Thursday, July 25, 2013

Clippers Move To Bedford Fizzles, Off To Cape Breton

The Chester Clippers move to Bedford has fallen through. The Junior 'C' hockey team was expected to move to the Halifax-area suburb but was unable to secure a deal in the best interest for the club and the league. However, earlier this week the League's Board of Governors has approved the transfer and relocation of the team to a group in Cape Breton. Heading the group is Jordan Evasuk-MacDonald, who tells CKBW/HANK-FM, the club will play out of the North Sydney-area. He says they're leaning towards the team being called the Northside Vics, after a former men's senior hockey team in the community. Evasuk-MacDonald says they are currently in negotiations to play out of the Sydney Mines and District Community Centre and the Emera Centre in North Sydney.

Police Seize 80,000 Contraband Cigarettes In Shelburne County

A 26-year-old Shelburne County man is facing charges after police seized over 80,000 contraband cigarettes. RCMP searched a home around 3pm Wednesday afternoon on Paces Lane in Roseway. During their search, police nabbed 300 cartons. They also seized the man's 2013 Honda Accord after another 100 cartons were located in the vehicle. The man faces charges under the Federal Excise Act and Provincial Revenue Act and is scheduled to appear in Shelburne Provincial Court in September.

Brooklyn Power Sale Complete

The sale of Brooklyn Power Corp. in Queens County is complete. The Nova Scotia government announced Thursday the deal has wrapped up after the initial plan was revealed in December. The province purchased Bowater Mersey Paper Company Ltd. from Resolute Forest Products Inc. and changed the name to ReNova Scotia Bioenergy Inc. Emera Energy Inc. has paid $25-million for Brooklyn Power. ReNova hired Deloitte to provide an opinion on the purchase price, and Deloitte concluded that the purchase price of $25-million was fair from a financial point of view. About 30 people work at Brooklyn Power. Region of Queens Mayor, Christopher Clarke, says the facility keeps local people working and maintains an important player in the forestry sector, which is in transition.

Last Man Charged In Confinement Case Will Stand Trial


A 64 year old man allegedly linked to the sexual assault of a confined teenage boy will stand trial. John Leonard MacKean of Lower Sackville is facing two charges in total, they include sexual assault and communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services under the age of 18 years old. Judge Gregory Lenehan ruled today there is enough evidence to send the case to Supreme Court for trial. MacKean was arrested in Fredericton back in November. He is the final person charged in connection with the disturbing case where a boy was chained up and sexually assaulted for a period of ten days last fall in Upper Chelsea.  Another man, David Leblanc has already been sentence to 11 years in jail for his role in the incident. MacKean is free on bail, in addition to a number of court ordered conditions.  He's due back in court August 22nd to set dates for a trial.

Longer Wait Times Expected For Non-Urgent Care

South Shore Health is advising the public to expect longer than usual waits for non-urgent care at all of the District's emergency departments. There is currently a large number of patients in the emergency departments who have been admitted to hospital for care, but cannot be moved to a medical unit because there are no available beds. This is creating delays in admissions and long waits for non-urgent care. All patients not requiring urgent care are asked to visit their family health care provider, call 811 for advice from a registered nurse or go to the nearest walk-in clinic in Bridgewater, Hammonds Plains or Tantallon.

RCMP Continue To Probe Martin's River Fire

No new information is being released regarding a fire in Martin's River. The July 14 blaze destroyed two outbuildings and extensively damaged a third at 127 Shingle Mill Road. Constable Tamu Bracken says debris is being sent for analysis following the blaze. She says it could be months before they know any results. The province's fire marshal has issued their report and RCMP have taken the lead in the investigation.

Court: Final Chapter In Teen Confinement Case

A Lower Sackville man charged for his role in allegedly sexually assaulting a confined teenage boy will appear in court later today. John Leonard MacKean is charged with sexual assault and communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services from a person under 18. He was arrested in Fredericton after police launched an investigation last fall into a report that a barefoot teen showed up at a woman's doorstep in Upper Chelsea chained at his wrists and ankles. A preliminary hearing is set for this morning to determine if there is enough evidence against MacKean to send the matter to trial. Another man, David James Leblanc, was sentenced to 11 years in jail for his part in the disturbing incident involving a 16 year-old boy. Leblanc's sentence also included child porn related charges stemming incidents in the Halifax area.