Province Announces 'Choose How You Move' Strategy

The provincial government has announced $6-million in funding to help communities develop sustainable transportation plans. Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse says community groups, seniors, people with physical disabilities will benefit with more sustainable and cost-effective transportation options. She says those options include walking, biking, community transit, and carpooling. Peterson-Rafuse says she hopes it can benefit the entire South Shore including her constituency.



She adds, the province will work with local municipalities to find solutions to develop transportation systems. Funding will be available for the 'Choose How You Move Sustainable Transportation Strategy' for the next three years.

Weagle, Gordon Lead Team Atlantic At ESSO Cup

Two South Shore women's hockey players are in Burnaby, B.C. for Canada’s National Women's Midget Championship. The ESSO Cup got underway Sunday and Rebecca Weagle of Lunenburg and Kristen Gordon of Liverpool play for Metro Boston Pizza, which is representing team Atlantic. For Weagle, this will be her third trip to the nationals. The 17-year-old goaltender feels the club has a good shot at winning the tournament.



Metro Boston Pizza finished fourth last year. The Atlantic squad opened the tournament Sunday with a 3-0 loss against Ontario. They will play the Pacific team Monday evening. (Photo Credit:  Derek Leung)

Meeting To Discuss Diversion Facility In Blockhouse

Emotions could be high during a meeting Monday night to discuss a proposed construction and demolition diversion facility in Blockhouse. Several business owners have spoken out against the move, suggesting it would create more noise and polluted smells in the area. The Blockhouse Area Advisory Committee will oversee the meeting at the community's fire hall. It gets underway at 7pm.

Frk Scores OT Winner, Mooseheads Grab 2-0 Series Lead

The Halifax Mooseheads pulled one out of the fire Sunday night at the Metro Centre as they edged Rouyn-Noranda 5-4 in overtime. The Moose rallied from a 4-2 third period deficit to force extra time before Marty Frk's power-play marker clinched the victory. That's ten straight playoff wins for Halifax who are now up 2-0 in the best-of-seven semi-final series. The Huskies host game three Tuesday night.

Man Facing Charges After Woman Sent To Hospital

A Lunenburg County man faces a number of charges after an alleged assault late last week. RCMP say 45-year-old Andrew Melvin George was arrested April 19 in First South. A 36-year-old woman was transported to Fishermen's Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. She was treated for her injuries and later released. George is facing charges of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, uttering threats and two counts of mischief. He was remanded into custody and will appear in Bridgewater court Monday morning.

Astor Theatre Hopes For Improvements From Fund Raising Campaign

Liverpool's Astor Theatre is on a fund-raising campaign. Officials are hoping to raise $100,000. over the summer months to modernize the theatre's sound, projection and lighting systems. Among other things, theatre manager Chris Ball says having a digital system will help get access to all the current movies.



About a quarter of the funds, $25,000. has already been raised. Its hoped the remaining funds will be acquired through the summer and improvements completed in time for the fall movie season.

MacKinnon, Drouin Lead Moose To Game One Win

In "Q" League playoff action Saturday night in Halifax, Jonathan Drouin's goal midway through the third period broke a 4-4 tie and sent the Mooseheads to a 6-4 win over Rouyn-Noranda. Drouin finished the night with two goals and three assists. Linemate Nathan MacKinnon had a hat-trick and an assist. The win gives the Herd a 1-0 lead in the best of seven semi final series. Game two goes tonight at 7 at the Metro Centre.

Woman Suffers Minor Injuries After Vehicle Goes In Ditch

A 67-year-old woman has been taken to the South Shore Regional Hospital after her car went off the road in Northfield. RCMP say the incident occurred near the intersection of Penny and Northfield Roads just before 10:30 this morning. Corporal Jamie Vacon says the woman didn't make a proper turn and went into the ditch. He says the local fire department had to remove the woman from the car with the jaws of life. The road was closed down for over an hour because of the incident. The woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Deadline For Bravery Nomination Approaches

Nominations are still being accepted to recognize people who have put themselves at risk to protect others. The nomination deadline for Nova Scotia's sixth annual Medal of Bravery is May 1st. The award is a chance to honour friends, family members, neighbours or colleagues who have acted courageously to protect the life or property of others. Medal of Bravery Advisory Committee chair Duncan Miller says the province wants to help recognize acts of bravery and hopefully inspire other Nova Scotians. Nomination forms are available at Access Nova Scotia Centres, offices of members at the legislative assembly and at www.novascotia.ca/bravery

 

Mooseheads, Huskies Open Semi-Final Series

The Halifax Mooseheads open the "Q" League semi finals Saturday night as they host Rouyn-Noranda. Game one in the best of seven series at 7 o'clock at the Metro Centre is already a sellout. Game two, also in Halifax, goes Sunday night. In the other league semi-final, Baie Comeau edged Blainville-Boisbriand 2-1 in the opening game of that series Friday night. 

Truro Scores Double OT Win; Evens MHL Final

The Truro Bearcats edged the visiting Summerside Western Capitals 4-3 in double overtime Friday night. That evens the best of seven MHL Kent Cup Final at a game apiece. Game three goes tomorrow afternoon at 2pm in Summerside.

Whalen Wins Shotput Event In North Carolina

Chelsea Whalen continues to set a high standard in the shotput. The 20-year-old from Liverpool won the Atlantic Coast Conference's Outdoor Track and Field Championship women's shotput event today with a top throw of 16.33 metres. The throw will also re-write the record books for Nova Scotia senior women. It also eclipses her record mark of 16.23 metres for Florida State, which she set recently at the Seminole Invitational in Tallahassee, Florida.  It's Florida State University's first title in the ACC shotput event since 2000.

Will Quick Fix Be Found For SW Nova Economy?

Its like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. That is how the Atlantic director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation sums up the recent establishment of a committee to explore ways of ramping-up the tourism industry in this region. Kevin Lacey says the economy in the area since the Yarmouth ferry was shut down has tanked and it may be too late for a fix-up.

Lacey says the government is trying to protect its $21-million investment in a start up of the ferry service.  Tourism minister Percy Paris announced the setting up of the committee of business and community leaders earlier this week. He also says parameters of the hunt for a new ferry service operator will be relaxed a bit from the first attempt.

Lunenburg-Based Film Opens In Bridgewater

A movie that was filmed off the coast of Lunenburg opens is coming to the Bridgewater theatre. 'The Disappeared' tells the story of six men, stranded in two lifeboats, lost at sea and fighting for their lives in the Atlantic Ocean. Shandi Mitchell is the writer and director. She says the film hits close to home.



She says bringing the film to a local audience can be a bit frightening because she feels they are the biggest critics. It has been shown to audiences across the country after screenings at a number of film festivals. The film features a number of local actors and Hollywood star Billy Campbell, owner of the Lunenburg-built vessel 'Martha Seabury.' The movie opens this evening at Empire Theatres in Bridgewater.

Gas Prices Down Again!

Good news today for South Shore drivers! Gasoline prices took another drop overnight. The province's utility and review board has set the coming week's prices at $1.25.9 for a litre of regular self serve. High-test  gasoline is down by a similar amount, about three cents lower. Diesel has taken a substantial drop too. Its now selling at $1.23.4. Thats several cents lower than yesterday.

Streets In Boston Eerily Quiet As Manhunt Continues

A former CKBW/HANK FM employee says the streets of downtown Boston are eerily quiet today. Police have locked down the entire city of Boston and are telling people to stay home as heavily armed officers search for the lone remaining suspect of the marathon bombings. One of two suspects in the bombings has been shot dead, and an intense manhunt is under way for the second suspect, described by police as a terrorist. Andrea James of Dartmouth says she is stranded in the city after police locked down.



James says Bostonians showed an unbelievable amount of pride during a Fleetwood Mac concert last night. However, she says the mood has completely shifted after the events overnight.

Volunteers To Clean Up Parts Of Highway 103

Volunteers will be out in droves Friday to begin cleaning up the 100-series highways across the province. In Lunenburg County, crews branded in fluorescent vests will be in the Bridgewater and Chester-areas of Highway 103. The clean-up campaign is designed to remove garbage and recyclables from the side of the highway. Gina Bain with the Adopt-A-Highway program says they're encouraging people to stop throwing waste from their vehicles.



She urges people to use caution while driving tomorrow as volunteers will be walking along highways. Over 5,000 bags of garbage and recyclable material was picked up last year from the side of provincial highways.

Liverpool's Whalen Grabs Third In Javelin At ACC Championships

Liverpool's Chelsea Whalen has picked up a third place finish in the javelin event at the Atlantic Coast Conference's Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Whalen had a top toss of 45.70 metres during today's competition. She will now turn her attention to the shot put event. It gets underway Friday afternoon in North Carolina.

Yarmouth: Stabbing Victim Released From Hospital

A 20 year old Lunenburg County man has been released from hospital following a stabbing in Yarmouth. Police say the individual arrived at the town's hospital Tuesday evening after an incident on Southeast Street. A 16 year old boy has been charged with aggravated assault in relation to the matter. Police say the incident occurred at a home in Yarmouth. The victim and the suspect know each other. The youth appeared in court Wednesday and was released from custody on a number of conditions. He's due back in court August 1st.

Charges After Police Raid York Street Home

Police have laid charges following the search of a home on York Street in Bridgewater. Officers carried out a search warrant Tuesday when they found a large quantity of marihuana, cash and drug paraphernalia. A 27 year-old Bridgewater man was arrested and is facing various charges. Police say Josh Lang was released with conditions to appear in court June 19th. Meanwhile, a 27 year-old woman was also arrested on allegations of possessing marihuana. Stacy Murray has been released from police custody and is due in court at a later date.