ER Closure: Fishermen's Memorial in Lunenburg

The emergency department at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg will be closed for a period of time over the weekend. Officials at the hospital say the closure will take place on Sunday evening beginning at 5 o'clock until Monday morning at 7:30AM. The closure is due to the unavailability of staff. All those requiring emergency care are being directed to the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater.

Queens Residents Receive Diamond Jubilee Medal

Four Queens County residents have been honoured by the premier. Darrell Dexter recognized Liverpool natives Jamie Belong, Beverley Crouse and posthumously to Robert "Scottie" Rodger with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Milton's Alexandra Stephenson also received the medal. The medals were awarded to the four people for their contributions to the province. Today's recipients were nominated personally by the premier. They were presented the medals during a ceremony in Liverpool. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal commemorates the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the Throne, and honours her service and dedication to Canada.

Sod Turning For Queens General Health Project

Hundreds of residents gathered in Liverpool today to celebrate the ground breaking ceremony for the Queens General Health project. The sod was turned on the $16 million dollar project which will see a new collaborative health care clinic constructed directly behind the existing hospital and the redevelopment of 22 inpatient units. Dr. Gary Ernest has practiced in Queens for the past 30 years. He says the project will benefit both staff and patients.



The QGH project should be complete by the end of 2013.

South Shore Hospitals Still Facing Bed Crunch

The CEO of South Shore Health is asking residents to be patient while staff work through a bed shortage in Bridgewater and Lunenburg. The health authority indicates bed space remains extremely limited at both hospitals in Lunenburg County. Dr. Peter Vaughan says staff are working diligently to meet the needs of those requiring medical attention at both emergency departments.



Vaughan says the situation has improved dramatically at Queens General Hospital in Liverpool over the past few weeks. South Shore Health is encouraging those requiring non-emergency care to use the 8-1-1 phone service or visit their nearest walk-in clinic.

Bridgewater Police Officer Facing Assault Charges

A member of the Bridgewater Police Service has been charged by the province's Serious Incident Response Team. Forty-six year-old Christine Bonnell of Bridgewater faces two charges of assaulting a man. The charges are related to a domestic violence complaint received by Bridgewater Police on August 1. The charges are for alleged incidents in July. Bonnell was not on active duty when the alleged incidents occurred. She is scheduled to appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court August 29.

Mustangs Open Up Training Camp

The dog days of summer are upon us and with it comes the start of hockey season. The South Shore Canadian Tire Mustangs open up training camp this evening. The Mustangs are coming off one of their best regular seasons in team history, but a disappointing first round playoff exit. Camp opens up tonight from 6:30-8pm at the Bridgewater Arena.

Mustangs Training Camp Schedule:

All ice times are at the Bridgewater arena.


Fri. Aug 24 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Sat. Aug 25 - 10:00 am-11::30am and 4:00pm - 5:30pm

Sun. Aug 26 - 10:00 am-11::30am

Fri. Aug. 31 - 1:30pm - 3:00pm

Sat. Sept 1 - 7:00pm - 9:30pm

Sun. Sept 2 - 4:00pm - 6:30pm

Lohnes Holds Fundraiser In Lunenburg

Bridgewater's Whitney Lohnes is looking for your support to help her get to tournaments and training camp. The local judoka will be at the Lunenburg Subway Saturday from 10:30-1:30pm. She is selling tickets on a summer-themed gift basket and is also holding a 50/50 draw. Money raised is expected to go towards a tournament in Samoa, a camp in Japan and the University Games in Russia. Lohnes is trying to make it to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Growing Green Festival Opens In Bridgewater

A unique festival dedicated to sustainability opens up tonight in Bridgewater. The Growing Green Festival kicks off its two-day event this evening with a number of events including free concerts at King Street Court. The festival comes into full effect Saturday with exhibitors and activities along King Street and throughout Lunenburg County. Festival chair Patrick Hirtle says the event challenges people to think about more they could be doing.



Hirtle expects roughly 2,000 people to take-in the two day event. This is the festival's fourth year. A reminder for residents that King Street between Empire and Dominion will be closed Saturday to traffic from 7am until 2pm for the festival. For full details, go to http://www.bridgewater.ca/growing-green/growing-green-festival.html .

Diesel Fuel Users Hit By Price Increase

No change this morning on the South Shore in the price of one type of gasoline. However, there's a surprise increase in the price of another. Regular self serve is unchanged in price at $1.34.7 per litre. Diesel is up though, by more than two cents. Its selling at $1.37.1 per litre.

Is Wayward Peacock On South Shore Mayor's Campaign Team?

Its election campaign time these days for many South Shore municipal politicians. Among them is the mayor of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. However, Don Downe is hoping a wayward peacock that's turned up in his backyard is not applying to be his campaign manager.



Mayor Downe says he's done everything to shuffle the bird off to someone else but the peacock just will not budge. Downe is hoping someone will claim the bird and take it off his hands. So, if your peacock is missing, it might be over at Don Downe's house. You can call the mayor's office to claim it.

Bluenose II Re-Launch Expected In Mid-September

Picture of Bluenose II as of 9:15am Aug 24

The government's project manager for the Bluenose II is projecting a mid-September re-launch date. Bill Greenlaw says there is still plenty of work to be done on the vessel including installing the rudder before it can be put into the water. He's commending workers in Lunenburg for their efforts in transferring the schooner from its renovation area to the marine slipway.



The side transfer was completed Thursday in a matter of hours. The schooner has undergone an extensive $16-million rebuild along the Lunenburg Waterfront.