South Shore: Aquaculture Consultations Kick Off Monday

The Nova Scotia government will begin public consultations next week as it looks to update aquaculture standards in the province. Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau announced the creation of a panel in May tasked with recommending new regulations to govern the industry by the end of next year. The panel will be led by two environmental law experts from Dalhousie University in Halifax. They will be advised by a seven-member committee with representatives from industry and environmental groups, the Mi'kmaq and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. The government has about 20 public meetings planned across the province. Meetings are planned to be held later this month in Shelburne, Lunenburg, Liverpool and Yarmouth.

Local consultation session: Sessions will be 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. at each location.

July 15 --  Royal Canadian Legion, 34 Duke St., Lunenburg

July 17  -- Emera Centre, 50 Queens Place Dr., Liverpool

July 18 --  Shelburne Fire Hall, 63 King St., Shelburne

July 30 -- The Rodd Grand Hotel, 417 Main St., Yarmouth

July 31 -- Annapolis Basin Conference Centre, Cornwallis Park,               

The date and location of the Halifax meeting will be announced in later this summer. More information is available at www.aquaculturereview.ca .

Local Golfer Runner-Up In Championship Tourney

Bridgewater's Ryan Nowe has finished second at the provincial Junior Golf Championship, which wrapped up Thursday at Seaview Golf and Country Club in North Sydney. The 17-year-old fired a two-over, 73 to finish four shots behind champion Bruce Tomie. With the result, Nowe has been named to team Nova Scotia for the upcoming Canadian Junior Golf Championships in Subury, Ontario from July 30 to August 2. Nowe also secures a berth in the CN Future Links Atlantic Championship in Antigonish from July 16-18. He's also been named to team Nova Scotia for the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec in August.

Video Training Cuts Costs & Travel For Consturction Workers

Construction workers and small businesses across the province will have better access to training because of  provincial funding. A new video system will deliver customized training to more than 750 commercial construction businesses across the province. The construction industry employs more than 30,000 Nova Scotians. It is estimated that 7,000 more skilled workers will be needed over the next decade. NDP MLA Becky Kent says providing accessible training, particularly for small businesses in rural areas, will help to make businesses more productive and make sure that workers have the skills they need for the job. The Construction Association of Nova Scotia will deliver the video-based training, which will cut travel costs, be easier for workers and allow more time for coaching and mentoring new employees. In 2011, the province released its workforce strategy. Key parts of the strategy include supporting learning and skills development, and enhancing opportunities for success in the workplace.

Gas Prices Rise Even More Than Expected!

Gasoline prices are way up this morning at South Shore pumps. The utility and review board has increased the price for a litre of regular self serve to $1.36.5. Thats an overnight jump of 6.5 cents. Diesel is up by almost 4 cents to $1.34.4. High test gas is selling this morning for $1.45.5 a litre. That too is an increase of 6.5 cents.

Bridgewater Wins Kraft Celebration Tour

Bridgewater has won the much-talked-about "Kraft Celebration Tour" contest and an impressive $30,000. for improvements to Kinsmen Field in the town. The results were revealed last night on TSN's Sportscentre. Bridgewater garnered more than 223,000 votes to beat Windsor's Aquatic Club by a margin of 2 to 1. Bluenose RV will also chip in $5,000 after a challenge was issued by company owner Darren Young earlier this week. The town will also host a live episode of Sportscentre in the near future. The Seahawks football club submitted the nomination for the Kraft contest. Some of their members stayed up all night Wednesday voting for their submission. By the way, the Windsor Aquatic Club received just over 104,000 votes.