Economy Commission Hosts Meeting In Cookville

An independent body mandated by the province to discuss the economy is in Cookville this evening. The Nova Scotia Commission on Building Our New Economy, is chaired by Acadia University president Ray Ivany. Four other members make up the group, which was created to engage communities in discussion and debate on potential economic development opportunities. Ivany feels the province is at a critical stage.



The commission was established last November and has recently made stops in Wolfville, Digby and Halifax. The meeting starts at 7pm tonight at the Best Western Plus in Cookville. More details can be found here .

Court: Jail Time For Man Possessing Illegal Smokes

It's two months in jail for a West Northfield man after being caught with hundreds of illegal cigarettes. William Oswald Russell was sentenced in provincial court earlier today. Police found the smokes when they carried out a search warrant at Russell's home last summer. The 61-year-old has a previous criminal record and has been convicted on multiple occasions of possessing illegal smokes. Judge Gregory Lenehan told court Russell owes "hundreds of thousands" in previous court ordered fines related to banned cigarettes. Lenehan imposed another fine in the range of $5,500 in court today. Russell will also spend twelve months on probation when he is released.

Shelburne County: Police Seize Marihuana Plants From Home

A 23-year-old man from Shelburne County has been charged with production of marihuana after police allegedly found and dismantled an indoor grow-op in his home. Shelburne County RCMP searched a home on Port Latour Road Tuesday around 5pm and seized 11 marihuana plants along with drug paraphernalia and equipment. The man was arrested and later released. He is scheduled to appear in Barrington Provincial Court April 25th.

Forest Heights: Construction Begins On Skilled Trades Centre

Construction is underway on a new skilled trades centre at Forest Heights Community School in Chester Basin. Director of Operations with the local school board, Steve Prest, says Rikjak Project Inc. of Lunenburg is on-site and started their work a little over a week ago. Prest says he's impressed with the work that's done to date.



Construction was pegged to last until the end of May, but Prest adds, the contractor has set a completion date for May 1st. The project cost is roughly $283,000 and is considered the number one priority by the school board's operations department.

Community Raises Money For Family Of Olive Moore

Community members are calling a fundraiser for the family of Olive Moore "a success." People gathered at the Pleasantville Fire Hall over the weekend to raise money through baked goods, face-painting, silent auction or general donation. All in all, over $3,700 has been raised so far and will go towards gift cards for groceries, phone and electricity bills. One of the organizers, Lori Outerbridge, says her son is part of a youth group that helped generate the idea for the event.



Nine year-old Olive Moore was killed after she was hit by a van backing up in a driveway in January. Moore's mother, Candice, is facing charges in connection to the girl's death and is due to appear in Bridgewater court March 27. Outerbridge says people can still donate if they're interested by calling her at 543-6275 or Cheryl Foley at 543-9232.

Yarmouth MLA Not Surprised Over Ferry Struggles

The MLA for Yarmouth says he's disappointed a ferry service won't be up and running for at least another year in south-western Nova Scotia. Zach Churchill made the comments after a government-led committee rejected two proposals to resume a ferry service linking Yarmouth to Maine. The proposals were submitted in January by Quest Navigation of Eliot, Maine and Maritime Applied Physics, a Baltimore-based engineering firm. Churchill says he's not surprised it's proving difficult to re-start the service.



Economic Development Minister Percy Paris says the committee concluded neither bid met its criteria. He says the government will launch a new procurement process with the hopes of a 2014 start date.

Developers Behind South Canoe Wait For Decision

The developers behind a large scale wind farm in Lunenburg County say they understand municipal council in the area is faced with difficult decision. Two public hearings on the $200 million project lasted more than nine hours and drew a combined 300 people. Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Oxford Frozen Foods and Nova Scotia Power are proposing to construct 34 wind turbines between Vaughan and New Russell. Council in Chester deferred making a decision on whether or not to support the project for a second time last night. Project spokesperson Mary-Frances Lynch says they understand it's a sensitive issue.



Lynch says 100 jobs would be created during construction and five permanent positions when the project is online in late 2014. Chester Warden Allen Webber did not commit to a time-line for a decision.

South Canoe Wind Project Still In Limbo

Chester Municipal Council has deferred making a decision on whether or not to support the proposed South Canoe Wind Project. The second of two public hearings was held last night in Chester Basin with about 100 people attending. The five-hour session heard from residents of communities stretching between Vaughn and New Russell where 34 turbines would be constructed. Residents say the turbines would be too close to their homes. Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Oxford Frozen Foods and Nova Scotia Power are leading the project. Its lauded as being capable of generating enough power to heat 32,000 homes and inject $660,000 a year in tax revenue into the municipality. There's no word on when council might further consider the project.

Woman Charged After Boxer Dogs Allegedly Sold

Bridgewater Police have laid charges after a lengthy investigation involving the alleged sale of a pair of boxer dogs. The investigation began last month when a Saint John, New Brunswick woman placed an online ad looking for a dog sitter. A Nova Scotia woman responded to the ad and the dogs were sent to Halifax to be temporarily cared for. However, the rightful owner eventually lost contact with the person who accepted the dogs. After a three week investigation, police recovered the two boxers and they were returned. Gail Benoit has been charged with fraud, theft of under $5,000 and identity fraud. She is due to appear in Bridgewater Court on May 8th.

New Visitor Centre Remains On Track To Open In May

The new visitor information centre off Exit 11 in Blockhouse is nearing completion. CAO for the Municipality of Lunenburg, Tammy Wilson, says the project remains on track to open May 1. She says the centre is roughly 80 per cent complete, with some interior work still to be finalized. Wilson expects a parking lot to be created once the weather warms up. The municipality, along with the town of Bridgewater approved a joint venture to fund the new centre and will cost-share just over $23,000 for at least the first five years of a 10-year lease. A grand opening is tentatively planned for mid-May.

Health: More People Using Cancer Patient Navigator

The CEO for South Shore Health says increased awareness for people diagnosed with cancer is a good thing. Dr. Peter Vaughan was commenting on the fact that the authority's Cancer Patient Navigator has seen a jump in visits by over 30 per cent. The navigator supports cancer patients and their families by improving access and coordinating treatment, follow-up and support. Vaughan says he's pleased to hear more people are accessing the service.



He says its a great resource for people with cancer to get answers to questions and concerns. More information on South Shore Health's Cancer Patient Navigator can be found here .

Who's Scamming You?

A few days ago we told you Shelburne RCMP were investigating complaints of internet fraud. A phone scam is making the rounds in which a would-be victim is told by phone they've won a huge Publishers Clearing House prize. The victims are told to provide personal information and wire cash to a bank account in order to retrieve the 2.5 million dollar prize. Jill Atkinson of the Better Business Bureau says thats a new one to her but the BBB is looking into it. The Bureau has also released its list of top 10 scams making the rounds these days. Leading the way are phishing scams, like the one which involves the Better Business Bureau with a nasty twist to it. Atkinson tells us: "Scammers from, they believe eastern Europe, are using the BBB's name to send out fake emails to businesses that actually ask the business that they have a complaint and/or want information updated. Its not actually from us and we're very concerned because some of these scammers have attached viruses to the links." Other scams making the list are door-to-door sales, vacation scams, group coupon buying and disability tax reduction services. Here's the Top Ten List:

1. Phishing Scams.
2. Debt Settlement Services.
3. Computer Virus Fixing Scam.
4. Door-to-door Sales.
5. Vacation Scams.
6. Mystery Shopping.
7. Advertising Trolls.
8. Disability Tax Reduction Services.
9. Advance Fee Loans.
10. Group Coupon Buying.

Atkinson reminds consumers to check with the BBB before doing business with any firm.
She also gives the following advise:

Do not provide your credit card or bank account number to any unknown firm.
Do not open email attachments or click on links from any unknown person or company.
If you have won a prize, do not send money to the promoter for taxes or other fees.
Never agree to provide any upfront fee for a “guaranteed” loan.
Never agree to wire money back to a firm or individual if they have overpaid you for a good or service or have hired you to perform a mystery shop.
Limit what personal information that you put on social networking sites.
Always shred any unwanted documentation, unsolicited mail or credit card applications that contain personal information.
Carry only the identification that you need. Put other identification such as SIN, birth certificate and passport in a safe place.
Never let your debit card or credit card out of your site when conducting a transaction at point of sale.

South Canoe Wind Project: Part 2

The second half of a public hearing regarding a $200 million wind project will be held Monday in Chester Basin. Members of municipal council in Chester were forced to defer making a decision on whether or not to support the South Canoe Wind project nearly two weeks ago. The February 21 public hearing drew 150 people in attendance and lasted nearly four hours. The distance wind turbines would be constructed from homes is the major sticking point among area residents. The proposed wind project is being led by Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Oxford Frozen Foods and Nova Scotia Power. South Canoe would feature 34 turbines between Vaughan and New Russell. It would generate enough power to hear 32,000 homes and annually inject more than $650,000 into the municipality in tax revenue. The meeting begins at 7 o'clock and will be held at Forest Heights Community School.

Shelburne Mayor Hopes RCMP Back In Full Force This Spring

There is a shortage of RCMP officers to patrol the town of Shelburne and some residents fear the crime rate will jump as a result. However, Mayor Karen Mattatall doesn't think that will happen. She says: "It just happens to be a situation where four officers at the same time ended up having time off. Its probably quite unique. The issue seems to be Ottawa doesn't have a very good plan in place for when that happens." Mayor Mattattal says she and her council have received assurances from the RCMP their numbers will be back to the normal complement in the spring. There are usually ten officers available but that number's been cut in half by officers who have left the force or taken sick leave.

MODL: Group To Design Plan For MARC North

The Municipality of Lunenburg is entering into an agreement with the province's Off-road Riders Association to help develop MARC North in New Germany. Council has approved a proposal from the group to design a site plan, entry and parking lot for the property. The roughly 115 acres of land has been earmarked for recreational space since the fall of 2011. Deputy Mayor Don Zwicker says the municipality will help advise the group.



Zwicker says getting the off-road association involved was an opportunity council couldn't let slip away. He expects work to start this spring.

Review Hearings End, Board Faced With Tough Decisions

Now that the six school review public hearings are in the books, board members are faced with some tough decisions. The meetings wrapped up Thursday night at Hebbville Academy. Now, it's up to eight board members to crunch the facts and determine the future of schools in Mill Village, Pentz, Petite Riviere, Gold River-Western Shore, Hebbville and New Ross. Chair Jennifer Naugler says she heard lots of comments at the hearings that the board shouldn't close schools to help balance their budget.



The board is facing a $1.8-million cut for its 2013-14 budget. Members are planning to hold at least three more meetings before a decision on the six schools under review is made March 27.

Section of Highway 325 Closed Due To Vehicle Problems

Police along with officials from Tri-District Fire Rescue and the Departments of Transportation and Environment are currently on scene on Highway 325 near the Newcombville Irving where multiple vehicles are tied up. Staff Sgt. Bruce Hill of the Lunenburg County RCMP says two semi-trucks have jack-knifed and are stuck in the middle of the road while a fuel truck is in the ditch. The vehicle did have a minor spill of oil. No one is injured. Hill says tricky driving conditions led to the incident.



Hill says Highway 325 is closed from the Lapland Road to the intersection of Highway 210. He expects it will take a couple more hours before that section is re-open.

Shelburne County RCMP Seize Cash And Cigarettes

RCMP in Shelburne County have seized cash and contraband cigarettes in two separate incidents. Police searched a Barrington residence on Tuesday and seized over 7,000 contraband cigarettes and approximately $3,000 in cash. A 60-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman were arrested but released later that evening. During a separate investigation, a second search warrant was executed at a residence in Lower Clark's Harbour on Wednesday. Over 24,000 contraband cigarettes and approximately $3,000 in cash were seized. A 40-year-old man and woman were arrested at the residence and released later in the evening. All suspects involved are facing possession of contraband tobacco charges. They are scheduled to appear in Barrington Provincial Court April 11th.

Last Day For Feedback For Bridgewater Plan

Ekistics Planning and Design is reminding Bridgewater residents to provide their feedback for the future look of the town. Today is the final day for people to give their thoughts on the draft version of the Downtown and Waterfront Plan. Director of Planning, Jill Robertson, says they've received good feedback to date.



Ekistics will take the collected data and create a master plan to show town council members in April. To provide feedback, please click here .

Lower South Shore Gasoline Prices!

Gasoline prices have taken a drop over night. Regular self serve is selling today at South Shore pumps for $1.37.7 per litre. That iss about 3 cents less than yesterday. Diesel is also lower this morning by close to 4 cents.