Gasoline Prices Up Again

Gas prices at South Shore pumps have increased overnight. Regular self serve is up 2 cents a litre to $1.32.1 High test is up by the same amount to $1.41.1. Diesel is up almost 5 cents a litre this morning to $1.41.8. These increases come about as industry analyists say there's no real reason for hikes because oil supplies are good. In fact, the world price of oil has been dropping all week.

Liverpool: RCMP Investigate Possible Threat To School

A high school in Queens County was placed under a safety procedure this afternoon due to a possible threat made to the school. Students and staff at Liverpool Regional High School were under "hold and secure"  which means no one allowed inside or out of the building. The procedure was put in place over the lunch hour and Queens County RCMP were called to investigate a possible weapons threat to the school. Corporal Scott MacRae says police were stationed at the school to ensure the safety of students and staff. He says no arrests have been made.



Classes will take place as usual on Friday.

Memo sent home to parents via South Shore Regional School Board web site:

November 28, 2013

Dear Parents/Guardians:

During lunchtime, school administration received a phone call that a non-student was rumored to be coming to our school with weapons. Immediately, the Liverpool Detachment Royal Canadian Mounted Police were advised and responded by coming to our school. Our school went into a “Hold and Secure” mode.

Upon arrival of police, students were advised to return to classrooms with their teachers, to insure everyone’s safety. Afternoon classes went ahead as usual with staff and students receiving updates.

I am very pleased with the reaction of our students and staff. The Liverpool Detachment Royal Canadian Mounted Police responded promptly, effectively and remained at school until student dismissal. Their efforts will continue with investigative work.

Terry Doucette

Principal

Liverpool Regional High School

UPDATED: Liverpool High School Under "Hold & Secure"

Liverpool Regional High School in Queens County is under a "hold & secure" procedure due to "potential issue". That means no one is allowed to enter or leave the school. Communications Manager for the South Shore Regional School Board, Trish Smith says the move is precautionary. RCMP are involved. This is all the information we have and will update when we have more to report.

Update 1:15pm: Liverpool High School will remain in hold and secure until dismissal. The school has been working with the RCMP on a potential threat. All are safe.

Update 1:25pm: RCMP in Queens County looking for a person of interest in relation to hold and secure at Liverpool Regional High School.

Update 1:32pm: RCMP were called to investigate a possible weapons threat at the school - which led to the hold and secure. They are following up to find out if the threat is legit. Students safe, classes continue as normal.

Update 1:44pm: South Shore Regional School Board says students will be dismissed at regular time, RCMP will be on site when students get on their buses.

Update 1:50pm: School board says a memo will be sent home to parent letting them know what took place at the school and the reason for the "hold and secure". Students being dismissed and are being transported home.

Victim Of Fatal 103 Crash Identified

A Mill Village man has been identified as the victim of a two-vehicle crash yesterday on Highway 103 at Hebbs Cross. 73 year old George Warner Smith died Wednesday afternoon when the mini-van he was driving east between exits 14 and 15 collided with an SUV heading west. Two other people were sent to hospital with serious injuries. The cause of the crash hasn't been determined but driving conditions on the highway were poor at the time with heavy rain and wind. The RCMP are continuing their investigation.

Storm Cleanup Continues

Heavy rain and hurricane-force wind gusts last night created a lot of problems across the province for a lot of people. The biggest impact was on power. At the height of the storm, close to 50-thousand Nova Scotians lost their electricity, including thousands along the South Shore from St. Margaret's Bay to Yarmouth. Nova Scotia Power has been trying to fix a pair of snapped poles on North Street in Bridgewater, which is causing some minor traffic delays. Company spokesman David Rodenhiser says crews have been working on the issue for more than 12 hours.



Wind gusts last evening were close to 100 km/hr at times which tore limbs from trees, destroyed fences, ripped shingles off rooves and toppled trees, power poles and lines. RCMP Sgt. Al LeBlanc says first responders were swamped with calls.



There are still about 14-thousand Nova Scotia Power customers without electricity with the most outages in the eastern part of the province and Cape Breton. NSP hopes to have everyone re-connected as the day goes on. There have also been numerous delays or cancellations of flights at Halifax's Stanfield International Airport.

Gas Prices Expected To Rise Again

Gas prices here on the South Shore will likely rise about a cent tonight when the utility and review board sets the coming week's prices at midnight. In New Brunswick this morning, there's an increase in gas prices there. Self serve regular is at $126.9 a litre with diesel at $1.42 a litre.

Bridgewater: NSP Working To Fix North Street Power Poles

Over 14,000 people province-wide remain without power following yesterday's rain and wind storm. Crews with Nova Scotia Power worked through the night to fix situations on the South Shore including several outages in the Bridgewater-area, Chester and Queens. NSP is still trying to fix a pair of snapped poles on North Street in Bridgewater, which is causing some minor traffic delays. Company spokesman David Rodenhiser says crews have been working on the issue for over 12 hours.




Rodenhiser says workers are putting up new poles and installing wiring. He expects the issue to be cleared up in the next few hours.

South Shore Cleans-Up After Powerful Storm

Heavy rain and hurricane force wind gusts created a lot of problems last night in Nova Scotia. The biggest impact was on power. At the height of the storm, close to 50,000 people lost their electricity, including thousands along the South Shore from St. Margaret's Bay to Yarmouth. Wind gusts were close to 100 km/h at times which tore limbs from trees, destroyed fences, ripped off shingles and toppled power poles. There are still about 20,000 Nova Scotia Power customers without electricity with the most outages in the eastern part of the province and Cape Breton. NSP hopes to have everyone re-connected as the day goes on. There have also been numerous delays or cancellations of flights this morning at Halifax's Stanfield International Airport.

Local MLA Says Legislature Session Will Be A Rehearsal

The Nova Scotia Legislature will open today (Thursday) for a short fall sitting. Its the first session for recently-elected Premier Stephen McNeil and his 31 other Liberal MLA's. Argyle-Barrington Progressive Conservative MLA Chris d'Entremont says he's anxious to get back in the house to see if the Liberals will live up to their election promises and also work to improve the lobster fishery.



The legislature will open this afternoon with the throne speech read by Lieutenant-Governor J.J. Grant.
The session, expected to last only a week or so, is mainly for house keeping and the introduction of a few bills. d'Entremont says its mainly a rehearsal for a spring session.

UPDATE: Power Outages (10AM)

Last night's heavy rain and hurricane-force wind gusts created a lot of problems. The biggest impact was on power. At one point during the night, close to 50-thousand Nova Scotians lost their electricity, including thousands along the South Shore from St. Margarets Bay to Yarmouth. Wind gusts were close to 100 by times which tore limbs from trees, destroyed fences, ripped shingles off rooves and toppled power poles and lines. There are still about 20-thousand Nova Scotia Power customers without electricity with the most outages in the eastern part of the province and Cape Breton. NSP hopes to have everyone re-connected as the day goes on. There have also been numerous delays or cancellations of flights this morning at Halifax's Stanfield International Airport.

New Lunenburg MLA Readies For First Legislature Sitting

The Nova Scotia Legislature will open today for a special fall sitting. Its the first session for Premier Stephen McNeil and his other recently-elected Liberal MLA's. This will also be the first time Lunenburg Liberal MLA Suzanne Lohnes-Croft has sat in the house. She says it will be a learning experience and she's thrilled she's going to be there.



The legislature will begin sitting this afternoon with the throne speech read by Lieutenant-Governor J.J. Grant. The session, expected to last only a week or so, is mainly for house keeping and the introduction of a few bills.

Thousand Lose Power As Storm Pounds Nova Scotia

An intense storm packing huge wind gusts and heavy rain has knocked out power to more than 40,000 people in Nova Scotia. A complete list of outages and estimated restoration times can be found here

Bridgewater Donates $500 To Aid Philippines

Ottawa has extended the deadline to match funding towards Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts in the Philippines. The federal government has changed the date from December 9th to December 23rd. Closer to home, a number of local municipalities have decided to donate money to the cause. Bridgewater recently approved $500. Mayor David Walker says providing money was an easy decision.



Meanwhile, the Municipality of Chester gave $100, the town of Mahone Bay donated $500 and the Region of Queens offered $1,000 to the relief efforts. Reports say the death toll is over 5,500 but could still climb after the typhoon struck earlier this month.

UPDATED: Fatal Crash On Highway 103

Mounties say one person is dead after a head-on crash late this afternoon on Highway 103. The collision between a SUV and van happened in Hebbs Cross just after 3 o'clock. Sergeant Alain Leblanc says two others have been taken to hospital with serious injuries. A section of the highway has been shut down near the crash scene.  RCMP say they will be on scene for at least a few hours. Traffic is being re-routed through the Old Camperdown Road. The cause of the collision has not been determined but road conditions were poor at time.

Lobster Season Will Open Saturday

The lucrative lobster fishing season in southwestern Nova Scotia will kick off on Saturday. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans and representatives from within the industry made the decision this afternoon after getting a look at the updated forecast. DFO Area Manager Frank Quinn says calmer wind speeds are expected heading into the weekend.



Quinn says he's pleased fishermen are thinking about safety first before heading out on the water. The lobster fishing season was supposed to open on Monday but was delayed because of high wind and rough seas.

Shore Club, Mateus Bistro Among Taste Of NS Award Winners

Lunenburg County restaurants and producers have collected hardware from Taste of Nova Scotia. Four local businesses received 2013 Prestige Awards. LaHave Forests of Blockhouse won innovative product of the year for their Haskapa Haskap juice while Terra Beata Cranberry Farm in Heckman's Island was named producer of the year. Mateus Bistro in Mahone Bay won restaurant of the year for chef-inspired casual dining. Shore Club Lobster Suppers in Hubbards received restaurant of the year - essence of Nova Scotia. The awards celebrate producers and restaurants that provide exceptional culinary products and experiences.

UPDATED: Power Outages Reported

Power outages are being reported in Nova Scotia. It's part of a late fall storm that's ready to pound most of the province. According to Nova Scotia Power, outages are affecting roughly 5,500 residents in Bridgetown, Kingston and Windsor. No outages on the South Shore have been reported. Wind gusts in the region could top 100 km/h. They could reach up to 130 km/h in some parts of Cape Breton. Environment Canada is also predicting upwards of 50 millimetres of rain. Meanwhile, the Confederation Bridge has restricted certain classes of vehicles from crossing until the current high wind situation changes.

Chester: Gingerbread Festival Opens For Fifth Year

The smell of brown sugar and molasses will linger through Chester for the next few weeks. The fifth annual gingerbread festival kicks off this weekend in the village. Chester will be decorated with hundreds of outdoor flat gingerbread men. Over a dozen people will also build gingerbread houses that will be judged and displayed at the area's Art Centre. Co-coordinator Suzie Fraser says the event helps get people in the spirit of Christmas.



There will also be a tree lighting, outdoor displays and craft markets over the next two weeks. The festival officially opens Saturday and goes until December 15. More information can be found here .

Curl For Kids Supports Big Brothers Big Sister

Local organizations and teams are gearing up to support Big Brothers Big Sisters at their Curl for Kids event in Bridgewater. This weekend will mark the 24th annual curling bonspeil in support of the non-profit organization which helps deserving children around the South Shore. Executive Director Sandra Murray says it's an important fundraiser to support their programs.



Murray says they have roughly ten teams signed up for this weekend's event including a pair of entries from CKBW and HANK FM. The curling kicks off Saturday at the Bridgewater Curling Club.

"We Day": Local Schools Represent South Shore

South Shore schools have sent a contingent of students to the Halifax Metro Centre today. They are there for the youth empowerment "We Day", sponsored by the Free the Children charity. Roughly 8,000 students and educators from across the region are attending and it can be watched online with streaming here - locally 25 student in Grade 6 at New Germany Elementary made the trip along with students from North Queens. The show will be featuring a star-studded lineup of performers and inspirational speakers, including Shawn Desman, Hedley and former governor-general Michaelle Jean. "We Day"started in 2007 and has grown into a cross-country tour with nine Canadian stops. (Photo: Nova Scotia Teachers Union Twitter feed)