School Flu Plan

South Shore School board officials say their pandemic plan is focussed on providing the essential services of the schools. The board overseeing schools in Lunenburg county have drafted and adopted a plan to deal with the potential outbreak of H-1-N-1. Occupational Health and Safety Manager Gail Sinclair says there will be lots of information for parents and students when they get back to school next week. Sinclair says the plan is basic but it's also one that will change as they learn things going through a pandemic situation in the school system.

Smokes Seized

Two Shelburne county residents are facing charges after RCMP seized over $12,000 in cash and 37,000 contraband cigarettes in a raid on Shag Harbour. Police entered the residence Wednesday night. A 33-year-old female was arrested at the scene. A 46-year-old man was later arrested in Barrington. Both individuals reside in the Shag Harbour area.The man and woman were arrested for possessing tobacco not stamped in accordance to the Excise Act and are scheduled to appear in Barrington Court on December 10th, 2009. Typically, fines for possessing illegal cigarettes in Nova Scotia have been around a dollar per smoke.

Langille Remanded

A Lunenburg County man arrested late last week in Calgary on outstanding warrants for attempted murder will remain in a lockup until a court appearance next month. 22-year old Cory Kyle Langille was brought into the new Justice Center yesterday afternoon where he agreed to being remanded until September 16th. His legal aid lawyer said he needed time to review the material he'd received from the Crown. Langille is facing two counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault in connection with a pair of stabbings in Bridgewater in June of 2008.

Langille Back

After more than a year on the run, a Lunenburg county man will have his day in court on charges relating to a double stabbing in Bridgewater. Police arrived back in Nova Scotia last night with 21 year old Cory Kyle Langille. Langille was arrested in a south west Calgary apartment last Friday. He had been wanted on a Canada-wide warrant after being charged with two counts of Attempted Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault and one count of Breach of Probation in relation to an incident last summer. Two Lunenburg County men received serious, life threatening injuries which required hospitalization and surgery after being stabbed along King Street in the early morning hours of June 29th, 2008. Langille surrendered without incident. His court appearance is scheduled for this afternoon at 1:30 in Bridgewater.

Liberal Health Concern

With a week to go before school starts, Liberal health critic Diana Whalen says the government has not armed parents with necessary information about H-1-N-1. The school boards’ pandemic plans have yet to receive final approval and school staff have not yet received procedures to be followed when dealing with a possible outbreak, Whalen says. The Liberals say parents and school staff must be informed of plans and new procedures prior to the school year.

Queens Tourism Support

Just over $200,000 in Federal funding has been committed for a new Visitor Information Center in Liverpool. Gerald Keddy was in Queens with the Minister for ACOA this morning to make the announcement. The new visitor information centre in Liverpool will replace a 30 year old building. The project will include improvements to the surrounding waterfront infrastructure and upgrades to walkways and parking facilities. And close to $87,000 was committed for the Seaside Recreation and Community Centre. That project includes creating an access path from the facility to the beach with upgrades to the heating system, and the replacement of windows. The project will also support the installation of informational signage along Highway 103 and Route 3. Region of Queens Mayor John Leefe says the projects will mean superior support for folks visiting their beautiful and historic community.

Sears Stove Recall

Sears Canada has been advised by the Frigidaire division of Electrolux Canada Corp. of a potential safety hazard relating to certain Frigidaire(R) and Kenmore Elite(TM) smoothtop freestanding electric ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays. It has been discovered that depending on the model, the surface heating elements can: 1) turn on spontaneously without being switched on; 2) fail to turn off after being switched off; or 3) heat to different temperatures than those selected by unit controls. These characteristics pose fire and burn risks for consumers.
The ranges were sold through Sears Canada retail stores, online at www.sears.ca, and through the Sears Canada catalogue between June 2001 and September 2008. The affected model numbers and corresponding Sears item numbers are as follows:

Model numbers affected by the warning are: VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or C970-68802x 68802 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or C970-68803x 68803 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or C970-68804x 68804 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or C970-68808x 68808 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or C970-68809x 68809 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or C970-68830x 68830 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or C970-68832x 68832 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or C970-68833x 68833 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or C970-69803x 69803 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or C970-69804x 69804 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or C970-69808x 69808 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or C970-69809x 69809 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or CGLEFM97DBx 29829 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or CGLEFM97DSx 29822 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or CPLEF398ACx 28983 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or CPLEF398DCx 28993 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or CPLEFM99ECx 29843 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or CPLEFZ98GCx 28996 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or PGLEF388CSx 29642 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or PGLEF388ESx 29312 NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx

Picton Pause

An unexpected stopover in Burgeo, Newfoundland for the crew of Picton Castle. The tallship hauled in to wait out Hurricane Bill over the weekend. Captain Daniel Moreland says it wasn't a port they were planning on visiting as they were wrapping up their latest voyage. But he says all the same, it was a delightful visit. In the past 15 months, Picton Castle and her crew have visited 65 ports of call in 28 countries, traveling more than 18,000 nautical miles. Now homeward bound, Picton Castle is expected to arrive in Lunenburg on Saturday (August 29th) where she will spend the winter before embarking on a fifth voyage around the world in May 2010.

Bill Damage Assistance

Major work will be needed to repair the damage Hurricane Bill did to the causeway at Western Head. Member of Parliament Gerald Keddy says it's not clear if the repair bill will qualify for federal dollars. He says the provincial government has to pay for the repairs and then apply to the federal government for assistance. He says the Disaster Relief funding automatically applies when damages are above a million dollars. The M-P for South Shore/St. Margaret's says Bill did quite a bit of damage in areas of the riding in Western Head and in Lockeport.

Queens Money

Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret’s, announced over $12,000 for the Queens County Fair Association through the Community Action Fund. The money will be used to upgrade the Fair Grounds- drainage improvements to the new barn and riding ring; roof replacement and electrical enhancements for the main building; site leveling; and road grading. The Queens County Fair, over 5,000 spectators and participants annually. Queens County Fair Association director Elliott Payzant says the funding will help increase year-round tourism opportunities and celebrate the rich agricultural tradition of the area. ACOA says Keddy will be with Minister of State Keith Ashfield in Liverpool this morning for two funding anouncements. You can hear more from Gerald Keddy this weekend on South Shore Sunday morning.

103 Accident

Two people were taken to hospital with undertermined injuries after a single-vehicle accident on Highway 103 in Hebb's Cross west of Bob and the Boys (Exit 14). The car left the road, ending up in the ditch. Firefighters and paramedics got the two out of the vehicle and loaded them into an ambulance. Their injuries are not believed to be life threatening. One lane of highway 103 was closed for an hour early yesterday afternoon. The car had New York State plates.

Postal Plot

Union officials representing rural mail drivers in Nova Scotia say it's a plot to downgrade service. But according to the Press Secretary for the minister responsible for Canada Post, it's a health and safety issue because the drivers are now unionized employees. Chris Hilton says the review started when the mail drivers stopped being contract employees. Hilton says this is about Occupational Health and Safety. The assessment of mailbox safety has been ongoing in Lunenburg county for the past several weeks.

Eat Local

Agriculture Minister John MacDonell is inviting Nova Scotians to join him in his pledge to eat only Atlantic food on September 4th. He says Atlantic food is good for our health, community, and the environment and supports our economy. He is joined by Atlantic ministers from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The province with the most pledges will be declared the challenge winner. The competition was started by Co-op food stores in 2008. To sign up for the Eat Atlantic Challenge, visit www.eatatlantic.ca.

Power Outages

Hurricane Bill was vicious on the trees and because of that, there were numerous power outages across the province yesterday. And Stacy Pineo with Nova Scotia Power says the only are still without electricity is in Lunenburg county. There are trees down on a section of feeder line that runs through the woods. Crews will be touring that line as soon as the sun comes up this morning. They expect the power to be restored by midday. The areas affected are in Maders Cove, Sunnybrook, Hermans Island, Martins Brook, Second Peninsula, Stonehurst, Eastern Points and the area around there. And Pineo says there are scattered or individual outages around the province bringing that total number this morning to 435 customers.
Click here for a link to the Nova Scotia Power outage map.

Bill Damages

The causeway at Western Head was a casualty of the storm over the weekend. A large section was destroyed with waves washing away the pavement entirely. It will likely take some time for crews to repair the damage and rebuild the causeway. Several roads closed because of Hurricane Bill are back open today. In Lunenburg County, sections of Green Bay Road in Green Bay and Point Road in Blue Rocks had been blocked off because of water. They are reopened. And in Queens County, a section of Trunk 3 near Hunts Point and Summerville previously closed because of flooding are now passable. As roads re-open, drivers are reminded to watch for water and debris, and to adjust speed according to conditions.

Attempted Murder Fugitive Arrested

As a result of a double stabbing which occurred in the early morning hours of June 29th, 2008, the Bridgewater Police Service had been seeking a Lunenburg County man, Cory Kyle LANGILLE, 21 years of age.

Mr. LANGILLE was charged by police with two counts of Attempted Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault and one count of Breach of Probation in relation to this incident. A Canada wide warrant was obtained that same date.

Two Lunenburg County men received serious, life threatening injuries which required hospitalization and surgery.

Bridgewater Police had received information Mr. LANGILLE was hiding in Alberta. The Alberta Sheriffs Fugitive Apprehension Team became involved in the search for Mr. LANGILLE. It was this team that located Mr LANGILLE in a south west Calgary apartment Friday, August 21st, 2009.

The unit with the assistance of the Calgary Police Service Tactical Unit surrounded the apartment and called upon Mr. LANGILLE to surrender himself. Mr. LANGILLE did so without incident.

Mr. LANGILLE has been remanded into custody in Alberta. Members of the Bridgewater Police Service will travel to Alberta to return Mr. LANGILLE to face his charges later this week.

Hurricane Preparedness

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE--Preparing for Hurricane Season as Hurricane Bill Gains Strength
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The Emergency Management Office (EMO) is advising the public to take necessary precautions as Hurricane Bill gains strength in the southern Atlantic Ocean, about 500 kilometres off St. Martin in the Caribbean as of 1:30 p.m. today, Aug. 20.
"Environment Canada indicates that this storm will maintain its hurricane status as it heads north," Ramona Jennex, Emergency Management Minister, said. "While we know that hurricanes are unpredictable, this is an opportunity to remind all Nova Scotians that the best way to keep our families safe is to be prepared."
EMO is monitoring the storm closely to ensure the most current information is available to the public.
"The most important things individuals can do is keep informed by listening for updated weather information and public safety bulletins and act accordingly," said Dennis Kelly, acting deputy head and CEO of the Emergency Management Office.
Other ways to prepare for a weather-related emergency are:
-- Maintain an emergency kit, including food water, clothing, blankets, a flashlight, battery or crank-powered radio, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, extra prescription medications and copies of important papers
-- Have cash on hand in case of a prolonged power outage.
-- Prepare freezer packs by placing water-filled soda or plastic milk containers in deep freezers. These can be used to help keep the freezer and/or refrigerator cold in the event of a power outage.
-- Choose a family shelter area away from windows. A basement, storm cellar or closet beneath the stairs can provide a good shelter in a severe storm.
-- Choose a meeting place for family members and set up some form of communication to notify each other of whereabouts and safety.
-- Make arrangements to help a senior or other people in the neighbourhood that may need help.
-- Secure objects that could be torn loose or blown around. Protect homes as much as possible from heavy rains and floods.
-- Refrain from going to coastal areas to watch a severe storm. It can be very dangerous.
Visit the EMO website at http://www.gov.ns.ca/emo for more information on emergency preparedness.

Bring your Own Toys

In a move to reduce the potential spread of the H-1-N-1 flu virus South Shore Health is removing all magazines, books and toys from patient waiting areas and in patient areas. Patients or children with day appointments or coming into Emergency Departments at South Shore Health are advised to bring their own washable toys and reading materials with them, and take them home when they leave. The recommendation comes from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Jail Time

Refusing to comply with court orders to abstain from alcohol along with assaulting his ex and making harassing phone calls to her has landed a Lunenburg County man behind bars for five months. Forty-four year old Jeffrey Wayne Warner admitted he has an alcohol problem and when he drinks he gets into trouble. His latest charges stem from incidents going back to last May when RCMP responded to an assault complaint in Hemford. Warner kicked in the bedroom door and pushed his girlfriend who then said she was leaving. He threatened to use an axe on anyone who came to pick her up. As a result of that incident he was ordered to have no contact with the woman, but last July 22nd he called the woman 12 times and sent 50 text messages. While the Mounties were at the residence taking the complaint Warner called the woman another 10 times. The Crown consolidated a number of breach charges involving a no contact clause and the consumption of alcohol. Following his jail term, Warner will be on probation for a year with orders to take counselling for substance abuse and spousal violence. He is also prohibited from contacting his former girlfriend.

Alcohol to Minor

Four rum and cokes turned out to be on the expensive side for a Bridgewater man charged with supplying a minor with alcohol. Thirty-four year old Scott Campbell of Maple Street was fined $500 after pleading guilty to giving a 14 year old girl liquor. Police received a call from a woman who said her teenaged daughter might be at the Maple Street address. When police arrived Campbell first denied the girl was there. Police entered the apartment and found the girl highly intoxicated and partially disrobed. She was transported by ambulance to hospital. Campbell told the Judge he thought the girl was 18, which is still under the legal age for consumption of alcohol.