New Schools

2009-04-14 10:35:59

Premier Rodney MacDonald and Education Minister Judy Streatch announced a three-hundred-and-seven million-dollar school construction-and-renovation program today.  Eight leading-edge schools will be built and forty-one others renovated under the program, part of the province's Building For Growth economic stimulus plan.  Premier MacDonald says the projects will give the province even more world-class schools to help prepare the leaders of  tomorrow and leave a lasting legacy for Nova Scotians.    The new schools include a P-9 in Lunenburg that will be open by 2011.   Renovations were announced including a 2-million dollar project at Bridgewater Elementary, 250-thousand for New Ross Consolidated and 2-million in upgrades at Park View Education Centre. Clark's Harbour in the Tri-County will see 3.48 million in renovation work.

 

Business Award

2009-04-14 10:26:25

A Shelburne county business owner is one of this year's nominees for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2009.  The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network will hand out the honour at a ceremony later this month (April 20th) in Halifax.  Terry Stewart of Terry's Accounting/Tax Centre, Shelburne County is nominated this year. He's competing against the owners of Sew Sweet in Canning; In Good Hands Massage Therapy; In-Thread-Able Design; Marshall Marks Cards and Creations and Perrier’s Concrete Homes all of H-R-M.  In its 11th year, the annual Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes and celebrates entrepreneurs with disabilities who have demonstrated business growth, innovation, passion and persistence.   EDN's 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year award recipient was Cedric Robicheau of Meteghan, who founded the multi-million dollar venture, BMC Seafoods.

Karissa remembered

2009-04-13 10:33:54

For some in the Bridgewater area, it is a memorial to a young life taken too soon.  And for some of her family, it's a painful reminder of how Karissa Boudreau's life ended.  In the days after her body was found on the outskirts of Bridgewater, the site became a place where people left teddy bears, poems and notes of compassion.  Volunteers have been keeping the site clean and there have been other tributes and memorials to the young murdered girl on the spot since last year.  A family member has posted a note on a Facebook site that says all of the items have been removed according to the wishes of the family.  Tracy Crouse writes they "don't want to forget the public's help through the tragedy their family has endured" adding they appreciate the "kind words thoughts and prayers, donations to the animal shelter and for everyone's time keeping the site clean and beautiful".   Crouse goes on to say the family has a different outlook on what that site means and if people want to plant a flower or two in memory of Karissa that would be appreciated.  But they say they want to remember her for the good things she had done and represents, not how she died or where she was found.   Karissa was murdered by her mother who later claimed she had run off in a snowstorm last year. Her body was found over the bank along the LaHave River just outside of Bridgewater.

Senator Duffy

2009-04-13 05:43:40

A former political commentator turned politician will be the special guest at an upcoming nomination meeting on the south shore.  Senator Mike Duffy is the guest speaker coming up a week from today at the Bridgewater Legion.  The long-time television commentator will be in town at the invitation of the PC Association for Lunenburg West.  Conservative Cabinet Minister and twice elected M-L-A Carolyn Bollivar Getson will be holding a meet-and-greet and Chinese Auction followed by a dinner. The "Duff-ster" will speak later in the evening.

Red Cross help

2009-04-09 11:30:23

With hundreds dead and thousands injured a world away, Atlantic Canadians looking to help in Italy are getting a chance to do that through the Red Cross.  Now that the Italian Red Cross has a clearer idea of its ongoing needs, it has signed formal agreements with a number of its sister organizations including the Canadian Red Cross.  That agreement ensures donations are tax-deductible in Canada even though the money will be spent in Italy to provide emergency shelter, meals and blankets, and for ambulances and field hospitals. Donations can be made at any Canadian Red Cross office, securely online through a link on our website (www.redcross.ca) or by calling toll-free 1-800-418-1111 and indicating the money is for the Italian earthquake victims.

Small lobster

2009-04-09 11:29:20

A Terrance Bay man has been fined 2 thousand dollars for having undersized lobsters aboard his vessel last November.  Forty-eight year old Kevin George Slaunwhite pled guilty  saying it was not intentional, but rather his son was not properly measuring the crustaceans.  Fishery Officers boarded Slaunwhite's vessel in Terrance Bay last November 29th and found 14 undersized lobsters in three crates.  The Crown agreed the smaller lobsters were not segregated and it was more a case of inaccurate measuring than a deliberate attempt to violate the fishery regulations.  Two of the undersized lobsters seized as evidence were forfeited to the Crown.

Invasion Plea

2009-04-09 06:31:09

One of the men charged  with being a party to a crime last October has elected to be tried by a Supreme Court judge and jury.  Twenty-three year old Sean Andrew Ivany faces a single count of robbery in connection with a home invasion at a Churchill residence last fall.  A preliminary hearing has been set for November 19th.   Ivany and 23 year old Matthew Kevin Glavine were arrested and charged February 12th as parties to the offence although police say it was others who actually entered the home.  The three other men charged with committing the robbery are 19 year old Matthew James Chase, 19 year old Timothy Charles MacKenzie and 19 year old Joshua Lamont Mosher. Their cases are all still before the courts.

Lunenburg Conservatives

2009-04-09 06:29:13

We are a bit closer to finding out who will be running for the Conservatives in the riding vacated by former Cabinet Minister Michael Baker.  Riding Association President Dale Lohnes says they are hoping to set a date for a nomination meeting before good Friday.  He tells CKBW they haven't set a date yet but there seems to be a lot of interest but no one has been confirmed to this point.  Lohnes says there is a search committee in place and they have been given a number of names and they are considering a number of people.  But he says there's no one on the ballot yet. 
A few names have been floated as possible candidates.  Elmer Garber, the former Deputy Warden in Lunenburg County has confirmed to CKBW News he is not interested.  And former P-C leadership candidate, Halifax businessman Bill Black has also been suggested as another possibility but he doesn't appear to be interested according to his wife who spoke with CKBW News Wednesday.

Queens Place dollars

2009-04-09 06:26:19

Another round of provincial funding for Queens Place - the proposed recreational facility in Liverpool. Carolyn Bollivar-Getson has announced almost 98-thousand dollars to go towards design and architectural work for the facility.
Queens councilor Doug Adams is the Chair of the Committee working on the project. He say that is work that needs to be done before the start actually building the facility. He says once they get the design work finished, the ground work can begin. Adams is hoping for money from Ottawa as early as next week saying M-P Gerald Keddy mentioned there would be an announcement next Thursday. Adams says they may actually have to see some additional dollars from the province adding if they end up funding the project with a third from each level of government - federal, provincial and municipal. The centre is expected to contain a 900 seat NHL size arena with walking track, 25 metre - four lane pool, fitness centre, community room and Youth Health Center.

More dollars

2009-04-08 06:11:22

South Shore/St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy will be doling out more dollars today.  Keddy, on behalf of  Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, will highlight contributions to assist seniors at the Forties Community Centre and the Mahone Bay Centre.  The funding announcement for the Forties is set for 11 o'clock this morning at the Community Centre, while Keddy will be in Mahone Bay for a 2 o'clock announcement at the Mahone Bay Centre Society.

Restrictions lifted

2009-04-08 06:09:40

The Virus has left the building.  South Shore health officials are announcing the inpatient Mental Health Unit at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater and Medical Unit at Queens General Hospital in Liverpool are now open to visitors.
Visitation has been restricted on both units since March 30 due to illness circulating among patients and staff.

Broad River to Sable River

2009-04-07 10:32:39

For years it's been called a sub-standard section of Highway 103. And there's now a plan to construct a controlled access section of highway from Broad River to Sable River. This section is in the Port Mouton area and officials say the bypass will reduce traffic through that residential area. Conservative M-P Gerald Keddy was in Liverpool this morning to make the 33-million dollar announcement along with Provincial Transport minister Brooke Taylor and Premier Rodney MacDonald.Officials say construction on the eight kilometer section of Highway bridging the Queens and Shelburne county line will begin in late 2011. They say the delay in getting the project started is because of an Environmental Assessment survey along with land acquisition and detailed design work will happen over the next two years.

Municipal Report Card

2009-04-07 10:01:21

Report cards come out today, and the best grade is going to the second smallest municipality in the province.  The Atlantic Institute for Market Studies carried out a survey and is releasing the information today.  A Top mark of "B" went to the Town of Lockeport when it comes to spending and services in Nova Scotia.  The Shelburne county seaside community was one of four in our area to make the top ten.  Shelburne Town ranked fifth with a "B-minus".  Bridgewater was seventh and Lunenburg District eighth - also with a "B-minus".  The next south shore community on the list was Lunenburg town at 19 with a "C-plus".  Region of Queens was 21st, Shelburne District 23rd and Barrington 25th - all at "C-plus".  Chester got a grade of "C" coming in at 37.  There are 55 municipalities in Nova Scotia but seven were not given a ranking because of missing information those included Clarkes Harbour and Mahone Bay.  The findings were collected and compiled over two years and looked at governance, police and fire service, taxation and recreation facilities.
View the entire report at http://www.aims.ca/library/MPRNovaScotia.pdf.

Nurse Practitioner

2009-04-07 09:28:48

Nurse practioner Rob Snelling has been successfully recruited for the New Germany and Area Medical Centre.  South Shore Health says Snelling will begin working in the District on May 4.  He will begin providing some services at the New Germany and Area Medical Centre later this spring following an orientation and set up period.  More details about the hours and types of services available will be announced in the near future.  CEO Kevin McNamara says "having a nurse practitioner working in the New Germany area will support  efforts to improve access to care, respond to the needs of the community and recruit family physicians to the area."  The position is being funded by the Department of Health.

Elmer Statesman

2009-04-07 09:20:58

After the passing of Michael Baker, there have been many questions about who will be looking to step in and run for the Conservatives in Lunenburg.  Elmer Garber has been one name mentioned as a possible candidate.  And CKBW News was one of many to ask him about it.  He says he has no interest in running for the position of M-L-A for the Lunenburg Constituency. Garber was a member of Lunenburg Municipal council and deputy warden up until he placed second in the mayoralty race last October.  He says he has no ambition to sit in the Legislature saying his passion in with local politics and local issues.  And Garber adds he doesn't neccesarily have to be elected to serve the community.  He recently took on a position of Special Assistant to the Minister in Lunenburg West M-L-A Carolyn Bollivar-Getson's office.

Queens Announcement

2009-04-07 06:17:33

A major infrastructure funding annoucement being made in the Region of Queens this morning.  Premier Rodney MacDonald, Brooke Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, and MP Gerald Keddy,  representing the government of Canada, will be on hand for  the announcement at 9:30 this morning in the Municipality's Council Chambers.

Road Critic

2009-04-07 06:16:51

Queens MLA and NDP Transportation Critic, Vicki Conrad says the Conservative government must address the deplorable road conditions in Queens. Conrad has written to Minister Brooke Taylor and has forwarded a petition with 250 signatures of concerned citizens.  Conrad says the condition of the Green Bay, Petite Riviere and Italy Cross Roads continue to be of great concern to all that live and travel the roads. She adds it's time the Conservative government take advantage of the road improvement needs for the constituency of Queens and ensure that roads in communities across Nova Scotia are made safer.

Woodlot site

2009-04-06 09:48:34

Woodlot owners who produce maple syrup, Christmas trees and other non-timber forest products are getting a boost to help sell their goods.    A new publication called From Our Atlantic Woods lists more than 260 businesses that promote goods and services other than conventional wood products like timber and pulpwood.    Natural Resources Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson says the directory will help woodland owners develop a diverse and sustainable non-timber forest products industry.  Non-timber forest products are goods and services other than conventional wood products like timber and pulpwood. Examples include fiddleheads, wild mushrooms, bentwood furniture,  greenery, berry wines, essential oils, and eco-tourism. Free copies of the directory will be available Tuesday (April 14th) provincewide at Natural Resources offices, Sobeys stores and farmers markets. The link to the directory is available online at http://www.FromOurAtlanticWoods.com. 

Osprey Arts Support

2009-04-06 05:45:54

A group supporting a Shelburne performing arts center is getting a financial boost from the Federal Heritage Department.  South Shore St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy announced 10-thousand dollars in funding for the Osprey Arts Center Association.  The money will help support the upcoming season which includes performances of dance, theatre, and music presented by more than 300 culturally diverse professional and emerging artists.  Keddy says the Osprey Arts Centre plays an important role in bringing diverse artistic experiences to the people of Shelburne County.  Artistic Director Susan Hoover acknowledges they are located in a remote community with few opportunities to access cultural activities. But she adds they are especially appreciative of the funds from the Government of Canada to help bring a variety of the best artists in Canada to their venue.  The Osprey Arts Centre was Established in 2003.

Concert of Hope

2009-04-06 05:44:56

It's being billed as a Concert of Hope. And the idea is to raise money for Poverty Intervention in the schools in the South Shore district.  Education week is coming up later this month and the school board is working to highlight the theme of Bringing Arts to Life.  The concert is planned for April 23rd at Hebbville Academy.  Rock music, choirs and folksingers are all lined up to perform and you get in for a free-will donation.  There are also plans to have local groups there with displays to show what they are doing to fight poverty and offer support.  Funds raised will support the committee's activities to raise awareness, and to promote equal access to programs and activities for all students.