Foundation Urges People To Start Collecting For Radiothon

It's the time of year for giving and the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore is hoping they will be in your thoughts. The local foundation is gearing up for its annual radiothon and are hoping for local groups or businesses to start raising money as early as they can. The Health Services Foundation is trying to raise $100,000 this year to put towards a new mobile x-ray unit. Development Officer Bernadette Jordan says local residents are the reason behind their success.



This is the fourth year for the radiothon. It will be broadcast on CKBW and HANK-FM in February.

West LaHave Man Receives Fire Services Award

A member of the Pleasantville Fire Department received a huge honour over the weekend. Reverend Douglas Porter of West LaHave was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association Municipal Long Service Medal. He's the first person in Canada to receive the award. Porter has given 30 years of volunteer time to firefighting in Nova Scotia. He says the award means a lot to him.



The medal recognizes an individual who has performed outstanding and long service to their municipal unit with at least thirty years of active fire service as a volunteer. It was handed out Saturday evening at the Pleasantville Fire Hall. (Photo Courtesy: Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association)

Bridgewater Police Absorbing Decibel Meter Cost

Bridgewater's police chief says the cost is on them to purchase decibel meters to enforce noise in the town. Council recently approved a noise by-law. John Collyer says there won't be any additional officers hired to enforce the issue. He says he'll have to determine where the cost will come from.



Collyer says he doesn't intend to ask the town for any funding. He says it will take time to find the right equipment and train officers. Collyer says they're planning to start enforcing the noise by-law in March.

Town Of Yarmouth Takes Over Ferry Terminal Site

The old ferry terminal site in Yarmouth is about to get a make-over! The revived ferry service between the town and Portland, Maine is expected to be up and running by May. The site has for many years been the responsibility of the federal government but it now comes under the control of the Yarmouth Industrial Commission. Mayor Pam Mood says the area's Member of Parliament Greg Kerr dropped by the town hall on Friday and handed over responsibility for the terminal complex carrying with him the paperwork.



Mayor Mood says federal money for the renovations should be in the town's hands in a few days. She says a tender will be awarded shortly for the overall project. The work is expected to surpass 2.5-million dollars.

Toy Drive Hailed A Success

The Salvation Army's annual Christmas toy drive in Bridgewater is being hailed a huge success. On Saturday, hundreds of people dropped-off a toy or toys at the receiving point in the Canadian Tire parking lot. The Salvation Army's Captain Felipe Vega says this year's toy drive could be a record breaker.



Vega says its difficult to put a dollar figure on the campaign but he believes its substantial. He's thanking the donors, volunteers, Canadian Tire and CKBW for their help in staging the Toy Drive. It will continue though until December 17th. Donors can continue to drop toys off at Danny Carey's Insurance on North Street or the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Dominion Street in Bridgewater.

Bridgewater: Food Drive Another Huge Success

The annual "Haul-A'Day" food drive in Bridgewater was another huge success. Paramedics, Bridgewater Police and RCMP partnered to help raise food and money for the Bridgewater Inter-Church Food Bank. The community was able to raise $5,000 in non-perishable items and nealy $1,400 in cash donations. Organizer Nicole Monaghan says they were able to surpass their totals last year. The event was held at the Atlantic Superstore.

Another Late Fall Storm Heading Our Way

The storm that dropped unexpectedly heavy snow on the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States yesterday is on its way to our area. The storm yesterday made some football games on TV, particularly the Philadelphia-Detroit match-up, look like they were being played in almost blizzard conditions. It also forced the cancellation of more than 2,500 flights up and down the New England states and further south. The storm is bringing some snow, about 4 cm of it, freezing rain and some rain to the South Shore this afternoon and overnight tonight. The good thing is temperatures will rise to almost double digits overnight tonight before falling back to near zero in the morning.

Mustangs Sweep Weekend Series Against PEI Teams

Quinten Johnson scored the overtime winner as the Charlie's Pizza South Shore Mustangs defeated the Kensington Wild 3-2 Sunday in Bridgewater. Christian Tufts had the other two goals for the Mustangs, while Colby Muise stopped 34 shots in the win. The win gave the Mustangs a two-game sweep of PEI teams over the weekend, after beating Charlottetown on Saturday night. The Mustangs are on the road next weekend for a pair of games against the Cape Breton Tradesmen.

Energy Critic: Deregulating Power Industry Risky

The provincial government has let it be known it intends to look at de-regulating the power industry. It was a major platform in the Liberal Party election platform earlier this fall. The McNeil government says it would break Nova Scotia Power's monopoly and allow competition from other energy providers. Progressive Conservative energy critic Chris d'Entremont says such a move would not be without risks.



Legislation dealing with the issue is expected in the spring.

Bridgewater: Whimsical Children's Store Returns

Children are getting the chance to learn the value of a dollar and do some Christmas shopping. This is the ninth year for the Whimsical Children's Store. It provides an opportunity for kids to purchase inexpensive presents for their family. Admission to the store is a donation to the food bank. Co-organizer Michael Graves says it provides a valuable lesson to kids.



The store will be open from 10am-2pm on Saturday at the Michelin Social Club in Bridgewater.

Liverpool: Christmas On The Mersey Underway

The Christmas season is alive and well in Queens County. Christmas on the Mersey is underway and lasts through the weekend. There are a number of events in the county including the official tree lighting this evening, community caroling, and a presentation of 'A Christmas Carol' at the Astor Theatre. Event Chair Mark Reynolds says the festival helps create a sense of pride in the area.



The South Queens Chamber of Commerce is helping put on the event. More details can be found here .

RCMP, Police, Paramedics Team Up For Food Drive

What started out as a challenge has turned into collaboration. The Great Haul-a-Day food drive between paramedics, Bridgewater Police and Lunenburg County RCMP will be held Saturday at the Bridgewater Superstore. The three groups used to compete against each other, but this year they're teaming up to fill a 14-foot trailer with non-perishable and cash donations. Staff Sgt. Bruce Hill with Lunenburg County RCMP says there's a demand right now for food banks.



This is the fifth year for the event, which has helped raise over $15,000 for local food banks. Proceeds from this years event goes towards the Bridgewater Inter-church food bank. It goes from 1pm-5pm Saturday.

South Shore: Mounties Ramp-Up Holiday Checkstops

Mounties will be out in full force this weekend. In Shelburne County, RCMP say they will ramp up checkpoints in an effort to nab impaired drivers. It's part of National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day on Saturday. Corporal Nancy Mason says it's an effort to ensure the roads are safe.



Mason says getting caught driving while impaired is life altering - a conviction means you would be left with a criminal record, fined and lose your license. RCMP are urging motorist to dial 9-1-1 if they suspect an impaired driver.

Annual Toy Drive Goes Into High Gear

The Salvation Army's annual toy drive goes into high gear Saturday in Bridgewater. Volunteers will be on hand through the day at Canadian Tire's parking lot to accept toy donations. Lunenburg County Salvation Army Captain Felipe Vega says its all about making Christmas a happy time for kids who are less fortunate.



After Saturday's high-profile event, the campaign continues until the 17th. Toys can be dropped off at the Salvation Army's Thrift Store.

Five Charged After Bust In Windsor

Five people are facing charges after a drug bust in Windsor. Police made the arrests after raiding a home yesterday afternoon. Officers seized cocaine, prescription pills, cash and a fake handgun. Three men and a woman were taken in custody - they range in age between 19 and 47 years old. A 17-year-old boy was also arrested without incident. They face charges of possession and trafficking and are due in Windsor Court in January.

Don't Worry! Be Happy, If You Don't Drive A Diesel Vehicle!

A bit of a surprise today. Most gas prices at South Shore pumps are unchanged despite rises in New Brunswick on Thursday. Diesel is up in price though to $1.43.1 a litre. Regular self serve is unchanged at $1.32.1 and high-test is $1.41.1.

CKBW: Change In Funeral/Memorial Times

Please be advised, beginning Saturday, December 14, funeral and memorial announcements will air following 12:00pm (noon) & 5:00pm weather - seven days a week.

February Holiday Coming In 2015

A February holiday is on the horizon for Nova Scotia. The Liberal government introduced legislation today to create a statutory holiday on the third Monday in February, beginning in 2015. The idea has been floated around for almost a decade. Current Finance Minister Diana Whalen pushed the need for a February holiday while in Opposition. She submitted private member's bills calling for the holiday eight times. The February holiday will give Nova Scotians six statutory holidays per year. A name for the holiday hasn't been decided. The province will ask young Nova Scotians to help decide what it should be called.

Liverpool: Emergency Responders Ready For First Holiday Food Drive

Emergency responders in Queens are gearing up for their first ever holiday food drive. RCMP, EHS, and the Liverpool Volunteer Fire Department have teamed up to try and gather as many non-perishable food donations as they can. It's all in support of the Queens County Food Bank. RCMP Constable Joe Beaton says there is a need to fill.



The goal is to fill an RCMP community policing van. Cash donations will also be accepted. The event will be held at the Liverpool Sobeys Friday from 10-3pm.

Lunenburg: URB Approves Power Rate Increase

Power rates are going up in the town of Lunenburg. The province's Utility and Review Board agreed to the town's first increase since 2005. The decision means residential rates will rise by almost 10 per cent as of January 1. The electrial utility recently completed major capital work including improvements to its sub-station. Those improvements cost over $2-million and is one of the main reasons for the cost increase. Lunenburg Mayor Rachel Bailey has said the increase is needed because the electrical utility has recorded losses in six of the past nine years.