Mounties Believe Leblanc/Cunningham In Ontario

The two men accused in a forcible confinement case are believed to be traveling through Ontario. RCMP say they believe 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham have fled Nova Scotia. Police say they have received several tips over the past 24 hours. Leblanc and Cunningham are charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault in an alleged case involving a 16 year-old boy. Earlier today, RCMP said the teen had been held captive for up to two weeks. Police are working with the appropriate police service of jurisdiction to locate the men. The RCMP Major Crime Unit is now leading the investigation.

UPDATE: RCMP Say Boy Confined For Up To Two Weeks

Police investigating a case of alleged forcible confinement in Upper Chelsea say a 16-year-old boy was held against his will for up to two weeks. RCMP say their preliminary investigation determined the teen was kept captive for a period of 10-14 days. The Mounties are appealing for the public's help to find 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham, who they have charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault. Police say the boy was taken to hospital and is safe. Sgt. Alain Leblanc says the public should be on the lookout for two vehicles. Leblanc says one is a grey 2003 Hyundai Elantra with a Nova Scotia licence plate of FBP 233. He says the second is a brown 2002 Chevrolet Venture van with a Nova Scotia licence plate of EZG 581.

Kinsmen Field Closed; Seahawks To Play In Middleton

The Kinsmen Field in Bridgewater has been closed because of recent wet weather. The town's Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Carol Pickings-Anthony, says the field is unusable right now but could open up next week with favourable weather conditions. The field closure means the South Shore Seahawks football teams will travel to the Annapolis Valley for this weekend's games. Pickings-Anthony says it's a temporary inconvenience.



Both Seahawks football teams are scheduled to play their next home game at the Kinsmen Field October 13.

Information Session On South Queens Middle School

A public meeting will be held tonight to give parents and families an update on the new South Queens Middle School. The school's steering team will host the information session to talk about the latest developments around the design. Director of Operations, Steve Prest, says its a chance for people to learn more about the project.



The meeting will be held tonight at 6:30pm at South Queens Junior High.

CKBW/HANK: Live Coverage Of Bluenose II Launch

Organizers for the Bluenose II relaunch are urging residents to arrive early for the celebration in Lunenburg. The official relaunch celebration will begin at 7 o'clock on Saturday morning to take advantage of high tides. Premier Darrell Dexter, Defence Minister Peter McKay, MP Gerald Keddy, Mayor Laurence Mawhinney and MLA Pam Birdsall will all take part in the celebration. The Bluenose is expected to return to the water shortly after 8 o'clock then be tugged over to the Fisheries Museums for the remainder of the day. More than 350 parking spaces will be available at several locations around Lunenburg. They include HB Studio's, Composites Atlantic and Lunenburg Academy. Other parking will be available at The Surf Shop, Highliner Foods and Lunenburg Community Centre. We'll provide traffic updates and live coverage of the relaunch beginning at 6AM on Saturday.

Mayor: Community "Shaken" By Upper Chelsea Incident

The mayor of the Municipality of Lunenburg calls it a disturbing case too close to home. Police are searching for two men who have been charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault relating to an incident with a 16-year-old boy in Upper Chelsea. RCMP say 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham are believed to be hiding in Lunenburg County or Halifax County. Don Downe says the community has been blindsided by what's happened.



Downe says these types of incidents happen in society, but believes the community is still safe to live in. Anyone with information on the location of the two men is asked to contact police.

UPDATE: Intense Manhunt Enters Third Day

There are some new developments in an intense police manhunt for two individuals after a disturbing story emerged from Upper Chelsea earlier this week. RCMP are searching for 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham. They have been charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault in an alleged case involving a 16 year-old boy. Sergeant Alain LeBlanc says the investigation is complex and the search continues for the two individuals. He says police don't know if the individuals are still in the Lunenburg or Halifax County area.

Leblanc would not comment on the boys condition - only to say - he is safe. Police are asking people to look out for two vehicles, the first is describes as a 2003 grey Hyundai Elantra, Nova Scotia licence plate FBP 233. The other is a 2002 brown Chevy Venture with Nova Scotia licence plate EZG 581.

RCMP Search For Men Involved In Upper Chelsea Incident

Wayne Cunningham

David Leblanc

RCMP are on the lookout for two men involved in allegedly confining and assaulting a 16-year-old boy in Upper Chelsea. Police have charged 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham with forcible confinement and sexual assault. The Mounties are investigating after receiving a call Monday evening from a local resident regarding a 16-year-old boy in need of help. A preliminary investigation revealed the youth had been forcibly confined in a residence on Faulkner Rd. The victim was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Now, police are looking for the public's help in locating the two men. Investigators believe they could be in Lunenburg County or HRM. Anyone with information on the location of David James Leblanc or Wayne Alan Cunningham is asked to contact police.

Local Food Bank Struggling To Meet Demand

A local food bank could shut down by Christmas if it doesn't receive community support. The Bridgewater Inter-church Food Bank is in desperate need of food or monetary donations. Coordinator Gloria Hubley says at least 66 new families have used their service over the last year. Hubley says they have had to cut back on the amount of milk tickets they give out, and if the situation continues, they will be forced to stop buying meat or fish. She remains optimistic things will turn around.



Hubley says they have also seen a drop in donations by about $9,000 from 2011.

Charges Laid In Home B&E's At Boutiliers Point

Several recent break and enters in the St. Margarets Bay community of Boutiliers Point have resulted in the RCMP laying charges. A 34 year old man has been charged in connection with breaks ins at several homes in the area. Jewelry, cash, computer equipment and electronics were stolen. The accused .... Kevin Arthur Whiting of Boutiliers Point .... faces six counts of Break and Enter and additional charges are pending.

Section of Port Joli Coastline Headed For Protection

A stretch of South Shore coastline appears headed for preservation! The Nature Conservancy of Canada, which already has protected environmentally-sensitive land in the province, is looking to buy almost 400 acres next to the Port L'Hebert Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Conservancy Communication Director Andrew Holland says this purchase would be a first in the area.



The NCC has launched a 5 week campaign to raise about 50-thousand dollars to complete the purchase. Its looking to business, industry and individuals for help.



The Conservancy is a not-for-profit charity and tax receipts are available.

Lunenburg Mayoral Debate Set For Thursday

The two candidates seeking the mayor's seat in Lunenburg will debate the issues during a forum on Thursday in Lunenburg. Rachel Bailey and Ron Stockton will both take part in the mayoral candidates forum scheduled to be held at the Lunenburg Fire Hall. When Lunenburg residents head to the polls on October 20th, it will mark the first time in more then three decades they will elect a new mayor. Bailey and Stockton are vying to to succeed long time mayor Laurence Mawhinney - who announced his retirement in July. The debate begins at 7 o'clock.


For complete municipal and school board election coverage click on the link http://ckbwmunelex.blogspot.ca/

Arson Charges After Wharf Fire In Hants County

Two people are facing charges after a suspicious fire destroyed a wharf in Walton, Hants County. Windsor RCMP have laid arson charges against 29 year-old Justin Shurm of Walton and 28 year-old Kelsey Moore of Hantsport. Shrum and Moore were arrested by police yesterday. Shrum has been remanded into custody until his next court appearance on October 2nd. Moore was released on a number of conditions. Her next court appearance is October 9th.

Limited Parking At Queens General Hospital

There will be limited parking at Queens General Hospital over the next few weeks due to construction. South Shore Health is asking staff, patients and volunteers to consider using alternate forms of transportation or be dropped off to limit challenges. Workers are creating a new parking area around the Liverpool hospital as part of the Queens General Health project. Officials expect the work to be complete by mid-October. As of this week parking will be limited at Queens General Hospital as the new parking lot is constructed.

This Morning's Local News & Weather - Sep 26

Here is this morning's South Shore news and weather.
(Click on arrow below to listen)

Mounties Investigate Unlawful Confinement In Upper Chelsea

RCMP are investigating after an individual was confined at a property on Faulkner Road in Upper Chelsea. Cpl. Scott MacRae says Lunenburg RCMP received an unlawful confinement call at 7:30 Monday night. In an interview with CKBW/HANK-FM Tuesday night, MacRae says they're looking into the incident.



MacRae says forensic identification officers and local RCMP were on scene Tuesday night. He would not release any details about the victim. There could be an update from RCMP as early as Wednesday.

Queens Mayor Debate Focuses On Regional Issues

No real sparks flew as the four men running for Region of Queens mayor debated local issues Tuesday night at the Astor Theatre. Christopher Clarke, Mervin Hartlen, Owen Hamlin and David Dagley voiced their opinions on a number of subjects including life after Bowater, Queens Place and the economy. One of the hot button topics was ATVer's accessing the Trestle Trail. Dagley says there's no quick solution to the problem.



Hartlen believes the ball is in the ATVer's court.



Meanwhile, two other candidates spoke about big issues for them. Hamlin says he wants better communication with the public.



Clarke feels strongly about changing people's prospective about the area.



The four men also spoke about incorporating a Healthy Eating Policy, building a sidewalk to Queens Manor and the future of Pine Grove Park. Close to 150 people turned out for the event.

South Shore Health Reports Bed Shortage

South Shore Health is dealing with a critical bed shortage at all three of its hospital. In a press release, the health authority says patients are waiting for beds in Bridgewater, Lunenburg and Liverpool. South Shore Health CEO, Dr. Peter Vaughan says staff is doing all they can to ensure patients are receiving quality care. Last month, the health authority indicated an large elderly population coupled with complex medical conditions were contributing factors to the bed shortage. Residents who don't require emergency care are being asked to call 8-1-1 or visit their nearest walk in clinic.

Lunenburg Parking Plan For Bluenose II Relaunch

Organizers for the relaunch of Bluenose II have released a parking plan for Saturday's event. Overflow parking will be available at Composites Atlantic, HB Studio's, Luneburg Community Centre, Lunenburg Academy, the Surf Shop on Blue Rocks Road and Highliner Foods. Shuttle service will be available from Highliner Foods and The Surf Shop with drop off locations within walking distance to the waterfront. Those with mobility issues may be dropped at one of the barricades and assisted to the site by a personal care giver. Several streets in Lunenburg will be closed beginning at 7 o'clock on Friday night. Those street include Linden Avenue, Lower Street, Montague, Bluenose Drive and a portion of Pelham Street. Residents who live on those streets will be issued a vehicle pass to get through the barricades. Employees of businesses on those streets are being asked to find alternate parking for that day.

Bridgewater Increasing Presence On WhyHere.ca

The town of Bridgewater will soon have more of a presence on a local information website. Whyhere.ca was created to help people learn more about the Lunenburg/Queens regions. The Bridgewater Development Association and the town are each spending $2,100 to produce eight videos to help showcase the community and attract new residents or developers. Mayor Carroll Publicover says it should be a good investment.



The Region of Queens and the Municipality of Lunenburg have also agreed to purchase additional videos. The videos should be complete by January.