South Shore Residents Should Prepare for Sandy

A senior forecaster says Nova Scotian's should prepare for high winds and heavy rain as a result of Hurricane Sandy. The late season hurricane is expected to reach the Maritimes late on Monday. The Canadian Hurricane Centre's Bob Robichaud says Maritimer's in general should be prepared for the possibility of power outages and storm surges in coastal communities. He says residents of Yarmouth and Tri-County area can expect the storm to begin with high winds and rain. It is still not know what the overall impact of Sandy will be for the South Shore. However, Robichaud is warning residents to be prepared. Meanwhile, Nova Scotia Power says they will have crews on standby in case of outages but the company isn't doing anything out of the ordinary in advance of the storm. The Canadian Red Cross issued a statement on Sunday urging people to prepare by stocking up on supplies like food, water, batteries, flashlights and a first aid kit. Hurricane Sandy could down trees and power lines and cause flooding. It is suggested a person have  enough supplies to last in an emergency for at least 72 hours. 

South Shore: 30 Diamond Jubilee Medals Awarded

South Shore MP Gerald Keddy presented 30 residents of the region with Queens Diamond Jubilee Medals in a cermony on Saturday. The jubilee medal is a commemorative item created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada.






Recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal:

Note: All medal recipients listed below were nominated by their colleagues, friends or a family member(s).


Lunenburg County Medal Recipients:

• Collin Nickerson, Mahone Bay, NS;
•  Jim McCorry, Bridgewater, NS;
•  Ken George, Bridgewater, NS;
• Carol Nauss, Chester, NS;
• Dr. Alberta Pew Baker, Chester, NS;
• Dr. Heather MacKinnon, Chester, NS;
• Gerald (Wayne) Rock, Middle Cornwall, NS;
• Ron Seney, New Germany, NS;
• Gerald Davis, New Ross, NS;
• Verne Lunan, Upper LaHave, NS;
• Dan Hennessey, Newcombville, NS;
• Mervyn Joudrey, Blockhouse, NS;
• Peter Matthews, Lunenburg, NS;
• Garry Zwicker, Chester, NS;
• Franklyn Dauphinee, West Northfield, NS;
• John Sawler, Wileville, NS;
• Virginia Selig, Newcombville, NS.

 

Shelburne County Medal Recipients:

• Allen Brannen, Barrington, NS;
• John Brannen, Barrington, NS;
• Emily Rose, Barrington Passage, NS;
• Charles (Edgar) Holmes, Shelburne, NS;
• Everett Cromwell, Birchtown, NS;
• Pat Nickerson, Beaverdam, NS;
• Cyril Meagher, Lockeport, NS.

 

Queens County Medal Recipients:

• John Leefe, Liverpool, NS;
• Lawrence Truelove, Milton, NS;
• Vernon Oickle, Liverpool, NS.

 

Halifax Regional Municipality Medal Recipients:

• Dr. Oscar Wong, Glen Margaret, NS;
• Dr. Francis Bail, French Village, NS;
• Beth McGee, Seabright, NS.

UaRB Approves South Shore Bus Service Takeover

The proposed new operator for a bus service travelling from Yarmouth to Halifax calls it a step in the right direction. The province's Utility and Review Board has given their nod of approval to Bernie's Shuttle Service to take over the run from Trius Tours. Trius was looking to abandon their service as a result of Acadian Lines decision to halt their operations as of the end of November. Now, owner Bernie Melanson says the real work goes into getting an application ready for the UaRB to approve a 21-passenger vehicle to replace Trius. Melanson says he's working hard to get things finalized, but it takes time.



Trius has agreed to keep operating the route until December 31. Melanson says he's heard some concern from the public regarding cost and service. However, he anticipates things will remain status quo with the take over. Melanson hopes to get UaRB approval and take over the service before that date.

VIDEO: SMART Program Launched In Bridgewater

A program expected to benefit companies and residents was announced this morning in Bridgewater. The Nova Scotia government is investing $3.5-million into the START program. The program is expected to connect residents looking for work, with employers willing to give them the jobs, experience and training they need. Labour Minister Marilyn More says eligibility for the program includes being unemployed, a Nova Scotia resident and able to work in Canada. She says the flexibility should be a benefit for employers and workers.



More says employers will be offered financial incentives to ease the cost of hiring a new employee, as well as training and wages. For more information about the program and how to apply, visit http://business.novascotia.ca/en/home/default.aspx . Below, Minister More talks about the program in detail.

Bambi Beware! Here Come The Hunters In Force!

South Shore hunters are all fired up and ready as many head out to their favourite hunting spots. The province's deer hunting season kicks off today and runs until December 8th. The Natural Resources Department says hunters with a valid licence and deer stamp can take one deer of either gender in zones 102, 105 and 107. Officials say a limited number of antler-less deer can be taken in the remaining mainland zones. Hunters are also required to submit reports that include an estimate of the deer population in their area to assist the department with its deer management.

Another South Shore Gas Pump Surprise!

The price of regular gasoline at South Shore pumps has dropped 9 cents in two days. Today, regular self serve is down in price again, selling for $1.20.9. Thats almost 5.5 cents less than yesterday after Wednesday night's cut by the URB when the price also dropped then by about 5 cents. A nice surprise for trucks or cars with diesel engines. Diesel gas is also down in price after being on the rise for several weeks.
Diesel is selling today for $1.34.6 a litre. Thats almost 5.5 cents less than yesterday.

UPDATE: Military Men OK After LaHave Accident

Two veteran members of the military have been released from hospital after their dump truck flipped on Highway 331 in LaHave on Wednesday. A spokesman with the armed forces based out in Greenwood says both men were discharged from hospital earlier today. John Pulchny says the men were working on a community project and were heading home for the day when their truck flipped near the Fort Point Road. He says one man suffered a broken wrist along with some other injuries. RCMP are investigating the cause of crash.

Woods Harbour Man Charged With Stunting

RCMP have charged a 55-year-old man from Woods Harbour with stunting. Mounties say they clocked the driver doing 182 km/h in a 100 km/h zone near Liverpool last night. Police say the man faces an automatic one-week driving suspension. If convicted, he also faces a fine of $2,400 and an automatic six points on his drivers's record. Stunting can be defined as traveling more than 50km/h over the posted speed limit. In a release, RCMP say they take these matters seriously and deem them to be one of the most dangerous forms of aggressive driving.

School Board's Maintenance Crew Wins Award

The local school board's operations department has bragging rights for the next year. The board's maintenance crew recently took home an innovation award from the Nova Scotia School Maintenance Advisory Conference. Staff made a special tool allowing doors and hinges to be straightened, re-adjusted and re-used, helping to save on time and money. Communications Manager Trish Smith says the award speaks volumes about their maintenance crew.



This is the first time the local school board has received the trophy.

Lunenburg: Power Outages Expected This Weekend

There will be two planned power outages over the weekend in Lunenburg. The first will take place between 4AM and 6AM on Saturday morning and will mainly affect residents of Old Town. Resident who live around Montague and Creighton Street and between Kaulback and Kemp Street will lose their power during that time. Another outage is planned between 12:30PM and 4:30PM on Sunday afternoon This outage will affect New Town residents between Lorne Street and High Street. The outages are necessary for pole replacement, line work, tree trimming and FibreOp preparation.

Fire Chief Says People Are Careless With Candles

A South Shore fire chief says people must be more careful when using candles. Lyle Russell of the New Ross Volunteer Fire Department says a case in point is last night's fire in his area that destroyed a home.
Departments from Chester Basin and Kentville helped New Ross fire fighters battle the blaze on Mill Road off Highway 12. Russell says people don't realize the dangers surrounding candles. Its believed the fire was started by an unattended candle.



The middle-age couple who lived in the home were outside doing work in their garage when the fire began.
No one was hurt. The fire marshall is investigating.

UPDATED: Long Night For Emergency Crews In LaHave

It was a long night for emergency crews after a flat bed truck transporting a front end loader over turned in LaHave late Wednesday afternoon. RCMP, EHS and fire crews spent 12 hours at the scene along Highway 331. Two men were injured as a result of the crash, with one airlifted to Halifax with serious injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation but RCMP believe alcohol was not as a factor. Corporal Scott MacRae says investigators are exploring all angles. MacRae says the truck was owned by the Department of National Defence. He says a large amount of fuel was spilled and environmental officials were on scene to analyze the situation.

Special Olympic Torch Run Hits The Road

Law Enforcement officers on the South Shore hit the road on foot earlier this morning in support of Special Olympics. Fifteen town police, RCMP, natural resources and fisheries officers left the Bridgewater Arena at 9:30am bound for Kentville in the Valley by way of Highway 12. They're raising money for Lunenburg and Queens counties Special Olympics through the sale of red shoe-laces. South Shore Special Olympics co-ordinator Betty-Ann Daury says money raised is put to good use.



Two South Shore Special Olympic athletes are also running the route. They're Jamie Belong of Liverpool and Mathew Fay of Chester. Everyone expects to arrive in Kentville by mid afternoon. Similar Law Enforcement Torch Runs for Special Olympics are held in dozens of communities today across the country.

Fire Destroys New Ross Home

A house fire in the New Ross area overnight has left a middle-age couple homeless. The fire broke out around 11 o'clock Wednesday night at the home on Mill Road off highway 12 in New Ross. The man and woman were doing some work in their garage when they noticed smoke coming from the house. New Ross Fire Chief Lyle Russell describes what he and his crew saw when they arrived.



The fire was out within a couple of hours. The New Ross department had help from fire departments in Kentville and Chester Basin. The cause of the blaze is believed to have been an unattended candle. The fire marshall will be investigating. No one was hurt.

Microbrewery Moving To Liverpool

A popular microbrewery in Cherry Hill is moving to Liverpool. Region of Queens council approved the zoning requirements for Hell Bay Brewing Company during a special meeting Wednesday. The new location is expected to be on Legion Street, in a building known as Hoggies Buy and Sell. Co-owner Melanie Baillie says it will be a big expansion.



Baillie says they will also become a full-time business to meet demands, after operating on a weekend schedule since their microbrewery opened. She says they are excited to move to Liverpool because they will be more accessible and could attract more people to the area. She says they plan to move to Liverpool in January 2013, and hope to produce their first batch of beer in their new location by next March.

UPDATED: Serious Injuries In LaHave Rollover

Two men were injured after a tractor trailer rolled over on Highway 331 in LaHave. The crash occurred around supper time on Wednesday. RCMP say a 31 year old man was taken to local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The other man was airlifted to Halifax and is in serious condition. In a release, police say a flat bed truck was hauling a front end loader when it overturned and crashed. A section of the highway between Huey Lake and Mount Pleasant was closed for over five hours. Mounties are still investigating the cause of the crash.

Serious Collision Shuts Down Section of Hwy 331

Emergency officials are on the scene of a motor vehicle collision this evening on Highway 331. Police say a section of the road near the Fort Point Road in LaHave will be shut down for the next "few hours". Police describe the crash as "serious" and are asking motorists to be aware that the road is closed. Based on the information we have it could be a while before the road re-opens. No other details are available. Meanwhile, parent/teacher interviews in Pentz are cancelled due to that accident.

Board, Former Teacher Await Judge's Decision

A judge has reserved decision regarding a dispute between the South Shore Regional School Board and a former teacher. Representatives for the two sides were in Supreme Court in Halifax Tuesday for a judicial review. The board fired New Germany Elementary teacher Peter Speight after he pleaded guilty to committing an indecent act in 2009. The court issued a conditional discharge, but Speight was fired by the local school board because they felt his actions were inappropriate. The board's communications manager, Trish Smith, says they have to protect the interests of students and staff.



An appeal board found Speight was sorry for his actions and was a low risk to reoffend after receiving therapy. However, the school board feels Speight's dismissal should be upheld because his employment would diminish public trust.

Fall Session of NS Legislature Kicks Off Thursday

Power rates, electoral boundaries, education and health care will be front and centre during the fall session of the Nova Scotia legislature. Province House is set to welcome MLA's back for the beginning of the fall session on Thursday. It could be the last full session before Nova Scotian's head to the polls in a provincial election. Liberal Health Critic Leo Glavine says he will focus on several important issues over the next few weeks. The Kings West MLA says he will push the government on hospital wait times, prescription drug abuse and crowded emergency rooms. Glavine says the issues are province-wide and are the result of poor planning and budget cuts.

Gasoline Price Tumbles Unexpectedly

The price of gasoline has taken a major drop overnight. The province's Utility and Review Board used its so-called interrupter clause to make the change. Gasoline is down today 5.5 cents. A litre of regular gas along the South Shore is now selling for $1.25.5. High-test is down a little as well. Diesel is unchanged though at $1.39.3 per litre. The interrupter clause is used when there's a sudden market shift. It was last used on September 20th, when the price fell six cents overnight. The biggest change today in gas prices is in Prince Edward Island. The price of gas on the island tumbled more than seven cents overnight. Drivers there are paying about $1.21 for a litre of regular gas today.