Three People In Hospital After Vehicles Collide In Blockhouse

Three men are in hospital following an early morning crash in Blockhouse. RCMP say a car collided with a pickup truck around 4:30am along Highway 324 at the overpass of Exit 11 on Highway 103. Police say two men in the car and the driver of the truck have suffered life-threatening injuries. The car caught on fire and was fully engulfed when police arrived on scene. All three people were originally transported to the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, however, the driver of the truck was then airlifted to Halifax by EHS Lifeflight and the driver of the car was transported to Halifax by ambulance.  The passenger of the car remains in the South Shore Regional Hospital. Highway 324 was shut down as police continued to investigate with the assistance of a traffic analyst. This portion of the highway should be reopened shortly. The cause of the collision is still under investigation.

No Appeals Received On Bylaw Change For Evergreen Road

The province's Utility and Review Board has confirmed that no appeals have been received that would quash a decision for more residents to live at Compassion House in Bridgewater. The deadline passed Wednesday night without any opposition, although an official with the UaRB did note that one appeal was received earlier but withdrawn. Town council voted last month to approve bylaw changes, allowing the LaHave Manor Corporation to have up to five mentally or physically challenged residents in need of care to live under one roof on Evergreen Road. Mayor David Walker says he's pleased the development can proceed.



The corporation applied for the bylaw changes last year. It now defines the home as a single dwelling unit, not an institution and allows five people to live in the home, up from the previous three.

Blood Collection Returns To Queens General

Outpatient blood collection will return to Queens General Hospital Tuesday. The collection area will be located near the reception area on the main level of the hospital. The service has been offered from Queens Place for the past several months in an effort to reduce traffic on site during installation of underground pipes. That work was completed last week. South Shore Health has also announced the reopening of the hospital's kitchen and cafeteria. The health authority is reminding residents the hospital remains a construction area. Work on the Queens General Health project is expected to be complete next spring.

School Board Chair: "We Did The Best We Could"

The chair of the South Shore Regional School Board believes they did the best they could under their current budget situation. Jennifer Naugler says the board took their time, took their roles very seriously and made their decisions. Four out of six schools in the review process have been scheduled to close, including Gold River-Western Shore by September of this year. Naugler says the closure will help generate some savings for their upcoming budget, but it may not be enough.



The board's director of finance says closing Gold River-Western Shore and sending its students to Chester District could save just over $195,000 annually. The board will continue to look at balancing its 2013-14 budget over the next few weeks.

No Injuries After Two-Vehicle Collision In Bridgewater

Bridgewater Police say no one was injured after a two-vehicle collision along Aberdeen Road Wednesday night. The incident occurred just after 8:30pm near the traffic lights intersecting with North Street and Glen Allan Drive. Members of the Bridgewater Fire Department were also on scene. A section of Aberdeen was closed for roughly 45 minutes to clean up the site and remove the vehicles from the area.

School Closures Pegged For Lunenburg, Queens Counties

Four schools are expected to close over the next few years after decisions were handed down from the South Shore Regional School Board. The immediate school to close will be Gold River-Western Shore Elementary, effective September of this year. That means students will attend Chester District Elementary this fall. SAC Chair for Gold River-Western Shore, Sarah Swinamer, says she wishes they could have had one more year for a transition period.



Meanwhile, Pentz and Petite Riviere schools are also pegged to shut down if a new school is built in the area and Mill Village in Queens will close in September 2014, with students transferring to Dr. J.C. Wickwire. Other changes will see students from grades nine at Chester Area Middle School go to to Forest Heights in September 2014. New Ross will be reconfigured to be a primary to grade eight school in 2014, with grade nines also going to Forest Heights. Full details are available below.

New Ross Consolidated

- Motion is to reconfigure New Ross for primary to grade eight with grade nines going to Forest Heights beginning September 2014 is approved by a 6-2 vote (Board Members Griffin and Crossland vote against)

Mill Village Consolidated

- Board approves option 5-2 (Board Members Fougere and Crossland voted against, while Board Member Stevens declares a conflict with child in the school, so she doesn't vote) to close Mill Village and transfer students to Dr. J.C. Wickwire effective September 2014. Also, grade five students at Mill Village be transferred to new South Queens middle school in Liverpool when they enter grade six in 2013, leaving Mill Village reconfigured as a grade primary to grade five school. Board approves by a 6-1 vote. (Board Member Simms voted against)

Gold River- Western Shore Elementary

- Board Members approve motion to close Gold River-Western Shore Elementary in September 2013 by a 5-3 vote  (Board Members Crossland, Griffin, and Stevens voted against). This means students will attend Chester District Elementary in the fall.

Chester Area Middle School

- The board approves a motion that will see students in grades 9 from CAMS attend Forest Heights in September 2014. This means CAMS would be reconfigured to include Grade 6,7,8 with 9-12 going to Forest Heights Community School in September 2014. The motion is approved by a 6-2 vote (Board Members Crossland and Griffin voted against).

Petite Riviere Elementary

- Board votes unanimously to permanently close Petite Riviere Elementary and request a new school be built to replace Petite and Pentz.

Pentz Elementary

- Board members vote unanimously that Pentz Elementary be permanently closed and request a new school to be built to replace Pentz and Petite Riviere Elementary.

Hebbville Academy

- Board members unanimously approve keeping Hebbville Academy open and with current configuration of  primary to grade five and grades six to nine. (Board Chair Naugler removed herself from vote because she has three kids in the school.)

UPDATED: Moore Case Delayed

An impaired driving case involving the death of a nine-year-old girl has been put over until May. Candice Roxanne Moore did not appear in Bridgewater court today but was represented by her lawyer. Moore is facing four charges after an incident January 19th in Pleasantville. Moore was driving when she dropped off her daughter, Olive, at a home. The nine-year-old was struck by the vehicle and later died in hospital. Moore is facing impaired driving cause death charges, refusal to comply with a demand for a breath sample, dangerous driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death. The matter will be back in court May 15.

Case Involving Death Of Young Girl Begins

The court case involving a 30 year-old woman accused of impaired driving causing the death of her young daughter begins in Bridgewater today. Candice Roxanne Moore is facing six charges after an incident January 19th. Moore's nine year-old daughter, Olive, was killed when she was struck by a van after being dropped off at home in Pleasantville. The Mount Pleasant woman was charged nine days after the tragic incident occurred following an investigation by Lunenburg County RCMP. The charges include impaired driving causing death, refusing to provide a breath sample, criminal negligence and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Dog Dealer Wants Court Condition Removed

A recognized canine dealer is challenging a court condition preventing her from selling dogs. Gail Benoit was charged with fraud earlier this month after she allegedly sold two dogs she didn't own. An investigation began after a New Brunswick woman told Bridgewater police her boxers dogs were sold without her permission. The two dogs were sent from Saint John to Halifax to be looked after temporarily. However, a few weeks later the owner claims she found out the dogs were sold. Benoit asked the condition be removed during a court appearance in Bridgewater. She explained selling dogs is her livelihood and felt the condition was unfair. Judge Gregory Lenehan scheduled an April 4th hearing to deal with the matter.

Four People Homeless After Liverpool Area Fire

Four adult members of a South Shore family are homeless as a result of a house fire yesterday near Liverpool. The fire broke out at 66 Shore Road, just outside the town. The two-storey home was extensively damaged. However, the four residents escaped unhurt. The Red Cross is helping with emergency lodging and relatives and friends are assisting by taking in several displaced family pets. There's no word on the cause of the fire.

School Board: Decisions Coming On Six Schools Under Review

The future of six schools will soon be decided by the South Shore Regional School Board. The eight members will vote on motions for each school during a meeting Wednesday night. The board has discussed a few options for certain schools including approaching the province to fund a new school for students at Petite and Pentz, and transferring grade nines at New Ross and Chester to Forest Heights in 2014. Board member Jennifer Naugler says it's time for decisions to be made.



Naugler says its been a difficult and emotional time for the board after meeting with parents, community members and students during the entire process. The meeting gets underway at 7pm Wednesday night at Hebbville Academy.

On This Date: Original Bluenose Launched 92 Years Ago

It was 92 years ago today when the original Bluenose was launched in Lunenburg. The historic fishing and racing schooner built by Smith and Rhuland Shipyard hit the water in 1921. Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic Curator Ralph Getson says it was an overcast day with a little snow on the ground and a light breeze blowing with the Bluenose was launched around 10 o'clock that morning. He says there was a launch party on board when the vessel slid into Lunenburg Harbour.

Getson says its a special day to look back at the craftsmanship of the people of this province. The Bluenose is a national icon and has adorned such items as the Canadian dime since 1937 as well as the Nova Scotia license plate. (Photo Courtesy of Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic)

Wolter Brothers Reaching New Heights On the Track

The Wolter brothers of Lunenburg County ran their way into the record books recently. Mattias Wolter ran a personal best in Nashville over the weekend to win the 2000 meter steeplechase in a very fast time of 5:38 in his season opener. He set a stadium record in the race, and a new provincial record. He will race this weekend in Stanford, California in the 3000 metre steeplechase. Meanwhile, his younger brother Tobias Wolter ran a personal best of 6:05 to win the 2000 metre steeplechase in Orlando, Florida. This is a Nova Scotia record and ranks him number one in Canada this year. The time also meets the standard for the Canadian World Youth Track and Field team, which travels to Europe in July.

Bridgewater Council Approves LCLC Operating Budget

It's a step in the right direction for the operating budget of the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. Bridgewater council approved the document last night. The draft budget presented to council states the town along with the Municipality of Lunenburg would be tasked to pay a combined total of just over $562,000 for the first year of operation. The figure then drops to about $385,000 the next year and $360,000 in 2015-16. Mayor David Walker says they have to pay more until they can start generating revenue.



Walker says he's pleased with how the budget looks and adds, all signs point to an opening on September 1. The Municipality of Lunenburg is also expected to approve the operating budget during their council meeting this evening.

Shipyard Alliance Named Finalist For Boatyard Of The Year

The three groups that make up the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance are finalists for boatyard of the year from a magazine in the United Kingdom. Classic Boat named the Alliance as one of five finalists. The magazine recognized the group for their work on Bluenose II, stating "the 200 years of experience shared by the Lunenburg Industrial Foundry, Snyder's Shipyard and Covey Island Boatworks, culminated on September 29 with a relaunch that was watched by thousands of proud Canadians." President of Covey Island Boatworks, Al Hutchinson, says he's proud of being nominated.



Hutchinson believes the winner will be announced in early April.

School Board: More Cuts Coming Over Next Few Years

The next few years are shaping up to be difficult for the South Shore Regional School Board. Finance Director Wade Tattrie revealed recently they are expected to cut another $2.2-million from their budget between 2014 and 2016. Tattrie says the cuts recognize the full transition of the Department of Education's HOGG funding formula. He expects the cuts will get worse.



The HOGG funding formula is a model used to distribute money for education among school boards. The board will get a better indication of what the next few years look like after additional details are provided by the province. Meanwhile, board members will make a decision on how to move forward on six schools in the region currently under review on Wednesday.

Lumberjacks Defenseman Joins 'Q' Team For Playoff Run

The Sherbrooke Phoenix have called-up CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks defenseman Brendan Nickerson for the rest of the playoffs. The 16-year-old is expected to join the team for game three of their opening round series against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Baie-Comeau leads the series two games to none. Nickerson was selected 38th overall by the Phoenix in last year's league draft. He had three points in 41 games with the Lumberjacks during the regular season.

Peterson-Rafuse Nominated In Chester-St.Margarets

A South Shore member of the legislature has been nominated to again carry the NDP flag in the next provincial election. Denise Peterson-Rafuse of Chester-St. Margaret's was elected in 2009 and has served in the Dexter cabinet as minister of Community Services and Seniors. She's also chair of the Senior Citizens Secretariat. Peterson-Rafuse's nomination meeting was held over the weekend. Peterson-Rafuse said at her nominating session: “I am eager to continue making a positive difference for seniors, working poor and our most vulnerable citizens. This is important to me both as the Minister of Community Services and for the people I represent in Chester-St. Margaret’s".

Bantam 'AA' Ice Sharks Bring Home Bronze From Provincials

The South Shore Bantam 'AA' Ice Sharks brought home bronze from the provincials over the weekend. The hockey club finished second after the round robin and had to play Sackville for a spot in the final. Sackville shutout the Ice Sharks 4-0, relegating the local club to a third place finish. Sydney beat Sackville in the final to win the provincial crown.

Program Aims To Bring Youth And Seniors Together

A four-week program designed for seniors and youth to engage in physical activity is beginning this week in Bridgewater. 'Game Day' is bringing the two age groups together to help learn more about people in the community while also participating in activities like badminton, washer toss, yoga and pickle ball. The Seniors Safety Coordinator in Lunenburg County, Beth George, says they want to see youth and seniors doing more together.



The hour-and-a-half sessions will start this Wednesday and run until April 17 at Bridgewater Junior-Senior High. To register, contact Beth George at the Bridgewater Police Service.