A Mixed Bag On Gas Prices Around Town

Whether you save any money filling up depends on what gas you use. Self serve regular has dropped ever so slightly after the weekly setting and is being sold around town for $105.1 a litre. On the other hand, diesel is higher by almost two cents a litre at $111.4. Heating oil also went up by almost two cents to 97 cents a litre.

Moose Collision Ensnares Three Vehicles

     

      (Car Collides With Moose Near Lepreau
  (Photo Courtesy of Musquash Fire Department)

Three vehicles were involved in a collision with a moose on route 790 at Lepreau. One car struck the moose shortly before 7:30 last night and managed to park a short distance away by the side of the road. Another car trying to swerve around the dead moose and collided with a vehicle going the other way. There were no serious injuries.

Lively Ward Meeting In North End

(Saint John Common Councillor Patty Higgins)
                  (File Photo)

Lots of questions about Rockwood Park, the need for Peel Plaza and the financial troubles facing the city dominated the ward meeting in the north end.

Common Councillor Patty Higgins told the meeting citizens are not the priority, the culture at city hall is terrible and there are too many backroom decisions being made.

Everyone who attended also urged Higgins and fellow Councillor Gary Sullivan to push for the pension board's lawsuit against former Councillor John Ferguson for defamation to be dropped. Ferguson is now the City Manager in St. Stephen.

Sullivan disputes criticism voiced the other night at the Meet the Candidates debate in Ward 3 that Council is ignoring basic public needs. He points to all the money spent on roads around town.

One Subject Dominates West Side Ward Meeting

(Common Councillors Peter McGuire and Bill Farren)
               (Photo by Tamara Steele)

The #1 issue for West side residents is traffic.

That message coming through loud and clear at the Ward 1 meeting last night.
Councillor Bill Farren tells CHSJ News while the bridge work is a concern, he got more emails on the closure of Harbour Passage.

Resident Don Darling says he wonders if a city of approximately 68,000 people afford so many projects like Peel Plaza.

Councillor Peter Maguire, whose idea it was to hold the ward meetings says they help reconnect council members to the citizens.

One In Ten In The Province Will Have Diabetes By 2012

(Wellness, Culture and Sport Minister Trevor Holder)

A disturbing new report from the Provincial Department of Health finds 1 in 10 people in this province will be diabetic by 2012.
Wellness, Culture and Sports Minister Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News it's not a crisis yet but, it will be soon if we don't fix it.

Holder says if New Brunswickers could spend 30 minutes a day doing some sort of physical activity they could reduce their chances of getting type 2 diabetes by almost 60 per cent.
The goverment estimates that by 2016, the health care cost for people in the province with diabetes will be $198 million per year.

Small Businesspeople Less Optimistic In November

There's alot of uncertainty about what the future economic prospects will be, especially if the new provincial government decides to raise some taxes to try to whittle down the deficit which exceeds 800 million dollars.

Despite that, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is reporting small businesspeople in the province remain generally optimistic although less so in November than they were before.

The C-F-I-B's Andrea Bourgeois tells CHSJ News there might be a reason for that considering the new provincial government is promising to reduce the small business tax by half.

78 per cent of small businesses in the province surveyed say they plan to keep their employment levels steady over the next three to four months. 54 per cent call the overall state of business as good but 64 per cent of the small business owners in the province complain tax and the cost of regulations are causing them grief.

Challenges Ahead for Winning Candidate Of Ward 3

Saint John Harbour MLA Carl Killen say it's a great show of community activism with 6 candidates running for the Ward 3 council seat.

Killen previously held the seat at the council horseshoe but vacated the position after winning the Saint John Harbour riding in the provincial election.

He tells CHSJ News the keys issues in Ward 3 are no different from those in other parts of town, such as clean drinking water, community engagement, and protective services.

He says an important fact the winning candidate needs to keep in mind is there are several distinct neighbourhoods within the ward, including the south end and lower west side.

Saint John MP Says Ferry Service Is A Vital Transportation Link

A huge cash injection for ferry services in the region will keep them afloat until March 31st of 2014.

Included in the $51 million dollar investment from the federal government is the Princess of Acadia Ferry, which goes from Saint John to Digby.

Saint John MP Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News funding ferry service is no different than funding other transportation projects.

When asked if additional funding would be made after 2014, Weston could not confirm it.

Ferry Services Get Financial Lifeline From Ottawa

( Bay Ferries Vice President Don Cormier)
            (Photo by Brian McLain)

Good news coming out of Ottawa for supporters of the ferry services in this part of the country.

The federal government announcing it will invest enopugh money to keep them running until at least April of 2014. This would include the Princess of Acadia which plies the waters of the Bay of Fundy between Saint John and Digby.

 Bay Ferries Vice-President of Operations and Safety Management, Don Cormier says a decision is looming about getting a replacement at some point down the road. He expects the current ferry will be able to operate for another 4 or 5 years.

Bay Ferries operates two ferry runs in the region and Cormier points to studies by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency showing they generate more than 30 million dollars in benefits and savings.

Common Councillors Want To Talk Directly Tonight To Their Constituents

Do you have a beef with city hall? Here is your chance to vent.

Common Councillors are hosting meetings in all four wards simultaneously tonight. They're being billed as " Let's Talk..A Community Conversation".

The two councillors elected in each ward will be on hand for the discussion. Chris Titus will be appearing with Donnie Snook in Ward 3 which has just the one council member at the moment.

Every meeting starts at 6:30 tonight.

For the complete list, go to our website: country94.ca and click news.

Voters Get A Chance To Meet The Candidates In Ward 3

(From left to right, John Campbell, Jay Chang, Mark Leger, Anne Marie Mullen, Mel Norton and Dan Robichaud)
                      (Photo by Nelson Hum)

About 50 people attending a Meet the Candidates meeting for Ward 3. Most issues brought forth by those attending and the candidates centered around infrastructure, clean drinking water, and community engagement.

Candidate John Campbell tells CHSJ News his approach to city business is quite simple if he's elected......bring forward some logical, feasible solutions to solve some of the issues in the city.

Mark Leger says one of his key goals if elected is to improve park space, like the work being done to Rainbow Park.

Both Former councillor Jay Chang and Mel Norton say they want to increase the accessibility people have to their elected representative.

Dan Robichaud says he wants to unify the ward if elected while Anne Marie Mullen tells us she wants to show people in the ward she's there for them.

 Ward 3 voters go to the polls on December 13th.

Delay In Full Re-Opening of Harbour Bridge

The full re-opening of the Harbour Bridge is going to take a few extra weeks.

General Manager Ken Anthony tells CHSJ News the final westbound lane was suppose to re-open tomorrow but instead they will do a gradual reopening beginning this Thursday.

He attributes the recent rain and snow as the cause of the delay.

The westbound lane will be begin to open up closest to the toll plaza.  The process is expected to take a few weeks.

The Y And The Q-Plex Will Team Up

The Y and the Q-Plex are teaming up.

The Saint John Y will have 500,000 square feet to operate in new recreational facility in Quispamisis.

Chief Operating Officer Shilo Boucher tells CHSJ News the programs they now offer at the Recreation Centre will move to the new building after they open.


She says they currently offer after-school, pre-school, playschool and zumba and it will allow them to offer more programs and it will also include a new playground.
Boucher says the children from their centre even had input on the playground equipment they like the best.  The Q-Plex is slated to open on January 1st.

Harvey Station Man Gets Canaport LNG Scholarship For Medical School

A 38 year old father of two from Harvey Station has been chosen for a scholarship to attend the Saint John medical school. Sheldon Wood has a Bachelor of Computer Science Degree from U-N-B and worked as an I-T consultant for 15 years.
He says he enjoyed his work but he was not getting the sense of fulfillment he was longing for.

Canaport L-N-G is creating the 4 year scholarship that will provide Wood with 35 thousand dollars a year for full tuition, books, equipment and living expenses. Adolpho Azcarraga is the General Manager at Canaport.


He says they are always looking for ways to be involved more in the community and they have been focusing on education and community with needs.

Wood tells CHSJ News he wants to remain in the province after graduation and is looking at becoming a family doctor.

Lacey Says A Tax Hike Is Not The Answer

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is concerned about what it's hearing at the economic summit in Moncton on the future of the province. The federation's Atlantic Director Kevin Lacey tells CHSJ News speaker after speaker is talking about the need to raise taxes.

He says this province doesn't have a tax problem it has a spending problem and in order to balance the budget the government should look at spending cuts first.

Lacey maintains families in the provnce can't afford higher taxes because average weekly earnings fell this year by .2 per cent while inflation rose by 1.8 per cent so they're falling behind even without taxes going up.

Coon Says Lepreau Delays Are A Neverending Story

The Executive Director of the Province's Conservation Council calls delays at Point Lepreau a neverending story with an endless cost.
David Coon tells CHSJ News this is exactly what the previous Lord government was warned about and he suggests the Alward government turn it into a decommissioning project.


He says that would employ quite a few people and it's partially down now because of the work to tear the reactor apart.
Coon adds NB Power has no guarantees from Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd that the reactor will even work up to expectations.

Common Council Gets Assurances Over Pension Threat

(City Manager Pat Woods)
         (File Photo)

City Manager Pat Woods is trying to reassure Common Councillors over a warning that city assets could be seized if the city doesn't make scheduled contributions to its pension plan.

Woods told Council if the city's request to have its payments deferred for a year is approved, the whole issue of city assets being seized becomes moot. He also told council members the city has met with the Superintendent of Pensions to keep her informed of what's going on. He describes the meeting as positive.

Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Mayor Ivan Court, urged M-L-A's to pass the recommended changes passed by Council last week.

Speed Limit To Be Reduced Along Loch Lomand Road

(Saint John Common Councillor Joe Mott)
          (Photo by Brian McLain)

Common Council voting to reduce the speed limit along much of Loch Lomand Road by 10 kilometers an hour to 60 clicks and hour but not everyone is in favour.

Councillor Donnie Snook voted against saying there are no sidewalks for the most part and he doesn't see many people walking along the road.

Councillor Patty Higgins voted in favour says Loch Lomand Road has 2 per cent of the city's traffic but 4 per cent of the crashes that take place around town happen there.

Councillor Bruce Court is also in favour of the lowering the speed saying its dangerous to be going too fast near the entrance to the oil refinery when big tanker trucks are pulling out.

Another east side council member, Joe Mott predicts plenty of speeding tickets will be handed out once the change is made.

City Police Investigating Fire And Arrest Man Wielding Axe In North End

Arson is suspected after a minor fire at 7 Eadley Court which is now being investigated by city police and the fire department. The smell of petroleum prompted a call to the fire department which discovered the vinyl siding at the side of the bungalow had been burned. There wasn't much damage as it turned out.

City Police also nabbing a 20 year old man who was in the area of Main Street and Douglas Avenue brandishing an axe. Police believe he was upset after an argument with his girl friend but is now facing charges of disturbing the peace and possession of a weapon.

Saint John Doctor Found Dead

Rothesay Regional Police are investigating the death of a Saint John doctor.

Dr. Corrina Golding was found dead in her Rothesay home.  Police do not suspect foul play.

She lost her medical license after facing criminal charges including trafficking the prescription drug oxycontin.

She also faced charges of arson and uttering threats but the case fell apart when vital police evidence was destroyed.

She did get her medical license back and set up a family practice in the North end.

Province Answers Questions about Penobsquis Water Supply

The provincial government isn't expecting too many headaches regarding incoming legislation to protect the Penobsquis drinking water supply.

The province holding an open house today to inform the public and answer any questions.

Welfare Protection Officer Sherry McCoy tells CHSJ News the legislation mostly deals with the storage of various chemicals, like petroleum, pesticides and fertilizer, in order to protect the water.

She says about 55 property owners will have to comply with the legislation, which will go into effect late next year.

Youth Sentenced To Five Years For Armed Robbery

It's 5 years in the federal penitentiary for 19 year old Kurtis Alexander Kincade.

The youth found guilty of 2 armed robbery charges and 3 break-and-enters.

Judge William McCarroll told the youth to see prison as an opportunity to enter treatment programs and to turn his life around.  

He added the severity of the sentence had to reflect the seriousness of committing an armed robbery that resulted in injuries.

On October 3rd, two cab drivers were robbed at knife-point with one of them suffering cuts on their neck and arms.

Motorists With Transponders For The Harbour Bridge Have Questions

Big changes are coming to the Harbour Bridge in the new year with the removal of tolls by the end of March.
Many are wondering what will happen to all the drivers who paid for transponders.


Bob McDevitt chairs the Harbour Bridge Authority and says it's one of many issues that needs to be worked out.
He estimates 23, 000 people have them and that money will have to come back to them but, how that happens still need to be figured out.

Liberal MLA Worries About The Impact Of The Bridge Deal On Provincial Taxpayers

The Liberal Transportation critic thinks the Alward conservatives could have got a better deal on the Harbour Bridge.
Charlotte The Isles MLA Rick Doucet tells CHSJ News it's the same deal that the Graham government said no to.

He says removal of the tolls is a good idea but, he wishes the negotiation was open and transparent because no one knows the true cost of this deal for taxpayers in the province.
Doucet says some good jobs will be lost and while it's good to scrap the tolls, it will still cost 1 to 2 million dollars a year for annual maintainance on the bridge.

Old City Airport Receives Historic Designation

The site of the old City airport in Millidgeville is now part of our provincial aviation history.

Wellness, Culture and Sport Minister Trevor Holder on hand to unveil a plaque at M. Gerald Teed Memorial School which lies within boundary of the old airport.


The Saint John Municipal Airport was the prime landing field for the City from 1928 to 1951 and one of the first municipally owned airfields in the country.

RCMP Seek New Info On Woodstock Man's Disappearance

Woodstock Police and Crimsestoppers are hoping to find some new leads in the disappearance a 30-year-old man from the town.
Gregory David Wry was reported missing on February 24th, three days after he stayed at the Howard Johnson’s in Fredericton.

He was driving a sandy four door 2005 Chevy Malibu with the licence plate of GMS 732 which was found abandoned east of Woodstock.
Wry is 5 foot 8, about 140 pounds with brown hair and green eyes wearing a ball cap and a jacket with leather sleeves and brown patches, jeans and sneakers.

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or click here

We Need To Eat More Fruits And Veggies

(Registered Dietician Meaghan Sim)
             (File Photo)

Eating healthy is challenging every day and even more so during the holidays when eat more and not generally light foods.

Registered Dietician Meaghan Sim tells CHSJ News one tip is to snack before heading to a holiday gathering. She suggests munching on carrots with hummas which is a good healthy and filling snack.

Sim adds if you don't go hungry to these events, it's easier to make healthier choices.

She also says people in Atlantic Canada are not eating enough fruits and vegetables.

Medical Program At U-N-B Saint John To Result In Major Economic Spinoffs Down The Road

(U-N-B Saint John Campus At Tucker Park)
             (File Photo)

The Dalhousie Medicine Program on the campus of U-N-B Saint John will bring big things to the city -- that from Pat Darrah, chairman of the anglophone medical education committee that brought the program to UNBSJ.

Darrah tells CHSJ News the upcoming research component of the program will pay huge dividends to the city with the economic spinoffs coming in 2012.

The program allows students to earn their medical degrees here in Saint John.

The Saint John Board of Trade recognizes the potential and current contributions to the city -- the program picked up the Chair's Award at the Outstanding Business Achievement Awards.

Economic Summit Starting On Future Of The Province Amid Mounting Concern

(Former Premier Frank McKenna)
            (File Photo)

Debate on the future of New Brunswick begins today at an economic summit in Moncton co-chaired by David Ganong and former Premier Camille Theriault.

Ganong tells CHSJ News there is cause for concern starting with the provincial deficit combined with weak job creation and an over reliance on federal transfer payments which many observers expect to be reduced.

And what about Saint John where alot of big plans have failed to come to fruition? Former Premier Frank McKenna, for one, doesn't believe the city has lost its momentum.

Ganong is hoping the summit will produce innovative ideas to put the provincial economy on a sounder footing. He points out there are lots of well paying, high tech jobs available in the province but the people with the proper skills don't seem to be there. His own chocolate company in St. Stephen had to bring in workers from Romania.

Not As Much Money Will Be Spent On Roads In The Province

(Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs On Election Night)
                        (File Photo)

Its time the provincial government stopped building more roads. So says Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs.

He says the province's capital budget for roads this year is between 800 and 900 million dollars which is from 300 to 400 million dollars more than would have been spent in years gone by.

Higgs is giving every indication there will be changes to the planned 6 lane highway between the K-V and Saint John as part of what he calls rationalisation.
 
He has confirmed there have been meetings with the Transportation Department to examine traffic requirements including what needs to be done with the exit at Dolan Road.

Home Damaged By Fire on Rothesay Road

2 people displaced after a fire at 1602 Rothesay Road.

The blaze occurred at the 3-storey single family home around 7 o'clock last night and the house suffered heavy damage.

Fire officials say no one was home at the time and a passerby phoned the fire department.

The fire department indicates the fire was mostly likely caused by an electrical problem.

Saint John Kiwanis Club Receives Huge Honour

The Saint John Board of Trade giving the Saint John Kiwanis club huge recognition.

They have honoured the club with the Big Heart Award, which recognizes those who make the community a better place to live.

Club President Rick Northrup tells CHSJ News one of their major projects every year is to provide orthodontics for 6 to 8 youths.

The 30 member group also supports juvenile diabetes projects and does leadership training in high schools.

Canadian Cook Takes Healthy Approach

Canadian cookbook author Anne Lindsay has compiled her most popular recipes in new collection.Lighthearted At Home continues her long partnership with the Heart And Stroke Foundation.

She tells CHSJ News the world of food has changed a lot in the 25 years she has been doing this.

She adds when she started there was no such things as light sour cream or light mayonaise and there is a better selection of fresh fruit and vegetables.To make your family recipe healthier, go to www.healthcheckorg.com

Harper Says SJ Businesspeople Want Focus on Economy

While announcing the removal of the tolls on the Harbour Bridge, Prime Minister Harper also took the opportunity to talk about his government's record on the economy.

Harper says Canada was affected the least by the financial meltdown and is emerging the strongest of any of the industrialized countries with the creation of more jobs than were lost during the recession.

He adds he heard loud and clear from Saint John businesspeople that the economy should remain his government's number one priority.

Tolls on Harbour Bridge Still Expected to Increase

Don't expect a break from the pending increase in tolls on the Harbour Bridge just because a deal has been reached that will see the tolls scrapped by the end of March.
 
Premier David Alward says the required legislation won't be changed before the toll increase:

 Alward doesn't expect everything to come together to remove the tolls before the March 31st target date.

Point LePreau is Premier's Top Priority

Premier Alward says his top priority is to ensure the upgrade at Point Lepreau is finished safely and as quickly as possible.Alward met privately with Prime Minister Harper late Friday afternoon here in the port city -- and -- the Premier says Atomic Energy Canada Limited is stepping up its efforts to complete the reactor overhaul:

The premier says Harper asked for an update on the project which is over budget and behind schedule -- meantime -- the Prime Minister says A-E-C-L will meet its contractual obligations on the project -- the province wants the federal government to cover the cost overruns.

Premier Alward Discusses Meeting With Prime Minister Harper

Sleepover Planned for King's Square

The issue of homelessness and the need for shelter in the winter months is being raised by some concerned citizens.

A group of people in connection with Making Poverty History and the Greater Saint John Homelessness Steering Committee will be staying the night in King's Square beginning at 8 o'clock in order to raise awareness on the issue.

They are also looking to drum up support for the possibility of opening up a temporary shelter on the city's coldest nights.

The awareness event is part of National Housing Week.

Two Parades Today

A busy Saturday with day and night Christmas parades.

The 6th annual Lancaster Santa Claus parade starts at 1pm on the West side.
The route begins at Barnhill school on Manawagonish Road to Main Street West to Ready Street onto Fairville Boulevard finishing at the Sobey's plaza.

A free shuttle bus will be leaving the Sobey's parking lot starting at 10:30 and running every 15 minutes until 12:45.

The 12th Annual Santa Claus parade put on by the towns of Quispamsis and Rothesay is coming up tonight in the K.V.

It leaves KV High at 6pm travelling along the Hampton Road to Clark Road ending at the intersection of the Clark and Marr Roads.

Don't forget your letter for Santa and a non-perishable food item for the KV Food Basket.

Weston Looks Ahead To Water Treatment

Saint John M-P Rodney Weston says he's feeling a sense of satisfaction with the agreement to remove the Harbour Bridge tolls.

Weston says both levels of government will be working with the Harbour Bridge Authority to ease the impact on employees.

He adds he will continue to work with the city and the province on funding for a new water treatment plant.

Weston Says Harbour Bridge Agreement Honours Commitment

Finance Minister Sees Bridge Deal Heralding New Era Of Cooperation

Finance Minister Blaine Higgs tells CHSJ News finalizing the deal to remove the bridge tolls is the forerunner of a new era of cooperation with the federal government.
He says we needed to clear the air on this issue because it's been an irritant in many ways at the federal - provincial level.
The minister says he's encouraged this is another move forward for us to make things happen in this province.
And Higgs says the money is in place for the provincial commitment to the deal despite an ongoing effort to cut one percent from the spending of all departments.

Tolls To Be Removed From Harbour Bridge By Spring

   

     (Saint John Harbour Bridge At Night)
(Photo Courtesy Of Provincial Government)

Prime Minister Harper announcing the Harbour Bridge will be toll free by the end of March. He says the tolls serve no purpose because they have not reduced the debt while impeding business.

The Prime Minister did not directly mention the previous Liberal Government which rejected essentially the same deal but did say you have a choice in government to either fight or work together to do something.

Harper also says his government is cancelling the debt on the bridge which exceeds 20 milion dollars and will split the 35 million dollar cost of upgrades now being done.

Jim Irving of J-D Irving welcomes removal of tolls which he says will save his company 150 thousand dollars a year.

Wellness, Culture and Tourism Minister Trevor Holder calls this the dawn of a new era claiming the people of Saint John have been treated unfairly for 40 years.

There Will Be Job Losses With Removal Of Tolls

(Bob McDevitt Who Chairs Harbour Bridge Authority)
               (Photo by Brian McLain)

Removal of the tolls on the Harbour Bridge is being described as a proud day for Saint John but there is a downside as well. Bob McDevitt of the Harbour Bridge Authority says 8 fulltime employees will find themselves out of work. One employee has been with them 30 years.

McDevitt goes on to say alot of issues still have to be worked out and the fate of the employees is one of them. There will also have to be engineering work done to remove the toll plaza.

McDevitt fully expects to see the Harbour Bridge Authority itself to be dissolved.

Hospital Home Lottery Nearly Sold Out

Time is quickly evaporating for you to be a part of the hospital home lottery.
There is less than a week left to get your tickets for a chance at winning the grand prize show home in Cedar Point Anchorage.
Tim Cameron of the Saint John Regional Hospital foundation tells CHSJ News they have better odds that many other lotteries.


Cameron says there is a 1 in 20 chance of winning some kind of prizes with over 24,000 prizes available.
The lottery is more than 90 per cent sold out with the deadline to buy tickets next Thursday, December 2nd at midnight.
To find the link to buy a ticket, click here

Harper Announcing Harbour Bridge Tolls Will Be Scrapped

Prime Minister Harper has made it official - tolls will be removed from the Harbour Bridge no later than March 31st of next year.


As reported - the federal government will forgive the bridge's 23 million dollar debt and will split the cost of the 35 million dollar upgrade currently underway with the provincial government.


The province will assume ownership of the bridge and scrap the tolls.  Harper made the announcement a short time ago during a news conference at the Marco Polo cruise terminal.

203 People Waiting For Nursing Home Beds

(file photo)

The strain on nursing homes will only get worse as a growing number of people in the province age. That word from the C-E-O at Loch Lomand Villa, Cindy Donovan. She told the Horizon Health Network nursing home residents are older and sicker than they were years ago.

She says it's definitely evident that the demographics are moving with a bigger elderly population and things are going to get worse.

She adds there are 203 people on the waiting list between Sussex and St. Stephen.

Donovan says the provincial government is looking now at the level of care nursing homes require.

PM Meets With Local Small Business Owners

(ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, MP Rodney Weston and Encore Interactive Inc.'s John Swan)

A group of small business owners giving their input to the Prime Minister on how Ottawa can help them grow internationally.
The roundtable discussion held to find new ideas for the next round of the government's economic action plan.
John Swan of Encore Interactive says international travel is essential to their growth.

He says in their case investment means going to California, New York and doing good business with software companies that will take a Saint John company global.
Swan adds provincial and federal government support is essential to a small companies success and they are happy to provide input whenever they ask for it.

Slippery Streets In The City

City police responding to series of accidents around town due to slippery conditions.

Streets in greater Saint John and the highways are reported to be greasy so drivers are reminded to take their time, reduce their speed and adjust to the conditions.

The snow is supposed to change to rain early this afternoon.

Fiscal Update Reveals Higher Provincial Deficit

More bad financial news from the Alward government.
Finance Minister Blaine Higgs releasing an update today predicting the deficit will swell to more than 820 million dollars this year.


He says the debt could hit 9.6 billion.
Higgs says the deepening sea of red ink is not sustainable and the province is looking at all ways of getting things under control.

Hiring Freeze In Healthcare Imposed By New Provincial Government

(Horizon Health Vice-President Vicki Squires)

      (Photo Courtesy of Horizon Health)

      

The Horizon Health Network, which runs hospitals around the province, has been told by the Alward government to freeze hiring in healthcare. That revelation emerging from a meeting Horizon held in the city last night.

The hiring freeze does not apply to doctors. Horizon's Vice-President of Organisation Development, Vicki Squires tells CHSJ News each job opening will be evaluated with patient care in mind and so it may not impact nurses.

At the same time, the meeting also heard there are longer wait times for some medical procedures including mammography and ultrasounds because of staffing shortages.

Big Announcement Coming On Harbour Bridge

(Saint John Harbour Bridge)
          (File Photo)

It's good news for thousands of commuters using the Harbour Bridge. Our sources in Ottawa confirm Prime Minister Harper will announce a deal to remove the tolls from the bridge during a news conference this afternoon.

Harper will be joined by Saint John M-P Rodney Weston and Premier David Alward for the news conference being held at the Marco Polo cruise terminal.

The deal will see the 23-million dollar debt on the bridge eliminated with Ottawa paying for half of the 35-million dollar repair job underway - the province will assume ownership of the bridge and scrap the tolls.

Norton Bank Held Up By Armed Robber

The RCMP are looking for your help in nabbing an armed robber who, just before noonhour yesterday, held up the National Bank on Route 124 in Norton.

The suspect, armed with a handgun, is described as being from 5'10" to 6 feet tall. He was wearing, at the time, a black hat and mask, long black coat and black wind pants. He left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash and then stole a black Lincoln Navigator from a person who happened to be in the bank at the time.

The Lincoln was found a short time later in a parking lot on Route 124 across from an Irving Station.

Anyone who was in a vehicle or saw the Lincoln coming or going from the public parking lot between 11:00 yesterday morning and 12:30 in the afternoon is being asked to get in touch with the RCMP at 433-7700 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Chance Harbour Fire May Have Been Set Deliberately

(Musquash Firefighters Battle Blaze In Chance Harbour)
     (Photo Courtesy Of Captain Andrew Sanojca)

The RCMP are investigating a suspicious fire in the Musquash area. A house under construction on Route 790 at Chance Harbour went up in flames last night. A nearby volunteer firefighter noticed the blaze shortly after 9:30 but the structure was fully engulfed in flames and a pile of debris was found burning behind the unfinished home.

Saint John "Y" Awards Peace Medal For 2010

A tireless worker for the City's poor and a giving student receiving awards from the Saint John Y.

Juanita Black will receive the 2010 Peace Medal Award for 35 years volunteering and fighting for those living in poverty.

Black tells CHSJ News she thinks the Alward government will continue the work began by the Liberals on this issue because more has to be done to help the poor.

Black and this year's Youth Peacemaker Award winner, St. Malachy's student Heather Atcheson, get their awards this morning at the Lily Lake Pavillion.