Teen Charged After Late Night Joyride

Police say a 13 year old boy got behind the wheel of a car and slammed into a fence late Friday night in Bridgewater. They got a call just after midnight regarding a car that was speeding and all over the road. Officers tried to pull the car over but the boy kept on driving before he crashed on York Street. He wasn't hurt and was taken home to his mother. Police say the boy is facing charges of theft of a vehicle, evading police and dangerous driving.

Motorcycle Crash Sends Three To Hospital

Three people were taken to hospital after a three vehicle collision in Martins River. The Mounties say the incident happened around 7:15 Saturday night involving two motorcycles and a car along Highway 3. Police say one of the motorcycles collided with the car that was stopped ahead of them. The motorcycle then landed in the other lane, colliding with another motorcycle. Two people on the bikes were taken to South Shore Regional Hospital while the other was airlifted to QEII in Halifax. Their injuries are described as "moderate to serious." The driver of the car was not injured.

Bat Populations Cause For Concern In N.S.

The number of bats in Nova Scotia is catching the attention of the province. The government is looking to the public to help track the health of Nova Scotia's bat populations. A fatal infection known as white-nose syndrome has killed millions of bats in northeastern North America in just a few years. The syndrome causes bats to wake frequently during winter hibernation and with limited food sources available, they can die from starvation and hypothermia. The province has partnered with the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute in Queens County to create two tools for the public to report bat sightings; a telephone hotline and an online reporting form. The public can report sightings of bats, including summer bat roosts and over-winter sites, by calling 1-866-727-3447 (toll-free) or by going online here .

Lunenburg: Expect ER Closures At Fishermen's Memorial

It's a weekend of overnight closures at the emergency department in Fishermen's Memorial Hospital. The shut downs are being attributed to staffing shortages. The ER will close Saturday at 5 o'clock until 7:30 Sunday morning. Emergency services will also not be available during the same times Sunday and Monday night. It's the ninth time in August emergency services have not been available at the Lunenburg hospital. Residents dealing with an emergency should call 9-1-1 or go to the regional hospital in Bridgewater.

Weekend: Tribute To Fishing Industry

Those who make a living at sea will be remembered Sunday as the province observes Mariner's Day and Seaman's Memorial Day. Fisheries Minister and MLA for Shelburne, Sterling Belliveau, says it's a day to pay tribute to all men and women who contribute to the economic prosperity of the province and those lost their lives in the process. A sunset ceremony will take place at the Fishermen's Monument in Eastern Passage. Meanwhile, a slo-pitch tournament is also planned in the Municipality of Barrington in memory of Katlin Nickerson, captain of the ill-fated Miss Ally. The money raised will go toward a memorial bursary. In April, the Mariner's Day Act was passed to observe the second Sunday in August as Mariner's Day.

Request For Proposals Issued For LCLC Ice Cover

The search is on for an ice cover for the new Clearwater Seafood Arena at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. A request for proposals has been issued by the LCLC. General Manager Kevin Benjamin says groups have until August 20th to submit their request. He says an ice cover will be a welcome addition to the new facility.



The town of Bridgewater and Municipality of Lunenburg have agreed to share the cost of an ice cover for up to $215,000.

McNally Wins Second Bronze At Summer Games

Make it two bronze medals for Hebbville's Claire McNally. The 17-year-old won her second bronze at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec this week. McNally finished third in the S5-14 200 metre individual medley para-swimming event. She also won bronze in the 50-metre fly para-swim. Nova Scotia sits in seventh place in the overall medal standings with 13, heading into Friday's competition.

More ER Closures At Fishermen's Memorial Hospital

Another group of closures is ahead for the ER at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital. The Lunenburg hospital's emergency department will be closed from 5pm today to 7:30 Saturday morning.  It will also be closed during the same hours on Saturday overnight, Sunday overnight and Monday overnight.  Staffing shortages are blamed for the closings.  PC health critic Chris d'Entremont of Argyle says the chronic closures of the Fishermen's ER and those less-often at Roseway in Shelburne are signals that health care dollars don't have priorities.



South Shore Health reminds anyone in the Lunenburg area needing emergency services during the Fishermen's closures to call 911 or visit the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater.  Those with non-emergencies should contact their family doctor, go to the nearest clinic or call Health Link 811 for medical advice.

Some Change In Gasoline Prices

A slight drop in some gasoline prices overnight. A litre of regular self serve is down half a cent at South Shore pumps. Its listed at $1.35.1.  High test is down by a similar amount to $1.44.1.  There is no change in the price of diesel though, listed at $1.32.8 per litre.

PC Leader Says Cyber-Bully Law Is A Start; More Needed

Two males have been arrested in the case of Rehtaeh Parsons.  She's the 17-year-old Halifax girl who was taken off life-support following a suicide attempt in April.  The RCMP arrested the two this morning in the Halifax area.  Rehtaeh's family alleges she was sexually assaulted and that a digital photograph of the incident was passed around her school.  Police initially said there were not enough grounds to warrant charges, but later reopened their investigation.  Meanwhile, the province's Progressive Conservative leader is hailing implementation of the Cyber Bully Law. It became law yesterday and while Jamie Baillie tells us the Dexter government did the right thing in implementing it, he says more is needed.



Baillie says teachers, parents and judges all need more teeth in the laws to crack down hard on cyber bullying.

Liberal Leader Targets South Shore Health Care Reform

There's a call out for the province's Minister of Health to address on-going problems at the South Shore's three hospitals.  Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says the minister needs to do more about bed shortages, long waits and closures of the ER's at Fishermen's Memorial in Lunenburg.  McNeil says there needs to be better recruitment of family doctors and specialists, elimination of two-thirds of the province's health districts and cutting excessive administration costs which would save tens of millions of dollars.  He believes greater emphasis is needed on setting up a chronic disease management plan.



McNeil says he'd make it a priority to reform the health care system, making it more cost-effective, if his party is elected to power in the next provincial election.

Kraft Canada Ready For Bridgewater Celebration Tour

Kraft Canada is gearing up to bring its Celebration Tour to Bridgewater. The company is planning to set up at Shipyard's Landing along with crews from The Sports Network on August 18. There will be a community barbecue, as well as a number of kids activities and games and a live broadcast of TSN's Sportscentre. Senior Promotions Manager, Susan Brookes, says the Celebration Tour is about creating something new or making something better.



Brookes says this is the fifth year of the tour and they're happy to help Bridgewater improve active living in the community. Events planned for August 18 are expected to begin around 5pm before the live broadcast starts at 7pm. You can hear full details from Susan Brookes and South Shore Seahawks Vice-President John Peters during South Shore Sunday Morning this weekend beginning at 8am on HANK-FM and 9am on CKBW.

Little Change Expected Tomorrow In Gasoline Prices

Don't expect too much change in gasoline prices when the province's utility and review board sets the coming week's prices at midnight tonight. In New Brunswick today, the regulatory board there has allowed an increase of less than a cent in the price of a litre of  regular self serve but a two cent hike in diesel.

Folk Harbour Festival Opens In Lunenburg

A number of local musicians and artists will begin performing in Lunenburg in the town's Folk Harbour Festival. The festival brings traditional and contemporary folk music to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This year will feature headliner David Myles, but also a number of other musical acts including Alex Hickey, Lennie Gallant and Rose Cousins. General Manager Chris Heide says they've made a few changes for this year including a new tent for the main stage on Blockhouse Hill.



The Folk Harbour Festival begins Thursday with a mixture of workshops and performances at various locations. This is the 28th year for the event, making it the province's longest-running folk festival. For more information on the event, click here

High Liner Foods Report Profit Despite Lower Sales

A Lunenburg based seafood company is reporting solid profits in the second quarter despite lower sales. High Liner Foods says it recorded a profit of US$9.9 million, up from $1 million a year ago. The company says the increase was the result of lower raw material costs which offset a decrease in sales volumes.The second quarter results also got a boost related to the company's acquisition of Icelandic USA. However, business was down in the United States because of soft restaurant sales. High Liner reported sales of US$204 million for the quarter, down slightly from US$216 million in the same period last year. Meanwhile, sales in the Canadian food service business, saw an increase in the second quarter compared to last year. The earnings amounted to 63 cents per share, compared with six cents in the quarter last year. High Liner Foods operates secondary processing plants in Lunenburg, Newfoundland, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Local Athletes Competing At Legion Track And Field Nationals

A handful of South Shore athletes have been selected to represent the province at the Legion Track and Field Nationals. James Lucas, Sarah Mitton, Josh Bell and Tobias Wolter are among 38 people competing for Nova Scotia in Langley, B.C. Wolter is looking to build off a great appearance at last year's event, where he won a gold and two silver medals and set a new Canadian record in the steeplechase. His coach, Tanya Daniels, says she expects things to be a bit tougher this year because he's entering a new age group.



Daniels says Wolter will have to race smart to be competitive. He says the legion event is laid back and an enjoyable experience.



Wolter will compete in the steeplechase while Bell tries his hand in the discus, Mitton stays busy in the heptathlon and Lucas sprints in the 100 metre. The competition is slated to begin Friday and last all weekend.

Trial Dates Set For Liverpool Paramedic

A 47 year-old paramedic has pleaded not guilty to stealing drugs from Emergency Health Services. Kenneth Wade Cosh, of Liverpool, will stand trial in provincial court over two days beginning January 13. He faces a total of 10 charges including breach of trust, possession of morphine, theft and forgery. EHS contacted Queens RCMP in February after allegations of thefts and misuse of drugs by a Liverpool paramedic. Police say they seized syringes and medical containers when they searched a home in the town four days later.

Old Bank Notes Stolen During Conquerall Mills Theft

RCMP are warning businesses to be on the lookout for older currency after a break and enter in Conquerall Mills. The Mounties say the incident happened between 12:30 and 3:30 Tuesday afternoon. Police say several items were taken including older $10 and $20 Canadian bills, a large quantity of toonies and American cash. Constable David Cullen with Bridgewater RCMP says they have few details regarding suspects.



Police are looking for the public's help in finding the people responsible for the break-in. Anyone with information should contact Bridgewater RCMP or Crimestoppers.

Hebbville Athlete Wins Bronze At Summer Games

A Hebbville swimmer has captured a bronze medal at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Claire McNally finished in third place in the S1-S6 para-swimming 50m fly event Tuesday evening. She finished in a time of 55.03 seconds. It's the 17-year-old's first medal at the Summer Games. McNally also received bronze at the 2011 Winter Games after competing in para-alpine skiing. Nova Scotia has five medals so far at the games including one gold, one silver and three bronze.

Crews Douse White Point Lodge Fire

No one was injured after a chimney fire broke out at White Point's main lodge. The blaze began just before 6pm Tuesday evening. Fire Officials from Liverpool and Greenfield responded to the call. The building was evacuated for over an hour before the blaze was doused. Spokesperson Donna Hatt says the fire didn't cause any structural damage to the lodge. The cause is not yet known. The lodge was rebuilt in 2012 after fire destroyed the previous building in November 2011.