Murder Charges: Fitness Hearing Underway in Bridgewater for Eisnor

A hearing is underway in Bridgewater to determine if a South Shore man is fit to stand trial. Wayne Eisnor is facing a charge of first degree murder following a shooting at the New Germany Freshmart in June of 2010. Eisnor is accused of shooting his wife (Tina Eisnor) twice inside her vehicle in the parking lot of the store before turning the gun on himself. He suffered significant brain damage as a result and has been undergoing extensive psychiatric assessments to gauge his recovery and mental state for the past 18 months in Dartmouth. A key witness in the hearing, Dr. Aileen Burnet recommended in her latest report on Eisnor's progress that he is fit to stand trial. However, Judge Gregory Lenehan will ultimately make the final decision on whether or not to proceed to trial. The hearing will resume on Friday in Bridgewater.

SSRSB should be reduced to nine members: Town

Bridgewater council has recommended the South Shore Regional School Board reduce its size. Council agreed to write a letter endorsing a nine-person board, with seven members plus two seats for at-large representatives from the Mik'maq and African Nova Scotia communities.  Mayor Carroll Publicover says they feel its an appropriate size.

"I think that's a nice, workable number for discussion, for decision-making. I think to make decisions based on what is in the best interests of the students, of the whole board, I think they can do that job admirably."

The board currently has a model for 10 members plus two seats for at-large representatives. Potential changes could happen after the province's Utility and Review Board approved applications from the Region of Queens and Municipality of Lunenburg to change their boundaries.

Break and Enter at Mahone Bay Liquor Store

Lunenburg County RCMP are on the hunt for those responsible for breaking and entering into the liquor store in Mahone Bay. The incident happened just after midnight Wednesday morning. RCMP say thieves smashed a window and entered the building, stealing an undetermined amount of liquor. A window was also smashed at the Mahone Bay RCMP office around the same time. Anyone with information should contact RCMP in either Lunenburg, Bridgewater or Chester.

'Inn from the Cold' needs men to volunteer

An emergency shelter program in Bridgewater is in need of volunteers. Town Councillor David Mitchell volunteers with 'Inn from the Cold' and made a plea during Monday night's council meeting for more men to get involved. He says they have lots of women who help out already. Mitchell says people shouldn't be deterred from volunteering some time.

"I think the issue for a lot of people is 'how do I go to work the next day?' It becomes an issue if you have someone staying, you do have to stay up overnight, but some people can manage and I think that if they gave it a shot, they would find out they could do it."

Churches around Bridgewater offer people sanctuaries who have no place to sleep during winter nights. Mitchell says Bridgewater Police screen people before bringing them to the volunteers to provide food and shelter.

Lumberjacks owner discusses 2011-12 season

The owner of the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks calls it a disappointing year for his club. The Lumberjacks finished their season last Friday night with a 4-1 loss to Yarmouth, capping off a campaign that seen the Jacks win only 15 times in 52 games and finish in the basement of the Bent Division. Ken Petrie says they didn't meet their expectations.

"I thought we would win a few more games, I did. When we talked at the beginning of the year we thought we'd be in the mini-series and we all know we weren't and were a long, long ways from it, but it certainly wasn't from a lack of effort."

 Petrie says he's happy with the coaching staff's effort this year after losing many players to injury early in the season. Despite the struggles, Petrie says they weren't anticipating a breakout season.

"We knew we were going into a building year, we certainly didn't expect to win any championships this year. Lost a lot of close games, but I think that comes with experience. We had a relatively young team, I think perhaps, we were the youngest team in the league and it shows."

Petrie says the club will miss Jake Bullen, after the captain registered 33 goals and 68 points in his final year of junior hockey. The Jacks will hold their annual awards banquet Thursday night at the Bridgewater Days Inn.