New Chief Executive Officer of South Shore Health

Acting CEO Alice Leverman has been appointed to the position full time. South Shore Health Board Chair, Roxie Smith made the annoucement today..she says Leverman has been a highly respected and valued member of the senior executive team at South Shore Health since 2001 and has shown tremendous strategic leadership in her role as Acting CEO. Leverman replaces Kevin McNamara who recently accepted a position as Deputy Minister of Health for Nova Scotia.

USE CAUTION BEFORE DONATING

Nova Scotia RCMP are warning people to use caution before donating to any type of aid agencies that promise to help people in Haiti. News of devastating earthquake prompted many Canadians to donate but as predictable as earthquake aftershocks are following natural disasters, "scanners" also emerge to take advantage of the tragic situation. In order to help prevent financial loss and to ensure that your donations go as far as they can, the RCMP Nova Scotia Financial Crime Section is urging people to exercise caution when donating to disaster relief.

To ensure you do not fall victim to a scam in wake of Haiti earthquake, below are a few things to be aware of when deciding where and how to donate. If you have any information regarding fraudulent charities or similar activities, please contact your local police, or call Phonebusters at 1-888-495-8501 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.


● Ask the solicitor for the registered charitable tax number of the charity. Question any discrepancies. Confirm the charity’s registration information through the Canada Revenue Agency (1-800-267-2384)

●Refuse high pressure appeals. Legitimate fund-raisers won't push you to give on the spot.

●Ask for written information about the charity, including name, address and telephone number. A legitimate charity or fund-raiser will give you information about the charity's mission and how your donation will be used.

●Ask for identification. If the solicitor refuses to tell you or does not have some form or verifiable identification, hang up or close the door and report it to law enforcement officials.

●Call the charity. Find out if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name. If not, you may be dealing with a scam artist.

●Watch out for similar sounding names. Some phony charities use names that closely resemble those of respected, legitimate organizations. If you notice a small difference from the name of the charity you intend to deal with, call the organization to check it out.

●Be wary of charities offering to send a courier or overnight delivery service to collect your donation immediately.

Cottage Fire in Bayport

One man is homeless following a fire at a Bayport cottage used as a year round residence. Riverport and District Fire Department along with Dayspring were called to the Shore Boat View Campgrounds in Bayport around 10:30 Monday morning. The wooden building was fully engulfed in flames. Sherman Conrad who owns the property suffered burns to his face and the back of his head. He was treated on scene. The tenant who lives in the cottage was at work at the time of the blaze It's believed propane was the cause of the fire.

Bridgewater Building Boom

It appears construction continues to boom in Bridgewater. Despite a gloomy economy the Town recorded its second highest building permit total in 18 years . The value of building permits issued from January to December 2009 was 17.9 million, 131 percent of the same period in 2008. Councillor Bill McInnis says the second highest total happened in a year when a recession was on so the totals are significant. The banner year for the Town was 2007 when permit values totalled 25 point 5 million dollars.

SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR JAN 18TH

Schools in the South Shore region are closing early today due to weather. Queens County will be closing 1:45 minutes early, and Lunenburg County will be closing 2 hours early.

HOSPITAL STRIKE HAS ENDED

The Director of Communications for South Shore Health has informed CKBW News that the hospital strike is over. Theresa Hawkesworth reports that striking health care employees have returned to their regular shifts. Health care workers on the South Shore and in other rural parts of the province set up picket lines after their union and the provincial government failed to hammer out a tentative contract deal by a strike deadline. Details of the negotiations have yet to be released.

CUPE employees reach agreement on school strike

Bus drivers, custodians and teachers' assistants in rural Nova Scotia are expected to report to work as scheduled this morning. Weekend negotiations between the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the provincial government were a success. Both sides announced a tentative contract deal yesterday. Details of the package have not been released.

MAN DEAD AFTER SNOWMOBILE ACCIDENT

A Cherryfield, Lunenburg County man is dead after the snowmobile he was on ran off the railway bed and collided with a large tree yesterday morning. RCMP received a call from passing snowmobile riders that came across the accident scene and called 911.The 66 year old male died as a result of injuries sustained from the collision. Name of the decreased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin and results of an autopsy.

RCMP Officer died in Haitian Earthquake

An RCMP officer who worked in Nova Scotia has been found dead in the rubble of his Haitian home. Sergeant Mark Gallagher's body was recovered under the collapsed remains of the apartment building in Port -au- Prince. Arrangements are being made to return Sgt. Gallagher’s body to Canada. Recently, Gallagher left Haiti to spend three weeks with his family in New Brunswick. He returned to Haiti just a few hours before the devastating earthquake that trapped him underneath the apartment where he was unable to free himself. Sgt. Mark Gallagher the recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Commemorative Medal and earned the Police Exemplary Service Medal for over 20 years of police service. Formerly a member of the Moncton Police, Gallagher has been a member of the RCMP for the past 12 years.Gallagher’s service includes a variety of duties in both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Prior to his deployment Gallagher was the Media Relations Officer at RCMP Headquarters in Halifax.

Missing Woman Located

A Bridgewater woman reported missing earlier this week has been located. 41 year old Shelley Lynn Arenburg was reported missing by her friends on Monday. She was last seen leaving her apartment Saturday around 5pm. Arenburg was located and is in good health. The Bridgewater Police Service thanks the public for their assistance.

MISSING BRIDGEWATER WOMEN

Still no word on a Bridgewater missing women that was last seen at her residence on Maple Street at approximately 5pm on Saturday.
Police were informed Monday that Shelley Lynn Arenburg had failed to return and her friends are concerned for her well being.
Miss Arenburg is described as a Caucasian female, 5'2" in height , 159 lbs , with brown hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a green jacket, a blue hoodie and blue jeans.
Anyone who has seen or has had contact with Miss Arenburg is asked to contact the Bridgewater Police Service.

Morning Fire

A number of fire departments were called to the scene of a fire on Tannery Road in Petite Reviere this morning around 1:30am. The fire involved a shed which was close to another building but fire departments from LaHave,Petite Riviere,United Communities,Hebbville,Pleasantville and Italy Cross were all able to extinguish the fire.No other details have yet been released.

WAYS TO DONATE TO HAITI

The following is a list of reputable aid organizations currently seeking cash donations for relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Donations can be made at the web pages or by calling the appropriate phone numbers.

CANADIAN RED CROSS (hoping to raise at least $2 million): www.redcross.ca/helpnow, or call toll free 1-800-418-1111, visit any Red Cross office.

HUMANITARIAN COALITION (consists of CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Quebec and Save the Children Canada): www.thehumanitariancoalition.ca.

Plan Canada : https://plancanada.ca/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pidid

SALVATION ARMY : http://www.salvationarmy.ca, or call 1-800-725-2769. Rogers Wireless and Bell Mobility customers can make $5 donations by texting the word ``haiti'' to 45678. Donations can be mailed to Army Territorial Headquarters, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, Ontario M4H 1P4. Donations can also be dropped off at local Salvation Army units. Specify ``Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund.''

UNICEF CANADA : https://secure.unicef.ca/portal/SmartDefault.aspx?at0&CID

UNITED JEWISH APPEAL OF GREATER TORONTO : http://www.ujadonations.com/haiti or call 416-631-5705.

WORLD VISION CANADA : https://www.worldvision.ca/give-a-gift/Pages/EarthquakeinHaiti.aspx

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has also compiled a guide designed to help the public avoid scams and ensure their donations are of maximum value: http://www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/canadians_he lp-aide_canadien.aspx Calls for donations are also prevalent on social networking services Twitter and Facebook .

Traffic Lights on North Street

Bridgewater Town Council is looking at installing a set of traffic lights on North Street in response to a petition from residents of Winburn Avenue. Mayor Carroll Publicover says the lights could be advanced separate from the upgrade of North and Aberdeen. The engineering department has been asked for an accurate cost to be included for consideration in this years capital budget. The traffic lights which would be a short term solution would be located at the intersection of Seasons Drive and Haven Drive on North Street.

Special Purpose Tax to Pay For LCLC

A special purpose tax is being considered by the Municipality of Lunenburg to help pay its share of the capital cost of the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. Mayor Don Downe says Council approved in principle the concept of a stand alone tax with a time line of when it will be paid off. Numbers aren't being discussed at this point because Downe says until design costs of the facility are determined it's premature to talk of possible amounts for the special tax. The Municipality along with the Town of Bridgewater previously committed funding totalling one third of the estimated 32 million dollar complex. The province and federal government have each committed 10 million.

Councils support ferry link

Another resolution encouraging a continuance of a transportation link between Yarmouth and Maine. The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg unanimously backed the resolution to be sent to the province. Mayor Don Downe says the link has to be maintained and it's not just a Yarmouth issue.He says it's all of Southwest Nova and beyond. Downe says since the CAT was there, in excess of 1.7 million people have been brought into the area those are dollars coming into the economy creating jobs and weath for the area. He says Council is just showing its support forthe continuation in the future of a linkage between Nova Scotia and the United States. Bridgewater Town Council also endorsed a motion calling on the province to come up with a viable solution in maintaining a linkage.

Court house for sale

The former Bridgewater Court house will soon be up for sale. Even though it's located in the Town, the property belongs to the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. Mayor Don Downe says they received the keys on Friday and the deed yesterday so the title transfer is now complete. Downe says the next step is to have the property appraised then put it on the market. The old court house has been replaced with a 16.8 million dollar Justice Centre on High Street. It was officially opened by Premier Darrell Dexter last July 30th and was previously dedicated to former minister of Finance and Lunenburg MLA Michael Baker who died of cancer last March.

Bridgewater Missing Person

Bridgewater Police are asking for the public's assistance in locating a 41 year old woman who was last seen Saturday January 9th. Shelley Lynn Arenburg was last seen when she left her Maple Street residence around 5pm. Police were notified by concerned friends on Monday when Arenburg failed to return. She is described as a Caucasian female, 5' 2, about 160 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. When last seen she was wearing a green jacket, a blue hoody and blue jeans. Anyone who has recently seen or had contact with Miss Arenburg is asked to contact the Bridgewater Police Service at 543-2464.

King Street Park Improvement Project

Tenders totalling a little more than 66 thousand dollars have been approved for the King Street Park Improvement Project. Bridgewater Mayor Carroll Publicover says the initial tender call for the complete project came in way over budget, so council broke the project down into several components. NEDCO Atlantic of Bridgewater will supply four park lights with LED fixtures, Bricks and Stone Landscape Design of LaHave was awarded the tender for the supply, delivery and installation of interlocking concrete paver stones, and Bear River Plastics of Cornwallis will construct and deliver a floating dock and gangway system.

Chester Family Homeless, Four Sent to Hospital

A 17 year old female remains in the QE2 for treatment of burns following a pre-dawn house fire Saturday near Chester Basin sent all four members of a family to hospital. The parents were released from hospital in Halifax Saturday evening after treatment for smoke inhalation. Their15-year-old son was expected to be released Sunday from the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. All four escaped the burning house shortly after 5 a.m. with only the clothes they were wearing. Canadian Red Cross volunteers have arranged for emergency purchases of clothing and food, provided blankets and personal-care items and say the couple and their son will be staying with friends for now. Their house, at 5109 Highway 3 a few kilometres west of Chester, was destroyed. The cause of the fire is under investigation.