UPDATED: Four Taken To Hospital After Crash In Shelburne

Four people are in hospital after a two vehicle collision near Shelburne. The crash occurred mid-morning near Exit 26. Police say a pick-up truck travelling northbound on the Ohio Road collided with a mini van that was travelling eastbound on Highway 103. The driver of the pick-up truck and his young passenger from the Welshtown area were treated at the scene. The occupants of the mini van, a male driver, female passenger along with two young people from the Lockeport area were transported to Shelburne Hospital with undetermined injuries. The female passenger had to be airlifted to the IWK Hospital in Halifax for further treatment. RCMP say the investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

Chester: Municipality Preparing To Take Over Elementary School

The warden for the Municipality of Chester says they've asked for a full assessment of Gold River-Western Shore Elementary School. The school is is expected to revert back to the municipality July 19 after it closes early next week. Allen Webber says there are concerns with the roof, they've asked for the maintenance records for the last number of years and council members plan on doing a walk-through of the facility. He says they are are other issues that also need to be discussed.



Webber says the municipality didn't budget for the school takeover, but doesn't expect a significant dollar figure to alter their budget. He says its too early to discuss future plans for the property. Webber says they will also have the building appraised to prepare it for re-sale.

Long Awaited Skateboard Park In Hubbards Gets Funding

It's a big boost for skateboard lovers in the Hubbards area. The Nova Scotia government has approved $48,000 in grant money for a new skateboard park in Hubbards. The park is one of 21 projects in the Central Region receiving grants totalling $582,000. Community Services Minister Denise Peterson Rafuse says the park is way to get young people living health, active lifestyles. The Hubbards Area Recreation Association and Halifax Regional Municipality are building the skateboard park at the Hubbards Recreation Centre. They have been working on the project since 2008. Earlier this week, the government announced nearly $2 million for 59 projects province wide.

Lunenburg's ER Closed Friday Afternoon

There will be a temporary closure of the emergency department at Fishermen's Memorial beginning tomorrow afternoon. The closure to due to a physician shortage. The ER will be closed beginning at 2:30pm Friday afternoon. It will re-open at 7:30am Saturday morning. Residents needing emergency services should call 9-1-1 or visit South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater.

Serious Crash Exit 26 In Shelburne

Emergency officials are on the scene of a serious crash near Exit 26 in Shelburne. Multiple vehicles are involved in the crash. No word on injuries at this point. RCMP have yet to release an official statement regarding the collision. When we have more details our newsroom will be sure to pass along any information regarding the incident.

Updated: Mustangs, LCLC Agree To Five-Year Deal

The general manager of the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre confirms the South Shore Mustangs will play out of the facility beginning next season. Kevin Benjamin says the team's board of directors negotiated a five-year deal to skate at the new Clearwater Seafood Arena. The deal was officially signed Wednesday. Meanwhile, the president of the Mustangs says he's excited to play out of the LCLC. Lionel Haughn says the two sides were back and forth for months trying to hammer out a deal. He says the timing is right to move on from the Memorial Arena.



Haughn says other arenas in the area approached the team, but he wanted to stay in Bridgewater. The Mustangs have played out of Bridgewater since 1985.

Martin Confident, Excited For National Track Championships

The Canadian Track and Field Championships get underway Thursday in Moncton, New Brunswick. Four South Shore athletes are chasing a national title including Liverpool's Chelsea Whalen in the shotput and javelin, Lunenburg's Jesse Drennan in the decathlon, Bridgewater's Rachael McIntosh in the heptathlon. Jenna Martin is also competing as the two-time defending Canadian champion in the women's 400 metre event. The 25-year-old says she's ready for the competition.



Martin says her goal, besides winning, is to achieve at least a 'B' standard time to qualify her for the World Championships in Moscow, Russia in August. (Photo Courtesy: Athletics Canada)

Tax Rates Remain Unchanged In Municipality of Shelburne

The Municipality of Shelburne has approved their operating and capital budgets for 2013-14. Council members agreed to a $5.9-million operating budget and $2.68-million capital budget following their recent deliberations. Meanwhile, residents will continue to pay $1.28 per 100 of assessment for a tax rate while businesses remain at $1.82. CAO Kirk Cox says council felt strongly to keep the same tax rates.




Cox says the capital budget provides investments to key priorities including $440,000 for a wind turbine, over $190,000 for phase four of the sewage treatment plant, $200,000 for upgrades to the Shelburne medical clinic and over $1.2-million for industrial park development. He says the municipality also invested an additional $200,000 to five reserve funds for future operations. This total reserve amount is approximately $2.5-million.

Mother Charged In Daughter's Death Elects Judge & Jury Trial

A 31-year-old woman accused of running over her nine year-old daughter in a driveway has elected to be tried by judge and jury. Candice Roxanne Moore is facing charges of criminal negligence causing death and impaired driving causing death. Moore's daughter, Olive, died after she was struck by a vehicle on Corkum Diverson Road in Pleasantville on January 19th. Mounties laid charges against Moore a few weeks after the incident. A preliminary inquiry into the matter will take place November 29th in Bridgewater.

Election/Plea Expected In Young Girls Death

The case of a mother accused of running over her nine-year old daughter in a driveway is back in court today. Candice Roxanne Moore is facing charges including impaired driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death. Moore was charged after the girl was struck in a driveway January 19 in Pleasantville. Olive Moore died from her injuries shortly after the incident occurred on Corkum Diverson Road. The woman's lawyer, Cathy Benton, is expected to appear on her behalf. Election or plea is expected to be entered during this afternoon's court proceedings.

Local School Buses Getting High Definition Cameras

Officials are hoping some high definition cameras on local school buses will deter motorists from driving through flashing red lights. Transportation coordinator for the South Shore Regional School Board, Denise Crouse, says they've been getting too many reports of drivers running the buses red lights. She adds, they've had trouble identifying the offenders and producing convictions. However, Crouse says that's about to change.



Crouse says luckily there have been no incidents with children getting off buses and traffic. The new high definition cameras will be in place for the upcoming school year.

MODL: Future Of Former Blockhouse School To Be Decided June 25

The future use of the former Blockhouse School won't be decided until next week. A public hearing was held Tuesday night to hear arguments for and against the South Shore Ventures Co-op trying to buy the property for less than market value. The group is trying to develop new sustainable approaches in the facility, but those against the matter argue they wouldn't be able to upkeep the property or gather necessary funding. Mayor Don Downe says it was good to hear both sides.



The property's assessment for 2014 is listed at just over $123,000, but the group is looking to buy it from the municipality for one dollar. Council will discuss the matter further June 25.

Crane Display Inspires Hope For Young Cancer Patients

The idea of folding origami cranes has turned into a sign of hope for a Conquerall Bank boy. Nine-year-old Sam Bond was diagnosed with a form of Leukemia in his white blood cells three years ago. Another young cancer patient from the U.S. created a project of folding 1,000 origami cranes, after a Japanese legend which states anyone who folds that many gets a wish. Now, a set of cranes has been unveiled at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater to help inspire other young cancer patients on the South Shore. Bond's mother, Becky, says the cranes are a symbol of hope.



Bond continues to undergo chemotherapy but will end his three-year plus treatment in late December, just days before his 10th birthday. The cranes are displayed in the hospital's maternal child family waiting area on the fourth floor.

CUPE Receives Strike Mandates From Local School Board Workers

Non-teaching school board workers across the South Shore are joining other local unions in favour of taking strike action. CUPE received strike mandates from 220 workers with the Local 964, Tri-County School Board and 225 people with the Local 4682, South Shore Regional School Board by a 97 per cent vote. The union last met with the Department of Education in May to discuss a new contract for non-teaching staff including janitors, bus drivers, teaching assistants and library techs. CUPE School Board coordinator Kathy MacLeod says pensions are a big part of the negotiations.



Other local unions with the Chignecto and Strait Regional School Boards voted 88% in favour of a strike mandate. CUPE represents 3,700 school board workers across the province. A conciliation officer with the Department of Labour will join the talks when the two sides return to the bargaining table Thursday in Dartmouth.

South Shore: Gov't Announces $200,000 In Rec Grants

The Bridgewater Curling Club will see $60,000 in provincial grant money to help keep the rink operating well into the future. It was one of nine grants announced earlier today in Lunenburg. The money will go toward replacing the club's sprinkler system and refrigeration unit. President Sandra Porter-Lowe says the membership is grateful the funding was approved.




Meanwhile, the South Shore Fieldhouse received $40,000 for upgrades to the facility in Bridgewater. A total of 59 grants totaling $2 million were announced throughout the province.

Following is a list of grants in the South Shore region:

-- Bridgewater Curling Club, upgrading the sprinkler system and installing a new condenser for ice-making, $60,000

-- Bridgewater Marina Association, constructing a trail and two public slips, $8,800

-- East Chester Recreation Association, new floor in community hall, $19,000                   

-- Liverpool Curling Club, accessibility upgrades, $10,000

-- Lunenburg and District Swimming Pool, upgrades to pool and deck, $16,800

-- Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, development of Petite Riviere Park, $25,000

-- South Shore Fieldhouse Society, fieldhouse upgrades, $40,000

-- Town of Lunenburg, expanding the skate park, $18,000

-- Pubnico Point Trail Association, constructing the Pubnico Point Trail, $18,700

MODL: Housing Coalition Requests Council Support

A group trying to build awareness of the need for affordable rental housing in the area is asking for help from the Municipality of Lunenburg. Members of the South Shore Housing Action Coalition provided an update this morning to council. The group was formed in 2010 to promote the need for quality rental housing in Lunenburg and Queens Counties. Mayor Don Downe says federal and provincial money is needed.



The group says 34 per cent of renters in Lunenburg County pay more than 30 per cent of their income on housing. They also say there are limited range of housing types in the municipality. The coalition is asking the municipality to forward a resolution to the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities regarding minimum rental accommodation standards.

Public Hearing Focuses On Former Blockhouse School

The future of the former Blockhouse school will be front and center Tuesday night. A public hearing will be held to allow residents to support or oppose selling the property to the South Shore Ventures Co-op for less than market value. The property was assessed for 2014 at just over $123,000 by Property Valuation Services Corporation. The group has been leasing the property for the last year and is looking to transform the property into a sustainability and permaculture training centre. The hearing starts at 7pm at the Blockhouse Fire Hall.

Bridgewater Still Mulling LED Lighting

The switch to LED lighting in the town of Bridgewater remains a question mark. Council decided to continue consulting staff over the two options on the table. The town must choose to replace existing Nova Scotia Power street lights by purchasing and installing new LED lights or keep renting lights from NSP and let the company install the new lights in the next seven years. The difference between owning and maintaining the lights and renting from NSP, based on assumptions, would result in a savings of approximately $650,000 over 20 years. Mayor David Walker says they're weighing their options.



Walker expects council to choose one of the options at their June 24 meeting to meet the month-end deadline from the province.

Bridgewater's Relay For Life Tops $100,000

The total for Bridgewater's Relay for Life event has topped $100,000. The new six-figure amount was announced late last week by the group. The new total now sits at $100,078.72. Co-chair, Sarah Sweeny, expected more donations to roll in following the June 7th event. Money goes towards prevention, advocacy, research, information and screening for cancer. The total was at $89,000 immediately following the event. Another Relay for Life is scheduled for Friday night at Chester Area Middle School.

BREAKING: Chester Clippers Relocating To Bedford

The president and general manager of the Chester Clippers Junior 'C' Hockey club confirms they won't be back in Chester next season. Jehad Assaff says their intention is to play in Bedford after the NS Junior 'C' Hockey League approved relocation during a meeting earlier this month. Assaff cites a declining fan base and low volunteer turnout as reasons for the move. He says it's unfortunate news for the community, but the team decided to look at other options. Assaff says the club is working to secure a rink in Bedford at the moment and expects more details to be announced by the end of the month.