Chester: Mayflower Rink Leads Curling Championship

Mayflower's Emily Dwyer leads the way at the AMJ Campbell Provincial Junior Curling Championships at the Chester Club. Dwyer improved to 3-0 and grabbed the first playoff spot with a 9-6 win over Racquel Bachman of Bridgewater in last night's late draw. Bachman, at 2-1, is tied with Mary Fay of the host club. Those rinks go head to head this afternoon.  On the guys' side, Bridgewater's Trevor Crouse lost twice yesterday and will now have to win four in a row in order to make the playoff round. Mayflower's Stuart Thompson and Robert Mayhew of Wolfville share the lead with 2-0 records. Draws are set for today at 8am, noon, 4pm, and 8pm in Chester. 

Winners will advance to the Canadian Juniors in Fort McMurray, Alberta in early February.

In Review: Seahawks Football Soars

It was a magical year for local football on the South Shore. The inaugural season for Seahawks Minor Football was an overwhelming success for the players, coaches and parents who supported the team. It took roughly five years of hard work and $25,000 to get the program off the ground. Program co-founder Gary Linthorne says it was a proud moment when  more than 800 fans attended the Seahawks home opener in September. He says their season was filled with highlights.



The program will expand to include a Bantam league in 2013. Linthorne says the organization is also looking to buy a new scoreboard for the upcoming season.

Curling: Bridgewater's Bachman Leads At Junior Provincials

Bridgewater's Trevor Crouse is in search of his first win at the AMJ Campbell Junior curling provincials in Chester. Crouse lost his first match this morning 7-3 to Robert Mayhew. He's on the ice at 4pm against Nicholas Schroeder. Over on the women's side, Bridgewater's Raquel Bachman sits in a tie for first place after winning her second straight game. Bachman defeated Mary Myketyn-Driscoll 6-5 in extra ends today. She also defeated Chester's Mary Fay Thursday night. Fay got her first win today, a 9-4 decision over Hayley McCabe. She sits at 1-1. Tournament winners will represent the province at the "M & M Canadian Juniors" in Fort McMurray, Alberta in February. For all tournament information, click here .

In Review: Mayor: Positive Year For Bridgewater

The mayor of Bridgewater says 2012 was a positive year for the town. David Walker says an increase in population growth, a reduced commercial and residential tax rate, and more building construction adds up to a good year. Construction also began on the LCLC and the town started working with Mahone Bay and Municipality of Lunenburg on joint services. However, Walker considers the municipal election to be a significant moment for the town.



Walker says he's excited to work with council on concerning issues over the next four years.

In Review: Remembering Bowater

Looking back at 2012, we remember the Bowater Mersey paper mill in Brooklyn. After weathering slumping paper markets worldwide and the general economic downturn, the mill closed in June and hundreds of people suddenly found themselves without jobs. The closure stunned the region and the mayor of the District of Queens at the time, John Leefe, says the loss of Bowater was a dark time in all his 12 years in office.



A transition team was established to help people in Queens and Lunenburg counties cope with the loss of Bowater and recommend how to move forward.  Ron Smith headed the team.



The province has lately inked a deal with Bowater-owners Resolute Forest Products to take over the company's woodlands and the Brooklyn mill site. Nova Scotia Power purchased the power generating facility.  The Oakhill sawmill which provided wood chips and sawdust to Bowater was not part of the arrangement. Its now closed and the equipment is being dispersed to other Resolute operations in North America.

In Review: New School Board Elected

It was a fresh start for the local school board as seven new faces and one long-time member were elected in October. The new members took over the reins from Judith Sullivan-Corney, who was brought in by the education minister after the previous board was fired late in 2011. The local board endured a busy first eight weeks with some hot-button issues including financially settling with a former teacher and adjusting to their new roles. Chair Jennifer Naugler says she's pleased with how the board has reacted.



She says every day is a new challenge and expects 2013 to be busy with school review and budget time approaching quickly in the new year.

In Review: Fresh Start For White Point

From ashes to opening; it's been an emotional year for officials at White Point. The new main lodge reopened last month, just under a year after fire destroyed the historic building. The lodge features more windows for better views of the ocean, more open spaces, higher ceilings and a beachstone fireplace. General Manager Danny Morton says he's still getting used to the new property.



Morton says roughly 125 workers have been hired back since the new lodge opened. The total cost to rebuild is believed to be around $7-million.

A Messy, Windy Day Ahead

A storm that caused weather troubles in the US over Christmas is rolling across the Maritimes today. Its bringing heavy snow for New Brunswick and ice pellets, snow, rain and high winds to this province. Here on the South Shore, the wind could top 100 kilometers an hour this evening before it peters out over night. Police forces in the area advise all motorists to slow down on the highways. As the temperature hovers around the freezing point, the snow falling this morning (ahead of rain this afternoon) is making the roads dangerous.

In Review: Teen Confinement Case Rocks South Shore

When you re-examine 2012, the one news story that stands out as representing a dark moment in our history came to light in late September.  That's when a teenage boy suddenly showed up on an elderly woman's doorstep in Upper Chelsea pleading for help. The 16- year-old claimed he'd been held captive in chains for days and sexually assaulted in a neighbouring home. The RCMP issued a Canada-wide warrant for the arrests of two suspects. One of them, 31-year-old Wayne Allan Cunningham was found dead a week later, along a woods road in Northern Ontario. The other suspect, 47-year-old David James Leblanc, was apprehended in the same area two days later. The incident raised fears among Lunenburg County residents that "big-city" type incidents had finally found their way to the area. District of Lunenburg Mayor Don Downe tried to ease everyone's concerns.



Since early October, Leblanc has been in and out of court in Bridgewater. He's facing seven charges, including sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm, forcible confinement and kidnapping. Leblanc is back in court January 16th when dates will be set for a preliminary hearing. Another man, 63-year-old Leonard McKean of Lower Sackville, has also been charged in the case. He's out on bail and is back in Bridgewater court January 23rd.

Junior Curling Championship Kicks Off

The road to the "Canadian Junior Curling Championship" goes through the South Shore starting today. The Chester Curling club will be hosting the "AMJ-Campbell Junior Provincials".
Eight girls' teams will battle for the title including Mary Fay of the host club and Bridgewater's Raquel Bachman.  The one local boys crew is Trevor Crouse of Bridgewater.  The event gets rolling at 4 o'clock this afternoon. Four more draws hit the ice tomorrow morning starting at 8 o'clock. The championship trophies will be handed out on New Year's Eve. Winners will represent the province at the "M & M Canadian Juniors" in Fort McMurray, Alberta in February.  

More ER Closures Planned At Fishermen's Memorial

There are more closures planned for the emergency department at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg. The ER will be closed Friday December 28 at 2:30pm and will reopen on Saturday December 29 at 7:30am. The emergency department will also close at 2:30 this afternoon and open back up at 7:30 Tuesday morning. The closure is being blamed on a shortage of available doctors. Anyone needing emergency services are being asked to head to the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. Patients with non-emergencies should contact their family physician or call Health Link 811.

Lunenburg: ER Closure At Fishermen's Memorial

The emegency department at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg will be temporarily closed over Christmas. A lack of physician coverage is to blame for the closure which begins on Monday afternoon at 2:30PM. The ER will re-open Christmas Day at 7:30AM. Residents requiring emergency services are being asked to visit the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. Patients with non-emergencies should contact their family physician or call Health Link 811.

Gas Prises Rise Ahead of Holiday Rush

If you're hitting the highway heading home for Christmas, you will have to pay more to hit the road. Gasoline prices are "up" at South Shore pumps and elsewhere in the province. The utility and review board set the prices for the next week at midnight last night. A litre of regular self serve is up 3.5 cents this morning to a $1.23.7. Diesel is also up in price this morning by the same amount.
Its selling for a $1-34.8 a litre.

Basketball Jones: Holiday Hoop Fest Tips Off

The Day's Inn Holiday Hopp Fest boys basketball tournament begins this morning at Park View with the host Panthers tiping off agaisnt the Memorial Marauders from Sydney Mines. Games continue all day including the Bridgewater Vikings playing at 2:00pm against the Dartmouth Spartans.The Panthers will play their second game of the day at 6:00pm an the Vikings wil host their scond game at the BHS gym at 8:00pm.

 

HOOP FEST SCHEDULE

 

Game 1 10:00am  Memorial      VS  Park View

Game 2 12:00pm  Central Kings vs  Halifax West

Game 3  2:00pm  Dartmouth     vs  Bridgewater

Game 4  4:00pm  J.L.Ilsley    vs  Shelburne

Game 5  6:00pm  Winner of Game 1 vs Winner of Game 2  @ Park View or B.H.S.

 

Game 6  6:00pm  Loser  of Game 1 vs Loser  of Game 2  @ Park View or B.H.S.

 

Game 7  8:00pm  Winner of Game 3 vs Winner of Game 4  @ Park View or B.H.S.

Game 8  8:00pm  Loser  of Game 3 vs Loser  of Game 4  @ Park View or B.H.S.

 

Saturday Dec. 22  @ Park View

3:00pm  Championship

Supreme Court: Eisnor Murder Trial Begins In May

Nine days have been set aside for a Barss Corner man charged with first degree murder. Wayne Paul Eisnor is accused of shooting his wife, Tina Mae, in a New Germany parking lot in June 2010. He then turned the gun on himself and suffered significant brain damage as a result of the self inflicted gun shot wound. The 48 year was deemed mentally fit to stand trial by a provincial court judge in April. However, Crown lawyer Lloyd Tancock says the matter of mental fitness is a live issue. He says Eisnor's mental fitness to stand trial could be put in the hands of a jury before proceed with the remainder of the murder case. The Nova Scotia Supreme Court trial will begin on May 13th. Eisnor will be tried by judge and jury.

Mayor Disappointed Oakhill Sawmill Will Not Reopen

A Lunenburg County mayor says a decision by Resolute Forest Products to keep the Oakhill sawmill closed doesn't make sense. The company revealed its intent to dismantle the mill in a letter that came across the desk of Don Downe on Tuesday. He says it's disappointing news.



Downe was hopeful the company could find a local suitor to take over operations and keep the sawmill afloat. At least 125 people lost their jobs when the mill was idled shortly after the Bowater Mersey Paper mill was closed in June. A call to Resolute Forest Products has not been returned.

Residents Plead To MODL To Save Rose Bay Wharf

Proponents of a public wharf in Rose Bay are reaching out to the Municipality of Lunenburg to help them keep the property in the community. Residents are concerned because a divestiture from the Federal government needs to be accepted or the wharf will be demolished. It's the only wharf in the community and local fisherman would need to move to another area if something isn't done. Committee Chair David Adler says the wharf is a necessity.



The municipality has referred information to a committee to further discuss the wharf's future. It has until the end of March to reach a decision on whether it will accept or decline the divestiture.

Dates For Eisnor Trial Will Be Set On Thursday

Trial dates for a Barss Corner man charged with first degree murder in the death of his estranged wife will be set on Thursday. Wayne Paul Eisnor is accused of shooting his wife, Tine Mae, in a New Germany parking lot in June of 2010 before turning the gun on himself. Eisnor suffered significant brain damage as a result of the self inflicted gun shot wound but a provincial court judge ruled in April his condition had improved and he was mentally fit to stand trial. The 48 year-old's fate will be determined by judge and jury in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

SSRSB: Some Schools Being Dismissed Early

A number of schools on the South Shore will dismiss their students early today due to tricky road conditions. Students at New Germany Elementary and High School, North Queens, Greenfield and New Ross Consolidated will be sent home at 11:30AM. That also includes New Ross area students attending Forest Heights.

Another Delay In Teen Confinement Case

Inclement weather has delayed the teen confinement case until the new year. Dates for a preliminary hearing involving David Leblanc were expected to be set during today's court appearance in Bridgewater. However, the 47 year year-old's lawyer Mike Taylor, was unable to attend this morning court's appearance in Bridgewater due to tricky road conditions. Leblanc is facing seven charges in relation to the sexual assault and confinement of a 16 year-old boy in Upper Chelsea. The matter has been adjourned until January 16th.