A Messy, Windy Day Ahead

A storm that caused weather troubles in the US over Christmas is rolling across the Maritimes today. Its bringing heavy snow for New Brunswick and ice pellets, snow, rain and high winds to this province. Here on the South Shore, the wind could top 100 kilometers an hour this evening before it peters out over night. Police forces in the area advise all motorists to slow down on the highways. As the temperature hovers around the freezing point, the snow falling this morning (ahead of rain this afternoon) is making the roads dangerous.

In Review: Teen Confinement Case Rocks South Shore

When you re-examine 2012, the one news story that stands out as representing a dark moment in our history came to light in late September.  That's when a teenage boy suddenly showed up on an elderly woman's doorstep in Upper Chelsea pleading for help. The 16- year-old claimed he'd been held captive in chains for days and sexually assaulted in a neighbouring home. The RCMP issued a Canada-wide warrant for the arrests of two suspects. One of them, 31-year-old Wayne Allan Cunningham was found dead a week later, along a woods road in Northern Ontario. The other suspect, 47-year-old David James Leblanc, was apprehended in the same area two days later. The incident raised fears among Lunenburg County residents that "big-city" type incidents had finally found their way to the area. District of Lunenburg Mayor Don Downe tried to ease everyone's concerns.



Since early October, Leblanc has been in and out of court in Bridgewater. He's facing seven charges, including sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm, forcible confinement and kidnapping. Leblanc is back in court January 16th when dates will be set for a preliminary hearing. Another man, 63-year-old Leonard McKean of Lower Sackville, has also been charged in the case. He's out on bail and is back in Bridgewater court January 23rd.

Junior Curling Championship Kicks Off

The road to the "Canadian Junior Curling Championship" goes through the South Shore starting today. The Chester Curling club will be hosting the "AMJ-Campbell Junior Provincials".
Eight girls' teams will battle for the title including Mary Fay of the host club and Bridgewater's Raquel Bachman.  The one local boys crew is Trevor Crouse of Bridgewater.  The event gets rolling at 4 o'clock this afternoon. Four more draws hit the ice tomorrow morning starting at 8 o'clock. The championship trophies will be handed out on New Year's Eve. Winners will represent the province at the "M & M Canadian Juniors" in Fort McMurray, Alberta in February.  

More ER Closures Planned At Fishermen's Memorial

There are more closures planned for the emergency department at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg. The ER will be closed Friday December 28 at 2:30pm and will reopen on Saturday December 29 at 7:30am. The emergency department will also close at 2:30 this afternoon and open back up at 7:30 Tuesday morning. The closure is being blamed on a shortage of available doctors. Anyone needing emergency services are being asked to head to the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. Patients with non-emergencies should contact their family physician or call Health Link 811.

Lunenburg: ER Closure At Fishermen's Memorial

The emegency department at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg will be temporarily closed over Christmas. A lack of physician coverage is to blame for the closure which begins on Monday afternoon at 2:30PM. The ER will re-open Christmas Day at 7:30AM. Residents requiring emergency services are being asked to visit the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. Patients with non-emergencies should contact their family physician or call Health Link 811.

Gas Prises Rise Ahead of Holiday Rush

If you're hitting the highway heading home for Christmas, you will have to pay more to hit the road. Gasoline prices are "up" at South Shore pumps and elsewhere in the province. The utility and review board set the prices for the next week at midnight last night. A litre of regular self serve is up 3.5 cents this morning to a $1.23.7. Diesel is also up in price this morning by the same amount.
Its selling for a $1-34.8 a litre.

Basketball Jones: Holiday Hoop Fest Tips Off

The Day's Inn Holiday Hopp Fest boys basketball tournament begins this morning at Park View with the host Panthers tiping off agaisnt the Memorial Marauders from Sydney Mines. Games continue all day including the Bridgewater Vikings playing at 2:00pm against the Dartmouth Spartans.The Panthers will play their second game of the day at 6:00pm an the Vikings wil host their scond game at the BHS gym at 8:00pm.

 

HOOP FEST SCHEDULE

 

Game 1 10:00am  Memorial      VS  Park View

Game 2 12:00pm  Central Kings vs  Halifax West

Game 3  2:00pm  Dartmouth     vs  Bridgewater

Game 4  4:00pm  J.L.Ilsley    vs  Shelburne

Game 5  6:00pm  Winner of Game 1 vs Winner of Game 2  @ Park View or B.H.S.

 

Game 6  6:00pm  Loser  of Game 1 vs Loser  of Game 2  @ Park View or B.H.S.

 

Game 7  8:00pm  Winner of Game 3 vs Winner of Game 4  @ Park View or B.H.S.

Game 8  8:00pm  Loser  of Game 3 vs Loser  of Game 4  @ Park View or B.H.S.

 

Saturday Dec. 22  @ Park View

3:00pm  Championship

Supreme Court: Eisnor Murder Trial Begins In May

Nine days have been set aside for a Barss Corner man charged with first degree murder. Wayne Paul Eisnor is accused of shooting his wife, Tina Mae, in a New Germany parking lot in June 2010. He then turned the gun on himself and suffered significant brain damage as a result of the self inflicted gun shot wound. The 48 year was deemed mentally fit to stand trial by a provincial court judge in April. However, Crown lawyer Lloyd Tancock says the matter of mental fitness is a live issue. He says Eisnor's mental fitness to stand trial could be put in the hands of a jury before proceed with the remainder of the murder case. The Nova Scotia Supreme Court trial will begin on May 13th. Eisnor will be tried by judge and jury.

Mayor Disappointed Oakhill Sawmill Will Not Reopen

A Lunenburg County mayor says a decision by Resolute Forest Products to keep the Oakhill sawmill closed doesn't make sense. The company revealed its intent to dismantle the mill in a letter that came across the desk of Don Downe on Tuesday. He says it's disappointing news.



Downe was hopeful the company could find a local suitor to take over operations and keep the sawmill afloat. At least 125 people lost their jobs when the mill was idled shortly after the Bowater Mersey Paper mill was closed in June. A call to Resolute Forest Products has not been returned.

Residents Plead To MODL To Save Rose Bay Wharf

Proponents of a public wharf in Rose Bay are reaching out to the Municipality of Lunenburg to help them keep the property in the community. Residents are concerned because a divestiture from the Federal government needs to be accepted or the wharf will be demolished. It's the only wharf in the community and local fisherman would need to move to another area if something isn't done. Committee Chair David Adler says the wharf is a necessity.



The municipality has referred information to a committee to further discuss the wharf's future. It has until the end of March to reach a decision on whether it will accept or decline the divestiture.

Dates For Eisnor Trial Will Be Set On Thursday

Trial dates for a Barss Corner man charged with first degree murder in the death of his estranged wife will be set on Thursday. Wayne Paul Eisnor is accused of shooting his wife, Tine Mae, in a New Germany parking lot in June of 2010 before turning the gun on himself. Eisnor suffered significant brain damage as a result of the self inflicted gun shot wound but a provincial court judge ruled in April his condition had improved and he was mentally fit to stand trial. The 48 year-old's fate will be determined by judge and jury in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

SSRSB: Some Schools Being Dismissed Early

A number of schools on the South Shore will dismiss their students early today due to tricky road conditions. Students at New Germany Elementary and High School, North Queens, Greenfield and New Ross Consolidated will be sent home at 11:30AM. That also includes New Ross area students attending Forest Heights.

Another Delay In Teen Confinement Case

Inclement weather has delayed the teen confinement case until the new year. Dates for a preliminary hearing involving David Leblanc were expected to be set during today's court appearance in Bridgewater. However, the 47 year year-old's lawyer Mike Taylor, was unable to attend this morning court's appearance in Bridgewater due to tricky road conditions. Leblanc is facing seven charges in relation to the sexual assault and confinement of a 16 year-old boy in Upper Chelsea. The matter has been adjourned until January 16th.

UPDATED: Resolute Won't Re-Open Oakhill Sawmill

Resolute Forest Products will not re-open a Lunenburg County sawmill.The Montreal-based company is preparing to dismantle the Oakhill Sawmill and move its equipment out of province to service other operations within the company. Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Jacques Vachon revealed the company's plans in a letter to the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. The Oakhill sawmill was idled shortly after the Bowater Mersey Paper mill was closed in June. The sawmill used to employ roughly 100 employees.  The operation was not purchased by the Nova Scotia government in a massive land and assets deal announced last week.

Province, School Board Split Costs For Judicial Review

It's being pegged as a miscommunication between the South Shore Regional School Board and Department of Education. An official with the education department says the two sides will now split the cost of legal and arbitration fees for the judicial review involving Peter Speight. The school board said earlier this week they would incur $47,000 while the Department of Education would cover $116,000. Department spokesperson, Dan Harrison, says the two parties had a misunderstanding over the costs.



Each side will now pay $81,500. However, the school board remains committed to its earlier stance, saying no teaching positions will be affected by the unbudgeted expense.

Energy Audit Planned For Four Bridgewater Facilities

Four facilities in Bridgewater are going under the microscope to have their energy consumption reviewed. The Memorial Arena's seniors complex and shed along with Brookside Cemetery's office and garage will be audited to see if they can reduce their carbon footprint. The four buildings have never been audited and staff believe their could be significant energy-saving opportunities. The audits are part of the town's initiative to lower energy consumption in facilities by 15% compared to 2007-08 levels. Council has approved an unbudgeted expenditure of $4,800 for the audits. Efficiency Nova Scotia has agreed to cover half the costs of the project, and could pay for all of it if the audit recommendations are fully implemented.

BREAKING: Charges Dropped In Chester Basin Murder Investigation

A second degree murder charge has been dropped in the case of an 18 year-old accused of killing his mother in Chester Basin. Jack Buckley was released from custody this afternoon after spending the past nine months behind bars. The body of 57 year-old Victoria Brauns-Buckley was found inside her home on the Borgels Point Road on March 2nd.  Her teenage son was arrested a week later and charged in relation to her death. The cause of her death has never been released. Crown lawyer Lloyd Tancock told reporters their case lacked sufficient evidence to obtain a conviction in the case.



Meanwhile, defence lawyer Patrick MacEwan says his client is relieved and was told he would be released on Saturday. The investigation into the death of Brauns-Buckley remains active.

Shelburne: Green Light For Aquaculture Projects

The province has approved two new aquaculture sites in Shelburne County. Fisheries Minister Sterling Beliveau says the approvals come with strict agreements to ensure the sites will protect the local fishing industries and coastal environment. Kelly Cove Salmon Limited, a subsidiary of Cooke Aquaculture will operate the new sites in Jordan Bay. The Nova Scotia government says the company went through a rigorous application process that took 26 months. Belliveau says these new sites will help to further grow the industry and the economy. An extensive review concluded these sites would pose minimal risk or adverse effects to fish, fish habitat, and fisheries resources.

Some conditions attached to the licences and leases include:

-- following a code of containment for Atlantic salmon in marine net pens

-- enhanced environmental monitoring by a third-party consultant, including more site visits and additional sampling locations

-- reduced stocking densities.

Lunenburg: Collaborative Emergency Centre Announced

Residents of Lunenburg will have greater access to various health care providers with the creation of a new Collaborative Emergency Centre at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital. It will be the seventh emergency centre established in the province and will provide faster access to doctors and nurses. Health Minister Dave Wilson says it will help to address issues of long waits and overcrowding. However, it's not known when the centre will officially be open to the public. Wilson says more exploratory work is needed regarding staffing and infrastructure.



Wilson says the new centre will also reduce the stress of emergency room closure rates at Fishermen's Memorial. South Shore Health is currently working with officials at the Department of Health and Wellness to develop the best possible model to meet the community's needs. Nova Scotia's first Collaborative Emergency Centre opened in Parrsboro in July 2011. There are now CECs in Pugwash, Tatamagouche, Annapolis Royal, Musquodoboit Harbour, and Springhill.

School Board Faces $47,000 Bill For Judicial Review

The South Shore Regional School Board is footing the bill for a judicial review with an ex-elementary school teacher. The board will have to find $47,000 in this year's budget associated with trying to keep Peter Speight out of the classroom. Director of Finance, Wade Tattrie, says its unbudgeted money.



Tattrie says it's highly unlikely they will be forced to cut a teaching position. The Department of Education will cover the school board's legal and arbitration fees of $116,000.

Schools Lower Flags To Respect Connecticut Victims

Flags are at half-mast today at South Shore Schools to show respect for those who lost their lives in the tragic shooting late last week in Connecticut. Twenty children and six adults were killed Friday when a gunman entered the Newtown school and opened fire. School Board Communications Manager, Trish Smith, says it's important for them to show respect.




Smith says the board has also encouraged staff and parents to speak with kids who have questions about violent events. More details can be found here . The premier has called the event a "shocking and unthinkable act."

Bridgewater Police Getting New Radio System

Bridgewater Police are getting a more modern radio system. Town council has given a green light to a proposal and pre-approved over $37,000 for the resource. The radio equipment was used for a one-month period during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Chief John Collyer says it works out well for the police service.


Thirty-thousand dollars will come from reserve while just over $7,600 will be provided from the 2013-14 budget. The police service's current radio system has been in use since 1993.

Teams Advance To NS Women's Curling Championship

Six women's curling teams advanced to the Provincial Scotties at a qualifier in Sydney over the weekend. Those earning berths include defending champ Heather Smith Dacey of Mayflower and clubmate Mary Anne Arsenault. Bridgewater's Nancy McConnery was ousted after posting a 1-3 record. The final two spots will be decided in Port Hawksbury early next month. The Scotties will be staged in Halifax at the end of January

Western Hurricanes Win One/Tie Another

The BMO Western Hurricanes travelled to Cape Breton over the weekend. The team won Saturdays game 4-3. Keith Getson, Matt Barron, Logan Walters and Cameron Jacquard all scoring singles. Sundays game was a 4-4 tie. Keith Getson scored all 4 goals for the Hurricanes. The team now plays Dartmouth in Liverpool this coming Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 11am.

Parkview Boys Win/Girls Split Hockey Games

In boys high school hockey action, Park View defeated the Avon View Avalanche 6-2. Nathaniel Beck and Fabien Sund had 2 goals each. Jake Wile was the winning goalie.

----
The Park View Lady Panthers hockey team split a home and away series against the Horton Griffins over the weekend. Park View won in Canning on Friday evening 2-1. Scoring for Park View were Robin Knickle and Martha Jenkins. Savannah Cruikshank scored for Horton. Horton won by the same 2-1 score Sunday night in Bridgewater. Giselle Rudderham and Mariah Carey scored the Horton goals. Robin Knickle scored for Park View.

"Jacks" Lose Another

In MHL action in Summerside Sunday afternoon, the Western Capitals doubled the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks 4-2. Mitchell Hennebury & Michael Crawley scored for the Jacks who've now lost eleven in a row. Despite the long losing skid, there were positive signs over the weekend for the locals as they kept things close against three of the league's top clubs and earned a point in a shootout loss in Truro on Saturday.

Yarmouth Consolidated To Officially Open

A new school will be unveiled in Yarmouth this afternoon. Education Minister Ramona Jennex will be on-hand with staff and students at Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School to mark the occasion. Students started classes in September, but today's ceremony will officially open the facility. It gets underway at 2pm in the school's gym.

Fox Point: RCMP Investigate Weekend Fire

The cause of a fire at an empty home in Fox Point is under investigation. In a media release, police say they were called to the scene on the Lighthouse Road around 9:30 on Friday night. Fire crews in Hubbards and Blandford were dispatched to help battle the blaze. The home sustained significant damage. There were no injuries. Mounties are asking anyone with information to contact the Lunenburg County RCMP.

Second Public Meeting To Discuss Group Home

The town of Bridgewater will hold another public discussion on by-law changes for a group home on Evergreen Road. LaHave Manor wants to increase the number of residents permitted to live in the facility from three to five. The town has changed wording in its bylaw to allow for the increase and are holding a meeting to gather public feedback. Mayor David Walker says they want to keep the public engaged in the process.



The meeting will is scheduled for mid-January.

Hockey Wrap: 'Jacks Hang Tough Against Bearcats

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks battled hard in Truro last night, eventually falling 2-1 in a shootout to the Bearcats. Josh Bowman's goal early in the third period was the equalizer as the Jacks earned a big point on the road. Goalie Jordan Lee made 39 saves for the Jacks who play their third game in as many days this afternoon in Summerside. In Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League in Sydney the Cape Breton Tradesmen edged the South Shore Mustangs 3-2. Alex Nauss had both goals for the Stangs who've lost eleven straight. The clubs meet again this morning. In Q League action the visiting Halifax Mooseheads outscored the Moncton Wildcats 8-6. 

Queens Place Celebrates First Anniversary

Queens Place Emera Centre is celebrating their first anniversary next week. Hundreds of residents attended the grand opening of the 22 million dollar facility last December. General Manager, Neil Raymond says over the past year the centre has been well recieved.



He adds there are big plans for the new year including the Hank Snow Tribute in the summer. Queens Place will also be home to the 2014 Canadian Nationals for junior curling.

Gasoline Prices Drop Again!

As expected, gasoline prices along the South Shore dropped overnight. A litre of regular self serve is down almost 4 cents today at $1.20.2. Diesel is also lower. Its selling at $1.31.4 per litre. Thats down 3 cents a litre from yesterday.

MHL: 'Jacks Look To End Slide

It's out of the frying pan and into the fire for the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks. Bridgewater's Junior "A" hockey team has lost eight straight as they get set to play three games in three days against three of the MHL's top clubs. They'll kick things off tonight at home against the defending league-champion Woodstock Slammers. The Jacks will journey to Truro tomorrow to face the first-place Bearcats before travelling to Summerside for a Sunday matinee against the Capitals.
This evening's tilt against the Slammers faces off at 7 at the Bridgewater Arena. 

Minister: New Germany Residents Should Take Time To Heal

The province's education minister says New Germany residents should take time to heal after a stressful few days. The community endured an emotional roller-coaster this week after learning a controversial teacher was close to returning to the classroom. The local school board voted unanimously Wednesday night to accept a settlement with Peter Speight that includes he resign and surrender his teaching license. Ramona Jennex says people can take comfort he'll never teach in this province.



Under the arrangement, Speight will receive compensation over and above the $150,000 he's owed in back pay. Jennex would not reveal the financial details of the settlement, but confirmed the school board will not be adversely affected.

Lucky Driver Avoids Serious Injuries In 103 Accident

RCMP officers say the female driver of a small car that went out of control earlier this morning on the Gold River Bridge on Highway-103 is lucky to have escaped serious injury.  They say the vehicle, heading east, apparently encountered a sheet of black ice on the bridge, spun out of control, missed colliding with other traffic and rammed a guardrail. The driver was apparently shaken-up by the mishap and paramedics took her to hospital in Lunenburg to be checked out. The Bridgewater-bound lane of the 103 was closed between exits 9 and 10 for more than an hour as the scene was cleared and DOT applied salt to the bridge deck.

New Germany Residents React To Teacher Settlement

A small group of residents from New Germany erupted in jubilation after the South Shore Regional School Board came to a settlement with a former teacher. The board voted unanimously Wednesday night to accept a settlement with Peter Speight that includes he resign immediately and surrender his teaching license. Parent Myra Jodrey has a son in grade six at New Germany Elementary and was overwhelmed with the outcome.



President of New Germany Elementary's Home and School Association, Jennifer Hayward, says the decision will come as a relief to the community.



Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says they have to protect the best interests of students and the community.



She says the financial terms of the settlement are confidential but confirmed Speight will be paid on top of the $150,000 already owed in back pay. The agreement was announced after the school board moved in-camera for nearly an hour to consult with their lawyer. In the video below, school board members unanimously vote in favour of a settlement and lawyer John MacPherson also talks about the issue of confidentiality in dealing with the matter.

BREAKING: Speight Surrenders Teaching License

In a stunning development, the South Shore Regional School Board has reached a settlement with a controversial ex-elementary school teacher. The board confirmed the deal involving Peter Speight this evening during their regular monthly meeting at Hebbville Academy. The arrangements of the deal include the former Grade 3 teacher immediately resign and surrender his teaching license. Financial terms of the arrangement have not been revealed. Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says the financial terms are confidential but confirmed Speight will be paid on top of the $150,000 already owed in back pay. The agreement was announced after the school board moved in-camera for nearly an hour to consult with their legal team. Lawyer John MacPherson told board members there had been a flurry of developments regarding the matter and that a settlement had been reached. The elected board then passed a motion to accept the terms of the settlement in unanimous fashion. Late Wednesday, Education Minister Ramona Jennex ordered the school board to place Speight on administrative leave until a judicial review process was complete. The South Shore Regional School Board had been ordered to give Speight his teaching position back even though he had pleaded guilty to sex charges more than three years ago. Speight was given a conditional discharge at the time and was later fired by the board for his actions. However, after a judicial review it was determined he was unreasonably discharged and deemed a low risk to re-offend - a decision upheld by the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in November. The Department of Education and local school board had been fighting for the last few year's to block Speight's return to the classroom. The settlement means Speight will not be making another appearance at New Germany Elementary.

BREAKING: Controversial Teacher Put On Administrative Leave

Education Minister Ramona Jennex is intervening into the situation surrounding the controversial return of an ex-elementary school teacher. Jennex is directing the South Shore Regional School board to put Peter Speight on administrative leave until the status of his teaching certificate is complete. The minister says students at New Germany Elementary School need a stable, positive learning environment. Speight was given a conditional discharge in 2009 after he pleaded guilty to committing an indecent act in Halifax, and courts have ruled he should get his job back. The Department of Education has applied for a judicial review into an arbitrator's decision to return Speight's teaching certificate. A date for the hearing has not been set.

Lunenburg County Officer Faces Four Charges

The province's Serious Incident Response Team has laid four charges against a member of the RCMP in Lunenburg County. The independent body says the charges stem from alleged incidents which occurred over a two year period between December of 2010 and last August. The investigation was launched after a referral from the Bridgewater Police Service regarding an allegation of domestic violence against an RCMP member. The SIRT issued charges in August and include assault, sexual assault, uttering threats and careless use of a firearm. The male officer will return to Bridgewater court in the new year. The Serious Incident Response Team is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia.

White Point Beach Resort Will Host Open House

White Point Beach Resort is welcoming the community Friday afternoon. Officials are throwing an open house to let residents view the new building. Visitors will be able to take in the main lodge, pool area, and kitchen. Frances Dickson, author of "Destination White Point" will sign copies of her book. As well, a smudging ceremony will take place to cleanse the inside of the lodge. The open house begins at 3:30 Friday.

Bowater Mill Site Future Outlined By Premier

As expected, the former Bowater Mersey paper mill in Brooklyn will be converted into a research, development and demonstration facility. Premier Darrell Dexter made the announcement this morning at the site. He says his government is teaming up with Emera and Cellufuel, a renewable energy company, to launch the site. The establishment of the centre comes after the government made a deal this week to acquire the Bowater woodlands from Resolute Forest Products Ltd. while taking on $117.7 million in debt. Emera has signed-on as the centre's first tenant, promising to spend at least $1 million over the next five years. The provincial government is also giving $500,000 to Cellufuel, and half of that money is intended to help the company turn wood biomass into renewable diesel fuel.

Town Seeks Appraisal For Library Building

The town of Bridgewater will get a King Street property appraised before deciding on its future. Two expressions of interest have been received by the town for the library building..one by a group known as Cafe 12, the other by Swain and Associates. Councillors have decided to spend a few thousand dollars to see how much the property is worth. Mayor David Walker says its a necessary move.



Walker says an appraisal could answer questions around renovation costs and building code regulations. He says time is on their side as the property will have a tenant until at least the spring. Details on the appraisal will be released in the new year.

School Board: Larger Venue For Monthly Meeting

The South Shore Regional School Board has shifted the location of it's regular meeting to accomodate a larger crowd. In a tweet, the board states they will hold Wednesday's meeting at Hebbville Academy. The shift in location is an effort to accomodate the big crowd expected to hear more about the situation regarding Peter Speight. The local school board indicates the meeting is open to the public. It begins at 7 o'clock. For more information on the Speight story, check our website for the latest.

VIDEO: New Germany: Uproar Over Ex-Teacher's Past

Community members are in an uproar after restorative justice officials kept them out of a meeting with a former teacher. Roughly 125 parents attended last night's meeting at New Germany Elementary to question Peter Speight, while almost 30 people waited outside the school gym. Families are concerned because the Bridgewater native is on the verge of being reinstated as a teacher after pleading guilty to sex offences that occurred in the Halifax-area in 2008. Speight was given a conditional discharge and later fired by the South Shore Regional School Board. However,  an arbitrator deemed Speight was unreasonably 'let go' - a ruling later upheld in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.  Jamie Brewer's child attends the elementary school. She is surprised Speight is so close to getting his job back.



Meanwhile, Jolene Emino Mailman has a step-grandchild in the school. She questions the whole process.



Dozens of parents are threatening to transfer their children to different schools if the former Grade 3 teacher returns to the classroom. The Department of Education has filed for a judicial review of an arbitrator's decision to reinstate his teaching certificate. No date has been set for the hearing. The meeting was briefly interrupted when an individual stormed into the closed door meeting. Police escorted the man out of the school without incident.

MODL Mayor Concerned About Oakhill Mill's Future

The future use of the Oakhill sawmill is up in the air after the Dexter government failed to purchase the site from Resolute Forest Products. The province announced Monday they've taken control of 220,000 hectares of woodlands, along with Brooklyn Power and the former Bowater mill factory site. The government didn't purchase the Lunenburg County sawmill because of the softwood lumber agreement. Municipality of Lunenburg mayor Don Downe says he's spoken to Resolute officials about operating the mill again. But, he says, a decision hasn't been made.



Downe says if Resolute doesn't operate the facility, it should be sold to a business who will take over mill. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Montreal based-company has told CKBW/HANK-FM News they will take their time in deciding the future of the Oakhill sawmill.

Details On Future Of Bowater Mill Site Coming On Wednesday

Premier Darrell Dexter will make two announcements in Queens County on Wednesday. The first will include details surrounding the future of the former Bowater Mersey paper mill. The factory site was acquired in the deal reached with Resolute Forest Products on Monday.  The province has already revealed it plans to transform the defunct mill site into a new clean energy, bioenergy & forestry innovation centre. Meanwhile, Mayor Christopher Clarke will join Dexter later for another announcement later in the day relating to the future of Pine Grove Park in Milton.

'Inn From The Cold' Returns In Lunenburg County

An emergency shelter program in Lunenburg County is beginning their fourth year. 'Inn From the Cold' helps local homeless people by providing a bed and food once a week. The program partners with the Bridgewater Police and seven local churches. Coordinator Laura Uhlman believes residents will benefit from the program.



The service helped roughly 30 people last year and runs until May. People needing a place to stay are asked to call Bridgewater police.

New Germany: Former Teacher Meets With Parents

A former teacher fighting to reclaim his job at New Germany Elementary will meet with parents and school board officials later tonight. It's the final meeting as part of a restorative justice program for Peter Speight. The Bridgewater native was given a conditional discharge in relation to sex offences that occurred in the Halifax-area in 2008. In November, the Nova Scotia Supreme Court ruled Speight is apologetic, a low risk to re-offend and has completed rehabilitation. The ruling helped clear the way for his to return to the classroom. However, the Department of Education has filed for a judicial review of an arbitrator's decision to reinstate his teaching certificate. It would be the final hurdle before Speight can return to teaching. No date has been set for the hearing.

Woman Charged Twice With Stunting

A 31-year-old woman from Yarmouth County has been charged not once, but twice, with speeding. She was pulled over by the RCMP in Shelburne County on Sunday, for allegedly travelling way too fast. Officers claim she was clocked at 153 kilometers an hour in a 100 zone on highway 103. If found guilty in court, the driver from Hubbards Point in Yarmouth County faces a fine of as much as $2,412 for "stunting". She's also had her vehicle and license seized. Its the second time in two months the same driver has been caught driving at an excessive speed. On October 9th, she was charged with the same offence after being clocked by the Mounties doing 154 kilometers an hour in a 100 zone. No word on a court date. The RCMP is warning drivers to obey speed signs.

NS Gov't Unwraps Huge Bowater Land/Assets Deal

The Nova Scotia government is adding $117.7 million in debt to acquire a huge swath of private forest land formerly owned by Resolute Forest Products. The mega-deal was announced Monday night and will give the province control of 220,000 hectares of woodlands, along with Brooklyn Power and the former Bowater mill factory site. CKBW/HANK FM's Steve MacArthur has the details.



Dexter says acquiring the assets is necessary in order to revive the forestry industry and ``generate jobs and wealth in the province.'' The premier will unveil details of the Resolute deal at a forum later today in Halifax.