Imprisoned Poison Peddler

Calling anyone who sells cocaine "a peddler of poison", Bridgewater Provincial Court Judge Jim Burrill sentenced a Blockhouse man to 34 months in prison. Twenty-six year old Arthur Abdul Mosher was given double credit for the seven months he spent in custody after being arrested in April 2007. A police search of Mosher's parents' residence in April 2007 turned up 37 grams of cocaine in a plastic bag in a shaving cream can with a false bottom. The can was in a pocket of Randy Mosher's bathrobe . Randy Mosher who has since died of cancer told police at the time , he was using the drug for pain management but his son later said he owed a 32 thousand dollar drug debt and his father was selling cocaine in an effort to save his life. Mosher was found guilty of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking at the conclusion of his trial this March 23rd. He was also convicted of two counts of breach of probation as well as charges of possession of marijuana and hashish. Mosher has eight prior convictions for possession, and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Composites Trade Show

A delegation of 17 Atlantic Canadian aerospace and defence companies and organizations have returned home following a successful trade mission to Paris, France. They attended the Paris Air Show, an international trade show for aerospace equipment and technology. Mission delegates , including Composites Atlantic in Lunenburg, were able to establish and build business contacts and take part in a number of industry-related meetings, roundtables and information sessions.

Fatal ATV accident

Not a lot of detail is known about the circumstances surrounding a fatal A-T-V accident in Queens county. A 52-year old man from Riversdale was pronounced dead at the scene yesterday according to RCMP. A news release says the members of the Queens detachment were called to an all terrain vehicle accident on the Medway River Road in Riversdale. They say the deceased was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, which they say was one factor contributing to his death. The man's name hasn't been released. The community is north of Mill Village.

Cabinet Swearing In

It's still a mystery whether or not any of the five M-L-A's on the south shore are up for a cabinet post in the New Democratic government. The official swearing in ceremony is being held tomorrow evening at the Cunnard Center on the Halifax waterfront. Members of the Executive Council will be sworn in by Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis Friday evening. And a spokesman in the Premier's office says the names will be released only after they are being introduced at the event. Both Vicki Conrad in Queens and Sterling Belliveau of Shelburne are returning N-D-P Members of the Legislative Assembly. Pam Birdsall, Gary Ramey and Denise Peterson-Rafuse will be on the government side of the house representing Lunenburg, Lunenburg West and Chester St. Margaret's. There's word today, eleven members of the new N-D-P government will be getting an important phone call today. Premier-designate Darrell Dexter will be telling them they'll be serving in his cabinet but we won't find out about it untill tonight. The event will be held at the Cunard Centre, 961 Marginal Rd., Halifax. It can be viewed online at http://gov.ns.ca/stayinformed/webcast/ .

Retraining Money

It's close to 90-thousand dollars from the federal government to help unemployed workers in Eastern Lunenburg County. South Shore/St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy announced the funding today for the South Shore Community Service Association. The money is going to the Chester Career Resource Center. He says the Conservative government is pleased to help unemployed Nova Scotians develop the skills, knowledge and experience they need to move forward. The Center will help 200 new unemployeed workers with job search support, skills workshops, career exploration services and referrals for appropriate interventions. The funding will also allow the organization to continue providing services to approximately 120 existing clients in Chester municipality.

Power of Change

Rodney MacDonald has attended his last official function as the premier of Nova Scotia. This week, MacDonald went to a ceremony to recognize 10 young Nova Scotians with a leadership award. One of the winners of the Power of Change Award is Kelsie Mosher. The grade eight student from Lunenburg goes to Centre Consolidated. After dealing with a difficult period from being bullied, Kelsie took charge of the situation and brought awareness to the dangers and effects of bullying. She approached her Home and School Association for funding to organize Pink Day at her school, and inspired other schools in her community to do the same. She is working closely with elementary students and has pledged to put an end to bullying. Congratulations Kelsie Mosher from all of us.

Firing up the barbecue in Queens County could be a bit of a problem this summer. The region is about to lose the last free-standing propane fill-up. Mayor John Leefe says the situation will also affect some businesses. There is still the availability for the 30-pound tanks to be filled in Queens through exchange programs.

Service Award

Judy Purcell of Bridgewater one of the team members recognized with the Premier's Award of Excellence, the highest honour of the Nova Scotia civil service. It recognizes public servants for outstanding contributions to the province. Purcell is a member of the Skill Development Coordinators Team, Department of Labour and Workforce Development. The team played a lead role in responding to closures in industry by creating on-site and community response teams, conducting job vacancy studies in affected and nearby communities, developing transition centres for displaced workers, and arranging and providing direct programs and services to help workers find new employment. Premier Rodney MacDonald presented the awards to two teams and three individuals this week.

Michael Hall Reward

Another case in Nova Scotia's Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program was added today (June 16th) by the Department of Justice. The department is offering a cash reward of up to 150-thousand-dollars for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible in the case of homicide victim Steven Michael Hall of Seffernsville, Lunenburg County. Hall was last seen on Saturday, April 27th, 1996, hitchhiking towards Chester, after paying a bill at the Ultramar in Chester Basin. Hall was not seen again until his body was recovered in a wooded area of Lunenburg County on November 23rd, 1996. More information on the homicide case of Mr. Hall and other cases, can be found on the Department of Justice website.

Stroke Awareness

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in Canada but work continues on the south shore to address the health issue. The District is working on a program to both treat and prevent brain attacks, also known as strokes. Clinical Services President Sandy Christie says on the South Shore, we have high rates of many of the risk factors for stroke. They include smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, physical inactivity and elevated cholesterol levels. As part of the program, funded by the Department of Health, South Shore Health hired a Coordinator to help support District planning and implementation. South Shore Health has dedicated 4-beds on the Cardiovascular Health Unit at South Shore Regional Hospital to stroke care. Christie says evidence shows grouping stroke patients together improves functional outcomes, reduces mortality rates and decreases length of hospital stay.

Woman Located

A sad ending to a search for a Lunenburg county woman. RCMP say the body of Hazel Laurence was located in the Church Lake area yesterday. Police, members of the Lunenburg County Ground Search and Rescue team and a helicopter were all called in to search for the 58-year old woman. They had been called in to look for her in the Cornwall Road area Monday. She had last been seen around 4:30 Sunday afternoon. An autopsy is being completed by the Medical Examiner to find out the cause of death.

Wire Worries

Town Council has given the go-ahead for the construction of 4 two-storey semi-detached dwellings fronting on Glen Allan Drive, In a report to Bridgewater Council, Town Planner Eric Shaw says the matter of power connections was discussed in relation to the number of utility poles and wires in the subdivision. The applicant, Jamie Cochrane didn't support underground connections saying it wasn't fair to come up mid-way through the process. Council voted voted in favour of the option of above grade connections, contingent on early consultation between the developer and NSP.

Farmers Market Returns

It's now officially confirmed. A Farmers Market is coming to downtown Bridgewater, starting on Saturday, July 4th from 8:30am to noon. Councillor David Mitchell says the market will be held on King Street in the parking lot between Intelligent Choice Computers and The Garden of Reading between Dominion St and Empire St. Mitchell says the location provides the best of both worlds he says there is plenty of space for the vendors and that section of King St has parking of both sides of the street as well as parking on Empire. The market will also attract people to the downtown core and into the shops on King St. The first week will see at least 6 producers with, baked goods, meat and produce and Mitchell says that number will grow throughout the season.

Sewage Smell

2009-06-12 05:54:29

Something smells in the Municipality of Lunenburg and it's going to cost almost $100,000 to make it go away.  Council has awarded a tender for an odour control system at the Cookville wastewater treatment plant,  Deputy-Mayor Don Zwicker says there's been an odour issue at the plant for quite some time.  He says they've been told since day one there's not enough flow of sewage going through the plant so that's why there's an odour. He says that's why they have to do something to fix the odour issue. Western Plumbing and Heating Limited of Dartmouth was awarded the tender for almost $98,000 plus HST.  Work at the plant is expected to start immediately.

NSCC Grads

2009-06-11 06:19:59

She returned to school after 28 years, and this evening she'll be delivering the valedictorian address at the convocation ceremonies for NSCC, Lunenburg Campus.  Barb Tidd, is a student in the Office  Administration program. Tonight's ceremonies set for 7:00 p.m. will  recognize the achievement of all 223 Lunenburg Campus graduates who have earned diplomas and certificates over the last academic year.

Lunenburg School

2009-06-11 06:18:48

A new Primary to Grade 9 school will be built in Lunenburg in the next few years, but the exact location still has to be decided.   A School Steering team has been formed and a public meeting has been scheduled for later this month.  School board officials say the site selection is one of the first items that will be addressed by them.  The board passed a motion to have the school built in Lunenburg with the possible sites are being whittled down to three locations.  Board members will get those at the June 24th meeting and their recommended site for the Lunenburg school will then go to the Government.  The selection committee is made up from all four school communities and and a public meeting has been scheduled at Lunenburg Junior Senior High School for June 29th at 7:00 p.m.  The process for naming the new school is still being worked out.

South Shore Results

2009-06-10 06:29:59

Chester St Margaret's:

NDP   Denise Peterson-Rafuse 4,835 48.09% Elected
PC  Judy Streatch  2,762  27.47 %
LIB  Jo-Ann Grant  2,122  21.11 %
GRN  Ryan Cameron 335  3.33 %

Lunenburg:

NDP   Pam Birdsall   3,644   48.82% Elected
PC  Peter Zwicker  2,049  27.45%
LIB  Rick Welsford  1,190  15.94%
IND  Milton Countway  457  6.12% 
GRN  Jason A. Remai  124  1.66%

Lunenburg West:

NDP   Gary Ramey   3,600   39.60% Elected
PC  Carolyn Bolivar-Getson 3,045  33.50% 
LIB  Mark Furey  2,297  25.27%
GRN  Emily Richardson 148  1.63%

Queens:

NDP   Vicki Conrad   4,012   59.91% Elected
PC  Kerry Morash  1,926  28.76%
LIB  Wayne Henley 674  10.06%
GRN  Stuart Simpson 85  1.27%

Shelburne:

NDP   Sterling Belliveau  3,844 55.41% Elected
PC  Eddie Nickerson 1,637 23.59% 
LIB  Darian Huskilson 1,356  19.54% 
GRN  Robin Smith  101 1.46%

RESULTS

2009-06-09 21:13:24

 An NDP majority in Nova Scotia and a south shore sweep for the party. Vicki Conrad held on to her seat, winning in Queens. Sterling Belliveau was returned as the NDP MLA for Shelburne. Two cabinet ministers on the south shore were unseated with Judy Streatch falling to Denise Peterson-Rafuse and Carolyn Bolivar-Getson ceding her seat to Gary Ramey, a first time candidate.  In Lunenburg, Pam Birdsall was elected as the New Democrat representative.

The first N-D-P government elected east of Ontario has not only won -- it's won big.   Voters in Nova Scotia have delivered a decisive majority win to a party that offered a modest platform and a commitment to balance the province's books.
    The N-D-P is elected in 30 ridings and leading in one.   It appears the Liberals will be elevated to the Official Opposition, with the Grits elected in 10 ridings and leading in one.  The Tories have won 10 seats.
    
The New Democrats swept to a majority government by boosting their share of the popular vote to 45 per cent.    That's up from about 35 per cent in 2006.    The Tories fell to 25 per cent from 40 per cent in the last election.  The Liberals polled 27 per cent of the vote, up a touch from about 23 per cent in 2006.

Tune in tomorrow morning for results and reaction to this historic night.

Foul Play Ruled Out

2009-06-09 17:46:11

Bridgewater police say foul play has been ruled out in the death of a woman who's body was found in Glen Allen Park.  She has been identified as 50-year old Deborah Bell-Ivany of Bridgewater.  An autopsy is being performed today in Halifax at the Provincial Medical Examiner's office.  Police say they are still conducting interviews and they are waiting for results from additional forensic testing.  A man walking his dog in the park found the remains just before noon yesterday.

Voting Day

2009-06-09 06:19:43

It's Election day in Nova Scotia. Polls open across the province at 8:00 this morning as a general election gets underway. New Democrats are hoping to form government for the first time having led in opinion surveys for most of the 35-day campaign. At dissolution, there were 21 Tory seats in the 52-seat legislature, 20 NDP, nine Liberals, one Independent and one vacancy.  Polls are closing at seven tonight. And then join CKBW for team coverage of the results from the five South Shore ridings brought to you by the Home Center, North Street, Bridgewater.

Chester-St. Margarets: Ryan Cameron, Green; Jo-Ann Grant, Liberal; Denise Peterson-Rafuse, NDP; Judy Streatch (i), PC.

Lunenburg: Pam Birdsall, NDP; Milton Countway, Independent; Jason Remai, Green; Rick Welsford, Liberal; Peter Zwicker, PC

Lunenburg West: Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (i), PC; Mark Furey, Liberal; Gary Ramey, NDP; Emily Richardson, Green

Queens: Vicki Conrad (i), NDP; Wayne Henley, Liberal; Kerry Morash, PC; Stuart Simpson, Green

Shelburne: Sterling Belliveau (i), NDP; Darian Huskilson, Liberal; Eddie Nickerson, PC; Robin Smith, Green

(i)=incumbant