Baillie Wants Details On Failed Michelin Expansion

Nova Scotia's PC leader is calling on Premier Darrell Dexter to reveal why a proposed expansion at Michelin's tire plant in Waterville was nixed. The tire manufacturer scheduled a press conference last month at its plant in the Annapolis Valley but the company cancelled at the last minute. Jamie Baillie believes Michelin's decision to cancel their expansion plans is due to the first contract labour bill.



Michelin employs 3,500 people across Nova Scotia including 1,300 in Waterville and just over 1,000 in Bridgewater.

VIDEO: Olympian Visits Kippers Gymnastics Club

A 16-year-old Olympian says she's impressed with what she sees at Kippers Gymnastics Club in Bridgewater. Ellie Black stopped by the club today to meet with young gymnasts and helped answer questions on certain techniques. Black also posed for pictures and signed autographs for roughly 30 people who gathered to see her. She says the Olympic dream is reachable if kids practice hard and believe.



One of Black's training partners, 11-year-old Vincent d'Entremont, says it's great to train alongside an Olympian.



Black helped the Canadian gymnastics team finish fifth in London. The Halifax native says she's unsure if she will try to qualify for the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.

VIDEO: Workers Begin Moving Bluenose II



Picture of Bluenose II as of noon August 23, 2012











Workers along the Lunenburg Waterfront start the process of moving the Bluenose II into its position for re-launch. The work was being done this morning. The vessel is expected to be placed into its cradle. It's another step in the process before the vessel returns to the water. The province has yet to release a re-launch date for the schooner.

Minor Injuries In Queens County Truck Crash

The driver of a 10 wheel truck received minor injuries earlier this morning when his vehicle left Highway 103 near East Port L'Hebert and ploughed into the ditch. The truck landed on its side. Queens RCMP Constable Rick Ellens says they closed the highway for about an hour while the truck was righted and moved away.



The driver of the truck received only a few bumps and bruises. He's OK. Its not known yet what caused the accident. Investigators say the weather was clear and driving conditions good at the time.

Brown Ready For Next Shot At Bridgewater Council

A former town councillor in Bridgewater is vying for a seat in this fall's municipal elections after a four-year absence. Sixty-nine-year-old Beverlee Brown says she has renewed energy and wants to get back on council to help make decisions on environmental and developmental changes. Brown spent 11 years on council from 1997 until 2008 when she was defeated. She says the last four years has been eye-opening.


Brown looks to shared services with other municipalities as a future direction for council. Councillors Patrick Hirtle, Jim Bell, Bill McInnis and Greg Ritcey are all seeking re-election. Deputy Mayor David Walker is going after the mayor's position while current mayor Carroll Publicover is not re-offering. Meanwhile, Councillor David Mitchell plans on running in the next provincial election and isn’t running for town council. Jennifer MacDonald is the only other resident to confirm with CKBW/HANK-FM News that she is running. Elections will be held October 20.

Bluenose II Shifting To Position For Re-Launch

Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador is about to be moved for the first time since its rebuild began two years ago in Lunenburg. According to the Bluenose II official website, workers are preparing to shift the vessel into a position for re-launch. The vessel is expected to be placed into its cradle beginning Thursday morning. It's another final step in the process before the vessel returns to the water. The schooner has undergone an extensive $16-million rebuild along the Lunenburg Waterfront. The province is expected to announce a re-launch date in the near future.

Sod Turning for Queens General Health Project

It's a celebration to kick off a long awaited project designed to improve health services along the South Shore. A sod turning ceremony for the $16 million dollars Queens General Health project will take place on Friday. Local dignitaries and members of South Shore Health will join Premier Darrell Dexter for the event in Liverpool. The project will see the construction of a new primary care clinic and redevelopment of the 22-bed in-patient unit at the hospital in Liverpool. Avondale construction has been awarded the work tender for the project. The sod turning ceremony will take place at 11 o'clock.

Meet And Greet: Jenna Martin In Westfield

South Shore residents are getting another chance to meet their local Olympian. Organizers have set up a meet and greet event with Jenna Martin at the Westfield Community Centre Thursday night. One of the organizers, Linda Frail, says its a chance for people to show their support.



There will be chance to get pictures taken with Jenna, as well as autographs. The event will be held Thursday night from 7-9pm.

Martin Meets Supporters At Bridgewater Superstore

The South Shore's lone Olympian exchanged hugs, smiled for pictures and signed autographs for people who took time to see her during a meet and greet Wednesday afternoon at Bridgewater Superstore. Jenna Martin spent two hours meeting residents and listened to their conversations about how proud they are of her accomplishments. Over 30 people stopped by to meet the local athlete. The 24-year-old made it to the semis of the women's 400 metre event at the London Games.

Update: Bed Shortage Situation Improving

The critical bed shortage at South Shore Health's three hospitals is easing. The situation has been aided by less visits to the emergency department at hospital in Bridgewater, Lunenburg and Liverpool over the past few days. Vice President of Health Services Janet Simm says fewer people arriving for non-emergency care has helped ease pressure on hospital staff and wait times for patients. South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater and Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg are both still over capacity. Queens General Hospital in Liverpool is near capacity with admitted patients. However, Simm says all three sites are able to manage the patient flow.

Yarmouth Intl. Airport At 75: More Important Than Ever!

Yarmouth International Airport

There's a celebration planned today at the Yarmouth International Airport. The facility is marking its 75th anniversary with a variety of aeronautical museum displays and aircraft. The public is invited to head to the airport between 10 this morning and 4pm to take it all in. Yarmouth Mayor Phil Mooney says the airport, after 75 years, is more important than ever to the area.



One of the key attractions today will be the Snowbirds and a display at 4:30pm over Yarmouth harbour. Its the only performance this year in the province by the famous Canadian aero-fleet

Local Legions Receive Provincial Funding

A pair of South Shore legions have received funding from the provincial government. The NDP has granted $1,294 to the New Germany branch for roof repair. It is also providing almost $2,875 for insulation work at the A.L. Patterson legion in Caledonia. Eight other legion buildings across the province are also getting money for various projects. The money is provided through the Legion Capital Assistance Program.

MODL: Boat Speed A Concern Near Gifford Island

The Municipality of Lunenburg is taking steps to reduce boat speeds between Indian Point Road and Gifford Island near Mahone Bay. Council decided to bring the issue to their police advisory board and also post signs on government wharfs and boat launches in the area. The problem became apparent after a nearby resident brought it to the municipality's attention. Mayor Don Downe says there are two issues to consider.



Downe is optimistic posting signs will remind boaters to keep their speed at a minimum when they enter the narrow channel. If convicted, boaters can face fines up to $350.

Kippers Gymnastic's School Hosts Olympian

 

A 16 year-old gymnast fresh off a solid performance at the Summer Olympic's will make a stop in Bridgewater later this week. Ellie Black of Halifax helped lead the Canadian team to a fifth place finish on the balance beam, vault, floor and uneven bars in London. Black and her coach David Kikuchi will take part in a meet and greet on Thursday at Kippers School of Gymnastics in the Gateway Plaza. Instructor Nena Erickson says local athlete's are excited about the opportunity to meet the young Olympian.




Nearly 300 athletes from Chester to Yarmouth are currently training in a variety of sports at Kippers. The event will be held at the gymnastics club beginning at 10 o'clock.

Food Bank Bikers Begin South Shore Leg Of Trip

A community barbeque is planned early this afternoon in Bridgewater. Its to welcome Cyclist Roger Boutlier and the rest of his crew from the provincial realtor's association. Its the end of another leg of their ride from Sydney to Yarmouth to help food banks across the province.



Today's event goes over the noon hour at Shipyard's Landing. The public is invited to attend and bring along a cash donation or a non-perishable food donation. The realtors' trip began a week ago in Sydney. It wraps up in Yarmouth on Saturday after travelling to Liverpool, cross-country to the Valley and to Digby. The campaign is to help restock Feed Nova Scotia's food banks. The campaign goal is to raise 25-thousand dollars.

Walker Elected To National Police Board

Bridgewater's deputy mayor has accepted a role as an executive member on the Canadian Association of Police Boards. David Walker is now the secretary and treasurer of the national board after he was elected during a conference in Victoria, B.C. last week. His responsibilities include overseeing finances and disbursing funds to members. Walker says he wanted to be a part of the board's transition.


Walker says he will hold the position for one year. He is also a member of the local police commission and president of the Nova Scotia Association of Police Boards.

Chester: Open House On Wind-Energy Project

Residents of Chester will have an opportunity to learn more about the municipality's new wind-energy project. Members of council will host an open house this afternoon to explain how the project will proceed. The $5 million dollar project will be fully owned by the municipality and feature a large 2.3 megawatt turbine. The turbine will be constructed at the Kaizer Meadow Management Centre and is expected to begin generating power in 2013. Minas Basin Pulp and Power is developing the project and tasked with selecting the turbine and permitting work. The open house will provide residents with an opportunity to ask questions and talk about the project one-on-one. The event will held at Kaizer Meadow and begins at 1 o'clock.

BREAKING: Police Recover Body From LaHave River

Bridgewater Police and members of the local fire department have recovered a body from the east side of the LaHave River. In a release, police say the victim is an adult male and the death is not considered suspicious. Constable Will Creamer says the body was found near the Bridgewater Marina around 4 o'clock Monday afternoon. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. The name of the deceased is not being released at this time as police officers are notifying the family.

Fire Protection By-Law Passes First Reading

An important piece of information has been given a preliminary thumbs up by Bridgewater council. The town approved first reading of a Fire Protection bylaw. The bylaw explains construction requirements, rules around outdoor fires and types of enforcement. Mayor Carroll Publicover says credit should be given to the town's fire inspector.



The bylaw is expected back in front of council September 10.

Lunenburg: Bluenose II Nearing Re-Launch

 

The massive dome covering Bluenose II during it's rebuild has been completely dismantled. The temporary shelter has covered the schooner for the past two years during its restoration on the Lunenburg waterfront. Its tear down, signals a major step in the process towards re-launching the vessel. After the dome is removed, Bluenose II needs to be repositioned onto the slipway in preparation for relaunch. Further prep work and tide conditions will then play a large factor in determining when the vessel returns to the water. The schooner is expected to be completely rigged in the fall and ready for public sailing next summer. The province has yet to officially announce a launch date for Bluenose II.