Traffic moving again along Rothesay Avenue

(photo courtesy of Sean Crowley)

Police, fire and ambulance crews responded to a single-vehicle rollover at 378 Rothesay Avenue.  The accident occurred about 1:30 this afternoon.
A person was initially trapped in the SUV vehicle but, was removed.
The driver was treated in hospital and released.
Traffic is moving again along Rothesay Avenue.

Torch Bearer Announced for Saint John

After months of speculation, City Hall has finally announced who will be carry the Olympic torch when it runs through the city on the 24th. Debbie Cooper, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club has been given the honor and is beyond thrilled. Director of Communications Nancy Moar tells CHSJ News, Cooper has been with the organization for 30 years and is very deserving of this task.

That celebration includes a carnival for children followed by the lighting of a make-shift cauldron at seven o'clock. Fireworks will wrap up the night and they are set to go at eight o'clock.

H1N1 Update from Health Department

    (Dr. Eilish Cleary...File Photo)

By tomorrow, all first nations communities and pregnant women around the province will have had an opportunity to receive the H1N1 vaccine. There is continuing wide-spread activity, with 68 people in the hospital, 40% are under the age of 20 and no deaths. Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Eilish Cleary their focus next week will turn to people with breathing problems and chronic disease.

Dr. Cleary adds all children under the age of five should be finished getting their vaccine by next week as well. So far, 145,000 vaccines have been distributed around the Province and another 45,000 arrived on Monday.

Poverty Reduction Forum

      (Premier Graham at Poverty Reduction Forum)
                (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

After months of open houses and gathering information, politicians, front line workers, business owners and those living in poverty have gathered at the Trade and Convention Center. By tomorrow afternoon, they hope to emerge with the final wording of what will make up the Poverty Reduction Initiative. Premier Shawn Graham says in order for this to be successful, all involved must get involved.

Premier Graham applauds Social Services Minister Kelly Lamrock for challenging the status quo of social assistance. A news conference is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon to release details of the conference.

Fuel Prices Won't Move Until Friday

It's Thursday and normally we would tell you what the new price of fuel products is around the Province. How-ever, due to the holiday yesterday, the Energy and Utilities Board will not let us know if the price for gasoline, furnace oil, propane and diesel is going up or down until tomorrow.


EUB officials tell us wholesalers will be notified of the price changes later today. The price for a litre of self-serve fuel is selling for just over a loonie at most stations in Greater Saint John.

Proposed Bike Trails Up for Discussion

There is a public information review on the prospect of more bike trails in the city. The Glenn Group and city staff will be presenting a bike trail review this evening at the North End Community Centre. Up for discussion is the plan for three levels of trails for the corner of Shamrock Park by Spar Cove Road and Millidge Avenue as well as possibly putting in a "pump" track beside the parking lot.


Things get underway at 6 o'clock and run until 8.

Canadian Tire Talks About 2009

It's one of the most recognizable logo's in retail and the president of the company was in Saint John earlier this week to talk about the future. Michael Arnett is the boss at Canadian Tire and tells CHSJ News, they noticed many of their customers bought supplies for an upgrade and not new merchandise.

Arnett says Canadian Tire is weathering the recession with a drop in sales for the second quarter from last year but improvement for the bottom line.

No Changes Coming for Sand Cove Road

Despite the recommendation from the Planning Advisory Comittee----Common Council is denying the request to rezone 1070 Sand Cove Road. David Baker wanted to buy the property and have it rezoned from single family to two family dwelling and build a duplex but neighbours appeared before council voicing concerns over water drainage. Councillor Bruce Court says he used to live in the neighbourhood and knows how damp it is.


Court says if the city cannot handle the flooding that is happening in the area now, then there shouldn't be more development.

Right of Way Dispute in Rothesay

A few concerns have been raised over access to the waterfront in Kennebecasis Park by residents who use a common right-of-way. The dispute surfaced after a recent article in the Rothesay Reader suggested the town of Rothesay is allowing trails through the area be developed by property owners adjacent to the right-of-ways. Mayor Bill Bishop says they have received three letters from residents.


Bishop says town staff will look at agreements between the town and the original owners of the land.

Another Year for Operation Red Nose

With the Christmas party season in full swing, another holiday tradition is starting as well. Fusion Saint John is kicking off it's Operation Red Nose campaign today for it's second year. Coordinator Katie Emrich says there was a great response last year to the program and hopes this year will be just as good.


Emrich says last year about 60 per cent of users travelled outside of city limits and is expecting this year to be similiar. The goal of the volunteer based, free service is to keep anyone who has had a few drinks from gettign behind the wheel.