Chester: Public Hearing Set For "Our Health Centre"

A public hearing will be held next month to discuss a zoning change which would allow for a collaborative health care centre in Chester. The group behind "Our Health Centre" is proposing to build the new centre near Shoreham Village and the current zoning bylaws do not permit such a facility in that area. Organizers are in the midst of a major fundraising drive to raise six millions dollars for the project which would be home to six new doctors offices. The proposed location of the centre needs to be zoned "Institutional" before the project can move forward. The public hearing will be held at the Municipality of the Chester offices on February 6th.

Wedgeport Fisherman Not Wearing Life Jacket

Foul play is not suspected in the death of a 20 year-old lobster fisherman over the weekend near Yarmouth. The vessel was carrying three crew members when Michael Doucette of Wedgeport fell overboard on Saturday evening. A large scale search was organized and included nearly 30 fishermen, two helicopters and a pair of Canadian Coast Guard boats. Sergeant Alain Leblanc called it an unfortunate incident.



The fishing vessel "Row Row" was 33 miles south west of Yarmouth when the incident occurred. The search was scaled back early Sunday morning.

Barrington Bay, Valley Win Lohnes Lumbermen

The Barrington Bay Lightning are the 2013 Lohnes Lumbermen hockey champions. The Lightning defeated the Aucoin Locksmith Blues 6-5 in overtime to win the Labatt's Blue C+ division. Meanwhile in the Buck's Building Centre C division , the local club Eclipse Physio Rusty Blades made it to the semifinals but lost 2-1 to the Valley Bruins. The Bruins then went on to win the final 4-2 over the St. Margaret's Bay Storm. This was the 29th year for the tournament, which held games in Lunenburg and Bridgewater.

Whalen Sets New Provincial Indoor Shotput Record

A Liverpool native has established a new Senior Women's provincial indoor shotput record. Chelsea Whalen erased her own 15.04 metre throw of 2012 with a new personal best of 15.57m. Whalen reached her new PB at the Crimson Tide Indoor Open Track and Field event in Birmingham, Alabama. Whalen, who attends Florida State University finished second at the first indoor meet of the NCAA season.

VIDEO: White Point Quilt Unveiled

Over 500 hands, one stitch at a time. That's what it took to get a quilt created telling the story of White Point's past and present. The quilt is called 'Stitching White Pointers Back Together' and consists of 13 blocks showcasing popular White Point traits like its fireplace, golf course, bonfires and bunnies. Quilter Bev Crouse says she's proud of the work.



Quilters from as far as China, Australia and Sweden made their mark on piece. It will be hung on the wall between the first and second floors of the main lodge. In the video below, Crouse talks about the quilt, each of the 13 blocks and how it was made.

Wedgeport Lobster Fisherman Presumed Drowned

A 20 year old lobster fisherman is missing and presumed drowned after falling overboard in waters near Yarmouth. RCMP say Michael Doucette of Wedgeport went overboard around 5:50PM on Saturday. Nearly 30 fishermen, two helicopters and a pair of Canadian Coast Guard vessels helped searched for Doucette at the height of the rescue efforts. The search was called off at 9AM on Sunday. Mounties are investigating the matter.

Hockey: 'Jacks Lose In Amherst

The Amherst Ramblers exploded for four goals in the final period to down the visiting CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks 6-2 last night. The Ramblers were nursing a slim 2-1 entering the final frame. Ex-Jack Jacob Conrad had a goal for his new team while Brandon Gaudet and Connor Hilton replied for Bridgewater. The Jacks now begin a stretch of seven straight home games starting Tuesday when the Weeks Crushers come to town. Meanwhile, in "Q" action at the Metro Centre the Halifax Mooseheads overcame a 2-0 deficit to edge the PEI Rocket 4-3.

Camperdown: Two Charged After Drug Bust

Lunenburg County RCMP have laid charges after a drug bust in Camperdown late last week. Police say seized marijuana, drug paraphernalia and cash while carrying out a search warrant at the home on Thursday. A 39 year old man was taken into custody and released. He's facing possession and trafficking related charges. Meanwhile, a 26 year old woman was also arrested and is facing similar charges. They will both appear in court in the spring.

Bridgewater: Two Men Caught With Prescription Drugs

Two men face charges after police in Bridgewater seized prescription drugs during a traffic stop. The men, aged 22 and 53, were arrested following a traffic stop. They are facing a variety of drug related charges including trafficking prescription drugs and possession for the purpose of trafficking. In a release, RCMP Corporal Bill Wilcox says officers are working hard to eliminate drug trafficking from the South Shore, regardless of the commodity. Both of the accused will appear in court on March 27th.

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.