Province Urges Flu Shots

Nova Scotians have more ways to get the flu shot this year to help protect themselves and others from influenza. The flu shot is free and for the first time it is available from most pharmacists. That includes more than 20 pharmacy's along the South Shore. It is also available from family doctors, family practice nurses, nurse practitioners, and clinics offered by Public Health Services and some workplaces. Deputy chief public health officer Dr. Frank Atherton says immunization is a safe, simple, and effective way to protect yourself, your family, and others against the flu. If you would like more information on pharmacy's offering flu shots click here

Students Fly Planes Toward World Record

Time will tell if the ''Largest Science Lesson'' ever has set a world record. Students at Bridgewater High teamed up with Canadian Astronaut David Saint-Jacques to simultaneously throw paper airplanes this afternoon with thousands of other students across the country. The world record attempt helped teach the students about gravity and the atmosphere on Earth, Mars and the moon. Teachers Jane Berrigan and Chad MacPhee helped bring the event to the school. MacPhee says its a special day for the kids, even if they don't set a world record.



About 500 students in Bridgewater and more than 10,000 nationwide were involved in the event. Organizers say paper work and video has to be sent away from all schools involved before a world record is confirmed. They feel it will take a few weeks before they know if they set a Guinness World Record.

Teen Stands Up Against Illegal Dumping

A 13-year-old is fed up with the state of illegal dumping in his community. James Hebert has spoken at several town hall meetings in the Municipality of Lunenburg about the amount of garbage and appliances along the riverbank on the Smith Road in Lower Branch. Now, a massive clean-up is scheduled for November 2. Mayor Don Downe says he's proud of the boy for bringing the issue forward.



Downe says illegal dumping continues to be a significant problem in the district, and he feels stricter penalties are needed to enforce the issue. The clean-up will feature a number community groups, along with an excavator and truck from the Department of Transportation and an inspector with the Department of Environment.

Don't Believe Everything You Hear: Yarmouth Mayor

There is no cause for alarm! That is the opinion of Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood, talking about the status of a reported "unsigned" deal between the province and STM Quest for a new ferry service to Maine. The mayor says she's certain the deal, touted by economic development minister Graham Steele weeks ago, is still intact and not about to collapse.



Mayor Mood says she remains confident, despite all the talk about the deal, come next May first, the new ferry will sail into her town, bringing with it a boost to the economy and tourism.

Shelburne Hosting IWK Fundraiser

A Shelburne County man is doing all he can to help support the IWK Children's Hospital in Halifax. Martin Fudge is organizing his third fundraiser for the hospital in Shelburne. Each year, he's be able to raise over $1,000 through a silent auction, cake walk, karaoke and a bake table. Fudge made numerous trips to the children's hospital when he was younger. He's says it something that's important to him.

The fundraiser will be held at the Shelburne Lions Hall on Saturday. It starts at 10:00am and runs until 3:00pm.

Higher Gasoline Prices This Morning!

Gas prices have taken a jump overnight at South Shore pumps. Regular self serve is up 3.5 cents to $1.29.4 per litre. High test is up by the same amount to $1.38.3. Diesel has also increased about 1.5 cents to $1.37.5 per litre.

Bridgewater School Hosting Astronaut For World Record Attempt

Grade six students at Bridgewater Elementary and the entire student population at Bridgewater Junior-Senior High are looking to be part of a Guinness World Record. Canadian Space Agency Astronaut David Saint-Jacques will join students in Bridgewater for the event, which has been slugged, the "Largest Science Lesson" ever. School Board spokesperson, Trish Smith, says the students will be involved in a simple experiment.



About 500 students in Bridgewater along with another 10,000 nationwide are expected to try and set the Guinness World Record. The event will be held at 2pm Friday at Bridgewater Junior-Senior High School.

Bridgewater Health Centre Receives Hefty Donation

A large donation for Bridgewater's health centre will ensure the facility is well equipped to serve patient needs. The South Shore Regional Hospital Auxiliary has donated $145,000 to help buy items that range from exam tables to scales and office chairs. Auxiliary President Mary Fulleman says their members are passionate about health care and understand how critical is it for people to have a family doctor. She says it couldn't be done without the support of the community through fund raising. The Bridgewater and Area Family Health Centre is under construction on Glen Allen Drive and is expected to open later this fall.

Chester: Council Probing Province About Bayswater Beach

Bayswater Beach remains top of mind for the Municipality of Chester. Council members agreed to send a letter to the province's Department of Natural Resources asking for updates on the situation and making sure more closures don't happen. Bayswater Beach was closed a few times over the summer due to high levels of bacteria. Warden Allen Webber says people deserve to know what is happening.



Webber says they will work with the province to make sure the beach is available to the public.

Wanting Out: Lumberjacks Look To Trade Captain Henneberry

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks are without their captain. The team has sent 20-year-old Mitchell Henneberry home after he requested a trade from the club. Owner Ken Petrie says Henneberry indicated he no longer wanted to play for the Lumberjacks. Petrie says he doesn't want to lose Henneberry because he's a great kid and always worked hard. However, Petrie says the team will try and trade him to help him continue his hockey career. Henneberry had just two assists in 11 games this season.

Gas Price Hike Likely

South Shore gas prices may take a hike overnight tonight. In New Brunswick this morning (Thursday), the price for regular self serve is up 2 cents a litre. Diesel is also up this morning in New Brunswick by about a cent.

Unexpected ER Closure In Lunenburg

The Emergency Room at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg is closed this morning (Thursday). It will remain that way until this afternoon at 3:30. South Shore Health says a shortage of ER staff is responsible for the closure. Officials advise anyone needing emergency service should call 911 or visit the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater. Those who have non-emergencies should contact their family doctor or call Health Link 811 for medical advice.

Legislature Should Be Recalled: Baillie

Nova Scotia's Opposition Leader is calling upon premier-designate Stephen McNeil to recall the legislature as soon as possible. In a CKBW/Hank-fm News interview, Jaime Baillie of the Progressive Conservatives says election celebrations are over and its time for all MLA's to roll their sleeves up and get to work.



Baillie says the house should resume sitting, even if only for a short session, to get a general concensus on how to move forward in putting new life into the economy.

Hearing Reconvenes To Discuss Proposed Blockhouse Facility

Two more days have been set aside for the province's regulatory board to gather information on a proposed facility in Blockhouse. The Utility and Review Board will reconvene its hearing with Halifax C and D and the Municipality of Lunenburg Thursday morning. Both sides met for two days late last month. The Halifax-based company appealed a decision by municipal council which refused to issue a development agreement for the proposed construction and demolition transfer and processing facility on the Cornwall Road. The hearing resumes at 9am Thursday at the Best Western in Cookville.

Bridgewater Receives Additional Money For Downtown Plan

Bridgewater has thousands of reasons to smile. The town has received an additional $40,000 from the province's NS Moves program to help with preliminary and detailed design work for projects listed in phase one of the Downtown Master Plan. The money adds to the $60,000 already designated to the town in August from the program. Mayor David Walker says the funding is a big help.



The detailed designs for phase one include wider sidewalks and resting places on King Street, re-development of the south parkade, the Old Bridge and parking options on King Street. The additional funding means Bridgewater has reached their target budget of $250,000 to do the work. A request for proposal closed earlier this month and a recommendation is expected to be made to council at their next meeting on October 28.

World Junior 'A': Barrington's Messenger Invited To Canada East Camp

A South Shore hockey player will try and represent his country at the World Junior 'A' Hockey Challenge in Yarmouth next month. Hockey Canada released the Canada East roster today for the upcoming tryouts in Oakville, Ontario from October 27-30. Barrington's Morgan Messenger has earned a tryout. The 18-year-old plays with the Yarmouth Mariners Junior 'A' team, and has 10 points in 10 games so far this season. Messenger played in the CJHL prospects game during last year's event in Yarmouth. Overall, 66 players have been invited to the camp including seven from the Maritime Hockey League. The World Junior 'A' Hockey Challenge is scheduled from November 4-10 in Yarmouth. The full roster can be seen here .

Pharmacies Offer Flu Shot Across The South Shore

The flu shot is now available at a pharmacy near you. The province changed its regulations in May, allowing pharmacists to provide the flu vaccine. Elderly people, healthy pregnant women and anyone with chronic medical conditions are encouraged to get vaccinated. There are over 20 locations along the South Shore where people can get the flu shot. A full list can be found here .

Latest South Shore Housing Figures Hold Steady

The housing market on the South Shore remained steady between July and September. The Nova Scotia Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service reveals housing sales are identical between those months this year and in 2012. Overall, 253 homes were sold during the three month period. President Gary Mailman says he's curious to see how it will affect the overall year.



Statistics indicate more people listed their homes for sale from July to September this year, compared to last year. There were 817 listed, an increase from 699 in 2012. The average price of a home on the South Shore also rose slightly by 0.6 percent to almost $186,632.

Lockeport Fighting To Keep Schools Open

A rally is planned in Lockeport in an effort to save two schools in the town. The Tri-County Regional School Board is looking at potentially closing Lockeport Regional High School and Lockeport Elementary because of declining enrolment. The elementary school currently has 99 students while the high school has 124 in its classrooms. Mayor Darian Huskilson says it's not the first time the schools have been up for review.



Huskilson says the community has become frustrated with the uncertainty surrounding its two schools over the last few years. Tonight's rally gets underway at 6:00pm at the Lockeport High School. A meeting with school board members will begin at 6:30pm.

Bridgewater: 78 Charges Laid In Relation To Thefts

Seventy-eight charges have been formally laid against five people including two adults and three youths in Bridgewater court. Its the result of a two month criminal investigation involving multiple thefts from vehicles and vehicle thefts in the town. An adult, Tyler Briffit of Bridgewater, and two youths who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act were remanded in custody pending a later show cause hearing. Twenty-year-old Sonia Allen of Bridgewater is the second adult accused. She will appear in court December 4 to face numerous charges related to the thefts. She and a third youth have been released by Bridgewater Police on a promise to appear and an undertaking with conditions.