Jennex: Former Board Members Can Re-Offer

Education Minister Ramona Jennex says she has no problems with former board members running in the October elections. Jennex fired the 12-member board last November after a scathing report from Deloitte Inc. revealed frequent violations by the board of its own by-laws, persistent cases of conflict of interest and too much focus on individual agendas. Members including Karen Reinhardt, Herb Seymour and Butch MacLeod have indicated they intend to run again while others remain undecided or don't plan to run. Jennex says she isn't concerned about former members getting re-elected.



She says every person has the democratic right to run in municipal, board, or provincial elections.

Chester: No Tax Hikes Included In Budget

There won't be any new tax hikes this year for residents and businesses in the municipality of Chester. Council passed their operating and capital budgets during their regular meeting this morning. The residential tax rate was set at $0.64 per $100 of assessment while commercial rates will hold steady at $1.54 per $100 of assessment. In a release, Warden Allen Webber says economic and environmental sustainability remains a priority for council and staff in hopes of promoting growth in the area. He says an example would be the large-scale wind project at the Kaizer Meadow Landfill site. The $5.5 million dollar project will be fully owned by the municipality. Other projects include fixing up the wharf in Chester Basin, constructing several sidewalks and putting a focus on health and well being initiatives. Overall, the municipality will feature an operation budget of just over $22 million dollars.

NSP Petition Turned Away

An online petition that opposes Nova Scotia Power's rate increases was turned down today in the legislature.  Roughly 30,000 signatures were gathered from social media websites. The NDP government blocked the petition based on a rule that prohibits tabling electronic petitions. Opposition Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says the rule is out dated.


McNeil adds that support for the petition grows everyday. Last week Nova Scotia Power asked its customers to pay six per cent more for electricity over the next two years. A utilities and review board hearing will be held on the request this fall.

Court: Preliminary Hearing Set In Chester Basin Murder

A preliminary hearing for a teenager accused of killing his mother in Chester Basin will begin in January. Five days have been set aside for the hearing involving 18 year-old John (Jack) Buckley. He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second degree murder in the death of Victoria Brauns-Buckley. The woman's body was found at her home on the Borgels Point Road on March 2nd, however its not known how she died. A preliminary hearing is used to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. The hearing will begin on January 16th in Bridgewater.

Group Urges Minister About Rural Education Strategy

Paul Bennett

A group of individuals are looking to change the way the province deals with rural education. The Small Schools Delegation met with Education Minister Ramona Jennex Tuesday to discuss their study called "Schools at the Centre: A Revitalization Strategy for Rural Communities." The group has asked for a moratorium on school reviews and closures during the proposed process. Chair Paul Bennett says change needs to happen sooner rather than later.



Bennett says Jennex seemed positive about the study but would need time to look over the document.

BREAKING: Leopold Found Guilty of Manslaughter

A jury has found a Liverpool man guilty of manslaughter in the death of his fiancée. It took a twelve member panel more than four hours to render a verdict in the trial of James Leroy Leopold. Sentencing will take place on June 27th. Leopold will be remanded to Nova Scotia Correction Centre.

BREAKING: Jury Requests Replay Of Testimony

The jury in the second degree murder case of Jamie Leopold has requested to hear a replay of testimony delivered by a forensic pathologist earlier in the trial. Dr. Eric Mont testified last week Laura Lee Robertson died from asphyxiation or some form of manual strangulation. However, Leopold told police Robertson was killed by a single blow to the neck after she bit his penis during a sexual act on the night of April 13th, 2011. The twelve member jury also asked for reenactment photos of how Robertson died but the request was denied because the photos were not entered as evidence during the trial. A reenactment of the fatal incident took place at Leopold's apartment just hours after he confessed to killing Robertson on April 27th of last year. The jury had been in deliberations for about two hours before making the request to replay the audio of the testimony.

Jury Deliberations Begin In Leopold Trial

The jury in the Supreme Court trial of James Leroy Leopold of Liverpool has begun deliberating the case. Leopold is charged with second degree murder in the death of his fiancée, Laura Lee Robertson. The twelve member panel will have to decide whether Leopold intended to kill Robertson or if her death was accidental. Justice Kevin Coady told jurors this morning during his instruction, if Leopold is found not guilty of second degree murder, a lesser charge of manslaughter would be applied. A guilty verdict on the second degree murder charge would carry a penalty of life in prison.

Meeting To Discuss Review Of Hebbville Academy

Parents and students of Hebbville Academy are gathering to talk about their school being up for review. A Town Hall public meeting will be held at 7pm Wednesday night at the school. The meeting will discuss potential changes and how residents can help during the process. The South Shore Regional School Board identified 10 schools for review between February and March. Hebbville's Student Advisory Council is hosting the meeting.

Leopold Trial: Moves Into Hands Of Jury

The fate of a Liverpool man will soon be in the hands of a twelve member jury. Thirty-three year-old Jamie Leopold is facing a charge of second degree murder in the death of his fiancée Laura Lee Robertson. Closing arguments wrapped up yesterday after Leopold's Defence lawyers decided not to call any witness in the Supreme Court trial. Robertson was killed on the night of April 13th, 2011 at an apartment she shared with Leopold in Liverpool. The jury is tasked with the job of determining whether or not Leopold intended to kill Robertson. A second degree murder charge carries a penalty of an automatic life sentence in jail.

Councillor Suggests More Info Needed On Tax Bills

A councillor with the Municipality of Lunenburg is looking to create more transparency. John Veinot put forward an initiative that would show residents where there money is going on their tax bills. He says people seem confused about the two-and-a-half cent special tax towards the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. Veinot says it could clear things up if all costs were released.



The municipality's residential tax rate is currently at 80 cents per 100 of assessment. The notion was carried and will go to the public relations and communications committee for review.

MODL Concerned About Bridgewater Intersection

It's a change that needs to happen sooner rather than later, according to Arthur Young. The councillor with the Municipality of Lunenburg is looking for answers after the province's transportation department denied a request for traffic lights at the intersection where highway 325 meets the William Wile Road and Logan Road. Officials say it doesn't meet criteria but Young disagrees.



Committee of the Whole have decided to create an ad hoc committee. The committee will try and set up a meeting with department officials and local MLA Gary Ramey to determine a solution.

UPDATE: Closing Arguments Conclude In Leopold Trial

Closing arguments wrapped up today in the second degree murder trial of a Liverpool man after a sudden development in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. Defence lawyers for 33 year-old Jamie Leopold decided not to call any witnesses this morning in the court case. The move comes after the jury heard the end of a nine-hour police interview on Monday where Leopold told police he fatally struck Laura Lee Robertson in the neck but it was an accident. Leopold has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Robertson last April. Crown attorney's argue Leopold intended to kill Robertson based on testimony from a forensic expert who determined she was killed by some form of asphyxiation. However, defence lawyer Chris Manning says Leopold had no choice but to act quickly after Robertson bit his penis during a drunken sexual act on April 13, 2011. Manning presented photos of Leopold's injury to the jury today which still had not healed when the photos were taken five weeks after the alleged incident last year. The twelve member jury is expected to begin deliberations tomorrow morning.

Defence Rests In Bridgewater "Leopold Trial"

In a sudden new development this morning, defence lawyers for 33 year old James LeRoy Leopold have rested their case and will not call any witnesses.  Leopold has been on trial in Bridgewater Supreme Court on a second degree murder charge in the death of Laura Lee Robertson in April of 2011. 

The development came this morning after the jury heard a nine hour police video taped interview yesterday, in which Leopold told investigators her death was an accident.  Closing arguments are now taking place.

Jury deliberations will likely begin tomorrow.  The six man, six woman panel will be tasked with the job of determining whether or not Leopold intended to kill Robertson.

Day 5: Leopold Trial Resumes in Supreme Court

Defence lawyers for 33 year-old Jamie Leopold will call their first witness today in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. The Liverpool man has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second degree murder in the death of Laura Lee Robertson. Crown attorney's presented their final piece evidence on Monday in Bridgewater. The twelve member jury heard Leopold describe details of Robertson's death yesterday which he said was caused by a single blow to the neck on the night of April 13th, 2011. The details were revealed to the panel towards the tail end of a marathon interrogation interview. The jury heard Leopold tell investigators they were both drinking heavily at the time and her death was accident. The trial is expected to wrap up on Friday.

Former Lumberjack Conrad Back In Bridgewater

Jacob Conrad

A familiar face is back home and ready to try and bring an MHL title to Bridgewater. 19-year-old Jacob Conrad of New Germany, who has spent the last three seasons with the Gatineau Olympique of the QMJHL, will be suiting up for the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks this year. Conrad says he looks forward to playing in front of the hometown crowd.

Conrad had 11 points in 47 games last year with Gatineau. He played with the Lumberjacks for 21 games in 2009-10 before getting called up to the Olympique. He hopes to make an impact with the Lumberjacks as quickly as possible.

Bridgewater Lowers Tax Rate, Approves 2012-13 Budget

The tax rate is going down in the town of Bridgewater. Council lowered the residential rate from almost $1.67 per 100 of assessment to $1.65 and dropped the commercial rate from $4.05 to $3.99. Members also gave thumbs up to a capital budget of just over $2.8-million and a balanced operating budget of over $19.5-million. Mayor Carroll Publicover calls it a responsible budget.



Council voted 5-1 in favour of the budget. Jim Bell voted against, saying he couldn't support taking money out of reserves to balance the operating budget.

UPDATE: Leopold Tells Police Robertson's Death Accidental

A Liverpool man accused of murdering his fiance last April admitted to killing Laura Lee Robertson. However, Jamie Leopold told police in a videotaped statement it was an accident. The confession came during the tail end of a nine hour police interrogation video tape. Leopold revealed he struck Robertson in the neck while in bed on the night of April 13th and killed her with a single blow. Leopold told investigators he hit Robertson because she bit his penis during a sexual act at their apartment in Liverpool. He went on to tell police how he wrapped Robertson's body in a blanket and dumped the remains in the woods in Greenfield, Queens County. After the interrogation, Leopold led police to her remains shortly after 1AM on the morning of April 27th of last year. Crown attorney's finished presenting their evidence Monday on Day 4 of the trial. Lawyers for Leopold will now begin to cross examine witnesses. The Supreme Court trial is expected to conclude Friday.

Bluenose II Could Make Splash In Early July

Bluenose II Monday May 14, 2011

Nova Scotia's historic schooner could make waves in Lunenburg in two months. In an email obtained by CKBW/HANK-FM News between Captain Wayne Walters and members of the Lunenburg Board of Trade, Walters indicates the Bluenose II could be in the water as early as July. No firm date has been announced yet. A director with the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance, Kevin Feindel, says there is still work to be done before it goes in the water.




The project is expected to be completed in late September. There is no public sailing scheduled for this year but is expected next summer.

Police Make Arrests In Crack Cocaine Bust In Wolfville

Four people face charges after police seized four ounces of crack cocaine and cash after a bust last week. The Yarmouth/Clare Street Crime Unit arrested three men and a woman last week in Wolfville as part of an ongoing investigation. Two of the accused are from Sandy Beach, Yarmouth County while the others reside in Spryfield and Beaver Bank in HRM. They range in age from 28 to 56 years-old and each face trafficking charges. The quartet is scheduled to appear in court on June 25th in Kentville.