Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation Celebrating 20 Years

An environmental group is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. The Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation is marking the milestone with a get together this evening in Lunenburg. The evening will focus on the Foundation's 20 years of leading the protection, enhancement and restoration of the ecosystem and will include special guests like former town mayor Laurence Mawhinney. The group's chair, Rick Welsford, says the goal for the group started in 1993 by trying to bring a sewage treatment plant to Lunenburg.



Welsford says he's excited about new projects including one with Acadia University, to provide summer day camp opportunities for kids in the area. He says the first 20 years went quickly but says it's been rewarding work to be a part of.

Curling: Fay, Mayhew Back In Action In Liverpool

Both Nova Scotia teams control their own destinies, heading down the home stretch, at the M and M Canadian Junior Curling Championships. Mary Fay of Chester is in third place in the championship pool with a 6-2 record. If she wins her last two games she's guaranteed a playoff spot. If she splits them she can do no worse than a tiebreaker. The Nova Scotia girls face Saskatchewan tonight at 6:30pm before facing Quebec tomorrow morning (Friday) at 8am.  Robert Mayhew of Windsor is in a tougher spot. With a 5-3 mark, he must win his remaining two games to assure a tie-breaker. That task won't be easy. Nova Scotia faces Manitoba today at 2 o'clock followed by a match Friday morning at 8 against Saskatchewan. All contests are at the Queens Place Emera Centre. The Junior Womens Final goes Saturday at 4 with the Mens Championship game on Sunday at 4. Both matches will be shown live on TSN.

Chester Keeping Warden System Of Government

Chester is staying put with a warden. Council voted unanimously today to keep a warden style of government instead of switching to a mayoral system. The on-going consultation with community residents is complete after only 50 people responded to council out of a population of 11,000 in the municipality. Warden Allen Webber says he was hoping for a better response.


The municipality operates in a warden system, which allows councillors to choose the head of council. The other option gives voters in the municipality the choice. The issue was brought up late last summer because the municipality is required to review its electoral boundaries this year. Webber says he doesn't expect any further discussion to happen until after the next municipal election.

Lobster Industry Future To Be Discussed

Maritime fisheries ministers will meet in March to discuss the future of the lobster industry. The meeting will focus on recommendations made by an independent panel the provinces created to combat slumping lobster prices. Among other things, it called for a levy on each pound of lobster caught to pay for a marketing campaign aimed at boosting the fishery's profile. The panel estimated the levy would raise about $2.5 million a year. The meeting in March is being organized by the Lobster Council of Canada and will also include representatives from Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec.

MODL: Councillor Removes Street Lights; Staff Review Policy

The councillor for Dayspring and area is taking a bit of heat after removing six street lights along the Leary Fraser Road. Frank Fawson says he was under the influence the Municipality of Lunenburg's policy allowed for a 10% reduction or addition of existing street lights in a fiscal year. However, the move concerns the LaHave Manor Corporation, which is located near Fawson's home. They fear for the safety of their 66 clients and employees at the facility with the loss of lighting. Fawson says the lights have bothered him for many years.



The LaHave Manor Corporation is looking to have the lights reinstalled. Municipal staff will issue a report back to council providing options for a process to be followed.

Fay & Mayhew Win Evening Matches At Curling Championships

Chester's Mary Fay played giant killer last night at the M & M Canadian Junior Curling Championships in Liverpool. The team handed Alberta's Kelsey Rocque her first loss of the event, 6-3. The win gives Nova Scotia a 6-2 record, tied for second place with BC in the championship pool. Alberta leads at 7-1. The top three teams will advance to the weekend playoffs. Fay's next match is against 4-4 Saskatchewan this evening (Thursday) at 6:30.
-----
In the Mens division Nova Scotia's Robert Mayhew kept his playoff hopes alive with a convincing 10-5 win over Northern Ontario. The Windsor team has a 5-3 record, tied with four others for third place. Manitoba leads at 8-0 with New Brunswick next at 6-2. Mayhew battles unbeaten Manitoba this afternoon (Thursday) at 2 o'clock. All of today's draws are at Queens Place Emera Centre.

Its Cleanup Day Again!

Its a cleanup day on the South Shore as we dig ourselves out from under a huge snowfall. About 30 centimeters in all came down here yesterday, most of it during the afternoon and it was blown around by wind gusts up to 60km/hr. Plows have been busy all night but there's still much to be done. As far as school closures are concerned, all schools are closed today on the South Shore, including the French school in Cookville and the Waldorf School in Blockhouse. Schools are also closed today in the Tri-County area, which includes Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby Counties. However, all NSCC campuses are open today.

Mahone Bay: Town Moving Towards Clear Plastic Garbage Bags

The town of Mahone Bay is trying to become part of the majority when it comes to using clear garbage bags instead of dark ones. More than 85% of municipalities in Nova Scotia use clear garbage bags during collection. Mayor Joe Feeney says three local municipalities including them, the town of Bridgewater and the Municipality of Lunenburg are moving towards the change. Feeney says under the new by-law, each home will be allowed opaque personal bag per collection. He says they are changing their approach to comply with sorting rules for the province's diversion target.



The town has already gone through first reading for a new by-law earlier this month. The next reading of the by-law is planned for February. Feeney says if it goes through, they will delay making it law until the fall so residents and businesses can prepare for the change.

Curling: Fay, Mayhew Drop Championship Round Openers

M & M Canadian Junior Curling Update from Liverpool: Chester's Mary Fay lost 7-6 to BC this afternoon. She takes a 5-2 record into a game tonight at 6:30 against unbeaten Alberta. Meantime Nova Scotia's Robert Mayhew dropped to 4-3 after a 5-4 loss to Ontario. He'll face Northern Ontario at 6:30 this evening. 

Liverpool: Fay, Mayhew Begin Championship Round At Canadian Juniors

The championship round is underway at the M& M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Curling Championships in Liverpool. Nova Scotia's Mary Fay, with a 5-1 record, is facing 4-2 BC this afternoon. Tonight at 6:30 at Queens Place Emera Centre the Chester team battles unbeaten Alberta. In the Junior Mens' bracket Windsor's Robert Mayhew, with a 4-2 record, is battling Ontario this afternoon. Tonight at 6:30 at the Liverpool Curling Club Nova Scotia meets Northern Ontario. Following Friday's final championship round games, the top three teams will advance to the weekend semi-finals and final.  The Canadian champs will earn a trip to the Worlds in Switzerland.

Construction Planned For Shelburne Falls Lane Bridge

A bridge in Shelburne is getting an upgrade later this year. The Shelburne Falls Lane Bridge will be getting an additional lane for vehicles, as well as a four metre wide multi-use active transportation lane for pedestrians, cyclists and ATV's. The project will cost $4.5-million. Spokeswoman with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Pam Menchenton, says the work should be a boost for residents.



Menchenton says they're currently in the design phase of the project with planners and surveyors visiting the site. She expects construction to begin following the winter months. However, no firm date has been announced.

Parking Fees Rising At South Shore Health

The cost to park at South Shore Health's three hospitals is on the rise. The health authority's business plan was recently approved by the Department of Health and Wellness. It includes increasing parking costs by a dollar to four dollars beginning in March. Parking fees generate about $430,000 per year, which support the delivery of direct patient care. The increase is expected to generate an additional $140,000 per year in revenue. CEO Dr. Peter Vaughan says the rising cost is necessary to help protect existing programs and services.



Other measures identified in the business plan to help achieve approximately $1.3 million in cost savings include delays in filling vacant positions, administrative efficiencies such as reduced travel and supplies and strategies to reduce sick and overtime cost.

Yarmouth MLA: Return Of Ferry Service A Community Effort

The old Yarmouth ferry terminal and its customs annex will receive major upgrades prior to the May 1st resumption of ferry service to Maine. Ottawa is providing $2.5 million for the work. Two years ago it appeared the ferry service was gone forever. However, Yarmouth MLA Zach Churchill says the dedication of a lot of people has paid off.



The federal funding will go toward repainting lines in the marshalling yard and to  complete the demolition of the existing interiors of the building to remove mould and debris. Other work includes the installation of new roofs and doors and an upgrade to the building’s electrical, communications and heating systems.

Storm Expected To Intensify

We should be seeing heavy snow developing and gusty winds before long as the next wave of weather from that storm passing south of us kicks in. Environment Canada meteorologist Mel Lemmon says the snow earlier this morning will return and much more of it.



Environment Canada is forecasting 20 to 25 centimeters of snow for much of the South Shore. Winds will be gusting to 60 and from the northeast this afternoon creating white out conditions. The storm is expected to ease-up off tonight.

RCMP Issue Winter Parking Ban For Lunenburg County

A winter parking ban is in effect tonight for Lunenburg County. RCMP are asking motorists not to leave their vehicles unattended or parked along roads or highways with the impending snow storm. The Mounties say the ban is in effect between the hours of 1am and 6am. Sgt. Paul Coughlin says drivers risk their vehicles being towed if they don't follow the rules.



Coughlin says further restrictions are listed for communities including the Village of Chester, Western Shore and New Germany who have additional regulations in place to limit parking during snowstorms. Fines as high as $233 can be issued if cars have to be towed.

UPDATE: Kingsburg's Duckworth Reacts To Olympic Nod

It's official. Lunenburg County has another Olympian to call its own.
Kingsburg's Alexandra Duckworth was named to Canada's Olympic team Tuesday afternoon in Quebec by the Canadian Olympic Committee and Snowboard Canada. The 26-year-old half-pipe snowboarder is the only Nova Scotia woman among the Canadian team of athletes competing at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Duckworth says it's a dream come true.



Duckworth showed she deserved to be at the Games, following a pair of top-10 results recently in Finland and Quebec. She is now ranked as the top Canadian in the women's half-pipe. However, it was heartbreak for Duckworth four years ago in Vancouver. She was an alternate for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, after breaking her ankle mid way through qualifications, only to miss qualifying by one position. Duckworth says she's glad she stuck with it and will realize her dream.

She will compete February 12 at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park.

Lunenburg County Man Accused Of Possessing Illegal Cigs

A 46-year-old man from Lunenburg County will have to answer to the court after he was accused of possessing illegal cigarettes. Bridgewater Police along with the Integrated Street Crime Unit and Criminal Intelligence Service Nova Scotia conducted a targeted traffic stop on the man recently. They seized over 50 bags of illegal cigarettes, along with a small quantity of marihuana and cash while searching his property. The accused will appear in Bridgewater court on March 12.

Curling: Chester Rink Beat New Brunswick, Prepare For Championship Round

Chester's Mary Fay is roaring into the playoffs at the M & M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Curling Championships. The Nova Scotia team topped New Brunswick this morning 10-5 to finish round robin action with a sparkling 5-1 record. She finished in a tie for first place in Pool B with Ontario and will cross over and play four playoff games against Pool A teams starting tomorrow. Nova Scotia's Robert Mayhew wraps up the preliminary round this afternoon against Alberta. The Windsor rink has already clinched a playoff spot by winning four of their first five matches. Action continues daily at the Liverpool Curling Club and Queens Place Emera Centre. The championship games are set for the weekend and will be televised nationally on TSN.

LaHave Resident Competing For MasterChef Canada Title

A local chef is one of two Maritimers competing on "MasterChef Canada." LaHave resident Trevor Jessome is among fifty contestants going to head-to-head on the new reality show, which began airing Monday night on CTV. The show consists of the top amateur chefs in the country after thousands applied to take part in the program. Jessome, who is a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, was deployed overseas and couldn't be reached for comment. Annapolis Valley resident Allison Abernethy is also competing on the show. The chefs are trying to win the inaugural title of MasterChef Canada and a $100,000 cash prize.

Man Injured In South Shore Industrial Accident

An industrial accident on the South Shore is being investigated by the province's labour department. A 23 year old employee at Bridgewater Metal Industries in Oakhill was struck on site by a fork-lift owned by the company. He was sent to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A stop work order is in place on the vehicle involved until investigators can examine it closely. Work has been allowed to continue as usual though at the company.