CKBW News: We've Moved!

Thanks for following our CKBW/HANK FM Blogger site over the past few years. We are pleased to announce we have moved to a new location and launched a brand new website which will enhance your online experience. Just click news on our new web page and we will keep you up to date on the latest news you need to know.

 

Top Ten Remain For Oak Island Logo Contest

Ten people from four Lunenburg County schools are hoping their drawings will be used by the Friends of Oak Island Society. The group held a contest for local artists to design a new logo for Oak Island that would be used in marketing materials, clothing and digital media and would be circulated worldwide. Over 50 pieces of artwork were submitted and now they're down to the top 10. Chairperson Shelley Rafuse says some of the images show pirates, treasure maps or the island.



Rafuse says they expect to announce a winner next week. People are encouraged to vote online at the Oak Island facebook page.

Update: Nictaux Man Charged Following Saturday Night Fire

RCMP in Annapolis County have laid charges following a house fire in Nictaux. Police say 42-year-old Anthony Scott Haynes is charged with several offenses including arson, mischief, uttering threats and breaching court orders. Firefighters quickly put out the fire on Old Runway Drive on Saturday night. However, the house sustained considerable damage. Haynes was arrested in the Middleton area and was expected to appear in Digby court this morning.

Coalition To Develop Action Plan For Province's Economy

The CEO of High Liner Foods in Lunenburg has been named to a committee that will develop an action plan for the province's economy. The 15-member oneNS coalition will use the recent Ivany report to develop work plans in three key areas including attitude, people and economic growth. The coalition will also develop and deliver a 10-year, provincewide plan to meet population and economic renewal goals by December 2015. Henry Demone will be a part of that group. It also includes leaders from all three political parties, business, labour, culture, health, education, and First Nations. Premier Stephen McNeil will chair the group. He says the project will take time, patience and a collective effort to get the province moving in the right direction. The coalition is expected to engage with the public in the next few months.

Bridgewater Makes Way For Clear Garbage Bags

Bridgewater is joining the movement to use clear garbage bags instead of dark ones. The town has approved the new policy and will educate the public about the switch over the next few months. They will issue information through their newsletter, website and residential water bills. Bridgewater is one of several towns or municipalities in Lunenburg County moving ahead with the initiative. Mayor David Walker feels it's the right direction.



The switch is designed to help increase recycling and composting across the county and province. People will still be able to put one black or dark green garbage bag at the curb per pickup.

Chamber Of Commerce Concerned Over Ferry Service Future

At least one South Shore business group is nervous about the future of the new ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine. The manager of the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce hopes the province advancing another $5-million ust to keep the NovaStar operating is not a forerunner of whats ahead. Dan Hennessey says the former ferry service went under after numerous government subsidies and bailouts.



Hennessey says improved promotion of the service to attract more customers and in turn lower fares will be key to its success as a stand-alone business. About $19 million in taxpayer money has already been given to NovaStar Cruises, including the latest 5-million advance.

Park View Boys Win Softball Division Championship

The Park View Panthers of Bridgewater have been crowned Division 1 Boys Softball Regional Champs. They finished the weekend undefeated, winning the Championship game 9-3 over the host West Kings team. Park View now heads to the Provincials starting Friday at Aylesford in the Valley.

Mustangs Lose Bid To Host 2016 Telus Cup

Not the news the Charlies Pizza South Shore Mustangs were looking for. Hockey Canada has awarded the 2016 Telus Cup to Quispamsis and Saint John, New Brunswick. Chair of the host committee, Michael Belliveau, confirmed the news this morning. The Mustangs were hoping to bring the national major midget hockey championship to the Clearwater Seafoods Arena in Bridgewater. Belliveau says they expect to get more details around Hockey Canada's decision later this month.

Search For Missing Halifax Area Cyclist Intensifies

A search has been intensified near Halifax for a man who disappeared with barely a trace last week. 30 year old Martin Legere went cycling over the noon hour on Thursday on the Spider Lake trails and failed to return home as planned late Thursday afternoon. His car was found at the end of Spider Lake Road Thursday evening. An extensive ground and air search involving dozens of volunteers was launched and lasted through the weekend and is continuing this morning. Dozens of Canadian military personnel have also been brought in to help with the search.

Expect "Easy To Read" Report Cards

South Shore parents can expect some big changes when their child picks up their report card in a few weeks. Reports cards will now include personalized comments from teachers on the students' strengths, areas which need improvements and advice on how to improve learning at home. It's a big change - compared to old system - which some parents found difficult to understand because of wording that wasn't conversational. A recent survey on report cards found 63 per cent of those who filled it out, felt the comments from teachers didn't help them understand their grades. The survey also suggested 58 per cent felt the comments didn’t help them understand where their child need help to improve. Education Minister Karen Casey says parents can expect to see changes immediately. She says the comments will be clear, personalized and jargon free.

Some survey results:

In total, 5,811 students, parents, teachers and school administrators from across the province filled out the survey.

Key findings from parents were:
-- 58 per cent felt teacher comments did not help them understand where their child may be struggling
-- 63 per cent felt comments did not help them understand report card grades and wording
-- 62 per cent felt comments did not help them support their child's learning at home

Annapolis Valley: RCMP Believe Arson Behind Weekend Fire

Arson is suspected after a fire in the Annapolis Valley. The RCMP answered a call to a home last night in Nictaux after someone allegedly threatened another person. When police got to the home on Old Runway Drive, thick black smoke was pouring from the home. Crews quickly put the fire out but the house sustained considerable damage. No one was hurt. Later in the evening, RCMP arrested a man in Middleton for questioning in connection with the fire. No word yet on any charges. The provincial fire marshal's office is also investigating.

Three Charged After Separate Weekend Drug Busts

Three men are facing charges as a result of two un-related, weekend RCMP drug busts in Nova Scotia. A traffic stop near Thorburn in Pictou County resulted in two arrests, the seizure of a large quantity of marijuana, drug trafficing paraphenalia and money. Two Pictou County men in their mid 20's face numerous possession and trafficking charges and will be in court in September. Meanwhile, in Baddeck, a 49 year old man has been charged with marijuana possession and trafficking after a home in the Cape Breton community was searched by the RCMP. He too will be making a fall court appearance.

High Profile Lawyer Found Guilty Of Sexual Assault

A well known Halifax defence attorney has been found guilty of sexual assault. The jury in Lyle Howe's two week trial reached its verdict late Saturday after ten hours of deliberations. He was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 19 year old woman in Halifax three years ago. However, he was found not guilty of drugging the woman. He will be sentenced July 30th. Howe is expected to appeal the verdict.

Two South Shore Athletes Win Awards

South Shore athletes Alex Duckworth and Thorne Sutherland have received recognition as major amateur athletes. Duckworth of Kingsburg in Lunenburg County has been awarded "Female Athlete of The Year" by Sport-Nova Scotia. She participated in this year's Winter Olympics in Sochi and came close to being in the semi-finals of the half-pipe snowboarding competition. She earlier won the Nationals. Sutherland, who is from Lunenburg, has been hailed "Official of The Year" for his judging talents at the World Trampoline Championships. The awards were handed out last night during a special ceremony in Halifax. (Photo: Alex Duckworth)

SPTS-Getson & Muise Drafted Into The QMJHL

A couple of notable South Shore hockey players have found their places in a familar Eastern Canadian hockey organization. Keith Getson of Bridgewater has been drafted by the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The veteran player with the Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs was picked in yesterday's third round of the annual Q-League draft. Another Mustang player, Colby Muise, is off to join the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles after being selected in the 7th round of the draft.
(Photo: Keith Getson)

NDP Leader Ready To Tackle Economic Woes

The leader of Nova Scotia's New Democrats says she doesn't understand why the provincial government hasn't started working out the problems that are dragging down the economy. A clear direction to follow was outlined in the Ivany Report earlier this year and Maureen MacDonald says time is being wasted by just sitting and waiting for something to happen. She says other areas are taking up too much time and being studied to death!



The former finance minister says if asked, she's prepared to work closely with PC leader Jamie Baillie and Premier Stephen McNeil in a combined effort to tackle the economic woes.