Lumberjacks Win Final Pre-Season Game Against Valley

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks skated past the Valley Wildcats 3-1 in MHL pre-season action Monday night in Kentville. Jesse MacInnis scored twice while Connor Hilton rounded out the scoring for the Jacks. The Bridgewater club finished exhibition play with a 2-2 record. The locals will open the regular season this Friday night in Liverpool against the Yarmouth Mariners.

Chester: Council Ponders Gold River School

The Municipality of Chester continues to explore its options on the future of the Gold River-Western Shore Elementary school. Warden Allen Webber says no decision was made following an in-camera discussion recently. Webber says council has discussed selling, keeping and demolishing the structure. He says the roof remains one of the concerns.



Webber says a decision would also need to be made regarding the playground equipment at the school. He says he doesn't consider the school a liability, but an opportunity for the municipality.

McNeil: Nova Scotia Election About "Trust"

Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says the South Shore is an election battleground with key seats up for grabs when residents head to the polls October 8th. Currently, the NDP hold seats in Lunenburg, Chester-St Margaret's, Lunenburg West, and in the Queens-Shelburne region. McNeil toured the area with local Liberal candidates Mark Furey, Suzanne Lohnes-Croft and Tim Harris on Monday. In an interview with CKBW, McNeil says the Liberals will focus on a number of key areas.



McNeil helped officially open Lunenburg West candidate Mark Furey's campaign headquarters on King Street. Furey says he's been hearing health care, education and rural jobs are a top priority for residents of Lunenburg West. PC candidate David Mitchell is also challenging for the seat in the legislature. The incumbent in the riding is NDP candidate Gary Ramey.

Election Campaign Underway: Liberals Roll Into South Shore

The election campaign is in full swing - Liberal leader Stephen McNeil told CKBW news he feels the South Shore is an election battleground with a number of key seats up for grabs. He toured Lunenburg West, Chester-St.Margaret's and Lunenburg riding's Monday. The NDP currently hold each of those seats in the legislature. Here's a shot of the official opening of Lunenburg West candidate Mark Furey's campaign HQ in Bridgewater.

Election Preview: Lunenburg West Riding

Seeking election in Lunenburg West:  Here is a preview and a brief bio on the candidates vying for election. *Indicates incumbent candidate.




NDP: *Gary Ramey, was elected in 2009. Prior to becoming an MLA, he taught high school, university and college for more than 30 years. Ramey is the co-founder and Vice President of Adventus Interactive. He's a member of the Gulf of Maine Institute project and former board member of Bonny Lea Farm. He has a Ph.D from the University of Alberta, an M.A. from Mount Saint Vincent University and a B.Ed and B.A. from Mount Allison University.

Liberal: Mark Furey, is a retired police officer. He retired from the RCMP in 2012 after 32 years. He served with detachments throughout Nova Scotia including Halifax, Cape Breton and the South Shore where he served as the District Commander for Lunenburg County. Furey has recently worked with the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre, Jenna Martin (2012 Olympian) "Go For Gold", and Habitat For Humanity Fundraising Committees.

Progressive Conservative: David Mitchell, is a former municipal councillor in Bridgewater and was first elected to town council in 2004. For the last seven years, Mitchell has been a Wealth Advisor at ScotiaMcLeod in Bridgewater.  He is also an active community volunteer, helping with the Inn from the Cold program, and serving as a youth group leader and Junior Church teacher.

Election Preview: Queens-Shelburne Riding

 

Seeking election in Queens-Shelburne: Here is a preview and a brief bio on the candidates vying for election. This is a new riding created when Nova Scotia's electoral boundaries were redrawn last fall.



Seeking election in Queens-Shelburne

NDP: Sterling Belliveau, a self-employed fisherman, was elected to office in the 2006 election. Prior to election, Belliveau served as a councillor in the Municipality of Barrington. He also served two terms as Warden in the municipality.

Liberal: Benson Frail, a resident of Caledonia, has spent the past six years as project foreman in the oil patch in Western Canada.  He has worked for several years as a consultant, focused on marketing Queens County and attracting business to the area from across Europe and North America.

Progressive Conservative: Bruce Inglis, is a financial advisor for Sun Life and is serving his second term as councillor for the Region of Queens Municipality. He has also served as former president of the PC Association of Queens County.

Election Preview: Lunenburg Riding

Seeking election in Lunenburg: Here is a preview and a brief bio on the candidates vying for election. *Indicates incumbent candidate.

NDP: *Pam Birdsall, was first elected in 2009. She is a longtime resident of Mahone Bay and has been the co-owner and operator of Birdsall-Worthington Pottery since 1977. Prior to election, Birdsall was a founding member of the Mahone Bay Business Association, now known as the Mahone Bay and Area Chamber of Commerce. She is a recipient of the Women of Excellence Award from the Halifax Progress Club.

Liberal: Suzanne Lohnes-Croft, is a long-time resident of Mahone Bay.  She attended the old Mahone Bay School, and later Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax.  As an Early Childhood Educator, she taught at Point Pleasant Child Care Centre and the Mount Saint Vincent Child Study Centre. Presently, she works as a Program Support Assistant for the South Shore Regional School Board.

Progressive Conservatives: Brian Pickings, Pickings was born and raised in Upper LaHave. He is self-employed, owning and operating his own carpentry business. He is an active member of the Masonic Lodge. Pickings has also been a District Captain for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, has volunteered at food banks and is an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Election Preview: Chester-St. Margaret's Riding

Seeking election in Chester-St.Margaret's: Here is a preview and a brief bio on the candidates vying for election. *Indicates incumbent candidate.



NDP: *Denise Peterson-Rafuse was first elected as MLA in 2009. Prior to her election, she was Program Coordinator for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia in Hants, Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne counties. She has also worked as a mortgage consultant for Premiere Mortgage Centre and she worked for the Halifax Regional Municipality for 10 years.

Liberal: Tim Harris is a long time resident of Chester. Harris is the Broker and the sole owner of Tradewinds Realty Incorporated, a residential real estate brokerage with five offices (Chester, Lunenburg, Bridgewater, Annapolis Royal & Halifax) in Nova Scotia.

Progressive Conservative: Janet Irwin is a long time resident of Bayswater. Irwin retired from the CBC after a 31-year career in 2011. Irwin also worked as television reporter and producer of radio programs such as Maritime Noon.

Yarmouth Town Readies For Ferry's Return

With ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine to be restored in time for the next tourism season, the Mayor of the town is anxious to get cracking at preparing for it. Pam Mood is organizing a community meeting this coming Wednesday evening. She says things have been allowed to slide a bit cosmetically in the town since the original ferry service was shutdown in 2009. However, the mayor says that has got to change and everyone needs to work together.



Economic Development Minister Graham Steele says the province has reached a deal with STM Quest to begin operating the new ferry service starting May 1st.  He anticipates there will be sailings out of Yarmouth each morning and overnight sailings from Portland.

Town Wants Meeting To Discuss Off-Leash Dog Space

The town of Bridgewater is looking to hold a meeting with proponents of a space for dogs in Generations Active Park. Mayor David Walker says the town could potentially set up a partnership with local veterinarian clinics, and other community organizations for a leash-free dog space. Walker says the town can't afford to shoulder the entire cost of a dog space estimated around $200,000. He says they want to discuss other options.



Walker says they hope to meet with the various groups after they further understand the cost breakdown for the dog park.

Football: Mixed Results For Seahawks At Home

The South Shore Seahawks atom club earned a 'W' in their home-opener Saturday. The Seahawks beat the Bedford Saints 16-14 at Kinsmen Field. Meanwhile, the Bantam club wasn't as fortunate. They fell 30-6 to the Cape Breton Panthers. The peewee Seahawks are in action Sunday against the Halifax Argos in Halifax.

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.