Updated: Highway 103 Re-Opens After Fatal Crash

Highway 103 has re-opened following a two vehicle crash between exits 9 and 10 early this morning heading towards Halifax. The highway was closed roughly six hours after an 18-wheeler collided with a honda civic around 7:45am. RCMP Sgt. Alain LeBlanc says  the driver of the Honda was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver of the tractor trailer was treated by EHS and released. Police are investigating the incident.

Michelin Junior Bike Event Rolls Into Bridgewater

Look out for bicycles, tricycles and training wheels this weekend in Bridgewater. The Michelin Junior Bike event rolls into town Saturday at Empire Theatres. The event promotes bicycle and helmet safety for young riders. Almost 300 kids are expected to participate and learn safe practices. The event will be held rain or shine from 10am until noon.

Riverport Pub Stalls As Developer Backs Out

The future of a pub and marina in Riverport is up in the air. Local resident Peter Knowles is behind the development and recently announced on facebook that he "cannot continue with the Heron Pub." He continued by saying "Fundraising efforts have been terribly disappointing, unable to secure more than a couple of founders to support the pub and my own resources are now tapped out." The Riverport area advisory committee supported the idea during a recent meeting. Knowles added in the post "I would like to offer the project to the community in the hope that some individual or group have the means to take this great community anchor to fruition." A phone call to Knowles has not been returned.

Stunting Charge Laid In Bridgewater

Bridgewater police have laid a stunting charge after a motorcycle was spotted going nearly 80 km/hr over the speed limit in the downtown area. Police say they clocked the bike going 128 km/hr in a 50 zone on High Street. The driver and female passenger were stopped this morning on Victoria Road. If convicted, the charge carries a fine of nearly $2,400. The motorcycle was seized and the driver is due in court in August.

Emergency Department Closures At Lunenburg Hospital

There will be a pair of closures in the emergency department at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg this weekend. The first closure will be in effect starting at 6pm Friday evening until 7:30 Saturday morning. The emergency department will also close Saturday evening at 6pm and re-open Sunday morning at 7:30. Anyone requiring emergency services is advised to call 911 or visit the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. Patients with non-emergencies should contact their family physician or call Health Link 811 for medical advice.

Emergency Officials Locate Missing Man In Shelburne County

A 55-year-old Dartmouth man is safe after he got lost in the woods in Shelburne County. RCMP say the man was last seen by family members on Ensor's Road in Welshtown Thursday afternoon before he unexpectedly fled into the woods. Police along with Barrington Ground Search and Rescue and officials with the Shelburne Fire Department found the man in the area around 9pm Thursday night. RCMP say the man was in fair condition. He was examined by EHS before he was transported to hospital.

ALS Walk Held In Western Shore

People will gather in Western Shore this weekend in hopes of raising awareness and money for ALS. The fourth annual ALS walk gets underway at 10am Saturday at the community's fire hall. Registration will be held at 9am. One of the coordinators, David Moore, says the funds raised will be split into different areas.




ALS is a neuromuscular disease that causes motor nerve cells to die and voluntary muscles to degenerate. Those living with the disease become progressively paralyzed, eventually unable to breathe or swallow. Moore says they're hoping to raise $20,000 during this year's event.

South Shore Students Win At Canadian Science Fair

Four students from schools within the South Shore Regional School Board district have returned from the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Lethbridge, Alberta. They brought home some impressive experiences and awards to show for it. Being recognized for their science projects are Erin Smith and Jessica Vaszily of Bayview Community School, Sierra Oakes of Bridgewater Junior-Senior High and Malcolm Mann of Bluenose Academy. The South Shore Regional School Board has been taking part in the Canada-Wide Science Fair since 1999. South Shore students have won a total of $67,878.00 in prize money as well as many awards and medals.
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These were the projects of the 4 South Shore winners at the Canada-Wide Science Fair:
Erin Smith from Bayview Community School in Mahone Bay titled her project, “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” This project looked at the possibility of using melting snow to produce clean energy to offset the average household winter heating costs.
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Sierra Oakes from Bridgewater Junior-Senior High School looked at creating energy by using different natural oils combined with water. Her project, “Opposites make a powerful difference,” used a variety of oils to create energy by rising above the water and hitting a propeller. Sierra was presented with an excellence award, bronze medal and a bronze medal from Western University.
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“Poison-Us Puckers,” the project by Bayview Community School Student Jessica Vaszily looked at lead content in lipstick. Her project examined the presence of lead in lipstick, and if the amount is related to the level of shine and sparkle.
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Malcolm Mann of Bluenose Academy in Lunenburg investigated whether adding tubercles, the small bumps on the leading edge of humpback whale fins which improve their mobility, on sailboat folds could improve the lift and increase the stall angle of the foil. Malcolm received three different awards, including two silver medals in excellence from Western University, as well as the Carlson Wagonlit Award.

South Shore Gas Prices Down Some

Gas prices along the South Shore are down a bit today (Friday). The utility and review board dropped the price overnight by almost two cents a litre. Regular self serve is selling for $1.29.1 per litre. High test is down also by a similar amount to $1.38.1. Diesel is selling for $1.28.5 per litre, down some as well.

Local Pastor Named New Chaplain For Bridgewater Police Service

The Bridgewater Police Service is turning to a local pastor to be their new chaplain. Reverend Paul Jensen of St. Paul's Lutheran Church has been named to the position. He was recognized during a reception earlier this week. Jensen says he looks forward to helping police.




Jensen is also expected to assist in police duties from time to time.

Wind Farm Opponents Present Case To Utility Board

A regulatory hearing is underway in relation to a large wind farm near New Ross. Eight days have been set aside for the hearing before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. Fifteen witnesses will be called to present evidence in relation to wind energy. The Friends of South Canoe Lake claim Chester council didn't have enough information on wind power before approving the project. Three developers want to construct 34 turbines stretching between Vaughan and New Ross. Chester council approved the $200 million wind farm in March.

Town Approves Grants To Organizations Policy

The town of Bridgewater has approved a new policy dealing with grants to organizations. The policy is needed to help provide guidelines for awarding money to non-profit organizations or societies that apply to the town for financial assistance. Deputy Mayor Bill McInnis says its council's intent to contact groups who have been applying since 2008.



Under the policy, there is now criteria for determining eligible applicants, separate grant categories and a process for reviewing and shortlisting applications.

Taylor Named To Canadian Sevens For University Games

A Bridgewater native has been named to the Canadian rugby sevens team for this summer's World University Games. Matt Taylor goes to school at the Royal Military College of Canada. He's listed as a centre on the school's team roster. Taylor is the lone Nova Scotian on the squad, which was announced on Tuesday. The Canadian rugby sevens team will make its debut at the World University Games July 14-17 in Kazan, Russia.

Public Input Sought In Yarmouth Arson Investigation

The RCMP in Yarmouth is hoping the public will help in their investigation of two recent suspicious fires. Late in the evening on April 11th, a fire in an apartment building on Forbes Street in the town was put out by a tenant before the fire department arrived. Then, late in the evening on April 29th, RCMP were again called to the same Forbes Street location after the Yarmouth Fire Department responded to another blaze which they again labelled suspicious. Both fires are being investigated and the RCMP hopes the public will help them locate a suspect or suspects. If you have any information regarding these crimes, please contact the Yarmouth Town RCMP at 902-742-8777 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Data Released On Hand Hygiene, C. Difficile At South Shore Health

The public can now access statistics on how often health workers clean their hands and patients get ill from the hospital-acquired C. difficile. The province's Health and Wellness Minister announced the new public reports during an announcement Wednesday at the regional hospital in Bridgewater. The reports indicate South Shore Health has the top hand-washing practices in the province for the first three months of this year. The health authority has an 87 per cent hand-washing rate before patient contact and a 92 per cent mark afterwards. President and CEO, Dr. Peter Vaughan, says they need to continue working towards their goal of 100 per cent.



South Shore Health is also above the provincial average of C. difficile for the same time period. The data says five people out of 10,000 patients contracted the bacteria, while the province averages about three. The Nova Scotia government passed law in May 2012 called the Patient Safety Act that requires hospitals to collect information called Patient Safety Indicators and report results to Department of Health and Wellness and the public. The findings can be found on the department's website.

Regulatory Hearing For Wind Farm Begins

A hearing before the province's regulatory board regarding a large wind farm begins today in New Ross. The Friends of South Canoe Lake are leading an appeal with the Nova Scotia Utilities and Review Board on the $200 million South Canoe Wind Project. They claim the development will lower their property value and cause health issues. The organization is appealing Chester council's decision to enter into a development agreement with the proponents of the wind farm. Councillors voted 6-1 on March 14 to approve the project after a pair of exhaustive public hearings. Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Oxford Frozen Foods and Nova Scotia Power are leading the project. If it moves ahead, it would generate enough power to heat 32,000 homes.

Gail Benoit's Case Delayed Again In Bridgewater

A notorious dog broker failed to appear in Bridgewater court this afternoon. Gail Benoit was scheduled to enter pleas on charges of fraud, theft and identity fraud. The charges are related to the alleged illegal sale of two boxer dogs. Crown Lawyer Lloyd Tancock told court he wants to change Benoit's release conditions which currently prohibit her from selling dogs. However, Tancock would not reveal the new conditions. He says the accused needs to be present in order to make the changes. The matter has been put over until June 19th.

Exterior Upgrades Improve Forties Community Centre

The exterior of the Forties Community Centre in New Ross has been spruced up with the help of the federal and provincial government. The facility has new siding, insulation and gutters after receiving $28,000 from Ottawa and $10,000 from the province. The Municipality of Chester also chipped-in with $8,000 and the centre itself raised $15,000 to complete the renovations. The total cost was around $61,000. In a release, board of directors chair Phillip Broome says the upgrades give a new face to a facility that enhances the lives of people in the region. The Forties Community Centre hosts a variety of events including dinners, crib tournaments and craft fairs.

Power Outage Reported In Gold River-Western Shore Area

Nova Scotia Power is reporting an outage in Gold River, Western Shore and surrounding communities as of 12:30 this afternoon. The utility says the outage is due to planned maintenance in the area. It is affecting roughly 280 residents. NSP expects power to be restored by 3:45pm.

Funding Declined For "Our Health Centre" Project

Chester council has decided to pump the breaks on a funding request for a $6 million dollar collaborative emergency centre for the municipality. Warden Allen Webber says council will not provide funding for the "Our Health Centre" project in this fiscal year. However, he says they could revisit the idea down the road.



The municipality was forced to raise their residential tax rate to help boost revenues and are already involved in a number of significant capital projects. Members of "Our Health Centre" had asked council for one million dollars to help with construction.