Big excitement for little French Village but maybe not the kind they would ask for on a pretty Sunday afternoon...a forest fire.
Water bombers were brought in to knock the blaze that was first reported about 3pm.
Tanya Doyle lives not far from the fire scene on the French Village road. She tells us she out for a test drive with her son when they looked up and saw a blaze of fire on top of the hill. She adds she is fairly confident the crews have a handle on it but worries about smouldering overnight.
Crews from KV and Nauwigewauk responded to the blaze. K-V Fire tells CHSJ News no one was hurt and no homes sustained any fire damage. Crews will be out today checking for hot spots so there are no flare ups. An estimated 6000 tons of water were being dropped on the fire in each pass of the planes along with water from ground crews.
A large forest fire is raging in the French Village and spreading in the direction of a residential area.
Lieutenant Shawn White of the Kennebacasis Valley Fire Department tells us that they received a call mid-afternoon about a forest fire originating around the village's Petro-Canada.
White says that people living in the village should be aware that there will be low-flying planes in the sky. Because the flames jumped the road and the fire is now in more than one spot, they're bringing in water bombers to help control the blaze. If you think the fire is coming too close to your home, he says you should call 911.
A fire ravaged a home in Grand Bay-Westfield, leaving only the structure standing.
Sergeant Rick Bernard of the RCMP tells us that the fire started in a detached garage on 1 Chestnut Drive and then transferred to the house, burning out the interior. Crews responded to a call from the homeowner late on Saturday night.
The fire marshal is saying that the cause of the fire was an electrical problem. Bernard tells us it's not considered suspicious and that nobody was hurt in the blaze.
The battle 68 years ago during World War 2 being remembered in a service at Grace Presbyterian Church.
HMCS Brunswicker taking part with cadets, reservists and its top command along with many MLA's, MP Weston, Mayor Norton and Senator Joe Day.
Hundreds have packed a Cobourg street church to remember the battle which is the only Second World War conflict that took place close to North American shores.
Hearing someone yell check-mate in King's Square might become a regular occurrence.
Councillor Ray Strowbridge is making a motion at Monday's council meeting to install chess boards in the square.
Strowbridge tells CHSJ News that he decided to pursue this after hearing a member of the Saint John Chess Club say that it would be a great idea if they could play the game outside. By installing chess boards, Strowbridge thinks we can draw more people to King's Square. If you build it, they will come, he says.
Out of an estimated 10,000 people eligible to vote in Ward 3, 620 cast their bid early.
Paul Harpelle of Elections NB tells us that's how many votes were cast on Saturday during advance voting in the Ward 3 by-election. Voters will go to the polls on Monday May 13 to elect a new city councillor.
The construction company who's responsible for re-doing the bandstand also did the major renovations on the Algonquin Hotel, and owner Patrick Sohy tells CHSJ News it's not just going to be a superficial makeover, but an actual overhaul. The work is set to begin immediately with sandblasting the bandstand down to the original metal, then painting it again. All the lighting around the bandstand is also going to be redone. Sohy tells us they're doing a lot of research into the original colour scheme and fountain design of the bandstand and will be trying to replicate it as closely as possible.
A car parked about 15 feet from a house was ablaze on Demonts Street on the lower West side.
According to reports, the street was blocked off at Lancaster Avenue while emergency crews worked to extinguish the flames.
Once it was put out, they found that the fire started underneath the hood, but there's no word on the cause. The fire is under investigation by Saint John Police and the Saint John Fire Department.
The stories of and behind the literary figures in New Brunswick are now more accessible through a project launched by the library.
The New Brunswick Author Portal is an online resource that collects information about local writers and its now available through the New Brunswick Public Library Service. Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News we have a thriving literary scene here in New Brunswick and he names Wayne Curtis and David Adams Richards as two of his favourite local writers. Holder tells us that this portal is a way to showcase them and their fellow authors.
A blaze engulfing a home located at 24 Alderbrook Drive in Quispamsis.
The KV Fire Department tells CHSJ News that they fought the fire for about five hours before it was extinguished. The garage was heavily damaged, but how and where the fire started is still under investigation.
They tell us that nobody was hurt. (Photo Courtesy of Doug Epton)
Is there somebody or some business in the heart of the city that you think deserves some kudos? Well, now's your chance to give them some recognition.
Nominations are now open for Uptown Saint John's bi-annual Live Life Awards, which celebrates the best of what the Port City has to offer. Categories include Best New Business, Creative Personality Award, Social Space, and more. You have until May 14th to submit your nominations, which you can do here.
You'll be able to check out shortlist on May 16th, on Uptown Saint John's website. The awards ceremony itself is on June 6th.
The tuition hike at St. Thomas University in Fredericton is raising some eyebrows. The annual fee is being raised by $434, a number that's nearly triple the provincial government's cap on tuition increases.
Jeffrey Carleton, a spokesman for the university says the increase was necessary to balance the books, but post-secondary education minister Danny Soucy says he's disappointed that they're not abiding by the cap. However, the cap is not a law, so he has to go over the matter before he decides if the government can take any action with the university.
The government froze funding for public universities and introduced at $150 cap to tuition fees in its 2013-2014 budget.
With the hike, the annual cost of a bachelor of arts degree at St. Thomas University is now $5,379.
Dr. Jim Parrott says he will resign if the Health Minister doesn't negotiate with doctors in a dispute over health care spending.
The Independent MLA representing Fundy-River Valley came out of a meeting with the Provincial Medical Society saying he wants Health Minister Hugh Flemming to have talks with the group.
Parrott says if that doesn't happen, he will quit politics.
The former cardiac surgeon & current member of the medical society, says he wants the group to back off from its plans to launch a court challenge of a $20-million cut to medicare.
The medical society has accused Flemming of issuing an ultimatum rather than negotiating with them. But Flemming has issued an open letter to doctors saying he is willing to negotiate.
As May 13th approaches, Ward 3 can exercise their right early at the only advance polls tomorrow begin 10am and 8pm.
Paul Harpelle of Elections NB says you can vote at the Simonds Lions Auditorium at the Villa, Carleton Community Centre and the Saint John Boys and Girls club.
He says they are asking voters to bring their voter information card along with them so they can be processed quickly and on their way to enjoy their Saturday.
An estimated 10,000 people are eligible to vote in Ward 3. For more info, click here
Many of us can't conceive of being at war at all let alone being involved in a battle for more than 4 years. That was the case during World War 2 when the Canadian Navy, Merchant Navy and Air Force all fought the Battle of the Atlantic from September 1939 to May 1945.
Lieutenant-Commander Mark Brown o HMCS Brunswicker tells CHSJ News the battle will be commemorated on Sunday morning in a service at Grace Presbyterian Church at 11am.
He says members of HMCS Brunswicker-the Royal Canadian Navy, Navy League cadets and Royal Canadian Sea cadets will march from the church on Cobourg street to Market slip by the Hilton hotel.
Brown says dignetaries attending the service will throw wreaths into the Harbour to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic.
The service on Sunday begins at 11am at Grace Presbyterian Church followed by a march from the church down Cobourg crossing Union to Charlotte down King to Market slip near the Hilton.
You might not have seen Ward 3 Candidate Mark LeBlanc at the past couple of candidate debates, but that doesn't mean he's not in the running.
Leblanc is a compliance officer with Public Safety, and he tells CHSJ news he doesn't like the style in which the debates are run, which doesn't allow people to challenge one another's platforms.
Leblanc says the biggest issue facing ward 3 is unemployment and its biggest asset is the waterfront, on which he'd like to see an amusement park built.
Concerned citizens and community activists gathered in King Square this afternoon to protest the release of sex offenders into the community.
Activist John Campbell spoke to the crowd on his concerns with having sex offenders living here, saying some cannot be rehabilitate and are a threat to the safety of women and children.
Others pointed out the protest isn't about the two specific sex offenders who were released recently, but rather about raising awareness of sexual assault in general.
About 400 runners aged 5 and older will be at the airport tomorrow night for the third annual runway run.
Angela McLean at the Airport tells CHSJ News this event gets sold out fast, within two weeks of being advertised.
About 100 young people will be running first to raise money for the Canadian Mental Health Association.
When the older folks run, the airport runway lights will be on. The logistics are tricky because the runs have to be worked around two Air Canada flights.
The big story of the Ward 3 debates is familiar..one missing candidate. Again.. Mark Leblanc declined to participate because he didn't like the format.
The remaining 7 did show and covered a range of topics from roads to P3 funding, police and fire funding and performance reviews for city staff.
Allen Leslie tells CHSJ News this was his second attempt and he tells us he's getting better at it and he hopes everyone agrees.
Michelle Hooten says the subject matter was the same on the Lower West side and in the South end. Brian Boyd questions the City's definition of the word priority adding those neighbourhoods are not focused on. Barbara Ellemberg says people in this urban setting are hurting and can't afford any kind of tax increase.
Graeme Stewart-Roberston says road reconstructions costs can be reduced with road diets by increasing public transportation. Gerry Lowe pointed out that no council has ever asked Local 18 to discuss their contract.
All 7 candidates encouraged voters to exercise their right on May 4th or May 13th.
To see our Twitterfeed from last night's debate click here
The Millenial generation is a far cry from the Baby Boomers in a score of ways---and the amount they're donating to their old universities is no exception.
In fact, many post-secondary schools are struggling given high unemployment and skyrocketing average student debt. Non-profit communications expert John Stuart tells CHSJ News a lot of recent grads find the letters asking them to donate money obnoxious, given the amount of money they've already shelled out in tuition.
According to Stuart the grads might be more willing to donate if school provided better guidance on getting a job after graduation
As the New Brunswick Medical Society takes the province to court, Health Minister Ted Flemming is publishing an open letter to doctors telling them his door remains open to ideas that will achieve 20 million dollars in health care savings.
Flemming is telling the doctors each child born in the province is immediately saddled with a debt of more than 15 thousand dollars before he or she draws a breath.
He claims the financial situation is so dire, the health department had to present its spending plans to the bankers who will underwrite the province's debt and answer questions about how money will be saved.
He's now saying those savings can be achieved without a medicare cap but there's no way workers in healthcare won't be affected since three-quarters of the health department's budget is made up of wages.
Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy says there should be a law making it a crime for M-L-A's to interfere with the awarding of road contracts which has been a longstanding tradition that even extends to who works on the roads.
Cardy has unveiled the Politics Free Tendering Act telling CHSJ News some companies have decided not to come to the province after being told it might be a good idea to do business with such and such because he's got connections to a certain cabinet minister.
He also argues this old style political way of conducting government affairs is a disincentive for New Brunswickers to start their own businesses.
The King Square bandstand is one of only two structures like it in the world,according to Mayor Mel Norton
The Mayor who says words are not able to adequately express the city's gratitude to the anonymous donor who is paying for the bandstand to get a new lease on life.
Norton says the city is planning a big community celebration to mark the completion of the renovations, which will hopefully be by early summer.
An 18 year old man has been sentenced to 30 months federal time for his part organizing what the judge called a "sad and chilling" February assault in Glen Falls.
John Alexander Adams didn't argue that he was the key orchestrator of the attack, which the victim's father described as the precursor to "43 long, agonizing days in hell" as his son was hospitalized in a coma. The victim is recovering in a rehabilitation center but will suffer long-term problems with memory loss, exhaustion, and paranoia.
Adams and another young man who cannot be named lured the victim into a shed in the East Side suburb and hit him with a baseball bat, causing skull fractures and haemorrhaging. The judge told the court Adam's youth and lack of an adult record were mitigating factors in the sentence, with also requires his to submit a DNA sample and a lifelong weapons ban.
A man who was on the run after a murder in Geary has been arrested.
Corporal Chantal Farrah of the RCMP tells us 24 year old David John Doucette, also known as "DJ", was arrested in Burton around 3:00 in the afternoon.
A 47 year old man from Geary was arrested at the scene. Harry Edward Charlie McKenna has already made a court appearance and been charged with first degree murder.
The Mounties discovered the body of a 61 year old man after responding to a 911 call at a residence on Branch Road in Geary.
Police are treating this as an isolated incident and say everyone involved knew one another.
A search of woods near Reversing Falls was unsuccessful in locating a missing woman from the West side.
City police tell CHSJ News ground search crews along with officers finished today's search at 2.
Yeonhee Choi has been missing since early in the morning on April 22nd. She left home without taking her medication with her.
Choi is Korean, 5'4" tall with short dark hair and pierced ears. She
was last seen wearing a black or brown leather jacket, black tights,
black boots, a dark or black knit style sweater and may be carrying a
black knapsack.
If you have any info call 648-3333 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
The government's Search and Rescue fleet is too small, and that could be an indication of the future of the Irving Shipbuilding project.
Kevin Lacey of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation tells CHSJ News that after reading the auditor general's report, he's wondering if the changes needed to fix that problem will have an effect on the procurement of shipbuilding vessels in Nova Scotia, which aren't yet set in stone. His organization will be keeping an eye on the way the federal governnment obtains aircrafts and vessels over the next few months.
He says what's needed is for the feds to move quickly when a decision is made. He says the shipbuilding project is months behind because it's stuck in administrative muck in Ottawa.
Women over the age of 69 will now be targeted to get regular breast cancer screening. Previously, the range was 50-69, but that's being expanded to include women up to 74.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the province. Last year, about 550 New Brunswick women were diagnosed and 110 women died from it. It's hoped that the wider range for screenings will help women detect it earlier. Get more information about breast cancer screening here
The RCMP's Major Crime Unit wants your help in finding a 24-year-old man in connection with a murder in Geary.
Just before 1am this morning, police responded to a 911 call at a home on the Branch Road where they found the body of a 61-year-old man.
A 47-year-old Geary man was arrested at the scene, but police are still looking for a second man. Police are looking for David John Doucette also known as DJ. He was living in Geary but is originally from Spryfield, Nova Scotia.
Doucette is a white man of medium height with a thin build, dark hair, brown eyes and a tattoo on the left side of his neck.
He was seen leaving the scene on foot wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
Police says the people involved all knew each other.
The candidates running in the Ward 3 byelection for a seat on Common Council haven't had a chance to debate but that opportunity comes tomorrow night.
They get together tomorrow night at Samuel de Champlain starting at 7. Anne Marie Mullin is running for a fourth time and tells CHSJ News there should have been more public consultation on how we pay for clean drinking water.
Mullin says people are so negative in the city because of what they see as poor decisionmaking by past Councils.
She says Enterprise Saint John, the Board of Trade and Uptown Saint John have to be more accountable about what they're doing to attact new businesses to the city.
Mullin, who says she doesn't even give tap water to her animals, argues there should have been more public consultation on how to fund clean drinking water.
Ticked off about roads? CAA is giving you a chance to vent. One might think the votes for Rothesay Avenue, Adelaide and Somerset Street would be pouring in in CAA's Worst Road Campaign; however,Gary Howard of CAA tells CHSJ News Saint Johner's haven't yet been very vocal about while roads should be voted the worst in Atlantic Canada.
He tells CHSJ News it's up to the voters to name the road with the most potholes, frost heaves, unsafe width, or other problems
Drivers and non-drivers are invited to submit their votes online at www.atlantic.caa.ca/worstroads, or votes can be cast via CAA Atlantic’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CAA.Atlantic.With your ballot you'll be entered to win a $500 gift certificate to get your car serviced--and you can vote as many times as you like.
About 200 Saint John students spending some time this morning outside the classroom seeing the powerful impact of car/train collision. The exercise is all part of National Rail Safety Week.
Student Taylor Kelson tells CHSJ News she doesn't drive yet but when she does this event will make her think twice at railway crossings.
She says she will adding she finds them scary.
Rob Francis of Operation Lifesaver says they find this method very effective in showing the importance of safety to teenagers. He says all collisions at railways crossings are unavoidable unlike other types of collisions.
Kevin Clynick of the Saint John Fire Department says the mock collision shows the young people who are new or inexperienced drivers the risks of taking chances at railway crossings.
Investigative Solutions Network from Toronto are handling the ongoing investigation into the actions of a late former city employee and police officer who was convicted of indecent assault back in 1999.
Lead investigator Dave Perry tells CHSJ News despite the fact Ken Estabrooks' crimes happened years ago, progress is still being made today with over 12 alleged victims coming forward.
As CHSJ News reported yesterday that common council has approved an additional $100,000 for the investigation. Perry won't discuss any details until the investigation is over. It's hoped the case will be wrapped up by the end of this year with Common Council approving a total of $200,000 in funding for it so far.
Fire, police, ambulance, and NB Southern Railway and students will stage a “car versus train” collision designed to educate students about rail crossing safety as part of activities for National Rail Safety Week.
This live theater exercise will take place at Hanover railway crossing (off Crown Street, Saint John) at 10:00am, with staging preparation beginning at 8:00am.
Operation Lifesaver is a national public safety program sponsored by Transport Canada and the Railway Association of Canada. It works with provincial safety councils, police, unions, railways, the trucking industry, and community groups to help reduce crossing collisions and trespassing incidents along Canada’s railways in communities across the country.
Former Sea Dogs coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu and his son, former Sea Dog defenseman Nathan Beaulieu face assault charges after an altercation at a house party in the Sarnia, Ontario area last weekend following a golfing event. Court appearances are scheduled in June. Nathan Beaulieu played four seasons with the Sea Dogs and was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens. He played for the Hamilton Bulldogs in the American Hockey League this season. Jacques Beaulieu was coach and general manager of the Sea Dogs from 2006 to 2009 and is now with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League and is a finalist for coach of the year.
With the Rothesay Regional Police warning about a black bear near the Kallars Hill area this morning, the Department of Natural Resources wants to remind the public about some simple ways to keep bears away from your home, especially if you live off the beaten path. Ann Bull of the Department of Natural Resources tells CHSJ News bears are interesting to look at, but don't make the mistake of feeding them.
Bird feeders with suet should be removed from outdoors around this time of year. As well, you can rinse out your garbage bins with baking soda to make sure the smells don't attract unwanted creatures.
Spring and early summer are the most common times of year for black bear sightings in New Brunswick.
Previous councils have been ineffective in fixing the city's water, according to one Ward 3 candidate.
Brian Boyd tells CHSJ News that getting clean drinking water in Saint John process that needs to keep moving forward. Boyd says at this time, the city has few options other than the P3 model, but he hopes they will keep an open mind and not just jump on a bandwagon. Other issues that top his list of priorities is coming up with a plan to fix derelict buildings, attracting businesses and transit. Boyd tells us he wants both the city and citizens to have a sense of pride towards Saint John and get involved in making the city a better place to live. Voters go to the polls on May 13th.
The husband of missing West side woman, Yeonhee Choi, is offering $50,000 for any information that could help locate her. Choi has been missing since last Monday. A search and rescue crew is is expected to join in the search today. Sgt. Jay Henderson says they'll be expanding their search from the area around her home on Prince Street, to a wooded area near the Reversing Falls.
Choi is Korean, 5'4" tall with short dark hair and pierced ears. She
was last seen wearing a black or brown leather jacket, black tights,
black boots, a dark or black knit style sweater and may be carrying a
black knapsack.
If you have any info call 648-3333 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
If some some scenes in Hunter Hayes' brand new music video for "I Want Crazy" look familiar, it's not just your imagination.
Hayes shot the video right here in Saint John, New Brunswick while in town for his recent sold-out show with Carrie Underwood. Keith Brideau of Historica Developments tells CHSJ News Hayes used locations ranging from the roof of Magnolia/Bourbon Quarter, to Princess Street in front of Hayward and Warwick, the Saint John Airport and more.
In the video, Hayes plays a young man in a long-distance relationship who surprises his girlfriend in a different city and takes her on a whirlwind getaway of fun activities. It opens with the couple standing on the balcony of Mahogany Manor on Germain Street.
Local production company Hemmings House also helped shoot the video. You can play "spot the Saint John landmarks" as you watch the video here
At this point, Saint Johners are aware of the late Saint John Police Officer Ken Estabrooks, who was convicted on four counts of indecent assault back in 1999 and served jail time before his death in 2005.
Although Estabrooks has passed away, the investigation into the alleged abuses is continuing. Mayor Mel Norton tells CHSJ News common council has committed an additional $100,000 toward the investigation by ISN on top of the $100,000 this council originally committed. Norton says he hopes the investigation will wrap up by the end of this year. While the Mayor made it clear he is not able disclose the details of the investigation, he would say this council is making it a priority to try and right the wrongs done in the past.
Point Lepreau began sending energy to the grid on Monday with the reactor currently at 35 per cent power.
In a release, NB Power says fuelling will resume in the coming week.
President Gaetan Thomas says the issues they have been managing in their first five months of operation are normal with a restart following a refurbishment. Thomas says NB Power customers can be assured that the period of low production at Lepreau does not diminish the total lifetime output expected from the plant.
A proposed 3 per cent tourism levy on campgrounds is not going over well with the campground owners who are unanimously opposed.
The money collected would be earmarked to promote tourism. Howard Heans has operated the campground at Harding's Point for years and tells CHSJ News the campgrounds advertise on their own websites.
Heans points out this levy would increase the tax rate at campgrounds in the province to 16 per cent compared to only 5 per cent in Maine and he fears campers will migrate to Maine in droves as a result. Heans argues the camping business in the province is flat right now or may even be dropping and now is not the time to increase the tax burden.
Common Council approving the expenditure of another 100 thousand dollars to further investigate sexual assault allegations against a now deceased former police officer and city worker, Kenneth Estabrooks who was convicted in 1999 and served time in prison. The search for more victims is being carried out by private investigators from Toronto.
The blame game is in full throttle in the chemotherapy underdosing investigation.
186 cancer patients at the Regional Hospital received watered down chemotherapy medication.
The head of Marchese Hospital Solutions, Marita Zaffiro, says her company mixed the drugs under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
She denies the company ever tried to operate without getting regulatory oversight. Zaffiro claims both Health Canada and the Ontario College of Pharmacists declined.
The King Square Bandstand has been out of commission for decades; however, that iconic piece of Saint John's cultural history will soon receive a new lease on life.
Common Council heard tonight that an anonymous donor will provide over $100,000 worth of upgrades to the bandstand, making it into a working music venue by the end of this summer.
The anonymous offer came through former Saint John Mayor Norm MacFarlane, whom the nameless philanthropist approached looking for his help working with common council. He tells CHSJ News the huge project will start immediately. The work will include installing new supports and flooring on the second level, cleaning and restoring the copper roof, installing a granite slab and ladder for access to the second level, painting, sandblasting and cleaning the structure and fittings, and upgrading all the electrical and lighting hookups. For some years only the pigeon population has been able to access the second floor of the bandstand due to its aging, delicate condition.
The work will be done by Avant Garde Construction, the same company who recently performed the major renovations on the Algonquin Hotel in Saint Andrews. Owner Patrick Sohy says the company is performing historical research to make sure the color scheme and the fountain are as close as possible to the original.
The bandstand was originally donated to the city by the City Coronet Band in 1908.
Mayor Mel Norton hailed the restoration as a true indicator of Saint John's status as a so-called "Renaissance City," saying a major celebration would be in order when the work is completed. The Mayor is currently soliciting suggestions from the public for the proposed grand opening celebration via his Facebook page.
Big excitement for little French Village but maybe not the kind they would ask for on a pretty Sunday afternoon...a forest fire.
