Anti-Tethering March Planned For Saturday

Hundreds of animal-lovers and their canines will take to the streets in Bridgewater tomorrow. They'll be marching to support planned amendments to the province's Animal Cruelty laws. The changes would ban the chaining of dogs over long periods of time and provide stiff penalties for those who break the laws. One of the march's co-ordinators Lindsey Parnell says the movement for change began here on the South Shore.



Saturday's march begins at the former Appleberry property on LaHave Street and will wind its way through the town. There will be similar marches tomorrow in other parts of the province including Halifax and Yarmouth.

Queens: Mounties Searching For Answers On Suspicious Fire

Queens RCMP are hoping public tips will help make a difference in finding individuals responsible for a fire in Liverpool earlier this month. Police have received very few leads or new information regarding a blaze January 18 at the former Wong's restaurant on Market Street. Investigators say the blaze appears to have been deliberately set. The building has been vacant for several years. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call Queens RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Minimum Wage Increasing April 1

Minimum wage is going up in Nova Scotia. The province has agreed to increase minimum wage by 10 cents, to $10.40 an hour beginning on April 1. Rates are adjusted annually, based on the previous year's national Consumer Price Index.  Nova Scotia has the fourth highest minimum wage rate in the country, behind Nunavut, the Yukon, and Manitoba.

Taxpayers Federation & NS Government Seek Answers

The Nova Scotia government is asking the auditor-general to review those huge cost overruns related to the Bluenose II rebuild in Lunenburg. Premier Stephen McNeil says there are too many questions surrounding the project and he wants a full accounting of why the project is so far over budget. Earlier this week, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation revealed to us through a freedom of information request that some supplies for the schooner were purchased at a 43 percent mark-up. Now, CTF Atlantic director Kevin Lacey says its important for the auditor-general to look into the goings-on around the rebuild.



It's believed the cost of the project has soared way past it's original $16 million price-tag.

A Hike At The Gas Pumps

As expected, gasoline prices took a hike overnight, heading northward at South Shore pumps! Regular self serve has increased two cents and is selling now for $1.34.7 a litre. High test is selling for $1.43.6. Diesel is now up to $1.50.5 a litre at many South Shore locations.

Jerry's Diner Sold To Wilson Fuels

It's been a mainstay in Bridgewater for 34 years, and now it's changing hands. Jerry's Diner is being sold to Wilson Fuels. The sale is expected to be approved before the end of the day on Friday. The popular restaurant opened in 1980 under owners Jerry and Vera Swain. The couple has decided to sell the restaurant and retire after a recent health scare. Jerry Swain says it wasn't an easy decision.



Swain expects Wilsons to make a few minor changes, but adds there are no job losses and the diner is there to stay. He says the couple will remain in Bridgewater and enjoy time with family.

Fay Gets Back To Work At Under-18 Curling Championship

Ten South Shore curling rinks are vying to be the next provincial curling champion. Play gets underway Friday at the 2014 Nova Scotia Under-18 championships in Bridgewater and Chester. Mary Fay's rink of Chester is the number one seed on the women's side. The team is the reigning provincial and Atlantic champions in the age group. They're also coming off a bronze medal at the national junior championship in Liverpool. There will be plenty of competition among the 12 women's teams including the second seed, Brooke Demone of Lunenburg. On the boys side, there are 16 teams including Matthew Manuel of Mayflower. He is the defending champ and ranked number one followed by Chester's Adam Cocks. The winners will represent Nova Scotia at the Atlantic Under-18 Championship.