FLU VACCINE CLINICS

           FLU VACCINE CLINICS FOR TUESDAY,OCT. 25
Today's Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinics will be held in Caledonia from 1 to 4 p.m. at the North Queens Health Centre and at the New Ross Family Resource Centre from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  The shots are free for all Nova Scotians . Those encouraged to get the flu vaccine include the elderly, babies aged six to 23 months, pregnant women and anyone with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes.

Bowater Mill Requests Power Discount

Bowater Mersey officials will have to wait for a ruling by the UARB on their request for a power discount. Officials of the paper mill in Brooklyn appeared before the provincial utility review board yesterday to ask for a five year discounted power rate for electricity. Abitibi/Bowater Director of Public Affairs, Pierre Choquette says they have addressed the challenges that lie ahead in regards to the energy issue. Choquette says the issue is critical to the paper mills future. Bowater Mersey and NewPage Port Hawkesbury, now closed, both applied for a load retention tariff from Nova Scotia Power. That would mean higher power rates for other consumers.

Truck for Tancook Island

Residents of Tancook Island will benefit from a truck donated by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. The truck is considered surplus to the department, but will be of value to the Tancook Island Emergency Response Association. Chester/St. Margaret's MLA, Denise Peterson-Rafuse says she's pleased she was able to work with municipal and provincial government officials to make this happen. Under the Surplus Crown Disposal Act, not-for-profit groups across the province can apply to receive surplus items from the department, including vehicles, recreation equipment and office furniture.

Solar Energy Installation Session

Shelburne residents will get a chance to hear about the benefits of solar energy installations at an information session this evening. Representatives from Nova Scotia Power, Efficiency Nova Scotia and Doctor Solar will also be providing information on programs and incentives for solar installations. The session which will present information for both commercial and residential settings takes place tonight, (Tues.Oct. 25th) at 6:30 p.m. at the Shelburne Community Centre.

Meet & Greet NDP Leadership Candidate

Federal NDP leadership candidate Brian Topp will be in Town today. (Monday, October 24th)  A Meet & Greet is being sponsored by the  South Shore/St. Margaret's Federal Riding Association at the Day's Inn on North Street from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Supporters and members of the general public are welcome. There will be a membership table for new members and renewals.

Peformance Review of SSRSB

Education Minister Ramona Jennex is expected to receive the performance review of the South Shore Regional School Board today. Deloitte Inc. was appointed by the Nova Scotia government to conduct the review which was launched following allegations that some board members tried to derail an open discussion on the future of 12 schools before a March 30 meeting. Determining whether the board adhered to all provincial legislation, policies and regulations, as well as the board's bylaws and policies was to be addressed by the review. It will also try to determine if the board exhibits good governance practices, such as respectful and professional behaviour, effective use of information in decision-making and transparency.

Flu Vaccine Clinic

MONDAY.....OCTOBER 24th
Today's Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinic will be held in Bridgewater at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 78 Alexandra Avenue from 1 to 7 p.m.

Queens General Health Project Update

South Shore Health is preparing to issue its first tender related to the Queens General Health Project. The tender, which includes clearing, grubbing, grading and gravelling of a small parcel of land next to Queens General Hospital, will be issued later this month with work expected to begin in November. South Shore Health negotiated the purchase of the land, behind the apartment building at 5 Shore Road, to serve as a lay-down area for material during construction and a parking lot at the completion of the project. Purchase of the land will also allow South Shore Health to delay the demolition of the old nurses’ residence. The Queens General Health Project includes the creation of a new primary care clinic and redevelopment of the 22-bed in-patient unit at Queens General Hospital. The total budget of 16 million dollars includes construction and renovation costs, site development, and professional fees. More than 14 million has already been committed, including $11 million from the Queens Foundation and private donors. The province has invested 2.5 million and the Region of Queens Municipality has committed 1 million. A fundraising committee consisting of members of the community has been created to raise the remaining 1.5 million. Detailed planning is underway for the project. Once complete, South Shore Health will hold an open house to share the proposed design and architectural drawings with the public. Construction is expected to begin in late spring 2012.


For more information visit http://www.southshorehealth.ca/queens-general-health-project/ for the latest news about the Queens General Health Project

Family Homeless After Saturday Fire

A couple and their adult son are temporarily homeless after a fire Saturday afternoon (October 22)extensively damaged a wood-frame house near Stanford Lake. Chester Fire Department responded to the call at 4101 Highway 3 around 4:30 Saturday afternoon. Smoke was coming out of the roof through the ventilation system. Firefighters were able to contain the fire from spreading beyond the attic but the house sustained water and smoke damage. A team of Canadian Red Cross volunteers from Bridgewater have assisted the family with emergency lodging, food and clothing. There were no injuries and several pet dogs also escaped unharmed.

Milton Man Dies in Fire



Photo, courtesy of
 Brenda Cunningham



A Queens County man has died from injuries he sustained in a fire over the weekend. Sixty-one year old Borden Croft of Milton was taken to hospital in Halifax but later died.  Police and fire officials were called to the house fire on Pleasant Street in Milton shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday, October 23rd. Croft was alone in the home at the time. A preliminary investigation indicates the fire is not suspicious.

Lunenburg woman's dessert earns her $25,000

Glo McNeil

A Lunenburg woman is $25,000 richer after her dessert won the sweet pies category of the Recipe to Riches TV show. Glo McNeill won the first episode of the new reality show, for her "Lucious Lemon Pudding Cakes." McNeill says she's received a tremendous amount of feedback from people coast-to-coast. The 82-year-old will now be one of seven finallists eligible to win the grand prize of $250,000. You can meet McNeill and taste some of her "Lucious Lemon Pudding Cakes" this Saturday from 11-4 at the Bridgewater Superstore.

LQRDA moving to new location in Bridgewater

The former Dooly's on King Street will be the future home of the Lunenburg Queens Regional Development Agency. The LQRDA is currently on North Street in Bridgewater, but is expected to move to their new location January 1st, 2012. The executive director of the LQRDA, Andrew Button, says he believes its a unique move for the group because they will be housing nine different economic associations. Among the groups also moving to the King Street location are the Bridgewater Development Association, the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce and South Shore Opportunities.

Shelburne County Business Excellence Awards

Business Excellence

Fifteen local Businesses were celebrated for outstanding achievements at the Shelburne County Business Excellence Awards last night. The awards in five categories were handed out during a gala dinner ceremony at the Osprey Arts Centre Thursday evening.(October 20th). The Awards are hosted by the Community Business Development Corporation and The Shelburne and Area Chamber of Commerce.
The winners are:
GREEN AWARD
(sponsored by Shelburne County Business Development Center)
Chris Bird of Rehouse Timberframes

EXPORT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
(sponsored by Nova Scotia Business Incorporated)
Kenny & Ross Limited

ENTREPRENEUR of the YEAR
(sponsored by NS Economic & Rural Development & Tourism)
Nick Stewart of Nick Stewart Concrete Work

EMPLOYEE of the YEAR
(sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada)
Cora Beck of Charlotte Lane Cafe

BUSINESS of the YEAR
(sponsored by the Shelburne & Area Chamber of Commerce)
Don Atkinson Tucking Limited (Bill & Sherri Harris)

FREE Flu Clinic

Today's free flu vaccine clinic (Friday,Oct. 21st) will be held in Chester from 9 a.m. to noon at the Chester Community Clinic, 17 Shoreham Village.
** This is an open clinic offered by local Medical Practice**

Change of Plans for LCLC

A change in plans , literally, for the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. A start on construction is behind schedule, now the scope of the project is being scaled back by more than 15 percent. Changes to the 33 million dollar project include less glass and lower ceilings, elimination of a pool slide, a smaller library space, and removal of the entrance canopies and arched ribs on the roof of the arena. Initial construction tenders came in over budget and Chair Paul Belliveau said they would be negotiating with the contractors on possible reductions. New tenders are expected to be ready in the new year. The date for completion of the project has now been moved forward to March 2013.

Motorists Urged to Drive with Caution

Motorists are advised to use caution due to water on the roadways today. A significant amount of rain has already fallen and this could lead to localized flooding and water pooling on roadways. Periods of heavy rain increase the likelihood of hydroplaning, which occurs when a layer of water builds between the tires of the vehicle and the surface of the road. The vehicle loses traction, and the driver loses the ability to steer or stop. If it happens with all four tires at the same time, the vehicle may skid out of control until it collides with something else, goes off the road, or slows down enough for the tires to regain contact with the pavement. The best way to avoid hydroplaning is to slow down and be sure not to use cruise control. Police are advising motorists to drive according to road conditions.

Bailey leads Stangs to 5-2 win in Cole Harbour

The South Shore Mustangs scored a 5-2 win over the Cole Harbour Wolfpack Wednesday night. Captain Brennan Bailey led the way with a goal and two assists while Cole Skinner made 20 saves for the win. It's the fourth victory in the row for the Mustangs, who are now in a tie for second place in the Major Midget standings. Next up for the Mustangs will be the Valley Wildcats at 10:30 Sunday Morning at the Chester Arena.

Martin overwhelmed by Fundraiser turnout

Mayor Don Downe, Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, left, enjoying a photo opportunity with Jenna Martin, 400 metre Canadian Champion, right.

Roughly 200 people came out in support Wednesday night for one of the South Shore's top athletes. A fundraiser was held for Jenna Martin at the Best Western Plus Bridgewater. Martin says she's so happy people are helping her achieve her goals.

"This night means everything to me. I can't believe all these people are here for me. Being able to be in the presence of everyone supporting me means a lot and having their support is going to give me the extra drive to push even harder towards my goal."

Martin is pushing to raise just over $139,000 to help her prepare for the 2012 London Olympics.

Keddy congratulates Irving Shipbuilding

South Shore-St.Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy

The MP for South Shore-St. Margaret's is congratulating Halifax's Irving Shipbuilding on winning the largest piece of the federal government's $33-billion shipbuilding program. The decision gives Irving $25-billion in combat ship construction as the prime contractor for the navy's new warships. Gerald Keddy says its great news for both the South Shore and the rest of the province.

"Irving Shipyard, obviously, in Shelburne will be an immediate winner. But every manufacturer, every shop, the two major yards in the province can't build all these vessels and they can't do all the superstructure. There wil be a lot of work let out here, I would expect, to shipyards and the shops not just in the South Shore but throughout Atlantic Canada."

Keddy expects thousands of jobs to be created from the project. Irving Shipbuilding will enter contract negotiations with the federal government with hopes of starting shipbuilding production as early as late 2012.

White Point undergoing renovations in early 2012

A South Shore resort is closing down for two months for property-wide renovations. White Point in Queens County has scheduled the renovations to take place during January and February 2012. General Manager Danny Morton says there will be a few changes to their reception area, dining room, guest rooms and some of the cottages. He adds, they will also be making less visible changes including rewiring, kitchen upgrades and replacing their heating and pool operating system. Morton says they're using the $1-million loan, announced in June from the province's Industrial Expansion Fund, to pay for the renovations.