Fire Destroys Grimm Road Home And Garage

A home is completely destroyed after a fire Saturday evening in Grimms Settlement. Lunenburg and District Fire Chief Darren Romkey says the blaze happened around 6:45pm at the Grimm Road home. He says the home and a garage were fully engulfed when they arrived on scene. Members from Dayspring, Riverport and Bridgewater fire departments also responded to the call while four others were put on standby. Romkey says one person was home at the time and managed to get out safely. The chief believes the fire started in the home's dryer and quickly spread. Nova Scotia Power, RCMP, EHS and the Department of Transportation were also called to the scene.

Charge Laid After Car Crashes Into School Bus

Police are laying a charge after a school bus and car collided in a intersection earlier this week in Bridgewater. Police say the driver of the car failed to stop at a red light. The crash occurred during a snow storm on Wednesday. There were roughly 20 students on board. Police say there were not any injuries. The matter will be before a judge on April 11.

Flag Signings Help Raise Almost $3,000 For Olympian Duckworth

Residents of Lunenburg County have stepped up in support of Olympian Alex Duckworth. People donated almost $887.50 as part of a week-long flag signings at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. The money is being added to the $2,000 contributed to Duckworth by the town of Bridgewater and Municipality of Lunenburg. Mayor Don Downe feels the real boost comes from the people.



Downe will present the signed flags and money to Duckworth's parents Friday night before they travel to Sochi, Russia to watch their daughter compete. The 26-year-old Duckworth hits the half-pipe Wednesday February 12. She will compete at 6am our time. If she qualifies for the semi-finals, she will be back on the hill at 11am. The finals will also be Wednesday at 3:30pm local time. (Photo Courtesy: Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

Bridgewater: Residents Get Early Look At Off-Leash Park

Bridgewater residents are encouraged to grab their dog and bring them to Generations Active Park on Saturday. An orientation will be held focusing on the new off-leash site. The park is moving forward and is currently seeking sponsorship or fundraising opportunities. Town Councillor Andrew Tanner says the meeting will help keep people in the loop.



Tanner says he's optimistic the park will be ready for use sometime this spring. People are asked to gather in the parking lot of HB Studios. The meeting will be held at 10am Saturday morning.

Pharmacy Flu Shots Exceed Expectations

As the flu season begins to wind down, health officials in Nova Scotia are taking stock of the success of the flu vaccine program. Health Minister Leo Glavine tells us allowing pharmacies to give flu shots has exceeded all expectations.



It was originally projected 20-thousand shots might be given by drug stores province-wide. That number has ballooned to almost 75-thousand.

Mustangs Resume Playoff Series With Valley

A pivotal game three for the Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs on Saturday night. The Mustangs can take a strangle-hold in their playoff series against the Valley Wildcats with a win. The South Shore club leads the best-of-seven, two games to none. It's also minor hockey appreciation weekend for the Mustangs. Kids who wear their team jerseys get into the games for free. Game three goes Saturday night at 8:30. Game four will be played Sunday afternoon at 5pm. Both games are at the Clearwater Seafoods Arena.

Lower Gas Prices

A bit of a surprise at the gas pumps this morning! Prices are actually down some. Regular self serve down by almost a cent to $1.34 at South Shore pumps. High test is at $1.42.9. Diesel is also lower this morning, selling at many spots at $1.49.8.

Mock Exercise Tests Emergency Organization's Preparedness

It's considered the best way to prepare for any future emergencies. The Nova Scotia Emergency Measures Office set up mock exercises simulating five major disasters including a train derailment and a six-car motor vehicle accident involving a fatality. The exercises put officials with Lunenburg County's Regional Emergency Measures Organization under the gun. Spokesperson John Collyer says it's important for them to prepare for any situation.



The towns of Bridgewater and Mahone Bay along with the Municipalities of Chester and Lunenburg make up the local REMO outfit. He says EMO will issue a report back to them, evaluating how they reacted in the situations and offering advice to help them improve. Collyer is reminding all local residents to have enough supplies to survive for 72 hours in case there is an emergency. For details on what should be included in an emergency kit, click here .

Kippers School Of Gymnastics Celebrating 40 Years

Forty years and counting for Kippers School of Gymnastics. The Bridgewater club will hold an open house at their space inside the Gateway Plaza Mall on Saturday from 1pm to 4pm. The open house is an opportunity for the public to learn more information on programs being offered or to watch demonstrations by gymnasts and cheerleaders. The host and current coach, Deanne Oickle-Conrad, says there are benefits with their programs.



Oickle-Conrad says the club has been through a lot in 40 years and this event is a chance to say thank you and get more people involved.

Landmark South Shore Church Expanding

At a time when many Nova Scotia churches are closing because of declining congregations, a South Shore House of Worship is actually expanding! The congregation at the 94 year old Bridgewater Baptist Church on King Street has ambitious plans for a 5.2 million dollar new building. They've just about reached the goal and approval's been given for the project. Pastor, Dr. Brian MacArthur, tells us expanding wouldn't be possible without a growing and dynamic community behind it.



Dr. MacArthur also says the new facility will help in the church's expanding community outreach.



The new Bridgewater Baptist will rise on a parcel of already-purchased land just off Glen Allen Drive. Its hoped to be ready for parishoners in time for Easter next year (2015).

Bridgewater: Town Adds Kinsmen Field To Budget Talks

The future of Kinsmen Field in Bridgewater will be put to the test this spring. The town must decide if it will contribute money towards fixing drainage at the field in its upcoming budget. Mayor David Walker says that could cost upwards of $70,000.




The town already has $30,000 set aside for the work following last summer's Kraft Celebration Tour. Fixing up the field is part of a proposed three phase project which includes adding a storm sewer system on Oak Street to intercept water from flowing onto the field. The cost to do that is around $70,000. The three phase project could cost as much as $200,000 to complete.

Gasoline Prices May Rise Tonight

Gas prices may increase yet again tonight at South Shore pumps after the utility and review board sets the week's rates. In New Brunswick today, prices there are up about a cent for both regular self serve gas and diesel. The average price this morning is $1.32.4 a litre for regular gas. If there's a similar increase here tonight, the price will be almost $1.36 a litre for regular.

The Storm Is Over And The Cleanup Is On

The snow has ended, another day is here, its sunny but there is still a mess to be dealt with today. About 20 cm of snow fell on the South Shore yesterday and this morning the cleanup is underway. If you're driving, do so carefully! All roads are snow-covered and slippery!
Things are returning to normal at the Halifax airport this morning following yesterday's slew of delays and cancellations. As far as school is concerned, Tri-County schools are closed for the day. All South Shore schools are open with the exception of the Waldorf School and the Forest Heights family of schools. Also, school buses are following the back-road closure plan. In the Valley, Annapolis County schools are closed. Kings/West Hants schools are open but bus drivers are using discretion on the side roads.

Bridgewater: No Injuries In School Bus Crash

No one was hurt when a school bus and another vehicle collided yesterday afternoon at an intersection in Bridgewater. It happened at York Street and Victoria Road during the height of the snow storm. There were young children on the bus at the time but they were not injured. They were loaded aboard another bus and taken home for the day. No word on any charges related to the crash.

Mahone Bay Looking To Increase Water Rates

The town of Mahone Bay is looking to increase its water rates. Council has applied for a 6.7 per cent hike annually for the next three years. Mayor Joe Feeney says the town's utility ended last year in a deficit of close to $240,000. He says changes need to be made.



Feeney says the province's Utility and Review Board will hold a rate increase hearing in Mahone Bay around the end of April.

Queens RCMP Search For Stolen Car

Queens County RCMP are on the lookout for a stolen vehicle. The Mounties says a 2000 silver pontiac grand am was stolen sometime between midnight and 4am Tuesday morning from a home in Milton. Corporal Victor Whalen says the Nova Scotia license plate is DDD 677. Anyone with information can contact Queens RCMP or crime stoppers.

Lunenburg: Winter Storm Parking Advisory Imposed

It's probably not a good idea to park your vehicle for a long time on the streets of Lunenburg. A winter parking advisory has been imposed in the town. The region is expected to receive up to 25 centimetres of snow over the next 24 hours. Corporal Bill Wilcox of the Lunenburg RCMP says they want to make sure the roads can be cleared properly.



Wilcox says those who don't follow the advisory can be given a ticket and towed. He says they had to tow more than 14 vehicles during the past two snow storms.

Fears Lunenburg Man Drowned In Saskatchewan River

There are fears a 28 year Lunenburg man has drowned after falling into a river in Saskatchewan. Greg MacIntosh has been missing since leaving a bar last Saturday. McIntosh and his friends were celebrating his upcoming wedding in Saskatoon. He left the bar around midnight and hasn't been seen since. The same night rescue crews were called after two witnesses reported seeing a person walking on the South Saskatchewan River who suddenly disappeared into the water. MacIntosh was working as an electrician and living out west for the past four years. He was set to get married on February 15. Police are still interviewing witnesses and are investigating both incidents separately.

Ferry Loss Upsetting Residents: Councillor

The loss of the LaHave River Ferry has stretched into over a month. The ferry has been out of operation since it broke free from its cable during a wind and snowstorm on January 3. Since then, crews have been working to fix the vessel and get it back into service as quickly as possible. The councillor representing West LaHave, Martin Bell, says some residents are beginning to get tired of the extra drive.



Bell says he hopes the ferry will return to serve residents sooner rather than later. A spokesperson with the Department of Transportation is now saying it could be the end of this week before the ferry resumes operations.

MODL: Resident Calls For Councillor Resignation Over Street Light Issue

Six streetlights will be re-installed along the Leary Fraser Road, but it might not be enough. Homeowner Carmen Fraser says the removal of the lights by local councillor Frank Fawson jeopardized the safety and security of those who live and work on the road. Fraser is putting out a call for his resignation.



He says Fawson should have consulted with residents and businesses before removing the lights. However, Fawson says he's not resigning because he didn't do anything wrong.



Council has contacted Nova Scotia Power in an effort to get the lights re-installed. There has been no indication when the lights will be back on the road.