Bridgewater: Early Morning Fire Not Suspicious

Investigators say the cause of an early morning fire on North King Street was electrical. The blaze broke out Monday shortly before 4 a.m. No serious injuries were reported. However, the home was completely destroyed.

Shelburne: Proposed Water Rates Concern Residents

Some residents of Shelburne say they simply can't afford a 70 percent hike on their water bills. The town is asking for the increase to help dig out of a deficit and stabilize the utility. If approved, it would mean household water bills would be in the area of $800 annually or $186 per quarter. Former Mayor PG Comeau says money is already tight for many people in the county.



Meanwhile, CAO for the town Dylan Heide says they can't maintain the status quo. The increase is needed or the utilities deficit will balloon to nearly $800,000 in two years. However, he is hopeful new customers - like Cooke Aquaculture and its proposal to build a new fish plant - will come online to help.



The Nova Scotia Utility and Review will file its decision by the end of March. If approved, the rates would take effect April 1.

Bridgewater: Community Christmas Group Seeks New Leadership

A holiday tradition in Bridgewater is looking for new leadership. Members involved with the Community Christmas are looking for a few dedicated volunteers to take the reins of the project as a new board of directors. The Christmas Day event first began in 2009. Group member Brian Braganza says they're hoping to mentor people through the transition.



The group's year-end meeting will be held March 31. They hope to have a new board of directors in place around that time.

MODL: Councillor Wants Province To Buy Area Schools

A councillor in the Municipality of Lunenburg is offering a number of district schools to the province for a dollar. Martin Bell originally focused on Park View Education Centre, but added to the list to include all schools in the municipality except for Blockhouse, the soccer fields at Centre and one near Riverport. He says Park View is preparing to receive a $13-million financial upgrade and its value will increase. Bell feels more schools should be on the table than Park View.



Bell says he doesn't want the municipality to be in a position to own any more schools or absorb costs. Former schools near Riverport, Blockhouse and Centre have been turned over to the municipality in recent years.

Former Acadia Coach Fills Role With Lumberjacks

There's a new man behind the bench for the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks. Owner Ken Petrie confirms the team has hired 31-year-old Travis Young as the new head coach. Young spent six years as an assistant coach with the Acadia Axemen. He recently returned from Europe where he was coaching a pro team in Hungary. Young replaces interim head coach Matt Church, who stepped down from the position.

Mustangs Beat Cole Harbour; Move Into Fifth

Jordan Messenger had a goal and two assists as the Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs beat Cole Harbour 5-4 Tuesday night in Bridgewater. Riley Merry added two goals while Ty Duffus and Mitchell Baker also scored. The win propels the Mustangs into 5th place in the Major Midget League. The Mustangs will be in Cape Breton this weekend for two games against the West Islanders.

Safety Concerns Over Pate Sold At Lunenburg Farmers' Market

Its more of a precaution than anything but Canada's Food Inspection Agency has issued a warning about some liver pate sold at the Lunenburg Farmers Market. There are fears it may contain a certain bacterium that causes botulism. The Agency says Hausmacher Liver Pate from Webber Foods was sold in unlabelled glass jars at the market from Nov. 13th to Dec. 5th last year. The product was also sold at the Hammonds Plains Farmers' Market. Webber Foods owner Chris Webber says the fear is people might not store his product in a refrigerator as they should.



The Food Inspection Agency suggests consumers who have the product should just throw it out. Food contaminated with the toxin may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. There have been no reported illnesses associated with eating the pate.