Forest Hills Road residents annoyed with No Frills noise

Shelley Moran

A refridgeration trailer at No Frills in Bridgewater is leaving Forest Hills Road residents annoyed and sleepless. Shelley Moran, a resident of Forest Hills Road, says the trailer tends to run for about 45 minutes straight, stops for 10 minutes and begins to run again. She says the noise irritates her to the point she has to wear earplugs to fall asleep. Moran says the trailer is typically behind their homes anywhere from two weeks to two months at a time. Mayor Carroll Publicover says a noise by-law isn't the answer, but expects Council to come up with solutions for the problem.

RCMP trying to identify Break and Enter suspect

RCMP are looking for the public's help in identifying the suspect involved in breaking and entering into a Mahone Bay business. Lunenburg County RCMP say the suspect allegedly stole a substantial amount of money and prescription drugs from MacQuarrie's Pharmasave during the early morning hours of Saturday September 24. The Mounties say they've gathered pictures and video footage of the suspect, hoping someone can identify the person. If you know the person in the above picture, please contact RCMP at 527-5555.

South Shore School Board Review

Education Minister
Ramona Jennex

A performance review of the South Shore School Board has not yet been handed over to the Education Minister. The review was launched in August following allegations that some board members tried to derail an open discussion on the future of 12 schools before a March 30 meeting. Deloitte Inc. was appointed by the government to conduct the review. Department spokesman Lucas Wide says as the work came forward the extra time was to make sure Deloitte had the opportunity to create a complete and comprehensive report that would be helpful to the Minister and the Department moving forward.. The review will address whether the board adhered to all provincial legislation, policies and regulations, as well as the board's bylaws and policies.  The report is expected to be submitted to the Minister in the coming weeks.

MLA Discusses Fire Fighter Concerns

Conservative MLA Keith Bain was on the South Shore recently to meet with area fire departments and first responders.  Bain the critic for labour and workforce development called it a factfinding mission. He says the biggest concern brought forward by all departments was the recruitment and retention of volunteers.  Another issue was the absence of a HazMat team for the area which is currently served by Kentville.  Bain met with about a dozen departments and mutual aid associations in Lunenburg and Queens Counties  during his two day visit. 

Former MLA Harold Huskilson passes away

Harold Huskilson

A former Nova Scotia cabinet minister and MLA has passed away. Harold Huskilson of Shelburne County died Monday night at the age of 91. He served in the provincial legislature from 1970 to 1993. He was also president and owner of Huskilson's Funeral Homes. A funeral service is expected to be held Friday at 2pm in the Shelburne Community Centre.

Council votes not to discharge Jo-Lo development agreement

The Village at Glen Allan project received a lifeline from town council Monday night. Council agreed to give Jo-Lo Development until November 14 to install fencing and landscaping. Mayor Carroll Publicover says he isn't ready to give up on the developer despite a number of missed deadlines. He believes the developer is doing the best they can in terms of securing financing, changing development plans and working with the town. The town voted not to discharge the current development agreement after Jo-Lo didn't meet the original October 15 deadline for fencing and landscaping requirements.

Government installing centre-line rumble strips from Tantallon to Chester

You can expect some slow-downs on Highway 103 over the next week. The province is working to improve road safety by installing centre-line rumble strips on a section of highway near Tantallon. The strips are being installed from Exit 5, at the end of the twinned section, to the start of the divided section of Highway 103 near Chester. The project is expected to be completed by Monday October 31. Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks says the centre-line rumble strips will allow safer passing and increase separation from opposing traffic.

FLU VACCINE CLINICS

           FLU VACCINE CLINICS FOR TUESDAY,OCT. 25
Today's Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinics will be held in Caledonia from 1 to 4 p.m. at the North Queens Health Centre and at the New Ross Family Resource Centre from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  The shots are free for all Nova Scotians . Those encouraged to get the flu vaccine include the elderly, babies aged six to 23 months, pregnant women and anyone with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes.

Bowater Mill Requests Power Discount

Bowater Mersey officials will have to wait for a ruling by the UARB on their request for a power discount. Officials of the paper mill in Brooklyn appeared before the provincial utility review board yesterday to ask for a five year discounted power rate for electricity. Abitibi/Bowater Director of Public Affairs, Pierre Choquette says they have addressed the challenges that lie ahead in regards to the energy issue. Choquette says the issue is critical to the paper mills future. Bowater Mersey and NewPage Port Hawkesbury, now closed, both applied for a load retention tariff from Nova Scotia Power. That would mean higher power rates for other consumers.

Truck for Tancook Island

Residents of Tancook Island will benefit from a truck donated by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. The truck is considered surplus to the department, but will be of value to the Tancook Island Emergency Response Association. Chester/St. Margaret's MLA, Denise Peterson-Rafuse says she's pleased she was able to work with municipal and provincial government officials to make this happen. Under the Surplus Crown Disposal Act, not-for-profit groups across the province can apply to receive surplus items from the department, including vehicles, recreation equipment and office furniture.

Solar Energy Installation Session

Shelburne residents will get a chance to hear about the benefits of solar energy installations at an information session this evening. Representatives from Nova Scotia Power, Efficiency Nova Scotia and Doctor Solar will also be providing information on programs and incentives for solar installations. The session which will present information for both commercial and residential settings takes place tonight, (Tues.Oct. 25th) at 6:30 p.m. at the Shelburne Community Centre.

Meet & Greet NDP Leadership Candidate

Federal NDP leadership candidate Brian Topp will be in Town today. (Monday, October 24th)  A Meet & Greet is being sponsored by the  South Shore/St. Margaret's Federal Riding Association at the Day's Inn on North Street from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Supporters and members of the general public are welcome. There will be a membership table for new members and renewals.

Peformance Review of SSRSB

Education Minister Ramona Jennex is expected to receive the performance review of the South Shore Regional School Board today. Deloitte Inc. was appointed by the Nova Scotia government to conduct the review which was launched following allegations that some board members tried to derail an open discussion on the future of 12 schools before a March 30 meeting. Determining whether the board adhered to all provincial legislation, policies and regulations, as well as the board's bylaws and policies was to be addressed by the review. It will also try to determine if the board exhibits good governance practices, such as respectful and professional behaviour, effective use of information in decision-making and transparency.

Flu Vaccine Clinic

MONDAY.....OCTOBER 24th
Today's Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinic will be held in Bridgewater at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 78 Alexandra Avenue from 1 to 7 p.m.

Queens General Health Project Update

South Shore Health is preparing to issue its first tender related to the Queens General Health Project. The tender, which includes clearing, grubbing, grading and gravelling of a small parcel of land next to Queens General Hospital, will be issued later this month with work expected to begin in November. South Shore Health negotiated the purchase of the land, behind the apartment building at 5 Shore Road, to serve as a lay-down area for material during construction and a parking lot at the completion of the project. Purchase of the land will also allow South Shore Health to delay the demolition of the old nurses’ residence. The Queens General Health Project includes the creation of a new primary care clinic and redevelopment of the 22-bed in-patient unit at Queens General Hospital. The total budget of 16 million dollars includes construction and renovation costs, site development, and professional fees. More than 14 million has already been committed, including $11 million from the Queens Foundation and private donors. The province has invested 2.5 million and the Region of Queens Municipality has committed 1 million. A fundraising committee consisting of members of the community has been created to raise the remaining 1.5 million. Detailed planning is underway for the project. Once complete, South Shore Health will hold an open house to share the proposed design and architectural drawings with the public. Construction is expected to begin in late spring 2012.


For more information visit http://www.southshorehealth.ca/queens-general-health-project/ for the latest news about the Queens General Health Project

Family Homeless After Saturday Fire

A couple and their adult son are temporarily homeless after a fire Saturday afternoon (October 22)extensively damaged a wood-frame house near Stanford Lake. Chester Fire Department responded to the call at 4101 Highway 3 around 4:30 Saturday afternoon. Smoke was coming out of the roof through the ventilation system. Firefighters were able to contain the fire from spreading beyond the attic but the house sustained water and smoke damage. A team of Canadian Red Cross volunteers from Bridgewater have assisted the family with emergency lodging, food and clothing. There were no injuries and several pet dogs also escaped unharmed.

Milton Man Dies in Fire



Photo, courtesy of
 Brenda Cunningham



A Queens County man has died from injuries he sustained in a fire over the weekend. Sixty-one year old Borden Croft of Milton was taken to hospital in Halifax but later died.  Police and fire officials were called to the house fire on Pleasant Street in Milton shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday, October 23rd. Croft was alone in the home at the time. A preliminary investigation indicates the fire is not suspicious.

Lunenburg woman's dessert earns her $25,000

Glo McNeil

A Lunenburg woman is $25,000 richer after her dessert won the sweet pies category of the Recipe to Riches TV show. Glo McNeill won the first episode of the new reality show, for her "Lucious Lemon Pudding Cakes." McNeill says she's received a tremendous amount of feedback from people coast-to-coast. The 82-year-old will now be one of seven finallists eligible to win the grand prize of $250,000. You can meet McNeill and taste some of her "Lucious Lemon Pudding Cakes" this Saturday from 11-4 at the Bridgewater Superstore.

LQRDA moving to new location in Bridgewater

The former Dooly's on King Street will be the future home of the Lunenburg Queens Regional Development Agency. The LQRDA is currently on North Street in Bridgewater, but is expected to move to their new location January 1st, 2012. The executive director of the LQRDA, Andrew Button, says he believes its a unique move for the group because they will be housing nine different economic associations. Among the groups also moving to the King Street location are the Bridgewater Development Association, the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce and South Shore Opportunities.

Shelburne County Business Excellence Awards

Business Excellence

Fifteen local Businesses were celebrated for outstanding achievements at the Shelburne County Business Excellence Awards last night. The awards in five categories were handed out during a gala dinner ceremony at the Osprey Arts Centre Thursday evening.(October 20th). The Awards are hosted by the Community Business Development Corporation and The Shelburne and Area Chamber of Commerce.
The winners are:
GREEN AWARD
(sponsored by Shelburne County Business Development Center)
Chris Bird of Rehouse Timberframes

EXPORT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
(sponsored by Nova Scotia Business Incorporated)
Kenny & Ross Limited

ENTREPRENEUR of the YEAR
(sponsored by NS Economic & Rural Development & Tourism)
Nick Stewart of Nick Stewart Concrete Work

EMPLOYEE of the YEAR
(sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada)
Cora Beck of Charlotte Lane Cafe

BUSINESS of the YEAR
(sponsored by the Shelburne & Area Chamber of Commerce)
Don Atkinson Tucking Limited (Bill & Sherri Harris)