LCLC Public Meeting

The latest design for the proposed Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre will be unveiled tonight  (Tuesday .,Nov.30) at a public meeting at the Best Western. Chair of the LCLC, Paul Belliveau says the restructured and revamped design of the facility will be presented to the public as well as the next phase of the budgeting process for the capital program for the project .  Belliveau says they're still working on completing the project by late fall of 2012. He says the next step will be to have the land cleared. Tonight's meeting is set to get underway at 7pm . The 32 million dollar Lifestyle Centre will house an indoor aquatic centre, one NHL sized rink, a new library, multi purpose and active living space.

Refusal of Roadside Screeing Charges

Two Lunenburg County men are facing charges of refusal of a roadside screening device demand following a weekend traffic stop and collision. A 48 year old Wileville man was stopped at a checkpoint on St. Phillips Street. Police noticed signs the man had been drinking but he refused a demand to provide a breath sample. Meantime, a 26 year old man from First Peninsula refused a roadside demand after being involved in a a collision. South Shore Traffic Services came across a vehicle overturned in a ditch on Highway 10 in Cherryfield around 3 a.m. on Saturday November 27th. The driver was found walking a short distance away. Both men are scheduled to appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court on January 26th.

Pizza Parlour Faces Disciplinary Hearing

A Lunenburg pizza parlour will have a disciplinary hearing before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board in the new year.  J3 Pizza of 50 Montague Street is facing allegations of infractions under three sections of the Liquor Licensing Regulations. The company holds an eating establishment liquor licence.The disciplinary hearing has been scheduled for Friday, January 14th at 10:30 a.m. in Lunenburg Council Chambers.

Tourism Plan Launched

Nova Scotia has launched its 2011 provincial tourism plan (Nov. 29) to provide direction for building the industry and growing the economy. Presented at the 2010 tourism summit, the annual plan anticipates a competitive global market for visitors by focusing on innovation, helping businesses develop a competitive edge and capitalizing on the province's unique experiences and services. Tourism Culture and Heritage Minister Percy Paris says the department has advanced a plan for 2011 that will allow Nova Scotia to compete on the world stage as a top travel destination.  In the Maritimes region, a new approach will allow every Nova Scotian the opportunity to become a star. In spring, auditions will be held for regional television commercials, with Nova Scotians sharing favourite local experiences.

The tourism plan for 2011 is available on the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/tch/tourism.

Christmas on the LaHave

The sound of singing filled the streets and lights flooded the sky as Bridgewater celebrated the festive season last night.

Record numbers turned out for the town's annual "Christmas on the LaHave" celebrations which included live entertainment, fireworks and a parade of more than thirty floats.

Event organizer and town councillor Bill McInnis says the event brings out the festive spirit in all who attend.

"People look forward to these types of events, when they become an annual event, in particular that time of year. And it give the community a sense of community... and anyone who at that function last evening would agree, there seems be an awful lot of happy people," say McInnis.

McInnis is guessing more than five thousand people attended the festivities.

The event is in its sixth year of operation, the parade was added the event bill four years ago.

Lobster Season Opens

Hundreds of vessels are scouring the coast of southern Nova Scotia today.

Lobster fishermen are setting traps in open waters stretching from Halifax to Digby County in the first day of the regional season.

Ian Marshall DFO Director for South Western Nova Scotia says some were not so lucky , despite favourable weather conditions.

"A vessel struck a rock and is basically inoperable at this moment and as well there were... three incidents in LFA 34 .So overall unfortunate for the four individuals, but overall not too bad when you consider roughly seventeen hundred vessels sailed...this morning," says Marshall.

Marshall says the four men were not injured in the accident and were able to safely beach their damaged vessel in a nearby port.

LOBSTER SEASON BEGINS ALONG SOUTH SHORE

One of the most lucrative fishing seasons in the Atlantic region opens today off the southern coast of Nova Scotia.

Roughly 1,700 lobster licence-holders can set their traps in an area stretching from Digby County, around to the South Shore and to Halifax.
The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans says the lobster fishery in areas 33 and 34 produced landings last year worth about $215 million.
Most of the lobster is exported to the United States.
The department notes that stepped-up security along the Canada-U.S. border has caused significant delays in lobster shipments in recent years.
The department says those delays could be reduced if fishermen and shippers ensure their lobster meets all the Canadian fishery regulations and U.S. entry requirements.

Shooting in Kings County

Kings County RCMP are investigating after a shooting Saturday morning.

Police say a bullet entered the 2nd floor of a West Brooklyn residence injuring a nineteen year old occupant.

The victim of the shooting has since been released from hospital.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact Kings County RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Investigators say the suspect may not be aware that their shot reached a home or human flesh.

PREPARATIONS ALREADY UNDERWAY FOR SPRINGTIME AT THE BRIDGEWATER COMMUNITY GARDEN

Winter will set in before long but many Bridgewater residents who make use of the "Community Garden" are already dreaming of spring tulips and fresh tomatoes.

Melanie Coldwell says the group is looking to expand in the spring.
More than 40 people regularly enjoyed the fresh produce from the garden this past season.
Coldwell says the garden, with the help of town council, has created a strong sense of community.

Operation Christmas Launched

Queens MLA Vicki Conrad on hand Thursday to help launch Operation Christmas. Checkpoints targeting impaired drivers were set up in Truro to signify the start of the province-wide initiative. Operation Christmas is an annual campaign to reduce impaired driving. Conrad says the days of having a couple of drinks and getting behind the wheel are long gone The province, in partnership with law enforcement across Nova Scotia are sending a clear message that if you drink and drive, there are serious consequences. Impaired driving is one of the leading contributing factors in fatal collisions in Nova Scotia.

Public Input Sought on Wind Energy By-law

The Municipality of Shelburne will be holding a public meeting December 2nd to present to residents a draft policy and bylaw for the regulation of wind turbines. Residents are encouraged to attend the session from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jordan Falls IOOF Hall and provide feedback on the draft documents.  Detailed mapping of wind resources in the District  and a series of public consultations  took place over the summer months. The Municipality of the District of Shelburne is continuing work on a wind energy development plan, in partnership with the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.

Chester Reduces Septage Waste Costs

The Municipality of Chester is reducing the cost for accepting septage waste from 30 to 22 dollars per ton. Warden Alan Webber says the price had been increased to cover the costs of compliance with new regulations coming into effect in January. There was some discussion on the merit of reducing the charge or not providing the service. By reducing the charge the Municipality could at least recoup some lost revenue. Webber also says there are some capacity issues with the  Municipality's dewatering truck. It works great for the sewer treatment plants but doesn't work well at the landfill, processing all the sewage that comes in from all over the Municiaplity. The reduction in septage costs will remain in effect until March 31st of next year.

United Way of Lunenburg County

They're lean and mean and want to put as much money as possible back into the community. That's how Michael Graves described the United Way of-Lunenburg County during a presentation to Chester Council. Graves says since 2006 they've invested a little more than 454 thousand dollars in Lunenburg County organizations with direct benefits to the Municipality of Chester. He says 94 thousand 600 of that investment provided an exclusive benefit only to the residents of Chester.   Graves says if every single working person in Lunenburg County contributed just 15 cents a day the organization would raise over 1.1 million dollars a year. Some of the projects funded by the United Way in the municipality of Chester include P.R.O. Kids, Chester Community Wheels, the New Ross recreation field ,Bonnie Lea Farm and Through the Years Community Community Centre in Hubbards.

TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER WATCHING SPENDING

The province is looking to slash funding to all of its departments in order to balance the budget.

Bridgewater Mayor Carroll Publicover says politicians and residents alike need to be prepared for the fiscal unknown.
He says the Town of Bridgewater has a surplus right now and to help maintain that situation in the future, expenses have to be kept under control and even reduced to do so.
However, the mayor says everything could change in the second quarter.
Premier Darrell Dexter has said current provincial spending is not sustainable and the deficit must be reduced.
The province is facing a shortfall of more than 590 million dollars.

PUBLIC TO HAVE INPUT ON PLANNING FOR NEW SOUTH QUEENS HIGH SCHOOL

South Queens is getting a new school and one small group of South Shore Residents are sure to get some say in the planning process.

The South Shore Regional School Board is establishing a "School Steering Team".
The group, of more than a dozen members, will provide recommendations on school location, layout and design to the Minister of Education.
Peter Howitt of the Department of Education, Barry Butler of the South Shore Regional School Board and Darlene Norman of the the Region of Queens Council are among the chosen members of the group.
Anyone with suggestions for school sites are asked to contact 'Steering School Team' members online at SSRSB-DOT-C-A.

FEWER TRAPS RECOMMENDED BY LOBSTER STUDY

A newly released study suggests lobster fishermen should reduce the number of traps they put in the water each year.

The study by consulting firm Gardner Pinfold has been presented to the Lobster Council of Canada.
Council executive director Geoff Irvine says the idea of fewer traps is nothing new.
He says the industry could keep a tighter grip on prices by controlling the supply.
The report also recommends lobster fishermen make fewer trips and even have individual quotas.
Irvine says it's important to remember that the report contains only recommendations.
The fall lobster fishery in southwestern Nova Scotia begins on Monday.

TROUT THREATENED BY "FOREIGN" SPECIES OF FISH

Changes to existing laws governing sport fishing are seen as a good first step by a conservation group whose aim is to protect trout from extinction in South Shore rivers and steams.

The Nova Scotia government is bringing in amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Resources Act aimed at preventing anglers from introducing threatening species to waterways, like small-mouth bass and chain pickerel.
Those fish have been slowly destroying the trout population.
The group, "Trout Nova Scotia", says the changes to the act will help protect existing trout and rebuild stocks but they believe the government should be making it even more difficult for some anglers to introduce predatory species to waterways.
Among the proposed changes to the act: penalties that include a 1-thousand dollar fine, suspension of fishing privaleges for 5 years and the seizure of vehicles, boats and trailers.

Police VS Paramedics

Here's your chance to tell the police or paramedics to "Stuff It ".  The second annual food bank challenge is set for  Saturday  December 4th from 1 to 4 p.m.. Town Police are taking on EHS paramedics to see who can stuff their vehicles the most with items for the Bridgewater Interchurch Food Bank. The teams will battle it out in the Superstore parking lot . Last years competition was declared a draw . Two police cares, an ambulance and van were filled with non-perishable items all donated to the food bank. Donations can also be dropped off at the police station on Exhibition Drive or the EHS base on North Street.

Clean Slate for Canada Day Committee

Bridgewater Town Council is giving Canada on the LaHave's planning committee a clean financial slate.

Council will forgive a three-hundred dollar debt incurred by this years festivities.

Mayor Carroll Publicover says the committee was once disorganized and indebted with few members.

That's changed though.

"They've picked up the pieces and put it back together and it's going to be a great Canada Day this year," says Publicover.

Publicover says forgiving the debt is a symbolic sign of support for event organizers.

This year's Canada Day celebrations included local music, live entertainment and a healthy dose of fireworks.

Planning Commitee Members Appointed

A handful of Bridgewater residents have gained membership in an exclusive club.


The Town of Bridgewater has appointed eight locals to the Planning Review Advisory Committee.

Kari Barkhouse of South Shore Health, Ida Scott of the Bridgewater Development Association and Joanne Faulkenham of the Town Centre Development Association are among the chosen few.

The group will recommend changes in building regulations as it sifts through every by-law on the books in Bridgewater.

Council expects it will take until February 2013 to complete the process.