BREAKING: Cooke Aquaculture Expanding In Shelburne

The province is lending $25-million to Cooke Aquaculture to expand its operations in Shelburne, Digby and Truro. The provincial government says in a release that $16-million of the loan will bear interest, but the remaining $9-million will be forgivable through the Nova Scotia Jobs Fund and jobsHere. Cooke plans to spend $150-million itself on the expansion, which is already underway. The provincial government says the money will create more than 400 jobs, including 320 positions in Shelburne County. Cooke is opening a fish processing plant in Shelburne, building a new salmon hatchery in Digby, and expanding a feed mill in Truro.

Women Have Their Say In New Book

It's a book empowering women to tell their story. '20 Winners at the Game of Life' gives 20 different women a chance to explain how they became successful in their own way. Co-Director of the book, Pat Watson, says its an eye-opener for women.





The book features successful women in all walks of life including five from the South Shore. It will be launched tonight from 6-8pm at Second Story Women’s Centre in Lunenburg.

Government Wrong In Dealing With Electoral Boundaries Commission: Baillie

NS PC Leader Jamie Baillie

The debate continues over the Nova Scotia Provincial Electoral Boundaries Commission interim report it presented in May.  The commission has been told by the government to go back and re-do it because recommending 4 minority-group constituencies be maintained was not part of its terms of refernce.

PC Leader Jamie Baillie says the Dexter government is out of line by telling the commission what or what-not it should be doing.

Baillie says: "The debate is not really about those seats anymore. Its about a government that is using its majority to write its own rules. That is why I say... what a disgrace if this was in Uganda. But, thats exactly what is happening with the rules of the next election here in Nova Scotia and that bothers me more than the protected seats does."

The commission said in its initial report, among other things, there should continue to be 52 members in the Legislature and the four "protected constituencies", including Argyle and Preston, should be retained. The commission now says it will rewrite its final report for release in late August.

Gasoline Prices Will Likely Drop Again!

This could be a fore-runner of what may happen overnight tonight with South Shore gas prices.  For a third straight week, the price of gas is down in New Brunswick.  Regular self-serve fell an even two cents last night to a new top price of $1.23 a litre.  Diesel has dropped three-tenths of a cent and furnace oil has fallen just over a penny to a new maximum price of $1.06 per litre.  The prices are at their lowest level in New Brunswick since last Christmas.

South Shore Company And Fishermen Go To Trial

Charges have been laid and trials are underway for a fish company on the South Shore and 12 individuals.  It follows a lengthy DFO investigation ... running from January 2006 to June 2009.  Some 66 charges in all are involved, dealing with alledged illegal activity in the groundfish and clam fishing industries.  Charges range from buying, selling or processing groundfish and clams in contravention of the fisheries act ... to ... fishing without a license.  The cases against Deep Cove Marine of Chester, its president and 11 other fishermen are back in Bridgewater court later in the summer and into the fall.

Injured Motorcyclist Transferred To Halifax

A motorcyclist, who suffered a critical leg injury in an accident in the New Germany area Tuesday evening, has been transferred to the QE2 Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. The female driver of the second bike involved in the crash has been released from South Shore Regional in Bridgewater.  The accident happened on the Newburne Road in Maplewood and involved two motorcycles and a car.  The driver of the car wasn't hurt. The investigation into the accident continues.

Provincial Money To Boost Aquaculture Industry

A Shelburne County fish farm operation is about to receive an infusion of money from the Dexter government.  Millions of dollars are expected to be heading to New Brunswick-based Cooke Aquaculture.
The company has plans to expand operations, including a processing plant in Shelburne County, a feed mill in Truro and development of a fish hatchery in Digby.  The announcement will be made later this morning by the premier at the end of a two-day cabinet meeting in Shelburne.

One Injured After Two Vehicle Collision in Bridgewater

At least one person has been taken to hospital after a two vehicle collision in Bridgewater. The incident occurred on North Street in front of Guys Frenchy's early Wednesday afternoon. Town police, EHS and the Bridgewater Fire Department responded to the scene. The extent of the injuries are not known at this time

Bowater: Dexter Appoints Response Team

Its another avenue to help those affected by the Bowater closure. Premier Darrell Dexter has announced the creation of a provincial response team. The team is expected to bring expertise and resources from across government to get the support and services for people who need them. Dexter says it is a top priority for government and the province is committed to do what it takes to see the community and industry through a very tough time. The team is led by Jeff Larsen, executive director of investment and trade in the Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, and Allan Eddy, senior director with the Department of Natural Resources. It will also include resources from the departments of Labour and Advanced Education, Natural Resources, Community Services, Energy and Nova Scotia Business Inc. The team will support transition advisor Ron Smith, who was appointed earlier this week to help communities impacted by the Bowater mill closing. The response team will focus on three key areas:

• Community Adjustment: Help community, workers and businesses through transition. Increase and diversify the local skills base.
• Economic Diversification: Identify growth opportunities in key sectors. Implement strategies to attract investment and create jobs. Support entrepreneurship.
• Forestry Transition and Supply Chain: Pursue opportunities to support the forestry sector. Transition regional forestry sector and supply chain. Identify short, medium and long term opportunities for forestry innovation.

 The team will also meet with the forestry sector to discuss immediate needs. The province is also gathering information on the 500,000 acres of land for sale by Resolute. 

Support Builds Around Shelburne Food Bank

Residents of Shelburne are ready to return the favour and help an organization in need. The Shelburne Loyalist Food Bank is preparing for its summer food drive and community members are stepping up to help re-stock their shelves. Students and staff at Shelburne Regional High School have already indicated they are willing to help. Principal Mary Manning says parents and students are being asked to bring a donation to this year's prom and graduation celebrations later this month.



Food bank volunteer Wayne Dukes says a two-week food drive will begin next week. He says the food bank sees around 80 to 100 people on a regular basis.



Donations will be accepted at location throughout Shelburne including  Sobeys, Goulden's Shell and the Post Office.

South Shore Under High Risk For Forest Fires

DNR Fire Weather Index Map as of June 20

Its considered a risky time to have a fire on the South Shore. The entire region is under a high risk hazard for forest fires. The Department of Natural Resources says dry conditions mixed with warm temperatures has led to the warning. Supervisor of Wildfire Management, Jim Rudderham, says the high risk is typical for this time of year.



He encourages people not to have fires right now, but if they do, to make sure its properly extinguished. Rudderham is hoping weekend rains will reduce the risk.

What Will Become Of Bowater Woodlands?

What will become of the assets of Bowater Mersey? 
Thats a question bothering many people.

As private woodlot owners in the western part of the province struggle to find a new buyer or buyers for their product, the president of the woodlot owners association hopes his fears don't become a reality.

Marc Chisholm hopes a big international conglomerate will not be allowed to buy up the 600-thousand acres of Bowater woodland, harvest the trees and ship them elsewhere.  He and his fellow members are hoping government will step-in to protect private woodlot owners.



Chisholm says allowing Bowater's woodland assets to be sold indiscrimately would be a disaster for the forest industry in general.

Serious Injuries In New Germany-Area Crash

A man and a woman are in a South Shore hospital this morning as a result of a crash involving two motorcycles Tuesday evening near New Germany. The collision between the two occurred in Maplewood on the Newburne Road. 

RCMP investigators say the man has a severe injury to his left leg and is in critical condition at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. Police don't know the woman's condition, but say she's not as badly hurt.

The names of the injured haven't been released.

Lunenburg: Zwicker Will Not Re-Offer

 A town councillor in Lunenburg has decided not to re-offer in the upcoming municipal election. Peter Zwicker was first elected in 2004 and announced on Tuesday he will not seek re-election in October. During his eight years on council he has served as deputy mayor, chair of the Planning Advisory Committee and a strong proponent and supporter of Lunenburg’s first Strategic Plan. In making the announcement, Zwicker told CKBW/HANK FM it has been a pleasure and an honour to have served the residents of the historic community.

Zwicker says it was a tough decision but hopes it will allow others the opportunity to become involved in their community.

Dollivers Brook Bridge: Closes For Repair

The province's department of transportation will begin work on the Dollivers Brook Bridge in Voglers Cove on Thursday. The bridge will close until the end of the month while the structure is being replaced. In the meantime, a detour, using Highway 103 and Hirtle Road is available for motorists. The bridge is located on Route 331.

Support Offices Open In Liverpool & Bridgewater

The province is offering more support for workers affected by the shutdown of the Bowater Mersey paper mill. Offices in Liverpool and Bridgewater are staffed with a team of career counsellors and specialists in job training. The province's deputy minister of labour, Jeff Conrad, says the team will work with people on career options and services, skills assessments and training. Conrad says information sessions that will cover issues such as EI claims will begin next month.



The team includes members of Employment Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Adult Education, as well as municipal and federal staff and resources. Support teams are located in two locations. South Shore Opportunities in Liverpool, 7 Henry Hensey Drive, 902-354-2616 and Employment Solutions Society in Bridgewater at 215 Dominion Street, 902-543-2479. Additional information can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/employmentnovascotia 
 

Support includes:

-- making sure workers have accurate information about career options and services so they can make informed decisions about their next steps

-- individual skill assessments

-- essential skills development such as computer use, resume writing, literacy upgrading

-- identification of self-employment options and support for business startups

-- customized training options for people that move them directly into employment, through programs like One Journey or Link, that match people with specific skill sets to employers.

Baillie: Resolute Needs To Compensate Bowater Workers & Companies

PC Leader Jamie Baillie

The province needs to insure a lot of people aren't left in the lurch financially with the closure of the Bowater Mersey paper mill.  That comment today from provincial PC Leader Jamie Baillie.  During a CKBW/Hank-fm News interview, the PC leader says sawmills and truckers owed money by Bowater's parent company, Resolute Forest Products, need to be paid and right away and the hundreds of workers at the plant itself need compensation too.


Baillie says there is still a bright future for the forest industry on the South Shore despite the demise of  Bowater.  He says the right business just needs to be found to tap into it. Baillie tells us everyone pulling together: politicians, business and the community in general, will insure that happens.



Baillie says among other things, the transition committee setup by the government needs to spearhead the way in finding newer and stronger markets for wood chips and lumber to help take up a bit of the slack from the closure of Bowater.

BREAKING: Don Downe To Re-Offer For Mayor

The mayor for the District of Lunenburg has announced he will re-offer for the position. Don Downe confirmed his decision Tuesday during an exclusive interview with CKBW/HANK-FM. The mayor was first elected into the seat in 2008 after representing Lunenburg West as an MLA from 1993 until 2003. He says he's ready for another term and expects to be challenged for the seat.



The decision didn't come easy for Downe. He says he was approached to run for provincial politics again, but decided against it.



He adds, it was a tough decision to make because of time commitments and daily challenges that come with the position. Downe says he's proud of the work council has done over the last four years. But, he says issues remain like improving services at the solid waste facility in Whynott's Settlement and potentially sharing services with Mahone Bay and Bridgewater. More details to come.

VIDEO: Transition Team Will Support South Shore

Premier Darrell Dexter

A transition committee has been assembled to help with the loss of a major industry in the South Shore. The team was created over the weekend after Resolute Forest Products announced they were closing their pulp and paper operation in Brooklyn on Friday. Its role is to gather ideas from residents, community and business leaders about what they think could help broaden the region's economy. The team is made up of a veteran group of business leaders led by former Emera and Aliant chief financial officer Ron Smith. He will be joined by Andrew Button of the Lunenburg Queen's RDA. Button talked to CKBW/HANK FM about why he accepted the job.



Other members include Chamber of Commerce president Barry Tomalin, CAO for the Region of Queens Kathleen Rafuse, Blair Douglas of N.F. Douglas Lumber Limited and MLA Vicki Conrad.

Mayor Downe: "Region Needs To Rally"

Residents of the South Shore continue to try and recover after the region was hit with a crushing blow last week with the closure of the Bowater Mersey paper mill. Since December, nearly 450 direct jobs were eliminated in the Region of Queens due to struggles at the mill and within the pulp and paper industry. Political leaders are now working to try and save hundreds of other jobs in the sawmill, trucking and harvesting sectors. District of Lunenburg mayor Don Downe says the region's forestry industry has been changed forever.



Downe says he's behind the provincial government in its efforts to create a transition committee to seek new opportunities for the region. The committee was unveiled today in Liverpool and is made up of members of the business community in Lunenburg and Queens.