Park View "Fever Weekend" Begins

Panther Fever Weekend begins tonight with both Park View J.V. and Division one teams in action.  J.V. boys will play Lockeport and the division one boys will look to continue this years dominance of the crosstown rival Vikings. Any elementary or Junior players that attend wearing there team jerseys will receive free admission.  All students that come to the game will receive a ballet for a chance to take the $200.00 half court shot at half time of the division one games. The Panther Booster club lounge will be open for those adults looking for a snack and some conversation. "Catch the Fever" this weekend.


THURSDAY  JANUARY   17th
5:30pm    Park View J.V.    vs      Lockeport
7:30pm    Park View Senior Night Presentation
7:35pm    Park View  D1    vs    Bridgewater

FRIDAY  JANUARY   18th
4:00pm Bridgewater        vs   Park View J.V.
6:00pm    H o r t o n    vs     Cobequid  Ed. Centre
7:40pm    Printers Corner 3 Point contest
8:15pm    North Nova        vs     Park View D1

SATURDAY JANUARY   19th
10:00am North  Nova  vs Bridgewater @ Centre Scolaire de la
Rive-Sud
10:00am  Charles P. Allen   vs     Horton
12:00pm  Park View D1   vs     Cobequid  Ed. Centre
1:40pm Printers Corner  2 Ball  Contest
 2:15pm Horton    vs     North  Nova
 4:15pm Cob. Ed. Centre    vs  Charles  P.  Allen

Bridgewater Offers Residents Budget Survey

The town of Bridgewater wants to hear from you. The town is collecting public feedback on this year's budget through an online survey. The questionnaire asks residents to provide a 'yes' or 'no' answer that would indicate a possible raise in taxes. Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Amy Wamboldt, says they welcome public input.



Residents have until February 15 to fill out the survey but are also encouraged to show up to public sessions.
The first one will be Monday night at town hall. You can find out more details on the survey by clicking here .

50 New Jobs Coming To Michelin In Waterville

Michelin has made a huge commitment at its operation in the Annapolis Valley. The tire manufacturer and the Nova Scotia government announced a $73 million dollar investment at the plant in Waterville. Michelin will invest $64.1 million at the facility in the Valley. The province will invest up to $8.9 million. The money will be used to improve its technology and business processes, and create 50 new jobs. The project will also include a 3,000 square-metre building expansion at the Waterville plant. The company employs about 3,500 in Bidgewater, New Glasgow and Waterville.

Junior 'C': Clippers Host Huskies In Chester

The Chester Clippers look to exact some revenge on the Shannon Huskies when the two teams square off tonight at the Eleanor Pew-Morris Arena. The Clippers were handed just their second loss of the season last Sunday when the Huskies beat them 3-2. Chester sits in first place in the Nova Scotia Junior 'C' League with a 19-2 record. They will go for their 20th win of the season against Shannon tonight at 7:45 in Chester.

Lockeport: Seven Town-Owned Facilities Get Funds

It's a big boost for seven town-owned facilities in Lockeport. South Shore-St. Margaret s MP Gerald Keddy has announced just over 55-thousand dollars in federal funding for renovations and upgrades under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund. The Town Hall and Recreation Centre, the Lockeport Fire Station and the Lillian Benham Library will each undergo upgrades on their roofs. Meanwhile, new windows and doors will be installed at the recreation centre and the Crescent Beach Centre and Visitor Information Centre. The Community Health Centre and the Seacaps Lighthouse Outdoor Stage also received funding for upgrades. The federal fund supports, on a cost-shared basis, repairs and improvements to existing community infrastructure.

Ramey: Bill Restricting Land Owners Rights Won't Move Forward

The MLA for Lunenburg West says his government has no plans to proceed with a private members bill that would limit the rights of private woodlot owners. The Natural Resources Accountability Act was introduced by New Democrat Michele Raymond toward the tail end of the fall session of the legislature. The bill, if passed, would require a permit in order to make alterations such as cutting trees on private land with penalties reaching $1,000 if caught without permission from the province. Gary Ramey quashed the notion during an interview with CKBW/HANK FM News this week.



Ramey says he received numerous calls and emails regarding the bill but assured residents the government has no plans to move it forward.

South Shore: Tricky Driving Conditions Reported

Motorists throughout the South Shore are reporting difficult driving conditions. Comments on our Facebook page indicate slushy and slippery conditions are the norm in Chester, Milton, Lockeport and Newburne - among other areas. The forecast calls for up to four centimetres of snow this afternoon with another five to ten centimetres expected tonight. Residents could also see some ice pellets and rain in Shelburne, Queens and Lunenburg counties.

MODL: Resident Decision Needed Before Paving Starts

The Municipality of Lunenburg has agreed to pay 40 per cent of the cost of paving two roads in Pine Grove. Council members agreed to spend an estimated $130,000 to pave Harold Whynot Road and Craig Chandler Drive. However, the onus is squarely on the residents of those streets, who have to agree to cover the rest of the bill. Mayor Don Downe says 75 per cent of residents will have to approve the decision in a petition.



There are 26 properties between the two streets, meaning 20 households would have to agree or paving wouldn't happen. The estimated cost to residents is $8,600. Downe says there are avenues people can choose to pay either by paying up front or financing with the municipality at 10 per cent administration charge.

Bridgewater: Stomach Virus Closes Group Homes

A stomach virus has restricted visitation at two group homes in Bridgewater. Hillside Pines and Shannex-Ryan Hall are temporarily off-limits due to a gastrointestinal flu. Both homes will be off-limits to family and visitors until further notice.  Officials will reevaluate the situation in a few days.

Bridgewater Building Permits On The Rise

Construction activity in the town of Bridgewater has gone up. The town saw an increase in building permits in 2012, from 159 in 2011 to 168 last year. Most of the activity was either residential or commercial. Mayor David Walker says it's nice to see a gain.



The total value of building permits from last year is estimated to be just over $10.8-million. Walker says its a good year but not spectacular.

Valley: Michelin Announcement Set For Thursday

The North American president of Michelin is expected to make an announcement tomorrow regarding the company's tire plant in the Annapolis Valley. Michelin Canada issued a brief statement today saying the announcement relates to an investment at the Waterville plant. Premier Darrell Dexter is expected to be on hand when Dana LeBlanc makes the announcement near the plant. The tire manufacturer has been looking at expanding its operations in the Annapolis Valley community. Last May, Dexter announced funding for a study that would look at relocating the Waterville Municipal Airport to allow for expansion at Michelin.

Preliminary Hearing for Leblanc Set For April 29th

A single day has been set aside for a preliminary inquiry involving a man accused of sexually assaulting and confining a teenage boy. David James Leblanc is facing seven charges in relation to an incident last year in Upper Chelsea where a 16 year-old boy claims he was held captive and sexually abused for about a week. The 47 year-old made a brief court appearance Wednesday in Bridgewater to set a date for the preliminary inquiry. Defence lawyer Mike Taylor told reporters the case could be complicated by the fact former co-accused Wayne Cunningham is dead. However, he says a one-day hearing will be enough to deal with the matter. Taylor has elected his client be tried in Supreme Court. The case will pick back up on April 29th.

Lumberjacks Seek Illusive Win

It was a spirited Maritime Hockey League game last night in Bridgewater as the Pictou County Weeks Crushers edged the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks 4-3. The Crushers built a 4-0 lead after the first period and then held on. Jeremy Butterworth, Michael Crawley, and Shawn Boudreau scored for the Jacks. Goalie Jacob Edwards was very solid in his Jacks' debut making 43 saves. Bridgewater's next game is this Friday night when they host Luke Warner and the Summerside Western Capitals.

Watchdog Group Seeks Less Municipal Control of Tax Rates & Property Assessments

If you are a property owner, you will notice your assessment is up again this year! After a 3.5 percent hike last year, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says its little consolation in knowing its almost 2 percentage points lower than the bill in 2012 when you consider all you're paying out. CTF Atlantic director Kevin Lacey tells us, we are being taxed to death and paying more for everything. He says: "Keep in mind we are already paying more in provincial taxes this year and also many user fees. So, we are getting hit on many different sides. We're only 2 weeks into 2013, and we are paying more in property taxes and provincial taxes and other fees." The CTF is calling upon South Shore municipalities and those elsewhere to reduce  tax rates to ease the burden on residential and business taxpayers and also drop their control of both tax rates and assessments.

MODL Mayor: Disappointed With Water Bill Decision

The Municipality of Lunenburg is left to foot the bill for water at Osprey Ridge Golf Course. The town of Bridgewater denied a request Monday night to offer a grant to the municipality that would help them pay roughly $26,000 to the Public Service Commission. Mayor Don Downe says he's disappointed because he was hoping for a little help.




The municipality took control of the golf course from the Bridgewater Golf and Country Club last November after deciding not to renew an operating agreement with the group. Downe says their relationship with the town remains strong despite this decision.

Scotland Leads 2013 Strathcona Cup

Scotland is surging ahead in the 2013 Strathcona Cup but Bridgewater curlers gave them something to think about. The Scots are enjoying a comfortable 684-587 lead across the country as of Tuesday including a 221-151 margin on the east coast. But, Bridgewater remains one of the few locations where Scotland ran into a bit of trouble. The local curling club took three of four games late last week including wins by Bob Barnes, Bob Forbes, and Baxter Noel. Elsewhere, all four rinks in Chester were defeated by Scotland. The competition goes until January 31 when all games wrap up in Burlington, Ontario. You can find all the results by clicking here .

Chester: Funding Supports Trail Systems

The Municipality of Chester will receive a total of $67,000 in federal and provincial money to make improvements to two popular trails in the area. The funding will help with upgrades to the 35 kilometre Chester Connection Trail and the 11 kilometre Aspotogan Trail. South Shore St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy and Community Services Minister Denise Peterson Rafuse made the joint announcement this morning in Chester. The money was announced through ACOA and the Off-Highway Infrastructure Fund.

South Shore: New Heart Monitoring System Arrives

Residents of the South Shore are benefiting from a new piece of heart monitoring equipment acquired solely through community donations. Medical officials and members of the Health Services Foundation unveiled the Echo Ultrasound system on Tuesday at the South Shore Regional Hospital. The $244,000 investment was raised through various fundraising initiatives including $74,000 through CKBW's and HANK FM's annual radiothon. Dr. Ron Hatheway says community support was critical in securing the new equipment.



The new echo system arrived a few weeks ago and assists health care workers diagnose many different heart problems with sharp imaging and 3D technology.  This year's Radiothon will be held on February 14 and will focus on raising money for new ventilators.

Karissa's Memorial Pet Food Drive Enters Final Year

It never gets any easier for the community, but this will be the last time residents are asked to donate money, pet food and supplies to the 5th Annual Karissa Boudreau Memorial Pet Food Drive. This year's recipients will be the Trap Neuter Release program and Shaid Tree Animal Shelter in Bridgewater. One of the organizers, Tracy Daniels, says the two groups are ideal choices.



Daniels says organizers feel five years is long enough and hope people will continue to support local animal shelters once this year's event wraps up. The food drive was created to honour Boudreau, who loved animals and wanted to be a veterinarian. The event will be held Saturday from 10-5pm in centre court at the Bridgewater Mall.

Town Declines MODL Request To Pay Water Bill

The town of Bridgewater has decided against giving money to the Municipality of Lunenburg for unpaid water bills at Osprey Ridge Golf Course. The Municipality was hoping the town would issue a grant for over $25,000 to help offset the funds owed to the Bridgewater Public Service Commission. But, a four member-council just met their quorum last night and chose not to support it. Councillor Wayne Thorburne, Deputy Mayor Bill McInnis and Mayor David Walker all declared conflict of interest because of their involvement at the golf course. Walker wouldn't give comment on his personal opinion.



The Municipality was hoping the town would support them because many of the golf course's members live in Bridgewater.