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Friday, August 21, 2009

Bill Blocks Cruise Ship

Hurricane Bill is making its presence felt even before actually moving into the area -- Carnival Cruise Lines has cancelled Saturday's scheduled visit by the Carnival Triumph with its 32-hundred passengers. The cancellation also means a rescheduling of a soccer match between the Carnival Triumph's team and the Saint John Sharks. The soccer match - which will be rescheduled - will be the first for what will become the annual Fundy Cruise Challenge Cup -- up for grabs is a trophy compliments of Mayor Ivan Court.

CUPE President Happy With WorksafeNB Decision

The President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees says the decision to keep the WorksafeNB facility in Grand Bay publicly operated is the right move.Danny Legere tells CHSJ News, when a facility becomes privately run it's main goal is to increase profits, which isn't right when it comes to rehabilitating injured workers.
Legere says WorksafeNB shouldn't be trying to turn a profit, it should be helping injured workers.He says he thinks the public backlash about the rumours of the facility going private helped sway the board of directors decision.

Accident on Highway One

A single vehicle accident on Highway one this afternoon has a happy ending. No on was hurt when a pick-up truck pulling a camper trailer lost control. The truck stayed up-right and drove into a ditch Westbound but the trailer broke free and flipped.

The Musquash Fire Department arrived on scene just before two o'clock and had things cleaned up just before four. Fire officials do report that because of drivers that wouldn't slow down, they almost had several other accidents while responding to this one.

Hurricane Bill Expected Sunday

He will be a category one storm when he rolls into Canadian water. That is the latest on Hurricane Bill as it tracks towards our region this weekend. Meteorologist Claude Cote tells CHSJ News, all of the activity in Greater Saint John is expected to start Sunday and roll through most of the day.
Cote says wind speed will reach a high of 60 kilometers per hour and anywhere between 50-70mm's of rain is expected.

New Brunswick Receives Good Credit Rating

The province shouldn't have any problem getting a loan after a report by Standard and Poor.The agency is stating New Brunswick is in good shape credit wise, and is the highest east of Ontario.Acting Finance Minister Jack Keir says items in the five point plan put forward in the last budget are the reason for being in good shape.The plan included, The Plan for Lower Taxes in New Brunswick, and $1.2 billion dollars for infrastructure and support for businesses.

Local Doctors Get Support


[Margaret Ann Blaney--File Photo from GNB Website]



Health Critic and Rothesay MLA Margaret Ann Blaney is thrilled with the latest news for Provincial doctors. This after physicians from coast to coast have thrown their support behind the medical society in it's wage battle with the Graham Government. Blaney tells CHSJ News, this throws cold water on what Health MInister Schryer has been saying that this Province is physician friendly.



The Medical Society plans to take the Provincial Government to court next month over a proposed wage freeze. This despite the Graham government introducing legislation to block any legal action and to throw out a deal reached between the two late last year.

Red Cross Urges Preparedness

Be prepared for anything.....that word of advice today from the Red Cross as Hurricane Bill could bring high wind and heavy rain over the weekend. Spokes-person Dan Bedell tells CHSJ News, one of the things people over-look in an emergency kit is contact numbers:
Bedell adds it never hurts to have plenty of batteries on hand and make sure anything thing that might get caught by a gust of wind around your home is tucked away.

NB Power Keeping Close Tabs on Hurricane Bill

Today and through-out the weekend, NB Power officials will keep close tabs on what direction Hurricane Bill will take. Spokes-person Heather McLean tells CHSJ News, normally this time of year the utility is conducting vegetation maintenance which is a big help.
McLean adds one of the big problems with a wind storm can be this time of the year with still alot of leaves on trees. At Point Lepreau with all of the construction going on, staff are conducting an inspection of the site to make sure any and everything that might get blown away is being tied down.

City Hall Gets Ready for Bill

Don't be surprised to see City Works Crews busy today working around drain systems. This as City hall prepares for what-ever Hurricane Bill might blow our way. Communications spokes-person Leah Fitzgerald tells CHSJ News, Saint John Water is also busy making the rounds checking the waste-water pumping and treatment facilities to make sure the screens are clear.
Fitzgerald says their biggest worry at this point is any flooding due to the heavy rain. Shelters will be activated should flooding force anyone from their home.

Saint John Prepares for Hurricane Bill

What-ever Hurricane Bill might bring our way this weekend, Saint John Energy crews will be ready. They are not going to be on stand-by but if something should happen, crews will roll into action. President Eric Marr tells CHSJ News, even with-out the threat of the Hurricane, they start getting geared up for what-ever the winter season might bring this time of year.

Marr says the reason they won't have crews on stand-by is two-fold....one is cost and crews will be ready should anything happen.

Cyclists Bike Through Saint John For Climate Change

Local cyclists are hoping to spread the world about climate change by joining the Canada to Copenhagen: Pedal for the Planet bike tour tomorrow. The KyotoPlus coalition is pedaling across Canada to encourage positive government action on climate change. Organizer for the Saint John to Sussex segment, Joe Godin tells CHSJ news they want to bring attention to the Prime Minister's attendance at the global climate treaty talks in Copenhagen next December.

Cyclists will pass through Saint John on Saturday and at 8 in the morning they will leave Kings Square for Sussex.

Police Deal with Break and Enters

Police are investigating a break and enter at the Rise N Shine hair salon and tattoo shop on King Street. Police say someone smashed in a window and entered the building, but nothing was stolen.

Meanwhile, one youth has been arrested following a break and enter at the Power Store on Loch Lomand Road early this morning. Police tell us a teen is facing charges of break and enter and probation violation for house arrest. They don't believe the two B & E's are related.

Sussex RCMP Busy with Multiple Arrests

A 23 year old man from the Belleisle area has been arrested in connection with an assault on a pregnant woman. RCMP say the woman entered the Sussex Health Center around 4:30 yesterday morning with minor injuries from a former partner. A man has been released pending a court appearance.

Meanwhile, three teenage girls have been arrested for allegedly shoplifting from the Atlantic Superstore in the Dairy Town. They are scheduled to appear in Sussex Youth court on September 23rd to enter a plea. And a man is facing charges for possession of a controlled substance after RCMP stopped him for speeding near the town's recreation fields last night. Officers allege they found a small quantity of marijuana inside the vehicle. The man is due in court late October.