Blessing the Animals

It's an ancient practice traditionally associated with St. Francis of Assissiwhose feast is October 5. St. John’s Anglican Church, Lunenburg, will be holding a Blessing of Families and Animals, this Sunday, October 4th at 2:00pm in the churchparade in front of the church. The service of thanksgiving and blessing is for pet animals as well as farm animals. Peope are asked to ensure their dogs are on leashes and other animals are properly kennelled or restrained. Donations to S.H.A.I.D. would be appreciated.

Drug Trafficker to Jail

Trafficking in cocaine has landed a Lunenburg County man behind bars for two and a-half years. Provincial Court Judge Jim Burrill sentenced 32 year old Randy Joe Naugler of Upper Kingsburg to a prison term last week calling him a retailer of poison who was motivated by greed. Naugler was put under surveillance by the South Shore Integrated Street Crime Unit after they received a tip August 28th last year that he was going to be selling cocaine later that day. Naugler's car was intercepted in Upper LaHave, but sped off as officers approached his vehicle. He struck an unmarked police vehicle and crashed into a ditch. A search of the car turned up five two-gram bags of cocaine powder,a further 23 grams of the drug, four grams of marihuana and seven ecstasy tablets. A search of Naugler's home turned up a further 11.3 grams of marihuana and seven ecstasy pills. Meantime, Naugler will return to Bridgewater Provincial Court October 21stto face new charges of possessing ecstasy and prescription medication for the purpose of trafficking as well as possession of marihuana. Those charges stem from a search in Upper Kingsburg July 29th.

Earle Wins Nomination

Once again Gordon Earle will represent the NDP in the South Shore/St. Margarets riding in the next federal election. Over 100 NDP members turned out Sunday afternoon at the Italy Cross Fire Hall to elect Earle Geoff LeBoutlier , the contender for the nomination , made a motion to make Mr.Earle's nomination unanimous. An association fund raising dinner will be held at the Oak Hill Fire Hall on Oct.24 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, for tickets please call 644-1960 or 543-4989

Race Relations Coordinator

The South Shore Regional School Board has approinted Stephen Johnson as Coordinator of Race Relations, Cross-Cultural Understanding and Human RightsJohnson brings 22 years of experience as a youth worker, community liaison, mental health review board member and teacher/trainer for various programs of the Nova Scotia government. Currently, he is a youth navigator for the western region of Nova Scotia in the high profile Nova Scotia Child and Youth Strategy. Johnson will assume his new position with the Board on October 13, where his role will be to ensure effective implementation of the Board's Race Relations, Cross-Cultural Understanding and Human Rights policies and to advance social justice and equity in all sectors of the South Shore Regional education community

4-H Comes to Town

4-H members will gather in Bridgewater to participate in the 32nd annual Nova Scotia 4-H Show next month. The event will be held at the South Shore Exhibition Grounds from Oct. 2-4. The 2009 event is being hosted by the Lunenburg County 4-H Leader's Council. The 4-H show includes technical presentations and projects, as well as competitions. Agriculture Minister John MacDonell says the 4-H program helps young people learn skills that will help them become confident, responsible citizens and future leaders in communities. Nova Scotia has the largest 4-H Show in Canada. There are 2,400 members, 850 leaders and 85 clubs in the province. The free event is open to the public.

Business Excellence

Six local businesses honoured last night as the best in their category at the prestigious Lunenburg Queens Business Excellence Awards dinner. Held this year at the Days Inn in Bridgewater, the Awards event, which has been running in various forms for more than six years, was expanded for the first time to include businesses from both Queens and Lunenburg Counties. The winners who will be able to hang specially designed plaques in their offices are:
Small Business Award - J & H Industries, Liverpool
Large Business Award - Lighthouse Publishing, Bridgewater
Export Achievement Award - Terra Beata Cranberries, Lunenburg
Entrepreneurial Award - emOcean, Lunenburg
Hospitality Award - Guppy's Place Family Restaurant, New Germany
New Business Award - Classic Granite Countertops, Bridgewater

New SchoolBoard Vice-Chair

Gary Mailman was elected the Vice-Chair of the South Shore Regional School Board at the Board's monthly meeting last night. He replaces Karen Kinley who resigned her position effective August 31st to take a job in Halifax with the provincial government's legislative council office. Four names were put forward but two members declined forcing a secret ballot vote. Mailman says he's humbled and will take the challenge to help the Board move forward. A by-election to fill the seat vacated by Kinley will be held on Saturday, November 21st

BMHS Terry Fox Run

On September 25 (starting at 1 pm) Barrington Municipal High School will be taking part in the annual Terry Fox Run, with staff and students volunteering their time and resources to keep Terry's Dream of a cancer free world alive. Last year all schools in NS raised $408,000 with our school contributing $4847.49, our goal again this year is to raise $5,000. Our route will start 1pm at BMHS and goes along Oak Park Rd. to Cross intersection (past the ESSO Garage) and travel along River Head Rd to Highway 3; Cross road at intersection and travel along Highway 3 to Oak Park Rd. Cross road at intersection and continue along Oak Park Road to the school turn-off. Continue along Oak Park Rd & back to BMHS. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Prizes will be awarded to the Top Pledge-getters, and Fastest Runners, in both Sr. and Jr. High. There will also be draws for other Door Prizes. To be eligible for these draws, students must collect at least $20.00 in pledges. All students and staff who complete the Walk/Run will receive a Certificate of Recognition.

Queens Fitness

The Region of Queens is setting up a subsidy program for fitness instructor training. At the present time there are very few certified leaders in the Region of Queens offering classes to the public . Council feels that with the opening of Queens Place on the horizon, and increased attention nationally to activity levels in youth and adults, there is a need for an increase in local fitness leadership. A major factor in getting certified is the cost, so Council has approved subsidizing 50 percent of course fees to become a fitness leader. Participants will be reimbursed the subsidy upon presentation of a certificate from the course along with a receipt showing they paid for the course.

Police Car Collision

Bridgewater police are looking into an accident involving one of their police cars as it was responding to a building on fire on North Street last week. Chief Brent Crowhurst is doing the investigation himself. He says there's been an allegation of a hit-and-run, something he says doesn't apply in this case because there was no attempt to evade criminal or civil liability. Chief Crowhurst says because the car was being driven by Deputy Police Chief John Collyer a prosecutor will be consulted to make sure there is an independant review of the case. The unmarked car was responding with lights and sirens activated last Tuesday morning as it was responding to the building on fire on North Street. There was a head-on collision at the intersection of Glen Allan Drive and Aberdeen Road with a vehicle that was turning left on to Aberdeen from Glen Allan Drive. The driver of the other car was assessed at South Shore Regional hospital and then released that morning. Collyer was un-injured.

Bowater Money

The N-D-P government is investing in the sustainability of a major employer and exporter in Nova Scotia's paper products industry. Bowater Mersey Paper Company Ltd. is receiving $2.5 million dollars to support adding book-grade paper to its manufacturing process. Economic and Rural Development Minister Percy Paris says the company is finding innovative ways to manage through difficult economic times. The Bowater Mersey mill in Brooklyn employs about 500 full-time employees andsupports the jobs of more than 1,000 people in industry-related operations. The investment is from the Community Development Trust Fund, a $34.9-million fund set up by the federal government in 2008 to help communities and sectors experiencing economic challenges.

FULL RELEASE:
The province is investing in the sustainability of a major employer and exporter in Nova Scotia's paper products industry.
Bowater Mersey Paper Company Ltd. is receiving $2.5 million to support the addition of book-grade paper to its manufacturing process.
Book-grade paper, used mainly in the printing of paperback books, requires more demanding quality standards than those for newsprint. The book-grade paper market tends to have more stable demand and pricing trends.
Economic and Rural Development is supporting the company's diversification plan through the Community Development Trust Fund. The $34.9-million fund was established in 2008 by the federal government to help communities and sectors experiencing economic challenges.
"Bowater Mersey is managing through difficult economic times in this industry by finding innovative ways to reduce operating costs, improve productivity, and develop new product lines and markets," said Minister of Economic and Rural Development Percy Paris.
"The fundamentals of this company are solid and, along with the company, its employees, suppliers, and customers and various governments, we want this mill to continue to be a viable part of our economy and return to higher employment levels as the economy rebounds in the coming months."
Bowater Mersey employs about 500 full-time employees. Its operations include the newsprint mill near Liverpool, Queens Co. the Oakhill sawmill near Bridgewater; the Mersey Woodlands forest management group and the Brooklyn Power Corporation in Brooklyn, Queens Co.
Indirectly, the company supports the jobs of more than 1,000 people in forest management and harvesting operations, private sawmills, trucking firms and other suppliers. Its products are exported around the world.
Bowater Mersey has invested more than $7 million toward the product diversification project, including new manufacturing processes, technology and equipment. The company has already marketed its book-grade paper in the United Kingdom and is seeking opportunities to supply European and Asian pressrooms. Book-grade paper is shipped by vessel from the port at the Bowater Mersey mill as well as by container through the Port of Halifax.
Bowater Mersey continues to work closely within the industry to develop certified forest management practices. The co-generation plan produces electricity under contract to Nova Scotia Power Inc., which provides a stable steam supply to the newsprint plant.
The priorities of the Community Development Trust Fund are to enhance sustainable prosperity, diversify economic and trade opportunities, improve productivity, innovation and training, assist communities with transition planning, and help workers facing adjustment challenges. More information on the Community Development Trust Fund in Nova Scotia is available at http://www.blogger.com/www.gov.ns.ca/econ/cdtrust .

Fans Cash In

The Nauss Timbermart Lumberjacks announced their 2008-09 Lumberjacks Points winners at last night's contest. The big winner was Janice Dibbon who took home a cheque for $4,000. Mike Zinck picked up a $1,500 reward while Chastity Greer got a $500 prize. The winners earned points by getting a free Lumberjacks card and then buying products and services from Lumberjack sponsors. The new Lumberjacks Points cards will be available at the Club's next home game in October.

McNamara Secondment

He was supposed to be back on the job at the end of this month. But South Shore Health will have to continue to operate with an acting C-E-O until the end of December. Just after his election win, Premier Darrell Dexter announced Kevin McNamara would be leaving the South Shore District Health Authority to be acting deputy minister of the Health Department for three months. In a news release at the end of June, Dexter mentioned how McNamara understands the unique challenges of Nova Scotia's health-care system and will be able to help government prepare to address those challenges. The three month appointment was extended by board approval. Alice Leverman has agreed to stay on as Acting C-E-O until the new year.

Money Announcement

South Shore-St. Margaret's M.P. Gerald Keddy will be unveiling government support for federal laboratories . Keddy will be at the Dartmouth Laboratory of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency where he will make an announcement relating to Canada's Economic Action Plan and support for Federal Laboratories across the country. The announcement is set to take place at 2 p.m.

Vandals and Thieves

A number of mailboxes were vandalized in Oakhill sometime over the weekend. The mailboxes were damaged between the 400 and 500 block on the Oakhill Road between Sunday September 20th and the early morning hours of Monday, September 21st. RCMP are asking the public for assistance in solving the incident.. Meantime Liverpool RCMP are asking the public to come forward with information regarding two children's bicycles. The bikes were reported stolen from Liverpool on Sunday morning, September 20th One of the bikes belongs to a seven year old and is a red and black mountain bike. The other which belongs to an eleven year old is a silver mountain bike with some yellow and black stickers.

Queens Gas Money

The Region of Queens Council has approved an aggressive five year Capital Investment Plan to cover the fiscal years through 2014. Mayor John Leefe says the plan must be submitted to be eligible to receive the Region's transfer of the federal gas tax revenues. Leefe says there was some discussion with respect to the Brooklyn sewer and water project and others that must take place over the next five year period. The Region will receive $723,000 in federal gas tax money in each of the next five years.

Police Post

It's inflatable and missing. RCMP are looking into a report of a boat stolen from Marriotts Cove. It has a white outboard motor attached and it went missing overnight Friday. Not locking their car doors ended up with a call to police. Also Friday night, someone rifled through a couple of vehicles parked at a residence on Summer Crescent in Bridgewater. Last Wednesday evening, a black Hyundai Accent was damaged in the Brigdewater Mall Parking Lot. It was parked near the "B" entrance. And overnight Tuesday, someone broke into a garage on Miller Drive. They stole a poulan power saw, delta mitre saw, an air compressor and a fishing rod.

Search Reduced

Release from JRCC - On the authority of the Search and Rescue Region Commander, the Halifax Joint Rescue Coordination Centre reduced the Search and Rescue operation to locate the missing crewmember of fishing vessel Lady Tiana at sunset this evening as all hope for his survival diminished considerably during the day. Every reasonable effort was expended and all leads were exhausted. It has been turned over to local RCMP as a missing person case. The decision has been discussed with family of the missing man and the local fishing community.

The 39 year old man fell overboard from F/V Lady Tiana, just outside Halifax Harbour at approximately 2:30 a.m. Atlantic Time this morning. JRCC Halifax was alerted at approximately 2:35 a.m. and immediately tasked Canadian Coast Guard Cutter Sambro and a CH 149 Cormorant helicopter from 413 Squadron at 14 Wing Greenwood. Thirteen other vessels from the local area and Canadian Coast Guard Ship, Sir William Alexander, also joined in the search throughout the day.

The Search and Rescue Region Commander, Rear Admiral Paul Maddison and the men and women of the Canadian Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard involved in this SAR operation offer their thoughts and prayers to the family of the missing man on this tragic occurrence.

Home Invader Jailed

A third Bridgewater man involved in a home invasion/robbery will be joining his co-accused behind bars. Twenty year old Joshua Lamont Mosher was sentenced to two and a-half years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to charges of robbery, wearing a mask and breaching his probation. Mosher was one of three people initially charged in the home invasion after three masked intruders forced their way into a Churchill Street apartment on the evening of October 24. They demanded money and assaulted a resident, then fired bear spray into the apartment before fleeing. The victim received only minor injuries. In July twenty year old Timothy Charles MacKenzie was sentenced to serve five years in prison for his role in the home invasion. Nineteen year old Matthew James Chase was also sentenced in July to a three years prison term.

A first for both the province and a newbie south shore MLA. Pam Birdsall rose in the House of Assembly as the first government member to respond to the Speech from the Throne. Birdsall moved that the first NDP Government Speech from the Throne be accepted as read by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, the Honourable Mayann Francis. She calls it an honour adding it is a special day for her as a new MLA and for the first NDP Government in Nova Scotia. The House of Assembly re-convened yesterday for the 61st sitting.