Queens RCMP Search For Missing Bridgewater Man

RCMP are on the lookout for a missing man in the Port Medway area. The Mounties in Queens say 47-year-old Christopher Mark Cook of Bridgewater was last seen going into the woods last night around 6:15pm. He is described as a white man,  5'1, 130 pounds with blonde, balding hair and a goatee. He was last seen wearing a grey Old Navy sweat shirt and blue jeans. The Mounties say they have conducted a number of inquiries at local homes and businesses but haven't located the man. The Department of Natural Resources, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the RCMP Police Dog Service are all involved in the search. Anyone with information is asked to contact Queens RCMP at (902) 354-5721.

BREAKING: Yarmouth Ferry Deal Reached

A deal has been reach to resume the Yarmouth to Maine ferry service. Economic Development Minister Graham Steele announced today the province has reached a deal with STM Quest to operate the ferry run beginning May 1, 2014. Steele says a few things still need to fall into place such as upgrades to the ferry terminal in Yarmouth. The province will provide the operator with $21 million over seven years as long as a number of terms and conditions are followed including a set schedule. The sailing schedule will be May 1 to Oct. 31, departing Yarmouth daily at 9 a.m. and arriving in Portland at 5 p.m., local time. The return trip would leave Portland at 8 p.m. and arrive in Yarmouth at 7 a.m., local time. The ferry service hasn't been running since a government funded subsidy was cut in 2009.

Local Artists Earn Music NS Award Nominations

A number of South Shore singer-songwriters are looking to win Music Nova Scotia awards. Chester's Old Man Luedecke leads the way with five nominations including entertainer of the year, male artist recording of the year, music video of the year, recording of the year and folk recording of the year. Yarmouth's Ryan Cook is up for three Music Nova Scotia awards including entertainer of the year and male artist recording of the year. Cook joins Chester's Amanda Riley trying to win country-bluegrass recording of the year. Lunenburg's Air Traffic Control is up for rock recording of the year and Electric City Underground for electric recording of the year. New Ross' Jamie Junger is up for children's recording of the year. On the industry side, a number of local festivals are vying for the same award. The Chester Playhouse, Harmony Bazaar Festival of Women and Song in Lockeport and the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society have been nominated for community presenter of the year. Harmony Bazaar is also up for event of the year. The festival's organizer, Errin Williams-Spidle, is nominated for volunteer of the year. Milton's Kimberly Sinclair of SpinCount Music and Promotions has been nominated for industry professional of the year and publicist of the year. Diego Medina of Riverport is hoping to win studio engineer of the year while his workplace, the Old Confidence Lodge, Studio & Stage is up for recording studio of the year. Liverpool's Justin MacPherson Wiles is vying for visual artist of the year. The awards will be presented November 10th during Molson Canadian Nova Scotia Music Week festivities in Sydney.

Utility Board Gives Green Light To South Canoe Wind Project

The warden of the Municipality of Chester says he's relieved that a decision on the South Canoe Wind Project has finally been made. The province's regulatory board released its 85-page decision on the project Thursday morning in favour of a development agreement between the municipality and the project's proponents including Nova Scotia Power, Oxford Foods and Minas Basin Pulp and Power.  In announcing its decision today, the URB says the Friends of South Canoe failed to show Chester council erred in supporting the wind power project and that the wind farm would be harmful to health. Allen Webber says they're anticipating between $10-15 million worth of benefit to local contractors to provide the groundwork. He says there are other benefits.



Webber says the decision proves Chester's by-law was adequate.  He doesn't expect any development to begin until after supreme court case involving Nova Scotia Power is held in November. When complete and running, the 34 wind turbines will generate enough power to heat some 32,000 homes.

Jury Selection Continues At Eisnor Trial

Jury selection will stretch into a third day in the first degree murder trial of a Lunenburg County man. Nearly 300 potential jurors have been summoned to appear for jury duty in the high profile case. Wayne Eisnor, 50, of Barss Corner is accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife, Tina Mae Eisnor, in June 2010 in a New Germany parking lot, before turning the gun on himself. Dozens of witnesses are expected to be called to testify over the course of the two-week trial.