Islands Protected

**Photo by Department of Natural Resources**
Two South Shore islands are receiving protection from the Nova Scotia Nature Trust. Great Island and Selig Islands are located in Medway Harbour, halfway between Lunenburg and Shelburne. At 120 hectares, Great Island is the largest island ever protected from development off mainland Nova Scotia. The islands were owned by Bill Zimmerman and Susan Hauer, who sold the smaller island to the trust in 2009. This week, the couple signed a conservation agreement over Great Island.

John Ernest (Jack) Irving Passes Away

John Ernest (Jack) Irving, of Saint John, New Brunswick has died at the age of 78. He passed away today,(July 21st) following a short illness. Born January 1, 1932 he was a son of the late K.C. Irving and Harriet Lila “née MacNarin” Irving.
John E. Irving joined his father's business in 1952 and he worked all his life, along-side his brother Arthur in Irving Oil. In addition, John E. Irving was a Director of all Irving businesses and was responsible for and managed a number of the companies within the varied Irving enterprises.He was a Member of the Order of Canada, a Companion of the Order of The Business Hall of Fame, an inaugural member of the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame. Irving is survived by his wife Suzanne
Heather Cameron “née Farrer”, three children and six grandchildren. A funeral service will take place Saturday morning (July 24th) at 11:00am, at Trinity Anglican Church. A private family interment will take place at a later date.

Big EX gets Financial Boost

The Big EX got a big financial boost today in Bridgewater. South Shore-St.Margaret's M-P , Gerald Keddy, announced federal funding of 19 thousand, five hundred dollars for the South Shore Exhibition. Keddy says the Exhibition has been a staple in the community since 1891 and has provided an opportunity for local farmers, artisans and companies to gain recognition for their work, while contributing to the local economy. The Exhibition gets underway in Bridgewater from July 27-August 1, at the South Shore Exhibition Grounds on Dufferin Street.

Composites Atlantic at Trade Show

A Lunenburg company is included in a delegation taking part in the 2010 Farnborough International Airshow. Composites Atlantic Limited is represented at the biennial event, one of the world’s largest international showcases for aerospace equipment and technology. ACOA has invested 167 thousand dollars toward the trade mission which is hoped to help Atlantic Canadian aerospace and defence industry firms establish valuable international contacts and successfully compete on the
international stage.

Fish and Vessel Seized

Three men are facing charges of fishing without a licence following the seizure of 18 hundred pounds of halibut. A fishing vessel was apprehended off Blandford Monday afternoon in a joint operation involving fishery officers from six detachments led by Barrington. The vessel was escorted to New Harbour where the three men were arrested and their fishing gear and vessel were seized. Further charges are pending. The men have been released on an appearance notice and witl be back in Barrington Court on October 14th.

New VIC Officially Opens

The newly-constructed Liverpool Visitor Information Centre officially opened its doors today. (Tuesday, July 20). The Government of Canada invested just over 200 thousand dollars in the project last August through the Community Adjustment Fund.
In addition to the construction of the new VIC, the investment supported improvements to the surrounding waterfront infrastructure, including safer, more attractive walkways, upgraded parking facilities and increased accessibility for recreational vehicles. Region of Queens Mayor, John Leefe says the new Visitor Information Centre will enhance economic development opportunities for the Municipality. South Shore/St. Margaret's M-P Gerald Keddy was on hand for the official opening.

Farmer's Dairy Strike Update

The union president for Farmer's workers says the company hasn't been entirely truthful.

Brian Bennett says Farmers Dairy isn't using all non-unionized workers on the job.

He says they're also using SCAB workers, or people who aren't qualified to run the equipment.

Bennett says the fact that Farmers says its using ALL non-unionized workers is "completely false."

Andrea Hickey with Farmers Dairy says they are being forced to use temporary workers for distribution and are still dedicated to creating a quality product.

The strike has entered its ninth day and Bennett says there's still no planned talks between the two sides.

Jail Time for Drugs

A Bridgewater man has been sentenced to over two years in prison after pleading guilty to drug charges. Twenty five year-old Jason Samuel Emmons fled to Ontario in 2007 to try to avoid the charges but was arrested in May and brought back to the province. He pleaded guilty to three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and four Criminal Code charges late last week. Emmons will serve two years and four months in custody.

Sudden Death Investigated

Lunenburg County RCMP are investigating the sudden death of a 23-year-old woman early Saturday morning. Emergency Health Services responded to a call at a home on Stovepipe Lane in Mahone Bay around 7:30am July 17th.Police say the woman was in cardiac arrest and emergency personnel couldn't revive her.

Man Injuured in Fall

A Lunenburg man was taken to hospital this morning (Friday,July 16) after falling off a ladder while trying to get on his boat. Lunenburg County RCMP responded to the call shortly after 9am at the Fisherman's Wharf. Reports indicate the man fell approximately eight feet and landed on the concrete below. The man, whose name wasn't released, is from the local area. He was conscious and transported to hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Employment Solutions Funding

People with disabilities will get help preparing for jobs as a result of federal support for Employment Solutions Society. South Shore/St.Margarets M.P. Gerald Keddy, announced funding of 80 thousand, 434 dollars under the Community Coordinator component of the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. The project will help 16 people with disabilities gain the skills they need to obtain jobs. Employment Solutions Society has delivered funding programs as a community coordinator for the last few years to clients with disabilities in the Lunenburg and Queens counties. As of July 5th,program delivery for the Opportunities Fund has been expanded to clients in Windsor and East Hants.The Opportunities Fund helps support an array of activities, such as increasing employability skills, providing work experience and preparing individuals for self-employment.

Chester Wharf Attack

He was supposed to have a trial date set, instead one of the men involved in a violent attack at a Chester wharf last summer entered a guilty plea to two charges of assault on Wednesday. Twenty-seven year old Joel Ray Meister admitted he kicked a man and threw rocks at a woman during the altercation last August 20th. The woman was sent to hospital with serious head injuries. The Crown and Defence both agreed Meister who had jumped into a scuffle to help a friend played a lesser role in the night's events and did not inflict the woman's injuries. He's been sentenced to 18 months on probation with a number of conditions and has been ordered to take counselling. Meantime, 29 year old Chad Wesley Swinimer has pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing bodily harm and will be sentenced August 30th.

Truck Ties Up Traffic

A truck mishap tied-up traffic in Bridgewater Monday evening shortly after 6:00 o'clock. Apparently, the parking-brakes on a lumber-truck did not prevent the vehicle from moving forward, allowing it to block North Street by the "Cookville Irving" and strike a tree on the opposite side of the road. A "loader" was needed to remove the lumber off the truck before it could be moved. Members of the Northfield Fire Department received assistance from Bridgewater firefighters for traffic-control while New Germany fire-fighters remained on "standby" at the Northfield Fire Hall.
***Photo..courtesy of Casey Boutilier***

Farmres Dairy Dispute Update

Talks remain stalled between the two sides of a local labour dispute.

The CEP-Local 40 Union and Farmer's Dairy haven't spoken since a 17-hour bargaining session on July 9th, resulting in both sides walking away for the table.

Union President Brian Bennett says though there are no plans for further talks, he believes the non-unionized workers filling in can only last so long.

The union is holding out because of issues surrounding pay, pension and force labour.

Over 240 workers have been off the job since 12:01 Saturday morning.

New Nurse for New Germany

The New Germany and Area Medical Centre is getting a temporary nurse. Dawn Chubbs has accepted a part-time role with South Shore Health, replacing Rob Snelling, who resigned earlier this month. Chubbs will see patients two to three days a week and will also work part-time with South Shore Health's stroke program. She'll start seeing patients starting July 26th.

Fire Departments to Merge

The Municipality of Lunenburg is going through a firefighting makeover. The decision to combine the Newcombville, Chelsea and Baker Settlement fire departments was approved at a Municipal Council meeting on Tuesday, July 13th. The mayor of the Municipality of Lunenburg, Don Downe, says the three fire department chiefs proposed the combination, to provide better service to the area. He says they're are also amalgamating because of issues surrounding old equipment, training and manpower.
Downe says the departments will get the help from the municipality's solicitor and clerk.

Car Hits Liverpool Bank

Queens RCMP are continuing their investigation into a motor vehicle mishap in which a car drove into the Scotiabank in Liverpool.

The incident occured Friday afternoon when a vehicle with two elderly occpants suddenly accelerated along Market Street and crashed into the ScotiaBank.

Before the car crashed into the building, it had already struck the Queens County By-Law Patrol Vehicle from behind and pushed it off the road.

The two occupants in the Patrol Vehicle, as well as the two elderly occupants of the car, were taken to the Queens General Hospital.

The Mounties report that all four people sustained "light to moderate injuries" and are expected to recover.

The Liverpool Scotiabank sustained extensive damage to its storefront.

The Queens R-c-M-P continue to look into the cause of the crash.

Two Men in Court for Alleged Robbery and Violence

Two men will appear in Bridgewater court Monday morning to face a number of charges.

On Thursday, July 8th, 2010, Bridgewater Police recieved a complaint of a robbery with violence on Victoria Road.

R-C-M-P arrested two men and held them overnight while the investigation continued.

On Friday, the two men were charged with numerous offences, including "robbery" and "assault causing bodily harm".

Man Hospitalized after Chelsea Highway Accident

A 46-year-old man has been taken to hospital after a highway accident in Lunenburg County.

The man was trapped inside a 2008 Astor after it went off the road on Highway-210 in Upper Chelsea shortly after 9:00 o'clock this morning.

The Chelsea Fire Department, along with the RCMP and an ambulance, were on the scene.

The Baker Settlement Fire Department also assisted at the site of the mishap.

Shelburne County Drug Raid

A 25-year-old man faces charges after an RCMP drug raid in Shelburne County.

The Mounties confiscated 63 marihuana plants yesterday when they used a search warrant to investigate a residence in Beaverdam.

They also found various articles used to grow marihuana.

The police arrested a Beaverdam resident in Shelburne in connection with the drug seizure.

They released him and he will appear at a later date in Shelburne Provincial Court to face a charge of "production of marihuana".

A member of the Shelburne county Street Crime Unit says there is no evidence that the pot was intended for sale anywhere other than in the local area.

Corporal Nancy Mason says that the marihuana would have had an estimated street-value of 60-thousand-dollars.