Hurricanes Top Summerside; Earn Second Win At Esso Tourney

The BMO Western Hurricanes have jumped out to a 2-0 record at the Esso Atlantic Major Bantam Hockey Tournament in Halifax. Matt Barron scored twice and added an assist to lead the Hurricanes to a 5-1 win over Summerside this afternoon. Ian MacPhee, Matt Sabbean and Alex Wentzell also scored. Earlier today, the Hurricanes also beat Pictou 4-1. Dawson Wood scored twice, while Ian MacPhee and Connor Barnhill also scored in that game. The Hurricanes are back on the ice around 11:30 tomorrow morning against Cape Breton.

Minister Encourages Radon Tests

The province is encouraging people to pick up a radon test kit to test their homes for the dangerous gas. Nova Scotia has the highest levels of the gas in Canada. Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill said four out of ten homes in high-risk areas are likely to exceed the Health Canada Guideline. The MLA for Yarmouth, Churchill says it's the second leading cause of lung cancer and in Nova Scotia and it claims about 70 lives a year. Radon is tasteless, odorless, and invisible and often finds its way into home through basements and concrete slabs. The province has released a map identifying the high to low areas for radon. A link to the map is can be found here

Property Crime Rates Drop In Barrington

Property crime rates in Barrington are at their lowest levels in six years. An RCMP crime analyst provided details to council members with the Municipality of Barrington. Mischief is on the decline in the municipality, but break and enters are on the rise based on analysis of this year's figures to date. Barrington RCMP detachment commander, Sgt. M.J. Deluco, says the reduction in property crime could lead to a trickle-down effect in neighbouring communities.



Deluco says she's pleased with the results. She says by examining crime data, it can identify people responsible for offences and locate key pockets of crime.

Hurricanes Open With Win At Esso Tourney

A good start for the BMO Western Hurricanes in Halifax. The Hurricanes opened up play this morning at the Esso Atlantic Major Bantam Hockey Tournament with a 4-1 win over Pictou. Dawson Wood scored twice, while Ian MacPhee and Connor Barnhill added singles. Matt Barron also chipped-in with three assists. The Hurricanes are back in action at 2:30 this afternoon against Summerside.

Health Authority Looking To Improve Patient Intakes

The CEO for South Shore Health says they are searching for ways to improve patient intakes for family doctors. The health authority has been criticized by the general public recently after a phone line was setup for 150 people to acquire a new doctor or nurse practitioner. The phone line botched on its first attempt after human error. It was cut-off in less than five minutes on the second attempt after the maximum amount of patients was received. Peter Vaughan says it's been a learning experience.



Vaughan says the challenge to provide other options includes costs they don't have the resources to cover. Another patient intake for Dr. Sheila Dwyer is expected later this winter.

MADD's Red Ribbon Campaign Set To Launch

MADD Canada's most recognizable initiative will kick off this weekend. A launch for the Red Ribbon Campaign will be held this weekend at Queens Place Emera Centre. The campaign is entering it's 26th year and serves as one of the most important events MADD Canada hosts each year heading into the Holiday Season. Vice President for Lunenburg-Queens Chapter, Laura Cormier says the red ribbons send a strong message.



Cormier says by displaying a ribbon on your car it shows a personal commitment to drive sober. The launch in Liverpool gets underway at 11 o'clock on Saturday.

Gas Prices Will Likely Climb Overnight Tonight

Gas prices are up this morning in New Brunswick after the weekly setting and you know what that likely means for South Shore prices come tomorrow. Prices will likely rise here also by similar amounts. The maximum price for self serve regular gas in New Brunswick today has risen by three cents a litre. The cost of diesel in New Brunswick has also increased by a cent and a half a litre.

Bridgewater: Proposed Feeding Wildlife By-Law Postponed Until May

The town of Bridgewater has postponed a wildlife feeding by-law until next May. Council didn't vote on first reading after deciding more information was needed on the issue. The by-law would essentially limit people from intentionally feeding wild animals, with exception of feeding fish or birds near duck ponds or baiting a live trap to capture an animal. Mayor David Walker says education and enforcement needs to be addressed.



Walker says the town will be reviewing its by-laws and enforcement, so he didn't feel council should rush into the matter. The need for a by-law grew after local residents approached council, frustrated with a person excessively feeding raccoons and birds. The citizen group say it is negatively affecting their properties and starting to attract rats.

Valley: High Risk Sex-Offender Arrested/More Charges

Mounties have arrested a high risk sex-offender in the Annapolis Valley. Thirty-six year-old Shane Smith was arrested on Monday after police stopped by his home in Aylesford. However, police say he wasn't home at the time, which breached his curfew. Smith has been charged with two counts of breach of recognizance. He was released from custody and is due back in court at a later date.

Lumberjacks Pickard, Parsons Named To Team Atlantic

A pair of CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks will represent the Atlantic provinces in the World Under-17 Challenge in Cape Breton. Campbell Pickard and Layton Parsons are two of nine Nova Scotians named to the team Atlantic roster for the event, being held from December 29 to January 4 in Port Hawkesbury and Sydney. Pickard has 11 points in 16 games with the Lumberjacks this season while Parsons has seven points in 18 games. Team Atlantic will open its round robin against Ontario on December 30. This year's World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will mark the last tournament which will see a Team Atlantic squad participate. Hockey Canada announced earlier in the year they will be sending three teams to the event instead of the traditional five Canadian teams. Team Atlantic's full roster can be found here .

Bridgewater: Resident Remembers Loved One At Ceremony

It's never easy to lose a loved one, but it's more difficult when it's near a significant holiday. That's what happened to Bridgewater resident Virginia Oickle. Her brother-in law Phillip was killed just before Christmas eight years ago while driving on Highway 103. Oickle took part in today's National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims in Bridgewater. She says the ceremony helps in the healing process.



Officials with the town, police, fire, EHS and MADD Canada gathered with members of the public at the Bridgewater Police Headquarters. The day was also used to remind people to be safe behind the wheel, and conscious of their actions. The Canadian flag was lowered to half mast for the day. This is the first year the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims was marked in Bridgewater.

South Shore: Six Locals Awarded Bravery Medals In Halifax

It was a tragedy which tugged on the heart strings of the entire South Shore. Five young fishermen were killed when the lobster fishing boat "Miss Ally" capsized in rough seas on February 17. Now, four members of a dive team that searched the wreckage have been awarded the Nova Scotia Medal of Bravery.  The nomination was put forward by the Municipality of Barrington. Shelburne County divers Donnie Mahaney, Thomas Nickerson, Gary Thurber and Thomas Hennigar received their medals during a special ceremony at Province House in Halifax. Meanwhile, another native of the South Shore was awarded a bravery medal. Aiden Brunn of Martin's River was also given a medal for his heroic efforts to help in a head on crash. Brunn was the first on scene when a car collided with a pickup truck on Highway 324 at the overpass of Exit 11. The car burst into flames and Brunn helped pulled an unconscious driver out of a burning vehicle. He was later joined on the scene by Patrick May of Maplewood - who also was awarded a medal today at Province House. Premier Stephen McNeil presented the medals, with some family members of the victims in attendance. This is the sixth year for Nova Scotia's Medal of Bravery. (Photo courtesy: Communications Nova Scotia)

UPDATE: Liverpool Fires Deemed Not Suspicious

The province's fire marshall's office and the RCMP say two fires in Liverpool, one last night and one this morning (Wednesday) are not suspicious. The causes of the two fires have not been pinpointed yet though. No one was hurt when a blaze erupted around 9:30 this morning at the back of an apartment building on Main Street. It was quickly put out by firefighters but did cause some smoke damage. Another blaze last evening on Payzant Street forced 5 people from their apartments and smoke, water and fire damage to their units. However, no one was injured in that fire and the building's owner and the Red Cross have offered assistance to those affected.

Lunenburg: Power Rate Hearing For Town Utility

Power rates in Lunenburg will be up for discussion on Wednesday. A hearing is scheduled between the town, on behalf of its electric utility, and the province's Utility and Review Board. The town is looking to increase power rates for the first time in roughly seven years. Pocket books will be hit the hardest for residents with a proposed hike of nearly 10 per cent. Mayor Rachel Bailey says it's never easy to raise fees, but it has to be done.



Bailey estimates roughly 1,600 residents would be affected by a rate increase. The hearing begins at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning at the Lunenburg courthouse. An evening session is also planned for 7pm.

Local Mounties Receive Award At Law Conference

Two South Shore RCMP officers received an award recently at the 2013 Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement conference. Constable Brandy Steeves and Constable Susan Foote won the AWLE Team Endeavour Award at the conference held in Charlottetown, PEI. Both members helped create the Lunenburg County RCMP Youth Advisory Committee and Name the Shame initiative. The committee helps raise awareness about bullying and youth issues, provide resources and information to the community, develop leadership skills in public speaking and the media, and focus on current youth issues. The initiative was created to prevent harassment and abuse and strengthen knowledge and awareness around sexual harassment, abuse and relationship violence. Steeves is a member of the Bridgewater detachment as a school safety resource officer. Foote recently retired from the Chester detachment.

Slight Raise In 2014 Dues At Osprey Ridge

You can expect to pay a few more bucks next year if you golf at Osprey Ridge in Pine Grove. A committee has approved small cost increases for adult, intermediate and junior memberships while some prices dropped including locker rentals and corporate memberships. The price changes are between four dollars and $50. Municipality of Lunenburg Mayor Don Downe says there's little change.



Downe says they're trying to keep their costs competitive and help bring in green fee players to generate additional revenue. Below are the 2014 rates.

Bullying Awareness Week: A Call For Help

It's Bullying Awareness Week - so call out if you need help. Nova Scotia's new CyberSCAN investigative unit has received 30 complaints in its first six weeks of operation, 15 involving adults and 13 involving youth. Two were deemed outside of the unit's mandate. Twenty investigations are ongoing, while eight have been resolved in a variety of ways, from informal resolutions to referring cases to police for further action. Justice Minister Lena Diab says she knows bullying can take a large toll on young people and no one should have to live in fear every time they turn on their computer or phone. Investigators have also visited schools across the province to give workshops on helping students stay safe online. Nova Scotians can call 902-242-6900 in HRM or toll-free for South Shore Residents at 855-702-8324 to talk to an investigator. Parents of young victims can call the hotline and take action on their child's behalf. Referrals can also come from school staff, police, or anyone who is aware of an instance of cyberbullying taking place. More information on the unit and on options for people who believe they are experiencing cyberbullying is available online at www.cyberscan.novascotia.ca 

Lumberjacks Acquire Blueliner From Miramichi

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have added another blueliner to their roster. The Bridgewater club traded a second-round pick in next year's draft to Miramichi for defenseman Patrick Byrne and future considerations. The 5-foot-9, 18-year-old has played 14 games with the Timberwolves this season and has no points. The Lumberjacks could also see Matt Wright to report to the team this week. He was acquired as part of the Shawn Boudreau trade to Yarmouth late last month.

Cookville: No Injuries After Two Vehicle Crash

No one was taken to hospital after a two-car collision Tuesday morning in Cookville. Staff Sgt. Bruce Hill with Lunenburg County RCMP says a vehicle was turning into Pine Grove just before 8am when the utility trailer it was hauling was struck by a car. Police, fire officials and EHS responded to the incident. There were no injuries. (Photo Courtesy: Evan Dahl)

Remembering Road Crash Victims

For the first time, police, emergency and other organizations on the South Shore will gather to remember the victims of highway crashes. A National Day of Remembrance is being held tomorrow (Wednesday) right across the country and Bridgewater Police Chief John Collyer says it'll be an important event in convincing drivers to change their habits.



In Canada, 2,800 people die every year in road crashes and another 195,000 are injured. The ceremony in front of the Bridgewater Police headquarters on Dufferin Street begins at 9 o'clock Wednesday morning.