Thousand Lose Power As Storm Pounds Nova Scotia

An intense storm packing huge wind gusts and heavy rain has knocked out power to more than 40,000 people in Nova Scotia. A complete list of outages and estimated restoration times can be found here

Bridgewater Donates $500 To Aid Philippines

Ottawa has extended the deadline to match funding towards Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts in the Philippines. The federal government has changed the date from December 9th to December 23rd. Closer to home, a number of local municipalities have decided to donate money to the cause. Bridgewater recently approved $500. Mayor David Walker says providing money was an easy decision.



Meanwhile, the Municipality of Chester gave $100, the town of Mahone Bay donated $500 and the Region of Queens offered $1,000 to the relief efforts. Reports say the death toll is over 5,500 but could still climb after the typhoon struck earlier this month.

UPDATED: Fatal Crash On Highway 103

Mounties say one person is dead after a head-on crash late this afternoon on Highway 103. The collision between a SUV and van happened in Hebbs Cross just after 3 o'clock. Sergeant Alain Leblanc says two others have been taken to hospital with serious injuries. A section of the highway has been shut down near the crash scene.  RCMP say they will be on scene for at least a few hours. Traffic is being re-routed through the Old Camperdown Road. The cause of the collision has not been determined but road conditions were poor at time.

Lobster Season Will Open Saturday

The lucrative lobster fishing season in southwestern Nova Scotia will kick off on Saturday. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans and representatives from within the industry made the decision this afternoon after getting a look at the updated forecast. DFO Area Manager Frank Quinn says calmer wind speeds are expected heading into the weekend.



Quinn says he's pleased fishermen are thinking about safety first before heading out on the water. The lobster fishing season was supposed to open on Monday but was delayed because of high wind and rough seas.

Shore Club, Mateus Bistro Among Taste Of NS Award Winners

Lunenburg County restaurants and producers have collected hardware from Taste of Nova Scotia. Four local businesses received 2013 Prestige Awards. LaHave Forests of Blockhouse won innovative product of the year for their Haskapa Haskap juice while Terra Beata Cranberry Farm in Heckman's Island was named producer of the year. Mateus Bistro in Mahone Bay won restaurant of the year for chef-inspired casual dining. Shore Club Lobster Suppers in Hubbards received restaurant of the year - essence of Nova Scotia. The awards celebrate producers and restaurants that provide exceptional culinary products and experiences.

UPDATED: Power Outages Reported

Power outages are being reported in Nova Scotia. It's part of a late fall storm that's ready to pound most of the province. According to Nova Scotia Power, outages are affecting roughly 5,500 residents in Bridgetown, Kingston and Windsor. No outages on the South Shore have been reported. Wind gusts in the region could top 100 km/h. They could reach up to 130 km/h in some parts of Cape Breton. Environment Canada is also predicting upwards of 50 millimetres of rain. Meanwhile, the Confederation Bridge has restricted certain classes of vehicles from crossing until the current high wind situation changes.

Chester: Gingerbread Festival Opens For Fifth Year

The smell of brown sugar and molasses will linger through Chester for the next few weeks. The fifth annual gingerbread festival kicks off this weekend in the village. Chester will be decorated with hundreds of outdoor flat gingerbread men. Over a dozen people will also build gingerbread houses that will be judged and displayed at the area's Art Centre. Co-coordinator Suzie Fraser says the event helps get people in the spirit of Christmas.



There will also be a tree lighting, outdoor displays and craft markets over the next two weeks. The festival officially opens Saturday and goes until December 15. More information can be found here .

Curl For Kids Supports Big Brothers Big Sister

Local organizations and teams are gearing up to support Big Brothers Big Sisters at their Curl for Kids event in Bridgewater. This weekend will mark the 24th annual curling bonspeil in support of the non-profit organization which helps deserving children around the South Shore. Executive Director Sandra Murray says it's an important fundraiser to support their programs.



Murray says they have roughly ten teams signed up for this weekend's event including a pair of entries from CKBW and HANK FM. The curling kicks off Saturday at the Bridgewater Curling Club.

"We Day": Local Schools Represent South Shore

South Shore schools have sent a contingent of students to the Halifax Metro Centre today. They are there for the youth empowerment "We Day", sponsored by the Free the Children charity. Roughly 8,000 students and educators from across the region are attending and it can be watched online with streaming here - locally 25 student in Grade 6 at New Germany Elementary made the trip along with students from North Queens. The show will be featuring a star-studded lineup of performers and inspirational speakers, including Shawn Desman, Hedley and former governor-general Michaelle Jean. "We Day"started in 2007 and has grown into a cross-country tour with nine Canadian stops. (Photo: Nova Scotia Teachers Union Twitter feed)