Bridgewater Mayor Expects Tough Budget Process

The mayor of Bridgewater expects the budget process will be difficult for the upcoming year. Preliminary figures indicate the town has a $1-million shortfall. Councillors debated a number of issues Monday night, including paying for the outdoor pool for at least one more year and giving pre-budget approval for an electronic fingerprint device for town police. Mayor David Walker says times are tough and he doesn't want to raise the residential tax rate.



Walker feels some key programs or services may be cut during talks. The town has a goal of approving their 2014-15 budget by April 24th.

Baillie Looking For Answers For Bluenose II Cost Overruns

The Nova Scotia Legislature begins its spring session on Thursday. Jobs and the economy are likely to take centre stage in the House but the McNeil government will probably have to deal right away with a pending strike by nurses in the Halifax area. Many are wondering if they'll be legislated back to work like home care workers were in February. Meanwhile, Progressive Conservative Opposition Leader Jamie Baillie will be seeking answers on why the rebuild of Bluenose Two has cost so much and the vessel is still not back in service. He says the government is being too secretive about it.



A throne speech is expected to begin the sitting on Thursday afternoon.

Storm Watch: Power Outages Reported Shelburne & Queens Co

Nova Scotia power crews are working to get the heat back on for about 1,700 customers in Shelburne, Queens and Lunenburg Counties. Roughly 1,300 people are without power in the Shelburne area. Meanwhile, 400 residents in Queens County are dealing with outages. NSP expects the power to be restored in these areas between 5:00-9:00pm. In addition, EMO in Shelburne County says Lockeport Fire Hall will serve as a comfort centre for residents. Another comfort centre in Port Clyde has also been established - if you need a ride contact that fire hall. 

According to NSP, here is a list of South Shore areas affected by power outages: NSP outage map link

Bridgewater Street Crews Ready For Snow Clearing

An important part of dealing with a storm like the one today is keeping the streets and highways open, especially for emergency vehicles. Acting Bridgewater Town works director Larry Feener says its important drivers don't park their vehicles on the streets and police work to prevent tie-ups during  snow clearing.



Feener says his crews have been on standby all night and going into action throughout the storm.

Nova Scotia Power Ready For Any South Shore Power Outages

As we hunker down for today's storm, an official at Nova Scotia Power says having the ability to get around in a large storm to deal with outages is challenging. However, Neera Ritcey of NSP says crews are ready to go if the power goes out today or tonight.



Ritcey says about two dozen repair crews are on standby today along the South Shore and throuh the Valley. She also says contracted repairmen can be called up in pretty short order to help if there's a need.

Snow/Wind Storm Moving In

That forecasted nor-easter is still on the books for today! Most places along the South Shore from Yarmouth to Halifax, through the Valley and beyond are starting to feel the effects of it as the morning rolls along. Meteorologist Andy Firth at Environment Canada says its going to be a rugged day.



The wind overnight tonight with an additional 5 or 10 centimeters may peak as high as 120 in some places along the coast. When its all over, some 50 cm

Queens Supporting Blue Wave Seafoods Workers

The mayor of the Region of Queens says they're looking out for workers with Blue Wave Seafoods. The Port Mouton fish processor and exporter is bankrupt after a proposed deal fell through with a Halifax company. Up to 70 jobs have been lost. Christopher Clarke says they want to lend a hand and help.



Clarke says it's tough news for the region. However, he hopes former employees can get further training and transition into other jobs. The Nova Scotia government offered the company a controversial $500,000 loan last August right before the provincial election. However, the economic development department is claiming that money back as a secure creditor.

EMO's Suggestions In Case Power Goes Out

Nova Scotia's Emergency Management Office is offering up a few tips for home owners in preparation for the storm on Wednesday. Chad Lucas of EMO says above all, have an emergency kit at home in case the power goes out.



Lucas suggests there should be enough of those supplies on hand for at least 72 hours.

Bridgewater Snow Removal Budget Way Over As Another Storm Looms

Word of yet another major snowstorm, this one projected to be larger than the other 9 since late November, is causing some concern at Bridgewater Town Hall. The snow removal budget is already over by $150,000. and the cleanup from tomorrow's storm could push that figure closer to $200,000. The town's Director of Finance, Dawn Keizer, says however there appears to be a way around the deficit.



Town council will begin dealing with budget estimates for the coming year in a few weeks.

Bridgewater: Cab Company Crying Foul Over Road Conditions

A Bridgewater business owner is not happy with the current condition of the town's roads. Darrell Watson is co-owner of Reliable Cab, which operates seven vehicles and provides transportation to residents in the local area. He says maintenance bills have spiked because of the amount of potholes. Watson feels the town should bear responsibility.



Watson says he has close to $7,000 worth of maintenance bills for January and February. The town will involve their insurer to have a look at Watson's claim.

South Shore Sweeps High School Curling Championships

A clean sweep for South Shore curling teams at the NSSAF provincial high school curling championships. It was a second straight title for Bridgewater High in the boy's division. Trevor Crouse, Ben Conrad, Morgan Bishop and Kyle Barrie won six straight games after dropping their opener to win back-to-back titles. Park View's Brooke Demone, Cicely Smith, Megan Bustin and Jenna Mosher had a come from behind victory over Halifax West in the girl's division final. Also, Park View's Mary Fay, Spencer Demone, Ashley Francis and Jacob Rowsell went undefeated to win the mixed division. The event was held at the Lakeshore Curling club in Lower Sackville.

Police Dump 31 Charges On Lunenburg County Man

A Lunenburg County man is facing 31 charges after police raided a home in Conquerall Bank.  Twenty-seven year old Sean Andrew Ivany has been in custody since he was arrested Friday in a home on Cove Road. Police found some heavy pain killers, $5,000 cash and several loaded firearms - including a sawed off shotgun and three handguns. RCMP Sergeant Derek Smith says they also recovered a cocaine press. He called that a significant find in the region.



A cocaine press is used to cut coke with other substances to make more dollars off a dealers product. Meanwhile,  Bridgewater Police Cheif John Collyer says taking the pills off the street will put a dent into the drug trafficking trade in the area.




 Ivany will appear before a judge in the near future. More charges could be laid.

A Record Snowfall May Not Be Out Of The Question: Environment Canada

Its literally the calm before the storm as we go through a very pleasant day today with sunshine and no wind. That however is ahead of a big snowfall and wind storm tomorrow and Environment Canada has issued blizzard and storm surge warnings. Forecasters are predicting it will slowly begin overnight tonight and by mid-morning tomorrow it will be going full force. Meteorologist Denis Thibodeau says 50 cm is quite possible along the South Shore through the day tomorrow and the wind will be very intense.



Thibodeau says a storm of this magnitude this late in March could be a record breaker. Temperatures will slowly be rising after tomorrow into double digits by Saturday.

Water Being Pumped Out Of Cape Rouge

Water will start being pumped out of the Cape Rouge Tuesday morning. It's the latest development dealing with the old fishing trawler that sank to the bottom of the LaHave River in Bridgewater earlier this month. Preparations began this weekend as divers went underwater to install hoses. They will begin pumping water out of the ship about two hours before low tide. Senior Response Officer with the Canadian Coast Guard, Keith Laidlaw, says the incoming snow storm is a concern for them.



Once water is pumped out of the vessel, it will be secured to the wharf. An investigation will then be done to determine the cause of the sinking.

Ten Thousand Potholes In Chester Area

The province's Department of Transportation is applauding their work on roads in the Chester-area. However, they know more needs to be done. Councillors in Chester brought forward concerns with roads including Duke Street, the Chester Grant Road and a section of Highway 3 in Martin's Point. District Director Stephen MacIsaac says some issues take more time than others. He says they have a big problem to worry about.



He says the department used material three or four years ago that is wearing out.



He says its an issue on the Forties Road that spans from New Ross to East Dalhousie. MacIsaac says they're looking to keep additional manpower employed after this month to get a head-start on the issue.

Municipalities Fear Other "Springhills"

Officials with the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities have met with those for the province. They're all concerned about the Town of Springhill which has applied to lose its town status and join the surrounding municipality. District of Lunenburg Mayor Don Downe says the situation in Springhill and the possibility of several other towns having to do the same over money issues is disturbing.



The mayor says all municipalities including HRM and the Cape Breton Region are now talking seriously about working more closely together including a greater partnership with the provincial level.

Lunenburg: Nursing Home Visitor Restrictions Continue

A visitor restriction remains in effect at a nursing home in Lunenburg. A stomach bug is making the rounds at Harbour View Haven Home for Special Care. Administrator Tim McAulay says there have been some new cases over the past few days. McAuley says the public has helped tremendously by following the visitor limitation. There are 143 residents at Harbour View Haven. The restrictions will be lifted once new cases decline.

Bridgewater: Medical Issue Behind Salon Crash

A medical issue is behind a single vehicle collision on King Street in Bridgewater. Police say a 73 year-old crashed into a Hair Salon last night. Firefighters and town police got the call around 8:30 p.m. The driver was coming down Dominion Street and was unable to stop. His truck kept straight through a stop sign and crashed into a brick plaza building at 622 King Street. No charges are expected. (Photo submitted to Dahl Dispatch Facebook Page)

HRM Nurses Strike Would Affect South Shore: Health Minister

The possibility of a strike of 25 hundred nurses in Halifax's Capital Health District is worrisome to the province's health minister. Leo Glavine says South Shore Health and other districts in the province will be impacted by a walkout.



Mediation talks between the nurses' union and the province broke off over the weekend. The nurses could walkout in about 10 days if there's no agreement reached before then.

RCMP: New Vicious Malware Holds Computers Ransom

A new computer virus is causing major problems. Mounties say malicious software is literally popping up on Internet users’ browsers and holding their computers ransom. It's called Ransomware. As part of Fraud Awareness Month, police are highlighting some of the sophisticated Internet-related schemes and scare tactics scammers are using to trick consumers into handing over money. Corporal Christian Hochold says the pop up goes far beyond being a nuisance and won't allow users to access anything on the computer beyond the pop-up screen. Hochold says the creator of the malware demands a ransom in order to unlock your computer and is extremely difficult to clean and recover your data. For more information you can visit the RCMP's fraud section on their web site.