Lunenburg's Drennan Ready For OUA Track Championships

A Lunenburg native says he's ready for today's OUA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Nineteen-year-old Jesse Drennan is competing in the pentathlon events, which get underway shortly after 3pm in Windsor, Ontario. The University of Windsor student has five events on tap for today including 60-metre hurdles, long jump, shotput and 1000-metre run. Drennan is captain of the Lancers track and field team and hopes to qualify for the CIS championships being held in March. A live video feed can be viewed here beginning at 3pm our time.

'Quick Care' Health Clinic Extended Into March

The quick care clinic started by South Shore Health in Bridgewater is being extended into March. The two-day-a-week clinic has been at capacity since it opened earlier this month. The clinic has accepted roughly 48 patients per day. It tackles issues like minor cuts, bumps, sore throats, prescription refills and sinus problems. CEO Dr. Peter Vaughan says they're extending the clinic to meet demand. However, he says hospital ER's remain busy.



A doctor accepts patients by appointment 3 to 9pm every Monday and Wednesday.

Upcoming: Large Wind Farm Debate In Chester

It's a critical stage for a large wind project stretching between Vaughan and New Russell. A public hearing will be held tonight to discuss the South Canoe Wind Project. It's the final step in the process before members of Chester council make a decision on whether or not they support the project. The proposed $200 million wind farm is being led by Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Oxford Frozen Foods and Nova Scotia Power. South Canoe would feature up to 34 wind turbines and could generate enough power to heat nearly 30,000 homes. There's been mixed reaction to the massive project to date with some residents in the New Ross area concerned over the location of the turbines. The meeting will be held at Forest Heights Community School beginning at 7 o'clock. 

Donations Continue To Pour In For New Ventilators

The money keeps rolling in to the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore for two new ventilators. Funds have crept up over $69,000. When the third annual ''Gift for the Heart'' radiothon concluded last Thursday, they were just over $66,000. Bernadette Jordan says it has been an emotional week.



Jordan anticipates donations to keep adding up over the next few weeks. She says, one way or another, they will gather enough money to buy a second ventilator.

Guilty Pleas In Bridgewater's School Lockdown Case

A Lunenburg County man will be sentenced in just over a month for his role in the lock down of two schools in Bridgewater. Sheldon Earl Bowers entered guilty pleas on six of 11 charges against him following his arrest in January. Bowers pleaded guilty to charges that include possession of cocaine and marihuana, uttering threats and unsafe use and storage of various firearms. He'll be sentenced in relation to those matters April 3rd. In the meantime, the 37 year-old entered not guilty pleas to four charges that include trafficking drugs and uttering threats while he was in custody. Bowers will go to trial on those matters March 28th. Bridgewater Police ordered the lock down of two schools after they received a call regarding a distraught man with firearms at a nearby home January 21.

Liverpool Paramedic Under Police Investigation

A 47-year-old paramedic has been arrested by Queens RCMP after theft and misuse of drugs from an EHS station. Police searched a home last night on Wolfe Street in Liverpool where syringes and medical containers were seized. Officials from EHS alerted RCMP of the allegations late last week. The incidents are alleged to have occurred since 2009. Cpl. Scott MacRae says the man faces a number of theft and drug-related offenses. He is scheduled to appear in Liverpool Provincial Court April 17.

Bridgewater Police Arrest Man During Break And Enter

Bridgewater Police have arrested a 21-year-old man for allegedly breaking and entering into a home on Tuesday. Officers arrested Steven Rhodenizer on the front doorstep of the house entered. He has been charged with two counts of break and enter, having his face masked while committing an offence, theft under $5000, and possession of property obtained by crime. Constable Will Creamer reminds residents to make sure doors to their homes and vehicles are locked at all times. Rhodenizer will appear in Bridgewater court April 17.          

Gold River-Western Shore Residents Lobby To Keep School Open

"School is more than walls and a floor." That's a quote from a song students at Gold River-Western Shore Elementary sang, which played last night during a school review public hearing. Roughly 110 people attended the meeting, while nearly 30 residents stood up and echoed how important it is for the school to remain in the community. However, retired school administrator, Tom Feindel, remains confident after a member of the Chester-St. Margaret's constituency office spoke on behalf of the MLA.




Issues around transportation, participating in extra-curricular activities and after school child-care were discussed if the school were closed and students were moved to Chester. A public hearing scheduled for tonight in New Ross has been rescheduled for February 25.

Region Mourns "The Lost Five" After Search Scaled Back

The massive search for "The Lost Five" fishermen of Woods Harbour has been scaled back. Rescue officials say any hope of finding the men alive has -- quote -- diminished significantly because of the cold water and poor weather. Tributes began pouring in last night on CKBW and HANK FM's Facebook pages shortly after officials announced they had called off the search. The file has now been turned over to the RCMP as a missing persons case. A distress signal from the boat came Sunday at 11 p.m. during a strong storm 120 kilometres southeast of Liverpool. The five young men, all in their 20's and 30's, were fishing for halibut in a 13-metre vessel that capsized in the storm.

MODL: Home Owner Has Until June To Clean Property

The Municipality of Lunenburg is giving a local home owner one more chance to clean up his property. A complaint was received in March of last year and inspections showed old doors, lumber and fencing were on-site at 5 Ashwood Lane in Blockhouse. A building official says very little progress has been made since the complaint was received. However, Mayor Don Downe says they have offered the property owner an extension.



The home owner told council he intends to clean up his property by the June deadline. If he doesn't, the Municipality could do the work and apply the cost to his tax bill. Downe says they want the man to remove garbage off his land and pile wood up neatly.

Fisheries Minister: "Region Praying For A Miracle"

Nova Scotia's fisheries minister says the winter fishing season can be extremely tough and unpredictable. Sterling Belliveau, a former lobster fisherman, was commenting on the ongoing search for five fishermen 120 kilometres off the southeast coast of Liverpool. Crew members of the Woods Harbour based fishing vessel "Miss Ally" punched their emergency locator beacon late Sunday night in heavy seas lashed by high winds. Belliveau says his thoughts are with the missing crew members and the rescue team involved in the search.



Belliveau says a few hundred people attended last night's prayer vigil in Woods Harbour in a show of support for the all those involved in the rescue mission. He says the entire region is praying for a miracle.

Energy Minister Kicks Off "Power Trip" In Bridgewater

Energy Minister Charlie Parker will kick of a province-wide tour promoting his government's energy plan Wednesday in Bridgewater.  The focus of the presentation will centre around the province's plan to continue reducing reliance on fossil fuels and update people on work to date in generating power through various alternative energy sources. Parker says the Muskrat Falls/Maritime Link project and it's benefits will also be a significant talking point.



The presentation will be held tomorrow morning at the Best Western in Cookville beginning at 10 o'clock. The tour will also make a stop February 26 in Yarmouth.

Search For Fishermen Reaching Critical Stage

The search for five missing fishermen is reaching a critical stage. A Coromorant helicopter and two coast guard ships have been searching a vast area of ocean off the coast of Liverpool since a distress call was issued Sunday night by the crew members of "Miss Ally". The five young fishermen have been lost at sea in cold waters for approximately 36 hours. Lieutenant Peter Ryan of the Halifax search and rescue centre says the Cormorant helicopter involved in the search had to return to base last night due to poor conditions, but is heading out again today. He says seas were rough and visibility was poor last night as the hunt for the 13-metre boat continued.

GPS System Helps Police Find Missing Man

A simple wrist bracelet is being heralded as a life-saver. Bridgewater Police were able to find an 83-year-old man within an hour last week after he was reported missing. The man suffers from dementia. Constable Will Creamer says the GPS-type system, known as Project Life Saver, deserves credit.



Creamer says the device is activated if someone is reported missing and police and ground, search and rescue members can find the person quickly. This was the first time the Bridgewater Police have had to use the system.

O'Regan's, Memories Cafe Among Business Award Winners

O’Regan’s South Shore Automotive has claimed this year's large business award in Lunenburg-Queens. The Business Excellence Awards were handed out last night in Western Shore. O'Regan's took home the honour ahead of J&H Industries Ltd and Sure Courier. Also, Gary Gables Bed and Breakfast received the hospitality award and Terra Beata Cranberry Farms was tops in export achievement. Other award winners include The Gold River Marina for small business of the year , LaHave Forests in the entrepreneurial category and Memories Cafe as best new business. Six awards were handed out in all. A gathering was held last night at Atlantica Hotel & Marina in Western Shore.

RCMP Investigate Upper LaHave Home Invasion

RCMP say a man is in hospital after an apparent home invasion in Upper LaHave. Police responded to a break and enter at a home along Highway 332 early Saturday night. They say a 27-year-old man woke up after he heard glass breaking. The man was then confronted by four people in disguise.The suspects allegedly assaulted the man and fled the scene. The victim was taken to South Shore Regional Hospital where he remains with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Police believe this is not a random incident. Anyone with information is urged to call Lunenburg County RCMP.

UPDATED: Search Continues For Five Fishermen

A cormorant helicopter from Greenwood along with two Canadian Coast Guard vessels continue to search for five fishermen off the southwest coast of Nova Scotia. Navy spokesman Lieutenant Peter Ryan says the 45-foot boat, known as the "Miss Ally", went down 120 kilometres southeast of Liverpool. Ryan says the boat sent out a distress signal last night shortly after 11pm.
 


Ryan says a U.S. Coast Guard aircraft spotted a life-raft early this morning, but couldn't offer any other details. He says the fishing vessel is based out of Shelburne County. A prayer vigil for the five missing fishermen will be held tonight at the Calvary Baptist Church in Woods Harbour at 6pm.

Excellence Awards Honour Local Businesses

This year's Lunenburg-Queens Business awards will go ahead as scheduled this evening. Officials say the show won't be stalled by weather conditions. Six awards will recognize local groups in categories including hospitality, export achievement, new business and entrepreneurial. Meanwhile, LaHave Paving and LaHave River Chiropractic and Health Centre of Bridgewater and the Gold River Marina are up for small business of the year. O’Regan’s South Shore Automotive, J&H Industries Ltd and Sure Courier are nominated for Large Business of the year. The awards get underway at 6pm tonight at Atlantica Hotel & Marina in Western Shore. A full list of nominees can be found here.

School Review: Hebbville Meeting Postponed

A public hearing surrounding the school review process at Hebbville Academy has been postponed due to weather conditions. The South Shore Regional School Board had scheduled the meeting for tonight but it's since been rescheduled to February 28. Meanwhile, three other pubic hearings will still take place later this week. Members of the local school board will host their next public hearing Tuesday evening at Gold River/Western Shore Elementary. School review meetings will also be held Wednesday in New Ross and Thursday at Petite Riviere. All of those meetings begin at 6:30PM.

Fishing Vessel Runs Into Distress - Rescue Mission Underway

CKBW/HANK FM News can confirm the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre is involved in a rescue mission to locate crew members of a fishing vessel in distress. An official with the Canadian Coast Guard indicates their efforts are focused "quite a bit offshore" in the southwestern part of the province. There are reports five people were on board the vessel when they made a distress call before 6 o'clock this morning. There's no word on the exact location of the rescue mission or the status of those on board. We'll update this story as more information becomes available.