South Shore: Aquaculture Consultations Kick Off Monday

The Nova Scotia government will begin public consultations next week as it looks to update aquaculture standards in the province. Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau announced the creation of a panel in May tasked with recommending new regulations to govern the industry by the end of next year. The panel will be led by two environmental law experts from Dalhousie University in Halifax. They will be advised by a seven-member committee with representatives from industry and environmental groups, the Mi'kmaq and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. The government has about 20 public meetings planned across the province. Meetings are planned to be held later this month in Shelburne, Lunenburg, Liverpool and Yarmouth.

Local consultation session: Sessions will be 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. at each location.

July 15 --  Royal Canadian Legion, 34 Duke St., Lunenburg

July 17  -- Emera Centre, 50 Queens Place Dr., Liverpool

July 18 --  Shelburne Fire Hall, 63 King St., Shelburne

July 30 -- The Rodd Grand Hotel, 417 Main St., Yarmouth

July 31 -- Annapolis Basin Conference Centre, Cornwallis Park,               

The date and location of the Halifax meeting will be announced in later this summer. More information is available at www.aquaculturereview.ca .

Local Golfer Runner-Up In Championship Tourney

Bridgewater's Ryan Nowe has finished second at the provincial Junior Golf Championship, which wrapped up Thursday at Seaview Golf and Country Club in North Sydney. The 17-year-old fired a two-over, 73 to finish four shots behind champion Bruce Tomie. With the result, Nowe has been named to team Nova Scotia for the upcoming Canadian Junior Golf Championships in Subury, Ontario from July 30 to August 2. Nowe also secures a berth in the CN Future Links Atlantic Championship in Antigonish from July 16-18. He's also been named to team Nova Scotia for the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec in August.

Video Training Cuts Costs & Travel For Consturction Workers

Construction workers and small businesses across the province will have better access to training because of  provincial funding. A new video system will deliver customized training to more than 750 commercial construction businesses across the province. The construction industry employs more than 30,000 Nova Scotians. It is estimated that 7,000 more skilled workers will be needed over the next decade. NDP MLA Becky Kent says providing accessible training, particularly for small businesses in rural areas, will help to make businesses more productive and make sure that workers have the skills they need for the job. The Construction Association of Nova Scotia will deliver the video-based training, which will cut travel costs, be easier for workers and allow more time for coaching and mentoring new employees. In 2011, the province released its workforce strategy. Key parts of the strategy include supporting learning and skills development, and enhancing opportunities for success in the workplace.

Gas Prices Rise Even More Than Expected!

Gasoline prices are way up this morning at South Shore pumps. The utility and review board has increased the price for a litre of regular self serve to $1.36.5. Thats an overnight jump of 6.5 cents. Diesel is up by almost 4 cents to $1.34.4. High test gas is selling this morning for $1.45.5 a litre. That too is an increase of 6.5 cents.

Bridgewater Wins Kraft Celebration Tour

Bridgewater has won the much-talked-about "Kraft Celebration Tour" contest and an impressive $30,000. for improvements to Kinsmen Field in the town. The results were revealed last night on TSN's Sportscentre. Bridgewater garnered more than 223,000 votes to beat Windsor's Aquatic Club by a margin of 2 to 1. Bluenose RV will also chip in $5,000 after a challenge was issued by company owner Darren Young earlier this week. The town will also host a live episode of Sportscentre in the near future. The Seahawks football club submitted the nomination for the Kraft contest. Some of their members stayed up all night Wednesday voting for their submission. By the way, the Windsor Aquatic Club received just over 104,000 votes.

Nowe Finishes Second At Junior Golf Championships

Bridgewater's Ryan Nowe finished second in the Nova Scotia Golf Association's Provincial Junior Golf Championship, which wrapped up Thursday at Seaview Golf and Country Club in North Sydney. The 17-year-old fired a two-over, 73, to finish four shots behind champion Bruce Tomie. With the result, Nowe has been named to team Nova Scotia for the upcoming Canadian Junior Golf Championships in Subury, Ontario at the Timberwolf Golf Club from July 30 to August 2. Nowe also secures a berth in the CN Future Links Atlantic Championship in Antigonish from July 16-18. He's also been named to team Nova Scotia for the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec in August.

McIntosh, Whalen Post Top 12 Results In Russia

Liverpool's Chelsea Whalen finished in 11th spot in the women's shot-put at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia.  The 20-year-old qualified for the final Wednesday and had a high throw of 15.52 metres in Thursday's medal round. Meanwhile, Bridgewater's Rachael McIntosh placed 8th in the women's heptathlon. McIntosh finished with 5,589 points in the seven-category event. The score is listed as a personal best for the 22-year-old.

Lunenburg: Planned ER Closure At Fishermen's

Early word about two pending ER closures. The Fishermen's Memorial Hospital Emergency Department will be closed beginning Friday evening at 6pm and lasting until 7:30am Saturday morning. It will also be closed from 6pm Saturday until 7:30am Sunday morning. The closures are due to a staff shortage. South Shore Health advises anyone requiring emergency services to call 911 or visit the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. Patients with non-emergencies should contact their family physician or call Health Link 811 for medical advice.

Plans For Public Park In Petite Rivere Moving Ahead

Support for a public park in Petite Riviere is growing but more work is needed before it becomes a reality. The Municipality of Lunenburg is prepared to kick-in $30,000 to help develop a long desired park for the area. That money would compliment a $25,000 investment already announced by the Nova Scotia government. Mayor Don Downe says remediation work needs to take place on the site where the park would be located. He says the community also needs to fund raise.



The park is expected to cost in the area of $90,000. It would be located at the former Covey Island Boatworks store which was destroyed by fire.

Seafood Company Awarded Loan To Expand

A Lunenburg County business will be able to ramp up its product and hire some new staff. Cedar Bay Grilling in Blandford has been awarded a $100,000 business loan. They will use the funds to increase productivity to meet national and international demand for its products which include planked salmon.They will also add a second production line that will assist in the packaging of salmon burgers and appetizers. South Shore St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy made the announcement Thursday. The loan is being provided through ACOA.  The initiative is also projected to create seven part-time jobs that the company hopes will become full-time positions by 2014.

Local Dancers Turn In Solid Performance In Montreal

The South Shore was well represented at the Scot Dance Championship Series National Highland Dance Competition in Montreal. Dancers from McKinnon Dance of Bridgewater competed in a number of events, bringing home a number of Gold Silver and Bronze Medals as well as Top 7 finishes. Megan VanderWal won gold, silver and two bronze medals. Angela McKinnon, Rebecca Jordan and Emerald Lake all received silver medals and Eva Purcell McIntyre won two bronze medals all in their respective categories. Emerald Lake of Lunenburg also received a 5th place finish in the Canadian Inter Provincial Championships. Other Dancers finishing in the Top 7 include; Amelia Cook, Madison Greek and Laurel Genge. Coach Angela McKinnon says all the dancers worked hard to get to the competition and to have Emerald Lake finish with a fifth in the Inter Provincial Championship is quite amazing”. The dancers competed at different levels and in different age categories in Montreal from July 3rd to July 7th.

NS Liberals Target South Shore Ridings

Nova Scotia Liberals are focused on the South Shore this week. As a lead-up to a provincial election, expected to be called at anytime but not likely until the fall or even next spring, Liberal leader Stephen McNeil is here to discuss issues with, and learning more about, the concerns of area voters. He also wants to make sure the Liberal machinery here is in place and ready to go to work in an election campaign.



McNeil says high power rates and cuts to education and health are having the biggest impact on the daily lives of South Shore residents. He wants to change that if his party forms the next provincial government by eliminating Nova Scotia Power's monopoly and cutting excessive administration costs for education and health.

Gasoline Prices Expected To Take A Big Jump!

Hold on to your hats! Gas prices could head through the roof tonight. Today in New Brunswick, prices have shot up dramatically. Regular self serve there is selling for 5.3 cents more per litre. Diesel has increased by 3.5 cents. Stand by for the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to jack up prices by similar amounts at midnight tonight. The big jump in gas prices here is a result of whats happening on the world market. The world price of oil continues to climb after ending yesterday at its highest close in 16 months. Oil is trading at $107.32 U-S a barrel. The price has jumped 14 per cent in the past two and-a-half weeks. Traders point to rising demand in the U-S and upheaval in the Middle East.

Wolter, Whalen Qualify For International Finals

Liverpool's Chelsea Whalen has qualified for the shot-put final at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia. The 20-year-old had a top throw of 15.36 metres, good enough for a chance to throw for a medal. The shot-put final will be held later today. Meanwhile, a Conquerall Mills native has set a new provincial record in the steeplechase. Tobias Wolter ran the 2,000 metre steeplechase event in five minutes, 51 seconds at the IAAF World Youth Track and Field Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine. With the time, Wolter also qualified for tomorrow's final.

Nowe In Contention To Win Provincial Golf Title

Bridgewater's Ryan Nowe remains in the hunt at the provincial junior golf championship. The 18-year-old shot a third round three-over par 74 yesterday at Seaview Golf and Country Club in North Sydney. Nowe had two birdies and five bogeys on the scorecard. He begins today's final round tied for second place, three shots behind leader Bruce Tomie of Northumberland Links.

South Shore: Funding For Electronic Drug Dispensers

Some new technology will help local nurses administer medication through a safer and more efficient system. Electronic drug dispensing cabinets are coming to hospitals throughout the South Shore. The Nova Scotia government announced $2.4 million dollars to help purchase ten cabinets. Half of the money will be given to South West Health. Health Authority CEO Peter Vaughan says they help reduce waste by tracking and controlling inventory.



It's expected the dispensers will be in place in both health districts by the fall.

Kraft Celebration Tour-Getting Set To Vote!

The time for voting is drawing near as the South Shore Seahawks look to secure $25,000 towards improvements to Kinsmen Field. The multi-use field in Bridgewater is up against the Windsor Aquatic Club for the right to host the Kraft Celebration Tour. It would also mean a community spotlight and live broadcast of TSN's Sportscentre in the town. Seahawks Vice-President, John Peters, says they need all the votes they can get.



Meanwhile, a Bridgewater businessman wants to help with improvements to Kinsmen field. Darren Young of Bluenose RV is planning to ante-up 5-thousand dollars should the town be selected for the Kraft Celebration Tour. He says Kinsmen Field has a special place in his life.



Voting on-line opens at 1 o'clock this afternoon (Wednesday) for 24 hours. You can vote as many times as you like at kraftcelebrationtour.ca.

Nowe Sits Four Back At Junior Golf Championship

A Bridgewater native sits in fourth place heading into round three today of the Nova Scotia Junior Golf Championship. Ryan Nowe shot a seven over-par, 78 Tuesday at Seaview Golf and Country Club in North Sydney. The Osprey Ridge golfer followed up an opening round score of one-under with one birdie, six bogeys and a double bogey. He sits four shots back of leader Myles Creighton of Digby Pines. Cole Mulrooney of Chester Golf Club is nine shots off the pace in ninth place.

BREAKING: 40 Year-Old Dies In Police Custody In Queens

Mounties in Queens County say a 40-year-old man has died in custody. Police were called Monday at around 11:15 p.m. to a report of an intoxicated man on Riverhead Road in Port Mouton. In a media release, RCMP say officers found the man laying on the ground, and paramedics came to the scene and assessed him before he was taken to a police cell in Liverpool. Shortly before 2 a.m paramedics were called to the RCMP detachment in Liverpool after the man was found unresponsive. He was taken to the Queens General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death, and the matter has been referred to the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team for investigation. Team leader Ron MacDonald says the investigation will centre around how often officers checked on the man.

Commercial Building Might Replace Popular Car Wash

A commercial building might soon replace a popular car wash in Bridgewater. Bond Street Capital wants to construct a single story building on the property of Melissa's Stop and Wash. They have applied to enter into a development agreement with the Town of Bridgewater to allow for the construction of the 4,400 square foot complex. Mayor David Walker believes it could be a nice addition to the downtown area.



However, it not yet known who the tenants of the commercial building could be. A public hearing on the matter has been set for August 12.