Health Services Foundation: Fundraising Complete For New Echo

The Health Services Foundation of the South Shore has reached their fundraising goal for a new Echo Ultrasound system. The 14th annual Hit it for Health golf tournament Wednesday raised $31,380, helping the group over the $244,000 mark to buy the equipment. A local anonymous donor also stepped up and provided funds to help the Foundation achieve their goal. Managing Director Arleen Stevens says the individual's donations helped their campaign become a big success.



Stevens adds, it was another successful year for the event.

She says they will now have to go through a purchase process, with hopes of getting the new equipment this fall.

Olympian Martin Races In Moncton

It will be the first event for Jenna Martin since she qualified for the Olympics. The 24-year-old Bridgewater native races in Moncton Thursday evening at the Hub City Track and Field Classic. Martin will compete in the 400 metre portion of the meet. She has the fastest time this season out of the seven competitors. The two-time Canadian champion is using the event as a tune-up and preparation for the Olympic Games, which start almost three weeks from today. Martin will run at 6:40 Thursday evening.

Habitat For Humanity: Family For Mahone Bay Build Needed

The need for a family is at an all-time high for Habitat for Humanity. The South Shore Chapter is about to start building a home in Mahone Bay, but doesn't have a family that qualifies yet. Some of the criteria includes the family's need, their ability to re-pay a no down payment or interest mortage and volunteering 500 hours towards building their home. Chair of Habitat's family selection committee, Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, says finding a family is a priority.



An information meeting is scheduled for Thursday night at 6:30pm at the United Church in Mahone Bay.

Women's Centre Advocating Against Violence

"Be a piece of the solution. Be the Peace we all yearn for." Those words are part of a new community project through Second Story Women's Centre. The centre is hoping to create a three year action plan to address relationship violence. A free three-day public gathering to discuss the action plan will be held at the Lunenburg Community Centre beginning Thursday night. The full schedule is as follows:


July 5th: 6:30 - 9:00pm
July 6th: 9:00 - 5:00pm
July 7th: 9:00am - 12:30pm


All meetings are at the Lunenburg Community Centre. For more information, you can call Second Story Women's Centre at 640-3044 or 543-1315 or visit http://www.secstory.com/ .

Dexter: Confident Michelin Announcement Will Happen

Premier Darrell Dexter says he's not worried over Michelin's decision to postpone plans for an announcement tomorrow at the company's plant in Waterville. The company didn't give any reasons in a news release for the decision to postpone its announcement, and a new date has not been set. Dexter says there's no reason to believe the announcement won't go forward at a later date.



The tire manufacturer has been looking at expanding its operations in the Annapolis Valley community. In May, Dexter announced funding for a study that would look at relocating the Waterville Municipal Airport to allow for expansion at Michelin.

Peterson-Rafuse Downplays Need For Bowater Inquiry

Denise Peterson-Rafuse

The MLA for Chester-St.Margarets and Dexter cabinet minister is trying to clear-up confusion surrounding the government's 50-million dollar bailout package for Bowater-Mersey last December.  Denise Peterson-Rafuse says she's disturbed by what she says are inaccuracies being expressed by people with political motives. 

In a CKBW and HANK-FM News interview, Peterson-Rafuse says the money was well spent, based on what was known or .. not known ... at the time about the future of forestry and Bowater.



Peterson-Rafuse says its unfortunate the deal fell through and Resolute was forced to close the Brooklyn mill.  However, she says there certainly was nothing done below board that would warrant further investigation, as requested by the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation. 

She is confident replacement industries will be found to take up the slack left by Bowater's closure more than two weeks ago.

Affordable Housing Units Open Today in Chester

The ribbon will be cut this morning on four new housing units in Chester.  They will provide more affordable housing options for seniors and those with disabilities.  Premier Darrell Dexter and Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse will officially open the new units.  They're are on Highway 3, across from Foodland.

VIDEO: Martin Hungry For Olympic Final

Jenna Martin speaks to reporters following a press conference Tuesday for the 2012 Aileen Meagher Track Classic in Halifax. The Bridgewater native recently qualified for the Olympic Games in London, England beginning July 27. The 24-year-old is scheduled to run in Halifax Sunday evening at the Aileen Meagher at 7:40pm at Saint Mary's University.

Martin Busy Ahead Of Olympic Games

Bridgewater's newly-crowned Olympian is back in Nova Scotia. Jenna Martin was in Halifax Tuesday to help promote this year's Aileen Meagher Track Classic, which goes this Sunday at Saint Mary's University. Martin, who will compete in the 400 metre event this weekend, says she has to remain consistent before the London Games.



Fellow Olympian Geoff Harris and 2008 Olympian Adrienne Power were also on-hand to promote this weekend's meet. Martin says it will help prepare her for the Olympics.

The two-time Canadian champion says she's still on cloud nine after clinching her Olympic berth last Friday night in Calgary. Martin will also run in Moncton this Thursday and in Toronto next week before flying to Germany for pre-Olympic camp.

Municipal Election: Lunenburg Has Mayor's Race

A labour lawyer in Lunenburg will seek the mayor's seat when municipal elections roll around this fall. Ron Stockton will challenge long time incumbent Laurence Mawhinney for the position in October. It marks the first mayoral race in Lunenburg since 1994. Stockton says he wants to focus on working with various organization's to create jobs and attract young families to Lunenburg.



Stockton says it's time for a new approach in Lunenburg and called a mayoral race "healthy" for the town. Mawhinney, meanwhile, announced earlier this year he's set to seek another term.

Call For Inquiry Into Bowater



Brooklyn, NS

 A consumer watchdog agency has some strong words for the Dexter government and the parent company of the now-closed Bowater Mersey paper mill in Brooklyn. 

The Canadian Taxpayers' Federation is calling for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the provincial bailout package and what Resolute Forest Products did with the money. 

Kevin Lacey is the CTF's Atlantic President.



Lacey suggests the money did nothing to help the Brooklyn mill but was used to buy a more profitable pulp mill in the state of Maine.

The government said at the time of the announcement of the mill's closure, resolute had paid back the 25 million dollars.

Celebration Tour Skips South Shore

The South Shore will have to wait until next year for the Kraft Celebration Tour. Judges with the contest chose Port Hawkesbury, Canning and Pugwash as the Nova Scotia participants. Five local spots were nominated including Lunenburg, Western Shore, Liverpool, Hubbards and Bridgewater. The three provincial selections are among 20 destinations chosen as finalists. They will now go head-to-head in voting, with the final 10 winning $25,000 and a chance to host TSN's Sportscentre in their community. 

South Shore Health: Vaughan Takes Over As CEO

There's a new person at the helm of South Shore Health. Dr. Peter Vaughan has replaced Alice Leverman as Chief Executive Officer, after she decided to step down after holding the position since August 2009. Vaughan has worked with Leverman over the last few weeks to prepare for the role. Vaughan, who has lived along the South Shore for the last five years, says its been a smooth transition into the position. He believes they are well on their way to improving their service.




Vaughan says despite the role change, the message remains strong from the health authority.



He says the collaborative practice in Bridgewater and the hospital redevelopment in Liverpool are great opportunities for the region.

Injuries Result From Chester Basin Accident

Lunenburg County RCMP are investigating a single vehicle crash in Chester Basin.  Just after midnight yesterday, the RCMP responded to the accident on Highway 12.  The 17-year-old driver had lost control of her vehicle, causing it to roll. 

Two other occupants were injured.  A 19-year-old man from Halifax was thrown from the vehicle and transported to South Shore Regional Hospital with serious injuries.  A female passenger was also hurt. 

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Lumberjacks Prep For New Season

Local hockey fans will want to circle September 14th on their calendars.  That's when the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks host the Yarmouth Mariners, opening their 2012-13 MHL season. 

The local Junior A hockey club's home schedule includes 18 Friday night contests and 5 Tuesday evening tilts in Bridgewater along with 3 Thursday night dates at Queens Place-Emera Centre in Liverpool.  There will also be at least two pre-season games in Bridgewater in early September. 

Season tickets are expected to be on sale within the next couple of weeks.

Liverpool Fire Dept. Wins Penny Competition

The Liverpool Fire Department has been crowned "King Penny 2012" in the Pennies For Protection competition.  The department came up with 627 pounds of collected pennies worth $1254.00 during the weekend weigh-in.  They bested 12 other fire departments.  A total of $8400.00 was raised province-wide.  The money will help support volunteer departments.

Chester Wind Project Might Be Delayed

A multi-million dollar wind project at the Kaizer Meadow Landfill site might be delayed. The wind turbine is tentatively scheduled to be in operation early in 2013 and will be fully owned by the municipality of Chester. However, Warden Allen Webber says they need a report from Nova Scotia Power before they can proceed with the project. The municipality needs specific details from NSP before they can begin to purchase the turbine for the project. Webber says they're hoping to get the information they need as soon as possible to keep the project on schedule. Minas Basin Pulp and Power of Hantsport has been contracted for project management, operation and maintenance of the turbine.

Celebration Tour To Announce 20 Finalists

The time is almost here to see if any South Shore communities have made the final 20 for the Kraft Celebration Tour. Five locations have been nominated in the region including Liverpool, Bridgewater, Western Shore, Lunenburg and Hubbards. Over 500 nominations from across Canada were received this year. A panel of judges are reviewing submissions and selecting 20 finalists. The top 20 will be revealed on TSN's SportsCentre Sunday July 1 at 6:30pm.

BREAKING: Martin Sets Standard; Wins 400 Metre Title

It was a night to remember for Jenna Martin. The Bridgewater native is going to the London Games after reaching the Olympic 'A' standard time of 51.55 seconds. Martin, ran in lane four and crossed the finish line at 51.53 seconds, breaking the standard time by only two hundredths of a second. CKBW and HANK-FM spoke with Martin after the race. She says it was an emotional finish.



The 24-year-old also set a personal best time and defend her 400 metre title. She says there's no greater reward than to be recognized as an Olympian.



Martin wasn't sure but believes she will head to Germany around July 18 for pre-Olympic camp until roughly a week before the London games begin.

In case you missed the race, here's CBC Sports with the call.

South Shore Artist Takes Spotlight In NB Gallery

If you're heading to New Brunswick over the summer and are looking for something different to do - the Whirligigs exhibits may just be the answer. The Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton and Kingsbrae Garden in St Andrews have various pieces of the wind driven whirligigs artwork by Atlantic Canadian artists on display from now until September 15th. Locally – South Shore artist Bill Shaw is one of the artists with a piece of whirligig work on display. The Kingsbrae Garden exhibit opened earlier this month while the Beaverbrook Art Gallery held it's official opening of the exhibit last night. Acadia Broadcasting Limited - the parent company of CKBW and Hank FM - is a proud sponsor of the exhibits.

Acadian Games Underway In Yarmouth

The Acadian Games have kicked off in Yarmouth and Argyle.  The annual event runs right through the weekend. More than 1,100 young Francophone athletes from across the Maritimes and Newfoundland are taking part. Games co-ordinator Gwen LeBlanc says sporting competition is the focus, but showcasing the local French culture also plays a role. She says the event is also a business-booster with lots of people attending.



This is only the second time in the 32 year history of the games that a Nova Scotia site has been awarded the finals- and the first rural Nova Scotia location. In 2008 the City of Halifax hosted the finals. The Games wrap up Tuesday afternoon with the closing ceremonies at the Yarmouth Mariner Centre.

ER Closure At Fishermen's Memorial

The emergency room at Fishermen's Memorial in Lunenburg will be closed beginning Canada Day. The ER is expected to close at 4pm Sunday afternoon until 7:30 Monday morning. South Shore Health says the closure is due to lack of physician coverage.Anyone requiring emergency services is advised to call 911 or visit South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater.  

Liverpool's Whalen Set For Javelin, Shot Put At Nationals

It's the first of many national experiences for Chelsea Whalen. The Liverpool athlete is competing in her inaugural senior Track and Field Championships in Calgary. Whalen opens up competition Friday night in the women's javelin final. She says she's a little nervous.

But, Whalen admits it will be a good learning experience to compete against the country's best.

The 19-year-old will also compete in the shot put on Saturday.

Lunenburg/Queens Transition Team Moves Foward

Lunenburg/Queens Transition Leader Ron Smith

The recently-created Lunenburg-Queens Community Transition Team is on its way to finding ways of filling the economic gap left when Bowater Mersey closed almost 2 weeks ago. Former financial executive Ron Smith is heading up the team.  He says he and his group will be spending the summer months, meeting with community and business leaders and Lunenburg and Queens residents who have ideas. In an interview, he tells us smaller industries, reliant on forestry, will likely be the key to the industrial future of the area.  However, Smith says the pulp mill itself is likely history. Other aspects of the forest industry will figure prominently in the future.



The Transition Team will have its website up and running sometime next week, its Liverpool and Bridgewater offices fully functional and toll-free numbers will be established. Ron Smith believes recommendations will be ready late in the summer and in government hands.

Gasoline Prices Drop Along South Shore

Prices at South Shore gasoline pumps are down this morning.  The utilities and review board gave the OK overnite to lower the price of regular self-serve by three cents a litre.  That makes the new price .... $1.18.7.  Thats the first time in about a year that the price has dropped below a dollar-20.  The price has been dropping steadily in recent weeks as the world price of oil lowers.

McIntosh Achieves PB, Finishes Fourth In Heptathlon

(Photo Courtesy of Dave Holland)

It was a narrow miss on the podium for Rachael McIntosh. The Bridgewater heptathlete placed fourth after finishing with a personal best of 5,477 points. McIntosh is very satisfied with her results, saying in an email "to be able to put it all together in front of a home crowd at such an important meet is as good as I can ask for." McIntosh, who was competing in her third senior Canadian Championships adds "the week was a test of my ability to focus on the task at hand and perform as if no one was there at all." The 21-year-old improved on a sixth place finish in 2011. McIntosh will now travel to Mexico and Holland over the summer to represent Canada at international events.

BREAKING: Martin Misses Standard, Qualifies For Final

It's down to one more race for Jenna Martin to get an Olympic 'A' standard time. The Bridgewater native missed the time in Thursday night's semi-final heat at the Canadian Track and Field Championships. She won her heat with a time of 52.25 seconds but needs 51.55 in her pursuit of the Olympic games.  After the race, Martin remained optimistic it will happen.



Martin says she learned a lot about herself after Thursday night's race and is ready to give it everything she's got in the final.



The 24-year-old qualified for Friday night's 400 metre women's final, giving her a chance to repeat as Canadian champion.

Power Outage Affecting Over 2,000 Along South Shore

Roughly 2,122 households and businesses in parts of Lunenburg and Queens County are without power at the moment. Communities such as Brooklyn, Port Medway, along Hwy #103 to Hebbs Cross, Mill Village and Italy Cross are affected. Nova Scotia Power says a tree fell on power lines outside Mill Village, which caused the outage. The utility anticipates power to be restored by 6:15 this evening.

SSRSB Removes Catchment Option For Mill Village

A school review option to include Mill Village in the Petite Riviere catchment area has been taken off the table. Petite Riviere's school advisory council proposed the option to the school board last month. Consultants with Deloitte. Inc looked into the option and reported back to the superintendent with their recommendations. Board member Judith Sullivan-Corney says she decided against the proposal because students would eventually become part of the Park View feeder system.




Sullivan-Corney also decided against the option because it would mean students at Mill Village would be picked up an hour earlier for school. 

Chester Wants To Stop Screening Operation

The Municipality of Chester will seek a court order to stop an illegal screening operation within the village. Officials have been wrestling with an individual for over a week because large piles of earth and rock are being processed in an area next to the Old Stone Bridge. The individual is allegedly using the area to process the material but doesn't have a permit for the operation. It's also in violation of municipal bylaws in Chester. Warden Allen Webber says their bylaw officer has instructed the individual to cease work at the site on numerous occasions. Council will begin the process of gaining a court order next week. The operator is being fined $227.00 per day while the work continues.

Province Should Buy Bowater Woodlands: Wildlife Group

Liverpool, N.S.

The Canadian Parks and Wildlife Society wants the provincial government to buy all the Bowater Mersey land that's for sale in the province.  The 220-thousand hectares of woodland is considered by many to be some of the most productive forest in the region, as well as an important habitat for species at risk.

There are fears a foreign company with a lot of cash might buy the land from Resolute Forest Products and ship the wood out of the province.  The head of the newly formed Lunenburg-Queens Community Transition Team, Ron Smith, says there has to be a plan quickly put in place to prevent that scenario from happening.



Smith says the provincial government is hastily exploring possibilities on what to do to prevent a foreign sale of the Bowater woodlands.

Skilled Trades Centre To Be Built At Forest Heights

A skilled trades centre will be built at Forest Heights Community School. Director of Operations with the regional school board, Steve Prest, made the announcement during Wednesday night's meeting. The province has given them $140,000 to renovate two classrooms for the program. Prest says they are filling a community-need for the Chester school.




The centre is expected to offer courses around skilled trades and construction. Prest says renovations could start as early as this summer and be finished by early February.

Martin Runs Semi-Final Race Tonight

The day has finally arrived for Jenna Martin. After eight months of training in Florida, the Bridgewater native gets down to business at the Canadian Track and Field Championships in Calgary with the Olympics on her mind. The 24-year-old says she's ready for her semi-final race.



Martin will run in the first heat Thursday night. She says she has a strategy to set the Olympic 'A' standard time.



Martin will try and break the 51.55 second barrier and qualify for Friday night's final. She is the defending 400 metre Canadian champion.

Track and Field: McIntosh Fourth After Day One Heptathlon

Rachael McIntosh

Bridgewater's Rachael McIntosh is off to a good start in the heptathlon at the Canadian Track and Field Championships in Calgary. McIntosh sits fourth overall out of 13 competitors after accumulating 3,199 points Wednesday through four of seven events. Among her results were a fifth place finish in the 100 metre hurdles, fifth in high jump, fourth in shot put and fifth in the 200 metre sprint. She rounds out her competition Thursday with the long jump, javelin and 800 metre events.

Osprey Ridge Golfer Wins Junior Tournament

Ryan Nowe

It's the perfect start to the golf season for Ryan Nowe. The Dayspring native fought back nerves after holding the 18 hole lead to shoot a 3-under 69, good enough for a two day total of 2-under 142 and a six stroke victory at the 2012 East Coast Junior Boys Championships in Bouctouche, New Brunswick. The 16-year-old credits his short game for the win.



Nowe had five birdies, including three in a row on the back nine along with two bogeys. The Osprey Ridge member says the win gives him a lot of confidence for the rest of the year. Next up for Nowe will be provincials, to see if he can qualify for the Canadian Junior Boys Championships being held at Osprey Ridge July 30 to August 3. 

Pennies For Protection: Campaign Hits Final Stretch

It's down to the home stretch in the 'Pennies for Protection' competition. Fourteen fire departments from across the province, including 10 along the South Shore are collecting the coin to raise money for volunteer departments. The one that collects the most pennies will be named 'King Penny 2012.' Deputy Chief of the Liverpool Fire Department, David Payzant, says there's more to it than just winning the competition.




Port Medway Fire Department has at least 75 pounds of pennies while as of Monday, Port Williams had 104 pounds. Payzant says they don't have a tally on their pennies yet.



Officials with each department are expected to bring their coin to Liverpool for a weigh-in Saturday from 1am until 1pm. A ceremony to announce the 'King Penny 2012' will be held right after.

South Shore: Officials Concerned For RDA

 

A letter from municipal leaders on the South Shore is now in the hands of the Nova Scotia government. They are hoping the Lunenburg Queens RDA will get a break when the province begins to review the funding model for regional development agency's. Each council wants the local RDA to be exempt from the review due to the stress created by the closure of the Bowater Mersey paper mill. Executive Director of Regional Planning Development for the province, Holly Boston, says the government is not prepared to comment on the request.




Boston says the government needs to look at the model due to a loss of $2 million dollars in core funding through  the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.



The review has not yet started but Boston says they'll look at meeting with stakeholders in the near future. Core funding from ACOA will cease as May 21, 2013.

South Shore Athletes Compete At Track and Field Trials

Olympic dreams come to the forefront Wednesday as South Shore athletes begin their trek to the London Games. The Canadian Track and Field Championships open in Calgary. Bridgewater's Rachael McIntosh opens things up in the heptathlon. She will compete in the 100 metre hurdles, high jump, shotput and 200 metres Wednesday evening, with three other events planned for Thursday. Meanwhile, another Bridgewater native, Jenna Martin opens defense of her Canadian title Thursday in the women's 400 metre semi-final. She is also entered in the 200 metre event Saturday. Liverpool's Chelsea Whalen will compete in the women's javelin and shotput, held Friday and Saturday.

MODL: Construction On The Rise

It's a sign of increased construction activity in the District of Lunenburg. Building applications and permits are on the rise from last year, along with $1.4-million in increased value. CAO Tammy Wilson says things are looking good for the municipality.




The District has received 154 building applications so far this year, compared to 132 last year. They have also issued 151 building permits so far in 2012, opposed to 133 at this point in 2011. This year's construction is already valued at more than $8.8-million.

Osprey Ridge Golfer Leads New Brunswick Event

A Dayspring golfer is leading the pack heading into the final round of the East Coast Junior Championship in Bouctouche, New Brunswick. Ryan Nowe of Osprey Ridge fired a +1 over 73, good enough for a one shot lead over Justin Shanks of Sussex. Nowe's round included a -2 under front nine and a +3 over back nine. The 16-year-old tees off at 1:48 in this afternoon's final round against 74 other golfers.

UPDATED: Leopold Given Seven Years In Jail

A Liverpool man convicted of manslaughter has been sentenced to seven years in prison for killing his fiancee Laura Lee Robertson. A provincial Supreme Court jury found James Leroy Leopold guilty of the charge last month in Bridgewater. In handing down his sentence, Judge Kevin Coady awarded Leopold credit for time already served in jail (one year). Leopold will also have to provide a DNA sample and is prohibited from owning a firearm for the rest of his life. Crown attorney Leigh-Ann Bryson says she is pleased with the sentence.



Leopold told police in a videotaped interview that he hit Robertson because she bit him during a drunken sex act at their apartment in Liverpool on April 13, 2011, and killed her. He said he struck Robertson once in the neck while in bed. He later told police he wrapped Robertson's body in a blanket and took it to the woods near Greenfield. Leopold led police to her remains two weeks later buried under sticks and tires. During an interview with reporters today in Bridgewater, her son, Tim thanked the Queens RCMP detachment and residents of Liverpool for their support.



In March, Leopold offered to enter a guilty plea to manslaughter, however, Crown prosecutors rejected the deal and proceeded to trial on a second degree murder charge.

BREAKING: Leopold Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison

James Leroy Leopold has been sentenced to seven years in jail for manslaughter in the death of  Laura Lee Robertson. The judge handed down the verdict this morning in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Bridgewater. More details to come.

South Shore Man Faces Sexual Assault Charges

An elderly South Shore man is facing sexual assault charges.  The five counts date back 40 years and two females are alledged to have been assaulted by the suspect between 1972 and 1979. 

82 year old Laurie Basil Wentzell of Lower Branch returns to court August 1st to enter pleas to the charges.

E-Voting Coming To Bridgewater In October

It's official. The town of Bridgewater will move to electronic voting in October. Council approved its Alternative Voting Method by-law Monday night, paving the way for telephone and internet voting to start 10 days before election night. Councillor Patrick Hirtle is hoping the new initiative will improve voter turnout.




Paper ballots will still be available if a person votes on October 20.

South Shore: Municipal Leaders Back LQRDA

 

Municipal leaders in Lunenburg and Queens want the province to scale back a review of the area's regional development agency. The six municipal units are preparing to write the premier asking for an exemption due to the stress the region is facing with the Bowater Mersey closure. Mahone Bay mayor Joe Feeney says the local agency needs to focus on building momentum. He says they shouldn't have to worry about their own financial future.



A province-wide review of RDA's is being launched in response to funding cuts within the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Earlier this year, ACOA announced core funding to provincial development agency's would cease as of May 21, 2013.

"Princess Of Acadia" Docked For Repairs

 

Tourism operators in Digby are hoping the Princess of Acadia ferry will be back in service in time for the Canada Day long weekend. The ferry is docked for repairs after a propeller hit some fishing gear on its reroute from Digby to Saint John, New Brunswick. The ferry is expected to be back in service later this week. The governments of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have promised $6-million in subsidies to keep the service going until 2014. Bay Ferries hopes to resume the Digby-Saint John service on Thursday, but the company is urging passengers to check for updates.

Court: Leopold Sentencing Set For Wednesday

The fate of a Liverpool man found guilty of manslaughter will be known on Wednesday. Justice Kevin Coady will hand down a sentence in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Bridgewater. Thirty-three year-old James Leroy Leopold was charged with second degree murder in the death of Laura Lee Robertson in April of last year. However, a twelve member jury found Leopold guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter last month. Leopold struck Robertson in the neck during a night of drunken sex after she bit his penis. During the trial, defense lawyers argued Leopold never intended to kill Robertson and her death was an accident. There is no minimum sentence for manslaughter and the charge carries a wide range of sentencing possibilities.

Bluenose II: Launch Date Nears

The Nova Scotia government is expected to announce the launch date of the Bluenose II by the end of the month. In an interview with CKBW/HANK FM, Heritage Minister Leonard Preyra says the province plans to firm up a relaunch date in the next few days. The schooner has undergone a $16 million rebuild on the Lunenburg waterfront. Workers have already started to dismantle the massive dome that has been covering the vessel while it was being

Mayor Confident In Return Of Ferry Service

Yarmouth Mayor Phil Mooney

The pressure is on for re-establishing the ferry link between Yarmouth and Maine. Yarmouth Mayor Phil Mooney says he's getting the sense the province is under a lot of pressure now that yet another business in the region has folded, that one being Bowater Mersey. 

The mayor says the region's largest industry and employer needs saving before its too late.



Mayor Mooney says it was made evident last week when the provincially-appointed panel met with various community leaders and groups; there's a serious problem that needs fixing and quickly.



The mayor believes a conventional ferry service will be up and running by next spring.

New Additions Coming To Veterans' Memorial Park

Two new granite monuments will soon honour those who served in the Royal Canadian Navy and Air Force. The monuments will be placed on the York Street side of Veterans' Memorial Park in Bridgewater. Chair of the park's committee, Roger Purnell, says the monuments should be in place later this year.



Purnell is optimistic the new monuments will be in place in time for Remembrance Day. The five foot cenotaphs are expected to be placed across from two other memorials.



Purnell suggests the monuments will cost around $8,000. MP Gerald Keddy announced up to $3,685 in federal funds to help with the project.

Power Out This Morning For Some South Shore Residents

A number of South Shore residents are without power at this hour.
About 132 Nova Scotia Power customers are affected along the Naugler Rd, Maitland, Maitland end of Mullock Rd, Hirtle Rd, Blockhouse, Aulenback Point, Sweetland, Woodstock Rd, Clearland, and the Mahone Bay end of the Oakland Rd and surrounding areas. Its not known what has caused the outage. NSP hopes to locate the problem, fix it and have the power restored by 1:30 this afternoon.