MERSEY TOBEATIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE EXPANDED WITH ASSISTANCE FROM ACOA

The UNESCO designated Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute in Kempt is expanding, thanks to a 100 thousand dollar investment through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and more than 80 thousand from the Province of Nova Scotia.  The expansion will enhance the Institute's ability to educate the public on the issues of conservation, sustainable resource management, and preservation of natural resources.

The Institute will add a two-story, 16 x 28 foot expansion to the Institute's field station including a community room, lab space, and updated equipment.

Seniors Clubs Get Funding

Federal funding has been made available for the Parkdale-Maplewood Community Museum and the Rosedale New Horizons Seniors Club under the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program. South Shore/St. Margaret's M-P Gerald Keddy made the announcements on Friday, November 12th. The Parkdale-Maplewood Community Museum will receive $16,099 for its project entitled Memories Not Forgotten, which will see seniors conduct oral interviews with other seniors to document their life stories. A book of local history will be created and shared at community presentations.

The Rosedale New Horizons Seniors Club will receive $9,058 for its project entitled Using 'Windows' to Open Doors, which will see seniors learn computer skills. The money received will assist the Club in purchasing two computers, a printer/scanner, software programs and other related equipment.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living. Since its beginning, the Program has funded over 7, 000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.

New Ross Legion Receives Federal Funding

The Government of Canada is supporting seniors in New Ross under the New Horizons for Seniors Program.  South Shore/St. Margaret's M-P Gerald Keddy announced funding of 20 thousand 450 dollars for the Royal Canadian Legion - Branch #79 for its project entitled New Ross Legion Honour Room which will see seniors and youth compile historical information on local veterans and gather artifacts for the Legion's new Honour Room. It is one of 797 projects that were approved through the 2010-2011 Community Participation and Leadership call for proposals.

ROAD CLOSURES..(as of 5pm, Friday, Nov. 12th)


LUNENBURG COUNTY:
(CLOSED)
--Branch LaHave Road (Wentzell Road) - from Trunk 10 to Sarty Road
--Veinot Road - between Trunk 10 and Osbourne Road
--Haines Road (Barss Corner)
 --Lower Branch Road - Closed from Osbourne Road to Trunk 10
--Wentzell Lake Road, at LaHave River crossing
(OPEN)
--Chester Grant Road will be open by 5:30 p.m. today
--Trunk 3 - East River Bridge open to light traffic.
(Temporary weight restriction of 12,000 kg in place.)
--East Clifford Road
--Route 329
--Faulkner Road - Water crossing road (still open)
--Green Bay Road - Water crossing road (still open)
--McKeen Road
--Lapland Road
--Woodstock Road

QUEENS COUNTY
(CLOSED)
--Mill Village East Road, between Hillsview Drive and Medway River Road
--Chapel Hill Drive closed at bridge about one kilometre north of Route 210
--Rosette Road, between Harlow and Moose Pit
--Medway River Road, between Deans Brook and Charleston and bridge closed at Slab Pile Brook in Charleston
--Westfield Road, closed between Westfield and Caledonia

(OPEN)
--Clarence Hirtle Road
--Port Medway Road
--Old Westfield Road
--Route 208
--New Elm Road
--River Road

SHELBURNE COUNTY
(CLOSED)
--Bowers Road
--Welshtown Road

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

Chester Denies Funding Request for LCLC

Chester Council has turned down a funding request from the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. The Municipality was asked to contribute 250 thousand dollars in each of the next two years.  Warden Alan Webber says Council has been struggling with the request since it was made on September 9th. Webber says Council decided not to proceed with a swimming pool in their own area because there wasn't the level of support needed from the community. Regarding the LCLC request, Webber says they were hoping for public input, however, he says silence doesn't justify providing the level of funding requested.

A recommendation to Council from the Finance Public Properties Committee to fund the LCLC in the amount of 100 thousand dollars was defeated. The 33 million dollar Lifestyle Centre to be built in Bridgewater will house an indoor aquatic centre, one NHL sized rink, a new library, multi purpose and active living space.

GUNS STOLEN FROM TRUCK IN LUNENBURG COUNTY

Hunting season is well underway and one hunter has learned the hard way what can happen if you leave your weapons in your vehicle.

Lunenburg County RCMP say an out-of-area hunter was parked on New Cumberland Road overnite Wednesday-Thursday and someone busted into his truck and stole some firearms.
Taken were two high-powered rifles and two shotguns from the seat of a large pickup truck.
Investigators say the thief or thieves broke into the vehicle by smashing out the rear driver-side window.
The RCMP are encouraging any one with information to contact them or Crimestoppers.

LUNENBURG COUNTY ROAD CLOSURES (FRIDAY)

A number of roads in Lunenburg County are still closed, a week after the big rain storm.
Closed to traffic are:
Lower Branch Road from Osborne Road to Trunk 10.
Veinot Road from Osborne to Trunk 10.
Hanes Road.
Branch LaHave Road from Sarty Road to Trunk 10.
Chester Grant Road.
East Clifford Road.
Trunk 3 at the East River bridge.

MAHONE BAY HAS NEW BILL COLLECTOR

An amendment to the Municipal Government Act will have the province collecting debts for the town of Mahone Bay.

Municipal relations will collect unpaid fines resulting from By-law infractions.
Only cash considered as provincial debt will be collected by government officials.
Mayor Joe Feeny says the new regulations are designed to give municipalities,province-wide, more leverage.
He adds, its not a major issue for the town.

ACCIDENT IN BAKERS SETTLEMENT

No serious injuries have been reported in a traffic-accident in Lunenburg County.

A number of vehicles were reportedly invovled in the collision, which took place shortly before 2:00 o'clock Thursday afternoon on Highway-325 in Baker's Settlement.
The Baker's Settlement Fire Department and an ambulance from Bridgewater were dispatched to the scene.
The Newcombville and Chelsea Fire Departments were paged for support, but were asked to stand-down shortly after.

SHELBURNE COUNTY BRIDGE CLOSURES

The recent heavy rains have led local officials to close two bridges in Shelburne County.

The Chief Administrative Officer for the District of Shelburne says the "Back lake Bridge" in Upper Ohio and the "Welshtown Crossroad Bridge" in Lower Ohio have been closed.
Kirk Cox says the two bridges have been closed until futher notice.
He says -- although the water-level has gone down -- the strong currents could have lifted and shifted the bridges slightly off their bases.
Cox says the bridges will remain closed until Transportation Department engineers can evaluate their condition.

UPDATED ROAD CLOSURES (7pm, Wednesday,November 10th)

Due to the significant rainfall experienced in Queens County, extreme high water conditions and flooding is being experienced in many areas throughout the County; particularly along the Medway River system. The public is advised to monitor water levels very closely over the next several days.




QUEEN's COUNTY ROAD CLOSURES
- Medway River Road from Charleston to Bangs Falls.
- Mill Village East Rd from Hillside Drive to Medway River Road.
- Westfield Road closed at both bridge locations.
- Old Westfield Road partially closed from Hwy 208 to Westfield Road.
- Rosette Road closed between Harlow Road and Moose Pit Road.
- Chapel Hill Drive at bridge near the boat launch in Greenfield.
- Medway River Road at Exit 17-A, from car pool parking lot to Flat Iron Road
- Clarence Hirtle Road, Charleston

LUNENBURG COUNTY:
- Veinot Road, between Trunk 10 and Lower Brand Road
- Haines Road, Barss Corner
- Lower Branch Road, from Osbourne Road to Trunk 10
- Chester Grant Road, closed at bridge
- East Clifford Road, closed in centre section, with entire road for use by local traffic only
- McKeen Road
- Lapland Road
- Woodstock Road
- Trunk 3, from Exit 7 Connector Road to Route 329 in East River

SHELBURNE COUNTY
- Upper Clyde Road West
- Upper Clyde Road East  (Local traffic only at the Hemlock Branch Bridge)
- Back Lake Road
- Bowers Road
- Welshtown Road

Trails Closed for Safety Precaution

The Department of Natural Resources is closing trails as a safety precaution on the abandoned rail corridor in Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis and Kings counties. Because of the significant amount of rainfall in the past few days bridges, culverts and the corridor are in danger of sustaining structural damage. The closure includes all sections of the 750-kilometre rail corridor that are under development agreements with local trail groups and undeveloped sections of the corridor. The rail corridor will remain closed until it passes inspections by Department of Natural Resources staff and local trail groups.

MP Keddy Makes Funding Announcements

Fittingly enough a funding announcement for the New Ross Legion will be made on Remembrance Day. South Shore/St. Margaret's MP, Gerald Keddy will provide the details during the event which is slated for 5 p.m. Thursday, November 11th at the Legion in New Ross. There will also be an awards presentation for Legion members followed by a dinner.

On Friday morning at 10 a.m., Keddy will make another announcement regarding seniors funding at the Parkdale-Maplewood Community Museum in Maplewood.

Lee Nauss Named Deputy-Mayor of MODL

He's already served as the the Warden of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, now he's the Deputy-Mayor. Lee Nauss was named to the position at a council meeting earlier this week. Four names including Nauss were nominated for the position which rotates on an annual basis, however, three of the Councillors withdrew . Nauss who represents District 10 was first elected to Council back in 1967.

Beach Infrastructure, Cape Sable Island

Cape Sable Island celebrated the official re-opening of South Side Beach on Wednesday, (November 10th). Important improvements to the beach infrastructure were made possible thanks to support from the Government of Canada.  South Shore-St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy announced an investment of more than 11 thousand dollars from ACOA. The investment covers beach infrastructure improvements at the popular tourism and bird-watching area. Additional funding is coming from the Municipality of the District of Barrington, the Town of Clark's Harbour, international conservation group Cape Sable Important Bird Area, and Sable Fish Packers Limited.

OIL SLICK

Emergency officials are advising motorists to use caution when driving along trunk 3.

An unknown vehicle leaked hydraulic fluid along the highway leading down the 332 in Riverport, causing slippery road conditions.

Emergency officials are now applying sand to alleviate the problem.

VETERAN FIGHTS BACK

A South Shore Veteran says he's not the only one the federal government left out in the cold.


Last Saturday, Craig Leonard and a dozen protesters stood in a torrential downpour outside M-P Gerald Keddy's Bridgewater office to demand better benefits for wounded soldiers .

The MP for South Shore-St.Margarets had promised to face their concerns on the picket line that day but never showed.

Leonard says the government has neglected veterans affairs and forgotten its soldiers.

"The thousand dollars a month, taxable, ends at age sixty five, the seventy-five percent long-term disability ends at age sixty five, Service and Canada Pensions disability pensions are reduced at age sixty-five. So what then? Are veterans to go to the food banks, are they to go on the streets?" says Leonard.

Leonard was one of thousands nationwide who protested the Harper Governments New Veterans Charter last weekend.

NEW PARK FOR MAHONE BAY

The Town of Mahone Bay is hoping some new signs will keep loud music, bad language and drinking away from the waterfront.

The greenspace along Edgewater street and the Harbour, from the "Young Teazer" property, to the Lutheran Church grounds, is now an official park.

Mayor Joe Feeny says council created "Edgewater Park" to help provide leverage to police.

Feeny says new signs will give the town constable more leverage when patrolling the known party spot.

The park will now be closed to the public from 11pm to 5am.

STIFFER CONSEQUENCES FOR DRUNK DRIVERS

If you think you can drive after a couple of drinks, you may want to think again.

New provincial laws will have drunk drivers facing stiffer consequences.

If found driving with a blood alcohol level between 50 and 80 milligrams, you could face a seven day suspension of your licence, and over 600 dollars in re-reinstatement fees.

Drivers who blow over 80 milligrams will face a three month suspension, and if convicted, at least one-thousand dollars in court fees.

RCMP will start doing road checks right away under the new regulations.

HIGHWAY 3 BRIDGE COLLAPSES NEAR YARMOUTH

A bridge over one of two main highways in southwestern Nova Scotia collapsed last night when powerful floodwaters caused by days of heavy rain broke a support column.

No one was believed to be on the 20-metre bridge over Highway 3 near Yarmouth when it fell into the Tusket River.
R-C-M-P Sergeant Michel Lacroix says it's believed that the force of flood waters took out the structure.
The bridge is downstream from a Nova Scotia Power dam that officials have been watching nervously for days for signs of possible breaches.