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Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Major Water Damage Delays Opening Of Peel Plaza Courts

Problems at the new Saint John Law Courts building at Peel Plaza.

The opening of the courts will be delayed, after the building suffered major water damage in the overnight hours of Sunday. In an e-mail, Department of Justice and Attorney General spokesman Dave MacLean says an issue came up with the heating equipment that caused pipes to burst and resulting in water damage in the building.

In the meantime, the old courtrooms at City Hall, Charlotte street and Sydney street are temporarily being used. The contractor is working with its insurance company to evaluate the damage.

The new courthouse has 13 courtrooms. The original completion date was to have been June 2012, with the first cases scheduled to be heard this month.

Welcome 2013 With Levees

You could do a tour of New Year's Day Levees in the Region today:  

Mayor Mel Norton and the rest of Common Council are hosting a New Year's Day Levee from 11 this morning until 2pm in the Ludlow Room of City hall.

In Rothesay,  Mayor Bill Bishop invites residents to join him between 11am and 1pm at the town hall.
The town is also hosting a New Year's Day skate from 1 to 3pm at the Rothesay Arena.

Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll is holding his town's levee from 12pm to 2pm at the town hall at Landing Court.

Stabbing & Assaults Keep Police Busy Over NYE

'Non-stop' is how City and Rothesay Police describe their work over New Years Eve.

Saint John City Police Sgt. Jim Fleming tells CHSJ news a man in his twenties is in hospital after being stabbed by a 35-year-old man around 1:30 am. The man is due to appear in court today facing charges of assault with a weapon. Flemming says the stabbing occurred on the streets in the south end and it appears to be a random act since the two don't know each other. Alcohol is believed to be a factor.

There was also a total of 9 criminal arrests in the city that were mostly assaults. Those include 2 domestic assaults, while the rest were at bars in the uptown area and out east. 7 people were held overnight for drinking a little too much. Police say most of the commotion started after midnight.

Police do say there were no arrests for drinking and driving in Saint John, although in Rothesay there were 2 impaired driver reports.

In Rothesay, police tell CHSJ news they've been incredibly busy with calls since 9 pm and having to put a few people in jail until they sobered up. There were 5 car accidents and 2 domestic disputes.

Saint John Fire Department wasn't as busy, but did respond to a fire alarm being pulled at the Delta on King Street, although there was nothing to be found.

Mill Rats Coach David Cooper Named Coach Of The Month

A big accomplishment for a newer coach. Saint John Mill Rats coach David Cooper has been named Coach of the Month for December by the National Basketball League of Canada.

Cooper has been a Mill Rats player, VP of marketing and assistant coach before being named head coach in August. He's lead the team from a 3-6 record at the end of November to a 10-8 run, including a six game winning streak from December 13-28.

The Mill Rats are currently atop the NBL's Atlantic Division standings.