Dominion Street Project Hundreds Of Thousands Over-Budget

The town of Bridgewater's engineer has revealed the water and sewer project on Dominion Street is $298,600 in the red. The figure was released during a meeting Monday night. Low cost estimates, additional paving and a mix-up accessing federal money are among several factors contributing to the project being over-budget. Mayor David Walker says they are tasking senior management to find money in their capital budget to cover the costs.



Staff will notify council if it can be done, at a later date.

Liverpool: Author's Fourth Crow Series Book Launch

A well-known Queens County author will unveil his latest book this evening during an official launch. Vernon Oickle to set to release the fourth installment of the popular crow series called "Four Crows A Boy". The fictional book features a few strange twists and tells a wild story based around life in Liverpool. The series has been a tremendous success so far and the book's publisher has deemed it a best seller. The launch kicks off at 7 o'clock tonight at Lanes Privateers Inn in Liverpool.

Shelburne Ship Repair: 48 Layoffs Since Nov 2nd

Shelburne Ship Repair has laid off more than half of its workforce due to a lack of work orders. A spokesperson for Irving Shipbuilding confirmed the layoffs in an email, indicating that the company has laid off 48 workers since November 2nd. Deborah Page says a series of layoffs began after repair projects wrapped up on HMCS Shawinigan and the DND Water Barge. Page says the company needs to secure new work orders before they can begin to re-hire the workers. The Shelburne Shipyard now has 15 full-time workers down from a peak of 75 employees earlier this year.

Board Members Learn More About Impact Reports

It was a chance for the newly elected local school board members to ask questions and learn more information about the school impact assessment reports. A pair of consultants for Deloitte met with the board Wednesday night to present an overview of the work they've been doing since April. The two men focused on key issues like education program delivery, operational expenditures and capital expenditures for the six schools in the review process. One of the consultants, Dr. Jim Gunn, says members provided good feedback.



No decision was made during the meeting. The six schools up for review include Mill Village Consolidated, Hebbville Academy, Pentz Elementary, Gold River-Western Shore Elementary, Petite Riviere Elementary and New Ross Consolidated. Study committees for each of the schools will write a response on the impact assessment reports to the board by February 1. More information can be found here : http://ssrsb.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=770&Itemid=371

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.