One of the babies is breathing with the help of special equipment, while the other boy is in the special care unit. Doctors say both are doing well. The twins will be kept in hospital until they reach a specified weight and can breathe on their own.

Hayer’s case has raised many ethical questions about how far to push the frontiers of medical science, even from the Calgary specialist who took on her case.  “We can do so much but the question is, should we do it just because we can do it?” said obstetrician Dr. Colin Birch, who was excited by the challenge but says he has yet to reconcile the social implications.

“It all sounds very fine when this age group — isn’t it fantastic what medical technology can do, how we’re stretching the boundaries and everything else — but there’s so much more involved in this. It’s not just having the babies and being born,” he told CBC News.

“There’s not just one generation gap here, there’s two generation gaps. They’re really what would be like the age of grandparents.”

Hayer, who is originally from India, tried for years to get pregnant with her husband, but she miscarried three times.  After becoming a permanent resident in Canada, an obstetrician gynecologist diagnosed a problem with Ranjit’s womb and recommended surgery. She had the surgery in Calgary but she still couldn’t conceive.

Woman got pregnant through fertility treatment in India

About 10 years ago, the couple paid a doctor in India for in vitro fertilization, but he took off with their money.

The couple spent years working and saving up their money in Canada. After being turned down for IVF in this country because of her age, Hayer returned to India for the treatment using donor eggs last year — and got pregnant with triplets.

“I thought it was a joke because the referral said 60-year-old patient with triplets, and I thought one of my colleagues or somebody’s just playing jokes with me or up to mischief and then actually the patient turned up in my office,” recalled Birch.

One of Hayer’s embryos had to be terminated for medical reasons and the pregnancy with twins left her with high blood pressure and diabetes.

She also had a condition called placenta previa — where the placenta is attached to the bottom of the uterus and covers part or all of the cervix and can cause severe bleeding. Hayer spent the last four weeks in hospital so doctors could deliver the babies at a moment’s notice if necessary.

Hayer began to hemorrhage this week so Birch performed an emergency C-section to deliver the twins. The bleeding was so severe he had to take out the woman’s uterus. Hayer was admitted to the intensive care unit, where she required blood transfusions to stabilize her condition.

According to doctors, Hayer said she’s just happy she gets to be a mother. She said she has enough family support to help through what might be a tough time.

“I couldn’t imagine if I was 65 having two five-year-olds running around crazily. The energy to do that is incredible,” said Birch.

With files from Dr. Brian Goldman

Penny Patricia Boudreau has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 20 years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the death of her 12-year-old daughter Karissa.

The 34-year-old former Shelburne County resident pled guilty to the lesser charge in Bridgewater Supreme Court on Friday. (Jan. 30), re-electing to be tried by judge alone, and proceeding directly to sentencing.

Sobs of sorrow filled the courtroom as the chilling details of the crime were revealed for the first time.

Reading an agreed statement of facts in the case, Crown prosecutor Paul Scovil told the court that it was through an undercover sting operation that police were able to obtain Boudreau’s confession that she had strangled Karissa and dumped her half clothed body on the frozen banks of the LaHave River on Jan. 27, 2008.

Karissa’s remains were discovered on Feb. 9, 2008 by a nine-year-old boy and his mother. Police began to suspect Boudreau in the murder of Karissa two days after the body was discovered, when neighbors overheard a ruckus in the apartment shared by Boudreau and Macumber.

“Macumber was saying over and over ‘Penn, how could you do this,’” said Scovil.

The undercover operation began on Feb. 14, 2008 when Boudreau and her then boyfriend Vernon Macumber were first arrested and questioned in connection with the murder.

While Boudreau and Macumber were in custody an undercover officer posing as a cellmate was able to establish a bond with Macumber.

Acting on the opportunity, the undercover officer met with Macumber several times after his release, offering him the opportunity for work with him for a crime syndicate.

“A wide scale undercover operation began utilizing a number of scenarios to gain the trust of Macumber,” sad Scovil.

When the Boudreau and Macumber moved to Halifax on April 1, 2008, so did the undercover operation. During a meeting on April 16 Macumber made comments to the undercover operator to the effect that he had nothing to do with the murder of Karissa, and that he suspected Penny had murdered her daughter. He also told the undercover officer that he was still living with her in order to keep her close so she would not implicate him in the homicide.

“On May 3, 2008, undercover operators were able to convince Macumber they required the services of a female to assist in the work they were performing,” said Scovil. A meeting was arranged between Boudreau and the undercover operators and she became “very active with the undercover operators and their work.”

As the three-month anniversary of the discovery of Karissa’s body approached, investigators noticed that Boudreau was troubled by media reports that named her place of employment and commented on the value of DNA evidence. Boudreau made the comment to an undercover operator that she wished “the police exhibit vault would burn down or blow up.”

On June 11, a meeting was arranged between Boudreau and an undercover operator whom she was led to believe had connections and could possibly make her problem go away, but in order for him to help her she had to tell him everything about what happened to her daughter and she did.

Boudreau told the undercover operator that she and Macumber were having issues, and that Macumber had gave her an ultimatum to pick either him or Karissa.

For several days she thought about it before taking the life of her daughter.

On Jan. 27, the day Karissa disappeared, Boudreau told the undercover operator that she and Karissa had drove around for several hours talking and that things had gotten out of hand and they were both angry. “Boudreau said she ‘did what she had to do,’” said Scovil.

With Karissa in the car, Boudreau drove to the Sobeys parking lot at around 5:30 p.m. to pick up some groceries. While still in the store and Karissa still alive in the car, Boudreau called Macumber and left a message saying that Karissa was not in the car when she came out.

Boudreau then returned to the car, put the groceries in the trunk, grabbing a piece of beige twine and putting it in her pocket.

“Karissa kept wanting to get out of the car so Boudreau waited until it was dark and drove to the William Hebb Road and told Karissa that if she wanted to get out then, to get out,” said Scovil. “Boudreau said she couldn’t let her go back and tell people what a horrible mom she was.”

Both mother and daughter got out of the car into the dark, snowy night. Boudreau went to grab her daughter but it was slippery so she tackled her backwards to the ground, pinning Karissa down with her knees on her chest. With her hands underneath her Karissa couldn’t move.

“”Mommy don’t,’ was the only thing Karissa said,” said Scovil.

Face to face with her daughter, Boudreau took the twine and strangled Karissa until she felt her life drain away.

Boudreau then dragged Karissa’s body back to the car, and drove back to Bridgewater to decide what to do next. She put the twine in a Tim Horton’s cup and threw it into a garbage can at Tim Hortons on High Street, while Karissa’s body was still in the car.

Boudreau then drove to the turn around spot on King Street, adjacent to the LaHave River where she parked the car, shut it and the lights out, and using her blue jeans as leverage, dragged Karissa’s body to the edge of the steep embankment.

Karissa’s pants, underwear and socks came off as Boudreau dragged the body, said Scovil, which Boudreau felt would make people think Karissa was sexually assaulted.

“Boudreau stated Karissa’s hoodie and vest came off and she was left wearing a t-shirt with one pant leg in her jeans,” said Scovil. “Boudreau then rolled her over the edge of the bank knowing that the weather was calling for lots of snow” and Karissa’s body wouldn’t be found for a while.

Boudreau then got back in her car, taking the vest, hoodie and a croc, and throwing the articles of clothing into a garbage can by the Bridgewater swimming pool, realizing the other piece of footwear was missing..

Boudreau then went home and told Macumber that Karissa was missing, calling the police, as well as family, friends and teachers to check and see if anyone knew where Karissa was.

Scovil said Boudreau told the undercover operator that she would do anything for Macumber and the thought of losing him was harder than the thought of losing her daughter.

“A mother killing her child is an inconceivable act,” said Scovil. “Karissa was failed by the one person who should have protected her, her mother.”

Before passing sentence victim impact statements from Karissa’s father Paul Boudreau, and stepmother Chasity Grear were read to the court.

In his statement, Karissa’s father said that he had many dreams of being many things in his daughter’s life but “now all those dreams are gone… the centre of those dreams is gone because of one selfish act.”

Grear wrote that there are no words to describe what the family has endured over the past year. “We struggle through each day and ask not why but what good can come out of this senseless act of violence… Karissa got a death sentence. We got a life sentence.”

In passing down sentence, Justice Margaret Stewart said this was a “violent death” that not only shocked the community but the police as well, noting the circumstances in the case are close to first degree murder.

Justice Stewart noted that Boudreau didn’t turn herself in, didn’t show remorse to the undercover operator, and mused that it must have been “crocodile tears” that Boudreau shed when she so passionately made the public appeal for the safe return of Karissa.

“You can never call yourself mother again in connection with Karissa,” Justice Stewart told Boudreau. “Mommy don’t are words that will haunt you for the rest of your life.”

When asked if she had anything to say, Boudreau offered a tearful “I’m sorry.”

Justice Stewart accepted the joint recommendation from crown and defense for life in prison, with eligibility for parole after 20 years, or June 14, 2028. Boudreau’s sentence starts from the date of her arrest.

Under what is known as the faint hope clause, Boudreau can apply for parole after 15 years.

A former Shelburne County woman pleaded guilty this morning in Bridgewater court to a charge of second-degree murder in the death of her 12-year-old daughter Karissa Boudreau.

After the guilty plea, the court was moving into a quick sentencing hearing for Penny Boudreau, a hearing that was ongoing as this article was being written Friday morning.

Shelburne Coast Guard reporter Kathy Johnson is at the scene and is providing reports on the court hearing.

Boudreau, 34, has remained in jail since being charged with the murder last June by Bridgewater Police and RCMP.

Her daughter Karissa was reported missing on Jan. 27, 2008 by her mother. After weeks of searching and tearful pleas to the public, the body of the girl was found Feb. 9 along the LaHave River.

Karissa had only recently moved to Bridgewater, having grown up in Shelburne County where she attended elementary schools on Cape Sable Island and in Shelburne.

“Given that these cases are spread out over a large portion of the province, we can say the flu is here and it will spread over the coming days and weeks,” said Dr. Robert Strang, chief public health officer. “Taking preventive action is still the best way to protect yourself against infection.”

Nova Scotians can take several simple steps to avoid the flu. There is still time to get a flu shot. Frequent and thorough hand-washing is also an effective way to prevent a whole range of infectious diseases, including influenza.

The vaccine is available through family doctors. It is free for many Nova Scotians, including pregnant women; people 65 or older; babies age six to 23 months, adults and children with chronic diseases; anyone living with someone 65 or older or someone with a chronic illness; all health-care workers and students in a health-care program; police and firefighters; and anyone who lives in a chronic or long-term care facility.

“If you do become ill, it’s important to cough and sneeze into your sleeve, and to avoid face-to-face contact with other people,” said Dr. Strang. “People should also stay home until the symptoms are gone, and it’s especially important to stay away from hospitals and long term-care facilities.”

Flu symptoms include fever, headache, chills, cough, sore throat, joint aches and muscle aches.

The Vanguard has learned from several people connected to the event that Yarmouth is expected to be named as the host of the 13th annual event.

Scott Long, executive director of Music Nova Scotia, would not confirm or deny the news, however he said an announcement would come sometime early next week about the host site of this year’s event.

Nova Scotia Music Week is a four-day event celebrating music, musicians and the industry in the province. The event features live performances, tradeshows, workshops and an awards show and gala.

Past host sites include Halifax, Liverpool and Pictou County. The event in Liverpool in 2007 attracted around 500 people.

Yarmouth has been a hotbed of musical activity for years, but much of that has remained a well-kept secret unless musicians left to make their mark other places.

A local organizing committee was established last spring in an attempt to bring the event to Yarmouth and it appears those efforts were successful.

After a couple of weeks of cleaning up, next week Parents’ Place will once again be able to offer regular programming at its Barnard Street location, and off site as well.

Since the start of the new year, the family resource centre has not been able to offer any programming because a section of the building was heavily damaged by water.

Over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday break, pipes burst in the building and the water damage spread to two floors of the older section of the building.

Although that part of the building was only used for storage, the resulting debris and clean-up meant that parts of the building used for the public for programming had to temporarily be turned into storage areas themselves.

And staff that operate the programs offered by Parents’ Place were busy cleaning up the building.

On Friday Annette Deveau, executive director of Parents’ Place, said they are ready to begin regular programming again on Monday, Jan. 26.

As for the damaged section of the building, it will be demolished as opposed to repaired.

It’s unclear when the demolition will begin, although it won’t be in the immediate future.

The eyes of atheist and humanist groups across Canada are on Toronto, where a group is proposing to plaster ads that question the existence of God on the city’s transit buses.

The Toronto-based Freethought Association of Canada wants to buy bus ads that say: “There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”

The message comes from a campaign recently rolled out in the United Kingdom, sparking similar campaigns in Washington, D.C. and the Spanish cities of Barcelona and Madrid.

Atheist groups in Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver are keeping a close watch on Toronto’s efforts.

“We’re going to see how that flies,” said Cliff Erasmus, co-ordinator for the Center for Inquiry in the Calgary area.

Atheist, humanists and agnostics should have the same opportunities to voice their opinions as people of faith, without discrimination, Erasmus said.

There are a lot of misconceptions about what it means to be an atheist, he added.

“For some reason, we’re labelled as devil worshippers and all sorts of nasty stuff,” he said.

Those misconceptions are part of the reason for the campaign, said Katie Kish of the Freethought Association.

“So often you see (atheists) portrayed as kind of gloomy and angry. We really wanted to counter that stereotype,” said Kish.

The other goal, said Kish, is opening a dialogue with religious groups.

“I think discussion is really important and that’s what I’m hoping will happen from this campaign.”

A spokesman for the Montreal chapter of the Center for Inquiry said there could be conversations about Toronto’s concept if it works well.

For Guillaume Loignon, the ads would provide an alternative for non-believers in Montreal since there are numerous publicity campaigns run by religious organizations in Quebec.

At least one faith group appears to be open to the ads.

“If it helps to foster dialogue in our society, that might actually be a good thing,” Rev. Susan Johnson, national bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, said in an interview from Winnipeg.

The British brainchild behind the ads says she’s pleased that the message could soon spread to Canada.

“As long as it’s a peaceful campaign,” Ariane Sherine said from London.

Sherine started the campaign after noticing ads on London buses that led curious readers to a website that suggested non-Christians would spend eternity in hell.

Initially, Sherine hoped to raise enough money to post ads on 30 buses in London. The campaign received enough donations to buy ads on 800 buses across the U.K.

In Toronto, the group has launched http://atheistbus.ca/, a website through which they hope to collect between $6,000 and $7,000 to purchase the bus ads. Hours after it was set up Friday, the group had received $6,800, according to its website.

The ad has been submitted for approval to CBS Outdoor, the firm that handles advertising for the Toronto Transit Commission, said Kish.

Though they’ve settled on the message for the campaign – it’s identical to the slogan used in the U.K. – the actual layout is still being worked out. They want “something happy, something bright,” Kish said.

If approved, the month-long campaign would start in the spring.

Darthmouth isn’t very near to us.. but near enough that i know where it is.  And a house by the water like this must cost a lot.  Pity it went on fire.. and no reason for the caused of it yet.  But the woman who was in it escaped the fire.  What a time of the year to lose your house eh.

What a time to be in darkness and losing your powers for at least 12hrs.  Christmas is just round the corner..and everyone wants to get their shopping done and welcome Santa and bring joy to the children.. and looking forward to family and friends at home.

Little did we expect that the blizzard and wind stor around Nova Scotia left at least 60,000 homes without power.  Yes.. we were all on a standstill .. and hurdled ourselves in our room.. with a portable heater.  18hrs later.. we couldn’t take the cold no more.. and without power.. we weren’t able to cook and everyone in town were closed.  No fast food, no coffee shop.. nothing.  We headed to a friend’s house and crashed there.. because he had a wood stove.

Highly commendable was the Nova Scotia Power’s employees who were out in the cold and wind trying to restore power to everyone as soon as possible.  Deploying more than 100 crew members.. the Nova Scotia Power was really trying hard.  A huge pat on the shoulders of these men..!

This scumbag.. went on facebook.. whereby someone else had put up the page to pay tribute to Tim Mclean .. and posing as his sister.. had told facebook owner.. how they were having a hard time dealing with the killing.. and all. Never thought otherwise, he turned the facebook to scumbag imposter.. but this was later found out .. when the real “amanda” came to light.

I hope whoever this scumbag is..  he or she or even they should be put behind bars..!! or maybe Tim Mclean should pay this scumbag a visit eh..?? afterall.. it is the chinese ghost month right now.