Busted for Butts

Friday the 13th unlucky for a Hebbs Cross man who is facing charges under the Federal Excise Act and Provincial Revenue Act following a seizure of contraband cigarettes. The South Shore Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit with the assistance of the Lunenburg County RCMP searched a residence on the Mines Road, Number 2 in Hebbs Cross Friday. Police seized 1800 illegal cigarettes during the search. A 59 year old man is scheduled to appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court October 8th to enter pleas.

Property Damage on North Street

Two adult males are facing charges in relation to incidents of extensive property damage on North Street. The series of incidents took place along the entire length of North Street during the early morning hours of Thursday August 12th. The pair are alleged to have damaged several vehicles parked along the street as well as several properties in the same area. Damage is believed to be in excess of 5 thousand dollars. The men, residents of Middle Musquodoboit and Halifax County have been released on undertakings and will appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court November 3rd.

Lost/Stolen Prescription Drugs

A warning from Queens RCMP regarding lost or stolen prescription drugs. Many of the drugs could be fatal if consumed in the wrong quantities or combinations. RCMP say the prescription drugs were lost or stolen from a patient leaving the PharmaChoice in Liverpool around 11:30 this morning. (Friday, August 13). The drugs were all contained in a white PharmaChoice bag. Anyone having any information regarding the drugs is encouraged to contact Queens RCMP at 354-5721

Re-launch a Piece of History

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is giving new life to one of the most sought after racing yachts and reviving a piece of Canada's sailing history. The museum will hold a public re-launch of WHIM, a 1937 C-Class sloop, that was designed and built in Chester by the late Joseph Reuben Heisler, and represents a unique part of the community's heritage. WHIM, originally owned by the Pew family, is one of five C-Class sloops launched in 1937 at the Heisler boat yard. The re-launch will be at the same location, the boatyard, at 130 Tremont Street, Chester,on Sunday, Aug. 15 at 12:30 p.m.

Marijuana Grows

A Lunenburg County resident is facing cultivation charges following a search of his property in Port Joli. Queens RCMP and the South Shore Street Crime Unit searched the residence on Highway 103 on August 6th and seized marijuana plants. A 33 year old man is scheduled to appear in Liverpool Court on October 5th.
Meantime the Shelburne County Street Crime Enforcement Unit seized 115 marijuana plants between three individual sites on August 11. No charges have been laid in relation to the incidents.

Lock-Up Your Vehicles

A reminder to keep your vehicles locked and secure all valuables. Police are investigating thefts from a number of vehicles on the night of August 2nd. In some cases, small items such as phone chargers, loose change and wallets had been removed from the vehicles. In other cases, the owners reported nothing was missing, but the glove box or console had been opened and their contents strewn over the inside of the car. The incidents happened in Pinehurst and two young males were seen in the area the night of the thefts. Police say the incidents appear to be crimes of opportunity as all of the thefts took place from unlocked vehicles.

New Ross Freighters Re-enactment

History will be re-enacted this weekend as part of the 250th anniversary of Chester Basin. The Ross Farm Museum and the Chester Basin 250th Anniversary Society and their partners will resurrect the trek of the New Ross Freighters with a two-day oxen walk. The wagons will be loaded on Saturday morning at 8:30am and handlers will guide eight teams of oxen on a two-day walk from Ross Farm Museum along route 12. The relay will culminate with a line of nine oxen team-led wagons arriving in Chester Basin on Sunday, Aug. 15, just after 3 p.m. Oxen teams known as the New Ross Freighters regularly travelled the 25 kilometers of road between New Ross and Chester Basin, bringing materials back and forth.

Speed Fines Double in School Zones

With another school year just a couple of weeks away, the province is taking steps to remind drivers and pedestrians to pay attention at crosswalks and intersections. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal will be installing signs to remind drivers that speed fines are double in school zones. Municipalities will be offered the signs at no cost.Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks says he hopes municipalities take advantage of this opportunity to remind drivers that there are serious consequences for speeding in a school zone. For more information on crosswalk safety and to view the ads, visit the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal website at www.gov.ns.ca/tran.

LUNENBURG MOUNTIES INVESTIGATE ATTEMPTED B & E

RCMP in Lunenburg are seeking public information as they investigate an incident on Montague Street.
Someone tried to break into the Sail Inn in the early morning hours back on July 30th.
Investigators are asking that anyone who might have some information about the incident call Lunenburg RCMP or Crimestoppers.
Nothing was taken during the attempted break and enter but the investigation is on-going.

Farmers and CEP Negotiate

Farmers Dairy and CEP workers are back at the negotiating table

Strike Captain, Frank Davis, says the deal could be finalized by the end of the week.

During the last week or so both sides have been negotiating and now were just waiting for the company to come back with some small stuff to finish up (negotiations),” says Davis.

Despite the dialogue, Davis says many questions remain for workers on the lockout picket line.

The conditions of the deal; the state of their pensions, wages, and their return date for work are still being worked out with the help out an arbitrator.

One of the men standing on that picket line is Brett Whynott says even if demands are met some of the workers will have a hard time going back to work happy.

“I'm sure there will be grudges being held for putting us here...but hopefully it's a smooth transition,” says Whynott.

Non-unionized workers have kept Farmers Dairy products on the shelves since the July 10th.

Mounties Investigate Abandoned house Fire

The Mounties are investigating an overnight fire at an abandoned house in Lunenburg County.

The R-C-M-P received a report of a house fire on Italy Cross Road at around 3:00 o'clock this morning.

The building was fully engulfed in flames when the Petite Riviere Fire Department and the police arrived at the scene.

The Mounties ask for your help in their investigation into the blaze.

If you have any information regarding this fire, the R-C-M-P ask you to contact them at 527-5555 or “Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-TIPS (8477).
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HighLiner Foods Reports Growth in Profits

Lunenburg based High Liner Foods is continuing to grow in profitability. Second quarter financial results show the frozen seafood company reported its net income increased 6.5 percent to $4.4 million, or 28 cents per share. Sales for the quarter were $134.7 million . Company president and CEO Henry Demone says second quarter results were highlighted by growth in profitability across all key measures Demone, says their bottom line continued to benefit from lower input costs and a stronger Canadian dollar, as well as ongoing commitment to cost management.

Award Presentation

South Shore Health will be hosting an awards presentation to honour some special volunteers. Lloyd McKnight and Maggie Mae were recently named the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Team of the Year. The award presentation will be made on
August 25th at 10 a.m. in the Lecture Rooms of South Shore Regional Hospital.

Sustainability Festival

Bridgewater is Growing Green . The Town will be hosting a free street festival to highlight and celebrate green community initiatives. Bridgewater Sustainability Festival is set for Saturday August 21, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Festival organizers expect over 500 participants including guests, volunteers, vendors and performers. This festival is family friendly and there will be activities for all ages. Admission is FREE to Growing Green which will take place on King Street , between Empire and Dominion Streets.

Child Abuse Investigated

Queens RCMP are looking into a case of possible child abuse. The incident was initially reported to the authorities on Thursday, August 5th. An infant girl currently remains under care at the IWK Hospital in Halifax with undetermined injuries. The Mounties are conducting a criminal investigation in collaboration with Family and Children's Services.

Pregnancy and Parental Leave Policy Updated

The Town of Bridgewater has revised its Pregnancy and Parental Leave Policy to meet provincial standards. The catalyst for the review of the policy was a change to Nova Scotia Labour Standards which stipulated that employers must allow employees to continue to participate in benefit plans while on pregnancy/parental leaves. The Town's policy which was approved by Council now meets those minimum requirements.

Town Stays Out of Postal Business

The union representing postal workers is seeking support from municipal units in the province. CUP-W wants an improved Canadian Postal Service Charter and is asking the units to submit and endorse two resolutions. A motion by Bridgewater Town Council was lost on the floor due to the lack of a seconder. One councillor called it political propaganda and says the town has no business getting involved. Deputy-Mayor David Walker says it seems to be a labour management issue and he believes there will be negotiations with the union.

DUMB Car

Award-winning Be Smart. Be Safe.will be stopping in Bridgewater this Thursday, August 12 to help visitors lead safer lives, protect their property & prepare for emergencies . Be Smart. Be Safe. is bringing its safety messages to the Children’s Fair from 10am to 4pm at the Bridgewater Memorial Arena . The DUMB Car 2.0 simulator, The Rain Cycle, Survivor 72 and other interactive displays will highlight the tour. The DUMB Car driving simulator demonstrates the dangers of driving while distracted by talking on a cellphone or text messaging. It also allows drivers to brush up on their skills in a number of situations including driving in adverse weather conditions, avoiding road hazards and identifying the point-of-no-return at traffic lights. In addition, an eco-driving segment teaches drivers how to improve fuel efficiency and reduce their carbon footprints.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada’s (IBC’s), award-winning community outreach program, now in its sixth year, will visit approximately 30 fairs and festivals throughout Atlantic Canada this summer.

Fire Hall Bands to Play Bridgewater High

The United Kingdom's West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Band and Bridgewater's very own Fire Department Band will play a gala concert on Wednesday night

Percussionist for Bridgewater, Ian Bolton, says the concert is part of a cultural exchange two years in the making.

“We were contacted... about doing an exchange and through two years of emails and letters and conversations back and forth...we've now managed to be hosts to the West Yorkshire group,” says Bolton.

The British band will return the favour next summer when the Bridgewater band travels across the pond.

Bolton says attendees can look forward to classical notes, disco beats, rock and folk melodies that fill the room.

“(When we play together) it's just a marvelous sound,” says Bolton.

The concert begins at 7pm, tickets cost ten to fifteen dollars.

The Lieutenant Governor will also be in attendance.

Bridgewater Hit and Run

Bridgewater Police are asking for the public's help involving a hit and run on Saturday, August 7th. A pedestrian was struck around 9 p.m. while crossing the street by the corner of Empire and Pleasant Streets. The suspect vehicle fled the scene without stopping at the accident. The car is described as a dark coloured Toyota, possibly a Corolla. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries and was treated in hospital and released.