Bridgewater: Outdoor Rinks Quashed For This Winter

There will be no outdoor rinks this year at Bridgewater's Kinsmen Field. The previous coordinator, Andrew Tanner, says no one stepped forward to fill the position this year. He adds, the weather hasn't really cooperated and decided to try again next winter. Tanner says this season is a wash.



Tanner says the rinks have only lasted until the middle of February in the past before the temperatures begin to rise. He encourages anyone interested in helping coordinate the outdoor rinks to contact him or put their name forward on the Bridgewater Outdoor Rink facebook page.

Chester: Fire Chief Happy With New Emergency System

A new recorded message will alert firefighters of an emergency in Chester. The Village Commission has decided with an electronic sounding device over its air raid siren system following a recommendation from an independent auditor with Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech. The auditor suggested the decibel level of the siren could damage hearing. Chester Fire Department Chief Duke Chafe says the new unit acts like a public address system that includes a siren with a lower decibel level. He says it's beneficial to have in the community.



The new system is expected to be in place in the spring.

Yarmouth: Dead Dog Sparks Police Probe

Criminal charges could be laid after a dog was found dead in the woods in Yarmouth County. An investigation is underway in Arcadia involving the RCMP, SPCA and animal control officers. The dog was found on a snow mobile trail on Sunday afternoon. Corporal Jennifer Clarke says the dog died from an apparent gun shot wound.



Photos have been circulating on social media. They show a bloodied pit bull terrier lying in the snow. Clarke says it's the RCMP's job to find out why the dog was killed.

Tentative Agreement In Queens Manor Dispute

A threatened strike by workers at Queens Manor in Liverpool may have been avoided. A tentative agreement has been reached between management at the manor and its general employees. Those affected include several nursing groups. Last summer, the workers voted 98 percent in favor of strike action. They were battling a concession that would have seen their sick leave nearly cut in half. A vote on the tentative agreement will be held this Wednesday evening. Details won't be released until after the vote.

South Shore Residents Warned Of False Job Offers

Several Maritimers have been left holding the bag, bilked out of tens of thousands of dollars by a phony offer of part-time work. According to the Better Business Bureau's Jill Atkinson, the scammers have been posting job offers on the web, using a fake company name and then "hiring"  people as mystery shoppers.



Many of those who've been scammed blame Western Union for its loose regulations. They're calling on the iconic money-wiring company to make things tougher. Meanwhile, back at the BBB, Jill Atkinson says their best piece of advice to avoid getting dinged is never wire money to anyone you don't know.

Man Passes Away After Barrington Passage Fire

A 69-year-old man has died after a fire last week in Barrington Passage. Barrington RCMP confirm the man passed away Sunday in hospital as a result of serious burn injuries suffered on January 28. The blaze happened along Highway 3 when a mobile home under construction caught fire. The cause of the fire hasn't been determined.

Another Record For Chelsea Whalen

Liverpool shotputter Chelsea Whalen had an indoor personal best and set another Nova Scotia senior women's Shot Put record over the weekend in Arkansas at the Razorback Invitational. Whalen's throw of 16.27 meters was good for first place. Whalen will be back in Arkansas for the Tyson Invitational in two weeks time.

Bridgewater Anti-Tether March Attracts Hundreds

Hundreds of animal-lovers and their dogs hit the streets of Bridgewater over the weekend, supporting planned changes to the province's Animal Cruelty laws. They would ban the chaining of dogs and penalize those who do. One of the march's co-ordinators Lindsey Parnell says the movement for change began here on the South Shore. However, she says animal cruelty incidents in our region are just a drop in the bucket.



There were similar marches in other parts of the province including Yarmouth and Halifax.

Mustangs Take 2-0 Series Lead Over Valley

The Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs couldn't ask to be in a better position. The Mustangs won both their games in Berwick over the weekend for a 2-0 lead in their playoff series against the Valley Wildcats. On Sunday, the Mustangs won 4-3. Keith Getson, Jered Scott, Alex Nauss and Christopher Goreham scored while Colby Muise stopped 35 saves. The Mustangs host the Valley in game three Saturday night at 8:30pm at the Clearwater Seafoods Arena.

Chester's Cox Wins Girls Under-18 Curling Title

A Chester curling team have made their mark as another contender in junior curling. Cassie Cocks and her rink won the girls under-18 provincial title this weekend in Bridgewater. Cocks defeated Kirsten Lind's Dartmouth team 6-5 in the final. Meanwhile on the boys side, Matthew Manuel successfully defended his title, defeating Chester's Adam Cox 5-2 in the championship game. Both winning teams will represent Nova Scotia at the Atlantic Under 18 Championship in Oromocto, New Brunswick from April 4-6.

PC Leader Calls For Better Security Of Former Bowater Lands

Its almost two years since the Bowater Mersey paper mill in Brooklyn closed for good and its been a year since the former NDP government secured the company's wood lands in Western Nova Scotia. Since then however, the province's Opposition leader says the valuable forested lands scattered from Yarmouth to Sydney have been left in a holding pattern. Jamie Baillie is worried the lands are unprotected with no law in place dealing with access to them.



Baillie plans to raise the issue in the Nova Scotia Legislature during its spring sitting in March or April.

Automotive Festival Eyes Big Rig Racing

Big rigs could be making their mark in Bridgewater this summer. Organizers with the popular automotive festival, South Shore in Motion, are hoping to add big rig drag racing to the event in August. The event would require a temporary closure of Dufferin Street, between York Street and Hillcrest Street. Festival co-chair Charlie Horstman says he's optimistic council will give them the green light.



Horstman feels the event could be an economic driver, bringing big rigs to the town from across Canada. Council will look into the request and report back later this month.

Lumberjacks Shutout Campbellton, Snap Winless Skid

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks finally have their third win of the season. The Lumberjacks shutout the Campbellton Tigers 5-0 Friday night in Bridgewater. Brennan Bailey led the way with a goal and an assist. Patrick Byrne, Shaun MacEachern, Matt Wright and Jesse MacInnis also scored while Jeff Arkin turned aside 24 shots for the shutout. The victory broke a winless streak of 19 games for the Lumberjacks, who hadn't won since November 15. The Junior 'A' club is back on the ice Saturday night against the Valley Wildcats.

Anti-Tethering March Planned For Saturday

Hundreds of animal-lovers and their canines will take to the streets in Bridgewater tomorrow. They'll be marching to support planned amendments to the province's Animal Cruelty laws. The changes would ban the chaining of dogs over long periods of time and provide stiff penalties for those who break the laws. One of the march's co-ordinators Lindsey Parnell says the movement for change began here on the South Shore.



Saturday's march begins at the former Appleberry property on LaHave Street and will wind its way through the town. There will be similar marches tomorrow in other parts of the province including Halifax and Yarmouth.

Queens: Mounties Searching For Answers On Suspicious Fire

Queens RCMP are hoping public tips will help make a difference in finding individuals responsible for a fire in Liverpool earlier this month. Police have received very few leads or new information regarding a blaze January 18 at the former Wong's restaurant on Market Street. Investigators say the blaze appears to have been deliberately set. The building has been vacant for several years. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call Queens RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Minimum Wage Increasing April 1

Minimum wage is going up in Nova Scotia. The province has agreed to increase minimum wage by 10 cents, to $10.40 an hour beginning on April 1. Rates are adjusted annually, based on the previous year's national Consumer Price Index.  Nova Scotia has the fourth highest minimum wage rate in the country, behind Nunavut, the Yukon, and Manitoba.

Taxpayers Federation & NS Government Seek Answers

The Nova Scotia government is asking the auditor-general to review those huge cost overruns related to the Bluenose II rebuild in Lunenburg. Premier Stephen McNeil says there are too many questions surrounding the project and he wants a full accounting of why the project is so far over budget. Earlier this week, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation revealed to us through a freedom of information request that some supplies for the schooner were purchased at a 43 percent mark-up. Now, CTF Atlantic director Kevin Lacey says its important for the auditor-general to look into the goings-on around the rebuild.



It's believed the cost of the project has soared way past it's original $16 million price-tag.

A Hike At The Gas Pumps

As expected, gasoline prices took a hike overnight, heading northward at South Shore pumps! Regular self serve has increased two cents and is selling now for $1.34.7 a litre. High test is selling for $1.43.6. Diesel is now up to $1.50.5 a litre at many South Shore locations.

Jerry's Diner Sold To Wilson Fuels

It's been a mainstay in Bridgewater for 34 years, and now it's changing hands. Jerry's Diner is being sold to Wilson Fuels. The sale is expected to be approved before the end of the day on Friday. The popular restaurant opened in 1980 under owners Jerry and Vera Swain. The couple has decided to sell the restaurant and retire after a recent health scare. Jerry Swain says it wasn't an easy decision.



Swain expects Wilsons to make a few minor changes, but adds there are no job losses and the diner is there to stay. He says the couple will remain in Bridgewater and enjoy time with family.

Fay Gets Back To Work At Under-18 Curling Championship

Ten South Shore curling rinks are vying to be the next provincial curling champion. Play gets underway Friday at the 2014 Nova Scotia Under-18 championships in Bridgewater and Chester. Mary Fay's rink of Chester is the number one seed on the women's side. The team is the reigning provincial and Atlantic champions in the age group. They're also coming off a bronze medal at the national junior championship in Liverpool. There will be plenty of competition among the 12 women's teams including the second seed, Brooke Demone of Lunenburg. On the boys side, there are 16 teams including Matthew Manuel of Mayflower. He is the defending champ and ranked number one followed by Chester's Adam Cocks. The winners will represent Nova Scotia at the Atlantic Under-18 Championship.