Pink Shirt Day

Students across the province are wearing pink today (September 10th) as they mark the second annual Stand Up Against Bullying Day. Education Minister Marilyn More says that bullying is unacceptable and she wants any student who is being bullied or knows of someone being bullied to tell a parent, teacher,counsellor, vice-principal or principal. Stand Up Against Bullying Day is marked on the second Thursday in September. Schools across the province hold anti-bullying events and students wear pink. The inspiration came from the actions of two Grade 12 students from Central Kings Rural High School in Kings County. Travis Price and David Shepherd rallied behind a new student to the school who was being bullied simply for wearing a pink shirt. They brought pink shirts to school and handed them out to classmates to wear in solidarity with the new student. Their efforts sparked similar initiatives around the world, and wear pink has become the symbol and slogan of the anti-bullying movement.

New Chambers?

It's not in the near future but Lunenburg Municipal Council will explore options for a budget timeline and financing for the construction of a new administration building. Mayor Don Downe says they're looking at putting money aside if they decide to move forward. Downe says a study shows staff have outgrown the current administration building at 210 Aberdeen Road. Former C-A-O Doug Quinn brought the issue to council's attention in his 2004 annual report. At that time he said the three decade old building was overcrowded . Council did set aside over $100 thousand dollars in that year's budget for repairs and renovations.

Youden Holding

It was first proposed back in May of 2007, now a housing development for Mahone Bay is on indefinate hold. Mayor Joe Feeney says Council is discussing a letter of intent to continue persuing the development with developer Bob Youden. However, Feeney says indicators are the development is not going to go ahead in the near future because of the economic environment. Youden's proposal for a 24 million dollar housing development on the Old School Lands, and the loss of a soccer field and nearby woods became the centre of a controversy that rocked the town. A Group of residents filed an appeal with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board over Council's decision refusing to rezone the property from residential to recreational use.

Former Jail Idle

The former jail in Centre still sets idle eight years after it was closed for good. The last inmates left the facility in May 2001 and the building reverted to the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. Mayor Don Downe says a recent proposal for the property was not supported by Council and there's nothing concrete in the works. The Lunenburg County Correctional Centre better known as the Centre Jail first opened in 1950.

Postal Protest

About 150 people were at the Oakhill Fire Hall last night at a meeting hosted by the Municipality of Lunenburg to discuss Canada Post's rural mailbox review. Mayor Don Downe says it's a federal issue but Council is advocating on behalf of its residents. Downe says it was delinquent of Canada Post not to attend last night's meeting to hear the residents concerns. Union representatives were in attendance at last nights meeting along with M-P Gerald Keddy and M-L-A's Pam Birdsall, Gary Ramey and Vicki Conrad.

Lock Your Car

Another reminder to keep your vehicles locked. Over the long weekend, on the night of Saturday September 5th or the early morning hours of September 6th a number of vehicles parked in the Glen Allan subdivision were entered. The vehicles were rummaged through and various personal items and change were taken. Police are also looking into an incident from late last month. Sometime between 11 p.m. August 26th and 7 a.m. August 27th, a Ford Ranger was entered and a number of items including a quantity of change was stolen from the unlocked vehicle. Police are also looking out for a red Sport Tech Mountain bike taken from a yard on Desbrisay Drive in the overnight hours of September 6th.

Missing Kids Return

All four kids are now back at the Dayspring Adolescent Treatment Centre after staying out all night. The two boys - 12 and 9, and two girls - 12 and 11, were last seen between 8:30 and 9 last night. RCMP were called and the search started for the kids. They were all wearing pajamas and weren't really dressed to be outside all night. A police dog along with members of the Lunenburg County Ground Search and Rescue team were called in to help look for them. The call came in just before 6:30 this morning that the four kids had returned. RCMP Corporal Jamie Vacon is still speaking with them. Few other details are known right now. The facility is run by Family and Children's Services of Lunenburg County.

Schooner Gift

A small schooner designed by William J. Roue, who designed the historic schooner Bluenose, has been donated to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax. A small reception today (September 4th) marked the gift of the 11.3-metre (37-foot) Hebridee II by the family of the late Edward Murphy of Halifax. The Roue-designed schooner, which was built, owned, and sailed locally, has a long relationship with the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron and the Nova Scotia Schooner Association and is a significant addition to the museum's small-craftcollection. Ater a condition assessment and appropriate restoration work, museum staff plan to re-establish Hebridee II's sailing relationship with the NSSA.

Paramedic Awards

A Lunenburg County man will be among 14 paramedics receiving an Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal today. Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis will present the honour to Jay Albert Walker of Hubbards at a ceremony at Province house this afternoon. The lieutenant-governor will be joined by Health Minister Maureen MacDonald. The award honours years of service and for performance above and beyond the call of duty.

Medal recipients are:
--Albert Walker, Hubbards, Lunenburg Co.
--Glen Diggdon, Pubnico, Yarmouth Co.
--Darrell Bardua, Dartmouth
--Mark Turner, Kentville
--Terry Muise, Yarmouth
--Dean Vokey, Bellville, Yarmouth Co.
--Gary Galley, Berwick
--Frank McPhee, Halifax
--Franklin Johnston, Goodwood, Halifax Regional Municipality --Prema Cooper, Whites Lake, Halifax Regional Municipality --Dwayne Semple, Tatamagouche --Steve Connell, Kentville --Brian Joseph Bunch, New Minas --Joseph MacDonald, Inverness

Eat Local

Agriculture Minister John MacDonell is enjoying a day of eating locally produced food as part of his pledge to Eat Atlantic today (September 4th). The minister started his day with a Nova Scotian breakfast of scrambled eggs from his daughter's 4H chicken, locally made toasted bread and a cup of fair trade coffee, along with wild blueberries and a peach. He then visited a farmers' market at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, VG site this morning to pick up some fresh produce for supper. He says health applies to everything when eating local -- health of our communities, our environment, our economy and our people. He is joined by Atlantic ministers from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Almost 2,000 Nova Scotians have made the pledge to Eat Atlantic, more than any other Atlantic province. To sign up for the Eat Atlantic Challenge, visit www.eatatlantic.ca .

Biker Critical

A 56 year old man is in critical condition at the QE-2 in Halifax (as of the last update given to police yesterday afternoon around four). The man was involved in a car/bicycle collision Thursday morning. The cyclist, from Garden Lots was struck by a car around 7:40 in the morning on Route 3 in front of Center Consolidated School. The driver of the car is a 35 year old man from Bridgewater. He is an employee with the South Shore Regional School Board. RCMP say the vehicle was pulling into the driveway at the school when it collided with the cyclist. The driver told police he was blinded by the sun and didn't see the bicycle. Police say they are still investigating.

Dog Back Home

A dog shot by police in a residential neighbourhood as it was ravaging a live baby deer is back home with its owner. Bridgewater's Deputy Police Chief says the animal made it's way home sometime yesterday. John Collyer says the owner then took it to a veterinarian who treated it for a gunshot wound. The bullet apparently passed through the animal without hitting any vital organs. Collyer says the husky doesn't have rabies and police are still looking into the incident. They will involve wildlife experts and animal control officials to see what their assessment of the situation. The dog had taken off after a cat when it picked up the scent of the fawn in the area of Olympiad Avenue. It was in the middle of a "killing frenzy" and officers were concerned for the people who were trying to help the deer when they made the decision to shoot the dog. There were two gunshots. The second round missed the husky and it took off into the woods.

Cyclist Update

A 50 year old man has been transferred to the QE2 in critical condition after he was involved in a car/bicycle accident Thursday morning. The cyclist, from Garden Lots was struck by a car around 7:40 Thursday morning on Route 3 near Center Consolidated School. The operator of the vehicle, a 35 year old male from Bridgewater is an employee with the South Shore Regional School Board. RCMP Staff-Sgt. Mark Furey says the accident is still under investigation, the cause has yet to be determined. He says these were unfortunate circumstances and has a caution for motorists and pedestrians. Staff Sgt. Furey says there is zero tolerance for those who don't obey the regulations in school zones.

Bus Accident

No one was seriously hurt in a minor accident this morning involving a school bus on the first day of classes. A South Shore Regional School board spokesman says it happened around 8:15 at the intersection of Highway 210 and the Old Chelsea Road. None of the students was hurt and both the bus driver and the truck driver were okay according to Rick Hyde. The RCMP responded and a spare bus was sent to the scene to get the kids to their first day of the new school year. (Photos from Angie Wheeler)

Bike vs Car

A bit of a scene for kids heading back on the first day. Lunenburg and District Firefighters were called out to help paramedics after an accident between a car and a bicycle this morning on Route 3. That was around 7:40 in front of Center Consolidated school. A man, believed to be in his fifties, was knocked unconscious in the collision. No other details are available at this time.

Dog Attack

No sign overnight of a dog Bridgewater police say they had to shoot because they were worried it would attack residents. The incident started around seven last night when police were called to Olympiad Avenue. The white Husky had attacked a fawn and was starting to eat it. It was still attacking the animal as police arrived and an officer shot it over concerns it might attack another animal or even some of the people in the residential neighbourhood. The dog laboured into a wooded area behind Dakin's old store on Exhibition drive but they weren't able to find it. Police are telling people to be carefull in case it is still alive and they are also hoping to hear from anyone who knows who owns the dog.

Baker Named to Order

Long time cabinet minister and Lunenburg MLA Michael Baker who passed away in March is being honoured posthumously as a recipient of the 2009 Order of Nova Scotia. Baker is one of five Nova Scotians being recognized this year for their outstanding contributions and achievements. Baker was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 1998, representing the constituents of Lunenburg. He served in cabinet as the Minister of Transportation and Public Works, Minister of Communications Nova Scotia, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and Minister of Finance. During the final years of his tenure, he continued to provide exemplary service to the people of the province despite his own personal battle with a life-threatening and debilitating disease. His untimely death cut short a lifetime of dedicated, and committed service to Nova Scotia and its residents. The 2009 recipients will be recognized at an Investiture Ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Province House. The Order of Nova Scotia was established in June 2001 and is the highest honour bestowed by the province.

Carolyn's New Job

Former Lunenburg West MLA and defeated cabinet minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, has a new job. Bolivar-Getson will head up operations on the South Shore-Annapolis Valley as a field representative with the P.C. Caucus. She's one of four staff who will undertake those duties across the province. In July it was announced that the 11 new caucus positions would be advertised through an open and fair competition process. While some staff decided to apply for these positions, others did not. The positions include two communications officers, two researchers, the four field representatives and three caucus office staff who will handle senior administrative and MLA support.

Film Locations

Later this month, camera's will be rolling in two south shore communities. Last night, Lunenburg council gave approval to an agreement with the company involved with a 16-million dollar production of Moby Dick. And with tourism numbers down somewhat this summer, Mayor Lawrence Mawhinney says this shoulder-season event will be good for Lunenburg. Filming is expected to take place during the week of September 20th. Mayor Mawhinney says the shoot will involve several areas of Old Town which is standing in for Nantucket. They plan to film around several older buildings in Lunenburg. The German/Canadian production will also be filming in Shelburne and Malta. William Hurt is one of the stars whose name has been mentioned in connection with the film.

Senator Ogilvie

As of last week, he traded his doctor title for one of "Senator". And for a former Bridgewater resident, Kelvin Ogilvie has moved on to the next phase of his career - one that is now political. He's a past president of Acadia University, an award-winning scientist who has served on national and international boards and agencies. But Senator Ogilvie says coming from rural Nova Scotia has made an impression on him. Senator Ogilvie attended school in Bridgewater before going to University. You can hear more about his life coming up on this weekend's SSSM.