11 Feb2014

Budget Consultation Meetings to Begin

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality will begin holding public budget consultation meetings, starting on Sunday.

The meetings were introduced last year as part of the CBRM’s budget process.

They’ll be held in all 12 districts with the local councillor and Mayor Cecil Clarke in attendance at each meeting.

The consultations will also include public opinion survey questions and a session for community groups and organizations in council chambers on March 11.

The budget is expected to be finalized and ready for presentation to council by the end of March.

The first budget consultation meeting will take place this coming Sunday at 3:00 in the afternoon at the Sydney Mines fire hall.

A second Sunday meeting gets underway at 6:30 in the evening at the Royal Canadian Legion in North Sydney.

10 Feb2014

Man Charged With Mother’s Murder Back in Court

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

A Richmond Co. man charged in the death of his mother is scheduled to return to Port Hawkesbury court today for a status hearing.

30-year-old Merlin Demers-Kennedy was charged with second-degree murder last month following the disappearance of 58-year-old Michelle
Demers-Kennedy.

She was last seen at her home in May of last year.

Numerous, extensive searches have failed to turn up her body, although police say their investigation continues.

Her son has been held in custody since his arrest.

10 Feb2014

Steel Plant Lawsuit to Continue

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

The lawyer behind a class-action lawsuit over environmental contamination from the former Sydney Steel Plant says he plans to keep up the fight.

In December, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal threw out the certification of the class-action suit which involves about 400 people to date.

Ray Wagner says he’s now working on two measures that could keep the action before the courts.

Wagner has applied for an extension of the 60-day period to file leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.

He’s also asking the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal for a reconsideration of its decision, in light of a subsequent Supreme Court of Canada decision.

In its December decision the Appeal Court threw out the class action, agreeing with defendants the province and Ottawa that there are too many differences between the individual cases of those involved in the action.

Wagner says the country’s highest court has certified class actions on the principle of access to justice.

He adds those involved in the Sydney class action can’t afford the costs of individual actions.

The plaintiffs in the class action are looking for compensation and a medical monitoring fund for contamination resulting from the operation of the steel plant between 1967 and the year 2000.

09 Feb2014

River Ryan Man Hurt in ATV Crash

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

Cape Breton Regional Police say a 41 year old River Ryan man suffered serious injuries when the ATV he was riding flipped over, early this morning.

Staff Sergeant Ken O’Neill says police got the call to the scene near Livingston Road in New Waterford at around 2:00.

He adds the man was transported the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

O’Neill says the Traffic Safety Unit and the Forensic Identification Unit are continuing to investigate.

09 Feb2014

Missing Boy Found After Hours in Cold

Written by Bobby Nock. Posted in Local News

Cape Breton Regional Police say there was a close call in Albert Bridge last night when a missing 13-year-old boy was found unconscious after being reported missing.

The teen, who police say is known to them, was reported missing at around 4:30, yesterday afternoon from his home on Country Lane, off Hills Road.

A police K-9 unit and 20 to 30 members with Cape Breton Ground Search and Rescue were called in to help in the search.

The boy was found at 11:00 last night and sent to Cape Breton Regional Hospital for treatment.

Police say he’s expected to make a full recovery.