New Wildfire-Risk Season Opens Saturday

A new wildfire-risk season is beginning in Nova Scotia. The season opens Saturday. There are new rules this year. People no longer need a permit to burn domestic brush but they must check an online burning restrictions map to learn when they can burn a pile of brush. The map will show green, red, or yellow in each county. It will let people know if it is safe to burn, unsafe to burn, or safe, with restrictions. The map is at www.novascotia.ca/burnsafe . People can get the same information in a recorded message by calling 1-855-564-2876, toll-free. The map and recorded phone message will be updated daily.

Hurricanes Open Provincials With Two Wins

The BMO Western Hurricanes are hoping to win their first provincial title this weekend. The major bantam hockey club is in North Sydney for the provincial championships along with seven other teams. Jacob Myra and Ian MacPhee each scored as the Hurricanes moved to 2-0 with a 2-0 win over Cole Harbour. The Hurricanes opened the tournament with a 3-2 win over the Nova Jr. X-Men. Head Coach Adam Masland says it's tough competition.



The Hurricanes lost in the finals last year. They also won provincial bronze in 2012. Their next game is Friday night at 8pm against Bedford.

Fire Temporarily Blocks Access To Mahone Bay

Lunenburg County REMO is advising motorists that access to Mahone Bay is blocked at the four-way stop in Blockhouse due to a house fire. Multiple fire departments are on scene on Main Street. People looking to get into Mahone Bay are encouraged to travel Highway 103 and take Exit 10.

Acadia Broadcasting Granted Approval For Moncton Station

Acadia Broadcasting is expanding - the parent company of CKBW/HANK-FM has received approval from the Canadian Radio - Television - and - Telecommunications Commission to purchase Moncton radio station CKNI-FM from Rogers Broadcasting. Acadia plans to move the station to newly constructed studios and launch its new sound later this year. Moncton becomes the 13th station for Acadia Broadcasting spanning New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.

Lockeport Mourns Long-Time Fire Chief

An emotional time for the town of Lockeport. The seaside community is preparing to say goodbye to long-time fire chief Leo Williams, who passed away from illness earlier this week at the age of 66. Williams served 39 years as the town's fire chief and was also one of the founding members of the Mutual Aid service. He joined the Lockeport Fire Department in 1972, becoming chief in 1975 until his death on Monday. Mayor Darian Huskilson says the loss has been tough on the community.



Huskilson says he's proud the town, the fire department and first responders created the Leo T. Williams Lockeport High School Bursary, given every year to a graduating student. A funeral service for Leo Williams is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Lockeport United Baptist Church.

Your Clutter May Be Gold For Others

Its almost spring cleaning time and the Canadian Diabetes Association wants all your clutter! The CDA's Clothesline Program has been extended to the end of April giving South Shore residents and others time to get their old stuff bundled up and ready for pickup. Joanna Dunn of the Diabetes Association says money raised when sold to second hand stores goes to a good cause.



The Clothesline Program also has an incentive for you to de-clutter! Its offering a 10-thousand dollar closet makeover or a vacation for four to Barbados.

NS Auditor General Recruitment Too Political: Peterson-Rafuse

Nova Scotia's NDP says the process for finding a new auditor-general for the province smacks of Liberal patronage! Economic Development critic and Chester MLA Denise Peterson-Rafuse says how its being done will hamper who-ever gets the job.



Members of the recruitment panel, appointed by Premier Stephen McNeil, include a former auditor-general, members of the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary's University and several chartered accountants and an un-named recruitment firm. The process results from the recent retirement of Jacques LaPointe after 7 years as auditor-general.

More Money Needed For Infrastructure Improvements

Municipalities across the country are expressing concern about the new Building Canada Fund. Its supposed to keep money flowing to help communities repair roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects. However, Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities President David Corkum of Kentvile fears there's not enough money to go around.



Corkum also says there may be too much red tape involved for villages, towns and cities to aquire funding.
He's calling on Ottawa to join in talks with municipalities to examine ways of fixing the problems.

Liverpool Fire Under Investigation

An investigation is underway this morning into a fire last night in an abandoned building in Liverpool. The fire at 90 Common Street in the town broke out around 10pm (Thursday). The building, which used to be a church, was extensively damaged. No one was hurt. The RCMP suspect arson but it hasn't been confirmed yet. They're looking for the public's help in their investigation.

Small Change In Gasoline Prices

Gasoline prices have dropped a bit overnight at South Shore pumps. Regular self serve is about half a cent less this morning, selling for $1.38.6 a litre. High test is down by the same amount to $1.47.5. Diesel is up by about half a cent though and selling at many locations for $1.45.7.

Bridgewater's Martin Competing At Indoor Event In Montreal

A change of scenery for Bridgewater's Jenna Martin. The two-time Canadian champion in the women's 400 metres and 2012 Olympian is competing in the inaugural AC Indoor Open. The event begins Friday and lasts until Sunday in Montreal, Quebec. Martin will race in the women's 400 metre invitational on Saturday. She says it's a good opportunity.



This will be Martin's first time competing indoors in Canada. She has experience running indoors while attending the University of Kentucky.

Mahone Bay: Items Needed For Former School Anniversary

The public's help is needed to create a living legacy exhibit of the old Mahone Bay school. A 100th anniversary celebration is in the works and a committee is looking for items to be loaned or donated to the exhibit, which is slated to open June 4. Committee member Bob Sayer is asking people to look in their attics, old photo albums or talk with family members to find items. He says they will accept any materials relating to the old school.



Sayer says some class photos and a desk have been collected already. If people have any items, they're asked to call Bob Sayer in Mahone Bay or email him at bobsoccer@eastlink.ca . A gala weekend is also planned as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations from July 4 to 6.

Tourism Promotion Group Folds

A group promoting tourism on the South Shore is closing up shop. The independent Destination Southwest Nova Association has been overcome by financial problems and members of the group have voted in favour of ceasing operations. The CEO of the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency, Patrick Sullivan, says its a major loss but the industry shouldn't be affected too much in the interim.



Destination Southwest Nova promoted tourism from Hubbards to Yarmouth and around to Digby and the Valley on its website. The group is in debt to the tune of $100,000 and officials say its a result of improper budgeting over several years.

Winter Blahs For Charitable Groups

Many charitable groups on the South Shore have been noticing a decline in donations through the winter. The Salvation Army and its Thrift Store in Bridgewater has especially been affected. Captain Felipe Vega says it took a while to realize the bitter weather was the cause.



Vega says staff at the Thrift Store are beginning to see more donations being dropped off, now that spring is near. He hopes everything will be back to normal and people will be dropping off things as usual.

A Replica Of The Replica Of HMS Bounty Is Planned

A proposal is being floated to build another HMS Bounty! The tall ship, a replica of the original 1700's Bounty, built in 1960 in Lunenburg for the movie "Mutiny On The Bounty", sank in Hurricane Sandy in the fall of 2012 off North Carolina. Now, a consortium of South Shore boat builders is looking at producing another Bounty replica. Lunenburg Mayor Rachel Bailey agrees there's no better place to build such a tall ship than in her town.



Its expected plans for the project and where the money for it will come from will be firmed up later this year.

Bridgewater: Charges Laid After Alleged Hit And Run

An alleged hit-and-run has landed charges against a Bridgewater man. Police say a parked vehicle was struck Wednesday night around 11:15pm at the intersection of Empire and King Streets. The suspect vehicle was located by police near the top of Aberdeen Road a short time later. A 67-year-old man was arrested and charged with impaired driving and breach of a recognizance. He's due in court June 4th.

Big Freeze-Up On The Way

It is a very wet and windy morning all along the South Shore. The rain is creating possible hydroplaning conditions on some roads so drive carefully. As much as 50 mm of rain is forecast before it peters out around noontime. As Environment Canada meteorologist Max descharnais tells us, watch for a big drop in temperatures this afternoon too.



Descharnais also says the wind will be a major factor this afternoon, gusting to 70 km/hr by times.

Small Change Likely Tonight In South Shore Gasoline Prices

Don't expect much of a change tomorrow in some gas prices at South Shore pumps. In New Brunswick this morning, regular self serve is down there by half a cent per litre. Diesel is down a fair bit though. 4 cents a litre. Nova Scotia's Utility and Review Board will set the coming weeks prices at midnight tonight.

Bridgewater: Coast Guard Removing Oil From Cape Rouge

Fuel is starting to be pumped out of the main fuel tank of the Cape Rouge. Most of the ship is now under water after it began sinking Monday afternoon at the Port of Bridgewater. Canadian Coast Guard senior response officer, Keith Laidlaw, says removing all the fuel from the vessel will take several days. They continue to have a boom surrounding the vessel, as well as absorbing pads soaking up fuel. He says their main concern is the environment and feels they're on top of any concerns.



A cause still hasn't been determined. Laidlaw says it's a slow process but the clean-up is a top priority.



The cost also isn't known, but it will be up to the owner to cover the fuel spill and vessel sinking. (Photo Courtesy: Facebook)

Bridgewater: Mayor Welcomes New Municipal Affairs Department

At least one local municipality is giving a thumbs up to the province for creating a stand-alone department for municipal affairs. The mayor for the town of Bridgewater called it wonderful news. The Nova Scotia government is making the adjustment to provide better service to residents. The change is expected to  allow government to provide better tools and guidance to create strong communities. David Walker agrees.



Walker says he's glad to see the province take action and make the switch. The new department is scheduled to be in place April 1.