Provincial 4-H Event Comes To Bridgewater

Thousands of people are expected to attend this weekend's 4-H show in Bridgewater. The Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne County branches are hosting the 36th annual Nova Scotia 4-H show at the South Shore Exhibition. The show features life skills projects, tug-of-war, and livestock competitions. The event co-chair, Eva Cook, says the event is a big deal for members.



Competition opens Friday evening following the opening ceremony and will continue until noon Sunday. Admission to the event is free.

Lumberjacks Travel To Pictou To Play Crushers

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks head to Pictou County tonight still searching for their first win. The junior hockey club is winless through four games this season. Forward Josh Shatford believes the team is close to breaking through.



Pictou won the first meeting between the two teams last week. The Lumberjacks will try and return the favour when the clubs hit the ice at 7pm.

RCMP: High Risk Offender Being Released

The RCMP say a high-risk offender will be released Friday from Dorchester Penitentiary. Police says 36-year-old Shane Leon Smith will be residing in the Aylesford-area after completing a sentence for sexual assaults and other offenses. Smith has been deemed a high-risk to re-offend. The Mounties say his victims have included both boys and girls ages four to 18 years-old. RCMP say Smith will have a number of restrictions for two years including the internet, no contact with children under the age of 16 years or being within 100 meters of any public park, public swimming area, daycare center, school ground or community center.

Yarmouth: Webster Running For NDP

The NDP have found their person for the job in Yarmouth. The local riding association has nominated Charles Webster as the candidate for the upcoming provincial election October 8th. When the provincial election was called earlier this month, the NDP didn't have a person lined up to fill the void. Webster is a minister, with ties to the NDP for over 20 years. However, this is his first time running for MLA in Yarmouth. Municipal councillor John Cunningham is carrying the PC flag. Vanessa Goodwin-Clairmont will represent the Green Party. Liberal Zach Churchill is the incumbent.

Chester: Universal Sewer Rate Discussed

The Municipality of Chester is investigating the idea of creating a universal sewer rate. Warden Allen Webber says there are six areas in the municipality with public sewer systems including the Village of Chester, Mill Cove, Chester Basin, New Ross, Western Shore and Chester Acres. The village is the only area with a surplus of over $242,000, while the other five have deficits between $1,800 and more than $160,000. Webber says some people pay by flat rate, others pay by assessment and some use a hybrid system. He says they want to try and make things consistent.



Webber says no decision has been made. He says staff will provide more information to council about a phased-in approach for a universal sewer rate.

Tall Ships Fest Leaves Legacy In Shelburne

Special events, festivals and promotional projects in Shelburne County can benefit from a just-established fund. Its a 95-hundred dollar surplus resulting from the Tall Ships Festival last year. Shelburne Community and Development Manager Jerry Locke says there's a wide range of potential applicants.



For those groups requesting funding through the Tall Ships Shelburne Legacy Fund, you can apply to the Town of Shelburne by mail or on-line. There is no application form. For the complete Tall Ships Legacy Fund Guidelines and contact information use the following link: http://tiny.cc/6ee1ww

Gasoline Prices May Fall Again Tonight

Look for South Shore gas prices to drop yet again overnight tonight. The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board will likely follow New Brunswick's lead where prices are down today nearly 3 cents a litre for regular self-serve to $126.5. It’s the third straight weekly decrease with most stations selling in the $1.22 to $1.23 range. Diesel in New Brunswick is down 3 cents per litre with furnace oil falling by 2.6 cents and propane has increased just under a cent per litre.

Queens County Fair: Main Building Receives Heritage Status

A plaque will be installed in the main building of the Queens County Fair Grounds after it was recognized as a heritage property. The Caledonia structure has been a fixture in the community since 1886. Staff with the province's Communities, Culture and Heritage department were joined by the mayor and deputy mayor of Queens along with representatives of the Queens County Fair Association for the announcement this afternoon. The 127-year-old building is known for its dark-green, wooden structure with an unusual roof. It is the oldest agricultural building in the province.

Students, Residents Hear From Chester-St. Margaret's Candidates

Roughly 200 students and area residents attended the first of several forums for candidates in Chester-St. Margaret's. Janet Irwin of the Progressive Conservatives, Tim Harris of the Liberals, and NDP MLA incumbent Denise Peterson-Rafuse spoke on issues including the economy, fracking and the current state of education. Another topic was road paving in the riding. Peterson-Rafuse says the NDP developed a five-year road plan for paving across the South Shore and the province. She says paving isn't politically motivated.



However, Irwin disagrees.



Harris also disagrees with Peterson-Rafuse.



Another four forums are planned between the candidates, including one Thursday morning at Sir John A MacDonald High School in Upper Tantallon.

Queens Establishes Business Development Association

The Region of Queens Municipality hopes to inject more life into the economy with the establishment of a business development association. A team of eight business leaders from the community will be part of it. Mayor Christopher Clarke says the group's focus is clear.



The Queens Business Development Association will meet every three months. Its viewed as another means to improve the region's economy in light of the closure of Bowater last year and the resulting impact.

Shelburne: 40 Unit Seniors Complex Almost Ready

A large seniors complex under construction in Shelburne County should be ready by the end of November. It's being built in Sandy Point and will feature 40 new units. The Seniors Independent Housing Initiative in Shelburne has been working for more than three years to make the project a reality. Spokesperson Joan Bowers says living space targeting seniors is badly needed in the area.



Another 40 unit complex will be built next year on the same property. The $7 million dollar project is being led by a non-profit Moncton based developer.

Bridgewater: Charges Laid After Robbery In New Glasgow

A trio of Lunenburg County residents are facing charges after a robbery in New Glasgow earlier this week. Police say two men stole a woman's purse outside Shopper's Drug Mart on Monday night.
The woman was sprayed in the face with a substance before the men took her purse. They left the parking lot in a get-away truck driven by a female. Further investigation led police in New Glasgow to believe the stolen goods were taken to Bridgewater. That information led police to Marlboro Drive where all three people allegedly involved in the theft were arrested and a vehicle was also seized. Justin Arthur Peircy and Jayden Piercy of Spectacle Lake have been charged with robbery, wearing a mask and possession of stolen property. Meanwhile, Rosina Ernst of Bridgewater has been charged with robbery and possession of stolen property.

Chester-St. Margaret's Candidates Hold Public Forum

The three candidates in Chester-St. Margaret's will talk about their party's platforms and local issues today at Forest Heights Community School. Liberal member Tim Harris, Janet Irwin of the PC's and NDP incumbent MLA Denise Peterson-Rafuse are scheduled for a candidates forum at 10:30 this morning. The event is open to the public.

URB: Hearings Held For Proposed Blockhouse Facility

Hearings are about to start regarding a proposed demolition debris transfer facility in Blockhouse. The province's Utility and Review Board will hear arguments from both sides in the case. Halifax C and D are looking to set up the facility on the Cornwall Road while the Municipality of Lunenburg refused to issue a development agreement for the project. A group of concerned business owners and residents from the Blockhouse-area is also involved as interveners. One of its members, Paul Young, says they're not opposed to the idea, just the location.



Young points to Whynotts Settlement and Otter Lake as appropriate places for a facility, not in Blockhouse, where houses and businesses are close to the proposed location. The first hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 9:30 at the Blockhouse fire hall. An evening meeting involving members of the public is planned for 6:30 Wednesday night.

Bridgewater: Town Excludes Saturday From Parking Enforcement

The town of Bridgewater has taken swift action to change parking enforcement on Saturdays. Mayor David Walker says the town approved a motion to change their parking bylaw immediately to exclude Saturday from parking meter enforcement. The decision means parking meters will be enforced from Monday-Friday. He says the town also decided to consider all parking meter violations from last weekend as a warning after more than 20 were handed out. Walker says they dropped the ball and didn't communicate well with the public.



Walker says anyone who paid their parking tickets can be reimbursed at town hall. Council also decided to develop a committee to look into matters regarding parking meters, signage and special event parking arrangements. The group will present a preliminary report before the end of November.

Green Party Names South Shore Candidates

The Green Party of Nova Scotia is joining the race for the October 8th election. A number of candidates have been confirmed for South Shore ridings. Madeline Taylor will represent the Greens in Queens-Shelburne, Robert Pierce is running in Lunenburg West and Vanessa Goodwin-Clairmont in Yarmouth. The Green Party's election platform revolves around building healthy communities, having a healthy economy and a healthy environment. The party has never won a seat in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.

Queens-Shelburne Candidates Discuss The Issues

Three candidates in Queens-Shelburne took the stage Monday night in Liverpool to discuss the hot topics. Liberal Benson Frail, Bruce Inglis of the PC's and NDP member Sterling Belliveau highlighted their party's stance on topics including Muskrat Falls, hydraulic fracking and electoral boundaries. Another major topic was the number of district health authorities across the province. Currently, there are nine plus the IWK. Sterling Belliveau says the NDP would maintain the status quo.



However, the PC's are proposing to bring the total down to three including the IWK, one in Halifax and another for rural Nova Scotia. Bruce Inglis says it's about saving money for primary health-care.



Frail says the Liberals are proposing two health boards to try and save roughly $13-million.



Roughly 150 people tuned in at the Astor Theatre.

Hurricanes Split In Cape Breton, Barrington Wins Junior 'C' Tourney

The Western Hurricanes earned a split over the weekend in Cape Breton. Ian MacPhee had the lone goal Saturday as the Hurricanes fell 2-1 to the Cougars. MacPhee continued to find the back of the net Sunday, scoring twice in a 4-2 win. Walter Flower and Ryan O'Toole also scored for the Hurricanes, who host the Truro Bearcats at Queens Place Saturday at 6:15pm and Sunday at 11am.
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The Barrington Ice Dogs won the pre-season Junior 'C' hockey tournament in Liverpool over the weekend. The Ice Dogs defeated Avon 5-2 in the final. Barrington will play the South Shore Wild to open up regular season play Saturday night at 8:30pm at Queens Place.

Mixed Weekend For Seahawks Football

The South Shore Seahawks peewee football club earned their first win of the season over the weekend. Keegan Baker, Zach Hamm, Colton Chaisson and Jaden Wentzell all scored touchdowns as the Seahawks cruised to a 38-0 victory over the Fall River Dragons at Kinsmen Field. Their next game will be Sunday in Timberlea against the Titans. Over to the atom Seahawks, who lost 24-0 to the Truro Tide. A rematch between the two teams is scheduled for Saturday at 1pm in Bridgewater. The bantam Seahawks fell 37-0 to the Fall River Dragons. They welcome the Dartmouth Destroyers to Kinsmen Field at 11am on Saturday.

Chester: Council Weighs Mayoral System

Warden or mayor? That's one of the issues returning to the Municipality of Chester. Council could soon have to determine if they will stay status quo with a warden or choose to move to a mayoral system. The issue was brought up recently because the municipality is required to review its electoral boundaries in the next year. Switching from the warden system would mean reduced districts and realignment to prepare for the mayoral position. Warden Allen Webber says the public would be more involved if the process is switched.



Webber says council has tasked staff to find an effective way to engage the public on the matter. He expects a strategy to be presented to council later this fall.