Mayor Speaks With Pictou County Michelin Employees

A group of employees at Michelin in Pictou County were in town Tuesday for a visit. Roughly 15 people visited the Bridgewater facility for a tour. Municipality of Lunenburg Mayor Don Downe met and spoke with the people on behalf of mayors and wardens in Lunenburg and Queens counties. He says it's all about making a good first impression.



Downe says most of the people asked questions about what the area can offer their families, schooling and recreational opportunities. A different group of Michelin workers visited the Bridgewater plant last week and Downe expects more to come. Two hundred employees will be out of job in Pictou County as of July 1st, while another 300 people will get their walking papers by July 2015.

Shelburne: New Water Rates Approved

The Nova Scotia Utility & Review Board has approved new water rates in Town of Shelburne. However, they aren't as large as first expected. The increase for average home is 47 percent in 2014/15.  That means water bills will be in the area of $160 per quarter. Meanwhile, another 10 percent increase will be imposed in 2015/16. That hike will push bills up to $177 per quarter. The regulatory board also approved shifting around funding to help pay down the deficit on the town's water utility. The accounting move will save ratepayers in Shelburne money on water bill and means the rate hike is not as large. Originally, water rates were expected to rise 70 percent.

Getson Earns Rookie Honors; Named To Team Nova Scotia

A Bridgewater hockey player is being awarded for his season on the ice. Keith Getson was named to the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League's Rookie All-Star Team. The 16-year-old scored 18 goals in 29 games during the regular season, finishing third among rookies. Getson will also represent Nova Scotia later this spring at the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Excellence Challenge. It features the best midget-aged players from New Brunswick, Newfoundland, PEI and Quebec. Getson, along with Christopher Goreham of Clark's Harbour and Yarmouth's Hunter Hurlburt were among 20 players named to team Nova Scotia. The tournament will be held at the beginning of May in Blainville-Boisbriand.

NS Nurses Union Joins Debate Over Essential Services Legislation

The Nova Scotia Nurses Union (NSNU) has chimed-in on the debate over the essential services legislation introduced last night by the McNeil government. President Janet Hazelton says her group has bargained new contracts without conciliation or interference for more than 30 years. She says the right to strike not only encourages the employer to negotiate a contract.



Hazleton says the legislation, also known as Bill-37 takes away the right to strike and will make future contract negotiations very one sided, favoring the employer. The NSNU represents nurses all along the South Shore to Yarmouth, through the Annapolis Valley and back to Halifax.

Bad Weather Drives Up Lobster Prices

Poor weather conditions is helping drive up the price of lobster. For the last two years, fishermen have been upset because the market was flooded with product and prices were hovering around $3.50 per pound. However, smaller catches this season have dealers selling lobster between $6 and $7 dollars per pound. Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell says he'd like to see more assurances in the market.



Colwell believes it's important to introduce a levy on catches to help promote lobster. He says it will create more demand and give fishermen more money for their product.

More Messy Weather/Schools Closed

No! This is not a cruel, April Fool's joke!  Its the real thing!  Freezing rain, ice pellets and snow impacted the South Shore overnight and into this morning. Driving is dangerous in spots so slow down! Environment Canada meteorologist Gelas Duguay says we can expect a mixed bag of weather goodies all day!



No big surprise that there are school closures today. All schools in Lunenburg and Queens counties are closed. The Waldorf School in Blockhouse and the French School in Cookville are closed. So are those in the Tri-Counties, Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby. All schools in the Valley are closed. School buses are not running in HRM but some schools are open. All NSCC campuses are OPEN for the day however.