Monday, May 27, 2013

Bailey "On Top Of The World" With Memorial Cup Win

Lunenburg's Brennan Bailey says he didn't get any sleep following the Mooseheads thrilling 6-4 win over Portland in the Memorial Cup final. Following the win, Bailey suited up and joined his teammates on the ice in Saskatoon for his chance to lift the top trophy in junior hockey. The-19-year-old didn't get a chance to play during the event, but still enjoyed the ride. He says he's on top of the world.



Bailey says it's been a great experience to be a part of and shared it with his parents by phone following the win. He says the trophy was easy to lift, adding it was lighter than it looked. The Mooseheads return to Halifax Monday evening and Bailey expects to be back in Lunenburg this weekend.

Roseway Spring Fling A Success


The auxiliary at Roseway Hospital in Shelburne is reporting a very successful "Spring Fling" over the weekend. Auxiliary President Barb Henderson-Townsend says the public response was good, despite the wet weather, and thousands of dollars was realized.



More than four thousand dollars was the result. It will go toward the $20,000. the auxiliary is trying to raise toward improvements to the Roseway ER.

No Injuries After House Fire In New Ross

No injuries after a weekend house fire in New Ross. The blaze was reported around 6:30 on Saturday evening. New Ross Fire Chief Lyle Russell says crews worked quickly to contain the fire which began in the bathroom area and spread to the attic. No one was currently living at the home. Russell says it was a rental property which was under renovations. Fire officials believe the blaze was sparked by a soldering gun. The home suffered moderate damage.

Track And Field: South Shore Athletes Make Their Mark

It was quite the weekend of track and field for some South Shore athletes. Locally, James Lucas representing Park View at the NSSAF High School Track and Field Western Regionals won six gold medals. Lucas took gold in the 100 metre, 200 metre, 400 metre, 4 x 100 metre, 4 x 400 metre and long jump in the intermediate boys division. Other multiple gold medal winners include Nigel Getson, Tobias Wolter and Cal Dewolfe of Park View and Jonah Comeau of Bridgewater High. A number of South Shore athletes qualified for provincials, being held later this week at Beazley Field in Dartmouth. Meanwhile across the border, Mattias Wolter of Conquerall Mills qualified for the NCAA Division-1 track and field championships. The product of the University of Louisville won the men's 3,000-metre steeplechase during a meet in North Carolina. Wolter will head to Oregon for the championships June 5-8.

Group Bringing Outdoor Movies To Bridgewater

A small group of volunteers in Bridgewater are bringing movies outdoors. The group, known as Fresh Air Films, will begin showing movies at the end of next month at Shipyards Landing along the LaHave River. One of the organizers, Janice Tanner Ernst, says people can walk up and watch the movie, or paddle up to the site and watch from a kayak or boat. Tanner Ernst says there's been great support from the community.



She says people are encouraged to make donations because it costs between $400-$500 to rent equipment and show each movie. Tanner Ernst says they plan on playing family films to help encourage both kids and adults to come out and watch. A volunteer drive will be held soon for people looking to help out or people can email the group if they're interested at bridgewaterfreshairfilms@gmail.com . The first film will be the original Karate Kid on June 28.

Spts-Mooseheads Win The Big One


The Halifax Mooseheads have won the Memorial Cup for the first time. The herd overpowered the Portland Winterhawks 6-4 last night in winning the trophy. Nathan MacKinnon scored a hat trick while Konrad Abeltshauser scored twice for the Mooseheads. Zachary Fucale stopped 40 shots in goal.
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Nathan MacKinnon has padded his resume ahead of next month's NHL draft.  The 17-year-old scored a hat trick and had two assists last night in the championship game. MacKinnon was also named tournament MVP.  He's expected to be a top-three pick when NHL teams convene in Newark, New Jersey.



Spts-Whalen Qualifies For NCAA Championships


Chelsea Whalen of Liverpool led the charge over the weekend for the Florida State Seminoles in Greensboro, North Carolina. She ended up qualifying for the U.S. National Championships in both the javelin and the shot-put. Whalen qualified sixth overall in the East in the javelin with a new personal-best throw of 49.40 meters. She followed that up in the shot-put as the No. 5 qualifier in the East with a throw of 16.26m. Whalen is now heading to the NCAA Division-1 Championships in Eugene, Oregon June 5-8.


Sunday, May 26, 2013

Wind Farm Regulatory Hearing Begins Thursday

A community group will voice their concerns before the provinces regulatory board during a hearing set to begin Thursday. The Friends of South Canoe Lake are opposed to a massive wind farm near New Ross. The group is challenging Chester council’s decision to enter into a development agreement with the three proponents behind the $200 million wind farm. Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Oxford Frozen Foods and Nova Scotia Power want to build 34 turbines stretching between Vaughan and New Ross. The board begins two days of hearings on the project May 30 in New Ross.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Arrests, Charges After Wild Incident In Chester Basin

Two men are facing charges following a break-in at a gas station in Chester Basin. The incident was reported early Friday morning at the Petro Canada. Authorities say when they arrived, they noticed the window to the garage door was smashed. Officers later found a 30 year old man inside the store who was being held by the person who reported the burglary. The alleged thief was seriously injured and was transported to hospital in Halifax. In a media release, Mounties say the suspect remains in serious condition. The Western Shore man is facing charges of break and enter, mischief and impaired driving. Meanwhile, a 51 year old man of Chester Basin has been charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon. Police say he was the man who called in the attempted robbery. He's been released and is due in court on July 3rd.


Tourism Strategy Focus' To Attract New Visitors

The province is working with tourism operators to attract more first time visitors to Nova Scotia. Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Graham Steele says the new five-year strategy helps to encourage tourists to make Nova Scotia their first choice and stop. The Nova Scotia Tourism Agency has already started to implement many aspects of the long-term strategy, such as a new tourism brand and marketing campaign.

The long-term tourism strategy focuses on five areas:

-- leadership and collaboration between government and industry

-- inspirational, strategic marketing that creates a unique and compelling brand

-- evidence-based decisions after consulting with visitors and potential visitors

-- higher-quality product and experiences that inspire visitors to travel throughout the province.

-- better access to Nova Scotia, and throughout the province

Friday, May 24, 2013

Whalen, McIntosh To Compete At World University Games


A pair of South Shore track and field athletes have been named to the Canadian team for this summer's World University Games in Kazan, Russia. Heptathlete Rachael McIntosh of Bridgewater and Chelsea Whalen of Liverpool will compete for their country during the event from July 7-12. Both women have enjoyed great seasons so far. McIntosh helped the Calgary Dinos win the CIS National Championship, winning a gold, silver and bronze during the competition. Whalen has continued to set new personal bests and records at Florida State University, while winning a number of events. Fifty-six athletes will represent Canada at the event.

Most Senators Doing Their Job Well: Political Scientist


As the expense claims scandal continues to stew in the Senate, Nova Scotia is represented in the country's upper chamber by ten senators. Conservative Donald Oliver of the South Shore has been there for more than 20 years and is assistant speaker. Liberal Senator Wilfred Moore also represents the South Shore. Political scientist Agar Adamson of Chester and Wolfville believes Oliver, Moore and the other 8 Senators from this province have been performing their duties well despite the scandal tainting the whole chamber.



Some other notable Senators from Nova Scotia include Liberals Jim Cowan and Terry Mercer and Conservatives Gerald Comeau and Kelvin Ogilvie.

Miss Ally Fundraiser Nets Over $86,000


A facebook site dedicated to helping the families of the Miss Ally crew members has raised more than $86,000. About 600 items raised money in 'The Courageous Crew of Miss Ally-Lost at Sea Fundraising Auction.' Items included hockey tickets and jerseys as well as gift certificates and handmade crafts. Administrator Kendra Swimm of Yarmouth says she expected to raise only $1,000, but the community rallied and the support has been huge. The last official total is $86,880. The auction started days after the five men were lost at sea. Their boat capsized about 120 kilometres southeast of Liverpool in mid-February. Swimm says local residents and people from as far away as Thailand supported the group's cause. Each of the five families are expected to receive over $17,000. She credits other organizers for making it a success including Margaret Chetwynd of Clark's Harbour and Nancy Drake of HRM.

Spts-Bottomley Signs Up As Amherst Coach & GM


First he's out! Now, he's in! A day after announcing Jim Bottomley would not be back in Amherst next season as coach and general manager, the club has now signed him to a new deal. Ramblers president Jim Henwood says Bottomley has signed a two-year extension to continue in both roles. Bottomley of course spent several seasons as head coach of the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks.

Spring Fling Not Far Flung Idea For Needed Roseway ER Dollars!


The hospital auxiliary in Shelburne is springing into high gear for its 4th annual Spring Fling! The Roseway Hospital group is attempting to raise $20,000. toward renovating the Emergency Department. Auxiliary secretary Tami Crosby says the annual event tomorrow (Saturday) will go a long way toward helping.



Among other things, the Spring Fling will feature gift basket raffles, a "this and that" table, clothing, books, baked goods, games and refreshments. It runs Saturday from 10am to 2pm at the Community Centre in Shelburne.



Committee Rejects Development Agreement For Proposed Blockhouse Facility

The planning advisory committee for the Municipality of Lunenburg is listening to resident concerns when it comes to a proposed facility in Blockhouse. The committee has rejected a request by staff to endorse a development agreement for a construction and demolition diversion complex. A crowd of roughly 140 people erupted with hand-clapping and whistles after the decision was made. Community spokesman Paul Young says a majority of residents couldn't be happier.



One member of the committee was in favour of moving ahead with the project. Councillor Eric Hustvedt says staff did a good job with the regulatory aspects and he wasn't as concerned as others with the environmental issues raised regarding the facility. Halifax C and D is interested in setting up the facility off the Cornwall Road. Council is expected to discuss the matter at their June 11 meeting.

South Shore Gas Prices Rise Again!


As expected, prices are up this morning at South Shore gas pumps. Regular self serve is selling for $1.30.8 per litre. That is an increase of just under two cents a litre. High-test is priced at $1.39.7 per litre. Diesel is up in price as well this morning, by about 2.5 cents a litre.

Demers Hopes To Inspire Local Hockey Community


A Stanley Cup winner and two-time NHL coach of the year will be front and center tonight at the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks celebrity dinner and auction. Jacques Demers will say a few words to the attending public about his story and his career. He says he will also send an optimistic message to the community regarding the Junior 'A' club.


The event helps support the Lumberjacks, and there's lots of auction prizes including signed Halifax Mooseheads jerseys from Nathan Mackinnon and Jonathan Drouin. Tickets cost $75 each and a few are expected to be available at the door when the event gets underway at 5:30 at the Best Western in Cookville.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Province Supports Local YMCA Youth Centre


The YMCA's King Street Youth Centre has received a financial boost from the province. The provincial government has awarded the centre a $12,000 grant to help it provide workshops to youth including music, physical activity and job skills. The King Street Youth Centre offers drop-in programs and is considered a great place for kids in the community to gather. Youth Coordinator Kim Whitman-Mansfield says the funding is important to the centre.



The money is being provided by the province's Lighthouses Program, which invests in community projects to engage youth and prevent crime. Whitman-Mansfield says she expects the money to help with new Tuesday night activities.

Minor Injuries After Two Vehicle Crash In Crescent Beach


One person was taken to South Shore Regional Hospital after a two vehicle crash around 7:30 this morning along Highway 331 in Crescent Beach. Constable David Cullen with Bridgewater RCMP says the investigation into the cause is ongoing, but it looks like the vehicles side-swiped each other at a turn. He adds, road conditions were wet at the time of the incident. Members of the LaHave Fire Department along with EHS and RCMP responded to the call. The person was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.