2011: A Tough Year for Tourism

It's been another tough year for tourism in Nova Scotia and that includes the South Shore. Locally, tourism operators are dealing with a 3 percent dip in occupancy rates while campgrounds and hotels are also facing a 5 percent reduction in total nights sold. Officials are blaming the downward trend on increasing global competition, a difficult economic climate and poor weather. Director of Marketing for the province Kristi Wenous isn't surprised by the latest numbers. "As we understand the pressures and the economic climate - it's understandable discretionary spending such as travel would be down," Meanwhile, road travel and cruise ship passengers into Halifax are also down, while visits to Sydney are on the rise. Air travel did see a positive spike of 9 percent compared to the same time period in 2010. Tourism statistics vary across the province. Details at www.gov.ns.ca/econ/tourism/research/latest-activity-updates.asp.

Two Cars Damaged in Bridgewater Parking Areas

Police in Bridgewater are looking for information on a couple of hit & runs. Two separate incidents were reported Monday night. The first, occurred in the Superstore parking lot where a Honda Accord was struck causing damage to the drivers side door and rear door. The other incident took place on Glen Allen Drive. Police say a Honda CRV sustained serious damage while parked near the South Shore Regional Hospital entrance. The Bridgewater Police Service is hoping to get some tips.

Centre Jail Demolition Expected to start Nov. 24

Photo Courtesy of CP Harmon

The former Centre jail is expected to be demolished over the next week. The jail is expected to start being torn down Thursday morning, depending on weather conditions. Chris Gallivan with Strum Environmental says East Coast Demolition will start by removing old fuel tanks, fuel lines and furnaces. He says, once that is finished, they will start structural demolition by knocking supports down and crushing the building into itself. The jail is located along Highway 3 in Centre. Municipality of the District of Lunenburg Engineer, Satu Peori, says Council doesn't have any immediate plans for the land. The jail opened in 1950 and has been empty since 2001.

Province Announces Funding for Two South Shore Schools

Bluenose Academy

Two new South Shore schools are receiving funds from the provincial government. The still to be built South Queens Junior High is getting $8.5-million while Bluenose Academy in Lunenburg is pegged to get $840-thousand. Department of Education spokesperson Peter McLaughlin says the announcement shows that government considers the schools a priority for the South Shore. McLaughlin couldn't comment on what each school plans to use the money towards. The funding is part of the government's 2012-13 Capital plan. Site selection for the new South Queens Junior High is scheduled for Thursday morning while Bluenose Academy is anticipated to open in 2012.

Public Hearing in Chester: Cancelled

A public hearing regarding the proposed location of a new telecommunications tower in Chester has been cancelled. The hearing was to deal with the location of an Eastlink owned tower and it's proximity to homes on the Demone Road. The tower would offer better high speed Internet connection and cell phone usage in the community. The meeting was set for tonight but due to the weather it will be rescheduled.

RCMP: Motorists Need to Slow Down

It's been a hectic morning for Lunenburg County RCMP. Staff Sergeant Bruce Hill says roads are extremely slick and he's asking motorists to slow down. "The roads at this time are very slick, the snow is hitting the pavement and turning to ice. We've had about 10 accidents already this morning, no injuries reported as of yet. We're asking motorists to slow down, use caution and ensure you leave enough room between yourself and the vehicle ahead of you," No serious incidents to report, Hill says in most cases vehicles have slid of the road. Meanwhile, a number of school closures are already being reported. Under the South Shore Regional School Board, all schools will be closed today.

Snow & Rain to Pound South Shore - UPDATED

R-C-M-P are already warning drivers to be ready for slippery, slushy roadways this morning. Snowfall warnings are in effect across Nova Scotia and southern New Brunswick, as well as central and eastern PEI. A number of school closures are already being reported. Under the South Shore Regional School Board, all schools will be closed today. It looks like Nova Scotia will get the brunt of the snow with amounts of up to 35 centimetres expected today and tonight over inland areas. Coastal areas, however, could be getting a good soaking with up to 40 millimetres of rain. Stay tuned to CKBW/HANK FM for the latest on the forecast, road conditions and potential cancellations.

Salvation Army Launches Christmas Kettle Program

The Salvation Army has started its major fundraiser for the holiday season and new year. The Christmas Kettle Program is officially underway throughout Canada, including in Lunenburg County. Captain Stephen Holland with the local Salvation Army says the Kettle Program allows them to help people year-round with emergency needs like food, medication, transportation or heat. Holland says around four kettles will be placed in areas around Lunenburg County including the Bridgewater Mall, Superstore and Sobeys. He says he hopes the Christmas Kettle Program will raise around $50-thousand this year.

Education Minister Concerned with Reinhardt Decision

Education Minister Ramona Jennex

Education Minister Ramona Jennex is questioning the South Shore Regional School Board's decision not to censure Karen Reinhardt. Jennex says the decision concerns her.

"It raises, in my mind, questions about this Board's ability to function responsibly, you know, they're there to act in the best interests of our students and teachers and I didn't see evidence of that from the decision they made on Monday evening."

Jennex told CKBW/HANK-FM News she received the Deloitte Inc. report at noon Tuesday and she'll be reviewing it after question period Tuesday afternoon. Reinhardt survived a 7-4 censure vote from her peers Monday night, after the Board didn't receive the two-thirds majority needed to oust her. Jennex says the Board missed the mark with the decision.

"There were clear violations and I was really looking forward to the Board making the right decisions in the appropriate manners, so, as I said, it raises questions in my mind."

Jennex says she expects to make a decision quickly, once she's done an in-depth review of Deloitte's report.

South Shore Regional: Expansion & Upgrades

It's a good news day for the South Shore Regional. Preliminary work on a new patient-transfer elevator is underway while plans were also announced to expand the emergency department at the hospital. South Shore Health CEO Alice Leverman welcomed both announcements during a press conference this morning. Leverman says another elevator at the hospital will separate patients and staff from the general public. "Certainly it's going to give our patients privacy. Also, infection control is a big issue for us today. This will allow us to address any infection control issues that might occur when patients and the general public are being transported at the same time," The new elevator is estimated to cost around $2 million dollars and will be in place early in 2013. Meanwhile, South Shore Health also received $1.5 million dollars for planning and design work to improve patient flow in the emergency department. Dr. Greg McNally says expansions are badly needed. "It's a big step. It's obvious we need ambulance bay coverage so patients aren't being transferred out in the cold, we need better/bigger assessment areas and it'll make a huge difference to what we can provide to the patients of the South Shore," No word on when those expansions will begin.

DFO: Shellfish Harvesting Ban Lifted

A ban on harvesting shellfish in a number of communities along the South Shore has been lifted. The ban was put in place following heavy rain on Remembrance Day. Officials implemented the harvesting ban due to concerns surrounding increased bacterial levels in the water. Chief of Regulations for the Maritimes, Rick Young, says recent tests indicate the products are now safe to harvest and to eat.  The ban included waters within three kilometres of the shoreline in Lunenburg, Queens and Digby.

Forties Community Centre Receives DeFibrillator

Left: Phillip Broome, Chairperson for the Forties Community Centre Board of Directors, Middle:

Patty faith from Medavie Blue Cross, Right: Greg Bayers from EHS/Photo Courtesy of Christine Bland

The Forties Community Centre in New Ross has received a life-saving device. The Centre now has a Defibrillator after a contribution from Medavie Blue Cross to the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Restart a Heart, Restart a Life program. The Chair of the Forties Community Centre Board of Directors, Phillip Broome, says its an important device to have on site, in case any emergencies arise. Roughly 45,000 cardiac arrests occur in Canada every year, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

SSRSB Votes to Not Censure Karen Reinhardt

Karen Reinhardt

11 alleged breaches in the South Shore Regional School Board's code of ethics wasn't enough to deter members to censure one of their own. Karen Reinhardt survived a 7-4 vote from her colleagues, after the board couldn't reach the required two-thirds majority needed to oust her. The Board needed eight votes to remove Reinhardt, receiving seven with member Jill Francis not present. Reinhardt says its back to business as usual.

"Well, I feel, actually relieved, of course. I don't know if I can say I feel vindicated because the vote was very close, but I'm pleased that the process is behind us and that I'm going to be able to serve the students."

Reinhardt says she was upset over the allegations, calling them unfounded and unsubstantiated. Board Chair Elliott Payzant says Reinhardt has been quiet to him over the allegations.

"She has never responded, saying that any of them were not true, so if she said tonight that they were untrue, it's the first I've heard and I have discussed all of them with her and she had not refuted any of them prior to this evening."

Both Reinhardt and Payzant say they hope the Board can move on from this issue and continue working together. Education Minister Ramona Jennex is still waiting on a report from Deloitte Inc., to make her decision on the board's actions during the March 30 school review process.

NS Gov: $6.5 M Help Purchase Land for Protection

The Nova Scotia Government has earmarked $6.5 million dollars to purchase land so it can be protected. Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse made the announcement in Chester this morning and says the funds will be available in the new fiscal year. It's only the second time in Nova Scotia's history that government is releasing some details of its capital plan in advance of the spring budget. Peterson-Rafuse talked to reporters about the significance of that move.  "This is about communities identifying the areas they want to preserve, it's not about what the government wants. In order to be able to do a good job in anything that you do in life - you have to have a plan and that's what we're trying to do,".  The province has a legislated goal to legally protect 12 percent of its land by 2015. Consultations on what land to protect is already underway and the public is invited to comment until February 12. The land that will be selected for protection is based on ecological and environmental importance.  For more information on the province's goal and protected areas in Nova Scotia, visit http://gov.ns.ca/nse/12percent/

Lumberjacks Acquire Langille from Dieppe

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have added another defenseman to their roster. The Jacks acquired 18-year-old Craig Langille from the Dieppe Commandos, in exchange for an 8th round pick in 2013 and future considerations. Head Coach and General Manager Terry Rhindress says its a good pickup for his club.

"He's a first year kid out of Midget 'AAA' , but at a frame of 6'3 and 210 pounds, he doesn't move too bad. He's a physical guy. His presence alone should settle things down in the defensive zone and kind of make some guys play a little bigger because he is a big kid."

Langille played 16 games with Dieppe this season, registering no points and 14 penalty minutes. He's expected to be in the lineup for the Lumberjacks this Thursday night against Metro.

Bluenose II Launches Online Store

Bluenose II Lapel Pin/Courtesy Wayne Walters

There's a new online store dedicated to selling Bluenose II swag. Nova Scotia firm Blue Cow Creative Design and Production Ltd. was awarded the contract to build the store. The Director of Operations with Bluenose II, Captain Wayne Walters, says the store will accomodate people, both on the South Shore and away from the area.

"We had a lot of inquiries from people around the world who couldn't come to Lunenburg and see the work going on, so we thought we would get the online store going so people could buy something that would remind them of the project because they can see it online through the webcams as it is now."

Walters says items including books, model kits and photographs are available for purchase at the online store. For a look at what the online store has to offer, head to http://www.bluenose2store.ca/ .

Hunters Helping the Hungry

 Once again this year hunters are helping the hungry.  For the sixth year in a row, hunters are giving to food banks across the province.   They donate deer and moose meat to the Hunters Helping the Hungry program, which distributes it to Feed Nova Scotia  foodbanks.   Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker says the province is proud to work with Feed Nova Scotia and others to help make life better for Nova Scotia families.   Hunters have donated 3,553 kilograms of meat to Feed Nova Scotia over the past five years.
         To donate deer or moose meat, hunters may take carcasses to one of 18 participating, registered meat cutters in the province and indicate the amount of meat they want to donate. Feed Nova Scotia then distributes the meat to 150 member food banks provincewide. For more information on this program and other ways Feed Nova Scotia is helping hungry families, visit http://www.feednovascotia.ca/ .

SSRSB to Debate Censuring Reinhardt

South Shore Regional School Board members are about to debate censuring one of their colleagues. Karen Reinhardt breached 11 sections of the Board's code of ethics. Board members voted 6-4 last Wednesday, in favour of deferring a decision until Monday night. Reinhardt is expected to be at the meeting, which begins at 7pm at the School Board office.

No Band-Aid Fixes For Bowater - Dexter

Premier Darrell Dexter says the province is in discussion with Bowater Mersey on a potential assistance package. However, officials are facing a January 1st deadline to come up with a savings package that Resolute Forest Products will have to accept in order to keep the mill open. Dexter spoke about the potential deal during a closed door meeting with almost all of the South Shore's mayors and wardens in Liverpool last week.  He told reporters before the meeting that the province doesn't want a band-aid solution for the mill. "We want to look for technologies that will be more energy efficient which of course yields a benefit over the long term. These are the kinds of things we want to look for, we want to make sure the plant isn't just sustainable for a year - but over the longer term,". The Region of Queens Municipality extended an olive branch to the company last week as well, council approved a 10 year-deal that will lower taxes for the mill by $135,000 annually. The Board of Directors at Resolute will ultimately decide the future of the mill in December.

Local Sports Scene - Jacks edge Mariners

A former Mariner haunted his old team last night as the visiting CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks edged Yarmouth 2-1. Shawn Boudreau, who was traded to Bridgewater a week ago, had a goal and an assist for Jacks. Michael Crawley potted the winner midway thorugh the third while Billy Clarke turned aside 32 shots. The South Shore Canadian Tire Mustangs have been knocked out of the Monctonian Major Midget Hockey Tournament. After going unbeaten during round robin play the Stangs fell 5-0 to Dartmouth in last night's  wild card playoff game. It'll be Sir John A. MacDonald against Yarmouth in the championship game at the Glen Murray Highschool Hockey Tournament. In last night's semis Sir John A topped Parkview 5-3 while Yarmouth blanked Bridgewater 5-0. Today's final faces off at 1:30 at the Bridgewater Arena. The Bridgewater Senior Girl Vikings are Western Region Highschool Volleyball champs. Playing on their home court the Vikes advanced to the Provincials with a straight sets win over Middleton. Bridgewater goes for a fifth straight title in two weeks.