Bridgewater: Town Exploring Plastic Bag Ban

The town of Bridgewater is exploring the option of banning plastic bags. Council is directing staff to further research and engage the community on the issue. Councillor Andrew Tanner says banning the plastic carry-out bags would help reduce litter and protect water quality in the area. He says things need to change.



Tanner says people could adjust to using reusable bags or paper bags when shopping. He hopes staff will report back with a goal to create a by-law banning plastic bags in the town by January 1, 2014.

STM Quest, Province To Negotiate Yarmouth Ferry Service

The Nova Scotia government will enter into negotiations with STM Quest to set up and run a ferry between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine. Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Graham Steele announced the decision today in Yarmouth. Three companies submitted business plans to operate the ferry service beginning next year.  A team of representatives from the Nova Scotia International Ferry Partnership and the province evaluated the plans based on financial stability, a management structure with expertise and a history of managing successful ferry services, and tourism and marketing experience. STM Quest is a joint venture between ST Marine Ltd. and Quest Navigation. The province has committed to investing up to $21-million over seven years for the service.

Chester: Public Hearing On Proposed Cell Tower

A communications tower will be topic for discussion Tuesday evening in Chester. Council is holding a public hearing on the matter, to gauge resident opinion on the installation of a 76-metre tower planned for 165 Beech Hill Road in Gold River. Eastlink is proposing the tower to meet the increasing demand of wireless services in the Chester, Chester Basin, Gold River and Western Shore areas. The hearing begins at 7pm at Chester Municipal Council Chambers.

Town Agrees To Sell King Street Library Building

The town of Bridgewater is selling the current library building on King Street. Council agreed to direct staff to advertise a tender that would list the property for sale, before the current tenants move to their new location in the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. The decision was 5-2 in favour of the motion, with councillors Jennifer MacDonald and Michael Graves voting against it. Graves hopes council doesn't live to regret the choice.



Mayor David Walker says he's confident with council's decision.



The decision comes after the group known as Cafe 12 withdrew their proposal to use the building for a non-profit community cafe.

Riverfest Founder Reflects On Summer Festival

Final prep work is underway before the start of Riverfest. The popular grassroots festival - which is held in the heart of a Lunenburg County turnip field - is entering it's ninth year. Organizer Jonathan Crouse says the concert grounds have been cleared and staging is being assembled today (Tuesday). Crouse says it's been special to watch the event grow over the years.



All the proceed from the event go toward Lunenburg County 4-H and St. Andrews Lutheran Church. For more information on tickets and performers - log on to www.rockthebush.com.

Summer Games: South Shore Athletes Making Their Mark

South Shore athletes are making their mark to open week two at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Lunenburg's Jesse Drennan sits atop the standings in the men's decathlon after five events on Monday. He'll have another five events Tuesday in his quest for gold. Lunenburg's Nick Tanner scored twice to lead the men's soccer team to a 9-1 victory over the Northwest Territories. They play again Wednesday against PEI. Liverpool's Chelsea Whalen qualified for the women's javelin final with a toss of 45.77 metres. Whalen will begin competition in the shot put Tuesday. Also, beginning competition Tuesday will be Bridgewater's Courtney Langille, who races in the women's 4 x 400 metre relays and Conquerall Mills' Mattias Wolter runs the men's 3,000 metre steeplechase.

Bridgewater: Assault Leaves Man In Critical Condition

Bridgewater police say a man is in critical condition after an assault over the weekend at the Exhibition grounds. They say the incident took place shortly after 2am on Sunday. A 21 year-old Lunenburg County man has been arrested in connection with the incident. He's due in court at a later date. Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the assault to contact their detachment at 543-2464.

Bridgewater Man Faces Drug, Weapon Charges

A 21-year-old man from Bridgewater will be in court next month after police seized marijuana and weapons from his home last Friday night. Members of the Bridgewater Police Service, along with its street crime unit and RCMP police dog service found the items at the King Street residence. Constable Will Creamer says Derrick Robar is facing drugs and weapons-related charges. Creamer says they collected a pair of knives, a shotgun and a rifle. Robar was arrested Friday night and was released with conditions Monday morning. Robar is due back in court September 12.

Tuesday: Yarmouth Ferry Update Expected

There will be an update tomorrow (Tuesday) on the search for a new ferry operator between Yarmouth and Maine. Economic and Rural Development Minister Graham Steele will be in Yarmouth to give an update on the process. He will be joined by Keith Condon, chair of the Nova Scotia International Ferry Partnership. They are expected to provide an update on the evaluation of business plans submitted for a new ferry service in Yarmouth. Last month, Maine Governor Paul LePage indicated his support for re-establishing the ferry link. In a letter to Premier Darrell Dexter, the governor threw his support behind a proposal by STM Quest to operate the ferry. LePage indicated his office would also help the company secure an operating line of credit in the amount of $5 million.

Bridgewater: Public Hearing To Discuss King Street Property

The future space at 814 King Street in Bridgewater is the topic for debate Monday evening. The town is holding a public hearing to discuss an application by Bond Street Capital, a group looking to construct a single story building on the property. The space is currently occupied by Melissa's Stop and Wash. Bond Street Capital are looking to enter into a development agreement with the town to build a 4,400 square foot complex. The hearing will be held as part of tonight's council meeting at 6pm.

SPTS-South Shore Soccer Team Wins In New Glasgow

The South Shore United Under-14 girls soccer team was in New Glasgow over the weekend for a game against XFC.  Lacey Acker, McKenzie Sinclair and McKenzie Kelly combined to help shut out New Glasgow 3-nothing.  Kaye Dorey was the winning goalie for South Shore.

Possible Election Call Coming: McNeil & Baillie On South Shore Issues

There could be a provincial election call later this week. Everyone in political circles is talking about the strong possibility Premier Darrell Dexter will visit the lieutenant-governor either Friday night or Saturday and ask that the legislature be dissolved and an election date set. Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says everyone has been in over-drive for months, expecting an election call and this could finally be it. McNeil tells CKBW and Hank-FM News, South Shore Liberal candidates are set to "officially" hit the bricks.



Meanwhile, PC Leader Jamie Baillie tells us, the South Shore will be a key area in the campaign and maybe even a political battle-ground.



The opposition parties and political pundits are saying September 17th will likely be the date for the election.
The NDP government is into its 5th year in office. It has to go to the polls before next June 9th.

Now, information on who's running and in which South Shore ridings in the election campaign:
All NDP Members of the Legislature on the South Shore are re-offering in the next election, with the exception of one. Vicki Conrad announced several months ago, she will not run again. Shelburne MLA and Fisheries Minister Sterling Belliveau will offer his name for election in the newly created Queens-Shelburne.
Elsewhere, Denise Peterson-Rafuse is re-offering in Chester-St. Margarets,  Pam Birdsall hopes for re-election in Lunenburg, Gary Ramey is hoping to be returned in Lunenburg West. The NDP is yet to choose its candidates for Argyle-Barrington and Yarmouth.
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The Progressive Conservatives have a full slate of candidates in the South Shore ridings. They include Janet Irwin in Chester-St. Margarets, Brian Pickings in Lunenburg, David Mitchell in Lunenburg-West. Bruce Inglis will carry the tory flag in Queens-Shelburne and veteran PC Chris d'Entremont will be re-offering in Argyle-Barrington. John Cunningham is running in the Yarmouth riding.
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The Liberals have all their candidates in place along the South Shore. Seeking election for the Liberals in Chester-St.Margarets is Tim Harris. Suzanne Lohnes-Croft is the Liberal standard-bearer in Lunenburg. Its Mark Furey in Lunenburg West, Benson Frail in Shelburne-Queens, Kent Blades in Argyle-Barrington and incumbent Zach Churchill in Yarmouth.

Wolter Wins Silver At Legion Track And Field Nationals

A Conquerall Mills runner picked up a silver medal at the Royal Canadian Legion Track and Field Nationals. Tobias Wolter finished in second place in the men's 2,000 metre steeplechase at the meet in Langley, B.C. He finished in a time of five minutes, 58 seconds, four seconds behind the eventual winner. Wolter also finished in 17th place in the men's 1500 metre run. Elsewhere, Liverpool's Sarah Mitton collected 3,744 points to finish seventh in the women's heptathlon. LaHave Islands resident Josh Bell placed eighth in the boys under-16 discus competition with a toss of 41.10 metres. Chester's James Lucas ran the men's 100 metre dash in 11.89 seconds to finish fourth in his heat. He didn't advance to the finals.

Teen Charged After Late Night Joyride

Police say a 13 year old boy got behind the wheel of a car and slammed into a fence late Friday night in Bridgewater. They got a call just after midnight regarding a car that was speeding and all over the road. Officers tried to pull the car over but the boy kept on driving before he crashed on York Street. He wasn't hurt and was taken home to his mother. Police say the boy is facing charges of theft of a vehicle, evading police and dangerous driving.

Motorcycle Crash Sends Three To Hospital

Three people were taken to hospital after a three vehicle collision in Martins River. The Mounties say the incident happened around 7:15 Saturday night involving two motorcycles and a car along Highway 3. Police say one of the motorcycles collided with the car that was stopped ahead of them. The motorcycle then landed in the other lane, colliding with another motorcycle. Two people on the bikes were taken to South Shore Regional Hospital while the other was airlifted to QEII in Halifax. Their injuries are described as "moderate to serious." The driver of the car was not injured.

Bat Populations Cause For Concern In N.S.

The number of bats in Nova Scotia is catching the attention of the province. The government is looking to the public to help track the health of Nova Scotia's bat populations. A fatal infection known as white-nose syndrome has killed millions of bats in northeastern North America in just a few years. The syndrome causes bats to wake frequently during winter hibernation and with limited food sources available, they can die from starvation and hypothermia. The province has partnered with the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute in Queens County to create two tools for the public to report bat sightings; a telephone hotline and an online reporting form. The public can report sightings of bats, including summer bat roosts and over-winter sites, by calling 1-866-727-3447 (toll-free) or by going online here .

Lunenburg: Expect ER Closures At Fishermen's Memorial

It's a weekend of overnight closures at the emergency department in Fishermen's Memorial Hospital. The shut downs are being attributed to staffing shortages. The ER will close Saturday at 5 o'clock until 7:30 Sunday morning. Emergency services will also not be available during the same times Sunday and Monday night. It's the ninth time in August emergency services have not been available at the Lunenburg hospital. Residents dealing with an emergency should call 9-1-1 or go to the regional hospital in Bridgewater.

Weekend: Tribute To Fishing Industry

Those who make a living at sea will be remembered Sunday as the province observes Mariner's Day and Seaman's Memorial Day. Fisheries Minister and MLA for Shelburne, Sterling Belliveau, says it's a day to pay tribute to all men and women who contribute to the economic prosperity of the province and those lost their lives in the process. A sunset ceremony will take place at the Fishermen's Monument in Eastern Passage. Meanwhile, a slo-pitch tournament is also planned in the Municipality of Barrington in memory of Katlin Nickerson, captain of the ill-fated Miss Ally. The money raised will go toward a memorial bursary. In April, the Mariner's Day Act was passed to observe the second Sunday in August as Mariner's Day.

Request For Proposals Issued For LCLC Ice Cover

The search is on for an ice cover for the new Clearwater Seafood Arena at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. A request for proposals has been issued by the LCLC. General Manager Kevin Benjamin says groups have until August 20th to submit their request. He says an ice cover will be a welcome addition to the new facility.



The town of Bridgewater and Municipality of Lunenburg have agreed to share the cost of an ice cover for up to $215,000.

McNally Wins Second Bronze At Summer Games

Make it two bronze medals for Hebbville's Claire McNally. The 17-year-old won her second bronze at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec this week. McNally finished third in the S5-14 200 metre individual medley para-swimming event. She also won bronze in the 50-metre fly para-swim. Nova Scotia sits in seventh place in the overall medal standings with 13, heading into Friday's competition.