Lunenburg Academy Of Music Performance Gets Significant Donation

The Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance has received a major donation. Susan and Guenter Reibling have pledged to give LAMP $100,000 to help the group edge closer to their financial goal of raising $1.2-million over the next three years. The Reiblings have already given $25,000 of the money to help the group secure office space and search for a general manager. Board of Directors member, Ellen Wathen, says they've had to adjust their vision and start small with the program.



The new plan was proposed by community leaders after it was revealed in August that funding sources for the project had fell through. A two-week academy is proposed to start next October at the Lunenburg Academy building.

Long Weekend: RCMP Blitz Nova Scotia Roads

It was a busy weekend for RCMP on Nova Scotia highways. Mounties had a strong presence on the road over the Thanksgiving long weekend. They issued just over 700 speeding tickets and fines to over 100 people for not wearing a seat belt. Constable Kerri Leyte says they also caught 45 people for using their cell phones while driving.



She says police have been cracking down on cellphone use or texting while driving since the law came into effect a few years ago. RCMP also caught nine impaired drivers and issued 15 suspensions.

Focus On Jobs/Economy As Parliament Resumes

The two-year countdown to the next federal election begins tomorrow with a new speech from the throne. Parliament is set to resume Wednesday. It should be an entertaining few days as the opposition is sure to hammer Prime Minister Stephen Harper over the senate spending scandal that has simmered through the summer. South Shore St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy says the Conservatives are set to put a strong focus on jobs and the economy.



Keddy has represented the South Shore at the federal level since 1997. He says the job is still fulfilling and is looking forward to getting back to Ottawa.

Local Hockey Players, Coach Win Gold At Challenge Cup

A pair of South Shore hockey players have returned home with gold medals from this year's Atlantic Challenge Cup in Moncton. Chester's Jacob Myra and Lunenburg's Walter Flower each represented Nova Scotia on the under-15 boys team that won the championship game 3-1 over New Brunswick. Myra scored two goals in four games while Flower was held off the scoresheet. Both players play for the BMO Western Hurricanes major bantam hockey team. Meanwhile, the team's coach also had success in the tourney. Brad Muise was an assistant for Nova Scotia's under-14 boys team that went 4-0 and cruised to the championship title.

Bridgewater Receives Senior Friendly Designation

The town of Bridgewater is being recognized as the province's first senior friendly town. The Senior Friendly program is owned by the Alberta Council on Aging. A representative from the group will present town council with the designation during its meeting on October 28. Program Coordinator Beth George says a lot of hard work has gone into the program since it started in 2009.



The program teaches volunteers to conduct check-ups on town facilities and teach organizations how they can improve access and safety for seniors. The group plans to issue a report to the town later this fall, identifying other ways it can become more senior-friendly.

Lunenburg: Town Still Needs To Discuss Power Partnership

The mayor for the town of Lunenburg is open to the idea of joining a group of municipalities in their quest to generate their own power. The towns of Mahone Bay and Berwick are in the middle of setting up a partnership to own a 16-megawatt windfarm in the Windsor area. It could be up and running sometime in 2015. Meanwhile, Lunenburg and Riverport have been mentioned as possible suitors to benefit from the alternative source of energy. However, Rachel Bailey says it's too early to tell what the town will do.


Bailey says council has yet to discuss the matter, but she expects talks to be held. Lunenburg currently purchases electricity from Nova Scotia Power and re-sells it to residents.

Charges Laid After Threats Made At Barrington High

A man has been charged in connection with alleged threats made toward Barrington Municipal High School and its students. Over the weekend, Yarmouth RCMP arrested a 44-year-old man shortly after RCMP became aware of the threats. The suspect is facing four counts of Uttering Threats to Barrington Municipal High School and the school's students. He's been held in custody since Saturday night and will be in Yarmouth court today. During their investigation, the RCMP searched a home to collect potential evidence. They also searched Barrington High School and found nothing suspicious. There will be a police presence at the school today to reassure students and  parents that its safe.