Local News

Officials with Guysborough Co. based Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company say a new distillery will help them keep up with the growing demand for local products.

President, Glynn Williams says officials had been discussing building the distillery for close to two years, and work begun this week.

He says when it's complete it will create more jobs in the community and give another reason for people to visit.

Williams tells The Hawk they will be able to produce more spirits and beer while the buy-local movement is growing.

"The growth in craft beer throughout the province is very robust," he says. "We just want to be able to have the capacity that allows us to keep up with demand."

Williams says the new location will allow them to try brewing more beer, and distilling other spirits like vodka.

He says there is a big appetite in the province for locally produced goods, and the expansion will allow them to capitalize on that.

Williams the new distillery isn't all about creating new opportunities for products.

"The ultimate goal is to create meaningful jobs here in Nova Scotia, and in our community," he says. "Year round jobs, and they're good paying and really interesting jobs."

Williams says the distillery could be up and running by August if construction stays on track.

He says his operation currently employs more than 20 people, and that will increase with the new project.

Williams says the distillery will also serve as another reason for people to come visit Guysborough.

Officials with the Cape Breton District Health Authority say renovations needed for a new CT scanner at the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital will get underway Monday.

They say phase one of renovations will see changes to the former Diabetic Clinic on the main floor.

Officials say the effects on patients will be minimal; if you're going to the hospital for an EKG or an ultrasound you will be sent to register at a temporary location in the hospital.

They say the work should be done by May if things go as planned, then the new CT scanner will be installed.

Officials with the Celtic Current Community Wind project say they've received approval for five new projects.

They say the projects mean they now own a total of 11.75MW of approved community feed-in tariff wind turbine projects.

Officials say the turbines will be placed throughout the Eastern part of the province.

They say they're producing power at their Mulgrave site, and projects in Guysborough, Cheticamp and other areas will all be online by next year.

Company officials say money for the projects comes from investors, and they're trying to find more after the latest approvals.

The price of gas is up for the sixth week in a row.

Pump prices increased 4.1 cents a litre when they reset at midnight.

That means the new range in the Quad Counties, depending on where you fill up, falls somewhere between a minimum of $1.09 and a maximum of $1.12 for a litre of regular self-serve.

Diesel prices dropped 2.1 cents a litre at midnight; the new fuel range is anywhere between $1.26.9 and $1.29.9.

Members of the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board invoked the interrupter clause to increase diesel prices 7.1 cents a litre ahead of schedule Tuesday.