Yarmouth in final five for Hockeyville 2012

Courtesy of the Yarmouth County Vanguard

A western Nova Scotia community is among the finalists of a national sports challenge. Yarmouth is the top Atlantic Canadian town in Kraft Food's Hockeyville 2012. It will compete for the crown as the nation's top hockey community. Yarmouth will also be competing to host a 2012-13 NHL pre-season game at the local arena. If it does, $100,000 in rink upgrades will be undertaken. The other communities in the running for the coveted crown are Amos, Quebec; Stirling-Rawdon, Ontario; West Duck Lake, Saskatchewan; and West Kelowna, BC. Voting is underway now until Tuesday night at midnight,  online at www.krafthockeyville.ca, on your mobile device (available only via www.krafthockeyville.ca through your mobile browser) or by calling 1-866-533-8066. On Saturday, March 31st, the winner will be announced live on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.

New Life for South Shore Big Brothers Big Sisters

It's a huge turn around for South Shore Big Brothers Big Sisters. The organization is rebounding after some financial problems almost crippled the group. Director Sandra Murray says local MLA's have worked to secure just over $9,000 through the department of community services. She says the money will help bridge the gap until they can access grant money in the new fiscal year. "I feel this community understand the value of raising our children as a village and seeing that these one on one mentorship programs that Big Brothers Big Sisters provides is extremely preventative in nature as well as creating life long relationships and creating community minded citizens," Meanwhile, the Rotary Club will donate all the proceeds from this weekend's curling fun spiel in Bridgewater to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Murray says after a rough stretch, the future is a lot brighter.

Flu Outbreak: Queens Manor Closed to Public

The Queens Manor in Liverpool is closed to the public because of a flu outbreak. Infection control nurse Sandra Woodford says 11 patients are currently dealing with flu like symptoms. She says staff want to be cautious and limit the spread of the virus. "We've had a few cases and we want to keep it contained, so we're doing what we should be doing - which is close the building to family, visitors and volunteers. We will be closed until there are no  new cases, so its hard to say how long we will be closed," Staff are asking family and visitors to call the manor with any questions they have. The closure is in effect until further notice.

Hurricanes lose in semi-final; win bronze

Another tough loss for the Western Hurricanes. The major bantam hockey club suffered a 3-2 loss Sunday to the Bedford Barons in the semi-finals of the provincial championships in Liverpool. The Hurricanes were ranked #1 after going 4-0 during the round robin. Ty Duffus and Jordan Messenger scored for the Hurricanes while Aaron Mantle suffered the loss in goal. The Bay Gulls won the championship game 3-1 over the Bedford.

Provincial PC's Launch Fish Study

PC Leader Jamie Baillie

A study will be undertaken by provincial Conservatives, examining the region's fishing industry. They particularly want to determine what can be done to help aquaculture and the wild fishery survive, side by side, here on the South Shore and elsewhere.
Leader Jamie Baillie says the party's fisheries critic will be travelling the province in the coming weeks: "to meet with all sides, pro and con, to get all the evidence so we can make a smart decision about how to go forward with a sustainable, wild fishery, lobster fishery, as example and whether we can risk a co-habitation between fish farms and our natural fishery."
Baillie says findings of the study will help formulate party policy on the fishery and how to expand it and increase jobs.