Shooting in Kings County

Kings County RCMP are investigating after a shooting Saturday morning.

Police say a bullet entered the 2nd floor of a West Brooklyn residence injuring a nineteen year old occupant.

The victim of the shooting has since been released from hospital.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact Kings County RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Investigators say the suspect may not be aware that their shot reached a home or human flesh.

PREPARATIONS ALREADY UNDERWAY FOR SPRINGTIME AT THE BRIDGEWATER COMMUNITY GARDEN

Winter will set in before long but many Bridgewater residents who make use of the "Community Garden" are already dreaming of spring tulips and fresh tomatoes.

Melanie Coldwell says the group is looking to expand in the spring.
More than 40 people regularly enjoyed the fresh produce from the garden this past season.
Coldwell says the garden, with the help of town council, has created a strong sense of community.

Operation Christmas Launched

Queens MLA Vicki Conrad on hand Thursday to help launch Operation Christmas. Checkpoints targeting impaired drivers were set up in Truro to signify the start of the province-wide initiative. Operation Christmas is an annual campaign to reduce impaired driving. Conrad says the days of having a couple of drinks and getting behind the wheel are long gone The province, in partnership with law enforcement across Nova Scotia are sending a clear message that if you drink and drive, there are serious consequences. Impaired driving is one of the leading contributing factors in fatal collisions in Nova Scotia.

Public Input Sought on Wind Energy By-law

The Municipality of Shelburne will be holding a public meeting December 2nd to present to residents a draft policy and bylaw for the regulation of wind turbines. Residents are encouraged to attend the session from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jordan Falls IOOF Hall and provide feedback on the draft documents.  Detailed mapping of wind resources in the District  and a series of public consultations  took place over the summer months. The Municipality of the District of Shelburne is continuing work on a wind energy development plan, in partnership with the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.

Chester Reduces Septage Waste Costs

The Municipality of Chester is reducing the cost for accepting septage waste from 30 to 22 dollars per ton. Warden Alan Webber says the price had been increased to cover the costs of compliance with new regulations coming into effect in January. There was some discussion on the merit of reducing the charge or not providing the service. By reducing the charge the Municipality could at least recoup some lost revenue. Webber also says there are some capacity issues with the  Municipality's dewatering truck. It works great for the sewer treatment plants but doesn't work well at the landfill, processing all the sewage that comes in from all over the Municiaplity. The reduction in septage costs will remain in effect until March 31st of next year.

United Way of Lunenburg County

They're lean and mean and want to put as much money as possible back into the community. That's how Michael Graves described the United Way of-Lunenburg County during a presentation to Chester Council. Graves says since 2006 they've invested a little more than 454 thousand dollars in Lunenburg County organizations with direct benefits to the Municipality of Chester. He says 94 thousand 600 of that investment provided an exclusive benefit only to the residents of Chester.   Graves says if every single working person in Lunenburg County contributed just 15 cents a day the organization would raise over 1.1 million dollars a year. Some of the projects funded by the United Way in the municipality of Chester include P.R.O. Kids, Chester Community Wheels, the New Ross recreation field ,Bonnie Lea Farm and Through the Years Community Community Centre in Hubbards.

TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER WATCHING SPENDING

The province is looking to slash funding to all of its departments in order to balance the budget.

Bridgewater Mayor Carroll Publicover says politicians and residents alike need to be prepared for the fiscal unknown.
He says the Town of Bridgewater has a surplus right now and to help maintain that situation in the future, expenses have to be kept under control and even reduced to do so.
However, the mayor says everything could change in the second quarter.
Premier Darrell Dexter has said current provincial spending is not sustainable and the deficit must be reduced.
The province is facing a shortfall of more than 590 million dollars.

PUBLIC TO HAVE INPUT ON PLANNING FOR NEW SOUTH QUEENS HIGH SCHOOL

South Queens is getting a new school and one small group of South Shore Residents are sure to get some say in the planning process.

The South Shore Regional School Board is establishing a "School Steering Team".
The group, of more than a dozen members, will provide recommendations on school location, layout and design to the Minister of Education.
Peter Howitt of the Department of Education, Barry Butler of the South Shore Regional School Board and Darlene Norman of the the Region of Queens Council are among the chosen members of the group.
Anyone with suggestions for school sites are asked to contact 'Steering School Team' members online at SSRSB-DOT-C-A.

FEWER TRAPS RECOMMENDED BY LOBSTER STUDY

A newly released study suggests lobster fishermen should reduce the number of traps they put in the water each year.

The study by consulting firm Gardner Pinfold has been presented to the Lobster Council of Canada.
Council executive director Geoff Irvine says the idea of fewer traps is nothing new.
He says the industry could keep a tighter grip on prices by controlling the supply.
The report also recommends lobster fishermen make fewer trips and even have individual quotas.
Irvine says it's important to remember that the report contains only recommendations.
The fall lobster fishery in southwestern Nova Scotia begins on Monday.

TROUT THREATENED BY "FOREIGN" SPECIES OF FISH

Changes to existing laws governing sport fishing are seen as a good first step by a conservation group whose aim is to protect trout from extinction in South Shore rivers and steams.

The Nova Scotia government is bringing in amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Resources Act aimed at preventing anglers from introducing threatening species to waterways, like small-mouth bass and chain pickerel.
Those fish have been slowly destroying the trout population.
The group, "Trout Nova Scotia", says the changes to the act will help protect existing trout and rebuild stocks but they believe the government should be making it even more difficult for some anglers to introduce predatory species to waterways.
Among the proposed changes to the act: penalties that include a 1-thousand dollar fine, suspension of fishing privaleges for 5 years and the seizure of vehicles, boats and trailers.

Police VS Paramedics

Here's your chance to tell the police or paramedics to "Stuff It ".  The second annual food bank challenge is set for  Saturday  December 4th from 1 to 4 p.m.. Town Police are taking on EHS paramedics to see who can stuff their vehicles the most with items for the Bridgewater Interchurch Food Bank. The teams will battle it out in the Superstore parking lot . Last years competition was declared a draw . Two police cares, an ambulance and van were filled with non-perishable items all donated to the food bank. Donations can also be dropped off at the police station on Exhibition Drive or the EHS base on North Street.

Clean Slate for Canada Day Committee

Bridgewater Town Council is giving Canada on the LaHave's planning committee a clean financial slate.

Council will forgive a three-hundred dollar debt incurred by this years festivities.

Mayor Carroll Publicover says the committee was once disorganized and indebted with few members.

That's changed though.

"They've picked up the pieces and put it back together and it's going to be a great Canada Day this year," says Publicover.

Publicover says forgiving the debt is a symbolic sign of support for event organizers.

This year's Canada Day celebrations included local music, live entertainment and a healthy dose of fireworks.

Planning Commitee Members Appointed

A handful of Bridgewater residents have gained membership in an exclusive club.


The Town of Bridgewater has appointed eight locals to the Planning Review Advisory Committee.

Kari Barkhouse of South Shore Health, Ida Scott of the Bridgewater Development Association and Joanne Faulkenham of the Town Centre Development Association are among the chosen few.

The group will recommend changes in building regulations as it sifts through every by-law on the books in Bridgewater.

Council expects it will take until February 2013 to complete the process.

Suspect Smashed Patrol Car

A twenty-year old Dartmouth man is facing numerous charges after allegedly trying to escape an RCMP traffic checkpoint in Newcombville.

South Shore Traffic Services stopped the man on highway 325 this weekend.

Police say the suspect refused a roadside screening test, became agitated, and attempted to escape arrest by kicking the windows out of a patrol car.

The accused will appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court on Monday.

South Shore Drivers Suspended

A handful of South Shore residents are facing charges after increased traffic patrols across the South Shore this week.

A 31-year old man from Lower Branch is facing charges of impaired driving after being stopped at roadside checkpoint near his home.

Police say he had been drinking and failed a roadside screening test and a breath test on Saturday.

The same day, a  33 year-old Bridgewater man received a seven day licence suspension for impaired driving after being stopped a checkpoint in Lower Branch.

Meantime, a 21-year old Chester Basin man received a 90 day suspension of his drivers licence after failing a breath test at a roadside checkpoint.

Police are ramping up traffic patrols in conjunction with new laws with stiffer consequences for impaired drivers.

Tanning Beds Banned for Those Under 19

The province is proposing legislation to ban people under the age of 19 from using tanning beds. Health Minister Maureen MacDonald says the legislation is aimed at saving young people from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. The legislation, which will encourage healthy habits among young people, was met with support from physicians and a number of health interest groups. In the coming months, the department will work with health partners, tanning bed operators and other interest groups to develop regulations for this legislation which would also require tanning bed operators to display signs with information warning of the health impact of tanning bed use. Businesses that contravene the age restriction could face a $2,000 fine for the first offence, $5,000 for a second and $10,000 for a third.

Schoolboard Holds Public Meetings on Budget Implications

Tonight is the first in a series of public meetings hosted by the South Shore Regional School Board to present the Board's mission, goals and priorities and to discuss upcoming provincial budget implications. Tonight's session will be held at Hebbville Academy, with meetings also set for Tuesday at Chester Area Middle School, and next Monday, November 29th at Liverpool Regional High. The meetings from 7 to 9 p.m

will be opportunities for families and community members to learn more about the direction of the SSRSB. There will be time for questions during the presentation.

Colpton Arrest

A Pinehurst man earned his day in court this weekend.

On Friday, Lunenburg County RCMP arrested the suspect for 'impaired driving by a controlled substance' after his vehicle was stopped for erratic driving in Colpton.

The accused will appear in Bridgewater Court on January 19th.

Community Christmas

Plans are underway for Bridgewater's second annual Community Christmas and town council is offering a helping hand.

Event organizers will use town facilities for the feast and ticket outlets as town staff aid in promotion.

More than one-hundred volunteers helped serve Christmas dinner to about 425 people during last year's inaugural event at Bridgewater High School.

Locals feasted on four-hundred pounds of turkey while bending an ear to local musicians and performers.

New Floor for Mahone Bay Gymnasium

Its more than fifty years old and and breaking up.


Those are the words Mayor Joe Feeny is using to describe the Mahone Bay Centre gymnasium floor.

Town Council will contribute five thousand dollars to help pay for new cushion flooring.

The current tile-on-concrete, installed in the 1960's, is rough, cracked and sweats in muggy weather.

Funding from the District of Lunenburg, fundraising campaigns and the provincial and federal governments will contribute to the 45-thousand dollar project.