FibreOp Coming To Lunenburg

A new and improved Internet and TV service is coming to Lunenburg. Bell Aliant is bringing its FibreOp network to the town. The company is investing $750,000 to bring the service to about 1,500 homes and businesses. Bell first announced the FibreOp expansion in Nova Scotia in May 2010. VP for Residential Markets, Andre LeBlanc, says two years later, they've made it to Lunenburg.



LeBlanc expects to have the service ready for residents and businesses this winter. Lunenburgers can pre-register on October 19 for FibreOP service at http://www.bellaliant.net/fibreop/ .

Violent Robbery Near Bridgewater Mall

Police are looking for two men after an aggressive robbery near the Bridgewater Mall earlier today. The alleged incident occurred behind Zellers on LaHave Street when two men approached another man who was walking in the area. Police say the male victim was taken to hospital for medical treatment and later released. The two men wanted in connection with the robbery are described as white and in their early 20's.

South Shore Health Cuts Acupuncture Services

South Shore Health will no longer provide acupuncture services beginning in November. The move will affect approximately 50 clients across Lunenburg and Queens. The treatment was offered through a program under Addiction and Mental Health Services. In a news release, South Shore Health says research does not support acupuncture's effectiveness for treating addiction and mental health. The health authority believes the change will free up staff and put more focus on improving access and reducing wait times. The acupuncture services through South Shore Health will cease on November 2nd.

South Shore: E-Voting Numbers Remain Strong

The latest stats continue to show residents of Chester and Bridgewater have taken a liking to e-voting. In Chester, 1,452 residents have already cast their votes either online or over the phone in advance of this Saturday's municipal and school board election. In total, 987 votes were cast through web voting while 465 were sent in over the phone.  In Bridgewater, 1,248 residents have cast their ballot through e-voting. The number show 1,066 voted online and 182 over the phone. E-voting wraps up in Chester today while residents in Bridgewater can e-vote right up until the time polls close on Saturday at 7 o'clock.

Local School Board Getting Additional Teachers

The South Shore Regional School Board is getting some added help from the province. The board is receiving an additional two-and-a-half teachers to meet the need of oversized classrooms in some of their schools. The help is being provided as part of the government's move to reduce class sizes in primary to grade three. Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says they have 15 classrooms with more than 25 students between those grades. She says at least two schools will benefit from the extra help.



Pynch-Worthylake says it hasn't been determined where the remaining position will be filled. She says the additional help will be in the schools as soon as possible.

Queens Mayor Reflects On His Long Career

Mayor John Leefe

He was elected to the Nova Scotia legislature six consecutive times (1978 to 1999 as a PC) and he was a cabinet minister and deputy speaker and more recently, the Mayor of the District of Queens. Now though, in these final days of John Leefe's 12 years in the mayor's office, he's reflecting on his long career. In an interview, Leefe tells us what's led to his success over all those years has been the loyalty of the residents of Queens County and beyond.



And that job as mayor has included leading the way in infrastructure improvements in sewer and water and tourism promotion. Leefe says another highlight has been the development of Queens Place-Emera Centre. After retirement later this month, Leefe will continue as honorary colonel of the West Nova Scotia reserve regiment.



He may also write another book and he and wife Nancy will likely be travelling quite a bit too.

Gas Prices Here May Drop Tonight!

South Shore gasoline prices may take another drop overnight tonight! In New Brunswick this morning, the price of gas has taken a dip for the second week in a row. Regular self-serve in New Brunswick is down just over two cents, selling for about a-dollar-32-cents a litre. Gas has fallen more than seven cents a litre since October 4th. However, diesel is up this week in New Brunswick by just over two cents, the third consecutive increase. Here on the South Shore, regular self serve gasoline is selling today at $1.37.3 a litre. Diesel is $1.38 a litre.

Bluenose II Masts Returning!

Bluenose II Masts

Over the next day or two, the giant masts that are a major feature of Bluenose II will be raised into place. To kick off the event, there's a ceremony this morning on the Lunenburg waterfront. MLA Pam Birdsall, on behalf of Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leonard Preyra, will be joining Bluenose II Captain Phil Watson. Known as stepping the masts, the process begins with the placement of two coins under the base of both masts. After the placement of the coins, the masts will be raised into place by a crane, a process that will take as long as two days to complete. Bluenose II is nearing the end of a major rebuild costing about 16-million dollars.

Mustangs Lose Heartbreaker To Cole Harbour

The South Shore Mustangs put together 58 minutes of hockey Wednesday night, it was the last two that hurt the most. The Mustangs led 6-4 before the Cole Harbour Wolfpack scored twice in the final minute and 36 seconds of play and eventually beat the local club 7-6 in overtime. The loss is the club's sixth in a row. Alex Nauss had two goals while Christian Tufts, Jordan Messenger, Jamie Arsenault and MacKenzie Woodman also tallied. Cole Skinner allowed seven goals on 25 shots. The Mustangs will try and break their losing streak when they head to Pictou County this weekend for a pair of games against the Weeks Major Midgets.

Lone School Board Member Wraps Up Term

The lone member of the South Shore Regional School Board has wrapped up her term after 10 months on the job. Judith Sullivan-Corney attended her final meeting Wednesday night before a newly elected board takes her place after this Saturday's election. She was brought in by the Education Minister after the previous school board was fired following a scathing report by Deloitte Inc. Sullivan-Corney says all the recommendations put forward by the report last November have been implemented.



Sullivan-Corney says she enjoyed her time working with staff and the community. She hopes to become a consultant, now that her role with the board is finished.