Curling: Martin Leaves Game A Champ

He went out as a champion. Curling legend Kevin Martin capped off his brilliant career yesterday with a 4-3 win over Brad Jacobs in the Grand Slam of Curling championship game in Summerside. Martin announced his retirement earlier this weekend. His resume includes an Olympic Gold Medal, a World title, and four Brier championships. Jennifer Jones won the Women's crown with a 5-2 victory over Rachel Homan.

Acclaimed Cape Breton Author Passes

Acclaimed Cape Breton author and short story teller Alistair MacLeod has died. He was 77. MacLeod grew up in Inverness County. He is credited for writing classics such as "Lost Salt, Gift of Blood" and "No Great Mischief". MacLeod spent his summers in Dunvegan in Cape Breton. He was a professor during the winter months at the University of Ontario. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2008. MacLeod leaves behind his wife Anita and six children.

New Twist In Rehtaeh's Online Bullying Case

There's another disturbing development in the online bullying case connected to Rehtaeh Parsons. A teenager in Eastern Passage has been charged with making death threats against the young girls father. Police wouldn't not confirm the relationship between the accused and the victim, but a source told our newsroom the threats were made online against Glen Canning last year. The 19 year-old was arrested Thursday. His name has not been released. Multiple media reports suggest the teenager is also connected to the child porn charges laid following Rehtaeh's death. A court date has been set for May 20 to deal with the charges. Parsons attempted suicide last year because of intense cyberbullying after lewd photos of the young girl went around the Internet . She was taken off life support a few days later.

Premier Says Town Identities Will Not Disappear

So far, at least four Nova Scotia towns have either ceased to exist or are headed that way. The latest is Hantsport in the Annapolis Valley, with town fathers saying they can't cope anymore with a low tax base, created by last year's closure of Minas Basin Pulp And Paper. Hantsport is following in the footsteps of Canso, Springhill and Bridgetown, which is Premier Stephen McNeil's home-town. He says while these areas will cease to exist as towns, their identities will remain intact.



As for Hantsport, it has applied to join the neighboring West Hants Municipality.

South Shore Legion Branch Benefits From New Horizons Money

The Royal Canadian Legion in Bridgewater is back in the business of cooking fund-raising breakfasts and for special events. Branch-24 has all new kitchen appliances resulting from a federal government grant presented this past week by local Member of Parliament Gerald Keddy. Legion branch President Wayne Hunt says the improvements were long overdue.



Ottawa has come through with $17,499. for the project. Groups other than the Legion who will benefit include the fire department auxiliary, the band, churches and other groups not having kitchen facilities. The funding is through New Horizons.

NS Opposition Leader Blames Liberals For Running Up Debt

Nova Scotia's Opposition Leader says the McNeil Government is solely to blame for ringing-up more provincial debt. Jamie Baillie says they're spending too much at a time when financial belts need tightening.



The Liberals came into office last fall with a $16-million surplus, left behind by the former NDP government.
The provincial deficit has now been hiked to more than $250-million. The budget debate continues in the provincial legislature.

South Shore Double Lung Recipient Helps With CF Campaign

A South Shore native is doing her part to help in the search for a cure of a deadly disease. Jessica Carver of New Germany underwent a double lung transplant in Toronto more than a year ago after suffering for years with cystic fibrosis. She's now campaigning for CF Canada's annual fund raiser, a 5-kilometer walk to take place all across the country in late May. Carver says its only right she helps with the campaign.



There are numerous fund-raising events for CF research taking place in communities all across Canada.
The Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis takes place on May 25th.

Tories Looks For Answers Around Bluenose II

The handling of Bluenose II restoration project is facing some criticism. The project is more than two years behind schedule and millions of dollars over budget. The latest on the $16.7 million project, indicates the ship has steering problems. Tory leader Jamie Baillie says the government needs to be more open about the status of the project.



The Bluenose II is set to begin public sailing this summer. However, it has to undergo sea trials to determine the schooner is safe.

Transportation Department Fixing Potholes

With winter on its way out, the Nova Scotia government wants to hear about potholes closest to you. A toll-free phone number has been set up to connect people to their nearest Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal base. Crews are filling potholes with a temporary patch called cold mix. Executive Director of maintenance and operations, Barb Baillie, says they have some catching up to do.



The starting date for permanent patching depends on location and weather conditions. People can call in problem potholes to the toll-free number, 1-888-432-3233.

New Wildfire Fighting Truck Headed To Shelburne

They're brand new, high tech and ready to go! Two new fire trucks have been unveiled by the province's Natural Resources Minister. Zach Churchill says the vehicles will be based in Cape Breton and in the Shelburne area and ready to join the fight against wild fires when they break out.



The fire truck steel bodies were manufactured and outfitted by Specialty Steel in Debert.

New Fire Services Committee Established In Barrington

A new committee is expected to provide more effective and efficient fire fighting and emergency services in the Barrington area. The municipality says the new structure has been developed through the efforts of five fire departments and municipal council. The committee is made up of the municipality's fire service coordinator, five chiefs, three deputy chiefs and a municipal councillor. Warden Eddie Nickerson is optimist the group can work to create some positive change.


Nickerson says the committee will discuss issues among the fire service and bring forward any concerns or recommendations to council. He expects there will be cost-savings in the future. The change is expected to allow the municipality to adapt for future development, and improve service at a reasonable cost to residents.

Cape Sable Island Man Killed In Fishing Mishap

A Cape Sable Island man drowned after falling into cold water while fishing earlier this week in Annapolis County. Fifty-one year old Cecil Ellsworth Brannen was killed when his small boat overturned on Tuesday in Fisher Lake. Another man was able to swim to shore and call for help. Police say the vessel hit a rock and caused the boat to tip over. Search crews found his body Wednesday morning.

South Health CEO Appointed To Deputy Minister Post

The head of the health authority on the South Shore has been appointed to a key role within the Nova Scotia government. Dr. Peter Vaughan will be the new deputy minister of health, wellness and seniors. Vaughan has served as the CEO of South Shore Health for the past two years. He also spent time leading the Canadian Medical Association. Meanwhile, Sandra MacKenzie will become the deputy Minister of Education. Frank Dunn will move from education to the deputy ministers post in Natural Resources. The appointments take effect April 28.

Get Set For Yet Another Gas Price Hike

This doesn't bode well for South Shore gasoline prices come tomorrow! In New Brunswick overnight, a significant rise in the price of self serve regular after the weekly setting. The maximum price has gone up by more than 4.5 cents a litre. The price of diesel is also higher this morning in New Brunswick, up by a cent a litre. If the price increases here overnight tonight by the same amount, it will push the price for a litre of regular self serve to almost $1.45.

Bayport's Anderson Ready For 26th Boston Marathon

A Bayport runner is sprinting towards the Boston Marathon for a 26th year. Chris Anderson is among 10 South Shore runners making the trip to run the event on Monday. The 66-year-old keeps qualifying year-after-year to return and says he'll keep going until his body tells him otherwise. Anderson says there is no other event like the Boston Marathon.



Anderson began training in January and hopes to complete the 42.2-kilometre trek in about three hours and 30 minutes. His best time is two hours, 57 minutes. Anderson says this year is special after last year's tragic events.



Anderson says it was an anxious situation to be involved in, with about 12 of his family members in Boston at the time. Memorials were held this week to pay tribute to the three people who were killed and more than 260 injured during last year's bombing. There are 36,000 official entrants for this year's Boston Marathon.

Dayspring Double Homicide Added To Rewards Program

The RCMP continue to look for answers in the unsolved murder case of a Dayspring couple. Jack and Micheline Hulme were found dead in their home in June 1985. Their bodies were found by Bridgewater RCMP following a house fire. However, autopsy results later revealed the couple had been shot to death. Now, the case has been added to the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes program. Sgt. Al Leblanc says they're hoping people who may have been silent in the past, will speak up now.



Anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest or conviction could receive up to $150,000. If you have any tips, you can call the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes program at 1-888-710-9090.

Bridgewater RCMP Officer Under Investigation

The province's Serious Incident Response Team is investigating after a domestic assault allegation was made against a Bridgewater Mountie. The officer, who has been with the service for six years, was arrested after RCMP received the complaint from his wife on Tuesday night. The officer has been released with conditions. No charges have been laid. He will appear in Bridgewater court on May 7. The Serious Incident Response Team is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia.

Former Premier Applauds Caledonia Initiative

A former Nova Scotia premier says he's proud of his Queens County heritage and the work being done to revive the economy in the area. Darrell Dexter says North Queens in particular was badly impacted by the closure of Bowater two years ago and he's impressed with the planned construction of a $1.9-million community hall in Caledonia. He says it shows a strong community-will to move forward out of the economic wilderness.



Meanwhile, the former premier has met in recent weeks with Region of Queens officials and offered his legal and political background to help if needed as the area recovers from the economic slowdown.

All Aboard! For Public Inspection

Its open-house today aboard the new Yarmouth to Maine ferry! The "Nova Star" arrived in Yarmouth yesterday for a courtesy call, to the thrill of hundreds of greeters at dockside. Natural Resources Minister and area MLA Zach Churchill says the waterfront was awash in celebration.



The vessel will be welcoming visitors through the day and will leave for Portland around supper time. The ferry service begins May 15th.

UPDATE: Body Of Missing Fisherman Found

A 51 year old man who was fishing Tuesday evening in a remote part of Fisher Lake in Annapolis County has been found dead. Search crews found his body around 7:30 this morning near the spot where he and another fisherman fell into the lake last evening when their boat overturned. The other man was able to swim to shore and phone police. A search was organized and continued through the night until the body was discovered this morning.