Lake Echo Beach in Lake Echo, N.S., was closed to swimming Wednesday after water quality testing found high levels of bacteria.

People were&nbsp;advised to stay out of the water until further notice, according to a news release from the Halifax Regional Municipality.

City staff regularly test the water quality at all&nbsp;

&nbsp;during the summer months, as well as Malay Falls, which is unsupervised.

The release said&nbsp;preliminary testing shows bacteria levels at Lake Echo&nbsp;Beach exceed Health Canada's swimming guidelines.

High bacteria levels can be caused by a number of factors, including dogs, wildlife&nbsp;and high temperatures.

City staff will continue testing the water until bacteria levels are safe.&nbsp;Residents will be updated when the beach reopens.

Digital 'market coins' aim to help Halifax families struggling with food costs

A new community food market in north-end Halifax is using a digital currency-inspired idea to help families struggling with the costs of fresh food.

Kolade Kolawole-Boboye, left, with youth member Leen, sit at a table at the Community Fair Food Market.

Leen and Kolade

Kolade Kolawole-Boboye, right, with youth member Leen, sit at a table at the Community Fair Food Market. Kolawole-Boboye started developing the market last fall.

Classic car owners floored after garage strips parts, refuses to return beloved vehicles

Customers of a specialty autobody and mechanic shop north of Halifax say their classic vehicles have been held at the garage for years, despite their attempts to have them returned, or have been handed back in pieces.

Maurice Pommerville's 1967 Chevelle after being at Curtis Customs Radical Garage

Chevelle

A 1967 Chevelle owned by Maurice Pommerville, a customer of Curtis Customs Radical Garage, is shown after it was returned to him. Pommerville said the garage 'cut the hood all up' and the car was so  damaged he had to sell it for parts.

Rankin responds to official's 'delete' note among workplace death records

When Nicole Gnazdowsky didn't get the answers she was seeking, she set out to learn what the government was saying about her brother's case behind the scenes. On Monday, she received the massive email file that was the result of her freedom-of-information request.

Andrew Gnazdowsky graduated with a degree in civil engineering from the University of Saskatchewan in 2017. 

Andrew Gnazdowsky

Nicole Gnazdowsky says she will never stop looking for answers into her brother's death.

 Nicole Gnazdowsky

Short notice of bridge closure upsets some residents in Inverness County

Some people living in Nova Scotia's Inverness County are nervous and upset at the temporary loss of a bridge that connects their rural communities together. The province gave only a few days notice of the closure, which is due to repairs being done.

The Department of Transportation announced Friday that it is shutting down the bridge in Brook Village. A spokesperson says work will take six to eight weeks, with a detour in place. 

Brook Village bridge 

The Department of Transportation announced Friday that it is shutting down the bridge in Brook Village, N.S. A spokesperson says work will take six to eight weeks, with a detour in place. 

Jazz legend Jerry Granelli, of Charlie Brown Christmas fame, dies at 80

Drummer Jerry Granelli, a giant of jazz and a gifted music teacher, died in Halifax Tuesday morning at the age of 80.

Banff Musicians in Residence, BMiR, Banff Centre 2018, Jerry Granelli

Jerry Granelli

Jerry Granelli performs at the Banff Centre in 2018. Granelli died Tuesday morning at the age of 80.

Beach closures happen every summer in HRM. This sign was posted at Albro Lake Beach in 2017 to warn of bacteria levels that exceeded health standards.

Lake Echo Beach closed to swimming due to high bacteria levels

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