Wile Carding Mill Reaches Municipal Heritage Status

Bridgewater has its next municipal heritage property. The town didn't receive any objections to providing the Wile Carding Mill on Victoria Road with heritage status. The mill joins the Holy Trinity Anglican Church and the Brookside Cemetery as the only heritage properties in Bridgewater. Chair of the Library Commission, Peter Oickle, says the mill dates back to the 19th century.



A celebration is planned for September 8 at the Wile Carding Mill.

Progress At Bayswater, But Beach Still Closed

Inspectors looking into high bacteria at Bayswater Beach are making progress but it will remain closed until water testing shows it is safe for swimming. Department of Environment inspectors believe that natural conditions in a nearby pond are contributing to elevated bacteria counts. They believe tidal action may also be playing a role in bringing bacteria from the pond to the beach through a shallow stream. Inspectors have not found any obvious signs of human activity contributing to the high bacteria counts. The Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service continues to take water samples for lab testing.  However, until bacteria counts return to safe levels, the beach will remain closed. We will let you know when things clear up.

Bridgewater Sends Players To Baseball Nationals

The Bridgewater Baseball Association is sending a number of players to the bantam boys and girls national championships. Local athletes Aiden O'Brien, Zach Zinck, Ryan O'Toole, Cameron MacPherson, Nathan McCarthy, Mackenzie Dimmell and coach Dennis Woodworth will make up part of team Nova Scotia. Play begins for the girls and boys teams Thursday through Sunday. The boys compete in Vaughan, Ontario and open up their tourney against New Brunswick. The girls play in Bedford and open up competition against Quebec. Results can be found here .

Recall: Ben's Bread Issue Voluntary Recall

If you have picked up some Ben's bread in the past few days you may want to keep reading. Canada Bread has issued a voluntary recall for some of its bread products sold because they may contain glass fragments. The company says the glass is believed to have come from a light bulb that shattered during production. The products in question are Ben's Xtra Soft white and whole wheat bread, and Super Club white and whole wheat bread. Both products have a best-before date of Aug. 29. The labels on both products indicate they came from plant No. 2503. There have been no reports of injuries.

Labour Chief Calls For Federal Input on Ferry Issue

The federal government is missing the boat and ignoring public will to have the Yarmouth ferry service restored.  That comment from the head of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.  In a CKBW and HANK-FM News interview, President Rick Clarke says the Harper government has a history of lagging behind everyone else.



Meanwhile, Clarke says restoring the ferry service would mean not only a boost to tourism. He says
it would also increase employment in the region and trade.



Clarke says having the feds on board would add a lot of weight and importance to restoring the ferry service.

UPDATED: One Dead In "Windsor Road" Crash

RCMP say one person is dead after two separate crashes this morning on Highway 14. The first incident ocurred shortly after 7 o'clock when a car veered off the road. Emergency responders were heading to the scene when they came across a serious three vehicle collision involving a car, pickup truck and a garbage truck. The person who was killed was involved in the second, more serious incident. A section of the highway, about 20 kilometres from Windsor, will be closed for the next few hours. RCMP are asking motorists to stay away from the area  - because there is no detour around the crash scene.

Two Crashes Close "Windsor Road"

RCMP are asking drivers to stay off Highway 14 near Windsor after two separate crashes. The crashes happened this morning about two kilometres apart in what's known as the Mill Section of the Windsor Road. One was a single vehicle accident in which a car ran off the highway. The second involved three vehicles - a car, pickup truck and a garbage truck. Mounties say there are multiple injuries but offered no other details. A section of the highway, about 20 kilometres from Windsor, will be closed for the next few hours. RCMP are asking motorists to stay away from the area  - there is no detour route available.

Large Python Seized In Yarmouth County

A huge python has been seized from a home in Yarmouth County. Conservation officers say the 5.4-meter snake is on the list of exotic pets that can't be imported or kept in Nova Scotia without a propoer permit. A spokesman for the Natural Resources Department says it remains unclear whether charges will be laid and few other details have been released. The department is not commenting further on the situation until their investigation is complete. Mounties are also at the scene where the snake was seized but they have yet to release an official statement. Earlier this month, two young brothers sleeping in an apartment in Campbellton, New Brunswick were killed by an illegal African rock python that had escaped from its enclosure.

Barracudas Win Third Straight Provincial Swimming Title

Make it three straight provincial swimming titles for the Bridgewater Barracudas. The swimming club owned the podium over the weekend in Halifax, winning the overall large-team title, along with placing first in the 13-14, 15-16 and 17-18 age groups. The team won the overall title by roughly 170 points over the Cole Harbour Hurricanes. Head Coach Ian Smith says the team had some odds against them.



Smith was named coach of the year while Barracudas swimmer Fletch Selig was named one of the top men's performers, earning high points at the competition. Eleven barracudas were named all-stars. The provincial title wraps up the swim season for the Bridgewater club.

MODL: First South Property To Be Demolished

Third time was not a charm for a First South resident with an unsightly property. The Municipality of Lunenburg had given the property owner a pair of extensions to repair the home and shed along Highway 332. However, she will now have a 30 day deadline to demolish the two buildings. Mayor Don Downe says they've agreed to take the next steps.



The initial complaint on the property was received last November. The home and shed are listed in a state of non-repair and no longer suitable to live in.

Bridgewater: Mayor Weighs In On Plastic Bag Ban

Bridgewater is looking to become one of the provincial leaders by banning plastic bags at grocery stores. The town discussed the option last week and has directed staff for further research and community engagement. The issue has become a recent concern after complaints of bags being found in local waterways and clogging septic systems. Mayor David Walker says people can do their part to stop using plastic.



Leaf Rapids, Manitoba became the first town to ban plastic bags in 2007. Fort McMurray also banned them in 2010. Walker says anything the town can do to ban plastic bags would be a step forward. One town councillor hopes staff will report back with a goal to create a by-law banning plastic bags in the town by January 1, 2014.

Inspectors Probe Bayswater Beach Closure

Environmental inspectors are at Bayswater Beach to try and find the source of bacteria that's keeping the popular swimming area off-limits. The beach has been closed since August 14 because of unsafe levels of bacteria in the water. Lori Errington is a communications advisor with the Department of Environment. She says they don't normally don't get called in to inspect beach closures.



The province announced yesterday they would inspect the area to see if there is a specific source causing the problem in the ocean water. Bayswater is located on Highway 329 between Blandford and Aspotogan.

Lumberjacks To Play Regular Season Opener In Liverpool

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks will open up their regular season at Queens Place Emera Centre. Owner Ken Petrie says the club was informed last week they wouldn't be able to play out of the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre to kick off the season. The facility is still under construction and is expected to open in stages beginning in the fall. Instead, the Lumberjacks will take on the Yarmouth Mariners in Liverpool on September 13th. Petrie says they are happy to open up at Queens Place and look forward to a big celebration and tail gate party when they play in Bridgewater the following week. The Lumberjacks are now expected to make their first appearance at the LCLC on September 20th.

UPDATED: Officials Take Closer Look At Bayswater Beach

Bayswater Beach could re-open for swimmers within the next few days. In the meantime, officials will take a closer look at what's causing high levels of bacteria in the water. The Department of Environment is examining the area to try and see if something specific is causing elevated bacteria counts in the water. The Lunenburg County beach was closed to swimmers August 14th. It's the second time this summer the beach has been closed because of high bacteria levels. Meanwhile, Sand Dollar Beach and Sawpit Wharf in Lunenburg Back Harbour will also remain closed to swimmers. Those waters could re-open by Wednesday.

Liverpool: Prostate Cancer Support Group Formed

A newly formed support group in Queens County is reaching out to help those recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. The support group held it's inaugural meeting earlier this month in Liverpool. Gary Conrad helped form the new group and is a prostate cancer survivor. He says it's important to have somewhere to turn if you've been diagnosed with the disease.



Conrad says the group provides people with a place to seek comfort during a difficult time. They meet every second Wednesday each month at the Atlantic Superstore in Liverpool.

Bridgewater: More Retail Space Coming To King Street

Bridgewater is moving ahead with additional retail space along the LaHave River. Only a handful of people showed up to a public hearing last week regarding a proposed development agreement by Bond Street Capital for a 4,400 square foot complex. The property is located at 814 King Street. Mayor David Walker says he's pleased with the decision.



Bond Street Capital is developing the property, replacing the current car wash on site.

Record-Setting Summer Games For Nova Scotia

Some South Shore athletes return home Monday following a historic Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Nova Scotia won 56 medals at the games, topping their previous best mark of 52 set at the PEI games in 2009. The province finished fifth in the overall medal standings with 16 gold, 18 silver and 22 bronze. Five of the province's 16 gold medals were won by local track stars including double gold by Liverpool's Chelsea Whalen in the women's javelin and shot put. Bridgewater's Rachael McIntosh won the women's heptathlon, Lunenburg's Jesse Drennan won the men's decathlon and Mattias Wolter of Conquerall Mills in the men's 3000 metre steeplechase. Hebbville's Claire McNally also won double bronze in para-swimming events. The next Canada Summer Games will be held in Manitoba in 2017.

Premier Says Public & Business Should Have Had Say In Ferry Future In 2009

Mistakes were made and if he had it to do over again, he'd handle it differently. That comment from Premier Darrell Dexter on the cancellation of the Yarmouth to Maine ferry service back in 2009.  In a CKBW and HANK-FM News interview, the premier says there should have been greater community involvement in the decision-making process.  He says the public and business should have been made aware of the situation and advice sought before cancelling the subsidy which led to the demise of the ferry service.



However, that was then and this is now and the premier says the International Ferry Partnership has taken great strides in making certain the public has been involved in the past year's efforts to restore service.

Negotiations are currently underway between the province and S-T-M Quest and if successful may see a resumption in ferry service by next spring, in time for the tourist season of 2014.

Bridgewater Celebrates $25,000 Donation From Kraft

A raucous crowd gathered at Shipyards Landing in Bridgewater last night with the town in the national spotlight. The South Shore Seahawks Minor Football Club were awarded a $25,000 cheque from Kraft Canada as part of their Celebration Tour before TSN broadcasted a live edition of sportscentre. The money will improve drainage at the Kinsmen Field. Resident Shawn Woodworth says the event was a crowd-pleaser.



Thousands of people attended. This part of the tour moves on to Fredericton, New Brunswick to broadcast again Tuesday.

UPDATE: Fatal Plane Crash Near New Germany

A 65-year-old Barss Corner man has died after a ultralight plane crash earlier this morning in Barss Corner. RCMP say Byron Varner was the pilot and only person in the plane at the time of the crash just after 10am. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Mounties say early investigation reveals the plane burst into flames after impact. RCMP don't yet know the cause of the crash.