Liverpool: Driver Fined After Woman Struck at Crosswalk

A woman was taken to hospital in Liverpool after she was struck by a vehicle at a crosswalk. The incident happened around 9:30 this morning at the crosswalk intersecting Main Street and Market Street. The woman suffered minor injuries and was taken to Queens General Hospital for treatment. Constable Andrew Winsor with Queens RCMP says people should take their time and make sure crosswalks are clear when approaching them.



Winsor says the driver faces a fine of $685.21 for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

Lunenburg County Tree To Kick-Off Christmas Season In Boston

Today is Nova Scotia Day in Boston and the province's annual Christmas gift to the city will be officially commemorated tonight. Beforehand, a large Nova Scotia delegation, is hitting the streets of the city to meet and greet, entertain and thank Bostonians for their help after the Halifax Explosion of December 6, 1917. The contingent in Boston today is also handing out special Nova Scotia toques. Bostonians will also be given a chance to win a trip to the province on the new ferry between Portland and Yarmouth, which will begin operating in the spring. Members of the RCMP in red serge and a percussion band are also there. Communications Nova Scotia Minister Andrew Younger is in Boston for today's festivities. He says the reception is outstanding.



The Christmas Tree itself was cut from MaryLou Milligan's Lunenburg County farm in Mill Cove last month and trucked to Boston. Its been decked out in tens of thousands of lights and the Mayor of Boston will flick the switch at 8pm to light it up for the holiday season.

Here We Go Again! Gas Prices Headed Upwards!

Gas prices may rise again tonight at South Shore pumps and elsewhere across the province. In New Brunswick this morning, prices there are up about a cent-and-a-half a litre for regular self-serve. The price this morning is about $1.26.5. Diesel is also expected to rise tomorrow morning here. In New Brunswick, diesel has risen almost 2 cents overnight.

RCMP Investigate Suspicious Death in Yarmouth

A 43-year-old man has been arrested after a suspicious death in Yarmouth. Police were conducting a well-being check at a home on Grove Road when a body was discovered. Seventy-six year-old Stanley Ernest Adams of Yarmouth has been identified as the victim. Sgt. Al LeBlanc says they're looking for the public's help with the case.



Timothy Stanley Adams has been charged with neglecting to perform duties with reference to burial and offering indignities to human remains. He will appear in Yarmouth court this afternoon.

Lunenburg County Christmas Trees Brighten HRM Community Organizations

Lunenburg County-produced Christmas trees have been donated to help brighten the Christmas season at four Halifax-area community organizations. During a ceremony this morning at Province House, four trees were provided, one each for Lieutenant-Governor J.J. Grant, Premier Stephen McNeil, Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill and Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell. The Lieutenant-Governor in turn donated his Balsam Fir tree to Camp Hill Veterans Hospital. The Premier gave his Christmas tree to the Home of the Guardian Angel-Chebucto Family Centre. Minister Churchill handed over his tree to the Metro Turning Point Centre for homeless men and Minister Colwell donated his tree to Margaret's House in Dartmouth, which provides meals to underprivileged adults. Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill says he's a strong supporter of Lunenburg County Christmas tree growers and the industry.



The Lunenburg County Christmas Tree industry generates about 30-million dollars for the province's economy each year.

New Germany Students Participate In New RCMP Program

New Germany Rural High School is among the first in the country to participate in the RCMP's new way of interacting with young people. Its called "RCMP Talks", and is a series of live, interactive video-conferences taking place in several Canadian schools in the coming months. Each RCMPTalk conversation will allow students from up to six different Canadian classrooms per session to hold a discussion via social media, and pose questions to designated guests. This afternoon as part of National Safe Driving Week, students at New Germany Rural High will talk with the President of MADD Canada and a 28 year old man who was injured in a car accident while texting and driving. Through these sessions, the RCMP hopes to enhance its approaches to educating, engaging and empowering youth on tough issues such as bullying, violence and impaired and distracted driving.

Strong Winds Lead To Power Outages

There have been numerous "pockets" of power outages along the South Shore and elsewhere this morning in the province. As of 11am, more than 3000 NS Power customers are without electricity. Most are in the Bedford-Sackville-Dartmouth area of HRM. There are also about 150 without power in the Chester area. Earlier this morning, close to 4000 residents of St. Margarets Bay lost their power. Thousands were without power in Pictou County and in Antigonish. The outages have been caused by strong wind gusts breaking tree limbs and in turn snapping power lines.

Bridgewater: Councillors Voice Opinions On Noise By-Law

A recently approved noise by-law in Bridgewater remains a hot topic. Council voted 4-3 in favour of the document, which means the town will invest in equipment to measure noise levels. There would be maximum decibel limits at certain times of the day, depending on the time. Deputy Mayor Bill McInnis voted in favour and says it should keep noise levels to a minimum.



Meanwhile, councillor Jennifer McDonald is against it. She says there isn't a demand for the by-law.



There are under 100 noise complaints a year in Bridgewater. The by-law is expected to be in place by the spring.

NSCC Students Hosting Third Christmas Market

A student-organized Christmas market is benefiting local food banks. Five marketing students at the Nova Scotia Community College's Lunenburg campus are organizing the event for the third year. More than 40 vendors will set up booths in the school's gymnasium for the all-day market on Thursday. One of the students, Alex Peeler of Conquerall Banks, says the event supports local groups and teaches them their trade.



Admission to the event is either a monetary or non-perishable donation for the food bank. It goes Thursday from 11:30am to 8:30pm.

Funding Supports Mahone Bay Old School

A big celebration is planned to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Mahone Bay Old School. South Shore St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy has announced just over $14,000 to help host activities related to the celebration of the historic building. Events will take place beginning in the new year and running through to September. In total, 140 local artists and heritage performers will be featured over nine months. Some of the activities include a story telling about school days and historical walking tour. The 100th anniversary of the Mahone Bay Old School will involve about 200 volunteers and attract an audience of about 2,000.

Child Porn: Jail Time For Former Teacher

A former teacher and principal in Lunenburg County has been sentenced to two months in jail on charges related to child porn. Brian David Jobb was given the sentence on Monday in Bridgewater court. His home in Lilydale was raided by police in the summer of 2012 and officers seized some computer equipment. Jobb taught along the South Shore for over 20 years before retiring as principal at Lunenburg Academy in 2006. He will be able to serve his time in jail on the weekends. Jobb will also need to register as a sex offender and can only use a computer at certain times.

South Shore Groups Win Lieutenant Governor's Award

Two South Shore companies have been recognized for providing service to persons with disabilities in the workplace. Clements Janitorial Services in Bridgewater and Marco's Grill and Pasta House in Yarmouth are among ten provincial winners of the Lieutenant Governor's Persons with Disabilities Employer Partnership Awards. The award acknowledges and honours employers who promote best practices towards employment, independence, and service to persons with disabilities. The awards were handed out Monday night in Halifax.

New Germany Man Faces Charges Following Single Vehicle Crash

No injuries following a single vehicle crash in Pleasant River, Queens County Monday night. The RCMP from Queens and Lunenburg Counties responded to the incident just after 8pm along Highway 208. Police found a man walking away from the scene of the crash. He was allegedly intoxicated. Constable Toby Taylor with Queens RCMP says they're investigating but expected to lay charges involving firearm and impaired driving offences. A 44-year-old man from New Germany was taken into custody. He was expected to be released with conditions and a future court date in Liverpool.

Town Gets Answers On ATV Use Along Centennial Trail

A decision on using off-road vehicles on the Centennial Trail could be made as early as next week. Bridgewater council spent over an hour Monday night asking questions to a trails coordinator for the ATV Association of Nova Scotia. There were several issues including those revolving around insurance, the time of year vehicles could be used on the trail,  widening the trail's bridge to fit off-road vehicles, speed limits, hours of operation and enforcement. The Central Nova ATV club could have members patrol the trail and report back to police if there are any concerns. Bridgewater Police Chief John Collyer believes the idea could work.



The item will be back on council's agenda next Monday evening.

Minor Injuries After Single Vehicle Crash In Robinsons Corner

The Mounties are investigating the cause of a single vehicle crash in Robinsons Corner. RCMP responded to the scene just before 1pm this afternoon near the intersection of Highway 3 and Highway 14. The driver lost control of the vehicle and it ended up on its roof in the ditch. Constable David Cullen with Lunenburg County RCMP says the car was full at the time of the incident. He says one person was taken to hospital with minor injuries, while others went for observation.

Drouin, Fucale Named To Canada's World Junior Selection Camp Roster

A pair of Halifax Moosehead players have earned a tryout for Canada's World Junior Hockey team. Jonathan Drouin and Zach Fucale were named to the 25-man selection camp roster today by Hockey Canada. Drouin has 47 points in 21 games this season for the Mooseheads while Fucale has 17 wins in 25 games this season with two shutouts and a 2.62 goals-against average. Tryouts for the team begin next week in Toronto. This year's World Junior's begin on Boxing Day in Sweden with Canada meeting Germany in their opening game.

Western Hurricanes Sweep Weekend Games

It was a clean sweep of wins for the BMO Western Hurricanes over the weekend. The major bantam club scored a 4-3 win over Bubba Rays Saturday evening. Dawson Wood, Matt Barron, Ian MacPhee and Alex Wentzell scored, while Adam Grimmitt earned the win in nets. On Sunday, the Hurricanes defeated the Halifax Hawks 4-1. Dawson Wood, Brad Jones, Ian MacPhee and Matt Sabean sparked the offense while Parker Rowter earned the win in goal. The Hurricanes sit in fourth place in the major bantam standings. The team is on the road again this weekend with games in Port Hawkesbury and Truro.

Bridgewater: Town Discussing ATV Use On Centennial Trail

Off-road vehicle use on the Centennial Trail will be in the spotlight Monday night in Bridgewater. The town is currently mulling a proposal to allow the vehicles on trail. Council will have an in-depth discussion, while weighing the positive and negative effects. Mayor David Walker says they still need to clarify issues like enforcement.



The town must decide if they want to allow off-highway vehicles along the trail's bridge to gain access to Liverpool and Yarmouth. They're also trying to decide if they want to allow access on the trail as far as the former Appleberry Farm Market property. The meeting begins at 6pm tonight at town hall.

National Day Of Remembrance Vigils Set For Friday

A number of South Shore organizations are preparing to host events later this week to raise awareness about violence against women. Each December 6, Canadians commemorate the lives of the 14 women who were singled out for their gender and murdered in the 1989 Ecole Polytechnique Massacre. Vigils will be held right across the country recognizing Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Executive Director of Harbour House in Bridgewater, Katherine McCarron says it's important to raise awareness year round.



Special ceremonies will be held on Friday at the Fire Hall in Bridgewater at 7:00pm and Central United Church at 6:45pm in Lunenburg.

MODL: Mayor Upset With Illegal Dumping In Lower Branch

The mayor of the Municipality of Lunenburg says he's frustrated and disappointed with people illegally dumping garbage in the community. The comments stem after at least a dozen garbage bags were dumped into woods along the Smith Road late last week in Lower Branch. Roughly 75 people recently spent the day removing garbage on the road. Don Downe says he's fed up.



Downe wants to see harsher fines and more teeth in legislation to deter people from illegal dumping. He plans to speak with the Department of Environment immediately to see what can be done.