Fire Destroys Abandoned Home In Milton

Fire has completely destroyed a home on Tupper Street in Milton. Crews from four departments including Liverpool, Greenfield, Port Medway and North Queens responded to the call around 6:45 Friday evening. RCMP and the fire marshal were also called to the scene. Constable Rick Ellens says the home was abandoned and didn't have power. He says there were no injuries and the cause is undetermined. Police say the home was scheduled to be demolished and there will be no further investigation.

Nowe Wraps Up Play At National Junior Golf Event

Bridgewater's Ryan Nowe finished in a tie for 44th at the Canadian Junior Boys Golf Championship. The 17-year-old wrapped up his tournament with a three over-par, 75, Friday to finish at 12-over in total. Nowe finished one stroke behind Bedford's Bruce Tomie as top Nova Scotian in the event. He will now represent the province at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec. British Columbia's Kevin Kwon shot a three under-par, 69, on route to a five shot victory. Kwon won the event for the second time in three years after winning the title in 2011.

School Board Workers Ratify Tentative Agreement

CUPE workers with two local school boards have ratified a tentative agreement reached earlier this summer. The South Shore and Tri-County Regional School Boards are among six districts that agree with the three-year deal settled on June 21. The deal, retroactive to April 1, 2012, includes yearly wage increases of two, 2.5 and three percent. It also includes adjustments to wages for some classifications including lunch supervisors and trades people, and a process to look at a defined benefit pension plan. CUPE School Board coordinator Kathy MacLeod says they are pleased that the majority of members were able to settle contracts before school returns in the fall. Members at the Chignecto Regional School Board initially voted against the deal, and will hold a re-vote in September.

Chester: Brush Cutting Needed Along Highway 329

The amount of brush around Deep Cove along Highway 329 is cause for concern for at least one municipal councillor in Chester. Andre Veinotte sent a letter to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal requesting brush to be cut along the highway in order to see Deep Cove. The request was met with no guarantees from the department, saying they have to prioritize work with over 2,500 kilometres of roadway in Lunenburg and Queens Counties. Veinotte says he's not surprised by the response.



Veinotte says it's a recreational issue as the area is used for fireworks, fishing and other activities but is being obscured by the brush. He says he will try and get permits to clear the brush and seek volunteer help from local fire departments.

Service Held For Long-Time Lunenburg Politician

A memorial service will happen today for long-time Lunenburg politician David Dauphinee. He passed away last Sunday at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. Dauphinee spent 30 years on council including 17 as deputy mayor. Mayor Rachel Bailey says Dauphinee is an inspiration.



People can honour Dauphinee by providing memorial donations to the Lunenburg Arena or Bridgewater's Kinsmen Field. The service gets underway at 11am at St. John's Anglican Church.

Weekend ER Closures At Lunenburg Hospital

Several closures are planned through the weekend and into next week for the Emergency Department at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg.  The closures begin today at 5 pm with the ER re-opening at 7:30 Saturday morning.  The Fishermen's ER will be closed for the same time periods on August 3, 4, 5 and 6 with the closure on Tuesday the 6th lasting until 730am August 8 (Thursday).  South Shore Health's Director of Acute Care Lynn Farrell says the closures are a result of a nursing shortage.  She says it really began in June with a sudden resignation.



As usual, anyone requiring emergency services is advised to call 911 or visit the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater.  Patients with "non-emergencies" should contact their family physician or call Health Link 811 for medical advice.

Here again is list of the closures with dates and times:

          August 2 at 5:00 p.m. (1700) and will reopen at 7:30 a.m. (0730) Aug 3/13.

          August 3 at 5:00 p.m. (1700)and will reopen at 7:30 a.m. (0730) Aug 4/13

          August 4 at 5:00 p.m. (1700) and will reopen at 7:30 a.m. (0730) Aug 5/13

          August 5 at 5:00 p.m. (1700) and will reopen at 7:30 a.m. (0730) Aug 6/13

          August 6 at 5:00 p.m. (1700) and will reopen - please note - at 7:30 a.m. (0730) Aug 8/13

South Shore Gasoline Costs Less!

As expected, gasoline prices are lower this morning at South Shore pumps.  Regular self serve is down by about 2 cents to $1.35.8 per litre.  High test is lower in price by a similar amount to $1.44.8.  Diesel is also down by a couple of cents this morning to $1.32.8 a litre.

South Shore Athletes Ready For Canada Summer Games

A number of young men and women are in Sherbrooke, Quebec preparing to compete in the Canada Summer Games. Fourteen athletes from Lunenburg County are taking part in the national event, which opens Friday and runs until August 17. Participating athletes in track and field include Bridgewater's Rachael McIntosh in Heptathlon, Lunenburg's Jesse Drennan in Decathlon, Mattias Wolter of Conquerall Mills in steeplechase, Bridgewater's Courtney Langille will run in the women's 4x400 metre relay and Chelsea Whalen of Liverpool will also compete in javelin and shotput. In soccer, Hunter Vaszily of Mahone Bay, Lunenburg's Nick Tanner, Bridgewater's Mallory Taylor and Sarah Taylor of Conquerall Mills will represent the province. Chester's Allison Chandler will play golf along with Bridgewater's Ryan Nowe. Chandler will also play tennis. Lunenburg's Mitch MacDonald will cycle, Hebbville's Claire McNally will compete in para-swimming, Bridgewater's Jamie Whynot in baseball, and Bridgewater's Olivia Pitman in women's volleyball.

Nowe Looks To Finish Strong At National Juniors

Bridgewater's Ryan Nowe shot an even-par, 72, Thursday in the third round at the Canadian Junior Boys Golf Championship in Sudbury, Ontario. Nowe mixed in five birdies with three bogeys and a double bogey. He sits in a tie for 43rd spot heading into Friday's final round. Kevin Kwon of British Columbia retains the lead after a three under-par 69 today. He leads by three shots.

UaRB: Decision On South Canoe Won't Meet Deadline

The province's regulatory board confirms it will not make a decision on the South Canoe Wind project before its 60-day deadline period. The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board's Paul Allen, says they have over 3,300 pages of documents to go through and it is taking extra time to come to a conclusion. The original deadline is August 5th. Allen says they don't have a concrete date in mind, but they are sifting through the material as quickly as they're able to, in order to make an accurate decision. "Friends of South Canoe Lake" are opposed to the construction of 34 wind turbines between Vaughan and New Russell. Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Oxford Frozen Foods and Nova Scotia Power are leading the project. It would generate enough power to heat 32,000 homes.

Charges After Dog Dies In Hot Car

A Lunenburg man has been charged in the death of a dog that was left in a sweltering car last month. RCMP say they responded to calls about a dog in distress on July 21 in Wolfville. In a media release, they say the animal was spotted in a parked car at Acadia University. Thirty-six year old Jason Remai was charged with failing to protect an animal under the Animal Protection Act of Nova Scotia. The charge relates to failure to provide an animal with reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold. He is scheduled to appear in Kentville provincial court on September 23rd.

Large Water/Sewer Project Approved In Bridgewater

Some motorists in Bridgewater are going to have to be patient come September. The town is moving ahead with a major water and sewer project on upper Aberdeen Road - one of the areas busiest streets. Council awarded the contract to J.R. Eisnor of Fall River. They expect to begin the project September 16th which ultimately will reduce a section of Aberdeen down to one lane for three months. Mayor David Walker says they recognize it will cause some traffic congestion.



The town will also put some fresh paving on a section of Aberdeen Road at a cost of $85,000. The price tag for the water/sewer and paving project is in the area of $800,000 and will be cost shared with the federal government.

Nowe Makes Cut At National Golf Tournament

It was an up and down day for two local golfers at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship in Sudbury, Ontario. Bridgewater's Ryan Nowe shot a one over-par, 73, Wednesday to make the cut in a tie for 59th at eight over-par total through two days. Meanwhile, it wasn't meant to be for Riverport's Liam Fullerton. He struggled for a second straight day and missed the cut after shooting 87. Nowe will have to make a big move over his next 36 holes if he wants to catch the leader. B.C's Kevin Kwon continues to lead at six under-par overall.

Watch For Lower Gas Prices Again Tomorrow!

This bodes well for South Shore gas prices come tomorrow.  For the second week in a row, the price of gas is down today in New Brunswick.  The new maximum price for regular self serve in New Brunswick is $1.33.9 a litre.  That is a drop of almost 2 cents from yesterday.  Prices for diesel and furnace oil in New Brunswick have also dropped today.  Diesel is down just under 3 cents a litre and furnace oil has fallen 3.3 cents a litre.

Fire Department Bands 'Summon The Heroes' In Bridgewater

The Bridgewater Fire Department Band will 'Summon the Heroes' during a concert Thursday night. The group is joined by members of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Band from the United Kingdom for a concert of recognition for those people who volunteer or work in the fire service. Band Director Wendell Eisener says they'll open the concert with John Williams' 1996 fanfare 'Summon the Heroes.'



The two bands will also tribute the five Bridgewater men who recently competed in the Maritime and Atlantic regional firefit championships. The concert begins at 7pm Thursday night at Bridgewater High.

Health: Congestion Eases In Emergency Departments

Things are getting back to normal in emergency departments at three South Shore hospitals. The local health authority was experiencing longer than usual wait times for non-urgent care last week. South Shore Health spokesperson, Theresa Hawkesworth, says the departments are still busy in Bridgewater, Lunenburg and Liverpool but they have noticed improvements. She says more than one factor led to the delays.



Hawkesworth says people have been discharged and more beds have opened up in all three hospitals. She says it was a difficult situation for patients and staff, but they worked together to overcome the challenges.

UPDATED: Benoit's Fraud Case Delayed

A court case involving a woman notorious for selling dogs has another delay. Gail Benoit did not appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court this afternoon. Instead, her lawyer, Cathy Benton appeared on her behalf. Benoit's charges include theft and identity fraud. The charges are related to the alleged sale of two boxer dogs that didn't belong to her. Benoit's lawyer told court her client wanted more time to review the Crown's evidence before deciding to enter a pleas. The matter will be dealt with September 18th.

Dog Dealer Returns To Court In Bridgewater

A notorious canine dealer is due in court today on charges of fraud. Gail Benoit is facing three charges which include theft and identity fraud. The charges are related to the alleged sale of two boxer dogs that didn't belong to her. As part of her release conditions, Benoit is not permitted to buy or sell any animals while her fraud case is before the courts. In an unrelated matter, Benoit spent the weekend in jail after being arrested on an assault charge. She is accused of assaulting a 25-year-old man in Waverley on July 22. The troubled puppy broker was released from custody on bail on Tuesday. She's expected to enters pleas to the fraud charges this afternoon.

Local Golfers Struggle At National Junior Championships

Two South Shore golfers are in danger of missing the cut at the Canadian Junior Championships in Sudbury, Ontario. Bridgewater's Ryan Nowe and Riverport's Liam Fullerton struggled in their opening rounds at Timberwolf Golf Club. Nowe shot a seven over-par round of 79 while Fullerton had an off-day, firing a 92. British Columbia's Kevin Kwon, who won the event in 2011, is the first round leader after an eight under-par, 64. Nowe sits in a tie for 91st while Fullerton is in 154th spot. The field will be narrowed down to the top 70 and ties after Wednesday's second round.

Attendance Figures Down At The Big EX

Attendance was down at this year's South Shore Exhibition in Bridgewater. Manager Christine Sarty says 37,680 people took-in the sights and sounds of the six-day agricultural event last week. It's a drop of 2,424 people from last year. Sarty believes the forecast kept a lot of people from coming.



Sarty says sunshine helped bring over 16,000 people to the event on the weekend and increase overall attendance. She says they're pleased with the overall figures with the weather that occurred.

Well-Known Engineer Passes Away

A key part behind the construction of the South Shore Regional Hospital has died. Arthur MacKenzie Dechman of West LaHave passed away early this morning at age 89. He spent 40 years at Acadia Road Builders and Acadia Construction, the group which helped build the Bridgewater hospital in 1988. Dechman attended Acadia University before entering the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. He was also known as an avid yachtsman and competitive sailor, racing the offshore circuit as a long time member of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron. Dechman was also Past Commodore and Honourary life member of LaHave River Yacht Club and enjoyed the sights and sounds of Chester Race Week. A celebration of life will take place at the Bridgewater United Church on Friday.

New Germany: Uncertainty Still Surrounds Eisnor Trial

There is more uncertainty surrounding a matter that's been before the courts for nearly three years. A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge will decide next month whether the issue of a man's fitness to stand trial for the first-degree murder of his wife should go before a jury. Wayne Paul Eisnor has twice been found mentally fit to stand trial for the shooting death of his estranged wife, Tina Mae. However, his lawyer - Roger Burril, argued in Supreme Court in Bridgewater yesterday that the jury should first be tasked with determining his client's fitness to stand trial. His mental state is an issue because Eisnor shot himself in the head after his wife was shot twice and killed in the parking lot of a grocery store in New Germany on June 30th, 2010. Eisnor suffered serious brain damage as a result but has improved since the incident. He also testified he has no memory of the incident in New Germany. He is set to stand trial in September. A judge is expected to rule on the jury-fitness matter August 16th.

Shelburne: RCMP Search Two Homes - Drug Charges Laid

Two men in Shelburne County will appear before a judge on drug charges after RCMP raided a pair of homes in the town. In the first incident, a residence on Annapolis Road was searched on Saturday.  RCMP say they found about two pounds of pot, along with some plants, drug paraphernalia and seven unsecured firearms. A 54-year-old Shelburne man has been arrested and faces numerous drug and firearms-related charges. Meanwhile, officers also searched a home on Parr Street and seized approximately 60 grams of marihuana, cash and drug paraphernalia. A 28-year-old male was arrested without incident and is facing charges of drug possession and trafficking. Both of the accused have separate court appearances in October.

Headed To Russia: Martin Competing At Worlds

Jenna Martin has been selected to run in her third IAAF World Track and Field Championships. The 25-year-old from Bridgewater was named to the women's 4 x 400 metre relay team that will compete in Moscow, Russia from August 10-18. Martin says a coach wanted her to be a part of the team, even though she wasn't part of the group that qualified. She says she has mixed emotions.



Martin flies to Kamen, Germany on Wednesday for training before leaving for Moscow August 7th. This will be Martin's third world championship after competing in 2009 and 2011.

Nowe, Fullerton Tee Off At National Junior Championships

Bridgewater's Ryan Nowe is set to take on the best junior golfers from across the country in the 2013 Canadian Junior Boys Championship. The field is set at 156 players for the first two rounds Tuesday and Wednesday before it gets cut to the top 70 and ties for the final 36 holes. Nowe has enjoyed a competitive summer so far including victories in Pugwash and Antigonish and a second place finish at the provincials in North Sydney. The 17-year-old will be playing in his second consecutive Canadian Championship after tying for 58th last year when the event was hosted by Osprey Ridge. Riverport's Liam Fullerton is also participating in the event for a second straight time after missing the cut in 2012. The event is taking place at the Timberwolf Golf Course in Sudbury, Ontario. All details on the event can be found here .

Valley Warehouse Fire Suspicious

An overnight fire that destroyed a warehouse in the Annapolis Valley has been deemed suspicious.  The blaze broke out before midnight in Kingston and more than a dozen valley fire departments prevented the flames from spreading to several nearby buildings, including a legion hall.  The RCMP and the fire marshall's office are now investigating.  No one was hurt.

Bridgewater Collaborative Health Centre On Track

Construction on Bridgewater's new Collaborative Health Centre remains on track. A meeting was held Monday morning for LaHave Investments to provide an update on the project. The group's president says the foundation and plumbing work are complete and crews are working towards pouring the concrete flooring. South Shore Health spokesperson Theresa Hawkesworth says they're aggressively recruiting doctors for the centre.



Hawkesworth says they hope to have a handful of doctors recruited by the time the new health care facility opens. The project is expected to be complete sometime in the fall.

Lunenburg: Long-Time Politician Passes Away

A long-time councillor and deputy mayor in Lunenburg has passed away. David Dauphinee died Sunday at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater.  He was 76-years-old. Dauphinee spent 30 years on council starting in 1982 when he was first elected. He spent 17 years as the town's deputy mayor. Former mayor Laurence Mawhinney says Dauphinee will be missed by many.



Mawhinney says his fondest memory of Dauphinee was traveling together to Ottawa roughly 15 years ago to lobby the federal government for support to clean up the town's wastewater system. Dauphinee is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Liberal Leader Accuses Dexter Government Of Downplaying Importance of 103 Twinning

Nova Scotia Liberal leader Stephen McNeil suggests the Dexter government doesn't consider twinning the 103 from exit 5 to 13 a priority.  He says its even removed the roadway from the 5 year provincial highway improvement plan.  McNeil questions suggestions from local NDP MLA's Pam Birdsall and Gary Ramey for motorists to stick to the speed limit and pull over to use their cell phones to make the highway safer. McNeil says that is not the end of it.



The Liberal leader says his party applauded the government a few years ago for establishing the 5 year plan. However, McNeil says to remove the 103 from the list now is disappointing and troubling!  He believes its a move by the Dexter government to downplay a potential "hot" election issue.

Turtle Santuary Created In Queens County

Conservationists are celebrating the creation of a turtle sanctuary in Queens County.  The Nova Scotia Nature Trust has bought land around McGowan Lake to protect a primary habitat of the endangered Blanding's turtle.  The sanctuary contains more than five kilometers of undeveloped shoreline, ideal nesting ground for the turtles.  It's been estimated there are only 350 Blanding's turtles left in the wild in Nova Scotia.

Patience Needed With Highway 103 Twinning: MLAs

A pair of Lunenburg County MLAs are preaching patience when it comes to the topic of twinning Highway 103. Pam Birdsall and Gary Ramey say the issue has been front and centre since the NDP formed government in 2009. However, the twinning project isn't listed in this year's edition of the province's Five-Year Highway Improvement Plan. Birdsall says the issue takes time.




The government website says the project is at the Environmental Assessment stage. Both MLA's encourage people to drive the posted speed limit and pull over if there is a need to use a cell-phone. A petition has been circulating online for the last week and has garnered more than 6,100 signatures in favour of twinning Highway 103.

Shelburne: Men Charged With Stealing Cable

Two men are facing charges after they were allegedly caught stealing cable channels in Shelburne County. In a media release, RCMP say they executed two search warrants in Shelburne Friday evening in relation to investigations into illegal cable. Police say a 21 year-old man was arrested at a home on Clements Street after officers seized telecommunication equipment and marihuana plants. A few hours later, they arrested a 39-year-old man when they searched another residence on the same street. Both men are facing charges and will appear in court in October.

Third Annual Wooden Boat Reunion Starts In Lunenburg

History and Heritage will be on display this weekend in Lunenburg as the third annual Wooden Boat Reunion gets underway. The weekend highlights include the Nova Scotia Schooner Association's Heritage Cup race for schooners and other wooden vessels. There's also dory rowing, and a putt-putt race between wood boats with single engines. Event chairperson, Maggie Ostler, says people can also visit the country's oldest saltbank schooner.



Ostler encourages anyone with a wooden boat to get involved in the festivities. A schedule of events can be found here .

Provincial Program Spruces Up Communities

The province is providing grants to community groups, businesses and municipalities through its Mainstreet 2.0 program. The program, announced Friday at the DesBrisay Museum in Bridgewater, will allow groups to access up to $1,000 in grants to make positive changes to their area. The money is designated for things like new flower beds, painting community benches and other revitalization ideas. Lunenburg MLA Pam Birdsall says it's money to help spruce up local communities.



Total funding for the project will be $1.5-million a year and is part of the province's tourism strategy. Applications will be available in the winter, with grants approved next spring.

South Shore: Liberals Call Hospital Crowding "Crisis"

The leader of the province's liberal party has deep concerns regarding the ongoing health crisis along the South Shore. Stephen McNeil was responding to the latest over-crowding issue in emergency departments in the region. Hospitals in Bridgewater, Lunenburg and Liverpool are operating at full capacity and currently have no hospital bed availability. South Shore Health is asking residents with non-urgent matters to visit local walk-in clinics or see their family health care provider until the issue clears. McNeil says the situation underlines the struggles and challenges within the current health care system. In a media release, he reiterated his party's plan to reduce the number of district health authorities in Nova Scotia from nine to one. The Liberals says they would re-invest the millions in cost savings into health services and infrastructure to help prevent against a similar crisis in the future.

Clippers Move To Bedford Fizzles, Off To Cape Breton

The Chester Clippers move to Bedford has fallen through. The Junior 'C' hockey team was expected to move to the Halifax-area suburb but was unable to secure a deal in the best interest for the club and the league. However, earlier this week the League's Board of Governors has approved the transfer and relocation of the team to a group in Cape Breton. Heading the group is Jordan Evasuk-MacDonald, who tells CKBW/HANK-FM, the club will play out of the North Sydney-area. He says they're leaning towards the team being called the Northside Vics, after a former men's senior hockey team in the community. Evasuk-MacDonald says they are currently in negotiations to play out of the Sydney Mines and District Community Centre and the Emera Centre in North Sydney.

Police Seize 80,000 Contraband Cigarettes In Shelburne County

A 26-year-old Shelburne County man is facing charges after police seized over 80,000 contraband cigarettes. RCMP searched a home around 3pm Wednesday afternoon on Paces Lane in Roseway. During their search, police nabbed 300 cartons. They also seized the man's 2013 Honda Accord after another 100 cartons were located in the vehicle. The man faces charges under the Federal Excise Act and Provincial Revenue Act and is scheduled to appear in Shelburne Provincial Court in September.

Brooklyn Power Sale Complete

The sale of Brooklyn Power Corp. in Queens County is complete. The Nova Scotia government announced Thursday the deal has wrapped up after the initial plan was revealed in December. The province purchased Bowater Mersey Paper Company Ltd. from Resolute Forest Products Inc. and changed the name to ReNova Scotia Bioenergy Inc. Emera Energy Inc. has paid $25-million for Brooklyn Power. ReNova hired Deloitte to provide an opinion on the purchase price, and Deloitte concluded that the purchase price of $25-million was fair from a financial point of view. About 30 people work at Brooklyn Power. Region of Queens Mayor, Christopher Clarke, says the facility keeps local people working and maintains an important player in the forestry sector, which is in transition.

Last Man Charged In Confinement Case Will Stand Trial

A 64 year old man allegedly linked to the sexual assault of a confined teenage boy will stand trial. John Leonard MacKean of Lower Sackville is facing two charges in total, they include sexual assault and communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services under the age of 18 years old. Judge Gregory Lenehan ruled today there is enough evidence to send the case to Supreme Court for trial. MacKean was arrested in Fredericton back in November. He is the final person charged in connection with the disturbing case where a boy was chained up and sexually assaulted for a period of ten days last fall in Upper Chelsea.  Another man, David Leblanc has already been sentence to 11 years in jail for his role in the incident. MacKean is free on bail, in addition to a number of court ordered conditions.  He's due back in court August 22nd to set dates for a trial.

Longer Wait Times Expected For Non-Urgent Care

South Shore Health is advising the public to expect longer than usual waits for non-urgent care at all of the District's emergency departments. There is currently a large number of patients in the emergency departments who have been admitted to hospital for care, but cannot be moved to a medical unit because there are no available beds. This is creating delays in admissions and long waits for non-urgent care. All patients not requiring urgent care are asked to visit their family health care provider, call 811 for advice from a registered nurse or go to the nearest walk-in clinic in Bridgewater, Hammonds Plains or Tantallon.

RCMP Continue To Probe Martin's River Fire

No new information is being released regarding a fire in Martin's River. The July 14 blaze destroyed two outbuildings and extensively damaged a third at 127 Shingle Mill Road. Constable Tamu Bracken says debris is being sent for analysis following the blaze. She says it could be months before they know any results. The province's fire marshal has issued their report and RCMP have taken the lead in the investigation.

Court: Final Chapter In Teen Confinement Case

A Lower Sackville man charged for his role in allegedly sexually assaulting a confined teenage boy will appear in court later today. John Leonard MacKean is charged with sexual assault and communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services from a person under 18. He was arrested in Fredericton after police launched an investigation last fall into a report that a barefoot teen showed up at a woman's doorstep in Upper Chelsea chained at his wrists and ankles. A preliminary hearing is set for this morning to determine if there is enough evidence against MacKean to send the matter to trial. Another man, David James Leblanc, was sentenced to 11 years in jail for his part in the disturbing incident involving a 16 year-old boy. Leblanc's sentence also included child porn related charges stemming incidents in the Halifax area.

Baillie & McNeil Call For Vast '103' Improvements

Nova Scotia politicians are lining up to join the chorus of calls for a major overhauling of Highway 103 along the South Shore. Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says if he's elected premier in the next provincial election, he will make twinning whats been called "Canada's deadliest highway" a priority. He says doubling the road from Exit five to at least 13 is long overdue.



McNeil says the federal government can easily afford to cost-share the project when you consider the money it hauls in yearly in gas taxes. Meanwhile, PC Leader Jamie Baillie says its outrageous the issue has dragged on so long with no action plan implemented.



Baillie says the province and Ottawa need to work together and cost-share such a large project. He says if elected premier, he will make it a priority to encourage the federal government to come on board a multi-year plan to overhaul the highway.

Lower East Pubnico Fisherman Dies At Sea

A man has died after a fishing accident about 170 kilometres south of Cape Sable Island. A spokesperson with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax says a man fell from a high mast around 4pm Tuesday afternoon while on a sword fishing vessel. Yarmouth RCMP have identified the man as 55-year-old Brex Malone of Lower East Pubnico. Police say he was aboard the fishing vessel 'Savana & Jax' from Lower East Pubnico during the time of the incident. RCMP are partnering with the Department of Labour to continue the investigation.

Online Petition Calls For Twinning Highway 103

A former Bridgewater resident has started an online petition to get Highway 103 twinned from exits five to 13. Tim Conrad now lives in Grande Prairie, Alberta and started the petition following this weekend's fatal crash near Hubbards. He's no stranger to the issue after forwarding a similar petition with 5,500 names to the Conservative government in 2008-09. Now with technology changes, every time a person signs online, an email is sent to the premier, prime minister and other federal and provincial politicians. Conrad says something needs to be done sooner rather than later.



The petition states over 65 people have died in the last six years on Highway 103. Conrad says it will take time to do the work, but feels governments should provide money to twin the highway within the next year. He is hoping to gather 10,000 signatures. To sign the petition, click here.

Grand Opening Planned For Sawpit Wharf Upgrades

Upgrades to Sawpit Wharf Park will be the cause for celebration this week. The Municipality of Lunenburg will host a grand opening to show-off the new upper parking lot and floating dock. Area councillor Errol Knickle says the $65,000 parking lot will allow people to stay in the area longer.



The $25,000 floating dock provides space for roughly 16 punts or small watercraft to be tied up. The grand opening will be held Thursday afternoon from 2-4pm at the Sawpit Wharf Park in Garden Lots.

Big Ex Parade Set For Tonight

The Big Ex Parade is still on for tonight. There were some concerns it would be cancelled due to the forecast. However, officials with the exhibition confirmed the parade will go ahead as scheduled. It leaves from the NSCC in Bridgewater and gets underway at 6PM. The annual parade helps mark the official kick-off of the South Shore Exhibition.

Good Response From Business On SW NS Future

The committee studying the future of tourism in the Southwestern part of the province has received numerous suggestions from businesses in the area. They're suggestions on how to make improvements and bolster the region's economy. Committee chair, Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood, says she's somewhat surprised but encouraged.



Meanwhile, the mayor says much of it all depends on getting a ferry service up and running again between Yarmouth and Maine. Her committee expects to have an initial report ready early in 2014.

Chester: Municipality Covering HST To Fix Heritage Property

The Municipality of Chester is handling a bulk of the HST costs for work to a heritage property in the area. Council agreed to cover 71 per cent of the tax towards the Lightfoot Tower restoration project. The cost is $10,714. Warden Allen Webber says the municipality also received a grant request, but council decided on the best option for them.



The Trust has raised roughly $105,000 for the project since fundraising began in 2008. Council approved proceeding with restorations to the property earlier this month. A local firm is preparing to begin restoration work to the Tower on Regent Street, which includes replacing doors, windows, the roof and exterior staircase.

New "Super" Excited To Work In Rural Setting

Providing more opportunities and course selection for students on the South Shore will be a key focus for the region's new superintendent. Geoff Cainen has been selected for the top job within the South Shore Regional School Board. He has worked for the Halifax Regional School Board for the past 17 years. Cainen is also a former teacher and principal. Cainen says he'd like to explore further opportunities to offer online courses.



Cainen says a top priority will be to work with board members on creating a new strategic plan and vision for the areas school system. He will officially begin his new role on August 1st.