Transporting Rock Leads To Cost Overruns For LCLC

There have been some cost overruns related to work on the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. Change orders have affected the budget after additional money was spent on transporting a large quantity of rock material from the construction site. The slate management budget is believed to be over-budget by about $294,000. However, Municipality of Lunenburg mayor Don Downe says there are contingency funds in place for the $33.5-million project. He says things happen when building a new facility.



Overall, Downe says the rainy-day fund has kept the project on budget.

Bridgewater Supports Relocating Visitor Centre

Bridgewater council is supporting a move to relocate the Visitor Information Centre to make it more visible. Members approved drafting a lease agreement with the Municipality of Lunenburg that would see the VIC move from its temporary location in Cookville to an area just off exit 11. The centre has been in Cookville for the last two years. Bridgewater's rep on the joint committee, Patrick Hirtle, says the VIC needs to move.



If approved, both Bridgewater and the Municipality of Lunenburg would pay approximately $23,000 each over 10-years for the new centre.

Bluenose II Re-Launch Set For September 29th

An all-day celebration is planned to mark the re-launch of Bluenose II in Lunenburg later this month. After a two-year - $16 million dollar rebuild - Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador will make a return to the water on Saturday, September 29th. Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leonard Preyra says thousands of people are expected to watch the official relaunch, when Bluenose II slides into the water from the slipway. The schooner will then be winched out and towed beside the Fisheries Museum for the event. Highlights of the relaunch event will feature family entertainment and local talent in the afternoon. The evening Bluenose ll celebration will include top East Coast talent, a video and a fireworks presentation.

Meisner Will Battle Downe For Mayor's Chair

There will be a mayor's race in the Municipality of Lunenburg. Upper Northfield resident Kirk Meisner has confirmed with CKBW/HANK-FM News that he will challenge Don Downe for the mayor's seat. Meisner is making his first run for the mayor's chair. Downe announced in June he would seek a second term. He was first elected in 2008 after a lengthy career in provincial politics.

Yarmouth Shelter Seeks Government Understanding & Help

SHYFT House - Yarmouth

Homeless youth is not a social problem unique to the city. Its a province-wide issue according to the co-chair of a shelter in the Yarmouth area. Bernadette MacDonald says the provincial government, which didn't renew funding for the shelter last year, doesn't understand the issue.



The Supportive Housing Youth Focus team, or SHYFT, was designed to provide troubled and homeless teens with a place to live while helping integrate them into the community. Now, enough money has been provided by the federal government to keep the facility open daily from 8am to 8pm. However, SHIFT is in need of about 40-thousand dollars to hire "live-in" staff for a 24-7 operation until at least next June.
Officials are looking to government, foundations and fundraising to help reach their goal.

Chamber President Will Seek Chester Village Seat

The president of the chamber of commerce in Chester will throw his hat in the ring to represent residents of the village at the council table. Ben Wiper is a local businessman from Marriott's Cove and has served on the chamber board for the past six years. He is seeking election in District 3 and will challenge incumbent Brad Armstrong for the seat when municipal elections are held next month. Wiper says his campaign will focus on promoting growth in Chester and feels the municipality could benefit from hiring an economic development officer.



Wiper also cites access to health care and daycare as top priorities during his campaign.

Election: Final Day To Submit Nomination Papers

It's the last day for potential candidates to submit nomination papers in advance of next month's municipal and school board elections. The deadline to file is Tuesday evening at 5 o'clock. Every municipality will hold an advance poll on Tuesday, October 16th while a second advance polling day will be held on either Thursday, October 11th or Saturday, October 13th. Residents are being asked to watch for specific advance polling dates within their municipality. Election day is October 20th.

Lady Alers Win Women's Softball League Title

The Lady Alers are the inaugural champions of the South Shore Women's Softball League. The Alers defeated the Vixens 13-3 in the final to be crowned the top club out of the six-team league. League president and Alers member, Renee Roast, says it was a total team effort in the win.



Roast says she is extremely proud of the team and their effort all season. She is hoping to expand the six-team league to eight clubs in 2013.

Former Board Chair Running For School Board

A former chair of the South Shore Regional School Board is running for a seat in this fall's election. Elliott Payzant is running for district one, which covers the entire Region of Queens. Payzant served on the board since 1994 until he was among 12-members fired by the Education Minister last November. He says his 18 years of experience could be a benefit to an eight-person board.



Payzant has also served as the president of the Nova Scotia School Board Association. He feels there needs to be different methods of providing education to students like virtual classrooms because of dwindling budgets. School Board elections will be held October 20.

Chester: Bond Challenges Webber In District 4

The campaign trail in Chester is heating up with just over a month to go before municipal elections. Chester Basin area resident Stephen Bond has announced he will challenge long time councillor and warden Allen Webber in District 4. In an interview with CKBW/HANK FM, Bond feels more support for local businesses is needed to promote growth within the municipality. He also cites the need for a stronger relationship with the provincial government to help with road and street upgrades.



Bond is a small farm operator and is an active member of the Canadian Army Reserve. He says his goal is to present a strong new voice at the council table. Municipal elections will be held throughout the province on October 20th.

Provincial Parks Closing Due To Severe Weather

Provincial beaches, the Shubenacadie wildlife park, day-use and camping parks will be closed to the public because of anticipated weather conditions from tropical storm Leslie. All properties will close by 4pm today, and will remain closed Tuesday. All locations will be re-evaluated for storm damage or safety concerns on a case-by-case basis. Full refunds will be given for camping park reservations cancelled because of the storm. Call 1-888-544-3434 for refunds and further updates about parks and tropical storm Leslie. Off-road trail users are urged to use caution as conditions may deteriorate. For more information on provincial parks, visit http://www.novascotiaparks.ca/ .

Crown Attorney Appointed In Liverpool

Queens County has a new crown attorney. Sharon Goodwin has been appointed to the Liverpool office of the Public Prosecution Service. The Director of Public Prosecutions made the announcement Monday. In a statement, the Director says Goodwin's experience in criminal law will be an asset to the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service. Goodwin is a native of Port Hastings, Inverness County. She graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 2006. Goodwin was in private practice before joining the Antigonish office of Nova Scotia Legal Aid in 2009.

Stomach-Flu Outbreak Closes Roseway Manor

A stomach-flu outbreak has forced the Roseway Manor in Shelburne to temporarily close its doors. Between 10-15 residents have experienced illness since Saturday evening. Administrator Sharon Callan says they closed the manor Sunday.



Callan says the residents have shown improvements since being diagnosed over the weekend. There were no new cases as of Monday morning. The manor is closed to friends and visitors until further notice.

Significant $ Needed To Boost Damaged Business & Tourism: Yarmouth MLA



"Prince of Fundy" Ferry On Yarmouth Run 1970's

The province will help in the search for a private operator for a new ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine. The Dexter government has committed 21 million dollars over several years. However, Yarmouth Liberal MLA Zach Churchill is wondering what can be done to revitalize business and tourism in the region.
It was devastated by the loss of the ferry service more than 3 years ago.



Ottawa hasn't indicated yet if it will provide any funding to help re-establish the ferry service.

Lunenburg County Soccer Teams Do Well At Provincials

It was a very good weekend for the Upper (Lunenburg) County Soccer Club based in New Germany. The Under-12 and Under-14 Girls' teams won silver at the provincials played in Lunenburg County. The Under-14 Boys claimed gold at their provincials played in Dartmouth.

Pee Wee Bulldogs Grab Bronze At Atlantics

Bridgewater has finished third at the 2012 Atlantic Pee Wee Baseball championships. The Bulldogs topped a Metro squad 10-7 in yesterday's bronze medal game at St. John's, Newfoundland.

Lumberjacks Drop Decision To Shipbuilders

In MHL exhibtion action yesterday in Dartmouth the Metro Shipbuilders dumped the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks 6-2. The contest was tied at 2 midway through the second period before Metro scored four unanswered goals. The Jacks finish their pre season with a 2-2 recprd and play their regular season home opener this Friday night against Yarmouth.

RCMP Investigate Fire On Cape Sable Island

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of a residential fire in Centreville. Barrington RCMP say the blaze was reported at a mobile home on Saturday night around 9:30PM. The trailer was fully engulfed when emergency crews arrived at the home located on Cape Sable Island. Mounties say no one was injured and the home was completely destroyed. The provincial fire marshal's office has been called in to investigate.

Federal Funds Benefit Astor Theatre In Liverpool

It's a boost for those who enjoy the artistic scene at the Astor Theatre in Liverpool. The federal government has invested $20,000 in the Astor Theatre performing arts series "This is Canada". MP Gerald Keddy made the announcement in a media release last week. Keddy says the funds will help promote live performances and experiences on the South Shore. The "This is Canada" series will feature different shows by a variety of professional artists from four provinces and parts of the North. The money be spread out over the next two years and help attract new talent to the theatre and expose their audiences to a wider genre of performances.

MHL: Jacks Prepare For Final Pre-Season Tune-Up

In MHL pre-season action last night in Yarmouth the Mariners topped the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks 6-4. Playing his first game this year Lumberjack Luc Ramey was the first star with two goals and two assists. The Jacks play their final exhibition contest today at 12:30 at the Dartmouth Sportsplex against the Metro Shipbuilders.