Home Care Workers Walk Out

Hundreds of home-care workers in the Halifax area have walked off the job this morning to back their demands for higher wages. However, the provincial government has said it will move quickly to limit the strike's impact. It will introduce essential service legislation this morning in the Legislature that will force most of the strikers back to work. The unions are accusing the government of taking a heavy-handed approach to collective bargaining. However, former NDP labour minister Frank Corbett tells us, the unions are actually taking aim at the premier.



Northwood Homecare of Halifax, the VON and several CUPE home care workers would be affected by the proposed legislation being brought in today.

Gasoline Prices Up Again This Morning

Gas prices are up again at South Shore pumps. The good news is they didn't rise quite as much as New Brunswick prices a night earlier. Regular self serve is selling this morning for $1.41.8 a litre. High test is at $1.50.8. Diesel is selling in many places at $1.50.1 per litre. All grades are up this morning by about a cent-and-a-half.

Police Seize Crack During Traffic Stop

A 52 year-old Bridgewater man was arrested after police found crack cocaine during a traffic stop. Police made the stop earlier this afternoon on Highway 103. The traffic stop was made within the town limits. A quantity of the drug was seized along with a Ford Escape SUV. The man is facing drug related charges.  He will appear in Bridgewater court May 7.

First Degree Murder Charges Laid In Saunders' Death

First degree murder charges have been laid in the death of Loretta Saunders. Twenty-eight year old Victoria Henneberry and 25-year-old Blake Leggette will be in court tomorrow to face the new charges. Saunders was first reported missing on February 13. Her remains were located Wednesday just off the Trans-Canada Highway in Salisbury New Brunswick. Police say an autopsy will be conducted by coroners office in St. John within the next few days. Henneberry and Leggette were already facing charges in relation to a stolen vehicle. The pair were former roommates with Saunders.

Unique Fundraiser To Help Bridgewater Dog Park

A group trying to fast track an off-leash dog park in Bridgewater is offering a unique fundraiser to help their cause. Proponents of the park are looking to create stainless steel dog bones. People can get their names or their pets name engraved on the bones. They would be placed on the fence surrounding the dog park. Town councillor Andrew Tanner says it could be a great opportunity.



Tanner says they need to raise roughly $60,000 to clear land and build the space. He hopes to begin selling them by April.

Paving Tenders Slow But On The Way: Transportation Minister

A former South Shore provincial cabinet minister is wondering why the McNeil government is so slow in issuing tenders for this summer's paving projects. Sterling Belliveau, the MLA For Queens-Shelburne, says they should have been out long ago. The Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Geoff MacLellan tells us the slowdown results from his getting to know the process after the government was just elected in the fall.



MacLellan says the tenders for this year will be issued soon.

Barrington: Single Vehicle Crash Causing Highway 103 Delays

Highway 103 near Barrington is slow going after a single vehicle crash. The incident happened before noon. RCMP say traffic is delayed and they will be using alternating lanes until the scene is cleared. Sgt. Ben Parry says they don't know how long traffic will be tied up. Nova Scotia Power and fire officials are also on the scene. It's not known if there are any injuries.

NS MP: South Shore Voters Denied Hearing Into Election Act Changes

A Nova Scotia Member of Parliament is among a large chorus of people calling for cross-Canada hearings on proposed changes to the Elections Act. Deputy Federal NDP Leader Megan Leslie of Halifax tells CKBW & Hank-FM News, the Chief Electoral Officer has been stripped of most of his or her powers. She says even the old system of vouching, where a neighbor or friend can confirm your identity at a polling station, will not be permitted any more. Leslie says South Shore residents and others are not being allowed their say.



A motion by New Democrats calling for Canada-wide hearings on the Elections Act changes is being debated this week in the House of Commons.

South Shore MLA Says Home Care Dispute Unnecessary

An emergency session of the Nova Scotia Legislature is on for tomorrow (Friday). 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). Queens-Shelburne NDP MLA Sterling Belliveau says the dispute should have been settled long ago to avoid a strike.



The home care workers look after nearly 2,000 people in the Halifax area and in parts of the Annapolis Valley.

Drugs, Alcohol Factors After Missing Woman Found Safe

Drugs and alcohol are believed to be involved after a woman went missing Wednesday night in Bridgewater. RCMP along with Lunenburg Ground Search and Rescue and Bridgewater Police responded to the call around 11pm. The woman indicated she was lost in the woods and didn't know her location. She was found about five hours later near the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. There were no injuries. She was transported to the regional hospital in Bridgewater for observation.

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.