Saint John Transit Cuts Being Opposed

Common Council will be getting a petition tonight in opposition to cuts to city bus service that will be implemented on Boxing Day.

10 fulltime jobs are being eliminated and 5 others are being made part time along with reductions in service. 

The Transit workers union says the decision by Common Council to limit Saint John Transit to a one per cent budget increase next year will leave it 900 thousand dollars in debt.

There is now a Save our Bus page on Facebook with 1000 followers in just two weeks.

Man Dies In Bay Of Fundy Boating Fatality

An investigation is underway by the Transportation Safety Board into a boating fatality that killed a man from the L'Etang area off Black's Harbour.
    

The R-C-M-P say the unidentified 45-year-old man was on board the "Wendy and Micheal" Saturday on the Bay of Fundy with his 10-year-old son when they had to abandon their boat.
    

The son was able to swim shore but his dad didn't. The RCMP say the boy then walked several kilometres to a relative's home in order to get help.
    

His father's body was later recovered from the water by fishermen in the area.   

Initial reports indicate something happened to the boat's engine that made the father and son go into the water.

Coalition For Pay Equity Says It Won't Come About Without Legislation

The Coalition for Pay Equity says any idea the provincial government may have about businesses implementing pay equity voluntarily is pie in the sky.....the stuff of fairy tales. 

Gail Taylor chairs the Coalition's Saint John Regional Committee and says the five year plan to see if the private sector would voluntarily close the wage gap between men and women doing comparable jobs has been an abject failure. Taylor tells CHSJ News the wage gap actually got larger during one of those years.

The Coalition, which is seeking to raise 40 thousand dollars for a campaign to bring pay equity about, is waiting to see what the province is going to do to raise the wages paid to workers in childcare, homecare, transition homes and community residences because the review of their situations has been done.

Main Street Baptist Church Is Moving

We're maxed out.........That's why Main Street Baptist Church will be moving from its current location at Douglas Avenue to Forbes Drive across from Shamrock Park.

Pastor John Knight says this doesn't mean the church is going to be less of a presence in the old north end........quite the contrary  as a matter of fact.

Pastor Knight says they would like to build a playground on land the church owns beside the north end community centre. 

He also says the congregation is large so there should be what he calls "an army of volunteers" ready to make the neighbourhood better. 

Construction of the new church is expected to begin in the spring of next year with completion of phase one by the end of 2012.

Saint Johnners Grade Common Council And City

How well are the city and Common Council doing in the eyes of Saint Johnners? The results of a survey show people in the city are getting more disgruntled than they were a couple of years ago. 

49 per cent of respondents approve of the job Common Council is doing which is down from two years ago while 50 per cent disapprove. A greater percentage is also seeing lower value from the taxes they pay.

57 per cent of Saint Johnners say the city is doing a good job in supporting the local economy but that's down from 73 per cent just 2 years ago.

61 per cent say city staff are doing a good job with 38 per cent calling their performance poor.

Paramount Fundraiser Attracts Hundreds

A shuttered uptown theater is one small step closer to being re-opened as a multi-purpose venue. Organizers says that the Night for the Paramount fundraiser last night was success. Local musicians played the benefit concert to save the building, which dates back to 1947.

Uptown Saint John General Manager Peter Asimakos telling CHSJ News that over 300 people came out to support the project. He tells us that lots of people are very curious to see where the project is headed, and that the crowd was very enthusiastic.

He says they raised about $7,500 dollars, and that it bodes well for making a positive move forward. The next step will be negotiating with the owner and getting support from the provincial and federal governments.

A decision will have to be made about the future of the building before the end of the month.

Winning Entries in Santa Claus Parade Announced

Saint John held its 59th Annual Santa Claus Parade yesterday evening.

The parade judges have also released their list of winners today--and Country 94 was among those who made the cut!

Winning Entries:

Best in Parade -- Simonds High School 
Best Commercial Entry -- 97.3 The Wave/ Country 94/ Commercial Properties
Best School -- Prince Charles  
Best Cheerleaders  -- Simonds High School  
Best Band -- 101 Moncton

Best Community Group -- Fundy National Park  

Chairperson’s Choice -- Enbridge Gas/United Way

Honorable Mentions: 

- Port City Dance Academy  
- Eastern College  
- Saint John Energy  
- Royal Taxi
- Atlantic Hockey Group 
- City of Saint John – Mayor’s float 

Potential Spinoffs From NS Shipbuilding Contract Big For NB

The Conference Board Of Canada predicts for every thousand dollars spent on procurement relating to the Irving Shipbuilding contract in Nova Scotia, about $11 will go into the New Brunswick economy.

Fred Bergman of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council tells CHSJ News over the twenty-five years of the contract this Province could see $275 million in economic activity.

He says they may see even more than that if suppliers take advantage of a long term contract like this and develop relationships with Irving shipbuilding.

Bergman says outside Nova Scotia,  New Brunswick has the most suppliers for the combat vessel program with 8 contracts at 1 million dollars or more and 27 contracts at $100,000 or above.

Rothesay Residents Want More Recreation Space

Mayor Bill Bishop says Rothesay residents want more recreational options -- which is why the town forges ahead with its field house expansion onto the Rothesay Arena.

Bishop tells CHSJ News the project will compliment the qplex nicely since the Quispamsis facility is focused on providing ice time. 


The field house will allow for indoor basketball, soccer, tennis and a walking track.

There has been some opposition over the fact that two low-income apartment buildings will be knocked down to make way for the field house.

But the mayor says the impact will be small because most tenants are on a month-to-month lease and the turnover rate has been very high.

The apartments will be demolished and work on the field house will begin in a year or two.

Video Highlights from the 2011 Santa Claus Parade

Santa Claus Parade Carries On on King Street

Province Announces New Pediatric Insulin Pump Program

The provincial government rolling out a new program to help families with diabetic children.

Health Minister Madeline Dube announcing the Pediatric Insulin Pump program on Friday. The news came just in time for Diabetes Awareness Month.

Parents of children with diabetes age 18 or younger can apply to receive insulin pumps and supplies at reduced rates. The Health Minister states that the idea is to lessen the financial burden on families, and reduce their out-of-pocket costs.

The program will begin accepting applications in mid January.

Fatal Car Accident in Prince of Wales

A man has died after being struck by a car on highway one last night. The accident occurring near exit 103 of the highway in Prince of Wales.

People on scene reported that the man exited his vehicle, and was then clipped by an oncoming car. Musquash Police and fire officials assisted in performing first aid on the victim, who later passed away.

The man's name has not yet been released.

Santa Claus Parade Comes to Town Tonight

The mercury is dropping, and colored lights and decorations are popping up around the Port City. 

Saint John's Santa Claus Parade organizers officially ringing in the season with their 59th annual parade tonight. The theme this year is Christmas: Past and Present. Organizer Lesley Keating explains it's going to be a heartwarming event for the whole family.

People are encouraged to bring donations of canned foods for pickup along the parade route. 

Mail carriers will also be there to pick up letters to Santa!

The parade begins at 6 tonight and starts at the corner of Crown and Union Streets. It will continue along its traditional route to Landsdowne Place in the North End.

Blaney Says Building On Paradise Row Too Expensive For The Joshua Group

Environment Minister Margaret Ann-Blaney says she wants the Joshua Group to find a new home but a former provincial building on Paradise Row comes with too high of a price tag.

Bobby Hayes is the Founder of the Joshua Group and he recently held a rally at the location in order to drum up support to obtain the building.

Blaney tells CHSJ News an idea was floated that the province would lease them the building renovations to the building would cost at least 150-thousand dollars.
 
Blaney says that was the last conversation she had with board and she is unsure if it took part the rally.

Our newsroom put a call out to a board member but have yet to hear back.

Occupy Saint John Protest Carries On

Some call it a blight on the park, while others want to join the cause but, however you feel the Occupy Saint John protest in King Square carries on.
The peaceful protest involving a small group living in a tent village has been set up since October 15th.
Michael Brideau tells CHSJ News they do want their supporters to remove their money from the big banks.

He says you don't have to hide your money in your mattress but, they do suggest you take it from the corrupt banks and put it in credit unions.

As of this week, some of the protesters do plan to stay in King Square for the winter.

SJ Transit Clears Up Changes To Service On The West Side

Bus service to the lower West side is not being discontinued, it's being combined with the Harbour Bridge route.
General Manager Frank McCarey tells CHSJ News for a few years now they have been operating routes that leave the Lancaster Mall and return back to the mall and another that during peak hour runs across the Harbour Bridge to King Square and back.

He says the new Harbour Bridge bus will run from Lancaster Mall to King Square over the Harbour Bridge and back.

McCarey adds this change will allow bus riders to go either way, to the mall or uptown or both.
He says this new combined route will also make stops in the North end allowing for connections to the hospital and the University.

The new changes go into effect on Boxing Day, December 26th.
For more info, click here

Saint John Man Sentenced To Prison For Drug Trafficking

A 47 year old Howard Court man has been sentenced to 9 years in prison for drug trafficking. 

Wayne Francis McMullin was arrested back in September after police seized over 400 marijuana plants from what has been described as a large and sophisticated grow-op near Garnett Settlement.

McMullin, who has a lengthy criminal record dating back to 1980, pleaded guilty to possession for the purpose of trafficking, cultivating marijuana and possession of a loaded handgun. 

The prosecution told the court each pot plant was worth a thousand dollars but McMullin disputed that, claiming 300 dollars for each would be closer to the mark. 

The sentencing judge told McMullin he isn't getting the message based on his record and called him a blight on society for ruining young lives.

Seniors Apartment Complex Coming To Crescent Valley

New affordable housing is making its way to the Crescent Valley.

A 60 unit seniors apartment building will be built next to the new YM-YWCA on Churchill Boulevard.  Half will be open for rental from the public while the rest will be subsidized.

Saint John Portland MLA Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News this project will free up more subsidized housing for families as seniors as currently occupying family units.

Meanwhile, Social Development Minister Sue Stultz tells CHSJ News this announcement is just the beginning of revitalizing housing in the Crescent Valley and more announcements will be made.

The federal government investing 1.2 million in capital and the province will provide 2.3 million in rent subsidizes

Total price tag of the project is about 9 million dollars and shovels are expected to be in the ground by next spring.

City Slashes Two Routes Due To Budget Woes

City Transit will be slashing one bus route and altering another as it tries to deal with budget constraints.

The Latimore Lake will be eliminated on boxing day and the Lower West route will not be cut as it turns out. It will be changed by being combined with the Harbour Bridge route.  The Lower West route has stops at Lancaster Mall, Martello Tower, and the Carleton Community Centre.

There will also be less service at night and on the weekends.

14 employees will be let go in December as City Transit tries to scale back 14-thousand hours of service.

You're being encouraged to submit feedback on the changes.

To see the schedule changes or to submit feedback, click here.

Barry Is The Focus Of A Celebration Today

A well-known Saint Johner is wrapping up her career with a celebration at the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal.
Jane Barry is retiring as the Executive Director of the Greater Saint John Community Foundation.
She tells CHSJ News says she is feeling happy that she is leaving the foundation in very good hands and in good financial shape.

She says thanks to many generous donors in the community the foundation has nearly 9 millions dollars in the bank they can turn over to charitable causes.

Clare Northcott is the new Executive Director of the Greater Saint John Community Foundation.
The celebration of Jane Barry begins at 4:30 this afternoon  at the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal.

Teen Pleads Guilty In North End Death

A 17 year old youth, whose name cannot be made public, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after originally being charged with murder in the death of 29 year old Jason Dow in the north end last March.

Dow was found outside a building on Barker Street.

The teen has been in jail ever since turning himself in to the RCMP in Hampton shortly thereafter and will be sentenced December 2nd.

Decision On School Closure Far From Being Made

Chair of the District 8 Education Council Rob Fowler says the fate of Morna Heights School is far from sealed.

The DEC has been hosting public meetings as they look at possibly closing Morna Heights, Grand Bay Primary, and/or Inglewood Schools in order to have a new one built in Grand Bay-Westfield.

Fowler tells CHSJ News he doesn't want anybody to think that the decision to close down Morna Heights has already been made and the meetings have been lip service.

He says the meetings have been the DEC's way of performing due diligence and to see the impact a closure would have on the community.

The DEC will send a recommendation to the province in February.

There will be public input session tonight at Inglewood beginning at 7pm.

Bangor Police Warning City Police of "Bath Salts"

The Bangor Police Department sounding the warning bell on a synthetic stimulant that has been plaguing Maine for the past few years.

The drug is called bath salts and can be obtained legally over the internet.  Bath salts can cause hallucinations, paranoia, and even suicide.

Lt. Tom Reagan tells CHSJ News it's only a matter of time before bath salts become a problem in Saint John and it's important to share knowledge about the drug so that we don't have to deal with the problem from the ground up.
He says both police and EMS need policies when dealing with someone on the drug as it is a medical emergency.

Reagan will be speaking tonight at Ridgewood at 7pm and the event is open to the public.

New Program Off Up To $2000 To Famillies For Education

A federal program that helps famillies who don't have a lot of cash save for their kids education is looking for parents to sign up.

Wendy MacDermott of Vibrant Communities Saint John tells CHSJ News the program is part of the RESP program and aims to help famillies that make less than $41,000 and with children born after January 1st, 2004.

MacDermott says famillies can earn up to $2000 for their children's post-secondary education.

Service Canada and five different banks will be set up on Saturday at the Boys and Girls Club for parents who are willing to sign up.

Transportation is being provided by the Main Street Baptist Church bus.    

To get a seat on the bus, call Juanita at 647-4850.

For more info the Canada Learning Bond, click here

Turkey Drive and Christmas Kettle Campaign Kicks Off Today

The Salvation Army kicking off their annual Turkey Drive and Christmas Kettle Campaign.

Spokesperson Captain Darren Wiseman tells CHSJ News last year they fed over 500 families and raised over 80-thousand dollars.  He says they are hoping to raise the bar this year by getting over a thousand turkeys and surpass last year's fundraising total.
 
He says the Salvation Army feeds 50 to 60 people a day and every donation helps.

Our Facebook Friends Speak Out On The Joshua Group

Our Facebook friends have some opinions on the Joshua Group trying to find a permanent home in the City.

Michelle suggests they try to get a hold of the church on Broad street beside St. John the Baptist so the building won't go to waste and the kids will have a place to go.

Jessica says Bobby Hayes and the Joshua group deserve to have a place to go where they can get a good breakfast, a hot meal, and help with whatever it is they may need. These kids deserve a chance to have any kind of a successful future.

Tammy finds it sad the government can't take kids into consideration when this a good chance for them to have a place to go and have access to many things they otherwise wouldn't have access too.

You can choice the conversation by clicking here

Gas Prices Are A Mixed Bag After Weekly Setting

If you use self serve regular, you'll be pleased after the weekly setting for gas prices but not so if you fill up with diesel. 

The maximum price for self serve regular has dropped by almost 2 cents a litre but the max for diesel is up by almost 3 cents. 

There was a three cent a litre increase in the price of home heating oil which has risen to $1.22.6.

Propane with a listed price of $1.15.4 is just about the same as it was.

Quebec Woman Killed In Remembrance Day Crash

RCMP has released the name of the driver who was killed after a crash on November 11 in Upper Gagetown. She has been identified as 76-year-old Colette Babineau, of Quebec. 

Police say she appeared to lose control and rolled over. There were two other passengers in the vehicle at the time of the collision, an 84-year-old woman and an 80-year-old man, both also from Quebec.

The woman had minor injuries while the man has been transported to Quebec where he remains in hospital.

Road conditions were fair at the time of the accident.

Fundraiser For Paramount Theatre Goes This Friday

You've seen the "I Love The Paramount" buttons that have been decorating jackets and lapels over the last few weeks -- now comes the next step in Uptown Saint John's bid to save the Paramount Theatre.

A fundraiser called A Night For The Paramount is taking place this Friday at the Chinese Cultural Centre featuring several local musicians, including John Morrison and The Earthbound Trio.

Uptown Saint John General Manager Peter Asimakos tells CHSJ News the Paramount will fill a void in the city as both Harbour Station and the Imperial Theatre can be too large to host certain events.
 
Uptown Saint John is hoping to raise enough money to turn the abandoned theatre into an arts and entertainment complex.  The one year option on the building will be over at the end of the month.

For more information or to get tickets for the event, click here.

Bring A Coat Or Food To The Parade

Community groups, schools and businesses are busy little elves finishing up their floats as the Port City prepares for the 59th annual Santa Claus Parade.

The parade is coming closer with the floats set to wind their way around the uptown on Saturday night at 6pm.

Everyone is asked to bring non-perishable food as City workers will be collecting groceries along the parade route before it gets started.
All proceeds will be delivered to the Community Food Bank.

You can also bring along any unused and outgrown coats as NBCC Saint John will be picking up coats for kids before the food donations are collected.

For all the parade details, click here

Women's Football Championship Coming In 2013

Football fever is coming to Saint John in 2013 -- the city will be hosting the Women's World Championship by the International Federation of American Football.

12 out of 16 games will be played here and will feature 8 teams from around the world, including Canada.

Ashlee Clements played in the first championship series held in Sweden in 2010.  She tells CHSJ News it's a huge accomplishment for the city and for the women's football league here.  She says it will be fantastic for local players who make the team to be able to play at home.
 
Orgaznizers are trying to secure the Canada Games Stadium for the event, which will take place from August 2nd to the 10th in 2013.

Saint John To Be Warned About New Synthetic Street Drug

Saint John parents will get a chance tomorrow night to hear from a police officer from Bangor, Maine who will talk about a new street drug called "Bath Salts".

 Some users have become paranoid with hallucinations and even suicidal even after the effects of the drug have worn off.

City Police Sergeant David Hartley-Brown tells CHSJ News the synthetic stimulant has not become a problem in the Saint John area........at least not yet but they want to stay one step ahead and not have to play catch up.

Lieutenent Thomas Reagan will be giving the presentation in Ridgewood at 7:00 pm Thursday and parents are being advised not to bring along small children.

Joshua Group Is Homeless And Desperate

The Joshua Group may have been honoured nationally for the work it does to help young people, who find themselves on the street, but now finds itself homeless and in desperate need of a permanent location.

A rally will be held at 6 tonight at a provincially owned building on Paradise Row near Brenan's that is up for sale and Joshua Group founder Bobby Hayes tells CHSJ News would be ideal.

When we asked Hayes whether the Joshua Group has been forgotten by the powers that be who earlier wanted to be on the bandwagon, he laughed saying the kids he helps haven't forgotten.

There will be a rally tonight at the site of the building on Paradise Row with a starting time of 6:00. Hayes frankly admits his intent is to try to embarrass the government into helping them out.

Coalition For Pay Equity Launches New Campaign In Province

The poverty of working people is a scandal.........So says Gail Taylor of the Coalition for Pay Equity which is launching a campaign to raise money to press the issue amid fears of what might be coming in the next provincial budget.

Taylor, who chairs the Saint John regional committee for pay equity, tells CHSJ News there is a myth about businesses going belly up if they pay women more because in Quebec, where pay equity has been legislated, there is no such evidence.

On the other hand, she says higher pay for women would help alleviate poverty, which is a big problem in the city, as well as stimulate the local economy.

The Coalition has been told in the south end, poverty has a feminine face.

More Underwear Thefts Up North

It's creepy up North as someone keeps stealing sex toys and underwear in 13 different incidents.

Last week, the Mounties let us know they were looking into a series of break, enter and thefts at homes in the Saint-Paul and Sainte-Marie areas.
Since then, four more people have come forward to report similar thefts.

Sergeant Scott Sawyer tells CHSJ News they realize given the nature of the items stolen, some people may not be comfortable with reporting it to police but it is important that they do.

Sawyer adds they don't know yet if more than one person is involved and by people coming forward it gives them a better chance of catching whoever is responsible.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the RCMP or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Morna Heights Residents Make Their Case For Saving School

Over 50 concerned residents coming out to Morna Heights school to listen or plead their case for keeping the school open.

About a dozen people making presentations to the DEC -- they are taking input on possibly closing down Morna Heights, Inglewood, and/or Grand Bay Primary school in order to build a new school in Grand Bay-Westfield.

Christian Goldie is with the River Road Community Alliance and he tells CHSJ News a lot of residents have put in countless hours to make their case and he's optimistic that the school can still be saved.


Meanwhile, Lori Nason is with the Parent School Support Committee and says if the school does get closed down, parents are not going to let the issue come to a rest.

When asked if she meant legal action, she would not elaborate.

Supporters of Morna Heights say shutting down the school would hurt student learning and be a blow to community activities.

The DEC will be making a recommendation to the province in February.

Arrest Made In Alleged Threat At Oromocto High School

An 18 year old man getting arrested in connection with an alleged threat made at Oromocto High School today.

Around 11:30 this morning, RCMP were called to the school after a report of someone making threats with a knife.  The school was locked down for about 20 minutes.

The suspect was arrested a short distance away.

No one was hurt and charges are pending.

New Lights Coming To Busy Quispamsis Intersection

Some traffic changes coming to Quispamsis.

Over the next few days, new overhead traffic signals are being installed at the intersection of Vincent Road and Quispamsis Road.  The lights will be activated by approaching cars and the speed limit will be reduced to 40 kilometres an hour.

Director of Engineering Gary Loiser says the new traffic signals will increase safety as well as to accommodate upgrades to the Vincent Road and traffic to the qplex.

Commuter Relief At Last!

The drive home for west siders should be a little easier this evening -- the west bound lanes of the Harbour Bridge have re-opened to traffic after being closed since the spring for a major overhaul.
The province took over the bridge April 1st after reaching a deal with the federal government to remove the tolls -- and -- Transportation Minister Claude Williams tells CHSJ News inheriting the 35-million dollar upgrade project from the former Harbour Bridge Authority led to some delays in getting work underway this year.
The Minister says the Chesley Drive off ramp is still on schedule to re-open by the end of the month while work on the lane realignment and curbing in the area of the former toll plaza should be completed by next month.

CBS Maintains Blood Will Always Be Available

Canadian blood services maintains it would be dangerous for the province to create their own blood agency and leave the national system.

If the Alward government decides to go it alone they would have to supply it solely through the province's 13,000 donors.
Amanda Cullen tells CHSJ News both the Regional hospital and CBS always maintain a 3 to 4 day supply of blood.

She says in the case of a trauma, doctors are not coming down the hill looking for blood adding they have it in their blood bank.
She adds if they need more, they place orders and CBS goes about replenishing their supply.

Cullen suggest donors keep giving blood encouraging them to not let politics get in the way of giving a life saving gift to hospital patients.

Bridge Re-Opens

The west bound lanes of the Harbour Bridge have re-opened to traffic -- the lanes have been closed since the Spring as part of a 35-million dollar face lift for the bridge.
More details shortly.

City Teens Hurt In Dairytown Rollover

Two teens are at the Regional hospital with serious injuries after a rollover east of Sussex.

The Mounties got the call about 11:30 last night after the vehicle rolled over in the westbound lane of Highway 1 injuring a 16-year-old girl and two men who are 18 and 19 years old.    All three teens are from the Saint John area.

The highway was shut down for about half and hour while an RCMP collision reconstructionist examined the scene.

Police believe the two people who were thrown from the car were not wearing a seatbelts. 

One Change Told To Emphasise Educating Young People In The Old North End

Common Councillor Peter McGuire is enthused about the prospect of One Change taking over the operation of the North End Community Centre.

He says the people at One Change should follow the example of what's being done in Harlem with a heavy emphasis on educating young people in the Old North End and Lorne Middle School should be the anchor.

McGuire also says there should be constant evaluation on how well the programmes are working with feedback from the people they're intended to help.
 
Councillor Chris Titus concurs saying without education, no one moves ahead.
 
The Harlem programme in New York City has a budget of 100 million dollars to work with.

Disagreement About Whether King Square Protesters Should Be Removed

While Common Councillor Bruce Court wants to see the Occupy protesters in King Square removed sooner rather than later, not everyone of his colleagues agrees.

Court says he has received numerous complaints but fellow Councillor Patty Higgins says not so fast.

She hasn't heard of any complaints and before deciding on any action to get the protesters out of the Square, Higgins says there should be a report prepared for Council on what's been going on, if anything untoward.

Higgins does express concern over two of the tents burning down with the cause of the fires thought to be suspicious.

Working Group Raising Alarm Over Blood Safety

A working committee including Mayor Ivan Court, union representatives, doctors and business leaders raising the alarm on Canadian Blood Services leaving the City in 2013.
The group wants a blood production lab to remain in Saint John and serve the province no matter who runs it.
Mayor Ivan Court says if the consolidation plan moves forward, this province and PEI would be the only two in the country without a blood production centre.

Court says it's sad that if the CBS move goes ahead, blood donated here will be shipped to Nova Scotia and if we need it, it must be imported back.    He says it doesn't make sense.
 
Donor Brian Duplessis wants to know his time in the chair donating blood will be used for the good.  He says he's not a masochist or a sadist but, it's his way of helping the health care system without spending a penny.

Health Minister Madeline Dube says a decision on the future of blood production in the province will be made in a few weeks.

City Doc Supports The Province Going It Alone On Blood

A City doctor thinks they are many alternatives to Canadian Blood Services and the province should explore going it alone by creating their own agency.
CBS is set to move their distribution facility to Dartmouth in less than two years, a move that Dr. Andrea Garland says will compromise safety.
Garland tells CHSJ News after 2013, the Millidgeville location will be a storage site.

She says one significant trauma, a couple of car accidents, those are the unknowns that can push things one way or the other.

Garland maintains when you have the production centre in your province, you can get people in to donate blood to fill the needs of a trauma.

Armed Holdup Out East

Major Crime is investigating an armed robbery on the east side.

It happened last night shortly before 10:00 at Little John's Convenience Store on John MacMillan Avenue, formerly the Glen Road, off Golden Grove Road. 

City Police say there were two robbers with a weapon and they made off with a small amount of money. 

There were no injuries.

Non-Profit Group Wants To Take Over Community Centre

One Change wants to take over running the North End Community Centre saying because it's non-profit, the organisation will be able to access "a bucketful of money" not available to the city. 

President Scott Crawford says One Change has had a record of success and points to the youth inclusion programme designed to keep young people from getting into trouble with the law which he says has become a national model.

Common Councillor Patty Higgins points out since One Change has become, in her words, "a movement", calls from the old North End to City Police are down by 50 per cent.

The Pastor of Main Street Baptist Church, John Knight is promising an army of volunteers willing to help and estimates there could be as much as half a million dollars available from partners who say they're willing to step up to the plate with financial contributions.

The proposal has been referred to the City Manager and budget deliberations but there appears to be unanimous support on Council for it to happen.

One Member Of Common Council Wants Protestors To Leave Square

A disgrace and a nuisance.........That's how Common Councillor Bruce Court characterises the occupy protestors with their tents in King Square.

Court tells CHSJ News he has been receiving several complaints but whether the issue will come up before Common Council at next Monday's meeting remains to be seen.

Police Departments in other cities, including Halifax, have taken action to remove the protesters from city owned parks.

Two of their tents in King Square went up in flames over the weekend with the fires considered to be suspicious in origin. 

Court says that could be an indication some people are getting fed up with their presence.

Environmentalist ReThinking Support For Point Lepreau

A long time supporter of the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station as a way to reduce carbon emissions is making an about face.
Environmentalist Gordon Dalzell tells CHSJ News the destruction of the Fukushima nuclear power plant in the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan earlier this year has given him cause for sober second thought about construction standards.
And Dalzell says he's now concerned about the level of radioactive emissions from the nuclear power plant.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is holding a public hearing in the city next month to consider N-B Power's request for a new five year operating licence for the plant.