Bridgewater: Tops'l Tavern To Reopen Under New Ownership

They will continue slinging drinks at the Tops'l Tavern in Bridgewater. The 50 year old bar and restaurant is getting a second life. Part owner Sheila Rodenhiser MacKay says the tavern will re-open Sunday under new ownership. On Thursday, Rodenhiser-Mackey confirmed they would be closing Saturday night. The news of the tavern closing spread quickly on social media with hundreds of people reminiscing about their good times at Tops'l. However, an eleventh hour deal to sell the building and keep it open was reached on Friday. She wouldn't confirm who the new owners are, but says they live along the South Shore. It's believed the same staff will be retained. The bar is expected to keep its traditional name.

Chester Junior Curling Team Ready For National Spotlight

The M and M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Curling Championships begin tomorrow in Liverpool. Fourteen men's and 14 women's teams from across Canada have arrived in Queens County seeking Canadian titles. Three draws will be played during tomorrow's starting day. The opening ceremonies will also be held at 6pm at Queens Place Emera Centre. Mary Fay and her Chester rink are representing Nova Scotia on the women's side. Fay says her team is looking forward to the challenge.



Fay's team begins play at 2pm Saturday against Newfoundland and Labrador at Queens Place Emera Centre. All tournament information can be found here .

Bridgewater: Mayor Shocked, Surprised About Tavern Closure

Bridgewater's mayor says it's disappointing to hear The Tops'l Tavern and Grill will close its doors. The owner confirmed the news with our newsroom Thursday afternoon that the popular tavern would close this weekend. The closure affects roughly 15 employees. The tavern has been a mainstay on King Street for 50 years since it opened in 1963. David Walker recalls his first visit to the pub and eatery while in Bridgewater for a teaching interview. He says people will remember their visits to the tavern.



Walker says the building is a landmark in the town, saying it is always there to greet people traveling over the new bridge. The tavern will close its doors on Saturday night.

Bridgewater Collaborative Health Centre Nearing Completion

The top doctor with South Shore Health says officials will begin moving into Bridgewater's collaborative health centre early next week. Dr. Peter Vaughan says the facility is nearing completion. He says they have two family practitioners, three nurse practitioners, a family practice nurse and administrative support designated for the clinic. They also have at least six family doctors interested in the facility. Vaughan says the numbers are good, but they're always on the lookout for more.



A grand opening of the Bridgewater collaborative health centre is expected by the end of March or early April. However, the clinic will be open to the public before that.

Financial Boost For Tourism Trail Project

Some major federal, provincial and municipal money will be pumped into a new project to attract tourists and locals on the South Shore. During a ceremony this morning at the Head of St. Margaret's Bay, $178,000 in funding was announced to create a continuous 109 kilometer hiking and cycling route between Halifax and Lunenburg. Known as the Destination Trail, it'll follow the former route and spur lines of the Halifax and Southwestern Railway and will include tourist promotion, signage and maps, information kiosks, improved access points, rest areas along the route and a mobile-compatible website. Lunenburg MLA Suzanne Lohnes-Croft says the trail will be a big boost to the tourism sector.



The trail will be promoted as a new way for visitors and locals to experience two of the province's most popular destinations and all the scenic communities in between.

Possible Overhaul Ahead For Municipal Taxation System

Updating the way Nova Scotia residential and commercial properties are assessed and taxed would be the focus of a proposed review. Municipal Relations and Service Nova Scotia Minister Mark Furey says its long overdue.



Property assessments across the province have increased this year and that will probably be reflected in tax rates set by the municipalities later this spring. Furey met with the mayors and councils of Lunenburg and Queens Counties on Thursday. He expects to do the same with others across the province in the coming month or two.

Queens Manor Facing Possible Strike

Management and workers at Queens Manor in Liverpool are hoping to avoid a strike. A conciliation officer has filed his report on the dispute with the province's labour minister. The 59 nursing home workers, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), will be in a legal strike position at 12:01am on January 29th. Both side have agreed not to take any action before then and they will meet again with the conciliation officer the day before, January 28th, to try and avoid a walkout. The CUPE members have already voted 98 percent in favor of a walkout. The main issue is sick time.

Gas Prices Rise

Gas prices have increased overnight. Regular self serve up at South Shore pumps by about half a cent to $131.4 per litre. High test has increased by the same amount. Diesel is up by about 3 cents though.

Weight Restrictions On Gravel Roads

Weight restrictions are now in effect on all provincial gravel roads in Lunenburg County. Trucks weighing more than 15-thousand kilograms are restricted from using them. DOT says the wet weather has made many gravel roads very soft and messy and thus the reason for the restrictions. Restrictions are also in effect on gravel roads in Hants and Annapolis counties.

Young Makes Lumberjacks Coaching Debut Against Summerside

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks host the Summerside Western Capitals Friday night in Bridgewater. The local Junior 'A' club will welcome Travis Young behind the bench in his debut as the team's new coach. He started running practices and drills with players on Wednesday night. He takes over a team that has struggled all season, winning only two out of 36 games. Young hopes to make strides with the club before the regular season ends.



Young says players were upbeat and he was impressed with their work ethic during practice this week. The Lumberjacks and Capitals square off at 7pm at the Clearwater Seafoods Arena.

Sports: 'Fever Weekend'; AtomMania Hockey Tourney

High school basketball players will catch a 'fever' this weekend. Park View hosts its annual 'Panther Fever Weekend' tournament in Bridgewater, starting Friday night. The opening game tips off at 6pm between Sackville and King's Edgehill. The hometown Panthers are up at 8pm against Middleton. Full schedule is listed below.

Friday January 17th
6pm - Sackville vs. King’s Edgehill
8pm - PVEC vs. Middleton

Saturday January 18th
9am –King’s Edgehill vs. PVEC
11am- Sackville vs. Middleton
1pm – PVEC JV vs. Forest Heights
3pm – Middleton vs. King’s Edgehill
5 pm – PVEC vs.   Sackville
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The South Shore Atom 'C' Ice Sharks are welcoming seven teams to town this weekend. The Ice Sharks host the RBC AtomMania Atom tournament at rinks in Bridgewater and Lunenburg. The tournament will consist of five teams from the HRM, one from Shelburne and another from Berwick.