Highliner Foods Electrical Room Smoke

Fire department personell have returned from the scene of "Highliner Foods" this morning. The Lunenburg firefighters were investigating a report of smoke from the electrical-room of "Highliner Foods" on Battery Point Road. The smoke does not seem to have come from the electrical-equipment itself. Fire department personnel from Mahone-Bay, Dayspring and Blockhouse who had been called-in to assist the Lunenburg firefighters have returned to their stations.

Lunenburg Residents Lose URB Appeals

Two groups of Lunenburg residents have lost their appeals to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, relating to the demolition and reconstruction of the Lunenburg Esso service station on Falkland Street. The residents group filed an appeal under the name of Barry Olivella, and included 10 other individuals. The business owners group filed under the name of Lorne Johanson and included 14 other persons. Each group filed an appeal of a Lunenburg Council decision to amend two provisions of the Town's Land Use Bylaw to permit redevelopment of the Falkland Street site.
Wilson Fuel Company Limited wants to redevelop the site to include an additional fuel pump island, a convenience store and a restaurant with a take-out or drive-through window. In a written decision, the Utility and Review Board ruled that however sincere, it is not enough to feel offended, disturbed, anxious or worried about the decision of the relevant authority. The URB determined that none of the appellants established that they are "Aggrieved Persons" and dismissed the appeals.

Senior's Funding

The North River Community Hall will be undergoing some renovations thanks to some federal government funding. M-P Gerald Keddy announced a contribution of $6,117 Sunday afternoon (June 6th) at 2 pm at the Hall in New Germany. The money is coming from the New Horizons for Seniors Program and will assist the Hall in making repairs to the stage floor, adding heating ducts and to replace kitchen appliances and tables.

Bridgewater Athlete Winner

A Bridgewater teen is among the winners of the RICHO Sport Awards handed out in Halifax Saturday night. (June 5th) Nineteen year old Mattias Wolter who is the top junior steeplechase runner in the country, was named the RICOH Male Individual Athlete of the Year: Over 500 members of the Nova Scotia sport community gathered at the World Trade and Convention Centre to see Sport Nova Scotia present the 14th annual RICOH Sport Awards. The prestigious sport recognition event recognized the achievements of more than 200 nominated athletes, coaches, officials, sponsors and volunteers from across the province.

New CT Scanner Unveiled

Provincial Health Minister Maureen MacDonald officially unveiled South Shore Health's new CT scanner today.(Friday,June 4th) Radiologist Dr. Chris Church, head of Diagnostic Imaging says they'll be able to offer a more reliable service and provide area residents with more timely and accurate diagnosis. CT scanning—sometimes called CAT scanning—is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. The Department of Health provided 1.1 million towards replacement of the machine as part of the 14 million allocated in last year’s budget for emergency medical equipment. The Health Services Foundation of the South Shore and Queens General Hospital Foundation contributed funding of 90 thousand dollars.

New trail to connent the South Shore & Annapolis Valley

A new trail will be opening up tomorrow to connect the South Shore with the Annapolis Valley. From rails to trails spokes person Corey Robar says the event will kick off tomorrow at 11am at the Cherryfield station trailhead. The 65km trail will be a recreational trail and is opened to all users.

New Germany Student Wins Award

A Grade 9 student from New Germany Rural High School among the winners of Nova Scotia's second annual Premier's Power of Positive Change Awards. Tucker Mertens, bicycled across the country to raise funds and awareness for Amnesty International. He has been active in his local 4H club and church group. He is part of a Social Justice group at his school, organizing a diversity day. Tucker started his own initiative called 1000 Paper Cranes - 1 Prayer for Justice, a fundraiser to raise awareness of injustice in the world. The students from Grade 4 to Grade 12 were honoured at a ceremony at Province House Thursday.(June 3rd)
The Premier's Power of Positive Change Awards recognizes public school students who demonstrate leadership organizing a school or community activity or show exemplary behaviour promoting positive attitudes. The recipients received a certificate of recognition and a two-thousand-dollar bursary toward post-secondary education or training.

Verge House Graduated Honored

The 2010 graduates from the Transition Program in Bridgewater have recieved official recognition of their success.

The program at Verge House provides students who have multiple disabilities with an educational program tailored to their needs.

The Transition Program helps students as they prepare for more independent living and to enter the work force.

Students, parents, teachers, politicians and other dignitaries were present at yesterday's ceremony to honor Karyn Daniels, Jason Duhart, Nathan Graves and Kayla Whynot.

Among the officials on hand for the "Celebration of Accomplishments" were Lunenburg District Mayor Don Downe, Queens Region Mayor John Leefe, Bridgewater Deputy-Mayor David Walker and Lunenburg M-L-A Pam Birdsall.

CKBW's David Collins Carter received a "Certificate of Appreciation" for his work at Verge House.
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Mobius Environmental Awards

The Bridgewater Walmart Store was named large Business of the Year in receiving a Mobius Environmental Award for their contribution toward protecting the environment. The Windbag Company in Lunenburg was recognized for Innovation in Waste Reduction . In all, twelve individuals, businesses and organizations were recognized today (Wednesday, June 2nd) at the 12th Annual Mobius Environmental Awards luncheon. Organized by RRFB Nova Scotia, the awards recognize those who are taking a leadership role in reducing waste.

Bottled Water Banned

A provincial government policy announced today, June 2, eliminates the purchase and use of bottled water by all government departments with access to potable tap water. Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau says Nova Scotia has some of the safest and best-tasting potable tap water in the world. . Belliveau says the policy eliminating purchases and use of bottled water by government will encourage its use. The government's self-imposed restrictions on bottled water will also reduce the many plastic bottles headed for the recycling stream.
The policy will apply only to government departments where potable tap water is available and not to public institutions such as hospitals. It will not apply to private sector organizations.

Illegal Contraband Tobacco is in Bridgewater

Illegal contraband tobacco has been found in various areas of Bridgewater. During the month of April, Montreal based research firm, on behalf of the Canadian Convenience Stores Association commissioned cigarette butt studies of 43 locations in Atlantic Canada. In Nova Scotia, sixteen sites were examined including four areas around Bridgewater. Bridgewater’s Curling Club showed the highest rate of illegal tobacco.

School Board Accreditation

Improving student achievement the focus of strategic improvement planning by the South Shore Regional School Board. Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says the schools are all involved in the planning which right now is called accreditation through the province. She says right now they're working with the schools through the Board to make sure they're using a plan that is efficient as possible. Pynch-Worthylake says feedback from the schools identify the process as important and would like to see it continued. However, she says there are areas where the process has to be made more efficient and less time consuming for the schools. This year, the last four schools, all in Queens County have entered the accreditation process. The Department of Education does provide funding to support schools through the process and the Board has included 6 thousand dollars in its budget to assist the schools.

Bridgewater Athlete & Coach Shortlisted

A Bridgewater athlete and coach have been shortlisted as finalists for the 14th annual RICOH Sport Awards. Mattias Wolter and Tanya Daniels have been selected among Nova Scotia’s sporting greats. Wolter, one of three finalists in the running for RICOH Male Individual Athlete of the Year, established himself as the top junior steeplechase runner in Canada in 2009, placing first at the Canadian junior championships in July. The 19-year old also captured gold at the Pan-American Junior Championships in Trinidad and Tobago in August. Daniels managed an impressive load of athletes (60) this year, from developmental to elite level. A finalist for the RICOH Coach of the Year, she was the sole summer coach of the Bluenose Athletics Club. She qualified two athletes (including Wolter) for the Pan American Junior Championships and also attended Canada Games as a personal coach to two medalists. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at the World Trade and Convention Centre.
The RICOH Sport Awards recognize the achievements of Nova Scotia’s elite athletes, teams, coaches, officials and volunteers in amateur sport over the past year.

Hunger Awareness Day

Tomorrow Nova Scotia will stand together for hunger awareness. More than 500 people are expected to gather at 156 York Street in Bridgewater beginning at 11:45am until Noon to hold banners, hand out information and wave to people. In the Province 40 thousand individuals turn to food banks and meal programs each month.

Single vehicle collision over the weekend

Drivers are asked to use caution when traveling through the intersection of Lahave St. and Old Bridge St. as the traffic lights have been disabled. Over the weekend Bridgewater Police were called to a single vehicle collision with a traffic light the intersection. An out of province transport truck cut the corner too close and struck the traffic lights disabling them. Four temporary stop signs have been put up for the time being.

Air Testing at Schools

Air Quality testing will be carried out shortly at New Ross Consolidated and South Queens Junior High Schools. South Shore Regional School Board Superintendent, Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says there's been some ongoing concerns with the building in South Queens so air testing will allow them to check for some levels in that building. She says in New Ross they are using one of the classrooms for regional storage and as part of that they are going to do some testing before they finalize that.
Pynch-Worthylake says this is a response to a request to have some air quality checks and totally separate from the radon tests done at schools. New Ross Consolidated was one of 11 schools in the province tested for the presence of radon, an invisible, odourless gas caused by the breakdown of rock and soil.

Transportation Awards

For the second year in a row, the South Shore Regional School Board has received the Gold Award during the Nova Scotia Pupil Transportation Conference. Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says this is particularly impressive given that significant deficiencies were identified by the Utility and Review Board and the Auditor General just over two years ago. The award is presented for high scores in Driver Training, Accident Reporting and Frequency, Fleet Preventative Maintenance, Fleet Body Maintenance, Stops per Mile, Luggage and Passenger Loads, Trips Inspection and Hours of Work, Garage Cleanliness and Safety Practices and Bus Cleanliness and Appearance. The South Shore achieved the lowest mechanical deficiency rating across the province

School Board Approves Budget

The South Shore Regional School Board has approved an 84 million dollar budget . Revenues included the use of 275 thousand dollars in accumulated surplus. Board Chair Elliott Payzant says staff worked very hard to protect classrooms and regional services to students, and they were successful at doing so. The overall pupil/teacher ratio was improved and the number of program support assistants has been increased. Payzant says The Board has maintained or increased classroom teachers, guidance, program support teachers, reading recovery, physical education, alternate programs, adult high school programs, options and opportunities, and cooperative education. As well, as per the Board commitment, regional staff was reviewed in terms of Board goals and efficiency. Staffing for the 2010-11 school year has begun and will continue over the summer. Capital projects, including upgrades to improve efficiency will also take place over the summer.

Clean Air Grants

A number of South Shore businesses and municipalities are receiving more than 570-thousand dollars for projects that will help reduce greenhouse gases and air pollutants. The Town of Bridgewater is getting 106 thousand for solar thermal and heating retrofits to five municipal buildings and upgrade lighting for the Bridgewater Arena . Mahone Bay receives 12 thousand dollars for retrofits of Town Hall and the fire hall. Rainbow Net and Rigging, will receive 94,thousand toward a new facility in Chester to sanitize and repair nylon aquaculture nets.
The Region of Queens Municipality is receiving 137 thousand dollars toward the energy-efficient construction of the new Queens Place Recreation Centre, as well as 10,thousan for an energy audit. The Mersey Tobeatic Research Centre will get 56 thousand to retrofit a field station to demonstrate a carbon-neutral building. And 21 thousand is going to the Town of Shelburne for upgrades to 10 municipal buildings based on energy audits The funding comes from the ecoNova Scotia Fund for Clean Air and Climate Change.

RCMP Investigate Motorcycle Accident

The driver of a motorcycle suffered injuries after a vehicle crossed the centre line on Wednesday. At around 1:40 an unknown driver in a white, late model Cavalier/Sunfire type vehicle drove left of the centre line and caused the motorcycle to go off highway 332 near Bayport wharf. RCMP say the driver may not have been aware the motorcycle left the road but is asking the public's assistance in the case.