Locals Pick Up Hardware At Nova Scotia Music Awards

A pair of South Shore musicians picked up some hardware Sunday at the Nova Scotia Music Awards. Yarmouth's Ryan Cook won Country-Bluegrass Recording of the Year for his album 'Wrestling with Demons.' Meanwhile, Chester's Old Man Luedecke will share Folk Recording of the Year with Dave Gunning. In other news, the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival was named Community Presenter of the Year. The awards were handed out in Sydney.

U.S. Wins World Junior 'A' Challenge

The United States defended its title at the World Junior 'A' Hockey Challenge in Yarmouth. The Americans defeated the Russians 4-1 in Sunday's final. It's the fifth gold medal for the U.S. in the tournament's eight-year history. Canada West won the bronze by beating Switzerland 5-3. The Czech Republic finished in fifth, beating Canada East 7-5 Saturday night in Liverpool.

Mustangs Fall To McDonalds

The Halifax McDonalds blew open a close game with three goals in the third period to dump the Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs 7-4 Sunday afternoon in Bridgewater. It was the second home loss of the weekend for the local Major Midget Hockey club who fell 5-1 to Newbridge Academy on Saturday.

Lockeport: Funding Announcement Tuesday

The MP for the South Shore will be in Shelburne County for a funding announcement this week. Gerald Keddy will unveil details on new money earmarked for a community project in Lockeport. The announcement will be made Tuesday afternoon at the Crescent Beach Centre.

Mustangs Look For Weekend Split

In Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League action last night in Bridgewater Newbridge Academy dumped the Charlies Pizza South Shore Mustangs 5-1. Keith Getson gave the Stangs a 1-0 lead in the game's first minute but it was all Newbridge after that. The Mustangs are back on home ice today as they host the Halifax MacDonalds at 12:00pm at the Clearwater Seafoods Arena.

Minister: Lobster Fishery Needs Industry/Govn't Cooperation

Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell says he's eager to get to work on implementing recommendations contained in a report examining what's wrong with the lobster fishery. However, Colwell says government, fishermen, buyers and processors all need to work together to strengthen the industry. He made the comments after a three member panel released its report along with dozens recommendations to help turn the industry around. Colwell says a number of factors play a big role in shaping the price of lobster.



The lobster panel would like to see the creation of a formal system where the industry would know the price of lobster before fishermen head out on the water. Meanwhile, dumping day for LFA's 33 and 34 is November 25.

Bridgewater: Patient Intake Rescheduled For Wednesday

There will be another patient intake Wednesday for residents of the Bridgewater area in need of a family doctor. It's a rescheduled intake after a glitch in the phone system wouldn't allow anyone to get through last week. Communications Director with South Shore Health, Theresa Hawkesworth, says tests were conducted on the phone lines to make sure everything is working properly for this Wednesday's intake. The phone lines will open that evening at 5:30pm. Just a reminder, if you hear a busy signal, it means the cue has filled up. The number to call is 527-4814.

AUS Football: Mounties Rally To Beat Huskies

The Mount Allison Football Mounties are heading to the Uteck Bowl. Yesterday in Halifax, Mount A scored ten points in the last three and a half minutes to upset Saint Mary's 20-17. The Mounties will host Laval next Saturday.

South Shore Veteran Remembers Fallen Comrades

Veterans are preparing for Remembrance Day observances on the South Shore. A major cenotaph service will be held at 11am Monday at Veterans' Memorial Park in Bridgewater. Hundreds of residents and veterans are expected to attend the annual ceremony along with government and present-day military representatives. Second World War veteran Ron Mosely of Bridgewater plans to be there. As an army chaplain, he was at the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 when the Germans stormed the allied front. On this Remembrance Day, he will remember the tens of thousands of Allied troops who died on the battle field.



Meanwhile, Mosely says the Bridgewater Remembrance Day service has always been well attended, and for good reason he says!



By the way, a broadcast of the annual Remembrance Day service in Bridgewater can be heard on
HANK-FM Monday morning.

Liberals Focused On Bringing Back Yarmouth Ferry

The province is said to be fast-tracking plans for a ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine. Economic development minister Michel Samson says plans were put on hold by the previous government when the election was called and now the Liberal government is trying to catch-up. Samson says getting the service up and running by next May is a priority.



A deal to resume the ferry link was announced in September and the former NDP government said STM Quest had agreed to run a daily service starting next May 1st and running until October 31st. Samson says the Liberal government is still waiting on the company to confirm that it has met all the conditions of the deal set out by the province.

13 New Doctors Coming to Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is welcoming thirteen new family doctors to rural communities right across the province.  The doctors will begin seeing patients this fall and winter in Hubbards, Bridgewater, Yarmouth, Digby, Windsor, New Glasgow, Guysborough and Glace Bay. South Shore Health announced today they are welcoming two new doctors. It's a big relief to those in need of a family doctor. Dr. Reza Mehrpooya graduated with his Medical Doctor’s degree from the Shahid Sadoghi Medical School in Iran and completed 18 months of rotational internship with experience in emergency room and family practice. He will be setting up a practice in Hubbards. Dr. Hamidreza Koupaei graduated from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran and also completed 18 months of internship. He will be setting up practice in Bridgewater. Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine says timely access to a family doctor remains a key issue across Nova Scotia and the province is working hard to boost access. The family doctors are being recruited under the Clinician  Assessment for Practice Program, or CAPP. The program assesses the clinical skills of international medical graduate physicians to enter family practice without residency training in Canada.

Bridgewater: Police Focused On Taking Drugs Off Streets

Four people arrested in a drug bust in Bridgewater will appear before a judge this afternoon. Police seized more than 200 pain killers, 10 grams of cocaine and more than $1,200 in cash after they raided a home on Ron Street Thursday morning. Twenty year-old Rosina Ernst, 30 year old Robert Walsh, 39 year old Shannon Pollard and 52 year old Kevin Knickle are all facing drug related charges. Bridgewater Police Chief John Collyer says they continue to work to take drugs - especially prescription medication - off the street.



Some of the pills seized have a street value of $40 to $50 each. The cocaine has a value of about $1,000. Collyer says the investigation into the matter has been ongoing for more than a year.

Remembering Our Local Soldiers

Veterans are preparing for Remembrance Day observances on the South Shore. Bridgewater Legion member and veteran Roger Purnell says November 11th is a difficult day for some. For him, its all about saying .. thank-you!



Purnell says interest in what Remembrance Day is all about is growing year to year.

A major Remembrance Day service will be held at 11am Monday at Veterans' Memorial Park in Bridgewater. Hundreds of residents, veterans, school children and others are expected to attend the annual ceremony along with government and present-day military representatives. A broadcast of the service can be heard on HANK FM around 11am Monday morning.

Gas Prices Down Some

Gas prices at South Shore pumps are down some this morning (Friday). Regular self serve has dropped 2.5 cents a litre overnight to $1.25.2. High test is selling for $1.34.2. Diesel is down slightly, by half a cent, to $1.34.4 per litre.

Coke, Pills & Cash Seized In Bridgewater Bust

Four people have been arrested after police raided a home earlier today in Bridgewater. Members of the Bridgewater Police Service arrested two men and two women after searching a home on Ron Street. Police say they seized prescription pills, cocaine, cash and a vehicle. All of the accused are expected to appear in court Friday morning. Police say they will release names and charges in the near future.

Human Error Behind Intake Phone Issues

There will be another patient intake for residents of the Bridgewater area in need of a family doctor. South Shore Health's Communications Director Theresa Hawkeswork says they have identified the glitch within the phone system which caused problems last night. Hawkesworth says human error on the phone company's end is to blame for the mishap.



Hawkesworth says another intake has been rescheduled for next Wednesday, November 13. A number of pretests will take place before the phone lines open at 5:30pm. The number to call has not changed it is 527-4814.

Lobster Panel Proposes Levy On Catches

A levy on lobster catches in the Maritimes is at the core of dozens of recommendations proposed by a three member panel examining the challenges in the industry. The panel was set up to look into low prices for lobsters. Last spring, lobsters sold for $3.00 per pound in some parts of the Maritimes. The panel is recommending a one cent per pound levy to be paid by fishermen in addition to a one cent per pound levy paid by buyers. The money would help fund a new lobster market intelligence institute and develop a comprehensive marketing campaign. Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell says government will play a big role in implementing the recommendations. The lobster panel also recommends options for a formal system where the industry would know the price paid harvesters before landings. Lobster in Atlantic Canada is a billion dollar industry with 90% of Canadian lobster landed in the Maritimes.

Approval Given For Rock Quarry Near East Chester

The provincial environment department has given the go-ahead for a rock quarry near East Chester. To be operated by Northern Construction, the quarry will supply materials needed for upcoming work on Highway 103. The approval contains terms and conditions adressing dust, noise, protecting water resources and returning the site to its original condition when the quarry closes. The environment department will monitor the operation.

Bridgewater: Health Officials Working To Solve Phone Issues

Health officials in the Bridgewater area are working to find the cause of a technical glitch that caused headaches for some people trying to secure a family doctor. A patient intake was planned to take place over the phone last night for Dr. Sheila Dwyer and nurse practitioner Cheryl Soroka. However, something went wrong and callers were unable to get through. Director of Communications Theresa Hawkesworth says they are trying to figure out what happened.



Hawkesworth says they will announced another patient intake in the near future. There were 150 spaces available for Bridgewater area residents looking for a family doctor.

South Shore Real Estate Market In Slump

There's no mistaking all those "For-Sale" signs on the front lawns of many South Shore properties. There is an abundance of listed properties and nothing seems to be selling. According to the President of the Nova Scotia Association of Realtors, Gary Mailman of Bridgewater, the closure of Bowater and job losses are contributing factors.



Mailman tells us its a buyers' market right now.



Mailman says South Shore real estate prices are also down about five percent from last year. He believes though the market will pick up again if the Yarmouth ferry service is restored, the economy improves and more jobs are created.