McIntosh, Martin Win National Silver

Third time wasn't a charm for Jenna Martin. The 25-year-old from Bridgewater was edged at the finish line, on route to a silver medal in women's 400 metre final at the Canadian Track and Field Championships in Moncton, New Brunswick. Martin was trying to win her third straight national title in the event. She ran 52.97 seconds, while Alicia Brown crossed the line at 52.92. Meanwhile, another Bridgewater native also earned silver for her showing in the women's heptathlon. Rachael McIntosh scored 5,519 points to finish second behind Olympian Brianne Thiesen.

Whalen Wins Shot-put Silver At Nationals

Liverpool's Chelsea Whalen picked up a silver medal Friday night in the women's 4kg shot-put event at the Canadian Track and Field Championships. Whalen had a top throw of 16.20 metres, good enough for second place behind defending champion and Olympian Julie Labonte. The 20-year-old will now turn her focus to the women's javelin championship, which gets underway at 6:15 Saturday evening in Moncton.

Bridgewater's Martin Qualifies For National Final

Bridgewater's Jenna Martin has given herself a chance to win a third straight national title. The 25-year-old won her women's 400 metre semi-final heat Friday at the Canadian Track and Field Championships in a time of 53.75 seconds. The final is scheduled for Saturday at 6:15 in Moncton.

Yarmouth: Charges Laid After Police Search Two Homes

Two people faces a variety of charges after police searched two homes in Yarmouth. Police say numerous stolen items were recovered when they carried out search warrants at a pair of homes on Wednesday afternoon. Fifty two year old Keith Muise has been charged with possession of stolen property, possession of illegal cigarettes and possession of a controlled substance. Meanwhile, 50 year-old Mary Muise has been charged with possession of stolen property. Both of the accused are from Yarmouth and are due in court September 24th.

Lunenburg's Drennan Withdraws From Track And Field Nationals

A Lunenburg native has pulled out of the Canadian Track and Field Championships. Twenty-year-old Jesse Drennan was competing in the men's decathlon. He finished the shot-put event yesterday when he felt a minor hamstring pull. Drennan says in an exchange through Facebook that he withdrew as a precaution. He says it's a little disappointing but is looking forward to the Canada Games in August. Three other South Shore athletes are in action today at the event in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Review Committee Seeking Public Input

The public is being asked to provide their perspective to help prepare a discussion paper towards a new school review process. The review committee is looking for feedback from South Shore residents. Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Ramona Jennex announced in April that the school-review process was not working. She's looking for input that will help school review meet the needs for everyone involved. The deadline for submissions is July 31. The review committee will then develop a discussion paper by September. The paper will be made public and feedback from parents, school boards, communities and municipalities will be gathered again, before any decision is made. A new process is expected to be in place by next spring. People can make submit their suggestions online at www.ednet.ns.ca/discussionpaperinput or email it to discussionpaper@gov.ns.ca or mail it to:

School Review Process Review Committee
c/o Corporate Policy
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Box 578
2021 Brunswick St.
Halifax, N.S. B3J 2S9

Queens County Mill Closes

A Queens County chip mill is closing for good and its 20 employees laid-off. Great Northern Timber used to supply wood chips to Bowater-Mersey in Liverpool. It also did the same for Brooklyn Power after the Bowater mill closed a year ago. However, GNT says its now not worth continuing in a non-profitable market and will concentrate its operations at its Sheet Harbour facility. The President of Great Northern, Tony Mee, declined our requests for an interview. He did blame the Liverpool GNT mill's decline on Bowater's closure. At peak production, the Great Northern Timber's mill produced as much as 300,000 tons of wood chips every year.

Middleton Man Killed Overnight In Meadowvale

A Middleton man has died after he was struck by an oncoming vehicle overnight on Highway 201. The 37 year old was struck at 2:45 this morning in Meadowvale. A collision analyst was called to scene to help with the investigation. No name is being released at this time.  Police did not reveal whether charges will be laid.

Dog Dealer Expected In Court Next Month

The court case involving a well-known puppy broker is expected to resume next month. Gail Benoit was not in Bridgewater Court earlier this week. Her lawyer, Cathy Benton, told court her client was under the weather and was not able to appear. The Crown is looking to beef up her release conditions. However, she must be present in order to modify her release conditions. Currently, Benoit is not able to sell dogs while her fraud case is before the court. In March, Benoit was charged with theft, fraud and identity fraud after she allegedly sold two boxer dogs that didn't belong to her. The case resumes July 9th.

Limited Parking At Queens General

Parking will be at a premium today and the next several days at Queens General Hospital in Liverpool. The lower School Street parking lot is being paved and will not be in use. The lot should re-open sometime late next week. Parking will be available though in the new lot adjacent to the nurses’ residence. Space is limited and everyone is encouraged to carpool or use drop-off and pick-up. South Shore Health is advising everyone to use caution and follow posted signage when visiting the hospital.

Gas Prices Increase

On the first day of summer, with visions of nice weather ahead, there's nothing like higher gas prices to cool things down some. Prices increased overnight at South Shore pumps. The Utility and Review Board set the coming week's price for regular self-serve at $1.31.7 per liter. That is an increase of almost 3 cents from yesterday. There is no change though in the price of diesel.  Its selling today at $1.29.4 per liter.

Privateer Days Opens Up In Liverpool

People can take a step back into 1780 starting today as Privateer Days kicks off in Liverpool. The annual festival celebrates the history of privateering in the area. A number of events are planned including six-time world champion log roller Darren Hudson's Lumberjack camp, an 1812 historical dinner and a street parade. Chairperson Brian Fralic says it's a special event for Queens.



Privateer Days will be held the next three days and wraps up with fireworks Sunday night. A full list of events can be found here.

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.