2021-04-28

LOCAL BRIEFS

Fire damages North River home

Ashes in a compost bin positioned against a home in North River, Lunenburg County led to a blaze there that drew volunteer fire fighters from New Germany, Northfield and Hemford districts.

First responders applied water along the side of the home, pulled siding to check for any fire spread, and examined the attic space, New Germany fire chief Blair Lantz told LighthouseNOW in a text message.

Lantz said the fire did not progress to the home's interior.

Some emergency officials suggest avoiding putting ashes in a compost bin entirely because of the potential fire risk, however the Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre advises cooling woodstove ashes for four weeks before putting them in a green cart.

If people choose to put ashes in a compost bin, it is recommended placing the bin away from any structures.

Lantz said the cause of the fire is classified as accidental in nature.

Senior hurt after sport-utility-vehicle strikes tree

A woman in her 70s was hurt after the Kia Soul she was driving collided with a tree on Bridgewater's east side.

Paramedics, volunteer firefighters and the town's police department responded April 15 to North Street, near the paramedic base, during the supper-hour.

In an email to LighthouseNOW, Danny MacPhee, the town's deputy police chief, said the sport-utility-vehicle (SUV) crossed the street and collided with a tree. The driver was taken to the Bridgewater hospital by ambulance. MacPhee had no further information as to the extent and severity of her injuries.

Police are still looking into the matter. Road conditions, MacPhee noted, were not a factor.

Former New Ross area councillor dies

Bea Larder, a former municipal councillor in Lunenburg County, died earlier this month.

She served multiple terms as a civic politician in the Municipality of Chester until in 2004, when she decided not to re-offer. Larder, who represented the New Ross area, died at home on April 8. She was 92.

"Bea worked tirelessly to give back to her community, by creating the home care program which later became the model for the province," reads a published obituary. "She also helped establish the Golden Age Club in New Ross where she spent many hours cooking meals to serve to her senior community."

Larder was also lauded for her hospitality, culinary skills and flair for detail.

A memorial was already held for Larder, who is survived by five daughters and several grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Donations in her memory can be made to the New Ross volunteer fire department, the Alzheimer's Society, or a charity of choice.

No charges resulting from vehicle crash in New Germany

The Mounties say no charges will be filed resulting from an April 13 accident involving one vehicle in New Germany.

RCMP and New Germany volunteer firefighters were among emergency crews sent to Lower Branch Road after a caller reported a crash and a female fleeing the scene around 11 a.m.

First responders located a vehicle on its roof in the ditch, but Cpl. Chris Marshall, a spokesman for the province's RCMP, said police determined a male was driving and was the only occupant.

It is not uncommon for initial dispatch information to differ from the actualities of a scene. There were no injuries, Marshall said.

"Police determined that the vehicle had left the roadway after failing to negotiate a curve," Marshall told LighthouseNOW in an email.