Saint John Board of Trade Pleased With Funding Announcement

The Saint John Board of Trade is applauding the federal and provincial governments for investing $16 million dollars into Saint John's water infrastructure.President Imelda Gilman says water infrastructure is a key priority for the organization, and says clean, safe, reliable drinking water is important to those in the hospitality and manufacturing sectors of the economy.The investment will help the city meet the new, stricter water safety regulations put forth by the Federal Minister of the Environment Jim Prentice.

Warm Weather Greets Cruise Visitors

(Two cruise ships in port today - photo submitted)

The city's population is up by about five thousand today thanks to visits by two cruise ships. The pace of cruise visits will be picking up as we head into the fall season - and - port officials are predicting a record number of cruise visitors this year.

Funding Flows For Water Treatment

(Mayor Ivan Court speaking with reporters following funding announcement - photo by Gary MacDonald)

The replacement of a 110-year old water main is one of six projects in phase one of the eventual makeover of the city's drinking water system. The federal and provincial governments have announced 16-million dollars to top up the city's 8-million for phase one of the project -- a project which Mayor Ivan Court says will eventually pay dividends to the entire region. The mayor says he believes the city will be supplying drinking water to outlying regions at some point in the future. Court says the project complete with a new water treatment plan could take as long as ten years to complete -- total cost is estimated between 150 and 200-million dollars.

Ribbon Cut On New Hampton Seniors Complex

(M-P Rob Moore and Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock help to cut ribbon for new apartment complex - photo by Gary MacDonald)

The ribbon is cut -- and -- most residents have moved into the new seniors affordable housing complex in Hampton. The federal government has provided 480-thousand dollars to 3.5-million dollar project while the province is helping to subsidize rents in 16 of the 32 units -- something Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock says safe comfortable housing is important to their quality of life.It's the first seniors apartment complex in the town.

Woman Not Abducted

Remember last week when a Fredericton area woman told RCMP she was abducted and forced to drive to Ontario? RCMP now confirm she made up the entire story.

There was no abduction and the woman went to Toronto for personal reasons not revealed to the police. RCMP are now treating the case as public mischief.

Vandals Damage Church in Grand Bay Westfield

For the second time in as many days......vandals have hit a church in Grand Bay Westfield doing some serious damage. RCMP were called to the building yesterday to find several windows of the building had been broken with rocks.

Damage is estimated at close to ten thousand dollars. Two stained glass windows inside the church were also damaged.

Fire Services Review Tonight

City staff are recommending common council hire a third party consultant to carry out a 'value for money review' of the Saint John fire department. Council has already approved hiring consultants, Risk Management Services, to conduct a 40 thousand dollar baseline assessment of the fire protection needs and options for reducing the costs.

In a report to council, staff say a third party consultant should be hired to lend credibility to the review. Staff are also recommending council set up a steering committee--and--that the review be completed by the end of May. The fire department's budget is highest in the province at 20.3 million dollars. The issue is up for discussion during tonight's council meeting.

Red Cross Award Handed Out

The Red Cross Young Humanitarian Award for New Brunswick will go to a Saint John resident this year. 17-year-old Leah Secord is being honoured for her volunteer work with a Canadian Red Cross program to prevent bullying and with a student group that's working to raise 10-thousand dollars to help build a school in Africa.

The 2009 Humanitarian Award for the province will go to business leader and retired nurse Diane Ganong of St. Stephen. The awards will be presented November 18th at an awards dinner at the Delta Brunswick hotel.

Spraying at Base GageTown

A yearly tradition is underway at CFB GageTown. Maintenance crews have begun working on the annual vegetation management program which the includes the spraying of herbicide. That got underway on Friday of last week and is expected to finish up on Friday of this week. All areas to be treated are located within the confines of the base's training area.

This work is done every year to reduce the build up of heavy brush to prevent the risk of fire.

Saint John Man Faces Break and Enter Charges

One man has been arrested in connection with a break-in at Pepper's Pub in Market Square this morning around three o'clock. Police tell CHSJ News a man in his 20's was found inside the pub after forcing open the door. Nothing was stolen.

He is due in court later today to face charges of break and enter.

Inmate Dies at Local Prison

A 35 year old convict at the Parrtown Community Correctional Centre in Saint John has died after falling from a third-storey window. Officials say Michael Saccary--who was serving nearly six years and four months for various crimes--died on Saturday. Police suspect he was trying to escape and foul play has been ruled out.

Correctional Service Canada will join the city police department in launching an investigation.