Natural Sunscreen Is Best Option - Nutritionist

Ever wonder what key ingredients you should be looking for when buying sunscreen? The Canadian Health Food Association has released this summers top five trends at health food stores. Nutritionist Michelle Book says it's important to know what products you use on your skin. She says you should be looking for a natural mineral based sunscreen.



Other hot trends this summer include organic foods, watermelon, maple water and supplements with Omega-3's. The complete list of healthy trends this summer can be found at www.chfa.ca

South Shore Students Recognized By Province's Lieutenant Governor

Eleven South Shore students have been recognized by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Brigadier-General J.J. Grant visited Bridgewater Junior Senior High to present education medals. Two students from Bridgewater Junior Senior High, Forest Heights, Liverpool High, New Germany Rural High, Park View and one from North Queens were named recipients. The medals are handed out to a boy and girl in grade 11 who demonstrate leadership and service in their school and community while maintaining their academic standing. Staff at the schools nominate students annually. The winners are named below.

2013-2014 Recipients of the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal 

Bridgewater Junior Senior High School 
Micaela Lee Sabean
Dylan Kristopher Wile

Forest Heights Community School 
Katelyn Ann Dorey
Kelby Lionel Russell

Liverpool Regional High School 
Lori Alyssa Anthony
Jacob Daniel Mooers

New Germany Rural High School 
Katherine Margaret Hastings Porter
Avery Wesley Charles Jenkins

North Queens Rural High School 
Lukas Harold von Wahl

Park View Education Centre 
Aidan Isobel Beresford Davidson
Dante Ozgood (Ozzie) Damiani

Don't Be Swayed By Those Free Trial Offer Pop-Ups

Do you feel yourself being harassed by all those virtual "popups" coming at you while surfing the Net? They all have a common theme .... luring you into trying out a product for free with the option of purchasing later on. The Better Business Bureau is receiving daily complaints from Maritime consumers who've been taken for a ride by these offers. The BBB's Jill Atkinson says its a mine-field out there for consumers and you have to be careful with the so called Free Trial Offers.



Atkinson says there are many legitimate companies offering their products on a free trial basis but you need to do research. There are just as many on-line scams though, whose only purpose is to steal your personal financial information and money.

Here are suggestions from the Better Business Bureau:

Know the company you are dealing with. Consumers have advised that they don’t know where the company is located, do not have a telephone number and sometimes do not have an actual company name just a product name.

Research the company online. Check with BBB for a Business Review on the company. Check online to see what other people are saying about the company’s free trial. Complaints from other consumers can raise some red flags about the company, product or service.

Know what the terms and conditions are for the offer. Always take the time to read the fine print.  If the company does not post what the terms and conditions are in its ads, or on its website then this should be a red flag to not sign up.

Look for who’s behind the offer. Just because you are on a website doesn’t mean that the “pop-up” is for that company.

Watch out for pre-checked boxes. Take the time to look for already checked boxes. That checkmark may give the company the go ahead to continue the offer past the free trial or sign you up for more products that you have to pay for.

Mark your calendar. Most free trial offers have a time limit. Once it passes without you telling the company to cancel your order, you may be on the hook for more products.

Read you credit and debit card statements. That way you will know if you have been charged for something that you didn’t order. If you have been charged, contact the company immediately to sort it out. If this does not work then contact your credit card company to dispute the charges.

Gasoline Prices Have Increased

Gas prices have increased overnight at South Shore pumps. Regular self serve is up 2 cents this morning to $1.39.3 a litre. High test is up by the same to $1.48.2. Diesel has increased just over a cent to $1.36.3.

Digby: Man Facing Sex Charges Arrested

RCMP in Digby have arrested a 60 year-old man wanted on sex charges in Ontario. The man was arrested on Monday. He's facing charges of sexual assault and sexual interference with a person under 16. Officers with the Ontario Provincial Police are now escorting the man back for a court date. Mounties say they searched a home in Digby and seized items that will be turned over to the OPP. Further charges could be laid.

New Tim's App Launched For Coffee Lovers

It might be a faster way to grab your double-double. Tim Horton's is rolling out a new app which the company says will make it easier to pay for your coffee or sweet treat. The "Timmy Me" app will allow you to scan the barcodes on gift cards which act like credit to use on your phone. The app will also show you where the nearest Tim's restaurant is located. It can be downloaded for Iphone, Android and Blackberry 10's.

RCMP ID Woman Killed In Water Mishap

Mounties are releasing the name of the Moncton woman killed in a mishap on the water over the long weekend in Pictou County. Sixty-six year-old Jeanne Francis Lipton was killed when her inflatable dinghy got caught in the current and changing tides which carried her out into the Northumberland Strait. When emergency crews found her - she was unconscious and later pronounced dead in hospital in New Glasgow. Police say their investigation is over - and have ruled out foul play.

Yarmouth Ferry Service Postponed Between May 27-29

A number of ferry crossings from Yarmouth to Maine have been cancelled. Sailings between May 27-29 will not happen to allow Nova Star Cruises to replace the vessel's Marine Evacuation System. It's considered to be a one time maintenance requirement. The U.S. Coast Guard required Nova Star to activate its MES during an inspection in April. Nova Star has been using a fully operational loaner onboard. It will be switched with Nova Star's system. Guests who have reservations during next week's cancellations will be refunded. The ferry will resume service on May 29, leaving Portland around 10pm for Yarmouth.

Capital Repairs Announced For Six South Shore Schools

Six South Shore schools are about to receive upgrades or repairs. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development announced last December it was increasing capital repairs funding by $9-million. Barrington Municipal High School, Chester Area Middle School, Hebbville Academy, Lockeport Elementary, West Northfield Elementary and Dr. John C. Wickwire Academy in Liverpool are approved for renovations. Work will begin as soon as possible. The projects include roof repairs, window replacements, gym improvements, paving, upgrades to askilled trades classroom, and creating community resource spaces.

Bridgewater: Cab Company Request In Limbo

The co-owner of Reliable Cab is still waiting for a resolution with the town of Bridgewater. Darrell Watson approached the town two months ago looking for help after potholes caused roughly $7,000 worth of damage to his vehicles. However, other than a letter from the town's insurance adjustor, nothing has been solved. Watson feels he isn't the only one affected by the problem.



Watson is looking to be reimbursed for some of the costs. He also wants the town to be accountable and acknowledge that more could be done to improve potholes during the winter months. However, he doesn't expect the town to accept responsibility.

South Shore Firewood Crisis Predicted

Imagine a South Shore home that relies on wood-heat not having firewood to burn! It translates into hardship and thats what the MLA for Queens-Shelburne is predicting if wood suppliers don't soon gain access to Crown lands to harvest wood for next fall and winter. Sterling Belliveau says his former NDP government secured the Bowater woodlands, protecting them from foreign buyers, and the present government is now refusing to issue permits to local fire wood suppliers. He says this is all about a lack of leadership by the Minister of Natural Resources.



Belliveau says firewood needs to be harvested now so it can dry through the summer for use next fall and winter. He's already been denied an emergency meeting of the province's Resources Committee to deal with the crisis. Belliveau says firewood producers have apparently met with staff from the Department of Natural Resources but with little success. 

Former Health Minister Calls For Emergency Centre At Fishermen's Memorial Hospital

A former Nova Scotia health minister is calling upon the McNeil government to put an end to chronic emergency room closures once and for all at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg. Dave Wilson says he helped set the wheels in motion long ago to establish a collaborative emergency centre at Fishermen's. However, he believes the plan has been shelved until the provincial health reform process is completed.



Wilson says anywhere collaborative emergency centres have been set up, there have been dramatic declines in ER closures in the communities involved. He's calling upon the government to re-think the plan.

South Shore Health Welcomes New CEO

There's new leadership at South Shore Health. Janet Knox will take over the top position within the local health authority as the president and chief executive officer. Knox currently heads up Annapolis Valley Health - and has held that position for the past ten years. She says ensuring there's a smooth transition when health authorities amalgamate next April is a top priority.



Knox will maintain her position in the valley and will assume a shared role with South Shore Health. She was officially welcomed to the area today during a regular board meeting in Bridgewater. It fills a position left vacant when former president and CEO Dr. Peter Vaughan took a position with the Department of Health.

Missing Teenager Located In Bridgewater

Halifax police say a young girl reported missing earlier today has been located safe and sound. 17 year-old Kaylee Patterson was reported missing shortly after midnight. She was located unharmed this morning in Bridgewater. Halifax Regional Police are thanking the media and the public for help in finding the girl.

Slight Change, If Any, Tomorrow In Gas Prices

Look for gas prices here to remain steady or rise just a little overnight tonight. Gas prices are up some this morning in New Brunswick after the weekly setting at midnight. Self serve regular and diesel both up in New Brunswick by about a cent a litre. Prices at South Shore pumps this morning remain at $1.37.2 a litre for regular self serve and about $1.35.1 for diesel.

New Visitor Centre Hoping For More Tourists In 2014

The Bridgewater and Lunenburg District Visitor Information Centre in Blockhouse saw over 8,000 people last season. The centre was open from May 14 until October 25 at its new location after it moved from the Pine Grove shopping centre. Most of the visitors were from the province with others coming from Quebec and Ontario. There was some traffic from the U.S. and overseas but numbers were low. Manager Denise Penny says they're hoping for more tourists this year.



She says the addition of the Yarmouth ferry should help increase numbers to the area. She's also hoping to include a sign along Highway 103 traveling towards Blockhouse that will indicate their location.

Autopsy Confirms MacIntosh Fell Into River

Police in Saskatoon say autopsy results have confirmed human remains found over the weekend - are those - of a Lunenburg native. Gregory Myles MacIntosh went missing on the night of his stag party on February 2nd. Police believed the 28 year-old had fell into the Saskatchewan River late that night after getting into an argument. His remains were located by marine researchers who then notified RCMP. MacIntosh had been working as an electrician and living out west for the past four years. He was due to get married in February.

Environment Critic: "Province May Need Clean Water Act"

The MLA for Pictou West says the province might need to consider tougher laws surrounding drinking water and follow-up testing at municipal facilities. Progressive Conservative Karla MacFarlane says clean water is essential and our most important natural resource. A new report by the auditor general indicates the province's environment department needs to do a better job of testing and monitoring drinking water supplies to ensure public safety. She says there needs to be stronger policies in place.



The report also reveals cases where water samples were not taken within 30 days after a boil water advisory was lifted. MacFarlane says she's deeply concerned and feels stricter laws and procedures are needed in the province.

Physical Activity Levels Low For Canadian Kids

Some glaring numbers for Canadian youth who barely receive a passing grade for physical activity. Active Healthy Kids Canada released its annual report card on physical activity for children and youth. This country was near the bottom of the pack after it was graded a 'D minus.' However, it's not for a lack of facilities. Canada is considered among the leaders in physical activity infrastructure and programs. Yvonne Smith, the CEO of the YMCA's in South West Nova Scotia, says questions need to be asked.



Only seven per cent of five-to-11-year-olds and four per cent of 12-to-17-year-olds in Canada met the recommended target of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily. The report indicates the numbers are because a 'culture of convenience' why many Canadian kids aren't more active. Smith says youth should have a voice to indicate what they need to be more physically active. The report encourages a mix of activities throughout the day including sport and active transportation to help reach suggested targets.

Union Launches Court Challenge Against NS Government

The Nova Scotia government is being sued by the province's Government and General Employees Union. The NSGEU lawsuit filed in supreme court is aimed at the Essential Home-Support Services Act, passed earlier this spring by the McNeil government. According to union president Joan Jessome, the law violates the right to collective bargaining for home-support workers. She says it also discriminates against women, 90 percent of whom are involved in home-support.



The McNeil government claims the law requires both sides in a dispute to determine who is an essential worker before a strike can happen. However, it says it does not take away the right to strike. Meanwhile, the NSGEU isn’t the only union launching a legal challenge on essential services legislation. Last Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada began hearing a Charter challenge launched by the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, which argues that essential services legislation and changes made to the Trade Union Act in their province are inconsistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This Supreme Court case and ruling will have a significant impact on the legal challenge the NSGEU has launched in Nova Scotia.