South Shore Sports: Full Calendar For Curling, Basketball And Hockey

A busy weekend is shaping up for several South Shore curling teams. There are four different tournaments going on across the province. Arguably, the biggest event involves boys and girls trying to represent Nova Scotia at the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Chester's Mary Fay, Cassie Cocks, Adam Cocks, Graeme Weagle and Ben Baker are among eight teams involved. It also includes Bridgewater's Sarah Snair rink. Play begins Friday afternoon in Halifax. South Shore curling teams are also competing in the men's and women's dominion club championships and an under-13 youthspiel this weekend.
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Five teams will try and bring a provincial basketball banner back to the South Shore. On the boys side, Bridgewater competes in division-three provincials while Lockeport hosts the division-four event. In girl's action, New Germany and Barrington are both competing in division-three provincials in Middleton. Lockeport will take the court in the division-four championships in Neil's Harbour. Play gets underway on Thursday.
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Park View is one of five teams in Yarmouth for the 2014 Western Region Boys Division-One Hockey Championships. The Panthers open up play Thursday at noon against the host team. People can watch games online here . Meanwhile, the Bridgewater and Forest Heights boys hockey teams are in Middleton for the Division-Three regional championships. The Vikings will play the hosts in the opening game at 9am Thursday while the Falcons will play Bridgewater Thursday at 12:30pm. Tournament winners will advance to provincials.

Budget Talk By Premier Expected On South Shore

The South Shore and the rest of the province may get an early indication of what will be in the next provincial budget. Premier Stephen McNeil will be in Bridgewater in April to address the area Chamber of Commerce. Manager Dan Hennessey says the budget and the economy will likely be front and centre.



McNeil will appear before the chamber on April 11th for a noontime luncheon.

Queens Health Project On Target

The Queens General Hospital expansion project is on track and should be completed within a few months. South Shore Health's CEO Dr. Peter Vaughan has updated Region of Queens Council. He's impressed with progress, despite an earlier slowdown.



The facility will include a 22-bed medical unit, a collaborative health clinic and a team of social workers and other support services. Region of Queens Mayor Christopher Clarke says its going to be a blessing for residents of the area needing health care.



An official opening is planned in July.

Lunenburg: Town Will Not Join Power Consortium

Lunenburg is saying 'no' for now to joining a consortium that is setting up their own power source. Mahone Bay, Berwick and Antigonish are working together to operate a seven turbine wind farm in the Municipality of West Hants. It could be up and running in 2015. Lunenburg Mayor Rachel Bailey says the town needs to get their finances in order and also went through a rate increase recently for their utility. She says the timing doesn't make sense to join the consortium.



Bailey hopes the town can support the group by purchasing power from them in the future.

Yarmouth Ferry Clears Hurdle, Nears May 1 Launch

The Nova Scotia government is helping the operator of the new Yarmouth ferry meet federal requirements in the United States so it can start selling tickets. Nova Star Cruises will receive $2 million, part of the province's $21-million commitment to support a new ferry, to post a bond to meet regulations.Tourism Minister Michel Samson says the money means they'll be able to get the approvals they need in the United States to advertise their fares and sell tickets. Meanwhile, some changes to the ferry schedule were also unveiled - it will arrive in Yarmouth at 8 a.m. and depart at 10 a.m. The company requested the change to better accommodate marine traffic in Portland. It's set to begin making crossings May 1.

Students Receive Inaugural Lieutenant Govenor's Award

Students from across the province will be at Government House in Halifax later today to receive an inaugural award. The Lieutenant Governor's Respectful Citizenship Awards will be handed out to youth who show leadership by creating safe and inclusive spaces - free of bullying or judgement. Locally, Robyn Whynot of Liverpool is being given the award along with the RCMP's Youth Advisory Committee in Lunenburg County. The Department of Education's Anti-Bullying Coordinator Kathleen Richard says students who demonstrate leadership deserve to be recognized.



Others recipients include Janell Stewart of Yarmouth and Stephen Bennett of Middleton.

It's the first time the awards are being presented. The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m.