McIntosh Named To Canadian Pan-American Combined Events Cup Team.

A Bridgewater heptathlete will represent Canada next month at the Pan-American Combined Events Cup. Athletics Canada recently announced Rachael McIntosh will compete at the event in Ottawa. The 22-year-old finished in second place in the open division during last year's competition. She says she can build on her previous experience.



McIntosh says she's hoping to keep her momentum going at the event, after setting a personal best in Calgary earlier this month. The competition will be held June 1 and 2.

VIDEO: McNeil: Health Boards Would Be Cut Under Liberals

The province's Liberal Leader reiterated his plan to eliminate a majority of health boards if his party was in power. Stephen McNeil spoke Wednesday at a luncheon of about 45 local business owners, political figures and officials at the Best Western in Cookville. He says a Liberal government would get rid of district health authorities except one board for the IWK and another for the rest of the province.



McNeil says the initiative would help take dollars out of board rooms and administration and put it back into frontline health care. He believes it could save around $10-million. McNeil also touched on other subjects including the Muskrat Falls power project and economic development.

New Germany Girls Win Softball Districts

The New Germany Rural High School junior girls softball team went undefeated Tuesday to win the District Championship. Winning pitcher was Kaylee Hyson who only gave up one run in the three games. The team will now host the Regional tournament on Tuesday, May 28th.

Minor Injuries In Cookville Crash

One person was taken to hospital with minor injuries after two vehicles collided on Highway 10 in Cookville last night. Constable Colin Helm with Lunenburg County RCMP says the crash included a black car and an SUV. The incident happened around 7:30pm. Police along with EHS and fire officials from Northfield responded to the scene. The cause of the crash is also not known.

Moose Secure Semi-Final Berth

The Halifax Mooseheads played a nearly flawless game, taking period leads of 5-0 and 8-2 while drubbing the London Knights 9-2 at the Memorial Cup. Martin Frk had three goals and an assist, and Darcy Ashley also scored twice and picked up an assist, as the Mooseheads guaranteed themselves at least a spot in Friday's semifinals.

South Shore Health Excellence Awards

It was an evening of celebration for the region's medical community. South Shore Health hosted their annual Excellence Awards banquet last night. Four awards were presented in total including the Spirit Award - which was was presented posthumously to Clarke Johnson, and his faithful Dobermans, for their contributions to South Shore Health's Pet Therapy program. Johnson was instrumental in establishing the program which now includes 17 teams in three hospitals. The Community Health Leadership Award went to Palliative Care Physician Dr. David Abriel. The Exemplary Service Award was presented to Clinical Pharmacist Stephanie Oxenham. The Outstanding Quality Initiative Award was given to a group of staff in Public Health and Library Services from South Shore Health, South West Health and Annapolis Valley Health for a program designed to help women quit smoking. This was the ninth year for the excellence awards.

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.