Lobster Crates Stolen

RCMP are investigating the theft of 150 lobster crates in Shelburne County. Sometime over the weekend the crates were taken from a fish plant in Lower Clark's Harbour. The crates were blue in colour,and were empty at the time of the theft. The value of the stolen crates is around 5 thousand dollars. Police say a large truck would have been needed to take all of the crates at one time.

It's a win-win situation where members receive on the job training skills in return for assistance for not-for profit groups. Major James Fera recently addressed Bridgewater Town Council with an update on the activities of 143 Construction Engineering Flight. The Squadron, located on the Harold Whynot Road has been around since September 1994. It's main mission is to to recruit, train and deploy reserve construction engineers. Some of the projects assisted by 14 CES include the Habitat for Humanity build in Bridgewater, construction of the firemen's bandstand at Shipyard Landing and an outdoor relaxation garden at Hillside Pines.

It's back to the drawing board for further refinements to a proposed Street Encroachment By-law for the Town of Lunenburg. Mayor Laurence Mawhinney suggested attention be focused only on access and entrance points to buildings including steps and ramps. He says other items in the by-law could be dealt with at a later time. Council has been reviewing the matter for a lengthy period of time and after numerous drafts the document has become too complex and cumbersome. The Town's Solicitor has been instructed to re-draft the by-law dealing only with the one component and to add a "purpose" statement at the beginning of the document.

Naming process of new Lunenburg P-9 School

The name of the new Lunenburg primary-to-grade 9 school will soon be unveiled. Nancy Pynch-Worhtylake, Superintendent of Schools says the public naming process was put in place so they can hear from different groups, including students. The School Steering Committee will create a shortlist of 5 names and bring them to students from the four schools to be voted on, and the top 3 chosen will be taken to the School Board for consideration and approval. Students from Riverport, Lunenburg Academy, Lunenburg Junior high and Centre Consolidated will all be involved in the process.

Storm leaves Four Homeless

Four people are temporarily homeless as a result of storm damage that tore part of the roof off a Bridgewater building Friday evening. The building at 740 King Street housed the Oddfellows Lodge, a ground floor hair salon and two second storey apartments. The Canadian Red Cross arranged emergency lodging and meals for all four adults. It's not known when they'll be able to return to their apartments because of structural damage and flooding from the heavy rain and high winds.

Flooding Forces out Family

A Lunenburg County family had to be rescued by boat over the weekend after their home near Barrs Corner was surrounded by water. Heavy flooding in the area Saturday forced the family to evacuate their residence on the Haines Road, about 30 kilometres northwest of Bridgewater. The house was surrounded by water from the overflowing Lake William. Officials were concerned the roadbed could also be washed out. The Canadian Red Cross arranged emergency lodging and food for the couple and their three children ages 2, 3 and 4.

Shoreham Health Centre Funding

Chester Council is providing 10 thousand dollars in funding to the Shoreham Health Resources Centre upon completion of the project. Warden Alan Webber says Council originally wanted to lend Shoreham 25 thousand dollars to be repaid over 5 years but legally were not able to do so. He says Council then had to make a decision. Council reached a compromise giving the Centre 10 thousand dollars. Webber says Council agrees it's a good project butone where the Municipality doesn't want to get too deeply involved in the Health care issue, but Webber says no one else is stepping up to the plate.
The Health Resource Centre is undergoing a 90 thousand dollar expansion to make room for a doctor. It's part of a larger picture expansion over the next 5 to 10 years which would eventually see the centre turn into a community health complex.

LCLC Concept Plan Unveiled

Some hard decisions will have to be made to determine the components of the proposed Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. The architects unveiled conceptual plans to both councils this afternoon with a price tag for the full meal deal almost 11 million more than the original cost of 31.5 million dollars. LCLC Chair Paul Belliveau says the key to remember is this is a concept only. He says it's a working document and details still have to be worked out . Belliveau says budgets will be done once they know what they're building, because they have to know what
their programming will be in the building.
The architects have suggested cutting the second ice surface and phasing it in over five years. A public meeting has been slated for March 10th at a site yet to be determined to gather input before the joint councils make any decision .

Counterfeit Currency

It appears that bogus bills are still being passed in our area. To date 3 men and 1 woman are facing charges of possessing and passing counterfeit currency. Court dates have been set in March, April and May. Bridgewater Police and Lunenburg Country RCMP continue to investigate and expect to lay more charges.

Current power outages

POWER OUTAGES:

Old Town Lunenburg: expects to be back on at 3:30pm today

Areas of Bridgewater, Caledonia, Liverpool, Chester: expects to be back on at 4:30pm today

Caused by high winds and rain.

Lunenburg Softball field funding

An investment has been made for upgrades for the Town of Lunenburg's main softball field. MP for South Shore-St. Margarets, Gerald Keddy made the announcement today of $6,333 from the federal government's Recreational Infrastructure Canada program. This investment will support the installation of permanent fencing, dugouts and new ground material for the ball field.

South Shore donations to Haiti Relief fund

People of the South Shore were very generous in making donations to the Haiti relief fund. A total of 64 thousand dollars was received at the Bridgewater Red Cross office since the devastating earthquake that happened on January 12th. The money is mainly being used in Haiti for medical care and setting up field hospitals in the Capital of Port au Prince to help out injured victims. Donations to the relief fund are still being taken at all Red Cross locations.

To make a donation to the Red Cross you can visit their Bridgewater office or at www.RedCross.ca/Donate

Power outages in Nova Scotia

http://www.nspower.ca/en/home/residential/outageinformation/livepoweroutagemap/liveoutagemap.aspx

SCHOOL CLOSURES

Due to extended power outages Green Field elementary school and North Queen elementary are dismissing this hour. Also Forest Heights Community School dismissed at 8:30 this morning.

For power outtages in Nova Scotia visit: http://www.nspower.ca/en/home/residential/outageinformation/livepoweroutagemap/liveoutagemap.aspx

Architects Report on LCLC Ready

The architects report on the proposed Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre will be publicly unveiled today. Councils for the the Town of Bridgewater and Municipality of the District of Lunenburg will hold a joint meeting at 12:30 to receive and discuss the report. The initial concept for the 31.5 million dollar facility to be built on York Street included two ice surfaces, an aquatic centre and public library. Today's meeting which is open to the public is set for 12:30 in Council Chambers of Bridgewater Town Hall, 60 Pleasant Street.

Roundabout Landscaping

Town Council has been asked for its input on landscaping the inner circle of a proposed roundabout at North Street and Aberdeen Road.The design engineers explained it's an important part of the project and offers a show opportunity. The area will not be accessible to the public and will act as a visual buffer from allowing the travelling public to see the traffic on the other side of the roundabout. Also, the area will act as a safety barrier to prevent traffic from accidentally driving through the centre creating an accident. Mayor Carroll Publicover says it's important for the area to look attractive and be well maintained as it will be one of the main entrances into the Town.

Wilsons Gas Bar in Lunenburg

Another hurdle has been cleared in the proposal for a gas bar on Falkland Street in Lunenburg. Wilsons Fuel Company is planning to re-develop the existing location to include a Gas Stop Bar, convenience store and fast-food drive through restaurant. Mayor Laurence Mawhinney says the Town commissioned a traffic study of the area before proceeding to amend the Land Use By-law to permit the development.
The traffic study determined access management would be better for the site as there are currently no restrictions. The public hearing will be held in the Lunenburg Court House, 6 p.m., March 23rd.

Assessment Appeal

Lunenburg Town Council is appealing the assessment of the new Provincial building on Green Street .The building was officially opened July 25th, 2008 with a final price tag of 6.6 million dollars. The estimated cost of the building when it was announced in August 2004 was 2 million dollars. Mayor Laurence Mawhinney says Council is appealing the assessment this year because it does not reflect construction value. The building currently houses the regional offices of the Departments of Natural Resources, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Emergency Management and Health Promotion and Protection and

School Board By-election

The South Shore Regional School Board has set April 17th the date of a by-election. The District 9 seat is vacant following the passing of former Board member Wanda Bezanson who lost her battle with cancer earlier this month. Bezanson was a dedicated Board member for 19 years and served as Chair for 6 years. The deadline for nominations is March 23rd, with an advance polling date set for April 9th.

Bowl for Kids Sake

It will be a fun filled weekend at the Bowl for Kids Sake event for the South Shore. The Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization is hosting the 25th annual event to raise money for the program. Executive Director, Sandra Murray says it's a very exciting event for the area. For more information on Big Brothers, Big Sisters and on how you can become involved visit www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/southshore.