South Shore Woman To Head District Labour Council

There's a new face at the helm of the labour movement on the South Shore. Lisa Mason is the newly elected president of the South Shore District Labour Council. At age 31, she's the youngest worker ever to be elected to the position. Mason takes over from long-time council president Bud Johnson. Among issues she intends to confront are improvements to the Canada Pension Plan, making more money available for baby boomers and others who will soon be retiring.



Mason also plans to promote changes to Employment Insurance and help in improving the working lives of women and other equality groups. Mason is a home support worker with the Lunenburg County Home Support Services Society and President of CUPE local 3936.

Snowboarder Duckworth Closing In On Olympic Nod

Lunenburg County snowboarder Alex Duckworth admits its hard not to think about the Olympics right now. The Kingsburg native is competing in Colorado ahead of her World Cup Grand Prix event in Quebec next week. Duckworth is coming off a sixth place finish at this season's first World Cup in Finland, a new personal best for the 26-year-old. She says she's mentally preparing for the games.



Duckworth, who began snowboarding at the age of 10, says it would be a dream come true to make it to the Olympics. Duckworth's top two results out of four World Cup races will determine the Olympic rankings. She will find out January 21 if she's heading to Sochi, Russia as part of the Canadian team.

Duck Hunters Rescued In Shelburne County

Its a happy ending for two duck hunters stranded yesterday (Tuesday) on Solomon Island in Shelburne County. A Canadian Coast Guard vessel was called-in to make the rescue near the Woods Harbour coastline late Tuesday afternoon. The hunters couldn't get off the island after their boat drifted away in rough seas earlier in day. Their outboard was eventually recovered by local fishermen. The coast guard used a zodiac to reach the two men on the island. They were said to be safe and started a fire to keep warm by the time help arrived. The Canadian Coast Guard vessel was based out of Clark's Harbour

UPDATED: Multiple Injuries In Oakhill Crash

RCMP say three people are in critical condition after a serious two-vehicle crash in Oakhill. The collision occurred around 3:30pm on Highway 325. Police say a Ford car with three people in it, collided with an SUV with two passengers. The three people inside the car were airlifted to Halifax while the two passengers of the SUV were taken to the South Shore Regional Hospital. Those taken to hospital in Bridgewater have undetermined injuries. The highway was closed for roughly four hours while investigators worked the scene.

New South Queens Middle School Hosts Open House

Queens County residents are getting a chance to see the new school in Liverpool before it opens to students. The new South Queens Middle School will host an open house this evening at 6pm. School Board Communications Manager, Trish Smith, says it's an environmentally-sustainable site.



Smith says there is plenty of new technology throughout the school including whiteboard desks, apple televisions, and smart-boards. South Queens Middle School will open to students on Wednesday. (Photo Courtesy: Maxim Construction)

Yarmouth's Graves Traded By Charlottetown To Val-d'Or

Yarmouth's Ryan Graves is on the move. The 18-year-old defenceman with the Charlottetown Islanders was traded today to the Val-d'Or Foreurs in exchange for defenceman David Henley. Graves played 169 games in two-and-a-half seasons with the PEI franchise, scoring eight goals and adding 29 assists. The deal came just before the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League trade deadline struck this afternoon. Graves was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 NHL entry draft, 110th overall by the New York Rangers. He played major midget hockey with the Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs.

Crosby Leads Canadian Men's Hockey Team Selections

Sidney Crosby will lead Canada's men's hockey team in Sochi, Russia. The 26-year-old from Cole Harbour was named to the squad just after noon today by General Manager Steve Yzerman. Crosby leads the NHL in scoring with 63 points. He scored the game winning goal to clinch the gold medal for Canada at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Also announced to the team were 11 returning members from the previous games including Jonathan Toews, Roberto Luongo, Corey Perry and Drew Doughty. Steven Stamkos will make his Olympic debut along with Carey Price, PK Subban, John Tavares and Matt Duchene A few surprises left off the Canadian roster include Martin St. Louis, Eric Staal, Claude Giroux and James Neal. The Canadian roster is as follows:

Goaltenders: Roberto Luongo, Carey Price, Mike Smith

Defence: Jay Bouwmeester, Drew Doughty, Dan Hamhuis, Duncan Keith, Alex Pietrangelo, PK Subban, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Shea Weber

Forwards: Jamie Benn, Patrice Bergeron, Jeff Carter, Sidney Crosby, Matt Duchene, Ryan Getzlaf, Chris Kunitz, Patrick Marleau, Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Patrick Sharp, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares, Jonathan Toews

RCMP To Drivers: Slow Down

If you are driving today, you'll want to take it easy to avoid an accident either with another vehicle or end up in the ditch by yourself! Temperatures have been falling and the roads have become very slippery with lots of black ice. There have been snow squalls on and off along the 103 between Barrington and Yarmouth making visibility there poor. RCMP Sgt. Alain Leblanc is warning motorists to adjust their driving accordingly today all along the South Shore.



Crews have been out salting and sanding along all South Shore highways this morning but thats no insurance policy the ice is gone.

Identity Of Lost Fisherman Revealed

The identity of a South Shore lobster fisherman, found dead yesterday in Stonehurst, has been released by the RCMP. 79-year-old Elburn Leo Tanner of Stonehurst went missing late Sunday evening. His body was discovered by searchers in the water near his boat around 5am yesterday (Monday) morning. The RCMP have not released the cause of death. Foul play is not suspected though. Its believed Tanner fell overboard while trying to breakup ice in the water around his boat and drowned.

Icy Roads As Temperature Drops

If you are driving this morning, you'll want to take it easy! Temperatures are falling after reaching 8 degrees at one point during the night. With the dropping temperatures, the roads are becoming slippery with reports of black ice. There are snow squalls along Highway 103 between Barrington and Yarmouth making visibility there poor by times. Crews are out salting and sanding along all South Shore highways this morning but do ... slow down! Meanwhile, what a mess in HRM this morning! Traffic is at an almost standstill as drivers deal with roads that have turned into skating rinks because of the falling temperature. All the major routes into the city are backed up several kilometers. The bridges are packed and very little is moving. Crews are trying to get the streets salted down but its difficult with all those cars in the way. If you are heading into the city this morning, be advised its going to be a slow trip once you get to Bayers Lake.

Bridgewater: Snow Clearing Costs High In December

Snow clearing crews in Bridgewater were faced with a busy month in December. Finance Director Dawn Kaizer says they've spent roughly $90,000 of their snow clean-up fund so far, and that doesn't count the blizzard that hit the South Shore late last week. She says while the numbers aren't finalized, last Friday's storm clean-up could cost in the area of $40,000. Kaizer says there is no need to panic.



The snow removal budget for 2013-14 is $356,000. However, Kaizer says they also have almost $88,000 in a contingency fund.

Repeat Drunk Driver Case Back This Week

A repeat drunk driver is due back in court later this week. Kevin Wheaton of Bridgewater was pulled over January 2 on a main road in the town. He was arrested and charged with impaired driving. It's the ninth time the 49 year-old has been charged with an alcohol related driving offence. He also was charged with driving a vehicle without a license. Wheaton will be back in court Thursday.

Plenty Of Rain Coming To The South Shore

The next 24 hours could be wet and windy along the South Shore. Rainfall amounts are expected to exceed 25 millimetres in Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne counties. Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning.  A low pressure system over Quebec will intensify as it tracks northward. The system is creating a strong warm front across the region today. The combination of rain with the recent snowfall could result in challenging surface conditions, especially as temperatures fall back below freezing again early Tuesday. In addition, winds will gust as high as 70km/h through tomorrow along the South Shore.

LaHave Ferry "Rescued" From Beach

The LaHave River ferry has been re-floated and is back at a wharf in LaHave. The vessel, which plies the river daily between LaHave and East LaHave, snapped its operating cable during Friday's storm and floated down river and grounded on Oxner's Beach. Three people were on board but were not injured. The Manager of Marine Services for the Department of Transportation, John Majchrowicz says Monday's operation to free the stranded ferry went smoothly.



If the weather improves today (Tuesday), Majchrowicz says divers will inspect the vessel's hull looking for any holes.



After that, repairs will be needed for the cable and its gears before the ferry can be put back into operation. That could take a week or more.

Updated: Fisherman's Body Found In Water In Stonehurst

A 79-year-old man has died after falling into the water in Stonehurst. RCMP received a call around 1 o'clock Monday morning after residents reported the man missing. Sgt. Paul Coughlin says four local fire units, police, EHS and a helicopter from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax all helped look for the man. He says the man's body was found around 5 a.m. near the shoreline.



Sgt. Coughlin says the man was from Stonehurst South. He says an autopsy will be done to determine the cause of death. The man's name has not been released.

Monday: Repeat Drunk Driving Case In Court

A 49 year old Bridgewater man is due in court Monday on drunk driving charges. Police say he's already been convicted eight times for impaired driving. Kevin Wheaton was pulled over and arrested January 2 in Bridgewater. He's being held at the Burnside Correctional Centre. Police say Weaton was also driving without a license.

LaHave Ferry Still On Dry Land

Here's a picture of the LaHave Ferry. This was posted on Riverport's Facebook page.The ferry broke free from it's cables late Friday night. It's now resting on the shore of Oxner's Beach in Lunenburg county. No injuries to report. Two crew members and a passenger were on board when the ferry started to drift down river. They were safely removed from the ferry.

LaHave Ferry Cables Break, Drifts Down River

No injuries to report after the LaHave Ferry broke free from its cables last night. An official with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal confirmed the report late Friday night. The ferry began drifting down the river with two crew members and a passenger on board. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, RCMP and local volunteer fire departments all assisted in making sure the ferry wasn't lost. The ferry ran aground on a sand bar in Dublin Bay, Lunenburg County. The cable ferry is operated by the province along with three others in Nova Scotia. The 14 car cable ferry connects LaHave to East LaHave. 

DOT: Visbility Poor, Roads Snow Covered

It's a good old fashioned winter blizzard. The first storm of 2014 is packing a punch with more than 30cm of snow, white out conditions and localized flooding in some communities. It has led to cancellations closures and dangerous conditions on the highway. Steve MacIsaac of the Department of Transportation says the ploughs are out in full force and their crews are attempting to keep things running.



Environment Canada says the heavy snow should ease up this evening but the windy conditions will continue. Meanwhile, temperatures are brutally cold. The weather agency says the wind chill will make it feel like -28 this evening.

QMJHL: Mooseheads Match Postponed

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League contest scheduled for tonight in Halifax has been postponed. The Mooseheads were slated to host the Charlottetown Islanders. A makeup date will be announced at a later date.

Curling: Provincial Men's Qualifer Underway

Today's storm hasn't stopped the Provincial Mens Curling Qualifier at the Dartmouth Club. Nineteen teams are battling for five spots in the upcoming Molson Coors Tankard in Halifax. After three draws, eight teams remain unbeaten, including Allan O'Leary, Chad Stevens, Ian Fitzner-LeBlanc, and Mark Dacey. Action continues through Sunday.

Former Premier Says Bowater Closure Was One Of His Darkest Hours

The closure of the Bowater mill near Liverpool in 2012 and the loss of hundreds of jobs was a dark time for former Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter.  In his first media interview since his October election defeat, Dexter tells CKBW and HANK-FM News, he saw the writing on the wall long before the shutdown but hoped the paper industry would turn around.  However, it didn't and Dexter says his next move was to seek certain guarantees.



Recently back from vacation down south, the former premier says he's ready to begin the next chapter in his life, possibly working in economic development with the Region of Queens, where he grew up. As for his re-election campaign back in the fall, Dexter says it was efficient, well-managed and he doesn't harbour any grudges against the Liberals and Tories in helping defeat his party.

Former Premier Looks Back & To The Future

 Former Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter says he has no regrets!  In his first media interview since his election defeat in October, the former premier tells CKBW and HANK-FM News, he's proud of the work his NDP government did in trying to improve the economy over 4 and a half years.  Dexter says his re-election campaign was efficient and well-run. However, he says there was a change in the mood of the electorate sweeping the province, fueled by the opposition parties.



Recently back from vacation down south, the former premier says he's now ready to begin the next chapter in his life!  He tells us he's ready to put his experience over 4 and a half years to work to help in the economic development of the South Shore.



Dexter says he has no regrets and doesn't harbour any grudges against the Liberals and Tories in helping defeat his party at the polls.

Bridgewater Man Facing 9th Alcohol Related Driving Conviction

Bridgewater Police are charging a man in what could turn out to be his ninth conviction for driving while impaired. Police say they pulled over a car January 2 on Aberdeen Road in Bridgewater. Kevin Wheaton was arrested at the scene and charged with impaired driving anf driving while his license was suspended. The 49 year-old is currently being held at the Burnside Correctional Facility. If found guilty, it would be his ninth conviction for an alcohol related driving offense. He's due back in court January 6.

Oil Spill Detected In Milton Being Cleaned Up

Nova Scotia Power is testing some water wells in Queens County after a late December oil spill. "Nova News Now" was first to report the story. The spill was detected at a substation owned by Nova Scotia Power in the Milton area. It's not known exactly when it happened, but it's believed about 5,000 litres of crude was spilled. The company is working with the Department of Environment to ensure the site is properly remediated and fully cleaned up. The contaminated soil is being taken for disposal. A few people live around the substation, but its not believed they will be impacted or see any affects by the spill. Nova Scotia Power is testing the wells as a safety measure.

Another Gas Price Hike This Morning

Gas prices have increased overnight at South Shore pumps. Regular self serve up almost 2 cents to $1.35.8 a litre. High test is now $1.44.8. Diesel also up in price this morning.

Storm Far From Over

Local police and the RCMP are warning drivers to stay off the highways today. As yet another snowstorm blows through the region, driving is dangerous. They're snow covered with icy patches underneath. Environment Canada says the worst is yet to come, with another 10 to 20 centimetres of snow expected today along the South Shore mixed with strong winds and causing whiteout conditions. There are no power outages to report. However, there are flight delays and cancellations at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. Also, numerous government offices and businesses are closed today. So are the NSCC campuses in the area.

Friday: Lumberjacks Game Postponed

The impending blizzard has forced the postponement of tomorrow night's MHL game in Bridgewater.  The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks were scheduled to host the Woodstock Slammers at the Clearwater Seafoods Arena at 7 o'clock. The contest will be re-scheduled at a later date. The Jacks' first game of the New Year is now slated for New Glasgow against the Pictou County Weeks Crushers on Saturday evening.   

Watchdog Group: Use Gas Taxes To Improve The 103

There will probably be no change overnight tonight in gasoline prices at South Shore pumps.  Canadian Taxpayers Federation Atlantic Director Kevin Lacey says thats a good thing. However, he says gas would be a lot cheaper without the tax on tax at the pumps.  Lacey says money collected through all those taxes though should be used to improve our roads, particularly the dangerous highway 103.



Lacey says directing gas tax money to improve the 103 would not only boost driver safety but also improve the local economy.

Wanted: Health Care Professionals, South Shore & Beyond

Nova Scotia's health minister expects to unveil a committee in the coming few weeks to look at ways of recruiting doctors to the province. In a CKBW and HANK-FM News interview, Leo Glavine says thats not all that is the focus of attention at the health department these days.



Glavine has been warned the province could face alarming shortages across a range of professions in the health-care system.  That as workers approach retirement, which includes a shortage of 800 nurses within five years.  In briefing notes when he first became minister, the notes tell Glavine professions requiring close monitoring include physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, continuing care assistants and lab and diagnostic imaging staff, to name a few.

MODL: Mayor Pleased Old Schools Will Be Reviewed

A South Shore mayor is pleased the provincial government is looking at taking the pressure off municipalities when schools are closed. Under the current system, when a school closes it reverts back to the municipality and in some cases causes financial pressure for taxpayers and council. Don Downe says he welcomes the news given the Municipality of Lunenburg took control of three former schools over the past few years.



However, Downe says the news isn't all bad as the facilities in Riverport, Blockhouse and Centre each have potential. He says council is involved in discussions with a number of potential tenants for those former schools.

School Review Meetings Begin Next Week

Meetings to discuss the way schools are closed in Nova Scotia will be held this month. Nine public sessions will be held including stops in Bridgewater, Yarmouth, Halifax and Berwick. Bridgewater's meeting will be January 13 at Park View Education Centre. Yarmouth's meeting will be the next night at Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School. All meetings will be held from 7-9pm. The first meeting of the process will be held January 6 in Sydney. The meetings will examine the school review process and look into what's done with old schools when they are closed or new facilities are built. A consultations committee is gathering input from the public, school boards, the teachers' union, and municipalities on the school review process. The feedback will be used to develop recommendations that will be given to the education minister by the end of February.

South Shore: Kraft Hockeyville Contest Underway

Residents of the South Shore can nominate their community or town for the Kraft Hockeyville contest. The wildly popular contest brings hockey communities together in the quest to receive $100,000 in arena upgrades from Kraft Foods and the NHL. Also, the successful community gets to host an NHL pre-season game. Last year, Yarmouth made it through to the second last round of voting. The top 16 communities that will compete for Kraft Hockeyville will be revealed on Hockey Night in Canada on March 8th. The winner will be announced in April. You can nomination your community here

Chester Rink Captures Provincial Title

A team based in Chester is off to the Canadian Junior Curling Championships. Mary Fay's rink captured the provincial title on New Years Eve. She beat defending champ Mary Myketyn-Driscoll of Truro. Final score was 9-4 at the Lakeshore Curling Club. The curling championships kick off January 18th in Liverpool.

Big Snowstorm Headed Our Way

For all you winter weary folks, as if we haven't had enough in recent weeks, get set to be dumped upon yet again by lots of snow. An added feature this time will be very high wind gusts. Environment Canada has issued a blizzard warning for the South Shore and most of the province. It's expected we could get a total of between 20 and 35 centimeters of heavy snow over the next day or so. It should peter out on the weekend with sunshine for cleaning up on Saturday and temperatures above zero on Sunday and Monday.

Update: Chester Rink Eyes Provincial Title

Chester's Mary Fay is just one win away from the Provincial Junior Women's Curling Championship. In semi final action this morning the Fay rink stole three points in the fourth end on their way to a 9-2 victory over Mayflower's Emily Dwyer. Fay meets defending champ Mary Myketen-Driscoll of Truro in the 2 o'clock final at the Lakeshore Curling Club. In their only meeting this week Fay scored a 10-3 win. Meantime Robert Mayhew of Windsor captured the Junior Men's title with an 8-3 decision over Matthew Manuel of Mayflower. Mayhew won seven of eight games at the Lower Sackville event. He'll represent the Province at the M & M Meat Shops Canadian Junior championships in Liverpool next month.

2014=More Taxes!

2014 is bringing with it even more taxes to be paid by South Shore residents and others in the province. Kevin Lacey of the watchdog group, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, says life won't be any cheaper for residents here when you factor-in increased EI and CPP premiums and bracket creep. Thats when you earn a bit more than usual and the taxman grabs most of it.



Lacey says what the new increases mean is a South Shore family of 4, including 2 kids, earning $60,000. a year, will pay about $130. more in taxes in the new year than in 2013. Thats in addition to high gas taxes, income tax and the HST at 15 percent.

"Our Health Centre" Looks For 2014 Opening

The multi-millon dollar health centre project in Chester is moving forward with a vigorous fundraising campaign. Officials with "Our Health Centre" are looking to raise $6 million dollars to fund construction, equipment and start up costs for project. In addition to public and private donations, they've received $500,000 through the Nova Scotia government over the past year. In a year end interview, Chester Warden Allen Webber says council is still mulling over what kind of support they can offer the project.



The collaborative health centre is expected to be open late in 2014. According to its web site, they want to raise between $3.5 to $4 million before construction begins on the project. It would be located in Shoreham Village.

Winter Sport Fishing Begins

Get your rods and reels ready because the winter sportfishing season kicks off tomorrow (New Years Day). Selected lakes on the South Shore and elsewhere will open for rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, chain pickerel or perch. Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell says winter sportfishing is a great way for Nova Scotians of any age to enjoy the outdoors and he encourages anglers to use caution when fishing in boats, on the ice or from shore. A 2013 general fishing licence is required to winter fish and can be purchased at Department of Natural Resources offices. More information is available on the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture website.

For Review: MLA's Pension, Salary & Travel

A three member panel set up to review MLA compensation has been finalized. Roy Salmon, Janet Hazelton, and John Merrick were appointed to the panel.They will review salaries, benefits, pensions, travel and constituency allowances for MLAs. Salmon served as auditor general of Nova Scotia for 14 years will be the panel's chair. Hazelton has served as president of the Nova Scotia Nurses' Union since 2002. Merrick previously worked on the public inquiry into the Westray Mine Disaster. The panel will begin its deliberations early in the New Year and will present its findings by March 31.

New Doctor Accepting Patients In Yarmouth County

A new family doctor working in Pubnico will begin accepting patients next month. South West Health says Dr. Asif Sardar will accept 100 patients during the first intake with priority given to residents of Yarmouth County. The intake process will be done over the phone on January 4. It is expected the new doctor will be able to accept a maximum of 1,000 patients over time.


Contact Information:

Patients will only be accepted by phone on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The number to call for telephone registrations is 902-742-9538.

When calling in to register, people are asked to have their MSI number, date of birth, civic address and current phone number available. People will only be considered who do not now have a primary health provider (a family physician or nurse practitioner) in South West Health ( Yarmouth, Digby or Shelburne counties.) First priority will be given to the residents of Yarmouth County.

People are asked not to phone in with a list of friends or extended family members. Dr. Asif will only consider a person and their immediate family members (spouse, parent or children) as patients.

Update: Fay Rink Improves to 4-1

Mary Fay of Chester leads the way at the AMJ Campbell Provincial Junior Curling Championships. The Fay foursome improved to 4-1, and clinched a playoff spot, with a 7-0 win this morning over Emily Manuel of Mayflower. Micayla Dorey from Chester was eliminated after a 10-2 loss to Mayflower's Hayley McCabe. McCabe and Fay battle this afternoon for a spot in the "C" division final. Three other girls' teams are still alive. The winning squad will head to the Canadian Junior championships in Liverpool next month.

Lunenburg County Salvation Army Reaches "Kettle" Goal

The Lunenburg County Salvation Army has reached its target with its annual Christmas Kettle Campaign. Ten days ago, it was 19-thousand dollars short. An appeal to the public helped in surpassing the goal.
Salvation Army Captain Felipe Vega is astounded by the success.



The final total was $57,149. It will be used to fund the children and family support programs offered through the year in the area by the Salvation Army.

Greenfield Airport Targetted By Thieves

For the second time in eight months, there has been a breakin and theft at the airport in Greenfield. Over the weekend, someone pried-open a locked door on a hanger, smashed out a window on a Cesna 172 aircraft, stole earphones, a GPS unit and welding gear and also damaged an ultra-light aircraft. Bluenose Flying Club member and hanger co-owner Barry Mercer says he's feeling frustrated by it all and he's going to take action.



The most expensive piece of gear taken was a GPS unit. Mercer says no one else can use it except pilots.



Mercer say the estimated cost of the lost gear and damage is close to 4-thousand dollars. The RCMP is investigating.

Primary Care Is Primary Focus For South Shore Health

Improving access to doctors and primary care will be a key focus for South Shore Health heading into 2014. President Dr. Peter Vaughan says they welcomed five new physicians over the past year. They've also hired four nurse practitioners and a geriatrician. Vaughan says the health authority will continue to work on attracting new staff while focusing on keeping the professionals they already have in place.



Vaughan believes the new family health centre in Bridgewater and collaborative clinic in Liverpool will improve access and help bring new doctors to the area. Both of those facilities are expected to open in the new year.

Curling: Chester Rink Nears Provincial Title

Chester's Mary Fay is one win away from the playoffs at the AMJ Campbell Provincial Junior Curling Championships in Lower Sackville. Fay faces Mayflower's Emily Manuel this morning at 9 in the "B" division qualifier. Both rinks are 3-1. Defending champ Mary Myketyn-Driscoll of Truro has already earned a playoff spot. Micayla Dorey of Chester, with a 2-2 record, is also still alive. In the boys division, Matthew Manuel of Mayflower and Robert Mayhew of Windsor lead the way with 4-1 marks. All three South Shore teams have been eliminated. This week's winners will advance to the M & M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Championships in Liverpool in mid-January.

Local Chamber Of Commerce Ready For 2014

The new year will see the beginning of major changes in the town of Bridgewater and the area Chamber of Commerce intends to be front and centre. Manager Dan Hennessey says his organization is changing to meet the times. He says 2014 will be a busy year.



Hennessey says the past year has been one of transition for the Bridgewater Area Chamber of Commerce. He says its expanding to become more community and business oriented.

Hockey: Mustangs Look To Rebound

In "Q" League action last night at the Metro Centre the Halifax Mooseheads scored four third-period goals to top Cape Breton 5-3. The same two clubs meets again tonight in Sydney. In Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League action in Bridgewater last night the Valley Wildcats shutout the Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs 3-0. The Stangs head to Halifax to face the MacDonalds tonight at 6:30pm.

South Shore: Heavy Rain Expected

Rainfall warnings have been issued for the South Shore. Environment Canada has issued weather warnings for Yarmouth, Queens and Shelburne counties. The weather agency is predicting varied snowfall amounts and up to 30 millimetres of rain for those regions. For Lunenburg county, up to four centimeters of snow is in the forecast before it changes over to rain (20mm). There is also a risk of freezing rain along the South Shore. Wind will gust up to 70 kilometres per hour in some counties. Environment Canada says the highest snowfall amounts will occur in Cumberland County and parts of Cape Breton.

Chester: Warden Concerned About 2014-15 Budget

Municipality of Chester Warden Allen Webber says 2013 was a good but challenging year. In a year-end interview, Webber points to issues including the South Canoe Wind project and Our Health Centre that were significant for the area. He says he's optimistic both projects will continue to move forward in 2014. Webber says one of his major concerns next year is the budget.



Webber adds they also need to develop more effective ways to generate public interest in issues concerning the municipality.