Czechs Earn Pre-Tournament Win Over Lumberjacks

The Czech Republic's National Junior 'A' squad rolled over the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks 9-2 Friday night in front of a sold out crowd at Queens Place in Liverpool. Jeremy Butterworth and Brandon Leonardo scored for the Jacks while Billy Clarke and Jordan Lee shared the loss between the pipes. Head Coach Terry Rhindress says they did their best against the talented Czech Republic team.



The Lumberjacks will enjoy some time off before travelling to Pictou next Thursday to play the Weeks Crushers. Meanwhile, the Czechs kick off the World Junior 'A' Challenge in Yarmouth on Monday when they take on Russia in the tournament opener.

New Main Lodge Preparing For First Guests

The countdown to White Point's Main Lodge accepting its first official guests is down to single digits. Crews from Nova Scotia Music Week will start arriving at the popular Queens resort next week. The marketing and product development manager at White Point, Donna Hatt, says electricity, heat, a bar, and dining area are among the services ready for the guests. However, she says a few things won't be ready like the swimming pool. Hatt says she still expects people to be lively with music and entertainment during the week. She says its been an overwhelming project to be a part of.



Nova Scotia Music Week goes from November 8-11 in Liverpool. She believes an official opening of the Main Lodge will be held sometime in December.

'Rovers Quay' Project Delayed

A proposed project planned for the Liverpool waterfront has been delayed. There was hope construction on 'Rovers Quay' would start this fall but isn't expected now until next spring. Two of the four partners involved have decided to pull out of the project. The remaining partners, Stew Horton and Barry Tomalin are still interested in moving forward. The initial plan was to develop the project at Shipyard Point with 18 rental units targeting both current Queens County residents and those who choose to live in Liverpool for lifestyle reasons. Horton says they have received community support for the project. For more details on 'Rovers Quay', go to http://roversquay.ca/ .

Lunenburg: ER Closure Planned This Weekend

There will be a gap in emergency services at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg this weekend. The emergency department will be closed between 2:30PM on Saturday afternoon until 7:30AM on Sunday morning. A hospital spokesperson says the closure is due to a lack of physician coverage. Residents requiring emergency services are asked to go to the South Shore Regional Hospital or dial 9-1-1.

Search Over For Missing "Bounty" Captain

Robin Walbridge

The U-S Coast Guard has ended its search for the captain of the Lunenburg-built "HMS Bounty" that sank off the North Carolina coast during hurricane Sandy. Crews spent 90 hours searching for 63-year-old Robin Walbridge, using ships, helicopters and large planes before suspending efforts late yesterday. The Bounty was originally built at the former Smith and Rhuland Shipyard in Lunenburg in 1960 for the 1962 movie "Mutiny on the Bounty'' starring Marlon Brando and was featured in other movies. Crew on the three-masted tall ship, which sank before dawn Monday, abandoned the vessel and 14 were rescued but one woman died.

Here We Go Again! Gas Prices Are On the Rise!

It was bound to happen!  After a week or more of lower gasoline prices, the province's utility and review board has raised the price overnight for regular self-serve by 5 cents a litre. Its selling today at South Shore pumps for $1.25.9 a litre. Diesel is also up in price. A diesel is priced today at $1.35.5 a litre.Thats a cent more than yesterday's price.
----
World oil prices are falling amid subdued demand for crude after hurricane Sandy. Benchmark crude for December delivery fell 28 cents midday in Asia to $86.81 U-S a barrel. Despite ongoing disruptions at refineries and supply terminals in the U-S northeast, analysts say the U-S still has sufficient supplies and that demand for crude oil would be lower than anticipated for a few weeks.

Lumberjacks Prepare To Cancel Czechs

The co-captain of the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks says people should be prepared for an entertaining game tonight against the Czech Republic. The two teams square off in an exhibition game at Liverpool's Queens Place. The game is meant to act as preparation for the Czech Republic's involvement in the upcoming World Junior 'A' Challenge in Yarmouth. Michael Crawley says the local club isn't taking the game lightly.



The game is sold out and fans are asked to wear red to support both squads. Puck drop is at 7pm.

Murray 'Honoured' By NS Sport Hall Of Fame Nod

Bridgewater's Glen Murray will get his nod into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame this weekend. Murray, who celebrated his 40th birthday Thursday, played 16 seasons in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins and L.A. Kings, totalling 651 career points in 1,009 games. He says some of his more memorable moments include his first NHL game, winning gold with team Canada at the World Championships and playoff series' between the Bruins and Montreal Canadiens. Murray says making it into the local Hall of Fame means a lot to him.



Murray says he was fortunate to have a 16-year career in the NHL, and feels everything he has in his life he owes to the game of hockey. Also being inducted are Olympic-medal winning paddler Steve Giles and Vince Horsman, a former major league pitcher. The induction ceremony goes tomorrow night in Halifax.

Hantsport Paper Mill To Close Next Month

It's another blow to the sturggling pulp and paper industry in Nova Scotia. The mill in Hantsport will close next month throw 135 workers out of a job, saying it is succumbing to the same competitive pressures that plague most plants in the industry. A letter to employees posted on the website of Minas Basin Pulp and Power Company says it hoped a restructuring of operations last year and changes to pricing would make the Hantsport plant sustainable. But the company says challenges in the marketplace, competition from plants using newer and more efficient technology, and rising operational costs are too difficult to overcome. It says 135 people will lose their jobs, though upwards of 40 employees will be moved to other companies within Scotia Investments, an investment holding company. The news comes a little more than a month after the former NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill in Point Tupper resumed operations after a year-long closure.

Tories Will Nominate Pickings In Lunenburg Riding

 The Tories are set to nominate an native of Upper LaHave in the riding of Lunenburg. Progressive Conservatives will officially select Brian Pickings as the party's candidate for the South Shore riding at an event Friday night. Pickings owns and operates his own carpentry business. He began his small business in 2008 after spending several years working out West. Leader Jamie Baillie will join Pickings at the nomination meeting at the Lunenburg Legion. It starts at 7 o'clock.

Helmet's Now Mandatory For Ski'ers/Snowboarders

Helmets are now mandatory for downhill ski'ers and snowboarders in Nova Scotia. The new law comes into effect today and carries a stiff fine for those caught not wearing the protective head-gear. The all-ages mandatory snow sport helmet law states that only A-S-T-M, Snell, C-S-A or C-E-N approved helmets can be worn. People age 16 or older are responsible for wearing an approved helmet, parents are responsible for those younger than 16.  Those caught without a helmet can face a minimum fine of 250-dollars.

Clocks Fall Back One Hour This Weekend

We've sprung forward, now it's time to fall back. Local residents are reminded to turn their clocks back this weekend. Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend so it's time to set your clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday or before going to bed Saturday night. Residents are also encouraged to change the batteries in smoke detectors and check the charge in fire extinguishers.

Search Continues For "Bounty" Captain

The search for the captain of HMS Bounty that sank off the U.S. coast earlier this week during Hurricane Sandy is in its fourth day. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class David Weydert says a cutter and a C-130 aircraft are still looking for 63-year-old Robin Walbridge. HMS Bounty went down Monday morning after it began taking on water off North Carolina. The crew abandoned ship in two lifeboats, and the Coast Guard rescued 14 crew members. However, 42 year-old Claudene Christian died. The ship was built in Lunenburg in 1960 for the 1962 movie, "Mutiny on the Bounty'' and was featured in several other films including "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest", starring Johnny Depp and "Treasure Island".

Caledonia Man Sentenced For His Part in Lunenburg Academy B&E

 The last of 3 men has been sentenced for breaking into Lunenburg Academy almost 2 years ago and stealing thousands of dollars worth of electronics. 21 year old Nicholas Clifford Feener of Caledonia was in Bridgewater court yesterday and was handed a 15 month conditional sentence and placed on house arrest. Two of his friends, Michael Dean Savory and Christopher Terrence O'Toole were earlier convicted in the case. Savory was sentenced to 9 months conditional and 4 months house arrest. O'Toole received a 1 year conditional sentence and 4 months house arrest.

Local Food Bank Rebounding From Desperate Times

The grass is getting a little greener for a local food bank. The Bridgewater Interchurch food bank was in a desperate situation over a month ago, fearing they would be forced to close by March because of increased demand. However, coordinator Gloria Hubley says things are looking up.



Hubley says the change is a result of more community support and fewer clients accessing the food bank. She hopes people will continue to donate to prepare them for the Christmas season.

Black-Legged Ticks Found In Queens County

Black-legged ticks and the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease have been found in Queens County, at Mersey Point. South Shore Health's medical officer, Dr. Linda Earle, says the public helped in confirming earlier suspicions.



Preventing exposure to blacklegged ticks is a part of enjoying nature safely in Nova Scotia. Although there are now six established areas of increased risk within Nova Scotia (Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Halifax and Pictou Counties), ticks have been found throughout the province due to their travels on migrating birds. Lyme disease can occur from exposure to adult ticks, which are active in the fall and spring months, however the greatest risk of infection occurs from bites of young ticks.  Nymphs are most active during the summer months (May to September) and represent a great risk because of their very small size compared to adult ticks. Tick activity is slowing down with the cooler weather and the first snowfall should kill them off. Dr. Earle says though you should still be vigilant with tick checks after being outside in wooded or bushy areas. The pests need to be attached to the skin for at least 24 hours in order to transmit Lyme disease.

South Shore: Flu Vaccine Clinics Still Available

South Shore Health is offering free vaccination clinics across the region. People at high risk of complications due to the flu are those 65 and older, young children, pregnant women and anyone with chronic medical conditions. The health authority is encouraging anyone who falls under those categories to get a flu shot and lower their risk.

A complete list of South Shore clinics is listed below: Remember to bring your health card

November 5th and 26th: Bridgewater from 2:00 pm-7:00 pm at Holy Trinity Anglican Church

November 6th: New Ross from 9:00 am-12:00 pm at New Ross Family Resource Center

November 6th, 8th: Caledonia from 1:00pm-4:00pm at North Queens Health Center

November 19th: Liverpool beginning at 2:00pm at Liverpool Family Resource Center. By appointment only. Call 354-1305

November 22nd: Lunenburg from 3:00pm-7:00pm at United Church Hall

December 6th: Caledonia from 1:00pm-4:00pm at North Queens Health Center

Sold Out Gala Dinner For Retiring Lunenburg Mayor

A gala dinner and celebration in honour of Lunenburg's outgoing mayor is completely sold out. The testimonial dinner for Laurence Mawhinney will held this Friday night at the Lunenburg and District Fire Hall. Director of Parks and Rec in Lunenburg, Robin Scott says it was an idea thought up by the current council and staff. Senator Wilfred Moore will serve as master of ceremonies for the event and a variety of guest speakers will recount their memories of the mayor during his 33-year career in office. Mahone Bay mayor Joe Feeney, Chester warden Allen Webber and Captain Dan Moreland will each offer remarks. More than 155 tickets have been sold for the dinner.

Police Issue Halloween Message - Safety Is Key

Police are urging drivers to be extra cautious today as children hit the streets to trick-or-treat. RCMP have issued a safety advisory outlining Halloween safety tips for motorists, kids and parents. Police will have additional patrols out today looking for any suspicious activity or vandalism. There is a curfew in effect in the Village of Chester, trick-or-treating is not permitted past 8 o'clock within the core of the village. Police recommend kids dress in brightly coloured costumes, carry a flashlight, trick-or-treat with others, don't enter a stranger's home or car and check candy before eating it.

Crosswalk Collision Nets Minor Injuries

A Yarmouth man is lucky he wasn't hurt more than he was. He suffered bumps and bruises when he was struck by a car in Bridgewater. Bridgewater Police say the 21-year-old was using a crosswalk on King Street when he was hit. A 75-year-old woman from Lunenburg was the driver. The victim was conscious and received medical attention from EHS. No charges have been laid but police are still investigating.