Two South Shore Junior 'C' hockey teams will begin their playoffs tonight. The first place Chester Clippers welcome the Fundy Phantoms to the Eleanor Pew Morris Arena at 7:15pm. Also, the Barrington Sea Star Ice Dogs and Clare Lions hook up for game one at the Barrington Municipal Arena. Game time is 8pm. Meanwhile, the South Shore Wild begin their playoffs on the road Saturday night against the Spryfield Silver and Black Attack.
South Shore Health is asking people to use extreme caution when visiting Queens General Hospital. The health authority says a combination of snow, ice, mud and construction vehicle traffic has created messy and slippery conditions in the parking lot. Facility Planning Director, Margo Walsh-Leaman, says people need to be careful when they're on the property.
A future skilled trades centre at Forest Heights is nearing the start of construction. Director of Operations with the local school board, Steve Prest, says a tender was awarded to Rikjak Project Inc. of Lunenburg and S P Dumaresq Architect of Halifax. The two companies will be on-site starting their work on March 1st. Prest says construction is expected to last until the end of May.
An issue with one of the boilers caused large volumes of smoke to pour out of Bridgewater Elementary this evening. Crews with the Bridgewater Fire Department received the call shortly after 5pm of a possible chimney fire. But, members quickly realized a boiler wasn't firing correctly, causing smoke to funnel out of the school. Deputy Chief Andy Wentzell says they handled the situation quickly.
The Municipality of Lunenburg is saying no thanks to a quota system for the inshore lobster fishery. The decision was made after it was revealed that former Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea proposed the idea in response to low prices and high supply in this year's lobster season. Currently, each boat operator has a certain amount of traps they can use during the season. A quota would limit the catch. Mayor Don Downe says council is against a quota.
A volunteer with South Shore Health is starting up a support group for people who have been or are affected by chronic health problems. The Chronic Condition Support Group is pegged as a place where people can open up and learn positive ways to cope with their condition. Facilitator Tom Burt says sometimes people need to reach out and communicate with others.
The owners of Trattoria Della Nonna say there doors will open again in due time. In an emailed statement to CKBW/Hank-FM News, Guenther and Susan Reibling say they are only temporarily closed because their operating partners are moving on. The email goes on to say that after being open for six years, absorbing substantial losses, dealing with the tripling of property taxes, and several minimum wage increases, they need to adjust opening times. The Reiblings confirm all employees have been put on employment insurance until February 7th, when their partners were hoping to re-open. The email states they have started searching for a new chef and hope to re-open later this spring. However, no firm date for re-opening was given.
The South Shore Regional School Board has called a special meeting tonight to formally receive reports from study committee's for the six school's under review. The committee's have held meetings over the last month to engage with the public about their concerns with their school under review. Board Chair Jennifer Naugler says there's plenty of work left once they receive the reports.
A 29-year-old man has a spring court appearance for allegedly stealing a number of laptops from the Bridgewater Mall. The Bridgewater Police Service says four laptops were stolen January 31. Constable Will Creamer says the man faces charges for theft under $5,000 and possession of stolen property. All of the computer equipment has since been recovered. The Bridgewater man is expected to appear in court in mid-May.
The NDP MLA for Chester-St. Margaret's says she will re-offer for the position when the next provincial election is called. Denise Peterson-Rafuse says it was an easy decision to make because she feels there's work left to be done for her constituents. She was first elected in 2009 and is responsible for two cabinet positions as the minister for community services and minister for seniors. Peterson-Rafuse says she still has the passion to do the job.
The town of Bridgewater will wait to decide if they will further endorse a skateboard park near the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. Council has sent a funding request for a future skatepark to their budget deliberations. The group is asking for $25,000 each year for four years starting in 2013. Mayor David Walker says the town will try and figure out if they can help.
