Monday, May 13, 2013

Mounties Investigate Barrington Fire


Mounties say an early morning fire in Barrington last week is suspicious. The fire took place on Villagedale Road and was reported around 2am on Friday. Police say no one was living at the home - which has been destroyed. In an email, RCMP Sergeant MJ DeLuco stated evidence at the scene suggests the fire was deliberately sparked. Several fire departments in Shelburne County responded to the fire. No injuries were reported.

South Shore Volunteer, Association Recognized By Hockey NS


A local volunteer with the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks and Western Nova Hockey Association has been recognized for his efforts. Hockey Nova Scotia held its annual awards banquet over the weekend and selected Devan Naugler as its recipient of the Jed Ritcey Award for volunteer of the year. The 36-year-old from Newcombville says he's volunteered for about 10 years. Naugler says it's nice to be honoured.



He credits several other volunteers for helping him win the award. The South Shore Minor Hockey Association was also recognized, receiving the Lauchie MacIsaac Award for Association of the Year.

Triple Gold For Bridgewater Badminton Club

The Atlantic Junior Badminton Championships were held in Truro over the weekend with more than 170 players competing for titles in Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 19 age classifications. Several members of the Bridgewater Junior Badminton Club participated in this event and swatted their way to outstanding results. Sara Hirtle won the gold medal in U14 girls singles and Olivia Bazot brought home gold medals in U12 girls singles and U12 mixed doubles with partner Trevor Hayne of Antigonish. Medals were also awarded to Joshua Fortin who placed 1st in the consolation round of U12 boys doubles with partner Trevor Hayne of Antigonish and to Rielle Doucette and Catherine Talbot who placed 1st in the consolation round of U12 girls doubles. Catherine Talbot also placed 2nd in the consolation round of U12 girls singles and won the Yonex True Sport Fair Play Award for outstanding sportsmanship.

RECAP: Final Minutes Of Mooseheads President Cup Win

The Halifax Mooseheads erased 19 years of close calls and missed opportunities by winning their first President Cup Friday night with a 5-1 win over Baie-Comeau in game five of the best-of-seven series. The Mooseheads will now play in the Memorial Cup in Saskatoon from May 17-26. This video is from an upper bowl perspective.



More Impressive Numbers For Chelsea Whalen


Another great weekend for Liverpool native and Florida State junior Chelsea Whalen. She continued her breakout season at the Georgia Tech Invitational with career-best marks in both the shot-put and javelin.
For the third consecutive meet, Whalen improved her own school record in the shot-put with a mark of 16.45 meters, which was good for a second place finish. She then followed-up with a huge personal-best in the javelin, 48.85 metres, which was good for the win. Whalen is tied for seventh among shot-putters in the NCAA East and jumped from 16th to ninth in the javelin. She now has a week-off to get ready for the first round of the NCAA qualifiers in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Former South Shore NDP Candidate Leaves Provincial Party


The last candidate to run for the federal NDP in South Shore-St. Margaret's has quit the provincial party. Gordon Earle ran for the New Democrats in the riding from 2004-2011. Earle and his wife have withdrawn their membership from the party because of the provincial government's handling of abuse allegations at the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children. In a letter, Earle says the government is taking too long to respond positively and directly to the former residents of the home and feels they are being re-victimized. He was the first black member of Parliament in Nova Scotia. Earle represented Halifax West as an MP from 1997-2000. The province announced late last week an independent panel would address the abuse allegations.

Improvements At Shelburne County Arena Aimed At Seniors

The Shelburne County Arena will soon be more senior-friendly. South Shore-St. Margarets MP Gerald Keddy has announced federal funding to the tune of $25,000 to install accessible washroom facilities at the arena. Funding for the project comes from the New Horizons For Seniors Program. Officials with the Shelburne Arena Association say they'll be able to continue with Old Timer's hockey, senior skating and community events. Since its beginning several years ago, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded more than 12-thousand projects across the country.

Yarmouth Tories Pick Candidate

Yarmouth Progressive Conservatives now have their candidate for the next provincial election. John Cunningham is a municipal councillor and a long-time area resident. He was selected over the weekend at a three-way contested nomination meeting. In his acceptance speech, Cunningham said he believes the party's plan creates the winning conditions for economic success: lower taxes, responsible government spending and less waste, and will lead to more jobs and relief for the family budget. PC Leader Jamie Baillie was guest speaker at the meeting. He said: “John's experience as a Councilor will be put to use as he advocates for the people of Yarmouth." Baillie said: “The high-tax plan of the NDP has made life harder for Nova Scotians and Yarmouth will be well served by having someone of John’s experience representing them in the House of Assembly.”