Plans For Shelburne County Fish Plant On Track

It's hoped a new fish processing plant in Shelburne County will be up and running in 2015. Cook Aquaculture is in the midst of a three year expansion plan which also includes a new salmon hatchery in Digby, and expanding a feed mill in Truro. Work in those areas will take place over the next two years, while the fish processing plant will serve as the final piece of their expansion puzzle in year three. In total, the three projects will create roughly 400 jobs with more than 300 of those located in Shelburne. Spokesperson Nell Halse says the company hasn't decided where they will locate the new plant.



Cooke plans to spend $150-million itself on the expansion. The Nova Scotia government has offered $25 million to help with the projects.

Province Toughens Stance On Impaired Driving With A Child

The provincial government is putting more teeth into penalties for drivers who are impaired with a child in the car. As of Wednesday, South Shore motorists convicted of impaired driving with a child passenger face increased penalties, including losing their licence for at least two years and participating in the Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program, for at least one year, at their expense. The interlock device prevents a vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver's breath. MADD Canada Atlantic Region director, Susan MacAskill, says the group stands behind the changes.



Convicted impaired drivers with a blood-alcohol level of more than .08 receive a criminal record and face a minimum fine of $1,000. About one-third of people killed on Nova Scotia's roads each year are a result of impaired driving.

Province Proclaims May As Motorcycle Safety Month

The province is proclaiming May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.The goal is to help prevent fatalities and call driver attention to increased motorcycle traffic on local roads. Last weekend, a 51 year old man was killed on Highway 12 in Aldersville when his motorcycle left the road and crashed into some trees. Police have not released the cause of the crash but road conditions were clear at the time of the incident. Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Maurice Smith says drivers need to be alert and especially careful as the use of motorcycles increases at this time of year. More information on motorcycle safety and training courses is available on the Safety Services Nova Scotia website.

RCMP Still Searching For Caledonia Robbery Suspect

Queens and Lunenburg County RCMP are working together to find a man who robbed the Caledonia Pharmasave. Constable Laura Cormier-Jones says there has been a positive response from the public after police released a photo of the suspect Tuesday evening. She says the two agencies are working together in case the suspect crossed-over into Lunenburg County. RCMP describe the man as five feet, 10 inches tall, slim and at the time was wearing a dark-coloured hoody and possibly blue sweat pants. The man's face was covered at the time of the robbery. Cormier-Jones there could be additional suspects in the case.



Officers continue to look for the individual, who is believed to be in his 20's and travelling in an older model white SUV.

Board Receives Letter From Minister, Upholds Closure Decision

The province's Education Minister says a letter sent to the South Shore Regional School Board was meant to make sure the board understood her request to delay the closure of Gold River-Western Shore Elementary. In a letter, Ramona Jennex says staff with the education department contacted the acting superintendent to ask for necessary clarifications in order to agree to the request to delay the school closure. She says the letter was sent in case they needed any more information.



However, the chair of the school board says they have no plan to reverse a decision to close Gold River-Western Shore Elementary this summer. Jennifer Naugler say they remain status quo on the issue.



Naugler says the board supports the minister's request to look at the school review process and looks forward to providing input on how it can be improved.

UPDATED: Police Release Robbery Suspect Photo

Queens RCMP have released a photo of the robbery suspect in Caledonia earlier today and are asking the public for assistance in identifying him. Police says the suspect entered the Caledonia Pharmasave at approximately 10am today. The lone man approached a female employee and demanded prescription pills. He was armed with a weapon but no one was injured. The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of prescription pills. The suspect is a Caucasian man. He is approximately 5' 10" tall, slim build, early 20's. He was wearing a dark colored checkered hoody and possibly blue sweat pants. His face was covered at the time of the robbery. The suspect is believed to have left the scene in an older model white SUV.  Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Queens District RCMP at 902-354-5721 or Crime Stoppers at www.crimens.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

RCMP: Time To Remove Studded Tires From Vehicles

If you have studded tires on your vehicle, you might want to take them off to reduce the risk of paying a penalty. RCMP are reminding motorists that as of Wednesday, studded tires aren't allowed on your vehicle. Sgt. Al LeBlanc says it is illegal to operate a vehicle with the tires between May 1 and October 14. The offence carries a fine of $141.16.

Police Search For Armed Robbery Suspect

Mounties in Queens County are investigating an armed robbery at the Caledonia Pharmasave. Police say a man walked into the drug store around 10 o'clock this morning and demanded prescription pills. He was armed with a weapon but no one was injured. The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount medication.  Constable Laura Cormier-Jones says they believe suspect is in his early 20's.




The suspect is believed to have left the scene in an older model white SUV. Cormier-Jones says police believe the man hopped into a GMC with two other individuals. The nearby, North Queens Community School was under a "hold and secure" order for about two hours while police investigated the matter. The precautionary safety measure has since been lifted.

EI Changes Hurting Region; Need Further Study: Yarmouth MLA

Federal Human Resources Minister Diane Finley says changes to Employment Insurance are a reasonable way to help Canadians get back to work faster. Finley was commenting following a request from the four Atlantic premiers to suspend changes made to the program. Under new rules, workers must accept a job within 100 kilometres of their home as long as they are qualified and the pay is at least 70 per cent of their old salary. Yarmouth Liberal MLA Zach Churchill says seasonal employment is a critical component of the regional economy and changes to EI will drive even more people to other parts of the country looking for more stable employment.



At the Atlantic premiers annual meeting yesterday on the South Shore, they called for further study of the new EI rules, saying they're hurting seasonal industries.

UPDATED: "Lockdown" Lifted At North Queens School

A lock down order has been lifted at a school in Caledonia. The safety measure was put in place at North Queens Community School after an armed robbery at a nearby drug store. Communications manager with the South Shore Regional School Board, Trish Smith says was no immediate threat to students or the school. The notice was issued around 10 o'clock. RCMP confirm they are looking for a suspect in the area. No injuries were reported during the robbery.

Province Opens Up Huge Swath Of Land For ATV'ers

ATV enthusiasts will be able to explore some new trails, previously inaccessible in Nova Scotia. Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse has announced 13 gates have been opened to allow vehicle access to 1,700 kilometres of land previously owned by Bowater Mersey. Ecologically sensitive areas remain off-limits for vehicles. The province bought more than 220,000 hectares of forest land in southwest Nova Scotia in December. Provincial conservation officers will patrol the area and ATV groups will also work to ensure their members obey the restrictions.

Man Charged In Teen Confinement Will Stand Trial

A provincial court judge has ordered a man accused of sexually assaulting and confining a teenage boy to stand trial. Gregory Lenehan ruled today during a preliminary hearing that David James Leblanc will be tried by a judge and jury. Leblanc is facing seven charges in relation to the alleged incident last fall in a cabin in Upper Chelsea. Police began their investigation last September after a woman reported that a barefoot boy arrived at her home chained at his wrists and ankles. It's believe the boy was held captive a ten day period before he was able to escape. A publication ban was imposed on all evidence presented during the preliminary hearing. Dates for Leblanc's Supreme Court trial will be set on May 9th.

NS Labour Supports Proposed EI Reform Moratorium

The Atlantic premiers are meeting today on the South Shore. Premiers Dexter, Ghiz, Alward and Dunderdale have gathered for the session at White Point resort in Hunts Point. One issue front and centre is a proposed moratorium by New Brunswick's David Alward on changes to EI. Nova Scotia Federation of Labour President Rick Clarke says its not only of concern to seasonal workers here but he says employers are being affected too and they should be concerned.



Meanwhile, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Kathy Dunderdale says her key focus today is on energy issues. Kathy Dunderdale says she wants to ensure the East Coast has access to oil and gas that is shipped across Canada.

SW Nova Tourism Committee To Begin Work

The committee in the western part of the province, set up to find ways to boost tourism and its related business, will hold its first meeting in about a week's time. Yarmouth mayor Pam Mood is the chair.
She says its bringing together a well-rounded group of community, tourism and business leaders.



The mayor says the committee should have its final report prepared by mid 2014. Before then, she's hoping a new ferry service will be up and running which she says would make the results of their work a lot easier.

Bridgewater Mulls Budgetary Changes

The second of four scheduled debates on Bridgewater's 2013-14 budget will be held tonight. Council will discuss items in both the operating and capital budgets. One idea is potentially lowering the special purpose tax for the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. Currently it's at eight cents per 100 of assessment for residents, to help pay off Bridgewater's $5-million portion of the project in 20 years. Mayor David Walker says there could be an opportunity to lower it.



Another item that was discussed was chip-sealing Dominion Street. Walker says the draft budget includes $100,000 to chip seal the street. However, he feels council should agree to pave it right away.



Walker feels the town did a lot of work on the sewer and water project, created an inconvenience on the street and should pave the road over roughly the next two fiscal years. Council is expected to discuss the matters during its meeting tonight at 6pm at town hall.

Pain Killers Seized In Bridgewater

A 20 year old South Shore man is due in court after police seized roughly one-hundred pain killer pills in Bridgewater. Michael Kelley was already wanted on several outstanding warrants. Police made the arrest shortly after they began following up with a complaint of a suspicious male at a business on North Street. Upon further investigation, officers were able to identify Kelley as the suspect. They say he ran from police but was caught soon after. The accused will go to court at a later date on allegations of resisting arrest, two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking and possession of hydromorphone for the purpose of trafficking.

Fatal Motorcycle Crash On Highway 12

A 51 year-old has died after a motorcycle crash on Highway 12 in Lunenburg County. Mounties say the incident occurred around 12:30pm in Aldersville. EHS Lifeflight was called in to transport the man to hospital but he died from injuries. A section of the highway between New Ross and Kentville has been reduced to one-lane while an investigation into the crash is conducted. Police have called in a traffic analyst to try and determine the cause of the crash. Officers will be on scene until further notice.

Lunenburg Hosts Annual Day Of Mourning Ceremony

The annual Nova Scotia Day of Mourning will be held this weekend in Lunenburg. Its an annual event to remember those who have died or been injured on the job over the past year. Usually its held in Halifax. However, the South Shore was seen as an appropriate location this time, in light of the fact seven of the eleven workers killed in the province so far this year were fishermen. Federation of Labour President Rick Clarke says its always a moving ceremony. He says it's a chance to remember those who lost their life on the job and to promote safety in the workplace. The service will be held starting at 1 o'clock Sunday at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.

NSP OK'd For $93 M Investment In South Canoe Wind Farm

Nova Scotia Power has been given the green light from the province's regulator for its 93-million dollar share of a Lunenburg County wind farm. The Utility and Review Board approved the energy company's investment into the South Canoe Wind Project in a written decision on Friday. South Canoe is slated to operate 34 turbines and be built between Vaughan and New Russell.  Minas Basin Pulp and Power and Oxford Frozen foods are the other partners in the project. It's expected to creat 100 jobs during construction on the $200 million wind farm - which is expected to begin this summer. Nova Scotia Power, which has a 49-per-cent stake in the project, would own 17 of the turbines. A community group opposed to the project will appear before the regulatory board May 30 and June 3 in New Ross.

Weekend Emergency Department Closure At Lunenburg Hospital

The emergency department at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg will be temporarily closed this weekend. A staff shortage is forcing the department to be closed starting at 2:30 Saturday afternoon until 7:30 Sunday morning. Anyone requiring emergency services is advised to call 911 or visit the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. Patients with non-emergencies should contact their family physician or call Health Link 811 for medical advice.