Thorburne Stepping Aside As Bridgewater Fire Chief

Willing to listen, ready to serve; the words Wayne Thorburne has followed since becoming fire chief. The saying carries new weight as the 65-year-old has decided to step aside as chief and fulfill his new role on town council. Thorburne has been fire chief for almost eight years, and has spent close to 40 years as a member of the Bridgewater Fire Department. He says he's enjoyed his time as chief.



Thorburne says he will become a regular firefighter, once a new chief is elected, until his planned retirement in June. Deputy Chief Michael Nauss has been nominated to replace Thorburne as chief while Captain Andy Wentzell has been nominated to take over as deputy chief. A decision is expected December 10.

New Bridgewater-Halifax Bus Route Proposed

An eleventh hour deal is in the works to revive the South Shore's only bus service into Halifax. The owner of Trius Tours is proposing to establish a daily round-trip between Bridgewater and Halifax. Mike Cassidy is trying to find a solution after a private operator withdrew an application yesterday to provide bus service into Halifax for residents of the South Shore. Cassidy is proposing to introduce the Bridgewater-Halifax route on a six-month trial basis and offer more convenient departure and arrival times.



Trius took the Halifax-Yarmouth route over from Acadian Lines in 2006. However, low ridership is forcing the company to eliminate the run on December 1st. Cassidy would need approval from the province's regulatory board before the company could offer the new bus route.

Lumberjacks Add Groom In Yarmouth Deal

Another player is coming to the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks from the Yarmouth Mariners. The deal, first reported Tuesday included the Jacks receiving defenseman Brendan Nickerson of Shelburne County in exchange for a fifth round pick in 2013. The Lumberjacks will also receive 18-year-old forward Ryan Groom. The Glace Bay native has one goal and three assists in 19 games this season.

Veteran Councillors Have Public Transit Concerns

A pair of veteran councillors in Lunenburg feel there are too many unknowns surrounding public transit. Citizens for Public Transit have been working to secure partners for a three year pilot project to test out a fixed route system to serve Lunenburg county. The group made another presentation to town council last night in hopes of securing financial support to get their pilot project off the ground. However, John McGee is skeptical the system will work. He says taxpayers in Lunenburg are a little nervous about making such an investment.



McGee believes a decision on the town's potential involvement is still a ways down the road. Meanwhile, councillor Peter Zwicker is applauding the work of the CPT, but also has concerns with the costs associated with the pilot project. He says any decision falls on the taxpayers of Lunenburg.



Should the town sign onto the pilot project, it would mean Lunenburg would need to invest a dollar amount that could exceed $20,000. The CPT is hoping to cost share the pilot project with the provincial government and four municipal units within the county.

MODL Concerned About Lost Bus Service

The Municipality of Lunenburg has concerns after learning a bus service will no longer serve the South Shore. CKBW/HANK-FM News reported yesterday Bernie Melanson of Bernie's Shuttle Service has decided to withdraw his application to replace Trius Tours' Halifax to Yarmouth route. The decision means a bus service could vanish from the South Shore as early as December 1. Mayor Don Downe says there needs to be a service for residents.



The municipality is currently reviewing the situation and plan to outline their concerns to the province.

Bridgewater Curling Club Hosting International Event

The Bridgewater Curling Club has been selected to host curlers from Scotland in the Strathcona Cup 2013 tour. Senior men's teams from Scotland will play four, eight-end curling matches against local squads in the one-day event. The club will be one of five Canadian stops on the cup's tour. Canada and Scotland have competed for the Strathcona Cup since 1903. The competition is the oldest international curling event in the world. It will be held January 11, 2013.

Yarmouth-Halifax Bus Route Axed

There won't be a bus service in southwestern Nova Scotia as of December 1st. A private operator has pulled an application to take over the route between Yarmouth and Halifax from Trius Tours. The Charlottetown based bus company is expanding to replace Acadian Coach Lines at the end of this month, but are axing their South Shore run because of low ridership. Bernie Melanson was proposing to keep the same route, but was unable to secure enough agents to sell tickets or handle packages.



He says the losses would be too great because transporting parcels makes up nearly half of annual revenues for motor carriers. There are now just two shuttle services offering rides between Halifax and Yarmouth.

Time Limit Created For Bridgewater Public Meetings

Residents in Bridgewater will have less time to voice their opinion at public participation meetings. The town has altered its meeting procedure, giving people up to five minutes to speak. However, deputy mayor Bill McInnis disagrees with the move, saying five minutes is too long.




Council voted 5-2 on the matter. Councillor Michael Graves was also against the move, saying there shouldn't be a time limit. The move is expected to cut down on longer statements, reserved for public hearings.

Lumberjacks Acquire Nickerson For Fifth Round Pick

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks continue to be active on the trade front. The Jacks have acquired defenseman Brendan Nickerson from the Yarmouth Mariners for a fifth round pick in 2013. Nickerson is no stranger to Bridgewater, after playing major midget with the South Shore Mustangs. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound 16-year-old from Shelburne County had only one assist in 16 games with the Mariners this season. The deal comes one day after a six-player trade with the Metro Shipbuilders.

Lobster Fishing Season Finally Underway

The winter lobster fishing season is finally underway in fishing areas 33 and 34. Department of Fisheries spokesperson, Frank Quinn says no one was hurt as a result of three separate incidents. The first incident occurred in Wedgeport when a lobster vessel lost power just after it set out with a load of traps. It was towed back to port by a coast guard vessel. Three vessels came to the aid of another that was taking on water near Barrington. Pumps were able to get rid of the water and the vessel continued on its way to the lobster grounds. The most serious event saw a vessel go down while it was sitting dockside in Port Maitland. It hasn't been determined what caused the "Cory and Tyson" to sink. Meanwhile, Quinn says here is help standing-by should any other incidents occur.



The season's start was delayed by a day yesterday because of windy conditions. More than 350-thousand lobster traps will be dropped today from the decks of more than 17-hundred vessels in an area stretching from Halifax, along the South Shore into Yarmouth County and on to Digby.

Bridgewater: Two Options For King Street Building

The mayor of Bridgewater called it an opportunity to bring the new council up to speed. Proponents for Cafe 12 presented their business proposal for a second time, after many new faces were elected in Bridgewater in October. Cafe 12 is looking to replace the library, which moves into the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre once its complete. Organizers issued a formal request Monday night to enter into negotiations for a lease-hold agreement of the King Street building for $1 a year. However, David Walker says council has to choose between two options.



A decision is expected to be made during next month's council meeting.

Firm Donates Food, Cash To Local Food Bank

A local consulting firm has stepped up to help the Bridgewater Inter-church food bank. Grant Thornton offices in Yarmouth, Digby, Kentville and Bridgewater helped gather over 1,200 pounds of food and just under $1,400 for the local food bank. Senior Manager Kim Hopkins says it feels good to help.



Hopkins says she noticed the food bank is still in need of key items including peanut butter and things for children's lunches. She encourages everyone to keep donating during the holiday season.

VIDEO: Thorburne Sworn-in As Bridgewater Councillor

Bridgewater council finally became a whole group following the October 20 municipal elections. Wayne Thorburne was sworn-in November 26 after he was overseas when the rest of council was sworn-in November 5. Thorburne is also the chief of Bridgewater's fire department, but it's expected he will step aside from that position in December.

Lumberjacks Acquire Snair, Riguse From Metro

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have shipped forward Jamie MacIntyre and defenseman Roland Provencal to the Metro Shipbuilders. In return, the Jacks get goaltender Anderson Snair and forward Chris Riguse. Head Coach Terry Rhindress says it's a good deal for his club. Metro will also receive Lumberjack prospects Brandon Challoner and Scott MacSween in the deal. Rhindress hopes to have Snair and Riguse in the lineup for Friday night's game against Summerside.

Leblanc Hearing On Dartmouth Charges Adjourned

A preliminary hearing for a 47-year-old man accused of molesting and photographing two young boys has been adjourned until the spring. CKBW/HANK-FM's Steve MacArthur has more from Dartmouth.



These charges pre-date Leblanc's alleged involvement in the teen confinement case out of Upper Chelsea.

Weekend Sports Wrap

The BMO Western Hurricanes have won the 2012 ESSO Challenge Cup in Halifax. The team tied their first game and then went on to win six in a row, including the championship game 4-2 over Cape Breton. Game MVPs were Matt Grace, Logan Walters, Keith Getson, Luke Emin, Cameron Jaquard, Chris Goreham and Quintin Johnson. Keith Getson was named tournament MVP.
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Three South Shore Junior curling teams advanced to the provincials over the weekend during a regional qualifier in Berwick. Raquel Bachman's Bridgewater rink went undefeated while Mary Fay of Chester and Trevor Crouse of Bridgewater also moved on. The Provincial Junior Curling championships will be held at the Chester Curling Club starting December 27th.
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The Park View Panther Boys hockey team lost to Northeast Kings 4-3 over the weekend. However, they also defeated Avon View 7-5 in another game. Fletch Selig had a hat trick in that win.
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The Park View Lady Panthers hockey team defeated Central Kings 3-2 in Berwick. Jackie Stevens was the top scorer for Central Kings and top scorers for Park View were Whitney Tanner and Robin Knickle, each with three-point nights.
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It was a difficult weekend for the South Shore Mustangs. They played a home and home series against the Halifax Titans. The local major midget hockey team lost 8-1 Sunday. On Saturday, the Mustangs fell 9-0.
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It was a rare loss for the Halifax Mooseheads. The team was shutout 3-0 Sunday by the Wildcats in Moncton.
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The Park View division one boys basketball team dropped two games Saturday in Moncton, first 76-65 to Riverview and then 98-41 to Harrison Trimble.
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A strong effort by the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks but they still came out on the short end of a 4-2 decision in Truro Saturday night. Mike Crawley and Josh Shatford scored for the Jacks who've now lost four straight. The Jacks' next action goes this Friday night when the Summerside Capitals roll into Bridgewater.

Start Of Lobster Season Delayed

Lobster fishermen have delayed the start of their season in districts 33 and 34. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans South West Nova area director Frank Quinn says high winds resulted in the 24-hour delay.



Fishermen will now head out early tomorrow morning at 7am in area 33 and 6am in area 34. There are about 17-hundred vessels licensed to fish lobster in an area that stretches from Halifax to Digby.

Getting Ready For "Ups & Downs" Of Winter Driving

The unusually warm weather through much of November has perhaps made many drivers complacent! However, the stretch of nice weather will be coming to an end! One of these mornings we will wake up to a dose of reality with snow coming down and the wind howling! The Canadian Automobile Association is reminding South Shore motorists to get ready before the first storm! The CAA's Gary Howard tells us ...  your vehicle needs to be road ready, you should have a safety kit on board and let someone know where you're going if you head out on a trip!



Here are tips on how to be prepared:
• Let others know your itinerary before you go out on the road.
• Strongly consider putting winter tires on your vehicle, regardless of your area’s snow accumulation. Rubber in all-season tires starts to lose elasticity and harden at around 7°C, significantly reducing the tire’s ability to grip the road. Winter tires harden at around -40°C, allowing them to maintain elasticity in much colder temperatures.
• Carry a fully charged cell phone to call a friend or roadside assistance if needed.
• Take your car into your local service technician to have it maintained for the seasonal transition. This service can include having your battery inspected for wear before the start of the season and ensuring the right grade of oil in your vehicle for optimal winter use.

The CAA also recommends we invest the time in preparing a winter driving kit for our vehicle. According to a poll conducted earlier this year by CAA, only 36 per cent of those surveyed carried a winter driving kit in their vehicle. That means that 64 per cent of Canadians aren’t properly equipped for a winter roadside emergency.

Suggested contents of a winter driving kit include:
• Warm winter gloves, toque and boots
• Blanket or extra clothing
• Bag of sand or kitty litter
• Small shovel
• Ice scraper and/or snow brush
• Snacks for energy
• Extra windshield washer fluid
• First aid kit
• Hardcopy local map (not just a GPS unit)
• Flashlight and batteries
• Flares
• Waterproof matches
• Battery jumper cables

The CAA has an on-line contest underway during this lead-up to Christmas. The Cold Start Contest runs till December 10th and provides a refresher course on winter driving and car maintenance. Here's the link to the contest:  www.caa.ca/coldstart

Hearing on Sex Charges Begins In Dartmouth For Leblanc

A preliminary hearing for a man accused of molesting and photographing two young boys begins Monday in Dartmouth. David James Leblanc is facing seven charges including sexual assault and sexual interference. The 47 year-old is also charged with making child pornography and single counts of accessing, possessing and distributing child pornography. The charges stem from alleged incidents more than two years ago on the South Shore, in the Annapolis Valley and in HRM. Leblanc was arrested in December 2010 after police seized computer equipment and digital storage devices from an apartment in Dartmouth. The preliminary hearing will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. Leblanc is also at the centre of the high profile teen confinement and sexual assault case in Lunenburg County. He is facing seven charges in relation to those allegations.

Christmas On The LaHave Back For Another Year

One of the largest Christmas events on the South Shore goes this weekend in Bridgewater. Christmas on the LaHave is back for another year with musical entertainment, a tree lighting, parade and fireworks. One of the organizers, Bill MacInnis, says the parade should be a crowd-pleaser



The parade will start at the NSCC on High Street, go down Empire Street and finishes at the South Parkade. Organizers are expecting a crowd of over 10,000 people to take-in the event. Christmas on the LaHave kicks off at 4:30pm Sunday on King Street.