Queens: RCMP Increasing Patrols For Halloween

RCMP in Queens will increase patrols to make sure things remain safe on Halloween night. Corporal Victor Whalen says the detachment will treat the night like any other, but will have more bodies patrolling the area. He says their community policing officer has visited schools across the county to help spread Halloween safety tips. Whalen says the officer also handed out glow sticks.



Whalen says drivers should watch for people walking and crossing the street. He says kids should always walk with an adult or a group of friends while trick-or-treating.

Chester Will Keep Gold River School

Chester council will utilize space at the former Gold River-Western Shore elementary school. Council decided to relocate their recreational and community development departments, along with the local food bank to the building along Highway 3. Warden Allen Webber says they're estimating roughly $366,000 worth of renovations need to be done to the school before they can move in including fixing the roof, and interior work to suit the building to their needs. He expects work to start soon.



Roughly 15 staff members will be relocated to the former school. Webber feels they made the best decision for the community. Meanwhile, council has also directed staff to issue a request for proposals for the sale of the annex building, near the municipality's headquarters. The annex building currently houses the two municipal departments and the food bank.

Fall Storm Could Hit South Shore

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement regarding some nasty weather that could be on its way. The weather agency indicates a low-pressure system will move over the Great Lakes tomorrow and then intensify into a "large fall storm". Rain is expected to begin over western Nova Scotia late Halloween night and spread to the rest of the province overnight. A very windy, wet and mild day is expected on Friday. Environment Canada predicts potential for gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour. The statement covers Lunenburg, Shelburne, Queens and Yarmouth counties. The winds could potentially cause damage to some tree limbs and cause power disruptions. Special weather warnings might be issued as the system approaches.

Fall Back: More Sleep, Time Change This Weekend

We will gain an extra hour of sleep this weekend when daylight savings time ends. People are reminded to set their clocks back one hour before they go to bed on Saturday night. Clocks are not the only items that need adjusting. Microwave ovens, car clocks, watches and other household devices may need to be turned back. More good news, if you have a smart phone, normally the device will automatically change the time for you. It's also a good opportunity to clean dryer vents to prevent fires, and change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors should be tested monthly and replaced every 10 years.

Shelburne: Deadline Nears To Present At Water Hearing

Today is the deadline to register to be part of a water rate hearing in Shelburne. Those wishing to present evidence or cross examine witnesses need to notify the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board by the end of the day. The Town of Shelburne's water has applied for a water rate increase of 70 percent. CAO Dylan Heide says they are dealing with debt related to the costs of a large line connection project.



Heidi says the utility is facing a $200,000 shortfall. However, the results of a recent water rate study show the utility could be almost a million dollars in debt within two years. The hearing on the proposed water rate increase has been set for December 18 in Shelburne.

Chester: Future Of School Property To Be Decided

The future use of the former Gold River-Western Shore Elementary school is expected to be decided Wednesday. Council members in Chester have been debating the options for the last couple months. Now, it appears they're close to making a decision. Some of the ideas being discussed include selling the property, keeping it in the municipality's possession or demolishing the building. Council will meet this morning to try and come to a solution.

BREAKING: Mustangs Secure Charlie's Pizza As Title Sponsor

A huge boost for the South Shore Mustangs hockey club. Charlie's Pizza in Bridgewater has agreed to sign-on as a title sponsor for the next three years. Financial details weren't released, but President Lionel Haughn says the sponsorship will take a burden off of families. He says a lot of money goes into running a hockey club.




Haughn says the club has been without a title sponsor for the last two years and he's excited about the new partnership. The team is now known as the Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs.

Councillor Wants Urban Tree Farm In Bridgewater

A new idea has sprouted up to try and grow more trees in Bridgewater. Councillor Michael Graves is behind the plan. He would like to start planting tree saplings and then re-plant them five, 10 or 15 years down the road in different areas of Bridgewater or sell them to other municipalities. He says the trees would be planted in a controlled environment.



Graves feels there would be little costs and he would like to see the program implemented as early as next year. However, town staff will issue a report back to council on the capabilities of the project.

Food Bank Fundraiser, "Sounds Good"

A weekend fundraiser for a pair of Lunenburg County food banks will help the organization prepare for the busy Christmas season. The Bridgewater Fire Department Band held a concert Sunday night in support of the Lunenburg and Bridgewater Food Banks. The local band was joined by the 14 Wing Greenwood Brass Band at the Central United Church in Lunenburg. They were able to help raise just over $1,100 in cash donations. A large amount of food was also donated at the door as part of the fundraiser. Food banks across the province are heading into their busiest time of year - the highest demand for food usually falls in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Bridgewater: McInnis Re-Elected Deputy Mayor

Bill McInnis will serve another year as Bridgewater's deputy mayor. He was re-elected to the position following a secret ballot vote during Monday night's council meeting. McInnis says he's humbled and appreciative to be given another term. He says the first year wasn't what he expected.



The town selects a deputy mayor every year while some municipalities choose one every second year or once a term.

Lumberjacks Relieve Watkins Of Coaching Duties

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks continue to make headlines. The team has relieved head coach Ron Watkins of his duties after 16 games. Watkins brought a wealth of coaching experience to the position including over 10 years as an assistant in the Junior 'A' ranks, as well as head coaching stints with the Canada Games men's and women's squads, and team Atlantic at the under-17 world championship. The move comes just as the team traded top scorer Shawn Boudreau to Yarmouth and just over a week after captain Mitch Henneberry was shipped to Summerside. Owner Ken Petrie says they have brought-in Matt Church as an associate coach. However, he adds the club is still actively looking for a new head coach.

Legion's Poppy Campaign Underway

The Royal Canadian Legion's annual poppy campaign leading up to Remembrance Day is underway. Poppies will be sold by war veterans on street corners, gas stations and at grocery stores. More than 18-million poppies have been distributed to the legion’s branches. The money raised goes towards helping veterans and their families. In 2012, the campaign raised around $14-million. Since 1921, the poppy has been a symbol of remembrance to honour soldiers and military personnel who have lost their lives during war and other combat operations.

Park View Students Medal At NSSAF Cross-Country Provincials

A pair of Park View athletes have earned medals at the NSSAF provincial cross-country championships. Tobias Wolter of Conquerall Mills won gold in the senior boys seven-kilometre run. He posted a time of 23 minutes, 10 seconds and won by over a minute. Also, Sarah Taylor took silver in the senior girls five-kilometre run. She finished in a time of 20 minutes, 58 seconds; 45 seconds behind the eventual winner from Riverview. The event was held Monday in New Minas.

Bridgewater Mayor: New Mall Tenants "Significant Boost" For Town

Bridgewater's mayor is applauding the owners of the town's mall for bringing in a variety of new tenants. Four new outlets will occupy space in the former Zellers building on LaHave Street including Leon's, Sport Chek, and Winners. Mark's Work Warehouse will move from Cookville to the Bridgewater Mall, while Dollarama will expand its store. David Walker doesn't know how many jobs will be created, but feels its a significant boost for the town.



Walker says the new stores will bring competition to the area, and give the customers variety. A multi-million dollar renovation is underway at the mall, with many of the tenants expected to move in by next spring.

Visitor Restriction Ban Lifted At Bridgewater Hospital

A visitor restriction at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater has been lifted. A ban was put in place last week because a gastrointestinal illness was detected in multiple units of the hospital. Visitation was limited to immediate family and caregivers. South Shore Health will continue to monitor the situation, but no longer feels visitation restrictions are necessary. There have been no new cases reported since October 25.

Lumberjacks Owner Stands Behind Team

With one win in 16 games, the owner of the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks admits its been a tough year so far. However, Ken Petrie remains optimistic things will turn around for the Junior 'A' club. He says he wants a winning team, the town wants a successful team and he's trying to deliver.




In the last month, the Jacks have traded their captain, Mitch Hennebury, and most recently, assistant captain Shawn Boudreau in return for prospects, draft picks and future considerations. The Lumberjacks are in last place in their division, 10 points behind the fifth place Amherst Ramblers.

Lumberjacks Trade Boudreau To Yarmouth

One of the Lumberjacks top scorers has been shipped to their South Shore rivals. Nineteen-year-old Shawn Boudreau is off to Yarmouth for Austin Dunlevy, Matt Wright, a second round pick in 2014, a fifth round pick in 2015 and future considerations. Boudreau notched seven goals and three assists in 16 games with the Bridgewater club this season. He has 92 career points in the MHL. The Lumberjacks originally acquired Boudreau from Yarmouth in 2011 as part of the Andrew Wigg deal. He heads back to a Mariners team that is ranked ninth in the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Meanwhile, the Lumberjacks also traded Brett Arthur to Yarmouth for Devon Earle and future considerations. The Jacks have just one win in 16 games this season.

'Jeans and Gems' Raises Over $19,000 Towards New X-Ray Unit

A fundraiser has raised over $19,000 towards a new piece of equipment at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. The Health Services Foundation of the South Shore held its 14th annual 'Jeans and Gems' event at the Michelin Social Club on Saturday. Money raised is going towards a new mobile x-ray unit. Development Officer Bernadette Jordan says the current unit is outdated.



The new mobile x-ray unit costs roughly $225,000. Jordan says they have more fundraisers planned including the radiothon in February, to help raise enough money to purchase the new equipment.

Bridgewater: Mall Upgrade Means Dozens Of New Jobs

Dozens of new retail jobs will be coming to the South Shore as a host of new stores are set to open in the new year. Michael Levy of the Bridgewater Mall has confirmed a multi-million dollar makeover at the building is underway. They have also secured several new tenants which are set to move into the mall in the new year - they include Winners, Sport Chek, Mark's and Leon's. Co-owner of Leon's in Coldbrook, Colin Lewis says they are excited about expanding to the South Shore.



Lewis says they hope to be open by March. The bid to attract new tenants to the mall began when Zellers and a few other stores closed earlier this year. An exact total on the number of new employment opportunities is not known at the point.

Wet Roads Potential Cause Of Crash Near Chester

Heavy water on the road might be the primary factor behind a crash near Exit 6 on Sunday afternoon. Chester RCMP responded to a collision involving two cars around 1 o'clock. Police had the highway shut down for a period of time while the scene was cleared up. A 63-year-old woman was transported to South Shore Regional Hospital with minor injuries. Mounties say the roads were extremely wet and it was raining heavily at the time of the crash. However, the cause of the crash is under investigation.