40th Boston Christmas Tree to be Cut

Ken and Donna Spinney of Central Argyle, Yarmouth County, are this year's donors of Nova Scotia's big Christmas tree gift to Boston.
A 45foot white spruce will be cut at the Spinney property during a public ceremony November 15.
The tree-cutting ceremony will include students from three Yarmouth County elementary schools, a town crier declaration and a storytelling and poetry presentation about the Boston tree. Provincial and municipal government representatives and RCMP, in ceremonial red serge, will attend. The truck will leave after being loaded to board the ferry at Digby. After it crosses the Bay of Fundy, it will continue through New Brunswick and the U.S. to Massachusetts. Elementary students and all Nova Scotians will be able to track the truck's progress online through website updates.
         Each year since 1971, Nova Scotia has sent Boston a large Christmas tree in gratitude for help Bostonians provided after the devastating Halifax Explosion of December 6, 1917. Boston provided medical personnel and supplies to help treat explosion victims. The Nova Scotia tree is decorated on the Boston Common and lighted at a ceremony attracting about 30,000 people and broadcast live on television. To learn more about the Yarmouth County tree cutting ceremony, visit http://www.gov.ns.ca/ .

Bridgewater MD Reprimanded

Bridgewater doctor, Anthony Atkinson has been reprimanded by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. Atkinson, who has a history of drinking problems has been ordered to abstain from drinking alcohol, be tested for alcohol and get treatment. He denies being drunk while practicing medicine or on call. Communications Director Theresa Hawkesworth says Atkinson was suspended last July pending the results of an internal investigation and resigned his privileges on July 30th before the investigation was complete. She says Dr. Atkinson has not worked within South Shore Health since that time. In a released statement, the College said Atkinson had been repeatedly warned about his use of alcohol because of the risk presented to his practice.

Bowater Mersey Mill closing for one week

The Bowater Mersey Paper mill in Brooklyn is shutting down for one week later this month. The company is examining the mill's future and is expected to close from November 14-21, mainly due to market conditions. The director of public affairs with Abitibi Bowater, Pierre Choquette, says the Brooklyn Mill needs to address issues including power rates and labour costs. Choquette says the company is also in talks for another closure from December 19 until January 2, 2012, but the dates are tentative because no decision has been made.

Petite Riviere Elementary turns 50

Petite Riviere Elementary is celebrating the 50th anniversary of opening its doors. The school will celebrate the past and present during a celebration Tuesday night. Former principal and teacher at Petite Riviere, Janet Baxter, says the community helped her through each position.

"It was a huge growing experience for me to move from classroom teacher to prinicipal, but I was supported by both staff and community members and students and so, again, it was a very positive experience."

Baxter adds the community is behind the school, despite having less than 100 students. The 50th anniversary celebrations kick off Tuesday night at 6:30 until 8 at the school.

One dead, another injured after collision in Conquerall Mills

One person is dead and another in hospital after a car struck a power pole Monday night in Conquerall Mills. A 21-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene while a 19-year-old man was seriously injured and is in stable condition at South Shore Regional. The collision forced a road closure and caused a power outage for several hours in the Conquerall Mills area. Lunenburg County RCMP are investigating the cause of the collision but believe speed was a factor.

Leopold jailed four months for assaulting ex-girlfriend

A Liverpool man has been sentenced to four months in jail for assaulting a former girlfriend by sitting on her and cutting off her air supply. James Leroy Leopold already had a previous conviction for assaulting and threatening another former girlfriend. The 32-year-old Leopold was sentenced in Bridgewater provincial court Monday after pleading guilty to assaulting Debbie Lohnes when she broke up with him in June 2010. The court was told that as Leopold sat on Lohnes's stomach and she struggled to breathe, he threatened to kill himself. Leopold has a criminal record that includes assaulting another former girlfriend in 2006 and two counts of threatening her last year.

MODL Approves 5 Year Capital Investment Plan

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg has approved a five year capital investment plan through 2017. Deputy-Mayor Lee Nauss says there's over 2.3 million dollars worth of projects planned for next year and Council has not included any borrowing for any of the projects. He says they plan to do it all out of revenue or existing monies.  An agreement regarding the transfer of federal gas tax monies requires municipalities to prepare and submit a 5 year capital budget each year.

RCMP Remind Drivers to Slow Down Tonight.

On Halloween night, the scariest thing a motorist can encounter is a neighbourhood swarming with trick-or-treating children. Here's a few tricks to ensure everyone gets home safely with their treats. Motorists are reminded to stay well below the speed limit and be prepared to stop at any time. Children dressed in dark costumes can dart out from anywhere. It's also important not to pass any stopped cars as they may be dropping children off. Newly licensed drivers should also be extra careful on Halloween night as there are many distractions on the road.

Park View boys win JV soccer provincials, clinch berth in Division 1 provincials

It was a successful weekend for Park View's boys soccer teams. The JV team defeated Halifax West 3-0 to win the provincial title on home soil. Chance Harnish scored twice and Lucas Wile also tallied. Also, the Division 1 Boys provincial qualifier final was held at Park View. The home town Panthers beat Halifax West 2-1 and advances to provincials at Dr. J. H. Gillis in Antigonish this weekend.

New Germany soccer teams off to provincials

New Germany Rural High School's senior boys soccer team is off to provincials. The club defeated East Antigonish 5-1 and Dalbrae Academy 5-3 over the weekend to clinch a berth in the division 3 provincials. They will be held this weekend at Hants North.

Meanwhile, the New Germany Rural High School senior girls soccer team also clinched a spot for the Division 3 provincials this coming weekend. The Saints defeated Musquodoboit 4-1 and Strait Area Recreational Education Center 3-0 in the Provincial Qualifying tournament. They will travel to Ecole du Carrefour in Dartmouth for the provincials.

Ross Farm Museum receives $2.3-million for new learning centre

The Ross Farm Museum received $2.35-million for a new learning centre. The centre will include program rooms to learn about a variety of traditional skills, an administration area and a gift shop. Construction of the 14,500-square-foot structure will take about a year and is expected to begin next spring. Funding was announced Saturday and is coming from all three levels of government, topped up by community fundraising efforts. The province will provide $1-million through the Tangible Capital Asset Program. This will be matched by $1-million from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The community will contribute $235-thousand through the New Ross District Museum Society, including $100-thousand from the Municipality of the District of Chester.

Crowhurst resigns as Bridgewater Police Chief

Brent Crowhurst, left, sitting with John Collyer, right.

Bridgewater's chief of police is stepping down from the job. Brent Crowhurst is resigning from the post, effective November 3, to become the Bureau Director of Criminal Intelligence Service Nova Scotia. In a letter to council, Crowhurst says the past nine years in his position has been challenging, yet very rewarding. Current Deputy Chief John Collyer will become Acting Chief of Police.

Mustangs edge Weeks 6-5, move into second place

Morgan Messenger scored twice and added two assists as the South Shore Canadian Tire Mustangs earned a 6-5 win over the Weeks Major Midgets Sunday in New Glasgow. Shaun MacEachern added two goals and an assist while Brennan Bailey and Brandon Challoner also had a goal for the Mustangs. Cole Skinner stopped 32 of 37 shots in the win. The local major Midget club is now in 2nd place with a 10-3-0-1 record. They take on the top-ranked Halifax Titans this weekend in St. Margaret's Bay.

Lumberjacks trade Noseworthy to Dauphin for 18-year-old and future considerations

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks made a couple of moves Friday. They acquired the rights to Michel Lefevbre from Cornwall, Ontario. The 19-year-old forward played in both games Friday and Saturday night.
The Jacks also traded Tyler Noseworthy to the Dauphin Kings for 18-year-old Jung Ahn and future considerations.

Oh Deer

Deer hunting season in Nova Scotia opens  on
Friday, Oct. 28th and runs through till Saturday, Dec.3rd.   Hunting is NOT permitted on Sundays. Natural Resources minister Charlie Parker says hunting is a popular sport, a means to obtain an inexpensive food source, and a way to help manage the wildlife population He reminds hunters to be familiar with hunting regulations and always wear hunter's orange in the woods. There are 12 deer hunting zones. Hunters applying for a licence should review the zones carefully to make sure they get a deer stamp for the zone they want.

Move Over Information Checkpoints

Information checkpoints are being set up this afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m. on Highway 103 in Chester Basin. There will be two checkpoints taking place - one in the east-bound lanes and one in the west-bound lanes - on the divided portion of Highway 103 near Exit 9. Members of the RCMP along with Emergency Health Services, Vehicle Compliance officers, and members of the local Fire Department will be passing out literature to remind motorists about "Move Over" legislation. Motorist are required to reduce speeds to 60 km/h when passing an emergency vehicle stopped at the side of the road with its emergency lights on.

Tall Ships to Return

Lunenburg will be a port of call for the Tall Ships that are returning to Nova Scotia next summer. The ships will arrive in Halifax July 19th to the 23rd and visit outports across the province July 24th to the 30th. Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris announced the provincial commitment of 780 thousand dollars for the event.  The provincial contribution will fund the cost to bring the ships here and attract more visitors to the province. Along with Lunenburg the ships will also visit Shelburne, Yarmouth, Pictou Pugwash, Port Hawkesbury, Louisbourg and Sydney.
        The event is part of the Tall Ships Challenge - Atlantic Coast 2012 Race, organized by Tall Ships America. The ships will start in Savannah, Ga. and sail up the U.S. eastern seaboard, stopping in Charleston, S.C., Greenport, N.Y., and Newport, R.I.  The event will also include a special historical piece that will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.  Theodore Tugboat is playing a big role in the Tall Ships event. He is headed to the United States for the winter and bringing the Tall Ships back to Nova Scotia next summer.

Heritage Property Designation

The Old Stone Bridge on Victoria Street , Chester is one step closer to being designated a Heritage Property.  The Municipality of Chester has agreed to enter into a partnership with the provincial Departments of Communities, Culture and Heritage, and Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal to both designate and maintain the  property.  MLA for the area, Denise Peterson-Rafuse brought forward the proposal at a previous council meeting. Once the application for provincial heritage registration is accepted, the province's Advisory Council on Heritage Property will review the submission and assess if the Old Stone Bridge has provincial heritage value. A recommendation will then be forwarded to the Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage who has final sign-off on the provincial heritage designation.

Mustangs' Nickerson selected for Canadian Youth Olympic hockey team

Brendan Nickerson during NHLPA Camp in August

A member of the South Shore Canadian Tire Mustangs has made the Canadian Youth Olympic hockey team. Defenceman Brendan Nickerson received the nod from Hockey Canada as the lone player from Nova Scotia to be named to the squad. Mustangs Head Coach Tim Boyce says the organization is proud of Nickerson's accomplishment.

"It's great for Brendan, he's a great kid and very deserving of the honour. He's been fast-tracked quite a bit over the last few years in his hockey career. He's a special young talent, he's very skilled for his age and he's got great size."

The team is for hockey players born in 1996. The 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games will be held from January 13-22 in Innsbruck, Austria.

NDP Topp enjoying leadership race

NDP Leadership Candidate Brian Topp

Federal NDP leadership candidate Brian Topp stopped in Bridgewater earlier this week for a meet and greet with the general public. Topp says he's enjoying the leadership race.

"A number of very good candidates are in the race. They're all colleagues of mine, we're all on the same team and when this is over, we'll all be working together. But, I think a job, is to outline your own vision, your own background, answer questions as best you can and the members will decide."

Topp is running against five other party members including Deputy Leader Thomas Mulcair, Quebec MP Romeo Saganash and Ontario MP Paul Dewar. The party will choose its new leader at a convention in Toronto in March.