2021-05-05

LOCAL BRIEFS

Two of three major parties confirm provincial candidates in Lunenburg

With incumbent Suzanne Lohnes-Croft recently announcing she is the acclaimed Liberal choice, it leaves the New Democrats as the last of the three major political parties without a confirmed Lunenburg riding candidate. Croft, a cabinet minister, is seeking a third term. A professional educator, she was first elected in 2013 when the McNeil government ascended to power. Meanwhile, Susan Corkum-Greek, a performing arts general manager and former journalist, is the Progressive Conservative's choice. Her acclamation was confirmed in November 2020. As for the NDP, caucus spokeswoman, Meredith O'Hara recently told LighthouseNOW in an email the party was "wrapping up search in both ridings and will nominate very soon." A provincial election has yet to be called.

RCMP examining circumstances surrounding Maitland crash

A female passenger was hurt but the male driver of a blue pickup truck failed to remain at the scene of a single-vehicle accident in Maitland, Lunenburg County. The incident was called in by a Northfield Road resident who noticed the truck ended up on the front lawn near the Mill Road just after midnight April 24. Dispatch informed emergency responders no one was trapped in the vehicle but the occupants were no longer on scene. RCMP, paramedics, along with Blockhouse and Oakhill volunteer firefighters, responded. Initial dispatch information indicated the vehicle involved struck a utility pole. RCMP said the truck collided with a tree. "The male driver of the vehicle fled the scene prior to police arrival," Cpl. Chris Marshall, a spokesman for the province's RCMP, told LighthouseNOW in an email. "The female passenger was taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution and later released." No other information was released. The investigation is ongoing, Marshall said.

Woman not seriously hurt as responders sent to smoke condition

A senior had to be helped from her smoke-filled bungalow after she fell and was not able to deal with something cooking on a stove. The woman was found near the door and a RCMP officer and Jared Swinemar, the deputy chief of Western Shore' volunteer fire department, assisted her outside with the aid of her walker. She was checked by paramedics and released, Swinemar told LighthouseNOW during a phone call. The specific details leading to the incident were not immediately clear. "Dispatch relayed that she fell. She had a pot on the stove," Swinemar said. "I don't know if she fell going to it, or if it was left on the stove and she fell and couldn't get to the stove." Either way, she could not get out of the house as it filled with smoke. Firefighters, RCMP and paramedics were summoned after 11 a.m. April 22 to a Young Road address in Western Shore to the smoke condition. "She was by the door so RCMP and myself hauled her out," Swinemar said. The pot was removed from the appliance and the home cleared of smoke, said the deputy chief. There was no active fire.

Four-wheeler incident in Middlewood

Few details have been publicized about an incident calling for a Lunenburg County volunteer fire department being summoned to set up a landing-and-take-off spot for an air ambulance. Paramedics were sent April 21 just after 7:30 p.m. to a Llewellyn Road address in Middlewood where someone sustained a traumatic injury. Emergency crews were told by dispatch a four-wheeler fell off the back of a truck and onto someone. The age and gender of the person was not released. Patient confidentiality prevents the province's ambulance service from commenting. RCMP told LighthouseNOW police were not called to the incident and a spokesperson for the fire department in the jurisdiction could not be reached.

Lake Centre accident still under police investigation

Mounties are still looking into a New Cumberland Road accident involving a black pickup truck. RCMP said the male driver, who was the vehicle's sole occupant, was hurt and taken to hospital by paramedics. Emergency crews, including the Pleasantville volunteer fire department, were sent April 20 just after 10:30 p.m. to Lake Centre where the crash occurred. Conquerall Bank volunteer firefighters were also dispatched to bring specialized extrication equipment as it was believed an occupant could not easily be freed from the vehicle. "The investigation is ongoing," Cpl. Chris Marshall, a spokesman for the province's RCMP, told LighthouseNOW in an email.