South Shore: Collisions Plenty On Slick Roads

An officer with South Shore Traffic Services says motorists need to adjust their driving habits to reflect the season. Constable Jamal Gray says drivers can be fooled by black ice this time of year. He says fluctuating temperatures can play havoc with road conditions, even though there's no snow.



Over the past three days, RCMP have been called to roughly ten incidents where vehicles have skidded off the road because of tricky driving conditions.  Gray says motorists should reduce speed and give themselves a few extra minutes extra to get into work.

MODL Assuming Operations Of Osprey Ridge

The Municipality of Lunenburg is assuming operations at Osprey Ridge Golf Course. Council has decided not to renew the operating agreement with the Bridgewater Golf and Country Club. In the meantime, MODL will work to make the course more attractive to prospective buyers. CAO Tammy Wilson says it makes sense to operate the course on a temporary basis.



The municipality took possession of Osprey Ridge last November after the previous owner defaulted on its mortgage payments. MODL is hiring former golf course manager Vince MacDonald to help provide operational guidance and direction.

Resolute Closes Mill In Fort Frances

Resolute Forest Product is putting to rest some of the rumours surrounding its operations in Fort Frances. About 239 employees will be laid off when the company idles, indefinitely, its kraft mill and paper machine number five. In a release, President and CEO Richard Garneau says markets for products produced have been challenging, especially at the kraft mill which has been running at 40 per cent capacity. However, the company isn't ruling a resumption of operations down the road, noting it plans to idle equipment in a way it can be easily restarted. The Montreal-based company is the former operator of the Bowater Mersey paper mill in Brooklyn.

MODL Provide Feedback To DOT

Overhanging brush and road conditions; two glaring issues brought up by municipal councillors to the Department of Transportation. Members of the Municipality of Lunenburg spoke with a local DOT official Tuesday about issues in their constituencies. The meeting was used as an introduction to the process of how councillors should direct their concerns locally. Deputy Mayor Don Zwicker says the two issues affect many residents.



Zwicker believes it was a good discussion to have to exchange information and provide feedback to the DOT.

Bridgewater: Mayor Frustrated By Election Numbers

The town of Bridgewater enjoyed one of their better voting turnouts in recent history, but that still doesn't sit well with the mayor. David Walker feels more could be done to improve voter turnout. Roughly 46% of eligible voters exercised their right in the October 20 elections, almost double the amount who voted in 2008. Walker says the increase is great, but still shows people aren't engaged.



Over 72% of people voted electronically in last month's election. Walker says council will move forward cautiously, but he isn't in favour of providing only electronic voting in four years.

UPDATED: New Arrest & Charges In Confinement Case

A 63 year-old man is facing two charges in relation to the alleged sexual assault and confinement of a 16-year-old boy in Upper Chelsea. John MacKean of Lower Sackville has been stung with a charge of sexual assault and another prostitution related offence. He is the third suspect charged in the disturbing case where a teenager claims he was held captive and sexually assaulted for a period of eight days in September. MacKean was arrested Monday evening in connection with the case at a hotel in Fredericton. Crown lawyer Lloyd Tancock explained the charges outside the courtroom.



MacKean will remain in custody until his next court appearance on Thursday. Another man - David James Leblanc - has already been charged with seven offences in the case, including sexual assault and confinement of the youth. The third suspect, Wayne Allen Cunningham, died in northern Ontario while on the run from police during a nation-wide manhunt. Mounties have yet to release the cause of his death.

BREAKING: Second Arrest In Confinement Case

A 63-year-old man has been arrested in the investigation into the alleged sexual assault and confinement of a 16-year-old boy. The Nova Scotia man was arrested Monday evening in Fredericton. CKBW/ HANK FM's Steve MacArthur says the accused was without handcuffs when he was unusually taken into the justice centre in Bridgewater through a public entrance.



David James Leblanc has already been charged with seven offences in the case, including sexual assault and forcible confinement.

Walkabout Focuses On History, King Street

It was referred to as the kickoff to four days of consultations. Over 30 people gathered this afternoon for a walkabout to discuss the future look of Bridgewater's downtown. A guided tour was given along King Street, underneath the south parkade and across the Old Bridge to Riverside Park. President of Bridgewater's Chamber of Commerce, Dave Hadley, says the vacancy and current state of buildings on King Street is one of his concerns.



The walkabout was the first of many events planned to determine what people would like to see in the Downtown and Waterfront master plan. A public workshop will be held at 6:30 tonight at the Bridgewater Days Inn.

Bridgewater: Water Main Break On Aberdeen Road

A small pocket of residents in Bridgewater will be without water for a good chunk of the evening. Town officials are working to fix a water main break on Aberdeen Road. The pipe burst shortly after lunch and is affecting just under 100 people who live around Davison to Glen Allen Drive. The water should be back on this evening around 9 o'clock.

Drug Team Involved In Sunken Vessel Investigation

Police in Barrington will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a mysterious boat that sunk in Cape Sable Island. The 40 footer sank Friday morning near Daniel's Heard Wharf. A police dive team, ground search and rescue and members with the Canadian Coast Guard were all part of the investigation over the weekend. Sergeant MJ DeLuco says investigators also called in an RCMP drug team. However, she would not reveal if any illegal drugs were found on the sunken vessel.



DeLuco says police are following up leads after the dive team investigated the wreckage over the weekend. She says RCMP have no plans to raise the ship.

Eisnor Preliminary Hearing Begins Thursday In Bridgewater Court

A preliminary hearing will be held later this week for a Lunenburg county man charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife. Wayne Paul Eisnor of Barss Corner was found fit to stand trial in April. The ruling was recently upheld in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. The 48 year-old is accused of shooting Tina Mae Eisnor in a grocery store parking lot in New Germany almost two and a half years ago. He then turned the gun on himself causing significant brain damage and memory loss. The two-day hearing will determine whether there's enough evidence to proceed to trial. The preliminary gets underway Thursday in Bridgewater court.

Group Raises Awareness Of School Traffic Issue

Members of a local group are raising awareness of parking changes at Bridgewater Elementary School. Parents and staff with the school's travel planning committee, along with local police took to York Street this morning to promote where people can park or drop their children off for school. There has been some confusion this year after the town installed 'shared bike lanes' over the summer, leading to different parking rules around the school. Committee member, Leon De Vreede, says they're just trying to make people aware of the situation.



Police are enforcing the new parking rules and encourage drivers to pay attention and learn about the changes. The group will hold another awareness day Tuesday morning.

Town Holds Consultations On Downtown Plan

The first in a series of consultations on Bridgewater's downtown will be held over the lunch hour today. The town's planning department is welcoming the public to provide their input on improving the core and waterfront part of the community. Four events are scheduled this week including a downtown walkabout beginning at noon at King Street Court. Director of Planning, Eric Shaw, says it's a chance for people to give their ideas towards the town's Downtown and Waterfront Master Plan.



Ekistics Planning and Design has been tasked with creating the master plan. A full list of events include:

- Downtown Walkabout - Monday, Nov. 19th @ Noon
  King Street Court

- Public Visioning Workshop - Monday, Nov. 19th @ 6:30pm
  Bridgewater Days Inn

- Design Drop-In - Wednesday, Nov. 21st @ 9am
  Bridgewater Mall (Concourse)

- Public Open House - Thursday, Nov. 22nd @ 6:30pm
  Bridgewater Fire Hall

For more information on these events or the Downtown Plan, please visit our website at http://www.bridgewater.ca/downtownplan

MHL: Ramblers Roll Over 'Jacks

A long night in Amherst for the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks. The Ramblers scored early and often as they pounded the Jacks 10-1. Jarred Dodman had the lone goal for Bridgewater, who surrendered three power play goals and two short handed markers. The Jacks don't have long to lick their wounds, they'll face the Commandos in Dieppe on Sunday afternoon at 2:30PM. Meanwhile, in major midget hockey, the South Shore Mustangs have been eliminated from the Monctonian Major Midget Hockey Challenge. The Stangs wrapped up round robin action with a 3-1 loss to the Fredericton Canadians. The locals finished the event with a 1-2 record.

Sunken Vessel Mystery In Cape Sable Island

An RCMP dive team has finished examining an area where a boat sank in waters off Daniels Head Wharf in Cape Sable Island. The 40 foot boat mysteriously went down late Friday morning. In a media release, police say it's not safe for divers to continue working around the boat because of the way it's resting on the ocean floor. RCMP Sergeant MJ DeLuco says they are still trying to determine the owner of the boat. A search and rescue team scoured the shoreline on Saturday looking for evidence in relation to the downed vessel. According to police they never found much to help with their investigation. Earlier in the day, Mounties indicated they hadn't received a distress call and the boat appeared to be abandon. Members of the Canadian Coast Guard were also involved in the day-long probe. Anyone with information is asking to contact Barrington RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

South Shore: Local Hockey Wrap

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have some confidence as they head out on a weekend road trip. The Bridgewater club has earned points in three of their last four contests including a come from behind win on Thursday against Yarmouth. The Jacks head into the Jungle tonight to face the Amherst Ramblers at 7 o'clock. Tomorrow it's off to Dieppe for a 2:30 start against the vastly-improved Commandoes. The South Shore Mustangs wrap up round robin action this afternoon at the Monctonian Major Midget Hockey Challenge in New Brunswick. The Stangs face Fredericton at 12:30. A win for the locals could earn them a playoff spot. 
In "Q" League action at the Metro Centre last night the Halifax Mooseheads dumped Rouyn-Noranda 8-3.

Barrington: RCMP Divers Investigate Sunken Boat

An RCMP dive team is searching for clues after a vessel mysteriously went down near Cape Sable Island. The boat sunk late Friday morning just off Daniels Head Wharf. However, Barrington RCMP say they did not received a distress call and the ship appeared to be abandon. Members of the Canadian Coast Guard have been called in to help with the investigation. Meanwhile, a search and rescue team is combing the shoreline today in search of any evidence to help with the investigation. Barrington RCMP are asking anyone with information to contact their detachment.

 

Mustangs Move To 1-1 In Moncton

The South Shore Mustangs bounced back from a 4-0 loss yesterday at the Monctonian 'AAA' hockey challenge with a 4-0 win of their own today. The Mustangs scored twice in the first period and twice again in the second period to beat the St. John's Maple Leafs. Alex Nauss scored two goals while Jared Murphy and Jordan Messenger also lit the lamp. Cole Skinner recorded the shutout. The Mustangs meet the Fredericton Canadiens in their final round robin game tomorrow at 12:30pm.

New Legislation Identifies School Board Duties

The province is clearing the path around the roles of school board members. Education Minister Ramona Jennex has introduced legislation clarifying their duties. An audit of the South Shore Regional School Board last November recommended the province help school board members understand their responsibilities, as distinct from the board's operational staff, so they can govern effectively. The proposed amendments to the Education Act include board members maintaining focus on helping all of the region's students and superintendents being responsible for day-to-day management of the board. The province is holding orientation sessions with newly elected boards this month to explain the type of decisions they will face, such as school reviews or approving a budget.

Gas Prices Up Again!

Its no big surprise really! Gasoline prices have increased overnight at South Shore pumps. The utility and review board has set the prices for the coming week. Regular self serve is selling now at $130.5 a litre. Thats an increase of 3.5 cents from yesterday. No change though in the price of diesel fuel. Its selling for $1.33.4 a litre.