Hollywood Comes to Lunenburg

The picturesque Town of Lunenburg is going to be the backdrop for a T.V. series based on a Stephen King work. Lunenburg will fill in for the fictitious Town of Haven, Maine where the inhabitants have no idea they are descendants of cursed ancestry. Thirteen 1 hour episodes are planned and the pilot for the series is pulling out all the stops for production in order to attract a large audience. Filming is planned to take place April 20th, 21st , 22nd and 28th. The main location is located at the corner of Lincoln and Cornwallis Streets. Scenes will also be shot on the ABCO property, Tannery Road , Bluenose Drive and on and around the railway wharf. The proposed cast includes Emily Rose, Lucas Bryant, Eric Balfour, Richard Donat and John Dunsworth.

Video Fest

The Fifth Annual South Shore Video Fest is set for this coming Saturday, April 17th at Empire Theatres in Bridgewater. Students from all schools in the region were invited to submit videos for the festival. Cash rewards, celebrity judges and lots of fun await those budding directors, producers and stars who submitted videos. Doors open at 9:30 am with viewing of productions on the big screen starting at 10. The top picks will be announced at 11 o'clock.

Achievement Awards

The Town of Bridgewater presented Achievement Awards to a number of teams and individuals on Monday April 12th. Shown in photo are members of the Lunenburg Queens Special Olympics. The Team has competed and won in their Floor Hockey Division for five consecutive years from 2003 - 2007, and have participated in the national meets.

Members include: Krista Stockman, Joey Bruhm, Robbie Veinot, Zach Crosswell, Jennifer MacIntosh, Shawn Thompson, Susie Vienneau, Danny Eichel, Adam Wentzel, Adam McKinnon; Coaches Russel Corkum, Lousie Corkum, Jim Stockman & Gary Mailman.

Cigarette Seizure

A West Northfield man is facing charges under the Federal Excise Act and Provincial Revenue Act following the seizure of a quantity of illegal smokes. A search at a residence on Highway 10 netted police over 11 thousand illegal cigarettes and a small amount of illegal cigars. A 58 year old man will appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court on July 14th to enter a plea.

Preventing Identity Theft

Preventing identity theft is the driving force behind the province's plan to move to more secure driver's licence and photo identification cards later this spring. As part of this initiative, Access Nova Scotia Centres will start collecting height and eye colour information from Nova Scotians beginning Thursday, April 15. The driver's licence and photo identification cards will be made using enhanced technology to capture and store photos, signatures and other information. The new cards will be phased in at Access Nova Scotia Centres later this spring. It is expected to take four to six weeks to complete the process. There will be no extra cost to consumers.

Digital mammography machine

The new digital mammography machine was unveiled today at the South Shore Regional Hospital.

The new machine puts Nova Scotia at 5 now, which will reduce wait times for breast screening.

The other four units are in Truro, Amherst, New Glasgow and Antigonish.

No Injuries when Logging Truck Loses Trailer

The RCMP report no injuries in an early-morning highway mishap in Lunenburg county.

A truck hauling logs travelling toward Bridgewater lost its load just past the Northfield Overpass on Highway-103 shortly before 6:30 this morning.

The logs rolled into the ditch without striking anyone.

Traffic along the highway was trmporarily reduced to one-lane before officials cleared the roadway.
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Oakland Planning

Oakland is a community divided over proposed changes to its planning by-law. At issue is an attempt to limit the number of dwellings units on a single lot. Lunenburg Municipal Council defeated a motion to give second reading to amend the Oakland Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law and is sending it back to the Area Advisory Committee for further public consultation. Mayor Don Downe says Council would like to get a consensus from the community rather than make a decision which could split it even more. He says dividing the community is not the answer.
Downe says the Municipality will work with the community but the residents have to become involved in the planning process and determine what they want regarding development for the future of their community.

Bridgewater Community Garden

The site of the former Tourist Bureau in Bridgewater will be the new location for a community garden. Mayor Carroll Publicover says it's a "Feel Good Project." He says there's a core of 40 to 50 people that want to be involved in the gardens project, and from all indications, the interest is going to grow. Publicover says there will be quite a number of 4 by 8 raised beds, and it will be fun to watch it develop. The Community Garden will be located at the corner of Elm Street and Aberdeen Road.

Volunteer Recognition Day

Volunteers throughout the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg were recognized Tuesday with a special luncheon in their honour. Mayor Don Downe and Council hosted the volunteers during their regular council session presenting each of the nominees with a special plaque. Sherry Veniot of Lunenburg County Ground Search and Rescue was also the Municipalities Provincial Volunteer who attended a ceremony in Halifax on Monday. Other volunteers honoured by the Municipality include:
John Walters and Allan Keddy (Blockhouse Fire Department)
Elizabeth Conrad and Tony Michener (Broad Cove Community Association)
Shirley Wilkie and Donna Hebb (Dayspring & Dist. Fire Dept. Ladies Aux.)
Doris Eisnor and Esther Eisnor (Pinehurst Community Hall)
Frances brown and Maureen Risser (Royal Canadian Legion, New Germany Branch)
Sherry Russell and William "Bill" Alesander (New Germany Canada Day Committee)
Gary Wentzell (Minor Hockey)
George Weldon and Allen Cook(LaHave River Water Shed Enhancement Foundation)
Myles Wentzell and Linda Wentzell (New Germany Lions)
Aubrey Conrad and Garnet Veinot (Simpson's Corner Community Hall Society
Elizabeth Frank and** Barbara Wicks**also nominated for provincial recognition
( LaHave Manor Corporation)
Betty Demone and Sandra Robar (North River Community Hall)
Greg Selig and Janis Power (New Germany Area Promotions Society)
Lindy Guild and Jean McKiel (Elderfit)
Robert Joundrey and Judy Wile (Lunenburg County 4-H Council)
Ardythe Boss and John Parnell (Rosedale Home for Special Care)
Enid Oickle and Councillor Arthur Young (St. James Lutheran Church, Branch LaHave)
Edgar Bolivar Jr. and Ronald Veinot (Branch LaHave Community Hall)

Digital Mammography Machine

A new digital mammography unit will be unveiled tomorrow at South Shore Regional Hospital.

On behalf of Health Minister Maureen MacDonald, MLA Pam Birdsall and MLA Gary Ramey will unveil the unit which is one of five new Full Field Digital Mammography units recently installed around the province.

The event will begin at 11:15 a.m. in lecture rooms 2 and 3, on the 3rd Floor.

King St. parkade assault

Bridgewater Police are still investigating the assault between two young men at the King Street parkade last month.

The incident took place March 31st between 7pm and 8pm. The unknown man, described by the victim as being 5'5, short dark hair, a chin bread, and between the ages of 15 and 18.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bridgewater Police or CrimeStoppers.

Cookville RCMP investigate assaults

Cookville RCMP are investigating after two Crousetown men were injured after three males forced their way into a residence last night.

Shortly after 10:30pm the suspects entered the residence wearing ski masks and gloves, following the assaults they fled the scene.

Police say this was not a random act and all parties are known to police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP or CrimeStoppers.

Temporary VIC at Exit 12

Looks like there will be a tourist bureau to serve the area this year. Bridgewater Town Council has endorsed a recommendation for a temporary VIC to be located at Exit 12 for the next two seasons. The Town along with the Municipality of Lunenburg formed a partnership to explore options for Visitor Information Services. A joint committee has recommended the Exit 12 SmartCentres option, given the visibility of the location, the easy access off Highway 103 and the ample parking. The former VIC was located on Aberdeen Road and was run by the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce which pulled out in 2007 saying it wasn't financially sustainable. Councillor Bill McInnis says the Town cannot afford to be subsidizing tourism and other like businesses which should be stepping up to the plate.He says all parties should be contributing financially.Bridgewater has pre-approved funding of almost 16 thousand dollars from the next two budgets for the development of a temporary VIC, providing the Municipality agrees to an equal financial contribution.

Cadets Recognized

**Photo from Regional Cadet Support Unit, Atlantic**

The first Saturday in November will be declared Sea, Army, Air and Navy League Cadets Day in Nova Scotia. Premier Darrell Dexter introduced a bill Monday to recognize, celebrate and honour Nova Scotia's cadets. Dexter says as a former cadet, he is proud to support a bill that recognizes a program that helps youth develop self-confidence, self-esteem, leadership and teamwork skills. Sea,Army,and Air Cadets are national programs for youth aged 12 to 18. They are a partnership between the Canadian Forces and three civilian organizations -- Navy League, Army Cadet League and Air Cadet League. The Navy League also sponsors the Navy League Cadets for youth aged 9 to 13. There are 3,600 Sea, Army, and Air Cadets in 86 corps and squadrons across Nova Scotia with a history that dates back more than a century. Among the notable Nova Scotians who have been cadets are former premier John Hamm, Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly and country singer George Canyon.

Affordable Child Care

The province is investing five-million dollars to help make child care more affordable for families and provide more support for the child-care sector.
Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse was in Dartmouth today (April 12th) to announce 400 child-care subsidies, the elimination of a parent fee for families and a new grant for child-care providers. Peterson-Rafuse says the funding will make child care more affordable for Nova Scotia families and help strengthen the child-care sector. The funding is provided through Nova Scotia's Early Learning and Child Care Plan.

Carroll Baker at Privateer Days

Canada's Queen of Country is coming to Privateer Days this summer. Liverpool will welcome home Juno Award winner and Country music great, Carroll Baker, for a free outdoor concert on Friday, July 2nd at Privateer Park starting at 7 pm. Although born in Bridgewater, Baker grew up in Port Medway and attended high school in Liverpool. She moved with her family to Ontario in 1969 and was discovered when sang "Stand By Your Man" with a local bar band. In the last 35 years, Baker has had more than 20 number one records, is a three time Juno award winner for Female Vocalist of the Year, multiple Canadian Country Music Award winner, and inductee of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Honour.

Volunteers Honoured

Eighteen year old Gillian Bond of Chester among the volunteers from across Nova Scotia honoured today (Monday, April 12th) at the 36th annual Provincial Volunteer Awards in Halifax. Bond, who volunteers with several organizations including Junior Achievement, Cadets Canada, the Chester United Baptist Church and the local legion is one of the nominees for Youth Volunteer of the Year. More than 70 dedicated volunteers, nominated by people in the communities they work so hard to improve, received a well-deserved thank you. The Provincial Volunteer Awards serve as an early kick-off to National Volunteer Week, celebrated April 18 to 24. Nova Scotia has one of the highest rates of volunteering in Canada.

ER Overcrowding Update

South Shore Health’s emergency departments remain over capacity.

As of 11am this morning there were eight admitted patients in to the ER at South Shore Regional, four at Queens General Hospital and four at Fisherman's Memorial Hospital.

The emergency departments remain open, however the public should expect longer than normal delays for non-urgent services.

People with non-urgent medical problems should contact their family doctor or nurse-practitioner, visit a walk-in clinic, or call NS HealthLink 811 to speak to a registered nurse.

Court appearance for Italy Cross man

A 31 year old Italy Cross man will appear in court this morning after pointing a firearm at an Italy Cross woman and her son.

The man will also answer to charges of impaired driving, breach of undertaking and uttering threats.