South Shore: Local Boston Marathon Participants Checking-In

South Shore participants in the Boston Marathon have confirmed they are safe following Monday's tragic incident at the finish line of the historic event. Chester`s Erin Greenwood-Beaudin touched base with our newsroom shortly after the explosions were first reported. Beaudin, resides in Coldbrook and works for the Municipality of Chester. She told our newsroom her husband was right in the middle of the blasts but is okay. Meanwhile, brothers Chris and John Anderson of Lunenburg also confirmed they are safe after finishing the race. A pair of Yarmouth County runners, Marco Albright and Denise Robson checked in with loved ones soon after the blasts. Victor Nickerson of Liverpool also finished the race and escaped any harm.

BREAKING: Nova Scotians Reported Safe In Boston

At least two people are dead and hundreds were injured in two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. A runner from Toronto, one of more than two-thousand Canadians taking part in the race, describes ``really, really bloody'' victims being pulled into the medical tent. Roughly 2,000 Canadians are participating in this year Boston Marathon. CKBW/HANK FM News can report the following Nova Scotians are safe after the explosions in Boston. Please note the list below is made up of those we have heard from via Twitter, Facebook, email, family member, loved one or credible organization. If a name doesn't appear below, the number to call for checking status on family and friends: 617.635.4500

Boston Marathon: Nova Scotia Participants - Confirmed Safe

Wade Keller - Lawrencetown
Wanda Mulrooney - Halifax
Dan MacNeil - Halifax
Lee McCarron - Antigonish
Darren Kaulback - Eastern Passage
Chris Anderson - Lunenburg
John Anderson - Lunenburg
Malcom Pain - Halifax
Dave Holder - Bedford
Cathy Carter - Halifax
Bruce Gallagher - Halifax
Ray Williams - Dartmouth
Marco Albright - Yarmouth
Denise Robson - Yarmouth/Halifax-area
Erin Greenwood-Beaudin - Chester/Coldbrook
Victor Nickerson - Liverpool
Stacy Juckett Chesnutt - Dartmouth
Edie Baxter - Halifax
Brenda (Skinner) MacDonald - Halifax/Lunenburg
Francine Comeau - Beaver Bank
Nicole Gushue - Tusket
Annette M. Love - Halifax
Rami Bardeesy - Halifax
Heather Lee-Callaghan - Timberlea
Doran Donovan - Halifax
Laura Leslie - Halifax
Doreen Redmond - Halifax
Steve Taylor - Middle Sackville
Scott Norton - Bedford
Audrey Norton - Bedford
Clint Cummings - Halifax
Nick Tentomas - Halifax
Frank Reinhardt - Ketch Harbour
Mike Hennessey - Truro
Dan McDougall - Truro
Ian Johnstone - Truro
Jody Mattie - Truro
Victoria Jollimore - Halifax (not running)
Barry Morsehead - Halifax
Clint Cummings - Halifax
Bettina Bentley - Halifax
Dean Simon - Antigonish
Ethan Michaels - Halifax
Mike Fitzsimmons - Fall River
Chad Randell - Halifax
Dave Nevitt - Dartmouth
Paul Gallant - Halifax
Nadia Farbstein - Halifax
Elizabeth Corkum - Hammonds Plains
Laura Keefe - Halifax (Did Not Start)
David Kachan - Halifax
T.J. Armstrong - Halifax
Sandra Jamieson - Halifax
Gary Burns - Halifax
Petra Spires - Hubley
Sheila Blair-Reid - Halifax
Craig Hawkins - Halifax
Christine Pound - Halifax
Norma MacIntyre - Elmsdale
Scott MacIntyre - Elmsdale
Steve Allen - Dartmouth
Harry Neynens - Enfield
Colleen Neynens - Enfield
Darrell Spears - New Glasgow
Vernon MacIntosh - Hopewell
Deborah MacDonald - New Glasgow (Did Not Start)
Sam Gyde - Halifax
Elizabeth Hill - Enfield
Douglas Archibald - Enfield
Shawn Lewis - Beaver Bank
Kerri Lewis - Beaver Bank (Did Not Run)
Susan Campbell - Waverley
Evan Bezanson - Centreville

South Shore Volunteers Recognized By Province

Fourteen South Shore individuals and a Bridgewater company were honoured in Halifax today for their volunteer work. The 39th Annual Provincial Volunteer Awards were handed out to people and groups from across Nova Scotia. Over 70 people received the awards. Nova Scotia continues to have a high participation rate for volunteering, and one of the highest rates of youth volunteers in the country. More than 450,000 Nova Scotians give their time to a variety of worthwhile causes, programs and organizations. A full list of South Shore recipients can be found below.


SOUTH SHORE REGION

Rev. Bill Newell - Town of Yarmouth
Kaitlin Scott - Region of Queens Municipality
Doreen Holdright - Region of Queens Municipality
Sue Kelly - Town of Lunenburg
Dawn DeMings-Taylor - Town of Lockeport
Melvin Landry - Municipality of the District of Argyle
Virginia Stoddard - Municipality of the District of Yarmouth
Mary Schnare - Municipality of the District of Chester
Della Smith - Town of Clark’s Harbour
Ellen Nickerson - Municipality of the District of Shelburne
Gloria Corbett - Town of Shelburne
Vernon Whynot - Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
Darrell Stoddard - Municipality of the District of Barrington
Robert Boudreau - Town of Bridgewater
LaHave River Credit Union - Small Business Volunteer of the Year Award

RCMP Recover Stolen Antique Dolls, Cologne And After-Shave

It's been almost two years in the making, but Shelburne County RCMP have recovered some stolen property. The area's street crime unit has recovered nine antique dolls and 21 antique colognes and after-shaves valued at almost $2,000. Police recently found the items in the Ingomar-area after receiving new information regarding a break, enter and theft that happened in September 2011. The owner, an elderly woman, now lives outside Canada and arrangements have been made to return her items. There have been no arrests made and police are still investigating.

Queens: Commercial Tax Rate Down, Residential Rate Increases

Municipal council in Queens County has approved a budget focused on growth and economic prosperity. The commercial tax rate in Liverpool has gone down by two cents to support existing businesses. Mayor Christopher Clarke says it's hoped an appealing tax rate will also attract new businesses to the area. The commercial rate is the third lowest in the province. Meanwhile, home owners will see a small hike on their tax bills. Council has approved an increase of between two and four cents in the residential tax rate. It will represent about $20 to $40 more on annual tax bills. The operating budget is $17.7-million dollars while the capital budget has been set at $1.8-million. An additional $85,000 has been allocated in continued investments in economic growth. The budget was the first since the closure of the Bowater Mersey paper mill. It represents a loss of about $500,000 in revenues for the municipality.

Liverpool's Whalen Sets Shotput Record At Florida State University

Mark down another win and record for Liverpool's Chelsea Whalen. At the Seminole Invitational in Tallahassee, Florida over the weekend, Whalen had a throw of 16.23 metres to win the women's' shotput. Along with setting a new Nova Scotia senior women's record, she now holds the all-time women's shotput record at Florida State University. Whalen won the javelin competition as well over the weekend. She is now preparing for the ACC Championships which will be held in North Carolina this coming weekend.

RCMP Search For Break-In Suspect

RCMP across the region are on the lookout for a suspect, wanted in connection with home break and enters in Colchester and Lunenburg counties. Locally, several homes in West Clifford, Newcombville and Chelsea were targeted. Lunenburg County RCMP Staff-Sergeant Bruce Hill says the suspect is not a local person and the break-ins happened during daytime hours last week.



Money, electronics and other house-hold goods of value were stolen.

Group To Reveal Final Plan For Bridgewater's Downtown And Waterfront

The town of Bridgewater is ready to see what the future of its downtown could look like. Ekistics Planning and Design will unveil its final plan for the downtown and waterfront this evening. A draft plan released in late January showcased better signage in the town, more prominent green space around Riverside Park and roundabouts at North and Aberdeen and King and Victoria. It also floated the idea of getting rid of the south parkade and instituting angle parking along King Street. A special council meeting has been called for 6pm tonight at town hall. It is open to the public.

MODL: Funding Helps Alleviate Lost Revenue From Mill Closure

The province is offering more financial assistance to the South Shore to help it cope with the closure last year of the Bowater paper mill. The Municipality of Lunenburg is getting $90,000 to cover part of the cost of upgrading its financial and information technology systems. Lunenburg West MLA Gary Ramey says the funding reflects the estimated lost tax revenue resulting from the mill closure in June 2012.



Mayor Don Downe says the money helps them move forward.



Downe says the money allows them to spend more attention on other projects and helps keep the tax rate where it is. The province committed $500,000 last week to cover the municipal portion of bills associated with renovating Queens General Hospital in Liverpool.

Fire Damages Structure In Hubbards

No injuries have been reported after a structure fire on the Mill Lake Road in Hubbards. Fire officials from several departments including Hubbards, Chester, Black Point and Blandford responded to the call around 6:45 Sunday evening. Smoke could be seen funneling from the wooded area from across the lake. Crews were on scene for just over three hours battling the blaze. The cause of the fire is not known.

Committee Seeking Road Names For Brookside Cemetery

Bridgewater's Heritage Advisory Committee is looking for your help in naming the roadways in the Brookside Cemetery. The committee is gathering information and generating a list to bring to council in June.
Committee chair Patrick Hirtle says they are looking for names with historical significance around local geography or that connects to the industrial or technological past of the town. Hirtle says road names would be a good resource.



The cemetery is only one of two heritage properties in Bridgewater. Hirtle says people can make their suggestions to the town's facebook page, by calling him at 541-9417 or through email at brooksidenames@gmail.com .

BREAKING: Minister Not Planning To Intervene In School Board Decision

The province's Education Minister says she's disappointed with the decision by the South Shore Regional School Board. Ramona Jennex asked the board to delay school closures for one year, but the board ultimately chose to stay the course with decisions made at their March 27 meeting. That means Gold River-Western Shore Elementary will close in the summer. Jennex says she doesn't plan to intervene with the board's decision.



She adds, the government is not considering revisions to the Education Act.

Protest Draws Few, Alleged Changes Affect Turnout

There was a hitch in a planned protest this morning in front of the school board office in Bridgewater. Members of the Gold River-Western Shore community planned the event to voice their displeasure over the decision to close their school this summer. However, someone allegedly made changes to the group's signage which stated the time and date of their demonstration. Protester Sheryl Beaumier says a low turnout isn't deterring them.


Beaumier expected more people to show up throughout the day to join the protest. She says they just want what is fair, which would be another year to help transition their kids to attend Chester District Elementary School.

NS Gov't Look To Redesign Services for Independent Living

The province is seeking input to help redesign residential and related services for seniors and those with disabilities. Changes are aimed at making it easier for people to live independently by accessing services better focused on their individual needs and the needs of their families. Minister of Community Services Denise Peterson-Rafuse says government knows the current system needs to change to be more flexible and responsive. The MLA for Chester-St Margaret's adds the system needs to be easier for clients and  families to access the services they need. The public can offer their views and suggestions on how government can design a better system of support by visiting "Putting People First" on the Department of Community Services web site.

Police Find Pain Relievers During Traffic Stop

A Lunenburg County man is facing various drug related charges after police pulled over a vehicle on Highway 10. Police say they arrested a 63 year-old man in New Germany after they allegedly found a quantity of pain relievers (Hydromorph Contin and Dilaudid pills). Gary Harold Bushen of Pinehurst, was held in custody overnight and is facing charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking and failing to comply with court orders. Bushen was remanded into custody during a court appearance yesterday in Bridgewater. He's due back in court April 19th.

South Shore: Messy Weather Expected

Weather warnings have been issued for the entire Maritime region. Environment Canada says much of New Brunswick, P-E-I, Cape Breton and a big chunk of eastern and northern Nova Scotia can expect between 10 and 15 centimetres of snow overnight and into Saturday. As well, a winter storm watch has been issued for the Halifax region and portions of western Nova Scotia. The South Shore is expected rain, freezing rain and ice pellets beginning this evening. However, no weather warning have been issued for the region. The forecast is calling for heavy snow in some areas, but much of the region can expect a messy mix of rain, snow and ice pellets by Saturday morning.

Gold River-Western Shore Elementary To Close This Summer

Gold River-Western Shore Elementary School will stay on the chopping block for this summer. The board decided not to accept the education minister's recommendation to delay school closures for a year, instead, choosing to stay the course with all decisions made at its March 27 meeting. Chair Jennifer Naugler says the education minister put the board in a tough spot.



Naugler says the minister's recommendation created a lot of turmoil and stress on communities, and she recognizes it's difficult on them. She says she's glad decisions have been made and the matter has been dealt with. However, the decision didn't sit well with parent Terri Lynn Melvin, who says they will continue to stand tall for the school.



Some Gold River and Western Shore residents have decided to protest to show their support for the community. The protest is planned to be at the board office at 9am Friday morning.

Three Chester Groups Get Federal Funding

Three organizations in the Municipality of Chester have received funding from the local member of parliament. Gerald Keddy has announced roughly $46,000 for the East Chester Recreational Association, the Chester Art Centre and the Helping Hands to Enrich Learning and Lifestyles Programming Society in Fox Point. The recreational association is getting $20,000 to repair its hall floor and joists. The floor has never been replaced since the building was built in the 1800s. President Betty Gagnon says the funding is important for their space.



Work is expected to start by the fall. Meanwhile, the Chester Art Centre received $19,786 to offer mobile art workshops for seniors and the Helping Hands to Enrich Learning and Lifestyles Programming Society got just over $6,120 to offer weekly fitness sessions and monthly speakers for seniors.

Crews On Scene At Yarmouth Fire

Fire crews from Yarmouth and several other departments remain on scene at structure fire in the town. The blaze began earlier this morning at 61 Waverly Street. Firefighters arrived on scene to find smoke coming from the roof. It is owned by W.L. Nelson's Furniture and the owner confirms it is used as a warehouse. Jim Nelson says there is a major loss of appliances, furniture and bedding. No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is not known.

Cooke Aquaculture Preparing New Sites In Jordan Bay

Cooke Aquaculture is putting the finishing touches on their new fish farms in Jordan Bay. The New Brunswick based company received approval from the Nova Scotia government to install the fish cages last summer. Cooke has already hired 16 people to oversee the project and will have room for 27 employees at full capacity. The sites should be up and filled with fish by the end of this month. Cooke Aquaculture is also working toward opening a new fish processing site in Shelburne County. The plant would be home to 320 employees at full capacity. They are also building a new salmon hatchery in Digby, and expanding a feed mill in Truro.