Shelburne: Medical Clinic Gets Much-Needed Funding

It appears the Shelburne Medical Clinic has gathered enough funding to expand. South West Health was facing a $441,000 deficit in their $1.4-million budget to retrofit the current facility. The CAO for the Municipality of Shelburne says council has agreed to pony up $250,000 to help the health authority. The contribution comes three years after the municipality approved $200,000 for the clinic. Kirk Cox says they hope to find the new financial commitment from this year's existing operating budget.



The Roseway Hospital Charitable Organization also increased its contribution to $300,000 while the province has set aside $658,000. A meeting will be held January 17 to discuss the next stage of the project.

Scammers Target Winter Vacationers

January is a perfect time for many South Shore residents to skip the cold and snow and head "south"! Its also considered by scammers as the perfect time to fleese vulnerble traveller wanna-bees. The province's Better Business Bureau says South Shore residents and other Nova Scotians have been getting calls offering free cruises if money is provided to collect the prizes. Jill Atkinson of the BBB says be wary of such offers.



She also says don't be fooled by familiar names being used by scam callers to lure you in ... names like Carnival Cruise Lines or Disney. Atkinson says these companies do not offer such prizes.

Former Lumberjack Butterworth Traded To Valley

Jeremy Butterworth is now a Valley Wildcat. He was traded from the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League for future considerations. Butterworth had 45 points in 49 games and was named Bridgewater's rookie of the year last season. He traveled to the United Staes Hockey League and spent time with the Fargo Force before he was traded to Brooks earlier this season.

LaHave Ferry Could Be Out Of Service Longer Than Expected

It might be a few weeks before the LaHave River ferry will be back in service. The cable-powered vessel broke free during last Friday's blizzard and ended up grounding down river on Oxner's Beach. Three people on board were not hurt. The vessel was towed off the beach on Monday and berthed in LaHave. Now, Pam Menchenton of the Department of Transportation says there was damage to the ferry's cable hydraulics which need more assessment and repairs.



When in operation, the ferry runs daily between LaHave and East LaHave.

Luke Warner Returns To South Shore; Traded To Mariners

A familiar name is coming back to the South Shore. Luke Warner has been traded by the Dieppe Commandos to the Yarmouth Mariners for future considerations. Warner spent two-and-a-half seasons with the Lumberjacks, posting nine goals and 17 assists in 131 games. He was traded by the club early in 2013 to Summerside where he won a league championship before he was dealt to Dieppe.

Education: Meeting To Discuss School Upgrades Planned

School board officials on the South Shore want to meet with the province to discuss their funding applications for upgrades to rural schools. Park View Education Centre is the only school in the region identified to receive money for improvements this year under the Nova Scotia governments capital priorities list. Schools in New Ross, both facilities in New Germany and the proposal for a new school serving Petite Riviere and Pentz were passed over for upgrades. Superintendent Geoff Cainen says he would like to know if there are gaps in their applications.



Meanwhile, Park View will see $13 million in new upgrades. Cainen is hoping the meeting with the province happens by the end of this month.

Lohnes Lumbermen Hockey Tournament Back For 30th Year

Three local teams will try their luck in winning this year's Lohnes Lumbermen hockey tournament, which kicks off tonight in Bridgewater. The Barrington Bay Lightning are one of them. They are back to defend their championship title from last year over the Aucoin Locksmith Blues, who are also scheduled to play this year. Other local teams include the Motor Inn Leafs and Eclipse Physio Rusty Blades. Games start tonight at 7:15pm and continue all weekend at the Bridgewater Memorial Arena and Clearwater Seafoods Arena. This is the tournament's 30th year.

South Shore Curlers On Top Team At Provincial Scotties

Mayflower's Heather Smith leads the way after two days of action at the Provincial Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Sydney. The Smith foursome, which includes South Shore natives Jill Brothers and Blisse Joyce, has a perfect 4-0 record after a 6-4 win last night over Mary Sue Radford. Defending champ Mary Anne Arsenault of Mayflower and Kelly MacIntosh of Dartmouth are next with 3-1 marks. Jocelyn Nix and Sarah Rhyno are still alive at 2-2. Round robin action in the eight team event continues through Saturday followed by tiebreakers and playoffs. The championship final is set for Sunday at 2pm. The winners will represent Nova Scotia at the Canadian Scotties in Montreal in early March.

Big Rainfall On The Way

Here we go again! The weather has been up and down all winter so far! Minus 20 one day ... plus 10 the next! Snow one day ... rain the next! After a low of close to minus 20 last night, we will see temperatures jump as much as 30 degrees by Sunday. Environment Canada is calling for heavy rain overnight Saturday into Sunday. Residents along the South Shore are being advised to check rain catch-basins outside and clear them of ice and snow to avoid flooding.

Substantial Drop In Gas Prices

The utility and review board has set the coming week's gas prices. They've been lowered almost 5 cents a litre. Regular self serve is selling this morning at South Shore pumps for $1.31 per litre. High test down also to $1.40. Diesel is down by about 4 cents as well.

Lumberjacks Seeking Illusive Win

The struggling CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks will travel to Liverpool tonight for their game against Miramichi. The game will start at 8 at Queens Place Emera Centre. The Lumberjacks have suffered a huge goal drought and game wins this season.

Hurricanes & Mustangs Looking For Wins At Metro Tournament

The BMO Western Hurricanes and Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs are off to a slow start at a hockey tournament in Bedford. The Hurricanes fell 3-1 to Moncton Thursday while the Mustangs also lost 3-1 to Miramichi at the Chronicle Herald East Coast Ice Jam. Both teams are back in action today.