RCMP Investigating Mahone Bay Church Break-In

Lunenburg County RCMP are investigating after a break and enter at the Trinity United Church in Mahone Bay. Mounties say the break-in happened sometime between Thursday night and Friday morning. Thieves stole money and other church items. Anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP.

Off-Leash Dog Park Opens At Exhibition Grounds

Dogs can now run free in Bridgewater with the opening of a part-time off-leash park. A group of volunteers is offering a fenced-off space for canines at the South Shore Exhibition grounds in exchange for monetary donations of any amount. The funds will help go towards a number of initiatives including rescuing dogs from the Dominican Republic, helping send kids to school as well as providing them with clothing and supplies. Organizer Colleen Baker says there are rules to follow including male dogs have to be neutered, no toys and owners should watch their pets.



The park is open twice a week, Wednesday and Sunday from 3pm-5pm.

VIDEO: Rally In Support of First Nations/Idle No More

Natives and non-native members joined the South Shore Council of Canadians for a rally at Gerald Keddy's Bridgewater office this afternoon. The council planned the rally to support First Nations in their efforts to have the Federal Government respect their treaty rights. The protest comes on the heals of a planned meeting between the prime minister and First Nations chiefs. Chapter member Linda Loth says we have a long way to go to bridge the gap between natives and non-natives.



Rallies have been planned across the country today. The South Shore rally supported both First Nations and the Idle No More movement. Check out the video of the event below.

Strathcona Cup Hits Chester And Bridgewater

The Strathcona Cup tour begins its South Shore run at the Chester Curling Club this morning. The Chester teams are now set. Coordinator Ron Ternoway says the teams are as follows:

 - Jose Teixeira, Thomas Avery, Nathan Reid, Jim Mason
 - Ian Phinney, Dave Foster, Dave Wall, Doug Ross
 - Rhys Harnish, Paul Green, Paul Avery, Andy Hare
 - Terry Atherton, Ron Ternoway, Bill Hilchey, Dave Jessome

Games start at 10am and will be eight ends each with a break for lunch for the curlers after the fourth end. Spectators are welcome. The winner of the Cup will be the side, Scotland or Canada, scoring the most total points across all the games in the tour, as many as 400 games. The Bridgewater Curling club has announced their teams for the Strathcona Cup. They are as follows:

Rink 1: Brian Carver, John McIntoch. Don Stewart, Bob Forbes (Skip)
Rink 2: David MacAuley, Lloyd Ernst, John MacLean, Keith Warren (Skip)
Rink 3: Ron Hotchin, Sherman Creaser, Al Wilwand, Bob Barnes (Skip)
Rink 4: Dave Rose, Jim Smith (Team Captain), Royce Boss, Baxter Noel (Skip )

Those teams will compete against Scottish curlers at the Bridgewater Curling Club at 3pm.

Lumberjacks Lose Game With Miramichi

In Maritime Hockey League action last night in Liverpool, the Miramichi Timberwolves topped the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks 3-1. Jeremy Butterworth scored Bridgewater's lone goal on the power play late in the second period. The Jacks next game is tomorrow night in Amherst.

Gasoline Prices Down

Gasoline prices on the South Shore are down this morning. The Utility and Review board set the coming week's prices at midnight last night. Regular self serve is down just over a cent to $1.28.9 per litre. Diesel is down as well to $1.35.4 per litre. That's a drop of about 1.5 cents.

MHL: Lumberjacks Send Co-Captain Conrad To Amherst

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have dealt hometown boy Jacob Conrad to the Amherst Ramblers. The 20-year-old was sent to the Jacks' division foe and will get plenty in return including Jesse McInnis, Brandon Forgeron, the rights to Brett Arthur, Brandon Parker, Ryan Penny, Braydon Wood and future considerations. Conrad is enjoying a solid offensive campaign, notching 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points in 28 games this season. Meanwhile, the Jacks get a few players who can step right into their lineup including McInnis, who has five goals and eight assists in 30 games while Arthur has three goals and six assists in 21 games. 

MHL: Lumberjacks' Warner Traded To Summerside

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have traded one of their crowd favorites to Summerside. Luke Warner has been dealt to the Western Capitals in exchange for a third-round pick in 2013 and future considerations. The 19-year-old, known for his gritty style of play, scored three goals and 10 assists in 36 games this season for the Jacks. Warner will join a Summerside team that is bolstering its line-up in preparation for hosting the 2013 RBC Cup in May.

Bridgewater Fire Department Fills Outdoor Rinks

A pair of local outdoor skating rinks have been filled with water by the Bridgewater fire department. Members flooded the skating surfaces last night at Kinsmen Field. Now, town councillor Andrew Tanner says they need some cold weather to help them out. Tanner asks people to stay off the rinks until they're ready for use. He hopes enough cold weather will allow the rinks to open early next week.

Queens: Feds Support Three Community Groups

Three organizations in Queens County received a boost today with the announcement of federal dollars for upgrades. South Shore-St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy announced just over 30-thousand dollars this morning for the Hank Snow Museum, the local baseball club and Port Joli Community Hall. The museum will see more than 11-thousand dollars to conduct some renovations while the Port Joli Community Association will receive nearly 14-thousand dollars to support upgrades. Meanwhile, the Liverpool Baseball Club will use 8-thousands dollars to upgrade the Murray C. Smith baseball field.

Hoops: Horton Drops Park View

In Division 1 boys basketball action the Horton Griffens defeated the Park View Panthers 102- 69. Jake Langille led the Panthers with 16 points while Bradley Fuller of Horton was outstanding with 37 points. The Panthers will play two games today at the prestigious Irving Classic in Moncton New Brunswick.

MHL: 'Jacks Face Timberwolves in Liverpool

After ending a long drought earlier in the week the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks go for a second straight win tonight when they travel to Liverpool to face the Miramichi Timberwolves. The Jacks are coming off a big win against Metro after coach and GM Terry Rhindress stepped down. Don Dodman and Doug Petrie will be guiding the Junior A club the rest of the way. It's also trade deadline day in the MHL and the Jacks have several players that might be moved before this evening's puck drop. The Lumberjacks and the Timberwolves hook up at 7:30PM at Queens Place Emera Centre.

VIDEO: Residents Concerned About School Review Process

Tears were shed and voices were heard as around 100 community members gathered at the Western Shore Fire Hall for an information session on the school review process. Parents and concerned citizens spoke out on many issues including longer bus times, class sizes and the lack of an after-school program if students from Gold River-Western Shore Elementary were moved to Chester District Elementary. Members from Deloitte along with members of the school's study committee gathered at the head of the room to answer questions and collect information. Anil Chakraborty has one child at the school. He says people are willing to stand up to keep their school alive.



Information gathered by the study committee last night will be put into a report and released in early February. A public hearing which will include members of the South Shore Regional School Board will be held next month. For a full schedule of all the public hearings for each of the schools under review, click here . Meanwhile, in the video below, Municipality of Chester councillor Robert Myra and the former manager of capital construction and energy conservation with the South Shore Regional School Board, Wellesley Eisnor, make public comment during the meeting.

Meeting To Discuss Bylaw Changes For Group Home

Residents of Bridgewater are invited to a second public meeting on by-law changes for a group home on Evergreen Road. LaHave Manor wants to increase the number of residents permitted to live in the facility from three to five. The town has changed wording in its bylaw to allow for the increase and are holding a meeting to gather public feedback. The meeting goes tonight at 6pm at Bridgewater town hall.

New Germany Native Released From Toronto Hospital

A New Germany native has been released from Toronto hospital following double-lung transplant surgery. Thirty-three year old Jessica Carver has Cystic Fibrosis and returned to her apartment after going under the knife December 13. She spent the last three weeks recovering at the hospital with family and friends before she was given the green light by her doctor Monday to go home. Carver says she's relieved to be out of the hospital.



Carver has to take medication and visit the hospital 3-4 times a week for physiotherapy, but says she's happy she can go home at the end of each day. She says there's a lot she is still unable to do like lift anything over 10 pounds or walk her dog. She hopes to make a return to the South Shore by March. You can follow Jessica's blog on how her recovery is going here .

MODL: Council Against Crouses Settlement Tower

The Municipality of Lunenburg has decided against building a telecommunications tower in Crouses Settlement. Council voted 8-2 on the motion, with councillors Lee Nauss and Cathy Moore in favour of a development agreement with Rogers Communications Inc. . Councillors Errol Knickle and Don Zwicker weren't present at the time of voting. A recent public hearing revealed a majority of community members are against the idea of building a tower because of possible environmental and health concerns and the impact on their property value. Mayor Don Downe says it was a surprise decision by council.



Meanwhile, Councillor Moore says people want better service.



The tower could still be constructed, despite council's objection. Rogers has 14 days to appeal the decision with the province's Utility and Review Board.

Yarmouth: Health Concerns Remain At New School

The MLA for Yarmouth says construction delays and project mismanagement are to blame for air quality issues at the town's new high school. Zach Churchill says ventilation problems at Yarmouth High School are making staff and students sick and he believes delays with the project didn't allow enough time for proper ventilation. The Nova Scotia government called for further air quality tests last month when students and staff were still reporting symptoms linked to poor air quality. The tests found the air quality levels posed no health risks. However, Churchill says the province hasn't gone far enough because people are still getting sick.



Churchill says at least 50 staff members have reported illnesses linked to ventilation issues at the school. Yarmouth High School is home to 950 students and opened in mid-September after some delays and controversy involving subcontractors not getting paid.

Lumberjacks' Losing Streak Ends With Big Win

The long losing streak is over. The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks doubled the Metro Shipbuilders 6-3 last night and in doing so, ended their 14-game losing streak. Co-captain Jacob Conrad had a huge game with three goals and two assists. Luc Ramey also posted five points including a goal and four assists while Shawn Boudreau had four points. The win gives the Lumberjacks a seven point lead over Metro in the battle for the final Eastlink Division playoff spot. The win came on the same day that Terry Rhindress stepped aside as coach and GM of the club.

Walker: Collaborative Clinic 'Good News' For Area

The addition of a collaborative health-care clinic to Bridgewater is music to the mayor's ears. David Walker says he's glad the province has decided to invest up to $300,000 for an area clinic. He says there's a sense of relief that comes with the announcement because the town has worked towards establishing a clinic over the last few years. Walker says the Bridgewater Development Association deserves credit for their effort.



The clinic is expected to house up to seven doctors. The clinic could be open as early as this summer.

Lunenburg: Essential Funds For Academy & Arena

The Town of Lunenburg will receive just over $30,000 for repairs to Lunenburg Academy. The money will help cover the cost of much needed repair work at the historic landmark and was part of several funding announcements made by South Shore-St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy on Tuesday. The local Member of Parliament also delivered nearly $17,000 to help replace the Lunenburg Arena's refrigeration condenser. The Lunenburg Board of Trade Society will see more than $170,000 in joint funding to help develop smart phone apps for a waterfront virtual tour of the town and a public WiFi zone. Keddy also delivered $150,000 in funding today for four projects in the Bridgewater area. Details on those announcements can be found: Bridgewater Projects Receive Funds

BREAKING: Rhindress Resigns As Lumberjacks Coach

Caught in the middle of a 13-game losing skid, Terry Rhindress has resigned as head coach and general manager of the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks. Rhindress resigned from his duties because of personal and family obligations. The 42-year-old says he misses his wife and nine-year-old daughter in New Brunswick and plans to take some time away from the game. Rhindress guided the team to a 21-63-1-2 through his two years behind the bench. He says a decision was made after a meeting with owner Ken Petrie this morning.



Rhindress says he wants to thank the community for their support and encouragement. Petrie confirmed with CKBW/HANK-FM that Don Dodman and Doug Petrie will remain as coaches for the rest of the season.

Conquerall Bank Church Loses Heritage Designation

The Redeemer Lutheran Church in Conquerall Bank is losing its heritage designation. MODL council voted unanimously to de-register the property following a public hearing Tuesday morning. A member of the Northfield and District parish asked council to approve the motion so they could take the proper steps to try and sell it. Mayor Don Downe says it isn't easy to lose a heritage property.



The Municipality of Lunenburg didn't receive any submissions against de-registering the property. The church has been a fixture in the community since 1863.

Health: Differences Between Norovirus & E.coli

Public health officials urge Nova Scotians to be aware of  the differences between E.coli and similar illnesses. Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Frank Atherton says norovirus infection or vomiting is common this time of year.  The most common symptoms of norovirus infection are sudden onset nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Sometimes there is a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Dr. Atherton says that noroviruses have a quick onset and  people usually start to feel better within 12 to 24 hours. Confirmed cases of norovirus have been reported on the South Shore. However, there are no cases of the E. coli 0157 virus in this region. Anyone vomiting or having diarrhea longer than 72 hours, or experiencing bloody diarrhea, should call 811 or see their family doctor.



To avoid spreading norovirus:

-- wash hands often, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before eating or preparing food

-- thoroughly clean floors, counters, and bathrooms. Pay extra attention to surfaces that are often touched

-- do not share glasses or dishes

-- use separate towels for sick family members.

Four Infrastructure Projects Secure Federal Funds

South-Shore St- Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy has announced just over $150,000 in support of four infrastructure projects in Lunenburg County. The biggest chunk, $51,000 will go to the Bridgewater Marina Association for upgrades to Mariner's Landing along with the marina itself. Meanwhile, HB Studio's Sports Centre will receive $48,000 for renovation work and the Saw Pit Wharf Park in Garden Lots will see $26,000 for improvements to the wharf area. In a joint funding arrangement, the Bay to Bay Trail Association will also receive more than $40,000 for upgrades to the trail between Mahone Bay and Lunenbueg. Ottawa will pitch in $26,000 while the provincial government will contribute $17,000 for upgrades to the trail system.

Rhindress Returns After World Under-17 Coaching Stint

The head coach for the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks calls it a great experience to be a part of. Terry Rhindress is back in Bridgewater after spending the last week as an assistant coach for team Atlantic at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Quebec. The Atlantic squad finished eighth out of 10 teams. Rhindress says it was tough competition.




Rhindress returns to the Lumberjacks bench Tuesday night when they take on the Metro Shipbuilders in Halifax.

UPDATED: Bridgewater Assured Collaborative Clinic

The Nova Scotia government is prepared to invest hundreds of thousands into a new collaborative health-care clinic in Bridgewater. Premier Darrell Dexter made the announcement this afternoon at the South Shore Regional Hospital. The CEO of South Shore Health says the funding commitment will allow the health authority to move forward with rigorous recruitment initiative to bring doctors to the area. Peter Vaughan says they will seek five to seven new doctors to help staff the facility.



Vaughan says the clinic will open in the summer allowing the health authority to attract new graduates of medical programs. The location of the clinic and exact financial commitment from the province is still being worked out.

South Shore Health Re-Opens Wing Of Regional Hospital

A section of the South Shore Regional Hospital has re-opened to visitors. The health authority restricted visitation on the medical and surgical unit last week because of a stomach virus circulating among patients and staff. Lab tests have confirmed the illness as Norovirus, a common cause of gastroenteritis. Norovirus illness usually begins suddenly and can last up to three days. South Shore Health is reminding the public that regular and thorough hand washing can help prevent the spread of the illness.

Hearing To Determine Church's Heritage Status

A public hearing to determine the status of a church in Conquerall Bank will be held Tuesday. The Redeemer Lutheran Church was built in 1863 and has been a heritage property in the Municipality of Lunenburg since 1999. But now, the property owner wants to de-register it as a heritage property because its no longer being used as a house of worship on a regular basis and is in need of repairs. The owner is also trying to de-register the building in hopes of selling it. The hearing will be held at 11am at the Municipality of Lunenburg building on Aberdeen Road.

Health Foundation Preps For Annual Radiothon

Valentine's Day is just over a month away. That means the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore is preparing for its annual "Gift For The Heart" Radiothon. Bernadette Jordan of the Foundation says this year, its hoped funds will be raised to buy at least two new ventilators.



The radiothon airs all day on Thursday, February 14th, live on CKBW and HANK-FM from South Shore Regional Hospital.

Open Letter To Premier From Businessman Affected By Ferry Loss

Premier Darrell Dexter's recent comments about the loss of the Yarmouth ferry not impacting business and tourism are confusing to businessmen in the area. Bill Curry of Port Maitland saw his small familiy business disappear instantly when the connection to Maine was cancelled 3 years ago. Curry's fly-fish guiding service attracted hundreds of New England sport fishermen who had quick access to Nova Scotia by way of the ferry. He has now written an open-letter to the premier explaining the real impact on the economy. Curry says despite what the government claims, the ferry service could bring-in millions of dollars in revenue to the province if properly managed. He suggests the government should set it up and run-it themselves.


Curry hopes the government's promises of financial input hold water and a renewed ferry service takes shape. He says he and others likely won't start-up their old businesses again. Many, like Curry, have moved on to other endeavours.
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Here is a copy of Bill Curry's letter to Premier Darrell Dexter, written late last week:

Mr. Premier,

I was interested to hear your comments the other day in your year-end interview, particularly regarding the Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Maine ferry service. You then spent yesterday trying to clarify what you said, and it occurred to me that perhaps some explanation of why people are so frustrated when you speak on this subject might help you understand why the reaction to your comments occurred.

First, in your comments you stated the loss of the ferry “had very little impact” on the area. You also mentioned that it is a myth that the economy is somehow linked to the ferry. As a business owner that was radically affected by the loss of the ferry, to the point I had to close my tourism based business, I can personally say that your comment is not true. However, your own Government commissioned report (The Gardner and Pinfold report) clearly spells out the facts that further disprove your comment. The report states that the local area of Yarmouth is more isolated because of the loss, the Regional economy was “supported” by the ferry service and said further “The data show that the loss of the ferry contributed to reduced spending and a contraction of economic activity throughout this region in 2010.” This would disprove your comment. And finally the report said the Provincial tourism numbers were impacted by the ferry loss, and in fact the report states, “It is not unreasonable to conclude that the termination of the ferry accounted for all or much of this reversal.” This also contradicts your comments. You then stated in response, when you were clarifying your comments, that the ferry is not a panacea for the economy. Nobody ever said it was. What everyone is constantly saying is that the ferry is one part of the important transportation infrastructure that should be in place for the Province.

Secondly, you used in your comments some numbers that I would question, and that many people might call intentionally misleading.

The first number that caught my attention was your statement that there were “22,000 passengers” in the last year of operation – 2009. Knowing that Stats Canada said there were 75,000 passengers that year, I looked and looked for where you could have come up with that number. I finally found a similar number in your Government report. The GP report mentions that there were 23,000 US day tourists who came to the Province in 2009 on the ferry. The fact that the report clearly states, in italic letters no less, that this is the number of visitors, not passengers, seems to have confused you. In reality these numbers simply show how many Nova Scotians and summer residents, who may or may not be American, indeed could be returning former Canadians, used the ferry and reinforces the fact that the ferry is an important part of the Provincial transportation system. As well, you indicated that the drop in the passenger numbers was a result of the economy, not that the economy suffered by the drop. That reasoning is also faulty in that in 2005 the capacity of the ferry was reduced, with the loss of the Scotia Prince, as the ferry system went from multiple crossings a day to single crossings and in that year alone the maximum crossing possible numbers went from 2100 a day to only 900. This had nothing to do with the economy – Scotia Prince Cruises has stated as much, clearly contradicting your comment.

Thirdly, you use a number in your comments that “it cost us $450 per passenger landed”. This number you used last year as well and I challenged you on that figure at the time and received no reply. With all due respect, sir, that number is entirely a fiction. If the cost was $450 per person, even if we only use your own figure of only Americans using the ferry, your statement implies the subsidy paid by the Province to land those people was $9.9 million. In fact, the amount paid (because you used past tense, you said “what it cost us”) was $5.65 million. Let me suggest that the kind of wildly inaccurate comment you have made here and repeated is a big part of the issue with many people in the Province trusting what you are telling us. The numbers are not only inaccurate in the actual number, (22,000 you stated instead of 23,000 actual and $9.9 million you stated instead of $8.9 million that is estimated), the numbers you used are also clearly wrong in the way you portray them. Another totally reasonable way to look at those same numbers would be to take the total number of passengers (75,000) and divide into the actual subsidy paid ($5.65 million) and one could say each passenger on the ferry cost the Government $75.33 !

I have asked several times for what your Government estimated the 2010 subsidy would be, and neither you nor anyone you’ve put me in contact with has been able or willing to reply. The closest I’ve been able to come is a report from a newspaper that mentioned the operating subsidy for 2010 might have been as high as $8.9 million, which if one divides by, say, 65,000 people to account for a drop that might or might not have occurred, takes the per passenger cost to the Province to $136. - a far cry from your comment that it costs the Province $450 per person. Clearly, the figures you are using in your comments are not accurate, they are, in fact, misleading.

In summary, let us revisit the comment you started with that the ferry had very little impact on the economy. The actual numbers your own study uses says that the loss of the ferry was over $16 million in tourism revenue – which would more than offset any subsidy ever paid or contemplated, making even the CAT, which clearly was not the best ship, profitable to the Province. Your own study also mentions that over 260 jobs were lost as a direct result of the loss of the ferry, including my own. With all due respect sir, that is NOT a “very little impact” to many of us in this Province.

I am heartened to hear that your Government is now considering a subsidy to assist in getting a ferry service back. I have to end with a personal comment – it never should have gone away in the first place. The Government should take a very complete look and instead of treating this as a “business will come forward” proposition, should carefully consider the importance of the ferry as a crucial transportation link, a link that the Province should clearly be paying for, as the entire Province benefits by having this essential transportation connection.

Sincerely,

Bill Curry

Lunenburg: Online Petition Created For Dog Park

An online petition has been created asking Lunenburg residents to sign if they're in favour of establishing a dog park in the town. The request for a dog park surfaced over the last few years but wasn't supported by council. Now, resident Peter Richardson is suggesting the idea once again. He says there needs to be an open space for dogs.



Richardson says they need between $23,000 and $25,000 to make the dog park a reality near Blockhouse Hill. The issue is expected to be discussed at Lunenburg council in the near future. You can sign the petition here .

UPDATED: RCMP Investigate Death In Liverpool

The RCMP is investigating the death of a 52 year-old man in Liverpool. Anthony Bogotaj was riding his bicycle on Main Street when he fell off on Friday afternoon. A section of the street was blocked off while paramedics attempted to revive the individual. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. Police say they are looking into the matter because he was involved in a dispute shortly before he died. It's not clear if the dispute is connected with Bogotaj's death. An autopsy will be performed by the Medical Examiner's Office in Halifax. Mounties are asking witnesses or anyone who had contact with Bogotaj to contact their detachment in Queens County.

VIDEO: LCLC Tour

Media were invited by the general manager of the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre to partake in a tour of the construction site.  Representatives were shown various parts including the locations of the active living space, Margaret Hennigar Library, and aquatic centre. The video shows a look at the arena and how far along workers with Bird Construction have come since starting construction last spring.

South Shore Health: Expect Long Wait Times In ER's

South Shore Health is advising residents to expect long waits for non-urgent care at each of its three hospitals. The emergency departments in Bridgewater, Lunenburg and Liverpool are dealing with high patient volumes which is creating delays in admissions and extended waits for non-emergency's. The health authority cites a lack of long term care beds, shortages in family physicians and seasonal illness as contributing factors. CEO Peter Vaughan says officials are exploring the possibility of creating a daytime walk-in clinic to ease the backlog of patients wanting to see a doctor. Vaughan says the health authority is doing all it can to ensure people have access to health care.

Bridgewater: Outdoor Rinks Await Water

A pair of outdoor rinks in Bridgewater are waiting on water before they can be used. The two structures have been built since before Christmas but a lack of cold weather prevented them from opening. Now, the temperatures have dropped and volunteers are working with the town's fire department to fill the rinks with water. Councillor Andrew Tanner hopes that can happen this weekend.



The rinks are located on Kinsmen Field. One rink is used for ice hockey while the other is used for general skating. For updates, you can visit the facebook group here .

Bowater Deal Could Cost Much More Than Thought

The former Bowater mill's power deal could end up costing the Nova Scotia group that now owns the closed paper mill more than three million dollars this year. The province inherited the arrangement when it acquired the mill's assets and liabilities last month from Resolute Forest Products. ReNova, the renamed Bowater Mersey Paper Company, has estimated net debits of 200-thousand to 300-thousand dollars a month. The opposition Liberals and PC's are calling on the Dexter government to reveal the costs of the deal, saying they're concerned about the liabilities the province has taken on.

Gasoline Prices Rise Again

It will cost you more to fill up the car or truck with regular or high test gas and diesel. Prices at South Shore pumps have increased today, as predicted. For the first time in a few weeks, the price of regular self serve has cracked the one dollar and 30 cent mark per litre. Its selling now for $1.30.1 per litre. Diesel is also up today, priced at $1.37 a litre. Thats about two cents more.

Annual New Year's Classic Basketball Tourney Underway

The 39th annual Bridgewater High School New Year’s Classic Basketball Tournament opens up play today. Teams participating will include Park View, Liverpool, Middleton, Hants North, Hants East, Millwood, North Kings Education Centre, and, of course, the host Bridgewater High School Vikings. Games started at 10am this morning and continue throughout the day with two evening games being held at Park View at 6pm and 8pm. There will be an Alumni game played at 10:00 pm featuring only alumni players. Games continue on Saturday at BHS, starting at 9:00 am. The championship game is scheduled for 3pm.

Bridgewater: Stomach Virus Still Going Around

A section of the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater will remain closed to visitors over the weekend. The health authority issued the restriction earlier this week because of a severe stomach virus circulating among patients. Hospital spokesperson Theresa Hawkesworth says another new case has been confirmed bringing the total number of patients dealing with the illness to ten. She says 48 hours need to pass without a confirmed new case before the restriction can be lifted. The gastrointestinal illness is primarily affecting patients on the third floor in the medical and surgical unit. All other outpatient hospital services at the hospital are available.

Busy Times At LCLC

Crews continue to chip away on construction at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. General Manager Kevin Benjamin says a small group of workers were on-site over the holidays. He says there is lots happening including concrete being poured, roofing on the pool area, along with some plumbing and electrical work.



Benjamin says they're on par to meet a summer deadline. Bird Construction started working on the $33.5-million facility last spring. Plans for the facility include an NHL-size ice surface, a six lane 25 metre pool and library. You can watch construction as it happens from the comfort of your own home by clicking here .

Premier Out Of Touch On Ferry Issue Says Yarmouth MLA

Premier Darrell Dexter's recent comments about the state of the economy in western Nova Scotia since the Yarmouth ferry ceased operating are being taken to task by the area's Liberal MLA. Zach Churchill of Yarmouth says if the premier believes all is well, tourism is booming and no jobs have been lost since the ferry service was cut 3 years ago, then he's living in a world of his own.



The premier made his comments during an interview this week. He said the decision to cut the subsidy on the service has "had little impact on Southwestern Nova Scotia" and he said its a myth that the economy in the area was linked to the ferry. Yet, a few months ago, the premier committed 21 million provincial dollars toward a new Yarmouth to Maine ferry service and he's asked Ottawa to provide an additional 15 to 30 million. Zach Churchill says: "we've lost 3,700 full time jobs and 2,800 people have left Southern Nova Scotia since the Dexter government cut the ferry." Churchill says people in the area are fed up with the delays. He says the Yarmouth ferry will be a key issue when the next provincial election is called.

Tancook Island Ferry Back In Operation

People living on Big and Little Tancook Islands or those on the mainland wanting to go there will be glad to know the ferry is up and running again. Service was suspended yesterday by gale force winds and resulting rough seas. The "William G. Ernst" transports passengers back and forth from the mainland to the islands every day. It departs from Chester and services both Tancook Islands.

Gasoline Prices May Rise Again Overnight Tonight

Don't be surprised if gasoline and heating oil prices increase overnight on the South Shore. Prices are up again in New Brunswick today for the third week in a row. The new maximum price there for regular self-serve is $1.27 per litre, an increase of 2.1 cents over last week's setting. Diesel is up nearly two cents a litre this week. Furnace oil has also climbed just over a penny a litre.

Carver Recovering Well After Surgery In Toronto

A New Germany native says she has a new lease on life following double-lung transplant surgery. Thirty-three year old Jessica Carver has Cystic Fibrosis; a genetic disorder which critically affects the lungs, and also the pancreas and liver. She remains on the road to recovery in Toronto General Hospital following the surgery in mid-December. Carver's personal blog reveals she has regained her appetite and enjoyed New Year's Eve at the hospital with friends and family. She says she's grateful for all the support.



Carver hopes to be released from hospital sometime this week. She says the next three months are critical and she will have to take anti-rejection medicine and complete physiotherapy before she can return home. If all goes well, she hopes to return to the South Shore in March. You can read Carver's blog here .

Nearly 45 Aquaculture Jobs Headed To Shelburne

Two new aquaculture sites in Shelburne county will create 27 new jobs. Kelly Cove Salmon Limited, a subsidiary of Cooke Aquaculture, will operate the new pens in Jordan Bay. Spokeswoman Nell Halse says the new sites will be installed and stocked later this spring. The Nova Scotia Government issued the approval to operate the sites last month. The approval is contingent on strict agreements to ensure the sites will protect the local fishing industry and coastal environment. Meanwhile, employees within the provincial aquaculture division are set to Shelburne early in the new year. The move will bring another 15 full-time jobs to the area. Cooke is also in the process of designing a new state of the art hatchery for the Digby area and a processing facility in Shelburne.

Hospital Restricts Visitors After Illness Detected

The third floor at South Shore Regional Hospital has been temporarily closed to visitors because of a gastrointestinal illness circulating among patients. The medical and surgical unit will be restricted to visitors until further notice. Infection prevention practitioner, Sheila Lee, says they've seen a spike in illness from two patients to nine over the past 12 hours. She says there's no timeline for the visitor restriction.



Some exceptions to the restriction may apply for immediate family of critically ill patients. All outpatient hospital services are available. The health authority says thorough hand washing can help prevent the spread of this illness.

Bridgewater Couple Welcomes New Year's Baby

A Bridgewater couple have the first new year's baby for South Shore Health. Wesley Organ was born at 10:31AM on January 1st at the regional hospital in Bridgewater, weighing nine pounds and eight ounces. Twenty-five year old Megan Skinner and 29-year-old Jacy Organ are the proud parents. Jacy says they were a little surprised the baby was delivered New Year's Day.



The parents and baby are expected to leave the hospital today with their new bundle of joy.

Chester Has Concerns Over RDA's Dissolution

The Warden in Chester has some concerns over a proposal to dissolve regional development agencies in Nova Scotia. An independent panel has recommended the creation of six Regional Enterprise Network's across the province. Under the proposal for this region, municipal units from Halifax to Shelburne would join to form an REN - designed to better promote economic development. However, Allen Webber feels the new model is too broad.



The need to replace existing RDAs became necessary when the federal government announced last May it was cutting core funding to RDAs in the province. If the proposal moves forward, the REN's would replace Nova Scotia's 12 regional development agency's.

South Shore Taxpayers Paying More In 2013

Be prepared to see more of your income used to pay higher taxes in 2013. Provincially, the government here still refuses to index tax brackets to inflation and that means more taxation. The federal government also has tax increases of its own that took effect January 1st. They include hikes in EI premiums and CPP payroll taxes. Canadian Taxpayers Federation Atlantic director Kevin Lacey says we're paying more in taxes provincial and federally than elsewhere in the country. He says South Shore residents in particular know only too well that 2012 saw no improvement. The provincial government bailed out major employers like Bowater by pumping big bucks into their operations to keep them afloat.



Lacey believes the effects of those bailouts and company collapses will be felt for years.

In Review: MODL Mayor Recaps Challenging Year

The mayor for the Municipality of Lunenburg says 2012 was a trying year for the district, and hopes better times are ahead. Don Downe says community was hit hard with the Oakhill Sawmill closing and layoffs at the Whynotts Settlement Recycling Centre. But, he notes there were bright moments as well, including the beginning of joint services between the municipality and towns of Mahone Bay and Bridgewater. He also points to construction of the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. Downe says it will be a dynamic addition to the area.




Construction is expected to wrap up before the fall of 2013. Downe expects the opening to be one of the many shining moments of the year.