ILLEGAL BUTT BUST

A Lunenburg County man is facing federal and provincial charges following a seizure of more than 95 thousand illegal cigarettes. Police executed a search warrant at a residence on the Keddy Bridge Road, Oakland on Tuesday October 26th. A 55 year old male from the Oakland area is facing charges under the Federal Excise Act and the Provincial Revenue Act. A December 8th, 2010 Court date has been set for plea in the Bridgewater Provincial Court.

Council Contracts

Bridgewater town council has awarded two east coast companies with engineering contracts.

One tender for work on a key component for the municipal waste water treatment facility was awarded to CBCL Limited.

The Halifax-based firm designed the plant, and will now install a new digester component at a cost of $ 7,400.

A second contract was provided to Elmsdale Landscaping at an estimated cost of $ 40,500

The Nova Scotia company will haul an estimated fifteen thousand tonnes of salt for town streets this winter.

Fire that Destroyed Auburndale Storage Barn Not Suspicious

Fire has destroyed a large storage barn in Lunenburg County.
The blaze on the Upper Branch Road in Auburndale broke out just before midnight. The fire destroyed a number of cars, trucks and boats stored inside the facility. Firefighters from  eight departments in the area were involved in fighting the blaze. Firefighters and and equipment came from departments in Midville Branch ,Bridgewater, Newcombville, Chelsea, Baker Settlement, Wileville, Hebbville and Hemford.The Lunenburg County RCMP says the cause of the blaze seems to be electrical in nature and the fire Marshall's office has not been called in. Corporal Dyson Smith says excavators were called in to help the firefighters. One firefighter was sent to South Shore Regional Hospital suffering smoke inhalation as a result of the Auburndale fire. The hospital released him this morning, and he is reported to be in good condition.

Shelburne Grants

Four local tourism and cultural organizations have received grants from the Municipality of Shelburne. The Osprey Arts Centre will get 26 hundred dollars, 33 hundred goes to the Shelburne Historical Society, 25 hundred for the Town's Visitor Information Centre, and Destination Southwest Nova Association received 34 hundred 26 dollars. Three of the four organizations are located in the Town of Shelburne, highlighting the long standing principle of cooperation between the Town of Shelburne and the Municipality of Shelburne.

"55" DRIVER REFRESHER COURSE

Bridgewater Police Service, Chester RCMP and the Mahone Bay Area Seniors Project are working together to host a refresher driving course designed specifically for seniors. The program will be held at the Mahone Bay Centre, 45 School Street in Mahone Bay on November 19th from 9 - 3 pm. This six hour, classroom-based course is designed to refresh driving skills and put in focus many of the distractions facing senior drivers today. The program is sponsored by the Nova Scotia Government and is free to seniors who hold a valid Nova Scotia drivers licence and are 65 years of age or older. Those drivers under 65 who would like to register for the program, or those who have taken the program before, must pay a $40 fee. Participation has no effect on a senior's driving record. . Seniors interested in registering for the "55 Alive" driver refresher program can contact Beth George, Seniors Safety Coordinator at (902) 543-3567.

HANG-UP ON SCAMMERS

The RCMP is warning you to watch out for some suspicious phone calls.

The Barrington RCMP say these "scams" come in many different forms.

Sgt. Robert Forbes says -- however -- they all rely on the same basic principle.

Someone will call you and try to get as much personal information about you as possible -- such as your social Insurance Number, drivers-license or credit-card information.

The callers usually claim to represent a recognized organization.

Sgt. Forbes says you should report such calls by calling the police or going online to Phonebusters.com.

BREAK & ENTERS & THEFTS IN QUEENS COUNTY

Queens County RCMP are investigating a rash of break and enters and thefts in the Greenfield area in recent days.

Over the weekend, the Buckfield Community Hall on Highway 210 was broken into and ransacked.
Nothing was taken though.
Around the same time, several vehicles in the area were broken into and so was a garage.
Staff Sargeant Jeff Wells of Queens County RCMP says they are looking for suspects right now and says investigators have what the staff-sargeant calls "person of interests" in mind.
He also warns drivers, again, to make sure their vehicles are locked up when not in use to help prevent would-be thieves from getting in.
Police are asking anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious or has any other information to call Liverpool RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

NEW PARKING BY-LAWS FOR BRIDGEWATER DELAYED

Bridgewater Town Council will delay implementing new parking by-laws.
The draft document recommends increasing hourly parking rates to 50 cents and doubling fines for unpaid tickets.

Mayor Carroll Publicover says as a result of a recent meeting, council may make some changes to that document.

Council will take another look at the proposed parking by-laws on November 22.

RESIDENTS SAY CONNECTOR ROAD IS NO TREAT

Residents in the Ingramport area are dropping off Halloween treats at all MLA offices in the area.

They say its a treat for what they claim is the bigest "trickster" of them all this Halloween, the Provincial Transportation Department.

The bags of candy also contain a note explaining how a number of homes might be demolished in favor of a connector road in the area to Highway 103.

Residents' spokesman Sean Kirby says everyone's disappointed that a public meeting on the issue and the twinning of the 103 has been put off until February to await results of an environmental study.

Residents of the area have been vocal at public meetings on the issue during the summer and are continuing their demand for a referendum.

HOME GUTTED BY FIRE

One South Shore family is homeless after their house was gutted by fire this weekend.

The single family structure on Teachest Lane, off Sandypoint Road, was demolished by flames.

The Shelburne Volunteer Fire Department and the Jordan Falls Fire Department responded to the call at approximately 2pm on Sunday afternoon.

The residents had returned home that afternoon to find smoke funnelling out the rear of the house.

Police say the cause of the blaze has yet to be determined.

POLICE SEEK TWO SUSPECTS AFTER ASSAULT

Bridgewater Police are seeking two suspects after an alleged assault this weekend.

Police say a man was taken to South Shore Regional Hospital with minor injuries after being jumped by two men.

The first suspect is described as large in build, approximately 23 years of age, last seen wearing baggy black sweatpants and a hoodie

The second man is described as 27 years of age with a large build, a goatee and sideburns.

Police are asking anyone with information on the assault to contact the Bridgewater Police Detachment or Crime Stoppers.

LEAKING VESSEL MAKES ITS WAY BACK TO LIVERPOOL

A fishing vessel with 15 people on board, taking on water off southern Nova Scotia over the weekend, used  pumps dropped to it by a rescue aircraft to stay afloat as it safely returned to harbour in Liverpool.

A spokesman for the rescue co-ordination centre in Halifax says the "Bickerton Pride" was about 150 kilometres south of Yarmouth when it began taking on water.
A Canadian Hercules aircraft and a U.S. Coast Guard jet were sent out to drop three pumps to the vessel.
The pumps ensured the vessel stayed afloat as it motored its way safely to port.

TWO BIG TANCOOK ISLAND MEN FACING CHARGES FOR ALLEDGEDLY KEEPING A PET DEER

In September, a while-tailed deer someone was keeping as a pet was seized on Big Tancook Island.
Two men face numerous charges resulting from the seizure.
Charged with three offences under the provincial Wildlife Act — keeping wildlife in captivity without a permit or licence, contrary to regulations and in an unapproved enclosure --- is 70 year old Lee Grant Cross.
Facing one charge under the Wildlife Act — possessing a deer carcass --- is 27 year old Leslie Lee Cross.
The younger Cross also faces 14 charges under the Criminal Code — a single count of possessing a loaded handgun, one count of carelessly storing ammunition and a dozen counts of carelessly storing a variety of firearms.
Lawyer for the men appeared in Bridgewater court to ask for more time to review the case and was given November 17th as the next court date.

TALKING TOURISM

The Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality is hoping the tourism Department got the message.

Mayor John Leefe, two councillors and two staff members attended a 'Lets Talk Tourism' workshop this month hosted by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism.

Leefe says their major concern was the loss of the Yarmouth to Maine ferry service.

He says the department is only beginning to understand how much the death of the ferry service has affected the region.

Leefe also says he's hopeful the Department now understands the need for their increased promotional and fiscal support throughout the region.

FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Affordable housing facilities in Nova Scotia will receive 32 million in federal and provincial funding.

Member of Parliment for the South Shore-St. Margaret's, Gerald Keddy made the announcement this morning.

Twenty-one million dollars will go towards repairs and renovations of social housing. Eleven million dollars will be provided for the construction of new homes for low-income seniors and people with disabilities across the province.

Keddy says the funding, made possible through the federal Economic Action Plan and the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Program, is helping those who need it most while providing job opportunities for tradespeople throughout the region.

Drugs, Cigarettes & Weapons Seized

A Lunenburg County man is facing charges following the seizure of a quantity of illegal cigarettes and prohibited weapons from an Upper LaHave home. The South Shore Integrated Street Crime Unity along with RCMP searched the house on the Conrad Road on October 19th. Police seized 1400 illegal cigarettes, a quantity of processed marijuana and prohibited weapons. A 35 year old male s facing charges under the federal Excise Act, the provincial Revenue Act and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. He’s slated to appear in Bridgewater provincial court on December 15.

AQUACULTURE FUNDING

A Mahone Bay company one of 25 aquaculture projects receiving provincial funding. Over 90 thousand dollars has been provided to two South Shore operators. Indian Point Marine Farms in Mahone Bay received 12 thousand to develop a technology to recover mussel seed from the synthetic mesh used to protect against predation from sea ducks. The Cedar Bay Grilling Company received 80 thousand to market and distribute four new Atlantic salmon product lines. In all, 25 operators and projects received funding. The 300 aquaculture sites in the province employ 700 people.

Patient Safety Week to be Celebrated

November 1st to the 5th is Patient Safety Week in Canada and South Shore Health will celebrate by hosting patient safety fairs in a series of locations throughout the District to encourage patients and families to be actively involved in their health. C-E-O Alice Leverman says one simple way to improve safety in healthcare is by asking questions, listening to the answers and talking openly about our concerns.The public is invited to join staff, physicians and volunteers to learn more about efforts to improve patient safety and how they can participate in making their care safer.

Fairs will be held from 10 am to 2 pm at the following locations:

o November 2 - Bridgewater Mall Center Court

o November 3 - QGH - Second floor old nursing station

o November 4 - FMH - Assembly Room

o November 5 - SSRH - Lecture Rooms 1, 2, 3

Red Cross Assists in Fires

The Red Cross has stepped in to assist an 88-year-old man after fire destroyed a small house on Cape Sable Island, on the South Shore earlier this week. He escaped injury in the fire late Monday but lost his house and belongings. The elderly man is staying with family members for now and the Red Cross has arranged emergency purchases of food and clothes. An electrical malfunction is blamed for the fire at 754 Stoney Island Road. Meantime a family of four is homeless after a fire destroyed a house late Thursday morning in Telford, , a rural area about 20 kilometres east of New Glasgow. One adult who was home at the time and the family's dog, escaped unharmed. The couple's two children were in school. Red Cross volunteers provided some blankets and personal-care items but the home was insured and an adjustor was quickly on-scene to arrange other emergency support.

Drug Charges

A 43 year old Shelburne County resident is facing charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of proceeds of crime. Leonard Lee Nickerson was arrested Wednesday following a search of a Newelton home. The Street Crime Unit assisted by members of the Barrington RCMP seized over a pound of marijuana along with other drug related items and a large amount of cash. Nickerson will appear in Barrington Provincial Court on December 23rd.