Lunenburg: Power Rate Hearing For Town Utility

Power rates in Lunenburg will be up for discussion on Wednesday. A hearing is scheduled between the town, on behalf of its electric utility, and the province's Utility and Review Board. The town is looking to increase power rates for the first time in roughly seven years. Pocket books will be hit the hardest for residents with a proposed hike of nearly 10 per cent. Mayor Rachel Bailey says it's never easy to raise fees, but it has to be done.



Bailey estimates roughly 1,600 residents would be affected by a rate increase. The hearing begins at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning at the Lunenburg courthouse. An evening session is also planned for 7pm.

Local Mounties Receive Award At Law Conference

Two South Shore RCMP officers received an award recently at the 2013 Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement conference. Constable Brandy Steeves and Constable Susan Foote won the AWLE Team Endeavour Award at the conference held in Charlottetown, PEI. Both members helped create the Lunenburg County RCMP Youth Advisory Committee and Name the Shame initiative. The committee helps raise awareness about bullying and youth issues, provide resources and information to the community, develop leadership skills in public speaking and the media, and focus on current youth issues. The initiative was created to prevent harassment and abuse and strengthen knowledge and awareness around sexual harassment, abuse and relationship violence. Steeves is a member of the Bridgewater detachment as a school safety resource officer. Foote recently retired from the Chester detachment.

Slight Raise In 2014 Dues At Osprey Ridge

You can expect to pay a few more bucks next year if you golf at Osprey Ridge in Pine Grove. A committee has approved small cost increases for adult, intermediate and junior memberships while some prices dropped including locker rentals and corporate memberships. The price changes are between four dollars and $50. Municipality of Lunenburg Mayor Don Downe says there's little change.



Downe says they're trying to keep their costs competitive and help bring in green fee players to generate additional revenue. Below are the 2014 rates.

Bullying Awareness Week: A Call For Help

It's Bullying Awareness Week - so call out if you need help. Nova Scotia's new CyberSCAN investigative unit has received 30 complaints in its first six weeks of operation, 15 involving adults and 13 involving youth. Two were deemed outside of the unit's mandate. Twenty investigations are ongoing, while eight have been resolved in a variety of ways, from informal resolutions to referring cases to police for further action. Justice Minister Lena Diab says she knows bullying can take a large toll on young people and no one should have to live in fear every time they turn on their computer or phone. Investigators have also visited schools across the province to give workshops on helping students stay safe online. Nova Scotians can call 902-242-6900 in HRM or toll-free for South Shore Residents at 855-702-8324 to talk to an investigator. Parents of young victims can call the hotline and take action on their child's behalf. Referrals can also come from school staff, police, or anyone who is aware of an instance of cyberbullying taking place. More information on the unit and on options for people who believe they are experiencing cyberbullying is available online at www.cyberscan.novascotia.ca 

Lumberjacks Acquire Blueliner From Miramichi

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have added another blueliner to their roster. The Bridgewater club traded a second-round pick in next year's draft to Miramichi for defenseman Patrick Byrne and future considerations. The 5-foot-9, 18-year-old has played 14 games with the Timberwolves this season and has no points. The Lumberjacks could also see Matt Wright to report to the team this week. He was acquired as part of the Shawn Boudreau trade to Yarmouth late last month.

Cookville: No Injuries After Two Vehicle Crash

No one was taken to hospital after a two-car collision Tuesday morning in Cookville. Staff Sgt. Bruce Hill with Lunenburg County RCMP says a vehicle was turning into Pine Grove just before 8am when the utility trailer it was hauling was struck by a car. Police, fire officials and EHS responded to the incident. There were no injuries. (Photo Courtesy: Evan Dahl)

Remembering Road Crash Victims

For the first time, police, emergency and other organizations on the South Shore will gather to remember the victims of highway crashes. A National Day of Remembrance is being held tomorrow (Wednesday) right across the country and Bridgewater Police Chief John Collyer says it'll be an important event in convincing drivers to change their habits.



In Canada, 2,800 people die every year in road crashes and another 195,000 are injured. The ceremony in front of the Bridgewater Police headquarters on Dufferin Street begins at 9 o'clock Wednesday morning.

Pleasantville Fire Department Awaiting New Truck

Members of the Pleasantville Fire Department are awaiting the arrival of a brand new fire truck to serve residents of Lunenburg County. Fire Chief Tony Allen says they have purchased a new pumper truck to replace their older pumper. It's going cost in the area of $350,000 and will be paid for entirely by the local department. Allen says it's a significant purchase for the volunteer organization.



Allen says they will continue to host community dinners and other fundraising events to help pay for the vehicle. The truck will be coming from South Dakota, it's expected to arrive in early December.