South Shore Under High Risk For Forest Fires

A Fire Control official is urging people to be extra cautious as the province's forest fire index is at high across the South Shore. Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne Counties have been in the high-risk category all week. Kara McCurdy says people need to be careful.



McCurdy suggests if it is dry and windy then people shouldn't burn. The forest fire index could drop as rain is in the forecast starting Thursday until Tuesday.

National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Comes To Bridgewater

Local police and health authorities will be accepting old and unused drugs this weekend. National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day is Saturday and a number of groups are working to reduce trafficking and limit the spread of prescription pills and illegal drugs. Police say its a no-questions asked drop-off. Director of Addiction and Mental Health Services, Todd Leader, says they want to minimize the risk.



A similiar campaign in Kentville last year netted 35,000 pills. People can drop off their old and unused drugs Saturday from 10am-3pm inside the Bridgewater Mall, next to Bell Mobility.

Bridgewater's Martin Headlining Halifax Track Event

Bridgewater's Jenna Martin has been named one of two headliners for this year's Aileen Meagher International Track Classic. The 25-year-old along with Geoff Harris of Halifax will share the track when the event kicks off June 9 at Saint Mary's Huskies Stadium. Both runners made it to the semi-finals in last summer's Olympics. Martin won the 400 metre at last year's Track Classic. The event, which is marking its 20th year, is considered the premiere track and field competition in Atlantic Canada. It also allows athletes to achieve qualifying marks for the World Track and Field Championships in August. The event is the only maritime stop of the National Track League and kicks-off the cross country schedule. Other meets will be held in Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria.

MODL Explores Pension Options For Laid-Off Workers

The Municipality of Lunenburg is exploring its options when it comes to funding pension plans for 13 laid-off workers at the recycling centre in Whynott's Settlement. Council members need to make a decision on whether they want to pay up to $190,000 in a lump sum or installed payments of $40,000 per year for five years. Mayor Don Downe says they're leaning towards the lump sum option because they have the money available in their operating budget.



The 13 workers were laid-off after recycling operations at the plant moved to a facility in Kentville. Council is expected to confirm its decision during next week's meeting.

Which Bumpy Road Bugs You?

Which road really ... bugs the life out of you? You know, the one full of pot-holes, of all shapes and sizes! The road that you fear may, or may already have broken a tire or the springs on your car! The Canadian Automobile Association is trying to weed-out the really nasty top-10 worst roads in the region. Gary Howard of CAA says their "Worst Roads Campaign" also embarrasses governments into action to fix them up.



Its the third annual campaign by CAA, running until May 31st. You can vote for the road in your area that really, drives-you crazy, by going to ... www.atlantic.caa.ca/worstroads. As the voting continues, the Forties Road in New Ross and the Kemptville Road in Yarmouth County are among the top ten in the region.
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Here is the top ten list as of May 8,2013:
1. Cape John Road ------ River John
2. Foxbrook Road ------- Hopewell
3. Ridge Road ----------- Digby
4. Forties Road ---------- New Ross
5. Rothesay Road -------- Saint John, NB
6. Balmoral Road -------- Tatamagouche

7. NS 203 ---------------  Kemptville
    Fredericton Road ------ Salisbury, NB

8. NB 122 ---------------- Skiff Lake, NB
9. Hanwell Road ---------- Fredericton, NB
10. South River Lake Road --- Guysborough

Trial Dates Will Be Set Thursday In Confinement Case

Trial dates for a man charged in an alleged sexual assault and forcible confinement case will be set Thursday. Provincial court Judge Gregory Lenehan ruled last week during a preliminary hearing that David James Leblanc will be tried by a judge and jury. The 47 year-old is facing seven charges in relation to an incident in Upper Chelsea last fall where a teenage boy claims he was held captive and sexually assaulted. Police began their investigation last September after a woman reported that a barefoot boy arrived at her home chained at his wrists and ankles. The RCMP have said they believe the boy was held captive for about ten days before he was able to escape. The trial will take place in Supreme Court.

Local Band Tunes Up For Lieutenant Governor's Party

The Bridgewater Fire Department Band has a date with the province's Lieutenant Governor. The band has been invited to play in front of Brigadier-General J.J. Grant at the annual garden party in Halifax next month. It's one of the few times a civilian band will play at the prestigious event. Music Director Wendell Eisener says it's an overwhelming feeling for the band.



Eisener says the band is slated to play for roughly three hours and will focus on ceremonial tunes along with a selection of spring and summer collections. The event will be held June 19 at Government House in Halifax.

Three Local Companies Win Export Achievement Awards

Three South Shore companies are being recognized for their work in exporting goods. Terra Beata Cranberry Farm in Lunenburg, Cotter's Ocean Products Inc. in Lockeport and Novatec Braids Ltd. in Yarmouth are among nine recipients this year of the Nova Scotia Export Achievement Awards. Economic and Rural Development Minister Percy Paris says each year, about 850 companies produce exports worth almost $16-billion. The winners will be recognized during a luncheon event in Halifax May 14. This is the 29th year the awards have been held. Full details are available here .

New Funding For Search & Rescue Groups

Search and Rescue organizations in Nova Scotia are getting a much needed financial boost. South Shore-St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy has announced nearly $135,000 to boost response and safety across the province. He says the funding will improve search and rescue capacity and capability. The money is part of the Search and Rescue New Initiative Fund as part of an $8.1 million dollar investment for organizations across the country. The fund was established by the federal government in 1998.

MODL Planning To Change MARC North Name

The Municipality of Lunenburg is planning to move ahead with a name change for MARC North near New Germany. The space will now be called 'River Ridge Common' after a municipal committee held a contest in the surrounding communities. Councillor Cathy Moore says they received roughly 25 names. She says they wanted to have a unique name to separate it from the MARC in Dayspring.




Council still has to approve the idea at its next meeting.

Mooseheads Fever Hits Nova Scotia - Game 3 Tonight

The Halifax Mooseheads look to keep their undefeated play-off streak alive tonight in Quebec. The Mooseheads have been perfect thus far in the post season with a record of 14-0. They currently lead the Best-of-Seven series with Baie Comeau two games to none. This evening's Game 3 match-up will be shown on the big scene in Parade Square in Halifax. The game will also be televised depending on your cable provider. Puck drops at 8:30pm.

Heat Gun Believed To Have Caused Fire In LaHave

No one was injured after a fire broke out at a home in LaHave Monday afternoon. Crews from Riverport, LaHave, Pleasantville, Petite Riviere and Bridgewater were called to the scene along Highway 331. LaHave and District Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief, Nathan Ott, says a crew of painters reported the fire between the walls shortly after 3pm, near a side window. He says there was some damage to the home.



Ott believes the fire was caused by a heat gun, being used to strip paint around the window. He credits crews for knocking down the fire quickly.

Wolter Brothers Soaring In Steeplechase

A pair of Lunenburg County brothers were at it again on the track. Mattias Wolter dominated the field this weekend in New Jersey to win the Big East 3,000 metre steeplechase title. The junior at Louisville beat his nearest competitor by seven seconds. Meanwhile, his brother, Tobias Wolter, ran a 2,000 metre solo steeple in six minutes. The result now ranks him at the top of Canadian youth.

Police Chief Urges Public To Create 72-Hour Emergency Kit

A week reminding the public about the importance of being ready during an emergency kicks-off today across the country. Emergency Preparedness Week goes until May 11. Bridgewater Police Chief John Collyer says the message is simple; make sure your family is prepared for up to 72 hours in case of an emergency. He says having a plan of where to go and what to do in an emergency is the best way to be prepared.



Collyer says a 72-hour kit should contain a number of items including lots of water, canned food, a battery-powered radio, and a flashlight. The kit should also contain a list of important phone numbers including a doctor and emergency services.

Police Find Clothing Of Caledonia Robbery Suspect

Queens County RCMP are calling it a 'significant' break in their search for the alleged suspect in the Caledonia Pharmasave robbery. Corporal Victor Whalen says tips from the public led to police finding several pieces of clothing they believe the suspect was wearing at the time of the incident. He says the clothing was found just outside Caledonia. Whalen adds, the items will go to the forensic lab to be analyzed.



The drug store was robbed early last week. The suspect is described as a man in his 20's, five feet, 10 inches tall, with a slim build. Queens RCMP are hopeful more tips from the public will funnel in and help them locate the alleged suspect.

Work Continues Around Jordan Bay Fish Farms

A pair of fish farms in Shelburne County should be up and running by the end of May. Cooke Aquaculture has been working to prepare the sites over the past few months. The New Brunswick-based company has hired 18 new workers to maintain the sites.  Spokesperson Nell Halse says they've been focusing on hiring and training local people for their job openings.




Halse says the company is looking to hire 27 workers in total for the Jordan Bay operation. The aquaculture sites will be home to roughly 500,000 fish when its ready for operation.

VIDEO: Queens MLA Recognized By NDP

The MLA for Queens was recognized by her fellow caucus members during this weekend's NDP annual general meeting. Vicki Conrad is among six New Democrats who have chosen not to re-offer in the next provincial election. She says it was an emotional tribute by the party and was humbled by a standing ovation. Conrad says she has no regrets on her time as MLA.



She says she's working on a few projects in the region before her time as MLA ends. The NDP AGM was held at Pier 21 in Halifax.

Mooseheads Blank Baie-Comeau

The Halifax Mooseheads have grabbed the opener of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's championship series. Led by Zachary Fucale's 28 saves the Herd blanked Baie-Comeau 4-0 Friday night at a sold out Metro Centre. The best of seven set continues Saturday night at 7 in Halifax.

Liverpool's Whalen Sets New Career Bests

Liverpool's Chelsea Whalen had a day to remember Friday at the Seminole Twilight Invitational in Tallahassee, Florida. The 20-year-old junior at Florida State came away as the top performer after registering career best marks in javelin and shotput. Whalen started off in the javelin with a throw of 48.06 metres. The throw was good enough for third place but it surpassed her previous top score, which she set at last year's NCAA Outdoor Championship. In the shot put, Whalen continued her torrid pace this season, re-writing the school's record book for the third time with a throw of 16.35 meters. The toss was good enough for first place.

Conrad To Be Recognized By Provincial NDP

The MLA for Queens will be one of six New Democrat members honoured by the party during their provincial annual general meeting this weekend. The NDP are recognizing those MLAs who aren't re-offering in the next provincial election. Vicki Conrad confirmed last week that she will not run after consulting with family, close friends and the premier. She is the sixth member of the government caucus to say she won’t be running including cabinet ministers Graham Steele and Bill Estabrooks. The party's AGM will be held Saturday at Pier 21 in Halifax.