BREAKING: Minister Not Planning To Intervene In School Board Decision

The province's Education Minister says she's disappointed with the decision by the South Shore Regional School Board. Ramona Jennex asked the board to delay school closures for one year, but the board ultimately chose to stay the course with decisions made at their March 27 meeting. That means Gold River-Western Shore Elementary will close in the summer. Jennex says she doesn't plan to intervene with the board's decision.



She adds, the government is not considering revisions to the Education Act.

Protest Draws Few, Alleged Changes Affect Turnout

There was a hitch in a planned protest this morning in front of the school board office in Bridgewater. Members of the Gold River-Western Shore community planned the event to voice their displeasure over the decision to close their school this summer. However, someone allegedly made changes to the group's signage which stated the time and date of their demonstration. Protester Sheryl Beaumier says a low turnout isn't deterring them.


Beaumier expected more people to show up throughout the day to join the protest. She says they just want what is fair, which would be another year to help transition their kids to attend Chester District Elementary School.

NS Gov't Look To Redesign Services for Independent Living

The province is seeking input to help redesign residential and related services for seniors and those with disabilities. Changes are aimed at making it easier for people to live independently by accessing services better focused on their individual needs and the needs of their families. Minister of Community Services Denise Peterson-Rafuse says government knows the current system needs to change to be more flexible and responsive. The MLA for Chester-St Margaret's adds the system needs to be easier for clients and  families to access the services they need. The public can offer their views and suggestions on how government can design a better system of support by visiting "Putting People First" on the Department of Community Services web site.

Police Find Pain Relievers During Traffic Stop

A Lunenburg County man is facing various drug related charges after police pulled over a vehicle on Highway 10. Police say they arrested a 63 year-old man in New Germany after they allegedly found a quantity of pain relievers (Hydromorph Contin and Dilaudid pills). Gary Harold Bushen of Pinehurst, was held in custody overnight and is facing charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking and failing to comply with court orders. Bushen was remanded into custody during a court appearance yesterday in Bridgewater. He's due back in court April 19th.

South Shore: Messy Weather Expected

Weather warnings have been issued for the entire Maritime region. Environment Canada says much of New Brunswick, P-E-I, Cape Breton and a big chunk of eastern and northern Nova Scotia can expect between 10 and 15 centimetres of snow overnight and into Saturday. As well, a winter storm watch has been issued for the Halifax region and portions of western Nova Scotia. The South Shore is expected rain, freezing rain and ice pellets beginning this evening. However, no weather warning have been issued for the region. The forecast is calling for heavy snow in some areas, but much of the region can expect a messy mix of rain, snow and ice pellets by Saturday morning.

Gold River-Western Shore Elementary To Close This Summer

Gold River-Western Shore Elementary School will stay on the chopping block for this summer. The board decided not to accept the education minister's recommendation to delay school closures for a year, instead, choosing to stay the course with all decisions made at its March 27 meeting. Chair Jennifer Naugler says the education minister put the board in a tough spot.



Naugler says the minister's recommendation created a lot of turmoil and stress on communities, and she recognizes it's difficult on them. She says she's glad decisions have been made and the matter has been dealt with. However, the decision didn't sit well with parent Terri Lynn Melvin, who says they will continue to stand tall for the school.



Some Gold River and Western Shore residents have decided to protest to show their support for the community. The protest is planned to be at the board office at 9am Friday morning.

Three Chester Groups Get Federal Funding

Three organizations in the Municipality of Chester have received funding from the local member of parliament. Gerald Keddy has announced roughly $46,000 for the East Chester Recreational Association, the Chester Art Centre and the Helping Hands to Enrich Learning and Lifestyles Programming Society in Fox Point. The recreational association is getting $20,000 to repair its hall floor and joists. The floor has never been replaced since the building was built in the 1800s. President Betty Gagnon says the funding is important for their space.



Work is expected to start by the fall. Meanwhile, the Chester Art Centre received $19,786 to offer mobile art workshops for seniors and the Helping Hands to Enrich Learning and Lifestyles Programming Society got just over $6,120 to offer weekly fitness sessions and monthly speakers for seniors.

Crews On Scene At Yarmouth Fire

Fire crews from Yarmouth and several other departments remain on scene at structure fire in the town. The blaze began earlier this morning at 61 Waverly Street. Firefighters arrived on scene to find smoke coming from the roof. It is owned by W.L. Nelson's Furniture and the owner confirms it is used as a warehouse. Jim Nelson says there is a major loss of appliances, furniture and bedding. No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is not known.

Cooke Aquaculture Preparing New Sites In Jordan Bay

Cooke Aquaculture is putting the finishing touches on their new fish farms in Jordan Bay. The New Brunswick based company received approval from the Nova Scotia government to install the fish cages last summer. Cooke has already hired 16 people to oversee the project and will have room for 27 employees at full capacity. The sites should be up and filled with fish by the end of this month. Cooke Aquaculture is also working toward opening a new fish processing site in Shelburne County. The plant would be home to 320 employees at full capacity. They are also building a new salmon hatchery in Digby, and expanding a feed mill in Truro.

Pump Prices Down In New Brunswick

Could be good news for South Shore drivers when they wake up tomorrow. Gas prices in New Brunswick have taken a dive.  The price for regular self-serve is down 5.1 cents per litre to a maximum price of a $1.28 per litre. Diesel is down 6.8 cents to $1.32 per litre. Meanwhile, the price of furnace oil has dropped 3.5 cents per litre.

School Board: Special Meeting Called For Gold River-Western Shore School

The South Shore Regional School Board will reconvene Thursday evening to discuss the future of Gold River-Western Shore Elementary. A board member brought forward a motion Wednesday night to amend the decision to close the school later this year and delay its closure until 2015. SAC co-chair at Gold River-Western Shore, Sarah Swinamer, says their hopeful a decision will be made in their favour.



The common theme among the board was the feeling of uncertainty and confusion around the minister's recommendation to delay school closures for a year. A special board meeting will be held Thursday night at 7pm.

1688 PLFA President Resigns

The board of directors with the 1688 Professional Lobster Fishermen Association has revealed its newly-minted president has resigned. A press release from the group says John Crandall Nickerson has stepped down from the position effective immediately after some people in the industry disapproved the decision of him being president. The release explains Nickerson was put in a position where he had to choose between his full time employment or the association. A pair of meetings being held in Wedgeport and Barrington over the next few weeks have been temporarily cancelled until further notice. The 1688 PLFA board of directors is asking members to submit nominees for the president position.

Town Excludes Skate Park Design From Budget Pre-Approval

Bridgewater town council has pre-approved a number of capital projects for their 2013-14 budget, but a detailed design for a skate park was left off the list. Council decided to forgo the matter, instead choosing to bring it up during the budget process. The six projects that were pre-approved include repair to the York Street bridge, land purchase along St. Phillips Street and an IT assessment. Mayor David Walker feels a detailed design for the skate park can wait.



The total amount pre-approved by council is just over $1.1-million in the capital budget.

Fire Department History Project Receives Federal Funds

A project highlighting past contributions to Lunenburg County fire departments is getting financial help from Ottawa. MP Gerald Keddy is providing $25,000 to the "Greatest Volunteer Success Story in our lifetime: Fire Departments in Lunenburg County" project. The funding is being provided through the 'New Horizons For Seniors' program. The project honours the past efforts of firefighters in the Municipality of Lunenburg and towns of Bridgewater, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg. A book will be created showcasing seniors sharing their stories and contributions to the fire service. Local fire departments will then sell the book as a fundraiser.

Queens Mayor Relieved Government Funding Comes Through

The Nova Scotia government is extending an olive branch to the Region of Queens. The province will pay an additional $500,000 toward renovations and improvements at Queens General Hospital. It's a welcomed gesture following the closure of the Bowater Mersey mill last June. The money will cover the municipalities final two payments to South Shore Health for the $16 million hospital project. Mayor Christopher Clarke says the provincial funding will lessen the blow on the region's tax rates.



Clarke says council made a commitment to the hospital project during better times when the Bowater Mill was still operating and the municipality was in a stronger financial position. The Queens General Health project will feature a new collaborative health care clinic and the redevelopment of 22 inpatient units. It's expected to be ready in the spring of 2014. The province indicates it will also offer support to the Municipality of Lunenburg to help offset it's lost revenue due to the closure of the Oakhill Sawmill.

School Board: Members Expected To Discuss Minister's Recommendations

The future of a South Shore school is expected to be up for discussion this evening. School Board members will receive a letter from the education minister regarding her recommendation to forego school closures for the current year while a new review process is created. The board decided late last month to close Gold River-Western Shore Elementary in September and send students to Chester. The board wanted to explore legal opinion on its options, so it's not clear if a decision will be made during tonight's meeting. It gets underway at 7pm at the board office in Bridgewater.

Wednesday: Hospital Non-Urgent Clinic Open

Bridgewater's non-urgent care clinic will be open for the third straight day. The clinic is located in the regional hospital. It's been established to deal with minor illnesses or those in need of prescription refills. Residents will need to book an appointment in order to see a doctor at the clinic.  It's open today between 10:30am and 3:30pm. The number to call for appointments (between 8 and 10 am) is 527-5815. South Shore Health will look at announcing more clinic dates next month.

MODL Supports Joint Transportation Committee

Four municipalities are planning to work together to explore transportation options for their residents. Council members from the towns of Bridgewater, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg and the District of Lunenburg have created a Joint Transportation Committee. The group will work on establishing dial-a-ride services that could have a route for broader community outreach. Mayor Don Downe says it's still early in the process and things will have to be determined.



The service is considered to have the most potential for long-term sustainability under current government-funding programs. The committee is planning to seek funding from Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations to carry out its work.

Federal Gov't Supports Four Shelburne County Project

Four projects in Shelburne County will receive support from Ottawa. ACOA Minister, Gail Shea, says nearly $500,000 will be used to transform 12 hectares of land in the Shelburne Industrial Park into investment-ready lots with electricity, water and sewer services. A business loan of $208,000 will help a local company upgrade buildings. Kenney & Ross Limited manufactures fish gelatins, collagens and adhesives. ACOA is also spending $35,000 to help Aylward Fibreglass Inc develop expertise to export its fiberglas fuel tanks. Another $42,000 has been invested to help the District of Barrington to complete work on the Seal Island Light Museum. Meanwhile, the Nova Scotia government is investing $21,000 in the museum.

Projects Details

• An investment of $496,294, through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, enables the Municipality of the District of Shelburne to transform 30 acres of land in the Shelburne Industrial Park into investment-ready lots for marine sector businesses. The Municipality will construct a road connecting to the existing Industrial Park and extend power, water and sewer services to the lots.

• A business loan of $208,107 through ACOA’s Business Development Program enables Kenney & Ross Limited to complete a variety of building upgrades. The company manufactures a full line of Kosher and Halal-certified fish gelatins, collagens and adhesives for global pharmaceutical, food and technical markets. Upgrades are being undertaken to the ceilings, walls and floors in the company’s production areas.

• An investment of $35,250 through ACOA’s Business Development Program assists Aylward Fibreglass Incorporated (AFI) in hiring necessary expertise to obtain certification to manufacture and export its fiberglass fuel tanks. The company is an industry leader in developing new eco-friendly products for export―including non-metallic fuel tanks.

• An investment of $42,750 through ACOA’s Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) supports the Municipality of the District of Barrington as they complete work on the Seal Island Light Museum. The work will enable visitors to have continued access to the look-off area at the top of the structure. The Museum is a replica of the lighthouse that was constructed on the site in 1831.

Town Continues To Mull Future Library Space

The town of Bridgewater remains undecided about the future space of the current library building on King Street. Councillors voted 4-3 not to lease the space to the non-profit group, Cafe 12. But they also voted 5-2 against selling the property. Mayor David Walker says there were good points on both sides of the argument.



Walker says they're in no rush to make a decision with the library building in use until roughly the beginning of September. The issue is expected to be brought back up at council during their April 22 meeting.