Ground Search & Rescues Get Communications Upgrade

Nova Scotians and search volunteers will soon be even safer thanks to a new project to upgrade Ground Search and Rescue voice communications. A 1.3-million dollar federal grant from the National Search and Rescue Secretariat New Initiative Fund will provide all search and rescue volunteers in Nova Scotia with updated, standardized handheld communications equipment.  Emergency Management Minister Ramona Jennex says Ground Search and Rescue teams are there for Nova Scotians when they are in desperate trouble. She says these new radios will help find people more quickly, and help ensure the safety of the ground search and rescue teams. The grant also includes funding for a project co-ordinator.

UPDATED ROAD CLOSURES (5PM, MON.NOV.8)

A number of South Shore roads are closed because of flooding.


LUNENBURG COUNTY;
--Trunk 10, through Pinehurst area from Feeners Corner Road to Goose Chase Road (Detour route is Feeners Corner Road to Northfield Road to Goose Chase Road)

QUEENS COUNTY
--Rosette Road closed between Harlow and Moose Pit --Old Westfield Road, intermittently closed between Trunk 8 in Harmony to Westfield at MacGowan Lake

SHELBURNE COUNTY:

--Back Hill Road
--Upper Clyde Road West
--Upper Clyde Road East (Local traffic only at the Hemlock Branch Bridge)

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All trails in Lunenburg county are off limits until further notice.
The Municipality of Lunenburg is urging the public to stay away from walking routes as they many be unsafe, flooded and washed-out.

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Local emergency officials are cautioning people to keep a watch on their properties as water levels continue to rise along the Lahave River and in Petite Riviere. Heather Mackenzie-Carey, the regional emergency management coordinator for Lunenburg County says road and water systems are being monitored. Carey reminds residents who have wells in flooded areas they should consider the need to test their water supply to ensure it has not been contaminated.

QUEENS COUNTY ROAD CLOSURES

Several roads in Queens County are now inaccessible.


County RCMP and Emergency Measures have closed several roads in the region due to high water levels.

The Old Westfield Road and the Westfield Road between the Bridges,

The Murley Road, the Corkum Road, The Medway River Road at Deans Brook are all closed. Highway Eight is also closed for smaller vehicles at the Hunts flat area.

Sections of the River Road in Milton area are also closed.

RCMP are reminding the public to be aware that as water levels rise more roads could be effected and to use extra caution during this time.

SCHOOLOUT EARLY

Students at North Queens Community School were dismissed early today.

School officials were contacted by the Department of Natural Resources that a dam would be released in the region and that there was increased risk of flooding near school grounds.

The South Shore Regional School Board is advising parents that route 100 is running late getting students home.

SHELLFISH HARVEST BAN IMPOSED IN SW NOVA SCOTIA

All the rain over the weekend has led to the closure of a wide section of coastal southwestern Nova Scotia to shellfish harvesting.

A ban has been put in place, closing all waters within five kilometres of the high water mark of the mainland shoreline and islands of Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby and Annapolis Counties for the harvesting of all or any bi-valve molluscs such as soft-shelled clams, bar clams, bay quahaugs, mussels, scallops, etc.until further notice.
The closure is because of an increase in levels of bacteriological contamination caused by the heavy rainfall.

MANY ROADS CLOSED BY FLOODING

A number of South Shore roads are closed because of flooding from the rain that came down over the weekend.

The Department of Transportation has advised us the Haines Road in Barss Corner is shut down.
Also, Lower Branch Road from Osborne Road to Trunk 10.
Veinot Road, Osborne to Trunk 10.
McKeen Road, the Trunk 10 end.
Chester Grant Road.
Again, those roads in Lunenburg County closed this morning because of flooding.
Meanwhile, in Shelburne County, officials have closed the Upper Clyde Road (West) near the Bloody Creek bridge.
In Queens County, the Medway River Road, at Deans Brook to Buggy Hole in Bangs Falls and the Westfield Road, at both bridge locations have been closed to traffic due to flooding.

South Shore School Board Supports Ministers Initiatives

The province is undertaking a two year pilot project to curtail skipping classes. Beginning next September students who miss more than 20 per cent of class time in a course will receive a failing grade. The Director of Programs & Student Services for the South Shore Regional School Board, Steve Prest, says the Board will be examining it's attendance policy.  He says recognizing that quality classroom instruction is one of the most important factors affecting student learning, and realizing also that instrution can only have an impact when students are present and engaged ,Prest says he thinks the Minister has addressed areas where there is potentional to have impact on the issue of promoting student engagement in schools. Prest also says the focus should be on the emphasis of placing more value on graduating, He says increasing the drop out age to 18 from the current age of 16 would have a minimum impact on keeping students in school. Education Minister Marilyn More has accepted 10 of 13 recommendations made recently by a working committee on absenteeism and classroom climate. The recommendations deal with a mix of greater support for students and stiffer consequences for missing too many classes.

WEATHER THE STORM

The Emergency Management Office (EMO) is reminding Nova Scotians to prepare for flooding after parts of the mainland received more than 200 millilitres of rain today.


EMO has activated its Joint Emergency Operations Centre and continues to monitor the storm.

Emergency management planning officers are reporting that various areas of mainland Nova Scotia are experiencing some localized flooding and that many of the rivers and streams are now full. There is concern that the waterways are reaching capacity.

Nova Scotians are encouraged to protect their property and prepare for flooding in their areas by moving furniture and personal property away from possible flood water and to secure property that might be swept away or damaged by a flood.

Residents are also encouraged to ensure they have access to drinking water in case their regular supply is unavailable or becomes contaminated.

Bridgewater isn't Blooming!

"Communities in Bloom" is recognizing communities across the province for their excellence in tourism, beautification, environmental awareness and heritage conservation.
The Town of Bridgewater isn't one of them.

The Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia recognized Louisbourg, Stellarton, Truro, Baddeck, Oxford, Parrsboro, and Pugwash at an Awards Ceremony.

Mayor Carroll Publicover says he's not surprised Bridgewater was left off the list.

"I've said many times publicly at council meetings and otherwise that we don't spend enough on aesthetics. We need to pretty up our town and make it more visually inviting and we've started that," say Publicover.

Publicover says Bridgewater will soon be on the list, as town projects improve the look of the waterfront and the downtown core.

KEDDY'S ABSENCE 'ARROGANT'

Veterans and their supporters are protesting nationwide, calling for better benefits for wounded soldiers.

Veteran, Craig Leonard led a march at MP Gerald Keddy's Bridgewater office on November 6th.

Leonard says the MP for South-Shore, St. Margaret's emailed him and had promised to face protesters and their concerns on the picket line.

Leonard says Keddy's absence speaks volumes.

"This does, in my mind, show the government's arrogance and unfeeling towards veterans. Again that's my opinion...But to send an email out to the fact that he would show, and then decide not to, is not right," says Leonard.

Keddy has said that veterans in Canada receive the best treatment in the world and that the government deserves 'thanks' for the hard work and 2.5 billion dollars it has put into improving Veterans Affairs.

Boat Builders Stay Competitive with Marketing Funding

Nova Scotia's boat builders got a financial boost to support  competitiveness in the global market and export sales.  Covey Island Boatworks, Norseboat Ltd, The Dory Shop, ABCO Industries, Mahone Bay Boatworks, Lutwick's Boatbuilding and Repair and  Tern Boatworks, LaHave are all receiving support . Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau announced on Friday, (November 5th) more than 300-thousand dollars in funding for 21 boat building companies and industry associations to improve marketing and promotion efforts outside Atlantic Canada.The funding is distributed through the Boatbuilders' Marketing Assistance Program.

MARKETING ACTIVITY
--Covey Island Boatworks, Lunenburg
-- Nova Trawlers Ltd., Lower Ohio, Shelburne Co.
-- Norseboat Ltd., Lunenburg
-- The Dory Shop, Lunenburg
-- ABCO Industries Ltd., Lunenburg
--Tern Boatworks, LaHave, Lunenburg Co.
-- Mahone Bay Boatworks, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg Co.

MARKET RESEARCH
-- Covey Island Boatworks, Lunenburg
-- Nova Trawlers Ltd., Lower Ohio, Shelburne Co.
-- Norseboat Ltd., Lunenburg
-- ABCO Industries Ltd., Lunenburg

-- Dixon's Marine Group 2000 Inc., Lower Woods Harbour, Shelburne Co.

-- Mahone Bay Boatworks, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg Co.

MARKETING MATERIALS

-- Covey Island Boatworks, Lunenburg

-- Nova Trawlers Ltd., Lower Ohio, Shelburne Co.

-- Norseboat Ltd., Lunenburg

-- Samson Enterprises Ltd., Arichat, Richmond Co.

-- The Dory Shop, Lunenburg

-- ABCO Industries Ltd., Lunenburg

-- Lutwick's Boat Building and Repair, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg Co.

-- Tern Boatworks, LaHave, Lunenburg Co.

-- Mahone Bay Boatworks, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg Co.

Time Changes This Weekend

This is the weekend you get an extra hour of sleep.  Nova Scotians are reminded to set their clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 7th, when daylight savings ends at 2 a.m., or before going to bed Saturday evening. Along with watches and clocks, microwave ovens, VCR and DVD players, answering machines, car clocks and automatic timer lights need to be adjusted. It is also a reminder to change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.  People are also advised to check computer calendars to ensure appointments are up to date when the time change occurs.

Missing for Four Years

Shelburne RCMP will be conducting a search this Sunday, November 7th for a man who has been missing for four years.  Eric Helton Dorey was reported missing by family members on October 23rd, 2006.   Dorey who resided with his mother at Woodlawn Drive in Shelburne has never been located.  He was regularly seen walking in Shelburne or along the 103 between Shelburne and Yarmouth. In the weeks after Dorey was reported missing, a wooded area near his residence was searched  with negative results.  The Mounties will be searching another wooded area near Dorey's former residence this weekend for clues related to his disappearance.  Dorey would be celebrating his 53rd birthday next month.

Fishermen's Memorial ER Recommended for Change

Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg is one of the rural hospitals recommended to be used as a collaborative assessment room for emergencies (CARE) centre. The recommendation was contained in a report on emergency health care in Nova Scotia by Dr. John Ross. He stated in his report that of those who accessed ER services at Fishermen's none were life or limb threatening. Dr. Ross stated that according to data most patients could be seen in an office setting. Mayor Laurence Mawhinney says he hasn't seen the report yet and wants to thoroughly review it and discuss the impact of the report with South Shore Health officials before commenting.

Fishery Amendments Introduced

Nova Scotia's lakes and rivers will be better protected through amendments to legislation introduced Thursday (Nov,4) by Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau . The proposed amendments to the Fisheries and Coastal  Resources Act will better protect against the non-authorized introduction of fish into provincial waters and clarify definitions in the act.  Belliveau says Nova Scotians expect marine and  freshwater resources to be well-managed for present and future . The Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act outlines a structure for sustainable development of Nova Scotia's coastal resources. It has been in effect since 1997.

Keddy on Veterans Protest

The member of Parliament for South Shore St-Margaret's says the federal government offers Canadian veterans the best treatment in the world. A group of soldiers and their supporters will challenge that statement at Gerald Keddy's Bridgewater office on Saturday, November 6th, as veterans protest nationwide. Keddy says the 2.5 billion dollars the government has pumped into Veterans Affairs since coming to power has improved benefits and increased the number of pension pay-outs. He says they would never be able to afford to make it perfect, but it's a heck of a lot better than it was. Keddy says the Government deserves a lot of support and thanks for the good things they've done. He says if people want to advocate for more and advocate for the government to do things in a different way than do that in a legitimate way. Keddy says this Saturday's nationwide protest isn't valid because it claims the government has failed outright in its handling of Veterans Affairs.

Head-On Crash on Highway 103

A head-on crash on highway 103 near Chester around midnight last night sent four people to hospital in Halifax with non-life threatening injuries. It happened between exits 6 and 7.  An ambulance pulled in behind a vehicle parked along the side of the road to see if those inside needed assistance. But the vehicle took off. The ambulance followed and a short time later the other vehicle crossed the centre line and crashed head-on into another. The driver fled the scene on foot into the woods but was apprehended not long after with the help of a police tracking dog. Lunenburg County RCMP continue their investigation.

New Judge to Sit in Bridgewater

There'll soon be a new judge on the bench in Bridgewater. Judge Gregory E. Lenehan will be sworn-in to the Nova Scotia Provincial and Family Courts at a ceremony in the Provincial courthouse in Halifax on Friday, November 5th, 2010 at 3:00 pm. Judge Lenehan who was appointed October 19th, has served as a Crown Attorney for the past 21 years.  He will be sitting in Bridgewater, replacing Judge Richard MacKinnon who recently moved to the Truro courthouse.

Lunenburg Council Defers Decision on Development

Another contentious development project for the Town of Lunenburg. Stellar Investments plan to construct a resort hotel/ condominium/ apartment complex on Mason's Beach Road. About 80 people packed the Lunenburg Courthouse Tuesday evening for a public hearing on the proposal. Stellar Investments plan to develop a 60 room 120 bed resort hotel, 60 residential condominium units and an additional 30 apartments . The project will be developed in three phases beginning with the condominiums. Developer Gunther Reibling says the bottom line..if the condo's don't sell there won't be a project. The project is expected to constructed in three phases beginning with the condos. Council has deferred a decision on the application requesting more time to study all the information presented at the public hearing..

KING BALSAM TO BE HONORED WITH TREE PLANTING

In Lunenburg County, the balsam fir is king and to recognize that, one of the small beauties will be planted tomorrow (Thursday) in Dayspring.

Janice Rand of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg says everyone will be able to watch the tree mature in the coming years.
When it reaches maturity in a few years, the tree will be decorated as the Municipal Christmas Tree.
Since 1995, Lunenburg County has long been officially recognized as the "Balsam Fir Christmas Tree Capital of the World".
The public is invited to Thursday's tree planting ceremony at noon at the Municipal Activity and Recreation Complex (MARC) in Dayspring.