Cash & Smokes stolen from Irving Gas Station in Hubbards

Chester RCMP are looking for two men after a break-in at the Irving Gas Station in Hubbards. The two men involved in the crime got in through the back door and had their faces covered with clothing to hide their identity. Police say they were able to get away with some cash and a large quantity of cigarettes. RCMP say one man was wearing a blue or grey checkered coat with a grey hoodie underneath and beige pants. The theft occurred late last night.

Fishermen's Memorial: Emergency Department Closure

The emergency department at the Fishermens Memorial Hopsital in Lunenburg will be closed this weekend. The closure will begin at 2:30PM Saturday afternoon until 7:30AM Sunday morning. The closure is due to the unavailability of nurses at the hospital. Any residents requiring emergency care is asked to call 9-1-1 or visit the South Shore Regional Hospital.

Town of Shelburne Looks to Downsize Council

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board has rejected a request from the Town of Shelburne to downsize the number of members on council from six to four. In a decision released earlier this week, the regulatory board says more public consultation is needed before making such a move. Mayor Al Delaney says a declining population in Shelburne is the main reason behind the request. "With our declining population and our decline tax base, four councilors would be more than adequate to govern the town and with the mayor it would be five election official governing just over 1,800 people," He says the town will meet the boards request and set dates for some public meeting on the matter in the near future. The URB has asked the town to re-submit its application before the end of February and have scheduled another hearing on the matter for April 16th.

Update: Wild Rose Park & Western Shore Wharf

Negotiations with affected property owners in Wild Rose Park will begin next month. The municipality voted to expropriate twelve parcels of land within the park shortly before the Holidays and officially acquired the land this week. Warden Allen Webber says the municipality will now begin contacting those property owners before entering into the negotiation process. "I'd like to have it resolved tomorrow, but realistically we're probably entering into a six-month stretch of back and forth negotiation, depending on how things go and how receptive people are to the amount of money that we are prepared to offer," Meanwhile, Webber says upgrades to the wharf within Wild Rose Park will begin in February. The municipality recently signed a lease-purchase agreement with Western Shore Wharf Corporation. The private company will inject $400,000 into its restoration.

BREAKING: Schools in Lunenburg and Queens County closed

South Shore residents should remain cautious behind the wheel this morning as plows cleanup roads from Thursday night's snowfall. Between 5-10cm of snow fell along the South Shore before it turned to freezing rain and eventually to rain and drizzle overnight. Roads are still slick in spots and drivers are urged to stay patient. Meanwhile, the South Shore Regional School Board have informed us that all schools in Lunenburg and Queens County are closed for the day.

Lumberjacks fall to Metro

Three goals in the final two periods were enough to push the Metro Marauders past the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks 5-1 Thursday night in Bridgewater. Cody Coffin scored the lone goal for the Jacks, who dropped their ninth straight game. Metro scored three of their goals with the man advantage and Head Coach Terry Rhindress says that was the difference.

"They're a good hockey team, they have some 20-year-olds there on the back-end that move the puck well, they go defense-to-defense, backdoor, seam pass, I mean they find the seam, so, you know what, that's a good hockey team, we didn't adjust the way we should have and it put us in a position at 4-1."

The Lumberjacks, meanwhile, went 0 for 7 on the powerplay, something Rhindress wasn't too pleased about after the game. Billy Clarke stopped 32 shots in the loss. The Edwards Denture Clinic 3 stars for last nights Lumberjacks game were:

1. Travis Hall - Metro

2. Chris Riguse - Metro

3. Billy Clarke - Lumberjacks

VIDEO: Bridgewater Councillors approve Parking Meter recommendations

Bridgewater council has approved a number of recommendations to update its current draft bylaw on parking meters. The town approved six of the seven suggestions put forward. Mayor Carroll Publicover says now they want to hire an experienced consultant to study parking meters in the town. The draft bylaw is expected to be back in front of council for first reading in the next couple of months. Council approved the following recommendations:

1. That the rate for metered parking in the Town of Bridgewater be increased to $0.50 per hour with a further increase to $1.00 per hour after one year.
2. That all parking meters receive the needed software upgrade and any repair and replacement.
3. That the most outdated or damaged parking meters be replaced each year as revenue from the parking meters in the previous year allows.
4. That the enforcement of parking meters be increased significantly.
5. That the Parking Meter By-Law proceed through the process of adoption.
6. That no new parking meters be installed.

RCMP: Snow Covered Highways

RCMP are warning motorists to slow down and use caution as weather gets worse this evening. Up to 10cm of snow, mixed with ice pellets and rain is in store for the South Shore. Meanwhile, the Hebbs Cross Fire Department responded to a call just after 4 o'clock this afternoon for a single vehicle rollover just before exit 14 on the way to Liverpool. Former Deputy Chief Gary Oakes was on scene and tells us two people, the driver and passenger managed to escape with only minor injuries after their RAV 4 flipped into a ditch. They were taken to South Shore Regional Hospital as a precaution to get checked out. We're seeing some snow, mixed with ice pellets....rain is in store for later Thursday night. To prevent incidents from occurring RCMP are reminding road users of the following:




• Call 511 to listen for advisories or road condition updates;

• Please avoid any unnecessary travel;

• Ensure an emergency kit is prepared and in your vehicle;

• Ensure cell phones are charged and ready for use in the event of an emergency;

• Adjust your driving according to the conditions;

• Allow extra time to arrive at your destination;

• Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and those in front of you; and

• Ensure other motorists can see you. Turn on your headlights.

Councillors in Chester mull over moving to Mayoral system

The Municipality of Chester will stick with a warden style council system for now. During their regular meeting this morning, Council discussed the idea of potentially moving to a mayoral system in advance of municipal elections in October. However, members decided to stick with the status quo and re-visit the issue following the upcoming elections. District 1 councillor Marshal Hector says a decision to move to a mayoral system at their meeting this morning would have been rushed. "Where we only have the three weeks from today to confirm our decision makes it rushed. I don't think there is enough time for the general public to really stop and think about it and understand the difference between a wardens system and a mayoral system," District 3 councillor Brad Armstrong agreed. He says he's not opposed to introducing a mayoral system down the road if resident want to make the switch. "I don't want to make a quick snap decision - this council is functioning quite well and if it isn't broke....why fix it? But, there's no reason, I believe, that after the next election that if it becomes and issue or if the public states they want us to look at it then I think we should look at it," Wardens are chosen by their peers, needing a majority vote via secret ballot, while mayors are elected by residents in a separate election. Council needed to make a decision today on the issue in order to meet an imposed mid-February deadline.

White Point sells stones for Liverpool Fire Department

The Liverpool Fire Department is benefiting from a unique fundraiser at White Point. 83 beach stones from the lodge's main fireplace have been sold to raise money for the volunteer department. The marketing and product development manager at White Point, Donna Hatt, came up with the idea and contacted the fire department. She says the fundraiser is a good way to honour firefighters who fought hard to battle the November blaze at the resort. Hatt says the minimum donation for each stone was $25 but after all 83 stones sold, they had raised $3,400. The money will be used to buy an accountability system for the fire department, which helps keep track of each firefighter's movements.

BREAKING: School Board Closing Schools Early

The South Shore Regional School Board isn't taking a chance with Thursday's weather. The board has decided to close down schools an hour-and-a-half earlier than normal. The forecast is expected to get messy early Thursday afternoon with snow, ice pellets, freezing temperatures and rain. The South Shore Waldorf School will be closing at 12pm while Centre scolaire de la Rive Sud will close at 1:30pm.

BREAKING: Municipal Electric Co-op has MOU with Unnamed Energy Suppliers

The Municipal Electric Co-op of Nova Scotia will unveil the details surrounding a new energy deal for its customers next week. The Town of Lunenburg, along with Mahone Bay, Antigonish, Riverport and Berwick are all members of the co-op which formed in 1999. Mahone Bay mayor Joe Feeney confirmed to CKBW/HANK FM News that its members have signed a memorandum of understanding to enter into a new venture with two separate power suppliers. "We're very very and I mean very close to finalizing all of the negotiations to have some green energy and some imported energy that will allow us to do an even better job of providing our utility users with a better price,"  Feeney says the parties have been meeting weekly for the past month and more details could be announced as early as next week. He says one of the companies involved in the deal is in business of generating wind power.

Silver Donald Takes Charge in Bridgewater

Silver Donald Cameron

Author and journalist Silver Donald Cameron will be in Bridgewater Thursday night carrying an energy-efficient message. Cameron is in the middle of his province-wide 'Take Charge' tour, which promotes saving money, creating jobs and helping the environment. He says the tour is helping people realize they can make a difference.

"It's kind of a win-win across he board, I mean, you win individually by saving money and that sort of thing and we also win as a community and we win as a planet because, of course, the less electricity we use in this province, the less coal we burn in our generating plants, the less emissions, the less global warming."

The 'Take Charge' tour started in Truro in late November and wraps up in Halifax February 6. Cameron says the discussion will give people a chance to have their energy questions answered. He will speak from 7-8pm Thursday night at the Bridgewater Fire Hall. Admission is free.

MODL exploring Wind Power options

The Municipality of Lunenburg is exploring the possibility of future wind turbines in the area. Council held a discussion with Keith Towse of Community Wind Farms Inc., outlining issues including where the power generators could be placed, the benefits and the cost. The group is currently looking at land on Mulloch Road in Whynot's Settlement, opposite the Recycling Plant. Towse says they are hoping to have a public meeting in February. He says the group is interested in setting up wind farms at two other sites; one in Lunenburg County and the other in Queens County. Council is expected to discuss the issue at a later date.

Chair of 1688 Lobster Association calls for Solidarity

Lobster fishermen in southwestern Nova Scotia will be formally recognized under a new group called the "1688 Professional Lobster Fishermen's Association". The group was formed last week in Barington and their main goal is to fight for better lobster prices at the wharf.  PLFA chair James Mood is calling on lobster fishermen in the area to support the association by purchasing memberships. Mood is hoping at least 80 percent of lobster fishermen who hold a license in LFA's 33 and 34 to join the association as a sign of solidarity."The point is and it's like this...they got to unite...they just have to...we have to do something about these prices," Memberships will cost $250 for license holders and $25 dollars for crew members. Mood says the association will hire two staff members and set up a regional office in Woods Harbour. The group is holding a sign-up meeting today in Yarmouth at 1:30PM and tomorrow at the Fire Hall in Shelburne - they will also discuss lobster prices and industry concerns.

Mawhinney: Town of Lunenburg Looking for Fixed Power Costs

The town of Lunenburg's mayor says the entire province is feeling the same pain when discussing power rates. The cost of electricity went up across the province on January 1st and Laurence Mawhinney explains its something everyone has to deal with. The town is able to offer residents a lower cost for power because it buys electricity in bulk from Nova Scotia Power and operates its own utility. However, Mawhinney says that doesn't mean the town isn't searching for lower costs from alternate energy suppliers. "What we said in our strategic plan is that we wanted to get a new source of energy that was greener and more efficient and was more in line with fixed costs - I do believe we are moving in that direction and I'm optimistic in the not too distant future, we'll be able to put the plank down for the public," The town is one of five municipal units in the province who operate their own utility. Mahone Bay, Riverport, Berwick and Antigonish are the others. The town of Canso also operates it's own utility but is in the midst of amalgamating with the Municipality of Guysborough.

BREAKING: Councillor Mitchell to seek nomination for PC Party

David Mitchell

A Bridgewater Councillor is looking to make the switch from municipal to provincial politics. David Mitchell has announced his intent to seek nomination for the Progressive Conservative party in the Lunenburg West riding. Mitchell has spent seven years as a town councillor and says he's ready to take his style of politics to the next level.

"I love municipal politics but the issues that we face in the town are not unique to the town, they're province-wide and I believe that the hard work and common sense approach I use on council, I could use to serve more people at a provincial level."

Mitchell says the decision to run came after lengthy talks with his wife and three children. He says he's a 'tell it like it is' kind of guy who works hard and gets things done. Mitchell says the timing is right to take on the NDP government.

"The last two-and-a-half years I think we've gone backwards, whether it's increasing the HST or cancelling the ferry or simply throwing money at problems without looking for lasting solutions. The Tories will be the party I think that helps Nova Scotia get itself out of the hole its been dug into."

Mitchell says he's a firm believer in the initiatives Leader Jamie Baillie is introducing to the party. But, he says he still plans on re-offering for Bridgewater council in the fall in case his venture into provincial politics doesn't go as planned. A date for a nomination meeting has yet to be selected.

VIDEO: More Bike Lanes coming to Bridgewater

Bike enthusiasts are getting a bit more room on some Bridgewater roads. Town council voted 6-1 in favour of installing shared bike lanes on North Park Street, York Street and Alexandra Avenue. The project is expected to cost the town $33,170, which is gas tax eligible. The Lunenburg County Community Health Board, Michelin and the province's Department of Health and Wellness have each contributed funding towards the project, totalling $6,200. The director of planning with the town of Bridgewater, Eric Shaw, says they are proposing the new shared bike lanes be three kilometres long on North Park, York and Alexandra. Roughly 1.5 kilometres of shared bike lanes were implemented on Glen Allan Drive in 2010. The new shared bike lanes are expected to take effect around June or July.

Lumberjacks quiet on trade deadline day

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks were quiet as the MHL's trade deadline passed at 10pm Tuesday night. The club didn't budge on moving day but took several calls inquiring about Captain Jake Bullen. Head Coach Terry Rhindress says Bullen is staying put.

"He made the decision that he'd like to stay and finish his year out here and, you know, I took some phone calls on Jake today (Tuesday), but it was just nothing worth wild to move the young man against his request."

Rhindress wouldn't say what teams were after Bullen, but did mention they were Bent Division squads. It was a relatively quiet trade deadline day as only 10 trades were reported to the MHL website as of 10pm Tuesday night. Rhindress says he's not surprised by the lack of movement.

"If you look at our side, our division, it's pretty tight, right. So, not a lot of teams are going to give anything up or they're all looking but nobody wants to give a whole lot up because we're pretty stockpiled on this side, right."

Only eight points separates the top five teams in the Bent Division. The Lumberjacks get back on the ice Thursday night at 7pm in Bridgewater against the Metro Marauders. If you can't make it to the game, you can tune into Nick Yorston and Eric Whynot, beginning at 6:50pm at www.lumberjackslive.ca .

MODL selects Cobequid Trail Consulting to build Osprey Village Connection

Cobequid Trail Consulting has been selected to design and build the Osprey Village Trail Connection. The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg awarded the contract to the group after recommendations from its review committee. A member of the committee, Trudy Payne, says it was a unanimous decision to choose Cobequid Trail Consulting.

"Probably the two major factors was they had a lot of experience and they fit within the 'level of effort' that was put in the request for proposal."

The multi-use trail is expected to be constructed between the rail-trail along the LaHave River to the Osprey Village site in Cookville. Cobequid Trail Consulting is expected to begin work immediately after receiving the budgeted $65,000 for the project.