Charges in 5 Year Old Break-Ins

A Shelburne County man has been charged with several counts of break, enter and theft which occurred during a five year period in Yarmouth County. Twenty-nine year old Michael Jordan Wamback of Clark's Harbour is charged with seven counts of break, enter and theft as well as two counts of theft. During the last five years, numerous break and enters were reported in the Argyle area of Yarmouth County. Wamback has a court date of December 7th. The investigation is continuing and several other charges of break, enter and theft are expected.

Parent Alert Sessions

The Lunenburg County RCMP are holding "Parent Alert" sessions beginning tonight in New Germany. The meetings will be held at the firehall beginning at 7 p.m. Constable Ashley Levy, the School Safety Resource Officer says all sessions are directly related to issues youth are having in the area. The meetings will deal with Internet Safety, Drugs and Alcohol Addictions, Parenting Strategies and Sexual harassment and Relationship Abuse.

No Parking Signs to be Installed

A neighbourly feud has been somewhat settled by Lunenburg Town Council. One resident requested the Town to post "No Parking" signs on both sides of Hill Street because her neighbours are blocking off her driveway. A recommendation from the Town Engineer and Traffic Authority concurred the signs be installed on Hill Street from Cumberland Street to Lincoln Street. Council was asked to reconsider that recommendation at its Tuesday night meeting. A motion to delay installing the signs until the end of November in hopes the neighbours could work out a compromise was defeated by Council. Mayor Laurence Mawhinney says after much discussion and debate, Council decided to stick with its original decision. The signs will go up as soon as they arrive.

DOORS LEFT UNLOCKED FOR LOCAL THIEF

Bridgewater Town Police are warning residents to lockup.

Police say there were a number of thefts from vehicles on St. Phillips street, last Friday.

On Saturday night, four vehicles left unlocked in Hebbville, Wileville and Upper Branch had items stolen from inside.

Both Bridgewater Town Police and Lunenburg County RCMP are seeking information on these crimes.

QUEENS FUNDING DRIVE A SUCESS

The two million dollar fundraising drive for Queens Place Recreation Facility is well underway.

One third of the remaining facility cost has been accounted for in the first day of the campaign.

More than 785,800 dollars in donations were announced yesterday.

Former resident, Valerie Dyer, Dartmouth resident, Frances Inglis, Ulf and Barb Snarby, the Raddall family, Council members and numerous anonymous donors contributed to the healthy sum.

The facility, which plans on opening its doors in January, will contain an NHL size ice rink, an indoor walking track, a fitness centre, and a community room.

BEARS IN BRIDGEWATER

Bridgewater Town Police are advising citizens to watch out for wildlife.

A black bear and her cub were spotted in town, on Aberdeen Road yesterday afternoon.

Both animals had fled the area by the time police and Natural Resources officials responded to the call.

Deputy Chief John Collyer with Bridgewater Police says there are real concerns over safety when people and wild animals meet.

"If this is a bear and a cub, mom would obviously be very protective of the cub. And anytime that momma bear feels confronted, or feels that her cub is at risk, there could be risk to life and limb for anybody coming in contact," says Collier.

Collyer says citizens who see a bear near a residential area should contact Police or Natural Resources right away.

Police are also advising that compost piles and garbage heaps be kept under lock and key.

COURT TO ASESS EVIDENCE OF MURDER

A Nova Scotia man arrested in Lunenburg over the summer on a Canada wide warrant for murder has had dates set for his preliminary hearing.

Twenty year-old Robert Harris Lamb of Dartmouth faces a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Jonathan Beaton, who died after a brawl outside a house party in Antigonish on January. 1st.

Four days were set aside for his preliminary inquiry beginning January 4th.

The inquiry will determine if there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial.

ARREST IN EASTERN PASSAGE

Two young men are facing multiple charges after an arrest in Eastern Passage.

Halifax Regional Municipal RCMP responded to a call of a break and enter at a residence on Megan Drive in Lawrencetown yesterday morning.

A neighbour was able to give the RCMP member a description of the vehicle and license plate.

Later that day, an RCMP member on patrol in Eastern Passage spotted the suspect vehicle on Cowbay Road.

A sixteen-year-old and an eighteen-year-old were arrested and will appear in Bridgewater Court at a later date to face charges of Break and Enter and Possession of Stolen Property.

The RCMP are investigating the possibility that the suspects have committed multiple break and enters in the region.

LOBSTER BOAT CREW RESCUED NEAR LIVERPOOL

Three crewmen including the captain of a South Shore lobster vessel are safe, sound and dry after being rescued earlier this morning.

The lobster vessel ... Brute Force ... out of Baccarro ... was pushed on to rocks at Coffin Island near Liverpool by a heavy surf and efforts to refloat the vessel failed.

Around 5 o'clock this morning, with several fishing boats standing-by, a search and rescue helicopter lifted the three men off the vessel to a waiting Coast Guard ship.

The men have since been transported to port.

At last word, Brute Force was still stuck on the rocks.

FIRE INVESTIGATION ONGOING

In light of some new information, Lunenburg County RCMP are seeking the public's assistance with an ongoing investigation in Lower Branch.

An unidentified male was seen in the area of the South Shore Truck Centre on North King Street shortly before two semi tractor trucks were engulfed in flames.

The vehicles were destroyed by the suspicious fire on August 22nd, causing two-hundred thousand dollars in damage.

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

BRASS BELL STOLEN FROM CEMETERY

A Shelburne woman says thieves who stole an antique brass bell from Roseway Cemetery have desecrated her ancestors resting place.

The relic that dates back to 1912 was stolen sometime between last Wednesday and Saturday.

Nan Holden was shocked to discover it missing.

"Disbelief. Total disbelief that somebody would actually remove that bell from the cemetery. It's sort of like knocking over tombstones...It's very personal to all of us in this community and people far beyond this community who have history with the church and the bell," says Holden.

Holden says the bell would ring out to parishioners every Sunday from Rosewood United, until the church was decommissioned in 1993 and torn down.

Shelburne RCMP say the bell, weighing hundreds of pounds would be no small feat to steal.

Sea Cadets Experience Thrill

Sea Cadets from Chester and Barrington Passage are among a group experiencing the excitement and challenges of life at sea. The cadets are on board HMCS St. John’s as the ship returns to Halifax after several weeks at sea conducting a Lieutenant Governor’s Cruise and providing assistance to communities along the Newfoundland’s Burin Peninsula in the aftermath of Hurricane Igor. The cadets are fully integrated into the Ship’s Company while on board, performing duties such as look-out and helmsman, while also assisting with food preparation and serving, engineering, supply, administration, and damage control.
The South Shore cadets include 16 year old Petty Officer Second Class Faith Richardson, 16, 327 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps, Barrington Passage, and 14 year old Master Seaman Chelsea Collicutt, , 351 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps, Chester. Only about 120 sea cadets across Canada take part in the experience annually.

Clearcutting Ban in Doubt

A ban on clearcutting may be canned by the province because of the cost of administering and enforcing a permit program. The Municipality of Chester has sent a letter to the Minister on behalf of small woodlot owners. Warden Alan Webber says following a presentation by the Ecology Action Centre, Council was asked to support an outright ban on clearcutting.Webber says in a general sense, at a high level Council agrees with the Centre's position, but are somewhat concerned with what
that means on the ground and how far Council goes in its support. He says there will be further dialogue before Council concludes it's final position.
The province is looking at alternate methods that will allow for the monitoring of clearcutting along with phased-in reduction targets.

OPERATION IMPACT

** Cst. Sara MacDonald viewing the vehicle registration and insurance of Tanya Burkholder.

Beginning Friday and over the holiday weekend, OPERATION IMPACT , a national campaign to make Canada's roads the safest in the world will be in full swing. The focus will be on behaviours that put drivers, passengers and other road users most at risk: impaired driving, seat belt use, and all aspects related to aggressive driving. All enforcement agencies across the country have been invited to participate. The Bridgewater Police Service,in support of Operation Impact,will be conducting Road Safety Checks throughout the long weekend.

Recreation Use Grant

Even though they're appreciative, they would like more money. The Town of Lunenburg has received a grant of 19 thousnd dollars from the Municipality of Lunenburg. The money is to offset the municipality's residents' use of the town's facilities, particularly the Lunenburg Arena. Deputy-Mayor Jamie Myra says there should be a fairer cost sharing arrangement and has called for a meeting with the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. Meantime, Council has asked staff to research and report on other funding models in place elsewhere.

HUNTING FOR OAK ISLAND TREASURE

One treasure hunter says he's finding new clues of what lies beneath Oak Island.

Dan Blankenship and his team have received a treasure trove licence from the Nova Scotia Government allowing them to search the island until the new year.

But Blankenship is keeping mum about what they've found so far in their hunt for the centuries old cache.

"We keep finding evidence of different things, which were not about to divulge. But the big thing is that we haven't yet come up with anything we can put into the bank. It's all been expenditures. Nothing coming in, " says Blankenship.

Blankenship says a new business partnership has allowed his forty-five-year search to continue.

A magazine article, on the perils of the island and it's elusive treasure, inspired Blankenship to move from Miami and pursue his own hunt.

ALLEGED ASSAULTS IN MAHONE BAY

Two youths are facing multiple charges after an altercation in Mahone Bay this weekend.

A thirteen year old Cookville youth faces a charge of 'Assault Causing Bodily Harm' after he allegedly assaulted a younger boy on Orchard Street on Saturday night.

Later that night, a 16 year old Baker's Settlement boy was arrested and is facing charges of 'Assault Causing Bodily Harm' and 'Obstructing a Police Officer'.

Lunenburg County Police say the victims in each case were different but the crimes stemmed from the same crowd of roudy teens.

Both young men were released and will appear in Youth Court later this month.

POLICE ADVISE LOCALS, 'LOCK UP'

Lunenburg County RCMP are advising locals to keep their cars under lock and key after a string of thefts from vehicles.

On Saturday, four vehicles left unlocked in Hebbville, Wileville and Upper Branch had items stolen from inside.

Others in the area reported having their vehicles rummaged through, when left unlocked and unattended.

Constable Rob James says the incidents have alot in common and likely involve the same suspect or group of suspects.

The investigation is ongoing.

New Cardiac Monitors for South Shore Health

South Shore Health has received confirmation of funding for replacement cardiac monitors. The Department of Health has agreed to fund 75 percent, about 542 thousand dollars towards the purchase of 45 new cardiac monitors for the District.
The Health Services Foundation of the South Shore has agreed to provide 142 thousand to cover the remaining costs for the machines that will be replaced at South Shore Regional and Fishermen’s Memorial Hospitals. A request has also been made to the Queens General Hospital Foundation to fund the remaining costs for the montiors for the hospital in Liverpool.

Vital Signs Report Launched Tuesday

Lunenburg County Vital Signs report will be launched tomorrow, (Tuesday October 5th) at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Place in Middle LaHave. Residents will find out how well their community is doing on a number of measures of quality. The purpose of Lunenburg County’s Vital Signs is to provide a snapshot of the quality of life in the County. It also provides a framework to identify community trends, and explore opportunities for action. Issues surrounding housing, employment, crime rates, education, health and wellness, recreation and sense of belonging in the community are some of the areas covered. A similar study was conducted last year for the town of Wolfville.