Town Pre-Approves $7,000 For Growing Green Festival

A festival entering its fifth year has received pre-approval of funds from the town of Bridgewater. The Growing Green event has been a fixture in the community since 2008, though no event was held in 2009. The town pre-approved $7,000 for the festival. Funding for the event has grown each year since it was held. It's information that hasn't gone unnoticed by Mayor David Walker.



Festival co-chair Patrick Hirtle says he appreciates the help the town provides. However, he says the festival is growing and provides a unique opportunity for the town.


Hirtle suggests if funding is scaled back, they would have to change their approach and what could be offered at the event. The two-day festival is usually held in the summer and features events across the county.

School Board Bracing For Cuts In 2013-14

The South Shore Regional School Board received some unwelcome news today from the Education Minister. Ramona Jennex says school boards will get $1.047 billion in 2013-2014, $3-million more than they received this year. However, Jennex revealed the local board is facing a reduction. She says the province is cutting 1.5% of funding from the South Shore, resulting in a $995,000 loss. Jennex blamed declining student enrollment for the cuts. It's still too early to tell how the cuts will affect the board.

Clippers Dominate Phantoms For 2-0 Series Lead

The Chester Clippers downed the Fundy Phantoms 12-2 last night to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five Nova Scotia Junior 'C' Hockey League quarter-final series. Alex Armstrong notched three goals, while Scott MacSween also added a pair. Scoring single goals for the Clippers was Ryan Horsman, Luc Way, Kyle Dilosa, Jack Strowbridge, Mathieu Bourgeois, Josh Thompson and Jeremy Church. Chester's Doug Barrier stopped 24 shots in the win, and was relieved by affiliate goalie Daniel Lohnes in the third period who stopped three shots. Chester outshot Fundy 56-29. Game three goes tonight at 9pm at the Don Henderson Sportsplex in Brookfield.

Chester: Council Works On Climate Change Action Plan

The Municipality of Chester is in the midst of a rigorous pre-planning process to mitigate the effects of climate change on its coastal communities. Councillors and staff are working to create a Climate Change Action Plan as mandated by the Federal Government in order to access funding known as "Gas Tax". The funding is administered through Infrastructure Canada and helps municipalities pay for various public projects such a improving drinking water and upgrades to waste water treatment. Warden Allen Webber says they are taking a proactive approach with long term planning in mind.



The plan will focus on expectations the sea level will rise and the area will be hit by harsher weather patterns in the coming decades. Councillors are mulling over a draft plan presented to them earlier this month. The plan is due on the federal government's desk before the end of this year.

Bridgewater: Outdoor Rinks May Be Cancelled

The plan to have two outdoor rinks at Kinsmen Field in Bridgewater may be falling through the cracks. Councillor Andrew Tanner says volunteers have had a difficult time trying to build the rinks while dealing with adverse weather and warm temperatures. Tanner says the winter weather hasn't co-operated.



The Bridgewater Fire Department tried on three separate occasions to fill the rinks, but have been unsuccessful. He says it's upsetting because the rinks have been well-utilized by the public in the past. Tanner says they will continue to bank on cold weather for the rinks to be built, but adds, right now the outlook doesn't look good.

'One Billion Rising' Events Planned For Lunenburg County

A campaign to end violence against women and girls will be held on two fronts Thursday in Lunenburg County. Second Story Women's Centre is promoting 'One Billion Rising', a global day of awareness for people to demand change, dance and rise in defiance of the injustices women suffer. The movement serves as a call to action based on the statistic that one in three women will be beaten or raped in their life. Board of Directors member, Helen Lanthier, says they hope the day will make a difference.



The towns of Bridgewater and Lunenburg have both proclaimed Thursday as a day of awareness and action regarding violence against women. The public is invited to attend events in those areas beginning at 10am at the Lunenburg Community Centre or 12:30pm at the Bridgewater Public Library.

Third Annual Radiothon Hits Airwaves Feb.14

Final preparations are underway before the start of the third annual "Gift For The Heart" radiothon for the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore. Staff from CKBW/HANK-FM will be broadcasting live from the regional hospital in Bridgewater to help the foundation reach their fundraising goal of $80,000. This year, money is being raised to buy two new ventilators. Bernadette Jordan says they're critical pieces of equipment.



The broadcast begins at 8am Thursday and goes until 6pm.

Clippers Host Fundy For Game Two

The Chester Clippers and Fundy Phantoms will finally play game two of their playoff series in a late night affair in Chester. Game two has been rescheduled a number of times due to weather conditions over the weekend. The league did decide to award Chester a forfeit win, but rescinded the move. Game two gets underway at 10pm tonight at the Eleanor Pew-Morris Arena.

Passion Runs Deep During Pentz School Review Hearing

Roughly 50 people filled the Pentz Elementary School gym last night for the first public hearing in this year's school review process. About 20 of them, many who were parents of students or attended the school at some point, highlighted their concerns if the school were to close. Residents pointed out how important Pentz Elementary is to the community, the school's high academic standing and its family-like atmosphere. Paul Kelley has a son in grade two. He says the school is exceptional.



Meanwhile, Study Committee Chair Sherry Doucet says it will be tough to adjust if the school is closed.



Doucet says she thought it was a good discussion and realizes the tough decision ahead for the South Shore Regional School Board. Members were in attendance to gather feedback. They will make a decision on each of the six schools under review at a public board meeting March 27. The next public hearing is planned for February 18 at 6:30pm at Hebbville Academy.

No Events Scheduled To Mark Town's 114th Birthday

Happy 114th Birthday today to the town of Bridgewater. Mayor David Walker reminded the public of the milestone during Monday night's council meeting. No celebrations are planned for this year. But, Walker says something could be in the works for 2014.



In January 1899, an event known as the "Big Fire" completely destroyed the downtown core of Bridgewater. One month later, the community came together as an incorporated town.

Mustangs Eliminated From Playoffs

The South Shore Mustangs have been swept out of the playoffs. The first-place Valley Wildcats proved to be too much for the young club as the Cats defeated the Mustangs 6-1 last night to wrap up their best-of-seven series in four straight. Alex Nauss had the lone South Shore goal while Cole Skinner stopped 40 shots in the loss. Valley will play the lowest seed remaining in the next round of the playoffs.

Bantam Hurricanes Shutout By Halifax

The BMO Western Hurricanes suffered a rare road loss last night as they dropped a 3-0 decision to the Halifax Hawks. Colby Muise stopped 23 shots in goal. The Hurricanes remain second in the major bantam standings, one point behind the Breton Sport Cougars. The club is back on the ice beginning Friday night when they travel to Pictou County for the Scotsburn Memorial tournament.

Mooseheads Blast Rocket 7-0 In Bailey's Debut

The Halifax Mooseheads certainly didn't look out of place without star forward Nathan MacKinnon. The Herd blasted the PEI Rocket 7-0 last night at the Metro Centre. Jonathan Drouin notched a hat-trick including goals each on the powerplay, even-strength and shorthanded. Zachary Fucale stopped 30 shots for the shutout. MacKinnon is expected to miss up to two weeks with a leg injury. Meanwhile, Lunenburg native Brennan Bailey also dressed for the Mooseheads last night. It was his first game with the big club since he was acquired at the trade deadline.

Bailey Cracks Moose Lineup, Playing Tonight Against PEI

A Lunenburg County native is suiting up with the Halifax Mooseheads tonight for the first time. Brennan Bailey has cracked the herd's lineup for this evening's home contest against the PEI Rocket. The 19-year-old was acquired by the Moose at the trade deadline from the Pictou County Weeks Crushers of the MHL. In a text message, Bailey says he's both nervous and excited to dawn the Mooseheads jersey. He says he will wear #6 while manning the blue line during tonight's game. Puck drop is at 7pm at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Bridgewater Police Arrest Man On Outstanding Warrant

Bridgewater Police have arrested a man wanted in connection with a home invasion in Lunenburg County. Constable Will Creamer says 27-year-old Stephen Heisler was taken into custody Sunday in Bridgewater. The home invasion occurred last July. The man also had a warrant out for his arrest for assault causing bodily harm. Heisler has been remanded into custody and will appear in Bridgewater court tomorrow.

Queens Skate Park Group 'Overwhelmed' By Council Support

Hundreds of thousands of dollars in support is music to the ears of the Queens County Skate Park Association. The group received $200,000 from Region of Queens council along with $35,000 worth of land. However, it does come with some stipulations including construction to start before July 1, 2016 and the group needs to collect at least 90 per cent of the money needed before it can start building. Vice-President of the Association, Ian Kent, says he's in favour of the guidelines.



Kent says the group is overwhelmed with the support from council. The 20,000 square feet of land designated for the future skate park is located near the Queens Place-Emera Centre. The total project is expected to cost roughly $780,000. The group has applied for a provincial health and wellness grant and held local fundraisers to try and gather further funding towards the project.

Mustangs Face Must-Win Scenario Against Valley

It's win or go home tonight for the South Shore Mustangs. The local major midget hockey club must win this evening to stay alive in their best-of-seven series with the Valley Wildcats. The top-ranked Valley club holds a 3-0 series advantage. The two teams square off at 7:30 tonight at the Bridgewater Arena.

Bounty Hearing Begins In Virginia

A nine-day probe into the sinking of the Lunenburg-built HMS Bounty begins today in Portsmouth, Virginia. The U.S. Coast Guard is convening the hearing after the ship took on water off the coast of North Carolina last October, killing two crew. The coast guard rescued 14 crew members after they abandoned the ship in two life-rafts. The hearing is set to run until February 21st.

Chester Man And Woman Appear In Liverpool Court

A man and woman from Chester will appear in Liverpool court this morning on various possession and trafficking charges. Twenty-nine-year-old Brendan Gregory Levy and 27-year-old Jennifer Andrea Corkum were arrested last week during a vehicle stop near Exit 8 on Highway 103. Lunenburg County RCMP seized crack cocaine during the arrest and also found marihuana and prescription drugs during a search of a home on Collicutt Road in Chester. Police also seized other items at the home in connection with the investigation. The two accused will both be in court at 9:30.

Chester: Tax Bill Waived For Hubbards Yacht Club

Chester council has awarded a tax exemption to the Hubbards Yacht Club. The Yacht Club has been in existence since 1967 and provides a youth sailing program for young people in the Hubbards and Chester areas. Deputy Warden Floyd Shatford says it's important to support these types of initiatives in the municipality.



Members of the club are settling into their new facility in Fox Point which just opened last summer. The building is used for classroom instruction, meetings, community events and boat storage. The club's tax bill for the year was nearly $7,000. The request was given unanimous approval.