Tuesday: School Review Update Expected

A discussion paper dealing with the school review process is set to be released Tuesday. Education Minister Karen Casey will provide an update on the process during a media conference in Halifax. A committee has been working since April to produce a discussion paper that will lead to a new school review process. It's expected to examine what is working within the process, areas to improve and ideas for surplus schools. School review has been highly controversial in rural communities throughout the province. It has long been used as a method behind school closure or amalgamation of smaller schools. Members of the South Shore Regional School Board will be in attendance tomorrow afternoon when the discussion paper is released.

Local Teachers Recognized For Making A Difference

A local teacher and guidance counsellor have been recognized as teachers who make a difference. The Nova Scotia Teachers Union honoured nine of its members for making an impact in the lives of their students. Michelle Longley, a grade seven english teacher at Chester Area Middle School and Roland Hannem, a guidance counsellor at South Centennial and Yarmouth Central schools are among the recipients. They will both receive a $300 donation towards their school's breakfast or library program. This is the second year for the 'teachers who make a difference program.' It encouraged students to nominate a teacher who has made a big difference in their lives, and contributed to their school and community.

Hurricanes Collect Silver At Halifax Tournament

A tough loss for the BMO Western Hurricanes at the Esso Major Bantam Hockey Tournament in Halifax. The Hurricanes fell 2-1 in the championship game to the Cape Breton Cougars. Walter Flower had the lone goal for the Hurricanes. Meanwhile, Flower was named a first team all-star on defense. Matt Barron joined him as a first team all-star at forward. Parker Rowter and Adam Grimmitt were named top goaltenders and Jacob Myra received the most dedicated player of the tournament.

Health Authority Approves Alcohol Position Statement

The local health authority is taking a view on alcohol. South Shore Health has approved an 'Alcohol Position Statement', which explains their thoughts on issues including access and availability of alcohol, pricing, advertising and sponsorship. The statement is one of three created in the past two years dealing with tobacco, food and alcohol. Director of Community Health Services, Todd Leader, says the document clarifies information for staff to be able to have a stance.



Leader says the statement acts as a beginning to changing the way people think about alcohol. Roughly 230 deaths are attributed to alcohol use annually in Nova Scotia. He says they will take the statement to talk with their community partners to set up further discussions. The position statement can be viewed here .

Local Students Win "National Child Day" Poster Contest

Two students from the South Shore have submitted winning entries for a "National Child Day" poster contest. Adina Brewer of New Germany Elementary and Ally Symonds of Forest Ridge Academy in Shelburne County were identified as successful entries. Manager of Youth and Senior Services with the Ombudsman's Office, Kay Rogers-Lidstone, says the poster contest is an opportunity for students to share their talent and knowledge of children's rights. She says they are hoping to present the local students with their prize before Christmas.



National Child Day is celebrated annually to mark the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. More than 500 entrees were submitted province-wide. More information, including the winning artwork, can be found here.

The winners are:

-- Grade Primary: Emma Baker, Maitland District School, Hants Co.
-- Grade 1: Ainsley Brightman, Maitland District School, Hants Co.
-- Grade 2: Nicholas Sherman, Maitland District School, Hants Co.
-- Grade 3: Ally Symonds, Forest Ridge Academy, Shelburne Co.
-- Grade 4: William Fox-Rodriguez, Park West School, HRM
-- Grade 5: Adina Brewer, New Germany Elementary, Lunenburg Co.
-- Grade 6: Lucas Brocklehurst, Colby Village Elementary School, HRM
-- Grade 7: Hanna Elford, Halifax Central Junior High School, HRM

Food Bank To Benefit From Fund-Raiser

Thousands of dollars in cash and food donations could go a long way in helping to re-stock a South Shore food bank for the holidays. The Bridgewater Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a fund-raiser Wednesday over the supper hour. Chamber manager Dan Hennessey says its in support of the Bridgewater Inter-Faith Food Bank.



The fund-raiser begins at 5pm and runs until 7 at the Best Western in Cookville. All you need to get in for snacks, drinks and to listen to the Bridgewater fire department quartet is a cash and non-perishable food donation.

Men Arrested For Cashing Forged Cheques

Stealing cheques has landed two men with a court appearance in the new year. The Bridgewater Police Service charged 26-year-old Bryden Whynot of Wileville and 24-year-old David Wagner of Bridgewater after the cheques were allegedly stolen from a local business, forged and cashed. The two men are charged with theft, possession of stolen property and uttering forged documents. They will appear in court in Bridgewater on January 15.

Bachman Helps Rink Qualify For Provincials

A Lunenburg native has helped her team qualify for provincials. Raquel Bachman, curling out of Lakeshore Curling Club, captured the Under-21 Junior Women's Eastern Curling Zones in Truro on Sunday. The team breezed through the competition with a 3-0 record. Fellow team mates are skip Hayley McCabe, Alicia Brine, and Emily Mackenzie. The team is coached by Bridgewater native Brian Rafuse. Provincials will take place from Dec 27-31 at the Lakeshore Curling Club.

Park View Boys Win Basketball Tournament

The Park View division one boys basketball team are off to a good start to their year. They won the Anse MacDonald Tournament in North Nova this past weekend.  Adam Hebb was the Tournament MVP. Meanwhile, both the girls and boys division-one teams will play their home openers on Wednesday. The girls play at 5:30pm and the boys play at 7:30pm.

Lobster Season Delayed Due To Weather

The start of the lobster season has been delayed because of bad weather. Dumping Day will now take place for fishermen from Halifax to Digby this Friday. The season was originally set to begin Monday. A pair of conference calls Sunday determined the forecast made it too dangerous to dump traps. There will be another call Wednesday in case the forecast changes. 

NDP Name MacDonald Interim Leader

The provincial NDP have chosen a new interim leader. MLA Maureen MacDonald was appointed acting leader during the party's Provincial Council meeting on Saturday. MacDonald accepted the position after former NDP leader Darrell Dexter stepped down earlier this month. She has won six consecutive elections and served as Nova Scotia's first female Minister of Finance. President of the Nova Scotia NDP, David Wallbridge, believes MacDonald will be an excellent leader during this period of transition for the party. A process to elect a new leader will be announced at a later date.

Bridgewater Wins Division-1 Volleyball Title

The Bridgewater Vikings captured the Division 1 Western Regional Volleyball title on Saturday in Yarmouth. The Vikings defeated Park View in the final. Bridgewater advances directly to Provincials, while Park View will try to punch their ticket next weekend in New Glasgow during Provincial qualifiers. 

Hurricanes Reach Semi-Finals At Esso Tourney

The BMO Western Hurricanes have earned a semi-final berth at the Esso Major Bantam Hockey Tournament in Halifax. Jacob Myra scored the winner in double overtime to help lead the Hurricanes to a 4-3 win in the quarter-finals. Alex King, Brad Jones and Michael Anthony scored in regulation. The Hurricanes play Bedford Sunday morning at 10 o'clock to try and clinch a spot in the championship game.

Gladiators Fight Off Mustangs

Keith Getson had the only goal as the Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs fell 4-1 to the Dartmouth Newbridge Academy Gladiators. It's the third straight loss for the Mustangs. Colby Muise stopped 25 shots for the Mustangs, who will travel to Cole Harbour for their next game on Wednesday night.

Bearcats Maul Lumberjacks

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks lost 7-1 for the second night in a row. The Truro Bearcats scored three goals in the first and second periods on route to the dominating win. Layton Parsons scored the lone goal for the Lumberjacks, who dropped their fourth in a row. The Lumberjacks will host the Amherst Ramblers on Friday night at the Clearwater Seafoods Arena.

Valley Crush Lumberjacks

The Valley Wildcats proved to be too much for the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks. Five different Wildcat players scored to lead Valley to a 7-1 win over the Bridgewater club. Ryan Groom had the lone goal for the Lumberjacks. The Lumberjacks are on the road tonight in Truro to face the Bearcats.

Fatal High-Speed Crash In Blockhouse

A 23 year old man is dead after a high speed chase with police in Blockhouse. The incident unfolded around supper time on Friday. Police say an officer tried to pull a vehicle over for speeding on the Cornwall Road but the driver would not stop. A short time later the driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the woods. A section of highway between Sweetland Road and Upper New Cornwall was closed for more than six hours while the scene was investigated. The province's serious incident response team is looking into the matter. Police have not released the man's name but say he is from the Clearland area.

Queens: Three Injured In Head-On Crash

RCMP say there are multiple injuries following a two vehicle crash this afternoon in Queens County. The head on collision occurred shortly after 3 o'clock near Exit 18. Police say three people were taken to hospital with various injuries. Another person involved was not hurt. Mounties indicate charges may be laid.

Hurricanes Rolling At Esso Tourney In Halifax

The BMO Western Hurricanes remain undefeated at the Esso Challenge Major Bantam Hockey Tournament in Halifax. The Hurricanes knocked off Cape Breton today 4-0. Dawson Wood, Josh Manzer, Walter Flower and Jacob Myra had the goals while Parker Rowter earned the shutout in nets. The Hurricanes are 3-0 and in first place in their division heading into their final round robin game tomorrow morning against Fredericton.

Chester: Site Walk Planned For Our Health Centre

Proponents with Our Health Centre will walk the site of their future facility this weekend. The virtual walk-through is scheduled for Saturday from noon-2pm. The outside and interior walls on the main floor have been staked out at the site, so people can get a feel for the space. A number of dignitaries have been invited to the event including the premier, the minister of health, as well as the area's local MLA, Denise Petersen-Rafuse and councilors from the Municipality of Chester. The centre received a $500,000 investment from the province before the October election. Volunteers with Our Health Centre will be on-hand to tell people about the facility and the programs and services it will offer.