Curling: Fay, Mayhew Drop Championship Round Openers

M & M Canadian Junior Curling Update from Liverpool: Chester's Mary Fay lost 7-6 to BC this afternoon. She takes a 5-2 record into a game tonight at 6:30 against unbeaten Alberta. Meantime Nova Scotia's Robert Mayhew dropped to 4-3 after a 5-4 loss to Ontario. He'll face Northern Ontario at 6:30 this evening. 

Liverpool: Fay, Mayhew Begin Championship Round At Canadian Juniors

The championship round is underway at the M& M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Curling Championships in Liverpool. Nova Scotia's Mary Fay, with a 5-1 record, is facing 4-2 BC this afternoon. Tonight at 6:30 at Queens Place Emera Centre the Chester team battles unbeaten Alberta. In the Junior Mens' bracket Windsor's Robert Mayhew, with a 4-2 record, is battling Ontario this afternoon. Tonight at 6:30 at the Liverpool Curling Club Nova Scotia meets Northern Ontario. Following Friday's final championship round games, the top three teams will advance to the weekend semi-finals and final.  The Canadian champs will earn a trip to the Worlds in Switzerland.

Construction Planned For Shelburne Falls Lane Bridge

A bridge in Shelburne is getting an upgrade later this year. The Shelburne Falls Lane Bridge will be getting an additional lane for vehicles, as well as a four metre wide multi-use active transportation lane for pedestrians, cyclists and ATV's. The project will cost $4.5-million. Spokeswoman with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Pam Menchenton, says the work should be a boost for residents.



Menchenton says they're currently in the design phase of the project with planners and surveyors visiting the site. She expects construction to begin following the winter months. However, no firm date has been announced.

Parking Fees Rising At South Shore Health

The cost to park at South Shore Health's three hospitals is on the rise. The health authority's business plan was recently approved by the Department of Health and Wellness. It includes increasing parking costs by a dollar to four dollars beginning in March. Parking fees generate about $430,000 per year, which support the delivery of direct patient care. The increase is expected to generate an additional $140,000 per year in revenue. CEO Dr. Peter Vaughan says the rising cost is necessary to help protect existing programs and services.



Other measures identified in the business plan to help achieve approximately $1.3 million in cost savings include delays in filling vacant positions, administrative efficiencies such as reduced travel and supplies and strategies to reduce sick and overtime cost.

Yarmouth MLA: Return Of Ferry Service A Community Effort

The old Yarmouth ferry terminal and its customs annex will receive major upgrades prior to the May 1st resumption of ferry service to Maine. Ottawa is providing $2.5 million for the work. Two years ago it appeared the ferry service was gone forever. However, Yarmouth MLA Zach Churchill says the dedication of a lot of people has paid off.



The federal funding will go toward repainting lines in the marshalling yard and to  complete the demolition of the existing interiors of the building to remove mould and debris. Other work includes the installation of new roofs and doors and an upgrade to the building’s electrical, communications and heating systems.

Storm Expected To Intensify

We should be seeing heavy snow developing and gusty winds before long as the next wave of weather from that storm passing south of us kicks in. Environment Canada meteorologist Mel Lemmon says the snow earlier this morning will return and much more of it.



Environment Canada is forecasting 20 to 25 centimeters of snow for much of the South Shore. Winds will be gusting to 60 and from the northeast this afternoon creating white out conditions. The storm is expected to ease-up off tonight.