South Shore Health Releases 2012-13 Business Plan

South Shore Health is looking at doing business differently. The local health authority has recognized $2.2-million in cost efficiencies in their 2012-13 business plan. The cost savings include better management of their medication, utilizing beds, reducing their lease costs and becoming more energy efficient. CEO Alice Leverman says they want to minimize the impact on programs for patients.

"We looked internally at what we are doing and how we are doing it to define ways that we could be more efficient in carrying out the business that we're in."

She says it will allow them to stay on top of rising costs like inflation, wages, and energy to remain within budget parameters. Health and Wellness Minister Maureen MacDonald says the nine health authorities will receive $1.6-billion for their business plans. More details can be found at http://www.southshorehealth.ca/ .

Power Restored To South Shore Residents

Power is back on for almost 3,000 residents and businesses in and around the Bridgewater area. Communities including Barss Corner, West Northfield, Auberndale and East Dalhousie were affected. Nova Scotia Power says the outage was caused by trees falling onto power lines. The outage occurred shortly before 4pm this afternoon.

Power Outage Affecting Bridgewater And Area

Almost 3000 people in and around the Bridgewater area are without power at this time. Nova Scotia Power indicates trees have fallen onto power lines causing roughly 2,800 households and businesses to be in the dark. The outage is affecting communities like New Germany, East Dalhousie, Barss Corner and West Northfield. The utility estimates power will be restored by 5:30 Thursday evening.

Solid Sprint For South Shore Olympic Hopeful

Jenna Martin moved another step closer to an Olympic berth last night with a second place finish in the 400 metre dash at the Cayman Invitational Track & Field event at George Town, Grand Cayman. Martin, from Bridgewater, ran a personal best time of 51.69 seconds.  Canadian Olympic trials are set for late June in Calgary. The 24-year old needs to crack 51.55 seconds to wear the Maple Leaf in London this July.

Law Court Briefs

    A former Girl Guide district commissioner in Shelburne has been sentenced to 150 hours of house arrest, 18 months probation and told to repay money she stole from the organization.  34 year old Chastity Enslow had already pleaded guilty to fraud and stealing more than 5-thousand dollars from the Girl Guides in unpaid-for cookies before she was sentenced yesterday in court.

    Meanwhile, a 75 year old Shelburne man has received 548 hours of house arrest for trafficking prescription drugs. Burton Crowell was also ordered in court yesterday to pay a 100 dollar victim fine surcharge.  He earlier pleaded guilty. Crowell was arrested last November at his home during an RCMP search which saw Dilaudid pills, cash and drug paraphenalia confiscated.