Brookside Cemetery now a Heritage Property

There's a new piece of heritage property in Bridgewater. Town council has designated the Brookside Cemetery as a historic site after a recommendation from its advisory committee. Councillor David Mitchell says the decision was a no-brainer.

"There was no question the value of it as a heritage property, the names of the important people from the past in Bridgewater that are in the cemetery and the uniqueness of the stones that are in there made a perfect case for it to be added."

Brookside Cemetery was opened in 1879 by Dean Wile, who was manager of the local carding mill. Among the notables buried in the cemetery are Mather Byles DesBrisay; a judge, politician and author who founded the local museum and Victoria Ernst, the first female doctor in Bridgewater. Mitchell says its a key step after losing two heritage properties last year.

"We lost two last year; one with the de-registration of the Riverview Community Centre and the other with the loss of the Fairview Inn in the fire, so it is important to have some more protected sites within the town because you want to maintain those for generations."

The Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Alexandra Avenue is the only other heritage property in Bridgewater. The town will now register a legal document through the province to recognize the cemetery as a heritage property.

Drugs Charges: Police Raid Home in Lunenburg

A 49 year old Lunenburg man is facing drug charges after police raided a home in the town earlier this week.  Lunenburg County RCMP carried out the search warrant with the help of the Bridgewater Police Service and South Shore Street Crime Unit. During the bust, Mounties seized marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and cash following a search of the home. Gary Benteau of Lunenburg has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. He'll answer to the charge on June 13th.

Court: Buckley Case Delayed Until May

The defence lawyer for an 18 year old Chester Basin man accused of second degree murder has asked for more time to review the case against his client. Pat McEwen told court today he only received full disclosure of the evidence against Jack Buckley yesterday. Buckley is charged in the death of 57-year-old Victoria Brauns-Buckley. Her body was found in her home on the Borgels Point Road on the morning of March 2. Buckley was arrested on March 12 at a hotel in Western Shore. The case has been put over until May 17th when dates will be set for a preliminary hearing. In the meantime, Buckley has been remanded into custody at the Nova Scotia Correctional Centre.

Smith named CEO for three Southwest YMCAs

Yvonne Smith

The CEO for the Lunenburg County YMCA is expanding her role. Yvonne Smith is also the Chief Executive Officer for two more YMCAs in Yarmouth and Cornwallis in the Fundy region. Smith says she wants to incorporate more of a regional service between the three facilities.

"We're all in rural communities and for us to be sustainable and have these YMCAs in these communities, there are a lot of benefit to us working together. So, the big challenge for everyone to really break out of the mode that we are often in where we think of ourselves in isolation and look at the bigger picture and how we can work together."

Smith says she looks forward to the challenges of improving services in Yarmouth and Fundy. She says the model switch has been in the works for a long time. The management system is the first of its kind in Nova Scotia.

Mooseheads face elimination against Quebec

The Quebec Remparts have taken a stranglehold on the Halifax Mooseheads. The Remparts overcame a 3-1 deficit to beat the Moose 5-3 Tuesday night and took a 3-0 lead in their best of seven series. Scoring for the Mooseheads were Matthew Boudreau, Alex Grenier and Konrad Abeltshauser.  Zach Fucale made 32 saves in goal for the Herd, who were outshot 37-22. The Mooseheads look to keep their season alive Wednesday night in game four at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Kent Cup Final: Yarmouth drops game four; down 3-1 in finals

The Woodstock Slammers are one win away from being MHL champions. The Slammers edged the Yarmouth Mariners 2-1 Tuesday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Best of 7 Kent Cup Final Series. Robert Visca led the Slammers with 1 goal and 1 assist. Andrew Wigg scored the lone goal for Yarmouth. Matt Murphy stopped 31 shots for the win while Charles Grant stopped 21 shots in the loss. Game five goes Friday in Woodstock.

South Shore Health CEO Annouces Retirement

The CEO of South Shore Health is set to retire. After four years at the helm, Alice Leverman says she is ready to do some other things and enjoy retired life. Leverman spent eight years as Vice President of Community Health before moving to the CEO's role in 2009. She is credited with strengthening the health authority and its ability to deliver services through budgets cuts, restructuring of services and management. Leverman says she has been blessed to work with a great team and adds the decision wasn't easy. "It is a difficult decision to make, but important to do it at a time when hopefully one will have good years ahead to do others things in life," In a media release, Board of Directors Chair Roxie Smith thanked Leverman for her many years of service. Dr. Peter Vaughn has been promoted as the new CEO effective July 1st.

RCMP: Theft in Cherryhill

RCMP say thousands of dollars worth of jewelry has been taken from a Lunenburg County home. A break in was reported at a home along Highway 331 in Cherryhill on Friday. Police say various other items were also stolen. Anyone with leads on the crime is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.

On Tap: Chester Basin Murder Case back in Court

The case of an 18 year-old charged with second degree murder resumes on Wednesday in Bridgewater. John (Jack) Buckley is charged in the death of 57-year-old Victoria Brauns-Buckley. Her body was found in her home in Chester Basin on the morning of March 2. The case was adjourned last month to give the Crown and defence lawyers time to review evidence and police reports. Buckley's lawyer Pat McEwen told reporters his client maintains his innocence and will fight the charge. The relationship between the accused and the victim has yet to be confirmed.

Mooseheads look to strike back in game 3

It's a must-win situation for the Halifax Mooseheads. The herd are down 2-0 heading into Tuesday night's game three battle against the Quebec Remparts. The Moose suffered a pair of losses on the road and return home to the Metro Centre where they are undefeated so far in the playoffs. Puck drops at 7pm at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Kent Cup Final: Slammers Edge Mariners in Game 3

The Woodstock Slammers have grabbed the upper hand in the MHL's Kent Cup Final. Last night, in front of a sellout crowd in Yarmouth, the Slammers edged the Mariners 1-0 to take a 2-1 lead in the best of seven championship series. Nick Huard scored the game-winner late in second period while Matt Murphy turned aside 31 shots for the shutout. Game four is tonight at 7:30 at the Mariner Centre.

Kent Cup Final: Sellout for Game 3 in Yarmouth

A sellout crowd is expected in Yarmouth this evening for Game 3 of the Kent Cup Final. The Yarmouth Mariners and Woodstock Slammers split the first two games in New Brunswick before the long-weekend. Puck drops at the Mariners Centre at 7:30PM.

On Tap: Public Meeting on South Queens Middle School

It's a chance for the public to learn more about the future South Queens Middle School. An information session will be held Tuesday night to update the community on planning for the new facility. A conceptual design for the new school will be reviewed followed by an informal question and answer session with School Board and Department of Education staff.  The meeting will be held in the cafeteria at South Queens Junior High School starting at 6:30pm. The new South Queens Middle School is expected to replace the current Junior High. It's expected to be built by September 2013.

RCMP: Impaired Driving Charges in Chester

RCMP in Chester have charged two people after an incident in the village over the Easter weekend. According to police, they received a call on Sunday night regarding two men who piled into a car after having a few drinks at a local business. Soon after, Mounties got another call about a single vehicle collision in the same area. When police arrived at the scene they arrested the two men and charged them both with impaired driving. The men have also been charged with providing misleading information while one of the accused resisted arrest. Both have been released and will appear in court at a later date.

Solid Start: 1688 Lobster Fishermen's Association

It's been a good winter for the newly formed "1688 Professional Lobster Fishermen's Association". President James Mood says the PLFA's membership features more than 800 lobster license holders from Shelburne to Digby. He says the association experienced a lull in new memberships periodically over the winter but the trend has reversed. "What has happened here in the last week is the cheques have started coming in again. I think the reality is they (license holders) had a chance to think things over - they know they have to have a voice. Without a voice and being united - you'll get nowhere," The price of lobster at the wharf has jumped from $3.25 to $6.00 per pound since the PLFA formed in January.  As of last week in Woods Harbour, the price of lobster touched $6.25 per pound.

Mixed Reaction: Tax Cut for Small Business

The President of the Chester Municipal Chamber of Commerce has mixed feelings over a tax cut for small businesses in the province. Ben Wiper says the extra money will help business owners going forward but cautions the province remains in a position where spending exceeds revenues. He says while the cuts are welcome, but come with a price. "Basically our business tax cut is being financed by deficit spending and being a business owner that's something most business owners don't like to do - because it's not sustainable. We can't just keep spending without matching revenues coming in," The provincial government announced a reduction of half a percentage point in the small business tax rate in its budget last week. Finance Minister Graham Steele says the tax break will translate into another $10-million back into the hands of small businesses in Nova Scotia.

Martin, team win 4 x 400 metre relay event in Florida

Training is certainly paying off for Jenna Martin. The Bridgewater native ran 52.68 seconds in a 4 x 400 metre relay, helping her team win the event at the Florida Relays in Gainesville, Florida. Martin's team set a meet and stadium record, also setting the best relay time in the world this season. She is currently training in the U.S. to make Canada's team for the London Olympics. Martin's next event is expected to be this weekend in Miami.

Bridgewater rink wins Atlantic under-18 curling crown

A Bridgewater curling rink has been crowned the Atlantic under-18 curling champions. Daniel Prest's team scored one in the eighth and stole two in the extra end to beat P.E.I 6-4 Sunday in the final at the Bluenose Curling club in New Glasgow. Newfoundland and Labrador defeated Chester's Daniel Jessome 6-5 in the boys consolation final.

Keddy: OAS Changes Necessary

The MP for South Shore-St. Margaret's says the old age security system needs to reflect the current labour conditions. The majority conservative government announced increases in OAS eligibility to 67 up from 65 in the federal budget. Canadians who get federal money from other programs will see their benefits extended until they can cash in on OAS/GIS. Gerald Keddy says the changes are necessary and reasonable. "What we are trying to do is get people to work longer those who are able to - those who are not able there is a social safety net in place for them. So it's not as if people will be abandon - that's not the case at all," Ottawa will start making the adjustments to old age security in 2023, and phase them in gradually over six years.  It means anyone over 54 won't be affected while people in their early 50's will see moderate changes and Canadians under 50 will be directly impacted.

South Shore Big Brothers Big Sisters: Moving Forward

South Shore Big Brothers and Big Sisters has received a one-time grant from the province. The 9-thousand dollars will help the organization until it can fund-raise and apply for more grant money later on. Lunenburg MLA Pam Birdsall went to bat for the organization. She made the right connections in the Dexter government to make the 9-thousand dollars a reality. "Financial pressures have been difficult and a lot of the time is spent by the staff to fund raise to keep these programs going so this is a situation where some one-time relief was needed to keep things going," and keep Birdsall delivered the cheque to Big Brothers/Big Sisters in the past few days.