MHL: Lumberjacks Send Co-Captain Conrad To Amherst

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have dealt hometown boy Jacob Conrad to the Amherst Ramblers. The 20-year-old was sent to the Jacks' division foe and will get plenty in return including Jesse McInnis, Brandon Forgeron, the rights to Brett Arthur, Brandon Parker, Ryan Penny, Braydon Wood and future considerations. Conrad is enjoying a solid offensive campaign, notching 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points in 28 games this season. Meanwhile, the Jacks get a few players who can step right into their lineup including McInnis, who has five goals and eight assists in 30 games while Arthur has three goals and six assists in 21 games. 

MHL: Lumberjacks' Warner Traded To Summerside

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have traded one of their crowd favorites to Summerside. Luke Warner has been dealt to the Western Capitals in exchange for a third-round pick in 2013 and future considerations. The 19-year-old, known for his gritty style of play, scored three goals and 10 assists in 36 games this season for the Jacks. Warner will join a Summerside team that is bolstering its line-up in preparation for hosting the 2013 RBC Cup in May.

Bridgewater Fire Department Fills Outdoor Rinks

A pair of local outdoor skating rinks have been filled with water by the Bridgewater fire department. Members flooded the skating surfaces last night at Kinsmen Field. Now, town councillor Andrew Tanner says they need some cold weather to help them out. Tanner asks people to stay off the rinks until they're ready for use. He hopes enough cold weather will allow the rinks to open early next week.

Queens: Feds Support Three Community Groups

Three organizations in Queens County received a boost today with the announcement of federal dollars for upgrades. South Shore-St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy announced just over 30-thousand dollars this morning for the Hank Snow Museum, the local baseball club and Port Joli Community Hall. The museum will see more than 11-thousand dollars to conduct some renovations while the Port Joli Community Association will receive nearly 14-thousand dollars to support upgrades. Meanwhile, the Liverpool Baseball Club will use 8-thousands dollars to upgrade the Murray C. Smith baseball field.

Hoops: Horton Drops Park View

In Division 1 boys basketball action the Horton Griffens defeated the Park View Panthers 102- 69. Jake Langille led the Panthers with 16 points while Bradley Fuller of Horton was outstanding with 37 points. The Panthers will play two games today at the prestigious Irving Classic in Moncton New Brunswick.

MHL: 'Jacks Face Timberwolves in Liverpool

After ending a long drought earlier in the week the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks go for a second straight win tonight when they travel to Liverpool to face the Miramichi Timberwolves. The Jacks are coming off a big win against Metro after coach and GM Terry Rhindress stepped down. Don Dodman and Doug Petrie will be guiding the Junior A club the rest of the way. It's also trade deadline day in the MHL and the Jacks have several players that might be moved before this evening's puck drop. The Lumberjacks and the Timberwolves hook up at 7:30PM at Queens Place Emera Centre.

VIDEO: Residents Concerned About School Review Process

Tears were shed and voices were heard as around 100 community members gathered at the Western Shore Fire Hall for an information session on the school review process. Parents and concerned citizens spoke out on many issues including longer bus times, class sizes and the lack of an after-school program if students from Gold River-Western Shore Elementary were moved to Chester District Elementary. Members from Deloitte along with members of the school's study committee gathered at the head of the room to answer questions and collect information. Anil Chakraborty has one child at the school. He says people are willing to stand up to keep their school alive.



Information gathered by the study committee last night will be put into a report and released in early February. A public hearing which will include members of the South Shore Regional School Board will be held next month. For a full schedule of all the public hearings for each of the schools under review, click here . Meanwhile, in the video below, Municipality of Chester councillor Robert Myra and the former manager of capital construction and energy conservation with the South Shore Regional School Board, Wellesley Eisnor, make public comment during the meeting.

Meeting To Discuss Bylaw Changes For Group Home

Residents of Bridgewater are invited to a second public meeting on by-law changes for a group home on Evergreen Road. LaHave Manor wants to increase the number of residents permitted to live in the facility from three to five. The town has changed wording in its bylaw to allow for the increase and are holding a meeting to gather public feedback. The meeting goes tonight at 6pm at Bridgewater town hall.

New Germany Native Released From Toronto Hospital

A New Germany native has been released from Toronto hospital following double-lung transplant surgery. Thirty-three year old Jessica Carver has Cystic Fibrosis and returned to her apartment after going under the knife December 13. She spent the last three weeks recovering at the hospital with family and friends before she was given the green light by her doctor Monday to go home. Carver says she's relieved to be out of the hospital.



Carver has to take medication and visit the hospital 3-4 times a week for physiotherapy, but says she's happy she can go home at the end of each day. She says there's a lot she is still unable to do like lift anything over 10 pounds or walk her dog. She hopes to make a return to the South Shore by March. You can follow Jessica's blog on how her recovery is going here .

MODL: Council Against Crouses Settlement Tower

The Municipality of Lunenburg has decided against building a telecommunications tower in Crouses Settlement. Council voted 8-2 on the motion, with councillors Lee Nauss and Cathy Moore in favour of a development agreement with Rogers Communications Inc. . Councillors Errol Knickle and Don Zwicker weren't present at the time of voting. A recent public hearing revealed a majority of community members are against the idea of building a tower because of possible environmental and health concerns and the impact on their property value. Mayor Don Downe says it was a surprise decision by council.



Meanwhile, Councillor Moore says people want better service.



The tower could still be constructed, despite council's objection. Rogers has 14 days to appeal the decision with the province's Utility and Review Board.

Yarmouth: Health Concerns Remain At New School

The MLA for Yarmouth says construction delays and project mismanagement are to blame for air quality issues at the town's new high school. Zach Churchill says ventilation problems at Yarmouth High School are making staff and students sick and he believes delays with the project didn't allow enough time for proper ventilation. The Nova Scotia government called for further air quality tests last month when students and staff were still reporting symptoms linked to poor air quality. The tests found the air quality levels posed no health risks. However, Churchill says the province hasn't gone far enough because people are still getting sick.



Churchill says at least 50 staff members have reported illnesses linked to ventilation issues at the school. Yarmouth High School is home to 950 students and opened in mid-September after some delays and controversy involving subcontractors not getting paid.

Lumberjacks' Losing Streak Ends With Big Win

The long losing streak is over. The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks doubled the Metro Shipbuilders 6-3 last night and in doing so, ended their 14-game losing streak. Co-captain Jacob Conrad had a huge game with three goals and two assists. Luc Ramey also posted five points including a goal and four assists while Shawn Boudreau had four points. The win gives the Lumberjacks a seven point lead over Metro in the battle for the final Eastlink Division playoff spot. The win came on the same day that Terry Rhindress stepped aside as coach and GM of the club.

Walker: Collaborative Clinic 'Good News' For Area

The addition of a collaborative health-care clinic to Bridgewater is music to the mayor's ears. David Walker says he's glad the province has decided to invest up to $300,000 for an area clinic. He says there's a sense of relief that comes with the announcement because the town has worked towards establishing a clinic over the last few years. Walker says the Bridgewater Development Association deserves credit for their effort.



The clinic is expected to house up to seven doctors. The clinic could be open as early as this summer.

Lunenburg: Essential Funds For Academy & Arena

The Town of Lunenburg will receive just over $30,000 for repairs to Lunenburg Academy. The money will help cover the cost of much needed repair work at the historic landmark and was part of several funding announcements made by South Shore-St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy on Tuesday. The local Member of Parliament also delivered nearly $17,000 to help replace the Lunenburg Arena's refrigeration condenser. The Lunenburg Board of Trade Society will see more than $170,000 in joint funding to help develop smart phone apps for a waterfront virtual tour of the town and a public WiFi zone. Keddy also delivered $150,000 in funding today for four projects in the Bridgewater area. Details on those announcements can be found: Bridgewater Projects Receive Funds

BREAKING: Rhindress Resigns As Lumberjacks Coach

Caught in the middle of a 13-game losing skid, Terry Rhindress has resigned as head coach and general manager of the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks. Rhindress resigned from his duties because of personal and family obligations. The 42-year-old says he misses his wife and nine-year-old daughter in New Brunswick and plans to take some time away from the game. Rhindress guided the team to a 21-63-1-2 through his two years behind the bench. He says a decision was made after a meeting with owner Ken Petrie this morning.



Rhindress says he wants to thank the community for their support and encouragement. Petrie confirmed with CKBW/HANK-FM that Don Dodman and Doug Petrie will remain as coaches for the rest of the season.

Conquerall Bank Church Loses Heritage Designation

The Redeemer Lutheran Church in Conquerall Bank is losing its heritage designation. MODL council voted unanimously to de-register the property following a public hearing Tuesday morning. A member of the Northfield and District parish asked council to approve the motion so they could take the proper steps to try and sell it. Mayor Don Downe says it isn't easy to lose a heritage property.



The Municipality of Lunenburg didn't receive any submissions against de-registering the property. The church has been a fixture in the community since 1863.

Health: Differences Between Norovirus & E.coli

Public health officials urge Nova Scotians to be aware of  the differences between E.coli and similar illnesses. Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Frank Atherton says norovirus infection or vomiting is common this time of year.  The most common symptoms of norovirus infection are sudden onset nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Sometimes there is a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Dr. Atherton says that noroviruses have a quick onset and  people usually start to feel better within 12 to 24 hours. Confirmed cases of norovirus have been reported on the South Shore. However, there are no cases of the E. coli 0157 virus in this region. Anyone vomiting or having diarrhea longer than 72 hours, or experiencing bloody diarrhea, should call 811 or see their family doctor.



To avoid spreading norovirus:

-- wash hands often, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before eating or preparing food

-- thoroughly clean floors, counters, and bathrooms. Pay extra attention to surfaces that are often touched

-- do not share glasses or dishes

-- use separate towels for sick family members.

Four Infrastructure Projects Secure Federal Funds

South-Shore St- Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy has announced just over $150,000 in support of four infrastructure projects in Lunenburg County. The biggest chunk, $51,000 will go to the Bridgewater Marina Association for upgrades to Mariner's Landing along with the marina itself. Meanwhile, HB Studio's Sports Centre will receive $48,000 for renovation work and the Saw Pit Wharf Park in Garden Lots will see $26,000 for improvements to the wharf area. In a joint funding arrangement, the Bay to Bay Trail Association will also receive more than $40,000 for upgrades to the trail between Mahone Bay and Lunenbueg. Ottawa will pitch in $26,000 while the provincial government will contribute $17,000 for upgrades to the trail system.

Rhindress Returns After World Under-17 Coaching Stint

The head coach for the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks calls it a great experience to be a part of. Terry Rhindress is back in Bridgewater after spending the last week as an assistant coach for team Atlantic at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Quebec. The Atlantic squad finished eighth out of 10 teams. Rhindress says it was tough competition.




Rhindress returns to the Lumberjacks bench Tuesday night when they take on the Metro Shipbuilders in Halifax.

UPDATED: Bridgewater Assured Collaborative Clinic

The Nova Scotia government is prepared to invest hundreds of thousands into a new collaborative health-care clinic in Bridgewater. Premier Darrell Dexter made the announcement this afternoon at the South Shore Regional Hospital. The CEO of South Shore Health says the funding commitment will allow the health authority to move forward with rigorous recruitment initiative to bring doctors to the area. Peter Vaughan says they will seek five to seven new doctors to help staff the facility.



Vaughan says the clinic will open in the summer allowing the health authority to attract new graduates of medical programs. The location of the clinic and exact financial commitment from the province is still being worked out.