Storm Centre: RCMP Ask Drivers To Prepare For Tricky Conditions

Nova Scotia RCMP are reminding motorists to take extra precaution on the roads and highways during winter storms. The forecast is calling for 20 centimetres of snow for Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne counties today. With winter weather driving conditions expected, the RCMP say motorists should expect slippery conditions and remind drivers of the challenges those conditions can create for drivers of all types of vehicles traveling on the many road ways including the 100-series highways. 

To prevent incidents from occurring RCMP are reminding road users of the following:


· Monitor local weather reports for changing conditions before traveling;

· Please avoid any unnecessary travel. Listen for advisories or road condition updates;

· Ensure an emergency kit is prepared and in your vehicle;

· Ensure cell phones are charged and ready for use in the event of an emergency;

· Adjust your driving according to the conditions;

· Allow extra time to arrive at your destination;

· Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and those in front of you; and

· Ensure other motorists can see you. Turn on your headlights.

South Shore: Snowfall Warnings Issued

South Shore residents should brace for another blast of winter weather that could bring up to 20 centimetres of snow on Sunday. Environment Canada has issued snowfall warnings for Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne with 15 to 20 centimetres of snow expected by late Sunday evening. Meteorologist Ted Mclldoon says a small low pressure system will bring about five centimetres of snow on Sunday morning. He says snowfall warnings could extend into the Halifax and Cumberland areas. A snowfall warning has also been issued for Colchester county. In eastern parts of the prvince, snow is expected to change to rain and could change to freezing rain late in the day on Sunday.

Bridgewater: Skate Park Funding Goes To Budget Deliberations

The town of Bridgewater will wait to decide if they will further endorse a skateboard park near the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. Council has sent a funding request for a future skatepark to their budget deliberations. The group is asking for $25,000 each year for four years starting in 2013. Mayor David Walker says the town will try and figure out if they can help.



The town already provided $8,500 last year towards the construction design of the project. The group has also approached the Municipality of Lunenburg for the same four-year commitment of funding.

UPDATED: Crews Contain Broad Cove Fire

It's been a long day for several fire crews in Lunenburg county. Firefighters representing eight departments spent most of today battling a house fire in Broad Cove. The blaze began shortly after seven o'clock this morning in a vacant home. The all-clear was given shortly after three o'clock this afternoon. More than two dozen were on scene trying to keep the fire under control. It's not known how it started. No injuries have been reported.

Fire Fighters Battle Blaze In Broad Cove

Fire fighters are battling a house fire this morning in Broad Cove. The United Communities Fire Department got the call around 7:15 this morning. The fire involved a vacant house that's been up for sale. An investigation is expected to determine the cause. No injuries to report.

Chester: Million Dollar Question For Health Care

Councillors in Chester have a big decision to make after the group behind a collaborative health center project requested a million dollars to help fund their proposal. Members of "Our Health Centre" made their pitch to council before a packed chambers last night in Chester. The group also told council they don't want to see a hike in taxes to cover the cost of their request. However, Deputy Warden Floyd Shatford says that's nearly impossible to do.




"Our Health Centre" will be a multi-use facility and provide primary health care to a population of 15,000 in Chester, Hubbards and Tancook Island. The project is estimated to cost roughly $6 million and would be located near Shoreham Village.

Large Increase In Gasoline Prices

We begin the new month with what else but ... a jump in gas prices ... and a sizeable one at that. Regular self serve is up almost 6 cents a litre at South Shore pumps at $1.35.4. High test is about 7 cents higher than that. Diesel is also up in price this morning by a couple of cents at $1.41.3 per litre.

Power Outages: Busy Day For NSP Crews

High wind gusts have knocked out power to roughly 23,000 Nova Scotia Power customers. On the South South, more than 650 residents have lost their power in Bridgewater, another 110 in the Chester area are without power. There is a wind warning in effect for Lunenburg and Queens with winds gusting to 90 kilometres per hour. Wind warnings have ended for Shelburne and Yarmouth. High winds and rain are the cause for a majority of outages in the province. For the latest information on outages in your community check out the Nova Scotia Power outage map or phone 1-877-428-6004.

Queens: Council Supports Skateboard Park

The Region of Queens has thrown their support behind a skateboard park in the area. Council unanimously decided to give the Queens County Skateboard group $200,000 plus roughly $35,000 worth of land by Queens Place. Mayor Chris Clarke says the funding is being provided from a special reserve fund.



Clarke says project stipulations include they want construction to start before July 1, 2016 and the group needs to collect at least 90 per cent of the money needed before it can start building. He says its a worthwhile venture that the group has been lobbying behind for a number of years. The group is expected to ask the provincial and federal governments for further funding towards the project. The project is expected to cost around $780,000.

Wind Energy Group Seeks Investors In Lunenburg

A wind energy group will be in Lunenburg tonight to look for potential investors for two new projects in Nova Scotia. Wind4All Inc. will hold a public meeting at the Fisheries Museum. The group is consulting people across the province to raise roughly $5.5-million for wind energy projects near Sydney and in Gaetz Brook. Vice-President, John Brereton, says it's a chance for people to invest in local initiatives.



The meetings will discuss information about the company, the locations for the project and how people can invest and the return they could get. Tonight's meeting will go from 7-9pm. There will also be a meeting in Bridgewater February 5 at the Best Western. More details can be found here .

"Normal" Returns To NSCC Campus After Gas Leak

There was a scare this morning at the Lunenburg campus of the Nova Scotia Community College in Bridgewater. There was a propane gas leak. It forced the evacuation of the campus, the YMCA and an adjoining daycare centre. The leak was traced to a tank behind the YMCA. Cst. Will Creamer is media relations officer with Bridgewater Police. He says a propane company quickly got the leak under control and everything was back to normal within an hour.



No one was hurt and classes resumed by 9:30.

Bridgewater: Draft Plan Reveals Big Change For Downtown And Waterfront

The amount of parking and the possibility of a new bridge were the highlights of a meeting discussing the future of Bridgewater's downtown and waterfront. Ekistics Planning and Design released a draft plan in front of roughly 80 people Wednesday night at the Days Inn. Some of the ideas floated around include removing the south parkade, turn Old Bridge into a pedestrian promenade and building a new bridge to join Maple Street to the mall and empire theatres. There was also a suggestion about angle parking along King Street. Business owner Jim Rofhie is sceptical about the idea.



Other suggestions include improved signage in the town, more prominent green space around Riverside Park and roundabouts at North and Aberdeen and King and Victoria. The draft plan will be posted to the town of Bridgewater's website for people to view. Residents are encouraged to make suggestions over the next four weeks before a final plan is revealed in April. People can provide their input here .

Get Set For Even Higher Gas Prices!

Don't be surprised if South Shore gasoline prices take a jump overnight tonight when the utility and review board sets the coming week's numbers. In New Brunswick, which is a pretty good indicator of what may happen here, gasoline prices are up 4 cents a litre today. If that happens here, that'll push the price to about $1.33 or $1.34 a litre.

Bridgewater: Health Centre Takes Another Step

Plans are moving ahead in relation to establishing a new collaborative health centre in Bridgewater. Members of the Bridgewater Development Association have made their recommendation to South Shore Health for the selection of a developer for the project. Health authority spokeswoman, Theresa Hawkesworth says they are getting closer to their goal of opening the new centre but aren't ready to make an announcement just yet.



The Nova Scotia government recently announced up to $300-thousand dollars in support of the new centre. The health authority is looking to recruit five to seven doctors to staff the facility, which would also be home to nurse practitioners and other services.

UPDATED: Propane Leak Contained Near NSCC

Emergency crews have contained a propane leak near the NSCC Lunenburg campus on High Street. The leak forced a minor delay in the start of classes this morning. The leak was traced to a tank behind the nearby YMCA. No injuries reported.

Mayor: Surprised By LaHave River Condition

The mayor of Bridgewater insists the town has made strides towards improving the condition of the LaHave River. David Walker made the comments following a presentation from the Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation. The executive director of the group told council the river is unsafe for people to swim in. Walker says it caught him off guard.



Walker believes more effort has to be made by the town and Municipality of Lunenburg to come to solutions on the river. He says they may have to ask the province for assistance as well.

School Lock Down Case Adjourned Until February

A Wileville man will remain in custody until his next court appearance in Bridgewater. Sheldon Earl Bowers is facing ten charges after police searched his home on York Street after two nearby schools were locked down on January 23rd. Bowers is charged with various firearm and drug related offences. He's also accused of uttering threats on two separate occasions. The 37 year-old will return to court on February 20th.

South Shore: Slick Road Conditions Reported

RCMP say roads conditions are poor in parts of the South Shore. Slick conditions are being reported around the region due to cool temperatures mixed with rain and ice pellets. Mounties are asking residents to slow down to reflect conditions. Black ice is the major factor behind the tricky roads.

Consultants To Reveal Downtown And Waterfront Draft Plan

The group tasked with creating Bridgewater's Downtown and Waterfront Master Plan will show off a draft version this evening. Ekistics Planning and Design has spent the past several months creating the document after gathering the community's feedback during consultations late last year. The public is getting one more opportunity to meet the consultants and ask them questions before the plan is finalized. A meeting will be held at the Bridgewater Days Inn tonight at 7pm.

Bridgewater Residents Urged To Adopt-A-Hydrant

Bridgewater's fire chief is hoping residents will help make the department's jobs a little easier. Michael Nauss explained the adopt-a-hydrant initiative Monday night to Bridgewater council. The idea is to have people shovel around fire hydrants to help keep them clear and ready to use in case there is an emergency. Nauss says Public Works is busy after a snowfall.



There are 430 fire hydrants in the town. Nauss asks anyone who helps to email the fire department administrator and let them know their location. You can email tharris@bridgewater.ca .