Friday, April 4, 2014

Bridgewater: Sustainability Expo Held Saturday

Sustainability will be front and centre Saturday around the Bridgewater-area. The third annual expo will be featured at the Nova Scotia Community College and at Osprey Ridge. Over 30 exhibitors have booths set up at the school for people to check out. Faculty of marketing member, Di Best, says special guest Dr. Edith Callaghan will talk at the golf course.



The expo begins at 9am Saturday at the college. The talk begins at 2:30 at the golf course.

Mooseheads Face Gatineau In Second Playoff Round

The Halifax Mooseheads open up the second round of the playoffs on home ice tonight against the Gatineau Olympiques. The Moose have enjoyed a nice layoff after a four game sweep over the Charlottetown Islanders in the opening round. However, it's about to get tougher. The voice of the Mooseheads, John Moore, says Gatineau is no pushover.



Halifax and Gatineau split their two games during the regular season. Lunenburg's Brennan Bailey is playing with Halifax during their playoff run. Moore believes Bailey played solid in round one.



Game one opens tonight at 7pm at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Opposition Leader Pans Provincial Budget

The Nova Scotia government will invest more money in health care and education. Finance Minister Diana Whalen unveiled her governments budget Thursday in the legislature. It includes $9.6 billion in revenues, $9.9 billion in total spending, and a $279 million deficit. Nova Scotia's net debt sits at $14.6 billion. It's expected to rise to over $15 billion by the end of the fiscal year. PC Opposition Leader Jamie Baillie says he wants to know why the debt keeps on rising in light of the Liberals campaigning in the election last year to slash the debt.



Other budget highlights include, $19 million more for public schools, class sizes to be capped from primary to Grade 3, more support for math and literacy programs, nearly $200 million more to support home care, improved access to cancer drugs and cutting down wait times for hip and knee surgeries.

Labour Relations Setback By Essential Workers Bill: Rick Clarke

Halifax area nurses have returned to work following their one day strike. This follows passage earlier today of essential workers legislation by members of the legislature, which essentially forced them back to work and to the bargaining table. Nova Scotia Federation of Labour President Rick Clarke tells CKBW & HANK-FM News, he's outraged by the attitude of the McNeil government which he says has setback labour relations in the province by decades.



As a result of the legislation passed this morning, HRM nurses will now be required to go back to the bargaining table with Capital Health to try and settle on a contract.

Bridgewater: Proposed Big Rig Event Changing Locations

A proposed event in Bridgewater has changed its location. South Shore in Motion was looking to hold a 'Big Rig Drag Racing' event on a section of Dufferin Street. However, they have decided to change their request to a part of Exhibition Drive. Mayor David Walker says the group is making an effort to speed up the process.



South Shore in Motion is hoping to hold the event in August. Walker expects a meeting will be held this month for council to make a decision.

Girls Win, Boys Lose At International Curling Event

An up and down day for Nova Scotia at the Optimist International under-18 curling tournament in B.C. The girls team, skipped by Cassie Cocks, defeated Ontario 7-5 in their opening game on Thursday. They now take on B.C and Quebec later today. On the boys side, Adam Cocks' team fell 4-2 to Nothern Ontario. They will play Manitoba and Quebec today. Both Nova Scotia curling teams are representing the Chester Curling club.

HRM Nurses Return To Work After "House" Debates All Night

Halifax area nurses are returning to work following a one-day strike. This follows passage this morning of essential workers legislation by members of the legislature. PC Opposition Leader Jamie Baillie, who like the other 50 members of the house pulled an all-nighter to deal with the legislation, says his members decided to go along it.



Nurses will now be required to go back to the bargaining table with Capital Health to try and work out a settlement.

A Surprise At The Gas Pumps

Gasoline prices are lower this morning at South Shore pumps. Regular self serve is down a cent to $1.34.0 per litre. High test is lower by the same amount to $1.42.9. Diesel dropped the most overnight, by six cents, to $1.39.5. Regular gas is surprisingly lower despite the price for it in New Brunswick actually rising half a cent yesterday.