South Shore: Tricky Driving Conditions Reported

Motorists throughout the South Shore are reporting difficult driving conditions. Comments on our Facebook page indicate slushy and slippery conditions are the norm in Chester, Milton, Lockeport and Newburne - among other areas. The forecast calls for up to four centimetres of snow this afternoon with another five to ten centimetres expected tonight. Residents could also see some ice pellets and rain in Shelburne, Queens and Lunenburg counties.

MODL: Resident Decision Needed Before Paving Starts

The Municipality of Lunenburg has agreed to pay 40 per cent of the cost of paving two roads in Pine Grove. Council members agreed to spend an estimated $130,000 to pave Harold Whynot Road and Craig Chandler Drive. However, the onus is squarely on the residents of those streets, who have to agree to cover the rest of the bill. Mayor Don Downe says 75 per cent of residents will have to approve the decision in a petition.



There are 26 properties between the two streets, meaning 20 households would have to agree or paving wouldn't happen. The estimated cost to residents is $8,600. Downe says there are avenues people can choose to pay either by paying up front or financing with the municipality at 10 per cent administration charge.

Bridgewater: Stomach Virus Closes Group Homes

A stomach virus has restricted visitation at two group homes in Bridgewater. Hillside Pines and Shannex-Ryan Hall are temporarily off-limits due to a gastrointestinal flu. Both homes will be off-limits to family and visitors until further notice.  Officials will reevaluate the situation in a few days.

Bridgewater Building Permits On The Rise

Construction activity in the town of Bridgewater has gone up. The town saw an increase in building permits in 2012, from 159 in 2011 to 168 last year. Most of the activity was either residential or commercial. Mayor David Walker says it's nice to see a gain.



The total value of building permits from last year is estimated to be just over $10.8-million. Walker says its a good year but not spectacular.

Valley: Michelin Announcement Set For Thursday

The North American president of Michelin is expected to make an announcement tomorrow regarding the company's tire plant in the Annapolis Valley. Michelin Canada issued a brief statement today saying the announcement relates to an investment at the Waterville plant. Premier Darrell Dexter is expected to be on hand when Dana LeBlanc makes the announcement near the plant. The tire manufacturer has been looking at expanding its operations in the Annapolis Valley community. Last May, Dexter announced funding for a study that would look at relocating the Waterville Municipal Airport to allow for expansion at Michelin.

Preliminary Hearing for Leblanc Set For April 29th

A single day has been set aside for a preliminary inquiry involving a man accused of sexually assaulting and confining a teenage boy. David James Leblanc is facing seven charges in relation to an incident last year in Upper Chelsea where a 16 year-old boy claims he was held captive and sexually abused for about a week. The 47 year-old made a brief court appearance Wednesday in Bridgewater to set a date for the preliminary inquiry. Defence lawyer Mike Taylor told reporters the case could be complicated by the fact former co-accused Wayne Cunningham is dead. However, he says a one-day hearing will be enough to deal with the matter. Taylor has elected his client be tried in Supreme Court. The case will pick back up on April 29th.

Lumberjacks Seek Illusive Win

It was a spirited Maritime Hockey League game last night in Bridgewater as the Pictou County Weeks Crushers edged the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks 4-3. The Crushers built a 4-0 lead after the first period and then held on. Jeremy Butterworth, Michael Crawley, and Shawn Boudreau scored for the Jacks. Goalie Jacob Edwards was very solid in his Jacks' debut making 43 saves. Bridgewater's next game is this Friday night when they host Luke Warner and the Summerside Western Capitals.

Watchdog Group Seeks Less Municipal Control of Tax Rates & Property Assessments

If you are a property owner, you will notice your assessment is up again this year! After a 3.5 percent hike last year, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says its little consolation in knowing its almost 2 percentage points lower than the bill in 2012 when you consider all you're paying out. CTF Atlantic director Kevin Lacey tells us, we are being taxed to death and paying more for everything. He says: "Keep in mind we are already paying more in provincial taxes this year and also many user fees. So, we are getting hit on many different sides. We're only 2 weeks into 2013, and we are paying more in property taxes and provincial taxes and other fees." The CTF is calling upon South Shore municipalities and those elsewhere to reduce  tax rates to ease the burden on residential and business taxpayers and also drop their control of both tax rates and assessments.

MODL Mayor: Disappointed With Water Bill Decision

The Municipality of Lunenburg is left to foot the bill for water at Osprey Ridge Golf Course. The town of Bridgewater denied a request Monday night to offer a grant to the municipality that would help them pay roughly $26,000 to the Public Service Commission. Mayor Don Downe says he's disappointed because he was hoping for a little help.




The municipality took control of the golf course from the Bridgewater Golf and Country Club last November after deciding not to renew an operating agreement with the group. Downe says their relationship with the town remains strong despite this decision.

Scotland Leads 2013 Strathcona Cup

Scotland is surging ahead in the 2013 Strathcona Cup but Bridgewater curlers gave them something to think about. The Scots are enjoying a comfortable 684-587 lead across the country as of Tuesday including a 221-151 margin on the east coast. But, Bridgewater remains one of the few locations where Scotland ran into a bit of trouble. The local curling club took three of four games late last week including wins by Bob Barnes, Bob Forbes, and Baxter Noel. Elsewhere, all four rinks in Chester were defeated by Scotland. The competition goes until January 31 when all games wrap up in Burlington, Ontario. You can find all the results by clicking here .

Chester: Funding Supports Trail Systems

The Municipality of Chester will receive a total of $67,000 in federal and provincial money to make improvements to two popular trails in the area. The funding will help with upgrades to the 35 kilometre Chester Connection Trail and the 11 kilometre Aspotogan Trail. South Shore St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy and Community Services Minister Denise Peterson Rafuse made the joint announcement this morning in Chester. The money was announced through ACOA and the Off-Highway Infrastructure Fund.

South Shore: New Heart Monitoring System Arrives

Residents of the South Shore are benefiting from a new piece of heart monitoring equipment acquired solely through community donations. Medical officials and members of the Health Services Foundation unveiled the Echo Ultrasound system on Tuesday at the South Shore Regional Hospital. The $244,000 investment was raised through various fundraising initiatives including $74,000 through CKBW's and HANK FM's annual radiothon. Dr. Ron Hatheway says community support was critical in securing the new equipment.



The new echo system arrived a few weeks ago and assists health care workers diagnose many different heart problems with sharp imaging and 3D technology.  This year's Radiothon will be held on February 14 and will focus on raising money for new ventilators.

Karissa's Memorial Pet Food Drive Enters Final Year

It never gets any easier for the community, but this will be the last time residents are asked to donate money, pet food and supplies to the 5th Annual Karissa Boudreau Memorial Pet Food Drive. This year's recipients will be the Trap Neuter Release program and Shaid Tree Animal Shelter in Bridgewater. One of the organizers, Tracy Daniels, says the two groups are ideal choices.



Daniels says organizers feel five years is long enough and hope people will continue to support local animal shelters once this year's event wraps up. The food drive was created to honour Boudreau, who loved animals and wanted to be a veterinarian. The event will be held Saturday from 10-5pm in centre court at the Bridgewater Mall.

Town Declines MODL Request To Pay Water Bill

The town of Bridgewater has decided against giving money to the Municipality of Lunenburg for unpaid water bills at Osprey Ridge Golf Course. The Municipality was hoping the town would issue a grant for over $25,000 to help offset the funds owed to the Bridgewater Public Service Commission. But, a four member-council just met their quorum last night and chose not to support it. Councillor Wayne Thorburne, Deputy Mayor Bill McInnis and Mayor David Walker all declared conflict of interest because of their involvement at the golf course. Walker wouldn't give comment on his personal opinion.



The Municipality was hoping the town would support them because many of the golf course's members live in Bridgewater.

Chester: Clippers In Need Of Fan Support

The Chester Clippers are enduring one of their best seasons on the ice since they started playing in 2008. The club sits at 19-2 and are in first place in the Nova Scotia Junior 'C' Hockey League. But, all is not well. The president and general manager, Jehad Assaff, says attendance has been weak and they may be forced to re-locate or fold. He says people should check out the team.



Assaff says they have been getting between 80-100 fans for games, and need at least 180 to break even. He hopes people can try and take-in some of their upcoming home games before the start of the playoffs. Chester's next home game will be Thursday night at 7:45 against the Shannon Huskies.

Mustangs Winless At East Coast Ice Jam Tourney

The South Shore Mustangs can't seem to get the bounces. The local major midget hockey club played well over the weekend at the East Coast Ice Jam tournament in Hammonds Plains but weren't rewarded with a win. The Mustangs fell 4-2 to Fredericton and St. John's and tied Miramichi 3-3. The team gets back to regular season play with a game against the top-ranked Valley Wildcats Saturday night in Berwick.

BMO Western Hurricanes Weekend Wins

A couple of wins over the weekend for the BMO Western Hurricanes. On Saturday the major bantam team defeated the Scotsburn Crushers 9-0. Top goal scores for the Hurricanes were Keith Getson with four and Travis Parks with two. Scoring singles were Quinten Johnson, Noah Naugler, and Logan Walters.  Sunday, the Hurricanes continued their winning ways, beating Pro Hockey Life Harbour Storm 6-3 with Keith Getson and Logan Walters leading the way with two goals each.

Shelburne: More Charges In Illegal Smokes Bust

RCMP in Shelburne County have laid additional charges against three men in relation to thousands of contraband cigarettes intercepted near Truro last year. Police seized approximately 140,000 illegal smokes and a 2007 Chevy Impala on October 9th following an extensive investigation. Forty-four year-old Thomas Benjamin Foote and 24 year-old Cody Douglas Garron were arrested at the time and charged with Possession of Unstamped Tobacco. The newest charges are against 25 year-old Logan James Swim. He has been jointly charged with Conspiracy to Commit the Offence of Possession of Unstamped Tobacco. The men also face charges under the Provincial Revenue Act. All three men are Shelburne County residents and are scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

Chester: Public Hearing Set For "Our Health Centre"

A public hearing will be held next month to discuss a zoning change which would allow for a collaborative health care centre in Chester. The group behind "Our Health Centre" is proposing to build the new centre near Shoreham Village and the current zoning bylaws do not permit such a facility in that area. Organizers are in the midst of a major fundraising drive to raise six millions dollars for the project which would be home to six new doctors offices. The proposed location of the centre needs to be zoned "Institutional" before the project can move forward. The public hearing will be held at the Municipality of the Chester offices on February 6th.

Wedgeport Fisherman Not Wearing Life Jacket

Foul play is not suspected in the death of a 20 year-old lobster fisherman over the weekend near Yarmouth. The vessel was carrying three crew members when Michael Doucette of Wedgeport fell overboard on Saturday evening. A large scale search was organized and included nearly 30 fishermen, two helicopters and a pair of Canadian Coast Guard boats. Sergeant Alain Leblanc called it an unfortunate incident.



The fishing vessel "Row Row" was 33 miles south west of Yarmouth when the incident occurred. The search was scaled back early Sunday morning.