Lumberjacks Secure Offense In MHL Draft

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks selected a 17-year old forward from the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League with their first pick in Saturday's MHL draft in Yarmouth. Jeremy Butterworth of the Halifax Titans finished in the top ten in league scoring with 38 points this past season. With their next two, second round picks the Jacks grabbed a pair of 17-year old Charlottetown Islanders. Forward Damon MacDonald earned 37 points last season while Luke McIssac is a six foot three inch defenceman. The Jacks took four South Shore Mustangs including six foot three inch forward Jamie McIntyre, forwards Brandon Challoner and Riley Strowbridge and goalie Cole Skinner. Another Mustang, forward Avery Clarke, was the sixth overall pick for the Metro Marauders.

UPDATED: Bowater Mill Closing Indefinitely

It will be an indefinite closure for the Bowater Mersey paper mill. Premier Darrell Dexter confirmed in Liverpool late Friday morning that with the global economic changes including the struggling euro, the company is no longer in a position to operate the mill in Brooklyn. He says it's a huge blow to the workers, their families and the Queens County community. But, he feels they will pull through in the end.




Dexter says they plan on setting up a transition advisor to help bring government and community together and keep the economy growing.



Meanwhile, Queens MLA Vicki Conrad stood by the Premier as he made the announcement. She remains hopeful the community can survive the closure.



The closure throws about 320 people at the mill out of work. Meanwhile, a sawmill owned by the company in Oakhill and the Brooklyn Power Corporation are also affected by the shut-down. Resolute Forest Products says it's looking at selling all of its assets in the province, including the paper mill, sawmill and Brooklyn Power. The premier also says all money advanced to Resolute against the loan was returned to the province this week. The company says the facility in Brooklyn will be idled starting on Sunday morning.

BREAKING: RCMP Identify East River Crash Victim

RCMP have identified the person involved in a single vehicle crash in East River earlier this week. Police say 78-year-old Stig Owe Larsson of Chester Basin died when his vehicle crashed on Highway 329. RCMP responded to the call Monday afternoon after a vehicle was found on its side in a ditch and on fire. Police still don't know what caused the car to go off the road. The investigation continues.

Liverpool To Host 2014 Junior Curling Championships

A National curling event is coming to Liverpool. The 2014 M & M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Men's & Women's Curling Championships will be played January 18 to 26, 2014. They'll be held at the Liverpool Curling Club and also at Queens Place Emera Centre. The finals will be broadcast live on TSN. Nova Scotia had previously hosted six Canadian Junior championships, the last in Truro in 1994. The official announcement was made Friday morning by the Canadian Curling Association.

Beware Of Buying Meds OnLine

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  To mark the occasion, the RCMP is reminding South Shore seniors and care givers of the dangers of buying medication and health care products on the internet.
Cpl. Angela Hawryluk says it can be down-right dangerous.



The RCMP are reminding older adults of the following tips to protect themselves from falling victim to a fraud when ordering medication or health care products on line:

- Does the price reasonably reflect the value or is it "too good to be true"?
- Is the packaging properly labeled?
- Are there spelling mistakes and is the wrapping material of poor quality?
- Are you familiar with the place of purchase?
- Are you shopping on a reputable retail site?
- Does the quality of the product seem acceptable?

There are legitimate online pharmacies.  However, there are also numerous fraudulent ones that may sell medications illegally or do not follow proper procedures for filling out a prescription.  Seniors are advised not to buy from an online pharmacy that offers to prescribe a medication for the first time without a physical exam or if it sells a prescription medication without a prescription from your doctor.

As with all on line services it is important to take the time to become informed and aware of possible scams and fraudulent companies.

Valerie White of the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors says seniors can be targeted as vulnerable consumers, however with some research, on line use can be done in a safe manner.

BREAKING: Bowater Mill Closing Indefinitely

The future of the paper and pulp industry is about to change on the South Shore. Resolute Forest Products says its mill in Brooklyn will close indefinitely. The company made the announcement early Friday morning while meeting with union executives. More to come on this story once it becomes available.

BREAKING: Bowater Union Execs Meeting With Resolute

Union executives from Bowater Mersey have been called to a meeting with managers Friday. Two union leaders will talk with a representative of Resolute Forest Products, the mill's parent company. Union leader Don MacKenzie says he's concerned about the meeting and the future of the mill. Yesterday, Premier Darrell Dexter said he expected the company to make an announcement about the factory soon. More information will be posted once it becomes available.

Chester & Yarmouth Host Relay For Life Events

Family, friends and volunteers will gather to celebrate cancer survivors and lost loved ones in Chester and Yarmouth. Both communities will hold Relay for Life events this evening. The 12-hour relay is the Canadian Cancer Society's signature event and helps support research, prevention and advocacy. The event in Chester will be held at the Middle School while the Mariners Centre will serve as the site in Yarmouth. Opening Ceremonies for both relay's get underway at 7 o'clock.

Bridgewater Councillor To Re-Offer In October

A Bridgewater town councillor is sticking to what he knows best. Bill McInnis has decided to run for councillor again in October, despite contemplating the mayor's seat. He says he recently came to the decision.




McInnis says being a town councillor is a challenge with many responsibilities but its something he enjoys. He says he wants to be part of new initiatives like shared services with the town of Mahone Bay and Municipality of Lunenburg. David Mitchell and current mayor Carroll Publicover are the only two members of Bridgewater council who won't run in October. Mitchell will run in the next provincial election while Publicover is stepping down as mayor.

BREAKING: Future Of Bowater Uncertain

Premier Darrell Dexter is suggesting there will be a development concerning the future of the Bowater Mersey pulp and paper mill in Queens County. Dexter wouldn't reveal details today when asked if a closure was coming, but says the management of Resolute Forest Products should be making a statement soon. CKBW/HANK FM is working to contact officials from Resolute Forest Products. Dexter was the quarterback of a $50 million bail-out package in December aimed at saving the troubled mill in Brooklyn, Queens County. Dexter says none of the money advanced to Resolute Forest Products from the province has been spent. The mill hasn't been on stable ground since the bailout package was announced and has been forced to call for several temporary closures. The mill in Brooklyn shut down last month and is due for another temporary closure on June 17th, marking the third and fourth time the mill has called for down time since December. We'll have more on this developing story as information becomes available.

Scam Targets Businesses

A scam that has been around for awhile is now back and haunting businesses on the South Shore and elsewhere in the province. A company, believed to be operating out of Switzerland, is seeking payment for ad-space in the Yellow Pages that businesses here haven't even requested.

The invoice looks very legitimate. It features the name Yellow Page-Nova Scotia.com, for example, and includes a logo of a telephone receiver. Businesses are misled by the name and logo and think they are dealing with the legitimate organization that distributes local telephone books and Yellow Pages directories. The invoice states that the company owes a debt for an ad that they never agreed to in the first place or may have been tricked into signing up for last year.

Jill Atkinson is the Director of Communications for the Better Business Bureau..



The BBB suggests the following tips:
1. Read the fine print of any solicitation you receive so that you understand what you are agreeing to.
2. Take the time to check with the company to verify that they actually sent the invoice especially if it is delivered by a different method. i.e Fax vrs mail or email.
3. Always review invoices and bills before paying and confirm that you or someone in your company has agreed to the purchase.

If you have received one of these invoices, you can report it to the following:
Better Business Bureau –www.atlanticprovinces.bbb.org
The Competition Bureau 1-800-348-5358
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 1-888-495-8501
Your local police of RCMP division

Illegal Stun Guns Case Begins Today

A trial involving a Shelburne County man accused of smuggling stun guns through the mail gets underway today in Halifax. Twenty-three year old Scott Wade Nickerson is facing a slew of charges including five under the customers act. Some of the charges involve smuggling, possessing a prohibited weapon, and importation. Three packages were flagged at a sorting facility in Vancouver last year - each destined to a home near Shelburne. That's when the Canada Border Services Agency seized 32 illegal stun guns and 10 cans of pepper spray. Nickerson was arrested in May after police searched a home and a vehicle.

VIDEO: Omnibus Protest in Bridgewater

Over 40 people took part in a protest in front of South Shore-St.Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy's office in Bridgewater on Wednesday night. The protest was over the Conservative's massive omnibus budget implementation bill - known as Bill C-38.

Here's some more coverage of the event from CKBW and HANK FM:

South Shore: Residents Protest Omnibus Bill

South Shore residents hit the streets on Wednesday night in Bridgewater in a protest over the Conservative government's omnibus budget bill. The demonstration took place just before MP's began a marathon voting session in Ottawa. More than 40 people took part in the protest in front of MP Gerald Keddy's office on Aberdeen Street. The government's budget bill changes over 70 laws. The Opposition decries the huge bill and over the next 24 hours will force votes on about 800 amendments. However, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says the omnibus budget bill is essential to create jobs and long-term prosperity for Canada.

Yarmouth Area Man Charged In Gas Station Holdup

A 34 year old Yarmouth-area man has been arrested and charged in relation to an armed robbery earlier this week.  Murray Langille Nickerson of Hebron was arrested at his home yesterday.  He has been  charged with robbery with a firearm, wearing a disguise, pointing a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and uttering threats.  Nickerson returns to court June 18th.

Around 2:30 Monday morning, a man wearing a mask enterred a gas station on Starr's Road in Yarmouth and demanded cash and cigarettes.  The station attendant handed over an undisclosed amount of money and smokes and the robber fled on foot.  No one was injured.

Illegal Cigarettes Seized In Yarmouth & Charges Laid

There has been a major illegal-cigarettes bust in Yarmouth.  Two people have been charged and smokes seized.  A Yarmouth residence was searched by the RCMP and more than 13,000 contraband cigarettes were seized and a 75-year-old man and 64-year-old woman were arrested.  Both are facing charges under the Federal Excise Act and Provincial Revenue Act.  They have been released and will appear in Yarmouth Provincial Court on September 11th.

Long-time MODL Councillor Not Re-Offering in October

A District of Lunenburg councillor is calling it quits after representing his constituents for the last 42 years. Arthur Young has decided not to run in the October election, opening a seat that hasn't been filled by another person since 1970. He says its time to move on.



Young says he plans to keep busy on his farm and woodlot and hopes to travel with his wife. Seven District of Lunenburg councillors intend to run again, two are unsure, while two others will not seek re-election. The councillor decisions look like this as of June 12, 2012:

• Councillor Arthur Young will not re-offer
• Councillor Basil Oickle intends to re-offer
• Councillor Sandra Statton will not re-offer
• Deputy Mayor Frank Fawson intends to re-offer
• Councillor Martin Bell intends to re-offer
• Councillor John Veinot is undecided
• Councillor Eric Hustvedt is undecided
• Councillor Don Zwicker intends to re-offer
• Councillor Cathy Moore intends to re-offer
• Councillor Milton Countway will not re-offer
• Councillor Lee Nauss intends to re-offer
• Councillor Wade Carver intends to re-offer

Documentary To Discuss Salmon Aquaculture

A special documentary into the issue of open net salmon aquaculture will make its premiere Wednesday night across the province. Salmon Wars will be played on the South Shore at the Jordan Bay Hall and the Port Mouton Recreation Centre. The movie, written and hosted by Silver Donald Cameron, takes the viewer from one end of Nova Scotia to the other to discuss salmon aquaculture. Cameron speaks to lobster fishermen, conservationists, anglers about the issue. The movie will begin at 7pm. People can also watch the documentary online at http://www.salmonwars.com/ . After the screenings, a distinguished panel will discuss the issues and answer audience questions. People in remote locations may submit their questions via email and twitter. Panel members include:

• Ricky Hallett, Jordan Bay lobsterman 
• Judith Cabrita, longtime executive director, Tourism Association of Nova Scotia 
• Jeff Carr, science head, Atlantic Salmon Federation 
• Mark Parent, former Nova Scotia environment minister

Dexter: Euro Has Direct Impact On Bowater

 Premier Darrell Dexter says the European debt crisis continues to have a direct effect on the economy in Nova Scotia. He says the impact of a devalued euro is causing tremendous stress on the province's pulp and paper industry. The euro was trading at $1.24 on the market on Tuesday - it's lowest level in nearly two years. Dexter says it allows overseas paper manufacturers to flood the paper market with a cheaper product which impacts operations like Bowater Mersey.



Workers at Bowater are preparing for the latest in a series of temporary shutdowns set to take place from June 17th to July 2nd. The Brooklyn-based mill has called for several shut downs since a $50 million dollar bail-out package was announce last year due to saturated paper markets.

Lumberjacks Choose Local Talent As Territorial Picks

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have selected a defenceman and a forward as this year's territorial picks. Lunenburg's Alex Mann and Fox Point's Josh Shatford have been added to the team prior to this weekend's MHL draft in Yarmouth. Head Coach Terry Rhindress says both players bring certain qualities to the team.




Rhindress says it means a lot to secure local hockey players to the organization. Mann had 11 points last year on the South Shore Mustangs blueline while Shatford notched 19 points in his rookie season in major midget.