The shovels have hit the dirt at the Carleton Community Centre, where their new community garden has just opened.
The garden is located adjacent to the playground, has six raised beds, and they plan to install 22 inground plots. The inground plots have to be rented for a fee, and anyone who rents get the plot for an entire season.
Jill Roberts, a nurse at the Market Place Wellness Centre tells CHSJ News growing your own food is an excellent alternative to buying from the grocery store for low-income families. Roberts says the food bank has a few plots in the garden, which they'll harvest and give to people looking for food.
They're not overly concerned about people stealing from or vandalizing the garden. Roberts says because the community is involved and has a stake in the garden, that may discourage that type of behaviour.
Roberts tells us the land was donated by Port Saint John.
A weather service hearing reports of a twister possibly touching down and wreaking havoc in areas across the province.
Andy Firth, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, tells CHSJ News they've received calls of possible tornado damage, calls which are largely concentrated in communities east of Fredericton. He says the reports are coming from Jemseg, Cambridge-Narrows and Whites Cove.
Firth tells us they've alerted the service group of Environment Canada to let them know what happened, and then they'll have to make that call later today or on Monday to assemble a team and do a site survey.
Environment Canada says the severe thunderstorm watch for Saint John and County, the Kennebecasis Valley, Kings County, Sussex, St. Stephen, Charlotte County, and Grand Manan has now ended.
Environment Canada issuing Severe Thunderstorm Watches across the province.
The watches have been issued for Saint John and County, the Kennebecasis Valley, Sussex, Kings County, St. Stephen, Charlotte County, Grand Manan, and more.
The weather service says the storms are likely this afternoon or evening with the potential for strong winds, heavy downpours and possibly hail.
Click here for the latest weather information.
Over 30 artists are in Hampton this weekend creating tiny works of art — they're taking part in Bloomin' Artists, a biennial fundraiser for the town's John Peters Humphrey Foundation.
Participating artist Alison Murphy tells CHSJ News there are six gardens open for the artists to take inspiration from.
They'll create their works of art in the garden, and the public is welcome to watch them work. The art itself will be small enough to fit inside a 12-inch pizza box.
The viewing of the finished art takes place at the Lighthouse River Centre at 1075 Main Street starting on both Saturday and Sunday at 11:30am with auctions at 2pm and 4:30pm.
This year, the John Peters Humphrey Foundation contributed funds towards a Hemmings House film about Humphrey called The Boy Who Was Bullied, a documentary about the human rights advocate. The film premiered on CBC Atlantic earlier this month.
A man arrested in connection with two robberies taking place within the span of half an hour.
City Police say at 5:30am this morning, a man went into the Hilton demanding cash. Then, just before 6am, the man entered the Garden Street Irving, demanding cash and left with an undisclosed amount of money.
He was nabbed after a vehicle chase, which turned into a foot chase, ending on Prince Edward Street. The man is in court today, and is charged with two counts of robbery.
The number of black bears in the province is growing, and one scientist says the upswing is directly related to the economic downtown across the border.
Kevin Craig, a wildlife biologist for the Department of Natural Resources says because of the financial conditions in the United States, fewer Americans are taking trips to the province to hunt the bears. Craig says the decrease in visiting hunters and more habitat has led to their numbers ballooning to 17,000 in the last few years.
There's been an increase in bear sightings in residential areas, however, Craig says people can reduce the number of encounters with bears by not leaving out garbage and bird feeders at night. To re-locate them, the Department of Natural Resources has set many live-traps in a variety of areas.
Liberal Senator Joe Day of Hampton isn't disputing the need to reform the Senate but he's not crazy about the idea of holding a national referendum on its fate which is being called for by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
Day tells CHSJ News the Senate isn't the only government institution in need of reform. He argues the House of Commons is in need of reform as evidenced by the mini revolt staged by some Conservative M-P's over their treatment at the hands of the Prime Minister's Office and the control being exerted over them by the P-M-O.
One former Conservative M-P from Alberta who's now sitting as an independent complains they were being treated like trained seals.
The Trans Canada Trail will be extended all the way through Hampton thanks to 100 thousand dollars in federal funding and another 100 thousand from the town.
That announcement being made by Fundy-Royal M-P Rob Moore who's now the federal minister for New Brunswick. He tells CHSJ News the Spooner Island Bridge will be replaced and new portions of trail will be constructed.
The M-L-A for Hampton Kings, Bev Harrison says Moore's elevation in the federal cabinet which includes responsibility for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency spells good news for the area.
Moore says he wants to spur economic development and, to that end, believes the business case has been made for the West to East pipeline to be constructed all the way to Saint John.
The Point Lepreau Generating Station is currently operating safely at 95 per cent according to the New Brunswick government.
NB Power is considering the advantages of a two-week outage this fall so technicians can make adjustments to a steam valve.
NB Power stated its intent to have a two-week outage back in June. Fixing the valve would take care of steam line vibration issues, allowing the plant to return to 100 per cent reactor power.
If an outage is required, rates for NB Power customers would not be affected.
Social media was abuzz this morning with rumours that Transportation Minister Claude Williams had said there was a possibility of re-instating the toll on the Harbour Bridge.
The comments were made to the media yesterday. According the Honourable Dorothy Shepherd, the rumour was the result of a miscommunication when the Minister was talking about tolls in general.
Shepherd did say tolls are definitely on the table as an option for generation revenue--but not on the Harbour Bridge. It was a platform promise of the Tories to remove the toll, which was widely believed to unfairly penalize Saint Johners.
About 260 thousand illegal cigarettes have been confiscated by the RCMP with two men from Burton now facing charges and hefty fines.
Police say the seizure of 26 cases of illegal tobacco happened after the two were stopped in Charters Settlement.
An 81-year-old man and 54-year-old man have court appearances scheduled in September. Their names won't be released until they are formally charged in court.
Irving Oil has been added to the list of defendants in a proposed class-action lawsuit stemming from the train derailment in Lac-Megantic, Quebec.
The oil in the train cars that derailed and exploded was destined for Irving's refinery here in the city
An Irving spokesperson says the company did not own or control the oil or its transportation at any time.
The Carnival Glory will not be visiting Saint John next year and that could represent the loss of as many as 36 thousand passengers.
Higher costs in the North American Emission Control Area being cited as the main reason for the decision to keep the Carnival Glory year round in Miami.
Carnival will operate a variety of four to eight day Atlantic Canada voyages on Carnival Splendor from New York next year. Included will be 11 cruises to Saint John but with fewer passengers.
The Atlantic Lottery Corporation is reporting a $7 million decline in its profit.
The corporation's annual accountability report shows a net profit of more than $362 million for the 2012-2013 fiscal year as compared to $369 million plus in 2011-2012.
While the sale of lottery tickets was up $19.9 million, video lottery revenues declined by $29.2 million.
$367.7 million in prizes were paid out which represents the largest amount in recent years.
It's time to celebrate the newly restored Mispec beach and park.
Back in 2011, weather caused significant damage to the shoreline and staircases.
Work on the site cost about $270,000 some of which will be reimbursed by the Department of Public Safety through the Disaster Financial Assistance Program.
Councillor at Large Shirley McAlary tells CHSJ News it's a partnership between the City and Canaport LNG.
She says they have fixed the wall going to the shore, replaced the old asphalt with gravel and demolished the canteen and a storage shed.
The event begins on Saturday at 11:30am and the rain date is Sunday.
For more info, click here
Correctional Officers at the Atlantic Institution have nabbed a visitor trying to bring drugs into the maximum-security federal penitentiary.
The officers seized25 g of Hydromorphone beads as well as Dilaudid, worth nearly $30,000 inside.
The visitor was arrested by the police and may face criminal charges. From April 12 to July 08, 2013 staff at yjr Institution have had a total of 7 drug seizures valued at over $65,000 and resulting in four visitor arrests.
The jail uses tools like ion scanners and drug dogs to search buildings, offenders and visitors.
Crescent Valley residents have a few days of sun and fun to look forward to.
Games, a street dance, a BBQ, Cutest Baby Contest and more will be happening in the North End community from now through the weekend as part of Crescent Valley Community Fun Days.
Janet McLaughlan of the Tenant's Association tells CHSJ News the biggest day will be Saturday, when there will be a street dance, Bingo and games for families.
For more information, contact the Crescent Valley Tenant's Association at 658-9658
The police in Rothesay have provided us with a few updates on crime in the area.
No injuries were reported after a vehicle crashed on Campbell Drive this morning. There were no injuries when the Mazda flipped over, and police say it isn't clear how it happened--other than the fact that there might have been an object on the road the driver swerved to avoid. Traffic was blocked for about half an hour.
Also, last night around 11pm at the Qplex, someone came into the facility and stole 7 cell phones, wallets and cash out of the bags of kids at Bantam hockey practice.
Police are looking for any tips on that theft, as well as the robbery at Cochrane's in which there are still no suspects. You can contact police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Provincial Green Party leader David Coon isn't buying assurances from Premier David Alward about provincial regulations being strong enough to protect the environment when it comes to shale gas testing.
Coon says the regulations are more like conditions that can be negotiated away.
He can't believe SWN Resources got a blanket exemption to carry out seismic testing for shale gas in provincial wetlands.
The top university soccer teams from across the country will be in Saint John this November competing for the national championship.
The coach of the U-N-B Saint John Seawolves Jason Brown says you're going to be seeing top flight players who have aspirations for bigger and better things in the pros and internationally for their home countries.
The matches involving 8 teams will be staged at the Canada Games Stadium from November 6th through the 9th.
Brown admits the Seawolves will be under more pressure because they're the home team.
A big surprise in court.
All 9 charges of sexual assault against a City doc have been withdrawn.
At a court appearance this morning, all 9 charges were withdrawn but a reason has not been given.
8 of the 9 charges against Dr. Alan Cockeram were laid back in February.
Defence lawyer Brian Munro got into a heated exchange with the judge over the reason the charges were withdrawn, which was not revealed.
Munro says his client's name has been dragged through the mud for 14 months and deserves an explanation.
Munro tells CHSJ News the complaints against the doctor were organized by a group of people who knew each other with getting a payout as the objective.
In the meantime, Dr. Ed Schollenberg of the College of Physicians and Surgeons says its investigation will continue and a restriction on seeing female patients that was imposed a few months ago by Horizon Health remains in effect.
Another big rise in the price of gas after the weekly setting.
Self serve regular rising over 4 cents a litre to $1.34.8 around town while diesel increased just slightly to $1.33.3 a litre.
Propane went up by a cent a litre with a maximum price of 96.7 cents and heating oil is also more at $1.16.4.
A suspect in several car prowls and thefts from vehicles is now behind bars. City Police arresting a 25 year old man early this morning in the area of Leinster and Pitt Streets for theft from a vehicle.
Late yesterday afternoon, another man was arrested for assault with a weapon on Sewell Street. The victim who was another man was taken to hospital, treated and released.
An oversized truck snagging cable and phone lines in the North end.
City Police tells us the wires are down at the intersection of Millidge Avenue and Adelaide Street, and Rogers and Aliant are currently on the scene trying to restore service.
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement was called to check out the situation.
A group of young people are on their way to getting sworn in, as they tough it out in Mini Police Academy.
The program is called Kids 'n Kops, delivered by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saint John and the Saint John Police Force, and is for youth aged 9-12.
Constable Tony Arsenault is the program's police leader for the second year in a row, and he tells CHSJ News they're teaching the kids uniformity and consistency. He says no other program compares to this one, where police officers and young cadets can build friendships, an experience he describes as 'phenomenal'.
Laurie Collins of Big Brothers Big Sisters tells us the program is an educational opportunity for the group of young people. They graduate from the academy on Friday at 2pm at the Rockwood Park Interpretation Centre.
You have no doubt heard of the mock arrest proposal making its way around the net.
Ben Vienneau and Marcy Belyea's proposal video featuring the Saint John police force has garnered attention from the Today show, the Daily Mail online and the Huffington Post.
Ben tells CHSJ News he was a bit nervous doing the interviews. He says they have had another 6 to 7 outlets call them today including online shows and other show throughout the US.
We asked Ben if he was worried when the officer in the video veered off script pretending to arrest Marcy for unpaid parking tickets, he tells us they know each other really well and he was only concerned for a minute.
To see their video and all the entries for Win and Wed by the Sea, click here for Ben and Marcy, click here for Lindsay and John, click here for Melanie and Dave, click here for Rob and Theresa, click here for Angela & Brendan, click here for Chris and Natasha, click here for Annie and Adam, click here for Courtney & Chris, click here for Amanda and Tim, click here for Lacey & Curtis.
When newly built neighbourhoods grow, residents can run into traffic problems — and that's exactly what's happening on Colchester Drive in Quispamsis.
People living on the street, and on adjoining Lexington Drive, petitioning town council to look into speeding, and drivers not coming to a complete stop at the stop sign.
Gary Losier, Director of Engineering & Works for the town tells CHSJ News traffic calming is the number one issue when a subdivision gets developed. He says it's such a common problem in growing neighborhoods because as it grows, so do the number of vehicles in the area.
Losier says they need to do an evaluation of the street before they implement traffic calming solutions, which they'll do later this summer. They'll install a counter on the stretch of road to see if speeding is an issue.
After the recent spell of hot, dry weather, the Department of Natural Resources has put a no burn order in effect for the entire province.
They're also reminding the public that all grass fires require permits, written burn plans and pre-inspection by a forest service officer.
The order stands until at least 2pm tomorrow...but there are some showers forecasted for late tonight and overnight which could help quell the dry conditions a little.
It's one of Saint John's most iconic summer events--and the kids will be especially excited to hear the 23rd edition of Buskers on the Boardwalk starts tomorrow.
The pay-what-you-can shows feature every variety of act from fire-juggling to sword-swallowers, contortionists to comedy. Stephany Peterson of the Hardman Group tells CHSJ News that's not all you can expect: events like zip-lining, bouncy rides, bumper boats and more making the event a magical one for families.
Performers from across the globe will be performing their unique routines from Thursday until the 21rst. For a full schedule and description of the performers click here.
With the news the city's composting and recycling programs need an overall boost of as much as $9 million, taxpayers can expect an increase in tipping fees in the near future..
Common Councillor Bill Farren is worried increased fees will also lead to an increase in illegal dumping with people looking to dodge paying. Mark McLeod of Fundy Region Solid waste assures the public that probably won't happen in light of case studies from areas that have adopted similar regulations.
Councillor Farren saying he's all for anything that cuts down on pollution, but he can't support double-taxing people for putting out garbage either.
Even with cost overruns of over a billion dollars, provincial Energy Minister Craig Leonard is calling the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant, a good deal for New Brunswick
The leader of the Provincial Green Party David Coon is scoffing at that, saying if Provincial Energy Minister Craig Leonard considers that a good deal, he would hate to see what a bad deal is.
Coon, who formerly was at the Conservation Council, points out the plant is still not up to full power and predicts there will be new problems cropping up to force it to shut down for more repairs.
City Hall was evactuated shortly before 11am due to a suspected natural gas leak.
According to sources on the scene, the suspected leak was actually caused by natural gas being vented in the building as part of maintenence on the building's boiler.
The building was evacuated briefly until crews were able to give the all-clear.
Things are going well these days at Saint John Airport which is reporting a ten per cent increase in passenger traffic for the first half of the year. That represents the highest rate of growth of any airport in the Atlantic region.
The airport also announcing Sunwing is planning its seventh season with direct flights and vacation packages next year from Saint John to Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic starting in February.
The economic impact of the Airport on the Saint John economy is estimated at 66 million dollars as well as the creation, directly and indirectly, of 570 jobs.
A group of residents in one neighbourhood is taking action to get kids out of the house and onto a set of monkey bars.
Town council hearing a presentation about building a playground on the Kings Way Care Centre property. Dave Aube of the Squire Drive Neighbourhood Group, tells CHSJ News he often takes his four year-old to other playgrounds, and with the number of young children in their area, he'd like to see a place they can play that's closer to home.
Judy Lane of the Kings Way Care Centre says they've offered a portion of their land as a project site. Lane tells us she believes it'll be a win-win for everybody involved because seniors enjoy watching children play, and the children will be able to soak up their wisdom.
The playground would cost $60,000 in total; they're asking the town for $40,000. Aube says they've already raised $800 for the playground, which would geared towards kids aged 2-12. It would be 2400 square feet in size.
City Police investigating an armed robbery at Greco Pizza off Magazine Street near Fort Howe. This happened shortly after 11:30 last night.
One person armed with a weapon making off with an undisclosed amount of money. There were no injuries.
Meantime, a collision in the Hampton area between a car and a motorcycle at the Lakeside Road intersection sent a man and woman who were riding the motorcycle to hospital.
As another heat wave blankets the region, some areas are struggling with smoke from forest fires.
Environment Canada meterologist Claude Cote tells CHSJ News people in the Moncton area and in Chaleur are seeing the plume and smelling the smoke.
He says another fire in Restigouche county is sending smoke drifting along the Maine-New Brunswick border and in the Saint John River Valley.
While we search for a cool basement to hide from a humidex in the mid-30's today, we are in for a break with highs up to 27 inland tomorrow but highs near 21 for Thursday and Friday.
Cyclists can now make cross-community treks as the city announces the opening of the Campus-Harbour Connection.
The route, which spans 4.5 kilometres, links the UNB Saint John campus, Tucker Park Collaborative and the Saint John Regional Hospital with the uptown area.
The Saint John cycling club will bike on the route this Thursday evening during an inaugural ride starting at the Red Rose parking lot.
A year and a half after his daughter disappeared -- a man from Waterville, Maine is in the news again.
Portland Police say 26-year-old Justin DiPietro is charged with domestic violence assault after an officer watched him grab and push a woman on July 6th.
Police say the woman, who is DiPietro's ex-girlfriend, was not hurt and the two were arguing when the incident happened.
DiPietro has since been released on bail.
Back in December 2011, 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds was reported missing from her father's home.
Police confirmed Ayla's blood was found in DiPietro's basement, but no charges were ever laid in the child's disappearance and she was never found.
It's a busy hot day in Uptown Saint John with high temperatures and potentially thousands of extra people visiting on the Carnival Glory cruise ship.
The ship is in port until 7pm.
Composting and recycling facilities in the province are suffering from 15 years worth of wear and tear...and they'll need 9 million dollars worth of upgrades in order to bring them up to speed. Mark McLeod of Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission explains the blue bins are basically rusting out and have been repaired to the point they have to be replaced...and that's not all.
He says the compost buildings are 15 years and an engineering report suggests they should replace the buildings in 2015.
McLeod says with no money to be made in recycling both the recycling and composting program are subsidized by tipping fees....which will need to go up to cover the cost of the upgrades.
Mayor Mel Norton sees greater regionalisation as a way to save money and turn the local economy around but will he be able to persuade the other members of the Fundy Regional Services Commission to go along with that.
Norton wants to see data on what, if any money, can be saved from greater regionalisation.
Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Grace Losier who chairs the Commission points out its mandate is limited to solid waste collection along with building and planning services for the local service districts.
She says beyond that, it's collaboration but does expect recreation to be talked about at the Commission. Losier failed to persuade people in the local service districts around Grand Bay-Westfield to help pay for the upkeep of the River Valley Community Centre.
Rothesay Regional Police are looking for three robbers who got away with some cash after an armed holdup at Cochran's Country Market on Hampton Road early this morning.
It happened about 1:30 with two employees were being tied up but otherwise unhurt.
If you know anything about this crime, contact Rothesay police at 847-6300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Cleanup crews are mopping up a fuel spill that took place near the lights on Bentley Street as you make your way up the hill towards the Reversing Falls Bridge.
At last night's meeting of common council, the mayor and council appeared to want to drive home to the public their support for Saint John's police force. The motion came in light of the largely unsuccessful bid to win support for greater regionalized policing.
Mayor Mel Norton explained he sees regionalization as an opportunity for the region to save money and catch up with the pack--and that goes for waste management and other sectors as well as police. In no way, said the mayor, does investigating regionalization mean the city feels the current services are sub-par.
Further, he said we need to look into whether we have more facilities and equipment than we know what to do with, and whether the status quo is actually giving us the best police service.
Grand Bay-Westfield
Mayor Grace Losier has said that a study on greater regional policing would be a waste of time,
given the complete lack of interest from the outlying communities.
A stolen truck has been found a long way from home.
A 2003 Dodge Caravan stolen in Toronto earlier this month was recovered in a gravel pit near Musquash by the community's fire department, who reported it to the St. George RCMP.
They're asking the public for any information they have in connection with the case. You can contact them by calling 755-1130 or Crime Stoppers at crimenb.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
It's official. The dog days of summer are here, and they're scorching.
A humidex advisory is in effect for the Kennebecasis Valley today, among many other places across the province, including Fredericton, Oromocto and St. Stephen.
The communities will see a high of 35 today, with a high UV index.
The fact the fire department is getting too many of the emergency calls before Ambulance NB is prompting Deputy Mayor Shelley Rinehart to seek answers as to why.
Rinehart is giving her fellow members of Common Council a list of questions for Ambulance NB to answer.
They include what the response times have been in the city over the past year? What the expected response times are? What the coverage is? How many ambulances are there in Saint John? How often has the fire department arrived first? What the time difference was and what type of call was it?
The city has been told by consultant Todd MacDonald, responding to medical calls could be adversely affecting response times to fires and in 3 out of 4 cases, medical intervention doesn't happen.
400 low income householders will get their homes retrofitted over two years under a new energy efficiency programme announced by the Alward Government.
The 2 million dollar program will help to pay for the retrofitting of homes and save from 50 to 100 dollars a month.
Homes in need of major upgrades, particularly insulation and heating systems, will be given priority.
The program will start in November.
