Yarmouth Ferry Service Postponed Between May 27-29

A number of ferry crossings from Yarmouth to Maine have been cancelled. Sailings between May 27-29 will not happen to allow Nova Star Cruises to replace the vessel's Marine Evacuation System. It's considered to be a one time maintenance requirement. The U.S. Coast Guard required Nova Star to activate its MES during an inspection in April. Nova Star has been using a fully operational loaner onboard. It will be switched with Nova Star's system. Guests who have reservations during next week's cancellations will be refunded. The ferry will resume service on May 29, leaving Portland around 10pm for Yarmouth.

Capital Repairs Announced For Six South Shore Schools

Six South Shore schools are about to receive upgrades or repairs. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development announced last December it was increasing capital repairs funding by $9-million. Barrington Municipal High School, Chester Area Middle School, Hebbville Academy, Lockeport Elementary, West Northfield Elementary and Dr. John C. Wickwire Academy in Liverpool are approved for renovations. Work will begin as soon as possible. The projects include roof repairs, window replacements, gym improvements, paving, upgrades to askilled trades classroom, and creating community resource spaces.

Bridgewater: Cab Company Request In Limbo

The co-owner of Reliable Cab is still waiting for a resolution with the town of Bridgewater. Darrell Watson approached the town two months ago looking for help after potholes caused roughly $7,000 worth of damage to his vehicles. However, other than a letter from the town's insurance adjustor, nothing has been solved. Watson feels he isn't the only one affected by the problem.



Watson is looking to be reimbursed for some of the costs. He also wants the town to be accountable and acknowledge that more could be done to improve potholes during the winter months. However, he doesn't expect the town to accept responsibility.

South Shore Firewood Crisis Predicted

Imagine a South Shore home that relies on wood-heat not having firewood to burn! It translates into hardship and thats what the MLA for Queens-Shelburne is predicting if wood suppliers don't soon gain access to Crown lands to harvest wood for next fall and winter. Sterling Belliveau says his former NDP government secured the Bowater woodlands, protecting them from foreign buyers, and the present government is now refusing to issue permits to local fire wood suppliers. He says this is all about a lack of leadership by the Minister of Natural Resources.



Belliveau says firewood needs to be harvested now so it can dry through the summer for use next fall and winter. He's already been denied an emergency meeting of the province's Resources Committee to deal with the crisis. Belliveau says firewood producers have apparently met with staff from the Department of Natural Resources but with little success. 

Former Health Minister Calls For Emergency Centre At Fishermen's Memorial Hospital

A former Nova Scotia health minister is calling upon the McNeil government to put an end to chronic emergency room closures once and for all at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg. Dave Wilson says he helped set the wheels in motion long ago to establish a collaborative emergency centre at Fishermen's. However, he believes the plan has been shelved until the provincial health reform process is completed.



Wilson says anywhere collaborative emergency centres have been set up, there have been dramatic declines in ER closures in the communities involved. He's calling upon the government to re-think the plan.

South Shore Health Welcomes New CEO

There's new leadership at South Shore Health. Janet Knox will take over the top position within the local health authority as the president and chief executive officer. Knox currently heads up Annapolis Valley Health - and has held that position for the past ten years. She says ensuring there's a smooth transition when health authorities amalgamate next April is a top priority.



Knox will maintain her position in the valley and will assume a shared role with South Shore Health. She was officially welcomed to the area today during a regular board meeting in Bridgewater. It fills a position left vacant when former president and CEO Dr. Peter Vaughan took a position with the Department of Health.

Missing Teenager Located In Bridgewater

Halifax police say a young girl reported missing earlier today has been located safe and sound. 17 year-old Kaylee Patterson was reported missing shortly after midnight. She was located unharmed this morning in Bridgewater. Halifax Regional Police are thanking the media and the public for help in finding the girl.

Slight Change, If Any, Tomorrow In Gas Prices

Look for gas prices here to remain steady or rise just a little overnight tonight. Gas prices are up some this morning in New Brunswick after the weekly setting at midnight. Self serve regular and diesel both up in New Brunswick by about a cent a litre. Prices at South Shore pumps this morning remain at $1.37.2 a litre for regular self serve and about $1.35.1 for diesel.

New Visitor Centre Hoping For More Tourists In 2014

The Bridgewater and Lunenburg District Visitor Information Centre in Blockhouse saw over 8,000 people last season. The centre was open from May 14 until October 25 at its new location after it moved from the Pine Grove shopping centre. Most of the visitors were from the province with others coming from Quebec and Ontario. There was some traffic from the U.S. and overseas but numbers were low. Manager Denise Penny says they're hoping for more tourists this year.



She says the addition of the Yarmouth ferry should help increase numbers to the area. She's also hoping to include a sign along Highway 103 traveling towards Blockhouse that will indicate their location.

Autopsy Confirms MacIntosh Fell Into River

Police in Saskatoon say autopsy results have confirmed human remains found over the weekend - are those - of a Lunenburg native. Gregory Myles MacIntosh went missing on the night of his stag party on February 2nd. Police believed the 28 year-old had fell into the Saskatchewan River late that night after getting into an argument. His remains were located by marine researchers who then notified RCMP. MacIntosh had been working as an electrician and living out west for the past four years. He was due to get married in February.

Environment Critic: "Province May Need Clean Water Act"

The MLA for Pictou West says the province might need to consider tougher laws surrounding drinking water and follow-up testing at municipal facilities. Progressive Conservative Karla MacFarlane says clean water is essential and our most important natural resource. A new report by the auditor general indicates the province's environment department needs to do a better job of testing and monitoring drinking water supplies to ensure public safety. She says there needs to be stronger policies in place.



The report also reveals cases where water samples were not taken within 30 days after a boil water advisory was lifted. MacFarlane says she's deeply concerned and feels stricter laws and procedures are needed in the province.

Physical Activity Levels Low For Canadian Kids

Some glaring numbers for Canadian youth who barely receive a passing grade for physical activity. Active Healthy Kids Canada released its annual report card on physical activity for children and youth. This country was near the bottom of the pack after it was graded a 'D minus.' However, it's not for a lack of facilities. Canada is considered among the leaders in physical activity infrastructure and programs. Yvonne Smith, the CEO of the YMCA's in South West Nova Scotia, says questions need to be asked.



Only seven per cent of five-to-11-year-olds and four per cent of 12-to-17-year-olds in Canada met the recommended target of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily. The report indicates the numbers are because a 'culture of convenience' why many Canadian kids aren't more active. Smith says youth should have a voice to indicate what they need to be more physically active. The report encourages a mix of activities throughout the day including sport and active transportation to help reach suggested targets.

Union Launches Court Challenge Against NS Government

The Nova Scotia government is being sued by the province's Government and General Employees Union. The NSGEU lawsuit filed in supreme court is aimed at the Essential Home-Support Services Act, passed earlier this spring by the McNeil government. According to union president Joan Jessome, the law violates the right to collective bargaining for home-support workers. She says it also discriminates against women, 90 percent of whom are involved in home-support.



The McNeil government claims the law requires both sides in a dispute to determine who is an essential worker before a strike can happen. However, it says it does not take away the right to strike. Meanwhile, the NSGEU isn’t the only union launching a legal challenge on essential services legislation. Last Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada began hearing a Charter challenge launched by the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, which argues that essential services legislation and changes made to the Trade Union Act in their province are inconsistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This Supreme Court case and ruling will have a significant impact on the legal challenge the NSGEU has launched in Nova Scotia.

Queens: Mayor's Talk To Focus On Budget, Region Issues

This year's budget and other issues will be the focus of a breakfast discussion with the mayor of the Region of Queens. Chris Clarke will speak Thursday morning at 8am at Lane's Privateer Inn in Liverpool. He's being hosted by the South Queens Chamber of Commerce. Reservations are required. People who are interested should contact the chamber.

Shelburne: New Doctor Accepting Patients

Residents of Shelburne County in need of a doctor can call an intake line tomorrow afternoon. Dr. Aleksandra Malec will accept 100 new patients on Thursday. She has been gradually accepting patients over the past few months. Following the intake, Malec will have taken on 1,000 new patients. Those planning to phone should have their health card ready and some personal questions will be asked. Calls will be accepted beginning at 1pm and the number to call is 875-3370. First priority will be given to residents of the Shelburne area.

Financial Health Differs Across South Shore

A tool used to examine the financial health of all Nova Scotia municipalities has outlined two different scenarios along the South Shore. The province recently launched its financial condition index for 2011-12 to help them understand where towns or municipalities need help. There are 15 indicators under the heading of revenue, budget and debt and capital. The Municipality of Lunenburg placed above average in 10 of the categories. Mayor Don Downe says it hasn't been easy.



The towns of Bridgewater, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Shelburne and Yarmouth along with the Region of Queens had a majority of categories above the rural municipal average. Clark's Harbour, Lockeport, and the municipalities of Barrington, Chester, Shelburne and Yarmouth were below the average in several indicators. The province had indicated a few bad scores doesn't mean there is a problem. For a more in-depth look at the financial indicator where you live, click here .

Man Charged In Upper Tantallon Robbery

A 26 year old man has been charged in connection with an armed robbery earlier this month in Upper Tantallon. Michael Tristan Charles Evans is facing charges of robbery and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He's accused of robbing a Lawton's Drug Store May 8th, forcing a pharmacy employee at the point of a syringe, to hand over prescription drugs. The employee handed over the drugs and was not hurt. The suspect fled the scene in a car. Over the weekend, the RCMP arrested Evans in the Hubley Center Parking lot and also seized evidence allegedly related to the robbery at a home on Highway 329 in Mill Cove. He is being held in custody until his next court appearance.

Kentville: Attempted Murder Charges Laid In Violent Attacks

Attempted murder charges have been laid against a 50 year-old Kentville man after a pair of violent attacks over the weekend. Sherlock Peter Bowen is facing two charges of attempted murder. Police say he assaulted two people with a weapon Friday night. A 41 year-old woman remains in hospital with serious injuries after a man went to her home Friday night and assaulted her with a weapon. A 41 year-old man - also at the woman's home - was hurt but his injuries were not as bad. Bowen is due in court today in Kentville.

Bridgewater: Community Christmas In Jeopardy

A volunteer dinner that has served hundreds of people over the holiday season could be cancelled. Organizers with the Bridgewater Community Christmas issued a call in January looking for new people to take over responsibility of the event after running it for five years. However, no one has stepped up yet. President Brian Braganza says they plan to issue another call in August or September.



Braganza believes the volunteer numbers are still strong to hold the event this year, but new leadership needs to be in place. He says if that doesn't happen, there may not be a community Christmas dinner this year. The free event is typically held on Christmas Day at Park View Education Centre. To put your name in as a volunteer or become a new leader of the event, head to the group's website here .

How Not To Be Fleeced By Those Scamming Phone Calls

South Shore residents are among those targeted by scammers hoping to make a fast buck or two. The Better Business Bureau has received dozens of complaints from consumers about dubious phone calls.
The BBB's Jill Atkinson says scammers are calling numbers in the area using the internet and non-working local phone numbers. They're relentless in their pursuit of your personal information.



The calls are impossible to trace, likely coming from outside the country. They're offering free cruises, lottery winnings and other exotic prizes and asking for your personal banking information. The Better Business Bureau advises you to not give any information to anyone over the phone or on the internet.