POLICE INVESTIGATE PEPPER SPRAY ASSAULT

Bridgewater Town Police are investigating an unusual assault.

Saturday at midnight, police found a seventeen-year-old boy dousing himself with water on the corner of Queen and Dominion Street,

According to the Bridgewater resident he had been attacked near Bridgewater high by another male wielding pepper spray.

Deputy Chief John Collier says emergency response took special measures to help the young man recover.

"(The victim) was then transported to the South Shore Regional Hospital by police for treatment and it was this individual who was later assisted by the Bridgewater Fire Department. Apparently he needed a great deal of decontamination," says Collier.

Collier says the suspect could face charges of assault or assault with a weapon.

Police continue their investigation.

THREE MEN ARRESTED, STOLEN GOODS RECOVERED

Three people have been arrested after a break-in and theft last night at a seasonal residence in Woodstock.

The male suspects, ages 22, 33 and 42 were apprehended by Lunenburg County RCMP not long after the incident on Dory Mills Road and stolen goods were recovered from a vehicle.

The suspects were released and will appear in Bridgewater court at a later date.

The investigation continues.

ROAD CLOSURE

The road may be closed but King Street is still open for business.

Starting tomorrow the intersection of Dufferin Street and King Streets including a portion of King Street will closed to through traffic.

Bridgewater Town Engineer, Harland Wyand says the construction of a new storm surge should not impede shoppers.

" We just want to clarify that there should not be an impact. Anyone in the travelling public should feel free to come in to King Street and park in South parkade or along King Street during the construction period, "says Wyand.

Wyand says pedestrian walk-ways will also be accessible.

It will take workers at least two weeks to construct a new storm surge underneath the roadway.

Hospital Overcrowding

Hospital overcrowding continues to be a challenge for South Shore Health. C-E-O Alice Leverman says additional long term care beds will be opening later this fall, 18 in Lunenburg and 12 in New Germany. Leverman says hospital overcrowding causes a lot of concern and frustration for patients and families. They may experience delays in admission, long wait times or transfers to other hospitals for care and surgeries may also be cancelled. She says it also creates a stressful working environment for staff.
A new director of Access and Flow has been put in place . Efforts are also continuing to enhance access to primary care and community based supports that help seniors and others remain independent, healthy and safe in their communities and improve patient flow through the system.

South Shore Health AGM

South Shore Health's annual meeting is set for 6 o'clock tonight at the new Best Western Hotel. Both Community Health Boards will be among 17 displays showcasing their work to improve the held of the community. C-E-O Alice Leverman says there will also be displays by a number of the Health Authority's program areas. At 7 o'clock there will be a video featuring true life stories from individuals impacted by South Shore Health's services followed by a panel discussion. The business portion of the Annual General Meeting will follow at 8 p.m.

TWO BUILDINGS DESTOYED BY FIRE

Barrington RCMP are investigating after two suspicious fires took place this weekend.

RCMP responded to a call at a fish plant at Bull's Head Wharf in Stoney Island. They arrived in the early morning hours of Saturday to discover that the large building and the fish products contained inside were completely destroyed by fire.

The second fire occurred Sunday evening. RCMP arrived to find a storage building on Kennedy Street in Clarke's Harbour also completely incinerated by fire.

Island and Barrington Fire Department were assisted at both scenes by several other detachments and a Fire Marshall investigator.

Barrington RCMP are seeking help from the public in their investigation.

Anyone with information regarding these crimes are asked to contact Barrington Detachment or Crime Stoppers.

WOMAN ATTACKED BY ANOTHER IN LUNENBURG

RCMP in Lunenburg are looking for a woman believed to have been involved in a fight with another woman last evening on Lincoln Street in the town.

A 28 year old woman was assaulted after the two had words.

The alledged assailant was apparently accompanied by three other females and a male prior to the assault.

The group was seen running down Falkland Street following the attack.

The victim was treated for a head injury at South Shore Regional Hospital and later released.

RCMP are investigating and searching for the assailant described as about 22 years of age with long, dark hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lunenburg County RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

WOMAN INJURED IN LUNENBURG STREET ASSAULT

RCMP in Lunenburg are looking for a woman believed to have been involved in a fight with another woman last evening on Lincoln Street in the town.

A 28 year old woman was assaulted after the two had words.

The alledged assailant was apparently accompanied by three other females and a male prior to the assault.

The group was seen running down Falkland Street following the attack.

The victim was treated for a head injury at South Shore Regional Hospital and later released.

RCMP are investigating and searching for the assailant described as about 22 years of age with long, dark hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lunenburg County RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Poppies Tax Exemption

Seems it was all a misunderstanding. The Municipality of Lunenburg was asked for a letter of support regarding a request to the Prime Minister to exempt Legions from paying the 5 percent GST on the purchases of red lapel poppies. The initial request came from St. Catharine's City Council. However, further clarification was sought and Mayor Don Downe says it was determined that there is no sales (HST/GST) charged by Dominion Command to Provincial Commands and Branches. There is HST charged on the manufacturing of Poppies but this is paid by Dominion Command at the time of purchase. Further, poppies are not sold, monies received are donations which are then deposited in the Poppy Trust Funds for the benefit of veterans and their families across Canada.

Service Capacity/Operational Review for MODL

Ramp Up Consulting of Halifax, the winning proposal to conduct a Service Capacity/Operational Review for the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. Council budgeted 35 thousand dollars for the review in the 2010.11 operating budget and has received 10 thousand in funding from the province for completion of the project. Seven proposals were submitted and based on the evaluation criteria, Ramp Up Consulting although not the lowest price, scored the highest. Council awarded the proposal at a cost of 43 thousand 300 dollars. Three councillors and the C-A-O will work with the consultant. A preliminary report is expected by December.

Trucking Services for LRCRC

Maughan's Construction of Bridgewater has been awarded a two year contract to supply on-site trucking services for the Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre. Four bids were received but two were rejected because they were incomplete. Lunenburg Municipal Council awarded Maughan's the tender for 44 thousand 827 dollars, 53 hundred under budget.

SCHOOL TRIPS SCALED BACK

Students on the South Shore now have a quota on their field trips.

The South Shore Regional School Board has limited the number of bus trips per day.

Only eight extra-curricular treks will be provided by Transportation Services.

Organizers will also have to give a full weeks notice and trips will be granted on a first come first served basis.

School Board member, Gary Mailman says the new rules could be problematic for sports teams who can't give full notice or for students in rural districts who rely heavily on provided transportation.

STUDENT GRAY ZONES IN QUESTION

The South Shore Regional School Board is attempting to streamline it's bus routes.

The board is seeking feedback from parents and guardians on some proposed plans to limit which school a student may attend.

Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says no changes will be made before thorough consultation.

"Once the board hears from the public, the board will make a decision; will they continue to offer busing to more than one school or will they make a decision that student in a certain geographic would go to particular school? ," says Pynch-Worthylake.

Pynch-Worthylake says saving money on transportation will help direct increased funding at educational programs for children.

School Board representative,Trish Smith says districts where students have the option to attend a number of schools are in question under the proposed changes.

Smith says all options provided in the prospsed plans allow students to be grandfathered at their current school.

For more information on the month-end meetings visit ssrsb.ca

Missing Motor

The Mounties are on the look-out for a missing boat motor. The theft occurred during the overnight hours of September 23rd, The Honda, four-stroke 15 horse power outboard motor, silver in colour was taken from 396 Old Kettle Road in Mill Village. The motor had been chained to a boat was was stored on the property.
Anyone having information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Liverpool RCMP or CRIMESTOPPERS.

Drug Charges

A Bridgewater man is facing charges following the seizure of a quantity of prescription medication at a residence on Henley Drive . The 41 year old is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and will appear in court for plea November 24th. Meantime a 34 year Maitland resident will appear in court the same day on charges of illegal production of Marihuana and possessing marihuana for the purpose of trafficking . A quantity of processed marijuana was seized during a search of a residence on Highway 325 in Maitland.

Truck Tips Over

A bit of a scare but no series injuries when a garbage truck flipped in the ditch in Newburne yesterday. Apparently the driver of the truck pulled over to the side of a narrow dirt road to let another vehicle pass by. The shoulder of the road gave way beneath the truck and it tipped over. An RCMP spokesman says it was a pretty minor incident with less than a thousand dollars damage.

Stunting Charges

A second "stunting" charge has been laid within four days by the Integrated Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit based out of Chester.. The charges are the result of drivers travelling at speeds in excess of 50 km/h over the posted speed limit of 100 km/h. In one case, the speed exceeded the posted limit by 80 kilometres per hour. Two males ages 19 and 20 were issued immediate 7 day licence suspensions, fines of 24 hundred dollars and had their vehicles seized for 7 days. The incidents took place at Exits 8 and 9 on the 103 Highway.

Share the Warmth

It's only Fall but the cold weather will be on us before you know it. Atlantic Fabric's in Oakhill is presenting its ninth annual "Share the Warmth" next Monday and Tuesday, September 27th and 28th from 9am till 9pm at the Bridgewater Fire Hall. Atlantic Fabrics is donating quilt batting, thread and backing for quilts and customers are being asked to donate their scrap fabrics for the quilt tops. People are also being asked to volunteer some time to make up the quilts which will be distributed to the areas shelters for bedding.
In the past six years, volunteers have collectively made over 28 hundred quilts which are now being enjoyed at over 14 shelters and organizations across the province.

Solar Energy for Town Hall

It came down to quality. Bridgewater Town Council has approved a tender for the supply and installation of of a solar thermal energy system at Town Hall. Scotian Renewables was awarded the contract for 102 thousand 721 dollars, over budget by 22 thousand dollars. Mayor Carroll Publicover says despite the overrun, it was the best way to go. The company achieved a better all-round design with higher quality components, a stronger offering of customer service, and better and more qualified corporate experience. Funding for the project is coming from the Federal Gas Tax. The Town can expect to achieve a simple payback of its solar costs in about 6 to 8 years.

Business Excellence Awards

Eighteen businesses in Lunenburg and Queens have been selected as finalists from more than 100 nominations received for the Lunenburg Queens Business Excellence Awards.The category winners will be announced at the gala Awards Dinner being held this year at Atlantica Hotel & Marina Oak Island on October 4th, 2010. As well as the honour of being deemed leader in their category, the finalists will be vying for a beautiful plaque crafted by Amos Pewter of Mahone Bay. The Nominations are:

ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARD:
Helping Nature Heal, TecBox, and The Nodding Group
EXPORT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
MacIntyre-Purcell Publishing Ltd., HEKA Electronics Inc., and LP East River (Canexel)
HOSPITALITY AWARD:
Fleur de Sel Restaurant, Bridgewater Comfort Inn, and White Point
LARGE BUSINESS AWARD:
High Liner Foods Inc., J.M. Reynolds Pharmacy, and Julien’s Pastry Shop Ltd.
NEW BUSINESS AWARD:
School House Gluten-Free Gourmet, Able Engineering Services Inc., and Apple Berry Farm Market
SMALL BUSINESS AWARD:
Windhorse Farm, Meisner & Zwicker Construction Ltd., and Safe Home Security

The guest speaker at this years awards ceremony is Aileen Reid, Founder and CEO, A.P. Reid Insurance Stores Limited.