RCMP Make Pot Bust In Hebbville

A Lunenburg County man with some past trouble with the law is facing more charges after police did a routine check up at a home in Hebbville. RCMP say they went to check on a 31 year-old man yesterday afternoon. However, they were allowed into the home. That's when Mounties came back with a search warrant and found some pot plants. He was arrested along with another 38 year old man. The 31 year-old was taken to Burnside Correction Centre for not following his court conditions.  The other man was released and will appear in Bridgewater Court at a later date.

Full Review Of Education System Underway

Residents of the South Shore can help shape the education system. The first major review of education in 25 years is underway in Nova Scotia. A six-person panel has been formed to gather input from teachers, students, parents, education groups and community members. The panel is being led by former Lieutenant Governor and teacher Myra Freeman. The review was originally intended to focus on curriculum, but it will examine all aspects of the public school system. A discussion guide is available online to help get the conversation started and includes a series of questions to help gather input You can submit input by emailing educationreview@gov.ns.ca  or by phoning 844-424-3777. You can also tweet @NSEdReview. The deadline for submissions is June 13.

Mail:

Minister's Panel on Education
c/o Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
P.O. Box 578 Halifax, N.S.,
B3J 2S9

Getson Rated Second Round Pick For Upcoming QMJHL Draft

A Bridgewater hockey player is rated as a second-round pick for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's draft by the Central Scouting Service. Sixteen-year-old Keith Getson is ranked 35th overall for the upcoming draft on May 31st in Sherbrooke, Quebec. However, things could change on draft day and Getson could move up or down. He says he just wants to be drafted.



Getson is coming off a terrific year with the Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs, notching 28 points in 29 regular season games and was named to the league's rookie all-star team. Four Nova Scotians are rated to be drafted in the first round.

A Famous South Shore Son Being Honored

Tomorrow (May 9th) will be the 100th anniversary of the birth of country music legend Hank Snow. The Liverpool area is preparing to celebrate the centennial of its most famous son and thousands of Snow fans are expected to attend. Hank Snow museum administrator Kelly Inglis says there is one event many Snow fans are truely looking forward to. Its tomorrow's unveiling of a new Canada Post stamp commemorating the life of the famous singer.



In addition to the stamp, there will also be the unveiling of a life-size Hank Snow statue near the museum.
There is also the release of a Snow biography by South Shore author Vernon Oikle, a new Hank Snow CD release, the opening of the new Hank Snow Community Park, a country music show at the Astor Theatre featuring headliner Larry Gatlin and a lot of other events. The centennial celebrations run through Sunday.

Gold Star For South Shore Bus Drivers/Staff

It's more recognition for bus drivers and staff within the South Shore Regional School Board's transportation department. They received the Gold Award for exceptional performance at the Nova Scotia Pupil Transportation Conference. The South Shore board scored a remarkable 197 out of 200 possible points in a number of safety and performance related areas. Superintendent Geoff Cainen says he's thrilled for their staff and drivers in achieving such a high standard of excellence. It's the sixth year in a row the board has picked up the Gold Award. The transportation department manages 87 buses, over 330 routes and employs 100 drivers.

A Drop In Gasoline Prices Expected Tonight At South Shore Pumps

Look for South Shore gas prices to drop some tomorrow morning (Friday). In New Brunswick this morning, prices there are lower. The price of self serve regular dropped overnight by about 4 cents a litre. Diesel has also been lowered by around 2.5 cents a litre. If similar decreases happen here overnight tonight, the price of regular self serve may drop to about $1.38 per litre.

Bridgewater Mayor: No Intent To See South Shore In Motion Cancelled

The mayor of Bridgewater says it's extremely frustrating and unfortunate to hear South Shore in Motion has been cancelled this year. The group decided to scrap the entire event Tuesday night. A deadline was imposed by South Shore in Motion on Monday night for the town to make a decision on their proposed big rig hill climb event. The town's insurer indicated there was too many risks and wouldn't financially cover the event. David Walker says it was never their intention to see it fold.



Walker feels there needs to be a clearly identified process that could have helped South Shore in Motion this year. Meanwhile, a digital image has surfaced mocking the town as the "Senior Citizen Capital of the World Where quiet-time will soon be everyday." Walker says people have their opinion but he's pleased with the work the town has done to be recognized as senior-friendly and the best community in Atlantic Canada to raise a young family. He hopes to sit down with the festival's chairperson in the next week to work out issues and talk about the future. Interviews with South Shore in Motion chairperson Darren Wentzell and Mayor David Walker can be heard on this weekend's South Shore Sunday Morning program from 8am-9am on HANK-FM and 9am-10am on CKBW.

Below is the digital image circulating on Facebook.

Famed Author Mowat Dies

Famed Canadian writer Farley Mowat has died. He was a native of  Belleville, Ontario. Mowat was best-known for works like Owls in the Family, The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be, and Never Cry Wolf. His career spanned 50 years and he received numerous awards, including the Governor General’s Award for literature, the Order of Canada and a number of honorary university degrees. Mowat was 92 years old.

NSCC: Tuition Costs Rising In 2014/15

Tuition is on the rise for those planning to attend a Nova Scotia Community College in the fall. Most programs will see a three percent increase. It means about $90 more for a majority of students - with annual tuition sitting at just over $3,000. VP of Academic Services Rosalind Penfound says they know any increase is concerning to students.



There are 13 NSCC's in the province - including Bridgewater, Dartmouth, Kentville and Yarmouth.


Tuition for 2014-15

Full-Time Core - $3,040

Advanced Diplomas - $4,650

Academic and Career Connections - $1,255

International Students - $9,800

Chester: Sewer Rates Back At Council May 15

The future of sewer rates in Chester will be back at the table later this month. The municipality was proposing to amend its sewer by-law and create a universal rate based on property assessment. However, a large number of residents opposed the idea based on unfair rate changes. Warden Allen Webber feels council is doing what it can to keep residents happy.



Council directed staff to look at a modified equivalent dwelling unit system, with a user fee for larger groups. Staff are expected to report their findings back to council on May 15.

No Charges Laid Against South Shore Police Officer

No charges will be laid against a South Shore police officer after allegations of domestic violence. On April 15th (2014), a woman lodged a complaint about her husband, an RCMP officer at the Bridgewater detachment. The province's Serious Incident Response Team launched an investigation. After weighing all the evidence including statements by both sides, SIRT has determined the officer in question did not use unreasonable force to protect his personal property from being damaged. SIRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia.

Update: Woman Fined After Car Strikes Pedestrian

A 37-year-old woman has been fined after an incident Tuesday on Old Bridge Street in Bridgewater. Police Chief John Collyer says the woman must pay a fine of $291.45 as a first time offender for operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. The woman was driving when she struck a 57-year-old female in a wheelchair who was trying to cross the street. However, Collyer says witnesses indicate the woman in the wheelchair did not press the crosswalk lights. She was taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Police are still investigating the matter.

South Shore In Motion Cancels 2014 Event

South Shore in Motion has been cancelled for this year. Committee members with the festival decided not to host it for their 10th anniversary because they feel there is a lack of support from the town of Bridgewater. Councillors decided not to endorse a big rig hill climb on Monday night because their insurance wouldn't cover it. South Shore in Motion chairperson Darren Wentzell says they lost about 40 per cent of their show through the town's decision.



Wentzell says it was a difficult decision to make, but feels they've tried everything they could to make the event happen. He says the group will gather again in June to begin thinking about their long-term future.

Yarmouth: Serious Injuries After Truck Slams Into Home

An older Yarmouth County man has serious injuries after the truck he was driving slammed into a house in Tusket. It happened mid-morning at the intersection of Highway 308 and Frank Doucette Road. Police say the 63 year-old lost control of the truck and went off the road. It's not known what caused the man to go off the road. There was also significant damage to the house and the truck.

Bridgewater: Woman In Wheelchair Struck By Car

A woman in a wheelchair escaped with only minor injuries after she was hit by a car today in Bridgewater. Police, firefighters and EHS responded to the call around 11am at the intersection near TD Bank on Old Bridge Street. Constable Danny MacPhee says they're trying to determine who is at fault and if any charges are pending. The woman was taken to South Shore Regional Hospital for treatment.

Economic Action Plan Desperately Needed For South Shore: PC Leader

Lunenburg Progressive Conservatives meet tonight to discuss issues and look at what lies ahead. Opposition Leader Jamie Baillie will address the area's annual PC dinner. As he prepares to head to the event, Baillie tells us the South Shore is in dire need of economic stimulus. However, he says nothing is getting done because there's no government economic plan in place.



Tonight's PC dinner in New Germany is being held at the Legion starting at 6:30.

Events Lunenburg County Looking For Business Support

A new organization is looking to bring major conferences and attractions to the local area. Events Lunenburg County has secured some start-up funding. Now, they're looking for the business community to jump on board. Andrew Tanner presented the idea to the Municipality of Chester recently and says it's about promoting the area.



Tanner says the group wants to develop a website, hire a part-time person to start bidding on events and partner with similar groups in Queens County and Halifax. A meeting will be held May 12 at Bridgewater town hall at 8am for business groups and industry leaders to learn more about Events Lunenburg County.

Crematorium Land Compromise In Liverpool

Construction of a crematorium in Liverpool appears to be back on track. Chandlers Funeral Home withdrew its earlier application to the Region of Queens a couple of weeks ago. It involved building the facility adjacent to the funeral home in downtown Liverpool. Now, the Region and Chandlers have reached agreement on a new location, in the Liverpool Industrial Park. Chandlers General Manager Kevin Samuels says the new site is a compromise and an effort to appeaze any public opposition.



A purchase and sale agreement is expected to be finalized in a few days and construction on the crematorium will begin right away. Chandlers hope to have the facility in place by the fall.

South Shore School Misses Winning National Competition

The Waldorf School in Blockhouse didn't win the top prize in a national on-line contest. However, according to a parent, the just-completed contest has put the independent school on the education map. Anastatia Malay says being a part of the Majesta Trees of Knowledge competition has laid the ground work for future endeavours.



The Waldorf School, which finished 6th place in the on-line voting, did win a thousand dollars. A similar facility in Ontario placed first and won the 20-thousand dollar grand prize.

Lunenburg County: Softball Season Could Begin Friday

It's hoped the main ball fields in Lunenburg County will be ready for action in the near future. The men's and women's leagues were all set to kick off this week at the MARC in Dayspring, but the fields were still too wet to begin the season. However, Recreation Director Trudy Payne says field conditions have improved significantly over the past 24 hours. She says they just wanted to make sure the fields don't sustain permanent damage.

Payne says if the weather cooperates, the complex could be open tomorrow (Wednesday). The co-ed league is set to open Friday night.