Money Pre-Approved For Bridgewater Mapping Project

Bridgewater council has approved funding to help establish a three-dimensional profile of the LaHave River. Members pre-approved $14,492.75 from the 2012-13 capital budget Monday night to help the town receive Light Detection and Ranging Mapping. The mapping can also be flown in a matter of days before vegetation along the river becomes too full. Deputy Mayor David Walker says the timing worked out to acquire the mapping.

''Our Director of Planning, Eric Shaw, had an opportunity partnering with the Nova Scotia Community College, to take advantage of some aerial photography that would not only prove beneficial for the Climate Change project but also for the Downtown Revitalization plan and for other things we have on our agenda as well."

Walker says the mapping is needed to provide flood projection analysis including sea-level rise projections, storm surge projections and erosion projections. The mapping project is part of Bridgewater's Municipal Climate Change Action Plan.

SchoolsPlus Expands Along South Shore

The South Shore Regional School Board's plea for another SchoolsPlus site has been answered. The province has expanded the program to 12 additional schools following an announcement Tuesday morning in Liverpool. Student Services coordinator, Jeff DeWolfe, says the program should go a long way to helping schools.

"We know some of those struggles, you know, in those schools communities' and some of the families that need our support and the students that need our support, so this allows us to give a different level of support coordinated with other agencies that will hopefully make a big difference."

Over 100 services and activities will be introduced into schools like anger management, employment support and art and sport programs. The board will receive $125,000 from the province to provide leadership and community outreach. In total, the province is investing $2.5-million in SchoolsPlus province-wide, bringing together teachers, students, families and community volunteers to design and deliver programs that meet the specific needs of the community. The program will be introduced into the following 12 schools, beginning in 2012-13:

1. Liverpool Regional High School
2. North Queens Community School
3. Greenfield Elementary School
4. Dr. John C. Wickwire Academy
5. South Queens Junior High School
6. Milton Centennial School
7. Mill Village Consolidated School
8. New Germany Rural High School
9. New Germany Elementary School
10. West Northfield Elementary School
11. Bridgewater Elementary School
12. Bridgewater Junior/Senior High School

UPDATE: Robertson's Body Wrapped In Blanket, Covered With Debris

A forensic expert believes 47 year-old Laura Lee Robertson was killed by some form of asphyxiation. Dr. Eric Mont of Halifax was called to the scene when Robertson's body was found in a secluded area in Greenfield, Queens County last April. Mont testified this morning her body was found wrapped in a blanket and covered in debris which included branches and sticks. Thirty-three year-old James James Leroy Leopold of Liverpool is facing a charge of second degree murder in relation to her death. The case will centre on the circumstances surrounding Robertson's death and whether Leopold intended to kill her or if the death was accidental. A jury of six men and six women has been selected for the trial.

Chester School Ready To Move On

Forest Heights Community School is ready to move forward from the t-shirt issue. Students and teachers took part in discussions yesterday about balancing freedom of expression and religious beliefs. The talks were sparked after grade 12 student William Swinimer was suspended last week for wearing a shirt expressing his religious beliefs, despite being repeatedly asked not to. The consultation involved guidance councillors, the Human Rights Commission and members of the Department of Education and Justice. Board member Judith Sullivan-Corney says it was a success despite Swinimer's absence.

"Our focus was on making sure that we created an opportunity for the students yesterday to continue to express their personal areas of interest, their beliefs, and any concerns that they had about the conflict that we've had over the past week."

Sullivan-Corney adds students feel positive things about the school have been overshadowed by the suspension. Facilitators will meet on Friday to discuss the feedback from students and how to best move forward.

Leopold Trial Into Day Two At Bridgewater Supreme Court

Its Day-2 of a second degree murder trial in Bridgewater Supreme Court.  33 year-old James Leroy Leopold of Liverpool is accused of killing his fiance, 47 year old Laura Lee Robertson.  Her remains were found off Highway 208 near Greenfield in April 2011.  The trial is expected to centre on the circumstances surrounding Robertson's death, whether Leopold intended to kill her or if the death was accidental.  The six men and six women on the jury will heard testimony today from a Halifax forensic expert.  Dr. Eric Mont is an expert at determining cause of death. He testified this morning that Robertson was killed by some form of asphyxiation. Her body was found face down, wrapped in a blanket and covered with debris. Leopold is present for the trial, which is expected to last eight days.

Dive Team Recovers Body Of Chester Man

Police have located the body of a missing Chester man in Spectacle Lake. The body of 41 year-old Timothy Llewellyn was found just before 2 o'clock this afternoon by police and Queens County Search And Rescue. Sergeant Bruce Hill says an autopsy will be conducted over the next couple of days.

"He was located in the area where the canoe overturned, approximately in the middle of the lake,"

Llewellyn had been missing since Saturday night when his canoe flipped during a fishing trip on the lake. An 18 year old who was also in the boat was able to swim to shore.

Queens County Murder Trial Underway

A second degree murder trial is underway in Bridgewater. The Supreme Court trial began this afternoon following jury selection. Thirty-three year-old James Leroy Leopold of Liverpool is accused of killing his fiance. The remains of 47 year-old Laura Lee Robertson were found of Highway 208 outside Greenfield in Queens County in April of last year.

Another Twist In "Jesus T-Shirt" Saga

A Grade 12 student in Chester Basin who was suspended from school last week for wearing a T-shirt expressing his religious views returned to class today before his father abruptly pulled him out. John Swinimer says his son, William, won't participate in discussions today about freedom of expression and religious tolerance at Forest Heights Community School and won't bring his son back until "regular" classes resume. Board superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says she's disappointed that Swinimer won't take part in the discussions. William Swinimer wore the same yellow shirt that has generated national headlines and sparked debate over freedom of speech and religion. The school board has said students complained about the shirt, and after Swinimer refused to abide by a principal's request not to wear it, he was suspended. The school says it is now allowing him to wear the shirt.

Boater Presumed Drowned in East Chester

 A 41-year old East Chester man is presumed drowned after a weekend fishing excursion on Spectacle Lake. A police dive team remains at the site for a second straight day in an effort to locate the man's body. Sergeant Bruce Hill says a sonar device is being used to scan the bottom of the lake.

"There is no indication that he had got to shore. Since the canoe overturned there has been no sign of him. At this time, it would be considered a recovery mission,"

An 18 year-old was also in the canoe when it flipped on Saturday night but was able to swim to shore. Hill says the pair were not wearing life jackets.

Two New Nurse Practitioners For Bridgewater

Bridgewater is about to be home to two new nurse practitioners. The new hires are the first step towards Bridgewater's proposed Collaborative Health Center. Primary health care manager Marlene Wheatley recognizes a shortage of primary health care providers in the area, and says the new nurses will help with that need.

"They're independently licensed practitioners - but they can diagnose, treat illness and health concerns, they can order tests, prescribe most medication, manage chronic diseases such a diabetes, and they can also refer patients to specialists or other health care providers."

The nurse practitioners will be able to accept 700 new patients each over the next year. Their office will be accepting new patients starting May 14th. To book appointments call 527-4310. South Shore officials are asking for the publics patience in this process.

Another Planned Bowater Shutdown Underway

Another shutdown of operations is underway at Bowater Mersey.  It began yesterday as the paper machines were shut down and most workers stayed home. This is the third such closure of the Brooklyn mill since December when the province and local governments antied up 50-million dollars to keep the mill from closing.

Premier Darrell Dexter stands behind the decision to provide Bowater with the financial life-line.  He says too many people and businesses are at stake.  He says:  "The forresters, the harvesters, the silvaculture people, the suppliers they interact with, the sawmills. So, in the case of Bowater, we're talking about literally thousands of jobs on the South Shore that extend from Lunenburg County right to Yarmouth."

Meanwhile, Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says he can't help but be nervous about taxpayer money being pumped into Bowater with markets being so volatile over the past couple of years.  McNeil says: "With the latest shutdowns, we're now looking at eleven of a possible thirty weeks that the mill will be closed. Obviously, we're concerned for those workers who are left there. What does this mean for the future of the mill and what assurances has the premier received from Resolute that there is a future for that mill?"

PC leader Jamie Baillie tells us he still supports the need for the infusion of money into Bowater last year to save the mill.  Baillie says: "Given the importance of the forest industry on the South Shore, I think the right thing to do now is to remain calm and make sure all parties are working together to find that long term viable future for the mill. At the same time, look for ways to create a forestry industry that is independent of the mill."


Officials at Bowater's parent company, Resolute Forest Products, say this shutdown will end May 21st. There will be another one though from June 17th to July 2nd.  Resolute says both closures, like the others, are a result of poor paper market conditions.

Search Continues For Missing South Shore Canoeist

The search is continuing for a man believed missing in Spectacle Lake in East Chester.  The RCMP received a 911 call early Saturday evening about a missing canoeist.  It was then determined two men were operating a canoe, when it overturned in the lake.  One of them, an 18-year-old, managed to swim to shore and a 41-year-old is still missing.  Members of the RCMP and fire departments from Chester, Mahone Bay and Blandford and the South Shore Ground Search and Rescue have been searching Spectacle Lake and the surrounding area.  No sign though of the missing man.  Names haven't been released by the RCMP.

Jury Selection Begins in Leopold Murder Trial

Jury selection will begin this morning in the trial of a 33 year-old Liverpool man accused of killing his finance. James Leroy Leopold has pleased not guilty to a charge of second degree murder in the death of 47 year-old Laura Lee Robertson. Her remains were found off Highway 208 outside Greenfield in Queens County in April of last year. The trial is expected to begin this afternoon in Bridgewater.

Student Will Continue Wearing "Jesus T-Shirt"

 A Grade 12 student in Chester Basin says he will continue wearing a religious T-shirt to school, even though it got him suspended. William Swinimer says he plans to show up at Forest Heights Community School on Monday wearing a shirt that says ``Life is wasted without Jesus.' The school plans to hold a debate that day with students about the controversy. School Board superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says if Swinimer or any student chooses to wear a similar shirt on Monday, it will help form part of that discussion.

Saturday: Kinley's Memorial Service In Lunenburg

A memorial service will be held this weekend for a former lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia. John James Kinley, a resident of Lunenburg, passed away this week at the age of 86. Kinley was the province's 29th lieutenant governor from 1994 until 2000. In 2002, he was also appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia and awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, which recognizes outstanding contributions to communities and Canada. Long-time friend and Lunenburg Mayor Laurence Mawhinney says Kinley was one of the town's most distinguished sons.

"We had shared many experiences together in the community and I always found him to be a great friend to talk with and to listen to. He always had wisdom to share which was always beneficial and we have lost a very distinguished son,"

Mawhinney says Kinley was a widely respected and caring man. The memorial service will be held at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Lunenburg on Saturday at 2 o'clock.

Jesus T-Shirt - Support Builds For Grade 12 Student

A prominent Bridgewater businessman believes schools officials in Chester Basin may have jumped the gun when they suspended a student over the wording on a t-shirt. Grade 12 student William Swinimmar is serving a five-day suspension for his refusal to stop wearing a shirt which says "Life is wasted without Jesus". The South Shore Regional School Board has begun consultations with a human rights expert to determine if the shirt is offensive.  Richards says it's a sign the suspension wasn't carefully thought through.

"The fact that bothers me the most is they suspended him and now then they are getting an expert to decide whether or not they should have...I mean he's been found guilty before hand. There a whole bunch of things wrong here and for a young fella like this to stand up for himself, he has to be respected and somobody has to support him,"

Richards says he feels Swinimmar should be commended for standing up for his beliefs. As a show of support, Richards has donated enough money to make one-hundred of the bright yellow T-shirts which will be handed out to other students at the school.

Charges Laid In Bridgewater Prescription Drug Seisure

Two Lunenburg County residents are facing numerous charges resulting from a police seizure of prescription drugs, marijuana and cash at a Bridgewater residence.  The South Shore Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit, and General Investigation Section carried out a search warrant at the residence on Wednesday.

37 year old Troy Joseph Duffney and 27-year-old Amy Rachel Bolivar, both of Bridgewater, were arrested and held in police custody.  They're charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

They have been released on conditions and appear in Bridgewater Court May 30th.

High Liner Foods Will Shut Down Two Plants

More than 100 workers will lose their jobs when the High Liner Foods plant in Burin, Newfoundland, shuts down by the end of December. The Lunenburg-based frozen seafood company announced the closure yesterday. Its plant in Danvers, Massachusetts, will also shut its doors. The company says the facilities are costly to run and underutilized.

Martin Pushing Towards Olympic Berth

The South Shore's Olympic hopeful remains confident an Olympic qualifying time is near. Jenna Martin says she is running the best she ever has and is close to reaching this summer's games in London, England. Martin is training with runners who have won medals at the World Championships and Olympics before. She says it helps her prepare.

"Running against athletes that are potentially better than you or that I can possibly beat, it's just motivation to bring out the best in me and that's exactly the meets that I need in order to race Olympic 'A' Standard."

Meanwhile, the coach for Martin feels the Bridgewater runner is getting stronger each day. Charles Scarrow says Martin has been training extremely hard in preparation for the London Olympics in August. He says all signs indicate Martin will break out at any time.

"We both feel she's in the best condition of her life, you know, physically, emotionally, technically. Training has been great, her training partners have just been fantastic and all her workouts show that Jenna is ready to run fast, very, very fast."

Martin will compete in St. Marten's in the Caribbean Saturday before travelling to the Cayman Islands for another meet May 9. More of the interview with Jenna Martin and Charles Scarrow can be heard on this weekend's South Shore Sunday Morning.

Education Minister Not Commenting On T-Shirt Issue

Education Minister Ramona Jennex is staying out of an issue involving the wording on a t-shirt that led to a student suspension. Department of Education spokesman Peter McLaughlin told CKBW/HANK FM news that Jennex believes its an issue that should be handled by the South Shore Regional School Board. William Swinimer, a grade 12 student at Forest Heights Community School in Chester Basin was suspended for five days this week for wearing a T-shirt that says "Life is Wasted Without Jesus." School board Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says the wording on the shirt is problematic because it is aimed at the beliefs of others. She says the school has spoken with Swinimer a number of times about the shirt, asking him not to wear it again.