Bridgewater: Proposed Feeding Wildlife By-Law Postponed Until May

The town of Bridgewater has postponed a wildlife feeding by-law until next May. Council didn't vote on first reading after deciding more information was needed on the issue. The by-law would essentially limit people from intentionally feeding wild animals, with exception of feeding fish or birds near duck ponds or baiting a live trap to capture an animal. Mayor David Walker says education and enforcement needs to be addressed.



Walker says the town will be reviewing its by-laws and enforcement, so he didn't feel council should rush into the matter. The need for a by-law grew after local residents approached council, frustrated with a person excessively feeding raccoons and birds. The citizen group say it is negatively affecting their properties and starting to attract rats.

Valley: High Risk Sex-Offender Arrested/More Charges

Mounties have arrested a high risk sex-offender in the Annapolis Valley. Thirty-six year-old Shane Smith was arrested on Monday after police stopped by his home in Aylesford. However, police say he wasn't home at the time, which breached his curfew. Smith has been charged with two counts of breach of recognizance. He was released from custody and is due back in court at a later date.

Lumberjacks Pickard, Parsons Named To Team Atlantic

A pair of CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks will represent the Atlantic provinces in the World Under-17 Challenge in Cape Breton. Campbell Pickard and Layton Parsons are two of nine Nova Scotians named to the team Atlantic roster for the event, being held from December 29 to January 4 in Port Hawkesbury and Sydney. Pickard has 11 points in 16 games with the Lumberjacks this season while Parsons has seven points in 18 games. Team Atlantic will open its round robin against Ontario on December 30. This year's World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will mark the last tournament which will see a Team Atlantic squad participate. Hockey Canada announced earlier in the year they will be sending three teams to the event instead of the traditional five Canadian teams. Team Atlantic's full roster can be found here .

Bridgewater: Resident Remembers Loved One At Ceremony

It's never easy to lose a loved one, but it's more difficult when it's near a significant holiday. That's what happened to Bridgewater resident Virginia Oickle. Her brother-in law Phillip was killed just before Christmas eight years ago while driving on Highway 103. Oickle took part in today's National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims in Bridgewater. She says the ceremony helps in the healing process.



Officials with the town, police, fire, EHS and MADD Canada gathered with members of the public at the Bridgewater Police Headquarters. The day was also used to remind people to be safe behind the wheel, and conscious of their actions. The Canadian flag was lowered to half mast for the day. This is the first year the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims was marked in Bridgewater.

South Shore: Six Locals Awarded Bravery Medals In Halifax

It was a tragedy which tugged on the heart strings of the entire South Shore. Five young fishermen were killed when the lobster fishing boat "Miss Ally" capsized in rough seas on February 17. Now, four members of a dive team that searched the wreckage have been awarded the Nova Scotia Medal of Bravery.  The nomination was put forward by the Municipality of Barrington. Shelburne County divers Donnie Mahaney, Thomas Nickerson, Gary Thurber and Thomas Hennigar received their medals during a special ceremony at Province House in Halifax. Meanwhile, another native of the South Shore was awarded a bravery medal. Aiden Brunn of Martin's River was also given a medal for his heroic efforts to help in a head on crash. Brunn was the first on scene when a car collided with a pickup truck on Highway 324 at the overpass of Exit 11. The car burst into flames and Brunn helped pulled an unconscious driver out of a burning vehicle. He was later joined on the scene by Patrick May of Maplewood - who also was awarded a medal today at Province House. Premier Stephen McNeil presented the medals, with some family members of the victims in attendance. This is the sixth year for Nova Scotia's Medal of Bravery. (Photo courtesy: Communications Nova Scotia)

UPDATE: Liverpool Fires Deemed Not Suspicious

The province's fire marshall's office and the RCMP say two fires in Liverpool, one last night and one this morning (Wednesday) are not suspicious. The causes of the two fires have not been pinpointed yet though. No one was hurt when a blaze erupted around 9:30 this morning at the back of an apartment building on Main Street. It was quickly put out by firefighters but did cause some smoke damage. Another blaze last evening on Payzant Street forced 5 people from their apartments and smoke, water and fire damage to their units. However, no one was injured in that fire and the building's owner and the Red Cross have offered assistance to those affected.