Liberals Focused On Bringing Back Yarmouth Ferry

The province is said to be fast-tracking plans for a ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine. Economic development minister Michel Samson says plans were put on hold by the previous government when the election was called and now the Liberal government is trying to catch-up. Samson says getting the service up and running by next May is a priority.



A deal to resume the ferry link was announced in September and the former NDP government said STM Quest had agreed to run a daily service starting next May 1st and running until October 31st. Samson says the Liberal government is still waiting on the company to confirm that it has met all the conditions of the deal set out by the province.

13 New Doctors Coming to Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is welcoming thirteen new family doctors to rural communities right across the province.  The doctors will begin seeing patients this fall and winter in Hubbards, Bridgewater, Yarmouth, Digby, Windsor, New Glasgow, Guysborough and Glace Bay. South Shore Health announced today they are welcoming two new doctors. It's a big relief to those in need of a family doctor. Dr. Reza Mehrpooya graduated with his Medical Doctor’s degree from the Shahid Sadoghi Medical School in Iran and completed 18 months of rotational internship with experience in emergency room and family practice. He will be setting up a practice in Hubbards. Dr. Hamidreza Koupaei graduated from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran and also completed 18 months of internship. He will be setting up practice in Bridgewater. Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine says timely access to a family doctor remains a key issue across Nova Scotia and the province is working hard to boost access. The family doctors are being recruited under the Clinician  Assessment for Practice Program, or CAPP. The program assesses the clinical skills of international medical graduate physicians to enter family practice without residency training in Canada.

Bridgewater: Police Focused On Taking Drugs Off Streets

Four people arrested in a drug bust in Bridgewater will appear before a judge this afternoon. Police seized more than 200 pain killers, 10 grams of cocaine and more than $1,200 in cash after they raided a home on Ron Street Thursday morning. Twenty year-old Rosina Ernst, 30 year old Robert Walsh, 39 year old Shannon Pollard and 52 year old Kevin Knickle are all facing drug related charges. Bridgewater Police Chief John Collyer says they continue to work to take drugs - especially prescription medication - off the street.



Some of the pills seized have a street value of $40 to $50 each. The cocaine has a value of about $1,000. Collyer says the investigation into the matter has been ongoing for more than a year.

Remembering Our Local Soldiers

Veterans are preparing for Remembrance Day observances on the South Shore. Bridgewater Legion member and veteran Roger Purnell says November 11th is a difficult day for some. For him, its all about saying .. thank-you!



Purnell says interest in what Remembrance Day is all about is growing year to year.

A major Remembrance Day service will be held at 11am Monday at Veterans' Memorial Park in Bridgewater. Hundreds of residents, veterans, school children and others are expected to attend the annual ceremony along with government and present-day military representatives. A broadcast of the service can be heard on HANK FM around 11am Monday morning.

Gas Prices Down Some

Gas prices at South Shore pumps are down some this morning (Friday). Regular self serve has dropped 2.5 cents a litre overnight to $1.25.2. High test is selling for $1.34.2. Diesel is down slightly, by half a cent, to $1.34.4 per litre.

Coke, Pills & Cash Seized In Bridgewater Bust

Four people have been arrested after police raided a home earlier today in Bridgewater. Members of the Bridgewater Police Service arrested two men and two women after searching a home on Ron Street. Police say they seized prescription pills, cocaine, cash and a vehicle. All of the accused are expected to appear in court Friday morning. Police say they will release names and charges in the near future.

Human Error Behind Intake Phone Issues

There will be another patient intake for residents of the Bridgewater area in need of a family doctor. South Shore Health's Communications Director Theresa Hawkeswork says they have identified the glitch within the phone system which caused problems last night. Hawkesworth says human error on the phone company's end is to blame for the mishap.



Hawkesworth says another intake has been rescheduled for next Wednesday, November 13. A number of pretests will take place before the phone lines open at 5:30pm. The number to call has not changed it is 527-4814.

Lobster Panel Proposes Levy On Catches

A levy on lobster catches in the Maritimes is at the core of dozens of recommendations proposed by a three member panel examining the challenges in the industry. The panel was set up to look into low prices for lobsters. Last spring, lobsters sold for $3.00 per pound in some parts of the Maritimes. The panel is recommending a one cent per pound levy to be paid by fishermen in addition to a one cent per pound levy paid by buyers. The money would help fund a new lobster market intelligence institute and develop a comprehensive marketing campaign. Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell says government will play a big role in implementing the recommendations. The lobster panel also recommends options for a formal system where the industry would know the price paid harvesters before landings. Lobster in Atlantic Canada is a billion dollar industry with 90% of Canadian lobster landed in the Maritimes.

Approval Given For Rock Quarry Near East Chester

The provincial environment department has given the go-ahead for a rock quarry near East Chester. To be operated by Northern Construction, the quarry will supply materials needed for upcoming work on Highway 103. The approval contains terms and conditions adressing dust, noise, protecting water resources and returning the site to its original condition when the quarry closes. The environment department will monitor the operation.

Bridgewater: Health Officials Working To Solve Phone Issues

Health officials in the Bridgewater area are working to find the cause of a technical glitch that caused headaches for some people trying to secure a family doctor. A patient intake was planned to take place over the phone last night for Dr. Sheila Dwyer and nurse practitioner Cheryl Soroka. However, something went wrong and callers were unable to get through. Director of Communications Theresa Hawkesworth says they are trying to figure out what happened.



Hawkesworth says they will announced another patient intake in the near future. There were 150 spaces available for Bridgewater area residents looking for a family doctor.

South Shore Real Estate Market In Slump

There's no mistaking all those "For-Sale" signs on the front lawns of many South Shore properties. There is an abundance of listed properties and nothing seems to be selling. According to the President of the Nova Scotia Association of Realtors, Gary Mailman of Bridgewater, the closure of Bowater and job losses are contributing factors.



Mailman tells us its a buyers' market right now.



Mailman says South Shore real estate prices are also down about five percent from last year. He believes though the market will pick up again if the Yarmouth ferry service is restored, the economy improves and more jobs are created.

Phone Issues Disrupt Patient Intake

It was a frustrating night for hundreds of people trying to get through a patient intake phone line. There were 150 spaces open for Bridgewater area residents trying to secure a primary care provider. However, there was a problem with the phone line set up for Dr. Shelia Dwyer. Some callers tried for hours to get through but only got a busy signal. A recorded phone message was later put up apologizing for the inconvenience. It also states another intake will be announced in the near future.

Bridgewater: Stroll Through Military History

A local historian will highlight Bridgewater's rich military past during a guided tour through Brookside Cemetery. Peter Oickle will lead a walk through the historic graveyard on Saturday afternoon. The tour will visit the grave sites of local soldiers, nursing sisters and others from the area who served in the World Wars. Oickle says it a good opportunity to learn about the roles local people had during the war.



Those interested in taking part in the walk should meet on Saturday at the corner of Victoria Road and York Street at 2 o'clock. There is a small fee, all money raised will go back to the Desbrisay Museum.

Lunenburg: Temporary ER Closure Today

The emergency room at Fishermen's Hospital in Lunenburg is closed due to staff shortages. The ER will re-open at 7:00pm (today). Anyone needing emergency service should dial 9-1-1 or visit the regional hospital in Bridgewater.

Health Minister Says South Shore Health Care Workers Should Not Panic

The province is moving ahead with plans to reduce the number of health authorities. The Liberal government wants to reduce them from the current 9 down to 2, one for all of the province and one for the IWK. Health minister Leo Glavine says millions will be saved through cuts to administration and reduntant services. He says though ... employees at South Shore Health and others across the province shouldn't panic about possibly losing their jobs.



Glavine says he will be touring the province next year to guage support, opposition and collect public suggestions on how to streamline health care in general.

Glavine says it'll take some time to make the changes and he hopes to capitalize on already existing collaberation among health authorities.

Lobster Price Report Expected Thursday

A report examining lobster prices will be released tomorrow. Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell and members of an independent panel will unveil the finding of the report during a news conference in Halifax. The three member panel has a representative from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI. It was formed last spring to look into the factors behind the low price of lobster. Last season, fishermen were getting just over three dollars per pound in some areas of the Maritimes. Dumping day in LFA's 33 and 34 is set for November 25.

Two Arrested On Firearms Complaint Near Bridgewater

Two people have been arrested by Bridgewater RCMP and charges laid in connection with alledged firearms offences. This past Sunday morning, the RCMP with help from Bridgewater Police arrested two people after they received a complaint of pointing a firearm. Their investigation found a shotgun had been allegedly pointed at two people at a home in Hebbville. As a result, 27 year old Dakota James Parsons of Hebbville has been charged with 3 firearms offences, one Break and Enter offence and one Possession of Stolen Property. The last two are a result of a break and enter into a business in the Lunenburg area on November 1st. A second person arrested on Sunday morning has not been charged. Parsons has appeared in Bridgewater Provincial Court on the charges and the case has been held over for a later date. The investigation is continuing.

Former Minister Wants Report On Lobster Prices

The MLA for Queens-Shelburne wants to see the findings of a panel's work looking into the low price of lobster. Sterling Belliveau says those in the industry need to know what they will be faced with when the lobster fishing season opens later this month. He is asking Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell to release a report examining the factors behind poor lobster prices. Last season, fishermen were getting just over three dollars per pound in some areas. The panel was established last June and has members from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI. Belliveau says with dumping day less than three weeks away it's time the recommendations be made available to the industry. Lobster season is set to begin in LFA's 33 and 34 on November 25.

Trudeau's National Campaign Team Has Local Connection

A resident of Shelburne County has been appointed to Justin Trudeau's national campaign team. Kirk Cox has accepted a volunteer position to work at the ground level in Nova Scotia for the Liberal Party of Canada. Cox says he's looking forward to the new role. He says the federal Liberals have some work to do in this province.



The Liberals and Conservatives each hold four seats in Nova Scotia. The NDP have three. Cox is the CAO for the Municipality of Shelburne. He says the position will not affect his day job. Two people from each province were selected to help run the national campaign for the 2015 federal election. The other is Kristan Hines of Halifax.

Poll Results: Senate's Got To Go

With all the uproar inside and outside the Canadian Senate chamber, our latest poll at "CKBW.ca" and "HANK-FM.ca" has come up with interesting results. At CKBW's website, we asked the question: Should the Canadian Senate be eliminated. A whopping 90 percent want the Senate abolished. Only 10 percent want to keep the Senate should remain. At HANK's website meanwhile, the results of the poll were close to the same. 85 percent of respondents voted in favour of getting rid of the Senate. 15 percent said they opposed abolition of the Senate.