Chester: Changing Stance On Legion Funding

There's a new attitude when it comes to providing money to Royal Canadian Legions in the Municipality of Chester. Council has decided to change its stance, allowing Legions to apply for funding to help with programs and events that are open to the public. Warden Allen Webber says the municipality won't provide money for things like capital upgrades or operational costs. He says the municipality is trying to help their situations.



The change affects four Legions including New Ross, Western Shore, Chester and Chester Basin.

Lunenburg: Dog Park Approved For Starr Street

The president of the Lunenburg Dog Park Society is thrilled to see a dog park coming to the town. Council members approved the idea recently to build two parks, one for larger canines and the other for smaller, older pups. The society is leasing a parcel of town-owned land on Starr Street. They take possession of the land September 1 and plan to start clearing it immediately. Karen Lewis says they hope to have both parks open by early next year.



Lewis believes having dog parks available helps fill a huge void in the town.

RCMP: Vaughan Man Killed In Highway 14 Crash

Police say a 40 year-old man died yesterday in a three vehicle crash on Highway 14. The victim - from the Vaughan area - was involved in a collision between a car, pick-up truck and a garbage truck.
The incident unfolded Wednesday morning shortly after 7 o'clock.
A section of the Windsor Road was closed for more than nine hours after the garbage truck and car collided, the truck then struck a power pole, caught fire and lost some of it's waste. RCMP say a 37-year-old woman who was driving the pick-up and her five year-old were not injured. The driver of the garbage truck suffered minor injuries. Police will not be releasing the name of the man who was killed. Meanwhile, in a separate crash about two kilometres away, a 22 year-old woman suffered minor injuries when her car veered off the road and flipped. She was taken to South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater for treatment.

Lunenburg: ER Closures Planned This Weekend

There will be a pair of weekend closures in the emergency room at Fishermen's Memorial in Lunenburg. South Shore Health is advising area residents the ER will close Friday evening at 5:00pm and won't re-open until Saturday morning at 7:30am. It will also close overnight Saturday during those same times. Staff shortages are the reason behind the temporary shut down. Those needing emergency services should go to the regional hospital in Bridgewater or dial 9-1-1.

Baseball: O'Brien Leads NS To Win Over NB

Hebbville's Aidan O'Brien hit a pair of doubles to lead Nova Scotia to a 5-4 win over New Brunswick in their opening game Thursday at the under-15 bantam boys baseball nationals in Vaughn, Ontario. O'Brien was named offensive player of the game. Bridgewater's Zach Zinck earned the save. They square off against PEI this afternoon at 3:30 local time. In girl's play in Bedford, Nova Scotia fell to Quebec 8-5. Bridgewater's Mackenzie Dimmell went hitless in three at bats. The girl's team plays again tonight at 7pm against British Columbia.

Court: Trial Dates Set In Confinement Case

A Lower Sackville man charged with sexual assault in the case of a teenage boy who was chained inside a run down cabin in Lunenburg County will go to trial next year. John Leonard MacKean is scheduled for a three day trial by judge and jury beginning March 17 in Bridgewater Supreme Court. MacKean, who was not in court today, is also charged with prostitution related offence. Another man - David James LeBlanc - was sentenced in June to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping, forcible confinement, sexual assault and other charges. That prison term also included child porn charges stemming from the Halifax area. The police investigation into the confinement case began last September after the boy was able escape and a woman reported seeing a barefoot teenager at her doorstep, chained at his wrists and ankles.  It was then reported to police.

Possible Gas Price Hike Coming Tonight!

Be prepared for a possible increase in South Shore gas prices after midnight tonight.  Thats when the Utility and Review Board will set the prices for the coming week.  In New Brunswick, prices there increased by two cents last night.  Regular self serve is selling there today for about $1.34.1 per litre.  Diesel and furnace oil are both up in New Brunswick by more than 2.5 cents a litre.  The price for propane has increased by just under a cent per litre.

Dexter Government Pumps Some Big Money Into Planned Chester Health Clinic

There will be an increase in health care in the Chester area with the help of some provincial funding. Last night, $500,000 was announced toward a new health clinic project in Shoreham Village.  Local MLA and Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse says the new clinic will encourage collaborative practice and will help attract new doctors to the area. Fund-raising has been underway for sometime for the proposed 12,500 square foot complex, to be comprised of new and existing space.  It'll include six family doctors' offices with connecting exam rooms, reception and information centres, administration offices, South Shore Health offices for mental health and addiction, a diabetic clinic and other services, blood collection, office space for visiting, and consulting professionals waiting rooms and volunteer support areas.  Its hoped the Chester health centre will be up and running within a couple of years.

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.