2021-05-26

LOCAL BRIEFS

Chester sailors surge on the national stage

Sailors Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance and Jacob Saunders - all of Chester - have each made their marks on a national platform, while one of them has his sights on competing in the Olympics in Japan this summer. Competing in the 470 ship class, Saunders is a member of the Canadian sailing team and nominated Olympic team heading to the Tokyo games in July. A member of the Chester Yacht Club and Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, Saunders previously participated in Olympic games in 2016 and 2008. Meanwhile the Lewin-LaFrance sisters, who compete in 49erFX - a two-person high-performance Olympic class skiff - are on the Canadian sailing development squad. They too are with the Chester Yacht Club and Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron. They have their sights set on medaling in the 2024 Olympics in France. Sail Canada, the sport's national governing body, recently announced team and squad rosters, which included the local trio.

Bridgewater plans LaHave River geotechnical tests

The South Shore's largest town is seeking permission from the federal government to conduct drilling across the LaHave River to make way for a new wastewater pipe. The underwater line would extend across the river between town-owned parks, near Mariners' Landing on the east side and at Shipyards Landing on the west side. Bridgewater must first get approval from federal officials, under navigable waters legislation, before getting started. The overall project includes upgrades of two lift stations, along with the new pipe connecting to the LaHave Street wastewater treatment plant. "The current wastewater system was designed at a time when it was acceptable to direct excessive flow into the river," reads the town's application, available on the Government of Canada's web site. "This flow was mainly water from rain events; however, these combined system sewers carry effluent that contributes to the organic loading of the river. This work is to reduce and eventually eliminate sanitary overflows from the system that get discharged into the LaHave River," reports the application details.

Emergency crews sent to medical, fire emergency in Lower Branch

Paramedics, RCMP and Northfield district volunteer firefighters descended on a John Arnold Avenue property where a senior sustained a medical emergency in a smoke-filled home. Public safety radio traffic indicated paramedics arrived at the Lower Branch home on May 15 and could see smoke but were unable to gain entry. First responders were told of activation of a hallway smoke detector and a medical alert pendant as they were summoned at 2:30 p.m. Additional fire crews were dispatched from Bridgewater and Midville district. The fire department arrived before police and helped paramedics gain access, Cpl. Chris Marshall, a spokesman for the province's RCMP, told LighthouseNOW in an email. Police indicated the senior woman fell while in the process of cooking. There were no reports of any serious injuries. Personal health information laws prevent the province's ambulance service from talking about details of specific calls. A spokesman for the fire department did not respond to a request for comment.

Bridge temporarily closes for repairs

A Northfield Road span in Upper Northfield near the Watford community boundary was temporary closed to motor vehicle traffic for repairs. The bridge, located south of the Northfield Road intersection with McKeen Road, needed a deck fix between May 17 and 21. A detour was in place while the work was completed. The province's transportation department advised of the project in a May 14 public statement.