Updated at 8:46 am
EARL GETTING CLOSER
The storm watch continues as hurricane Earl churns towards Atlantic Canada.
Forecasters say Earl could make landfall early tomorrow anywhere from southwestern Nova Scotia to New Brunswick's Fundy shore.
For Central & Northern Nova Scotia, Tropical Storm, rainfall and wind warnings are in effect.
Environment Canada says strong winds and heavy rains are expected throughout the province tomorrow, with 40 to 70 mm of rain possible.
The weather agency says 25 mm could fall in as little as an hour.
CONCERNS ABOUT ADVOCATE HARBOUR SEAWALL DURING EARL
People living around Advocate Harbour are among the Atlantic Canadians concerned about hurricane Earl.
Don Fletcher, former head of the town's development association, says a rocky berm that protected the harbour was damaged almost 19 months ago and has not been fully fixed yet.
Fletcher says if conditions are right, high tide and hurricane weather, Advocate will end up under water.
Ottawa has funded a study into the seawall repair and a spokesman for the federal Fisheries Department says that report will be examined and the agency will decide what actions to take, in consultation with other federal departments.
TRURO RED CROSS URGES PREPARATION
The Red Cross says it's time to get a plan together to deal with Earl.
Mona O'Brien, with the organization's Truro office, says people should be making sure everything is secure on their properties and have an emergency kit.
In the kit, O'Brien says there should be cash, in case ATMs are down, bottled water, non-perishable food, and a crank or battery-operated radio.
As for people skeptical about the storm, O'Brien points out that it only takes an hour to put together an emergency kit and make sure lawn furniture is secure.
She says doing that will make the situation less of an emergency, and more of an inconvenience.
To get more information on storm preparation, check out the Red Cross Site -- www.redcross.ca/ready
CCRSB ADDRESSES HEAT CONCERNS FOR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
It's back to school for students in the Chignecto Central Regional School Board system.
With high temperatures and humidity expected, the board is advising teaching staff to limit outdoor activities and keep windows covered as much as possible.
Speaking with our newsroom, board media relations spokesperson, Terri Mingo, says the decision on whether a child should attend today is ultimately left with parents.
Mingo suggests that parents dress their children in light clothing.
LOCAL POLICE REMIND DRIVERS TO WATCH FOR STUDENTS
With students heading back to school today, Truro Police Chief Dave McNeil is stressing safety.
With school buses back on the road and students on the sidewalks, McNeil says it's important for drivers to slow down and give themselves some extra time to get where they're going.
He also says it's important to remember the rules of the road.
McNeil says it's also important for parents and students to remember to use proper crosswalks, and make sure oncoming traffic is going to stop before stepping into a crosswalk.
Colchester RCMP are asking drivers to use extra caution, too, pointing out that children don't always notice oncoming traffic.
Both Colchester RCMP & Truro Police will be patrolling school zones as the new school year starts.
GAS PRICES RISE
No surprise for most people -- Pump prices are up this morning.
The price of gasoline has gone up almost two cents a litre in Nova Scotia, while diesel is up just over three cents.
Gas prices also went up in New Brunswick this week.
LOCAL SPORTS
Scores from Thursday:
In Bud Light Men's Slo-Pitch, Ice Man Air Conditioning tripled the Diamond Doggs 15-5 to win the semi-finals 3-1. Ice Man will face the Northumberland Silos in the finals.
In Bud Light Mixed Slo-Pitch, the Engine Room Swingers beat the Harmony Grove Expos 13-9, to become A division champions. Meanwhile, Keith's Gas Bar downed Blueline New Holland 10-6.
In Maritime Junior A hockey pre-season action, the Pictou County Weeks Crushers dumped the Truro Bearcats 3-1.
