2021-03-24

LOCAL BRIEFS

RCMP ID suspects in Chester playground fire

Authorities identified a pair of young people as suspects in a Chester outdoor playground fire. The youths, under the age of 18, are part of the investigation into the March 13 blaze off Duke Street. The genders of the youth were not available, and it wasn't immediately known if charges would be filed. First responders were dispatched at 8:15 p.m. to the Chester district school, a Primary to Grade 4 facility, where flames were noticed by people parked in a hardware store lot. A large rear tractor tire repurposed for play, along with log stumps used for seating, were found in a pile. Those items, and another smaller tire of unknown origin, were deliberately set on fire, Everett Hiltz, fire chief of Chester's volunteer fire department, explained to LighthouseNOW in a telephone interview. Emergency crews doused the flames with about 1,000 litres of water before clearing the scene within an hour. RCMP and the South Shore Regional Centre for Education were notified of the incident. Mounties tell LighthouseNOW the examination into the matter is continuing.

Golf guru with local roots takes helm of provincial association

A golf guru with Lunenburg roots is now the executive director of the sport's provincial association. Jason Lohnes, now in charge of the Nova Scotia Golf Association, first hit the links as an eight-year-old amateur. He later worked summers at Lunenburg's Bluenose Golf Club before becoming a member of the national Professional Golfer's Association more than 20 years ago. Lohnes, who had senior roles in the past with golf clubs in Halifax County, assumed the new job in early March. He told his social media followers he was excited to return to his passion. The Nova Scotia Golf Association is the sport's governing body in the province. "I cannot wait to get started, to promote this great sport, to support its stakeholders and to creatively grow the game in this wonderful province," he wrote. Lohnes previously worked in Ontario for five seasons as a golf professional, and "dabbled with mini-tours in Florida during the off-seasons before returning to his home province," reads a biography posted on the association website. "I have been incredibly fortunate to have spent 20-plus years in the golf industry thus far, and to have enjoyed some great experiences outside of golf. Now, to be returning as the [association's] new executive director, is a truly dream come true," he said.