SSH: Holding Tender on QGH Project in Liverpool

South Shore Health will wait until spring to award a work contract that's connected to the Queens General Health Project. Heavy rain over the past few weeks has made working conditions difficult on a parcel of land adjacent to the hospital where clearing work was set to take place. The land will eventually serve as a lay-down area for material during construction of the project. Spokesperson Barb Johnson says it would cost an additional $60,000 to install proper drainage on the site which would send the project into the red. She says the work will be now included as part of a larger tender which is anticipated to be issued in a few months. The $16 million dollar QGH Project includes the creation of a new primary care clinic and redevelopment of the 22-bed in-patient unit at the hospital in Liverpool.

Fire in Northwest Harbour destroys Processing Plant

Damage is estimated at close to 200-thousand dollars as a result of a fire last night in the Clyde River area. A herring and lobster processing plant at "AJY Fisheries" in Northwest Harbour went up in flames. Fire fighters from Barrington, Northwest Harbour, Clyde River and Ingomar fought the blaze which completely destroyed the large facility. Investigators suspect faulty electrical wiring was responsible. The fire happened at a particularly busy time with the annual lobster season well underway. However. the company expects to quickly rebuild and hopes to be back up and running again in a few weeks.

Denied Bail: Lower Northfield Resident Accused of Luring

A Lower Northfield man accused of trying to lure teen girls for sex via text message and social media has been denied bail. Thirty year-old Bradley Ronald Whynot will remain in police custody pending the outcome of his trial. Whynot faces three counts each of luring a child, invitation to sexual touching and sexual interference. He is also facing various drug related charges and one count of possessing a prohibited weapon. A publication ban has been imposed on evidence and arguments from this week's hearing. Whynot is scheduled to return to court December 21.

Holiday Hoopfest tips off in Bridgewater

Local basketball players lace'em up for the Holiday Hoopfest, beginning Friday morning. The tournament begins at 10am and features Park View and Bridgewater teams, as well as Yarmouth, Hants North, Memorial, J.L Ilsley and Northumberland. The coach for the Division-1 Park View team, Eric Whynot, says he hopes the tournament can help turn around his club. Games will be played Friday and Saturday in the Park View and Bridgewater gyms.

FRIDAY Dec. 16


10:00am Game 1 Park View J.V. vs Memorial

12:00pm Game 2 Bridgewater vs J.L. Ilsley

2:00pm Game 3 Yarmouth vs Hants North

4:00pm Game 4 Park View vs Northumberland

6:00pm Game 5 Winner Game 1 vs Winner Game 2
Bridgewater Game at B.H.S.

6:00pm Game 6 Loser Game 1 vs Loser Game 2
other game at P.V.E.C.

8:00pm Game 7 Winner Game 3 vs Winner Game 4
Park View game at P.V.E.C.

8:00pm Game 8 Loser Game 3 vs Loser Game 4
other game at B.H.S.


SATURDAY DEC. 17

10:00am Game 9 Loser Game 6 vs Loser Game 8

12:00pm Game 10 Winner Game 6 vs Winner Game 8

2:00pm Game 11 Loser Game 5 vs Loser Game 7

4:00pm Game 12 Winner Gsme 5 vs Winner Game 7 Championship

Lumberjacks host Miramichi

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks will try and snap a two-game losing skid Friday night when they host the Miramichi Timberwolves. The Jacks will be without Shawn Boudreau, who was called-up to the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior League earlier this week. The Lumberjacks have won both meetings against Miramichi this season. Puck drop is 7pm Friday night at the Bridgewater Memorial Arena.

Thorburne re-elected as Bridgewater Fire Chief

Bridgewater Fire Chief Wayne Thorburne

Bridgewater's Fire Chief has been re-elected to another term. Wayne Thorburne successfully retained his office after defeating Captain Reid Whynot for the position. Thorburne says he's happy to stay on as Fire Chief.

"I'm very pleased. It's a busy department and I enjoy the work and I enjoy the people and I enjoy the community and I just love doing what I'm doing."

He says he would like to increase membership in the department in 2012. Currently, the Bridgewater Fire Department has 43 members and Thorburne is hopeful they can reach 50 in the new year.

'Darksiders' expand to Bridgewater

Bridgewater's police chief is calling for calm despite the fact a Dartmouth-based biker gang with ties to the Hells Angels have expanded to the South Shore. John Collyer says the biker-group - known as the Darksiders - are currently renting a space on King Street in Bridgewater but adds they haven't done anything wrong to cause alarm. However, Collyer says police will keep an eye on the situation "To this point they haven't created any kind of criminal activity here and they haven't caused any problems. We treat them like we treat any other citizen of Bridgewater and we will continue to monitor the situation,"  Police were made aware of the gangs intentions to move into Bridgewater for about three months because the group has local members. Collyer says police are working with RCMP in Halifax and Dartmouth to gather information about the biker group.

Friday Power Outage: Town of Lunenburg

Some residents within the Town of Lunenburg will be without power for a short time Friday morning. Officials are making some emergency line repairs between 5AM and 6AM. Customers affected include those living on Green Street Dufferin, Brook, Maple Avenue, Tanyard Road, Knickle Road, the North Side of Harbour View Drive and Mason's Beach Road. The outage should only last an hour. Be sure to put some batteries in your alarm clock or use your cell phone for a wake-up.

South Shore RCMP Battle Impaired Driving

RCMP across the South Shore are ramping up efforts to put a halt to impaired driving this holiday season. In Lunenburg County, Constable Rob James says Mounties will be conducting stop checks on a regular basis leading up to Christmas in an effort to keep the roads safe. James explains it's a constant battle for police and an offense that carries steep consequences. "You wouldn't be able to just run out to the store and grab something, you wouldn't be able to drive your kids to soccer practice, you wouldn't be able to drive yourself to work. You would need to depend on someone else to get all of these things done. Not to mention, a lot of employers would frown on the fact you don't have a drivers license," James says impaired driving is not only limited to alcohol consumption but also applies to those who choose to operate a vehicle under the influences of drugs. The same charges and fines apply.  On average, 22 Nova Scotians die each year in alcohol related collisions.

Lunenburg woman turns lemons into $250,000

Call it a dream come true for Glo McNeill. The 82-year-old from Lunenburg turned her recipe into riches Wednesday night, taking home the Food Network's grand prize of $250,000. McNeill says she just kept believing she would win. Her Luscious Lemon Pudding Cakes received the most votes during a three day voting period last week. McNeill says she plans to use the money to fix up her house, put it on her mortgage and maybe take a vacation. You can catch the full interview on this weekend's South Shore Sunday Morning.

Bridgewater Councillors take aim at local MLAs

Councillor Bill McInnis

Councillor David Mitchell

A pair of Bridgewater councillors are sounding off about local MLAs voting in favour of First Contract Arbitration. Bill 102 passed late last week in the Legislature with Lunenburg MLA Pam Birdsall and Lunenburg West MLA Gary Ramey supporting their government's decision. Bill McInnis had some advice for the two politicians.

"I think those two MLAs should seriously consider resigning for what they've done to our town, potentially what they have done to our town."

McInnis says it was a very serious decision and should not have been supported by the local MLAs. Meanwhile, Councillor David Mitchell also chimed in, saying it was a questionable decision.

"It's pretty clear that they weren't necessarily listening to the people and as MLAs, their job is to be the representatives of the people at the provincial level."

Mitchell says he's concerned because the decision could halt Michelin's investment into their provincial plants including the South Shore.

Local Author to give Lecture on Swissair 111 Crash

A Chester Basin author is bringing his theory about what may have brought down Swissair Flight 111 to Mahone Bay. Paul Palango, widely known for three books about the inner workings of the RCMP, will lead a lecture on the 1998 disaster this afternoon. The crash was attributed to a fire caused by faulty wiring in the attic of the plane but Palango suggests that terrorists were responsible for the crash and the fire on the plane wasn't accidental. Palango says his interest in the crash peaked a few years ago when he was contacted by the lead forensics investigator on the disaster. "I wasn't really that interested in the beginning because I thought it would be some kind of conspiracy theory but as I went through the documents and the scenarios involved it became clear to me and others who I shared this with that there was something else going on here," The lecture will take place at the Mahone Bay Centre at 2 PM.

Environmental concerns cause additional costs at Centre jail

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is shelling out an extra $8,000 after some environmental concerns were found at the Centre jail property. Strum Environmental found asbestos under floor tiles and needs to sample and analyze ash material discovered under one of the outbuildings. The company completed work on the asbestos issue for $2,833.96 plus HST and is asking for another $4,880 plus HST to sample and test the ash material. Strum Environmental's original contract was $21,413 and will increase to $29,125.96 as a result of the findings. A report from the Department of Engineering and Public Works says test results of the ash material will be received in the next 15 days.

Giant Tiger donates $2,500 to Bridgewater Interchurch Food Bank

Giant Tiger in Bridgewater has given a major donation to a local food bank. The store raised $2,500 for the Bridgewater Interchurch Food Bank last Tuesday. The store gave one dollar from each sale towards the food bank. Store Manager Shane Demmings says they sold a variety of items to help raise the money. He urges people to continue to donate to food banks in the area. A cheque presentation was held Tuesday at the Bridgewater Interchurch Food Bank.

Whynott's Settlement: Accident

A South Shore man is in good condition despite an unusual accident this morning in Whynott's Settlement. His vehicle skidded off an icy highway 325 just before daybreak and landed, partially-submerged, in a brook. Lunenburg RCMP officers found the back-window had been kicked out but the driver couldn't be found. Staff Sergeant Bruce Hill says they feared he might have been swept downstream. "Oak Hill and Dayspring Fire Department were on the scene and they had a boat - so as a precaution we had them search the river in case someone had been in the water or if there was any evidence. About 45 minutes later we found the gentleman had got out of the car and was at a friends residence,"  He was taken to South Shore Regional Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. This was one of several accidents on Queens and Lunenburg County roads this morning caused by black ice. No serious injuries were reported.

GAP final plan receives in principle approval

Generations Active Park has been given a preliminary go-ahead. Bridgewater town council approved the Ekistics Planning and Design final plan in principle during Monday night's meeting. Mayor Carroll Publicover says he's pleased that the plan will not only attract Bridgewater residents but other visitors from across the region. The park's plan includes a leash free dog space, a splash pad, over eight kilometres of trail and multi-use courts. The plan would cost the town approximately $3.1-million over 12 years. The Department of Parks and Recreation will study the Generations Active Park plan over the next month before the issue is expected to be back in front of council in January.

Fryday Dorey running for provincial PC party presidency

The first name has been thrown into the hat to become the new president of the Nova Scotia PC party. The current executive vice-president, Janet Fryday Dorey, announced her decision to run late last week. Fryday Dorey says she believes in helping party leader Jamie Baillie form the next provincial government. She has served the party in many roles including manager for South Shore - St. Margaret's and Chester - St. Margaret's campaigns. Fryday Dorey is looking to replace current PC party president Robert Batherson, who recently said he's stepping down to spend more time with his family.

South West Health: Tick Update in Yarmouth Co

Those ticks collected from wooded areas in Gavelton in Yarmouth County carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Officials at South West Health says there's no reason for alarm if people keep protection in mind when outdoors during the mild temperatures. Wearing light-colored, long sleeve shirts, pants and socks so the ticks show up, checking clothing and exposed skin after being outside and making sure grass is kept well trimmed are among suggestions. The Black-Legged tick has also been found recently in parts of Lunenburg County, Blue Rocks, Garden Lots, Heckman's Island and First Peninsula. The unusually mild weather this fall has been keeping ticks active. Usually they die-off in cold conditions.

Acadian Lines Hoping for an end to Lockout

A lockout of Acadian Lines bus drivers is at a standstill with Christmas only two weeks away. It's the busiest time of the year for the bus company as people are shipping packages and trying to get home for the holidays. The labour dispute isn't disrupting service within Nova Scotia but those hoping to get back home from either New Brunswick or PEI are out of luck. Company spokesperson Marc Varin says they are hoping for a resolution soon. "We realize this is a very bad time of year, not only for passengers but we also carry parcels and envelopes as part of our express service and that's also a busy part of our operation but right now unfortunately we're can't ship in those two provinces," Buses are still running in Nova Scotia because the company's employees are part of a different union. However, packages can only be shipped as far as Amherst.

Baillie Disappointed with First Contract decision

Nova Scotia PC Leader Jamie Baillie

The leader of Nova Scotia's PC party says South Shore MLAs have let their constituents down. Jamie Baillie says Gary Ramey, Pam Birdsall, Vicki Conrad and Denise Peterson-Rafuse decided not to listen to resident concerns after voting in favour of First Contract Arbitration. The bill passed by a 27-18 vote in the legislature late last week. Baillie says it's a bad decision because it could kill future investment in the province by local companies like Michelin, Sobeys and Clearwater. The NDP government believes the legislation will increase productivity by avoiding strikes or lockouts.