Friday, August 30, 2013

MODL: Providing Funds For Lunenburg Arena

The Lunenburg Arena is getting a financial boost from its neighbouring municipality. The District of Lunenburg is providing $8,000 to the town to help pay operational costs at the facility. Mayor Don Downe says they're trying to lend a hand when they can.




The funding brings the municipality's total contribution for the rink to $15,000. Downe says the municipality has also agreed to review its policy on providing grants to towns and facilities before the 2014-15 fiscal year.

Baseball Playoffs: Bulldogs Take Down Halifax

In the Bantam AAA baseball playoffs in Bridgewater. The local Bulldogs got off to a good start thanks to some solid pitching Brice Zinn. The 'Dogs beat Halifax 5-3. Ryan O'Tool has a pair of RBI's in the victory to break the game open. The Bulldogs take the field again this afternoon at 3 o'clock. They will host Dartmouth.

Mooseheads Cut Brennan Bailey

The Halifax Mooseheads have parted ways with Lunenburg's Brennan Bailey. The 19-year-old defenseman was cut by the Moose Friday morning before their game against Cape Breton tonight at the Halifax Forum. Bailey was part of the club's Memorial Cup season last year, playing 14 games and notching a goal and an assist. Bailey was acquired by the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks at this summer's MHL draft in Pictou. He also played major midget hockey with the South Shore Mustangs.

Spts-Local Morning Sports Wrap


The South Shore Mustangs doubled the Valley Wildcats 6-3 last night in an exhibition hockey game in Bridgewater. Leading the scoring was Keith Getson with a hat-track. Singles were scored by Travis Parks, Joel Cottreau and Colby Muise. The Mustangs' next exhibiton game will be Sunday at 1 pm, again at the Bridgewater Arena, when the team hosts the Halifax MacDonalds.

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks hit the ice again tonight at Queens Place Emera Centre in Liverpool.
The Jacks will be hosting the Yarmouth Mariners for another pre-season MHL exhibition game. It kicks off at 7 o'clock.






The Bridgewater Bulldog Bantam Triple-A baseball team is hosting the Nova Scotia Provincials in Bridgewater this weekend.  Play gets underway at the Kinsmen Field this morning at 10 with Bridgewater facing off against Hammonds Plains.  The Bridgewater team also plays at 3 pm and again at 10 am & 3 pm on Saturday.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Port Mouton: Province Helps Blue Wave Seafoods

A long standing employer in Queens County is getting help from the Nova Scotia Government. Blue Wave Seafood in Port Mouton is getting a $500,000 loan from the provincial government to help restructure its operations. The loan is repayable over the next ten years. The company employs nearly 70 full and part-time staff and is a fish processor and exporter. Fisheries Minister Sterling Belliveau says the money will provide the company with working capital as it restructures to achieve long-term sustainability. Nova Scotia is Canada's third largest exporter of fish and seafood, with exports valued at about $922 million in 2012.

Chester Councillor Pleased With New Crosswalk

A Chester councillor is applauding the addition of a crosswalk near Chester Area Middle School. Brad Armstrong says parents lobbied for a crosswalk during the last municipal election and he decided to work on the issue. He says he approached the Village Commission and they agreed to pay for the crosswalk, painted by the Department of Transportation, and hire a part-time crossing guard. Armstrong says its good news.



He expects roughly 40-50 kids will use the crosswalk daily at Duke and Main streets.

MODL Provides Funding To Help Recruit Doctors

The Municipality of Lunenburg has agreed to provide up to $2,000 to help persuade nurse practitioners to the area. Mayor Don Downe says the money will help send people from South Shore Health to New Brunswick this fall to market the South Shore and recruit doctors. The municipality will match funding with the town of Bridgewater. Downe says they have to separate themselves from other regions in the Maritimes.



Downe says the one thing he's heard while traveling to local communities is the need for more family doctors.

Standby For NS Gasoline Price Hike

Gas prices have taken a hike in New Brunswick overnight. Regular self serve is up 3 cents a litre today to $1.37.1. Diesel is up even more to $1.39.7. With that in mind, prices are likely to jump overnight tonight here on the South Shore by similar amounts. The increase in gas prices is being fueled by whats been happening on the world markets. The price of oil world-wide is actually down $1.31 today so far after finishing yesterday at its highest close in more than two years. Oil is trading at $108.79 U-S a barrel.
The price jumped more than a dollar yesterday on jitters about a possible U-S-led military attack on Syria.

Ferry Partnership Head Optimistic Yarmouth-Maine Service Will Become A Reality

The man who heads up the International Ferry Partnership is optomistic a new ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine will be in operation by next May.  Keith Condon helped spearhead the move to get the ferry back up and running.  He says the provincial government will is there, compared to 2009 when it wasn't.



STM Quest is in negotiations with the Dexter government that may lead to an agreement between the two for STM to run the service.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Garden Centre Raises Over $5,000 For Breast Cancer Foundation

The Oceanview Garden Centre in Chester has raised thousands of dollars for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The centre held a pair of fundraising events and also collected bras to send on mission trips to the Dominican Republic. Employee Lauri McCulloch says $5,716.60 was raised for a good cause.


McCulloch says she expects the fundraising event is something they will hold again next year.

Waters Finishes Sixth At Paracanoe Worlds

A Fox Point paddler has a top-10 finish at the Paracanoe World Championships in Germany. Dave Waters finished sixth in the men's 200 metre V1 event, finishing just over a second behind the eventual winner from Spain. Waters posted to Facebook after the race, saying he was happy with sixth place because it was the hardest race he has have ever done. He finished in third place at last year's World Championships in Poland.

MODL: Plans To Market Osprey Ridge In The Works

The Municipality of Lunenburg is taking steps to find a company to market Osprey Ridge. The golf course, just outside Bridgewater, has been under the municipality's possession since they took over ownership late in 2011. Mayor Don Downe says they are preparing to issue a call for companies to submit proposals, showcasing how they could market the golf course effectively in hopes of selling it. Downe says the timing is right.



Downe expects the overall process to last months but is confident they can find a company that will keep the course publicly-owned.

Bridgewater's McIntosh Finishes Fourth In Holland

Bridgewater's Rachael McIntosh is back in Canada after a fourth place finish in a women's heptathlon event in Holland. McIntosh competed in the 11th International Meeting of Combined Events against some of Europe's top heptathletes. The 22-year-old narrowly missed out on the bronze medal. She finished with a total of 5,443 points, only 48 behind third place. McIntosh won the 800 metre run and finished third in the 200 metre run and shot put. (Photo Courtesy of Fiona Clark)

Belliveau Selected As NDP Candidate In Queens-Shelburne

Fisheries and Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau will be the NDP candidate in Queens-Shelburne for the next provincial election.  He was chosen at a nominating meeting last night in Liverpool.  Belliveau says he's inheriting a legacy of community service by retiring MLA Vicki Conrad.



Belliveau was unopposed for the nomination.  He says some of the issues in the riding in the upcoming election campaign will include jobs, aquaculture, health care and seniors programs. Belliveau also says he's proud to have helped the area re-group after the closure of Bowater.  As a result of electoral boundary changes, his present riding of Shelburne has been split in two parts, Queens-Shelburne (in which he will be running) and Argyle-Barrington.

Province Adding Relief Staff To Adult Day Centres

Four South Shore agencies are among 29 groups soon to benefit from staffing improvements in adult centres for persons with disabilities. The province announced roughly $900,000 in annual funding to provide relief staff in the centres when regular workers are sick or need to be away. The money will go towards salaries for relief staff and kicks-in January 1, 2014. Minister of Community Services, Denise Peterson-Rafuse, says its an initiative she's been working on for over a year.



Local groups that will benefit include The Ark in Bridgewater, Penny Lane Enterprises in Queens, the Shelburne Association Supporting Inclusion and Kaye Nickerson Adult Service Centre in Yarmouth.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Lunenburg Academy's Future In Question

The mayor of Lunenburg says the town has to regroup when it comes to the future of Lunenburg Academy. A plan to host a graduate school for music, starting this fall, has been scaled back after funding sources fell through. The program was looking for roughly $4.6-million to cover start-up fees and three-year initiation period for the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance, or LAMP. Rachel Bailey is optimistic they can find a solution.



Bailey says the town is providing roughly $250,000 in this year's budget for operating costs and capital repairs. She says council will meet to discuss options in the near future.

Bridgewater: Tickets/Fines If Caught With Grass? Maybe

If you're caught with a joint or a dime baggie full of grass you might be slapped with a ticket and fine. Canada's Police Chiefs are suggesting it might be the way to move forward after they supported the motion during a meeting last week in Winnipeg. John Collyer of Bridgewater Police says it would still leave the door open to proceed with criminal charges depending on how much pot the person has on them. He says by issuing a ticket, like they do for open liquor, it could give his members more time on the streets and in the community to deal with other matters.



However, Collyer was quick to point out, police do not support the legalization of marihuana. Police still have to work with government to amend legislation in order for the change to take affect.

Liverpool: Strike Vote At Queens Manor

Nursing home workers in Liverpool can legally go on strike. The 56 members of CUPE local 2648 at Queens Manor have voted 98 percent in favour of the action. The main issue deals with sick leave. The workers can strike after 48 hours notice to the Minister of Labour. However, both sides have agreed to bring in a conciliator to resume talks. A date hasn't been set for the talks. Unionized staff at the manor include continuing care assistants, cooks, licensed practical nurses and personal care workers.

Lumberjacks Make Cuts At Training Camp


The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have trimmed down their training camp roster. The Junior hockey club released five players following last night's inter-squad game including Josh Bowman, Ryan Campbell, Alex Rawding, Zack Foster and goaltender Dylan Frank. The cuts aren't the first to be made as Joel Cleveland, Brandon Barrett and Tim LaFleur were left go following opening ice times in Liverpool over the weekend. Owner Ken Petrie also revealed this morning that Josh Fitzgerald is heading back to Newfoundland to complete his grade 12 and play major midget. The cuts leave 33 players at training camp. The team has an off day today before players return to the ice in Bridgewater Wednesday.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Chester: Group Given December Target For Lordly Park

The Chester Municipal Heritage Society is on the clock to raise money to keep a section of Lordly Park. Proponents with the group asked municipal council to delay a decision to a later date regarding a parcel of land at the corner of Union and Prince streets. The society agreed to pay $80,000 to purchase the property. Warden Allen Webber says the group has struggled to meet its commitment.



The municipality indicated they would sell the property for another use, but community members opposed that idea, and want to keep the entire park as public space. A group of residents have agreed to match funding. The society has until December to raise enough money.

Baseball: NS Teams Miss Podium At National Events

A number of local baseball players have returned home empty-handed from national events. Aiden O'Brien, Zach Zinck, Ryan O'Toole, Cameron MacPherson, Nathan McCarthy and coach Dennis Woodworth from the Bridgewater Baseball Association represented Nova Scotia at the Bantam Boys Championships in Vaughn, Ontario. They lost to Ontario in the semis before suffering a 5-1 defeat to Quebec in the bronze medal match to finish fourth. It's Nova Scotia's best finish ever in the tournament's history. In girl's play at the under-16 invitational in Bedford, Bridgewater's Mackenzie Dimmell led Nova Scotia to a fifth place finish after beating Alberta 13-8.

Bridgewater: MLA's Set For Funding Announcement


South Shore MLA's will be in Bridgewater for a funding announcement Tuesday afternoon. Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse will unveil details of new money to help adults with disabilities. The event will be held at 1 o'clock at the Ark in Bridgewater. Both Lunenburg area MLA's Gary Ramey and Pam Birdsall will be on hand for the event. The Ark is located on King Street and gives those with disabilities employment opportunities and a place to grow.

Bridgewater, MODL Explore Joint Birthday Celebrations

The Municipality of Lunenburg and town of Bridgewater are exploring the option of celebrating their birthdays together next spring. Bridgewater turns 115 years-old next February while the District of Lunenburg is 135 years-old in April. Bridgewater's mayor recently sent a letter to Don Downe, asking the municipality to celebrate the occasions on one day. Downe says working with the town is a good option.



Downe hopes birthday celebrations could be held in communities throughout the municipality. The idea will go to committee for further discussion.

Fisheries Minister Seeks Nod In Queens-Shelburne

New Democrats in the new riding of Queens-Shelburne will officially nominate their candidate tomorrow. Fisheries Minister Sterling Belliveau is seeking the nomination for the governing NDP. He is unopposed. Belliveau has represented residents of Shelburne since he was first elected in 2006. He was also twice elected as Warden of the Municipality of Barrington. The nomination meeting will be held at Queens Place in Liverpool at 7 o'clock.

Canadians Sweep Dory Races In Lunenburg

It was a complete sweep for Canadian rowers at the the International Dory Races in Lunenburg. Local rowers captured victories in every event they raced in over the weekend. Races were held along the waterfront in Junior, Senior, Women's, Over 40 and Co-ed division. In the "Over-40" Lockeport’s Danny Moody and Walter Nickerson finished in a time of just over six minutes and 15 seconds. It's the last year for that division as race officials have agreed to change to an over-50 style event beginning next year. It was the 61st running of the International Dory Races. Canada won the first leg of the competition in Gloucester, Massachusetts by winning two of the three races in June.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Former NS Health Minister Calls For Better ER Staff Recruitment

There were a couple of emergency room closures over the weekend at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg.  As with all the other ER closures at Fishermen's, this latest one was also a result of a staff shortage.  Former Tory Health Minister and Argyle MLA, Chris d'Entremont, says a shakeup is needed in the system, especially when it comes to emergency rooms and who's available to work.



d'Entremont says the health care system needs to be overhauled to make it more cost-efficient and able to meet the medical needs of all Nova Scotians.

Friday, August 23, 2013

McIntosh Wraps Up Heptathlon Season In Netherlands

Bridgewater's Rachael McIntosh has one last heptathlon scheduled for the summer season. She's in the Netherlands for the International Combined Events meet, fresh off her gold medal win at the Summer Games. In an email interview, McIntosh says she's hoping to achieve a personal best. The 22-year-old is ranked fifth heading into the event. McIntosh begins competing Saturday.

Baseball: Boys Remain Undefeated, Girls Beat Ontario

Ryan O'Toole doubled and scored a pair of runs to lead Nova Scotia to its third straight win at the boys bantam baseball nationals. The Bridgewater native led the team with two hits in a 10-6 win over Newfoundland Friday morning. Nova Scotia sits atop their group with a 3-0 record. They play Saskatchewan later tonight. On the girls side in Bedford, Nova Scotia got their first 'W' after dumping Ontario 8-6. They're on the field against Alberta at 7pm tonight.

How Seniors Can Avoid Being Targeted By Scammers

A warning for South Shore seniors. A a man has been busted by police in British Columbia, after five years of being on the run and allegedly bilking hundreds of Canadian seniors out of their life savings.  Known as the "Nephew Bandit", 57 year old Richard Rupert was featured recently on "America's Most Wanted" after scores of seniors reported they were the victims of a man claiming he was a long, lost relative needing money. Here in our area, Jill Atkinson of the Better Business Bureau says similar incidents known as the "grand-parents scam" have been reported in recent years. She says many seniors are vulnerable to attacks on their personal information and money and are easy targets of fraudsters.



Atkinson has some tips for seniors on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud. She says seniors should never disclose their personal information to strangers, they should inform their grown-up children, friends or neighbors if they suspect something, don't keep cash or valuables at home and if they feel they're being targeted and victimized by a scammer, contact police right away.  By the way, as for Rupert, the alleged fraudster caught on the West Coast he was arrested at a Vancouver hospital where he was receiving medical treatment, allegedly under a false name.  A hospital worker apparently saw the episode on "America's Most Wanted" and recognized him.



Lunenburg Hosts Second Leg Of International Dory Races

Pride will be on the line this weekend as the second leg of the 61st Annual International Dory Races will be held in Lunenburg. Rowers from the South Shore will represent Canada against their American counterparts along the town's waterfront. Canada won the first leg of the competition in Gloucester, Massachusetts by winning two of the three races in June. Canadian competitor Markus Schmidt says he's ready to race in front of the home crowd.



The competition will be held, starting at 10 o'clock Saturday morning. Competing for Canada will be as follows:

Women's - Gail Atkinson and Kathryn Moore

Men's - Joel George and Markus Schmidt

The over-40 competition - Danny Moody and Walter Nickerson

Junior - John Ernst and Thomas Stuart

Co-ed - Kelly George and Robert Fox.

South Shore Gas Prices Increase

If you need to top-up your vehicle's gas tank today, it will cost you more!  Its no real surprise that prices are up at South Shore pumps. (They increased in New Brunswick as well a day earlier by similar amounts.)  Regular self serve increased almost two cents overnight here. Its selling this morning at South Shore gas stations for $1.36.5 per litre. High test gasoline is also higher by a similar amount.  Diesel is up by two cents as well.  In case you're wondering "why", the world price of oil has been creeping up in recent days and costing more for refiners. Yesterday alone, oil gained $1.18 to stand at $105.03 (US) per barrel. Analysts predict the trend will likely continue for a few days.



Baseball: Boys Undefeated, Girls Winless At Nationals

A great start for team Nova Scotia at the Bantam Boys National Baseball Championships in Vaughn, Ontario. The club is 2-0 after a 5-4 win in their opening game over New Brunswick. They continued their solid play with a 10-0 win against PEI. The team features five players and a coach from the Bridgewater Baseball Association. Nova Scotia is scheduled to play Newfoundland and Labrador Friday morning. Meanwhile, the girls got off on the wrong foot at their under-16 national event in Bedford. They lost to Quebec 8-5 and B.C. 2-1. Bridgewater's Mackenzie Dimmell struggled at the plate, going hitless in both games. The girls play Ontario at noon Friday.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Chester: Changing Stance On Legion Funding

There's a new attitude when it comes to providing money to Royal Canadian Legions in the Municipality of Chester. Council has decided to change its stance, allowing Legions to apply for funding to help with programs and events that are open to the public. Warden Allen Webber says the municipality won't provide money for things like capital upgrades or operational costs. He says the municipality is trying to help their situations.



The change affects four Legions including New Ross, Western Shore, Chester and Chester Basin.

Lunenburg: Dog Park Approved For Starr Street

The president of the Lunenburg Dog Park Society is thrilled to see a dog park coming to the town. Council members approved the idea recently to build two parks, one for larger canines and the other for smaller, older pups. The society is leasing a parcel of town-owned land on Starr Street. They take possession of the land September 1 and plan to start clearing it immediately. Karen Lewis says they hope to have both parks open by early next year.



Lewis believes having dog parks available helps fill a huge void in the town.

RCMP: Vaughan Man Killed In Highway 14 Crash

Police say a 40 year-old man died yesterday in a three vehicle crash on Highway 14. The victim - from the Vaughan area - was involved in a collision between a car, pick-up truck and a garbage truck.
The incident unfolded Wednesday morning shortly after 7 o'clock.
A section of the Windsor Road was closed for more than nine hours after the garbage truck and car collided, the truck then struck a power pole, caught fire and lost some of it's waste. RCMP say a 37-year-old woman who was driving the pick-up and her five year-old were not injured. The driver of the garbage truck suffered minor injuries. Police will not be releasing the name of the man who was killed. Meanwhile, in a separate crash about two kilometres away, a 22 year-old woman suffered minor injuries when her car veered off the road and flipped. She was taken to South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater for treatment.

Lunenburg: ER Closures Planned This Weekend

There will be a pair of weekend closures in the emergency room at Fishermen's Memorial in Lunenburg. South Shore Health is advising area residents the ER will close Friday evening at 5:00pm and won't re-open until Saturday morning at 7:30am. It will also close overnight Saturday during those same times. Staff shortages are the reason behind the temporary shut down. Those needing emergency services should go to the regional hospital in Bridgewater or dial 9-1-1.

Baseball: O'Brien Leads NS To Win Over NB

Hebbville's Aidan O'Brien hit a pair of doubles to lead Nova Scotia to a 5-4 win over New Brunswick in their opening game Thursday at the under-15 bantam boys baseball nationals in Vaughn, Ontario. O'Brien was named offensive player of the game. Bridgewater's Zach Zinck earned the save. They square off against PEI this afternoon at 3:30 local time. In girl's play in Bedford, Nova Scotia fell to Quebec 8-5. Bridgewater's Mackenzie Dimmell went hitless in three at bats. The girl's team plays again tonight at 7pm against British Columbia.

Court: Trial Dates Set In Confinement Case

A Lower Sackville man charged with sexual assault in the case of a teenage boy who was chained inside a run down cabin in Lunenburg County will go to trial next year. John Leonard MacKean is scheduled for a three day trial by judge and jury beginning March 17 in Bridgewater Supreme Court. MacKean, who was not in court today, is also charged with prostitution related offence. Another man - David James LeBlanc - was sentenced in June to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping, forcible confinement, sexual assault and other charges. That prison term also included child porn charges stemming from the Halifax area. The police investigation into the confinement case began last September after the boy was able escape and a woman reported seeing a barefoot teenager at her doorstep, chained at his wrists and ankles.  It was then reported to police.

Possible Gas Price Hike Coming Tonight!

Be prepared for a possible increase in South Shore gas prices after midnight tonight.  Thats when the Utility and Review Board will set the prices for the coming week.  In New Brunswick, prices there increased by two cents last night.  Regular self serve is selling there today for about $1.34.1 per litre.  Diesel and furnace oil are both up in New Brunswick by more than 2.5 cents a litre.  The price for propane has increased by just under a cent per litre.

Dexter Government Pumps Some Big Money Into Planned Chester Health Clinic

There will be an increase in health care in the Chester area with the help of some provincial funding. Last night, $500,000 was announced toward a new health clinic project in Shoreham Village.  Local MLA and Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse says the new clinic will encourage collaborative practice and will help attract new doctors to the area. Fund-raising has been underway for sometime for the proposed 12,500 square foot complex, to be comprised of new and existing space.  It'll include six family doctors' offices with connecting exam rooms, reception and information centres, administration offices, South Shore Health offices for mental health and addiction, a diabetic clinic and other services, blood collection, office space for visiting, and consulting professionals waiting rooms and volunteer support areas.  Its hoped the Chester health centre will be up and running within a couple of years.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Wile Carding Mill Reaches Municipal Heritage Status

Bridgewater has its next municipal heritage property. The town didn't receive any objections to providing the Wile Carding Mill on Victoria Road with heritage status. The mill joins the Holy Trinity Anglican Church and the Brookside Cemetery as the only heritage properties in Bridgewater. Chair of the Library Commission, Peter Oickle, says the mill dates back to the 19th century.



A celebration is planned for September 8 at the Wile Carding Mill.

Progress At Bayswater, But Beach Still Closed

Inspectors looking into high bacteria at Bayswater Beach are making progress but it will remain closed until water testing shows it is safe for swimming. Department of Environment inspectors believe that natural conditions in a nearby pond are contributing to elevated bacteria counts. They believe tidal action may also be playing a role in bringing bacteria from the pond to the beach through a shallow stream. Inspectors have not found any obvious signs of human activity contributing to the high bacteria counts. The Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service continues to take water samples for lab testing.  However, until bacteria counts return to safe levels, the beach will remain closed. We will let you know when things clear up.

Bridgewater Sends Players To Baseball Nationals

The Bridgewater Baseball Association is sending a number of players to the bantam boys and girls national championships. Local athletes Aiden O'Brien, Zach Zinck, Ryan O'Toole, Cameron MacPherson, Nathan McCarthy, Mackenzie Dimmell and coach Dennis Woodworth will make up part of team Nova Scotia. Play begins for the girls and boys teams Thursday through Sunday. The boys compete in Vaughan, Ontario and open up their tourney against New Brunswick. The girls play in Bedford and open up competition against Quebec. Results can be found here .

Recall: Ben's Bread Issue Voluntary Recall

If you have picked up some Ben's bread in the past few days you may want to keep reading. Canada Bread has issued a voluntary recall for some of its bread products sold because they may contain glass fragments. The company says the glass is believed to have come from a light bulb that shattered during production. The products in question are Ben's Xtra Soft white and whole wheat bread, and Super Club white and whole wheat bread. Both products have a best-before date of Aug. 29. The labels on both products indicate they came from plant No. 2503. There have been no reports of injuries.

Labour Chief Calls For Federal Input on Ferry Issue

The federal government is missing the boat and ignoring public will to have the Yarmouth ferry service restored.  That comment from the head of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.  In a CKBW and HANK-FM News interview, President Rick Clarke says the Harper government has a history of lagging behind everyone else.



Meanwhile, Clarke says restoring the ferry service would mean not only a boost to tourism. He says
it would also increase employment in the region and trade.



Clarke says having the feds on board would add a lot of weight and importance to restoring the ferry service.

UPDATED: One Dead In "Windsor Road" Crash

RCMP say one person is dead after two separate crashes this morning on Highway 14. The first incident ocurred shortly after 7 o'clock when a car veered off the road. Emergency responders were heading to the scene when they came across a serious three vehicle collision involving a car, pickup truck and a garbage truck. The person who was killed was involved in the second, more serious incident. A section of the highway, about 20 kilometres from Windsor, will be closed for the next few hours. RCMP are asking motorists to stay away from the area  - because there is no detour around the crash scene.

Two Crashes Close "Windsor Road"



RCMP are asking drivers to stay off Highway 14 near Windsor after two separate crashes. The crashes happened this morning about two kilometres apart in what's known as the Mill Section of the Windsor Road. One was a single vehicle accident in which a car ran off the highway. The second involved three vehicles - a car, pickup truck and a garbage truck. Mounties say there are multiple injuries but offered no other details. A section of the highway, about 20 kilometres from Windsor, will be closed for the next few hours. RCMP are asking motorists to stay away from the area  - there is no detour route available.

Large Python Seized In Yarmouth County

A huge python has been seized from a home in Yarmouth County. Conservation officers say the 5.4-meter snake is on the list of exotic pets that can't be imported or kept in Nova Scotia without a propoer permit. A spokesman for the Natural Resources Department says it remains unclear whether charges will be laid and few other details have been released. The department is not commenting further on the situation until their investigation is complete. Mounties are also at the scene where the snake was seized but they have yet to release an official statement. Earlier this month, two young brothers sleeping in an apartment in Campbellton, New Brunswick were killed by an illegal African rock python that had escaped from its enclosure.