Bayswater Beach Closed Due To High Bacteria Levels

A Lunenburg County beach has been closed because of high levels of bacteria. The Department of Health and Wellness has closed Bayswater Beach to swimmers. A spokesperson for Health and Wellness says the issue could be caused by a number of factors including water run-off from the land, to water feeding into the area from other lakes, rivers or streams, or high concentrations of feces from wildlife. Test results received Wednesday didn't identify a specific source. The beach will reopen when water testing shows it is safe. In the meantime, lifeguards will continue to be at the beach to inform the public it is closed. To check on the status of the beach, call the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service Beach Information Line at 902-477-6168 or visit their website here .

Board Sets Hearing Date For Proposed Blockhouse Facility

The province's Utility and Review Board has released the date for a public hearing concerning an appeal by Halifax C and D Recycling Ltd. for a demolition debris transfer facility in Blockhouse. The Halifax-based company is appealing the Municipality of Lunenburg's decision to refuse a development agreement for the proposed facility along the Cornwall Road. In a letter to the UaRB, Halifax C and D feels the municipality's decision does not reasonably carry out the intent of the municipal planning strategy. The hearing is scheduled for September 25 at 9:30am at the Blockhouse fire hall.  An evening meeting could happen at the same location if necessary.

Groups Receive Provincial Funds For Community Transportation

Three South Shore groups are cashing-in on provincial dollars for sustainable transportation. The province recently announced $650,000 in operating funding for 14 community-based organizations including the Municipality of Chester Transportation Society, the Handicap Organization Promoting Equality in Yarmouth County and the Sou'West Nova Transit Association in Shelburne County. The Shelburne County group received just over $26,093 to provide low-cost, door-to-door, wheelchair-accessible transportation to the local residents. The Chester society is getting $19,078 and the Yarmouth County organization over $45,495. The funding will help offset operating expenses.

Gold River Shooting Trial Set For Thursday

A Gold River man will appear before a judge tomorrow after an alleged shooting. Ronald Lorne Paul is facing three charges after a man was taken to hospital over the weekend with an apparent gunshot wound. Mounties issued an arrest warrant for the 60 year-old on Sunday, he turned himself into police the next day. Paul is charged with aggravated assault, discharging a firearm with intent to endanger a life and assault with a weapon. The 31 year-old shooting victim was taken to the QE II in Halifax. However, his injuries were not described as serious.

Men, Women Square Off In Softball Fundraiser

A battle of the sexes on the softball diamond Wednesday night in Mahone Bay. A team of female players from the South Shore Women's Softball League will take on a crew of men from the Bridgewater & Area Mixed Softball League. The only catch is, the men's team will be batting backwards from their weak side of the plate. The game is raising money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Anyone interested in attending the game is asked to bring a cash donation. Game time will be 6:30pm.

Nowe Races To Early Lead At Atlantic Golf Championship

Bridgewater's Ryan Nowe has the first round lead at the CN Future Links Atlantic Golf Championship in Antigonish. The 17-year-old shot an opening round one-under-par, 71, to be the only man under par in the tournament. Nowe has a four shot lead in the junior boys division. Chester Basin's Cole Mulrooney shot 86. Also, Chester's Allison Chandler shot an opening round 83. The 15-year-old sits four shots back of the first round leader in the junior girls division.

Updated: Elderly Woman Dies After Incident In Italy Cross

An 82 year old woman has died after an incident this morning in Italy Cross. The RCMP say she fell into a small pond on a private property. Her death is being described as an accident. Mounties say there is no investigation into the matter.

UPDATED: Chester Woman Found Safe In Halifax

A Chester woman who was missing in Halifax for a number of hours has been found safe and sound. Seventy-nine year-old Millie Faulkner was found late this afternoon. She went missing after she stepped outside of a building on University Avenue for a smoke. Police had some concern because she wasn't familiar with the Halifax area. They are thanking the public for their help.

Local Firefighters Ready For Regional Competition

The Atlantic Regional Scott Firefit Championship is ready to go after two years of planning and preparation. The competition is being held in Bridgewater and pits firefighters through a timed obstacle course with duties including a victim rescue, forcible entry, running and a hose lift. Over 160 firefighters from across the country are expected to be in the town. One of Bridgewater's participants, Steve Freeman, says training is a six-day a week, 10-month a year commitment. He says they hope to reach they're goal.



The event opens Friday night with a charity relay for Lunenburg County departments. Individual races will be held Saturday while team competition goes on Sunday. The competition takes place at the Bridgewater Fire Hall. More details on the event can be found here .

Town, Municipality Cost-Sharing New Ice Cover For LCLC

Another perk is being added to the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. The town of Bridgewater and Municipality of Lunenburg have agreed to share the cost of an ice cover for up to $215,000 at the new Clearwater Seafood Arena. The cover will allow the rink's surface to be converted for other uses in a matter of hours. Mayor Don Downe says the cost make sense.



Meanwhile, Bridgewater Mayor David Walker says the cost for both parties could drop if they can access government funding. He says they have submitted an application to the province for funding assistance.

"PIllowcase Bandits" Arrested/Face 170+ Charges

They are known as the "Pillowcase Bandits". Mounties say they have arrested three men in relation to a rash of break and enters in Lunenburg and Colchester counties. The "Pillowcase Bandits" have been identified as 22-year-old Cory Jollimore, 26-year-old Jason Marriott and 28-year-old Ryan Marriott. In total, more than 170 charges have laid against the three men. The accused are believed to be responsible for a wide-range of break-ins on the South Shore over the past few months. They appeared in Halifax Provincial Court Tuesday morning and were remanded in custody. They will be back before a judge Wednesday.

Italy Cross: Elderly Woman Falls In Pond

An 82 year old woman is in South Shore Regional Hospital after an incident this morning in Italy Cross. The RCMP say she fell into a small pond on a private property. The Italy Cross-Middlewood and District Fire Department and EHS paramedics responded. No word on her condition.

South Shore Golfers Tee-Off At Atlantic Championship

Three South Shore golfers will put their games to the test at the CN Future Links Atlantic Championship at the Antigonish Golf and Country Club. Bridgewater's Ryan Nowe along with Cole Mulrooney of Chester Basin and Allison Chandler of Chester begin play Tuesday in the 54-hole event. Nowe is coming off a second place finish at the provincial junior golf championships, while Mulrooney finished third in the boys juvenile division. Chandler is also fresh off a third place finish in the girls division.

Gold River Man Turns Himself Into Police

Police confirm a Gold River man who allegedly shot another man over the weekend is in custody. Corporal Scott MacRae says 60-year-old Ronald Lorne Paul turned himself into the Chester RCMP detachment just before noon time Monday. Paul has been sought by Mounties since Saturday night, after he was involved in a shooting at a Gold River home. A 31-year-old man was taken to the QEII Hospital in Halifax with non-life-threatening injuries. Paul is charged with aggravated assault, discharging a firearm with intent to endanger a life and assault with a weapon. He's expected to appear in Bridgewater court Tuesday morning.

Police, Fire Marshal Investigate Martin's River Fire

RCMP and the provincial fire marshal's office are investigating following a fire yesterday in Martin's River. Deputy Fire Chief Gordon Appleby of the Martin's River Fire Department says the blaze at 127 Shingle Mill Road destroyed two outbuildings, and extensively damaged a third. He says the home also suffered minor damage. Crews from Mahone Bay also responded to the incident around 12:30 Sunday afternoon. Appleby says a woman was home at the time, but escaped unharmed.

Nothin' Fancy Moving To Cookville

A furniture warehouse is planning to leave the Bridgewater Mall for their own location in Cookville. Nothin' Fancy is expected to open its new location over the next few years along the Pine Grove Road. CAO for the Municipality of Lunenburg, Tammy Wilson, says the transfer of land occurred between them and Jim Jer Investments in early May. She says infrastructure will be in place over the next year to facilitate the development of land. Roads, sewer and water will start being installed next spring. Wilson says the next steps will be to prepare engineering designs for tender calls. She calls it a good investment to Osprey Village and the municipality.

Aquaculture Panel Begins Hearings

The Nova Scotia government is beginning a series of public meetings this week, looking for ways to update aquaculture standards in the province. A panel was set up in May to recommend new regulations to govern the industry by the end of 2014. The panel will be led by two environmental law experts from Dalhousie University. One of them is Meinhard Doelle who tells us, a lot has changed since the original standards were put in place 20 years ago.



The government has about 20 public meetings planned across the province. Among them will be sessions later this month in Shelburne, Lunenburg, Liverpool and Yarmouth.
   

Buy-Sell Agreement In Place For Former Riverport School

The former Riverport Elementary School is close to being sold. A company called "Yard-Arm" has made an application to the planning advisory committee outlining what they plan to use the building for. The plan includes developing the building into a micro-brewery. Municipality of the District of Lunenburg Mayor Don Downe says it should be a good addition to the community.



Downe says its still early in the process but he's encouraged by the steps that have been taken with a number of hurdles left to go including public meetings. The building has been closed and boarded-up since it ceased operating as a school two years ago. The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg has been paying insurance on it ever since, in the amount of about $100,000 a year.

Halifax Woman Drowns In LaHave River

Lunenburg County RCMP say a 71-year-old woman is dead after she drowned in the LaHave River Sunday night. Sgt. Derek Smith says the woman witnessed by neighbours entering the water and not coming back up. They attempted to rescue her with a sea-doo and brought her to shore. EHS was called but she could not be resuscitated. The incident happened around 9pm in the Dayspring area. He confirms the woman was from Halifax and an autopsy will be performed. Fire officials also responded to the call. Smith adds there's no indication of any suspicious activity.

Police Search For Alleged Gold River Gunman

A man is recovering in a Halifax hospital and another is being sought by police after a weekend shooting in Gold River. The 31-year-old victim was shot in a home in the community Saturday evening after a fight between two men.  RCMP say the victim and the suspect know each other.  They've issued an arrest warrant for 60-year-old Ronald Lorne Paul of Gold River.  He's facing numerous firearms charges and aggravated assault.  Paul is described by police as 6-feet tall, weighing 162 pounds with grey hair and hazel-colored eyes.  Police say if you have any information on Ronald Paul's whereabouts, you should contact the local RCMP detachment, or contact Crime Stoppers.  The number for Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers is 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), text TIP202 + your message to 'CRIMES' (274637) or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca.