Province, Roué Family Reach Bluenose II Settlement

A settlement has been reached between the province and the Roué family over copyright and moral rights claims in the restoration of the Bluenose II. Terms were reached today. The agreement includes the province paying the Roué family $300,000, which includes legal fees. The family will release the province, the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance, Lengkeek Vessel Engineering and MHPM from any and all claims relating to the project or future activities relating to the Bluenose II. The dispute arose from allegations the province used William J. Roué's drawings in the Bluenose II restoration project. Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Tony Ince says he is pleased a settlement has been reached, and says it is clear the Bluenose II and its legacy belong to the people of Nova Scotia and William J. Roué has played an important part as the original designer of Bluenose. The schooner is in the final stages of the restoration process and is expected to sail this summer.

Province Wipes Out Student Loan Interest

It's going to be a big help for graduates with heavy student loans. Interst on loans will no longer have to be paid. Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan says the move will save graduates money as they start their careers. There are about 18,000 borrowers who be eligible to benefit every year. That number does not include current students who may also qualify in the future. In order to qualify you must have graduated, be a resident of Nova Scotia, have a "direct-lend" loan sponsored by the government and have made payments recently. However, the program does not include the federal government portion of the borrower's loan. The Nova Scotia government will invest $1.6 million in this program per year. Newfoundland was the first province to eliminate student loan interest in 2009.

South Shore Hockey: Wild Lose, Ice Sharks Tie

The South Shore Wild remain winless at the Maritime Hockey North Junior 'C' Championships. They fell 8-1 to the Kivalliq Canucks. They play their final round robin game at Queens Place Emera Centre at 8pm tonight against Spryfield.

The South Shore Ice Sharks Peewee 'A' team opened up provincials with a 3-3 tie against Sackville. Colton Lohnes, Jenson Glover and Rylan Mayo scored for the home team. They play Pictou County at 5pm at the Clearwater Seafoods Arena.

Also, the South Shore Ice Sharks Atom 'AAA' club tied Truro 5-5 this morning at their provincials in New Waterford. They play the TASA Ducks at 2pm.

Coast Guard Suspects Broken Pipes For Sinking Ship

The Canadian Coast Guard says two pipes in the engine room of the Cape Rouge were found broken causing the vessel to sink to the bottom of the LaHave River in Bridgewater. Senior Response Officer, Keith Laidlaw, says the pipes likely froze and split due to the cold temperatures. The coast guard raised the old fishing trawler on Tuesday. He says they will begin steam-cleaning the entire vessel early next week because its full of oil.



A red Transport Canada surveillance plane with oil tracking equipment has also been scouring the LaHave River. Laidlaw says small sheens of oil have been noticed in the river, but its too late to be recovered. He urges people to report any sheens they see by calling the oil pollution desk at 1-800-565-1633. (Photo Courtesy: Frank Bailey)

Premier Urges Nurses, Capital Health To Resume Talks

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil is urging Capital Health and the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union to get back to the bargaining table. Addressing the legislature, the premier says Nova Scotians shouldn't have to feel their safety might be jeopardized by a nurses strike in HRM.



The 25-hundred nurses could walk out next Thursday and its effects could be felt right across the province, including the South Shore.

Wild Aim For Semi-Final Berth At Junior 'C' Championships

The South Shore Wild need at least one win today to have chance of advancing at the Maritime Hockey North Junior 'C' Championships. The club sits at 0-2 heading into today's final day of round robin play in Liverpool. The Wild take on the Kivalliq Canucks at 11am and the Spryfield Silver and Black Attack at 8pm at Queens Place Emera Centre. The top four teams advance to tomorrow's semi-finals. The championship game will be held Sunday.

Pressure Mounts On Province To Deal With Threatened Nurses' Strike

A strike by 25-hundred nurses in the Halifax area is looming with threats of a walkout happening next Thursday. As Premier Stephen McNeil says he's watching the situation closely and calling on both sides to get back to the bargaining table, hospitals in HRM are preparing for a walkout with pending cancellations of surgeries and patients being sent home. Progressive Conservative health critic and Argyle-Barrington MLA Chris d'Entremont says the government has to deal with the situation quickly.



d'Entremont says an HRM nurses strike would impact all of the province's health districts, including the South Shore.

Friday Morning Gasoline Prices At South Shore Pumps

Some prices for South Shore gasoline are lower this morning, while another is higher. Regular self serve is down a cent to $1.34.9 per litre. High test is also down by the same amount to $1.43.9. The price for a litre of diesel has risen though by a cent and a half. Its selling in many places this morning for $1.45.5.

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.