Chop Chop Food Festival Launch

The opposition Liberals are calling on the new Conservative government to protect the province's interests in the proposed takeover bid of the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan.


MLA Donald Arsenault tells CHSJ News at 1.7 billion dollars, the new mine the company is building, is the largest infrastructure project in the province right now.


With a major takeover happening right now, they just want to make sure the Alward government keeps an eye on it.
Arsenault says the Potash Corporation has been a major employer for 30 years and the new mine will provide up to 500 good-paying jobs for years to come.

K.V. Chamber Of Commerce Hands Out Awards

Several KV businesses bringing home some hardware after the Chamber of Commerce annual awards gala last night.
HomeStar Inc. won the Volunteer of the Year Award for their involvement in the one item food drive.
Culligan of Rothesay got an award recognizing the company 25 years in the town.

The Emerging Business of the Year Award winner was The Girls Bra Shop while McPhee's Home Bakery wins the Business of the Year.
Dairy Queen win the Community Impact Award and the Young Entrepreneur Award went to Jonathan Flemming of Maritime Truck and Trailer.

The awards handed out last night at the Riverside Golf and Country Club.

Body Found On Beach

Plenty of questions are being asked after a body was found on a beach on Grand Manan.

Someone was walking along the shoreline Monday when they found the remains. 
 

The body is at the Regional Hospital as forensic tests try to figure out who this person is along with the cause of death.

Traffic Change On King Street In Uptown

There is another change in the traffic pattern in uptown Saint John you should be aware of.

If you're coming down King Street past City Hall, you can no longer make a right hand turn on to St. Patrick Street when the light is red.

City Staff evaluated the area after getting several requests to do so and they feel this new rule will reduce the risk of someone getting hit trying to cross St. Patrick Street. 

A new set of traffic lights was installed and signs are supposed to be up as a reminder as well for drivers.

Mayor Applauds Initiative Of New Minister Of Local Government

(Mayor Ivan Court)
    (File Photo)

The new Minister for Local Government Bruce Fitch has announced he wants to move ahead with the Finn report which has been sitting on the shelf since 2008.

It was set up by the previous Liberal Government to bring forward recommendations on reorganising local government.

Mayor Ivan Court tells CHSJ News this is good news for Saint John if it comes to pass because it will improve the city's bottom line. Court says the report recommends greater regionalisation but not amalgamation with the exception of Campbellton.

The Mayor goes on to say the unincorporated areas have not been paying their fair share of taxes.

Blood Services Unions Meet In Saint John

Blood Service worker representatives from across the country are meeting in Saint John over the next two days.


Many issues are up for discussion including the pending move of Canadian Blood Service's production lab out of Saint John to Dartmouth.


Cupe rep Mike Davidson tells CHSJ News, he isn't convinced this is a done deal yet.


Davidson says in recent talks with both Provincial Government and Medical officials, neither side is wavering on it's belief the lab should remain where it is in Millidgeville.


The meetings continue at the Hilton until tomorrow.

Quispamsis Comments on The Cherry Brook Zoo

No takers from one municipality on the issue of the Cherry Brook Zoo becoming part of the Regional Facilities Commission.


The zoo made a presenation to Quispamsis council this week and when a motion was called for on the issue, no councillor would show support.


Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News, he realizes the zoo needs some financial stability but points out if the town does or doesn't give them cash for the coming year, that in no way indicates whether or not they are in favor of them becoming part of the Regional Facilities Commission.


The Zoo's Director Lynda Collrin says the zoo needs stable year to year funding to be accredited. Last year, it received 60 thousand dollars from the city.

Gas Prices In City Go Down

Drivers in the city are paying less for gas after the weekly setting. The price of self serve regular is going for $101.4 a litre, down by over a cent. Diesel is also less expensive by a cent a litre at $107.3. Heating oil is at 93.5 cents a litre, which is a bit of a reduction, but propane is higher with the maximum listed price at $108.5.

Study On Depression Underway In City

A Saint John doctor is conducting a study on depression to find the most effective treatments for it.
Dr. Rachel Morehouse tells CHSJ News it's for significant depression.

She says it's not for a little sadness but the kind of depresssion that prevents people from working and being able to function.

Morehouse says people wouldn't hesitate to tell their doctor if their have pain in the knees but, are ashamed or guilty to tell their doctor about how they can't eat or sleep due to depression.

For more information on the study, call 648-7176.

The Saint John Volunteer Centre Is Looking For Volunteers

The Saint John Volunteer Centre hosting its annual recruitment fair today.

Over 30 agencies will have representatives on hand over next two days at Brunswick Square.

Eileen McLaughlin tells CHSJ News if someone comes in offering to volunteer, the centre has many options for them.

She says on any given day they have 150 volunteer jobs to choose from.

The recruitment fair runs from 10am to 5pm both today and tomorrow on level one of Brunswick Square.

For more information, check out: http://www.volunteercentresj.com/index.aspx