Harbour House raises over $8,600 during 25th anniversary fundraiser

Harbour House in Bridgewater received a big anniversary present over the weekend. The shelter raised over $8,600 dollars in support of women's and children's programming like individual and group counselling and outreach services. Jayden Winfree says roughly 115 people attended the event at the Bridgewater Curling Club. The Transition Home is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month.

Argyle MLA mystified over support for Railway, not Yarmouth Ferry

Argyle MLA Chris d'Entremont

The MLA for Argyle says the NDP is giving a message to people on the South Shore that they're not important. Chris d'Entremont is reacting over the Dexter government's recent $2-million a year investment into the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway, with no support for the Yarmouth Ferry. He says Premier Dexter should apologize for his actions.

"I think a good government is also one that would recognize its mistakes and stand down to them and say, you know, maybe we were wrong here. But, to take a Happy Days kind of look at it, when Fonzie couldn't say he was wrong, I think that's what we've got now. We've got a Premier that really doesn't want to go back on his word to admit things."

d'Entremont says he can't explain how the NDP decided that a railway was more important than a ferry because they're both important economic links. He believes the Premier should find a solution to get the ferry service back before its too late.

Liverpool Man Committed to Murder Trial

A Liverpool man accused of killing his fiance, has been committed to stand trial on a second degree murder charge. Thirty-one year old James Leroy Leopold is charged in the death of 47 year old Laura Lee Robertson who was reported missing on April 14th.  Her remains were found off Highway 208 outside Greenfield, Queens County almost two weeks later.   Leopold remains in custody since being arrested in April.  He'll appear in Supreme Court October 13th to get a trial date.   Evidence presented at the preliminary inquiry today (Monday,Oct. 3) is banned from being broadcast.

Portraits of Honour Day- October 14th

The Portraits of Honour National Tour will be rolling into Town a week from this Friday. The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is fully supporting the venture by proclaiming October 14th as Portraits of Honour Day in the Municipality. Mayor Don Downe says Council is also sponsoring two crosses in memory of local fallen soldiers, Corporal Paul Davis and Private Rick Green. The day's activities will include a parade, opening ceremonies, and viewing opportunities for family, students and the general public . The Friends of the Fallen Banquet will be held that evening at the Bridgewater Legion Branch 24.


The Portrait of Honour is a 10 feet by 56 feet hand painted mural, depicting the faces of all 157 of Canada's fallen in Afghanistan.

Walk to School Week

Be on the look-out for kids on the streets this week.

Students from elementary to high school will be taking to their feet to mark the beginning of International Walk to School Month in October. Eight South Shore schools will be taking part in the event, also known as IWALK.
        IWALK celebrates the physical activity, safety and environmental benefits of walking and cycling. Iit's not just kids and parents who see the importance of walking to school. More and more, school administration and teachers are recognizing what active forms of transportation can do for learning.
International Walk to School Month is an initiative of Active & Safe Routes to School (www.saferoutesns.ca), coordinated in Nova Scotia by the Ecology Action Centre in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness as part of the Active Kids Healthy Kids Initiative. For a list of participating schools, go to  http://saferoutesns.ca/index.php/event/october-is-international-walk-to-school-month/

SSH Supports Breastfeeding in the Workplace

South Shore Health is endorsing breastfeeding in the workplace . Although there is a one year maternity leave in Nova Scotia, Health Canada recommends breastfeeding for two years and beyond, well past the point that most women have returned to work. In recognition that breastfeeding is the best way to feed babies and get them off to a healthy start in life, South Shore Health has taken a lead in creating a work environment that supports staff to continue to breastfeed their babies after returning to work. South Shore Health is an active community partner on the Lunenburg & Queens Baby-Friendly™ Committee.   Since the launch of their Make Breastfeeding Your Business: An Action Support Kit in 2009, South Shore Health has developed policies to support and promote breastfeeding in the community and at work. There are also several online resources available to staff and the community to support breastfeeding. Visit Breastfeeding Supports under Home and Community Services on the South Shore Health website at http://www.southshorehealth.ca/

South Shore Health struggling to keep primary health care physicians

The VP of Medicine and Acting CEO for South Shore Health says its been a challenging year for people looking for primary health care physicians in Bridgewater. Dr. Peter Vaughan made the remarks during South Shore Health's Annual General Meeting last week. He says its an ongoing struggle to keep medical personnel in the area.

"Communities in Nova Scotia and all across Canada are increasingly forced into competition for all health care providers including nurses, lab and x-ray technologists in addition to physicians. Health care professional recruitement and retention continues to be an ongoing challenge, as we continue to work with our community partners to make our district attractive in this highly competitive environment."

Vaughan says, despite the challenges, they're working towards new and better ways of providing sustainable health services to residents.

103 Crash Kills Two, Critically Injures One

Two people were killed as a result of a two car, head-on crash over the weekend on highway 103.
It happened in fog and rain near Chester between exits 7 and 8.
One man was sent to hospital in Halifax in critical condition as a result of the
crash.
21-year-old Dustin Bruce Conrad of Shelburne and 48-year-old Deanna Lynn Huggard of Saint John, NB were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are still trying to determine the cause of the crash.
There was fog and it was raining at the time.

Back to the Big House

The summer break for South Shore MLA's officially ends on Monday, October 31st. As spooky as it sounds Gary Ramey, Pam Birdsall and Vicki Conrad head back to the house on Halloween. The Nova Scotia government has announced the fall sitting of the legislature will begin on that date. The spring session wrapped up on May 19.


The governing New Democrats hold 31 of the legislature's 52 seats, followed by the Liberals at 13 and Conservatives with seven. There is also one Independent.

MP Keddy to Make Funding Announcements

The Municipality of Shelburne and Town of Lockeport will be getting some federal funding this weekend.
South Shore/St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy will be making two announcements on Saturday (Oct.1) with respect to the Government of Canada's investment in the communities.  Keddy will make the first announcement at the Sandy Point Light House & Community Hall at 10 a.m. He'll then travel to 
Seacaps Park in Lockeport to make the second funding  announcement at 11:30 a.m.

Fire Chief Recovering

Bridgewater's Fire Chief continues to recover from suffering cardiac arrest earlier this week at his Spence Street home. Sixty-four year old Wayne Thorburne could be transferred to South Shore Regional or even released from a Halifax hospital as early as Monday October 3rd. According to Deputy-Fire Chief Mike Nauss, Thorburne underwent a small surgery having a stent inserted and is on the road to recovery.

Lumberjacks edge Mariners

Andrew Wigg

Andrew Wigg scored the go-ahead goal with less than eight minutes remaining as the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks edged the Yarmouth Mariners 4-3 Thursday night. Wigg, along with Tyler Noseworthy and Michael Crawley led the Jacks with a goal and an assist each. Wigg says it feels good to beat their South Shore rivals.

"It's really good to get wins inside our own division too, it usually makes it worth four points, especially against our biggest rival Yarmouth. They gave us a good game and it was good to come out on top."

Billy Clarke stopped 42 shots for the Jacks in the win. The Lumberjacks will head to Dieppe Saturday night to take on the Commandos.

SSRSB chair pleased with new Framework

The chair of the South Shore Regional School Board says a recent presentation on the new Framework has left him with a more positive outlook. Elliott Payzant says there were a number of positives to take from Wednesday night's display. He says he has more confidence in the Framework because it starts helping students in primary, through to grade two. Payzant says he still has some concerns because its a new program but adds, his fingers are crossed it will work out. Literacy mentor Stephen Jamieson and Early Literacy Leader Gretchen Gerhardt provided the presentation to the School Board.

Curb concerns

Councillor David Mitchell

A lack of sidewalk on one side of Glen Allan Drive has at least one Bridgewater town councillor concerned about seniors safety. David Mitchell is requesting to cut the curb down and allow seniors at Drumlin Hills to have a better chance of crossing the street. He says seniors have to walk roughly two to three hundred feet down the road, or 150 feet up the road to get to the nearest crossing. Mitchell's request is expected to be investigated by traffic authority and town engineer Harland Wyand.

Fire Chief Hospitalized

Bridgewater's Fire Chief remains hospitalized in Halifax after suffering a heart attack at his home earlier this week. Sixty-four year old Wayne Thorburne went into cardiac arrest at his Spence Street home Monday afternoon. Members of the fire department along with police and paramedics responded to the call. Thorburne was initially taken to South Shore Regional before being transferred to Halifax. Reports indicate the Chief is in a drug induced coma in order for his heart to rest. Deputy Fire Chief Mike Nauss is acting as Chief in Thorburne's absence.

Active Transportation Meeting

The Town of Shelburne, and the provincial Department of Health and Wellness and Public Health are partnering to start the conversation around Active Transportation in the town.
Many conversations and actions have, and are taking place around sidewalks, biking and walking in communities.  The Town is holding a public meeting on Monday, October 17th at 6:30 pm in the Firemen's Meeting Room at the Shelburne Community Centre to talk about Active Transportation.
          Having a walkable and wheelable community is an important part of creating a healthy, vibrant and economically attractive community. Active Transportation has strong economic, health, safety, social and environmental benefits.  If you want to know more, or have questions, please call Community and Economic Development at 875 3873 or email jlocke@town.shelburne.ns.ca

New Website Promotes Atlantic Seafood Products

A new and improved website promoting Atlantic Canadian seafood will help the industry compete in a global market.  The Atlantic Canada Seafood Trade Group has been working with the seafood industry and associations to re-create an enticing and user-friendly website that connects national and
international buyers to the product diversity Atlantic Canada has to offer. Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau says it will connect national and international buyers with Atlantic Canadian companies to help build long-term business relationships . The website is available in English and French and is accessible by all mobile devices anywhere in the world. The website address is,
http://www.atlanticcanadaexports.ca/

Crew error blamed for Concordia sinking

A Transportation Safety Board report on the capsizing of a Nova Scotia-based tall ship off Brazil is blaming lack of knowledge by the crew for the sinking.


The Concordia, based out of Lunenburg, had 64 students and staff from the West Island College sailing school on board when it sank on February 17th of last year; everyone was rescued.

The board's report Thursday says the vessel was lost in a squall because a risk of a knockdown was not clear to the crew.

As a result, appropriate responses such as reducing sail or changing course were not taken before the squall hit.

Mosaic selected for new Bluenose Academy

A Lunenburg artist will have his work installed in the foyer of the new Bluenose Academy. Scott Conrad was announced as the winner of the school's summer-long Mosaic Design contest. The theme of the mosaic was based on student ideas and celebrates the merger of four schools; Lunenburg Academy, Lunenburg Junior & Senior High, Riverport and District Elementary and Centre Consolidated School. Students from Primary to Grade 9 at Lunenburg Academy and Centre Consolidated gathered Wednesday at Centre to vote on the mosaic choices. Conrad's design is of the schooner Bluenose sailing into Lunenburg Harbour.

Lumberjacks select Jake Bullen as team captain

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have named their captains for this season. Jake Bullen will wear the 'C', while Tyler Noseworthy, Andrew Wigg and Michael Crawley will be the assistant captains. Head Coach Terry Rhindress says Bullen is the ideal captain for the team.

"Jake's more of a lead by example guy, you know, comes to practice every day, on time and accountable, and one of the first guys to step up if you need a volunteer to do something. The fans like him, the kids like him, he's just a likeable guy. Every game he gives you the best he's got. He's just one of those leaders that doesn't necessarily have to be the guy that stands up in the dressing room screaming and hollering."

Bullen is expected to begin his captaincy Thursday night when the Lumberjacks host the Yarmouth Mariners at 7pm.