Pot Seizures

They were in the skies over Lunenburg county on the annual Marihuana Eradication program. RCMP say there were around 100 marihuana plants seized County-wide during an operation carried out yesterday (September 15, 2009). It was a group search and seizure involving a helicopter, The RCMP Marihuana Grow Operations Team, Lunenburg County RCMP, the South Shore Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Team and the Bridgewater Police Service. Police have been getting help from the public and say they can use more help. They are encouraging people to report suspicious behavior to local police or Crime Stoppers.

Red Cross Assistance

Some of the building's fifty-or-so tenants are staying with family and friends after this morning's fire. About 15 were brought over to the Bridgewater Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. A Red Cross spokesperson says it could be awhile before the smoke and water damage is cleaned up. Lisa Linscott says they need the residents of the building to visit their reception area at the Legion so they can get their names and numbers. She says that way they can get ahold of them to let them know when they can go back home. Luckily, there were no injuries reported in the early morning fire at the building on North Street in Bridgewater.

Apartment Fire

Traffic is being detoured between LaHave Street and Aberdeen Road this hour. Firefighters are wrapping up at the scene of an apartment building fire that caused smoke and water damage to the building at 96 North Street. It sounds like everyone was able to get out unharmed. People were taken to the Paramedic Station across the road from the building where they were checked over. Three departments were paged to assist Bridgewater Fire. Volunteers were also brought in from Northfield, Oakhill and Dayspring. A resident tells CKBW he was sitting at his computer when he noticed flames outside on his balcony. He pulled the fire alarm and then ran through the building to alert the other tenants. The cause is still being investigated by fire officials. And the detour will remain along North Street until further notice. Local traffic only is being allowed into the area.

Chamber Release

The days are slipping past. The Lunenburg Queens Business Excellence Awards will be held on Thursday, September 24th at the Days Inn in Bridgewater.

Reception at 6:00 and dinner and awards presentation will take place at 7:00 p.m.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets...now is the time. There are only a few still available. Looks like this will be another sold-out event! A special thank you to all of our sponsors:

Michelin - BMO - ACSBE - CKBW -Aliant - NSBI - Clearwater Foods

Our Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Andrew Button, a valuable member of the organizing committee who works on NSBI 's Business Advisory Team.

Our guest speaker will be Jeremy Wellard, President of HB Studios...a past award winner. His remarks will include a brief overview of the history and development of this dynamic local business that is successfully competing in a global marketplace.

And our finalists. The following businesses have been selected as the finalists in their respective categories. The quality and caliber of the businesses nominated is a wonderful display of just how many excellent businesses are in our region. Congratulations to each and every business nominated.

The finalists are (in no particular order):


Entrepreneurial Award:
Kisserup Consulting, EmOcean Health & Wellness, and Maritime Painted Saltbox
Export Achievement Award:
Hawboldt Industries, Van Dyk Health Juices, and Terra Beata Cranberries
Hospitality Award:
Guppy’s Place Family Restaurant, Bridgewater Comfort Inn, and Lane’s Privateer Inn
Large Business Award:
RP Anaka Investments Ltd., Lighthouse Publishing, and Nova Scotia Building Supplies
New Business Award:
The Java Bead, lalaNova Communications Design, and Classic Granite CounterTops
Small Business Award:
J & H Industries, Caledonia Clover Farm Market, and The Pumpkin Patch Family Farm Market.

Exhibition Apartments

The land swap has been completed now the next step is underway for a new housing development in the Town of Bridgewater. Five, three-storey multi-unit residential buildings with a total of 135 units are proposed for 7.2 acres of land north of Jubilee Road and east of Exhibition Drive. Mayor Carroll Publicover says Council is pleasantly surprised by the demand for apartments in the community. The project which will be done in phases proposes underground parking spaces and at the suggestion of one councillor, will include hybrid plugs. Developer Bernie Dockrill of Indian Point says he's also interested in being able to connect his project into the Active Transportation Connectivity Plan.

Pesticide Ban

Bridgewater Town Council is being asked to ban the use of lawn pesticides and go with an all green lawn care policy. In a letter to Council, Kathi Petersen says putting such a policy in place would be great long-lasting gift for the area. Councillor David Mitchell who supports a ban, says 117 other Canadian Municipalities have such a ban in place so Council wouldn't be breaking new ground. There was also a suggestion to ban the sale of lawn care pesticides, but Mitchell says that's not his major concern. According to polls conducted by Corporate Research, 70% of Nova Scotians support a pesticide ban.

Harper's Condolences

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the death of a Canadian soldier in Afghanistan:

“It is with great regret that I extend my condolences, and those of all Canadians, to the family and friends of Private Patrick Lormand. Private Lormand was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle in which he was travelling, on patrol in an area west of Kandahar.

“Our support and prayers also go to the four brave soldiers who were wounded during this same incident, and to their loved ones.

“The thoughts and prayers of all Canadians are with you during this difficult period.

“The military objective of this mission is to secure an environment that will foster development and aid to better the quality of life of the Afghan people.

“This tragic loss will be remembered. The men and women of our Canadian Forces are dedicated to make a positive impact in this world. Their actions protect Canadians, our interests and our values.”

130th Fatality

One Canadian soldier was killed and four injured when an improvised explosive device detonated near their armoured vehicle on a road in Panwjai District. The incident occurred approximately 10 kilometres South-West of Kandahar City at around 1:00 p.m., Kandahar time, on 13th September, 2009.
Killed in action was Private Patrick Lormand from the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment based in Valcartier, Quebec. Private Lormand was serving as a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment Battle Group, Quebec.
Four other Canadian Forces members were injured during the incident. They were evacuated by helicopter to the Multi-National Medical Facility at the Kandahar Airfield. They have all since been released. Their identities will not be made public.
Our thoughts and condolences go to the family and friends of our fallen comrade.
Members of Task Force Kandahar work with Afghan security forces for the greater good of Afghanistan. We remain focused and determined to bringing peace, stability and good governance despite the challenge imposed on us by the insurgents. We remain committed to Afghanistan.

Queens Build Starting

The money is in the bank. And now they're getting ready to start swinging hammers for the Habitat for Humanity project in Queens. Organizers exceeded their goal of raising 60-thousand dollars to help build the house that will become a home for a Liverpool family of four. Spokesperson Bobbi Jo Goulden says this week will be the build kickoff groundbreaking ceremony. The event will run this Friday afternoon from two until four at the build site on Amherst Street in Liverpool. Habitat for Humanity uses donated labour and materials to build homes for people who otherwise couldn't afford them. The money the families pay back, goes into the fund to help build additional homes for other families in need.

Bathroom Plans

A public washroom for the Village of Chester is one step closer. The Village Commission recently unveiled plans for a new washroom at the Lido Pool at a cost of about 70 thousand dollars. Chester Warden Alan Webber says Municipal Council has indicated they might be able to offer some assistance but hasn't had any recent communication with the Commission. The Village Commission had previously made a request to Council for assistance with the washroom, and upgrades to the changehouses.

Old Town Accident

Lunenburg RCMP are investigating a hit and run accident that took place in the town over the weekend. The Mounties are requesting the public's help in identifying a vehicle involved in the hit and run which happened Saturday September 12th around 6 p.m. at the intersection of Falkland Street and Victoria Road. A male driving a Green Ford Ranger pickup was seen fleeing the scene. Anyone who can identify the driver of the vehicle is asked to contact the Lunenburg RCMP at 634-8674.

Gas Cash

The NDP is handing out almost 900-thousand-dollars over the next several days for projects that will help reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau was in Lunenburg today (September 11th) where he announced 85-thousand dollars for six projects along the South Shore. There is a $40,834 grant for an energy-savings project by the Town of Lunenburg to help reduce energy consumption in seven of the town's buildings. That will happen through energy-efficient lighting and upgrades to insulation, and building system and heating systems. Funding will also allow the Dayspring and District Fire Hall to be fitted with solar panels and Lockeport, Mahone Bay and the town and municipality of Shelburne to conduct an energy inventory and audit of municipal infrastructure. The Dayspring project will receive $8,694, while Lockeport will get $4,160, Mahone Bay $10,000, the Municipality of the District of Shelburne $9,487 and the Town of Shelburne $9,930. Belliveau says government wants Nova Scotia to be one of the cleanest and greenest places in the world. He says the projects announced today will each play a part in helping achieve that goal.

Schooner Launch

It's a page out of the history of Lunenburg Harbour. But this weekend it's living history. For the first time in nearly four decades, a newly-built wooden schooner is being launched. The Dory Shop has been building watercraft in Lunenburg since 1917 at the east end of Bluenose Drive. Tomorrow (Saturday) around noon as the tide is coming in, they'll be launching Kitty Cochran from the shop. David Westergaard is the builder and the owner and captain is Duncan Veasey. A ceremony will be taking place and people are being invited to take it all in. This weekend is also when the Lunenburg Waterfront Seafood Festival is happening with International Dory Races, greased pole and the celebrity shucking contest featuring CKBW's Joan Fillmore.

Chamber Executive

A returning President and a few new faces around the table on the executive for the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce. Craig Collins of the NSCC's Lunenburg campus is back as the head of the business advocacy group. Glen Hall, Shawn O'Hara and Aidan Matchett were also elected. And retired CKBW Sales Manager Barry Smith is the Chamber's new treasurer. Cy Mayo is the 1st Vice President and Judy Koster is Past President. The positions were filled at the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting this week.

Shelburne Pot

Two Shelburne county men with green thumbs have been caught red-handed by RCMP. Police say they arrested the two and seized 61 mature marihuana plants at an outdoor grow-op in the Upper Ohio area of the county. Corporal Nancy Mason says the 45 and 51-year old men were caught as they were tending their crop yesterday. Both are facing charges of production of marihuana and their court date is set for December 16th in Shelburne. Corporal Mason says the Street Crime Unit continues its work to eradicate outdoor grows throughout the county. But she says they can't always do it alone and they are asking the public to report suspicious activity to the RCMP or Crimestoppers.

Lunenburg Exercise

Just before ten this morning a sailboat inbound to Lunenburg is going to report an engine room fire and that it's listing heavily to starboard before rolling over. We know this, because it's part of a Search and Rescue Exercise in Lunenburg's Front Harbour. Bill Towndrow says they do a lot of work to get ready for real emergencies. The exercise will involve divers from a rescue helicopter along with a Canadian Coast Guard lifeboat, and a US Coast Guard cutter from Gloucester.

Opening Scenario provided by RCC:

At 1000/11(Local), Halifax Coast Guard radio receives a broken mayday message from the F/V Paul’s Pride. The vessel is inbound Lunenburg Hrb. with a reported engine room fire and listing heavily to starboard. Vessel is described as a 25’ orange and white open style fishing vessel with 3 POB’s

JRCC Halifax tasks CCGC Sambro , USCG Grand Isle,&413 Squad.

More info:

413 Squad to lower sartecs to overturned vessel (RIB) and transfer casualties to Grand Isle & Sambro for first-aid. Hoisting ops. from Grand Isle and Sambro.

Boat Fire

A man had to be rescued from a pleasure boat that caught fire in Mahone Bay. He was pulled from the eight-metre fibreglass craft by other boaters in the Clay Island area. There were no injuries. The boat was towed ashore where it burned to the waterline. There's no word on what caused the fire before noon yesterday (Thursday).

Flood Money Flows

The Town of Bridgewater will be receiving a little more than $208,000 as a final payment for flood damage sustained in March 2003, The town was one of several communities affected as a result of unprecedented rainfall combined with spring runoff. Floodwaters washed out roads and severely damaged a number of bridges. The damage expenses were claimed by the province on behalf of the towns and municipalities affected by the flooding. The federal Minister of Public Safety, Peter Van Loan announced a final payment of $7.5 million to the Province of Nova Scotia under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements. The Minister made the announcement following a visit to Truro Fire Service, whose firefighters helped with flood relief efforts in 2003.

Clamming Pickle

A Port Mouton man is facing a charge for selling clams without a commercial license. DFO officers from Liverpool arrested the man on August 16th in the Port Mouton area. He's accused of digging clams recreationally but then offering them for sale. He will be appearing in Liverpool Court on October 6th.

Pink Shirt Day

Students across the province are wearing pink today (September 10th) as they mark the second annual Stand Up Against Bullying Day. Education Minister Marilyn More says that bullying is unacceptable and she wants any student who is being bullied or knows of someone being bullied to tell a parent, teacher,counsellor, vice-principal or principal. Stand Up Against Bullying Day is marked on the second Thursday in September. Schools across the province hold anti-bullying events and students wear pink. The inspiration came from the actions of two Grade 12 students from Central Kings Rural High School in Kings County. Travis Price and David Shepherd rallied behind a new student to the school who was being bullied simply for wearing a pink shirt. They brought pink shirts to school and handed them out to classmates to wear in solidarity with the new student. Their efforts sparked similar initiatives around the world, and wear pink has become the symbol and slogan of the anti-bullying movement.