School Board: Decisions Coming On Six Schools Under Review

The future of six schools will soon be decided by the South Shore Regional School Board. The eight members will vote on motions for each school during a meeting Wednesday night. The board has discussed a few options for certain schools including approaching the province to fund a new school for students at Petite and Pentz, and transferring grade nines at New Ross and Chester to Forest Heights in 2014. Board member Jennifer Naugler says it's time for decisions to be made.



Naugler says its been a difficult and emotional time for the board after meeting with parents, community members and students during the entire process. The meeting gets underway at 7pm Wednesday night at Hebbville Academy.

On This Date: Original Bluenose Launched 92 Years Ago

It was 92 years ago today when the original Bluenose was launched in Lunenburg. The historic fishing and racing schooner built by Smith and Rhuland Shipyard hit the water in 1921. Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic Curator Ralph Getson says it was an overcast day with a little snow on the ground and a light breeze blowing with the Bluenose was launched around 10 o'clock that morning. He says there was a launch party on board when the vessel slid into Lunenburg Harbour.

Getson says its a special day to look back at the craftsmanship of the people of this province. The Bluenose is a national icon and has adorned such items as the Canadian dime since 1937 as well as the Nova Scotia license plate. (Photo Courtesy of Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic)

Wolter Brothers Reaching New Heights On the Track

The Wolter brothers of Lunenburg County ran their way into the record books recently. Mattias Wolter ran a personal best in Nashville over the weekend to win the 2000 meter steeplechase in a very fast time of 5:38 in his season opener. He set a stadium record in the race, and a new provincial record. He will race this weekend in Stanford, California in the 3000 metre steeplechase. Meanwhile, his younger brother Tobias Wolter ran a personal best of 6:05 to win the 2000 metre steeplechase in Orlando, Florida. This is a Nova Scotia record and ranks him number one in Canada this year. The time also meets the standard for the Canadian World Youth Track and Field team, which travels to Europe in July.

Bridgewater Council Approves LCLC Operating Budget

It's a step in the right direction for the operating budget of the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. Bridgewater council approved the document last night. The draft budget presented to council states the town along with the Municipality of Lunenburg would be tasked to pay a combined total of just over $562,000 for the first year of operation. The figure then drops to about $385,000 the next year and $360,000 in 2015-16. Mayor David Walker says they have to pay more until they can start generating revenue.



Walker says he's pleased with how the budget looks and adds, all signs point to an opening on September 1. The Municipality of Lunenburg is also expected to approve the operating budget during their council meeting this evening.

Shipyard Alliance Named Finalist For Boatyard Of The Year

The three groups that make up the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance are finalists for boatyard of the year from a magazine in the United Kingdom. Classic Boat named the Alliance as one of five finalists. The magazine recognized the group for their work on Bluenose II, stating "the 200 years of experience shared by the Lunenburg Industrial Foundry, Snyder's Shipyard and Covey Island Boatworks, culminated on September 29 with a relaunch that was watched by thousands of proud Canadians." President of Covey Island Boatworks, Al Hutchinson, says he's proud of being nominated.



Hutchinson believes the winner will be announced in early April.

School Board: More Cuts Coming Over Next Few Years

The next few years are shaping up to be difficult for the South Shore Regional School Board. Finance Director Wade Tattrie revealed recently they are expected to cut another $2.2-million from their budget between 2014 and 2016. Tattrie says the cuts recognize the full transition of the Department of Education's HOGG funding formula. He expects the cuts will get worse.



The HOGG funding formula is a model used to distribute money for education among school boards. The board will get a better indication of what the next few years look like after additional details are provided by the province. Meanwhile, board members will make a decision on how to move forward on six schools in the region currently under review on Wednesday.

Lumberjacks Defenseman Joins 'Q' Team For Playoff Run

The Sherbrooke Phoenix have called-up CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks defenseman Brendan Nickerson for the rest of the playoffs. The 16-year-old is expected to join the team for game three of their opening round series against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Baie-Comeau leads the series two games to none. Nickerson was selected 38th overall by the Phoenix in last year's league draft. He had three points in 41 games with the Lumberjacks during the regular season.

Peterson-Rafuse Nominated In Chester-St.Margarets

A South Shore member of the legislature has been nominated to again carry the NDP flag in the next provincial election. Denise Peterson-Rafuse of Chester-St. Margaret's was elected in 2009 and has served in the Dexter cabinet as minister of Community Services and Seniors. She's also chair of the Senior Citizens Secretariat. Peterson-Rafuse's nomination meeting was held over the weekend. Peterson-Rafuse said at her nominating session: “I am eager to continue making a positive difference for seniors, working poor and our most vulnerable citizens. This is important to me both as the Minister of Community Services and for the people I represent in Chester-St. Margaret’s".

Bantam 'AA' Ice Sharks Bring Home Bronze From Provincials

The South Shore Bantam 'AA' Ice Sharks brought home bronze from the provincials over the weekend. The hockey club finished second after the round robin and had to play Sackville for a spot in the final. Sackville shutout the Ice Sharks 4-0, relegating the local club to a third place finish. Sydney beat Sackville in the final to win the provincial crown.

Program Aims To Bring Youth And Seniors Together

A four-week program designed for seniors and youth to engage in physical activity is beginning this week in Bridgewater. 'Game Day' is bringing the two age groups together to help learn more about people in the community while also participating in activities like badminton, washer toss, yoga and pickle ball. The Seniors Safety Coordinator in Lunenburg County, Beth George, says they want to see youth and seniors doing more together.



The hour-and-a-half sessions will start this Wednesday and run until April 17 at Bridgewater Junior-Senior High. To register, contact Beth George at the Bridgewater Police Service.

Parking Space Limited At Liverpool Hospital

There will be limited parking available at Queens General Hospital this week. Officials with South Shore Health say the lower parking lot will be closed beginning Tuesday. Workers will be installing the main sewer line as part of the 16 million dollar hospital project. They should be finished on Friday when the parking lot is expected to re-open. During construction, parking will be available next to the nurses residence in Liverpool. The health authority is asking staff and the public to either car pool or use drop off and pick up over the next few days. The Queens General Health project will feature a new collaborative health care clinic and the redevelopment of 22 inpatient units. It's expected to be ready in the spring of 2014.

Clippers Win Second Straight Provincial Junior 'C' Hockey Title

The Chester Clippers are once again provincial hockey champions. Alex Armstrong scored 38 seconds into double overtime to give the Clippers a 9-8 win over the Barrington Ice Dogs Sunday night in Bridgewater. The 4-1 series win gives the Clippers a provincial title for the second year in a row. Chester's Kyle Dilosa received the playoff MVP award, recording 29 points in 12 games. The Clippers will represent Nova Scotia at the Atlantic Junior 'C' Championships in Hampton, New Brunswick from April 4th to 7th.

Belliveau Calls For Federal Help In Reestablishing Ferry Service

The province's fisheries minister and Shelburne area MLA is calling upon Ottawa to become an active participant in the campaign to restore ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine. Sterling Belliveau says the feds need to be involved to turn the concept into a reality.



The province has committed 21 million dollars over seven years to the service and Belliveau says Ottawa needs to at least match that! Meanwhile, he is running for re-election. However, he doesn't know yet where he will run. Belliveau's Shelburne riding has been cut in half with one half becoming part of the new Argyle-Barrington and the other part of Queens-Shelburne. He says the issues haven't changed all that much since the last time he ran an election campaign. The economy, health care and transportation still dominate.

High School Hockey Game Raises Money For "Miss Ally" Crew Families

The Park View and Barrington High ladies hockey teams and the community of Lunenburg raised a thousand dollars yesterday for the families of the 5 crewmen who were lost at sea in February aboard the fishing vessel, Miss Ally. The referees donated their time, the winner of the 50-50 donated his take back to the cause, and there was a teriffic afternoon of hockey. ParkView came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the game 5-3. Top scorers were Janaya Nickerson for Barrington and Morgan Greek for Park View, each scoring two goals for their teams.

Curling Title For Bridgewater Rink

A Bridgewater team has captured the 2013 Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation boys curling title. The Trevor Crouse rink topped Greg Rafuse of Forest Heights 9-4 in the weekend final in Chester. The Crouse team, which went undefeated includes Kyle Barrie, Morgan Bishop, and Ben Conrad.   

Clippers Take 3-1 Series Lead In Junior 'C' Hockey Final

Jeremy Church scored twice and the Chester Clippers are one win away from another championship title after a commanding 5-1 win in game four of the Nova Scotia Junior 'C' hockey final. Luc Way, Josh Thompson and Mathieu Bourgeois also scored for Chester, to give the Clippers a 3-1 series lead over the Barrington Sea Star Ice Dogs.  Doran Arey scored for Barrington. Ben Bailey stopped 35 shots between the pipes for the Clippers while Chad Harris took the loss in goal for Barrington. Game five will take place in Bridgewater tonight at 7pm.

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.