Hubbards: RCMP Probe Fatal Weekend Fire

A fatal fire in Hubbards over the weekend. A woman's body was found inside a home on Saturday night. The blaze occurred around 10:15pm on Shore Club Road. Mounties are investigating and say the home sustained substantial damage. An auptosy will be conducted on the woman body. A man in his 60's - believed to be a friend of the victim - along with pets were able to get out of the house safely. The Canadian Red Cross has stepped in to help with lodging and clothing. The RCMP is investigating. Some reports indicated investigators believe smoking in bed may have been cause of the fire.

New Health Clinics Boost For Doctors & Others

New collaborative health care clinics opening soon in Bridgewater and Liverpool will go a long way in improving health care on the South Shore. Nova Scotia Health Minister Leo Glavine says they'll also provide a professional boost for doctors and nurse practitioners.



The minister also says the clinics will also help relieve the work loads of ER's at hospitals in Lunenburg, Bridgewater and Liverpool.



The Bridgewater facility will be opening in a few weeks and the one in Liverpool later in the year.

Early Morning Liverpool Fire Contained

There's an investigation into an early morning fire in Liverpool. The blaze broke out shortly before 4 a.m. at the former Wong's restaurant. Fire crews were able to contain the fire before it spread to other buildings. It took just over two hours to put the fire out on Market Street - located in Liverpool's downtown core. No injuries were reported. Firefighters from Liverpool. Greenfield, North Queens and Bridgewater were all on scene to help battle the fire. (Photo submitted to Dahl Dispatch Facebook Page)

Bridgewater: Tops'l Tavern To Reopen Under New Ownership

They will continue slinging drinks at the Tops'l Tavern in Bridgewater. The 50 year old bar and restaurant is getting a second life. Part owner Sheila Rodenhiser MacKay says the tavern will re-open Sunday under new ownership. On Thursday, Rodenhiser-Mackey confirmed they would be closing Saturday night. The news of the tavern closing spread quickly on social media with hundreds of people reminiscing about their good times at Tops'l. However, an eleventh hour deal to sell the building and keep it open was reached on Friday. She wouldn't confirm who the new owners are, but says they live along the South Shore. It's believed the same staff will be retained. The bar is expected to keep its traditional name.

Chester Junior Curling Team Ready For National Spotlight

The M and M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Curling Championships begin tomorrow in Liverpool. Fourteen men's and 14 women's teams from across Canada have arrived in Queens County seeking Canadian titles. Three draws will be played during tomorrow's starting day. The opening ceremonies will also be held at 6pm at Queens Place Emera Centre. Mary Fay and her Chester rink are representing Nova Scotia on the women's side. Fay says her team is looking forward to the challenge.



Fay's team begins play at 2pm Saturday against Newfoundland and Labrador at Queens Place Emera Centre. All tournament information can be found here .

Bridgewater: Mayor Shocked, Surprised About Tavern Closure

Bridgewater's mayor says it's disappointing to hear The Tops'l Tavern and Grill will close its doors. The owner confirmed the news with our newsroom Thursday afternoon that the popular tavern would close this weekend. The closure affects roughly 15 employees. The tavern has been a mainstay on King Street for 50 years since it opened in 1963. David Walker recalls his first visit to the pub and eatery while in Bridgewater for a teaching interview. He says people will remember their visits to the tavern.



Walker says the building is a landmark in the town, saying it is always there to greet people traveling over the new bridge. The tavern will close its doors on Saturday night.

Bridgewater Collaborative Health Centre Nearing Completion

The top doctor with South Shore Health says officials will begin moving into Bridgewater's collaborative health centre early next week. Dr. Peter Vaughan says the facility is nearing completion. He says they have two family practitioners, three nurse practitioners, a family practice nurse and administrative support designated for the clinic. They also have at least six family doctors interested in the facility. Vaughan says the numbers are good, but they're always on the lookout for more.



A grand opening of the Bridgewater collaborative health centre is expected by the end of March or early April. However, the clinic will be open to the public before that.

Financial Boost For Tourism Trail Project

Some major federal, provincial and municipal money will be pumped into a new project to attract tourists and locals on the South Shore. During a ceremony this morning at the Head of St. Margaret's Bay, $178,000 in funding was announced to create a continuous 109 kilometer hiking and cycling route between Halifax and Lunenburg. Known as the Destination Trail, it'll follow the former route and spur lines of the Halifax and Southwestern Railway and will include tourist promotion, signage and maps, information kiosks, improved access points, rest areas along the route and a mobile-compatible website. Lunenburg MLA Suzanne Lohnes-Croft says the trail will be a big boost to the tourism sector.



The trail will be promoted as a new way for visitors and locals to experience two of the province's most popular destinations and all the scenic communities in between.

Possible Overhaul Ahead For Municipal Taxation System

Updating the way Nova Scotia residential and commercial properties are assessed and taxed would be the focus of a proposed review. Municipal Relations and Service Nova Scotia Minister Mark Furey says its long overdue.



Property assessments across the province have increased this year and that will probably be reflected in tax rates set by the municipalities later this spring. Furey met with the mayors and councils of Lunenburg and Queens Counties on Thursday. He expects to do the same with others across the province in the coming month or two.

Queens Manor Facing Possible Strike

Management and workers at Queens Manor in Liverpool are hoping to avoid a strike. A conciliation officer has filed his report on the dispute with the province's labour minister. The 59 nursing home workers, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), will be in a legal strike position at 12:01am on January 29th. Both side have agreed not to take any action before then and they will meet again with the conciliation officer the day before, January 28th, to try and avoid a walkout. The CUPE members have already voted 98 percent in favor of a walkout. The main issue is sick time.

Gas Prices Rise

Gas prices have increased overnight. Regular self serve up at South Shore pumps by about half a cent to $131.4 per litre. High test has increased by the same amount. Diesel is up by about 3 cents though.

Weight Restrictions On Gravel Roads

Weight restrictions are now in effect on all provincial gravel roads in Lunenburg County. Trucks weighing more than 15-thousand kilograms are restricted from using them. DOT says the wet weather has made many gravel roads very soft and messy and thus the reason for the restrictions. Restrictions are also in effect on gravel roads in Hants and Annapolis counties.

Young Makes Lumberjacks Coaching Debut Against Summerside

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks host the Summerside Western Capitals Friday night in Bridgewater. The local Junior 'A' club will welcome Travis Young behind the bench in his debut as the team's new coach. He started running practices and drills with players on Wednesday night. He takes over a team that has struggled all season, winning only two out of 36 games. Young hopes to make strides with the club before the regular season ends.



Young says players were upbeat and he was impressed with their work ethic during practice this week. The Lumberjacks and Capitals square off at 7pm at the Clearwater Seafoods Arena.

Sports: 'Fever Weekend'; AtomMania Hockey Tourney

High school basketball players will catch a 'fever' this weekend. Park View hosts its annual 'Panther Fever Weekend' tournament in Bridgewater, starting Friday night. The opening game tips off at 6pm between Sackville and King's Edgehill. The hometown Panthers are up at 8pm against Middleton. Full schedule is listed below.

Friday January 17th
6pm - Sackville vs. King’s Edgehill
8pm - PVEC vs. Middleton

Saturday January 18th
9am –King’s Edgehill vs. PVEC
11am- Sackville vs. Middleton
1pm – PVEC JV vs. Forest Heights
3pm – Middleton vs. King’s Edgehill
5 pm – PVEC vs.   Sackville
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The South Shore Atom 'C' Ice Sharks are welcoming seven teams to town this weekend. The Ice Sharks host the RBC AtomMania Atom tournament at rinks in Bridgewater and Lunenburg. The tournament will consist of five teams from the HRM, one from Shelburne and another from Berwick.

Tops'l Tavern Closing In Bridgewater

One of the longest serving taverns in Bridgewater is closing its doors. The Tops'l Tavern on King Street is shutting down after 50 years. The bar opened in 1963. The tavern will close Saturday night. Roughly 15 employees will be out of a job. Owner Sheila Rhodenizer Mackay has confirmed the details with our newsroom.

Queens General Health Project Behind Schedule

The Queens General Health Project is behind schedule. Contractors informed South Shore Health this week that the project is delayed by roughly three to five months. The project was expected to be complete early this year. CEO Dr. Peter Vaughan says the delay is being caused by a lack of materials and human resources to do the job.



Vaughan says it's disappointing news for staff, but work will continue at a slower pace. Construction of the new medical unit and primary health care centre began in October 2012. The project includes the redevelopment of the 22-bed in-patient unit at Queens General Hospital. South Shore Health is expecting to receive the facility in May. They expect time for off-gassing before they move in sometime in July.

Duckworth Qualifies For Semis At World Cup Event

Kingsburg's Alex Duckworth is making her case to be named to Canada's Olympic team. The 26-year-old qualified for the semi-finals at a Snowboard World Cup event in Stoneham, Quebec today. Duckworth finished ninth out of 27 competitors in the women's half-pipe, good enough to earn the final spot in the semi-finals. She is the only Canadian to make the semis, which happen at noon on Saturday. This is the final Olympic qualifying event before the remainder of Canada's team will be finalized next Tuesday.

High School Hockey Tournament Underway In Barrington

The 18th Annual Tim Hortons Lobster Trap High School Hockey Tournament is underway in Barrington. The tournament runs until Saturday, with the championship game at 3:15pm. Teams participating are; Barrington, Par-en-Bas, Yarmouth, Clare, Bridgewater, Hants East, Parkview and Richmond Academy. Game, Day and Tournament passes are available. Here is the schedule:

Thursday, Jan. 16

10:45 – Barrington @ Bridgewater
12:30 – PEB @ Yarmouth
2:15 – Hants East @ Bridgewater
4:00 – PVEC @ PEB
5:45 - Yarmouth @ Clare
7:30 –  Hants East @ Barrington

Friday, January 17

8:00 – Bridgewater @ Richmond
9:45 – PEB @ Clare
11:30 – Skills competition
12:30 – Richmond @ Hants East
2:15 –  Clare @ PVEC
5:45 -  Richmond @ Barrington
7:30 – PVEC @ Yarmouth

Saturday, January 18

10:00 – Semi-final #1
11:45 – Semi-final #2

3:15 - Championship

Uncertainty Over When LaHave Ferry Will Return To Service

Don't expect the LaHave River ferry to be back in operation right away. The ferry broke free from its cable and drifted down the river and grounded at Oxner's Beach during the January 3rd snowstorm. Officials with the provincial Department of Transportation have been assessing the situation. The cable drum assembly was damaged and it could take some time to make repairs or even replace it. DOT has not given a date when the ferry will resume daily service between LaHave and East LaHave.

NS Health Minister: Pharmacies Great Help In Flu Shot Rush

More influenza vaccine has been ordered by several provinces and territories as they try to meet this winter's unusually high public demand for flu shots. Among them are BC and Newfoundland and Labrador. One of the only provinces not seeking to buy more is Nova Scotia, which has enough vaccine to cover half the population. The province's health Minister Leo Glavine is today heaping praise on pharmacies for being able to handle the work load.



Nova Scotia's chief medical health officer Dr. Robert Strang says no more vaccine will be bought for now because the window on making a difference this flu season is closing.