Long Service: Police Officers Recognized By Province

At least three local police officers have been recognized by the province for their service to the force. The province's Justice deputy minister, Judith Ferguson, presented 235 active and retired police officers with Nova Scotia Police Long Service Awards during a ceremony in Halifax Wednesday. Retired Constable Colin Gray and retired Chief David McGinnis, with the Bridgewater Police, received awards for 15 years of service. Sergeant Lewis Sutherland, also with Bridgewater Police, was given an award for 25 years of service. This is the sixth year the awards have been handed out. A second event will be held in Cape Breton to recognize another 45 officers later this month.

MODL Votes Down Joint Birthday Celebration

A committee within the Municipality of Lunenburg has decided to pass on joint birthday celebrations with the town of Bridgewater. The two local governments had discussed the potential of celebrating Bridgewater's 115th birthday and the municipality's 135th birthday next spring. However, the committee felt the number wasn't significant enough to celebrate. Deputy Mayor Don Zwicker says it's not a milestone year.



Zwicker says the municipality could bring greetings to the town's celebration, but wouldn't get directly involved. A final decision is expected next week.

Tender Awarded For LCLC Ice Cover

An ice cover is on the way for the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. General Manager Kevin Benjamin says a tender has been awarded to Covermaster Inc. of Ontario for $204,500. He says the purchased system is known as a terracover. Covermaster describes the system as having a long life-span, easy to install and having the best insulation available. Benjamin says the price came in under budget. The town of Bridgewater and Municipality of Lunenburg agreed to share the cost of the ice cover up to $215,000. The cover will allow the LCLC to market the venue for concerts or conventions year-round. Benjamin expects the terracover to be delivered for installation next week.

RCMP: Charges Laid After Grow-Op Found In Sable River

A routine call for Shelburne RCMP turned into charges laid against two people in Sable River. The Mounties responded to a call late last week at a home, only to find a marihuana grow operation inside. They dismantled the operation seizing eight mature plants, small quantities of harvested marihuana bud and marihuana and other drug paraphernalia. RCMP say a 34-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman from Sable River were arrested and later released. The two people face charges of marihuana cultivation and possession. They are scheduled to appear in Shelburne provincial court December 4.

Bridgewater: New Doctor Prepares For Intake

A new family doctor is preparing to open her new practice to 150 patients. Dr. Sheila Dwyer will start accepting patients over the phone Wednesday evening. She graduated from Dalhousie University's Medical program in 2011 and completed her family medicine residency training in June. People who do not currently have a family physician or nurse practitioner or who are travelling outside the district for care are eligible. After the first 150 patients are accepted, the telephone line will close. It's expected the new doctor will accept up to 1,000 patients over time. People who wish to be considered as a patient are asked to call 527-4814 beginning at 6:30 Wednesday night.

Yarmouth: Councillor Wants Bluenose II In Town For Ferry Launch

A town councillor in Yarmouth is hoping to have the Bluenose II in town to help celebrate the return of the ferry service. Phil Mooney has requested staff to look into the matter of having the retrofitted vessel in the area when the Nova Star ferry begins its run from Portland to Yarmouth on May 1, 2014. Mooney says it would be a special moment.



Mooney says the town's mayor will talk to the province to see if having the Bluenose II in Yarmouth would be feasible. He doesn't know when further details will be provided, but says it won't be a back-burner issue.

Local Curlers Help Halifax Team Win Title

A pair of South Shore curlers helped lead their team to a win at the Curl Atlantic Championships in Charlottetown over the weekend. Liverpool's Jill (Mouzar) Brothers and Lunenburg's Blisse Comstock helped Heather Smith-Dacey's Mayflower rink beat P.E.I.'s Suzanne Birt 7-4 in the final. The Smith-Dacey team went undefeated, winning all seven of their games. The team will compete again next weekend in Sackville.

Hurricanes Drop Opening Games To Bedford

It was a tough start for the Western Hurricanes regular season. The major bantam hockey club lost both of their weekend games to the Bedford Barons at Queens Place Emera Centre. Michael Anthony scored the lone goal as the Hurricanes fell 2-1 Saturday. Ian MacPhee had the only goal in Sunday's 3-1 loss. The team travels to Cape Breton this weekend to take on the Cougars.

Town Supports Band's 'Royal' Request

Bridgewater is supporting a notion to include the word 'Royal' in the town's fire department band name. The town received a request from the fire department's public relations officer, asking for a letter of support to have the title of 'Royal' bestowed on the band. The band is in the process of submitting an application to the governor general's office in Ottawa. Mayor David Walker says it was an easy decision to make.



The request from the band says the 'royal' distinction will help raise more awareness about the band and its work as musical ambassadors in Lunenburg County and internationally for Canada. The band has to meet certain criteria to qualify including providing service over 25 years and on a regional basis. The fire department's public relations officer says a name change hasn't been determined, if the request is approved.

UPDATED: Jury Members Set To Deliberate In Eisnor Trial

The fate of a Barss Corner man will be in the hands of a 12 member jury beginning Wednesday. Fifty year-old Wayne Eisnor is facing a first degree murder charge in the shooting death of his estranged wife more than three years ago in New Germany. Closing arguments were presented today in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Bridgewater. Crown Prosecutor Lloyd Tancock told court evidence against the accused - which include hand written notes laced with profanity  - indicate planning and deliberation in Tina Mae Eisnor's death. Defense lawyer Roger Burill argued Eisnor was not capable of planning a sophisticated murder plot. In total, 28 witnesses were called over the course of the two week trial. A first degree murder charge carries a penalty of a life sentence in prison.

Closing Arguments Expected In Eisnor Trial

Closing arguments are expected today in the first degree murder trial involving a Barss Corner man. Fifty-year-old Wayne Paul Eisnor is accused of shooting and killing his wife, Tina Mae, in a New Germany grocery store parking lot on June 30, 2010. He then turned the gun on himself resulting in serious brain damage. Dozens of witnesses have been called over the course of the trial which began earlier this month. Eisnor took the stand yesterday and testified he had no recollection of the alleged shooting. He also claimed he did not shoot his wife. The jury is expected to begin deliberations tomorrow.

Local Food Showcased In Lunenburg-Queens

Local food is in the spotlight this week. The Lunenburg-Queens local food team is hosting the first annual awareness week across both counties. The group is hoping to highlight food produced in the area, along with processing and production methods supporting sustainability and healthy living. President of the Lunenburg-Queens Federation of Agriculture, Peter Morrine, says he's hoping the week receives a good response to help make it an annual event.



The group is made up of residents, businesses and other community groups. Events are planned in areas including Caledonia, Mahone Bay, Bridgewater and Liverpool. A link to scheduled events can be found here .

Peewee, Bantam Seahawks Lose Weekend Games

A pair of losses over the weekend for the South Shore Seahawks football club. In peewee play, the Valley Bulldogs topped the Seahawks 47-12 on Sunday. Keegan Baker scored both Seahawks touchdowns on runs of 25 yards and 60 yards. The club plays their next game against the Fall River Dragons on Saturday at 1pm at Kinsmen Field. In bantam action, a good crowd was on hand at the Kinsmen field Sunday as the South Shore played the Truro Freightliners. The final was 63-0 for Truro. Next game is in Fall River on Sunday against the Dragons. The atom squad had a bye and will play Saturday at Kinsmen Field at 11am against the Truro Tide.

Whalen Finishes Fourth At Francophone Games

It was a fourth place finish for Chelsea Whalen at the Francophone Games in Nice, France. Whalen had a top throw in the shot put of 15.09 metres. She returns to Tallahassee, Florida for her senior year at Florida State University. Canada won 22 medals in total at the games.

RCMP: Fox Point Man Facing 51 Charges

The RCMP say a man faces 51 charges after a number of items were stolen from vehicles. Twenty-six year-old Matthew James Wright of Fox Point will appear in Halifax provincial court Monday on charges including theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property and trespassing. The charges stem from thefts that occurred in Hammonds Plains and the Fall River-Waverley area. Police say they're also looking for possible links to more than 60 other theft complaints from motor vehicles in Tantallon and Fox Point in the last month. RCMP remind people to lock their car doors and remove valuables from their vehicles to reduce the risk of break-ins.

Lumberjacks: Board To Discuss Arena Options

The waiting game continues for the opening of the Clearwater Seafood Arena. The owner of the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks, Ken Petrie, confirms the team is reviewing its options after the general manager of the LCLC told him the arena won't be available for their upcoming games. The Lumberjacks are scheduled to play Friday night and Sunday afternoon in Bridgewater. Petrie says the team's board of directors will decide whether to play both games at the Memorial Arena, play one in Bridgewater and the other in Liverpool or play Friday and reschedule Sunday. He says a decision on the issue is expected Monday evening.

Birdsall Carrying NDP Flag In Lunenburg

The NDP have a familiar face leading the orange charge in Lunenburg. Pam Birdsall is hoping to be re-elected as MLA after she was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2009. She says roads and access to health-care remain the top issues in the constituency. Birdsall says she disagrees with the Liberal and PC notion to remove most of the district health authorities in the province.


Challenging Birdsall in Lunenburg is Suzanne Lohnes-Croft for the Liberals and Brian Pickings for the PC's.

Bulldogs Finish Second At Baseball Atlantics

The Bridgewater Bulldogs settled for second place at the Bantam 'AAA' Atlantic Baseball Championships in St. John's, Newfoundland. The local club fell 5-1 in the final to Kennebacasis Valley, New Brunswick. The Bulldogs advanced to the final after going 4-0 during the round robin.

Mustangs Dump Tradesmen

Keith Getson and Alex Nauss each had two goals and two assists as the South Shore Mustangs dominated the Cape Breton Tradesmen 10-2 on Sunday. The major midget club allowed the first goal then unloaded for nine straight on home ice. Colby Muise turned aside 27 shots to help the Mustangs improve to 2-0 in the regular season. The Mustangs will travel to Pictou County for two games this weekend.

UPDATE: Military Item Removed From Desbrisay Museum

A military item on display for more than 50 years at the Desbrisay Museum in Bridgewater was removed as a safety precaution over the weekend. Director Barb Thompson says the item (identified as a "shell" or projectile") was flagged Saturday afternoon after officials were asked to examine some of the museum's war-time collection.



Bridgewater Police secured the building until a team from 14 Wing Greenwood was able to get to the museum  and properly remove the item. Thompson says it's not unusual for this type of thing to happen at a museum from time to time.