Province, Roué Family Reach Bluenose II Settlement

A settlement has been reached between the province and the Roué family over copyright and moral rights claims in the restoration of the Bluenose II. Terms were reached today. The agreement includes the province paying the Roué family $300,000, which includes legal fees. The family will release the province, the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance, Lengkeek Vessel Engineering and MHPM from any and all claims relating to the project or future activities relating to the Bluenose II. The dispute arose from allegations the province used William J. Roué's drawings in the Bluenose II restoration project. Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Tony Ince says he is pleased a settlement has been reached, and says it is clear the Bluenose II and its legacy belong to the people of Nova Scotia and William J. Roué has played an important part as the original designer of Bluenose. The schooner is in the final stages of the restoration process and is expected to sail this summer.

Province Wipes Out Student Loan Interest

It's going to be a big help for graduates with heavy student loans. Interst on loans will no longer have to be paid. Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan says the move will save graduates money as they start their careers. There are about 18,000 borrowers who be eligible to benefit every year. That number does not include current students who may also qualify in the future. In order to qualify you must have graduated, be a resident of Nova Scotia, have a "direct-lend" loan sponsored by the government and have made payments recently. However, the program does not include the federal government portion of the borrower's loan. The Nova Scotia government will invest $1.6 million in this program per year. Newfoundland was the first province to eliminate student loan interest in 2009.

South Shore Hockey: Wild Lose, Ice Sharks Tie

The South Shore Wild remain winless at the Maritime Hockey North Junior 'C' Championships. They fell 8-1 to the Kivalliq Canucks. They play their final round robin game at Queens Place Emera Centre at 8pm tonight against Spryfield.

The South Shore Ice Sharks Peewee 'A' team opened up provincials with a 3-3 tie against Sackville. Colton Lohnes, Jenson Glover and Rylan Mayo scored for the home team. They play Pictou County at 5pm at the Clearwater Seafoods Arena.

Also, the South Shore Ice Sharks Atom 'AAA' club tied Truro 5-5 this morning at their provincials in New Waterford. They play the TASA Ducks at 2pm.

Coast Guard Suspects Broken Pipes For Sinking Ship

The Canadian Coast Guard says two pipes in the engine room of the Cape Rouge were found broken causing the vessel to sink to the bottom of the LaHave River in Bridgewater. Senior Response Officer, Keith Laidlaw, says the pipes likely froze and split due to the cold temperatures. The coast guard raised the old fishing trawler on Tuesday. He says they will begin steam-cleaning the entire vessel early next week because its full of oil.



A red Transport Canada surveillance plane with oil tracking equipment has also been scouring the LaHave River. Laidlaw says small sheens of oil have been noticed in the river, but its too late to be recovered. He urges people to report any sheens they see by calling the oil pollution desk at 1-800-565-1633. (Photo Courtesy: Frank Bailey)

Premier Urges Nurses, Capital Health To Resume Talks

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil is urging Capital Health and the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union to get back to the bargaining table. Addressing the legislature, the premier says Nova Scotians shouldn't have to feel their safety might be jeopardized by a nurses strike in HRM.



The 25-hundred nurses could walk out next Thursday and its effects could be felt right across the province, including the South Shore.

Wild Aim For Semi-Final Berth At Junior 'C' Championships

The South Shore Wild need at least one win today to have chance of advancing at the Maritime Hockey North Junior 'C' Championships. The club sits at 0-2 heading into today's final day of round robin play in Liverpool. The Wild take on the Kivalliq Canucks at 11am and the Spryfield Silver and Black Attack at 8pm at Queens Place Emera Centre. The top four teams advance to tomorrow's semi-finals. The championship game will be held Sunday.

Pressure Mounts On Province To Deal With Threatened Nurses' Strike

A strike by 25-hundred nurses in the Halifax area is looming with threats of a walkout happening next Thursday. As Premier Stephen McNeil says he's watching the situation closely and calling on both sides to get back to the bargaining table, hospitals in HRM are preparing for a walkout with pending cancellations of surgeries and patients being sent home. Progressive Conservative health critic and Argyle-Barrington MLA Chris d'Entremont says the government has to deal with the situation quickly.



d'Entremont says an HRM nurses strike would impact all of the province's health districts, including the South Shore.

Friday Morning Gasoline Prices At South Shore Pumps

Some prices for South Shore gasoline are lower this morning, while another is higher. Regular self serve is down a cent to $1.34.9 per litre. High test is also down by the same amount to $1.43.9. The price for a litre of diesel has risen though by a cent and a half. Its selling in many places this morning for $1.45.5.