Mooseheads Roll Over Seadogs In Playoff Opener

The "Q" playoffs started last night and what a start for the Halifax Mooseheads. The Herd exploded for eight goals in second period en route to an 11-1 rout over Saint John. Marty Frk set a franchise record with eight points including five goals while Jonathan Drouin notched six assists. Game two in the best of seven series goes tonight at 7 at the Metro Centre.

Debert Host For Region's 4-H Conference

Seventy-five youth from 4-H clubs around Atlantic Canada will learn new skills at a leadership conference in Debert this weekend. The conference for 4-H members, age 14 to 21, features topics such as financial skills, personal branding, networking and online security. Agriculture Minister John MacDonell says the 4-H movement helps rural youth build self-confidence and life skills to benefit them in all areas of their lives. Meanwhile, Lunenburg's Taylor Hayden will provide interactive and entertaining activities to help members strike a balanced lifestyle at home, school and in business. Hayden is an author and a motivational speaker. 4-H Canada is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

"I Probably Won't Run For Re-Election" : Vicki Conrad

Chances appear to be pretty good the MLA for Queens will not be a candidate when the next provincial election is called. Vicki Conrad says she's about 90 percent sure she won't run again. She says family issues are weighing heavily on her decision. But thats not all.



Conrad tells us she will confirm her decision during the spring sitting of the legislature. Conrad says she's already had talks with Shelburne MLA Sterling Belliveau and she believes he may run in her riding once she confirms she's not reoffering. Conrad has been the MLA for Queens since 2006.

School Board: Special Saturday Meeting To Be Held

The South Shore Regional School Board has called a special board meeting this weekend to continue talk around the school review process. It will be the second to last meeting for the group before they are expected to announce their decisions. The future of six schools in Gold River-Western Shore, Petite Riviere, Pentz, New Ross, Mill Village and Hebbville is expected to be decided next Wednesday night. Board Chair Jennifer Naugler says it's a necessary meeting to have to make sure members are prepared as possible.



The meeting will be held at the board office in Bridgewater beginning at 9 o'clock Saturday morning.

Ice Sharks Tie Chebucto At Bantam 'AA' Hockey Provincials

The South Shore Ice Sharks Bantam 'AA' hockey club salvaged a tie against Chebucto this morning at provincials in Amherst. Alex Wentzell scored with 35 seconds left to play to level the game at 3-3. That's the way it would finish. Alex Miller and Conal Lucey also scored for the Ice Sharks, who sit at 1-0-1 through two games. Zack Zinck earned the tie in goal. The Ice Sharks will play Cumberland at 4pm this afternoon. Meanwhile, the Park View boys hockey team is competing at provincials as well in Sydney. They play at 2pm today against North Nova and then again at 6pm against Riverview.

Keddy Pleased New 'Building Canada Plan' In Budget

The member of parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret's says the new 'Building Canada plan' will help local municipalities. The Federal Finance Minister announced the 10-year program in Thursday's budget. The minister announced more than $47-billion in new funding in the plan to support local and economic infrastructure projects. Gerald Keddy calls it a significant plan.


The money available in the first year of the new plan will be less than the current $3.2-billion, but will increase to almost $6-billion in 2024. The plan will take effect starting next year.

Shelburne County Group Marks International Women's Day

A South Shore support group is marking an important day with an event this evening at the Barrington Municipal High School. The Shelburne County Women's Fishnet is celebrating International Women's Day. The group will recognize local women of the past and present, showcase art and displays and musical performances. Chairperson Dayle Eshelby says it's important to honour women and their accomplishments.



The event starts at 6pm. Tickets for the event are $5 for adults, $2 for students and money raised will go towards student bursaries in Shelburne County.

Musical Acts Revealed For "Big Ex" Concert Nights

A pair of rising country musicians will headline "The Big Ex" concert stage this summer. Organizers with the South Shore Exhibition have announced Kira Isabella and Chad Brownlee will perform during the popular evening concerts in July. Isabella will take centre stage for the Thursday evening concert while Brownlee is the main act on Saturday. Isabella is an Ottawa native and already has three singles that have charted on the Canadian Top 100. Brownlee hails from Kelowna and has been nominated up for a Juno Award for Country Album of the Year. His album "Love Me or Leave Me" has two singles that cracked the country's Top 100 songs. The South Shore Exhibition will be held July 23rd to 28th in Bridgewater.

Junior 'C' Hockey Final Heads To Barrington

The Junior 'C' hockey championship series shifts to Barrington for the next two days for game three and four. It's been a tight-checking series so far between the Chester Clippers and the Sea Star Ice Dogs, with each team winning a game in overtime. Barrington General Manager, Steve Crowell, says it's been a seesaw battle.



Crowell expects a raucous crowd tonight for game three and hopes it will give the edge to his club. Puck drops at 8pm at the Barrington Municipal Arena. Game four will be held Saturday night at 8pm in Barrington as well.

Diesel Gas Down In Price; Regular, Up Some!

If you drive a vehicle that uses diesel fuel, you'll be happy this morning when you haul into a gas station to fill-up! Diesel is down just over 3 cents a litre this morning. Its selling for $1.31.9.  If you use regular gas, self serve is up about 3/4 of a cent to $1.35.8 per litre.  If high-test is your thing, its up in price by about the same amount to $1.44.8 per litre.

Hockey: Bantam 'AA' Ice Sharks Open Provincials With Win

The South Shore Ice Sharks Bantam 'AA' hockey team scored a 2-1 win over Glace Bay this afternoon in Amherst to open up provincials. Cooper Stuart and Alex Miller scored the goals while Parker Rowter got the win in nets They will play Chebucto at 8 tomorrow morning.

Little Change Likely In Gas Prices

Don't expect much change at South Shore gas pumps tomorrow. The utility and review board will set the coming week's prices at midnight and will likely follow New Brunswick's lead today. There's little price change at the gas pumps in New Brunswick. Those who use diesel and furnace oil are seeing some savings though. The Energy and Utilities Board has lowered the maximum prices of those fuels by two cents per litre. Regular and high-test gas prices dropped by less than half-a-cent overnight in New Brunswick.

Mixed Feelings Over Proposed Development Networks

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says re-establishing regional development agencies or creating new networks in Nova Scotia would be a waste of money. Regional director Kevin Lacey says the provincial government doesn't seem to have learned from its experience with the Southwest Development Authority. It was disbanded a couple of years ago over money mismanagement issues.



The mayor of the Region of Queens is among those favoring establishment of such a development agency for this area. Christopher Clarke says if managed properly, they would benefit Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne by focussing on attracting business and jobs.

School Board: Finance Director Feels Schools Need To Close

The school board's director of finance believes there needs to be some school closures this year to help balance the budget. The board is facing a 1.5 per cent funding reduction from the province for their 2013-14 budget, an almost $1-million loss. There is also expected to be an $850,000 cut for wage and cost of living increases. Wade Tattrie feels there's not too many other options to consider.



Tattrie says they're in a serious financial state right now and adds a school closure would help because it would impact their budget going forward. He urges the board to consider all options before they make their decision next week.

Queens Food Bank Holds Volunteer Recruitment Meeting

A critical stage has been reached with a shortage of volunteers for the Queens County Food Bank. The secretary-treasurer says a volunteer recruitment drive will be held this evening to bring in a fresh group of people. Craig Condon says they have roughly 18 volunteers, and he would love to see another 18 people donate some time. He says the current crop of volunteers have put in their time and a new group is needed.



Condon says if they can't recruit enough volunteers, a decision would then be made by the food bank's board of directors on its future. The meeting starts at 6:30 tonight in the community room at Queens Place Emera Centre.

Bridgewater Group Exploring Options Other Than Library Space

The president of a Bridgewater company confirms he's looking beyond a King Street property to move his business. Swain and Associates along with Cafe 12 are the two groups under consideration for the library building space, once the public library moves into their new home near the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. John Swain says they have been growing for the past few years and are in need of a new spot. He says they had to explore other opportunities.



Swain says the library building has always caught his eye, but he's ready to expand the company sooner rather than later. He expects to know more about moving into another property by the end of the month.

New Direction For South Shore Jobs Growth: Baillie

A change in political direction is whats needed to improve the job climate on the South Shore. Thats the message delivered to the Bridgewater Chamber of Commerce by the province's PC leader Jamie Baillie. Addressing the business crowd, Baillie said the economy here has become stagnant and new ideas and direction are needed.



Baillie is travelling the province these days in the lead-up to a possible spring election.

Horse Pull Yanked From "The Big Ex"

The South Shore Exhibition is losing another popular attraction. The "International Horse Pull" competition will not be held this year as a result of government funding being pulled from the Cumberland, Maine-based group. South Shore Ex Manager Christine Sarty says the loss will be felt.



The horse pull competition has been an attraction at the exhibition for close to half a century. A few years ago, the "International Ox Pull" was scrapped because of the mad cow scare and its never returned to the Ex. This year's South Shore Exhibition runs July 23rd to July 28th.

MODL: Offers Funding For Bridgewater Skate Park

The Municipality of Lunenburg has tentatively approved funding towards a skate park near the LCLC. The vote to give the local skateboard park group $10,000 each year until 2016 was mixed but received enough votes to send the matter to council for final decision. The group was asking for $100,000 from both the municipality and town of Bridgewater. CAO Tammy Wilson says the decision was a bit of a switch from what was recommended by the audit-finance committee.



Council members have put conditions on the matter including Bridgewater match the municipality's funding committment. A formal approval is expected to be made March 26.

Shelburne Kayak Festival Looking For Volunteers

The Shelburne Kayak Festival is back for another year and officials are in search of volunteers. The event is entering its second year and will feature a series of instructional activities for people who already kayak, or may be interested in getting started. Volunteers are needed to help the group that is returning from last year. Manager of Community and Economic Development, Jerry Locke, says they're looking for help right away.



The festival will be held in mid-August around Islands Park. People who are interested in helping can contact the Town of Shelburne or go here .