BREAKING: Election Set For October 8th

Nova Scotians will head to the polls in a provincial election October 8th. Premier Darrell Dexter made the announcement during a stop today in Port Hawkesbury. It puts to rest weeks of speculation. Dexter visited Lieutenant Govenor JJ Grant to dissolve the legislature sending Nova Scotians into a provincial election for the first time since 2009. The NDP, Liberals and PC's have been in campaign mode for weeks leading up to today's election call. At dissolution, the NDP hold 31 seats, the Liberals have 12 and PC's seven.

Annual Fishermen's Service Held In Lunenburg

A ceremony honouring fishermen who have lost their lives at sea goes Sunday in Lunenburg. The annual Lunenburg Fishermen's Thanksgiving Service begins at 2pm on the town's waterfront. It will be held near the Fishermen's Memorial and Tribute. The Roll of Honour will be read by Mayor Rachel Bailey. It's expected to include names of fishermen lost in the years ending in three covering the last century. The Bridgewater Fire Department Band will provide music. After the service, people will be asked to proceed to the eastern finger wharf of the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Wreaths will be placed on a fishing boat and taken out to sea.

Mustangs Drop Opener In Cape Breton

The South Shore Mustangs dropped their opening game at the early bird tournament in Cape Breton. The Mustangs fell 2-1 last night to the Cape Breton Tradesmen. The major midget club gets back on the ice at 10am against Dartmouth.

More Protected Land In Shelburne County

A pristine section of coastal land in Shelburne County will be permanently protected this weekend. The area is located in in Hemeon's Head and spans about 300 acres. It's internationally recognized for its significance to both migratory and nesting shore birds including the endangered piping plover. The Nova Scotia Nature Trust and Acadia University will celebrate the occasion on Saturday. An announcement and guided tour will take place beginning at 1 o'clock at the Little Harbour Community Hall.

VIDEO: Bluenose II "Back In The Tub"

Bluenose II made a successful splash back in Lunenburg water this morning before dozens of spectators along the town's waterfront. The vessel was towed to the Lunenburg Foundry plant wharf where it prepares for dock and sea trials. Dock trials are expected to begin immediately. President and CEO of the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance, Peter Kinley, says sea trials will start once they get clearance from the American Bureau of Shipping. The trials will test the vessel to make sure its seaworthy. Kinley says it's unclear when Bluenose II will be available for public tours.

The vessel has be undergoing restoration work for the last three years, and will cost more than $16-million once its finished. You can watch Bluenose II get lowered into the water in the video below.

Regular & High-Test Gas Prices Lower, Diesel Up

Prices for regular and high test gasoline are down some today at South Shore pumps. Diesel is up in price though. Regular self serve is lower by half a cent to $1.39.3. High test is selling for about a cent lower at $1.48.2 per litre. Diesel rose a cent overnight however to $1.40.4.

UPDATE: Missing South Shore Man Returns Home

A Bridgewater man has turned up safe and sound at his home. 47-year-old Christopher Mark Cook had been missing for a day and had last been seen Wednesday night heading into the woods in the Port Medway area. Cook arrived home last evening in Port Medway and he's said to be in good condition. No word on why he'd gone missing for 24 hours.

Queens RCMP Search For Missing Bridgewater Man

RCMP are on the lookout for a missing man in the Port Medway area. The Mounties in Queens say 47-year-old Christopher Mark Cook of Bridgewater was last seen going into the woods last night around 6:15pm. He is described as a white man,  5'1, 130 pounds with blonde, balding hair and a goatee. He was last seen wearing a grey Old Navy sweat shirt and blue jeans. The Mounties say they have conducted a number of inquiries at local homes and businesses but haven't located the man. The Department of Natural Resources, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the RCMP Police Dog Service are all involved in the search. Anyone with information is asked to contact Queens RCMP at (902) 354-5721.

BREAKING: Yarmouth Ferry Deal Reached

A deal has been reach to resume the Yarmouth to Maine ferry service. Economic Development Minister Graham Steele announced today the province has reached a deal with STM Quest to operate the ferry run beginning May 1, 2014. Steele says a few things still need to fall into place such as upgrades to the ferry terminal in Yarmouth. The province will provide the operator with $21 million over seven years as long as a number of terms and conditions are followed including a set schedule. The sailing schedule will be May 1 to Oct. 31, departing Yarmouth daily at 9 a.m. and arriving in Portland at 5 p.m., local time. The return trip would leave Portland at 8 p.m. and arrive in Yarmouth at 7 a.m., local time. The ferry service hasn't been running since a government funded subsidy was cut in 2009.

Local Artists Earn Music NS Award Nominations

A number of South Shore singer-songwriters are looking to win Music Nova Scotia awards. Chester's Old Man Luedecke leads the way with five nominations including entertainer of the year, male artist recording of the year, music video of the year, recording of the year and folk recording of the year. Yarmouth's Ryan Cook is up for three Music Nova Scotia awards including entertainer of the year and male artist recording of the year. Cook joins Chester's Amanda Riley trying to win country-bluegrass recording of the year. Lunenburg's Air Traffic Control is up for rock recording of the year and Electric City Underground for electric recording of the year. New Ross' Jamie Junger is up for children's recording of the year. On the industry side, a number of local festivals are vying for the same award. The Chester Playhouse, Harmony Bazaar Festival of Women and Song in Lockeport and the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society have been nominated for community presenter of the year. Harmony Bazaar is also up for event of the year. The festival's organizer, Errin Williams-Spidle, is nominated for volunteer of the year. Milton's Kimberly Sinclair of SpinCount Music and Promotions has been nominated for industry professional of the year and publicist of the year. Diego Medina of Riverport is hoping to win studio engineer of the year while his workplace, the Old Confidence Lodge, Studio & Stage is up for recording studio of the year. Liverpool's Justin MacPherson Wiles is vying for visual artist of the year. The awards will be presented November 10th during Molson Canadian Nova Scotia Music Week festivities in Sydney.

Utility Board Gives Green Light To South Canoe Wind Project

The warden of the Municipality of Chester says he's relieved that a decision on the South Canoe Wind Project has finally been made. The province's regulatory board released its 85-page decision on the project Thursday morning in favour of a development agreement between the municipality and the project's proponents including Nova Scotia Power, Oxford Foods and Minas Basin Pulp and Power.  In announcing its decision today, the URB says the Friends of South Canoe failed to show Chester council erred in supporting the wind power project and that the wind farm would be harmful to health. Allen Webber says they're anticipating between $10-15 million worth of benefit to local contractors to provide the groundwork. He says there are other benefits.



Webber says the decision proves Chester's by-law was adequate.  He doesn't expect any development to begin until after supreme court case involving Nova Scotia Power is held in November. When complete and running, the 34 wind turbines will generate enough power to heat some 32,000 homes.

Jury Selection Continues At Eisnor Trial

Jury selection will stretch into a third day in the first degree murder trial of a Lunenburg County man. Nearly 300 potential jurors have been summoned to appear for jury duty in the high profile case. Wayne Eisnor, 50, of Barss Corner is accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife, Tina Mae Eisnor, in June 2010 in a New Germany parking lot, before turning the gun on himself. Dozens of witnesses are expected to be called to testify over the course of the two-week trial.

Green Light For Upgrades At IWK Health Centre

A power outage won't cause any problems at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. The hospital is about to get a number of upgrades which include a new generator. Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson says when children need medical attention they shouldn't have to worry about things like a power failure, or the condition of the hospital's energy sources. The IWK upgrades have been given approval and they will now issue a request for proposal, the work scheduled to be completed within 18 months of the tender being awarded. The upgrades were part of the hospital's annual wish list and will include a new generator and transformers. The generator at the IWK is currently 35 years-old.

New Ambulance Makes South Shore Stops

A local paramedic is looking forward to the next wave of ambulances. The province spent today showing off one of the new series of ambulances in Bridgewater, Shelburne, Yarmouth and Meteghan. The new ambulances include a redesigned patient care area with safer seating and reflective graphics on backs and sides to make the vehicles more visible to other drivers. Private-care paramedic Kyle Mohammed says he's pleased with how it looks.



The new ambulances are expected to begin rolling out in November for the next four years. The older models will be refurbished and sold outside the province. The province signed a contract with Tri-Star Industries of Yarmouth to lease 150 ambulances. The eight-year contract is worth $31.4 million.

Bridgewater: Design Work Planned For Four Projects

The town of Bridgewater is increasing the number of projects receiving detailed designs in the downtown and waterfront master plan. Mayor David Walker says two components were originally slated for the preliminary work including wider sidewalks and resting places on King Street and re-development of the south parkade. However, the town would like to prepare detailed designs for the Old Bridge and parking options on King Street after it was awarded a $60,000 grant from the province. Walker says there are a few options to consider for the bridge.



The total cost of the preliminary design work was $150,000 until the town received the grant. Staff will ask council September 9 to approve increasing the budget to $210,000.

News Regarding Yarmouth Ferry Expected Thursday

It's getting close now. An update is expected tomorrow (Thursday) on negotiations between the Nova Scotia government and STM Quest to restart the Yarmouth ferry service. Both sides have been deep in talks since the middle of August. Economic Development Minister Graham Steele is expected to deliver the latest on efforts to bring back the ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine. The government has stated that if a deal can't be reach with STM Quest, it will look at the next proponent in line that's capable of running the ferry. The current proposal would see the ferry operate between May and October.

Friday: Bluenose II Set For Return In Lunenburg

Its been more than 3 years since the restoration began. Now, preparations are underway to return Bluenose II to the water on Friday. There will then be sea-trials for several weeks. The last major job in the $16-million refit was installation of the schooner's steel rudder. Its still unknown when the famous replica will resume its role as Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador.

Liberals Hold 10 Point Lead In Latest Poll

The latest political poll in Nova Scotia has the Liberals maintaining a comfortable 10 point lead among decided voters. However, the governing NDP has closed the gap since the last poll was released in May. The Liberal have 41 percent of decided voters backing their party. The NDP sit in second with 31 percent and the PC's are in third at 25 percent. Meanwhile, Stephen McNeil is the most popular leader among decided voters at 30 percent. Darrell Dexter and Jamie Ballie are tied at 19 percent. The number of Nova Scotians who are undecided remains high and rests at 41 percent. The Corporate Research Associates poll is considered accurate to within 2.4 percentage points or 95 out of 100 times.

Lumberjacks: Cuts Made Ahead Of Valley Game

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have made more cuts ahead of their game Wednesday night against the Valley Wildcats. Owner Ken Petrie says the team has cut Braden Kamarmens, Brett Tidman, Gavyn Connell-Helle and Isaac Bridge. Petrie also revealed the team has traded forward Josh Bowman to Woodstock for a ninth round pick in 2014. Lunenburg native Brennan Bailey is scheduled to be in the line-up tonight for his first game in a Lumberjacks jersey. The Jacks and Wildcats face-off at 7pm at the Bridgewater Memorial Arena.

Day Two Of Bridgewater Eisnor Trial

The trial of a South Shore man, accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife, moves into its 2nd day today. Jury selection continues. Hundreds of potential jurors filled the courthouse in Bridgewater yesterday as the process began for the trial of Wayne Paul Eisnor. The 50-year-old Barss Corner man is accused of shooting Tina Mae Eisnor in a New Germany grocery store parking lot on June 30th, 2010. Eisnor then turned the gun on himself. He suffered brain damage as a result of the wound. However, he's been deemed fit to stand trial.