UPDATED: Resolute Won't Re-Open Oakhill Sawmill

Resolute Forest Products will not re-open a Lunenburg County sawmill.The Montreal-based company is preparing to dismantle the Oakhill Sawmill and move its equipment out of province to service other operations within the company. Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Jacques Vachon revealed the company's plans in a letter to the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. The Oakhill sawmill was idled shortly after the Bowater Mersey Paper mill was closed in June. The sawmill used to employ roughly 100 employees.  The operation was not purchased by the Nova Scotia government in a massive land and assets deal announced last week.

Province, School Board Split Costs For Judicial Review

It's being pegged as a miscommunication between the South Shore Regional School Board and Department of Education. An official with the education department says the two sides will now split the cost of legal and arbitration fees for the judicial review involving Peter Speight. The school board said earlier this week they would incur $47,000 while the Department of Education would cover $116,000. Department spokesperson, Dan Harrison, says the two parties had a misunderstanding over the costs.



Each side will now pay $81,500. However, the school board remains committed to its earlier stance, saying no teaching positions will be affected by the unbudgeted expense.

Energy Audit Planned For Four Bridgewater Facilities

Four facilities in Bridgewater are going under the microscope to have their energy consumption reviewed. The Memorial Arena's seniors complex and shed along with Brookside Cemetery's office and garage will be audited to see if they can reduce their carbon footprint. The four buildings have never been audited and staff believe their could be significant energy-saving opportunities. The audits are part of the town's initiative to lower energy consumption in facilities by 15% compared to 2007-08 levels. Council has approved an unbudgeted expenditure of $4,800 for the audits. Efficiency Nova Scotia has agreed to cover half the costs of the project, and could pay for all of it if the audit recommendations are fully implemented.

BREAKING: Charges Dropped In Chester Basin Murder Investigation

A second degree murder charge has been dropped in the case of an 18 year-old accused of killing his mother in Chester Basin. Jack Buckley was released from custody this afternoon after spending the past nine months behind bars. The body of 57 year-old Victoria Brauns-Buckley was found inside her home on the Borgels Point Road on March 2nd.  Her teenage son was arrested a week later and charged in relation to her death. The cause of her death has never been released. Crown lawyer Lloyd Tancock told reporters their case lacked sufficient evidence to obtain a conviction in the case.



Meanwhile, defence lawyer Patrick MacEwan says his client is relieved and was told he would be released on Saturday. The investigation into the death of Brauns-Buckley remains active.

Shelburne: Green Light For Aquaculture Projects

The province has approved two new aquaculture sites in Shelburne County. Fisheries Minister Sterling Beliveau says the approvals come with strict agreements to ensure the sites will protect the local fishing industries and coastal environment. Kelly Cove Salmon Limited, a subsidiary of Cooke Aquaculture will operate the new sites in Jordan Bay. The Nova Scotia government says the company went through a rigorous application process that took 26 months. Belliveau says these new sites will help to further grow the industry and the economy. An extensive review concluded these sites would pose minimal risk or adverse effects to fish, fish habitat, and fisheries resources.

Some conditions attached to the licences and leases include:

-- following a code of containment for Atlantic salmon in marine net pens

-- enhanced environmental monitoring by a third-party consultant, including more site visits and additional sampling locations

-- reduced stocking densities.

Lunenburg: Collaborative Emergency Centre Announced

Residents of Lunenburg will have greater access to various health care providers with the creation of a new Collaborative Emergency Centre at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital. It will be the seventh emergency centre established in the province and will provide faster access to doctors and nurses. Health Minister Dave Wilson says it will help to address issues of long waits and overcrowding. However, it's not known when the centre will officially be open to the public. Wilson says more exploratory work is needed regarding staffing and infrastructure.



Wilson says the new centre will also reduce the stress of emergency room closure rates at Fishermen's Memorial. South Shore Health is currently working with officials at the Department of Health and Wellness to develop the best possible model to meet the community's needs. Nova Scotia's first Collaborative Emergency Centre opened in Parrsboro in July 2011. There are now CECs in Pugwash, Tatamagouche, Annapolis Royal, Musquodoboit Harbour, and Springhill.

School Board Faces $47,000 Bill For Judicial Review

The South Shore Regional School Board is footing the bill for a judicial review with an ex-elementary school teacher. The board will have to find $47,000 in this year's budget associated with trying to keep Peter Speight out of the classroom. Director of Finance, Wade Tattrie, says its unbudgeted money.



Tattrie says it's highly unlikely they will be forced to cut a teaching position. The Department of Education will cover the school board's legal and arbitration fees of $116,000.

Schools Lower Flags To Respect Connecticut Victims

Flags are at half-mast today at South Shore Schools to show respect for those who lost their lives in the tragic shooting late last week in Connecticut. Twenty children and six adults were killed Friday when a gunman entered the Newtown school and opened fire. School Board Communications Manager, Trish Smith, says it's important for them to show respect.




Smith says the board has also encouraged staff and parents to speak with kids who have questions about violent events. More details can be found here . The premier has called the event a "shocking and unthinkable act."

Bridgewater Police Getting New Radio System

Bridgewater Police are getting a more modern radio system. Town council has given a green light to a proposal and pre-approved over $37,000 for the resource. The radio equipment was used for a one-month period during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Chief John Collyer says it works out well for the police service.


Thirty-thousand dollars will come from reserve while just over $7,600 will be provided from the 2013-14 budget. The police service's current radio system has been in use since 1993.

Teams Advance To NS Women's Curling Championship

Six women's curling teams advanced to the Provincial Scotties at a qualifier in Sydney over the weekend. Those earning berths include defending champ Heather Smith Dacey of Mayflower and clubmate Mary Anne Arsenault. Bridgewater's Nancy McConnery was ousted after posting a 1-3 record. The final two spots will be decided in Port Hawksbury early next month. The Scotties will be staged in Halifax at the end of January

Western Hurricanes Win One/Tie Another

The BMO Western Hurricanes travelled to Cape Breton over the weekend. The team won Saturdays game 4-3. Keith Getson, Matt Barron, Logan Walters and Cameron Jacquard all scoring singles. Sundays game was a 4-4 tie. Keith Getson scored all 4 goals for the Hurricanes. The team now plays Dartmouth in Liverpool this coming Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 11am.

Parkview Boys Win/Girls Split Hockey Games

In boys high school hockey action, Park View defeated the Avon View Avalanche 6-2. Nathaniel Beck and Fabien Sund had 2 goals each. Jake Wile was the winning goalie.

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The Park View Lady Panthers hockey team split a home and away series against the Horton Griffins over the weekend. Park View won in Canning on Friday evening 2-1. Scoring for Park View were Robin Knickle and Martha Jenkins. Savannah Cruikshank scored for Horton. Horton won by the same 2-1 score Sunday night in Bridgewater. Giselle Rudderham and Mariah Carey scored the Horton goals. Robin Knickle scored for Park View.

"Jacks" Lose Another

In MHL action in Summerside Sunday afternoon, the Western Capitals doubled the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks 4-2. Mitchell Hennebury & Michael Crawley scored for the Jacks who've now lost eleven in a row. Despite the long losing skid, there were positive signs over the weekend for the locals as they kept things close against three of the league's top clubs and earned a point in a shootout loss in Truro on Saturday.

Yarmouth Consolidated To Officially Open

A new school will be unveiled in Yarmouth this afternoon. Education Minister Ramona Jennex will be on-hand with staff and students at Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School to mark the occasion. Students started classes in September, but today's ceremony will officially open the facility. It gets underway at 2pm in the school's gym.

Fox Point: RCMP Investigate Weekend Fire

The cause of a fire at an empty home in Fox Point is under investigation. In a media release, police say they were called to the scene on the Lighthouse Road around 9:30 on Friday night. Fire crews in Hubbards and Blandford were dispatched to help battle the blaze. The home sustained significant damage. There were no injuries. Mounties are asking anyone with information to contact the Lunenburg County RCMP.

Second Public Meeting To Discuss Group Home

The town of Bridgewater will hold another public discussion on by-law changes for a group home on Evergreen Road. LaHave Manor wants to increase the number of residents permitted to live in the facility from three to five. The town has changed wording in its bylaw to allow for the increase and are holding a meeting to gather public feedback. Mayor David Walker says they want to keep the public engaged in the process.



The meeting will is scheduled for mid-January.

Hockey Wrap: 'Jacks Hang Tough Against Bearcats

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks battled hard in Truro last night, eventually falling 2-1 in a shootout to the Bearcats. Josh Bowman's goal early in the third period was the equalizer as the Jacks earned a big point on the road. Goalie Jordan Lee made 39 saves for the Jacks who play their third game in as many days this afternoon in Summerside. In Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League in Sydney the Cape Breton Tradesmen edged the South Shore Mustangs 3-2. Alex Nauss had both goals for the Stangs who've lost eleven straight. The clubs meet again this morning. In Q League action the visiting Halifax Mooseheads outscored the Moncton Wildcats 8-6. 

Queens Place Celebrates First Anniversary

Queens Place Emera Centre is celebrating their first anniversary next week. Hundreds of residents attended the grand opening of the 22 million dollar facility last December. General Manager, Neil Raymond says over the past year the centre has been well recieved.



He adds there are big plans for the new year including the Hank Snow Tribute in the summer. Queens Place will also be home to the 2014 Canadian Nationals for junior curling.

Gasoline Prices Drop Again!

As expected, gasoline prices along the South Shore dropped overnight. A litre of regular self serve is down almost 4 cents today at $1.20.2. Diesel is also lower. Its selling at $1.31.4 per litre. Thats down 3 cents a litre from yesterday.

MHL: 'Jacks Look To End Slide

It's out of the frying pan and into the fire for the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks. Bridgewater's Junior "A" hockey team has lost eight straight as they get set to play three games in three days against three of the MHL's top clubs. They'll kick things off tonight at home against the defending league-champion Woodstock Slammers. The Jacks will journey to Truro tomorrow to face the first-place Bearcats before travelling to Summerside for a Sunday matinee against the Capitals.
This evening's tilt against the Slammers faces off at 7 at the Bridgewater Arena.