Local Morning News & Weather - Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Its Tuesday, the 17th of July. Here is the latest South Shore news and the weather forecast for this morning from CKBW and Hank-FM News. (Click below to listen)

South Shore News: Webcast Evening

 Local and regional news update for Monday, July 16. Please click the link below to listen.

RCMP: Fatal Collision Near Lilydale

Lunenburg County RCMP say a teenager has died following a crash on Highway 3 involving a motorcycle. The single vehicle crash occurred just outside of Lilydale around 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon. Corporal Dyson Smith says police are trying to determine what caused the crash. However, Smith says road conditions were fine at the time of the incident. He adds alcohol or drugs are not considered a factor. Police aren't releasing many details surrounding the identity of the youth involved. Emergency officials had a section of the road closed for almost four hours while a traffic analyst tried to recreate how the collision took place.

Collision: RCMP Shut Down Section Of Highway 3

RCMP have shut down a section of Highway 3 due to a collision involving a motorcycle. The highway is blocked off between Bridgewater and Lunenburg at the Mullock Road intersection. Emergency officials are still at the scene of the incident which occurred around 3 o'clock. No word from police on what caused the collision or the extent of injuries.

Spaces Fill Quickly At Practitioners Office

It's been a hectic day at the offices of Bridgewater's two nurse practitioners. It only took a few hours for 200 available spaces to fill up when the NP's began accepting new patients this morning. Several callers told our newsroom they spent hours trying to get through to speak with representative without any luck. The practitioners now have patient list of 800 people with the ability to handle up to 1,400 patients at full capacity. The NP's are the first step towards a new Collaborative Health Centre in Bridgewater to help meet the needs of the community. A third intake will be held in the fall. Officials from South Shore Health are asking the public for their patience during this process.

South Shore: URB Opts For Smaller School Board

Residents of the South Shore will elect fewer school board members when election time rolls around this fall. The province's Utility and Review Board has decided to cut four positions from the round-table, from 12 seats down to eight. The URB released its 19-page decision Monday, just a month after the regulatory board held a hearing in Bridgewater. School Board member Judith Sullivan-Corney believes it was a fair decision.



She adds, she doesn't believe the cut will hurt the future board.



Sullivan-Corney says she will continue to revise by-laws and policies, to ensure the new board has structures that support a focus on the role of governance. A new board will be elected in October.

The option approved by the URB includes:

• African Nova Scotian Representation
• First Nations’ Representation
• Electoral District 1 = the Region of Queens, including Maitland Bridge
• Electoral District 2 = Districts 5, 6, 7 and 9 in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
• Electoral District 3 = Town of Bridgewater
• Electoral District 4 = Districts 2, 8, 10, 11, and 12 in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
• Electoral District 5 = Districts 1, 3 and 4 in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, the Town of Lunenburg and the Town of Mahone Bay
• Electoral District 6 = the Municipality of the District of Chester

Bridgewater Town Hall Designated Senior Friendly

Bridgewater town hall has been designated a senior friendly organization. Beth George, senior safety coordinator for Bridgewater and area, made a presentation to council last week. A plaque was given to members of town hall for being dedicated to being age friendly and completing the necessary training. George says the group is well deserving of the honour.



Meanwhile, the mayor says he takes a lot of pride in the designation. Carroll Publicover says its good recognition for the town.



The plaque is expected to be posted in town hall.

Local and Regional News - Noon July 16

Local and regional news update for noon, July 16. Please click the link below to listen.

Baillie Labels NDP Government An Experiment Gone Bad

The province's PC Leader says the Dexter government is now trying to repair its mistakes.

However, Jamie Baillie says handing out all kinds of money to various projects in communities won't do it.

Premier Darrell Dexter himself has been on hand recently announcing millions of dollars for expansion at Cooke Aquaculture in Shelburne County, opening affordable housing units in Chester, costing 340-thousand dollars in provincial money.

He also has announced half a million dollars for replacement beds and other equipment at South Shore hospitals and nearly half a million for the province's boat building association.

PC Leader Baillie says the NDP government was an electorate experiment thats turned into a big failure.



Baillie believes the NDP stranglehold on South Shore ridings will be broken by his party in the next provincial election.

McNeil Questions Impact Of Dexter Dollars On South Shore

In recent weeks, the Dexter government has dropped a lot of money in communities along the South Shore.

Premier Darrell Dexter himself has been on hand announcing millions of dollars for expansion at Cooke Aquaculture in Shelburne County, opening affordable housing units in Chester, costing $340,000 in provincial money. 

The premier has also announced half a million dollars for replacement beds and other equipment at South Shore hospitals and nearly half a million for the province's boat building association.

The province's Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says the premier is attempting to prevent the NDP from losing seats on the South Shore in the next provincial election by pouring money into the area.



McNeil says he's confident his party may score some victories on the South Shore when the next provincial election is held.

Nurse Practitioners Accepting New Patients

Two nurse practitioners in Bridgewater will begin accepting new patients today. It's the second intake since 600 patients were accepted in May. CEO of South Shore Health Dr. Peter Vaughan says officials expect the available spaces will be filled quickly. The nurse practitioners anticipate accepting 200 new patients during this intake. Vaughan says more patients will be accepted in the fall. Residents will need to set up an appointment with the NP's and can do that by phoning 527-4310. The practitioners have the ability to take up to 1,400 patients at full capacity.

Local Morning News & Weather--Monday, July 16, 2012

Its Monday, the 16th of July. Here is the latest South Shore news and the weather forecast for this morning from CKBW and Hank-FM News.  (Click below to listen)

Benefit Breakfast Planned For Local Fireman/Paramedic

Firefighters across the South Shore will gather this weekend to raise money for one of their own. Robert Frampton is a member of the Newcombville Fire Department. He suffered a mild heart attack while attending a fire call May 5 and another on May 24 while resting at home. Fellow department member Kim Roy says they're trying to help Robert and his family make ends meet.



A benefit breakfast will be held Saturday July 21 beginning at 7am until 11am at the Bridgewater Fire Hall.

Bridgewater Legion Starts Penny Campaign

A penny saved is a penny earned, a phrase that could go a long way for Veterans' Memorial Park. The Royal Canadian Legion in Bridgewater is asking people to donate their unwanted pennies to help maintain the park and assist in future projects. Chair of the park's committee, Roger Purnell, says pennies could help projects like two new memorials honouring the Royal Canadian Navy and Air Force.



Purnell says people can drop their pennies off at the Bridgewater Legion or J & S paints.

Yarmouth Town Council OK's Budget

The town of Yarmouth has given the green light on its budget which won't feature any new tax hikes. Mayor Phil Mooney says it's been a challenging stretch for the town over the past few years. However, he says staff and council were able to prioritize spending and balance the books. Mooney says a number of projects are planned for this year which include improvements to the downtown core, new sidewalks and a skateboard park.



The residential and commercial tax rate will hold steady for the third consecutive year. Council approved their budget blueprint during a meeting last night in Yarmouth.

Gaff Point Nature Reserve Project On For Saturday

Gaff Point Nature Reserve

There will be a day-long sprucing-up tomorrow (Saturday) of the trails at the Gaff Point Nature Preserve near Kingsburg. 

The Nature Conservancy of Canada, which owns some 15 South Shore strips of land for natural preservation, is inviting volunteers to join their members on Saturday at the Gaff Point site.

The group's stewardship co-ordinator, Marla Bojarski, is hoping for a good turnout.



Marla also says wonderful scenery at the site should help the work go smoothly too!


 
How to sign up: visit www.conservationvolunteers.ca and click on the event link on July 14th. Enter all your information. Or call Marla at 902-480-3607 to sign up over the phone

What to bring:
Lots of water, sunscreen, proper footwear (no open toes please!), lunch, snacks and energy!

You can also just show up at the Hirtle's Beach parking lot at 10 o'clock Saturday morning. The project runs until 4pm.

Gasoline Prices Rocket Upwards!

A big jump in gasoline prices along the South Shore. A litre of regular self serve is selling at $1.28.2 this morning ... thats almost 6 cents more than yesterday. Diesel is listed at just slightly lower.

Gasoline prices have increased dramatically despite moderate price gains on global markets. Yesterday, the price of oil closed the day, up 27 cents to US$86.08 a barrel.

Tall Ships: Crunch Time As Volunteers Needed

The town of Shelburne is still in need of volunteers only two weeks before they host the Tall Ships. Spokesperson Jerry Locke says the response has been favourable but a few key volunteer positions are unfilled. Hundreds of people are expected to take in the event and more volunteers are needed to help handle the crowds properly. Volunteers are needed to sell tickets, control "traffic" at gangplanks and conduct surveys looking at the economic impact of the event. Locke says they need about 60 volunteers in total so workers aren't overwhelmed. To volunteer, call the Community and Economic Development Office in Shelburne at 875 3873.

Local Morning News & Sports - July 13, 2012

Its Friday, the 13th of July. Here is the latest South Shore news and sports this morning from CKBW and Hank-FM News.
(Click below to listen)

South Shore News: CKBW/HANK Evening Cast

The latest news on the South Shore at noon July 12. To listen, click below.