Mid-Week Storm Could Pound South Shore

Another winter storm is headed toward the South Shore. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Wednesday. There are no specific totals predicted for the storm, but the forecasters indicate if the storm maintains its path, it could mean significant snow, blowing snow and strong winds. Environment Canada is advising people to monitor future forecasts for any warnings that may be posted.

Former NS Mayor Leaves Lasting Legacy

A well-known municipal politican has died. Bob Stead served as mayor and a town councillor in Wolfville for more than 20 years. He was a key figure when the municipality moved to ban smoking in vehicles when a child is present. The community was the first in Canada to pass such a law. Municipality of the District of Lunenburg Mayor Don Downe says it was a groundbreaking move with Stead's strong personality behind it.



A funeral for Bob Stead will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) at Acadia University.

Curling: Mayhew Rink Clinches Playoff Berth

Nova Scotia's Robert Mayhew has clinched a playoff spot at the M & M Canadian Junior Curling Championships in Liverpool.  Mayhew improved to 4-1 this morning with a 5-3 win over the Yukon. The Windsor team play their final Pool "B" round robin game tomorrow against Alberta.  On the girls' side, Chester's Mary Fay carries a 2-1 record into her afternoon contest against Northern Ontario. Tonight at 6:30 Fay tangles with PEI. Action continues through Sunday at both the Queens Place Emera Centre and Liverpool Curling Club.

Exciting Days Ahead For Snowboarder Duckworth

A Lunenburg County snowboarder is a front runner to be named to Canada's Olympic team. Alex Duckworth of Kingsburg is now the top-ranked Canadian in the women's halfpipe. She placed ninth at a World Cup event in Quebec over the weekend. The event was the last opportunity for Canadians to secure a spot for the upcoming winter games in Sochi, Russia. The remaining spots for Canada's snowboard team will be nominated on Tuesday.

Weekend Fire At Former Liverpool Restaurant

Fire crews were able to quickly put out a Saturday morning fire in Liverpool. It broke out around 4 a.m. at the former Wong's Restaurant in the downtown area. The building has been vacant for several years. Crews were able to contain the fire before it spread to other structures. The cause hasn't been determined yet.

UPDATE: Hubbards Fire Victim Identified

The RCMP have released the name of the victim of a fatal house fire over the weekend in Hubbards. 56 year old Shirley Ann Greek was found dead after fire swept through a home on Shore Road. Investigators have ruled the fire was a result of careless smoking. A medical examiners autopsy shows the death was caused by the accidental fire. A man in his 60's, thought to be a friend, escaped the flames unhurt along with pets.

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.