Queens MLA: Opposition Playing Politics Over Power Rates

The NDP MLA for Queens is calling it a productive session in the house. The Nova Scotia Legislature rose after 34 days Thursday with the government introducing 33 bills. But, it was the issue of Nova Scotia Power and rate increases that caught the most attention. Both Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil and PC Leader Jamie Baillie wanted the government to remain in the house until the issue was resolved. Vicki Conrad says it was a last minute ploy by the opposition.



Conrad says she's looking to get back to her constituency and dealing with local concerns.

Bridgewater, Liverpool Nominated For Kraft Celebration Tour

At least two South Shore towns have been nominated for the Kraft Celebration Tour. The event gives 10 communities across Canada a chance to win $25,000 towards improving active living in your area. Both Liverpool and Bridgewater have been garnering support so far. Queens County resident Joel Zwicker nominated Liverpool. He says the community needs a skate park.



Residents are encouraged to vote for Liverpool and Bridgewater by writing a small testimonial about why they should be chosen. People have until June 10 to show their support before judging begins on the nominated communities.Previous Nova Scotia winners include Amherst, Pictou, Port Hood and Sackville. To have your say go to http://www.kraftcelebrationtour.ca/

Fire Near Chester Under Investigation

No one was hurt as a result of a fire near Chester last night. Although an old garage containing vehicles in Haddon Hill on Highway 3 was destroyed. A century-old residence on the property that was once an inn, known as Haddon Hall, suffered considerable damage. At around 11:30 fire fighters from Chester, Chester Basin, Hubbards, Blandford and Western Shore were involved in battling the blaze. The fire department and police are in the preliminary stages of investigation.

Argyle MLA Says Its The NDP way Or No Way At All

NS Legislature Building

The spring sitting of the Nova Scotia legislature has wrapped up.  Proposed power rate hikes dominated the closing days of the session with both opposition parties saying the Dexter government doesn't want to deal with the issue.  Argyle PC MLA Chris D'Entremont says the government actually refuses to deal with anything that isn't NDP-branded.  He says:

"They don't want to listen to the opposition parties at all. I know how the back rooms tend to work. There's a little bit of trade-off that goes on. Once in a while, an idea gets put into an NDP bill or a government bill or there's a bill that comes forward from the opposition. But, when it comes to something substantive, absolutely nothing! There have been no dealings whatsoever!"

Meanwhile, the just-concluded session produced 34 government bills including one that extends the life of the former NewPage mill workers' pension plans.  Another ensures the utility review board evaluates the Maritime Link, part of the proposed 6.2-billion dollar Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project in Labrador.

Most Wanted: Bridgewater Police Make Arrest

A 22 year-old man listed among Halifax's most wanted has been arrested by police on the South Shore. Members of the Bridgewater Police Service took 22 year-old Matthew Sudds into custody last night after a foot chase in the downtown core. Sudds had outstanding warrants issued by Halifax Regional Police surrounding an assault and failure to appear in court. He has been transferred into the custody of Halifax Regional Police and is due in court later today.

RCMP Seek Public Help In Solving Lunenburg County Break & Enter

It happened well-over a month ago but Lunenburg County RCMP are still puzzled by a break and enter at a home in Cherry Hill.  Someone broke into the home along highway 331 during the afternoon or early evening of April 6th.

Among the haul stolen were two engagement rings, gold rings, watches, necklaces, vintage Beatles and Elvis records, silver coins and the list goes on.  The value is thought to be in the thousands of dollars.

Earlier this month, some of the stolen goods were found scattered in the woods off the Petite Riviere Road in Petite Riviere.

Investigators are seeking the public's help in tracking down the thieves.

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.