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.

UPDATE: Oakhill Accident-Three Injured Still In Hospital

Three people, critically-injured in a two vehicle crash in Oakhill on Tuesday, remain today in Halifax hospitals. Two boys, ages 9 and 13, are at the IWK while a 37 year old woman is in the QE-2. All three are said to still be listed as critical. The 9 year old boy was airlifted from the scene Tuesday afternoon in Oakhill to the IWK while the other boy and woman were rushed to Halifax by ground ambulance. Two other people in a second vehicle involved in the accident, an SUV, were treated at South Shore Regional Hospital and have been released. The RCMP are still investigating and haven't determined an exact cause of the crash, although road conditions at the time were snowy and slippery.

Hurricanes, Mustangs Compete At East Coast Ice Jam

A pair of South Shore hockey teams are in Bedford for the Chronicle Herald East Coast Ice Jam. The Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs and the BMO Western Hurricanes are competing in their respective bantam and midget divisions. The Hurricanes opened the tournament Wednesday night with a 1-1 tie against Bedford. Matt Barron had the lone goal. They're back on the ice this afternoon against Moncton. Meanwhile, the Mustangs begin play at 5:30 this evening against Miramichi.

Tri County: African School Board Seat Election Saturday

There will be a vote this weekend to decide the African Nova Scotian seat on the Tri-County Regional School Board. The special election is necessary after a judge voided the results of the October 2012 election. Candidates Darlene Lawrence and Michael Alden Fells are seeking the seat. Lawrence won the seat by nearly 250 votes in the vote 15 months ago, but her victory was challenged because of electronic voting irregularities.The vote in 2012 was conducted largely online and by telephone.  Polls will open Saturday at 8am and close at 7 p.m. Paper ballots will be used in the election on Saturday.

Liverpool: 'Pep Rally' Planned For National Curling Event

They're rallying the troops in Queens County, ahead of the M and M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Curling Championships. The South Queens Chamber of Commerce and the event's host committee are welcoming people to a 'pep rally' this evening from 5-7pm in the community room at Queens Place Emera Centre. Chamber President, Barry Tomalin, says the rally will help highlight the community's effort, a rundown of day-to-day events and expectations. He says the rally is an effort to prepare the town for the championships.



Tomalin says they're expecting an additional 2,000 people in town during the curling tournament, which starts January 18.

Significant Drop Expected Tonight In South Shore Gasoline Prices

Look for a major drop in the price of gasoline tomorrow morning at South Shore pumps. The provincial Utility and Review Board will set the coming week's prices at midnight tonight and the price of regular self serve likely will drop more than 4 cents. New Brunswickers are paying less for gasoline this morning. Regulated prices there fell by 4 cents overnight to a new maximum price of $129.3 a litre.

Chester: Thousands Lose Power

There's roughly 7,000 people in the Chester area without power. An outage was reported just after 4:30pm. Nova Scotia Power says it's due to transmission line interruption. According to the company, the power should be back on around 6:30pm. Here's a link to their outage map

South Shore Health: No Confirmed H1N1 Flu Cases

There have been no confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu strain along the South Shore. The medical officer of health with South Shore Health, Dr. Linda Earle, says it's been a typical flu season so far in the region. There are at least two confirmed cases of H1N1 in the province while 10 people have died and hundreds are in hospital with the virus in Alberta. Dr. Earle says people should get the flu shot if they haven't already. She expects cases to rise.



Earle says the flu shot protects against three different strains of influenza including H1N1. The flu shot is provided free of charge from family doctors, nurse practitioners, some pharmacists and clinics offered by Public Health Services. Seniors, children ages six months to five years, Aboriginals, pregnant women and anyone with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, asthma and diabetes are encouraged to get a flu shot.

Chester Basin: Guilty Plea In Drugs For Sex Case

A 24 year-old man charged in a drug for sex ring in the Chester area will be sentenced in March. Dustin Collicutt has pleaded guilty to trafficking hydromorphone in Chester Basin. He will be sentenced on March 24. Four other men were charged in relation to the case. Each of them will need to appear before a judge within the year to deal with their charges. Mounties were tipped-off that the men were allegedly exchanging prescription drugs for sexual favours with four females - ranging in age 16 to 18. That kicked off an eight month investigation before charges were laid last year.

Nominees Announced For 2013 Lunenburg-Queens Business Excellence Awards

The nominees are out for the 2013 Lunenburg-Queens Business Excellence Awards. Lanes Privateer Inn and White Point Beach Resort along with the Old Fish Factory are finalists for the Hospitality award. The Large Business Award nominations include the Best Western Liverpool, J and H Industries and South Shore Glass while School House Gluten Free Gourmet, Hell Bay Brewery and Bailly's Fuel are up for the Small Business Award. Hardware will also be given out in categories including Export, Entrepreneurial and New Business. An award ceremony will take place February 17th at the Best Western Plus in Cookville. Full award details are listed below. All other details can be found here .

Hospitality award - Sponsored by South Shore Opportunities : 

Lanes Privateer Inn, Old Fish Factory White Point

Export - sponsored by NSBI : 

Muwin Estates, RPS, Heka

Large Business. - Sponsored by CIBC : 

Best Western Liverpool, J & H Industries, South Shore Glass

Entrepreneurial – Sponsored by Clearwater : 

New Voice, Java Bead, Lunenburg Walking Tours

New Business – Sponsored by BDC :

Cocoa Organic Spa, Tech cube, Fiore Botanical and Natural Skin Care

Small Business – Sponsored by Windward Advancement :

School House Gluten Free Gourmet, Hell Bay Brewery, Bailly's Fuel

UPDATE: Oakhill Accident Victims' Conditions Unchanged

Three people critically injured in a two-vehicle accident yesterday in Oakhill remain in hospital today in Halifax. They were in a car that collided with an SUV on highway 325 about 3:20 Tuesday afternoon.
Cpl. Jamie Vacon of Chester RCMP says the three were related.



The 9 year old boy was airlifted to the QE-2 Hospital in Halifax while the woman and 13 year old boy were transported by ground ambulance to Halifax. Two people in the SUV were sent to South Shore Regional with undetermined injuries. Their conditions today aren't known. Cause of the crash hasn't been determined but roads in the area were slippery at the time.

South Shore Curlers Search For Scotties Provincial Title

The Nova Scotia Scotties Tournament of Hearts gets underway today in Cape Breton. Eight teams are vying for the title of provincial champion including some curlers from the South Shore. Jill Brothers of Liverpool and Bliss Joyce of Lunenburg make up half of team Heather Smith out of CFB Halifax Curling Club. Games begin at 1pm this afternoon at the Sydney Curling Club. All results can be found here .

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.