Big News For Joshua Group

It's a happy day for the both the SPCA and the Joshua Group....Joshua Group founder Bobby Hayes announcing they've managed to buy the former Peacock property to use as a permanent headquarters for the kid's charity. 

Hayes tells CHSJ News there's still much that needs to be done to assess the cost of renovations and make sure the building is safe for the kids to use.

No word yet on how much the building went for, or when the group is expected to start using it.

City Police Officer Sentenced To Jail Time

3 months in jail the sentence handed a city police officer who was found guilty of common assault and engaging in threatening conduct after a breakin at his home on Westfield Road.

Mr. Justice Hugh McLellen cited a New Brunswick Court of Appeal ruling in sending 39 year old Constable Chris Messer to jail. The Court of Appeal ruled when police break the law, a conditional discharge is woefully inadequate.

The judge also rejecting house arrest when Messer's lawyer expressed concern over his safety in jail.

Messer was told he was convicted largely on the basis of his own evidence. The police officer suspected Randy King of breaking into his home and admitted to punching him three times in the back of the head outside the detention area after transporting him from the west side.

The judge also telling Messer he was in a conflict of interest by investigating a crime committed against himself but no one in the police department prevented him from doing so. Mr. Justice McLellen says Messer doesn't seem to understand he was in a conflict of interest which is a breach of trust.

Chance Harbour Man Sentenced For Sexual Assault

Hard drinking will destroy your support network of family and friends........That advice from Mr Justice Hugh McLellan, handing down a sentence of 2 years in jail, plus 3 years probation, to 25-year-old Bradley Scott Wilson.

Wilson was found guilty of sexual assault in connection with a January incident at a West Side pub.

In a statement to the court, the victim of the assault said she quit her job out of embarrassment and is haunted by the pain of the incident every day.

Wilson's defense pointed out while his client had a prior record, his offenses were all alcohol-related, but the judge said he simply needs to learn to stay sober.

Wilson was also entered on the sex offender registry and required to submit a DNA sample.

His mother and father have told CHSJ News they don't feel justice has been served.

No Worries For Hurricane Leslie

We don't have much to worry about when it comes to Hurricane Leslie.

The Canadian Hurricane Centre of Environment Canada saying the tropical cyclone's influence in the province is very low at this point.

Jobless Rate Up

Canadian employers added 34,300 jobs to the economy during August.

That's well ahead of the 10,000 economists had expected, but the gains were all in part-time work.

In Saint John unemployment rate went up from 8.6% in July to 9% in August.

In the province unemployment was up from 10% to 10.4%.

At the Bank of Montreal, economist Doug Porter is saying the August report is a little better than expected, but underwhelming.

The latest jobs report is nearly a complete reversal of the picture in July, when the economy shed about 30-thousand jobs.

Boil Water Order For Hillcrest Trailer Park

If you live in the Hillcrest Trailer Park you'll have to boil your water until Tuesday.

The boil water order went into effect yesterday.

Arguments Heard At Sentencing Hearing For City Police Officer

A 39 year old city police officer will be sentenced later this afternoon. Constable Chris Messer was found guilty of common assault and engaging in threatening behaviour after his home on Westfield Road was broken into.

The prosecution cites breach of trust in calling for jail time of 3 to 6 months even though Messer's presentence report was favourable. Messer, though, maintains his innocence.

 Defense lawyer Brian Munro calls it the best presentence report he has ever read and he's arguing for a conditional discharge.

Munro calls Messer a devoted family man who, up until this, had no blemishes on his record as a police officer. Munro telling the court Messer felt his family had been violated by the breakin but the public interest would not be served by a jail sentence.

For his part, Messer apologised to his family for what he has put them through.

Mr. Justicie Huge McLellen delivers his verdict at 4:00.

RCMP Nab Arena Robber

One man has been arrested and police and looking for a second inconnection with a break and enter in St. Andrews.

RCMP arrested a 21-year-old St. Andrews man for a break and enter at the W.C. O'Neill Arena Complex on August 24. He will appear in St. Stephen Provincial Court in October.
They are still looking for another man who may have been camping in the St. Andrews area in late August.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or any other property crime is asked to contact District 1 RCMP at 506-755-1130 or Crime Stoppers at www.crimenb.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (2477).

Mill Rat Player And Family Out Of Danger

The Saint John Mill Rats and the Africa to Canada Committee announcing Modibo Diarra, his wife Mariam and three year old daughter, Cindy, are currently on a flight heading to our city. 

The family will be arriving at the Airport early Sunday morning between midnight and 12:30.
 
This arrival to Canada marks a successful result in getting Diarra and family to Canada to escape the ongoing conflict in Mali, Africa.

West Siders Have Their Say On The Golden Mile

A movie theatre, family style restaurant, more stores, proper landscaping and a roundabout at Simms Corner. Those are some of the suggestions West Siders are making about what the future of the Golden Mile should look like. 

Ward One Councillor Greg Norton likes the new direction because there's alot of potential for new investment and will give residents in that part of town the option of going east or west to shop.
 
The other Ward One Councillor Bill Farren says the light industries now located along Fairville Boulevard are already planning for the transition by buying property in the industrial park.
 
Chief City Planner Ken Forrest says it's hoped if there is more retail along the Golden Mile, it could ease some of the traffic congestion out east as well as drawing people to the area from Grand Bay-Westfield and parts of Charlotte County.

Homeowner In Valley Injured During Break-In

A homeowner in Quispamsis foiling a break-in at his house but, in the process, suffering what Rothesay Regional Police are calling serious injuries which may need corrective surgery down the road. 

Two young people were nabbed and they could be looking at charges of armed robbery or assault causing bodily harm.