Witless Bay to buy new high angle rescue equipment

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council last week approved the purchase of high angle rescue equipment for the fire department at a total cost of $950, plus HST.

“If they don’t get the gear, they can’t do the training,” said councillor Ralph Carey.

The motion was approved unanimously.

As per the monthly fire department update, presented by councillor Justina Nawaz, the team responded to a total of 139 emergency calls from January 1 to May 1 of this year. Calls included traffic accidents, vehicle fires, brush fires, and medical emergencies. Some 17 members recently completed a comprehensive traffic management course designed to help them manage traffic during emergency incidents. A number of other training activities have been planned for this spring and summer.

In light of recent fires, the department advises residents to not burn during dry or windy conditions, adhere to burning restrictions issued by local authorities, clear the area of combustible materials such as vegetation before starting a fire, keep a fire extinguisher on hand, and allow ashes to cool completely before disposal. The department is also encouraging people to report suspicious burnings.

Witless Bay approves fifth change order for tourism project

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council last week approved a change order in the amount of $3,250, plus HST for the Lower Pond Tourist project.

It’s the fifth change order for the project.

“We’re looking to get this completed soon, so this will be the last — or at least we’re hoping it’s the going to be the last change order — for the project,” said councillor Ralph Carey, who allowed folks will be impressed with the final product.

The change order was for site work.

Council initially appointed Mills & Wright Landscape Architecture as prime consultant on the project at a cost of $17,150 plus HST.

The upgrades will include new seating, a spotting scope (non-coin operated binoculars), and interpretative panels.

Work on the project is expected to resume soon.

On a similar front, the Town purchased $2,113, plus HST, worth of material for new outdoor furniture. The furniture will be constructed by inmates at the provincial penitentiary through the jail’s carpentry program.

Town of Bay Bulls presents Certificate of Appreciation

The Town of Bay Bulls last week presented Chief Petty Officer David Kennedy with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his remarkable 34 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces. A native of Bay Bulls, Kennedy served across all three branches of the Armed Forces — navy, air force, and army. He retired in March. “Your unwavering dedication, leadership, and commitment to protecting Canada and upholding the values of duty and honour are a source of great admiration,” read the letter presented to Kennedy. “As a proud native of Bay Bulls, your accomplishments bring distinction not only to your family and fellow service members but to our entire community.” Presenting the certificate is Bay Bulls Mayor Keith O’ Driscoll. Town of Bay Bulls photo.

Bay Bulls council awards trail contract

By Mark Squibb

Bay Bulls council last week awarded a contract to install a new trail connecting Lower Path Road to Winnonish Drive.

Harbour Construction Ltd., of Witless Bay will perform the work at a total cost of $19,495, plus HST.

The trail will connect the Long Pond Walking Trail off Lower Path Road with Winnonish Drive, allowing for easier access to the Long Pond trail.

“We’re trying to enhance our trail and add to our existing network, and connect it to more of the town,” said Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien.

Last year, the Town completed over $484,000 worth of upgrades to the Long Pond trail, including the installation of 1.5 kilometres of granular trail, which effectively closed the entire loop. The Town received $290,575 in provincial funding for the project and also received $193,717 in other government funding to cover the remainder of the cost.

Southern Shore Breakers member awarded Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador 2025 President’s Goaltender Award

Mark Power of the Southern Shore Breakers has been awarded the Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador 2025 President’s Goaltender Award. Established in 1989, the award is presented annually to the goaltender with the best goals-against average in the regular season. Power played 15 games with the Breakers this season and posted a 2.62 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. The team credits Power’s performance between the pipes as a key ingredient in it finishing second in the Avalon East Senior Hockey League. Power also suited up for the Clarenville Caribous this spring for the 2025 Allan Cup. Jim Walsh Photo

Ferryland gets funding to help with outfall repairs

By Mark Squibb

The Town of Ferryland has received roughly $30,000 in provincial government funding to help with the replacement of pipe damaged during a major December storm.

Council applied to the provincial government’s Special Assistance Grant program earlier this spring to replace and repair a 100 foot section of sewer outflow pipe destroyed during the storm.

The total cost of the repairs is estimated to be about $65,000. Mayor Aidan Costello said council will have to move some money around within its budget to accommodate for the repairs.

The mayor said the high-density poly sewer pipe, prior to damage, ran about 150 feet. The damage means that only the first 50 or so feet is in working condition.

Once council has tendered the project, work will begin after the weather has improved.

“We’re going to wait for the weather to cooperate with us,” said Costello. “This time of year, working on the beach is not easy, so we’ll wait for some better weather.”

The Town has also purchased a new prod to better manage PH readings at the its water treatment plant.

Petty Harbour’s Colin Walsh named St. John’s Athlete of the Year

Colin Walsh. (File photo.)

By Mark Squibb

Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove native Colin Walsh was named the Male Athlete of the Year at the City of St. John’s 2025 Applause Awards gala held May 1 at the St. John’s Convention Centre.

“It’s a great honour,” said Walsh. “There’s a lot of great athletes here in Newfoundland and Labrador, and specifically the St. Johns area…It’s a great honour to win the award.”

If you size up Walsh’s achievements from this last year, it’s no surprise his name was pitched for the award. He earned Regular Season MVP, Playoff MVP, and All-Star Pitcher honours in the St. John’s Senior Men’s Fastpitch League, leading in both wins and strikeouts, and was also a key player on the league’s championship team. Walsh was named Tournament MVP at the Men’s Senior Fastpitch Provincial Championship and finished off the year with a Gold Medal at the Senior Men’s Nationals, where he once again earned Playoff MVP honours. Walsh also competed with Bear Creek Express at the International Softball Congress’s 2024 Men’s Fastpitch World Tournament.

Walsh, 33, has been playing ball for as long as he can remember, and got his start playing with rec leagues in the Goulds and Petty Harbour.

More recently, Walsh was one of five Newfoundlanders and Labradorians named to the 2025 Men’s National Team. Also named to the team are Shane Boland of the Goulds, Sean Cleary of Harbour Main, Brad Ezekiel of Holyrood, and Jordan Pomeroy of Placentia. Les Howey of CBS serves as an assistant coach with the team.

“The biggest honour, in any sport, or in anything you do, is to represent your country,” said Walsh. “So, I’m looking forward to it, and we’ve got a great group of guys… some veterans, and some new, young players coming through the ranks.”

Also on the award front, The Galway Hitmen, who boast a number of players from the Goulds and Petty Harbour, including Walsh, was named Team of the Year at that same Applause Award gala.

The Hitmen went undefeated (9-0) to win gold at the 2024 Men’s Canadian Fastpitch Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Hitmen outscored opponents 77-17 (+60), with a .339 team batting average and a 2.10 Earned Run Average.

Saints Peter and Paul Parish donation to community food pantry

Members of Saints Peter and Paul Parish made the first ever donation to the Bay Bulls community food pantry. Donations were collected by parishioners over a number of weeks and dropped off at the pantry, located just outside the Town Hall, by youth from the church’s Living Faith Program last month. Resident Margaret Dinn is credited with bringing the idea of a community pantry to town staff for consideration, and last November council purchased $1,000 worth of materials and partnered with the Carpentry Program at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary to bring the idea to life. Pictured, from left are Parker Clowe, Joel Windsor, Patsy O’Brien, Nathan Windsor, and Jack Clowe. Town of Bay Bulls photo

Speed humps to be placed near retirement centre

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council has approved the installation of a number of speed humps throughout the community, as well as a number of other road maintenance contracts, a sure sign that spring is on its way.

Two speed humps will be installed near the recreation grounds along Southside Track, one on either side of the grounds, and two will be installed near Alderwood Estates Retirement Centre on Harbour Road, one on either side.

Council approved the new speed humps unanimously.

During the same meeting, council also awarded the traffic line painting contract to lowest bidder Three-In-One Contracting Inc., at a cost of $1,850, plus HST, and the road sweeping contract to lowest bidder Clean Sweep Property Maintenance Ltd., at a cost of $1,200 plus HST.

Both votes were unanimous.

Witless Bay approves firefighters social

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council this past April approved an expenditure of $2,000 to host a social for members of the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department.

Councillor Ralph Carey said the event will be similar to the annual Firefighters Ball of years past.

During the April Fire Department committee report, councillor Justina Nawaz noted the department is looking forward to doing more outdoor training as the spring approaches, and that all equipment, including vehicles, is currently undergoing inspection to make sure everything is up to scratch.

The department boasts a membership of 31 volunteers and a paid chief.