Lewis, Timberwolves Battle Lumberjacks

The former captain of the Halifax Mooseheads will lead the Miramichi Timberwolves into town tonight to play the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks. The Mooseheads parted ways with Trey Lewis last month after the club had four over-age players. The team decided to release Lewis after he missed time because of a torn labrum in his hip. Now, Lewis headlines a Miramichi team fighting for first place in the Roger Meek division. They have won six straight and take on a Bridgewater club that lost twice to Yarmouth last weekend in overtime. Puck drop is 7pm at the Clearwater Seafoods Arena.

Bridgewater, Yarmouth To Host School Review Consultations

Bridgewater and Yarmouth will host public meetings on school review consultations in mid-January. Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey announced the dates today. She says the province wants a full discussion on a solution that works for all students, families, school boards and communities. Bridgewater's meeting will be January 13th at Park View Education Centre. Yarmouth's meeting will be the next night at Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School. The meetings will be held from 7-9pm. A consultations committee, headed by Robert Fowler, has started to gather input from the public, school advisory councils, school boards, the teachers' union, and municipalities. The feedback will be used to develop recommendations that will be given to the minister by the end of February. For more details, you can go here .

Bridgewater: Town To Address Parking Early In 2014

Parking in Bridgewater will be a major focus early in 2014. Three recommendations were given the green light by committee including creating a parking map for the town and scheduling a meeting to discuss parking meters, signs and parking at special events. Mayor David Walker says a parking map makes sense.



The committee came up with the recommendations after concerns were raised over parking meter enforcement, incorrect and missing signs and illegal parking at venues. A date for the meeting hasn't been set yet, but is expected early in the new year.

Tips To Survive Being Stranded In Your Car During The Storm

As we prepare to hunker-down for the first big blast of winter this season, the Canadian Automobile Association is offering up some tips on how to survive being "storm-stayed" in your vehicle. To be ready for the possibility, C-A-A's Gary Howard says your winter tires should have been put on long ago, you should have a cell phone on you, your battery should be top-notch and have a winter driving kit handy.



Howard says above all, if you have to be out, drive slower than normal if visibility is low and driving is slippery.



Also, alert family and friends of where you're going and check road condition reports before heading out.

Rash Of Break Ins at Lunenburg County Homes

Lunenburg County RCMP are dealing with a rash of breakins at homes in the area. Since October 1st, there have been 34 B & E's with East Chester the hardest hit. The RCMP is warning the public to take extra precautions and be vigilant to prevent having their homes burlarized. They say the public should properly secure their homes prior to going out. So far there have been no arrests. The Mounties are also offering up these tips to avoid being a victim:
- lock windows and doors whether you are home or not, it maybe enough to deter or cause the culprits to overlook your property;
- obtain a security system. Thieves are less likely to enter a property with an alarm;
- when you are away from your home, make it look occupied by leaving lights on when you go out.  If you are gone for any length of time, it is a good idea to leave a radio playing and to use automatic timers on several lamps;
- don’t allow daily deliveries to accumulate.  Ask a trusted neighbour, friend or relative to take in your mail or newspapers if you are going away.
- keep your garage door closed and locked;
- arrange to have your driveway and walkways shovelled;
- record serial numbers of electronics and valuable items whenever possible.  Providing serial numbers significantly increases the chances of having items returned and charges laid;
- never leave keys under flowerpots, doormats, inside mailboxes or in other “secret” hiding places…burglars know them all;

Above all, be a good neighbour and report anything suspicious to police right away.  Let the police determine if something is wrong.

Anyone with information about these crimes is encouraged to contact your local RCMP Detachment or Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS), or submit a Secure Web Tip at http://crimestoppers.ns.ca.

Surprise! Lower Gas Prices This Morning

Gasoline prices are down some this morning! Despite increases in New Brunswick yesterday, prices here have dropped about a cent overnite. Regular self serve is at $1.31 while high test is down by about the same amount to $1.40. Diesel has also dropped to $1.42.3, down almost a cent and a half.

Major Winter Storm On Its Way

The Arctic air mass that makes being outside miserable this morning is unusual for this time of year according to Environment Canada. The weather agency has issued a special weather statement warning of a big snow storm coming on Sunday. Environment Canada's Linda Libby tells us we could get 15 to 25 centimeters of snow by the time the storm moves out late Sunday.



Libby says if you plan on being out and about on Sunday, you might want to check road conditions beforehand.

Lunenburg: Town Awaiting URB Power Rate Final Approval

The town of Lunenburg has determined power rates will rise by 7.5 per cent for residents in the new year. However, the province's Utility and Review Board still needs to sign off on the figure. The URB recently approved an average rate increase for the five different classes in the town. Mayor Rachel Bailey says its never easy to raise power rates.



Bailey says residents still pay about nine per cent less than Nova Scotia Power customers. The URB will confirm the exact numbers affecting Lunenburg by January 1st.

Beware Of Christmas Tree Nabbers

Here's something to think about if you're a South Shore Christmas tree vendor selling your product in parking lots or on street corners. In Saint John, vendors there are guarding their firs and pines from thieves who lurk near their lots at night, trying to steal them. For instance, someone stole 15 Christmas trees in one night from a lot that was unattended. Now, more tree vendors are moving heated trailers into their lots as living accomodations so they can be on guard 24-7 during the Christmas-season. Police say its difficult to trace a stolen tree because they do not have serial numbers or any kind of identification.

Sledge Hockey Coming To Bridgewater

People are getting the opportunity to try sledge hockey in Bridgewater. The Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs are working with Parasport Nova Scotia and Sport Nova Scotia to host the initiative. There will be roughly 20 sledges for use, which were donated by local recreation directors and the Easter Seals program out of Halifax. Mustangs assistant coach Andrew Caines says the idea grew after he found out the Clearwater Seafoods Arena supported sledge hockey use.



There will be four half hour sessions when the event is held from 6-8pm on December 21. People are encouraged to donate money to try sledge hockey, with proceeds going towards Parasport Nova Scotia, Lunenburg-Queens Special Olympics, and the recreation director association.

Ferry Fares Yarmouth To Portland Revealed

The fare schedule for the new ferry service between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine has been released by the company that will operate it. Nova Star Cruises says the fares for the 9 hour trip aboard the 161-metre long cruise ferry "Nova Star" will range from $79 to $129 for adults and between $39 to $64 for children ages 5 to 12 depending on the travel dates, while children under 5 will travel for free all season long. The fares will change with lower fares at the beginning and at the end of the season and higher fares during the peak summer months. Special combination rates that include round-trip passenger fare, plus a cabin and auto transportation both ways, range from $299. to $449. per person based on double occupancy. For more details about the fares includingdiscounts for seniors and military personnel, go th this web address:  www.NovaStarCruises.com. 

Gas Price Hike Expected Tomorrow

Be prepared for a boost in gas prices at South Shore pumps tomorrow morning. In New Brunswick today, drivers there are paying about 4 cents more per litre. Regular self serve is at $1.28,9. Diesel is also more expensive in New Brunswick. Its up by a couple of cents to about $1.44.4 a litre.

UPDATE: Highway Re-Opened Following LaHave Fire

Highway 331 in LaHave is now re-opened to traffic between Mount Pleasant Road and Hughey Lake Road. It was closed and traffic rerouted earlier following a house fire. The road was caked in ice from all the water used by the pumper trucks in fighting the blaze. Highway crews spent several hours salting and trying to remove the ice buildup. As for the fire, no one was hurt. The newer-style house at 3250 Highway 331 in LaHave was destroyed though. LaHave fire chief John Mulock says the blaze broke out around 2:30am.



Seven fire departments were involved in battling the flames.



The fire is believed to have started in the chimney.

Former Development Authority CEO Returns To Court In January

The former CEO of the Southwest Shore Development Authority will be back in court in the new year. RCMP laid charges against 64-year-old Frank Anderson of Yarmouth County in October. He's charged with eight counts of uttering forged documents and one count of fraud over $5,000. Anderson's lawyer appeared in Yarmouth court this week. He requested the Crown to adjourn the case because the defence was looking for more information. Police began their investigation into the now-defunct authority last September. A forensic examination commissioned by the province's Department of Economic and Rural Development looked at expense claims and supplier invoices. The matter will be back in court January 28.

Bridgewater: Thai Restaurant Coming To King Street

Bridgewater is getting a Thai restaurant on King Street. Town council approved the sale of the current library building to THAI'D and TRUE, a company operated by Hazen and Gillian Trueman of Lower Kingsburg. The cost was just over $217,000. The couple were the only group to submit a bid on the property. Mayor David Walker says the restaurant could be a good fit.



Hazen Trueman used to be one of the owners of the King's Arm Pub in Kentville. The group is expected to take control of the current library space before next spring.

Canada Post Announces Big Changes

Big changes coming to the way some people get their mail. Canada Post is phasing out door-to-door delivery of regular mail in large city centres and will jack up the cost of stamps. Some people will need to get their letters, bills and flyers at community mail boxes. It doesn't appear people living in rural areas - like the South Shore - will be impacted by the changes. Transport Minister Lisa Raitt has floated the idea of cutting door-to-door delivery in urban areas. She made those comments in September after the Crown Corporation unveiled $104 million in losses in the second quarter. The Crown corporation is also increasing the cost of mailing a letter to a dollar on March 31. However, those stamp booklets will cost you about $0.85 per stamp. The announcement comes just a few weeks before Christmas - the busiest time of the year for Canada Post.

New Judge Appointed In Yarmouth

A familiar face in Yarmouth's legal community is becoming a judge in the town. The province's justice minister has appointed Michelle Christenson as Nova Scotia's newest provincial and family court judge. Christenson was called to the bar in 1996. She worked with the Public Prosecution Service in 2003 in Yarmouth. Before that, she was in private practice. Judges are appointed to both the provincial and family courts to allow flexibility in dealing with court workloads.

MODL: Councillor Upset Over Lack Of Public Access

A councillor with the Municipality of Lunenburg is fighting to improve access to Sherbrooke Lake. Terry Dorey represents District 6 including Walden and Parkdale. He is one of a handful of councillors who are upset with the municipality's stance on improving public access. However, Mayor Don Downe says they're moving forward with it as planned.



Dorey unleashed strong language at Tuesday's council meeting, saying there was bias among council and he felt betrayed. Staff will report back on the issue next October. However, Dorey and a few other councillors want it dealt with sooner.

Minor Hockey Woes; Lunenburg Arena Facing Deficit

Trouble brewing with the Lunenburg Arena? The town's director of recreation, Robin Scott, says they're facing a financial shortfall after a drop-off in use from minor hockey. He says over the years the rink has averaged about 26 hours a week for minor hockey, but it's been substantially cut back to about 12 hours this year. Scott says it's been tough.



He believes the deficit would have to be offset by the tax-base in the town. Scott believes some of the causes are declining numbers in minor hockey, the addition of the Clearwater Seafoods Arena in Bridgewater and the amalgamation of the Lunenburg and Bridgewater hockey associations.

Mounties Conduct 20 Checkstops On Busy Weekend

Mounties say they nabbed four drunk drivers on the South Shore during a nation-wide initiative targeting impaired drivers. RCMP conducted checkpoints across the province on Saturday.  It was part of National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day. Sergeant Al Leblanc says 20 road blocks were set up throughout Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne. He says police screened roughly 2,000 vehicles.



Throughout Nova Scotia, 75 checkpoints were conducted on Saturday with police charging 14 people with impaired driving. LeBlanc says officer were able to stop roughly 10,000 vehicles.