Green Light For Upgrades At IWK Health Centre

A power outage won't cause any problems at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. The hospital is about to get a number of upgrades which include a new generator. Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson says when children need medical attention they shouldn't have to worry about things like a power failure, or the condition of the hospital's energy sources. The IWK upgrades have been given approval and they will now issue a request for proposal, the work scheduled to be completed within 18 months of the tender being awarded. The upgrades were part of the hospital's annual wish list and will include a new generator and transformers. The generator at the IWK is currently 35 years-old.

New Ambulance Makes South Shore Stops

A local paramedic is looking forward to the next wave of ambulances. The province spent today showing off one of the new series of ambulances in Bridgewater, Shelburne, Yarmouth and Meteghan. The new ambulances include a redesigned patient care area with safer seating and reflective graphics on backs and sides to make the vehicles more visible to other drivers. Private-care paramedic Kyle Mohammed says he's pleased with how it looks.



The new ambulances are expected to begin rolling out in November for the next four years. The older models will be refurbished and sold outside the province. The province signed a contract with Tri-Star Industries of Yarmouth to lease 150 ambulances. The eight-year contract is worth $31.4 million.

Bridgewater: Design Work Planned For Four Projects

The town of Bridgewater is increasing the number of projects receiving detailed designs in the downtown and waterfront master plan. Mayor David Walker says two components were originally slated for the preliminary work including wider sidewalks and resting places on King Street and re-development of the south parkade. However, the town would like to prepare detailed designs for the Old Bridge and parking options on King Street after it was awarded a $60,000 grant from the province. Walker says there are a few options to consider for the bridge.



The total cost of the preliminary design work was $150,000 until the town received the grant. Staff will ask council September 9 to approve increasing the budget to $210,000.

News Regarding Yarmouth Ferry Expected Thursday

It's getting close now. An update is expected tomorrow (Thursday) on negotiations between the Nova Scotia government and STM Quest to restart the Yarmouth ferry service. Both sides have been deep in talks since the middle of August. Economic Development Minister Graham Steele is expected to deliver the latest on efforts to bring back the ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine. The government has stated that if a deal can't be reach with STM Quest, it will look at the next proponent in line that's capable of running the ferry. The current proposal would see the ferry operate between May and October.

Friday: Bluenose II Set For Return In Lunenburg

Its been more than 3 years since the restoration began. Now, preparations are underway to return Bluenose II to the water on Friday. There will then be sea-trials for several weeks. The last major job in the $16-million refit was installation of the schooner's steel rudder. Its still unknown when the famous replica will resume its role as Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador.

Liberals Hold 10 Point Lead In Latest Poll

The latest political poll in Nova Scotia has the Liberals maintaining a comfortable 10 point lead among decided voters. However, the governing NDP has closed the gap since the last poll was released in May. The Liberal have 41 percent of decided voters backing their party. The NDP sit in second with 31 percent and the PC's are in third at 25 percent. Meanwhile, Stephen McNeil is the most popular leader among decided voters at 30 percent. Darrell Dexter and Jamie Ballie are tied at 19 percent. The number of Nova Scotians who are undecided remains high and rests at 41 percent. The Corporate Research Associates poll is considered accurate to within 2.4 percentage points or 95 out of 100 times.

Lumberjacks: Cuts Made Ahead Of Valley Game

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have made more cuts ahead of their game Wednesday night against the Valley Wildcats. Owner Ken Petrie says the team has cut Braden Kamarmens, Brett Tidman, Gavyn Connell-Helle and Isaac Bridge. Petrie also revealed the team has traded forward Josh Bowman to Woodstock for a ninth round pick in 2014. Lunenburg native Brennan Bailey is scheduled to be in the line-up tonight for his first game in a Lumberjacks jersey. The Jacks and Wildcats face-off at 7pm at the Bridgewater Memorial Arena.

Day Two Of Bridgewater Eisnor Trial

The trial of a South Shore man, accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife, moves into its 2nd day today. Jury selection continues. Hundreds of potential jurors filled the courthouse in Bridgewater yesterday as the process began for the trial of Wayne Paul Eisnor. The 50-year-old Barss Corner man is accused of shooting Tina Mae Eisnor in a New Germany grocery store parking lot on June 30th, 2010. Eisnor then turned the gun on himself. He suffered brain damage as a result of the wound. However, he's been deemed fit to stand trial.

Bridgewater Firefighters Compete At FireFit Nationals

Two Bridgewater firefighters are getting ready to prove themselves against some of the country's best. Ryan Buck and Steve Freeman are competing at the National FireFit Championships in Edmonton, Alberta. The pair qualified for the event based on their results at the regional event in Bridgewater earlier this summer. Buck finished fifth after running the obstacle course in one minute and 30 seconds while Freeman finished in a time of one minute and 35 seconds to finish tenth. Both men say they're expecting a new level of competition.



The FireFit nationals open Thursday and last until Sunday.

Valley: Parkers Cove Man ID'd After Boating Mishap

An Annapolis Valley man has been identified as the victim of a boating mishap over the weekend. Police say they recovered the body of 58-year-old Allan Clayton of Parkers Cove. He died in an incident in the Bay of Fundy on Saturday. A number of search vessels were involved in the rescue attempt including a boat out of Saint John. Clayton's body was recovered from the water not far from his boat.

Baseball: Bulldogs Win Provincial Title

The Bridgewater Bulldogs are provincial champs. The Bulldogs went 5-0 in the weekend baseball tournament held in Bridgewater. The 'dogs rolled to a 9-1 win over Dartmouth in the championship game. The Bulldogs will represent Nova Scotia at Atlantic's in Newfoundland next weekend.

Police: Witness Helps Nab Impaired Driver

Police are giving credit to some witnesses after they nabbed an impaired driver in Bridgewater over the weekend. They say witnesses waited until police arrived after a car crashed early Sunday morning on Jubliee Road. It helped officers identify a suspected drunk driver and a passenger who was also riding in the car. Police say a 24 year old Shelburne county man is facing impaired driving charges as a result. He's also been charged with dangerous driving. No injuries were reported.

Shelburne: Police Bust Up Grow-Op

The RCMP have charged a Shelburne County man after dismantling a large grow operation near Shelburne. Police say 70 mature marihuana plants were seized in a wooded area around Lake Wentworth late last week. The Mounties also searched a home on  Lower Jordan Branch Road and arrested at 47-year-old man. He faces a number of drug-related offenses and will appear in Shelburne Provincial Court in October.

Bridgewater Police Turn To Social Media

A local police service is jumping on board social media to try and better inform citizens of Bridgewater. The town police are ramping up the number of tweets they churn out of their Twitter account. Chief John Collyer says they see it as a way to reach out to more people.



The Bridgewater Police Service Twitter account can be found by searching for the handle @policenews. Collyer says they are also looking into getting a police Facebook account. Meanwhile, you can follow our Twitter accounts at @ckbwradio and @HANK_FM

Tuesday: Jury Selection In Eisnor Trial Begins

Jury selection begins today in the first degree murder trial of a Barss Corner man in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. Wayne Paul Eisnor is set to stand trial in the shooting death of his estranged wife. The incident unfolded outside a grocery store in New Germany in June of 2010.  Eisnor is accused of shooting his wife twice while she was in a car outside the store. He then turned the gun on himself. The 50 year-old suffered serious brain damage as a result of self-inflicted gunshot wound. His mental fitness to stand trial has been an ongoing issue ever since. In a final decision last month, a supreme court judge ruled Eisnor was fit to stand trial on the murder charge. More than two weeks have been set aside for the trial.

Lightning Sparks Weekend Blaze In Windsor

Remember that intense lightning storm on Sunday? It actually being blamed for a fire at a home in Hants County. About 20 firefighters from Windsor and Brooklyn responded to the call on Wentworth Road. Windsor's Deputy Fire Chief Jamie Juteau says fire was coming out the top of the roof when they got to the scene. He says the lightning strike hit the peak of the house. Juteau says it doesn't happen very often and it was the first one he's been to in a long time. There was significant damage to the home.

Health Services Moved In Queens County

A numbers of health services in Queens County have been temporarily moved as part of the large hospital project. Support services offered in the former nurses residence will be shifted to Milton School. Programs include Addiction and Mental Health, Palliative Care, Public Health, Seniors Community Health Team and Hearing and Speech Services. Those programs will return to Queens General Hospital when construction of the new medical unit and primary care centre are complete. The health authority says clients will be notified of the change in location when they schedule an appointment.

Lumberjacks: Goalies Chosen, More Cuts Made

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have selected their two goalies for this season. Billy Clarke and Cory Peterson will spend time between the pipes for the Jacks. Clarke is a returning member of the team while Peterson spent last season with the South Shore Mustangs. Meanwhile, owner Ken Petrie says the club released Mike Callahan, and Jacob King from training camp. He adds, Morgan Lunn and Luc Poirier have returned to their midget teams but will be affiliated players. The Lumberjacks also received some good news as Lunenburg native Brennan Bailey will be at practice on Tuesday.

Our Health Centre: Minister, Warden Pleased With Funding

The Minister of Community Services says 'Our Health Centre' will be key in providing access to care to Chester residents. The province announced $500,000 recently for the innovative centre, which will house a number of services including six family doctors' offices with connecting exam rooms, offices for mental health and addiction, a diabetic clinic and blood collection. The proposed 12,500 square foot complex will be located in Shoreham Village. Denise Peterson-Rafuse says the community-driven centre will benefit the area.



Meanwhile, the investment from the province is getting a nod of approval from the municipality's warden. Allen Webber says he's happy to hear the news.



The group behind 'Our Health Centre' is still fundraising towards the health facility. The goal is have it up and running in the next few years.

Regional Hospital Celebrating 25th Anniversary

A major event is in the works to celebrate the silver anniversary of the South Shore Regional Hospital. The Bridgewater hospital will mark it's 25 anniversary with a gala event slated for October. The celebration will be held in conjunction with Health Services Foundation's annual fundraiser "Jeans and Gems" Development Officer Bernadette Jordan says money raised will help with the purchase of a mobile x-ray machine.



The fundraiser is a ticketed event and will feature silent auction, casino night and dance. It will be held October 26th at the Michelin Social Club. The regional hospital was built in 1988 and serves roughly 60,000 people.