FIRE INVESTIGATION ONGOING

In light of some new information, Lunenburg County RCMP are seeking the public's assistance with an ongoing investigation in Lower Branch.

An unidentified male was seen in the area of the South Shore Truck Centre on North King Street shortly before two semi tractor trucks were engulfed in flames.

The vehicles were destroyed by the suspicious fire on August 22nd, causing two-hundred thousand dollars in damage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lunenburg County RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

BRASS BELL STOLEN FROM CEMETERY

A Shelburne woman says thieves who stole an antique brass bell from Roseway Cemetery have desecrated her ancestors resting place.

The relic that dates back to 1912 was stolen sometime between last Wednesday and Saturday.

Nan Holden was shocked to discover it missing.

"Disbelief. Total disbelief that somebody would actually remove that bell from the cemetery. It's sort of like knocking over tombstones...It's very personal to all of us in this community and people far beyond this community who have history with the church and the bell," says Holden.

Holden says the bell would ring out to parishioners every Sunday from Rosewood United, until the church was decommissioned in 1993 and torn down.

Shelburne RCMP say the bell, weighing hundreds of pounds would be no small feat to steal.

Sea Cadets Experience Thrill

Sea Cadets from Chester and Barrington Passage are among a group experiencing the excitement and challenges of life at sea. The cadets are on board HMCS St. John’s as the ship returns to Halifax after several weeks at sea conducting a Lieutenant Governor’s Cruise and providing assistance to communities along the Newfoundland’s Burin Peninsula in the aftermath of Hurricane Igor. The cadets are fully integrated into the Ship’s Company while on board, performing duties such as look-out and helmsman, while also assisting with food preparation and serving, engineering, supply, administration, and damage control.
The South Shore cadets include 16 year old Petty Officer Second Class Faith Richardson, 16, 327 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps, Barrington Passage, and 14 year old Master Seaman Chelsea Collicutt, , 351 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps, Chester. Only about 120 sea cadets across Canada take part in the experience annually.

Clearcutting Ban in Doubt

A ban on clearcutting may be canned by the province because of the cost of administering and enforcing a permit program. The Municipality of Chester has sent a letter to the Minister on behalf of small woodlot owners. Warden Alan Webber says following a presentation by the Ecology Action Centre, Council was asked to support an outright ban on clearcutting.Webber says in a general sense, at a high level Council agrees with the Centre's position, but are somewhat concerned with what
that means on the ground and how far Council goes in its support. He says there will be further dialogue before Council concludes it's final position.
The province is looking at alternate methods that will allow for the monitoring of clearcutting along with phased-in reduction targets.

OPERATION IMPACT

** Cst. Sara MacDonald viewing the vehicle registration and insurance of Tanya Burkholder.

Beginning Friday and over the holiday weekend, OPERATION IMPACT , a national campaign to make Canada's roads the safest in the world will be in full swing. The focus will be on behaviours that put drivers, passengers and other road users most at risk: impaired driving, seat belt use, and all aspects related to aggressive driving. All enforcement agencies across the country have been invited to participate. The Bridgewater Police Service,in support of Operation Impact,will be conducting Road Safety Checks throughout the long weekend.

Recreation Use Grant

Even though they're appreciative, they would like more money. The Town of Lunenburg has received a grant of 19 thousnd dollars from the Municipality of Lunenburg. The money is to offset the municipality's residents' use of the town's facilities, particularly the Lunenburg Arena. Deputy-Mayor Jamie Myra says there should be a fairer cost sharing arrangement and has called for a meeting with the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. Meantime, Council has asked staff to research and report on other funding models in place elsewhere.

HUNTING FOR OAK ISLAND TREASURE

One treasure hunter says he's finding new clues of what lies beneath Oak Island.

Dan Blankenship and his team have received a treasure trove licence from the Nova Scotia Government allowing them to search the island until the new year.

But Blankenship is keeping mum about what they've found so far in their hunt for the centuries old cache.

"We keep finding evidence of different things, which were not about to divulge. But the big thing is that we haven't yet come up with anything we can put into the bank. It's all been expenditures. Nothing coming in, " says Blankenship.

Blankenship says a new business partnership has allowed his forty-five-year search to continue.

A magazine article, on the perils of the island and it's elusive treasure, inspired Blankenship to move from Miami and pursue his own hunt.

ALLEGED ASSAULTS IN MAHONE BAY

Two youths are facing multiple charges after an altercation in Mahone Bay this weekend.

A thirteen year old Cookville youth faces a charge of 'Assault Causing Bodily Harm' after he allegedly assaulted a younger boy on Orchard Street on Saturday night.

Later that night, a 16 year old Baker's Settlement boy was arrested and is facing charges of 'Assault Causing Bodily Harm' and 'Obstructing a Police Officer'.

Lunenburg County Police say the victims in each case were different but the crimes stemmed from the same crowd of roudy teens.

Both young men were released and will appear in Youth Court later this month.

POLICE ADVISE LOCALS, 'LOCK UP'

Lunenburg County RCMP are advising locals to keep their cars under lock and key after a string of thefts from vehicles.

On Saturday, four vehicles left unlocked in Hebbville, Wileville and Upper Branch had items stolen from inside.

Others in the area reported having their vehicles rummaged through, when left unlocked and unattended.

Constable Rob James says the incidents have alot in common and likely involve the same suspect or group of suspects.

The investigation is ongoing.

New Cardiac Monitors for South Shore Health

South Shore Health has received confirmation of funding for replacement cardiac monitors. The Department of Health has agreed to fund 75 percent, about 542 thousand dollars towards the purchase of 45 new cardiac monitors for the District.
The Health Services Foundation of the South Shore has agreed to provide 142 thousand to cover the remaining costs for the machines that will be replaced at South Shore Regional and Fishermen’s Memorial Hospitals. A request has also been made to the Queens General Hospital Foundation to fund the remaining costs for the montiors for the hospital in Liverpool.

Vital Signs Report Launched Tuesday

Lunenburg County Vital Signs report will be launched tomorrow, (Tuesday October 5th) at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Place in Middle LaHave. Residents will find out how well their community is doing on a number of measures of quality. The purpose of Lunenburg County’s Vital Signs is to provide a snapshot of the quality of life in the County. It also provides a framework to identify community trends, and explore opportunities for action. Issues surrounding housing, employment, crime rates, education, health and wellness, recreation and sense of belonging in the community are some of the areas covered. A similar study was conducted last year for the town of Wolfville.

Cleantech Tour

Innovative Nova Scotia Cleantech Projects will be showcased during a tour by Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau. The Minister will tour clean technology projects at municipalities, community organizations and businesses on the south shore today,Monday, October 4th and Tuesday, October 5th. The tour will begin at the Barrington Municipal Arena this afternoon beginning at 1:30 p.m. Other locations include Bridgewater, Lunenburg,Shelburne, and the District of Chester.

Lunenburg to get New Pumper Truck

The Town of Lunenburg is pumping in some cash to purchase a new pumper truck for the fire department. Cost of the 350 thousand dollar stock pumper truck will be cost shared 50/50 by the Town and Districts 1 & 2 Fire Commission. The Town's share will have to be borrowed. The fire department only has one pumper and if more than one fire call comes in is unable to respond. The Town has been calling out Mahone Bay Fire Department as required and to act as standby when necessary.

Chester Streetscape Study

A good turnout for the final public meeting on the Highway 3 Streetscape Project for Chester. Warden Alan Webber says about 75 to 80 people attended the session September 22nd at the Chester Legion. He says the consultant's draft report was well received as a good starting point but there were some very specific concerns that were raised. Webber says they're at the stage now where the consultants will go back, redraft based on the public comments, take it back to the Committee in its final draft form for recommendations. Webber says he anticipates with some modifications, it will be recommended to Council to move forward with the proposal on the streetscape study.
The idea behind the streetscape project is to shift the perceptions of the area from a highway thorough the community to an extension of the Village.

HIT AND RUN

Bridgewater Police are investigating after a hit and run on the corner of Queen and Dominion Streets.

Police say the driver fled the scene of an accident on Thursday afternoon.

The vehicle is described as a rusted, off-white Honda or Pontiac Grand Am with visible damage to the exterior.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact Bridgewater Town Police or Crime Stoppers.

FEED THE METER

Those of you who park in downtown Bridgewater will soon have to feed the meter a little more if a bylaw passes second reading.

Town council has some new regulations in the works that will see parking meter fees and fines increase by at least double their current amount.

Metered parking will double to 50 cents per hour.

Violations will start at fifteen dollars, increasing to 25 if left unpaid for more than a week.

Mayor Carroll Publiclover says the changes could see parking revenues increase by over a third.

SOUTH SHORE HOUSING MARKET 'UNPREDICTABLE'

More properties are being listed on the South Shore real estate market as the cost of owning a home in Canada continues to increase.

And one local real estate agent is noticing some fluctuations in the housing market.

Exit Realty agent, Gary Mailman says increased taxation by municipalities and decreased lending by local banks is making for some concerned customers.

"Buyers are, this year especially, have been very cautious when making a purchase. They really are doing their homework which is good. They're very careful not to overpay, " says Mailman.

Mailman says he had a rough start to the year but his business has picked up.

According to the Nova Scotia Association of Realtors, both South Shore home listings and prices are up about 5 percent from last year while sales in our region are up 10 percent from 2009.

Mailman says you would need a crystal ball to predict how the market will fare in the future.

NEW MOTION HAS COUNCIL CELEBRATING

Are you celebrating your golden years, or your silver, gold or platinum wedding anniversary?

Well, it's guaranteed you'll be getting at least one letter of recognition in the mail this year.

Bridgewater Town Council has passed a motion that will see the town commemorating birthdays of town residents who are ninety years old or older, every year.

Additionally, couples will be recognized for twenty five years of marriage and every five years thereafter.

Councillors say they brought in the motion to ensure all major milestones are remembered.

Drug Seizure

Another seizure of drugs in Lunenburg County. RCMP with the assistance of the South Shore Integrated Crime Unit searched a residence in the New Canada area on Thursday September 30th. Police seized a small amount of marijuana, a small amount of cocaine, a 22 calibre rifle and ammunition. A male was arrested and will appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court next week.

Public Tours of Oak Island

If you've never seen it up close and personal but have harboured a long standing desire to visit Oak Island, you will get your chance this weekend. The Friends of Oak Island Society is holding another weekend of tours of the famous Island. Society spokesman Charles Barkhouse says Oak Island and the legend of Captain Kidd's buried treasure is known world-wide but the locals are somewhat lacking in THEIR knowledge about it. He says it's under appreciated by Nova Scotians in general. Barkhouse they want to bring more awareness about the island and they have the cooperation of the owners as far as opening it up to the public to let people see what the story is all about. The Society hosted an earlier weekend tour in July and Barkhouse says there was an overwhelming response. This weekend's tours will be at 10am, 2 and 5pm Saturday and Sunday.