New South Queens School "Officially" Opens Tomorrow

Official opening ceremonies will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) in Liverpool for a new school in the area. The South Queens Middle School has actually been in operation since January. Tomorrow though, the new ultra-modern facility, featuring high-tech, state of the art learning tools, will be dedicated during opening ceremonies at noon. Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey will cut the ceremonial ribbon. South Queens Middle School is home to 240 students in grades 6 to 8. The ceremony begins at noon at the school at 157 Old Bridge Street in Liverpool.

South Shore Soccer Team Has Strong Showing In Cape Breton

South Shore United's Tier-1 Under-14 girls soccer team was in Sydney over the weekend for a pair of games against Cape Breton's Under-14 girls. South Shore won both games, 5-1 in the first with MacKenzie Kelly scoring a hat trick. South Shore also won the second, 3-1 and MacKenzie Kelly again scoring two goals.

Baillie Latest Leader To Talk Economic Recovery On The South Shore

Another high-profile speaker will be addressing a business luncheon this week on the South Shore. The province's Opposition Leader Jamie Baillie will speak to the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce over the noon hour Thursday about reviving the area's economy. He is the second political leader to visit the area in recent weeks and address business and industry officials. Chamber of Commerce Manager Dan Hennessey says it indicates the growing importance of the South Shore in Nova Scotia political decision-making.



Premier Stephen McNeil was here April 11th to address the Chamber and open the new collaborative health centre in Bridgewater. Baillie's address to the group begins at 11:30 Thursday morning at the Osprey Ridge Golf Club.

Awards Celebrate Outstanding Work In Health Care

It will be an evening to honour outstanding service in health care. South Shore Health will recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions in patient care and service over the past year during it's annual awards night. Four major awards will be presented - they include - Community Health Leadership, Exemplary Service, Outstanding Quality Initiative and the Spirit Award. Hospital Board Chair Wayne Foster says it's important to recognize outstanding effort.

The awards will be handed out Tuesday evening at the Best Western in Cookville. This will be the 10th year for the excellence awards. 

Charges Formally Laid In Berwick Homeless Man's death

Two Annapolis Valley men are facing murder charges in the death of a homeless man. Daniel Surrette and Kyle Fredericks, both from the Berwick area, made a brief court appearance this morning in Kentville.
They were formally charged with first degree murder in last October's death of 62 year old Harley Lawrence. He was killed when fire engulfed the Berwick bus shelter where he had been staying in the overnight hours to escape the cold. His death sparked outrage in the community and concern over the plight of the homeless. Surrette and Fredericks are expected back in court in a few weeks.

Province Provides Funding For Transition Homes, Women's Centres

A pair of Lunenburg County facilities are getting financial help from the province. Harbour House in Bridgewater will receive $16,454. The emergency shelter provides a variety of services to women and children involved in abusive situations. The money is expected to help enhance outreach. Also, Second Story Women's Centre in Lunenburg will get over $15,238 to address operating costs. The centre provide services and programs that improve the well-being of women and adolescent girls. Overall, the province committed $500,000 in this year's budget for transition houses and women's centres across Nova Scotia.

Liverpool: Work Beginning To Replace Water And Sewer Lines

Expect some traffic delays in Liverpool for the next few months. Work on this year's Main Street Infrastructure Renewal Project will begin Monday. The Region of Queens is replacing aging water and sewer lines that have been largely untouched for about 100 years. The work will involve a section of Main Street between Union and Summer Streets. Preliminary work will begin putting in temporary water lines for homes and businesses in that area. The start of construction will follow near the junction of Union and Main, and progressing toward Summer Street. Traffic detours will be in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until the project is complete in the early fall.

Health Minister Asked To Come Clean On Costs Of Health Reform

Nova Scotia's Liberal government had health care reform high on its agenda during last fall's provincial election campaign. Now, the process of cutting the number of health authories from 9 to 2 is underway and the government says the process will allow more money to be aimed at front-line health care. Former NDP health minister and now party legislative critic Dave Wilson says the cost of the reform process will be excessive. He's calling on the present health minister to come clean and spell out the actual costs.



The government hopes to have the amalgamation process complete by next April with dozens of administrators and workers with duplicate jobs eliminated. There will be one health authority for Halifax's Capital Health District and the IWK and one for the rest of the province.

Natural Sunscreen Is Best Option - Nutritionist

Ever wonder what key ingredients you should be looking for when buying sunscreen? The Canadian Health Food Association has released this summers top five trends at health food stores. Nutritionist Michelle Book says it's important to know what products you use on your skin. She says you should be looking for a natural mineral based sunscreen.



Other hot trends this summer include organic foods, watermelon, maple water and supplements with Omega-3's. The complete list of healthy trends this summer can be found at www.chfa.ca

South Shore Students Recognized By Province's Lieutenant Governor

Eleven South Shore students have been recognized by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Brigadier-General J.J. Grant visited Bridgewater Junior Senior High to present education medals. Two students from Bridgewater Junior Senior High, Forest Heights, Liverpool High, New Germany Rural High, Park View and one from North Queens were named recipients. The medals are handed out to a boy and girl in grade 11 who demonstrate leadership and service in their school and community while maintaining their academic standing. Staff at the schools nominate students annually. The winners are named below.

2013-2014 Recipients of the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal 

Bridgewater Junior Senior High School 
Micaela Lee Sabean
Dylan Kristopher Wile

Forest Heights Community School 
Katelyn Ann Dorey
Kelby Lionel Russell

Liverpool Regional High School 
Lori Alyssa Anthony
Jacob Daniel Mooers

New Germany Rural High School 
Katherine Margaret Hastings Porter
Avery Wesley Charles Jenkins

North Queens Rural High School 
Lukas Harold von Wahl

Park View Education Centre 
Aidan Isobel Beresford Davidson
Dante Ozgood (Ozzie) Damiani

Don't Be Swayed By Those Free Trial Offer Pop-Ups

Do you feel yourself being harassed by all those virtual "popups" coming at you while surfing the Net? They all have a common theme .... luring you into trying out a product for free with the option of purchasing later on. The Better Business Bureau is receiving daily complaints from Maritime consumers who've been taken for a ride by these offers. The BBB's Jill Atkinson says its a mine-field out there for consumers and you have to be careful with the so called Free Trial Offers.



Atkinson says there are many legitimate companies offering their products on a free trial basis but you need to do research. There are just as many on-line scams though, whose only purpose is to steal your personal financial information and money.

Here are suggestions from the Better Business Bureau:

Know the company you are dealing with. Consumers have advised that they don’t know where the company is located, do not have a telephone number and sometimes do not have an actual company name just a product name.

Research the company online. Check with BBB for a Business Review on the company. Check online to see what other people are saying about the company’s free trial. Complaints from other consumers can raise some red flags about the company, product or service.

Know what the terms and conditions are for the offer. Always take the time to read the fine print.  If the company does not post what the terms and conditions are in its ads, or on its website then this should be a red flag to not sign up.

Look for who’s behind the offer. Just because you are on a website doesn’t mean that the “pop-up” is for that company.

Watch out for pre-checked boxes. Take the time to look for already checked boxes. That checkmark may give the company the go ahead to continue the offer past the free trial or sign you up for more products that you have to pay for.

Mark your calendar. Most free trial offers have a time limit. Once it passes without you telling the company to cancel your order, you may be on the hook for more products.

Read you credit and debit card statements. That way you will know if you have been charged for something that you didn’t order. If you have been charged, contact the company immediately to sort it out. If this does not work then contact your credit card company to dispute the charges.

Gasoline Prices Have Increased

Gas prices have increased overnight at South Shore pumps. Regular self serve is up 2 cents this morning to $1.39.3 a litre. High test is up by the same to $1.48.2. Diesel has increased just over a cent to $1.36.3.

Digby: Man Facing Sex Charges Arrested

RCMP in Digby have arrested a 60 year-old man wanted on sex charges in Ontario. The man was arrested on Monday. He's facing charges of sexual assault and sexual interference with a person under 16. Officers with the Ontario Provincial Police are now escorting the man back for a court date. Mounties say they searched a home in Digby and seized items that will be turned over to the OPP. Further charges could be laid.

New Tim's App Launched For Coffee Lovers

It might be a faster way to grab your double-double. Tim Horton's is rolling out a new app which the company says will make it easier to pay for your coffee or sweet treat. The "Timmy Me" app will allow you to scan the barcodes on gift cards which act like credit to use on your phone. The app will also show you where the nearest Tim's restaurant is located. It can be downloaded for Iphone, Android and Blackberry 10's.

RCMP ID Woman Killed In Water Mishap

Mounties are releasing the name of the Moncton woman killed in a mishap on the water over the long weekend in Pictou County. Sixty-six year-old Jeanne Francis Lipton was killed when her inflatable dinghy got caught in the current and changing tides which carried her out into the Northumberland Strait. When emergency crews found her - she was unconscious and later pronounced dead in hospital in New Glasgow. Police say their investigation is over - and have ruled out foul play.

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.