Thursday, May 22, 2014

Digby: Man Facing Sex Charges Arrested

RCMP in Digby have arrested a 60 year-old man wanted on sex charges in Ontario. The man was arrested on Monday. He's facing charges of sexual assault and sexual interference with a person under 16. Officers with the Ontario Provincial Police are now escorting the man back for a court date. Mounties say they searched a home in Digby and seized items that will be turned over to the OPP. Further charges could be laid.

New Tim's App Launched For Coffee Lovers

It might be a faster way to grab your double-double. Tim Horton's is rolling out a new app which the company says will make it easier to pay for your coffee or sweet treat. The "Timmy Me" app will allow you to scan the barcodes on gift cards which act like credit to use on your phone. The app will also show you where the nearest Tim's restaurant is located. It can be downloaded for Iphone, Android and Blackberry 10's.

RCMP ID Woman Killed In Water Mishap

Mounties are releasing the name of the Moncton woman killed in a mishap on the water over the long weekend in Pictou County. Sixty-six year-old Jeanne Francis Lipton was killed when her inflatable dinghy got caught in the current and changing tides which carried her out into the Northumberland Strait. When emergency crews found her - she was unconscious and later pronounced dead in hospital in New Glasgow. Police say their investigation is over - and have ruled out foul play.

Yarmouth Ferry Service Postponed Between May 27-29

A number of ferry crossings from Yarmouth to Maine have been cancelled. Sailings between May 27-29 will not happen to allow Nova Star Cruises to replace the vessel's Marine Evacuation System. It's considered to be a one time maintenance requirement. The U.S. Coast Guard required Nova Star to activate its MES during an inspection in April. Nova Star has been using a fully operational loaner onboard. It will be switched with Nova Star's system. Guests who have reservations during next week's cancellations will be refunded. The ferry will resume service on May 29, leaving Portland around 10pm for Yarmouth.

Capital Repairs Announced For Six South Shore Schools

Six South Shore schools are about to receive upgrades or repairs. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development announced last December it was increasing capital repairs funding by $9-million. Barrington Municipal High School, Chester Area Middle School, Hebbville Academy, Lockeport Elementary, West Northfield Elementary and Dr. John C. Wickwire Academy in Liverpool are approved for renovations. Work will begin as soon as possible. The projects include roof repairs, window replacements, gym improvements, paving, upgrades to askilled trades classroom, and creating community resource spaces.

Bridgewater: Cab Company Request In Limbo

The co-owner of Reliable Cab is still waiting for a resolution with the town of Bridgewater. Darrell Watson approached the town two months ago looking for help after potholes caused roughly $7,000 worth of damage to his vehicles. However, other than a letter from the town's insurance adjustor, nothing has been solved. Watson feels he isn't the only one affected by the problem.



Watson is looking to be reimbursed for some of the costs. He also wants the town to be accountable and acknowledge that more could be done to improve potholes during the winter months. However, he doesn't expect the town to accept responsibility.

South Shore Firewood Crisis Predicted

Imagine a South Shore home that relies on wood-heat not having firewood to burn! It translates into hardship and thats what the MLA for Queens-Shelburne is predicting if wood suppliers don't soon gain access to Crown lands to harvest wood for next fall and winter. Sterling Belliveau says his former NDP government secured the Bowater woodlands, protecting them from foreign buyers, and the present government is now refusing to issue permits to local fire wood suppliers. He says this is all about a lack of leadership by the Minister of Natural Resources.



Belliveau says firewood needs to be harvested now so it can dry through the summer for use next fall and winter. He's already been denied an emergency meeting of the province's Resources Committee to deal with the crisis. Belliveau says firewood producers have apparently met with staff from the Department of Natural Resources but with little success. 

Former Health Minister Calls For Emergency Centre At Fishermen's Memorial Hospital

A former Nova Scotia health minister is calling upon the McNeil government to put an end to chronic emergency room closures once and for all at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg. Dave Wilson says he helped set the wheels in motion long ago to establish a collaborative emergency centre at Fishermen's. However, he believes the plan has been shelved until the provincial health reform process is completed.



Wilson says anywhere collaborative emergency centres have been set up, there have been dramatic declines in ER closures in the communities involved. He's calling upon the government to re-think the plan.

South Shore Health Welcomes New CEO

There's new leadership at South Shore Health. Janet Knox will take over the top position within the local health authority as the president and chief executive officer. Knox currently heads up Annapolis Valley Health - and has held that position for the past ten years. She says ensuring there's a smooth transition when health authorities amalgamate next April is a top priority.



Knox will maintain her position in the valley and will assume a shared role with South Shore Health. She was officially welcomed to the area today during a regular board meeting in Bridgewater. It fills a position left vacant when former president and CEO Dr. Peter Vaughan took a position with the Department of Health.

Missing Teenager Located In Bridgewater

Halifax police say a young girl reported missing earlier today has been located safe and sound. 17 year-old Kaylee Patterson was reported missing shortly after midnight. She was located unharmed this morning in Bridgewater. Halifax Regional Police are thanking the media and the public for help in finding the girl.

Slight Change, If Any, Tomorrow In Gas Prices

Look for gas prices here to remain steady or rise just a little overnight tonight. Gas prices are up some this morning in New Brunswick after the weekly setting at midnight. Self serve regular and diesel both up in New Brunswick by about a cent a litre. Prices at South Shore pumps this morning remain at $1.37.2 a litre for regular self serve and about $1.35.1 for diesel.