Queens MLA Reacts to White Point Fire

The MLA for Queens County says the loss of the White Point Beach Resort is devastating to the area. Vicki Conrad says the community is experiencing a run of bad luck with issues including the potential closure of the Bowater Mersey mill in Brooklyn. Conrad says she's very sad and feels a total sense of loss for the community. She says between 100-200 people work at the resort, depending on the time of year. The resort is due to undergo renovations in January. Conrad says she's optimistic, the lodge will be rebuilt better than ever.

Western Hurricanes Move Into First Place in NSBHL

The BMO Western Hurricanes have vaulted into first place in the Nova Scotia Major Bantam Hockey League. The South Shore club defeated the Truro Bearcats 5-2 Saturday night and scored a 4-0 victory over Newbridge Academy Sunday afternoon to move into top spot. The Hurricanes have now won eight straight games and lead the league with a 12-2 record.

Bridgewater Police Looking for Home Invasion Suspects

Bridgewater Police are looking for suspects involved in a Remembrance Day home invasion. Police say two masked men entered a home on Aberdeen Road sometime around 6:40pm November 11. A struggle happened between the suspects and the resident before the two men fled on foot. The victim was taken to South Shore Regional Hospital to get checked out and released. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bridgewater Police.

White Point Beach Resort GM Overwhelmed by Community Support

The General Manager of White Point Beach Resort says he's energized by an outpouring of community support following this weekend's devastating fire. The fire began in the basement of the popular Liverpool resort and spread quickly, ultimately consuming the main portion of the lodge. Danny Morton says he knew White Point was a special visiting place but not to the degree he's witnessed over the past few days. "I think about a situation on Sunday morning right after the fire where we still had a number of guests staying at the hotel, we were hosting a breakfast for those still staying at the resort and instead of having less food at the end of the breakfast, I think there was more. People in the community were stopping by with baked goods for people they didn't even know," Three investigators remain at the site as they try to determine how the fire began. Morton says it will be hard to pin-point the fire's exact cause but foul play isn't suspected.

Province Offers Support & Encouragement to Staff of White Point Lodge

Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris offered support and encouragement to the staff of White Point Lodge and the surrounding community today,
(Monday, Nov. 14). The main lodge was destroyed by fire over the weekend. Paris applauded the management and staff of the resort, fire departments and volunteer firefighters and community members saying their efforts reflect the feelings people have for the lodge. He says it's an important piece of the tourism industry to the southwestern region of Nova Scotia.  Paris spoke with management and staff after touring the site with owner Robert Risley, general manager Danny Morton and MLA Vicki Conrad. He says he's encouraged by the optimism to rebuild and move on from what is a devastating loss.

Sugar & Spice

Just like a scene from a storybook, there will be over 100 decorated gingerbread men running around the village of Chester. From November 19th until Christmas Chester will once again be filled with Gingerbread houses. It's the annual Gingerbread House Competition and this year gingerbread men will complement the houses on display at various merchants and businesses throughout the Village. Festivities start with the presentation of The Gingerbread Man; The Story of “John Dough” at the Chester Playhouse, noon on Saturday, November 19th. The Grande Finale will be a Family Christmas Party hosted by St. Stephen's Church in the Parish Hall, on Sunday, December 18th, 2-4 pm, at which time the awards for the Gingerbread House Competition will be presented.  Other activities during the Festival will be a Gingerbread Bonspiel November 19th, a Tree Lighting Ceremony November 25th, children's Gingerbread House workshop December 4th and a candle or ornament-making workshop on November 20th. From November 24th through to the 27th, from 10 until 5 pm each day, there will be a Victorian Christmas Craft Sale hosted by the Heritage Society at the newly restored Lordly House.
     For additional information on Chester's Gingerbread Festival please visit the Chester Art Centre's website http://www.chesterartcentre.ca/

Shellfish Harvesting Ban Imposed

A harvesting ban on shellfish in several communities along the South Shore will remain in effect for the remainder of the week. The ban is precautionary because heavy rains on Remembrance Day may have raised bacterial levels in the water. Chief of regulations for the Maritimes region, Rick Young, says waters within three kilometres of the shoreline in Lunenburg, Queens and Digby counties are closed. Officials from Environment Canada and the Food Inspection Agency will conduct tests later this week to ensure the products are safe to eat. Young says officials from DFO have posted signage in areas where the ban applies. The biggest concern is with mussel, clam and oyster harvesting. Scallops can still be harvested.

High Liner Foods Negotiating with Icelandic Group

High Liner Foods is still in talks to complete a deal to secure Icelandic Group's assets but where those negotiations are headed is anyone's guess. High Liner was the successful bidder in a global auction last month to acquire Icelandic's US and Chinese processing and marketing assets. The company has been in exclusive talks with Icelandic ever since. The potential deal would make the Lunenburg based company the continent's biggest marketer of frozen value-added seafood products. However during a conference call last week, High Liner President and CEO Henry Demone gave no assurances that a deal would be finalized any time soon. Should High Liner succeed with the acquisition, it would double its U.S. business. The company had sales last year of $585 million with about half of that total from the United States. Canada's largest seafood processor has its head office in Lunenburg and is a major producer of shrimp, salmon and cod. It employs more than 1,000 people.

Abitibi Bowater Wants to Cut 80 Jobs at Brooklyn Paper Mill

The President of CEP Union Local 141 at Bowater Mersey says 80 jobs are on the line if the membership decides to move forward with the latest proposal from their employer at the Brooklyn Paper Mill. Courtney Wentzell says the latest offer from Abitibi Bowater was presented during a meeting last week in Montreal.  Wentzell called the concessions "huge" and says he will present the entire proposal to the membership at a meeting this evening in Liverpool. "The meeting will happen tonight at 6PM at the union hall, so we're going to present the latest offer and see what the membership want to do with it," The company has set a deadline of January 1st to come up with a management/labour plan to make the plant financially viable. The mill currently employs close to 300 people.

Investigation into White Point Beach Resort Underway

The RCMP and Fire Marshall's Office are beginning an investigation into Saturday's fire at the White Point Beach Resort. The blaze at the popular resort over the Remembrance Day long weekend destroyed the main building. Close to 100 emergency personnel worked the fire for more than 6 hours on Saturday. Sergeant Jeff Wells with the Queens RCMP told our newsroom no injuries are reported. He says officials will be working to determine the fires exact cause this week. The lodge is home to over 100 employees and was due to close in January for renovations.

More Concessions Needed From Union @ Bowater Mersey

Significant job cuts are on the table following a meeting between union officials at Bowater Mersey and their parent company Abitibi Bowater. The two side met last week in Montreal. Union President Courtney Wentzell says the membership is faced with numerous concessions including a reduction in staff. The company also wants to lower the cost of labour from $97 a tonne of paper to $80. Wentzell stated last week that the union has already made big sacrifices. Just over 170 workers have already taken a 22 per cent wage cut in the last two years to help the mill stay competitive. Other concessions are in the works. Queens and Lunenburg are considering lowering municipal taxes for Bowater facilities in each county. Premier Darrell Dexter is expected to continue dialogue with representatives from the mill, union leaders and lumber producers to figure out what can be done to keep the mill open.

Fire at White Point Beach Resort - UPDATED

A major fire at the White Point Beach Resort is under control but has destroyed the main building at the historic lodge. Up to 60 firefighters battled the intense blaze for more than 6 hours on Saturday. Witnesses reported seeing flames reach 15 metres into the sky. No word on what sparked the blaze which began in the lobby area. Sergeant Jeff Wells with the Queens RCMP told our newsroom late Saturday night that no injuries are reported. Friends of CKBW and HANK FM on Facebook described the situation as "sad", "shocking" and stated they were "glad no one was hurt". The resort, built in 1928 outside Liverpool was set to undergo renovations in early 2012. The lodge was home to over 100 employees. CKBW News will have more on this story and local reaction when more information becomes available.

BREAKING NEWS : Fire at White Point Beach Resort

Photo Courtesy of Matthew Wheelans

Fire officials are on the scene of a major fire at White Point Beach Resort. Up to 14 local fire departments are either battling the fire or on standby in Queens County. The fire reportedly started in the basement of the main lodge of White Point. Reports from Queens County indicate the main lodge is fully engulfed, which houses guest rooms, the dining room, kitchen, a conference centre and swimming pool. There's been no indication how the fire started or if there are any injuries. White Point employs approximately 100 people. The popular resort was to undergo renovations in early 2012.

A Wet Remembrance Day Along The South Shore

It's a wet Remembrance Day for much of the South Shore. Between 40 and 50 millimeters of rain is expected to fall by the end of the day. A majority - if not all - Armistice Day ceremonies are being held indoors. Power was knocked out this morning for a few hours in the Mahone Bay area, which forced officials to come up with a contingency plan for Veterans Day ceremonies. However, power was restored shortly after 10 o'clock this morning meaning ceremonies in that community will go ahead as planned at Lutherin Church. Meanwhile, a live broadcast of the Remembrance Day ceremony in Bridewater will air on HANK FM beginning at 11 o'clock.

LEST WE FORGET

In Flanders Fields Poem

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.


Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow


In Flanders fields

Pitch it! Southwestern Regional Results

A Middleton Company Program students the winners of the first regional Pitch It competition. The students pitched their product to a crowd at the Wildwood Café in Bridgewater Wednesday night.
(Nov. 9th). Down Town Associates is a green company that makes bags and backpacks from recycled sweatshirts and hoodies. The company is made up of students from West Kings District High, Middleton Regional High and Bridgetown Regional High. Representing the company of fourteen were President Erika Rice, Amos Parker, Brandon Krulick and Jessy Gervais.

          Pitch it! encourages creativity and gives Company Program students an opportunity to present their business plan to an audience and panel of coaches.

NS Hospitals To Share $22 M In Funding

Health care facilities will reap the benefits of $22 million dollars in funding thanks to the Nova Scotia government. The funds were announced Thursday and will be put towards building maintenance and upgrading energy efficiency. The money will be divided up among hospitals across the province depending on individual need. Director of Communications for South Shore Health Theresa Hawkesworth says it's too early to determine how much of the overall funding will go to the region's three local hospitals. She explains officials within the health authority will review their capital needs over the next few weeks before sending a funding request. Some of the dollars will also be used to improve air quality and upgrade hospital elevators. Health Minister Maureen MacDonald says the money will make health care facilities safer and more sustainable over the long term.

Bridgewater Remembrance Day Ceremonies Being Held Indoors

Heavy rain is forcing Remembrance Day ceremonies indoors in Bridgewater. Rainfall amounts between 50 to 70 millimetres are currently in the forecast for most of the South Shore with further amounts expected Friday. Never-the-less, Executive Member of Legion Branch 24 in Bridgewater, Roger Purnell believes a large crowd will take time to support our Veterans on November 11th.  The Remembrance Day event will be held inside Bridgewater High School, which serves as an alternate venue when the weather fails to co-operate.
Purnell made the decision Thursday morning.

Local Food Banks Urge Donations Ahead of Christmas Season

There's been a six per cent drop in the number of people using South Shore food banks over the last year. Feed Nova Scotia says the figures aren't exactly good news because the number represents people who have likely left the area. Executive Director Diane Swinemar says South Shore food banks are in constant need for donations, with over 1100 people using them every month. Swinemar says the time is now for people to give generously with Christmas season approaching. She says people looking to donate can give non-perishable food items including canned goods or cereal or personal hygeine materials. There are seven South Shore food banks between Chester and Shelburne.

Suspicious Fire In Liverpool

RCMP in Queens are looking into this week's fire at the former Wells Antiques and Book Store. Sergeant Jeff Wells says officials from the Fire Marshall's office ruled Monday morning's blaze was set on purpose. He says Mounties already have some leads and an investigation is underway. No word on how the blaze was sparked or where it began. The Antique and Book Store is located on Main Street in Liverpool and has been vacant and up for sale. Wells wasn't able to say if the RCMP were searching for one or multiple suspects.