Mawhinney: Re-Launch Highlights Term As Mayor

Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador made a successful return to the water during an early morning relaunch in Lunenburg. Bluenose II was relaunched shortly after 8 o'clock this morning in an event celebrated by thousands of spectators. Lunenburg's Laurence Mawhinney called today's event a highlight of his 33 years as the town's mayor.



No major traffic issues were reported in Lunenburg. An all day celebration will be capped off with a fire works show later tonight along the Lunenburg waterfront.

Manhunt Continues: Tips Pouring Into RCMP

Mounties say tips are pouring in and the manhunt for two men wanted in a possible forcible confinement case continues. RCMP believe 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham have fled Nova Scotia. They have received tips which indicate the men are in or traveled through Ontario. Leblanc and Cunningham are charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault in an alleged case involving a 16 year-old boy. Earlier this week, RCMP revealed the teen had been held captive for up to two weeks. RCMP are working with the appropriate police service of jurisdiction to locate the accused. The RCMP Major Crime Unit is now leading the investigation.

BREAKING: Plane Crash In New Germany

A 46 year-old man is in serious condition following a plane crash in New Germany. Emergency officials say the pilot was the only person riding in the ultra-light plane when it went down shortly after 2 o'clock near Falkenham Lane. An investigation is underway into the cause of the crash. However, Corporal Scott McRae says it appears the aircraft was dealing with some engine trouble shortly after take-off. McRae says the pilot has been airlifted to a Halifax hospital. Officials from Transport Canada and Department of Environment attended the crash site to investigate the scene. It's believed some fuel leaked from the aircraft and had to be cleaned up.

No Plans To Re-Schedule Bluenose II Re-Launch

The Bluenose II relaunch will take place as scheduled despite some inclement weather in tomorrow's forecast. The latest forecast for Lunenburg County is calling for heavy rain (15-25MM) and wind gusts up to 50 km/h. Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage spokesperson, Steve Warburton, says the event will go ahead as planned on Saturday morning. Warburton says they only need a small window to ensure Bluenose II enters the water safely. An all-day celebration begins at 7 o'clock tomorrow morning in Lunenburg.

Roseway Manor Re-Opens After Flu Bug Hits

A long-term care facility in Shelburne has re-opened. Roseway Manor has been closed for three weeks because of a nasty flu bug. Administrator Sharon Callan says fortunately, no one died as a result and now everyone appears free of the virus.



During the closure, families were kept up to date on their loves ones' conditions but they weren't allowed to visit. Now, the restriction has been lifted and everything is back to normal at the manor.

Town, MODL Approve New Visitor Information Centre

The Municipality of Lunenburg and the town of Bridgewater have approved a joint venture to fund a new Visitor Information Centre. Both units will cost-share the centre at just over $23,000 for at least the first five years of a 10-year lease. The location of the building will be just off exit 11 in Blockhouse. Bridgewater Mayor Carroll Publicover says it's a convenient location.




The new location is expected to provide easier access for tourists and generate more traffic. Construction is expected to start in late October or early November. The centre is expected to be ready to open by May 1, 2013.

Too Early To Know About Cap Effects: School Board

The Nova Scotia government says it will hire 45 elementary school teachers in an effort to relieve pressure on class sizes. In a statement, the Education Department says school boards have submitted class sizes that show while most Primary to Grade 3 classes were below historic averages, some were too large. Fifteen per cent of those classes have 25 or more students, and Education Minister Ramona Jennex says she wants to keep class sizes capped at 25. School Board member Judith Sullivan-Corney says they don't quite know the impact on their schools.

 

Sullivan-Corney says they have about 13 classrooms over the cap, but only by a few students.

Gasoline Prices Rise

Gasoline prices at South Shore pumps are higher this morning. Thats oppositite to New Brunswick the other night where prices decreased by three cents a litre. Gasoline prices here today have risen 3 cents from yesterday. Regular self serve is selling for $1.37.9 a litre. Diesel is also up by a couple of cents.

RCMP Investigate Martin's River Assault

Lunenburg County RCMP are looking into an assault in Martins River. A woman was out for a walk along the walking trail near Station Road around 6 o'clock Thursday morning when she was confronted by an unknown man. The woman was knocked to the ground but managed to fight him off. The suspect then took off, running toward Martins River. The amount of information about the suspect is small because it was dark and raining at the time of the incident and the victim was unable to get a good look at him. The RCMP are asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect.

Mounties Believe Leblanc/Cunningham In Ontario

The two men accused in a forcible confinement case are believed to be traveling through Ontario. RCMP say they believe 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham have fled Nova Scotia. Police say they have received several tips over the past 24 hours. Leblanc and Cunningham are charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault in an alleged case involving a 16 year-old boy. Earlier today, RCMP said the teen had been held captive for up to two weeks. Police are working with the appropriate police service of jurisdiction to locate the men. The RCMP Major Crime Unit is now leading the investigation.

UPDATE: RCMP Say Boy Confined For Up To Two Weeks

Police investigating a case of alleged forcible confinement in Upper Chelsea say a 16-year-old boy was held against his will for up to two weeks. RCMP say their preliminary investigation determined the teen was kept captive for a period of 10-14 days. The Mounties are appealing for the public's help to find 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham, who they have charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault. Police say the boy was taken to hospital and is safe. Sgt. Alain Leblanc says the public should be on the lookout for two vehicles. Leblanc says one is a grey 2003 Hyundai Elantra with a Nova Scotia licence plate of FBP 233. He says the second is a brown 2002 Chevrolet Venture van with a Nova Scotia licence plate of EZG 581.

Kinsmen Field Closed; Seahawks To Play In Middleton

The Kinsmen Field in Bridgewater has been closed because of recent wet weather. The town's Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Carol Pickings-Anthony, says the field is unusable right now but could open up next week with favourable weather conditions. The field closure means the South Shore Seahawks football teams will travel to the Annapolis Valley for this weekend's games. Pickings-Anthony says it's a temporary inconvenience.



Both Seahawks football teams are scheduled to play their next home game at the Kinsmen Field October 13.

Information Session On South Queens Middle School

A public meeting will be held tonight to give parents and families an update on the new South Queens Middle School. The school's steering team will host the information session to talk about the latest developments around the design. Director of Operations, Steve Prest, says its a chance for people to learn more about the project.



The meeting will be held tonight at 6:30pm at South Queens Junior High.

CKBW/HANK: Live Coverage Of Bluenose II Launch

Organizers for the Bluenose II relaunch are urging residents to arrive early for the celebration in Lunenburg. The official relaunch celebration will begin at 7 o'clock on Saturday morning to take advantage of high tides. Premier Darrell Dexter, Defence Minister Peter McKay, MP Gerald Keddy, Mayor Laurence Mawhinney and MLA Pam Birdsall will all take part in the celebration. The Bluenose is expected to return to the water shortly after 8 o'clock then be tugged over to the Fisheries Museums for the remainder of the day. More than 350 parking spaces will be available at several locations around Lunenburg. They include HB Studio's, Composites Atlantic and Lunenburg Academy. Other parking will be available at The Surf Shop, Highliner Foods and Lunenburg Community Centre. We'll provide traffic updates and live coverage of the relaunch beginning at 6AM on Saturday.

Mayor: Community "Shaken" By Upper Chelsea Incident

The mayor of the Municipality of Lunenburg calls it a disturbing case too close to home. Police are searching for two men who have been charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault relating to an incident with a 16-year-old boy in Upper Chelsea. RCMP say 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham are believed to be hiding in Lunenburg County or Halifax County. Don Downe says the community has been blindsided by what's happened.



Downe says these types of incidents happen in society, but believes the community is still safe to live in. Anyone with information on the location of the two men is asked to contact police.

UPDATE: Intense Manhunt Enters Third Day

There are some new developments in an intense police manhunt for two individuals after a disturbing story emerged from Upper Chelsea earlier this week. RCMP are searching for 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham. They have been charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault in an alleged case involving a 16 year-old boy. Sergeant Alain LeBlanc says the investigation is complex and the search continues for the two individuals. He says police don't know if the individuals are still in the Lunenburg or Halifax County area.

Leblanc would not comment on the boys condition - only to say - he is safe. Police are asking people to look out for two vehicles, the first is describes as a 2003 grey Hyundai Elantra, Nova Scotia licence plate FBP 233. The other is a 2002 brown Chevy Venture with Nova Scotia licence plate EZG 581.

RCMP Search For Men Involved In Upper Chelsea Incident

Wayne Cunningham

David Leblanc

RCMP are on the lookout for two men involved in allegedly confining and assaulting a 16-year-old boy in Upper Chelsea. Police have charged 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham with forcible confinement and sexual assault. The Mounties are investigating after receiving a call Monday evening from a local resident regarding a 16-year-old boy in need of help. A preliminary investigation revealed the youth had been forcibly confined in a residence on Faulkner Rd. The victim was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Now, police are looking for the public's help in locating the two men. Investigators believe they could be in Lunenburg County or HRM. Anyone with information on the location of David James Leblanc or Wayne Alan Cunningham is asked to contact police.

Local Food Bank Struggling To Meet Demand

A local food bank could shut down by Christmas if it doesn't receive community support. The Bridgewater Inter-church Food Bank is in desperate need of food or monetary donations. Coordinator Gloria Hubley says at least 66 new families have used their service over the last year. Hubley says they have had to cut back on the amount of milk tickets they give out, and if the situation continues, they will be forced to stop buying meat or fish. She remains optimistic things will turn around.



Hubley says they have also seen a drop in donations by about $9,000 from 2011.

Charges Laid In Home B&E's At Boutiliers Point

Several recent break and enters in the St. Margarets Bay community of Boutiliers Point have resulted in the RCMP laying charges. A 34 year old man has been charged in connection with breaks ins at several homes in the area. Jewelry, cash, computer equipment and electronics were stolen. The accused .... Kevin Arthur Whiting of Boutiliers Point .... faces six counts of Break and Enter and additional charges are pending.

Section of Port Joli Coastline Headed For Protection

A stretch of South Shore coastline appears headed for preservation! The Nature Conservancy of Canada, which already has protected environmentally-sensitive land in the province, is looking to buy almost 400 acres next to the Port L'Hebert Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Conservancy Communication Director Andrew Holland says this purchase would be a first in the area.



The NCC has launched a 5 week campaign to raise about 50-thousand dollars to complete the purchase. Its looking to business, industry and individuals for help.



The Conservancy is a not-for-profit charity and tax receipts are available.