Happy Canada Day: Safety Tips For Big Birthday Bash

Happy Canada Day! Here are some safety tips if you plan on a backyard fireworks display.







- Carefully read and follow the label directions on fireworks packaging.

- Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by when discharging fireworks.

- Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass.

- Keep onlookers a safe distance away, upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged.

- Light only one firework at a time and only when they are on the ground. Never try to light a firework in your hand or relight dud fireworks. For dud fireworks, it is best to wait 30 minutes and soak them in a bucket of water. Dispose of them in a metal container.

- Discharge fireworks only if wind conditions do not create a safety hazard.

- Keep sparklers away from children. Sparklers burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing, cause blindness and result in severe burns. As the sparkler wire remains hot for some minutes after burnout, it should be immediately soaked in water to avoid injury.

- If someone gets burned, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes and seek medical attention, if necessary.

- Fireworks can spook your pet. Keep them indoors in a safe place. This will help reduce the noise level of the fireworks and reduce the risk of your pet running away .

- Use a leash or carrier if you must be outside with your pet and keep it on your pet at all times. This will help prevent your pet from running away from.

Yarmouth's Graves Drafted Into NHL

A Yarmouth native could soon be calling the big apple as his new home. Eighteen-year-old defenseman Ryan Graves was selected in the fourth round, 110th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2013 NHL entry draft Sunday evening. Graves spent time with the South Shore Mustangs before he was drafted by the PEI Rocket in 2011. He notched three goals and 13 assists in 74 games this past year. Graves becomes the first hockey player from Yarmouth to be drafted into the NHL.

Bridgewater Makes Final 20 For Kraft Celebration Tour

Bridgewater has made the initial cut for the TSN Kraft Celebration Tour. The South Shore town was among 20 communities across the country that were announced Sunday evening by the Network. Over 625 nominations were received. Bridgewater will go head to head against Windsor, NS for the right to host a live edition of Sports Centre along with $25,000. The submission was made by the South Shore Seahawks Minor Football organization for upgrades to the Kinsmen Field. This is the first time a South Shore community has made the final 20 in the contest's five-year history. According to TSN's website, the Nova Scotia battle will take place on July 10. Voters will have a 24-hour window to pick the winner. Voting will take place here .

Former South Shore Mustang At NHL Draft

A Yarmouth hockey player could make a bit of history Sunday. Former South Shore Mustangs defenseman Ryan Graves is looking to become the first player from Yarmouth to be drafted into the National Hockey League. Enforcer Jody Shelley played minor hockey in Yarmouth but was never drafted into the league. Central Scouting lists Graves 116th overall among North American skaters. The 18-year-old notched three goals and 13 assists in 74 games this year with the PEI Rocket. The draft gets underway Sunday afternoon in Newark, New Jersey.

Martin Finishes Fifth At Edmonton Event

Bridgewater's Jenna Martin had one of her best times of the year, but missed out on a top three finish in Alberta. Martin finished fifth in a tough field at the Edmonton International Track Classic Saturday evening. The 25-year-old ran the women's 400 metre event in 52.45 seconds. She will now move on to Burnaby, B.C. for her next race on Monday.

Unexpected ER Closure At Roseway Hospital

There's an unexpected closure of the emergency department at Roseway Hospital in Shelburne. Emergency services will not be available at the hospital today. In a media release, South West Health indicates the closure is due to unexpected circumstances. The health authority is asking Shelburne area residents requiring emergency services during the hours of closure to visit the nearest open Emergency Department or Collaborative Emergency Centre. The ER will re-open Monday morning at 8am.

South Shore Celebrates Canada Day

The South Shore gets ready to celebrate Canada Day Monday. There will be much to see and do around the region. In Bridgewater, there will be a legion breakfast at the fire hall, a football toss with the South Shore Seahawks and the much-anticipated fireworks. Chair of the event committee, Greg Ritcey, says there is a mixture of returning and new events to look forward to. He says it's an honour to have the Bridgewater Fire Department Band join the celebrations during the fireworks display.



There will also be celebrations being held in New Germany, Riverport, Lockeport, Clark's Harbour and Caledonia among other communities. A full schedule of Bridgewater events can be found below.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24 Breakfast 7:30-11:30 Bridgewater Fire Hall

- Kids of Steel Triathlon 9:00-1:00pm

- Canada Day Street Hockey 9:00-6:00 Bridgewater Arena

- Buck’s Home Building Centre & Gow’s Home Hardware Washer Toss Tournament 2pm Shipyard Landing

- East Coast Kite Club Demo 2:30pm Shipyard Landing

- Seahawks Minor Football club: Football toss 2:30pm Shipyard Landing

- Le Leche League Breastfeeding tent 2:30-10pm Shipyard Landing

- Inflatables 2:30-7pm Shipyard Landing

- Desbrisay Museum Interactive Display 2:30-7pm Shipyard Landing

- Mascots: Cyber Cop, Captain Lighthouse, Boston Pizza Various times between 2:30 and 9pm Shipyard Landing

- Giant Tiger Chalk Drawing: Illustrate your Canadian Pride 2:30pm Shipyard Landing

- NSLC & Lighthouse Publishing Giant block puzzle 2:30 Shipyard Landing

- Giant Tiger beach balls and hula hoops 2:30 Shipyard Landing

- Food vendors: L’il Orbitz, 3rd Bridgewater Scout Troop, Harbour House ice cream, The Airstream Cafe 2:30-10:00 Shipyard Landing

- Trivia 3:00 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- Kippers Gymnastics Demo 3:30 Shipyard Landing

- Flatline MMA Demo 4:00 Shipyard Landing

- Welcoming ceremony and cake cutting 5:00 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- McKenzie College Glow in the dark face painting 5:00 Shipyard Landing

- Open Mic 5:15 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- Stolen Tone: musical entertainment 7:00 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- 1 Eye Open: musical entertainment 8:00 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- Video Dance 9:00-9:30 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- NS Elite Baton Twirlers: Glow baton performance 9:30-10:00 Shipyard Landing

- Bridgewater Fire Dept. Band to lead Oh Canada 10:00 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- Fireworks accompanied by Bridgewater Fire Dept. Band 10:15 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

Rain location: South Shore Exhibition Grounds and fireworks will be rescheduled for July 6th 10:15 PM

No Injuries After Bridgewater Apartment Fire

A woman and her cat are safe after a fire broke out Saturday evening at an apartment at 29 Dufferin Street in Bridgewater. Fire officials from the town and Hebbville responded to the call around 8:15pm. Bridgewater Fire Chief Michael Nauss says a short in behind an electrical panel caused the blaze. He says there was minimal damage to the apartment. The Red Cross have stepped-in to relocate the woman and her feline for the night.

Liverpool Paramedic Facing More Charges

A Liverpool paramedic is facing additional charges for allegedly stealing and misusing drugs from an EHS station. RCMP have laid five new charges against 47-year-old Kenneth Cosh including administering a noxious substance, assault with a weapon, theft under $5,000, fraud and criminal negligence. Meanwhile, a charge of forgery will be withdrawn. Cosh is facing 10 charges in total. Police say the additional charges are a result of the ongoing investigation. Officials with EHS alerted police of allegations of thefts and misuse of drugs by the man earlier this year. RCMP searched a home in February on Wolfe Street and seized syringes and medical containers. Cosh will appear in Liverpool Provincial Court July 9.

Forties Community Centre Gets Kitchen Upgrades

They'll be cooking up a storm at the Forties Community Centre. The federal government has awarded the community centre with just over $7,000 to spruce up their kitchen. The money will help replace its stove and two freezers. MP Gerald Keddy made the funding announcement last week. The Forties Community Centre hosts a variety of events in New Ross throughout the year including dinners, crib tournaments and craft fairs.

Group Sells Eisenhaur Place, LaHave Heights To Ontario Company

The president of a Bridgewater company confirms Eisenhaur Place and LaHave Heights have been sold to an Ontario Group. Bob Richards of Jaylynn Enterprises Limited, part of the Home Centre Group of Companies, says the two North Street living spaces have been sold to Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities Inc. of Wasaga Beach. Financial details weren't released. Richards says the deal makes sense for their group.



He says the purchase includes 474 leased sites within the two living communities. Richards says residents will continue to have the benefits and protections of the Residential Tenancies Act regarding rental increases and other services.

Local Athletes Crack Legion Track And Field Team

The Nova Scotia-Nunavut 2013 Legion Track and Field team for Youth Nationals was announced recently and it has some South Shore flavour. Tobias Wolter headlines the competitors. The Conquerall Mills native won two golds and a silver medal at last year's event. He also set the Canadian record in the 1,500 metre steeplechase event. Other locals include Bridgewater's James Lucas and Liverpool's Sarah Mitton. The national meet is Aug. 9-11 in Langley, B.C.

Happy Canada Day! Gasoline Prices Fall!

The weather outlook may not be looking very nice for the long weekend but the price of gas sure looks a lot better today ahead of Canada Day. Usually you can bet on a hike in prices for a holiday weekend but that hasn't happened this time around. Gas is actually down on the South Shore by three cents a litre at $1.28.9.  High test is also down by the same amount. Motorists driving diesel-fueled vehicles can take heart in knowing the price of diesel didn't increase. It didn't drop either. Its unchanged today at $1.29.4 per litre.

Fire Causes Smoke, Water Damage To Chester Home

No injuries after fire broke out at a home in Chester Thursday night. Officials with the Chester Fire Department responded to the call at 7 Nauss Point Road around 7:15pm. Fire Chief Duke Chafe says when they arrived on scene, they noticed heavy smoke pouring out of the attic but couldn't locate the fire immediately. He says it was a difficult fire to deal with.


Members of the Chester Basin Fire Department were also called-in to assist. A man, woman, two cats and a dog were reported safe but the house suffered severe water and smoke damage. The cause of the blaze is unknown.

New Policy Halts Funding Request From YMCA

The town of Bridgewater will not take any action on a funding request by the YMCA Lunenburg County. The group missed council's deadline before the 2013-14 budget process. Council also approved its new grants to organizations policy in May, providing guidelines for awarding money to non-profit organizations or societies. The 'Y' was looking for support to help cover expenses associated with food and activities for an exchange event in mid-July with youth from the Driftpile Cree First Nations in Northern Alberta. Mayor David Walker says with any new policy, situations will pop-up that will make council wonder how they can address the issue.



Council is expected to follow-up with the YMCA to discuss the new policy and deadlines to ask for support.

Grand Opening Planned For New Visitor Information Centre

The new Bridgewater and Lunenburg District Visitor Information Centre will hold its grand opening Friday. The facility opened in May and will hold a meet and greet with speeches from local mayors David Walker and Don Downe. The municipality and the town helped fund the new centre, cost sharing $23,000 for at least the first five years of a 10-year lease. The Municipality of Lunenburg's Economic Development Officer, Dave Waters, says the new location is in a key area to direct tourists.



The event is planned to start at 10am Friday morning at the new facility along the Cornwall Road in Blockhouse.

South Shore: Paramedics Prepare To Picket This Weekend

South Shore paramedics will be out in full force this weekend in an effort to back contract demands. Members of EHS are set to host a picket in Bridgewater at the Canadian Tire on Saturday. Last week, union members voted 73 per cent against a deal with they employer, Emergency Medical Care, that would have given the province's 800 paramedics a defined benefits pension plan. Paramedics say they want better wages, with some saying they are looking for a 15 per cent pay hike over three years rather than the 11.1 per cent over almost five years that was offered in the tentative agreement. The paramedics won't be able to go on strike or be in a legal lockout position until July 5.

Cineplex Makes Big Move Buys 26 Theatres

Big changes are on the way at Empire Theatres. The Nova Scotia-based Empire Company is getting out of the movie-theatre business. The move is being made so the company can focus on Sobeys, the national grocery chain that accounts for most of its revenue. Canada's largest cinema company, Cineplex, will pay 200 million dollars cash to acquire 26 of the theatres. Empire operates the big screens in Bridgewater but it's not clear what the takeover will mean for the local movie theatre. Landmark Cinemas will buy 20 theatres in Ontario and Western Canada for up to 55 million dollars.

Yarmouth: Youth Transition Program Receives Federal Dollars

An outreach support program in the Tri-County area for homeless and at-risk youth has received some encouraging news.  The federal government has extended "Shyft Youth Services" funding for another 9 months to the tune of 130-thousand dollars. Director Bernadette MacDonald says she and her staff are thrilled and see it as an indication the issue of rural homelessness is being taken seriously in Ottawa.



The funding allows Shyft to continue employing outreach workers for Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby Counties and to staff and pay the rent and other bills at the actual homeless shelter in Yarmouth.  It also provides homeless youth with a chance to get their lives back in order, get a job and re-establish themselves in the community.

South Shore Students Awarded RRFB Scholarships

Two South Shore residents are being awarded with scholarships from the province's Resource Recovery Fund Board. The RRFB awarded 14 cash prizes to grade 12 students who submitted essays to the group's Nova Scotia Recycles contest earlier this spring. Both Sebastien Clairmont of Barrington Municipal High School and Julia Goodwin of Yarmouth Consolidated received runner-up prizes of $750. Roughly $55,000 was awarded to students across the province.