Boundary Bills Passes Second Reading

A controversial bill dealing with electoral boundary changes has passed second reading in the Nova Scotia legislature. NDP MLA's voted in favour of the bill late on Monday, which would make changes to four ridings set up 20 years ago to provide representation for black and French-speaking residents.
The Liberals and Tories both voted against the bill. Fisheries Minister and MLA for Shelburne Sterling Belliveau, who has opposed provisions that would split up his riding, says it was necessary for him to vote with the government in order to allow the legislature's law amendments committee to travel there to hear citizens concerns. Belliveau says he will vote against the bill on third reading unless changes are made that satisfy the people in his riding.  The law amendments committee will meet on Tuesday to set dates for public hearings in Shelburne. It's expected the all party committee will hit the road and head for Shelburne on Thursday and Friday.

Lunenburg: Packed House Welcomes New Council

A standing room only crowd gathered in Lunenburg on Monday night to welcome the town's new mayor and council. Mayor Rachel Bailey received a rousing and extended ovation after she was officially sworn-in to office during a special ceremony at the local fire hall. In her first mayoral address, Bailey underscored the importance of a team-first approach to governing and the need for balance when making decisions.




Bailey says the new council features a rich blend of seasoned veterans mixed with invigorated rookie players. Councillors Danny Croft, Peter Zwicker and John McGee bring a combined 23 years of experience to the council table. While Thom Barclay, Peter Mosher and Tyler Hayden are rookies on the political scene. The new council will gather for their first meeting next Tuesday night.

Bridgewater: McInnis Named Deputy Mayor

A veteran councillor in Bridgewater has been named the town's new deputy mayor. Bill McInnis received unanimous support to fill the role during a special meeting on Monday night at town hall. No election was required as he was the only councillor nominated for the one-year term.  Meanwhile, mayor David Walker and the new-look council were officially sworn in before the meeting. The first regular council session with the new group will be on November 13th.

Province Announces Support For Woodlot Owners

Struggling woodlot owners on the South Shore will have access to 500-thousand dollars in provincial money to help improve access to their property. Queens MLA Vicki Conrad says the support for woodlot owners is needed following the closure of the Bowater Mersey Paper mill. The funds will help build and upgrade access roads to move products and make silviculture work easier. The new money will be added to $1 million dollars already announced in July for Nova Scotia woodlot owners. The funding is being managed and distributed by the Forest Products Association of Nova Scotia.

Seniors Warned About Alarm Company

The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning to South Shore seniors who may have purchased a medical alert system from a Halifax-based company. The bureau's communications director, Jill Atkinson says "JTF Alarms" seems to have disappeared into thin air and that has set the alarm-bells ringing.



The Better Business Bureau warns seniors and their families to be wary of any company going door to door using high-pressure sales techniques. Its says: 1. Be wary of any company going door-to-door selling these types of systems. 2. Claims that your name was given to them by another senior, friend or family member. 3. Handwritten contracts with no terms and conditions on them. 4. No written information on who the monitoring company is. 5. High-pressure sales techniques. 6. Willing to change the price of the system or provide a “deal” if money is paid upfront in full. If you have any questions, check with the bureau for information.

South Shore Cook Reflects On Big Contest Win

One of the South Shore's best-known cooks has taken her winning of the Food Network's "Recipes to Riches" top prize to the next level. Eighty-two year old Glo McNeil of Lunenburg picked up a quarter-million dollar prize for her Lucious Lemon Pudding. The tasty delight is now featured in all Lowlaw stores, such Atlantic Superstore. Prior to winning, she and her husband were worried about their financial freedom.



Glo has a new recipe book thats hitting store shelves. "Cooking With Glo" is a compilation of her favourite recipes.

Busted Water Line Halts Production At High Liner

High Liner Foods was forced to halt production earlier today because the main water line to the plant unexpectedly busted. The Lunenburg-based company will begin repair work on the broken water line later this afternoon. The company's vice president of operations, Lee Obritch says they will temporarily suspend operations at noon. He says that means the night crew won't have to come into work this evening.



Obritch is hopeful the company will resume normal operations on Tuesday morning.

New Bridge Project In Yarmouth County

The province has awarded a $13.5 million dollar contract to build a new bridge to Surettes Island in Yarmouth County. The contract to build the two-lane, 189-metre bridge was awarded to Dexter Construction. It will replace the one-lane bridge on Route 308 to Surettes Island and mean less traffic delays during repairs as one lane can be left open. Work on the new Surettes Island Bridge is expected to begin in the near future. The construction company is still working out scheduling details.

Spts-New Germany Hosting Regional Soccer Tournament Today

The New Germany Rural High junior girls soccer team will host the Regional tournament today which was re-scheduled from last week. The girls will host Maple Grove at 11:00 while Clare plays Hants West at LaHave Street at the same time. The consolation game and championship game will be played at the NGRHS field at 1:00 and 2:30.

Spts-Jr. Hockey Challenge Gets Underway Today In Yarmouth

Play will be getting underway later today at the 2012 "World Junior 'A' Hockey Challenge". Nick Yorston is in Yarmouth with more.

Mounties Probe Fatal Crash In Barrington

Mounties are investing the cause of a fatal crash in Barrington over the weekend. A 20 year-old was killed in a single vehicle collision on Saturday night on Oak Park Road. Meanwhile, a 17 year-old had to be removed from the vehicle using the jaws of life. The teenager was taken to the Yarmouth Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A traffic analyst was called in to try and figure out what happened.

Bridgewater: New Look Council Swear-In Tonight

It's a fresh start for town council in Bridgewater. Mayor-elect David Walker will be sworn into office during a special ceremony this evening at council chambers. Walker was successful in his first run at the mayor's chair on October 20th when he held on for a tight election night victory over Gary MacNeil. Walker is a veteran politician but many of his soon-to-be colleuges are fresh to the political scene. Jennifer MacDonald, Andrew Tanner, Michael Graves, Sandra Mailman and Wayne Thorbune are all rookie councillors. Bill McInnis was the only incumbent to secure a seat at the council table following last month's election. The new council will get right down to business when they select a new deputy mayor. The process is done by secret ballot.

Lunenburg: New Era Begins When Bailey Takes Oath

It will be a historic night in Lunenburg when the first female mayor of the town will take her oath and is officially be sworn into office. Mayor-elect Rachel Bailey will take over the job from Laurence Mawhinney - a position he has held for the past 33 years. Bailey is a life-long residents of the town and secured a solid victory over challenger Ron Stockton in municipal elections last month. Meanwhile, three new councillors will also be sworn in at the ceremony, they include Tom Barclay, Tyler Hayden and Peter Mosher. They will join veteran politicians Peter Zwicker, Danny Croft, John McGee around the council table.