Chester: Wind Turbine Unveiling Rescheduled For January

The Municipality of Chester will wait until the new year to energize a wind turbine at the Kaizer Meadow landfill. Plans were in the works for the public to watch the 98-metre, two mega-watt wind turbine get powered up this week. However, a potential winter storm on Wednesday has pushed the date back until next month. Warden Allen Webber says its unfortunate news.



Webber says he was recently informed that the turbine is expected to provide enough green electricity for around 550 homes, up from 350. It will also provide $300,000 on average annually in revenue to the municipality. Webber expects the event will be rescheduled during the first two weeks of January.

Mahone Bay: Land Purchase Protects Bella Island

The province is protecting more species at risk through buying land in Mahone Bay. Bella Island has been purchased for $800,000. It's home to the piping plover and common loon. It's also a habitat for migratory birds. The Mahone Islands Conservation Association contributed $250,000 toward the purchase of the land - leaving the provincial share at $550,000. Association chair John Meisner says Bella Island is one of the few remaining privately-owned islands in Mahone. He called it a gem that must be protected. Others purchases include land on McNabs Island in Halifax Harbour and woodlands in eastern Nova Scotia. Three other parcels of land were purchased in Annapolis and Antigonish Counties. Total cost to the province was just under $1.9 million.

Liverpool: National Curling Event Still Needs Volunteers

A few key positions still need to be filled for the upcoming national curling event in Liverpool. The M & M Meats Canadian Junior Curling Championships will be held next month. Organizer Paul Fey says they have 150 volunteers signed on to help out with the event. However, he says they need more help filling positions connected to the action on the ice.



Fey is aiming to have roughly 200 volunteers before the curling begins. The junior championships get underway January 18th.

Information for volunteering:

Contact Paul Fay at 902.354.2374 (after 5pm)

Applications online - here

Email: 2014canadianjuniorsvolunteer@gmail.com

Minor Hockey Prez: Declining Enrolment Leads To Less Ice Time

Declining enrolment means less hours in rinks for the South Shore Minor Hockey Association. President Mike Conklin says they were anticipating almost 60 hours a week in arena use, but fewer teams created a decrease in hours needed. Lunenburg's director of recreation has said they're facing a financial shortfall because of the drop-off. Conklin wouldn't comment on those claims. But, he says they wanted to utilize the Clearwater Seafoods Arena as much as possible.



He's hopeful enrolment will increase and minor hockey can use more ice at the Bridgewater Memorial and Lunenburg Arena.

Shelburne County Man Injured In Hunting Mishap

A Shelburne County man has undergone emergency surgery at a Halifax hospital after a hunting accident near his home. The un-named 41 year old was duck hunting alone on Saturday in Rockland when he tripped, fell and his shotgun went off. Pellets hit him in a hand, arm and face. He was rushed by ambulance to Roseway Hospital and airlifted to the QE-2 in Halifax where he underwent surgery. No charges are expected and there's no word on the victim's condition.

Arrests In Multiple Home B & E's

A man and a teenage boy will appear in court today in Bridgewater. They were arrested following a rash of break-ins in the Chester area. Lunenburg County RCMP say 40 incidents have occurred since October.
They say items including jewelry, alcohol and stamps were stolen. The Mounties arrested three people Saturday night at a home along Highway 3 in Chester. A 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man face charges including break and enter, possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000 and possession of marijuana. A girl was released without being charged. Police say more charges are likely.

Its Cleanup Day! Also, Schools Closed!

Welcome to Cleanup Day! The first major winter storm of the season dropped 20 to 30 centimeters of snow. A winter storm advisory was issued across our province as snow, ice pellets and freezing rain made travel impossible. Then, the snow changed to rain in our area and cooler temperatures overnight turned the snow into a frozen slushy mess. The weather conditions prompted cancellations, flight delays and police advised motorists to stay off the roads.
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The highways are still tricky to drive on this morning. All 100 series highways across the province, including the 103, are said to be snow covered and dangerous. Drivers are asked to slow down and avoid being caught up by the icy patches.
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Schools are closed today in Lunenburg and Queens Counties, including the French school in Cookville and the Waldorf School. Schools are also closed in the Annapolis Valley but open in the Tri-Counties, Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby Counties.

Two People Homeless After Bridgewater House Fire

It couldn't have happened at a worse time but at the height of Sunday's storm, a fire forced two people from their Bridgewater home. One of them was sent to hospital after the blaze erupted a unit of an older wood-frame home at 26 Elm Street containing several apartments. The Red Cross has arranged emergency lodging and meals for the man and his wife, who are now temporarily homeless. The Red Cross intends to assess further needs and provide additional support if needed later today. Cause the  fire isn't known.