Biodiversity Day Project Gears To Help Troubled Salmon Stock

By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-22 09:54:20

Today marks International Biodiversity Day, and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust is hosting a program aimed at helping an endangered species of salmon which will benefit by the Wolfville Watershed Nature Preserve. The Inner Bay Of Fundy Atlantic Salmon population has declined by 90%, and is at risk of extinction. But efforts to rehabilitate the species are underway through a gene bank program at the Coldbrook Biodiversity Facility. Around 20,000 salmon fry, about 5cm in length, have been released into the Gaspereau River, protected by the Wolfville Watershed Nature Preserve, as study has shown these clean waters will promote healthy growth of the fish. When they grow to 10 cms, they’ll be brought back to the Coldbrook facility.

Acadia Conversion To Natural Gas Complete

By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-22 09:37:43

Irving Oil announced that Acadia University will begin receiving compressed natural gas, making it the first facility in the Valley to be take advantage of the trucked-in fuel. Both Paul Browning, President and CEO of Irving Oil, and Ray Ivany, President of Acadia, recognized the cost savings, and environmental advantages of cleaner-burning natural gas. Financing for the conversion was provided through the provincial Excellence and Innovation Fund.

Zedex Theatre in Greenwood in jeopardy

By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-22 04:47:52

The high cost of digital technology may well mean the show won't go on at the Zedex Theatre in Greenwood.

Susan and Tim MacIntosh took over the theatre in August 2009, and knew about the coming changeover to digital, but were originally told it would take a matter of years, but it's getting harder and harder to find movies on 35 mm film, as production companies are issuing most movies in digital formats.

They do want to continue providing low cost entertainment to the region, but the $50,000 coast of a digital projector is prohibitive, and the competition for the old 35mm film versions is fierce.

Unlike Kings Theatre in Annapolis Royal, and the Al Whittle Theatre in Wolfville, which were both able to secure funding for a new projector, Zedex doesn't offer actual stage productions, and has limited fund raising options.

Anyone with suggestions is invited to call 765-8488.

Wolfville continues to grow

By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-22 04:47:00

While many towns in Nova Scotia are struggling with dwindling populations, Wolfville continues to grow.

Mayor Jeff Cantwell noted a 14% population increase between 2006 and 2011, with growing school enrollments indicating it is younger families moving in.

And while the "official" population is 3,700, Cantwell says that figure is outdated, and there is 'room for thousands more".

The town has responding with a new economic action plan, and is expanding its residential and commercial sectors. While having Acadia as a centerpiece helps, David Hovell, WBDC executive director praises the "youthful vibe" there.
Hovell was invigorated with the new branding recently presented by the town, and thinks the soon-to-be widely-recognized stylized "W" will quickly become a vital economic development tool.

Acadia University to host parasports event

By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-22 04:46:21

Acadia University will be the site of an unusual Parasport Expo, enabling both able-bodied and challenged athletes, coaches officials, parents, teachers and fans to come out and celebrate the world of Parasports.

Visitors will be able to try their hand at parasports such as wheelchair basketball, para-athletics, goalball, boccia, and even sledge hockey.

The event is hosted by Sport Nova Scotia, along with partners the Department of Health and Wellness, Acadia University, and Canadian Sports centre Atlantic.

It will run this Saturday, May 25th, from 10-4 at the Acadia Athletics Complex.

Valley hopes for two major job providers to move in

By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-22 04:45:26

The western end of Annapolis County is hopeful it will have two new major employers within the next few months.

Economic development officer Cody Joudry recently reported to County council that the former Convergys building in Cornwallis has been sold with the deal expected to close by the end of June.

He said it was a manufacturer, but wouldn't confirm it was related to the mink industry.

He said a formal announcement regarding the site will happen soon.

And West Nova Agro Commodities Ltd. will be leasing a portion of the former Britex building in Centrelea to produce heating pellets from forage crops.

This is as a result of $1.3M worth of federal and provincial assistance, and the plant is expected to start up before the end of the year.

Kentville Police Chief comments on budget cut

By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-22 04:44:35

Kentville Police Chief Mark Mander is reassuring the public that recently announced Council budget cutbacks resulting in the loss of one officer won't impact response times or actual numbers of front line police, and Kentville's safety reputation isn't at risk.

He said community-based programs will feel the brunt of the reduced budget, hoping other organizations might pick up some of the fiscal slack, and was also prepared to do "more with less".

He compared Kentville's force with Bridgewater's noting, Bridgewater spends almost $1M more on policing than Kentville, and a higher percentage of its town budget.

He noted Kentville's 'clearance' rate on violent crime, up slightly from last year's rate at 87.5%, is higher than the national average.

Digby shooting

By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-22 04:43:49

Digby Police responded to a call early Monday afternoon regarding a man who had reportedly suffered a gunshot wound, but by the time they and other first responders arrived on the scene, the man was pronounced dead.

The police are withholding the man's identity pending notification of next of kin, and an autopsy is being performed in Halifax.

The police investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Valley orchard quarantined

By MNN. Last updated: 2013-05-22 04:43:03

Federal food safety officials have placed an apple orchard in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley under quarantine after the detection of a destructive pest for the first time in North America.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it has found an infestation of apple proliferation phytoplasma in an orchard near Kentville.

The agency did not name the orchard.

The disease can result in reduced growth and smaller, less sweet fruit.

It spreads through infected planting material, but can also be transmitted between plants by insects.

News stories from 2013-05-21.