Oh Deer

Deer hunting season in Nova Scotia opens  on
Friday, Oct. 28th and runs through till Saturday, Dec.3rd.   Hunting is NOT permitted on Sundays. Natural Resources minister Charlie Parker says hunting is a popular sport, a means to obtain an inexpensive food source, and a way to help manage the wildlife population He reminds hunters to be familiar with hunting regulations and always wear hunter's orange in the woods. There are 12 deer hunting zones. Hunters applying for a licence should review the zones carefully to make sure they get a deer stamp for the zone they want.

Move Over Information Checkpoints

Information checkpoints are being set up this afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m. on Highway 103 in Chester Basin. There will be two checkpoints taking place - one in the east-bound lanes and one in the west-bound lanes - on the divided portion of Highway 103 near Exit 9. Members of the RCMP along with Emergency Health Services, Vehicle Compliance officers, and members of the local Fire Department will be passing out literature to remind motorists about "Move Over" legislation. Motorist are required to reduce speeds to 60 km/h when passing an emergency vehicle stopped at the side of the road with its emergency lights on.

Tall Ships to Return

Lunenburg will be a port of call for the Tall Ships that are returning to Nova Scotia next summer. The ships will arrive in Halifax July 19th to the 23rd and visit outports across the province July 24th to the 30th. Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris announced the provincial commitment of 780 thousand dollars for the event.  The provincial contribution will fund the cost to bring the ships here and attract more visitors to the province. Along with Lunenburg the ships will also visit Shelburne, Yarmouth, Pictou Pugwash, Port Hawkesbury, Louisbourg and Sydney.
        The event is part of the Tall Ships Challenge - Atlantic Coast 2012 Race, organized by Tall Ships America. The ships will start in Savannah, Ga. and sail up the U.S. eastern seaboard, stopping in Charleston, S.C., Greenport, N.Y., and Newport, R.I.  The event will also include a special historical piece that will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.  Theodore Tugboat is playing a big role in the Tall Ships event. He is headed to the United States for the winter and bringing the Tall Ships back to Nova Scotia next summer.

Heritage Property Designation

The Old Stone Bridge on Victoria Street , Chester is one step closer to being designated a Heritage Property.  The Municipality of Chester has agreed to enter into a partnership with the provincial Departments of Communities, Culture and Heritage, and Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal to both designate and maintain the  property.  MLA for the area, Denise Peterson-Rafuse brought forward the proposal at a previous council meeting. Once the application for provincial heritage registration is accepted, the province's Advisory Council on Heritage Property will review the submission and assess if the Old Stone Bridge has provincial heritage value. A recommendation will then be forwarded to the Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage who has final sign-off on the provincial heritage designation.

Mustangs' Nickerson selected for Canadian Youth Olympic hockey team

Brendan Nickerson during NHLPA Camp in August

A member of the South Shore Canadian Tire Mustangs has made the Canadian Youth Olympic hockey team. Defenceman Brendan Nickerson received the nod from Hockey Canada as the lone player from Nova Scotia to be named to the squad. Mustangs Head Coach Tim Boyce says the organization is proud of Nickerson's accomplishment.

"It's great for Brendan, he's a great kid and very deserving of the honour. He's been fast-tracked quite a bit over the last few years in his hockey career. He's a special young talent, he's very skilled for his age and he's got great size."

The team is for hockey players born in 1996. The 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games will be held from January 13-22 in Innsbruck, Austria.

NDP Topp enjoying leadership race

NDP Leadership Candidate Brian Topp

Federal NDP leadership candidate Brian Topp stopped in Bridgewater earlier this week for a meet and greet with the general public. Topp says he's enjoying the leadership race.

"A number of very good candidates are in the race. They're all colleagues of mine, we're all on the same team and when this is over, we'll all be working together. But, I think a job, is to outline your own vision, your own background, answer questions as best you can and the members will decide."

Topp is running against five other party members including Deputy Leader Thomas Mulcair, Quebec MP Romeo Saganash and Ontario MP Paul Dewar. The party will choose its new leader at a convention in Toronto in March.

Wigg, Noseworthy no longer with Lumberjacks

Andrew Wigg



Tyler Noseworthy



The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks are looking to trade forwards Tyler Noseworthy and Andrew Wigg. The two players have approached Head Coach Terry Rhindress about being traded to clubs, they feel, are contenders. Rhindress says its part of the business.



"I think they're not happy with the teams direction right now. I think they thought we were going to have more veterans back than we did, so, I think they're just looking to finish it out on a more contender team."

Rhindress says he's actively trying to trade the two players, but can't divulge what teams are involved. The Lumberjacks host Truro Friday night at 7pm at the Bridgewater Memorial Arena.

Forest Hills Road residents annoyed with No Frills noise

Shelley Moran

A refridgeration trailer at No Frills in Bridgewater is leaving Forest Hills Road residents annoyed and sleepless. Shelley Moran, a resident of Forest Hills Road, says the trailer tends to run for about 45 minutes straight, stops for 10 minutes and begins to run again. She says the noise irritates her to the point she has to wear earplugs to fall asleep. Moran says the trailer is typically behind their homes anywhere from two weeks to two months at a time. Mayor Carroll Publicover says a noise by-law isn't the answer, but expects Council to come up with solutions for the problem.

RCMP trying to identify Break and Enter suspect

RCMP are looking for the public's help in identifying the suspect involved in breaking and entering into a Mahone Bay business. Lunenburg County RCMP say the suspect allegedly stole a substantial amount of money and prescription drugs from MacQuarrie's Pharmasave during the early morning hours of Saturday September 24. The Mounties say they've gathered pictures and video footage of the suspect, hoping someone can identify the person. If you know the person in the above picture, please contact RCMP at 527-5555.

South Shore School Board Review

Education Minister
Ramona Jennex

A performance review of the South Shore School Board has not yet been handed over to the Education Minister. The review was launched in August following allegations that some board members tried to derail an open discussion on the future of 12 schools before a March 30 meeting. Deloitte Inc. was appointed by the government to conduct the review. Department spokesman Lucas Wide says as the work came forward the extra time was to make sure Deloitte had the opportunity to create a complete and comprehensive report that would be helpful to the Minister and the Department moving forward.. The review will address whether the board adhered to all provincial legislation, policies and regulations, as well as the board's bylaws and policies.  The report is expected to be submitted to the Minister in the coming weeks.

MLA Discusses Fire Fighter Concerns

Conservative MLA Keith Bain was on the South Shore recently to meet with area fire departments and first responders.  Bain the critic for labour and workforce development called it a factfinding mission. He says the biggest concern brought forward by all departments was the recruitment and retention of volunteers.  Another issue was the absence of a HazMat team for the area which is currently served by Kentville.  Bain met with about a dozen departments and mutual aid associations in Lunenburg and Queens Counties  during his two day visit. 

Former MLA Harold Huskilson passes away

Harold Huskilson

A former Nova Scotia cabinet minister and MLA has passed away. Harold Huskilson of Shelburne County died Monday night at the age of 91. He served in the provincial legislature from 1970 to 1993. He was also president and owner of Huskilson's Funeral Homes. A funeral service is expected to be held Friday at 2pm in the Shelburne Community Centre.

Council votes not to discharge Jo-Lo development agreement

The Village at Glen Allan project received a lifeline from town council Monday night. Council agreed to give Jo-Lo Development until November 14 to install fencing and landscaping. Mayor Carroll Publicover says he isn't ready to give up on the developer despite a number of missed deadlines. He believes the developer is doing the best they can in terms of securing financing, changing development plans and working with the town. The town voted not to discharge the current development agreement after Jo-Lo didn't meet the original October 15 deadline for fencing and landscaping requirements.

Government installing centre-line rumble strips from Tantallon to Chester

You can expect some slow-downs on Highway 103 over the next week. The province is working to improve road safety by installing centre-line rumble strips on a section of highway near Tantallon. The strips are being installed from Exit 5, at the end of the twinned section, to the start of the divided section of Highway 103 near Chester. The project is expected to be completed by Monday October 31. Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks says the centre-line rumble strips will allow safer passing and increase separation from opposing traffic.

FLU VACCINE CLINICS

           FLU VACCINE CLINICS FOR TUESDAY,OCT. 25
Today's Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinics will be held in Caledonia from 1 to 4 p.m. at the North Queens Health Centre and at the New Ross Family Resource Centre from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  The shots are free for all Nova Scotians . Those encouraged to get the flu vaccine include the elderly, babies aged six to 23 months, pregnant women and anyone with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes.

Bowater Mill Requests Power Discount

Bowater Mersey officials will have to wait for a ruling by the UARB on their request for a power discount. Officials of the paper mill in Brooklyn appeared before the provincial utility review board yesterday to ask for a five year discounted power rate for electricity. Abitibi/Bowater Director of Public Affairs, Pierre Choquette says they have addressed the challenges that lie ahead in regards to the energy issue. Choquette says the issue is critical to the paper mills future. Bowater Mersey and NewPage Port Hawkesbury, now closed, both applied for a load retention tariff from Nova Scotia Power. That would mean higher power rates for other consumers.

Truck for Tancook Island

Residents of Tancook Island will benefit from a truck donated by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. The truck is considered surplus to the department, but will be of value to the Tancook Island Emergency Response Association. Chester/St. Margaret's MLA, Denise Peterson-Rafuse says she's pleased she was able to work with municipal and provincial government officials to make this happen. Under the Surplus Crown Disposal Act, not-for-profit groups across the province can apply to receive surplus items from the department, including vehicles, recreation equipment and office furniture.

Solar Energy Installation Session

Shelburne residents will get a chance to hear about the benefits of solar energy installations at an information session this evening. Representatives from Nova Scotia Power, Efficiency Nova Scotia and Doctor Solar will also be providing information on programs and incentives for solar installations. The session which will present information for both commercial and residential settings takes place tonight, (Tues.Oct. 25th) at 6:30 p.m. at the Shelburne Community Centre.

Meet & Greet NDP Leadership Candidate

Federal NDP leadership candidate Brian Topp will be in Town today. (Monday, October 24th)  A Meet & Greet is being sponsored by the  South Shore/St. Margaret's Federal Riding Association at the Day's Inn on North Street from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Supporters and members of the general public are welcome. There will be a membership table for new members and renewals.

Peformance Review of SSRSB

Education Minister Ramona Jennex is expected to receive the performance review of the South Shore Regional School Board today. Deloitte Inc. was appointed by the Nova Scotia government to conduct the review which was launched following allegations that some board members tried to derail an open discussion on the future of 12 schools before a March 30 meeting. Determining whether the board adhered to all provincial legislation, policies and regulations, as well as the board's bylaws and policies was to be addressed by the review. It will also try to determine if the board exhibits good governance practices, such as respectful and professional behaviour, effective use of information in decision-making and transparency.