelburne where residents will hear from all four candidates vying for the mayor`s seat in an open forum. Incumbent Al Delaney is being challenged by P.G. Comeau, Robert Sinden and Karen Mattatall. The debate gets underway at 7PM from the Shelburne Community Centre.Meanwhile, the eight candidates seeking one of six seats on town council in Mahone Bay will also debate the issues tonight. The debate will be held at the Mahone Bay Fire Hall and will begin at 7o'clock. Municipal elections will be held on October 20th.