Centre Jail to be Demolished

Its days are numbered. The former Lunenburg County jail in Centre is soon about to meet the wrecking ball. The facility has been empty since 2001 when it reverted back to the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. Mayor Don Downe says for eight years they've spent tens of thousand of dollars trying to find solutions for the jail. He says at this point in time there are no more options for the jail so it will be demolished. Downe says tenders will be going out shortly. The Centre jail was opened back in 1950

Sewer Hook-Up Request

The Municipality of Lunenburg is taking a two prong approach regarding a request from 14 residents on Shore Road who want to hook into the Town of Lunenburg's wastewater treatment plant. MODL Mayor Don Downe says Council approved a recommendation to ask the Department of Environment for a capacity and efficiency report for the treatment plant. As well, the Municipality will advise the Town to prepare a Call for Proposals for a Feasibility Study and ask that the Municipality's assistant engineer have input into the Scope of Work. Downe says there's no commitment of any expenditure at this point in time, simply to take a look at the terms of reference of what the agreement would be between the Town and Municipality.

Nancy Rogers, says the Shore Road properties which are located in the Municipality, border about 500 meters of Lunenburg harbour shoreline. She says their properties continue to dispose of raw sewage and the harbour cannot be fully cleaned until that changes.

Health Information Protected

Nova Scotians can feel confident that their personal health information will be better protected. The government introduced a new Personal Health Information Act in the House of Assembly today (November 9th). Health Minister Maureen MacDonald says the legislation will allow for information sharing and support better care, while better protecting patient privacy. Rules for sharing patient lists with hospital foundations remain unchanged. The minister says that while foundations do important work, government must ensure that patients are not contacted for fundraising purposes without their consent.Nova Scotia joins eight other provinces with comprehensive legislation to manage personal health information.

COUNCIL PUTS THE BRAKES ON NEW PARKING BY-LAW

The Town of Bridgewater is moving a proposed parking by-law to the back seat.

The planning document will be shelved indefinitely as town councillors and staff continue consultation with King Street merchants.

Mayor Carroll Publicover says changes in parking can improve business and change the face of a community.

" King Streets, Main Streets across this province are vital to the lifeblood to of their communities...And we've been ill for a long time on King street. We're getting better but we still have a long way still to go," says Publicover.

The draft policy would allow for two-hour parking instead of the current one-hour policy.

COUNCIL DOOR CLOSED TO HOUSING COMANY

The Town Of Bridgewater doesn't like to mix business with council.


Town council has refused to provide promotional and community support to one Nova Scotia company.

"BFree Homes" is a consultation service that helps homeowners get the most out of energy audits by recommending what improvements should be made.

Mayor Carroll Publicover moved to have the Engineering and Sustainability departments take a look at their proposal.

He was outvoted in council "6-1".

"Just because a company makes that is can't do also a vital community role. What I understood from them is that they were going help facilitate groups of citizens who need energy upgrades in their homes and helping by means of volume purchasing get better quality and quantity," says Publicover.

Councillors voted at last night's regular monthly meeting.

RED CROSS SETS UP SHELTERS FOR EVACUEES

The Canadian Red Cross is maintaining shelters or comfort centres in areas of southwest Nova Scotia where municipalities have declared states of local emergency due to flooding and may have evacuation orders in place.
However, most of the affected residents have remained in their homes, or have made their own arrangements to stay with family or friends in safer areas.

Comfort centres are set up for people to pass the time in safety, have access to electricity and water, and may receive periodic updates from municipal authorities.
Shelters are equipped by the Red Cross with cots, blankets and other items for overnight stays for evacuees who have nowhere else to go.
There's a Canadian Red Cross shelter at the recreation centre in Hebron, and comfort centres at Club des Audacieux in Quinan and at the Lake Vaughn fire hall in Tusket.
While about 120 households have received evacuation notices and some have made daytime use of reception centres, none have required overnight stays in shelters.

LUNENBURG-QUEENS-SHELBURNE ROADS CLOSED

A number of Lunenburg County roads are closed this morning because of flooding.

Here's the list...

Trunk 10 from Feeners Corner Intersection to Goose Chase Road.

Hanes Road.

Lower Branch Road from Osborne Road to Trunk 10.

Veinot Road from Osborne to Trunk 10.

Trunk 10 end of McKeen Road.

Chester Grant Road.
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In Queens County ...


-- Corkum Road,at Minard Brook bridge between Grafton and West Caledonia is closed.

-- Medway River Road, at Deans Brook to Buggy Hole in Bangs Falls

-- Westfield Road, at both bridge locations

-- Old Westfield Road

-- Murley Road

-- Trunk 8, between South Brookfield and Caledonia

And in Shelburne County:

-- Upper Clyde Road (West End by Bloody Creek)

-- Back Lake Road bridge, Upper Ohio

NS PREMIER TO INSPECT FLOOD DAMAGE

Premier Darrell Dexter will travel to the Barrington, Shelburne and Yarmouth areas tomorrow for a first-hand look at the flood damage.

Speaking at the legislature last night, Dexter says flooding will remain an immediate concern for the next day or so as the runoff from swollen lakes and rivers crests.
The premier says it will likely take weeks for provincial infrastructure officials to assess the extent of the damage.
He says officials will prioritize the needs of various communities and quickly put in place temporary solutions before looking at longer-term replacements for damaged bridges and dams.
Dexter says it's likely the damage will surpass that suffered by the remote Cape Breton community of Meat Cove.
Rain and flash flooding in August caused an estimated 7.2 (m) million dollars in damage to roads, bridges, culverts and homes in that village.

Ground Search & Rescues Get Communications Upgrade

Nova Scotians and search volunteers will soon be even safer thanks to a new project to upgrade Ground Search and Rescue voice communications. A 1.3-million dollar federal grant from the National Search and Rescue Secretariat New Initiative Fund will provide all search and rescue volunteers in Nova Scotia with updated, standardized handheld communications equipment.  Emergency Management Minister Ramona Jennex says Ground Search and Rescue teams are there for Nova Scotians when they are in desperate trouble. She says these new radios will help find people more quickly, and help ensure the safety of the ground search and rescue teams. The grant also includes funding for a project co-ordinator.

UPDATED ROAD CLOSURES (5PM, MON.NOV.8)

A number of South Shore roads are closed because of flooding.


LUNENBURG COUNTY;
--Trunk 10, through Pinehurst area from Feeners Corner Road to Goose Chase Road (Detour route is Feeners Corner Road to Northfield Road to Goose Chase Road)

QUEENS COUNTY
--Rosette Road closed between Harlow and Moose Pit --Old Westfield Road, intermittently closed between Trunk 8 in Harmony to Westfield at MacGowan Lake

SHELBURNE COUNTY:

--Back Hill Road
--Upper Clyde Road West
--Upper Clyde Road East (Local traffic only at the Hemlock Branch Bridge)

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All trails in Lunenburg county are off limits until further notice.
The Municipality of Lunenburg is urging the public to stay away from walking routes as they many be unsafe, flooded and washed-out.

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Local emergency officials are cautioning people to keep a watch on their properties as water levels continue to rise along the Lahave River and in Petite Riviere. Heather Mackenzie-Carey, the regional emergency management coordinator for Lunenburg County says road and water systems are being monitored. Carey reminds residents who have wells in flooded areas they should consider the need to test their water supply to ensure it has not been contaminated.

QUEENS COUNTY ROAD CLOSURES

Several roads in Queens County are now inaccessible.


County RCMP and Emergency Measures have closed several roads in the region due to high water levels.

The Old Westfield Road and the Westfield Road between the Bridges,

The Murley Road, the Corkum Road, The Medway River Road at Deans Brook are all closed. Highway Eight is also closed for smaller vehicles at the Hunts flat area.

Sections of the River Road in Milton area are also closed.

RCMP are reminding the public to be aware that as water levels rise more roads could be effected and to use extra caution during this time.

SCHOOLOUT EARLY

Students at North Queens Community School were dismissed early today.

School officials were contacted by the Department of Natural Resources that a dam would be released in the region and that there was increased risk of flooding near school grounds.

The South Shore Regional School Board is advising parents that route 100 is running late getting students home.

SHELLFISH HARVEST BAN IMPOSED IN SW NOVA SCOTIA

All the rain over the weekend has led to the closure of a wide section of coastal southwestern Nova Scotia to shellfish harvesting.

A ban has been put in place, closing all waters within five kilometres of the high water mark of the mainland shoreline and islands of Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby and Annapolis Counties for the harvesting of all or any bi-valve molluscs such as soft-shelled clams, bar clams, bay quahaugs, mussels, scallops, etc.until further notice.
The closure is because of an increase in levels of bacteriological contamination caused by the heavy rainfall.

MANY ROADS CLOSED BY FLOODING

A number of South Shore roads are closed because of flooding from the rain that came down over the weekend.

The Department of Transportation has advised us the Haines Road in Barss Corner is shut down.
Also, Lower Branch Road from Osborne Road to Trunk 10.
Veinot Road, Osborne to Trunk 10.
McKeen Road, the Trunk 10 end.
Chester Grant Road.
Again, those roads in Lunenburg County closed this morning because of flooding.
Meanwhile, in Shelburne County, officials have closed the Upper Clyde Road (West) near the Bloody Creek bridge.
In Queens County, the Medway River Road, at Deans Brook to Buggy Hole in Bangs Falls and the Westfield Road, at both bridge locations have been closed to traffic due to flooding.

South Shore School Board Supports Ministers Initiatives

The province is undertaking a two year pilot project to curtail skipping classes. Beginning next September students who miss more than 20 per cent of class time in a course will receive a failing grade. The Director of Programs & Student Services for the South Shore Regional School Board, Steve Prest, says the Board will be examining it's attendance policy.  He says recognizing that quality classroom instruction is one of the most important factors affecting student learning, and realizing also that instrution can only have an impact when students are present and engaged ,Prest says he thinks the Minister has addressed areas where there is potentional to have impact on the issue of promoting student engagement in schools. Prest also says the focus should be on the emphasis of placing more value on graduating, He says increasing the drop out age to 18 from the current age of 16 would have a minimum impact on keeping students in school. Education Minister Marilyn More has accepted 10 of 13 recommendations made recently by a working committee on absenteeism and classroom climate. The recommendations deal with a mix of greater support for students and stiffer consequences for missing too many classes.

WEATHER THE STORM

The Emergency Management Office (EMO) is reminding Nova Scotians to prepare for flooding after parts of the mainland received more than 200 millilitres of rain today.


EMO has activated its Joint Emergency Operations Centre and continues to monitor the storm.

Emergency management planning officers are reporting that various areas of mainland Nova Scotia are experiencing some localized flooding and that many of the rivers and streams are now full. There is concern that the waterways are reaching capacity.

Nova Scotians are encouraged to protect their property and prepare for flooding in their areas by moving furniture and personal property away from possible flood water and to secure property that might be swept away or damaged by a flood.

Residents are also encouraged to ensure they have access to drinking water in case their regular supply is unavailable or becomes contaminated.

Bridgewater isn't Blooming!

"Communities in Bloom" is recognizing communities across the province for their excellence in tourism, beautification, environmental awareness and heritage conservation.
The Town of Bridgewater isn't one of them.

The Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia recognized Louisbourg, Stellarton, Truro, Baddeck, Oxford, Parrsboro, and Pugwash at an Awards Ceremony.

Mayor Carroll Publicover says he's not surprised Bridgewater was left off the list.

"I've said many times publicly at council meetings and otherwise that we don't spend enough on aesthetics. We need to pretty up our town and make it more visually inviting and we've started that," say Publicover.

Publicover says Bridgewater will soon be on the list, as town projects improve the look of the waterfront and the downtown core.

KEDDY'S ABSENCE 'ARROGANT'

Veterans and their supporters are protesting nationwide, calling for better benefits for wounded soldiers.

Veteran, Craig Leonard led a march at MP Gerald Keddy's Bridgewater office on November 6th.

Leonard says the MP for South-Shore, St. Margaret's emailed him and had promised to face protesters and their concerns on the picket line.

Leonard says Keddy's absence speaks volumes.

"This does, in my mind, show the government's arrogance and unfeeling towards veterans. Again that's my opinion...But to send an email out to the fact that he would show, and then decide not to, is not right," says Leonard.

Keddy has said that veterans in Canada receive the best treatment in the world and that the government deserves 'thanks' for the hard work and 2.5 billion dollars it has put into improving Veterans Affairs.

Boat Builders Stay Competitive with Marketing Funding

Nova Scotia's boat builders got a financial boost to support  competitiveness in the global market and export sales.  Covey Island Boatworks, Norseboat Ltd, The Dory Shop, ABCO Industries, Mahone Bay Boatworks, Lutwick's Boatbuilding and Repair and  Tern Boatworks, LaHave are all receiving support . Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau announced on Friday, (November 5th) more than 300-thousand dollars in funding for 21 boat building companies and industry associations to improve marketing and promotion efforts outside Atlantic Canada.The funding is distributed through the Boatbuilders' Marketing Assistance Program.

MARKETING ACTIVITY
--Covey Island Boatworks, Lunenburg
-- Nova Trawlers Ltd., Lower Ohio, Shelburne Co.
-- Norseboat Ltd., Lunenburg
-- The Dory Shop, Lunenburg
-- ABCO Industries Ltd., Lunenburg
--Tern Boatworks, LaHave, Lunenburg Co.
-- Mahone Bay Boatworks, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg Co.

MARKET RESEARCH
-- Covey Island Boatworks, Lunenburg
-- Nova Trawlers Ltd., Lower Ohio, Shelburne Co.
-- Norseboat Ltd., Lunenburg
-- ABCO Industries Ltd., Lunenburg

-- Dixon's Marine Group 2000 Inc., Lower Woods Harbour, Shelburne Co.

-- Mahone Bay Boatworks, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg Co.

MARKETING MATERIALS

-- Covey Island Boatworks, Lunenburg

-- Nova Trawlers Ltd., Lower Ohio, Shelburne Co.

-- Norseboat Ltd., Lunenburg

-- Samson Enterprises Ltd., Arichat, Richmond Co.

-- The Dory Shop, Lunenburg

-- ABCO Industries Ltd., Lunenburg

-- Lutwick's Boat Building and Repair, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg Co.

-- Tern Boatworks, LaHave, Lunenburg Co.

-- Mahone Bay Boatworks, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg Co.

Time Changes This Weekend

This is the weekend you get an extra hour of sleep.  Nova Scotians are reminded to set their clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 7th, when daylight savings ends at 2 a.m., or before going to bed Saturday evening. Along with watches and clocks, microwave ovens, VCR and DVD players, answering machines, car clocks and automatic timer lights need to be adjusted. It is also a reminder to change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.  People are also advised to check computer calendars to ensure appointments are up to date when the time change occurs.