Renovations Planned For South Shore Regional Hospital

Changes are coming to South Shore Regional Hospital. The hospital's auxiliary has approved funding for two renovations; one for the front lobby and reception area, the other is on the main floor to expand clinic space for chronic disease management. Outgoing CEO Alice Leverman says more cubicles will be added to the lobby to improve confidentiality.




The auxiliary has set aside roughly $70,000 for the two renovations. Leverman expects the work to start very soon.

LaHave Ferry: Out Of Service Tuesday

The LaHave Ferry will be out of service Tuesday from 9am until about 6pm for repairs. Steve Smith with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal says the shutdown is due to mechanical repairs. The ferry is expected to be up and running Wednesday.

Mahone Bay: Tax Bills To Rise In 2012/13

 

 Property taxes for residents and business owners in Mahone Bay are on the rise. The residential rate has been set at $1.15 which represents an increase of about 1.6 percent. Mayor Joe Feeney says setting the tax rate is a balancing act for the town.



The commercial rate has been set at $2.88 per hundred of assessment. The town will spend $500,000 in capital projects this year with just over $12,000 approved in grant requests.

Martin Confident, Prepared Ahead Of Canadian Trials

Jenna Martin says she's in the best shape of her career and ready for the challenge. The 400 metre runner from Bridgewater has to be at her best this week at the Canadian Track and Field Championships in Calgary, Alberta. Martin needs to break a time of 51.55 seconds and finish in the top 3 to qualify for the London games. She says she's focused and not feeling any pressure.



The reigning Canadian champion is the top-ranked runner heading into the 400 metre event. Martin says she has trained hard and is confident she will get the job done.




Qualifying will be held Wednesday evening with semi-finals scheduled for Thursday and the finals on Friday.

Hennessey To Run For Municipal Council

The manager of the Visitor Information Centre in Cookville will try his hand in municipal politics. Dan Hennessey is throwing his name into the hat for District 8 councillor in the Municipality of Lunenburg. Hennessey believes his experience in sales and marketing and prior work with the provincial government will help in the municipal circle. He says he's ready to do his part for Lunenburg County.




Hennessey says he wants to promote the county to more tourists and residents. Current District 8 councillor John Veinot remains undecided if he will re-offer.

Poll Respondents Split On Future Of Sawmill Industry

There's a flip-flop of opinion among listeners to CKBW and those of Hank-fm when it comes to our latest poll at both of our websites.  We asked the question .... Can the sawmill industry in Lunenburg and Queens Counties survive with the shutdown of Bowater?

46% of those voting at "CKBW.ca" said ... NO ... it cannot survive!  32% believe it can.  22% said they don't know .... the situation is too volatile right now.

Meanwhile, the same question was asked at "Hank-fm.ca" and the results are opposite. 40% say the sawmill industry can survive!  31% don't think so.  Many people ... 29% of those who responded are not sure.

Here's what the premier is saying about the future of sawmills in the area now that Bowater is closed.



Darrell Dexter is not sure but .... he's remaining optimistic a solution or solutions can be found.

Clyde River Golfer Heads To National Championship

Berwick, N.S.

A Shelburne County golfer is one of the best in the Province.  Aaron Nickerson from the River Hills in Clyde River has captured the 2012 Mid-Amateur Championship at the Berwick Heights Golf Course in the Annapolis Valley.  Nickerson finished strong as he birdied the 17th and 18th holes to beat his playing partner Glenn Robinson of Ashburn by one stroke. Nickerson will lead Team Nova Scotia along with Robinson and Chris Topshee to the 2012 Canadian Men's Mid-Amateur Championship in Vancouver in September.

Bridgewater Police Retrieve Stolen Goods

Bridgewater Police have been able to recover thousands of dollars worth of stolen property thanks to some tips.  Officers were able to use public information to find a stolen motorcycle and a large amount of tools.  Numerous calls about the stolen property were made which helped police track down the items.
Police say the goods are valued at about $20,000.

No Job Guarantees Behind Cooke Deal: Canadian Taxpayers Federation

There are no job guarantees included in the deal from the province to provide Cook Aquaculture with millions of dollars for expansion.  The Atlantic President of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation... Kevin Lacey ... is worried the arrangement may run into trouble like the one between the province and Resolute Forest Products.



The Dexter government announced last week 25 million dollars in loans and grants to allow Cooke to proceed with a fish plant in Shelburne, a salmon hatchery in Digby and a feed mill in Truro.  400 jobs could be created as a result.