Provincial Money For Tri-Star

A Yarmouth-based company that designs and builds ambulances, mobile clinics and specialty vehicles will receive additional government funding.  Nova Scotia premier Darrell Dexter is expected to announce a provincial funding to Tri-Star Industries during a tour of the facility this afternoon.  Last week, the federal government provided a 195-thousand dollar repayable loan to the company.  Its geared for marketing and promotional development as Tri-Star expands its international markets.  The province is expected to provide a similar amount today.  The money will assist in preparing promotional materials, website development, prototype marketing, trade shows and product demonstrations.

South Shore Teachers Receive Education Week Awards

Warren Dobson

Two local teachers are being recognized for their work in the classroom. Warren Dobson of South Queens Junior High and Greg Millman of Chester Area Middle School were both nominated for awards to celebrate Education Week in Nova Scotia. Dobson says he's flattered by the award, but doesn't know why he was chosen.

"I thought at first they made a mistake, maybe they had it mixed up with somebody else. I'm not an exceptional teacher in my view, I just show up everyday and try and do the best I can like 99% of the rest of the teachers in our school board."

Nominations show people believe both teachers spend countless hours helping students. The two teachers are expected to receive their awards during a ceremony Monday in Halifax.

CUPE Hosts Annual Convention in Yarmouth

CUPE Nova Scotia will host its 49th annual convention beginning today in Yarmouth. The two day convention kicks off this morning with a speech from Premier Darrell Dexter. Among the issues being discussed include pension reform and the latest federal and provincial budgets. Other speakers include CUPE National President Paul Moist and Rick Clarke of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.

VIDEO: South Shore Residents Protest Education Cuts

Members of the general public were out Friday afternoon to protest education cuts on the South Shore and across the province. NSTU President Alexis Allen urged parents, teachers and students to protest in front of NDP constituency offices to try and evoke change. These people began their protest on King Street in Bridgewater towards NDP member Gary Ramey's office.

Sold Out: Mooseheads Kick Off Semi Final Series

A sold out Metro Centre will greet the Halifax Mooseheads tonight against Rimouski. Over 10,000 moose maniacs are anticipated for game one of the 'Q' semi-final series. Halifax won the season series two games to one while outscoring the Oceanic 10-8. Puck drops at 7pm.

UPDATE: Hebbville Armed Robbery

A 50 year-old Hebbville man is facing numerous charges after an armed robbery a few months ago at a gas station. The alleged incident took place in February at an Irving gas station in Hebbville when a masked man, armed with a gun, walked into the store and demanded money. Michael Maxwell Drennan was arrested earlier this week after Mounties carried out a search warrant at a home in the area. Police say Drennan is accused of stealing approximately $1,000 from the store.  He appeared in Bridgewater court yesterday and will remain in custody until his next court date on Wednesday. Two women were also arrested in connection with the alleged crime but they were released the same day and are not facing charges.

Barrington Man Accused of Injuring Infant

Several charges have been laid against a 24 year old Barrington man. They're in relation to injuries suffered by an infant 5 months ago. Last November, Shelburne RCMP were called to Roseway Hospital to investigate a case of serious injuries to a 23-day-old baby boy. Yesterday, a suspect was arrested without incident at a home in Barrington. Adam Harold Hogg has been charged with Aggravated Assault, Failing to Provide the Necessities of Life, and Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm. He will appear in Shelburne Provincial Court on May 9th.

Inflation and South Shore Gasoline Prices Drop

Canada's annual rate of inflation fell to 1.9 per cent in March, from 2.6 per cent the previous month. Statistics Canada credits large declines in gasoline and food prices compared to the same time last year. However, unless we have long memories, we won't much notice the difference. In fact, it feels like the cost of these and other items are continuing to rise. That's because we paid 0.4 per cent more for most items in March than in February. On a year-over-year basis, however, which is how the inflation rate is measured, Statistics Canada says the growth rate in prices is slowing. Evidence of the decline in gasoline prices is evident today on the South Shore. The price of a litre of regular self service dropped two cents overnight at area pumps. Its selling today for $1.40.9. Thats a 2-cent drop from yesterday.

Halifax, Shelburne men face Drug Charges in Queens

Two men have a court date in June after police seized drugs and money from their vehicle. RCMP in Queens County stopped a vehicle Tuesday night on Highway 103 near Liverpool. Officers found 100 grams of marijuana and over $2700 in their search. A 27-year-old man from Halifax and a 27-year-old man from Shelburne were arrested and charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. They have since been released and are scheduled to appear in Liverpool Provincial Court June 12th.

MODL to make Funding Decision for Yarmouth Ferry

The Municipality of Lunenburg is contemplating funding towards the Yarmouth ferry. The Nova Scotia International Ferry Partnership has sent a letter to council requesting between $500-$1000 to help the service get re-instated. The Partnership is developing a website asking business leaders to share the financial impact and job losses because of the ferry closure. Councillor Basil Oickle says he thought the group would be asking for more money.

"I'm surprised that its only that much because if that ferry was to be put back there today, I can tell you the spin-off that we would get back with the ferry being here to our residents and what not from that, we wouldn't be long getting our thousand dollars back."

Councillors debated the issue before deciding to send the request to the audit and finance standing committee. The committee will decide what to do and make a recommendation back to council. The website for the business community to explain the ferry's impact is http://www.nsusaferry.com/ .

South Shore Runner Finishes Boston Marathon

A long distance runner from the South Shore is upbeat after competing and finishing the Boston Marathon. Even though the conditions weren't exactly ideal, Erin Beaudin wanted to give the 42 kilometre marathon a shot. Sweltering heat forced thousands of runners to either withdraw or drop out of the race. However, Beaudin was determined to participate in the marathon regardless of the conditions. "So went without any time expectations, kind of threw the time goal out the window and went out slower than planned. Went through some heat exhaustion at mile sixteen so ended up walk/running it in...I was just happy to finish under those circumstances. It certainly wasn't a best effort but was happy to take in the crowds and spectators along the way," Temperatures in Boston on Monday were hovering around 26 degrees throughout the race. Beaudin lives in Coldbrook and is the CAO of the Municipality of the District of Chester.

South Shore Radiothon Big Success

There's a lot of cheering going on today at the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore. The final total from the Valentine's Day "Gift For the Heart" radiothon on CKBW and Hank-FM is in.
72-thousand and 70 dollars and 76 cents was raised during the 10 hour radiothon. Thats way more than was expected.  The Foundation's Bernadette Jordan says money kept coming in even after the radiothon ended.  This year's final is 21-thousand dollars more than what was raised last year. The money will go toward the purchase of a new Echo cardiac monitor.

Bridgewater Councillor Upset over Rising Education Costs

Its an increase at least one Bridgewater councillor isn't happy with. David Mitchell says he can't understand why the town is contributing $112,000 more than last year towards education in the province. The town's overall contribution is just over $1.7-million. He says it doesn't add up with so many cuts coming to the education system. Mitchell says he wants the government to be more transparent.

"I'd like to know where our money is going. If they want $1.7-million from the town of Bridgewater to go towards education, that's fine. Is 100% of that money going to education or is it going to fund other programs like lunch bags for children?"

Mitchell found out about the increased funding during an information session with council earlier this week.

Court: Online Dating Case Underway in Bridgewater

An 18 year-old Queens County woman believed to be behind an online dating scheme has had her case adjourned until next month. Jessica Boudreau did not appear in court on Wednesday afternoon but was represented by her lawyer. Boudreau is accused of orchestrating an online plot which may have contributed to the death of 19 year-old Brandon Wentzell. Wentzell died on February 6th from a lethal combination of painkillers and vodka. He began mixing drugs and alcohol after a date with his online girlfriend was cancelled at the last minute. In reality, Wentzell's online girlfriend never existed and the relationship was based on a hoax allegedly organized by Boudreau. She is facing a charge of public mischief and is due back in court on May 2nd.

Preliminary Hearing Set for Eisnor

A preliminary hearing will be held this November in the case of a Barss Corner man facing a charge of first degree murder. Forty-nine year old Wayne Paul Eisnor is accused of shooting his estranged wife in a grocery store parking lot in June of 2010 before turning the gun on himself. He was found fit to stand trial in a ruling handed down earlier this month. Eisnor was originally deemed unfit to stand trial but Judge Gregory Lenehan ruled his mental condition had improved significantly since the shooting. The hearing has been scheduled for November 22nd and 23rd.

RCMP Arrest Three People in Gas Station Robbery

RCMP have arrested three people in connection to an armed robbery in Hebbville. Police apprehended a 50-year-old man and 44-year-old woman Wednesday morning at a residence on Fancy Lake Road in Conquerall Mills. A 26-year-old woman was also arrested Wednesday morning at a home on Leary Fraser Road in Dayspring. The arrests are in relation to an armed robbery that occurred on February 24th at a gas-station in Hebbville. It is alleged a man entered the business with a firearm and left with an undisclosed amount of cash. All three people face charges of armed robbery. The investigation is continuing.

MODL Exploring Options on Illegal Dumping

The Municipality of Lunenburg is trying to take a stance on illegal dumping in the community. Mayor Don Downe is hoping to create fines for people convicted of illegally dumping waste and rewards to individuals who help identify people in the act. Downe says options are running out to try and solve the problem.

"We have done the education, we have spent the money on Region 6 for the educating, our solid waste facility spends money on educating people, we go out into the community, but the bottom line is that the communities are still being abused by this issue."

The mayor says there needs to be a deterrent in place, so people think twice about dumping their garbage on other people's property. The matter will go to a standing committee to explore what options the municipality can move ahead with.

Mustangs rake in Honours at League Banquet

A good showing for the South Shore Canadian Tire Mustangs at the Major Midget awards banquet. Alex Mann was named the best rookie defenseman while Brennan Bailey and Avery Clarke were named to the second all-star team. Morgan Messenger was named to the league's all-rookie team. The awards were given out recently in Truro.

Bridgewater Police & K9 Unit Called to Parkview School

Bridgewater Police and their K9 Unit were called in to help find a missing student at Parkview Education Centre today. Police received the call from school staff over the noon hour. Constable Will Creamer says police used the opportunity to practice what they call an isolation drill. He says they had all students return to their classrooms for about 25 minutes. Police say they were able to locate the missing student without incident. The isolation drill involved moving students to safe and separate area for a period of time so the dog team could do its work.

New Germany Students Recall Trip to Vimy Ridge



Dana Young, Ben Hannah, Jessica Joudrey and Cody DeLong are four of over 40 students who recently attended the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in Northern France.

 A group of over 40 kids are back from a historic trip overseas. Students from New Germany Rural High School went back to classes Monday after travelling to Vimy Ridge to mark the 95th anniversary of the great battle in Northern France. Grade 12 student Cody DeLong says it was a chance to see the burial grounds of his great uncle.

"It was powering to be right where he was laid to rest, so my family is proud that I was going over and I was proud to finish his trip and make it back home."

The group also travelled to Anne Frank's home in Amsterdam as well as Munich, Germany and London, England. Grade 11 student Dana Young says the home made an impression on her after reading Anne Frank's diary many times growing up.Trip Leader Hester Gibson says the journey gave students a chance to learn more about the past. The students will now collect their many photos and videos taken and make a presentation for a school assignment.

Property Tax Goes Up In Queens Region

Property taxes in Queens County are going up in an effort to cushion the blow of significant revenue losses in the region. Residential, commercial and resource properties will each face a three cent spike per hundred of assessment in their tax bills for the fiscal year 2012-13. Mayor John Leefe called it the most challenging budget since amalgamation in 1996. Leefe says the region has lost $1.2 million in revenue since Nova Scotia Power properties were reassessed over three years ago. He says a $135,000 tax break for Bowater Mersey has also contributed to a difficult year for the municipality. Council passed the tax increase and its budget at a meeting this morning. Its operating budget exceeds $17.6 million dollars while its capital budget has been set at $3.3 million. The Region also approved the second $250,000 installment of its $1-million dollar commitment to the Queens General Hospital Project.

Bawdy House Was Operating In Apartment Building

Police say a woman arrested in connection with running a suspected bawdy house in Bridgewater has a criminal background. Constable Will Creamer says an investigation into the matter had been underway for months before an arrest was made last week.  He says police believe the 30 year-old Halifax woman acted alone in the operation. "At this time there is one person under arrest, there are no other people arrested from this investigation," Creamer says the suspected bawdy house had been operating out of an apartment building but its location hasn't been revealed. The accused is set to appear in court next month.

Police Investigate Theft of 40 Truck Tires

It's enough tires for 10 vehicles. Bridgewater police are looking for suspects involved in breaking and entering into GCR Tire Center on LaHave Street and stealing 40 truck tires. The alleged theft occurred sometime between Friday night and early Monday morning. Anyone with information are encouraged to contact Bridgewater police.

Katimavik Cuts Disappoint Town of Shelburne

Its a disappointing loss for the town of Shelburne. The Katimavik program was cut from the federal budget last month, meaning the group won't be coming to the community. Jerry Locke, Director of Community and Economic Development, says the spin-offs could have been substantial for the town.

"It was not only a tremendous benefit to the community in terms of the people who would be here and what they would contribute to us, but it would be a chance for us to expand our horizons to get to meet some new people. There also would have been the economic boost of 12 people living here for a year, paying rent for a year, buying groceries; it was probably close to a $500,000 benefit to us."

Locke says the federal funding cut surprised everyone involved and groups have been left scrambling to find other resources. He says people should protest the cuts to their local MLAs.

Province Supporting Isolated Rural Schools

The provincial government is reaching out to help more isolated rural schools. Education Minister Ramona Jennex announced $22-million in funding towards additional programming or teaching resources to 98 schools including 10 on the South Shore. Jennex says she decided to change the funding formula after a number of meetings with school boards across the province. She says there were a number of factors.

"We also looked at the distance children drive to get to school and then, how far it would be from that school to another school, so, from elementary school to elementary school and we've included that in the formula and we've grandparented the small schools that might not be isolated because, as you know, there are increased costs for boards to be heating buildings without the children there."

The funds will be provided to each regional school board, not individual schools. There has been no increase in the local school boards total revenue from the province because of this change.

• For the SSRSB, the following small schools have been grand-fathered and are the basis of a calculation per school in our funding, based solely on the fact that there are fewer than 100 students in each school:

Pentz Elementary


Mill Village Consolidated


Petite Riviere Elementary

• The following schools are small and isolated and the board's funding formula includes a calculation to off-set a portion of additional costs for staffing and property services:

New Ross Consolidated


North Queens Community School


Big Tancook Elementary School

• For the following small high schools, the school board receives funding in the formula calculation to off-set a portion of the cost of staffing (amount varies school to school):

Bridgewater Junior-Senior High School


Forest Heights Community School


Liverpool Regional High School


New Germany Rural High School

Fire Crews Battle Blaze in Fox Point

It took about 50 firefighters to keep a garage fire from destroying a home in Fox Point over the weekend. The blaze broke out around midnight on Friday. Crews from Chester, Blandford and Hubbards battled the fire until 3:30AM Saturday morning. The fire completely destroyed the garage and damage to the home was minimal. Its cause is believed to be electrical.

Chester Clippers are Junior "C" Champs

The Chester Clippers have captured the Maritime North Junior "C" Championship. The top ranked Clippers defeated the Kivallig Canucks 7-3 in the Championship game over the weekend. They were undefeated in the tournament with four wins and one tie going into the championship game. The tournament was held in PEI.

Mahone Bay Mayor re-offering for Municipal Elections

The mayor of Mahone Bay is seeking another term in office. Joe Feeney has confirmed he will re-offer for the position in October's municipal elections. Feeney says he wants to be part of the decision-making process for the next few years.

"I'm still young enough and able enough and healthy enough and interested and eager to try as best I can, with the assistance of whoever is serving on council, to get those decisions made and put in place."

 Feeney says he's not sure if anyone will run against him, but he welcomes the challenge.

"I believe very strongly in government service at any level. I have great respect for people who are willing to accept the challenge and would welcome anybody that wants to come out and participate and give back to their community."

He says he's most proud of the town setting up a water treatment plant and cleaning up the community's harbour. Feeney says he looks forward to the completion of a regional governance study between Mahone Bay, Municipality of Lunenburg and town of Bridgewater. Feeney has been the town's mayor since 2000. Municipal elections will be held October 20.

Power Restored after Car strikes Utility Pole

Power is back on after a car struck a power pole along Highway 10 in Cookville Sunday night. RCMP and Fire Department officials responded to the scene around 6pm. It's not known how many people were affected by the outage. The highway was blocked off for hours so Nova Scotia Power crews could fix the utility pole. Its not known at this time if there were any injuries.

Martin finishes second at Miami Hurricane Invitational

A second place showing for Jenna Martin over the weekend. The Bridgewater native ran 52.22 seconds in the women's 400 metre final at the Miami Hurricane Invitational in Florida. Martin is training to represent Canada at the London Olympics in August. The result eclipses her best time this year of 52.68 seconds. She is planning to take part in Athletics Canada 4 x 400 metre relay camp this week.

Health Authority Puts Focus on Fishermen's Memorial

South Shore Health wants to ensure a hospital in Lunenburg is meeting the needs of the community. The health authority is establishing an advisory committee to look at ways of improving the level of service at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital. Board chair Roxie Smith says the face of health care and demographics have changed over the years and the authority must adapt. She says the goal is to customize operations so they meet the specific needs of area residents. Focus groups will be conducted in the coming weeks with a model that takes into account guidelines established for Collaborative Emergency Centres. An area of interest for residents will be the emergency department at the hospital which has seen numerous closures in recent months due to doctor shortages. The advisory committee will present their findings to the board of South Shore Health by the end of June.

South Shore Surf claim silver at Provincials

The South Shore Surf midget boys basketball team claimed silver at the Basketball Nova Scotia Division 1-A Provincials Sunday. The Surf, who went undefeated in their pool, defeated New Waterford in the semi-final 80-46 but fell 83-80 to the Dartmouth Lakers in the championship game. Adam Fitzgerald of the Surf was voted to the provincial tournament all-star team.

Queens Manor Open for Public Visits

The Queens Manor in Liverpool has re-opened to family and friends of its residents. The manor had been off limits for the past two weeks due to an outbreak of the flu. Officials say no new cases were reported in the last week giving them the ability to open to the public.

Bridgewater Mayor Reacts to Brothel Allegations

Carroll Publicover

Bridgewater's mayor believes the town's proximity to Halifax could be behind the operation of an alleged bawdy house in the town. The community is buzzing after an arrest was made in relation to the brothel. Carroll Publicover is glad police took swift action dismantling the house and making an arrest. He says HRM has grown so much, it casts a 100-kilometre sphere bringing crime to rural areas.

"Its tentacles go out past Truro, out past Bridgewater, down to Kentville; any sort of criminal element that operates in HRM, is operating in that sphere. There's just no doubt about that."

 He notes, Bridgewater likely isn't the only rural community to have a brothel.

"It's not something you like to hear but it's what it is. How many other communities in Nova Scotia have them? They could be in a number of communities, I don't know."

Publicover would like to see more neighbourhood watches created to help alleviate the issue. A 30-year-old Halifax woman has been arrested in relation to the matter and will appear in court next month.

Shelburne Stand-Off Ends Peacefully

Some tense moments on a residential street in Shelburne. Police had to shut down Commission Street around supper time on Wednesday after they received a complaint regarding a man with firearms. Mounties say nearby residents were asked to leave their homes as a precaution until the situation was resolved. No injuries were reported and the man surrendered to police after a stand-off that last about 45 minutes. RCMP say they seized three long guns and a bow and arrow from the home. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

MODL votes against endorsing School Board size

The Municipality of Lunenburg will not submit a recommendation to the Utility and Review Board on the size of the local school board. Council defeated a motion to endorse a nine member plus two at-large representative board put forward by former member Karen Reinhardt. The motion fell by a 6-5 margin. Councillor Sandra Statton says she wasn't convinced by Reinhardt's presentation.

"We're taking one persons recommendation because she did a presentation here and a few signatures and we're running with a recommendation to the URB and I don't feel that we're in a position to do that and I think we are acting out of not having enough information and not doing enough due diligence on this, so I won't be supporting this."

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Frank Fawson says the issue of small schools closing has a big impact on the community.

"I certainly think with greater representation there's a stronger likelihood that those schools will be kept open and maintained by the school board, so, I think the option that Karen Reinhardt put forth goes one step further then what the school board put forth and provides the community of interest and the representation, both."

The school board endorsed three options with its first selection being six-members with two at-large representatives. The URB will hold a public hearing on the matter May 2nd at the school board office.

Woman Accused of Operating Bawdy House in Bridgewater

A 30 year old woman has been arrested for allegedly operating a brothel in Bridgewater. Police say the woman is from Halifax and will appear in court next month. The investigation into the suspected bawdy house bust also involved members from the Halifax Regional Police Vice Section. Police have not released the woman's name. The accused has been released and is due in court in Bridgewater on May 30th.

Site Preparation work underway at White Point

Crews on site at White Point April 12

The ground is breaking at White Point Beach Resort. Manager Danny Morton tells us dump trucks and excavators arrived Thursday morning to begin site preparation work for the new main lodge. Morton explains what is being done at the moment.

"They are going to be digging out the holes so the foundations can start being laid. I guess there is a lot of fill that needs to be removed, so over the next couple of weeks there's going to be a lot of noise and soil movement just to get the site ready for the foundation pourers."

White Point's main lodge burned down November 12 after a devastating fire at the popular Queens County resort. Morton says they are hoping to have the lodge built by the end of October. You can view the construction online at http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/south-shore/white-point-construction.html .

Mahone Bay says ''no'' to Electronic Voting

The town of Mahone Bay has decided against e-voting for the upcoming municipal elections. Council voted on the matter during Tuesday night's meeting. Mayor Joe Feeney says it didn't make sense to explore the option.

"We're small, its easy for people to get to the polling station, there are lots of opportunities with advanced polling, it does not preclude the option of people voting by proxy vote if they happen to be out of the province. So, we took all of those things into account and decided we weren't going to go there."

Feeney says it would have cost the town just under $2,300 to use electronic voting in October, no matter how many people used the service. He says for now the roughly 550 eligible voters in the community will stick to the paper ballot system.

Mooney: Move Fisheries Jobs to Yarmouth

The mayor in Yarmouth wants the province to consider relocating civil servant jobs to southwestern Nova Scotia when it begins to decentralize some government services. Phil Mooney says the area would be a natural fit for offices or services of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Mooney is hoping to meet with fisheries minister Sterling Belliveau to pitch the town as an option for a decentralized fisheries department. "You know, we have the most lucrative lobster fishing industry in Canada situated right here in Yarmouth. We have an airport, a regional health facility...It would be a natural fit not only Yarmouth but the provincial government," The NDP government announced in its throne speech last month it will relocate department head offices to rural Nova Scotia. Premier Darrell Dexter says more information - like how many positions and where they will be moved - would be released this spring.

Brookside Cemetery now a Heritage Property

There's a new piece of heritage property in Bridgewater. Town council has designated the Brookside Cemetery as a historic site after a recommendation from its advisory committee. Councillor David Mitchell says the decision was a no-brainer.

"There was no question the value of it as a heritage property, the names of the important people from the past in Bridgewater that are in the cemetery and the uniqueness of the stones that are in there made a perfect case for it to be added."

Brookside Cemetery was opened in 1879 by Dean Wile, who was manager of the local carding mill. Among the notables buried in the cemetery are Mather Byles DesBrisay; a judge, politician and author who founded the local museum and Victoria Ernst, the first female doctor in Bridgewater. Mitchell says its a key step after losing two heritage properties last year.

"We lost two last year; one with the de-registration of the Riverview Community Centre and the other with the loss of the Fairview Inn in the fire, so it is important to have some more protected sites within the town because you want to maintain those for generations."

The Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Alexandra Avenue is the only other heritage property in Bridgewater. The town will now register a legal document through the province to recognize the cemetery as a heritage property.

Drugs Charges: Police Raid Home in Lunenburg

A 49 year old Lunenburg man is facing drug charges after police raided a home in the town earlier this week.  Lunenburg County RCMP carried out the search warrant with the help of the Bridgewater Police Service and South Shore Street Crime Unit. During the bust, Mounties seized marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and cash following a search of the home. Gary Benteau of Lunenburg has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. He'll answer to the charge on June 13th.

Court: Buckley Case Delayed Until May

The defence lawyer for an 18 year old Chester Basin man accused of second degree murder has asked for more time to review the case against his client. Pat McEwen told court today he only received full disclosure of the evidence against Jack Buckley yesterday. Buckley is charged in the death of 57-year-old Victoria Brauns-Buckley. Her body was found in her home on the Borgels Point Road on the morning of March 2. Buckley was arrested on March 12 at a hotel in Western Shore. The case has been put over until May 17th when dates will be set for a preliminary hearing. In the meantime, Buckley has been remanded into custody at the Nova Scotia Correctional Centre.

Smith named CEO for three Southwest YMCAs

Yvonne Smith

The CEO for the Lunenburg County YMCA is expanding her role. Yvonne Smith is also the Chief Executive Officer for two more YMCAs in Yarmouth and Cornwallis in the Fundy region. Smith says she wants to incorporate more of a regional service between the three facilities.

"We're all in rural communities and for us to be sustainable and have these YMCAs in these communities, there are a lot of benefit to us working together. So, the big challenge for everyone to really break out of the mode that we are often in where we think of ourselves in isolation and look at the bigger picture and how we can work together."

Smith says she looks forward to the challenges of improving services in Yarmouth and Fundy. She says the model switch has been in the works for a long time. The management system is the first of its kind in Nova Scotia.

Mooseheads face elimination against Quebec

The Quebec Remparts have taken a stranglehold on the Halifax Mooseheads. The Remparts overcame a 3-1 deficit to beat the Moose 5-3 Tuesday night and took a 3-0 lead in their best of seven series. Scoring for the Mooseheads were Matthew Boudreau, Alex Grenier and Konrad Abeltshauser.  Zach Fucale made 32 saves in goal for the Herd, who were outshot 37-22. The Mooseheads look to keep their season alive Wednesday night in game four at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Kent Cup Final: Yarmouth drops game four; down 3-1 in finals

The Woodstock Slammers are one win away from being MHL champions. The Slammers edged the Yarmouth Mariners 2-1 Tuesday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Best of 7 Kent Cup Final Series. Robert Visca led the Slammers with 1 goal and 1 assist. Andrew Wigg scored the lone goal for Yarmouth. Matt Murphy stopped 31 shots for the win while Charles Grant stopped 21 shots in the loss. Game five goes Friday in Woodstock.

South Shore Health CEO Annouces Retirement

The CEO of South Shore Health is set to retire. After four years at the helm, Alice Leverman says she is ready to do some other things and enjoy retired life. Leverman spent eight years as Vice President of Community Health before moving to the CEO's role in 2009. She is credited with strengthening the health authority and its ability to deliver services through budgets cuts, restructuring of services and management. Leverman says she has been blessed to work with a great team and adds the decision wasn't easy. "It is a difficult decision to make, but important to do it at a time when hopefully one will have good years ahead to do others things in life," In a media release, Board of Directors Chair Roxie Smith thanked Leverman for her many years of service. Dr. Peter Vaughn has been promoted as the new CEO effective July 1st.

RCMP: Theft in Cherryhill

RCMP say thousands of dollars worth of jewelry has been taken from a Lunenburg County home. A break in was reported at a home along Highway 331 in Cherryhill on Friday. Police say various other items were also stolen. Anyone with leads on the crime is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.

On Tap: Chester Basin Murder Case back in Court

The case of an 18 year-old charged with second degree murder resumes on Wednesday in Bridgewater. John (Jack) Buckley is charged in the death of 57-year-old Victoria Brauns-Buckley. Her body was found in her home in Chester Basin on the morning of March 2. The case was adjourned last month to give the Crown and defence lawyers time to review evidence and police reports. Buckley's lawyer Pat McEwen told reporters his client maintains his innocence and will fight the charge. The relationship between the accused and the victim has yet to be confirmed.

Mooseheads look to strike back in game 3

It's a must-win situation for the Halifax Mooseheads. The herd are down 2-0 heading into Tuesday night's game three battle against the Quebec Remparts. The Moose suffered a pair of losses on the road and return home to the Metro Centre where they are undefeated so far in the playoffs. Puck drops at 7pm at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Kent Cup Final: Slammers Edge Mariners in Game 3

The Woodstock Slammers have grabbed the upper hand in the MHL's Kent Cup Final. Last night, in front of a sellout crowd in Yarmouth, the Slammers edged the Mariners 1-0 to take a 2-1 lead in the best of seven championship series. Nick Huard scored the game-winner late in second period while Matt Murphy turned aside 31 shots for the shutout. Game four is tonight at 7:30 at the Mariner Centre.