Nova Scotia: Diesel Could Go Way Up

There could be a big spike coming in the cost of diesel fuel. The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board will invoke its interrupter clause at midnight. A news release says the change is necessary due to significant shifts in the market price of oil. The interrupter clause is only used when the price of a fuel changes by 6 to 8 cents per litre, and the price is sustained.  That means prices will either rise by at least 6 cents, or fall by at least 6 cents per litre. However, diesel prices have climbed significantly in Toronto over the past few days. That could spell bad news if you drive a diesel in Novs Scotia. For now, the price of gas will not change.

Provincial Funding For Yarmouth Youth Shelter

A homeless shelter for youth in Yarmouth and the surrounding area will be funded annually now on by the province. Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard was in Yarmouth earlier this afternoon to announce 350-thousand dollars in funding for the Supportive Housing Youth Focus Team, or S.H.I.F.T. Yarmouth MLA and Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill says the provincial backing is long over due.



As a result of the guaranteed financial funding, SHIFT won't be forced year after year to appeal to Ottawa for assistance.

Health Minister Begins Consultations

A series of province-wide meetings begins today between the Health Minister and health board members, executives and other health care personnel. They'll be discussing how best to reduce the number of health authorities in the province from 9 to 2. The first meeting with be tonight and tomorrow with South West Health. The eventual change would mean a board for the IWK-Capital Health, and a provincial board, with four regional management zones. Health Minister Leo Glavine tells us its important to get lots of input to help establish the right kind of system for the province.



Another meeting will be held February 19th with South Shore Health. Reducing the number of health authorities was a key election promise by the Liberals before they took office in the October election.

Watchdog: Auditor General Reviewing Bluenose II

A watch-dog group wants Nova Scotia's Auditor General to investigate the Bluenose II restoration project. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation claims some materials purchased by the province for the project were sold at a 43 percent markup. For instance, new portholes for the vessel were bought for more than $12,000, almost $6,000 more than normal. Kevin Lacey is calling for an "independent" review to get to the bottom of it.



Meanwhile, Lacery says even the consultants hired to make sure Bluenose was finished on time and on budget, have charged more than a million dollars above the original contracted amount. He says its time to "smoke-out" those who've been profiting and using the Bluenose rebuild project to do so.

Queens-Shelburne: PC Leader Baillie Guest Speaker During AGM

The leader of the official opposition will make a stop this week in Queens County. Jamie Baillie will deliver the keynote addresss at the annual general meeting for the Queens-Shelburne PC riding association. It was a seat the Progressive Conservatives narrowly missed in the last election. NDP MLA Sterling Belliveau held on to the seat by 363 votes over the PC's Bruce Inglis. The meeting will take place on Thursday at the Lions' Hall in Liverpool. It gets underway at 7:30pm. A new executive will also be elected at the AGM.

Hurricanes Storm Past Pictou County

The BMO Western Hurricanes Major Bantam Hockey team had two big wins over the weekend as they hosted the Scotsburn Crushers. The Hurricanes defeated the visiting team Saturday 4-1 and a strong performance on Sunday saw the Hurricanes also defeat the Crushers with a score of 12-1. The Hurricanes play their next home game Saturday evening against the Breton Sport Cougars at Queens Place Emera Centre in Liverpool.

Whalen Posts New Record

Some more records for Chelsea Whalen of Liverpool. She threw an indoor personal best and set another new Nova Scotia indoor Shot Put record over the weekend in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her throw of 16.08 meters was good for 2nd place in a field of 42 competitors. Whalen is back in action this coming weekend at the Arkansas Invitational.