Lobster Levy Endorsed During Industry Summit

Some rare unity within the fishing industry will help market lobster around the world. Fishermen, buyers, shippers and processors all endorsed a levy to help promote lobster in new markets. The levy will support creating a generic marketing plan to promote Canadian lobster as a premium product. The consensus was reached during an industry summit in Halifax. It was hosted by the three Maritime fisheries ministers and was attended by more than 200 industry members. Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell says he is encouraged by the co-operation and that the ministers received great feedback on important issues. The two day summit wrapped up Thursday.

Atom 'AAA' Ice Sharks Compete At Provincials

The province's Atom 'AAA' provincial championship gets underway today in New Waterford. The South Shore Ice Sharks are taking part and their first game will be at 5pm this afternoon when they meet the East Hants Penguins. Other teams involved in the provincials include the New Waterford Sharks, the Cape Breton West Screaming Eagles, Sydney Steelers, Truro Bearcats and TASA Ducks.

Wild Look For First Win At Junior 'C' Championship

The South Shore Wild look for their first win of the Maritime Hockey North Junior 'C' Championships this afternoon. The club takes on the Tignish Aces from PEI at 5pm at the Queens Place Emera Centre. Ryan Poirier, Ryan Campbell and Ryan Matheson scored for the Wild in a 5-3 loss to Hampton, New Brunswick in their opening game. Play goes until Sunday in Liverpool. More information on the tournament can be found here . (Photo Courtesy: Chris LaRocque)

Bridgewater: Outdoor Pool Returning This Summer

Bridgewater's outdoor pool has at least one more summer in it. The town agreed to keep it open and will evaluate data before deciding on its future after the upcoming season. A survey was conducted at Bridgewater Elementary and shows 65 per cent of roughly 500 students use the outdoor pool. Guidance counsellor Belinda Josephson says student responses support the pool.



Josephson says a lot of families don't own vehicles and the pool is more convenient then the new aquatic facility at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. Meanwhile, President of the Bridgewater Barracudas swim club, Blair Lipsett, says the outdoor pool allows them to have spectator and team camaraderie.



Lipsett says swimmers thrive on the environment of the outdoor pool. Meanwhile, the BMO Financial Aquatic Centre is expected to be open next month. Bridgewater's outdoor swimming pool has been in the community for 42 years. The town will spend $17,591 to keep the pool open this summer.

Shelburne: Lights Back For Most Residents

It's relief for some residents of Shelburne. Nova Scotia Power crews have restored the juice to residents of Lockeport and Port Clyde area. They didn't have power for the last 24 hours.
Comfort centres were opened to give people a warm place to hang out before the issue was fixed. Outages still remain in a small pocket of Shelburne County. Others are reported in New Germany and sections of Yarmouth County.

Queens: Youth Charged After Threatening Father With Knife

A youth in Queens County has been charged after threatening his father with a knife. RCMP were called to a home on Old Port Mouton Road on Monday. The youth and his father allegedly got into an argument before the weapon was pulled. He was arrested and held in police custody overnight. The youth has appeared in court and is facing threats and weapons charges.

Legislation Cutting Number Of DHA's Not Ready Yet: NS Health Minister

The Nova Scotia Legislature begins its spring session today and jobs and the economy are likely to take centre stage. However, the McNeil government may have to deal with a pending strike by nurses in the Halifax area. Other health issues: the minister Leo Glavine doesn't expect to bring in legislation just yet, cutting the number of health boards in the province from 9 to 2.



The legislation, when its presented to the House, would cut the number of health boards, or DHA's, from 9 to 2, one for Capital Health and the IWK and one for the rest of the province. A throne speech is expected to begin the legislature session this afternoon.

South Shore MLA Seeks "Revival" Of Seniors Programs

The Nova Scotia legislature's spring sitting begins this afternoon. Jobs and the economy will likely be among the top issues but there will probably be some focus on the possible nurses strike in the Halifax area and its impact on the rest of the province. Meanwhile, Chester-St. Margarets NDP MLA Denise Peterson-Rafuse plans to push the government during the upcoming legislature sitting to revitalize several programs for seniors which she says the current government doesn't seem to take seriously.



The legislature session begins this afternoon (Thursday) with the throne speech. A budget will be presented in a week or so.

Gas Prices May Rise Slightly

There are predictions the price of gas at South Shore pumps will remain about the same or rise slightly. In New Brunswick today, gas prices there have increased. Regular self serve is up by 7/10ths of a cent. The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board will likely follow closely at midnight tonight when it sets the coming week's prices.

Shelburne: Comfort Centre Open Due To Lengthy Power Outages

Some residents in Shelburne County have been without power for more than 24 hours. In parts of Lockeport, the power went off yesterday morning at 10 o`clock. A spokesperson for the emergency management office says comfort centres will remain open at the fire hall in Lockeport and Port Clyde. Howard Roszell says they want to make sure people are safe and have a warm place to go until the power comes back.



Nova Scotia Power says restoration times could be as late as 6 o`clock. Outages are also being reported outside of Liverpool, Chester and Yarmouth.

Cleanup Day Is Underway

Its the day after, cleanup day from that snowstorm that whalloped us through most of yesterday. The wind was the big factor in the storm. A few gusts were clocked as high as 125km/hr in the Shelburne-Lockeport area and 100 further east in Liverpool, Bridgewater and Chester. Environment Canada meteorologist Andy Firth says snow amounts vary.



It will be clearing up today with sunshine for the afternoon but the wind will persist until overnight tonight.
The storm this morning is centered to the east of Cape Breton heading toward Newfoundland.
As a result of the storm, all schools across the province are closed for the day.

Bridgewater Mayor Expects Tough Budget Process

The mayor of Bridgewater expects the budget process will be difficult for the upcoming year. Preliminary figures indicate the town has a $1-million shortfall. Councillors debated a number of issues Monday night, including paying for the outdoor pool for at least one more year and giving pre-budget approval for an electronic fingerprint device for town police. Mayor David Walker says times are tough and he doesn't want to raise the residential tax rate.



Walker feels some key programs or services may be cut during talks. The town has a goal of approving their 2014-15 budget by April 24th.

Baillie Looking For Answers For Bluenose II Cost Overruns

The Nova Scotia Legislature begins its spring session on Thursday. Jobs and the economy are likely to take centre stage in the House but the McNeil government will probably have to deal right away with a pending strike by nurses in the Halifax area. Many are wondering if they'll be legislated back to work like home care workers were in February. Meanwhile, Progressive Conservative Opposition Leader Jamie Baillie will be seeking answers on why the rebuild of Bluenose Two has cost so much and the vessel is still not back in service. He says the government is being too secretive about it.



A throne speech is expected to begin the sitting on Thursday afternoon.

Storm Watch: Power Outages Reported Shelburne & Queens Co

Nova Scotia power crews are working to get the heat back on for about 1,700 customers in Shelburne, Queens and Lunenburg Counties. Roughly 1,300 people are without power in the Shelburne area. Meanwhile, 400 residents in Queens County are dealing with outages. NSP expects the power to be restored in these areas between 5:00-9:00pm. In addition, EMO in Shelburne County says Lockeport Fire Hall will serve as a comfort centre for residents. Another comfort centre in Port Clyde has also been established - if you need a ride contact that fire hall. 

According to NSP, here is a list of South Shore areas affected by power outages: NSP outage map link

Bridgewater Street Crews Ready For Snow Clearing

An important part of dealing with a storm like the one today is keeping the streets and highways open, especially for emergency vehicles. Acting Bridgewater Town works director Larry Feener says its important drivers don't park their vehicles on the streets and police work to prevent tie-ups during  snow clearing.



Feener says his crews have been on standby all night and going into action throughout the storm.

Nova Scotia Power Ready For Any South Shore Power Outages

As we hunker down for today's storm, an official at Nova Scotia Power says having the ability to get around in a large storm to deal with outages is challenging. However, Neera Ritcey of NSP says crews are ready to go if the power goes out today or tonight.



Ritcey says about two dozen repair crews are on standby today along the South Shore and throuh the Valley. She also says contracted repairmen can be called up in pretty short order to help if there's a need.

Snow/Wind Storm Moving In

That forecasted nor-easter is still on the books for today! Most places along the South Shore from Yarmouth to Halifax, through the Valley and beyond are starting to feel the effects of it as the morning rolls along. Meteorologist Andy Firth at Environment Canada says its going to be a rugged day.



The wind overnight tonight with an additional 5 or 10 centimeters may peak as high as 120 in some places along the coast. When its all over, some 50 cm

Queens Supporting Blue Wave Seafoods Workers

The mayor of the Region of Queens says they're looking out for workers with Blue Wave Seafoods. The Port Mouton fish processor and exporter is bankrupt after a proposed deal fell through with a Halifax company. Up to 70 jobs have been lost. Christopher Clarke says they want to lend a hand and help.



Clarke says it's tough news for the region. However, he hopes former employees can get further training and transition into other jobs. The Nova Scotia government offered the company a controversial $500,000 loan last August right before the provincial election. However, the economic development department is claiming that money back as a secure creditor.

EMO's Suggestions In Case Power Goes Out

Nova Scotia's Emergency Management Office is offering up a few tips for home owners in preparation for the storm on Wednesday. Chad Lucas of EMO says above all, have an emergency kit at home in case the power goes out.



Lucas suggests there should be enough of those supplies on hand for at least 72 hours.

Bridgewater Snow Removal Budget Way Over As Another Storm Looms

Word of yet another major snowstorm, this one projected to be larger than the other 9 since late November, is causing some concern at Bridgewater Town Hall. The snow removal budget is already over by $150,000. and the cleanup from tomorrow's storm could push that figure closer to $200,000. The town's Director of Finance, Dawn Keizer, says however there appears to be a way around the deficit.



Town council will begin dealing with budget estimates for the coming year in a few weeks.