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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

More Charges Laid In Aftermath Of Shale Gas Protests

Three people have been formally charged in connection with the shale gas protests back in October on Route 134 near Rexton. 

The men range in age from 22 to 56 and were arrested after the RCMP say was a dangerous situation involving firearms, improvised explosive devices and other weapons. All were released on promises to appear in court at a later date.
 

The three appeared in Moncton Provincial Court where a total of seven charges were laid.
 

31 year-old Nikiea Augustine of Indian Island has been charged with mischief and breach of an undertaking. He did not enter a plea and will return to court on January 30th.
 

56 year old Frédéric Robichaud of Aldouane has been charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. He pleaded not guilty. His trial has been scheduled for January 24th.
 

22 year old Marc Bernard of Cocagne has been charged with mischief and for breach of an undertaking on November 27th. He will return to court on January 30th to enter a plea.
 

50 year old Audie Fleury from Ottawa has been charged with resisting arrest. He did not show up for the hearing and the court has issued a warrant for his arrest.
 

Social Development Says It's Ready To Help People Running Out Of Food

For those people in areas where there are power outages  who are running out of food, the Department of Social Development is encouraging them to contact their case managers. 

Those people who are not clients in emergency situations may contact the department and will be assessed case-by-case.

Telephone contacts:

●    Daytime: Saint John region, from Sussex to St. Stephen: 1-866-441-4340.
●    Daytime: McAdam and Harvey Station: 1-866-444-8838.
●    After-hours: 1-800-442-9799.

Mayors' Levees On New Year's Day

The Mayors' Levees will be held tomorrow in the area in the Ludlow Room on the 8th floor of City Hall from 11am to 1pm.......At the Rothesay Town Hall from 11am to 1pm and at the Quispamsis Town Hall from 12 noon until 2pm.

Quispamsis Warming Centre To Close

The Warming Centre at the Quispamsis Civic Centre will close permanently at 4:00 this afternoon.
 

Available are jugs of water, pails, lights and jerry cans, all supplied by JD Irving.
 

Firewood and kerosene are available at the Quispamsis Civic Centre 24/7.

People, in need of water, can fill up at the Rothesay Arena until 10pm.

Most People Should Have Their Electricity Back On Tonight

There are over 22 hundred homes and businesses around the province without power. 

Over 660 of them are in the Rothesay region which includes the Kingston Peninsula and Grand Bay-Westfield along with more than 430 in the St. Stephen area. 

It's now estimated it will be late on Thursday or early on Friday before everyone's power is back on but Brent Staeben of NB Power tells CHSJ News more than 99 per cent of those people still without power should be back online tonight. The ice laden trees remain a worry.

People who need water can fill up at the Rothesay Arena until 10 tonight.

Christmas Tree Drop Off Locations In The K-V

In Quispamsis, there are two locations to drop off your Christmas trees for mulching......At 18 Recreation Centre Road in the lower parking lot by the Rec Centre and in the parking lot by the Walter Jewett Ballfield.

Rothesay residents will be able to drop their Christmas trees off at four locations this Saturday.....In the front parking lot of the Rothesay Arena, the entrance to the Wells Recreation Field, East Riverside-Kingshurst Park and the Bill McGuire Centre parking lot.

Free Parking Being Made Available Tonight

The City and Saint John Parking Commission reminding people that tonight, New Year’s Eve, is a changeover night for parking on the South Central Peninsula. 

As an option, designated snow ban parking lots in the South Central Peninsula will be available for use overnight on New Year’s Eve, at no cost, beginning at 6:00. 

This will ensure that there is plenty of parking for residents and their guests. 

Cold Weather Advisory Issued

The Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) has issued an extreme cold weather advisory.

With the extreme cold weather conditions, NB Power is asking you to check on anyone you suspect doesn’t have power and ensure they are alright. If there are circumstances that NB Power should be made aware of, please contact us at 1-800-663-6272 or call the Red Cross at 1 800 222-9597.

Warming centres and shelters remain open in areas affected by power outages. These centres offer people a place to warm up with some centres offering a meal and some even offer a place to sleep.

The following list includes warming centres and shelters that are now open to the public. The list is subject to change and each site could serve different needs so interested individuals should always contact the Red Cross at 1-800-222-9597 to be directed to the appropriate site.

Shelters and Warming Centres:

●    Quispamsis: Quispamsis Civic Centre, 12 Civic Dr.;
●    Oak Bay: Oak Bay Fire Department, Hwy 170 (warming centre and Command and Co-ordination centre);
●    Harvey Station: Harvey Fire Dept, Route 3;
●    St. George: Magaguadavic Place, 11 J.O. Spinney Dr.; and
●    Grand Bay-Westfield: St. Matthew's Church, 45 Dollard Dr. 



Help is also available for individuals running low on supplies such as fire wood or kerosene. Contact EMO at 1-800-561-4034.


The Public Health Branch of the Department of Health reminds you that all perishable food left in a refrigerator more than 24 hours without electricity should be discarded. 


Frozen foods left in a freezer will stay frozen for a few days without electricity if the door is kept shut. These products can be refrozen if ice crystals are still present.

Chimney Fire In K-V

There were no injuries after a chimney fire early this morning at 181 Dunedin Road in Rothesay. The home did sustain some smoke damage.

2013 Ends Sadly For M-L-A

The end of 2013 finishes up on a sad note for Saint John Harbour M-L-A Carl Killen who confirms on his Facebook page that his wife Susan has died at the age of 58. 

Described as having the voice of an angel, she was a noted vocalist with over 30 years experience, having been educated and trained in music, theatre and performance in New York. 

Susan Killen taught music privately at her studio on Prince William Street and was choir director at Key Industries.

Her funeral service will be held Friday morning at 11 in Trinity Anglican Church.

New Estimate From NB Power On Restoring Everyone's Electricity

A concerted effort by more than 200 power crews in Charlotte County and the Kennebecasis Valley is bringing the number of homes and businesses without electricity down. 

Just over one thousand homes and businesses are without power around the province. Over 580 of them are in the Rothesay region which includes the Kingston Peninsula and Grand Bay-Westfield along with 450 in the St. Stephen area.

NB Power is now estimating it could be late on Thursday or early on Friday before everyone's power is back on but many people may have it restored before then.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Quispam Warming Centre Open Til 8 Tonight


The Warming Centre is at the Quispamsis Civic Centre on 12 Civic Drive is open until 8pm.
 

Tomorrow it's open from 8am to 4pm when it will close permanently.

You can come in and warm up, grab a coffee and fill your water bottles.

There is still firewood and kerosene available.

VIDEO: Health Minister Was Also In The Dark

Health Minister Ted Flemming can really relate to his Rothesay constituents because he was without power for nearly a week.

He provided an update for reporters at Rothesay Town Hall.


Flemming was asked about the case of a woman on the Peninsula without power for 8 days who says a state of emergency should have been called.

He says NB Power are the experts in this adding they take a source of power and work out so every time they fix something you are helping someone.   

Flemming says it wasn't all bad saying everyone survived adding that is the story of many people.  


Flemming says we should be very proud of the hard work of power workers through the holidays in very difficult conditions.


Fire Destroys Home On Knightville Road


A couple and their daughter who was home from university for the holidays escaped injury in a fire in the rural community of Mt. Pisgah on Sunday. The family was out at the time, but the home and all their belongings were lost.

It's about 10 kilometres north of Sussex. The trio are staying with family now.

Sussex Fire Chief Harold Lowe says the fire was reported shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday at 432 Knightville Road and gutted the front of the house, with smoke and water damage elsewhere. 


A cause hasn't yet been determined.

East Side Power Back


The lights are back on for everyone on the East Side after an outage around 9 this morning.

The last location to be restored was on the Red Head Road and it was about 1:25 this afternoon.

Earlier parts of Bayside Drive, Edith Avenue, Mount Pleasant Avenue East and Spruce Avenue did not have power.

Angry After 8 Days Without Power

One Kingston resident says she has a few choice words for the Premier on how the power outage resulting from the ice storm is being handled.

Bonnie Dearing tells CHSJ News she lives at 4 Princess Beach Road and has been without power since December 22nd.

She wonders why the province wouldn't declare an emergency so the federal government can send in troops to give power crews a hand in clearing downed trees and branches and to spread generators around.

Dearing says she is better off than some because has a propane heater and a propane cook stove so she has been melting water for snow and its an all day job.

CHSJ News asked Dearing if she feels the Kingston residents are being forgotten and she responded by saying it feels like all of Southern New Brunswick has been forgotten.

Gallant Has Questions About Ice Storm

After everyone's power is fully restored, Provincial Liberal leader Brian Gallant tells CHSJ News the Alward Government and NB Power should review whether sufficient emergency planning was done ahead of the ice storm.

He says in the past few weeks, he's heard from many people who say they've asked for branches and trees to be cleaned up and their requests have gone unanswered.

Gallant, himself, lost power for a day or two but considers himself lucky compared to others who have been without for over a week.


Massive Clean-Up Expected On Kingston Peninsula

The spring cleanup on the Kingston Peninsula will be something to behold according to Howard Heans, who operates the Harding's Point campground.

He says when you drive up some of the back roads in the Peninsula, it looks like a war-zone with people having to drive under fallen trees which have formed a tunnel.


Biker Gets Jail Time For Drug Dealing



The President of the local Bacchus Motorcycle Club, 44 year old Brian Schofield of Public Landing has been sentenced to 2 years in federal prison after a regional drug bust in August. 

Meth, pot, guns, brass knuckles and four grand in cash were seized in the raid. Schofield pleaded guilty to possession of 144 meth pills and marijuana for the purposes of trafficking. Judge Henrik Tonning described Schofield as a lower level dealer who goes to work, rides his motorcycle and sells drugs. 

Schofield works fulltime for a paving company and the court was told he's well regarded by his employer but the judge says meth is a hard drug and peddling that is much more serious than selling marijuana.

200 Power Crews Focusing On KV & Charlotte County Today

NB Power tweeting they have 252 crews on the ground today with more than 200 working in the Charlotte county & the KV region.

Crews reconnected over 5000 homes and businesses yesterday.

4600 NB Power customers remain off the grid across the province including over 1900 in the Rothesay cluster.

Saint John Energy is reporting one outage today on the Red Head Raod and it happened around 930 this morning.

Inmate Dies In Renous

A 56 year old inmate at the Atlantic Institution has died after being found unresponsive in his cell.

Yves Valade was found on Friday and staff weren't able to resuscitate him.

Valade had been serving an indeterminate sentence for assault causing bodily harm, first degree murder, and second Degree Murder since May 1982.

The police and the coroner have been notified, and Correctional Service Canada is investigating.

Portable Heaters Available For Those Without Power


With many still without power in New Brunswick, some folks could be getting a little chilly.

The Musquash Fire Department tells CHSJ News they've been loaned two portable heaters capable of heating an average-sized bungalow to a comfortable temperature in less than an hour. Lieutenant Andrew Sanojca tells CHSJ News the heaters are on the back of a pickup truck, and they simply feed a line through the home's window and pump in the heat.
 

The heaters have been used in Black's Harbour and Saint George, although according to Sanojca most people in Musquash have their power restored at this point.

Snow Ban Tonight--And A List Of Parking Lots

It's that time of year---an overnight snow parking ban is on tonight for the South/Central Peninsula from 11pm through to 7am tomorrow. No on-street parking is allowed anywhere in the area.  Any vehicles on the street after 11 pm when a snow ban has been declared will be towed.

Six snow ban parking lots have been cleared for residents to use beginning at 6 pm:

•             the corner of Princess Street and Charlotte Street

•             King Street East

•             Peters Street

•             Carmarthen Street/Vineyard Church and

•             Mecklenburg Street at Wentworth Street

•             the corner of Charlotte and Queen Streets at Key Industries (entrance on Queen Street)



Vehicles must be removed from all snow ban parking lots by 7 am Monday through Friday and by noon on weekends. Vehicles remaining in the lots after these times may be towed at the owner's risk and expense.

 To find out whether a temporary overnight parking ban has been declared, call the Snow Parking Ban Recorded Information Line at 658-4040.  You can also check the City of Saint John website at www.saintjohn.ca.





A Good Day To Break In The New Snowblower

The storm system everyone was talking about didn't pack the same wallop we expected but it did bring a fair amount of snow.
 

Claude Cote of Environment Canada tells CHSJ News in Saint John we got 9 centimetres of snow followed by a few hours of snow, sleet and rain.

He says in the KV and on the Kingston Peninsula they received 20 to 26 centimetres of snow and it was a similar story in Moncton and Fredericton.

Cote says tonight we are expecting very cold temperatures with a windchill near minus 25.   


He tells they are tracking another system moving through Nova Scotia on Thursday and Friday which at this point will bring with it two centimetres of snow and some brisk winds.

UPDATE: Lights Back For Some, Off for others

Some Saint John Energy customers have their lights back now while others remain off the grid. 

A few are without power on Bayside Drive and beyond 1197 Red Head road but the lights are back on Willet Avenue, Courtney Avenue, Mount Pleasant Avenue East, Edith Avenue and Spruce Avenue.

Many Remain Off The Grid


Heavy snow on top of drooping branches could be a recipe for disaster in the communities that just got their power back.
 

Fingers crossed that is not the case as NB Power moves into Day 7 of restoring power to over 3900 homes and businesses still off the grid.

Among those are 2300 in the Rothesay cluster which includes that town along with Quispamsis, Carter's Point, Grand Bay-Westfield, Bayswater and Kingston.


Over 1000 homes and businesses are still without power in St. George, Harvey and Rollingdam.

Numbers Of People Without Power Fall

The numbers of people without power are down with over 23 hundred homes and businesses in the Rothesay Region which includes the Kingston Peninsula where 250 customers are in the dark at Carter's Point. There are still over a thousand homes and businesses in the St. Stephen region without electricity.


NB Power estimates it will be New Year's Eve night or New Year's Day before power is restored but whether the timetable will change because of the storm remains to be seen.


Saint John received just under 15 centimeters of snow combined with sleet and more freezing rain. Environment Canada is forecasting a cold spell beginning tonight with wind chills down to minus 25.
 

Grand-Bay Westfield Mayor Grace Losier is concerned about those without power who need help, don't know how to get it. She's urging residents in Grand Bay-Westfield to go a Shelter being offered by the Red Cross 24/7 at St. Matthew's Church. She adds if you have concerns or need help, you can reach the Mayor at her home, 738-2968. 

The warming centre in Quispamsis is moving back to the Civic Centre which is above Fire Station #2 and will be open from 8 this morning to 8 tonight. There will be jugs of water, pails, flashlights and jerry cans from J-D Irving along with firewood and kerosene.





Sunday, December 29, 2013

Snowfall Warning In Effect

A snowfall warning is in effect for New Brunswick.
Andy Firth, Meteorologist at Environment Canada tells us to expect up to 25 centimeters of snow.


"Over the extreme south western corner, it will change to rain by late this evening," he says

Other areas in the southern regions of the province can expect snow to change to freezing rain. He tells us, the worst of the storm will be late this evening to dawn tomorrow, and is expected to last about 12 hours.
 

The Department of Public Safety says avoid unnecessary driving. The storm will leave more risk of power outages and hazardous driving conditions. NB Power says some customers might be out of power into the new year.

Right now, almost two-thousand customers are still without power in the St. Stephen region, more than three-thousand in the Rothesay region, and more than one-hundred in Sussex.

Safety Tips From KV Fire During Power Outage

The Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department advising the public not to use makeshift heaters during the power outages. Captain Bill Gentleman speaks for the department.

"We want every body to stay safe, he says. Running generators inside of houses, barbeques, charcoal heaters, anything like that people shouldn't be doing."

He says if you see an issue with wires down or transformers smoking,   report it through 9-1-1. He adds, it's a good idea to check on neighbors, to see if anyone needs help.

Gentleman says a big problem during the storm is broken pipes because of freezing. He says when your power comes back on, you could be finding leaks throughout your house.

If you think your pipes are frozen you may want to contact a plumber, to take action and prevent flooding  damage to your house.

Emergency Measures In City Monitoring Storm Situation

There's some concern in the city about what might happen to trees near power lines that are already under alot of strain from the ice storm withe the latest weather maker. 

The E-M-O in the city, under Fire Chief Kevin Clifford, telling CHSJ News it's monitoring the situation and is prepared to open up warming centres should there be power outages that are prolonged. 

According to the weather forecast, there could be some more freezing rain in the morning in addition to the heavy snow beginning tonight.

Kingston Peninsula Devastated By Ice Storm

The aftermath of the ice storm is hitting the Kingston Peninsula especially hard. Howard Heans, who operates the Harding's Point campground at the Westfield ferry landing, has been without power for over a week. 

Heans telling CHSJ News he drove to Carter's Point and the damage is mind boggling with downed trees covering both sides of the road forcing you to drive down the centre. Heans says, at times, he had to stop and lift trees that were in the way. He's worried what might happen if the winds become gusty.
 

Heans goes on to say the sound of tree limbs falling in the deafening silence sounded like shotgun blasts.

Warming Centres Open In KV

For those still without power in the Valley, a warming centre is open at the Q-plex today until 8pm.

Residents can warm up, get a coffee and fill water bottles.

GoodLife Fitness on Hampton Road is offering shower facilities today, all day until 8 this evening.
 

 Rothesay residents can refill water supply at the Rothesay Arena. It's all day until 10 tonight.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

MLA Rick Doucet: "They're in a really desperate situation"

As we approach a week of province-wide power outages following a major ice storm, many rural residents living in and around Charlotte County feel as though they are being left out in the cold.

 That according to MLA for Charlotte-The Isles Rick Doucet who tells us he has been told by people living in the area that they haven't seen any plow trucks or linesmen out there.
 

"I think they're working really hard to get in there, but I think in some of the areas, some of those people, the ones that I've been talking to... they're in a really desperate situation," he says.
Doucet urging you to reach out to any family or friends living in rural communities like Rollingdam, Elmsville and Clarence Ridge.

 In a tweet, Doucet wonders where New Brunswick E-M-O is, and says they should have been there from day one.

Quispamsis Mayor Hopes More People Will Lay Down Roots In The Town In 2014

If there's one thing the mayor of Quispamsis wants to see in 2014, it's more people laying down roots in the town.

 In a year-end interview with CHSJ News Murray Driscoll says he hopes to see the population of the Kennebecasis Valley community grow next year---but also recognizes the traffic problems you can run into when that happens.
 

"Of course traffic is always an issue and we deal with that on a priority list," he says. Adding, "we have put in some common measures for those areas in which need to be dealt with, and we will continue to work on that."

Driscoll says they are also looking at their budget very carefully so they can maintain the best tax rate possible.

Severe Weather Warnings For The Maritimes


The Department of Public Safety is advising that New Brunswickers prepare for a significant winter storm this weekend. 



The Storm is expected to bring about 25 cenimeters or more to most of the province and southern regions starting tomorrow and into Monday. The Department of Public Safety says, expect ice pellets and high winds. That means the possibility of more power outages and unsafe driving conditions.
 

They encourage residents to restrict any unnecessary travel and should secure outdoor belongings and Christmas decorations. 

Currently, there are 7464 in Rothesay without power, 2475 in St. Stephen, and  656 Sussex.
NB Power says with the storm coming, some customers will still be without power into the New Year.

Mayor Of Grand Bay-Westfield Says A Red Cross Shelter Is Open At Local Church

Mayor of Grand Bay-Westfield, Grace Losier saying she's concerned about those without power that need help, and  don't know how to get it.

She's urging residents in Grand Bay-Westfield to go a shelter being offered by the Red Cross at Saint Matthews Church. 


She says the Red Cross is there 24/7. "If you need heat, you need to go there and be warm," she says. 

"Communications is the big break down here,in some cases the cell phones aren't working. For many elderly people they don't have a cell pone, and how can we even identify where they are or what their needs are?"



She adds, anyone in the area that's unable to get around to call the local taxi service at 646 0709 or 977 2294 or 738-2003. She says if you have concerns or need help, you can reach mayor Grace Losier at home at 738-2968.

Crews Responding To Overnight Vehicle Collision

Saint John fire responding to a motor-vehicle accident at the intersection of Main and Lansdown Avenue, in city's north end last night.

There were no injuries, but both vehicles were towed because of the extent of damages. The accident is now under investigation.

Saint John Fire Responding To Overnight Fire At Lakeview Drive

Saint John Fire responding to a fire at Lakeview Drive overnight. The small garage fire was caused by  inappropriate placing of hot ashes in a combustible container.

 Division Chief Mark Wilson of Saint John Fire tells us, this is the fourth time in the past year, that they've responded to this type of situation. 


"We remind everyone who has wood stoves and appliances as such, if they're removing their ashes from cleaning out their stove, put it in a non-combustible container, outside your home, away from your building," he says.

Friday, December 27, 2013

Break, Enter & Theft At Oromocto Tim Hortons

Police investigating a break, enter and theft at the Gateway Tim Hortons in Oromocto.

It happened sometime between 3pm on Christmas Eve and 1am on Boxing Day. The person or people responsible got in through the drive-thru window and stole some cash and computer equipment.

If you saw anything suspicious around Tims during that time period, you're being asked to contact police or Crimestoppers at www.crimenb.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Sentencing Delayed For Former Bacchus Leader

With Public Landing and many other areas still without power, the former leader of the Bacchus Motorcycle Gang will have to wait until Monday to learn his fate on 2 charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The court heard 44 year old Brian Schofield was out of power, had run out of gas for his vehicle and couldn't make it into town for sentencing scheduled for this morning.

Police found over a hundred meth bills, marijuana, cell phones and cash at Schofield's home. 


He pleaded guilty and is now scheduled to appear in court on Monday morning.

Growing Male Marijuana Plants Is Still Illegal

Newsflash: growing marijuana is still illegal, no matter whether the plants are male or female--and a 26 year old Saint John man learned that lesson the hard way in court this morning.

Police received a call to a home on Lakeside Road about a noise complaint. Benjamin Peter Diprose invited officers in to show them there was no problem--but in a bathroom officers discovered 30g worth of marijuana plants growing in Styrofoam cups

Diprose told officers the plants were legal because they were male plants which don't contain a useable about of THC. Judge Henrik Tonning disagreed, and still gave Diprose a 1-year conditional discharge and ordered him to donate $500 to the DARE program.

Traffic Complaint Leads To Drug Seizure

Two men face drugs and weapons charges after a traffic stop in Pennfield.

It happened yesterday morning around 9 when the RCMP received a traffic complaint and as a result stopped a vehicle on Route 175.

Police seized 5000 pills, about 800 grams of what's believed to be methamphetamine, marijuana, a loaded handgun and even body armour.

A 32 year-old Moncton man and a 25 year-old man from Stanley were arrested on charges of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of stolen property and weapons offences.

People Without Power Told To Talk To Their Insurance Agent

If your power has been off for a prolonged period of time, you should be talking to your insurance agent because you could be covered for damage caused. 

John Bordignon is with State Farm Insurance and tells CHSJ News a lot of people stocked up on food for Christmas and some policies could cover the cost of food that spoils. He also says try not to open up your fridge or freezer when you have no power. 

Bordignon says the standard homeowners policy covers you for damage caused by falling trees along with removal of the tree itself and some comprehensive auto insuranace policies will cover damage caused by falling trees on your vehicle.
 

He advises also you to unplug your electronics because when the electricity is restored you could experience a power surge that will cause permanent damage.

NB Power Crews Getting Help From Out Of Province

The cavalry is on the way to help out the NB Power crews who have been going full out for the past several days trying to get everyone's power back on. 

Deborah Nobes of NB Power tells CHSJ News power crews from Nova Scotia and P-E-I have arrived to lend a much needed hand. NB Power crews have even resorted to using chainsaws to cut through downed trees so they can get to areas where  the power is off

NB Power is hoping to have power fully restored on New Year's Eve. 


More than 9 thousand homes and businesses are still without electricity in the Rothesay region which also includes the Kingston Peninsula to Nauwigewauk. 

Over 39 hundred customers remains without power in the St. Stephen area including Black's Harbour and Lepreau. 

More than 13 hundred are still off line in the Sussex area.

VIDEO: Not A Lot Of Early Morning Shoppers


Not the crowd you might expect for Boxing Day in Saint John.    

Only about 50 people waiting in a line outside Target this morning before 8am.
 

CHSJ News asking Alisha Clark why she came out 3 hours before the store opened.

She tells CHSJ News they are in search of a 55 inch flat screen tv.

Clark tells us she spent most of that time waiting in the car and only about 30 minutes in the line.


Future Shop had a good size crowd along with Wal Mart and about 40 people waited for Old Navy to open their doors.


A cashier we spoke too says they expect it to get really busy later today.


Gas Prices Are Higher

Being the holiday, you may have missed missed the weekly setting of gas prices. 

Self serve regular has risen from $1.24.5 a litre last week to $1.29.3 in the city. 

Diesel has also increased from $1.41.9 to $1.44.8. 

Heating oil has gone from $1.25 a litre up to $1.29.3.

It Could Be A Few Days Before All Power Is Restored

15 thousand homes and businesses provincewide remain without power with most of the outages, 9 thousand being in the Rothesay Region. Besides Rothesay itself, Grand Bay-Westfield, Quispamsis and Hampton, there are significant numbers of people without electricity on the Kingston Peninsula, Nauwigewauk, Queenstown, Fairfield, Nerepis, Clarendon and Lower Greenwich. There are also isolated outages affecting fewer people.

 Deborah Nobes of NB Power now tells CHSJ News the goal is to have everyone back on line by New Year's Eve.

Saint John Energy, in its latest update, reports power is out on Upper Golden Grove, Kirkpatrick Lane, Bradley Lake Road and Dolan Road.

In the St. Stephen region including Blacks Harbour and Lepreau, there are 39 hundred homes and businesses in the dark along with almost 14 hundred in the Sussex area. NB Power wants people to turn off unnecessary appliances,and to keep heat and lights low to avoid blowing fuses because of excess load. 


The town of Quispamsis has moved its warming centre to the Q-Plex and will be open from 8 in the morning until 8 at night.

Rothesay Plans To Improve Roads & Water In 2014

From the common to the field house, some big projects are in the works in the town of Rothesay. 

Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News in addition to those, 2014 will also bring improvements to the water plant and more road work. He says they have already started a major project on the Gondola Point Road and next year they will be doing another on the Hampton Road from the town office to the boundary with Quispamsis.

Bishop highlighting some projects from this year, including the improvements made to the entrance of the Kennebecasis Park with the City of Saint John and the introduction of the first native tree arboretum in Southern New Brunswick. He also points to the Renforth Wharf, which has been completely rebuilt.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Emergency Measures Organisation Issues Warning

The Emergency Measures Organisation is warning people, still without power, to never use charcoal or gas barbeques, camping equipment or home generators inside their homes because they give off carbon monoxide which can be life-threatening.
 

After your power is restored, you should give the electrical system some time to stabilize before reconnecting tools and appliances. Turn on your heating system first, followed in a couple of minutes by reconnecting your fridge and freezer. Wait 10 to 15 minutes before reconnecting everything else.
 

For more information on the emergency centres, you can call the Red Cross, 1-800-222-9597.

Social Media Helping Police Solve Crimes In K-V

The Rothesay Regional Police Department's social media presence getting lots of "likes" from those living in the KV. 

That from Rothesay Police Chief Stephen MacIntyre who tells CHSJ News the community response to their online presence has been positive for the most part. MacIntyre tells us they do get negative comments from time to time, but he says once you make a post online, you have to accept the fact criticism could follow.

He says it's been a excellent way for them to get information out there quickly---and says there have been at least several instances where police received tips concerning minor crimes from people who read their posts on social media. The department starting posting outstanding warrants on their site about five months ago and they are active on Facebook and Twitter.