Clippers Move To Bedford Fizzles, Off To Cape Breton

The Chester Clippers move to Bedford has fallen through. The Junior 'C' hockey team was expected to move to the Halifax-area suburb but was unable to secure a deal in the best interest for the club and the league. However, earlier this week the League's Board of Governors has approved the transfer and relocation of the team to a group in Cape Breton. Heading the group is Jordan Evasuk-MacDonald, who tells CKBW/HANK-FM, the club will play out of the North Sydney-area. He says they're leaning towards the team being called the Northside Vics, after a former men's senior hockey team in the community. Evasuk-MacDonald says they are currently in negotiations to play out of the Sydney Mines and District Community Centre and the Emera Centre in North Sydney.

Police Seize 80,000 Contraband Cigarettes In Shelburne County

A 26-year-old Shelburne County man is facing charges after police seized over 80,000 contraband cigarettes. RCMP searched a home around 3pm Wednesday afternoon on Paces Lane in Roseway. During their search, police nabbed 300 cartons. They also seized the man's 2013 Honda Accord after another 100 cartons were located in the vehicle. The man faces charges under the Federal Excise Act and Provincial Revenue Act and is scheduled to appear in Shelburne Provincial Court in September.

Brooklyn Power Sale Complete

The sale of Brooklyn Power Corp. in Queens County is complete. The Nova Scotia government announced Thursday the deal has wrapped up after the initial plan was revealed in December. The province purchased Bowater Mersey Paper Company Ltd. from Resolute Forest Products Inc. and changed the name to ReNova Scotia Bioenergy Inc. Emera Energy Inc. has paid $25-million for Brooklyn Power. ReNova hired Deloitte to provide an opinion on the purchase price, and Deloitte concluded that the purchase price of $25-million was fair from a financial point of view. About 30 people work at Brooklyn Power. Region of Queens Mayor, Christopher Clarke, says the facility keeps local people working and maintains an important player in the forestry sector, which is in transition.

Last Man Charged In Confinement Case Will Stand Trial

A 64 year old man allegedly linked to the sexual assault of a confined teenage boy will stand trial. John Leonard MacKean of Lower Sackville is facing two charges in total, they include sexual assault and communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services under the age of 18 years old. Judge Gregory Lenehan ruled today there is enough evidence to send the case to Supreme Court for trial. MacKean was arrested in Fredericton back in November. He is the final person charged in connection with the disturbing case where a boy was chained up and sexually assaulted for a period of ten days last fall in Upper Chelsea.  Another man, David Leblanc has already been sentence to 11 years in jail for his role in the incident. MacKean is free on bail, in addition to a number of court ordered conditions.  He's due back in court August 22nd to set dates for a trial.

Longer Wait Times Expected For Non-Urgent Care

South Shore Health is advising the public to expect longer than usual waits for non-urgent care at all of the District's emergency departments. There is currently a large number of patients in the emergency departments who have been admitted to hospital for care, but cannot be moved to a medical unit because there are no available beds. This is creating delays in admissions and long waits for non-urgent care. All patients not requiring urgent care are asked to visit their family health care provider, call 811 for advice from a registered nurse or go to the nearest walk-in clinic in Bridgewater, Hammonds Plains or Tantallon.

RCMP Continue To Probe Martin's River Fire

No new information is being released regarding a fire in Martin's River. The July 14 blaze destroyed two outbuildings and extensively damaged a third at 127 Shingle Mill Road. Constable Tamu Bracken says debris is being sent for analysis following the blaze. She says it could be months before they know any results. The province's fire marshal has issued their report and RCMP have taken the lead in the investigation.

Court: Final Chapter In Teen Confinement Case

A Lower Sackville man charged for his role in allegedly sexually assaulting a confined teenage boy will appear in court later today. John Leonard MacKean is charged with sexual assault and communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services from a person under 18. He was arrested in Fredericton after police launched an investigation last fall into a report that a barefoot teen showed up at a woman's doorstep in Upper Chelsea chained at his wrists and ankles. A preliminary hearing is set for this morning to determine if there is enough evidence against MacKean to send the matter to trial. Another man, David James Leblanc, was sentenced to 11 years in jail for his part in the disturbing incident involving a 16 year-old boy. Leblanc's sentence also included child porn related charges stemming incidents in the Halifax area.

Baillie & McNeil Call For Vast '103' Improvements

Nova Scotia politicians are lining up to join the chorus of calls for a major overhauling of Highway 103 along the South Shore. Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says if he's elected premier in the next provincial election, he will make twinning whats been called "Canada's deadliest highway" a priority. He says doubling the road from Exit five to at least 13 is long overdue.



McNeil says the federal government can easily afford to cost-share the project when you consider the money it hauls in yearly in gas taxes. Meanwhile, PC Leader Jamie Baillie says its outrageous the issue has dragged on so long with no action plan implemented.



Baillie says the province and Ottawa need to work together and cost-share such a large project. He says if elected premier, he will make it a priority to encourage the federal government to come on board a multi-year plan to overhaul the highway.

Lower East Pubnico Fisherman Dies At Sea

A man has died after a fishing accident about 170 kilometres south of Cape Sable Island. A spokesperson with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax says a man fell from a high mast around 4pm Tuesday afternoon while on a sword fishing vessel. Yarmouth RCMP have identified the man as 55-year-old Brex Malone of Lower East Pubnico. Police say he was aboard the fishing vessel 'Savana & Jax' from Lower East Pubnico during the time of the incident. RCMP are partnering with the Department of Labour to continue the investigation.

Online Petition Calls For Twinning Highway 103

A former Bridgewater resident has started an online petition to get Highway 103 twinned from exits five to 13. Tim Conrad now lives in Grande Prairie, Alberta and started the petition following this weekend's fatal crash near Hubbards. He's no stranger to the issue after forwarding a similar petition with 5,500 names to the Conservative government in 2008-09. Now with technology changes, every time a person signs online, an email is sent to the premier, prime minister and other federal and provincial politicians. Conrad says something needs to be done sooner rather than later.



The petition states over 65 people have died in the last six years on Highway 103. Conrad says it will take time to do the work, but feels governments should provide money to twin the highway within the next year. He is hoping to gather 10,000 signatures. To sign the petition, click here.

Grand Opening Planned For Sawpit Wharf Upgrades

Upgrades to Sawpit Wharf Park will be the cause for celebration this week. The Municipality of Lunenburg will host a grand opening to show-off the new upper parking lot and floating dock. Area councillor Errol Knickle says the $65,000 parking lot will allow people to stay in the area longer.



The $25,000 floating dock provides space for roughly 16 punts or small watercraft to be tied up. The grand opening will be held Thursday afternoon from 2-4pm at the Sawpit Wharf Park in Garden Lots.

Big Ex Parade Set For Tonight

The Big Ex Parade is still on for tonight. There were some concerns it would be cancelled due to the forecast. However, officials with the exhibition confirmed the parade will go ahead as scheduled. It leaves from the NSCC in Bridgewater and gets underway at 6PM. The annual parade helps mark the official kick-off of the South Shore Exhibition.

Good Response From Business On SW NS Future

The committee studying the future of tourism in the Southwestern part of the province has received numerous suggestions from businesses in the area. They're suggestions on how to make improvements and bolster the region's economy. Committee chair, Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood, says she's somewhat surprised but encouraged.



Meanwhile, the mayor says much of it all depends on getting a ferry service up and running again between Yarmouth and Maine. Her committee expects to have an initial report ready early in 2014.

Chester: Municipality Covering HST To Fix Heritage Property

The Municipality of Chester is handling a bulk of the HST costs for work to a heritage property in the area. Council agreed to cover 71 per cent of the tax towards the Lightfoot Tower restoration project. The cost is $10,714. Warden Allen Webber says the municipality also received a grant request, but council decided on the best option for them.



The Trust has raised roughly $105,000 for the project since fundraising began in 2008. Council approved proceeding with restorations to the property earlier this month. A local firm is preparing to begin restoration work to the Tower on Regent Street, which includes replacing doors, windows, the roof and exterior staircase.

New "Super" Excited To Work In Rural Setting

Providing more opportunities and course selection for students on the South Shore will be a key focus for the region's new superintendent. Geoff Cainen has been selected for the top job within the South Shore Regional School Board. He has worked for the Halifax Regional School Board for the past 17 years. Cainen is also a former teacher and principal. Cainen says he'd like to explore further opportunities to offer online courses.



Cainen says a top priority will be to work with board members on creating a new strategic plan and vision for the areas school system. He will officially begin his new role on August 1st.

UPDATE: Two Men Safe After Boat Capsizes In Mahone Bay

Two men are safe after a power boat capsized this afternoon off the coast of Mahone Bay. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax issued a mayday call around 1:45pm after the 20-foot vessel overturned. The incident happened roughly 40 metres from shore. JRCC spokesperson Mike Bonin says the two men appear to be in good shape.



The Mahone Bay Inshore Rescue and Coast Guard auxiliary were involved in the rescue operation. Bonin says the two men will be assessed on shore and will be taken to hospital if necessary. It's not yet known what caused the incident.

FireFit: Bridgewater Earn Personal Bests, Third In Team Event

Volunteer firefighters from Bridgewater made quite an impression over the weekend at the Maritime-Atlantic FireFit competition. Ryan Buck finished fifth overall after running the obstacle course in one minute and 30 seconds. Meanwhile, Steve Freeman set a new personal best time by 25 seconds, finishing in a time of one minute and 35 seconds to finish 10th. Nick Mercer also set a personal best by 12 seconds with a time of one minute and 49 seconds to finish in 22nd place out of 86 competitors. Robbie Smith posted a time of three minutes and three seconds while Craig Wentzell also finished in a time of three minutes and 13 seconds. The results led to a third place finish in the team event for the local fire fighters. Buck says it was a job well done.



Bridgewater was the lone South Shore team in the event. He says the team expects to compete at the national championships in Edmonton, Alberta from September 4-8.

Trail Group's Financial Request Goes To Committee

A funding request to help develop a route plan for the LaHave River Trail will be discussed further. The Municipality of Lunenburg has sent the $15,000 request to its audit-finance committee. The LaHave River Trail Association is looking to undertake a study that will connect trail sections in Cookville and Pinehurst. Mayor Don Downe says it's about creating a link for trail users that doesn't exist.



Downe says the audit-finance committee will determine if there is money available in the budget framework to complete the request. The group is hoping to use public land where possible while creating partnerships with private landowners. Downe expects the issue to be back in front of council in the fall.

UPDATE: Yarmouth Fund-Raiser Not Just A Drop In The Bucket!

The weekend "Zach In A Box" fund-raiser at the Yarmouth Mall parking lot was a big success! More than $10,000. was raised as Liberal MLA Zach Churchill spent half his weekend in a bucket attached to a construction crane high above the parking lot. Passers-by chipped in money to keep Churchill in the bucket through the 24 hour time-limit. He says it was a long 24 hours by times but, well worth it!



Money raised will help support programs of the Memorial Club which assists local seniors and veterans.

Big EX Ready To Start

The South Shore Exhibition is set to start this week in Bridgewater. The popular July event will get underway Tuesday evening with a parade that spans around sections of the town from the community college to the exhibition grounds. Other events planned for this year include South Shore Idol, demolition derby, TCW wrestling and Maritime Horse Pull. Manager Christine Sarty says there is lots of buzz around musical performances from Kira Isabella and Chad Brownlee.



Sarty says there's something for all ages at the Exhibition. The event runs from Tuesday until Sunday. All the details can be found here .