Liverpool's Whalen Competes In Arkansas

A Liverpool athlete is in Arkansas this weekend for her second NCAA competition this season. Chelsea Whalen is up against some of last summer's Olympic participants tonight at the Razorback Invitational. The 20-year-old is coming off a second place performance and setting a new provincial senior women's indoor shotput record. Whalen hopes to keep the early momentum going.



Whalen says she's focusing on her technique this weekend after training with her coach. The shotput event is slated to start around 6pm tonight in Arkansas.

Challenges Ahead For Any Operator Of New Yarmouth Ferry Service

Two companies have submitted proposals to set up and run a ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine. When the call for proposals closed yesterday, the province says proposals had been received from "Quest Navigation Incorporated" and "Maritime Applied Physics Corporation".  Yarmouth MLA Zach Churchill says he's concerned about the lack of information on the two companies. However, he says no matter who starts up the service again, they're going to be dealing with some big challenges. Churchill says: "the NDP government cut the subsidy three years ago, cut the service. They cut our ties to that market in New England and now we are really building from scratch which is totally too bad. However, we are where we are so we just have to move forward." The proposals will be evaluated with a decision expected by the end of February. The province has promised to provide up to $21 million over seven years to help kick-start the ferry service that ended in 2009.

NS Firms Ready To Tap Into Shipbuilding Contract

Premier Darrell Dexter says Nova Scotia firms are well positioned to take advantage of a $25 billion opportunity under the federal government’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. The province commissioned Duke University's Center for Globalization to compile a study detailing how home-grown companies could become suppliers to the shipbuilding program. More than 100 Nova Scotia firms were named in the study including Allendale Electronics in Lockeport and the Lunenburg Industrial Foundry. However, Dexter says the report focuses more on opportunities for local companies rather than guaranteeing work.



The report cost $135,000 to compile but Dexter says it's a relatively small amount when you look at the overall amount of the shipbuilding contract. He says ship designs could be announced by Ottawa in the near future with work tentatively set to begin in mid 2015.

Mustangs Host Titans In Support Of Shay Family

The South Shore Mustangs fell 6-2 last night to the Valley Wildcats. Jordan Messenger and Riley Donaldson scored for the Mustangs while Cole Skinner allowed six goals on 48 shots in the loss. Meanwhile, the club is looking for local support this weekend in their second to last game at home this season. The team hosts the Halifax Titans on Saturday. Canadian Tire has donated a $200 barbecue to be raffled off. All proceeds from the game and raffle go directly to the family of Ryan Shay, a former Mustang player who was seriously injured in a car accident earlier this month. The game goes Saturday night at 8pm in Bridgewater.

Bridgewater: More Charges After School Lock Down

Police have laid more charges against a 37 year-old man at the centre of Monday's school lock down in Bridgewater. Sheldon Earl Bowers is now facing nine charges in total. Bowers was arrested earlier this week at his York Street home after police ordered the lock down of two nearby schools. Officers seized eight guns and drugs including an undisclosed amount of cocaine after a search of a home. The new charges include careless use of a firearm in relation to allegations of shots being fired and threatening a witness. Bowers is also facing allegations of uttering death threats, careless storage of a firearm and various possession and trafficking offences. Police say their investigation is still active and more charges could be laid. Bowers is due back in court on January 30.

More Money Needed For Maintenance: Operations Director

The director of operations for the South Shore Regional School Board is looking to increase the maintenance budget for schools. Steve Prest indicated recently they have about $7-million worth of work to do on 33 schools and the figure keeps growing. The work ranges anywhere from electrical to sprinkler systems and ventilation. Prest is proposing an increase of $330,000 for the 2013-14 maintenance budget. But, he knows, it's a difficult decision.



Prest says their three year average for maintenance spending is around $890,000, which he says is at the low end of industry standards. The board didn't make a decision on the request.

Two Companies Interested In Yarmouth Ferry

Two companies have submitted proposals to set up and run a commercial ferry service between Yarmouth and the United States. The Nova Scotia government says that proposals were received from Quest Navigation Incorporated and Maritime Applied Physics Corporation. The request for proposal to restart the ferry closed on Thursday afternoon. The proposals will be evaluated with a decision expected on by the end of February. The province has promised to provide up to $21 million over seven years to help kick start the defunct ferry service which hasn't been running since the government cut its subsidy in 2009.

New Clinic To Help With Non-Urgent Health Care

South Shore residents are getting help to access non-urgent health care. A new, six hour clinic will begin running early in February to give patients dealing with issues like minor cuts, sinus problems or prescription refills a chance to see a doctor. CEO for South Shore Health, Peter Vaughan, says the new clinic is a small step towards addressing what has become an urgent need for doctors in the community. The new clinic begins February 4 at the regional hospital in Brdgewater. A doctor will be available to see patients by appointment from 3-9pm every Monday and Wednesday next month. Residents will have to book appointments with the doctor between 10 and noon on the day of the clinic for that day only.

MODL To Further Discuss Potential Skate Park

The Municipality of Lunenburg will check their finances before deciding to support a future skate park  Council heard from proponents of the skate park earlier this week, who are asking for almost $6,000 towards construction design. The group is also asking for a four-year commitment from the municipality at $25,000 each year.  Mayor Don Downe says they will talk more about the issue.



The park is pegged to be located near the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. The matter will go to the municipality's budget/finance committee for further discussion.

South Shore Hockey Team Helps Food Bank

The Bantam Major BMO Western Hurricanes hockey team played the Bubba Ray Gulls this past weekend at Queens Place-Emera Centre in Liverpool. Admission to the game was in Support of the local Food Bank.

A good turnout of fans helped the team in drumming up one hundred bags of groceries and one hundred and twenty-five dollars in cash donations. The Western Hurricanes team and management would like to thank everyone for their support. By the way, the Hurricanes and Bubba Ray Gulls tied their game at 3-3.

 

Blandford Man Faces Charges For Stealing From Vehicles

A 26-year-old Blandford man is facing charges of stealing from motor vehicles and trespassing following an early morning spree in Middle Sackville. Halifax RCMP tracked the man for up to two hours this morning after reports of thefts from vehicles. The incidents were linked between Lucasville Road and Exit 2A on Highway 101. The man was taken into custody and is facing 12 charges relating to the arrest.

Boudreau Remembers Slain Daughter

It's been nearly five years since Karissa Boudreau was murdered by her mother in a case that made headlines across the country. And after year's of grieving, the girl's father is speaking out about his 12-year-old daughter. Paul Boudreau says the pain will never go away, but adds focusing on good memories helps each day. However, like any parent who has lost a child, Boudreau has his ups and downs.



One avenue that has helped Boudreau get over his loss has been the Karissa Boudreau Memorial Pet Food Drive, which has raised thousands of dollars over the last five years for local animal shelters and programs. He says communities like Bridgewater have really come together and supported the fundraising initiative. The 40-year-old Shelburne County native says he has fond memories of his daughter, and will always remember his daughter's joy around Christmas.



Penny Boudreau is serving a life sentence in prison with no chance of parole for 20 years in relation to Karissa's death.

Third Suspect In Confinement Case Elects Supreme Court Trial

A Lower Sackville man will face a judge and jury in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in connection with the alleged confinement of a 16-year-old boy in Upper Chelsea. The election was entered by the lawyer for 63-year-old John Leonard MacKean, who did not appear at a hearing today in Bridgewater provincial court. MacKean, who is charged with sexual assault and prostitution related offence is scheduled to appear for a preliminary inquiry on July 25. He was arrested in November at a hotel in Fredericton. Police launched an investigation in September after a woman reported that a barefoot and shackled teen had shown up on her doorstep seeking help. David James LeBlanc also faces seven charges in the case and is to return to court in April for a preliminary inquiry.

Brrrr! Baby! Its Cold Outside!

Its a mid-winter reality check as temperatures all across the region dip to minus double-digit figures. Here on the South Shore, temperatures could reach minus 29 overnite tonight, when the wind chill is factored in. Daytime "highs" tomorrow won't be much more than that either! Schools in northwestern New Brunswick are closed today because of the cold. In Grand Falls, the wind chill factor hit minus-36 at 10 o'clock this morning. Wind-chill warnings are in effect all across the Maritimes with northern Nova Scotia, all of New Brunswick, P-E-I and western Labrador feeling the most cold. Expect these kind of temperatures right into the weekend before it warms up on Monday.

Third Suspect In Confinement Case Due In Court

A 63 year-old man allegedly connected to the sexual assault and confinement of a teenage boy in Upper Chelsea is due in court this morning. John MacKean of Lower Sackville is facing a charge of sexual assault and another prostitution related offence.  MacKean was arrested in November in relation to the case at a hotel in Fredericton. He is the third suspect charged in the disturbing case where a 16 year-old told police he was held captive and sexually assaulted for about a week last September. Forty-seven year-old David James Leblanc is facing seven charges and will return to court in April for a preliminary inquiry. The third suspect, Wayne Alan Cunningham, was found dead in northern Ontario toward the tail of a nation-wide manhunt.  Charges against Cunningham have been withdrawn.

VIDEO: Police Reveal Seized Weapons From York Street Home

The Bridgewater Police Service revealed the weapons seized from a home on York Street Monday after a pair of schools were put in lock down as a precautionary measure. The man who was arrested at the scene, 37-year-old, Sheldon Earl Bowers, is facing seven charges including uttering threats to cause death, unsafe storage of firearms and federal drug charges. He will remain in custody until his next court appearance on January 30.

Lunenburg Councillor Upset With Flyer Distribution

A councillor in Lunenburg is upset with a Halifax company over flyer distribution. Peter Zwicker says he has written The Chronicle Herald to persuade its drivers to deliver flyers to the door instead of throwing them onto driveways and yards from their vehicles. Zwicker says it's an issue mainly in nNew Town, not Old Town.



Zwicker says council dealt with the concern a few months ago but it has since gotten worse. He hopes the company will take responsibility and fix the issue.

Seven Charges Laid After Schools Locked Down

A 37 year-old man will remain in custody until his next court appearance after police found a large cache of weapons inside a home near two schools in Bridgewater. Sheldon Earl Bowers is facing multiple drug and weapons related offences after police searched his home on York Street. Town police say the search uncovered eight long guns, including shotguns, rifles and an assault-style weapon. Officers say they also found marijuana and cocaine inside the home. Crown attorney Leigh-Ann Bryson says the accused is facing seven charges in total.



Bridgewater Elementary School and the nearby high school were locked down for more than an hour Monday after police warned school officials about a potential threat to the community. Bowers will return to court on January 30th.

Couponers Beware: You Could Be Scammed

The Better Business Bureau has a warning for South Shore consumers looking to save money by gathering on-line coupons. It says beware of scammers! Yes, even they are trying to cash-in on the coupon-craze. Scam coupon sites often ask for your contact information. You need to make a purchase, but you hope to save money by finding a coupon online. A Google search turns up dozens of websites. Most of the online coupons promise a modest 10%-15% discount. But one offers a significantly better deal: 50% off your purchase. You click the link, and the website looks official. It uses the logo of the business. It asks you to enter your email address and telephone number, promising that your coupon will be sent to you. Jill Atkinson of the Better Business Bureau says "bait and switch" is big among scammers who are trying to get your info to sell to others.




Atkinson says avoid anything that seems suspicious and if you have questions, contact the Atlantic Better Business Bureau.

Police Seize Rifles, Shotguns & Drugs From York Street Home

A 40-year-old Bridgewater man remains in custody following an arrest yesterday at his York Street home. Police chief John Collyer confirms a search of the man's home found a large number of weapons including eight long guns ranging from shotguns to rifles including an assault-style weapon. Collyer also says they found marijuana and cocaine inside the home and have dismantled a grow-op. The Bridgewater Elementary School and the nearby high school were locked down for more than an hour yesterday because the man's home is located just a few blocks away. The man has not been formally charged but police expect him to appear in court later this afternoon.