What Was That Big BANG!?

People from Liverpool to Yarmouth and through the Annapolis Valley are scratching their heads trying to figure out what was that big bang and rumbling they heard last night. Its also big chat this morning on Facebook and on Twitter. "The Big Bang Theory" has been ruled out but some people are wondering if it had anything to do with power outages in the region last night and earlier this morning. There has been no word from any officials about it.

MODL Mayor Reappointed To FCM Standing Committee

The mayor of the Municipality of Lunenburg says he feels honoured to be recognized by his peers. Don Downe was selected to serve his third term as standing committee chair with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. He will chair the standing committee on Municipal Finance and Intergovernmental Arrangements. Downe says its a chance to learn more at the national level and bring information back to council.



The committee partners with the federal and provincial governments to secure new revenue sources that support increased demands on municipal infrastructure and services.

Rental Units Planned For Liverpool Waterfront

 

The Liverpool waterfront will soon be home to some new rental housing by this time next year. The development is know as "Rovers Quay" and will consist of 18 rental units in total to be constructed at Shipyards Point. Local developers Barry Tomalin and Steward Horton are leading the project. The units will target both current Queens County residents and those who choose to live in Liverpool for lifestyle reasons. A live webcam will be up and running when work begins on the project. Construction is expected to begin this summer with the first units available for rent early in 2013. For more info check out http://www.roversquay.ca/

Seabury's Sister Schooner Awaits Buyer

With the launch of the Martha Seabury earlier this week, the focus switches to find an owner for its sister ship. Work began on both vessels over two years ago. Now, the unnamed boat remains ready for purchase along the Lunenburg waterfront. The hull of the sister ship is complete. General Manager for Dawson Moreland and Associates, Susan Corkum-Greek, says the vessel is ready for the next step.


Corkum-Greek says they are fielding inquiries about the vessel and are optimistic a buyer will step forward soon. The hull will be showcased when the Martha Seabury travels to Newport in mid-September for an international boat show.

Bridgewater: RCMP Officer Released From Custody

An RCMP officer charged in a case of domestic violence has been released from custody. The release was granted during a court appearance today in Bridgewater. The officer, in his 30s, was taken into custody late Tuesday night. His release was granted with a number of conditions; including he reside in Ontario except for court appearances in Nova Scotia. Other conditions include no contact with the female involved in the alleged incident and a ban on firearms and prohibited weapons. The case had been put over until October 10th when the accused is scheduled to enter a plea to the charges.

Phil Mooney Not Re-offering As Yarmouth Mayor

Mayor Phil Mooney

Phil Mooney's name will not be on the mayor's ballot in this fall's municipal elections in Yarmouth. He says he's leaving the mayor's position to have more time for family matters and to being a town councillor, a role he took-on for a term in the mid-1980's. Mooney believes he can be as effective in pushing for change as the time-consuming mayor's job.



Projects like revitalizing the downtown, development of a farmers' market, devising a plan for greater financial stability and working to re-instate the ferry to Maine. Mooney says there are several things he's most proud-of during his 4 years as mayor. One was the new high school.



Three people remain in the running for the mayor's job. They are consultant Pam Mood, deputy-mayor Byron Boudreau and former Yarmouth mayor Charles Crosby.

Chester Council Supports Woodland Purchase

A coalition group is trying to encourage the provincial government to buy back the former Bowater Mersey woodlands. Members of "Buy Back The Mersey" made a presentation to Chester council yesterday in an effort to drum up support for their group. Resolute owns more than 200,000 hectares of land spread over three large sections of the province. Councillor Marshall Hector says the coalition is doing good work and council is behind their efforts.



Chester council would like to see all the woodlands managed by the province. However, their letter of support will focus on 40,000 hectares of the land in the St. Margaret's District.

Valley Vocational Centre Robbed

Thieves have targeted a vocational centre in the Annapolis Valley that helps disabled adults. "New Boundaries" in Windsor was robbed overnight Wednesday and police are still investigating. A safe and a pickup truck were among the items stolen. Officials say the safe held a small amount of cash and pay-cheques for clients with intellectual disabilities. The agency has about 40 adults earning a training allowance.
Thieves apparently entered the one-storey building through an addition under construction. The burned shell of the centre's truck was discovered 25 kilometres away.

Big Jump In Gasoline Prices

A very large jump in the price of gasoline overnight at South Shore pumps. When you haul into a gas station this morning, you'll pay 6.3 cents more per litre of regular self serve. Its selling this morning for $1.33.6. Diesel took a hit too. Its up by more than 3 cents a litre at $1.31.2. Whats fueling the increases is the world price of crude oil which has increased more than 14 dollars a barrel in the past month. It closed yesterday at $93.36 (US) per barrel.

Challenges Ahead For NSP & Customers

The CEO of Nova Scotia Power says the biggest factor pushing up power bills is the situation within the pulp and paper sector. The utility has lost two of its largest customers with the closure of Bowater Mersey and struggles at NewPage Port Hawkesbury. It's prompted the company to apply for another rake hike of six percent over the next two years to minimize the impact. Rob Bennett says they are also dealing with the cost of adding more renewable energy to the grid as mandated by the province.



If approved, the rate hikes will amount to about $3.50 a month to an average household’s power bill. Bennett addressed the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce in a speech on Thursday at the Best Western.

Chester Council Opposes Tower In Western Shore

Chester Council will send a letter to Industry Canada over the proposed location of a a cell phone tower in Western Shore. Eastlink is proposing to construct a large telecommunications tower near Frank Swinimar Road. However, residents and council are opposed to its proposed location because its so close to a residential area. Councillor Bob Myra says people simply don't want the tower near their homes.

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Myra is hopeful the company will reconsider the location of the tower and select another location. The letter from council will also be sent to MP Gerald Keddy and Chester-St Margaret's MLA Denise Peterson-Rafuse.

Bluenose II Table Open To Public

A table dawning items from every province and territory is up for public viewing. The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenburg will give people a chance to see the hand-crafted table in the Bluenose exhibit in the second floor gallery. The one-of-a-kind table is made of items like wood, stone and mineral that was donated during this summer's Council of the Federation meeting. The table will eventually be installed on the schooner as part of its restoration. It was built by Colin O'Toole of Covey Island Boatworks, one of three companies in the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance rebuilding Bluenose II for the province.

High Liner Foods Reports Revenue Surge, Less Profit

The acquisition of Icelandic USA has resulted in less profit for High Liner Foods in its second quarter financial outlook. The Lunenburg-based company says its net income fell to $995,000, down from $4.8-million a year earlier. Despite the decrease in profit, revenue rose over $65-million in the second quarter to $219-million. President and CEO, Henry Demone, says he's pleased with the results.



Demone says new product helped contribute to increased sales in Canada.



The $230.6-million U.S. purchase of Icelandic was announced last November and closed in December.

Gasoline Prices Heading Up Again!

Get set! South Shore gasoline prices will likely take a sizeable jump overnight tonight. That is if New Brunswick prices are an early indicator and often .... they are! That province's Energy and Utilities Board has boosted the price ceiling on regular self-serve gas by 4.9 cents a litre. It's now at $1.30. The jump had been predicted by analysts. Gasoline prices are now approaching those of diesel, which rose 1.3 cents overnight in New Brunswick to a-dollar-32.5

Folk Harbour Festival Back For 27th Year

Over 30 musicians will hit the stage in Lunenburg over the next four days as the 27th annual Folk Harbour Festival gets underway Thursday. The festival features local music acts and musicians from away. This year will feature performances by Dave Gunning, Kim Stockwood, Garnet Rogers and many more. Communications Chair Nancy Wilson says the festival grabs people's attention.



One of the headliners this year includes Juno and East Coast music award-winning Ashley MacIsaac. Wilson says MacIsaac should draw a big crowd.



The acts are expected to play at several venues including along Lunenburg's waterfront, at the Opera House and at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.Wilson says tickets are still available to purchase. You can find out more details by going to http://www.folkharbour.com/ .

Fishermen's Memorial Emergency Department Closed

The Fishermen's Memorial Hospital Emergency Department is closed due to unavailability of staff. It will reopen tomorrow morning (August 9) at 8am. Anyone requiring emergency services is advised to call 911 or visit South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater.  

Garber Running For School Board

Elmer Garber

A former teacher and principal is looking to try his hand as a member of the local school board. Elmer Garber has indicated he will run for one of the eight seats during this fall's school board elections. He hopes to be part of a new elected school board.



Garber served as a member on the Lunenburg Municipal School Board in the 1980s. He is currently the chair of the LaHave Manor Corporation. The Dayspring resident is a candidate for District 5, which includes Lunenburg and Mahone Bay, and municipal districts 1, 3 and 4.

Queens Hospital Waiting Areas Temporarily Relocated

The registration and emergency room waiting areas at Queens General Hospital are being temporarily relocated. South Shore Health is advising the public a one day relocation period will be in effect from 7 o'clock Thursday morning until 7 o'clock Friday morning. The temporary relocation of both areas will give workers time to upgrade the hospital's floors. There will be signs directing patients to the temporary location for the registration and emergency room waiting areas. People in need of urgent care should proceed to triage as usual.

Bridgewater RCMP Officer Facing Charges In Domestic Violence Case

An RCMP officer based in Bridgewater is facing charges in a domestic violence case. The male officer was taken into custody last night and made a brief court appearance on Wednesday afternoon. The matter has been adjourned until Thursday when a show cause hearing will take place. A publication ban has been issued surrounding the evidence in the case to protect the identity of the female victim involved in the matter. The investigation is being handled by the province's Serious Incident Response Team and is under the direction of independent civilian director Ron MacDonald. The independent agency is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia. The officer is currently not working or on duty for the Bridgewater RCMP.

Shelburne Shipyard Buzzing With Work

The Shelburne Shipyard has been given new life just a year after major upgrades were carried out at the Irving-owned operation. The shipyard received $16.6 million dollars in upgrades in a cost sharing project between Irving and the provincial government. Since last year, the Shelburne Shipyard has won 16 contracts from 10 different customers. Economic Development Minister Percy Paris says it speaks volumes to the type of quality work going on at the shipyard.



The facility now employs 75 people and has the ability to work on vessels up to 229 metres long. The shipyards latest contract to repair the HMCS Shawinigan will provide enough work to last until November.