Bridgewater: Sustainability Expo Held Saturday

Sustainability will be front and centre Saturday around the Bridgewater-area. The third annual expo will be featured at the Nova Scotia Community College and at Osprey Ridge. Over 30 exhibitors have booths set up at the school for people to check out. Faculty of marketing member, Di Best, says special guest Dr. Edith Callaghan will talk at the golf course.



The expo begins at 9am Saturday at the college. The talk begins at 2:30 at the golf course.

Mooseheads Face Gatineau In Second Playoff Round

The Halifax Mooseheads open up the second round of the playoffs on home ice tonight against the Gatineau Olympiques. The Moose have enjoyed a nice layoff after a four game sweep over the Charlottetown Islanders in the opening round. However, it's about to get tougher. The voice of the Mooseheads, John Moore, says Gatineau is no pushover.



Halifax and Gatineau split their two games during the regular season. Lunenburg's Brennan Bailey is playing with Halifax during their playoff run. Moore believes Bailey played solid in round one.

Game one opens tonight at 7pm at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Opposition Leader Pans Provincial Budget

The Nova Scotia government will invest more money in health care and education. Finance Minister Diana Whalen unveiled her governments budget Thursday in the legislature. It includes $9.6 billion in revenues, $9.9 billion in total spending, and a $279 million deficit. Nova Scotia's net debt sits at $14.6 billion. It's expected to rise to over $15 billion by the end of the fiscal year. PC Opposition Leader Jamie Baillie says he wants to know why the debt keeps on rising in light of the Liberals campaigning in the election last year to slash the debt.



Other budget highlights include, $19 million more for public schools, class sizes to be capped from primary to Grade 3, more support for math and literacy programs, nearly $200 million more to support home care, improved access to cancer drugs and cutting down wait times for hip and knee surgeries.

Labour Relations Setback By Essential Workers Bill: Rick Clarke

Halifax area nurses have returned to work following their one day strike. This follows passage earlier today of essential workers legislation by members of the legislature, which essentially forced them back to work and to the bargaining table. Nova Scotia Federation of Labour President Rick Clarke tells CKBW & HANK-FM News, he's outraged by the attitude of the McNeil government which he says has setback labour relations in the province by decades.



As a result of the legislation passed this morning, HRM nurses will now be required to go back to the bargaining table with Capital Health to try and settle on a contract.

Bridgewater: Proposed Big Rig Event Changing Locations

A proposed event in Bridgewater has changed its location. South Shore in Motion was looking to hold a 'Big Rig Drag Racing' event on a section of Dufferin Street. However, they have decided to change their request to a part of Exhibition Drive. Mayor David Walker says the group is making an effort to speed up the process.



South Shore in Motion is hoping to hold the event in August. Walker expects a meeting will be held this month for council to make a decision.

Girls Win, Boys Lose At International Curling Event

An up and down day for Nova Scotia at the Optimist International under-18 curling tournament in B.C. The girls team, skipped by Cassie Cocks, defeated Ontario 7-5 in their opening game on Thursday. They now take on B.C and Quebec later today. On the boys side, Adam Cocks' team fell 4-2 to Nothern Ontario. They will play Manitoba and Quebec today. Both Nova Scotia curling teams are representing the Chester Curling club.

HRM Nurses Return To Work After "House" Debates All Night

Halifax area nurses are returning to work following a one-day strike. This follows passage this morning of essential workers legislation by members of the legislature. PC Opposition Leader Jamie Baillie, who like the other 50 members of the house pulled an all-nighter to deal with the legislation, says his members decided to go along it.



Nurses will now be required to go back to the bargaining table with Capital Health to try and work out a settlement.

A Surprise At The Gas Pumps

Gasoline prices are lower this morning at South Shore pumps. Regular self serve is down a cent to $1.34.0 per litre. High test is lower by the same amount to $1.42.9. Diesel dropped the most overnight, by six cents, to $1.39.5. Regular gas is surprisingly lower despite the price for it in New Brunswick actually rising half a cent yesterday.

NS Budget: More Money For Health & Education

The Liberal government has delivered its first budget since taking office. Finance Minister Diana Whalen unveiled its details when she rose in the Nova Scotia legislature earlier this afternoon. The fiscal blueprint includes $9.6 billion in revenues, $9.9 billion in total spending, and a $279 million deficit. Some other highlights include, $19 million more for public schools, class sizes will be capped from primary to Grade 3 along with more support for math and literacy programs. In health, there is nearly $200 million more in the budget to support home care, improve access to cancer drugs and cut down wait time for hip and knee surgeries. Meanwhile, the efficiency fee will come off all power bills on January 1st resulting in energy savings for all Nova Scotians. As expected, the HST remains unchanged at 15%. Nova Scotia's net debt sits at a whopping $14.6 billion.

Bridgewater Man Facing Child Porn Charges

A Bridgewater man is facing child porn charges. Town police along with RCMP searched a Queen Street home on Wednesday. A number of computer-related items including USB drives and DVD's were seized. Police arrested a 31-year-old man and he is facing charges of accessing, possessing, and distributing child pornography. Additional charges could be laid once forensic examination of exhibits is complete. The man is expected to appear in Bridgewater court on May 28th.

Tops'l Tavern Now Known As King's Corner

It's official. The name of the Tops'l Tavern has changed. New owner Sharon Saulnier says it's now known as King's Corner. The tavern has been known as Topsl's since it opened in 1963. Saulnier says the name change makes sense.



Saulnier plans to leave the Tops'l signs on the building and add their own branding to help remember its history. The restaurant opened Thursday and the bar will open Friday evening.

Large Drop Likely In Diesel Fuel Price

There's been a large drop in the price of diesel fuel in New Brunswick. That probably means a similar move on the South Shore tonight when the utility and review board sets the coming weeks prices. Diesel is selling for almost ten cents a litre lower than yesterday in New Brunswick. Self serve regular has increased slightly though today.

No Plans To Extend School Year

There aren't any plans to extend the school year due to storm days. In Nova Scotia, some school districts have lost as many as 12 instructional days. Locally, there have been 10 days missed within the South Shore and Tri-County School Boards because of poor weather conditions over the winter. Communications manager Trish Smith says losing two weeks of classes is manageable.



For the South Shore, the back road closure plan was put into place 13 times this winter while two additional snow days were seen in the Chester area family of schools. Smith says it's been a challenging winter for all their staff, students and parents.

Ottawa Invests In Chester Theatre Council Society

An investment from the federal government is going to help the Chester Theatre Council Society. South Shore - St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy announced over $11,000 in funding to the Christopher Ondaatje Theatre Foundation, who will manage and invest it on behalf of the society. The money is being provided through a component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund, which encourages Canadians to donate to professional arts organizations. The Chester Playhouse was purchased by Sir Christopher Ondaatje in 1987 and was donated to the Chester Theatre Council Society in 1992. The society's mission is to foster, promote, encourage and develop the performing arts and to maintain a community arts facility in the Municipality of the District of Chester.

NS Labour Relations In Tatters As HRM Nurses Walk: MacDonald

With many people fearing a strike will affect health care along the South Shore and elsewhere, nurses in the Halifax area have walked off the job today to back their demands for better patient-nurse ratios. Hundreds of nurses with the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union are picketting all health care facilities in HRM. Although her union isn't part of the labour dispute, Nova Scotia Nurses Union President Janet Hazelton tells us Friday's likely passage of essential workers legislation will probably mean the walkout will last only through today. She says there is a lot of frustration for nurses everywhere and anxiety for patients heading into today's walkout.



NDP leader and former Health Minister Maureen MacDonald says she's appalled the dispute between Capital Health and the NSGEU has reached this point.



The largest hospital complex in Atlantic Canada, the Q-E-2 Health Sciences Centre in downtown Halifax, is among facilities being picketted today by the nurses.

Local Curlers Battle International Competition In B.C.

Two youth teams representing the Chester curling club will meet some of the best players in their age group from across the world. The Optimist International under-18 curling championships get underway Thursday in Surrey and Langley, B.C. Teams from across Canada, the United States and Japan will compete in the tournament. The Nova Scotia girl's team consists of Cassie Cocks, Megan Brown, Rachel Crouse and Taylour Stevens. They open up play against Ontario. On the boy's side, the Nova Scotia team of Adam Cocks, Brett Dorey, Jacob Rowsell and Spencer Demone take on Northern Ontario in their first match. For more information and results, click here .

Liberal Majority Delivers First Budget

The majority Liberals under Premier Stephen MacNeil will unveil its first budget Thursday since taking office. Finance Minister Diana Whalen has been meeting with business leaders, towns and communities over the past few weeks to discuss their needs. However, Whalen stated it would be a difficult budget because her part has only been in power for six months. The grits have already announced they would eliminate interest on student loans to help new graduates. During a fiscal update in December, it was revealed the province was facing a $481 million deficit. Also, the new government has stated the province could not afford a reduction in the HST.

Bridgewater Mayor Happy To See Topsl's Re-Opening

The re-opening of the Tops'l Tavern in Bridgewater is getting a thumbs up from the mayor. There is new ownership of the King Street property and the general manager expects between 20-30 people will be hired. David Walker says it's good to see more jobs becoming available.



Walker is also commending the new owner for making significant renovations to the building. Tops'ls is scheduled to open Thursday morning.

Province Accepting Moose Hunting Applications

South Shore hunters hoping for the chance to get a moose license have until the end of next month to apply. The deadline to send in an application is midnight on May 31. The draw will take place on June 25 at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre and winners will be notified by mail.  The draw is also broadcast on the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters website. Moose hunting is only available in Victoria and Inverness counties between September 29 and November 8. A special three-day season in part of Inverness County is scheduled to begin December 9. Applications can be sent by phone, online or mail.


More Information:

To be eligible, an applicant must be a resident of Nova Scotia, have a valid Nova Scotia Wildlife Resources Card and be at least 18 years old. Hunters who held a moose hunting licence between 2009 and 2013 cannot apply for a licence this year.

Hunters can apply online at http://novascotia.ca/natr/ by following the Hunting key topic. Hunters can also call 1-900-565-3337 from a landline and the application fee will automatically be added to their phone bill. The phone option does not work with cellphones and it cannot be billed to a different phone number. It costs $7.83 (plus HST) to apply for a licence online or by phone.

Applications can also be paid by cheque and submitted by mail, using a form from the Natural Resources website. It costs $11.35 (plus HST) to apply by mail. Cheques should be made payable to HMC Communications Inc.

Each licence is valid for one season and in one geographic zone. Hunters must pick their season and zone when they apply.

Detailed information about the seasons, the five hunting zones and restrictions on the use of vehicles, is explained on the website.

Bridgewater: Tree Causing Problems For Churchill Street Family

A tree is causing some financial problems for a Bridgewater family. Gordie Rendell and his wife live on Churchill Street and have spent hundreds of dollars removing roots from a large tree that entered one of their underground pipes. Now, they're considering removing the old pipe and installing a new one at a cost of about $6,000. However, it's a question of responsibility.



Town staff are consulting with the family about their options.