Water Speed Limits

With things about to get busy on the water with Chester Race Week, a timely advisory from the RCMP. Constable Brandy Steeves sent out a news release about complaints police were getting about seadoos speeding in Chester Harbour. She says they wanted to remind boaters and pleasure craft operators to note the posted speed limits and respect them. Chester Race Week starts tomorrow. It's billed as Canada's largest keel boat regatta.

Health Helpers Helped

Some caregivers in Nova Scotia will soon be able to receive financial help from the province for the work they do supporting loved ones and friends. Caregivers and the person requiring care must both meet certain criteria to be eligible for the 400 dollars per month caregiver allowance. Eligible caregivers must be residents of Nova Scotia, 19 years of age and older and provide 20 or more hours of assistance a week to qualified care recipients. Eligible care recipients must be Nova Scotia residents, 19 years of age or older and have a high level of disability or impairment. Their income will also be reviewed. More information about the allowance is available on the Department of Health website www.gov.ns.ca/health .

South Shore Visits

No better time than the summer to see the south shore. And two of the federal party leaders are heading our way. Jack Layton of the New Democratic Party was scheduled for a boat tour of Chester Harbour last evening. Today, he'll be spending time with Lunenburg MLA Pam Birdsall and Lunenburg West's Gary Ramey. This evening he's scheduled to have dinner with Mayors Joe Feeney, Don Downe and Lawrence Mawhinney and Deputy Mayor David Walker. And Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is in Cape Breton today and will be in Yarmouth, Shelburne and Clarke's Harbour tomorrow.

Recreational Center Holding

An architectural firm has been retained and legal and financial expertise is being put in place but the proposed Lunenburg County Lifestyle Facility is not yet at the "Shovel-Ready" stage. Deputy Mayor David Walker says they still haven't heard anything about federal funding. He says they are still optimistic there will be something coming. But he adds it doesn't make it any easier knowing they are ready to go and are waiting for the last piece of the puzzle to come from Ottawa. The two councils jointly announced a proposed multi-use facility back in 2004.

No Parking-lot

Another school year with the same limited parking lot at Parkview Education Centre. Construction to separate school bus and private vehicle traffic has been delayed by the South Shore Regional School Board. The project will now be carried out next summer. Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake tells CKBW the late date in the current construction season and concerns for student safety drove the decision. Pynch-Worthylake says school and school board officials will work with students to address any safety concerns that may arise.

DOMESTIC STANDOFF

Charges are pending following a domestic incident that turned into a standoff with RCMP yesterday afternoon. The Mounties Emergency Response Team and local officers responded to a 9-1-1 domestic call to a bungalow in Newcombville around 2:30 p.m. Staff Sgt. Mark Furey says twhen they arrived on scene they were able to secure the safety of the female occupant of the home. The male barricaded himself in the residence. The ERT, police negotiators, local officers and a police service dog remainded on the scene until 1:45 in the morning. ERT officers entered the home and arrested the male resident without incident. Highway 325 was closed to traffic for almost 12 hours. The individual remains in custody pending further investigtion.

Police Files

Bridgewater Police investigating a number of complaints of property damage. On August 4th, between 8 and 10 p.m. a silver vehicle was keyed in the area of 215 King Street. Between August 1st and 2nd, a vehicle was damaged while parked on Olympiad Avenue. That incident happened between 11:30 p.m. and 8am. There was also damage done to mailboxes at 65 Marie Avenue sometime overnight of July 28th and 29th. And during the early morning hours of July 24th, unidentified teens threw eggs at a residence on Nauss Avenue.

WATER TREATMENT PLANT

A sod turning ceremony to highlight a new water treatment plant for the Town of Lunenburg is set for Thursday morning at 11 o'clock at the top of Northwest Hill. The project, funded jointly by all three levels of government and announced in August 2006, will ensure that approximately 950 households will have improved drinking water. The project will not only result in a substantial improvement in water quality but will also ensure compliance with provincial water quality standards. Along with Mayor Laurence Mawhinney, South Shore St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy and Lunenburg MLA Pam Birdsall will attend the sod turning ceremony.

HABITAT FAMILY

Eileen and Ron White along with their grandchildren Mason and Bailey Whynot have been selected the family for the build by Habitat for Humanity in Queens County. The grandchildren have been with the Whites since their oldest daughter lost custody of the two children. Part of the requirements for the Whites to take the grandchildren was for them to have a three bedroom house. They are currently renting a home in Port Medway but have been struggling to make ends meet. They look forward to being able to move to Liverpool which is closer to the schools and offers sports opportunities for the children. As part of Habitat for Humanity's mandate, the chosen family has to put in 500 hours of "sweat equity" which could involve helping with the build to assisting in fundraising. To date over 50 thousand dollars for the build has been raised of the total goal of 60 thousand by the end of this month. It's hoped the build can start in early September.

SHIP for SALE

The Fraser sailed off last month now another ship tied up at the Port of Bridgewater could be soon going as well. The former Canadian navy diving support ship the Cormorant is now for sale.. Rick Welsford of the Artificial Reef Society of Nova Scotia, says they recently received permission from the Federal Court to sell the ship which has been under arrest at the Bridgewater Port for several years. There are a number of claims against the ship, including one filed by the society for 175-thousand dollars in unpaid wharfage fees. Welsford says that figure escalates every day that the ship remains tied up there. She was put out of service in 1997 and was towed to Bridgewater in 2002, where she has become the focus of several lawsuits. The auction closes at 4 p.m. on September 2nd. The ship will be sold by sealed envelope auction ``as is, where is,'' including all the equipment that's on board.

POLICE FILES

Lunenburg RCMP are looking for those responsible for breaking into the United Church on Lincoln Street. The break-in took place during the night of July 29th/30th. Several offices and cabinets were opened and some minor damage was done. Anyone having information is asked to contact the Lunenburg RCMP or CRIMESTOPPERS. Meantime Bridgewater Police are investigating a theft from a shed on Aberdeen Road sometime between 6:30 p.m. on Friday July 31st and 9:10 a.m. on August 1st. A red 1979 Honda TRX 4-wheeler was stolen.

Bank Fraud

RCMP are warning citizens of a recent trend of bank fraud taking place throughout the province. Three incidents have been reported to police within Lunenburg and Yarmouth areas within the last month. The fraud involves a male caller indicating he is an employee of a particular Bank and is conducting an internal investigation on an employee. He requests assistance by asking for your participation in an undercover operation by withdrawing large sums of money from your bank. After the cash has been withdrawn, he requests you meet him in a parking lot. Once the money has been handed over, the male asks not to discuss the situation for 72 hours as it would compromise the investigation. Within a few days, the male calls back and the process is repeated with additional cash withdrawn. RCMP believe there are two individuals operating this fraud throughout the province . One of the suspects is described as a white male, 50-60 years old, medium build, wearing a ball-cap. If you suspect or know you are a victim of a fraudulent scam, contact police.

BIX EX D.U.M.B Car

Visitors to the South Shore Exhibition will be among the thousands of people in Atlantic Canada who will learn how to lead safer lives, protect their property and prepare for emergencies, thanks to the Be Smart. Be Safe. Tour developed by the Insurance Bureau of Canada. The interactive exhibit, features The Rain Cycle and driving simulator, the D.U.M.B. Car. The IBC will be making two special presentations tonight at 9 p.m. Lunenburg West MLA Gary Ramey, will receive five Child Safety Link children's storybooks on playground safety - for all of the elementary schools in his riding. As well, Janice Rand of the Lunenburg/Queen Recreation Coordinators/Directors Association will be presented with a donation in support of the valuable work it does for the community.

Slip Slide

The workers at Shelburne Ship Repair are tired of waiting to hear when and if repairs will be made to the slipway. Union spokesman Gary Nickerson says it's at the point now they are not being certified to haul any more ships until major repairs are made. He says talks have been going on forever, and the Union has decided to jump in and try and get the ball rolling. Nickerson says they'll be meeting at 11:30 this morning with MLA Sterling Belliveau in Barrington to present their case and see if things can be speeded up.

Justice Opening

Bridgewater's new Justice Centre on High Street opened for business a month ago, but today there will be a formal ceremony to officially open the centre. Premier Darrell Dexter and Attorney General and Justice Minister Ross Landry will be on hand to officially open the new building at 3 o'clock this afternoon. Public tours of the new building will take place from 3;30 to 5 p.m. The new justice centre was first announced in 2003 with construction not getting underway until 2007. The 49,000-square-foot facility was originally pegged to cost 10 million dollars, but the most recent figures released by the Department of Justice put the cost close to 16.8 million dollars ($20.2 million including land, design and construction management). The building was dedicated in February to Lunenburg M-L-A Michael Baker, just weeks before he died of cancer.

Parkview Parking

A tender will be awarded today to begin work to address the parking problems at Parkview Education Centre. The project as tendered came in at 606 thousand dollars but through reconfiguring some of the components the South Shore Regional School Board came up with cost reductions of 178 thousand, 655 dollars.Board Chair Elliott Payzant says the project will create additional parking and address the safety issue. Parkview was awarded funding of 2 million dollars over three years back in April by then area MLA Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. The announcement was part of a $307 million, seven-year commitment for major school renovations and constructions by the provincial government.

Bridgewater Michelin H-1-N-1

With the word of Pandemic planning comes a confirmed case of H-1-N-1 influenza at the Michelin plant in Bridgewater. An employee tells CKBW there was a staff memo circulated this morning saying the one worker had been diagnosed with the swine flu - but it is described as a mild case. Another plant official unofficially confirms that but says the name of the affected worker is being kept confidential. The medical staff is the only group in the plant who are aware of all of the details. But workers are being directed to follow the precautions that are laid out by the Nova Scotia Health department in their pandemic guidelines. Things like frequent hand-washing, sneezing or coughing into your sleeve or isolating yourself if you feel sick.

Queens Fish Show

Fishing enthusiasts will get a glimpse of Queens county later this year. The Dimestore Fisherman is filming as they fish for small mouth bass with Dennis Lavender and Ken Maynard and for maco shark with Peter Cook and Myles Winters. It's the first time in the 11 years the Calgary-based fishing show has been on the air that they host has gone shark fishing. In addition to the fishing components of filming, Jim Hoey and his crew will also be filming local attractions for the "How the heck do you get here?" portion of their show which will promote and advertise tourism in Queens County. In a news release, Mayor John Leefe calls it a great opportunity to send the message across North America that the Region of Queens is a great place to visit, live and invest. The fishing show will be filming in the area until Monday.

Big Exhibit

An Exhibit on Canadian Engagement in Afghanistan will be on display at the South Shore Exhibition this week. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the Afghanistan360 exhibit featuring stories from the field and short video segments on the training and development projects that Canada supports in Afghanistan. You will also be able to record 15-second video messages to our civilians and soldiers serving in Afghanistan. The exhibit offers Canadians the opportunity to learn about progress in the six focused areas in which Canada is providing assistance in Afghanistan. It also showcases Canada's three signature projects in Afghanistan.

Rudy Retires (a bit)

It's the end of an era for a Visionary Environmentalist. Tonight will see Martin Rudy Haase stepping down as Executive Secretary of the Friends of Nature Conservation Society - a group he founded in Maine in 1954. Haase emigrated to Nova Scotia, forming a Canadian Chapter in 1967. Federal Green Party leader Elizabeth May will be at Monday night's meeting. Rudy will be Sheldon's special guest this weekend on South Shore Sunday Morning.