Bridgewater: Councillors Voice Opinions On Noise By-Law

A recently approved noise by-law in Bridgewater remains a hot topic. Council voted 4-3 in favour of the document, which means the town will invest in equipment to measure noise levels. There would be maximum decibel limits at certain times of the day, depending on the time. Deputy Mayor Bill McInnis voted in favour and says it should keep noise levels to a minimum.



Meanwhile, councillor Jennifer McDonald is against it. She says there isn't a demand for the by-law.



There are under 100 noise complaints a year in Bridgewater. The by-law is expected to be in place by the spring.

NSCC Students Hosting Third Christmas Market

A student-organized Christmas market is benefiting local food banks. Five marketing students at the Nova Scotia Community College's Lunenburg campus are organizing the event for the third year. More than 40 vendors will set up booths in the school's gymnasium for the all-day market on Thursday. One of the students, Alex Peeler of Conquerall Banks, says the event supports local groups and teaches them their trade.



Admission to the event is either a monetary or non-perishable donation for the food bank. It goes Thursday from 11:30am to 8:30pm.

Funding Supports Mahone Bay Old School

A big celebration is planned to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Mahone Bay Old School. South Shore St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy has announced just over $14,000 to help host activities related to the celebration of the historic building. Events will take place beginning in the new year and running through to September. In total, 140 local artists and heritage performers will be featured over nine months. Some of the activities include a story telling about school days and historical walking tour. The 100th anniversary of the Mahone Bay Old School will involve about 200 volunteers and attract an audience of about 2,000.

Child Porn: Jail Time For Former Teacher

A former teacher and principal in Lunenburg County has been sentenced to two months in jail on charges related to child porn. Brian David Jobb was given the sentence on Monday in Bridgewater court. His home in Lilydale was raided by police in the summer of 2012 and officers seized some computer equipment. Jobb taught along the South Shore for over 20 years before retiring as principal at Lunenburg Academy in 2006. He will be able to serve his time in jail on the weekends. Jobb will also need to register as a sex offender and can only use a computer at certain times.

South Shore Groups Win Lieutenant Governor's Award

Two South Shore companies have been recognized for providing service to persons with disabilities in the workplace. Clements Janitorial Services in Bridgewater and Marco's Grill and Pasta House in Yarmouth are among ten provincial winners of the Lieutenant Governor's Persons with Disabilities Employer Partnership Awards. The award acknowledges and honours employers who promote best practices towards employment, independence, and service to persons with disabilities. The awards were handed out Monday night in Halifax.

New Germany Man Faces Charges Following Single Vehicle Crash

No injuries following a single vehicle crash in Pleasant River, Queens County Monday night. The RCMP from Queens and Lunenburg Counties responded to the incident just after 8pm along Highway 208. Police found a man walking away from the scene of the crash. He was allegedly intoxicated. Constable Toby Taylor with Queens RCMP says they're investigating but expected to lay charges involving firearm and impaired driving offences. A 44-year-old man from New Germany was taken into custody. He was expected to be released with conditions and a future court date in Liverpool.

Town Gets Answers On ATV Use Along Centennial Trail

A decision on using off-road vehicles on the Centennial Trail could be made as early as next week. Bridgewater council spent over an hour Monday night asking questions to a trails coordinator for the ATV Association of Nova Scotia. There were several issues including those revolving around insurance, the time of year vehicles could be used on the trail,  widening the trail's bridge to fit off-road vehicles, speed limits, hours of operation and enforcement. The Central Nova ATV club could have members patrol the trail and report back to police if there are any concerns. Bridgewater Police Chief John Collyer believes the idea could work.



The item will be back on council's agenda next Monday evening.

Minor Injuries After Single Vehicle Crash In Robinsons Corner

The Mounties are investigating the cause of a single vehicle crash in Robinsons Corner. RCMP responded to the scene just before 1pm this afternoon near the intersection of Highway 3 and Highway 14. The driver lost control of the vehicle and it ended up on its roof in the ditch. Constable David Cullen with Lunenburg County RCMP says the car was full at the time of the incident. He says one person was taken to hospital with minor injuries, while others went for observation.

Drouin, Fucale Named To Canada's World Junior Selection Camp Roster

A pair of Halifax Moosehead players have earned a tryout for Canada's World Junior Hockey team. Jonathan Drouin and Zach Fucale were named to the 25-man selection camp roster today by Hockey Canada. Drouin has 47 points in 21 games this season for the Mooseheads while Fucale has 17 wins in 25 games this season with two shutouts and a 2.62 goals-against average. Tryouts for the team begin next week in Toronto. This year's World Junior's begin on Boxing Day in Sweden with Canada meeting Germany in their opening game.

Western Hurricanes Sweep Weekend Games

It was a clean sweep of wins for the BMO Western Hurricanes over the weekend. The major bantam club scored a 4-3 win over Bubba Rays Saturday evening. Dawson Wood, Matt Barron, Ian MacPhee and Alex Wentzell scored, while Adam Grimmitt earned the win in nets. On Sunday, the Hurricanes defeated the Halifax Hawks 4-1. Dawson Wood, Brad Jones, Ian MacPhee and Matt Sabean sparked the offense while Parker Rowter earned the win in goal. The Hurricanes sit in fourth place in the major bantam standings. The team is on the road again this weekend with games in Port Hawkesbury and Truro.

Bridgewater: Town Discussing ATV Use On Centennial Trail

Off-road vehicle use on the Centennial Trail will be in the spotlight Monday night in Bridgewater. The town is currently mulling a proposal to allow the vehicles on trail. Council will have an in-depth discussion, while weighing the positive and negative effects. Mayor David Walker says they still need to clarify issues like enforcement.



The town must decide if they want to allow off-highway vehicles along the trail's bridge to gain access to Liverpool and Yarmouth. They're also trying to decide if they want to allow access on the trail as far as the former Appleberry Farm Market property. The meeting begins at 6pm tonight at town hall.

National Day Of Remembrance Vigils Set For Friday

A number of South Shore organizations are preparing to host events later this week to raise awareness about violence against women. Each December 6, Canadians commemorate the lives of the 14 women who were singled out for their gender and murdered in the 1989 Ecole Polytechnique Massacre. Vigils will be held right across the country recognizing Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Executive Director of Harbour House in Bridgewater, Katherine McCarron says it's important to raise awareness year round.



Special ceremonies will be held on Friday at the Fire Hall in Bridgewater at 7:00pm and Central United Church at 6:45pm in Lunenburg.

MODL: Mayor Upset With Illegal Dumping In Lower Branch

The mayor of the Municipality of Lunenburg says he's frustrated and disappointed with people illegally dumping garbage in the community. The comments stem after at least a dozen garbage bags were dumped into woods along the Smith Road late last week in Lower Branch. Roughly 75 people recently spent the day removing garbage on the road. Don Downe says he's fed up.



Downe wants to see harsher fines and more teeth in legislation to deter people from illegal dumping. He plans to speak with the Department of Environment immediately to see what can be done.

Man Tasered During Mahone Bay Incident

A 47-year-old man is in police custody after tempers flared following a motor vehicle collision Saturday night in Mahone Bay. RCMP say the incident happened around 7pm on Main Street. Police say the man was in possession of several weapons and threatening occupants in the other vehicle. The Mounties say the man threatened to harm himself with two knives when they arrived at the scene. Officers tried to negotiate but had to use a taser. However, he fell into a nearby river after being shocked and had to be pulled out by two officers. He was treated at South Shore Regional Hospital and later released into police custody. The man is facing a number of charges including dangerous driving, uttering threats, possession of a weapon, and assault with a weapon.  He will appear in court on Monday.

First Contract Arbitration Law Panned By Local MLA

The Nova Scotia government plans to bring in legislation that would amend the province’s contentious first contract arbitration law. The intent is to refine it, making it more palatable to companies and unions.
Argyle-Barrington MLA Chris d'Entremont and his fellow opposition Progressive Conservatives say what really is needed is for the law to be eliminated.



The N-D-P’s acting leader, Maureen MacDonald, says she’s disappointed the Liberals will revise the labour bill. MacDonald says she’s not aware of any business leaving the province because of first-contract arbitration.

Lower Northfield Man Killed In Weekend Crash

Mounties are releasing the name of person killed in Saturday's crash north of Bridgewater. Peter Bentley of Lower Northfield died in a collision with another vehicle around 8 o'clock. The 37 year old died at the scene. A 59 year old woman remains is serious condition in Halifax. Police say the Northfield Road has been re-opened to traffic. The cause of the collision is still under investigation.

Dramatic Rescue To Start Lobster Season

Some tense moments and a dramatic rescue just hours after the official start of the lobster fishing season. Four fishermen have been rescued just off the coast of Liverpool when their boat began taking on water. The mayday call was issued around 10 o'clock this morning. It's reported two men were plucked from a life raft while two others rescued from the water by a nearby fishing boat. The condition of the men is not known. Both the Canadian Coast Guard and Joint Rescue Coordination Centre were called for duty. The fishing season in LFA's 33 and 34 began this morning at 6am.

UPDATED: Fatal Crash On Northfield Road

Mounties are investigating the third fatal car crash in the past nine days in Lunenburg County. Police say a man is dead after a collision between a car and an SUV this morning in Lower Northfield. It occurred shortly after 8:00am. A woman also involved in the crash has been airlifted to the QE II in Halifax. She has serious injuries. An RCMP traffic analyst has been called to help with the investigation. On November 15, a 23 year old man was killed in a single vehicle crash in Blockhouse while an elderly man died after a head on collision in Hebbs Cross on Wednesday.

Bridgewater: Town Approves Noise By-Law

Bridgewater residents are going to have to start keeping noise at a respectable level. The town has approved a noise by-law by a 4-3 vote. The document includes maximum decibel limits of 75 decibels between 10pm and 6am.  It increases to 90 decibels during the day. Meanwhile, the town is in the middle of reviewing all of its by-laws to see which ones are necessary and which ones can be scrapped. Mayor David Walker says it doesn't make sense to add another by-law in the middle of the process.



Walker voted against the by-law along with councillors Michael Graves and Jennifer McDonald. The by-law won't take effect right away. There is training and decisions around enforcement that need to be ironed out.

Limited Parking At Queens General Hospital

Parking spaces will be at a premium for the next few weeks at Queens General Hospital. The site is being prepared for paving and other ground work. South Shore Health is advising the public to park in the lower parking lot near the old main entrance when visiting the hospital. Other parking space will be limited. Staff and the public are encouraged to carpool, or use drop off and pick up when possible. Paving is expected to be complete by mid-December.