House Fire in Chester.

A house fire early this morning near Chester Basin, Nova Scotia has sent all four members of a family to hospital for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation.
Two teenagers were sent directly to the IWK Health Centre in Halifax while their parents were being treated in Bridgewater.
Canadian Red Cross volunteers met briefly with the parents on-scene and will follow-up with assistance if needed once they're released from hospital.
The home, at 5109 Highway 3 a few kilometres west of Chester, was destroyed despite the efforts of five area volunteer fire departments.
The cause of the fire is under investigation

Party goer points rifle

A 32 year old Camperdown man will appear in court next month accused of pointing a rifle at another person during a New Year’s Eve party. The Mounties received a complaint January 1st around 2:30 am that a man had pointed a rifle at another person during a New Year's Eve party. A search of the man's residence January 6th turned up a stash of weapons including three military style rifles, several handguns, other long guns and a quantity of ammunition. The man has been released on conditions until his court appearance in Bridgewater February 24th.

STRIKE MAY AFFECT THE SOUTH SHORE

Services at South Shore Health will begin being reduced this week in preparation for a possible strike by CUPE employees on Jan 18th.
South Shore Health’s CEO Alice Leverman says they have been working with the local union to ensure they are able to provide a safe level of emergency care for communities. She added that patient, staff and public safety is and will continue to be their number one priority.
South Shore Health was originally preparing for a January 11 strike date, but CUPE announced earlier this week that they will take strike action on January 18.

Truck flips after tangling in wires

A truck driver escaped injury after his vehicle overturned after getting tangled up in telephone wires. The man was doing snow removal at a business on Logan Road shortly after midnight when the accident happened. Apparently the raised box on his truck got caught up in the telephone wires causing the truck to flip over. Aliant and Nova Scotia Power were called to the scene to deal with damage to the affected wires and power pole. Police say no charges are pending at this time.

Pedestrian struck in crosswalk in Bridgewater

An 88 yr old Bridgewater man has been charged after he struck a pedestrian on a scooter yesterday at the intersection of King Street and Old Bridge street.At around 3:04pm members of the Bridgewater Police Service along with the assistance of paramedics responded to the motor vehicle-pedestrian collision where the 56 year old Bridgewater resident, was conveyed to South Shore Regional Hospital by EHS for an unrelated injury.No further details on the incident have yet been released.

Sherry O'Toole and Jeremy Stevens the proud parents of the first baby born in the new year at South Shore Regional Hospital. Baby GIRL Jordyn arrived at 10:10pm on New Year's Day, January 1st and was welcomed by parents and big sister Mya. The South Shore Regional Hospital Auxiliary donated a basket full of gifts to the baby’s family.

Farm Market Guidelines

A draft policy on guidelines for farm markets is lacking in clarity according to Region of Queens Mayor John Leefe . He says Council has expressed its concerns over the draft regulations. Leefe says the draft regulations unlike the current ones in effect only allow for two days a week for a public market. He says in some instances vendors who are permitted by the Department of Agriculture can access the public or farm market up to seven days a week. Leefe say the policy is quite confusing. Representatives from the Department of Agriculture met with Council last week and will incorporate some of the suggested changes in the new policy..

Acting CEO continues into New Year

Alice Leverman will continue as acting CEO of South Shore Health into the new year. Hospital Board Chair Roxie Smith says the Board hasn't had time to meet to discuss the process in moving forward. Former CEO Kevin (Mac-Na-mare-a) took a leave of absence in July to take on the acting deputy-ministers role at the request of Premier Darrell Dexter . He was permanently appointed to the position earlier this month.

Post Office Settlement

It's been ongoing for a couple of years but in a David against Goliath tppe of battle, Scott Sherman sued Canada Post for breaking a lease agreement. Sherman, the Boston based businessman purchased the former Lunenburg property in Old Town in 2003. The building on King Street housed the local post office since 1882. The Post Office moved to a Lincoln Street location and Sherman launched legal action against the Crown corporation for certain lease violations. He alleged Canada Post removed items, did damage to the premises while they occupied the space and that there were monetary damages incurred because of their actions. Sherman says a trial had been scheduled, but a settlement conference was held December 8th and the parties were able to hammer out an agreement. He wouldn't give an exact figure but says it was enough to purchase an automobile..maybe a Chevy or a Mazaratti. Sherman says in all his current commercial dealings he would never again rent to Canada Post. Genevieve Latour, Canada Post's Atlantic communications manager says she couldn't comment because the matter has not been completely resolved in the court system.

MICHELIN CLOSES DOWN DUE TO OIL SPILL

Specialists have been called to the LaHave river to investigate an oil spill that came from the Bridgewater Michelin plant last night.Crews are currently on site cleaning up the spill of bunker sea oil that is used to run the boilers at the plant.The spill was minor and isn't harmful but an investigation into the matter is currently ongoing and the plant will be shut down until further notice.

Seafood Producers Get Funding

Businesses in Lunenburg, Shelburne and Yarmouth Counties among those to receive provincial funding to help the seafood industry improve its competitiveness in the global marketplace. Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau announced today more than 310-thousand-dollars for seafood processors to diversify markets, improve productivity, and assess lobster fishing areas. The investment is part of 3.75-million-dollars in seafood Cedar Bay Grilling Company of Blandford, Seastar Seafoods of Clarks Harbour and Nova Scotia Fish Packers of Yarmouth will use the funding to enhance productivity and for market diversification and technology.

SOUTH SHORE HEALTH WELCOMES NEW FAMILY PHYSICIAN

A new physician is being welcomed to South Shore Health. Dr. Ryan Finnamore, a graduate from Dalhousie University's medical program in 2004 will be located at the Chester Family Practice where he has been providing part-time coverage since 2006.
Dr. Finnamore will be accepting new patients beginning in the New Year. Priority will be given to patients who do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioners and those who are travelling outside the area and want to transfer back to the local practice.

New I-phone app for CKBW

If you're on the receiving end of a new iPod Touch or iPhone this Christmas -- you will be able to take along CKBW where ever you go. Our parent company - Acadia Broadcasting - has just launched a new app that allows you to listen to our station on your new smart phone or iPod. And soon the leading edge technology will also allow you to see the name of the current song and artist as well as the previous ten songs. You can get the free app by going to our web site at www.ckbw.ca and clicking on the iPhone - iPod button.Blackberry users aren't being left out in the cold - a similar app for their phones is currently in the development stage

Save the CAT

The Region of Queens adding its collective voice to save the CAT. MLA Vicki Conrad, says she'll take the municipalities concerns back to the government. However, she says the cancellation of the ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine was not a total surprise. Conrad says in past meetings with Bay Ferries it's not new knowledge that the company had been struggling to stay viable. Conrad says the NDP will be looking at alternative transportation solutions to the ferry link. She says various stakeholders will be meeting with the Premier on Wednesday to discuss the matter. Bay Ferries announced last week the high speed ferry service isn't longer financially viable and is being dropped next spring putting 120 people out of work.

Community Christmas

The countdown is on but for many Christmas Day can be a lonely one. Recognizing that fact, two Lunenburg Town Councillors came up with a plan for a Community Christmas. The first one last year was a learning curve. Peter Zwicker says this year they've worked on a few changes. Along with a Christmas dinner, there's entertainment and transportation is being provided. Zwicker says there is limited seating at the Lunenburg Fire Hall for 150 but there are still tickets available at Fultons Drug Store . Meantime, the Town of Bridgewater is hosting its first Community Christmas this year. The event is set for one o'clock Christmas Day at the Bridgewater High School.

Overcrowding at South Shore ER

South Shore Health is dealing with overcrowding at its Emergency Department on a daily basis. Acting CEO Alice Leverman says it's a struggle. Some days there are people admitted and no beds. She says there have been stretchers in the hallways and people have waited for up to three days for a bed. Leverman says patient care has not been compromised as quality care is job one. Nursing staff and doctors are continually assessing patient needs, but she says there is a lot of frustration among staff and on the part of families and patients. She says they are looking for some relief with the opening of new long term care beds. 65 of those will be operated by Shannex in Bridgewater this May, while there are also beds opening in Lunenburg, New Germany and New Ross.

South Shore Health's Board Chair steps down

The Chair of South Shore Health's Board of Directors is stepping aside after nine years at the helm. Roxie Smith of Lunenburg has chaired the Board since the creation of the district health authorities in 2001. Her current term expired in September, however, she will remain in the potion until her successor is appointed by the Minister of Health. Smith announced her decision to the Board at the regular monthly meeting on December 18th. Smith says she will probably continue to serve in some health related capacity such as maybe on a task force.

11th day tip from RCMP

"On the Eleventh Day of Christmas Crime Prevention the RCMP told me..... learn about the RCMP Victim Services programs within your community.
Julia Rustad, Program Manager for RCMP Victim Services reminds citizens of the following tips for people after they have been the victim of a crime:
RCMP Victim Services in Nova Scotia is available to people who have experienced a crime such as break and enters, intimate partner violence, serious motor vehicle accidents and fraud.
The RCMP Victim Service Program is a police based program where victims of crime receive information, emotional support and referral from volunteers trained and working under the direction of the RCMP.
The volunteers receive referrals from police officers when there has been a crime committed or a tragedy occurs. RCMP volunteers have several resources in order to do their job, some of which are crime prevention tips, a list of community resources and safety plans for victims of intimate partner violence.

H1N1 Vaccinaion Clinic

Area residents will still have a couple of chances this month to get their H-1-N-1 vaccine. South Shore Public Health says residents can book an appointment today from 10am until 4, as well Tuesday December 22nd or Tuesday December 29th at the Bridgewater office in the Gateway Plaza. To book an appointment call 543-0850. To date it's estimated that more than half of the residents in the South Shore Health District have been vaccinated.

Roundabout adopted

Bridgewater Town Council has confirmed the acceptance of a proposed modern roundabout for the intersection of Aberdeen Road and North Street. It's been determined the roundabout is the way to go as a more efficient and effective as well as safer manner to configure the intersection. Additional land will have to be purchased to accommodate a second lane for left turns to North Street. Agreements are being prepared to purchase adjacent properties . The proposal for a roundabout was first discussed at a public meeting last January.