Lohnes Chasing Double Gold At Judo Nationals

A Bridgewater judoka is hoping to build off of two bronze medals from last year's Canadian Judo Championships. Twenty-year-old Whitney Lohnes says her goal at nationals this year is double gold. She will compete in the seniors and women's under-21, 48 kilogram divisions. The national competition gets underway Thursday in Richmond, B.C. .

Local Historian Offering Brookside Cemetery Tours

Former business owners, community leaders and prominent women will be the subject of guided tours from a local historian. Peter Oickle is offering the tours at Brookside Cemetery to local residents who want to learn more about the people who made an impact on the town. He says the tours will look at more than just people.




The first tour will be held Thursday evening around 6:50pm at the Brookside Cemetery. Tours will also be held July 11, August 1st and August 8th. Tickets cost $5 and can be purchased at the Desbrisay Museum or people can bring exact change to the tour and pay there.

VIDEO: Crews Douse Vehicle Fire In Bridgewater

No injuries after a car caught fire in the parking lot of the Bridgewater Days Inn. The incident occurred around 10:45 Wednesday morning. Fire Chief Michael Nauss says the female driver noticed smoke coming from underneath her hood and pulled into the hotel parking lot. He says there was very little smoke coming from the vehicle when it was first reported.



Town police and EHS also responded to the call. Video below shows fire officials dousing the vehicle, to make sure the blaze was out.

Chester School Receiving New Tablets In The Fall

A Lunenburg County school is benefiting from a pilot project funded by the Nova Scotia government. Roughly 90 grade seven students at Chester Area Middle School will receive new tablets in September. The $1-million pilot, announced by the Department of Education, will teach math by providing students free online lessons in the Khan Academy program. Director of Programs and Student Services with the South Shore School Board, Jeff DeWolfe, says he's happy a local school was one of four selected across the province.



The exact cost per tablet isn't known because the school will select the model that works for them. DeWolfe says its a one-year project, but is hopeful the project will be carried over at the end of the year based on student success.

Liverpool Parking Meters Headed For Quick Fix

The cost of repairs has been growing since payment-card parking meters were installed four years ago in Liverpool.  A design flaw has created confusion for drivers. They've been clogging the meters with coins instead of the specially-designed cards. Region of Queens Mayor Christopher Clarke says there's a quick fix.



Each time a parking meter has been clogged by a coin, it costs $100 to repair and those repairs have been mounting. All meters should be safely accepting coins and tokens in a couple of weeks. By the way, tokens can be purchased at the Region of Queens municipal office.

Charges May Be Laid After Gold River Incidents

Two people are in custody in connection with an incident Tuesday night in Gold River. The RCMP say the two men were arrested after a couple of assaults. They say the two incidents were related. Investigators have released few details other than to confirm the arrests. Its not known if anyone was injured. The RCMP say charges are pending.

Former Lumberjacks Forward Recruited By Royal Military College

A former CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjack will continue his hockey career at the Royal Military College of Canada. Luc Ramey will suit up in the Paladin red and white after he was recruited by the school. Ramey scored 35 points in 49 games with the Lumberjacks last season. He was also awarded the 100 per cent award by the club during the team's year-end banquet.

Town Supports Brookside Cemetery Street Names

The roads in Bridgewater's Brookside Cemetery will soon have names. Town council recently supported nine names recommended by the heritage advisory committee. Council also agreed to help fundraising efforts by looking for financial support from local businesses and the private-sector. Staff will also install 17 posts and 34 signs when they are purchased. Heritage Advisory Committee Chair, Patrick Hirtle, says he's happy with council's decision.



The street names include Memory Loop, Timber Arch, Brookside Way, Sawmill Arch, Wandering Loop, Pondside Path, Veterans Bend, Glory Bend, and Edgewood Path. Hirtle says there's no timetable for the signs to be installed but is hopeful it will be complete by late fall.

MODL: Resident Ordered To Clean-Up Unsightly Property

A Lunenburg County man is being told to clean up his property or face the consequences. The Municipality of Lunenburg voted in favour of ordering Daniel Lloyd to remove construction debris, auto parts, derelict vehicles and garbage from his camp on Mines Road #2 in Hebbs Cross. The Municipality first received a complaint on the property in 2011. A building inspector with the municipality says Lloyd has received four different extensions to remedy the unsightly condition. Lloyd must improve the property's condition and remove junk and derelict vehicles or he could face charges under the Municipal Government Act.

Tax Rates Unchanged In Lunenburg

The town of Lunenburg will hold the line on taxes over the coming year.  Council has set the residential rate at $1.27.9 per $100. of assessment.  The commercial rate will be $3.26 per $100 and the seasonal tourism tax rate will be $2.44.6.  The rates are unchanged from last year and Mayor Rachel Bailey says it was a challenge to avoid increases.




Lunenburg town council approved an operational budget for 2013-14 of $6,571,150.  The capital budget for the town is $3,027,100.  The lions-share of that goes toward infrastructure projects like repaving a portion of Victoria Road and improvements to water and sewer lines.

Heavy Rain Heading For South Shore

As if we haven't had enough of it, there is more rain on the way for today and in some places on the South Shore and in the Tri-County area, a lot of it. As much as 70 mm of rain is predicted by Environment Canada to drench Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby Counties today.  Rainfall warnings have been issued for those areas. Lunenburg County could get as much as 25 mm.

Waters Selected For Third World Championship

A local paddler is getting another chance to make his mark in Canadian colours. Dave Waters has been selected to represent the country in three premiere events across the world. This is the third year the Fox Point paddler has been named to the world team. Waters will compete July 6 and 7th in Lake Placid for the International Regatta. He will also hit the water in the paracanoe World Championships from August 27 until September 1 in Germany and the Pan American Championships in Puerto Rico October 17-20. Waters is hoping to build off a third place finish during last year's World Championships in Poland.

Repairs Starting On LaHave Islands Bridge

Repairs to a Lunenburg County bridge will start this week. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal says work to the LaHave Islands Bridge will begin Wednesday. A provincial release says work will focus on the abutments of the span on Crescent Beach Road. The bridge will be closed from 9am-3pm Wednesday to install and remove jacks. It will also be closed July 29 and August 19. The bridge will be open to pedestrians and emergency vehicles during those times. It will be open during other work days, but traffic will be regulated and delays are expected.

Happy Canada Day: Safety Tips For Big Birthday Bash

Happy Canada Day! Here are some safety tips if you plan on a backyard fireworks display.







- Carefully read and follow the label directions on fireworks packaging.

- Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by when discharging fireworks.

- Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass.

- Keep onlookers a safe distance away, upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged.

- Light only one firework at a time and only when they are on the ground. Never try to light a firework in your hand or relight dud fireworks. For dud fireworks, it is best to wait 30 minutes and soak them in a bucket of water. Dispose of them in a metal container.

- Discharge fireworks only if wind conditions do not create a safety hazard.

- Keep sparklers away from children. Sparklers burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing, cause blindness and result in severe burns. As the sparkler wire remains hot for some minutes after burnout, it should be immediately soaked in water to avoid injury.

- If someone gets burned, run cool water over the wound for three to five minutes and seek medical attention, if necessary.

- Fireworks can spook your pet. Keep them indoors in a safe place. This will help reduce the noise level of the fireworks and reduce the risk of your pet running away .

- Use a leash or carrier if you must be outside with your pet and keep it on your pet at all times. This will help prevent your pet from running away from.

Yarmouth's Graves Drafted Into NHL

A Yarmouth native could soon be calling the big apple as his new home. Eighteen-year-old defenseman Ryan Graves was selected in the fourth round, 110th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2013 NHL entry draft Sunday evening. Graves spent time with the South Shore Mustangs before he was drafted by the PEI Rocket in 2011. He notched three goals and 13 assists in 74 games this past year. Graves becomes the first hockey player from Yarmouth to be drafted into the NHL.

Bridgewater Makes Final 20 For Kraft Celebration Tour

Bridgewater has made the initial cut for the TSN Kraft Celebration Tour. The South Shore town was among 20 communities across the country that were announced Sunday evening by the Network. Over 625 nominations were received. Bridgewater will go head to head against Windsor, NS for the right to host a live edition of Sports Centre along with $25,000. The submission was made by the South Shore Seahawks Minor Football organization for upgrades to the Kinsmen Field. This is the first time a South Shore community has made the final 20 in the contest's five-year history. According to TSN's website, the Nova Scotia battle will take place on July 10. Voters will have a 24-hour window to pick the winner. Voting will take place here .

Former South Shore Mustang At NHL Draft

A Yarmouth hockey player could make a bit of history Sunday. Former South Shore Mustangs defenseman Ryan Graves is looking to become the first player from Yarmouth to be drafted into the National Hockey League. Enforcer Jody Shelley played minor hockey in Yarmouth but was never drafted into the league. Central Scouting lists Graves 116th overall among North American skaters. The 18-year-old notched three goals and 13 assists in 74 games this year with the PEI Rocket. The draft gets underway Sunday afternoon in Newark, New Jersey.

Martin Finishes Fifth At Edmonton Event

Bridgewater's Jenna Martin had one of her best times of the year, but missed out on a top three finish in Alberta. Martin finished fifth in a tough field at the Edmonton International Track Classic Saturday evening. The 25-year-old ran the women's 400 metre event in 52.45 seconds. She will now move on to Burnaby, B.C. for her next race on Monday.

Unexpected ER Closure At Roseway Hospital

There's an unexpected closure of the emergency department at Roseway Hospital in Shelburne. Emergency services will not be available at the hospital today. In a media release, South West Health indicates the closure is due to unexpected circumstances. The health authority is asking Shelburne area residents requiring emergency services during the hours of closure to visit the nearest open Emergency Department or Collaborative Emergency Centre. The ER will re-open Monday morning at 8am.

South Shore Celebrates Canada Day

The South Shore gets ready to celebrate Canada Day Monday. There will be much to see and do around the region. In Bridgewater, there will be a legion breakfast at the fire hall, a football toss with the South Shore Seahawks and the much-anticipated fireworks. Chair of the event committee, Greg Ritcey, says there is a mixture of returning and new events to look forward to. He says it's an honour to have the Bridgewater Fire Department Band join the celebrations during the fireworks display.



There will also be celebrations being held in New Germany, Riverport, Lockeport, Clark's Harbour and Caledonia among other communities. A full schedule of Bridgewater events can be found below.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24 Breakfast 7:30-11:30 Bridgewater Fire Hall

- Kids of Steel Triathlon 9:00-1:00pm

- Canada Day Street Hockey 9:00-6:00 Bridgewater Arena

- Buck’s Home Building Centre & Gow’s Home Hardware Washer Toss Tournament 2pm Shipyard Landing

- East Coast Kite Club Demo 2:30pm Shipyard Landing

- Seahawks Minor Football club: Football toss 2:30pm Shipyard Landing

- Le Leche League Breastfeeding tent 2:30-10pm Shipyard Landing

- Inflatables 2:30-7pm Shipyard Landing

- Desbrisay Museum Interactive Display 2:30-7pm Shipyard Landing

- Mascots: Cyber Cop, Captain Lighthouse, Boston Pizza Various times between 2:30 and 9pm Shipyard Landing

- Giant Tiger Chalk Drawing: Illustrate your Canadian Pride 2:30pm Shipyard Landing

- NSLC & Lighthouse Publishing Giant block puzzle 2:30 Shipyard Landing

- Giant Tiger beach balls and hula hoops 2:30 Shipyard Landing

- Food vendors: L’il Orbitz, 3rd Bridgewater Scout Troop, Harbour House ice cream, The Airstream Cafe 2:30-10:00 Shipyard Landing

- Trivia 3:00 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- Kippers Gymnastics Demo 3:30 Shipyard Landing

- Flatline MMA Demo 4:00 Shipyard Landing

- Welcoming ceremony and cake cutting 5:00 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- McKenzie College Glow in the dark face painting 5:00 Shipyard Landing

- Open Mic 5:15 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- Stolen Tone: musical entertainment 7:00 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- 1 Eye Open: musical entertainment 8:00 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- Video Dance 9:00-9:30 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- NS Elite Baton Twirlers: Glow baton performance 9:30-10:00 Shipyard Landing

- Bridgewater Fire Dept. Band to lead Oh Canada 10:00 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

- Fireworks accompanied by Bridgewater Fire Dept. Band 10:15 Citizens Bandstand Shipyard Landing

Rain location: South Shore Exhibition Grounds and fireworks will be rescheduled for July 6th 10:15 PM