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.

TIMBERLEA ATV DRIVER FACES HELMET AND D-U-I CHARGES

A man has been arrested in Timberlea on the "Rails to Trails" system and has been charged for alledgedly driving his ATV while impaired.

RCMP officers were conducting a foot patrol of the trail system when they stopped the individual for failing to wear his helmet and then arrested him on the drunk driving charge.
The 35-year-old from the Timberlea area is charged with Impaired Operation of a Motor vehicle after providing two breath samples over the legal limit.
He appears in Halifax court in mid December.

Treasure Trove Act Repealed

Ownership of Nova Scotia's underwater cultural and heritage resources will be more secure as government introduces legislation today (Tuesday, November 2nd) to repeal the Treasure Trove Act, amend the Special Places Protection Act and create the Oak Island Treasure Act. Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell says Nova Scotians are concerned that artifacts and cultural heritage are being exploited for commercial gain and changes to the legislation will help keep material from future excavations. Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Percy Paris says that artifacts in shipwrecks along the coast belong to Nova  Scotia and that government will act to protect that history.

DEXTER DEFENDS FUNDING CUTS

Premier Darrell Dexter is defending the government's plan to cut education funding.

The province is proposing a 5 percent cuts in the budget for school boards province-wide, that's 196-million dollars.

Dexter says budget cuts are necessary in difficult economic times but HIS government is taking a better approach.

"Unlike governments in the past that have simply come forward and dictated across the board reductions, we took a different view, we said that the leadership on the issue of financial stability, the leadership on the issues on how we get back to balance should belong to the people in control of the budgets," says Dexter.

Chairman of the South Shore Regional School Board says the province is in too big a rush to balance the budget.

Elliott Payzant says a hasty attempt to pull the province out the red will threaten student education.

No details of the budget cuts have been finalized.

Literacy Action Week- Book Launch

To celebrate Literacy Action Week, the Community College's Lunenburg Campus is hosting a book launch and signing this Friday. The Way it Works is the sixth and latest novel by William Kowalshi, established author and NSCC faculty member for the School of Access and School of Trades & Technology. The launch will take place at NSCC's Lunenburg Campus, 75 High Street in Bridgewater, on Friday, Nov. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mr. Kowalshi will be on hand for a reading and book signing. The Way it Works is a short novel for adults and has recently been nominated for the Ontario Library Association's reader's choice award, the Golden Oak Award.  Literacy Action week is held the first week of November each year. It is the time when Literacy Nova Scotia and individuals and organizations who have an interest in supporting adult literacy concentrate on ways to inform governments and the public about literacy in their community.

CYBER-Safety Program

An anti-cyberbullying program will be unveiled this Friday by Bridgewater Police. "CYBER: Programmed for Safety" teaches children the problems of bullying behaviour and how to protect themselves when on the Internet. According to statistics

- 50% of Canadian children say that they are online most of the time.
- 25% of young Canadian Internet users say that someone has sent them messages that have said hateful things about others.
- 42% of kids have been targeted while online.
- Only 10% of those kids who were bullied told their parents about the incident.
- A mere 18% of the cases were reported to a law enforcement agency.

The public event to launch the new program takes place Friday, November 5th at the Bridgewater Elementary School at 11:15 a.m.

Lunenburg Pair Face Drug/Weapons Charges

Two residents of Lunenburg are facing drug allegations following a search of their residence on Pelham Street. Members of the South Shore Integrated Street Squad along with Bridgewater Police and Lunenburg County RCMP conducted the search on Friday, October 29th. Police seized cocaine, processed marihuana, "magic mushrooms", prohibited weapons and stolen property. A 26 year old man and 24 year old woman from Lunenburg have been charged with possessing cocaine, marihuana and "magic mushrooms" for the purposes of trafficking. The pair also face charges for for possessing prohibited weapons and stolen property under the Criminal Code. A date of January 12th has been set for plea in Bridgewater Provincial Court.

PREMIER MAKES IT OFFICIAL, ANNOUNCING NEW SCHOOL FOR LIVERPOOL

A new school will be built in Liverpool.

Premier Darrell Dexter made the announcement this morning in the South Shore town.
The new facility will replace the aging South Queens Junior High.
The Premier says he attended South Queens Junior High so it holds a special place in his heart and he knows the replacement will be an excellent addition to the community.
South Queens Junior High School has an enrollment of about 300 students in grades 7 to 9.
A study determined it was better value to build a new school rather than renovate the existing one.
Planning will begin immediately, starting with the site-selection process.
The design, completion date and cost of the project will be determined during the early phases of planning.

School Board Modifies Transfer Policy

The South Shore Regional School Board has modified its transfer-policy.
Students are sometimes granted special permission to attend a school, based on their participation in an "advanced" or "immersion" program.
With the new policy in place, students who then withdraw from that program will have to return to their regional school.
Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says transfers are seldom requested and rarely granted.
Students denied a transfer can fight the decision with the regional Appeal Committee.

Downtown Bridgewater Traffic Disruptions

The downtown section of Bridgewater continues to present problems for motorists.
Because of infrastructure upgrades, traffic is being disrupted at the York St. / Alexandra Ave. / Dufferin St. intersection.
The work will continue until Friday and motorists are advised to use an alternate route.
King Street will remain open to two-way traffic.
Dufferin Street will remain closed from King Street access.
All businesses and residences in the construction-area will continue to be accessible by local-traffic.

Veterans Protest Their Treatment by Federal Government

As Remembrance Day approaches, veterans across the country are protesting.
Retired members of the Canadian armed forces have expressed renewed outrage at the conservative government's decision to not re-appoint the outspoken Pat Stogran as veterans' ombudsman.
Craig Leonard -- a retired veteran who suffers from post traumatic distress disorder -- says the government was not listening to what Stogran had to say.
Leonard -- who served in Manitoba, New Brunswick and in the Golan Heights along the disputed-border between Israel and Syria -- says the benefits offered under the 2006 Federal Veterans charter are unacceptable for those who served.  
A nation-wide Day of Protest is taking place on November 6th.
Local picketers will gather at the office of Member-of-Parliament Gerald Keddy on Aberdeen Road in Bridgewater at 11:00 o'clock on Saturday.

PROVINCE PLANS TO SLASH SCHOOL FUNDS

The chair of the South Shore Regional School Board says an attempt to balance the provincial-budget is threatening classrooms across the South Shore.

Elliot Payzant made the comment in reaction to the provincial government's proposed five-per-cent annual budget-cuts over the next-three years.

That's 196-million-dollars missing from the balance-sheets.

Payzant says class sizes will likely increase, support for students with special needs may be reduced and staff cuts are certain.

The School board will present its new fiscal plan to the public later this month.

Game Over VLT's

A Nova Scotia organization ... "Game OverVLT's-dot-com"... says enough is enough and its time Video Lottery Terminals were banned for good. Spokesman Terry Fulmer says its a disgrace that hundreds of millions of dollars are being raked in by the gaming corporation every year yet whats put back for helping problem gamblers in Nova Scotia is but a drop in the bucket. Fulmer says gambling is OK if you know what you're doing but the VLT's are destroying too many people and their families because they're such an attraction. Fulmer accuses the province of failing to take responsibility and helping the estimated 18-thousand Nova Scotians with gambling problems resulting in large part from the prevalence of VLT's.

Fulmer is on a cross-province speaking tour and recently addressed the issue during a presentation to the Bridgewater Rotary Club.

Citizenship Ceremony at Forest Heights Community School

The Department of "Citizenship and Immigration" held a citizenship ceremony Thursday afternoon at Forest Heights Community School. Trish Smith the Communications Director for the "South Shore Regional School Board" says the event allows the students to be involved and it also exposes them to the idea of becoming a new Canadian citizen. The ceremony welcomed a number of new citizens -- including the principal of Forests Heights Community School. Born in Australia -- Shannon Catton took the oath of Canadian citizenship, along with more than 30 other new Canadians.

*** Teacher Shannon Catton with the presider of the ceremony, Order of Canada recipient, Elizabeth Parr-Johnson**

Theft Advisory

Shelburne RCMP are advising the public of an increase in the theft of materials that are able to be sold to scrap metal yards.  Most recently the Mounties had a theft of various pieces and types of metal, along with a unique stainless steal propeller shaft.  The shaft would have been difficult to move due to its size and weight.  People are advised that if they see any suspicious activity to call their local police agency immediately.

New School Announcement Monday

A new school construction project will be announced in Liverpool on Monday November 1st..   Premier Darrell Dexter will be in Queens County to make the official announcement at the South Queens Junior High School at 10 a.m. The school was listed as a priority several years ago and parents and the School Board have been pushing for a new stand alone building saying renovations to the existing facility were not economically sound.

Male Injured Falling from Deer Stand

It was a bit of an unusual call for assistance for the Barrington RCMP. The Mounties received a call around noon time from EHS reporting they were treating a patient in a wooded area about four miles behind the church on Oak Park Road. Due to the rough terrain the paramedics were unable to safely transport the injured male out of the forest. Arrangements were made to have a Sea King helicopter attend and airlift the patient who was transported to Yarmouth Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The 65 year old man had been in the wooded area with friends on a deer hunting trip overnight when he fell from his deer stand. The victim did not believe his injuries were serious and spent the night at the nearby camp with other hunters. However, when he awoke Friday morning, he was in a great deal of pain and his son called 9-1-1.

Deer Hunting Season Opens

Nova Scotian hunters are celebrating another deer hunting season, which begins today. (October 29th). To manage the deer population in Nova Scotia, a zone system is used to set the number of antlerless licences based on the number of deer in various areas. This year the province has reconfigured the deer zones from an eight- to a 12-zone system, so applicants should review new zones carefully.  Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell reminds hunters to make safety a priority, and says people in the woods should wear hunter-orange clothing at all times. The five-week season excludes Sundays and runs until Dec. 3.

Again this year, meat may be donated to food banks through Feed Nova Scotia's Hunters Helping the Hungry program. Hunters may bring a deer or moose to a participating meat cutter to donate all or a portion of the meat to help families in need.

Cenotaph Restoration

The Government of Canada is helping fund the restoration of the Chester Basin Cenotaph . South Shore/St. Margaret's M-P Gerald Keddy has announced funding of up to 14 hundred 65 dollars to the Royal Canadian Legion, Everett Branch # 88, for the restoration project.. Built in 1976 in front of the Chester Basin Legion, the cenotaph is in remembrance of those from the community who made the supreme sacrifice for Canada in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. Planned restoration work includes removing brickwork around the monument; levelling the terrain; replacing brickwork and cleaning the bronze plaque. This is one of eleven community-led projects receiving a total of $110,120 announced by the Government of Canada through Veterans Affairs Canada's Cenotaph/Monument Restoration Program.

Police Warn of Seniors Scam

Bridgewater Police are warning seniors not to fall for the grandson telephone scam that is making the rounds. On October 20th, a Bridgewater woman reported a suspicious phone call she had received from a male claiming to be her grandson. The caller told the woman he had been involved in a car accident, and needed 5 thousand dollars to replace a telephone pole he had damaged. The intended victim did not take the bait and reported the phone call to police. This is the second such call reported to police in the past few months.

Accident Results in MVA Charge

Two people were taken to South Shore Regional Hospital following a two car accident on LaHave Street Wednesday night. The accident happened shortly after 10pm. Police say weather conditions played a part in the accident as it was raining hard at the time. Both vehicles were extensively damaged. Four people were involved in the collision. Two individuals were treated for minor injuries and later released. One of the drivers is being charged under the Motor Vehicle Act with failing to yield to highway traffic when entering the highway.

Minor Injuries in Port Mouton Truck Accident

A transport truck driver suffered only minor-injuries when his 18-wheeler overturned in a ditch at Exit-20 on Highway-103 in Port Mouton.

The RCMP closed the highway betwen 3:30 and 5:30 this morning to allow a couple of tow trucks to set the transport truck upright and haul it away.

The Mounties suspect that wet-conditions at the time of the incident, which happened at around 11:00 o'clock last night, may have contributed to the accident.

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.

BEAT THE HEAT

Low -income residents will benefit from the province's home heating rebate program being offered again this year to help make life more affordable. Rebates of up to 200 dollars are available for eligible applicants who heat their homes with oil, electricity, wood, wood pellets, natural gas, propane, or coal. People who earn $27,000 or less, or families with a combined income of $42,000 or less, as well as those receiving income assistance or the guaranteed income supplement and buy home heating fuels, can apply. Municipal Relations Minister Ramona Jennex says more than 52,000 applications were mailed to recipients of last year's program.
Applications are available at Access Nova Scotia centres, MLA offices, Department of Community Services' offices, family resource centres, community groups such as Feed Nova Scotia and Parker Street, and online at www.HomeHeatingHelp.ca, or by calling 1-800-670-4357.

It may take up to six weeks for applications to be processed and cheques issued to eligible Nova Scotians.

BREAK & ENTER NETS ARRESTS AND CHARGES

What was first reported to be an accident on North King Street Monday afternoon was actually a break and enter.

A Bridgewater officer was conducting a routine check of a vacant home at 1561 King Street just after 2 p.m. when he came across what appaeared to be a break and enter in progress.
The constable called for additional officers, who soon had three people in custody.
Reports that a 4th armed man was hiding in the home were determined to be false.
Arrested and charged are two underage females and an adult male.
The accused male will appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court later today.

LOSS OF YARMOUTH FERRY COSTLY TO AREA

Nova Scotia's Opposition Conservatives say tourism operators are suffering following the death last winter of the ferry service that linked the province with Maine.

Chris d'Entremont, the member for Argyle, says statistics he has compiled show that some operators are experiencing 50 per cent lower visitation rates from the United States.
The CAT ferry service died after the province's N-D-P government decided it would no longer provide subsidies to the money-losing service.
Cutting the service has seriously impacted business here on the South Shore and the conservative member of parliament for the area, Gerald Keddy, says the provincial NDP government took the wrong approach to the issue right from the start.
Keddy says: "Without question what the government should have done was agree to continue to help subsidize the ferry for the 2010-11 year and then give the group notice that they would be closing the ferry down after 2011".
The Yarmouth Port Authority is attempting to attract a new ferry service for the area that would be up and running by next summer.

PUBLIC METTINGS ON HIGHWAY 103 TWINNING PUT OFF UNTIL FEBRUARY

It'll be February before public meetings resume on a plan for twinning another section of highway 103.

The transportation department has postponed the meetings to await environmental studies.
Its estimated it will cost 85-million dollars to twin the notoriously dangerous section between exit 5 at Tantallon and 6 in Hubbards.
The twinning project would also include another 10-million dollars for construction of an access road at Boutlier's Point.
That is a particularly sticky issue for residents who fear some homes might be lost to the access road.

LOST GIRL FOUND

A happy ending to what could have possibly ended up as a tragedy.


A 15 year old South Shore girl is safe after she became lost in woods on Saturday in the Clearland area.

Lunenburg RCMP received a report of the girl being lost in woods Saturday afternoon.

RCMP Telecom was able to communicate with her via cell phone to determine her location.

Lunenburg County Search and Rescue and a police services dog sprang into action along with Natural Resources.

The girl was located about 2 hours later near Dorey Mills Road, cold and wet but otherwise in good condition.

CHRISTMAS TREE GROWERS GO POLITICAL

Christmas tree growers in Nova Scotia are coming in from the field and on to the political platform.


The Executive Director of The Christmas Tree Council says growers are trying to get their say on a new provincial Forestry Strategy.

Matthew Wright says its taken three months and numerous letters to the Department of Natural resources, MLA's and councillors to get a meeting with the minister.

The Minister of Natural Resources, John MacDonnell, says the strategy will improve clear-cutting practices without over-regulating them.

The document is expected to be finalized by the end of this year.

INDUSTRIAL PARK RE-ZONED

The Town of Bridgewater is keeping big business away from part of the town's industrial park.

The southeastern portion is being re-classified as a light industrial zone.

Mayor Carroll Publiclover says the 25 acre parcel of land will be promoted to less imposing facilities.

He says rezoning of the land east of York street and south of Wentzell Drive and Cook Road, will not disrupt current business in the park.

LOCAL COMPANY AWARDED COUNCIL CONTRACT

A South Shore Company has beaten the competition.

The Town of Bridgewater has awarded a 22-thousand, eight-hundred dollar contract to Abel Land and Surveying of Chester.

The company will take on the job of surveying North Street and Aberdeen Road before the thoroughfares are widened.

Abel outbid five other companies for the contract.

Council says it was happy to award the job to a local business.

MISSING TEEN FOUND

The fifteen-year-old male reported missing from Bridgewater has been located and Bridgewater Police say he is in good health.

Matthew Baker had been missing since Tuesday evening.

Bridgewater Police Service would like to thank the public for their assistance.

HAVEN RENEWED

The Sci-fi series , Haven is staying in Lunenburg for another season.

The South-shore-based production has been renewed for a second season.

The story is based on the novel 'Colorado Kid'  by author, Stephen King and stars John Morayniss, Noreen Halpern and Laszlo Barna.

The town itself also plays a leading role as a mysterious refuge for people with supernatural powers.

Since debuting this summer the show boasts 2.6 million national viewers.

TEEN GOES MISSING AFTER ARGUMENT

 Police have issued a plea for help in finding a missing Bridgewater teen who disappeared after an argument with a family member.

Police say fifteen year-old Matthew baker has been missing since Tuesday.

He was last seen at Bridgewater high school on October 12th, during the evening hours.

He is described as a Caucasian male, six-feet tall with blue eyes, short brown hair and a thin build.

He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black t-shirt, a green-blue hoodie, a black jacket and white sneakers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bridgewater Police or their local police detachment.

BRIDGEWATER TEEN PLEADS 'GUILTY'

A Bridgewater teenager who was accused of stabbing a man 12 times has changed his plea to "guilty".

The 16-year-old from Bridgewater admitted yesterday in Bridgewater Provincial Court that he repeatedly stabbed a man outside a house party earlier this year.

The identity of the youth is protected under legislation.

He will be sentenced next month on a single count of assault with a weapon.

PUMPING MONEY INTO TOWN SEWER SYSTEMS

The Town of Bridgewater will be pumping 205-thousand dollars into its waste-water treatment plant and sewer facilities.

Numerous pumps, panels and electrical systems will be replaced.
Town council pre-approved the sum from the 2011/2012 budget.

Mayor Caroll Publiclover says upgrades to the system are necessary.

"Allow them to be computer compatible. They'll be able to provide data and take commands from the computer. And they will be reporting very useful data (on) whether they are functioning properly, that's one of the most important parts but there's also various components of the lift stations that are just wearing out," says Publiclover.

The current pumps are more than ten years old and replacement parts are obsolete.

The contract for the design and build of the new treatment plant and sewer lift station has been awarded to Automated Systems Group for more than 261-thousand dollars.

ROTARY SIGN 'NOT RIGHT' FOR A PARK

The Town of Bridgewater is keeping a community bulletin board out of the new park on Aberdeen Road.

The Rotary Club had requested permission to place the board adjacent to already existing signs for MADD Canada and the Desbrisay museum on the corner of LaHave Street and Aberdeen Road.

Mayor Caroll Publiclover says the request was denied because a Rotary sign board does not belong in a town park.

He says town planners will gladly work with the club to find a more appropriate location for their community bulletins.

CONTRACT TALKS BETWEEN BRIDGEWATER AND ITS UNIONIZED POLICE OFFICERS BREAK OFF

Negotiations between the town of Bridgewater and its unionized police officers have broken down.


Bridgewater is not alone in this however. Its the same situation for the towns of Kentville, Amherst and New Glasgow and THEIR town cops.

Officials from the four towns originally thought that by negotiating as a group, they could come to a one-agreement-suits-all package.

Negotiations will now continue with each of the individual locals.

The main issue continues to be pensions after last year's court ruling that municipalities had to cover any fund deficiencies.

FREE FLU SHOTS

There isn't a big scare for South Shore health officials like last year when the H1N1 flu virus was wreeking havoc and stirring up fear.


However, officials suggest getting a flu shot soon to prevent illness when the season kicks-in in a few weeks.

The shots this year are free and considered a safe and effective way of protecting yourself and your family.

Theresa Hawkesworth of South Shore Health says flu shots are available through family doctors and public health nurses.

She suggests the elderly, young children between 6 and 23 months of age, pregnant women and anyone with chronic medical conditions should definately be vaccinated against the flu.

RE-ZONING OF SECTION OF BRIDGEWATER INDUSTRIAL PARK

The Town of Bridgewater is keeping big business away from part of the town's industrial park.


The southeastern portion is being re-classified as a light industrial zone.

Mayor Carroll Publiclover says the 25 acre parcel of land will be promoted to less imposing facilities.

He says rezoning of the land east of York street and south of Wentzell Drive and Cook Road, will not disrupt current business in the park.

DRUGS SEIZED & CHARGES LAID IN LUNENBURG BUST

Police have seized cocaine and processed marijuana in Lunenburg and charged a man and woman.


The South Shore Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit, Lunenburg County RCMP, Bridgewater Police and a police dog took part in a search of a residence on Kaulback Street.

The two male and female residents, both in their 40's, appear in court in December charged with possessing cocaine and marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

SOD TURNING FOR NEW LUNENBURG SCHOOL

A sod turning for the new school in Lunenburg will go ahead this morning.


South Shore school board, municipal and provincial officials will be on hand at the site of the former junior-senior high to officially launch construction on the new Bluenose Academy.

The new school, when completed in January 2012, will bring together grades primary to 9 students from Riverport and District School, Centre Consolidated, Lunenburg Junior High and Lunenburg Academy.

It will also be one of the most technically-advanced and environmentally-friendly buildings in the province.

NEW GERMANY MAN RULED NOT FIT TO STAND TRIAL-FOR NOW

A Lunenburg County man, accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife in June, has been found unfit to stand trial because of mental impairment caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.


Wayne Paul Eisnor of New Germany has appeared in Bridgewater provincial court on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Tina Mae Eisnor.

The court was told that Eisnor suffered a wound to his brain and doesn't fully comprehend that his wife is dead.

Eisnor is being held at the East Coast Forensic Unit in Dartmouth and the Nova Scotia Review Board will determine in another 45 days if he is still unfit to stand trial.

COYOTE CULL CONTROVERSY

Nova Scotia's bounty on coyotes gets underway this weekend.

Starting Friday the province will offer trappers twenty dollars a pelt in a province-wide effort to cull aggressive animals from the regional population.

However, one biologist and conservationist says these measures won't work.

Dr. Bill Freedman, a professor at Dalhousie University tells says the plan is merely a political ploy.

"A bounty, in my view, is mostly a political action that's undertaken my management agencies in order to be seen to be doing something about a problem. And in this case coyotes that some people feel threatened by," says Freedman.

Freedman says coyotes will mate more rapidly when their population is threatened.

He says, there should instead be a targeted effort to kill the problem animals in the pack.

MAN FOUND DEAD IN BRIDGEWATER APARTMENT

Bridgewater Police are investigating the death of a man who was found in his South End apartment this morning.

Around six this morning, Bridgewater Police received a 911 call regarding a possible sudden death.

Upon arrival, a 28 year old man was found dead in the apartment.

Police say the cause of death is unknown.

An autopsy will be performed and the matter is under investigation.

MOTORCYCLE SEIZED AFTER HIGH-SPEED CHASE

An East Chester man lost his motorcycle and earned a day in court after failing to pull over for police.

Bridgewater Police says they attempted to apprehend a man after he popped a wheelie with his bike near the Veteran's Memorial Bridge.

He failed to pull over but was eventually arrested after failing to negotiate a turn after entering the former Kirk's Tree Yard just off LaHave Street.

Deputy Chief John Collyer with the Bridgewater Police force says the motorist must have failed to get the message about plans for increased patrols.

"It's kind of uprising to see an individual doing this of activity on a weekend when we had announced in advance that we would be out in force looking for this kind of activity, " says Collyer.

The accused will appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court next month to face numerous charges.

VANDALS TAKE TO TIRES

RCMP in Nova Scotia are looking for those responsible for puncturing the tires on about fifty vehicles in the Eastern Passage and Cole Harbour areas.

The majority of the damage was incurred on Friday night.

Police are advising the public to carefully inspect their tires as the punctures could lead to slow leaks, not easily detected upon first glance.

The investigation continues.