Lunenburg: Town Will Not Join Power Consortium

Lunenburg is saying 'no' for now to joining a consortium that is setting up their own power source. Mahone Bay, Berwick and Antigonish are working together to operate a seven turbine wind farm in the Municipality of West Hants. It could be up and running in 2015. Lunenburg Mayor Rachel Bailey says the town needs to get their finances in order and also went through a rate increase recently for their utility. She says the timing doesn't make sense to join the consortium.



Bailey hopes the town can support the group by purchasing power from them in the future.

Yarmouth Ferry Clears Hurdle, Nears May 1 Launch

The Nova Scotia government is helping the operator of the new Yarmouth ferry meet federal requirements in the United States so it can start selling tickets. Nova Star Cruises will receive $2 million, part of the province's $21-million commitment to support a new ferry, to post a bond to meet regulations.Tourism Minister Michel Samson says the money means they'll be able to get the approvals they need in the United States to advertise their fares and sell tickets. Meanwhile, some changes to the ferry schedule were also unveiled - it will arrive in Yarmouth at 8 a.m. and depart at 10 a.m. The company requested the change to better accommodate marine traffic in Portland. It's set to begin making crossings May 1.

Students Receive Inaugural Lieutenant Govenor's Award

Students from across the province will be at Government House in Halifax later today to receive an inaugural award. The Lieutenant Governor's Respectful Citizenship Awards will be handed out to youth who show leadership by creating safe and inclusive spaces - free of bullying or judgement. Locally, Robyn Whynot of Liverpool is being given the award along with the RCMP's Youth Advisory Committee in Lunenburg County. The Department of Education's Anti-Bullying Coordinator Kathleen Richard says students who demonstrate leadership deserve to be recognized.



Others recipients include Janell Stewart of Yarmouth and Stephen Bennett of Middleton.

It's the first time the awards are being presented. The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m.

MODL: No Appeal Received For Proposed Blockhouse Facility

It appears a Halifax company are giving up in their effort for a proposed construction and demolition diversion facility in Blockhouse. The deadline to file an appeal has passed for Halifax C and D. It was February 24. General Manager Lee Anne Chassie refused to comment on the issue. However, the CAO for the Municipality of Lunenburg, Tammy Wilson, says no notice of an appeal has been given to their legal counsel. She says unless a last minute appeal was filed, the issue should be dealt with. The province's Utility and Review Board dismissed an appeal by the group last month. Halifax C and D had 30 days to appeal the URB decision to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

UPDATE: Two Arrested In Valley School Lock Down

Two young people have been arrested in relation to a threat received by a student via text message in the Annapolis Valley. The text prompted the lock down of Central Kings High School and a nearby elementary school. RCMP had several resources at the schools along with a dog team to help with the investigation. However, it's not known what kind of threat was attached to the text message. The arrests were made nowhere near the schools. Police say it's too early to determine if criminal charges will be laid.

Threat Via Text Locks Down Valley Schools

Kings District RCMP are looking into a threat received via text message by a student at the Central Kings High School in the Annapolis Valley. Police got the call just before lunch time regarding the text message. Central Kings and a nearby elementary school were first placed on lock down and then under a hold and secure. That means no one is allowed to enter or leave the building. Police do not believe the suspect ever entered the school property. However, they have not revealed any information surrounding what was included in the text message. RCMP had several resources at the schools along with a dog team to help with the investigation. There have been no arrests.

Lunenburg: Ironworks Distillery Among World's Best

A Lunenburg business has been recognized for making some of the world's best alcohol. The World Drink awards were handed out recently in London, UK and Ironworks Distillery walked away with their hands full. Ironworks Bluenose Black Rum was named the world's best dark rum for 2014. Also, Ironworks Pear Eau de Vie won the world's best brandy and best fruit brandy. The company's apple brandy received world's best apple brandy and best design. Co-owner Lynne MacKay says they're delighted.



She says each of the award winning beverages are available at their shop in Lunenburg or at select stores and markets across the province. The awards were presented by the UK publication 'TheDrinksReport.com', which is considered the world's number one online resource for drink professionals.

McIntosh, Drennan Win Pentathlons; Clinch CIS Berths

Bridgewater's Rachael McIntosh won her fourth consecutive pentathlon title at the Canada West track and field championships in Edmonton. The 23-year-old at the University of Calgary took home gold over the weekend. She also earned silver in the 4x400 metre women's relay and a bronze and personal best score in shot-put. McIntosh competed in 11 events in a span of five hours. She says she didn't have much time to think about winning.



Meanwhile, Lunenburg's Jesse Drennan of the University of Windsor won the pentathlon title at the Ontario University Athletics track and field championships. Both Drennan and McIntosh will compete at the CIS championships from March 6-8 at the University of Alberta.

Bridgewater: St. Phillips Street Home Pegged As Heritage Property

A Bridgewater home is being pegged as a heritage property. The town has approved the designation to the residence at 106 St. Phillips Street. Documents will be forwarded to the province to register the home with heritage status. Heritage Advisory chair Patrick Hirtle says this is their first home recognized.



The home was built in 1866 by David Walker and it remains in the Walker family. The Brookside Cemetery, Trinity Anglican Church and the Wile Carding Mill are the other heritage properties in Bridgewater.

Minor Injuries Result From Early Morning 103 Crash

Two people were injured this morning in a two car accident on highway 103 in Hebbs Cross. It happened around 6am at Exit 14. Both of those people injured were taken to South Shore Regional Hospital with minor injuries. The RCMP say one car was pulling out on the 103 from Highway 3 and another vehicle travelling along the 103 collided with it. The highway was closed between Exit 13 in Wileville and the Conquerall Mills Road past Exit 14 for a couple of hours. The RCMP is still investigating.

Seven Years And Counting: Shelburne Waiting For High Speed Internet

It's been almost seven years and some areas of Shelburne are still waiting for high speed Internet. The Nova Scotia government awarded a contract to Eastlink in 2007 to provide the service province-wide. However, there are still roughly 1,000 people along the South Shore and Annapolis Valley with no service. Municipality of Shelburne CAO, Kirk Cox, says that includes many in the community.



Cox says with seven councillors, the issue comes up at meetings every month. He says it's positive news that the province has given Eastlink a December deadline to complete the work.

Whalen: Gov't Committed To More Education Dollars

Nova Scotia's finance minister says investing more money into education remains a top priority. Diana Whalen says the Liberals will follow through with re-investing $65 million dollars into education during their mandate. During a stop in Bridgewater, Whalen says that will be done over time.



Whalen says the government wants to make sure students have more support in areas such as literacy and math.  She says some new money could also help with ideas coming out of the recently announced school system review.

Blandford: SAR Exercise Planned

There will be a search and rescue exercise Tuesday in Lunenburg County. It's being organized by the Canadian Coast Guard, Department of National Defence, US Coast Guard and RCMP. It will take place near the coastline in Blandford and is expected to begin at 10 a.m. and end by mid-afternoon. Residents can expect to see helicopters, flares and boats in the water. The exercise should take up to four hours to complete.

Chester: Wind Project Enters Sewer Rate Discussion

A Chester councillor feels the South Canoe Wind project could help solve problems with sewer rates. Brad Armstrong suggested the option because five of six sewer systems are in a deficit position. The municipality is proposing a universal tax rate and few councillors seemed to lend an ear to Armstrong's idea. He was under the impression they backed the wind project to help taxpayers in the area.



Deputy Warden Floyd Shatford disagrees. He feels it doesn't make sense to take tax dollars from the wind farm to cover sewer rates.



The issue will be back in front of council next week.

Beware Of Scammers Phishing For Your Personal Info

Visa Canada has a new survey out shedding light on the prevelence of internet phishing scams. The survey has found 92 percent of digitally-connected young Canadians under age 35 have become regular targets of these fraud attacks. They're trying to get your personal information for financial gain. Jill Atkinson of the Atlantic Better Business Bureau says anything emailed by a bank or a company you deal with should be considered "suspicious".



Phishing scams go after information such as your bank account numbers, passwords, debit and credit card numbers and social insurance numbers.

Lunenburg: Fishermen's ER Closure

The ER at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital is temporaily closed today. It shutdown at 7 a.m. and will reopen at 7:30 p.m. A shortage of staff is the reason. If you have an emergency, call 911 or go to South Shore regional Hospital. If you need medical information, call 811.

Region of Queens "Snow" Budget In Good Shape Despite Storms

The Municipality of the Region of Queens may be one of the few districts along the South Shore and elsewhere with a snow removal budget thats still in pretty good shape! However, after a long period of relentless storms, the Region of Queens does have fewer funds left in the budget than usual. Mayor Christopher Clarke says the Region's staff is always prepared.



The Region of Queens does have reserve funds on standby if needed. However, the mayor doubts they'll be needed.

Shelburne: Pot Use Leads To Impaired Driving Charge

A Shelburne man has been charged with impaired driving by a drug after an incident early Friday morning. Police say they pulled over a vehicle around 1 a.m and found some marijuana. The 24 year-old driver was taken back to the detachment and questioned by an RCMP drug recognition expert who determined he was impaired. He was later released and will appear in Shelburne court May 29. The man is facing charges of impaired driving and possession of marijuana.

Mustangs Earn Split In Halifax

The Halifax McDonalds have evened their playoff series with the Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs. Halifax skated to a 4-2 win Sunday to tie the best-of-seven series at one. The Mustangs won game one Saturday night 2-1 in overtime. Alex Nauss scored both goals for the Mustangs, who will host games three and four at the Clearwater Seafoods Arena this coming weekend.

Lunenburg Snow Removal Budget Headed For The Red

Lunenburg's mayor says they will need to look at their reserves to help cover the cost of snow removal this winter. Rachel Bailey says they started the winter with a budget of $106,000. However, that's been whittled down to roughly $3,000 before the last storm hit last week. Bailey says it's been an unusually difficult winter.



She says the town has over $20,000 in reserves and other resources if they end up in the red.