Town, MODL Approve New Visitor Information Centre

The Municipality of Lunenburg and the town of Bridgewater have approved a joint venture to fund a new Visitor Information Centre. Both units will cost-share the centre at just over $23,000 for at least the first five years of a 10-year lease. The location of the building will be just off exit 11 in Blockhouse. Bridgewater Mayor Carroll Publicover says it's a convenient location.




The new location is expected to provide easier access for tourists and generate more traffic. Construction is expected to start in late October or early November. The centre is expected to be ready to open by May 1, 2013.

Too Early To Know About Cap Effects: School Board

The Nova Scotia government says it will hire 45 elementary school teachers in an effort to relieve pressure on class sizes. In a statement, the Education Department says school boards have submitted class sizes that show while most Primary to Grade 3 classes were below historic averages, some were too large. Fifteen per cent of those classes have 25 or more students, and Education Minister Ramona Jennex says she wants to keep class sizes capped at 25. School Board member Judith Sullivan-Corney says they don't quite know the impact on their schools.

 

Sullivan-Corney says they have about 13 classrooms over the cap, but only by a few students.

Gasoline Prices Rise

Gasoline prices at South Shore pumps are higher this morning. Thats oppositite to New Brunswick the other night where prices decreased by three cents a litre. Gasoline prices here today have risen 3 cents from yesterday. Regular self serve is selling for $1.37.9 a litre. Diesel is also up by a couple of cents.

RCMP Investigate Martin's River Assault

Lunenburg County RCMP are looking into an assault in Martins River. A woman was out for a walk along the walking trail near Station Road around 6 o'clock Thursday morning when she was confronted by an unknown man. The woman was knocked to the ground but managed to fight him off. The suspect then took off, running toward Martins River. The amount of information about the suspect is small because it was dark and raining at the time of the incident and the victim was unable to get a good look at him. The RCMP are asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect.

Mounties Believe Leblanc/Cunningham In Ontario

The two men accused in a forcible confinement case are believed to be traveling through Ontario. RCMP say they believe 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham have fled Nova Scotia. Police say they have received several tips over the past 24 hours. Leblanc and Cunningham are charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault in an alleged case involving a 16 year-old boy. Earlier today, RCMP said the teen had been held captive for up to two weeks. Police are working with the appropriate police service of jurisdiction to locate the men. The RCMP Major Crime Unit is now leading the investigation.

UPDATE: RCMP Say Boy Confined For Up To Two Weeks

Police investigating a case of alleged forcible confinement in Upper Chelsea say a 16-year-old boy was held against his will for up to two weeks. RCMP say their preliminary investigation determined the teen was kept captive for a period of 10-14 days. The Mounties are appealing for the public's help to find 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham, who they have charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault. Police say the boy was taken to hospital and is safe. Sgt. Alain Leblanc says the public should be on the lookout for two vehicles. Leblanc says one is a grey 2003 Hyundai Elantra with a Nova Scotia licence plate of FBP 233. He says the second is a brown 2002 Chevrolet Venture van with a Nova Scotia licence plate of EZG 581.

Kinsmen Field Closed; Seahawks To Play In Middleton

The Kinsmen Field in Bridgewater has been closed because of recent wet weather. The town's Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Carol Pickings-Anthony, says the field is unusable right now but could open up next week with favourable weather conditions. The field closure means the South Shore Seahawks football teams will travel to the Annapolis Valley for this weekend's games. Pickings-Anthony says it's a temporary inconvenience.



Both Seahawks football teams are scheduled to play their next home game at the Kinsmen Field October 13.

Information Session On South Queens Middle School

A public meeting will be held tonight to give parents and families an update on the new South Queens Middle School. The school's steering team will host the information session to talk about the latest developments around the design. Director of Operations, Steve Prest, says its a chance for people to learn more about the project.



The meeting will be held tonight at 6:30pm at South Queens Junior High.

CKBW/HANK: Live Coverage Of Bluenose II Launch

Organizers for the Bluenose II relaunch are urging residents to arrive early for the celebration in Lunenburg. The official relaunch celebration will begin at 7 o'clock on Saturday morning to take advantage of high tides. Premier Darrell Dexter, Defence Minister Peter McKay, MP Gerald Keddy, Mayor Laurence Mawhinney and MLA Pam Birdsall will all take part in the celebration. The Bluenose is expected to return to the water shortly after 8 o'clock then be tugged over to the Fisheries Museums for the remainder of the day. More than 350 parking spaces will be available at several locations around Lunenburg. They include HB Studio's, Composites Atlantic and Lunenburg Academy. Other parking will be available at The Surf Shop, Highliner Foods and Lunenburg Community Centre. We'll provide traffic updates and live coverage of the relaunch beginning at 6AM on Saturday.

Mayor: Community "Shaken" By Upper Chelsea Incident

The mayor of the Municipality of Lunenburg calls it a disturbing case too close to home. Police are searching for two men who have been charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault relating to an incident with a 16-year-old boy in Upper Chelsea. RCMP say 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham are believed to be hiding in Lunenburg County or Halifax County. Don Downe says the community has been blindsided by what's happened.



Downe says these types of incidents happen in society, but believes the community is still safe to live in. Anyone with information on the location of the two men is asked to contact police.

UPDATE: Intense Manhunt Enters Third Day

There are some new developments in an intense police manhunt for two individuals after a disturbing story emerged from Upper Chelsea earlier this week. RCMP are searching for 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham. They have been charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault in an alleged case involving a 16 year-old boy. Sergeant Alain LeBlanc says the investigation is complex and the search continues for the two individuals. He says police don't know if the individuals are still in the Lunenburg or Halifax County area.

Leblanc would not comment on the boys condition - only to say - he is safe. Police are asking people to look out for two vehicles, the first is describes as a 2003 grey Hyundai Elantra, Nova Scotia licence plate FBP 233. The other is a 2002 brown Chevy Venture with Nova Scotia licence plate EZG 581.

RCMP Search For Men Involved In Upper Chelsea Incident

Wayne Cunningham

David Leblanc

RCMP are on the lookout for two men involved in allegedly confining and assaulting a 16-year-old boy in Upper Chelsea. Police have charged 47-year-old David James Leblanc and 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham with forcible confinement and sexual assault. The Mounties are investigating after receiving a call Monday evening from a local resident regarding a 16-year-old boy in need of help. A preliminary investigation revealed the youth had been forcibly confined in a residence on Faulkner Rd. The victim was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Now, police are looking for the public's help in locating the two men. Investigators believe they could be in Lunenburg County or HRM. Anyone with information on the location of David James Leblanc or Wayne Alan Cunningham is asked to contact police.

Local Food Bank Struggling To Meet Demand

A local food bank could shut down by Christmas if it doesn't receive community support. The Bridgewater Inter-church Food Bank is in desperate need of food or monetary donations. Coordinator Gloria Hubley says at least 66 new families have used their service over the last year. Hubley says they have had to cut back on the amount of milk tickets they give out, and if the situation continues, they will be forced to stop buying meat or fish. She remains optimistic things will turn around.



Hubley says they have also seen a drop in donations by about $9,000 from 2011.

Charges Laid In Home B&E's At Boutiliers Point

Several recent break and enters in the St. Margarets Bay community of Boutiliers Point have resulted in the RCMP laying charges. A 34 year old man has been charged in connection with breaks ins at several homes in the area. Jewelry, cash, computer equipment and electronics were stolen. The accused .... Kevin Arthur Whiting of Boutiliers Point .... faces six counts of Break and Enter and additional charges are pending.

Section of Port Joli Coastline Headed For Protection

A stretch of South Shore coastline appears headed for preservation! The Nature Conservancy of Canada, which already has protected environmentally-sensitive land in the province, is looking to buy almost 400 acres next to the Port L'Hebert Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Conservancy Communication Director Andrew Holland says this purchase would be a first in the area.



The NCC has launched a 5 week campaign to raise about 50-thousand dollars to complete the purchase. Its looking to business, industry and individuals for help.



The Conservancy is a not-for-profit charity and tax receipts are available.

Lunenburg Mayoral Debate Set For Thursday

The two candidates seeking the mayor's seat in Lunenburg will debate the issues during a forum on Thursday in Lunenburg. Rachel Bailey and Ron Stockton will both take part in the mayoral candidates forum scheduled to be held at the Lunenburg Fire Hall. When Lunenburg residents head to the polls on October 20th, it will mark the first time in more then three decades they will elect a new mayor. Bailey and Stockton are vying to to succeed long time mayor Laurence Mawhinney - who announced his retirement in July. The debate begins at 7 o'clock.


For complete municipal and school board election coverage click on the link http://ckbwmunelex.blogspot.ca/

Arson Charges After Wharf Fire In Hants County

Two people are facing charges after a suspicious fire destroyed a wharf in Walton, Hants County. Windsor RCMP have laid arson charges against 29 year-old Justin Shurm of Walton and 28 year-old Kelsey Moore of Hantsport. Shrum and Moore were arrested by police yesterday. Shrum has been remanded into custody until his next court appearance on October 2nd. Moore was released on a number of conditions. Her next court appearance is October 9th.

Limited Parking At Queens General Hospital

There will be limited parking at Queens General Hospital over the next few weeks due to construction. South Shore Health is asking staff, patients and volunteers to consider using alternate forms of transportation or be dropped off to limit challenges. Workers are creating a new parking area around the Liverpool hospital as part of the Queens General Health project. Officials expect the work to be complete by mid-October. As of this week parking will be limited at Queens General Hospital as the new parking lot is constructed.

This Morning's Local News & Weather - Sep 26

Here is this morning's South Shore news and weather.
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Mounties Investigate Unlawful Confinement In Upper Chelsea

RCMP are investigating after an individual was confined at a property on Faulkner Road in Upper Chelsea. Cpl. Scott MacRae says Lunenburg RCMP received an unlawful confinement call at 7:30 Monday night. In an interview with CKBW/HANK-FM Tuesday night, MacRae says they're looking into the incident.



MacRae says forensic identification officers and local RCMP were on scene Tuesday night. He would not release any details about the victim. There could be an update from RCMP as early as Wednesday.

Queens Mayor Debate Focuses On Regional Issues

No real sparks flew as the four men running for Region of Queens mayor debated local issues Tuesday night at the Astor Theatre. Christopher Clarke, Mervin Hartlen, Owen Hamlin and David Dagley voiced their opinions on a number of subjects including life after Bowater, Queens Place and the economy. One of the hot button topics was ATVer's accessing the Trestle Trail. Dagley says there's no quick solution to the problem.



Hartlen believes the ball is in the ATVer's court.



Meanwhile, two other candidates spoke about big issues for them. Hamlin says he wants better communication with the public.



Clarke feels strongly about changing people's prospective about the area.



The four men also spoke about incorporating a Healthy Eating Policy, building a sidewalk to Queens Manor and the future of Pine Grove Park. Close to 150 people turned out for the event.

South Shore Health Reports Bed Shortage

South Shore Health is dealing with a critical bed shortage at all three of its hospital. In a press release, the health authority says patients are waiting for beds in Bridgewater, Lunenburg and Liverpool. South Shore Health CEO, Dr. Peter Vaughan says staff is doing all they can to ensure patients are receiving quality care. Last month, the health authority indicated an large elderly population coupled with complex medical conditions were contributing factors to the bed shortage. Residents who don't require emergency care are being asked to call 8-1-1 or visit their nearest walk in clinic.

Lunenburg Parking Plan For Bluenose II Relaunch

Organizers for the relaunch of Bluenose II have released a parking plan for Saturday's event. Overflow parking will be available at Composites Atlantic, HB Studio's, Luneburg Community Centre, Lunenburg Academy, the Surf Shop on Blue Rocks Road and Highliner Foods. Shuttle service will be available from Highliner Foods and The Surf Shop with drop off locations within walking distance to the waterfront. Those with mobility issues may be dropped at one of the barricades and assisted to the site by a personal care giver. Several streets in Lunenburg will be closed beginning at 7 o'clock on Friday night. Those street include Linden Avenue, Lower Street, Montague, Bluenose Drive and a portion of Pelham Street. Residents who live on those streets will be issued a vehicle pass to get through the barricades. Employees of businesses on those streets are being asked to find alternate parking for that day.

Bridgewater Increasing Presence On WhyHere.ca

The town of Bridgewater will soon have more of a presence on a local information website. Whyhere.ca was created to help people learn more about the Lunenburg/Queens regions. The Bridgewater Development Association and the town are each spending $2,100 to produce eight videos to help showcase the community and attract new residents or developers. Mayor Carroll Publicover says it should be a good investment.



The Region of Queens and the Municipality of Lunenburg have also agreed to purchase additional videos. The videos should be complete by January.

N.S. Minority Rights Gone Says Yarmouth MLA

Zach Churchill

The province's Electoral Boundaries Commission is out with its report. Its recommending the province's four designated minority ridings ... Argyle, Clare, Richmond and Preston ... should be merged with other constituencies. On the South Shore, the commission is proposing to re-draw boundary lines to create two new ridings called Queens-Shelburne and Argyle-Barrington. The riding of Lunenburg will remain the same, while Chester-St. Margaret's will see minor changes by losing residents of Upper Tantallon to a riding closer to HRM. The riding of Lunenburg West will expand westward to gain the remainder of Lunenburg County from Queens. The only riding in the region that hasn't been affected is Yarmouth where Liberal MLA Zach Churchill is happy on one hand but saddened by what he calls, the loss of minority rights in the province.



The commission is also recommending the addition of two ridings in the Halifax area to reflect the region's growing population. In total, it is recommencing there should be 51 members in the House of Assembly instead of the current 52.

Loss Of Minority Ridings Will Impact Province: d'Entremont

Argyle MLA Chris d'Entremont

The province's Electoral Boundaries Commission is out with its much-anticipated report. Its recommending the province's four designated minority riding's; Argyle, Clare, Richmond and Preston should be merged with other constituencies. On the South Shore, the commission is proposing to re-draw boundary lines to create two new riding's called Queens-Shelburne and Argyle-Barrington. The riding of Lunenburg will remain the same, while Chester-St. Margaret's will see minor changes by losing residents of Upper Tantallon to a riding closer to HRM. The riding of Lunenburg West will expand westward to gain the remainder of Lunenburg County from Queens.  If the changes are approved, the current Argyle PC MLA Chris d'Entremont will become the representative of a new Argyle-Barrington riding. He says losing the minority riding's will see many Francophone issues overtaken by majority Anglophone issues.



The commission is also recommending the addition of two riding's in the Halifax area to reflect the region's
growing population. In total, it is recommencing there should be 51 members in the House of Assembly instead of the current 52.

Boundaries Report: Major Changes For South Shore

The Electoral Boundaries Commission is recommending that the province's four designated minority riding's merge with other constituencies to ensure electoral fairness. The biggest proposal contained in the report would divide the riding of Shelburne into two constituency's. The commission's report proposes a new riding of Argyle-Barrington - the constituency will gain the Municipality of the District of Barrington and the Town of Clark’s Harbour. The remaining portion of the Shelburne County would join Queens to form the new riding of Queens-Shelburne. The riding of Clare would expand eastward and join the remainder of Digby County. That new riding would be called Clare-Digby. Meanwhile, the riding of Lunenburg will remain the same, while Chester-St. Margaret's will see minor changes by shifting residents of Upper Tantallon to a riding closer to HRM. The riding of Lunenburg West will expand westward to gain the remainder of Lunenburg County from Queens. The commission is also recommending the addition of two riding's in the Halifax area to reflect the region's growing population. In total, it is recommencing there should be 51 members in the House of Assembly.

Argyle: Gains the Municipality of the District of Barrington and the Town of Clark’s Harbour from
the Electoral District of Shelburne. This constituency to be renamed Argyle-Barrington.

Chester-St. Margaret’s: Loses the Upper Tantallon area north of Highway 103 to Hammonds
Plains-Upper Sackville (Hammonds Plains-Lucasville).

Lunenburg: No change.

Lunenburg West: Expands westward to gain the remainder of Lunenburg County from Queens.

Queens: Loses area within Lunenburg County to Lunenburg West. Expands slightly northward to
gain the Maitland Bridge area from Digby-Annapolis, and expands west to the municipal boundary
separating the Municipality of the District of Barrington and the Municipality of the District of
Shelburne. This constituency to be renamed Queens-Shelburne.

Shelburne: Loses the Municipality of the District of Barrington and the Town of Clark’s Harbour
to Argyle (Argyle-Barrington). Gains Queens County plus the Maitland Bridge area from DigbyAnnapolis. This constituency to be renamed Queens-Shelburne.

Yarmouth: No change.

Man Gets 8 Years For Violent South Shore Home Invasion & Robbery

A man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a South Shore home invasion and robbery, seven years ago. The victim was a 72-year-old woman with terminal cancer. 45 year-old Brian Hector Oickle appeared in Bridgewater court Monday for sentencing. He was found guilty in July of robbery with violence, breaking into a home and committing a robbery, unlawful confinement and possession of stolen money. Virginia Zwicker was attacked and robbed of her life savings at her home in Chelsea in July 2005.
The court was told Zwicker's wrists and legs were trussed with plastic ties before her attacker disabled the phone and left with the $35,000 he had taken from her safe and $1,000 from her purse. Judge Bill MacDonald says Zwicker was so afraid to stay in her home alone again that she moved in with her daughter.

Video: Olympian Receives Town Achievement Award

Local Olympian Jenna Martin was honoured by the town of Bridgewater during Monday night's council meeting. Martin received an achievement award for her tireless effort and dedication in achieving her Olympic dream. Martin reached the semi-finals in this summer's London Games, finishing in the top 24 in the world.

Video: Town Volunteer Receives Diamond Jubilee Medal

Avid Volunteer Cate de Vreede has received a Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal. De Vreede is involved in a number of programs in Bridgewater including the town's Cohousing Project, Hodge Podge Community Garden group, the Community Christmas and Growing Green Festival. The medal was presented to de Vreede during Monday night's council meeting.

Safe Travel Tips For South Shore Residents On Vacation

Brian Simpson, Travelocity.ca

If you have dreams of being a snow-bird and travel south on vacation in the coming weeks and months, there are some things you should watch for to stay safety and secure. Travel expert Brian Simpson of "Travelocity.ca" has developed a list of 10 safety tips. He says one thing to avoid is pick-pockets. They're common on the sprawling white beaches.



Here is Brian's complete list of 10 things to watch for:
1. If you can’t bear to lose it, leave it at home – Expensive jewellery and watches don’t only catch the eye of fellow travellers, but thieves as well. If you have jewellery, watches, or anything else of value that you couldn’t bear to lose, then it’s best to leave it locked up safely at home. And NEVER pack anything of value in your checked bags.



2. Avoid pick-pockets - Keep all bags zipped and money out of sight. Never put bills in your back pockets. In crowds, take extra precaution and move daypacks and purses to the front of your body.


3. Avoid nocturnal exploring - Avoid short cuts like alleys or poorly lit streets. Sticking to more populated areas is always a wise decision.

4. Learn your ABCs - Learn key phrases in the local language or have them written down. This will make all the difference when exploring your destination and communicating with taxi drivers and locals.

5. Find your way home - Take a business card from the hotel to ensure you have the right address and phone number when returning.

6. Register with Foreign Affairs – Better safe than sorry. Registering your travel plans with Foreign Affairs & International Trade before travelling helps keep you connected to Canada in case of an emergency abroad, such as an earthquake or civil unrest, or can keep you informed about an emergency at home.

7. Be Food/Water Safe - Say no to tap water and stay away from iced drinks. A beverage that may not be as cold as you’d like, may be a small price to pay. versus the effects of drinking unsafe water. And when eating, wash all fruit and vegetables in bottled water. Hotels don’t always wash produce with filtered water. If a sensitive stomach is your concern, washing your produce with bottled water, and maybe even a bit of hand soap, is a wise precaution to take.

8. Money carriers – Don’t let their goofy look discourage you, money belts are a handy thing to have on day trips. They allow piece of mind and free hands to take in everything your destination has to offer. But always keep money belts hidden under your clothing if possible.

9. Small amounts of cash – Take small amounts of cash out at a time and keep a reserve in your hotel room safe. On outings, keep a limited amount on your person. In the event of a mugging or robbery, the loss will not be as severe.

10. Limited cap on Visa and debit – Apply a small maximum withdrawal allowance on your visa and debit cards. In the event your cards are lost or stolen, your bank account is spared. At the same time, ensure you get credit where credit is due – Banks have very sophisticated loss prevention programs in place and will lock accounts if they suspect fraudulent activity. Notify your bank and credit card provider of your travel plans to ensure uninterrupted access to your bank account and credit cards.

This Morning's South Shore News & Weather - Sep 24

Here is this morning's South Shore news and weather.
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Fougere Vying For Bridgewater School Board Seat

There will be new blood representing the town of Bridgewater at the school board level. Cheryl Fougere and Jerome Tanner are both vying for the seat that's been held by Marg Forbes for the last 21 years. Fougere says she's up for the challenge.



She says it was a tough decision but knows it was the right one to make. Fougere expects a smaller board will have more time commitments but feels decision-making will be easier. School board elections will be held October 20.

Tender For Skilled Trades Centre Coming Soon

The Director of Operations with the South Shore Regional School Board says a tender will be released soon for work on the Skilled Trades Centre at Forest Heights. The work will involve remodelling two classrooms at the school for skilled trades and construction courses. Steve Prest expects the program to be a hit with students.



Prest says the tender should be ready to go in the next few weeks. The program is expected to start after February 2013.

South Shore Municipal Election Coverage

Municipal and school board election's are under a month away. Information from the South Shore, including candidates lists and advance polling dates can be found on our website by clicking the link http://ckbwmunelex.blogspot.ca/ 

You can also find information by clicking on the "News" section of our web page at http://ckbw.ca/ or http://hankfm.ca/ after clicking on "News" simply look to the right of your screen and click on the Nova Scotia flag.

Advance Polling Dates:

Town of Bridgewater: October 11th through to October 20th (E-Voting 10 days). Voting permitted from 8AM until 8PM on each day of advanced polls.

Municipality of the District of Lunenburg: October 13th and October 16th (Two days only). Voting permitted from 12PM until 8PM on both days.

Town of Lunenburg and Region of Queens: October 11th and October 16th (Two days only). Voting permitted from 12PM until 8PM on both days.

Municipality of the District of Chester: October 11th through to October 18th (Evoting 8 days). Voting permitted from 8AM until 8PM on each day of advance polls.

Town of Mahone Bay: October 13th and October 16th (Two days only). Voting permitted from 12PM until 8PM.

Town of Shelburne and Municipality of Shelburne: October 11th and 16th (Two days only). Voting permitted from 12PM until 8PM.

Town of Clark's Harbour: Advance polls will be available on October 11th and 16th between 12PM and 8PM (Two days only).

Town of Lockeport: Advance polls will open on October 13th and 16th. Voting will take place between 12PM - 8PM at the Lockeport Legion (Twi days only).

Region Of Queens Hosts Mayoral Debate

The four mayoral candidates in the Region of Queens will debate the issues during an all candidates forum on Tuesday in Liverpool. Chris Clarke, David Dagley, Own Hamlin and Mervin Hartlen are all vying for the mayor's seat. The debate will begin at 5:30 and will be held at the Astor Theatre. The forum is being organized by the South Queens Chamber of Commerce and the North Queens Board of Trade.

RCMP: Traffic Flow Biggest Challenge For Bluenose II Launch

Emergency responders will focus on safety as they iron out logistics leading up to this weekend's Bluenose II relaunch celebration in Lunenburg. Thousands of people are expected to attend the historic relaunch of Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador on Saturday. RCMP are working to manage traffic and create emergency routes for paramedics and local fire crews should a situation arise during the day-long celebration. Sergeant Derek Smith says the large influx of traffic will be their biggest challenge.



Smith says additional police officers from Halifax and the South Shore are being called in to work the event. Parking and shuttle service will be available at designated parking areas around Lunenburg.

Lunenburg-Queens Transition Team To Hold Public Sessions



Transition Team Leader Ron Smith

 The transition team set up by the Dexter Government following the closure of the Bowater Mersey paper mill in June will hold the first of a pair of public meetings this evening. Team members are looking for public ideas and input into the process of finding replacement industries and jobs. They're looking to hear from people and businesses who have been impacted by the Bowater closure. Transition leader Ron Smith tells us smaller industries, reliant on forestry, will likely be the key to the industrial future of the area. Tonight's session begins at 7 o'clock at the Best Western Plus in Liverpool. Another meeting will be held Thursday night at the Days Inn in Bridgewater, also beginning at 7pm.

South Shore News,Sports,Weather - AM - Sep 24

Here is this morning's South Shore news, sports and weather.
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VIDEO: Group Targets Academy For Music School

The Lunenburg Academy could soon be transformed into a post-graduate school for music. The town has agreed to a proposal with the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance. Violist Burt Wathen says they are in need of $4.6-million over the next six months for start-up fees and the program's three-year initiation period. He says the plan is necessary to follow.



Wathen says the only hurdle is the money which includes $800,000 for items like six grand pianos, audio/visual studios and a library. He remains optimistic with a pair of national sponsors showing interest in the project. Mayor Laurence Mawhinney says LAMP will cover operating costs, but the town and Lunenburg Academy Foundation will be responsible for the upkeep of the exterior. The program plans to offer 36 students full-scholarships. There will be three eight-week sessions a year. Wathen hopes to start the program in October 2013.

RCMP Investigate B & E At Mill Village Consolidated

RCMP in Queens are looking for people responsible for breaking and entering into Mill Village Consolidated. Police say an unknown number of people broke into the school sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning. A number of small laptop computers, other electronic devices and cash were taken. Anyone with information should contact Liverpool RCMP.

Weekend Local Hockey Results

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks failed to start their first winning streak of the season. Billy Clarke allowed five goals on 13 shots and the Metro Shipbuilders hung on for a 6-5 win over the Jacks. Jordan Lee replaced Clarke almost halfway through the game and stopped eight of nine shots. Michael Crawley scored twice, while Jeremy Butterworth, Luc Ramey and Robert Fraser also found the back of the net. The Jacks won their first game of the season Friday night against Campbellton. The Jacks and Shipbuilders lock horns again Friday night in Bridgewater.
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The South Shore Mustangs split their weekend series against the Cape Breton Tradesman. The major midget club fell 7-4 Saturday night but came back strong with a 3-2 shootout win Sunday. The Stangs have a home-and-home series with Dartmouth next weekend.

VIDEO: Seahawks Win, Lose In Home-Openers

The South Shore Seahawks minor football teams split their games in its home-opener weekend. The atom team made history, scoring the club's first ever touchdown and defeating the favoured Dartmouth Destroyers 8-0. After scoring the touchdown, the atom seahawks held strong on defense, stopping the destroyers on their goal-line with just three seconds left on the clock. Head Coach Deryck Bolivar says its a big moment for their club.



Logan Taylor scored the first touchdown for the Seahawks. Meanwhile, the Peewee club fell 6-0 to the Fall River Dragons.

Marathon Negotiating Deal Saves NewPage Mill

An 11th hour deal has been reached to reopen the NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill in Point Tupper. Premier Darrell Dexter called a rare Saturday night press conference just day after a bid by Pacific West Commercial Corporation to purchase the plant collapsed. Dexter says the new deal with the Vancouver company will mean that the money the provincial government has spent in an effort to reopen the mill should be repaid in as little as 12 years. That includes a $124.5 million funding package that was announced last month and $36.8 million that has been spent to keep the mill in a so-called hot idle state. The mill shut down last September, throwing some 600 people out of work and affecting another 400 forestry contractors. The mill opened in 1962.

RCMP Investigate B & E At Farmers Medway Market

Queens RCMP are investigating a break, enter and theft from the Farmers Medway Market in the Port Medway area. Police say the incident occurred sometime overnight Thursday. Authorities believe a white, two-door dodge or ford truck was last seen leaving the area. Anyone with information should contact Liverpool RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Lumberjacks Blank Campbellton; Get First Win

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have their first win of the season. Michael Crawley led the Jacks with two goals and an assist as they downed the Campbellton Tigers 5-0 last night. Billy Clarke turned aside 23 shots for his first shutout of the young season. He says staying focused wasn't easy after facing only a few scoring chances.



Zac Zakas and Damon MacEachern also added two assists. Head Coach Terry Rhindress says it was nice to get the monkey off the back.



The Jacks return to the ice looking for their second straight win Sunday afternoon against the Metro Shipbuilders. Puck drop is at 1pm at the Dartmouth Sportsplex.

Buyer Backs Out Of NewPage Paper Mill Deal

The Vancouver company that was planning to buy the idle NewPage paper mill in Cape Breton has backed out of its bid, saying its failure to win a favourable tax ruling from Ottawa effectively killed the deal. Pacific West Commercial Corp. issued a statement late Friday saying a favourable tax ruling from the Canada Revenue Agency was a critical factor in ensuring the economic viability of the mill at Point Tupper. The company says that despite the provincial government's efforts to come up with a compromise, both parties decided the tax implications could not be overcome without compromising the long-term competitiveness of the mill. Premier Darrell Dexter issued a statement saying he was greatly disappointed on behalf of the people and businesses in Port Hawkesbury. He says the company's move will be devastating for the mill's workers and their families.

Safety First During Complex Bluenose ReLaunch

Safety will be key when the relaunch of Bluenose II takes place in Lunenburg next weekend. Officials are working around the clock to ensure the launch is successful and iron out logistics. President of the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance, Peter Kinley, says the launch of the massive schooner is quite complex.




The relaunch of Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador will take place next Saturday before 9AM when tides are high. Thousands of visitors are expected to line the Lunenburg waterfront to watch the historic event.

Gas Prices Drop Nine Cents In Two Days

Gas prices have taken a nine-cent tumble this week. Prices fell six cents early Thursday when the Utility and Review Board used the so-called interrupter clause. New prices typically come in effect on Fridays, but the interrupter allows the board to make unscheduled changes when there's a sudden market shift. As of today, the price of regular self-serve is down another three cents. It's now selling most areas for about $1.34 .