Tax Rates Remain Status Quo In MODL

The mayor of the Municipality of Lunenburg calls it a budget with no surprises and continues to pay down the debt. Council agreed to hold the line on residential and commercial tax rates. The residential remains at $0.81 cents per 100 of assessment while the commercial rate stays at $1.95 per 100 of assessment. The residential rate stayed the same for the fourth year in a row while the commercial decreased by $0.10 cents last year. Don Downe says its a responsible budget.



The 2013-14 operating budget will be $28.3 million while the capital budget is $4.4 million. Capital projects for this year includes over $900,000 in sewer infrastructure and $200,000 to implement an active transportation plan. The municipality's CAO feels the budget meets their needs and sets the course for years to come.

Crews Working To Fix Water Line Break On North Street

A significant water main break on North Street in Bridgewater is causing some traffic issues today. A water line busted near the EHS base last night. Crews with the town's public works department are on scene. They have found the break and are working to correct the problem. The area has been reduced to a single lane. Motorists should expect some minor delays on North Street while the area is cleaned up.

Province Providing Funds To Bridgewater Curling Club

It's some much needed funding for the Bridgewater Curling Club. The Nova Scotia Government is expected to provide significant funding to help the club with repairs. The curling rink has been looking to replace its aging ice making and refrigeration system. The club also needs to overhaul its sprinkler system. The Bridgewater rink needs about $225,000 in total repairs. An official announcement is expected to take place next week.

Injuries Result From Queens County Accident

A man and woman were sent to hospital yesterday afternoon with non-life-threatening injuries following a single vehicle roll-over in Queens County. The accident happened mid-afternoon along Highway 8 near Greenfield. The injured woman was trapped in her car until she could be rescued by emergency crews. The highway was closed for a couple of hours and traffic re-routed. Queens RCMP continue their investigation.

Spts-New Germany Jr. Girls Are Regional Champs!

The New Germany Rural High School junior girls softball team are Regional Champions! They defeated Par-en-Bas yesterday (Tuesday) 12-1 then went on to defeat Annapolis Royal 15-3 in the championship game. The girls were undefeated through the entire season. Their win adds to the successful year of both junior and senior girls squads at the school. Monday, the seniors won their regional softball championship, defeating North Queens in the final.

UPDATED: Traffic Now Moving On Highway 8

Emergency officials were called to single vehicle rollover near Milton this afternoon. The crash occurred shortly after 3 o'clock. It's not known how it happened or if there are any injuries. Police say a section of Highway 8 was closed for a short period just north of Milton.

VIDEO: Mooseheads Celebrate Historic Year

The Halifax Mooseheads were greeted to thousands of fans as they left the Metro Centre today in the wake of their historic President Cup and Memorial Cup victories. Players and coaches arrived home yesterday evening in time for a celebratory event Tuesday at noon in Halifax's Grand Parade near City Hall. Some players got on stage answered questions and thanked fans including Nathan MacKinnon, Stephen MacAuley, Zachary Fucale and co-captain Trey Lewis. It will be a short turnaround for MacKinnon, Fucale and Jonathan Drouin as they will head to Toronto for the NHL Scouting Combine, which include team interviews and a rigorous fitness test. Below is video of the parade portion of today's event.

VIDEO: Local Olympian Nominated For RICOH Sports Award

 Bridgewater's Jenna Martin has been nominated for a prestigious award which recognizes Nova Scotia's greatest athletes, coaches and teams. Martin is up for a RICOH  Sports Awards in the Individual Female Athlete of the Year category. She'll be up against fellow Olympian Ellie Black and Alex Duckworth of Kingsburg. Martin made her first appearance at the Olympics games in London last summer. The 25 year-old was solid in her Olympic debut and qualified for the semi-finals in the 400 metre event. The awards will be presented during a ceremony in Halifax on June 1st.

What Road Is The Worst In The Region?

South Shore residents have just three days left after today to vote for what they believe is the worst road in the region. Its the Canadian Automobile Association's annual Worst Roads campaign. Spokesman Gary Howard tells us there are no prizes; just recognition for that bumpy, irritating road you love to hate.



Since voting began May 1st, the Forties Road in New Ross has bumped its way up the scale from 4th to 2nd place and is close to knocking-off the current worst road in Atlantic Canada, the Cape John Road in River John. Highway 203 near Yarmouth is now 5th overall, up from 7th in early May. You can vote for your worst road at www.atlantic.caa.ca/worstroads.

 

Bridgewater Town Council Mulls Room Tax

The deputy mayor of Bridgewater is continuing his push for a room tax to be initiated in the town. Bill McInnis is behind the idea because he feels a small two-dollar tax on a 40% occupancy rate could generate roughly $60,000. McInnis says the issue would not be on residents, but it would charge guests and the money raised would be put back into the community to promote tourism. He says it's not a new idea.



Bridgewater council has sent the matter back to staff for a report and recommendation. The issue could be back on the agenda for a meeting in June.

Chester: Council Approves Budget/New Tax Rates

Residents in the Municipality of Chester will pay more in taxes in 2013-14. Council approved its $22.4-million operating budget - agreeing to raise the residential tax rate by two cents to 66 cents per 100 of assessment. The move was needed to help balance the budget. The reasons for the increase includes reserves being diminished by just over $1.1-million for projects like a wind turbine, eco-park and Mill Cove Water Utility. As well, expenditures increased by nearly $500,000. This year's operating budget is an increase of nearly $3-million. Meanwhile, businesses are getting better news with a one cent decrease, with the new commercial tax rate at $1.53 per 100 of assessment. The operating budget is listed at $22.4-million while the capital budget is $12.1-million.

Spts-New Germany Girls Softball Team Wins Regional Championship! Juniors Might Be Next!

The New Germany Rural High School senior girls softball team has captured the Division-3 Regional championship. They defeated Par-en-Bas, Drumlin Heights and Forest Heights Monday in round-robin play, defeated Shelburne in the cross-over and then beat North Queens in the championship game. The N-G junior girls will now to try to follow in the senior's footsteps as they host their Regional softball tournament today (Tuesday). The first game is at 12:30pm..

Rick Hansen Book Comes To South Shore Schools

The story of Rick Hansen's 43,000-kilometre world tour is coming to South Shore elementary schools. Roll On: Rick Hansen Wheels Around the World was recently released across the province. In 1985, the Canadian began the Man in Motion World Tour, a two-year journey in his wheelchair that raised awareness of what people with disabilities can do. Communications Manager Trish Smith says the book can help students and others in schools.



The book is expected to be available in roughly 10 South Shore schools. During Hansen's 34-country tour, $26-million was raised for spinal cord research, rehabilitation and wheelchair sports.

Bailey "On Top Of The World" With Memorial Cup Win

Lunenburg's Brennan Bailey says he didn't get any sleep following the Mooseheads thrilling 6-4 win over Portland in the Memorial Cup final. Following the win, Bailey suited up and joined his teammates on the ice in Saskatoon for his chance to lift the top trophy in junior hockey. The-19-year-old didn't get a chance to play during the event, but still enjoyed the ride. He says he's on top of the world.



Bailey says it's been a great experience to be a part of and shared it with his parents by phone following the win. He says the trophy was easy to lift, adding it was lighter than it looked. The Mooseheads return to Halifax Monday evening and Bailey expects to be back in Lunenburg this weekend.

Roseway Spring Fling A Success

The auxiliary at Roseway Hospital in Shelburne is reporting a very successful "Spring Fling" over the weekend. Auxiliary President Barb Henderson-Townsend says the public response was good, despite the wet weather, and thousands of dollars was realized.



More than four thousand dollars was the result. It will go toward the $20,000. the auxiliary is trying to raise toward improvements to the Roseway ER.

No Injuries After House Fire In New Ross

No injuries after a weekend house fire in New Ross. The blaze was reported around 6:30 on Saturday evening. New Ross Fire Chief Lyle Russell says crews worked quickly to contain the fire which began in the bathroom area and spread to the attic. No one was currently living at the home. Russell says it was a rental property which was under renovations. Fire officials believe the blaze was sparked by a soldering gun. The home suffered moderate damage.

Track And Field: South Shore Athletes Make Their Mark

It was quite the weekend of track and field for some South Shore athletes. Locally, James Lucas representing Park View at the NSSAF High School Track and Field Western Regionals won six gold medals. Lucas took gold in the 100 metre, 200 metre, 400 metre, 4 x 100 metre, 4 x 400 metre and long jump in the intermediate boys division. Other multiple gold medal winners include Nigel Getson, Tobias Wolter and Cal Dewolfe of Park View and Jonah Comeau of Bridgewater High. A number of South Shore athletes qualified for provincials, being held later this week at Beazley Field in Dartmouth. Meanwhile across the border, Mattias Wolter of Conquerall Mills qualified for the NCAA Division-1 track and field championships. The product of the University of Louisville won the men's 3,000-metre steeplechase during a meet in North Carolina. Wolter will head to Oregon for the championships June 5-8.

Group Bringing Outdoor Movies To Bridgewater

A small group of volunteers in Bridgewater are bringing movies outdoors. The group, known as Fresh Air Films, will begin showing movies at the end of next month at Shipyards Landing along the LaHave River. One of the organizers, Janice Tanner Ernst, says people can walk up and watch the movie, or paddle up to the site and watch from a kayak or boat. Tanner Ernst says there's been great support from the community.



She says people are encouraged to make donations because it costs between $400-$500 to rent equipment and show each movie. Tanner Ernst says they plan on playing family films to help encourage both kids and adults to come out and watch. A volunteer drive will be held soon for people looking to help out or people can email the group if they're interested at bridgewaterfreshairfilms@gmail.com . The first film will be the original Karate Kid on June 28.

Spts-Mooseheads Win The Big One

The Halifax Mooseheads have won the Memorial Cup for the first time. The herd overpowered the Portland Winterhawks 6-4 last night in winning the trophy. Nathan MacKinnon scored a hat trick while Konrad Abeltshauser scored twice for the Mooseheads. Zachary Fucale stopped 40 shots in goal.
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Nathan MacKinnon has padded his resume ahead of next month's NHL draft.  The 17-year-old scored a hat trick and had two assists last night in the championship game. MacKinnon was also named tournament MVP.  He's expected to be a top-three pick when NHL teams convene in Newark, New Jersey.

Spts-Whalen Qualifies For NCAA Championships

Chelsea Whalen of Liverpool led the charge over the weekend for the Florida State Seminoles in Greensboro, North Carolina. She ended up qualifying for the U.S. National Championships in both the javelin and the shot-put. Whalen qualified sixth overall in the East in the javelin with a new personal-best throw of 49.40 meters. She followed that up in the shot-put as the No. 5 qualifier in the East with a throw of 16.26m. Whalen is now heading to the NCAA Division-1 Championships in Eugene, Oregon June 5-8.