Fire Marshal: Extension Cord Caused Fire At Western Shore Home

The provincial fire marshal's office has concluded that a fire at a home in Western Shore last week was electrical in nature. Deputy Fire Marshal Ron Thibeau says the fire was caused by an extension cord in back of the home owner's washer and dryer that was jammed in between the wall. Thibeau says the finding is based on the scene evaluation after the fire. No one was hurt when the home went up in flames during the early morning hours last Thursday.

Mooseheads Battle Knights At Memorial Cup

The Halifax Mooseheads play their final round-robin game tonight at the Memorial Cup in Saskatoon. The Herd will take on Max Domi and the London Knights, with both teams looking to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Both teams sit at 1-1 and a win would guarantee at least a spot in Friday night's playoff. The loser would play in a tie-breaker game Thursday night. Mooseheads forward Nathan MacKinnon leads the tournament with four goals through two games. The two teams square off at 9pm.

Digby: RCMP Investigate Fatal Shooting

Mounties in Digby say a man is dead after he was allegedly shot over the long weekend. RCMP say they received a call on Victoria Day about a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The man's name has not been released pending notification of his family. An autopsy will be performed later today in Halifax. Digby RCMP will continue their investigation, they aren't saying if they have any suspects.

Lumberjacks: Ron Watkins Named New Head Coach

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks are bringing back a familiar face to be the team's new head coach. Ron Watkins was an assistant coach with the Junior 'A' club from 2009 until 2011. Now, he's back in town, bringing close to 20 years of coaching experience with him. Watkins resume includes head coaching stints with the Halifax Major Midgets, Canada Games men's and women's squads, and team Atlantic at the under-17 World Championship. He's also served as a scout for University and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Doug Petrie has been named an assistant coach while Devan Naugler will be a video coach.

Local High School Rugby Action

Lots of high school rugby action begins this afternoon at 4.30 at the Kinsmen field. Parkview Panther Girls will take on the Middleton High team as they compete for a chance to play the number one team for the Tier 2 banner. The boys team finished in the 2nd position in Tier 1 in regular season play. They will face 3rd place Avonview Avalanche today at 5.30 pm at the Kinsmen field. This match is a semi-final qualifier for the NSSAF Rugby Provincials to be held in Windsor May 30-June1st.

Trial Involving Former Principal Set For December

A retired elementary school principal facing child porn charges will go to trial in December. Brian David Jobb was charged last August after police searched a home in Lilydale. He facing charges of accessing child pornography.The 63 year-old retired as principal of Lunenburg Academy in 2006. Two days have been set aside for the trial beginning December 2nd.

Health Authority Hosts Excellence Awards Banquet

The region's medical community is set to celebrate outstanding contributions to health and health care within the district. South Shore Health will host its annual Celebrating Excellence Awards reception this evening. Four awards will be presented which recognize staff, physicians and community members who exemplify the highest levels of teamwork, integrity, respect, dedication and leadership. The awards include; Community Health Leadership, Exemplary Service, Outstanding Quality Initiative and Spirit. The banquet will be held at the Best Western in Cookville.

Teens Charged Following Assault On Yarmouth Taxi Driver

Yarmouth Town RCMP are investigating an assault with a weapon that occurred early Sunday morning.  It happened on Butler Street. Apparently, a Yarmouth Head cab driver had transported three men from Salmon River into Yarmouth. They alledgedly assaulted the cabbie. The 3 suspects then fled the scene on foot but were later apprehended. The cab driver, a 65-year-old man from Yarmouth, sustained minor injuries, he was examined and released by Emergency Health Services on scene. He appeared to be OK despite the ordeal. Meanwhile, a 17-year-old youth from Yarmouth has been remanded in custody and is facing charges of Assault with a weapon, fraud, and multiple counts of failing to comply with court orders.
Two other suspects, a 17-year-old youth from Yarmouth and an 18-year-old adult male from Lake Doucette, Digby County were released on conditions and are set to appear in court on a later date on similar charges. The investigation is continuing.

Local Sports Recap: May 21-13

The MARC in Dayspring is the place to be today for the junior girls and boys softball District championships. The girls games begin at 10am followed by the boys at 11am.
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In high-school boys soccer: South Shore United Under-16 Tier-1 beat "X" of Antigonish 3-1 over the weekend. Ryan Rhodenizer and Bailey Weagle had two goals each. This marks the third win in a row for the South Shore team.
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Lots of high school rugby action this afternoon at 4.30 at the Kinsmen field. Parkview Panther Girls will take on the Middleton High team as they compete for a chance to play the number one team for the Tier 2 banner. The boys' team finished in the 2nd place in Tier 1 in regular season play. They will face 3rd place Avonview Avalanche at 5.30 pm at the Kinsmen field. This match is a semi-final qualifier for the NSSAF Rugby Provincials to be held in Windsor May 30th-June 1st.
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Case you didn't hear, the Brooks Bandits are the 2013 RBC Cup champions. The Bandits captured the Canadian Junior A hockey title over the weekend with a 3-1 win over the host Summerside Western Capitals. The Western champs jumped out to a 2-0 lead before icing it with an empty-netter.
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Memorial Cup action: The London Knights need to bounce back in the Memorial Cup's preliminary round.  Last night, the Portland Winterhawks rocked the Ontario Hockey League champions 6-3 behind Ty Rattie's two-goal performance.  London can redeem itself against the top-ranked Halifax Mooseheads tonight in Saskatoon. Good luck to them on that one!! The herd has become a power house to be reckoned with.

Shelburne County Native Wins Logrolling Title

A Shelburne County native has claimed the Canadian Logrolling Championship. Darren Hudson captured the title over the weekend in Kaslo, British Columbia. Hudson beat Stirling Hart to win the title at the Kaslo Sports Competition. Hudson is a six time World Champion Logroller.

CLC Favors EI Moratorium

The Canadian Labor Congress is stepping up to the pitcher's plate, hoping to strike out Employment Insurance Reform. The CLC's Atlantic Region Director tells us South Shore workers and families are going to suffer from the changes. Tony Tracy is among those calling for a shelving of the EI cuts until further study.
He says the CLC has been getting an earful lately.



And its not just those involved in fishing and forestry. Tracy says a lot of school board workers, like those at the South Shore Regional board, fear they'll be deprived of benefits too through the summer because of the cuts. He says he strongly supports the Atlantic premiers and what they're trying to do to force a moratorium.

UPDATED: West Northfield Man Dies After Boat Capsizes

RCMP say an 80-year-old man has died after a boat capsized on Wentzells Lake Saturday evening. Police say Harris Arthur Turner of West Northfield passed away late last night in hospital. The cause of death is not known at this time. RCMP, along with EHS and fire officials responded to the scene around 5:30 last evening. A 63-year-old man was also taken to hospital with undisclosed injuries but was later released.

Local Men In Hospital After Boat Capsizes

Two Lunenburg County men have been taken to hospital after their boat capsized Saturday evening. Sgt. Alain LeBlanc says a 63-year-old and an 80-year-old are at South Shore Regional Hospital after the incident occurred around 5:30pm on Wentzells Lake. RCMP, along with EHS and fire officials responded to the scene. Sgt. LeBlanc says the extent of injuries is not known at this time. Preliminary investigation has determined that the men were out fishing in a small aluminum boat when the incident happened. 

Mooseheads Open Memorial Cup Against WHL Champion

The long-awaited start to this year's Memorial Cup in Saskatoon is about to begin for the Halifax Mooseheads. The herd square-off Saturday evening against the WHL Champion Portland Winterhawks. The top-three ranked junior players will all play in the game. Halifax's Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin will battle top-ranked defenceman Seth Jones. The game starts at 7pm.

Local Provincial Parks Set To Open

A pair provincial parks along the South Shore are opening for the season this weekend. Rissers Beach in Lunenburg County and Thomas Raddall in Queens will officially open Saturday. The Victoria Day long weekend is the unofficial kick-off to the summer season. Campers are reminded that the annual alcohol-free period is in effect at all parks until early July. RCMP say they will be out in full-force to monitor roads.

RCMP Remind Public About Bicycle Safety

RCMP are calling on residents to make sure they are being as safe as they can while riding their bicycle. Police says its important for people riding bicycles to remember to wear helmets, and they must have a light and reflector on their bike while riding at night. If people are caught without using the safety features, fines range from $141 to $342. The bike could also be seized by police for over 30 days. Police say motorists also face fines up to $800 if they don't give a bicyclist at least a metre of space while passing them.

Municipal Council Approves Pension Payments, Name Change

MARC North has a new name and a pension plan will be paid in a lump sum. The Municipality of Lunenburg moved ahead with the two recommendations from committee. Council has approved paying up to $190,000 to fund pension plans for 13 laid-off workers at the recycling centre in Whynott's Settlement. They also decided to change the name of MARC North, to River Ridge Common. A contest was held in surrounding communities to change the name of the land just outside New Germany.

Gas Prices Rise Again

You can hear the moaning and the groaning of South Shore drivers. Gas prices are up yet again today at the pumps. Its Friday and the province's utility and review board set prices overnight. Regular self serve has been bumped up almost 2 cents to $1.29.2 per litre. Diesel is unchanged at $1.26.1.

Argyle-Barrington Tories Select Their Candidate

A familiar face will be the PC candidate in Argyle-Barrington in the next provincial election. Chris d'Entremont was selected last night at a nomination meeting in Barrington. In accepting it, d'Entremont bashed the Dexter government for what he calls its lack of action in dealing with 13 percent unemployment in his area.



Progressive Conservative Party leader Jamie Baillie was also at last night's nomination meeting. He charged the NDP government with turning its back on families in the area. d'Entremont is a former radio announcer and first elected to the House of Assembly in 2003. He has served as a minister in various high-profile Cabinet posts, such as agriculture and fisheries and health.

RCMP, Fire Marshal Investigate Western Shore House Fire

RCMP and the fire marshal's office have taken over an investigation into an early morning house fire in Western Shore. Officials with both groups spent the morning at the scene, gathering data and sifting through debris to help them establish the cause of the blaze. Five fire departments were called to the scene just after 1 o'clock Thursday morning. Deputy Fire Marshal Ron Thibeau says they've wrapped-up their investigation at the Swinimer Road home. He says the next step is to interview fire fighters, residents and the homeowners to gather additional details. There is no timeline when the investigation may be complete.