More Alarm Raised Over Shale Gas Exploration

Premier David Alward is giving every indication he wants to move ahead with shale gas exploration in the province while, at the same, time vowing to protect the concerns of property owners.

Raphael Shay is the climate and energy co-ordinator at the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. He tells CHSJ News two new studies which suggest shale gas development causes high levels of greenhouse gas emissions ought to slow things down a bit for a closer examination.

Shay also points out there have been significant methane leaks at fracking sites and methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas with the province vulnerable to climate change judging by the severity of flooding last December.
 
He adds one of the studies done by Cornell University professor Robert Howarth has found compared to coal, the carbon footprint of shale gas is at least 20 per cent greater.

No End To Rising Gas Prices

The weekly setting sees another increase in gas prices........Self serve regular is now being sold around town for $1.28.9 a litre with diesel going for $1.33.2.

 Home heating oil is listed at $1.18.3 and as we enter the barbeque season, propane is at $1.08.4 a litre.

Saint John Leads Way With Teen Pregnancies

School District 8 hearing an alarming list of statistics about teen pregnancy in Saint John.

In 2008, 44 out of every 1000 girls became pregnant nearly double the national rate and provincially,the stat falls to 24.3 per thousand.

Public Health Nurse Penny Higdon tells CHSJ News it's hard to determine why our numbers remain high yet the rates in Moncton and Fredericton have gone down.

The Teen Pregnancy Committee hosting a strategic planning session in December and identifying four priorities which include creating awareness and improving access to contraception.

Some Teens In City Set Out To Get Pregnant

District 8 chair Rob Fowler says he is surprised by how high the teen pregnancy stats are in the city and finds it a little scary that, in some cases, the teen girls want to get pregnant and it's not happening accidentally.

Student representative Chris Harper, who thought the District Education Council should hear about the high teen pregnancy rate in the city, likes the idea of youth teaching young people about teen pregnancy by using the tools they use on a daily basis......social media.

He is surprised, though, to hear the sexual education that begins middle school doesn't carry over into high school.

Bridge Cams On Harbour Bridge Switched Off

If you have been wondering what happened to the link on our web page to the Harbour Bridge cameras -- the answer is related to the removal of the tolls from the Bridge at the beginning of the month.

The Department of Transportation says those cameras were part of the toll booth monitoring system and were turned off when the toll plaza was closed April 1st.

A department spokesperson tells CHSJ News there are no plans to reactivate them at the moment.

The camera link proved extremely popular especially during last summer's major construction project on the bridge -- we contacted Saint John Harbour Conservative M-L-A Carl Killen who is looking into the situation.

Province To Do Post-Mortem On Flood Response

The province is turning the microscope on itself with regards to flooding last December in Charlotte County.

The province will be conducting a review of how it handled the crisis and what it can do to improve.

Premier David Alward tells CHSJ News there are many factors at work when it comes to flooding in Charlotte County and they all need a closer look.

Two employees from the Department of Public safety will also be engaging the people of St. George and St. Stephen as part of a two year project to improve community-based disaster response in Charlotte County. 

Robbery Suspect Nabbed in Pennfield

District 1 RCMP from St. Stephen executing an arrest warrant at a Pennfield motel and arresting a 46-year-old man.

Toni Earl McFarlane facing a charge of robbery and disguise with intent to commit a robbery relating to an incident at the Charlotte County Credit Union in St. Stephen in February last year.

McFarlane is being held in custody and is due to appear in St. Stephen Provincial Court tomorrow morning to enter a plea.

Bell Aliant Unveils Speed for Customers

Another salvo has been fired in the war for your dolalrs over internet and TV providers.

Bell Aliant unveiling upgrades to their FiberOp service, which boasts features like 30 megabits-a-second for downloading and 30 megabits-a-second for uploading.

President and CEO Karen Sheriff says the bump in the uploading speed is significant because people are sharing things online more and more each day.

The speeds are a first for Atlantic Canada.

We put a call in to  Rogers for comment but so far there has been no response.

Flare Will Increase During Canaport Maintenence Work

Canaport LNG will be undergoing maintenance starting early next month.
This maintenance will be carried out on process equipment at the Terminal which will require a temporary suspension of operations.


Maintenance activities include work on a valve within the process equipment as well as the inspection of other equipment throughout the facility.
Because of the work, a significant flare which will be visible from some vantage points around the city for the duration of the shutdown which should last about a month.

Education Minister Meets With Francophone Parents In K-V

Provincial Education Minister Jody Carr says there will be continuing dialogue with parents in the K-V who are pressing for a french language school for students from kindergarten through grade 5.

 A spokesperson in the Education Department says the meeting went well and Carr is committed to adding a third grade next September to the satellite school now being used in the Valley.

Right now it's K through grade 2 and the parents want the province to buy some land and build a brand new school.

Will Spending Revelations Sway Voters?

An investigation is being launched to find out how a draft report from the Auditor General about spending at the G-8 and G-20 summits was leaked and by whom. The draft report pinpoints some questionable projects in the riding of federal cabinet minister Tony Clements.

U-N-B Saint John political science professor Don Desserud isn't sure this will be a game changer like the sponsorship scandal was for the Liberals.

A poll done before the spending revelations and leader's debate showed Prime Minister Harper was heading for his long cherished for majority and Desserud tells CHSJ News the Prime Minister has proven himself quite adept at handling such controversies in the past..

M-L-A's Go To School

M-L-A's were out and about this week in schools around the province. It was "Take your M-L-A to School Day".

The Superintendent for School District 8 Susan Tipper says being in a classroom gives the M-L-A's a better idea of what actually goes on when they have to make decisions about education.

Tipper says even though she works in the system, she finds things and times have certainly changed  when visiting schools and it can be a real eye opener to see what goes on first hand.

Couple Gets Key To New Home

Richard and Fran Winters getting the key to their brand new home today.

The couple is one of six families who will be moving into a new home in St. George after losing their house to the December floods in Charlotte County.

The houses have been paid for via donations and government money.

Fran Winters tells CHSJ News it was hard to say goodbye to their old house.

The couple will be moving in by the end of the month.

Safe, Clean Drinking Water Means Higher Rates

With Common Council setting a 4 year goal on getting water treatment facilities up and running by 2015, what impact will that have on your pocketbook?

Commissioner of Finance Greg Yeomans says there will be a 25 to 50 per cent increase in what you pay for water.

That would put the flat water and sewage rate at about $1,350 by 2018.

However, officials estimate the flat rate would be about $1,100 at that time if the city didn't go ahead with water treatment.

Mayor Ivan Court says an extra $250 dollars is a small price to pay for clean drinking water.

Several Memembers Leave Joshua Group

Six members of the board of directors for the Joshua Group resigning over a disagreement about what direction the local charity should take.    It leaves 7 members on the board.

The group that helps local at-risk kids in the city's priority neighbourhoods is well-known since its founder Bobby Hayes won a national award for being a Champion of Change.

CHSJ News learning the board will carry on and fill those vacancies.There are no "hard feelings" and we are told it does relate to the Joshua group's current search for a permanent home.

Different Angles At Play For Tonight's Debate

UNB Saint John Political Scientist Don Desserud says tonight's leaders' debate will be an opportunity for all of the players.

Desserud tells CHSJ News it will give NDP Leader Jack Layton a chance to regain any supports that have jumped shipped to the Liberals in effort to defeat Stephen Harper.

He says the best move for Harper is to allow the three other candidates to dog pile him in order to prove that a majority government is needed.

Six Members Of A Local Charity's Board Of Directors Quit

Six members of the board of directors for the Joshua Group resigning over a disagreement about what direction the local charity should take.    It leaves 7 members on the board.

The group that helps local at-risk kids in the city's priority neighbourhoods is well-known since its founder Bobby Hayes won a national award for being a Champion of Change.

CHSJ News learning the board will carry on and fill those vacancies.
There are no hard feelings and we are told it does relate to the Joshua group's current search for a permanent home.

Moore Does Not Fear Backlash From Voter Fatigue

Rob Moore is not experiencing voter backlash as he travels door to door in the riding of Fundy Royal but, people are still wondering why this election is even happening.
The Conservative incumbent tells CHSJ News the voters feel strongly about that.

He says they know the opposition parties are responsible for the current campaign and he doesn't fear voter backlash but, he hopes his constituents use the desire to not have another election to get out and vote.

Moore adds a lot of the issues are the same as in 2008 but, it's more positive since a lot of the concern over the economic downtown is behind us.

Parents Group Meets With Edcuation Minister Tonight Over Proposed French School

Parents pushing for a Francophone school in the valley will be meeting with Education Minister Jody Carr tonight.

The group is looking for a commitment from the province to build a Francophone school in the Valley so that french students will no longer have to travel long distances for classes.

The parents group is threatening legal action against the province if a school is not built.

Green Party Candidate Says Province Needs Green Jobs

Sharon Murphy-Flatt is throwing her hat into the political ring again.

She ran as the Green Party's candidate in the provincial election for the Rothesay riding and this time she's looking to win the federal seat in Saint John.

She tells CHSJ News green industries need to be brought to the province as our current industrial businesses are not sustainable. 

She would also aim to get Point Lepreau decommissioned, claiming it's a money sink and poses a serious health risk to all New Brunswickers.

PRO Kids Still Optimistic Despite Not Winning $10,000 In Contest

They didn't get quite enough votes to secure the  $10,000 but, PRO Kids are still better for taking part in the Irving Oil Challenge Cup contest.
By voting on Facebook for the KV Rangers, PRO Kids was in the running for the money but, lost to a PEI when the contest closed on Sunday night.
PRO Kids Manager Tammy Desaulniers tells CHSJ News it was definitely a nail-biter.  Kidsport of PEI wins the money and Desaulniers says they are in the same business as PRO Kids.  The Saint John Wanderers football club is hosting a clinic featuring CFL players next month and half of the proceeds will go to PRO Kids.

Housing Market Slows In Saint John

Housing prices have fallen in Saint John from 1.6 per cent for a standard 2 storey home all the way up to 6.3 per cent for a detached bungalow. John McAloney of Royal LePage is not surprised. He tells CHSJ News it's a buyer's market.

According to Royal LePage, average prices range from 162 thousand dollars for a standard condo to 178 thousand for a detached bungalow and 295 thousand dollars for standard two storey home.

McAloney says the K-V market remains strong because people are still moving there and lower housing prices are remote, if not non-existent.

Early Morning Fire Sounds Suspicious

The cause of an early morning fire in the north end is being investigated by both the fire department and city police.

The blaze started around 2:30 at 28 Albert Street.

There has been heavy fire damage to the 2 and a half storey building.

Water Rescue On East Side

City Police along with fire crews from the city and the K-V responding to a water rescue in the Bradley Lake area.

The fire department telling us two people were trying to get a dog out of the water when the call was made.

 By the time police and firefighters arrived, the two people were safely on shore.

East Side M-L-A Unsure About Provincial Money For Water

Saint John East MLA Glen Tait unable to make a commitment as to whether the province will be on board with helping to pay for clean drinking water.

He says Premier David Alward needs to be briefed on all the details and the province is keeping a close eye on the chequebook book due to the province's huge debt load.
He calls the 4 year time table for clean drinking water "optimistic."
 
Tait, when he was a member of Common Council, pushed hard to get Harbour Cleanup up and running.

Council Told Time To Act Is Now On Better Water

Common Council is setting a 4 year goal towards getting water treatment facilities up and running in the city in order to provide safe clean drinking water.

The head of Municipal Operations Paul Groody says it's an aggressive target but the time is now because every year the project is put off will cost the city an additional 8 to 10 million dollars.

Total price tag of the project is 172 million dollars over four years with the goal being to have it cost shared with the province and the federal government. That would put the cost for the city at about 57 million dollars.

Development Around Rockwood Park Officially Nixed

Land around Rockwood Park is now officially protected.

Council came up short at the last council meeting to protect the land because two councillors were absent.

The decision comes after much public outcry over possible residential and commercial development around the park.

Councillor Chris Titus has been very critical about the lack of public debate on the issue and says council should have held an official public meeting.

Court Appearance In Death Of Cyclist

A 28 year old truck driver made his first court appearance in Hampton after being charged in the death of a cyclist on Highway 7 last September.

Jason Donald Dickison of Meductic is charged with driving without due care and attention and exceeding his hours of service under the Motor Vehicle Act.

He has not entered a plea yet and the case was put over until May 17th.

23 year old Andrew Wolf of New York City was riding with a group of other cyclists when he was killed in a collision with a transport truck September 16th near the Petersville Hill area.

Chase Signs European TV Deal

Hot on the heels of signing a record deal last fall, singer Kevin Chase announcing today a deal with Germany's AGR Televison and Universal.
Chase grew up on the Kingston Pennisula and is now based in Moncton.
The deal will bring his latest record to European audiences as "Hold On Tight" will see a multi-national release.

The first single “Outta Sight Outta Mind” will be sent to country radio stations in several countries including Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands and England by the end of the month. The album “Hold On Tight” will be available in stores and for download later this year and eventually be available in 39 countries.
Chase is preparing to shoot his first video for the album release. He says the concept is coming together with a few location details being worked before shooting can start.
For more info click here

Q League Fines Shawinigan

Q League commissioner Gilles Courteau giving a $2000 fine to the Shawinigan Cataractes organization for inappropriate comments made April 7th by the team’s GM Martin Mondou relating to the 2012 Memorial Cup selection process and the Saint John Sea Dogs.
The comments coming a day before the announcement that Shawinagan gets the right to host next year's event and that Saint John lost.

The commissioner says in a release that the accusatory comments made by Shawinigan's GM Martin Mondou were inappropriate and unacceptable. Courteau adds the selection process for the Memorial Cup was conducted by an independent committee that worked hard to analyse all the possible candidates.


He says comments that cast a doubt on the credibility of a member club or committee do not have their place.  Courteau goes on to say it's of the utmost importance that clubs operate within an environment of respect.

Weston Reveals Four Campaign Priorities

The incumbant Conservative candidate in Saint John unveiling in his four major initiatives for the election campaign.
They include social housing and support program investments, creating strong minds with education, arts and culture and promoting a strong body in partnership with the YM-YWCA by creating a new facility and working to upgrade the Rothesay Arena.
Rodney Weston can't commit to giving the city 57.4 million dollars for his top priority clean safe drinking water.

He says that needs to be worked out and he's been meeting with Saint John East MLA Glen Tait who is leading the charge provincially on clean drinking water.

Weston says he has also met more than once with Councillor Chris Titus on the subject.
Common Council will hear a detailed plan on how to provide clean, safe drinking water at tonight's meeting.   It starts at 6:15.

Alward Expects Recommendations Soon On Energy Policy

One of the first things David Alward did after becoming Premier was appoint an Energy Commission whose job it is to help formulate a new energy policy. Former Energy Minister Jennott Volpe is a member of that commission.

Alward expects the commission's recommendations by early May.  When he was Opposition Leader, Alward hammered then Premier Shawn Graham's government for not having any such policy while trying to negotiate a deal with Hydro Quebec.

Alward also vows to hold the public service's feet to the fire to eliminate red tape and encourage outside investment but, at the same time, promises a balance will be found between development and protection of people in the province.

Big Seizure Of Illegal Smokes

The RCMP making two traffic stops and seizing 350 thousand illegal cigarettes in the northern part of the province.

One vehicle was stopped in Grand Falls resulting in the seizure of 200,000 contraband cigarettes. A 46-year-old man from Quebec was arrested and later released. He is scheduled to appear in Grand Falls Provincial court on June 14th.

Later, a second vehicle was stopped in Saint-Jacques with 150,000 contraband cigarettes being confiscated. A 66-year-old man from Nova Scotia was arrested and later released. He is scheduled to appear in Edmundston Provincial Court on June 5th.

In both cases, the cigarettes and the vehicles used to transport them were seized and will be forfeited to the government.

Overnight Fire In Lorneville

An early morning fire causing extensive damage to a mini home in Lorneville this morning at 112 School Bus Road.

No one was at home when the fire started around 3:00.

There were no injuries in fighting the blaze and the cause is being investigated.

Plan To Be Presented On Safe, Clean Drinking Water

The city will be looking for 57.4 million dollars each from the federal and provincial governments to help pay for safe clean drinking water.

That's part of the plan to be presented to Common Council tonight for funding from 2012 to 2016. Councillors are being told water metering will be mandatory for any water system that aims to be sustainable.

The head of Municipal Operations Paul Groody wants to get to the point where there will be automatic metering of how much water you consume.

Mayor Ivan Court says there's no point comparing what metered water will cost in the city as opposed to Fredericton and Moncton which are alot smaller in size. Court maintains the costs will come down if population density increases in the city which is what Plan SJ is all about.

The central feature of the plan will be the water filtration treatment plant to be located south of the Little River Resevoir. In the meantime, the Conservative candidate running in Saint John Rodney Weston will be spelling out today what his priorities will be if re-elected.

New Lifeguard Deal Proposed

The city is proposing the Canada Games Aquatic Centre provide the lifeguards who will be keeping an eye on swimmers at four city beaches this summer from June 25th to August 21st.

The city would pay the Aquatic Centre 108 thousand dollars if Common Council approves.

The lifeguards would be stationed at Dominion Park, Lakewood Resevoir, Lily Lake and Fisher Lakes.

Premier Vows To Reverse Fiscal Decline

As debate got underway on the Alward Government's first budget, work has already started on the second.

That word from Premier David Alward and he warns it isn't going to get any easier with tough choices and sacrifices lying ahead but concedes it's difficult to change the collective mindset.

Alward says the most important job facing his government is to reverse the fiscal decline. He accuses the previous Liberal Government of providing 4 years of mismanagement.

 Alward goes on to say all government departments are undergoing a spending review, M-L-A salaries are frozen and their pension benefits will be lowered.

West Side Man Still Among The Missing

City police want your help in tracking down a man missing for a week.

58-year-old Lionel Daigle is from the New Direction Special Care home on the west side.

He requires medication for mental health issues.

He's described as 5'3", 137 pounds with a slim build, brown eyes, and salt and pepper hair.

He was last seen wearing a 9/11 tribute hat with an eagle,a three-quarter length grey-hooded winter jacket, jeans and sneakers.

If you have seen him, call police at 648-3333.

Campobello Man Plans To Walk From Coast to Coast

A 25-year-old Campobello man takes off May 10th on a cross-Canada trek to raise awareness about epilepsy.

Brett Cameron says he met a boy last year inspiring with his joyful look at life despite having a serious illness.

He tells CHSJ News it's the least he can do so, he is busy preparing himself physically for the journey.

He says as long as people are supporting him he has no doubts about being ready when the time comes.

Cameron is lining up sponsors for his cross-country trek and he has some friends who say they want to join him.

There is a Facebook page dedicated to the event, to find it click

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=group_147870951944929

PRO Kids Still Needs Votes To Win $10,000

PRO Kids still needs your votes to win $10,000!
The local group that places youth in positive recreation activities is in the running for the money from the Irving Oil Challenge Cup.
At last check just a few votes are separating the KV Rangers and a team from PEI.   Tonight at midnight is the deadline to enter the contest.  To vote for the KV Rangers click here

Town Will Help Quispamis Woman Create Awareness About Malaria

Quispamsis will be buying mosquito nets for an African village as part of World Malaria Day.
No word yet on the amount being donated but 300 dollars can protect an entire village from the disease.
Melody Mayberry is with the malaria prevention group Buy A Net and she tells CHSJ News it's good to see her community lend a hand in the fight.


She says she's trying to build it now because this province is one of the last remaining provinces to really acknowledge World Malaria Day so she's starting with her own town hoping it will grow from there.
The money will be given to Mayberry's daughter who is raising the funds for Quispamsis Elementary.   April 25th is World Malaria Day.

Volunteers Get Recognition from Quispamsis

Quispamsis honouring 12 volunteers who are making a difference in the community.

The group getting official awards from the town for their positive work with various organizations

Recipient Dean Mullin donates his time to the KV Committee For Disable Persons and tells CHSJ News it's humbling to receive such praise.

The recipients were:

Dean Mullin - KV Committee for Disabled Persons
Don McQuinn - Valley Cruisers Car Club - NB
Sandra Horton - KV Minor Ball Association
Sandra O'Neil - KV Basketball Assoc
Melissa Steeves - Rothesay Baptist Church
Peter McGinn - St. Mark's Parish
King's Way Care Centre
Ken Valley Quilting Guild
KV Firefighter Association Volunteers
Quispamsis-Islandview Lions Club

Saint John Man Wins Big Prize

If you're happy when you win a free coffee or donut from the Roll Up The Rim To Win contest at Tim Hortons, then imagine what Bernard Desmond Junior is feeling.

The Saint John man has won a 2011 Toyota Matrix, one of forty grand prizes being given out in the contest.

He will be getting the keys to his new ride in a ceremony on Tuesday.

Beds Being Reserved For Surgery Patients

The Saint John Regional Hospital is setting aside 85 to 95 beds strictly for post-op patients in an effort to cut down surgery wait times.

Executive Director of the Regional Hospital Margaret Melanson tells CHSJ News it's the first step to addressing what has been a serious issue for doctors.

A big reason for the slowdown is the high number of acute long care patients taking up beds.

She says for now, about 20 of those reserved beds will be allowed for ALEC patients if the need arises.

Eventually, only surgery patients will make use of the beds.

Crews Begin To Unwrap Seniors Complex

Some good news for seniors living in the subsidized apartment complex at Market Square -- crews are beginning to remove the plastic wrap that has enveloped the building since last fall.


The building has been wrapped to allow major upgrade work to continue through the winter months -- but -- some seniors began to complain about the lack of fresh air and view.

Social Development Minister Sue Stultz paid a visit to the complex last night to get a first hand glimpse of the situation.

Crews ran into some unforeseen structural problems and the job is now expected to be completed by early summer at a cost of just over 5-million dollars -- about 700-thousand over the original budget.

New Housing Starts Sluggish

It's a soft start to the year for new home builders in the greater Saint John area -- a new report from Canada Mortgage and Housing shows the number of new homes started up to the end of March down by almost 65-percent compared to last year.


Fredericton's starts are down by 50-percent this year while Moncton has been hit the hardest with new home construction off by almost 88-percent compared to a year ago.

City Wants More Flexibility

Common council expressing it's frustration with the lack of power they have to govern their own affairs.

They're seeking more legislative freedom to tackle key issues like fire service or handling derelict buildings.

Mayor Ivan Court says the lack of flexibility is hindering progress, like taking 5 to 10 years to get legislation changed to tear a building down.

The city, along with other municipalities in the province, have already approached the province about having more control but council plans on making their case again to the Minister of Local Government.

The Dogs Are Taking Victoriaville Seriously

With the sadness of not getting the Memorial Cup still lingering, The Saint John Sea Dogs are looking forward to round 2 of the playoffs and the race for the President's Cup.


President Wayne Long tells CHSJ News no one is underestimating Victoriaville as a team.
He calls them a great team that gave Bathurst a surprise beating them in four straight.

He says this series will be a great challenge for them, adding any team that makes it to the final 8 is a very good club. Game 1 goes tonight wth the Dogs hosting Victoriaville at Harbour Station. The puck drops at 7:30.

The Jobless Dips In The Port City And In The Province Last Month

It's a better job story in Saint John and in the Province today.
Provincially the jobless rate went down from 9.8 per cent in February to 9.6 per cent in March.  Here in Saint John, it fell from 6.6 per cent in February to 6.4 per cent last month.
Across the country, the unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a point to 7.7 from 7.8 per cent.

PRO Kids "Fun"raising Dinner Features Millrats Coach

Hundreds on hand at the Delta Hotel last night for the annual PRO Kids "fun" raising dinner.

The organization that places kids in positive recreation activites honouring Bobby Hayes of the Joshua Group for being a champion of change.
The two groups have a history of working together.

Saint John Mill Rats coach Jaren Jackson gave a speech highlighting his career in basketball and coaching and drawing attention to programs like PRO Kids offer kids who may be at risk a safe place to make friends, learn which sports they love and build confidence for the future.Jackson also announcing last night the Millrats will play a Japanese basketball team April 24th at Harbour Station in a fundraiser for relief efforts following the earthquake and tsunami last month.

You can still vote for PRO Kids to win $10,000 as part of the Irving Oil Challenge Cup.
To vote click here