Meeting To Discuss Major Events Committee

A meeting to gather interest in a major events committee for Bridgewater will be discussed Wednesday night. Councillors are expected to join community leaders in business, sports and accommodation to talk about the potential benefits of creating the committee. The manager of Events Nova Scotia will also be at the meeting to share his ideas and information about the organization. Mayor David Walker says the potential committee could do more than attract major events to the area.



The meeting starts at 6pm at town hall.

Osprey Ridge Ready To Open

The lone golf course in Bridgewater is opening its doors to members only. Osprey Ridge will open for the year on Thursday. Director of Golf and Head Pro, Jared Lohnes, says the course is in great shape early in the season. The course is expected to open to non-members and green-feers on Friday.

Board's Transportation Department Completes South Queens Route Review

The South Shore Regional School Board's transportation department has completed a full route review of the South Queens busing system in anticipation of the new middle school opening this fall. Among the changes, Milton students will attend Dr. John C. Wickwire, all grade six students will attend South Queens Middle School and all grade nines will go to Liverpool High. The department says the changes will be implemented in September for the 2013-14 school year, to make the transition as smooth as possible. Students who use the bus will be given information from their home room teachers. A full overview of the changes are listed below:

• Milton students will attend Dr. John C. Wickwire
• All grade 6 students will now attend South Queens Middle School
• All grade 9 Students will now attend Liverpool Regional High School
• Dr. John C. Wickwire will now have a bell time of 8:45am to 2:45pm
• Some bus stops have been combined to ensure our bus routes comply with motor carrier regulations and School Board policies. (If this affects your family, you will be contacted directly)
• Roads have been removed from service if a student residing on a particular road does not live at least 800m from the main road travelled. (If this affects your family, you will be contacted directly)
• All P-5 Students within this catchment area will be bused
• Walking distance for Grade 6 to 12 students will remain the same.

Mounties Investigate Break-Ins In Lunenburg County

RCMP say they are following leads after a rash of break-ins around Lunenburg County. Staff Sergeant Bruce Hill says officers have been investigating at least ten incidents around the areas of Baker Settlement, Newcombville, Chelsea and West Clifford. However, Hill says police are also working to dismiss some social media rumours regarding a break in earlier this week in Laconia.



Hill says the break ins over the past two weeks are connected. He's asking residents of the area to be vigilant and make sure they lock their doors to their homes and vehicles.

UPDATED: Phone Service Restored At Regional Hospital

The landline system at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater is back up after it was down for repairs. The service was not available for roughly two hours last night. Both reception and inpatient lines are operating normally.

Regulatory Board Sets Hearing Dates For South Canoe

A two day hearing before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board regarding a large wind farm will take place beginning May 30th. Friends of South Canoe Lake filed an appeal with the regulatory board just days after Chester Council gave the project the green light. Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Oxford Frozen Foods and Nova Scotia Power are behind the $200 million project. It would feature 34 turbines stretching between Vaughan and New Russell. Residents of the New Ross area are concerned over the location of the turbines and the unknown health effects. The second day for the hearing takes place on the evening of June 3rd. Both hearings will be held at the New Ross Fire Hall.

QMJHL: Mooseheads Score OT Victory Over Huskies

The Halifax Mooseheads remains undefeated in this year's playoffs after another overtime victory against Rouyn-Noranda. Johnathan Drouin scored the OT winner to give the Moose a 3-2 win over the Huskies. The Mooseheads lead the series 3-0. Game 4 goes on Thursday night.

Valley Wildcats Face Must-Win At Telus Cup

The Valley Wildcats are winless in two starts at the Telus Cup in Sault St. Marie, Ontario. On Tuesday, the Atlantic Midget champs fell 4-2 to the Ottawa 67's. The Wildcats face a must win scenario this afternoon when they face a squad from Montreal.

Phones Lines Down At South Shore Regional Hospital

The telephone system at South Shore Regional Hospital will be out of service for repairs for about two hours beginning at 5 pm today. The hospital will not be able to answer incoming calls during this time. The patient line will also be out of service. Officials with the health authority are asking anyone with a medical emergency to phone 911. South Shore Health apologizes for any inconvenience.

Kitchen Fire Contained Quickly In Liverpool

A popular eatery in Queens County is expected to re-open later today following a kitchen fire. The blaze at Lanes Privateer Inn in Liverpool broke out near the deep fryer Monday morning. Manager Susan Lane says the sprinkler system and quick response by local fire crews helped contain the fire.



Damage to the kitchen is described as minimal. Lane says they still plan to take part in a fundraiser this evening for the Maritime Heart Centre in Halifax.

Committee Rejects Development Agreement For Blockhouse Facility

Residents of Blockhouse and outlying communities have spoken and it was pretty cut and dry; they don't want a diversion facility in their area. Over 200 people attended a meeting at the Blockhouse Fire Hall Monday night to learn more about the facility that Halifax C and D is proposing off the Cornwall Road. Over a dozen people stood up and spoke on issues including the type of material on-site and the proximity of the facility to a nearby school. A member of the area advisory committee, Paula MacDonald, says the local residents stated their case.



The committee decided to reject a recommendation by Halifax C and D for a development agreement. Blockhouse resident Paul Young says the next step is going to the Municipality of Lunenburg's Planning Advisory Committee.



The issue will come up again in late May.

Local Teachers Receive Awards For Sustainable Vision

A pair of South Shore teachers are being recognized for their vision of a sustainable future. Vanessa Henwood of South Queens Junior High and Greg Sutherland of Hebbville Academy received provincial awards during a ceremony in Halifax today. Sutherland is considered an integral part of his school's green team, making sure no lunch waste goes into the wrong waste bin. His class also grows salmon and releases them into the LaHave River every spring. Henwood has students collect salvageable fabrics from home to use for class projects, transforming garbage into everyday items like pyjamas, pillows, and tote bags. She will also be the lead teacher when the school partners with the Queens Municipal Landfill on inquiry-based learning modules. The awards are given out annually during Education Week, which lasts until Saturday.

Liverpool Native New GM At Queens Place

A Liverpool native has been selected as the new general manger of Queens Place Emera Centre. Council voted unanimously to appoint Steve Burns to the position during a special meeting Monday afternoon. Burns has spent spent 23 years as store manager with Sobey's. He says the facility plays a big role in Queens County.



Burns will begin work May 6th.

Province Announces 'Choose How You Move' Strategy

The provincial government has announced $6-million in funding to help communities develop sustainable transportation plans. Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse says community groups, seniors, people with physical disabilities will benefit with more sustainable and cost-effective transportation options. She says those options include walking, biking, community transit, and carpooling. Peterson-Rafuse says she hopes it can benefit the entire South Shore including her constituency.



She adds, the province will work with local municipalities to find solutions to develop transportation systems. Funding will be available for the 'Choose How You Move Sustainable Transportation Strategy' for the next three years.

Weagle, Gordon Lead Team Atlantic At ESSO Cup

Two South Shore women's hockey players are in Burnaby, B.C. for Canada’s National Women's Midget Championship. The ESSO Cup got underway Sunday and Rebecca Weagle of Lunenburg and Kristen Gordon of Liverpool play for Metro Boston Pizza, which is representing team Atlantic. For Weagle, this will be her third trip to the nationals. The 17-year-old goaltender feels the club has a good shot at winning the tournament.



Metro Boston Pizza finished fourth last year. The Atlantic squad opened the tournament Sunday with a 3-0 loss against Ontario. They will play the Pacific team Monday evening. (Photo Credit:  Derek Leung)

Meeting To Discuss Diversion Facility In Blockhouse

Emotions could be high during a meeting Monday night to discuss a proposed construction and demolition diversion facility in Blockhouse. Several business owners have spoken out against the move, suggesting it would create more noise and polluted smells in the area. The Blockhouse Area Advisory Committee will oversee the meeting at the community's fire hall. It gets underway at 7pm.

Frk Scores OT Winner, Mooseheads Grab 2-0 Series Lead

The Halifax Mooseheads pulled one out of the fire Sunday night at the Metro Centre as they edged Rouyn-Noranda 5-4 in overtime. The Moose rallied from a 4-2 third period deficit to force extra time before Marty Frk's power-play marker clinched the victory. That's ten straight playoff wins for Halifax who are now up 2-0 in the best-of-seven semi-final series. The Huskies host game three Tuesday night.

Man Facing Charges After Woman Sent To Hospital

A Lunenburg County man faces a number of charges after an alleged assault late last week. RCMP say 45-year-old Andrew Melvin George was arrested April 19 in First South. A 36-year-old woman was transported to Fishermen's Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. She was treated for her injuries and later released. George is facing charges of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, uttering threats and two counts of mischief. He was remanded into custody and will appear in Bridgewater court Monday morning.

Astor Theatre Hopes For Improvements From Fund Raising Campaign

Liverpool's Astor Theatre is on a fund-raising campaign. Officials are hoping to raise $100,000. over the summer months to modernize the theatre's sound, projection and lighting systems. Among other things, theatre manager Chris Ball says having a digital system will help get access to all the current movies.



About a quarter of the funds, $25,000. has already been raised. Its hoped the remaining funds will be acquired through the summer and improvements completed in time for the fall movie season.

MacKinnon, Drouin Lead Moose To Game One Win

In "Q" League playoff action Saturday night in Halifax, Jonathan Drouin's goal midway through the third period broke a 4-4 tie and sent the Mooseheads to a 6-4 win over Rouyn-Noranda. Drouin finished the night with two goals and three assists. Linemate Nathan MacKinnon had a hat-trick and an assist. The win gives the Herd a 1-0 lead in the best of seven semi final series. Game two goes tonight at 7 at the Metro Centre.