Bridgewater: Long Awaited Health Clinic Announced

It's a long awaited announcement for those in need of a family doctor in the Bridgewater area. Details surrounding a new 9,000 square foot collaborative health clinic were unveiled during an afternoon press conference just down the street from the South Shore's regional hospital. The new clinic will be an addition to the Medical Arts Building on Glen Allen Drive. Mayor David Walker called it's a huge step forward for residents of Lunenburg County. The clinic will be home to eight family doctors, two nurse practitioners in addition to various other health services. Meanwhile, South Shore Health's Janet Simm says the authority has already begun recruitment efforts. She says they've already spoke to at least a dozen doctors about the possibility of working in Bridgewater. LaHave Investments Limited was chosen among seven other bidders to construct the clinic. Lunenbueg West MLA Gary Ramey says it's hoped the clinic will be open in November or December.

Anchor Bracelets To Help Remember "The Lost Five"

It's an idea that started in the small community of Sambro and has taken off across the South Shore. Anchor bracelets will soon be available for the public to purchase to help honour the five missing fishermen of the 'Miss Ally'. The bracelets are being shipped from China and proceeds will go to the fishermen's families. Janine Dixon is from Woods Harbour. She says the bracelets are a way to remember.



Dixon expects the first 1,000 bracelets to reach the community within the next few weeks. She says the bracelets are expected to be available in Woods Harbour, Barrington and Liverpool. Dixon says families will decide what to do with the proceeds. She says, starting Monday, people can also donate money to the 'Five Boys Bracelets' account at CIBC in Barrington.

Search Continues For Capsized Fishing Boat & Her Crew

A military aircraft is heading out today to resume searching for any signs of a fishing boat that capsized last Sunday night about 120 kilometers southeast of Liverpool. Its five crewmen were lost. The coast guard vessel Sir William Alexander is also steaming towards the area where debris was spotted yesterday. Fishing vessels are also making their way towards the area. Families of the fishermen have asked federal authorities to attempt to recover the hull of the vessel and bring the bodies of the fishermen home after the search was called off Tuesday night.

Two Men Found After Search In Queens County Woods

A search for two men yesterday afternoon near Liverpool was successful in finding them. The two went for a walk in the woods and somehow lost their way. Queens County Ground Search and Rescue launched an operation and the two were found last evening off the Purdy Road, north of Liverpool. The men are said to be OK but shaken by their experience. They didn't need any medical help.

Gasoline Prices Top The $1.40 Mark!

As expected, South Shore gasoline prices increased overnight. The province's utility and review board has set the price at the pumps for regular self-serve at $1.40.9 a litre. Thats an increase of almost 3 cents from yesterday. Diesel is also up a bit at $1.44.1 per litre. These fluctuations in price are a reflection of whats happening with the world price of oil. For instance today, oil is up this in price after two days of steep losses. Oil gained 40-cents this morning, and is trading at $93.24 U-S a barrel. Traders say gains are being kept in check by ample supplies and worries about the global economic outlook.

Group Asks Town For Parking Spots On Pleasant Street

A local agency is looking to find a solution for parking spaces for its members at their apartment building in Bridgewater. The Support Services Group is asking the town for suggestions on how it can help people living on their own with a disability at 66 Pleasant Street. The group is hoping for restricted parking or permits that gives easy access to the front of the building. Mayor David Walker says one idea could be to remove some parking meters.



The town's traffic authority will study the matter and issue a report and recommendation.

Concerns Expressed Over Large Wind Project

Municipal council in Chester has deferred a decision on approving the South Canoe Wind Project following last night's public hearing in Chester Basin. Another public hearing on the matter will be held March 4th. Last night's meeting was packed with more than 150 people attending. A large percentage of those in attendance expressed concerns over the unknown long-term health effects of wind turbines and their overall look. Others worried about the turbines hurting the value of their property. The $200 million project would feature 34 wind turbines stretching over 3,000 hectares between the communities of Vaughan and New Russell. It would generate enough power to heat 32,000 homes and create $660,000 in annual tax revenue for the municipality.

Drennan Grabs Silver At OUA Track Championships

A Lunenburg native has claimed a silver medal at the Ontario University Athletics Indoor Track and Field Championships in Windsor. Jesse Drennan finished second in the men's pentathlon. The 19-year-old had strong showings in all five events he competed in, including the high jump and shotput. The University of Windsor student will now prepare for the CIS championships, being held next month.

Lunenburg's Drennan Ready For OUA Track Championships

A Lunenburg native says he's ready for today's OUA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Nineteen-year-old Jesse Drennan is competing in the pentathlon events, which get underway shortly after 3pm in Windsor, Ontario. The University of Windsor student has five events on tap for today including 60-metre hurdles, long jump, shotput and 1000-metre run. Drennan is captain of the Lancers track and field team and hopes to qualify for the CIS championships being held in March. A live video feed can be viewed here beginning at 3pm our time.

'Quick Care' Health Clinic Extended Into March

The quick care clinic started by South Shore Health in Bridgewater is being extended into March. The two-day-a-week clinic has been at capacity since it opened earlier this month. The clinic has accepted roughly 48 patients per day. It tackles issues like minor cuts, bumps, sore throats, prescription refills and sinus problems. CEO Dr. Peter Vaughan says they're extending the clinic to meet demand. However, he says hospital ER's remain busy.



A doctor accepts patients by appointment 3 to 9pm every Monday and Wednesday.

Upcoming: Large Wind Farm Debate In Chester

It's a critical stage for a large wind project stretching between Vaughan and New Russell. A public hearing will be held tonight to discuss the South Canoe Wind Project. It's the final step in the process before members of Chester council make a decision on whether or not they support the project. The proposed $200 million wind farm is being led by Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Oxford Frozen Foods and Nova Scotia Power. South Canoe would feature up to 34 wind turbines and could generate enough power to heat nearly 30,000 homes. There's been mixed reaction to the massive project to date with some residents in the New Ross area concerned over the location of the turbines. The meeting will be held at Forest Heights Community School beginning at 7 o'clock. 

Donations Continue To Pour In For New Ventilators

The money keeps rolling in to the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore for two new ventilators. Funds have crept up over $69,000. When the third annual ''Gift for the Heart'' radiothon concluded last Thursday, they were just over $66,000. Bernadette Jordan says it has been an emotional week.



Jordan anticipates donations to keep adding up over the next few weeks. She says, one way or another, they will gather enough money to buy a second ventilator.

Guilty Pleas In Bridgewater's School Lockdown Case

A Lunenburg County man will be sentenced in just over a month for his role in the lock down of two schools in Bridgewater. Sheldon Earl Bowers entered guilty pleas on six of 11 charges against him following his arrest in January. Bowers pleaded guilty to charges that include possession of cocaine and marihuana, uttering threats and unsafe use and storage of various firearms. He'll be sentenced in relation to those matters April 3rd. In the meantime, the 37 year-old entered not guilty pleas to four charges that include trafficking drugs and uttering threats while he was in custody. Bowers will go to trial on those matters March 28th. Bridgewater Police ordered the lock down of two schools after they received a call regarding a distraught man with firearms at a nearby home January 21.

Liverpool Paramedic Under Police Investigation

A 47-year-old paramedic has been arrested by Queens RCMP after theft and misuse of drugs from an EHS station. Police searched a home last night on Wolfe Street in Liverpool where syringes and medical containers were seized. Officials from EHS alerted RCMP of the allegations late last week. The incidents are alleged to have occurred since 2009. Cpl. Scott MacRae says the man faces a number of theft and drug-related offenses. He is scheduled to appear in Liverpool Provincial Court April 17.

Bridgewater Police Arrest Man During Break And Enter

Bridgewater Police have arrested a 21-year-old man for allegedly breaking and entering into a home on Tuesday. Officers arrested Steven Rhodenizer on the front doorstep of the house entered. He has been charged with two counts of break and enter, having his face masked while committing an offence, theft under $5000, and possession of property obtained by crime. Constable Will Creamer reminds residents to make sure doors to their homes and vehicles are locked at all times. Rhodenizer will appear in Bridgewater court April 17.          

Gold River-Western Shore Residents Lobby To Keep School Open

"School is more than walls and a floor." That's a quote from a song students at Gold River-Western Shore Elementary sang, which played last night during a school review public hearing. Roughly 110 people attended the meeting, while nearly 30 residents stood up and echoed how important it is for the school to remain in the community. However, retired school administrator, Tom Feindel, remains confident after a member of the Chester-St. Margaret's constituency office spoke on behalf of the MLA.




Issues around transportation, participating in extra-curricular activities and after school child-care were discussed if the school were closed and students were moved to Chester. A public hearing scheduled for tonight in New Ross has been rescheduled for February 25.

Region Mourns "The Lost Five" After Search Scaled Back

The massive search for "The Lost Five" fishermen of Woods Harbour has been scaled back. Rescue officials say any hope of finding the men alive has -- quote -- diminished significantly because of the cold water and poor weather. Tributes began pouring in last night on CKBW and HANK FM's Facebook pages shortly after officials announced they had called off the search. The file has now been turned over to the RCMP as a missing persons case. A distress signal from the boat came Sunday at 11 p.m. during a strong storm 120 kilometres southeast of Liverpool. The five young men, all in their 20's and 30's, were fishing for halibut in a 13-metre vessel that capsized in the storm.

MODL: Home Owner Has Until June To Clean Property

The Municipality of Lunenburg is giving a local home owner one more chance to clean up his property. A complaint was received in March of last year and inspections showed old doors, lumber and fencing were on-site at 5 Ashwood Lane in Blockhouse. A building official says very little progress has been made since the complaint was received. However, Mayor Don Downe says they have offered the property owner an extension.



The home owner told council he intends to clean up his property by the June deadline. If he doesn't, the Municipality could do the work and apply the cost to his tax bill. Downe says they want the man to remove garbage off his land and pile wood up neatly.

Fisheries Minister: "Region Praying For A Miracle"

Nova Scotia's fisheries minister says the winter fishing season can be extremely tough and unpredictable. Sterling Belliveau, a former lobster fisherman, was commenting on the ongoing search for five fishermen 120 kilometres off the southeast coast of Liverpool. Crew members of the Woods Harbour based fishing vessel "Miss Ally" punched their emergency locator beacon late Sunday night in heavy seas lashed by high winds. Belliveau says his thoughts are with the missing crew members and the rescue team involved in the search.



Belliveau says a few hundred people attended last night's prayer vigil in Woods Harbour in a show of support for the all those involved in the rescue mission. He says the entire region is praying for a miracle.

Energy Minister Kicks Off "Power Trip" In Bridgewater

Energy Minister Charlie Parker will kick of a province-wide tour promoting his government's energy plan Wednesday in Bridgewater.  The focus of the presentation will centre around the province's plan to continue reducing reliance on fossil fuels and update people on work to date in generating power through various alternative energy sources. Parker says the Muskrat Falls/Maritime Link project and it's benefits will also be a significant talking point.



The presentation will be held tomorrow morning at the Best Western in Cookville beginning at 10 o'clock. The tour will also make a stop February 26 in Yarmouth.