Shelburne: RCMP Charge Man, Woman After Break And Enters

A man and a woman have been charged after several break and enters in Shelburne County. RCMP say they searched homes on Bulkley Street and Hastings Street this weekend and seized items believed to be from the Lions Hall bar, Farmer's Dairy Treat and Farmer's Co-Operative. Police have arrested 35-year-old Joey Wayne Langthorne and 55-year-old Kathy Lynn Gallant. Langthorne appeared in court Wednesday to face a number of charges including break, enter, theft and possession of stolen property. Gallant is facing a charge of breaching probation and possession of stolen property. She is scheduled to appear in Shelburne court on March 19.

Possible Home Care Strike Sparks Emergency Legislature Session

An emergency session of the Nova Scotia Legislature is ahead for tomorrow. MLA's have been recalled to debate possible back to work legislation for home support workers. 450 home care workers can hit the picket lines at 12:01 tomorrow morning (Friday). Opposition Leader Jamie Baillie tells us: labour situations like this could be avoided.



The home care workers care for almost two-thousand people in the Halifax area and in parts of the Annapolis Valley.

Yet Another Gas Price Hike Likely Tonight

South Shore gas prices are likely going to rise even more when the province's utility and review board sets the coming week's prices at midnight. In New Brunswick, prices there rose 1.9 cents a litre overnight for regular self serve. Diesel is also up by 3 cents this morning. Expect similar hikes overnight tonight at South Shore pumps.

Province Scraps Domestic Burn Permits

A move by the Nova Scotia government is expected to reduce the risk of wildfires. Residents will no longer need a permit to burn domestic brush. The province is replacing paper permits with an online burning restrictions map. The map will show green, red, or yellow in each county, to let people know if it is safe to burn, unsafe to burn, or safe, with restrictions. Restricted brush burning will also start earlier on March 15 instead of April 1. It goes until mid-October. Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill says safety is behind the new system.



The changes affect brush burning on properties including rural residential lots, woodlots, camps and cottages. Industrial brush burning still requires a permit. The map will come online March 15 here. People can get the same information in a recorded message by calling toll-free 1-855-564-2876.

South Shore Sports: Full Calendar For Curling, Basketball And Hockey

A busy weekend is shaping up for several South Shore curling teams. There are four different tournaments going on across the province. Arguably, the biggest event involves boys and girls trying to represent Nova Scotia at the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Chester's Mary Fay, Cassie Cocks, Adam Cocks, Graeme Weagle and Ben Baker are among eight teams involved. It also includes Bridgewater's Sarah Snair rink. Play begins Friday afternoon in Halifax. South Shore curling teams are also competing in the men's and women's dominion club championships and an under-13 youthspiel this weekend.
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Five teams will try and bring a provincial basketball banner back to the South Shore. On the boys side, Bridgewater competes in division-three provincials while Lockeport hosts the division-four event. In girl's action, New Germany and Barrington are both competing in division-three provincials in Middleton. Lockeport will take the court in the division-four championships in Neil's Harbour. Play gets underway on Thursday.
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Park View is one of five teams in Yarmouth for the 2014 Western Region Boys Division-One Hockey Championships. The Panthers open up play Thursday at noon against the host team. People can watch games online here . Meanwhile, the Bridgewater and Forest Heights boys hockey teams are in Middleton for the Division-Three regional championships. The Vikings will play the hosts in the opening game at 9am Thursday while the Falcons will play Bridgewater Thursday at 12:30pm. Tournament winners will advance to provincials.

Budget Talk By Premier Expected On South Shore

The South Shore and the rest of the province may get an early indication of what will be in the next provincial budget. Premier Stephen McNeil will be in Bridgewater in April to address the area Chamber of Commerce. Manager Dan Hennessey says the budget and the economy will likely be front and centre.



McNeil will appear before the chamber on April 11th for a noontime luncheon.

Queens Health Project On Target

The Queens General Hospital expansion project is on track and should be completed within a few months. South Shore Health's CEO Dr. Peter Vaughan has updated Region of Queens Council. He's impressed with progress, despite an earlier slowdown.



The facility will include a 22-bed medical unit, a collaborative health clinic and a team of social workers and other support services. Region of Queens Mayor Christopher Clarke says its going to be a blessing for residents of the area needing health care.



An official opening is planned in July.

Lunenburg: Town Will Not Join Power Consortium

Lunenburg is saying 'no' for now to joining a consortium that is setting up their own power source. Mahone Bay, Berwick and Antigonish are working together to operate a seven turbine wind farm in the Municipality of West Hants. It could be up and running in 2015. Lunenburg Mayor Rachel Bailey says the town needs to get their finances in order and also went through a rate increase recently for their utility. She says the timing doesn't make sense to join the consortium.



Bailey hopes the town can support the group by purchasing power from them in the future.

Yarmouth Ferry Clears Hurdle, Nears May 1 Launch

The Nova Scotia government is helping the operator of the new Yarmouth ferry meet federal requirements in the United States so it can start selling tickets. Nova Star Cruises will receive $2 million, part of the province's $21-million commitment to support a new ferry, to post a bond to meet regulations.Tourism Minister Michel Samson says the money means they'll be able to get the approvals they need in the United States to advertise their fares and sell tickets. Meanwhile, some changes to the ferry schedule were also unveiled - it will arrive in Yarmouth at 8 a.m. and depart at 10 a.m. The company requested the change to better accommodate marine traffic in Portland. It's set to begin making crossings May 1.

Students Receive Inaugural Lieutenant Govenor's Award

Students from across the province will be at Government House in Halifax later today to receive an inaugural award. The Lieutenant Governor's Respectful Citizenship Awards will be handed out to youth who show leadership by creating safe and inclusive spaces - free of bullying or judgement. Locally, Robyn Whynot of Liverpool is being given the award along with the RCMP's Youth Advisory Committee in Lunenburg County. The Department of Education's Anti-Bullying Coordinator Kathleen Richard says students who demonstrate leadership deserve to be recognized.



Others recipients include Janell Stewart of Yarmouth and Stephen Bennett of Middleton.

It's the first time the awards are being presented. The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m.

MODL: No Appeal Received For Proposed Blockhouse Facility

It appears a Halifax company are giving up in their effort for a proposed construction and demolition diversion facility in Blockhouse. The deadline to file an appeal has passed for Halifax C and D. It was February 24. General Manager Lee Anne Chassie refused to comment on the issue. However, the CAO for the Municipality of Lunenburg, Tammy Wilson, says no notice of an appeal has been given to their legal counsel. She says unless a last minute appeal was filed, the issue should be dealt with. The province's Utility and Review Board dismissed an appeal by the group last month. Halifax C and D had 30 days to appeal the URB decision to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

UPDATE: Two Arrested In Valley School Lock Down

Two young people have been arrested in relation to a threat received by a student via text message in the Annapolis Valley. The text prompted the lock down of Central Kings High School and a nearby elementary school. RCMP had several resources at the schools along with a dog team to help with the investigation. However, it's not known what kind of threat was attached to the text message. The arrests were made nowhere near the schools. Police say it's too early to determine if criminal charges will be laid.

Threat Via Text Locks Down Valley Schools

Kings District RCMP are looking into a threat received via text message by a student at the Central Kings High School in the Annapolis Valley. Police got the call just before lunch time regarding the text message. Central Kings and a nearby elementary school were first placed on lock down and then under a hold and secure. That means no one is allowed to enter or leave the building. Police do not believe the suspect ever entered the school property. However, they have not revealed any information surrounding what was included in the text message. RCMP had several resources at the schools along with a dog team to help with the investigation. There have been no arrests.

Lunenburg: Ironworks Distillery Among World's Best

A Lunenburg business has been recognized for making some of the world's best alcohol. The World Drink awards were handed out recently in London, UK and Ironworks Distillery walked away with their hands full. Ironworks Bluenose Black Rum was named the world's best dark rum for 2014. Also, Ironworks Pear Eau de Vie won the world's best brandy and best fruit brandy. The company's apple brandy received world's best apple brandy and best design. Co-owner Lynne MacKay says they're delighted.



She says each of the award winning beverages are available at their shop in Lunenburg or at select stores and markets across the province. The awards were presented by the UK publication 'TheDrinksReport.com', which is considered the world's number one online resource for drink professionals.

McIntosh, Drennan Win Pentathlons; Clinch CIS Berths

Bridgewater's Rachael McIntosh won her fourth consecutive pentathlon title at the Canada West track and field championships in Edmonton. The 23-year-old at the University of Calgary took home gold over the weekend. She also earned silver in the 4x400 metre women's relay and a bronze and personal best score in shot-put. McIntosh competed in 11 events in a span of five hours. She says she didn't have much time to think about winning.



Meanwhile, Lunenburg's Jesse Drennan of the University of Windsor won the pentathlon title at the Ontario University Athletics track and field championships. Both Drennan and McIntosh will compete at the CIS championships from March 6-8 at the University of Alberta.

Bridgewater: St. Phillips Street Home Pegged As Heritage Property

A Bridgewater home is being pegged as a heritage property. The town has approved the designation to the residence at 106 St. Phillips Street. Documents will be forwarded to the province to register the home with heritage status. Heritage Advisory chair Patrick Hirtle says this is their first home recognized.



The home was built in 1866 by David Walker and it remains in the Walker family. The Brookside Cemetery, Trinity Anglican Church and the Wile Carding Mill are the other heritage properties in Bridgewater.

Minor Injuries Result From Early Morning 103 Crash

Two people were injured this morning in a two car accident on highway 103 in Hebbs Cross. It happened around 6am at Exit 14. Both of those people injured were taken to South Shore Regional Hospital with minor injuries. The RCMP say one car was pulling out on the 103 from Highway 3 and another vehicle travelling along the 103 collided with it. The highway was closed between Exit 13 in Wileville and the Conquerall Mills Road past Exit 14 for a couple of hours. The RCMP is still investigating.

Seven Years And Counting: Shelburne Waiting For High Speed Internet

It's been almost seven years and some areas of Shelburne are still waiting for high speed Internet. The Nova Scotia government awarded a contract to Eastlink in 2007 to provide the service province-wide. However, there are still roughly 1,000 people along the South Shore and Annapolis Valley with no service. Municipality of Shelburne CAO, Kirk Cox, says that includes many in the community.



Cox says with seven councillors, the issue comes up at meetings every month. He says it's positive news that the province has given Eastlink a December deadline to complete the work.

Whalen: Gov't Committed To More Education Dollars

Nova Scotia's finance minister says investing more money into education remains a top priority. Diana Whalen says the Liberals will follow through with re-investing $65 million dollars into education during their mandate. During a stop in Bridgewater, Whalen says that will be done over time.



Whalen says the government wants to make sure students have more support in areas such as literacy and math.  She says some new money could also help with ideas coming out of the recently announced school system review.

Blandford: SAR Exercise Planned

There will be a search and rescue exercise Tuesday in Lunenburg County. It's being organized by the Canadian Coast Guard, Department of National Defence, US Coast Guard and RCMP. It will take place near the coastline in Blandford and is expected to begin at 10 a.m. and end by mid-afternoon. Residents can expect to see helicopters, flares and boats in the water. The exercise should take up to four hours to complete.