Hubbards Gas Station Robbery

The RCMP are investigating a robbery at a service-station in Lunenburg County.

The Mounties report that the "Irving" gas-station in Hubbards lost a large-amount of cash during a break-in that took place either late Thursday night or early yesterday morning.

If you can help the Chester RCMP with information that could lead to an arrest, give them a call at 275-3583 or dial "Crimestoppers" at 1-800-222-8477.

Baker's Settlement Break-in

The Mounties continue their investigation into a robbery at a Lunenburg County home.

The RCMP say that someone stole a safe from a residence in Baker's Settlement earlier this week.

The safe contained various items -- including money, jewelry and tools.

If you have any information that could lead to an arrest, call the Bridgewater RCMP at 527-5555 or dial "Crimestoppers" at 1-800-222-TIPS.

High Value Trees

Owners of small private woodlots and forestry contractors in Lunenburg County can learn how to grow high value trees through a free educational program. Growers are invited to learn about uneven-aged management and quality improvement silviculture at a workshop in the West Northfield area April 24th. The workshop will be followed by a visit to a nearby woodlot where uneven aged management has been practiced for many generations.
Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Call 902-673-2278 or email outreach@asforestry.com. Sponsored by the Association for Sustainable Forestry's Uneven-Aged Management Outreach Project, http://www.asforestry.com/Category7Program.htm

1 Million for Ross Farm Museum

A million dollar investment by the federal government a major step forward for the construction of the first phase of an environmentally sustainable Learning Centre for the Ross Farm Museum. The investment, will assist in the design and construction of the first 9,600 square feet of the facility—its foundation and main level—as well as upgrades to the Museum’s parking lot. Once completed, the building’s main level will consist of public space, including a foyer, programming rooms, washrooms, meeting rooms, an open hearth room, a commercial kitchen, a gift shop, an office for the local Historical Society, research space and controlled storage for artifacts. The building’s upper level will house administrative space, a staff kitchen, a first aid room and space for the production and storage of period costumes. The New Ross District Museum Society has operated the Ross Farm Museum since 1970. The Museum depicts the authentic experience of a typical 19th and early 20th century working upland family farm in Nova Scotia.
The funding through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund,was announced today by South Shore St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy.

Liverpool man charged with Cemetery mischief

A Liverpool man have been charged in the damaging of headstones at a Liverpool cemetery.

The 18-year-old, charged with mischief, is scheduled to appear in Provincial court in Liverpool on June 1st.

The incident took place some time around March 12th at the Catholic Cemetery located on College Street in Liverpool.

Hockey for Haiti

In an effort to raise money for Haiti a Hockey game is set for tomorrow at the Queens memorial arena in Liverpool.

The pee-wee Rep Cougars will take on the "Celebrity no stars" from Liverpool at 2pm.

Admission is a free will offering and doors open at 1:30 with activities going on throughout the afternoon.

Break & enter at Wendy's restaurant

Bridgewater Police are investigating a break and enter at the Wendy's restaurant shortly before 1 a.m on Sunday. Police responded to two alarm calls at local businesses adjacent to each other. They discovered someone had made a forced entry into Wendy's. Witnesses in the area reported seeing the suspects leave in a grey car. Anyone who may have information about the break-in is asked to call the Bridgewater Police Service or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8447.

Last Students for Riverport Elementary

Only nine students will be attending the Riverport and District Elementary School next year. The school is slated for closure when the new Lunenburg P to 9 school is built. Nancy Pynch-Worthylake, Superintendent of the South Shore Regional School Board says until the new school is built, those attending Riverport were given the choice to stay there or attend classes at Centre Consolidated. There will be one class including grades one and three at Riverport Elementary next September. Music and gym classes will be delivered by specialist teachers who are serving more than one school.

Cancer Care Lecture Series

South Shore residents can take part in the Cancer Answers lecture series available by video conference at three area sites . They include the South Shore Regional Hospital, Roseway Hospital, Shelburne; and Shoreham Village, Chester; The series is designed to provide
Nova Scotians with quality cancer information. The next session " Long-term side effects of chemotherapy - The road less traveled," is scheduled for
April 13 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The lecture will be presented by Dr. Daniel Rayson, Medical Oncologist, Capital Health Cancer Care Program.

NS. Throne Speech

Government unveiled its four-year vision to make life better for Nova Scotia families while providing the strong leadership to improve the province's finances and ensuring it lives within its means. Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis opened the Second Session of the 61st General Assembly of Nova Scotia with the Speech from the Throne today. In it, Premier Darrell Dexter outlined government's plan to meet the challenges ahead with the determined, focused effort needed to get the province's finances back to balance while making life more affordable for Nova Scotians.
Government's four priorities presented in the speech are: Better Health Care for You and Your Family, Creating Good Jobs and Growing the Economy, Making Life More Affordable, and Getting Back to Balance and Ensuring Government Lives Within Its Means.

***Courtesy of Communications Nova Scotia***

Team Southwest

The Municipality of Shelburne is supporting federal government efforts to establish Its mandate will be to address the severe economic challenges in southwestern Nova Scotia. The Municipality intends to be a full participant in the Team Southwest process and to work cooperatively to meet common objectives relative to economic development. Meantime, the Municipality
has developed its own strategic plan to help address some economic challenges and is looking forward to working with the other levels of government to partner on a number of proposed initiatives including:

· The Eastern Shelburne County Energy Strategy.

· A Municipal Investment Strategy

· Shelburne Industrial Park Development

· The Municipal Sewage Treatment Facility

· The Development of a State of the Art Medical Clinic

· Physician Recruitment

South Shore Bowl for Kids' Sake

The South Shore Big Brothers Big Sisters 25th annual Bowl for Kids' sake was another huge success this year.

A total of just over $27 thousand was raised and donations are still coming in.

For more information on how to donate or to become involved with Big Brothers visit the South Shore Big Brothers, Big Sisters website at - http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/southshore

Board Names New Lunenburg P - 9 School

Students who will be attending the new P-to-9 school in the Town of Lunenburg have chosen to name it Bluenose Academy. The students voted on five submission with the top three choices forwarded to the South Shore Regional School Board for final approval. Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says Bluenose Academy was the number one choice of the students with 32 percent and the Board ratified the students recommendation. Other names submitted were Lunenburg Community School (142 votes )-24%, Harbourfront Academy (100 votes)- 17%,Michael G. Baker Community School (92 votes)- 16%, Bluenose Community School (59 votes) -10%. The new school will be constructed on the current site of the Lunenburg Junior High School on Knickle Road.

Hebb's Cross Town Hall Meeting

Road safety was the main concern brought up at last nights town hall meeting in Hebb's Cross that was held to discuss the Annual RCMP performance plan.

Staff sergeant for Lunenburg County District, Mark Furey made the presentation at last nights meeting and one of his main points was that RCMP encourage residents to notify the police when they witness a crime.

The next town hall meeting will be held a the Petite Riviere Fire Department on Thursday evening, March 25th from 7pm-9pm.

If you are not able to attend one of the RCMP Lunenburg County Town Hall Meetings and wish to contribute to the discussions you can email the RCMP Lunenburg County District at lunenburgcountyrcmp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Sustainability Programs

Bridgewater Town Council has approved and adopted an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan. It contains a list of 62 recommended actions to be completed over the next 5 to 7 years in order to make Bridgewater a more sustainable community. Council has already committed 5 thousand dollars in this years budget for implementation of ICSP community programs. Sustainability Planner Leon DeVreede recommended to Council the approval of four community programs including a sustainability festival, support for the Farmers Market, a community energy assistance fund and a "Support Local" campaign

Volunteer Tax Assistance

The Canada Revenue Agency is offering a helping hand to low income individuals in Bridgewater needing help with their tax returns. Trained volunteers can help complete income tax and benefit returns for those with simple tax situations. That includes single persons with income under $25,000 and couples or adults with children with income under $30,000. The assistance is offered through CRA's Volunteer Income Tax Program. A Bridgewater clinic will be held today from 8:30 to 3 p.m. at the Community College on High Street. For an appointment call 543-2295.
Other clinics are set for April 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th ,28th, 29th and 30th.
Taxpayers should bring their information slips (T4’s, T5’s, etc.), medical expense receipts, charitable donation receipts and any T1 package they may have received in the mail. Taxpayers should also have the following information ready: their SIN and their personal information such as date of birth, address and marital status. For more information, visit our website at:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/vlntr/clncs/bridgewater-ns-eng.html

Go Fish

A sure sign Spring is really here.. sportfishing season opens in most areas of the province on April 1st. More than 100-thousand anglers enjoy fishing throughout the year, taking part in free fishing weekends and activities like fishing derbies and Learn to Fish programs. Licence fees, taxes included, are $25.85 for the season for residents of Nova Scotia and $59.57 for non-residents.. Seniors' fishing licences are available for $6.33. One-day licences are available to resident and non-resident anglers for $13.07. All anglers age 16 or older must purchase a general fishing licence. Licences are valid until March 31, 2011. Anglers who plan to fish during the winter season should keep their licence.
New regulations, and changes to regulations, are included in the 2010 Angler's Handbook and Summary of Regulations, which accompanies each fishing licence.
More information on angling and a list of special regulations by recreational fishing area can be found on the Fisheries and Aquaculture website at www.gov.ns.ca/fish/sportfishing .

New School Board Member

Dan Hudson is the newest member of the South Shore Regional School Board. He was elected to the District 9 seat by acclamation . Hudson, who was the sole candidate by the March 23rd deadline, is a resident of Chester Grant and has two children in the public school system. The seat will be declared at tonight's School Board meeting and Hudson will be sworn in over the coming weeks. The by-election was originally scheduled for April 17, but will no longer be required.
District nine covers Forest Heights Community School, Chester District Elementary School, Chester Area Middle School, Gold River Western Shore Elementary School and New Ross Consolidated. Some students living in this district may also attend Park View Education Centre and Bayview Community School. There are ten school districts and seats for an African Nova Scotian Board Member and First Nations Representative Board Member for a total of 12.

Baby Slings Recall

Parents who use the Infantino ``SlingRider'' and ``Wendy Bellissimo'' are asked to stop, immediately! More than one million baby slings made by Infantino are being recalled because the products have been linked to three infant deaths. Fifteen-thousand of the slings were sold in Canada.

*Information from The Canada Press

Assessment in Baby Case

A Liverpool woman charged in the death of her newborn baby has been sent for a psychological assessment. Twenty-five year old Amanda Lynn Oickle is facing charges of neglecting to get assistance during childbirth, and concealing the body of her infant son. Her lawyer says she has concerns whether Oickle has the ability to fully understand the charges against her and to give legal instructions. A neuropsychological assessment has been arranged to be conducted May 10th and the report will take about a month. The lawyer is also awaiting further disclosure from the prosecution
Oickle's former partner,31 year old Andrew Gary Cunningham is also charged with concealing the body of a child and breaching his conditional sentence. His lawyer says he's awaiting DNA results. The case has been set over to June 29th at which time both accused are expected to enter pleas.