Province Looking For Expressions Of Interest For Potash Rights

The provincial government is launching a request for Expressions of Interest for potash rights in New Brunswick.

Minister of Energy and Mines Craig Leonard rising in the Legislature to formalize the request, saying these are areas of potential potash deposits in the province that haven't yet been developed.

Leonard says they're being proactive in making the request in hopes it will bring more investment, jobs, and opportunities to New Brunswickers.

Notoriously Awful Roads Looking Somewhat Better This Year

Saint John has been known for its warzone-worthy roads for many years now--but with the investment of 7.1 million dollars into roads and sidewalks this year they're looking a lot better. 

Acting City Manager Bill Edwards says 14.6 kilometers of curb and 5.7 kilometers of sidewalk were replaced.

Mayor Mel Norton saying he's impressed with how far the investment has gone--and since there's still more to be done in the years to come, he'd support another substantial investment.

Cardy Calling On Grits & Tories To Join Forces Against Senate

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy is calling on the Liberals and Conservatives to follow what they did at the Saskatchewan Legislature and pass a vote calling for the abolition of the Senate. 

Premier David Alward indicated earlier he wanted to see an elected Senate but Cardy tells CHSJ News that was then.


A recent poll by Corporate Rsearch Associates found nearly half of people in the province who gave any thought at all to the Senate wanted to see it abolished.

Police Seize Drugs And Cash At Uptown Home

Drugs and cash being seized in the uptown by City Police.

Sgt. Jay Henderson says a search warrant was executed at a home on Orange Street just before 8pm and a 23-year old man was arrested. 

He is being charged with possession for the purposes of trafficking both cannabis and hashish and the possession of property obtained by crime. He will be in court today.

McKenna Back In Saint John For Job Creation Announcement

Fresh from his lunch meeting with Mayor Norton in Toronto yesterday, former Premier Frank McKenna is in the Port City today for a job creation announcement.

It's happening this afternoon at the TD Insurance call centre on Rothesay Avenue.

The Premier will also be on hand.

McKenna is the deputy chair of the TD Bank Group.

Traffic Disruption Near Lorneville

Traffic being disrupted along Highway 1 near Lorneville after a tractor trailer wound up on the median after leaving the highway. 

The fire department was called to clean up the fuel that spilled. 

One lane going westbound is blocked for the time being. Both lanes going eastbound are open but the tractor trailer will have to be towed and, when that happens, traffic going eastbound will also be disrupted.

Mayor And Business Leaders Selling SJ In Toronto

Mayor Mel Norton made it back just in the nick of time for common council after a big trade mission to Toronto yesterday.

Business leaders from Saint John including Richard Currie and representatives from the Oland and Irving families also attended those meetings in the Big Smoke, which were geared at bringing business to the Port City.

Topics included the Port, our broadband infrastructure, shale gas, and the Energy East Pipeline.

Too Many Playgrounds Means Some Are Falling Apart

You might have noticed  broken swing-sets and overflowing garbage cans when you take the kids to your local playground.

There's a reason for that, according to Michael Hugenholtz of Saint John's Leisure Services department: a city the size of Saint John should have about 14 playgrounds, but we have over 70 meaning some are falling into disrepair. 

Hugenholtz explains under newly-adopted PlaySJ community groups will have to maintain smaller playgrounds--but Common Councillor Ray Strowbridge has concerns that in areas where community groups don't exist playgrounds that are well-used won't be maintained.
 
Hugenholtz says there are 42 playgrounds that could potentially be phased out and it makes more sense to invest in flagship playgrounds like the one at Rockwood Park that serve a lot of families.

Simultaneous Calls Uptown

Two simultaneous emergency calls at the same time causing a few blood pressure spikes a short time ago.

A medical call bringing an ambulance to Smythe street while at the same time City fire got the call of a possible structure fire at the Aquatic centre.

Someone could smell smoke in the aquatic centre but no fire could be found.     Fire crews are going to hang around as a precaution.   It may be an electrical problem.

Many of the emergency vehicles have left the area.

NB Power Encouraging You To Prepare For Storms

Be prepared for whatever mother nature may bring our way this winter...that's the message NB Power is sending out as they recognize this week as Storm Preparedness Week.

Some tips to prepare include keeping a flashlight and safety light sticks handy to use instead of candles to avoid fire hazards...making sure you have a corded phone or a fully charged cell phone since you can use the device to check NB Power's mobile site for up-to-date information on power outages...and having a battery-operated radio and spare batteries ready.

For more tips, you can can check out Are You Prepared, a complete guide on how to prepare for storm-related outages.

Gallant Gets The Call For The Q League Hall

The Q League announcing former Sea Dogs coach Gerard Gallant is among 4 nominees to the Q League Hall of Fame next year.

The 50-year-old Summerside, PEI native spent three seasons between '09 and 2012 guiding the team to three Jean-Rougeau Trophies as the league's regular season champions, two President Cup titles and the 2011 Memorial Cup championship.

With a record of 159-33-2-7, Gallant has the top career winning percentage of any coach in Q league history at .791.

Dogs' Prez Wayne Long says they are extremely proud of Gerard adding his hard work behind the bench is a big reason why the Dogs were so successful during his time here.

Gallant is joined in the 2014 class of inductees by Jean-Luc Phaneuf, Normand Caisse and Patrice Brisebois with the ceremony coming up next April.

Police Bust A West Side Pair With $20K In Pot

This had to be a rude awakening and likely had the neighbours talking....

At 8am on Saturday morning, City police executing a search warrant on the west side off Catherwood street seizing pot with a street value of about $20,000.

Sgt. Jay Henderson says a 25 year old man and a 24 year old woman are facing charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of marijuana.

A 24 year old woman was released pending a January court date.

25 year old Brandon Scott Gillette made a brief court appearance today and is due back before a judge on Wednesday.

$1.5 Million Dam Modernization Project Complete

The dam at the mouth of the Magaguadavic River in Charlotte County looking a little different after the completion of a six-month modernization project. 

The former stop log gates at the old dam site in St. George being upgraded with three new hydraulic steel gates. Before the changes, opening and closing the gates could take up to eight hours, now it takes 30 minutes. Geoff Britt of JDI tells CHSJ News the process is now quicker and safer for workers.

The fish passage also getting some improvements. To watch a video of the upgrade at the dam, click here.

Mayor Pitching Saint John In Toronto

Saint John is slowly climbing out of a very difficult economic downturn according to Mayor Mel Norton. He's in Toronto speaking to high powered business types which former Premier Frank McKenna and Maple Leaf Foods President Scott McCain organised. 

Norton describes the last few years as being a dark period for the city but he sees a turnaround happening with development occurring in the north end with Shannex in Millidgeville and a new 'Y" on Churchill Boulevard along with the Coast Guard site by Market Square.

New President Being Sought At Atlantica Centre For Energy

The Atlantica Centre for Energy is looking for a new President. 

Former M-P John Herron has left to join the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board. 

Former President Tim Currie has returned from retirement on an interim basis, telling CHSJ News the search is on for Herron's replacement and he expects someone will be chosen by the Board of Directors in the new year.

Premier Alward Supports P-3 Model For Water

Premier David Alward is defending the use of a public-private partnership to pay for clean drinking water in Saint John, saying it's the private sector that builds prosperity. 

The Council of Canadians has spoken out against public-private partnerships with concern expressed over increases in water rates. 

Premier Alward claims the economic tide is turning in Saint John for the better and has suggested the city could be an exporter of natural gas with shale gas development.

The Council of Canadians argues, because of the need to make a profit, Saint Johnners could wind up paying much higher rates for their water than they otherwise would. 

Under the proposed public-private partnership or P3 arrangement, project risks including design, construction, financing, operations and maintenance will be transferred to a private partner, which will bear responsibility for any cost overruns and delays.

Four Federal Byelections Today May Tell A Lot

Four federal byelections are being held across the country today and polling indicates the Liberals have a chance to take the Conservative stronghold in Brandon-Souris. Conservatives are said to be divided there because of the nomination process but the Senate expense scandal has also been mentioned during the campaign. 

Prime Minister Harper is accusing the opposition parties of blocking his Senate Reform which Beausejour Liberal M-P Dominic Leblanc scoffs at, pointing out Harper has appointed more senator than any Prime Minister in the last 25 years and has not pushed for vote on his proposed Senate reforms. Leblanc adds the P-M has not pushed for a vote on Senate reform. 

A lot of attention is also being paid to Toronto Centre, long considered a Liberal stronghold, where the NDP is running a high profile candidate, author and social commentator Linda McQuaig. The Liberals are going with Chrysta Freeland who has written for the Financial Times and appeared on CNN and Morning Joe on MSNBC.

East Side Fire

A fire yesterday afternoon in a home at 3141 Golden Grove Road. 

It was called in around 4:30 and the fire department says the house was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived. 

Extensive damage was caused to the upper floor and attic. An elderly couple managed to get out of the home safely.

Quality Over Quantity When It Comes To Recreation

Recreation is one of Common Council's top priorities for 2014 and councillors tonight will be asked to adopt a new strategic plan called Play SJ. 

Part of that plan calls for a multiplex ice surface that would replace the existing arenas. Recreation Manager Kevin Watson says that makes good economic sense with less cost to maintain and the timing is right because the existing arenas around town are getting long in the tooth.

The plan would also see fields, where possible, converted to artificial turf. Watson says the theme is quality over quantity. 

Saint John now has 70 playgrounds. A city our size, according to national standards, should have 14.

Executive Of Alberta Oil And Gas Company Gives Perspective On Shale Gas

A high flyer with an Alberta Gas company stopping off in the province to talk about the evolution of the oil and gas industry.  

Keith Steeves of NAL Resources, tells CHSJ News, when it comes to getting rid of environmental concerns over fracking with shale gas exploration,"you can never alleviate every concern from every person," he says.  However, he does say you can create a situation that deals with a lot of the concerns. 

  "I would say Alberta is a great example. I wouldn't say that we are completely with people that don't have issues, but I would say that it's fairly well known and a common industry, and people are comfortable in terms of what we do from a drilling perspective," he says.

 Steeves claims shale gas has the capacity to create thousands of jobs.

How Many Hours Of Sleep Do You Need?

When it comes to how many hours you should be spending in dreamland, there is no magic number. 

The Medical Director of the Sleep Centre at the Regional Hospital, Dr. Rachel Morehouse says, the question of sleep need is probably the most common question she gets asked.

She tells CHSJ News, the amount differs from person to person and some of it's based on genetics.

"It's quite simple, you need the amount of sleep that will make you feel rested and energetic the day, but that varies between individuals," she says.
 
She says there are some people at the extreme ends, who may need up to 12 hours of sleep a night, and some who may only need five. Most of us, she says, need about seven and a half.

Caregiving And Aging Presentation Hosted By Alzheimer Café

Saint John Alzheimer Café holding a caregiving and aging Presentation today.
 
Guest speaker, Dr. Amy D’Aprix is an expert in aging, retirement and caregiving. Much of her work focuses on working with seniors and their caregiving families.

She's the author of two books about caregiving and friendship, and has given presentations across North America.

The presentation being held today at 2pm-4pm, at St. Mark’s Church, in Saint John West.

Locals Building Shelters For Stray Cats

Stray cats in the city will be getting a cozy home, all thanks to a group in Saint John making cat shelters.

It's the first, "Build a Shelter Campaign," where shelters will be made out of donated supplies such as wood, straw, and rubber totes, and distributed throughout the city.

Yvonne Steeves is the owner of Puddy N' Pooch Palace, a pet resort at 688 Rothesay Avenue. The event is being hosted at the shop today from 10am -5pm.

She tells CHSJ News, "Something needs to be done about the stray and feral cats in the city, and unfortunately all of the shelter and reuses are completely full. There's no way to possibly get all the cats off the street."

Fire At Irving Pulp & Paper Mill

Saint John Fire responding to fire at the Irving Pulp & Paper Mill, late yesterday.

Crews were on the scene for an hour and a half.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around Uptown Saint John.

Part of the festivities includes, the 2nd Annual Crosby's Gingerbread Trail, where 16 local businesses compete with displays of gingerbread houses and creations in their shop windows. 

Tracy Hanson of Uptown Saint John tells CHSJ News there's going to be a lot of variety in the displays.

"A lot of the people are trying to do something that's consistent with there business, which is always interesting," she says. There will be some unique surprises."

The gingerbread houses will be on display until December 20th.

Wind Knocks Over Power Pole

Saint John Police responding to a power pole being knocked out by the wind this afternoon.

The pole fell at the Milford Trailer Park, early this afternoon.

Police tell us there is minimal damage.

Life Long Journey Of Adoption Conference Being Held Today

A conference being held today called the Life Long Journey of Adoption. The event is designed for those considering adoption, have already adopted, or are working in the field.
 
Suzanne Kingston is the Executive Director of the New 
Brunswick Adoption Foundation. She tells CHSJ News, the conference will touch on themes such as school, transition from foster care to adoption and the connection with birth families. 



The adoption conference is being held at Future Inns Moncton, from 8:30 to 4:30 today.

Police Respond To Report Of Driver Waving Weapon In Vehicle

Saint John Police responding to a report of a driver waving around a weapon in his car.

They didn't find a weapon when they searched his car.

 However, they did find drugs. A 25-year-old man is being charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Hit & Run On Prince Edward St.

Saint John Police responding to a hit and run on Prince Edward Street last night.

A 23-year-old female is being charged with impaired driving, and failure to remain at the scene.

Overnight Fire At Shamrock Park

Crews responding to a structure fire at the field house in Shamrock Park early this morning. 

Crews found heavy smoke conditions in the building, and were on the scene for about two hours.  

The fire being contained to the rear section of the building.
The fire is now under investigation by Saint John Fire, and Saint John Police. It's suspected to be a case of arson.

Over $100 Million To Treat Saint John's Water

The days of boil water orders in Saint John may soon be over.

The federal and provincial governments making a combined investment of $114.6 million for a Safe Drinking Water Project. It will be the biggest infrastructure project in the city's history and the first water project ever funded by P3 Canada. The project will include a new treatment plant, 3 new storage tanks, and over a dozen transmission system improvements.
 
Saint John MP Rodney Weston telling the crowd the people of Saint John have waited a long time for this announcement adding we kept our eye on the ball.

Premier David Alward says this announcement represents a historic day for the city adding it's a project that will create construction jobs and help rebuild the economy.

The politicians joining Mayor Norton for the long-awaited announcement at City hall today. Work is expected to start in early to mid 2015 and it will be finished in 2018.

BREAKING NEWS - Money For Safe Drinking Water

The federal and provincial governments are going to contribute just over 114-million dollars to the city's safe drinking water project.
The announcement coming moments ago at a news conference at City Hall.
More details coming.

UNB Professor Recognized For Sex Research

A professor at UNB getting recognition for her work in sex research.
Dr. Sandra Byers, professor of psychology, is internationally recognized as the most important sex scientist of the last 100 years.  Byers tells CHSJ News, more communication is needed when it comes to sexuality.


"It became clear to me that there are big gaps in our knowledge of sexuality, that people had sexual issues, sexual problems, sexual concerns that weren't being well addressed. It's really the gaps that drove me into this field," she says.

Byers is recognized for contributing some of the most important information to the understanding of women's and men's social interactions. She's being awarded the 2013 Alfred C. Kinsey Award by the Society of Scientific Research for Sexuality.

Executive Of Alberta Energy Company Talks To UNB About Oil & Gas

A senior executive from an Alberta oil and gas company, giving a lecture at UNB about the evolution of oil and gas.

 Keith Steeves CFO of NAL Resources, tells CHSJ News, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers are expecting the gas industry will create over 300,000 jobs across Canada. He says this is expected over the next 25 years.

"There's tremendous amount of spinoff  from energy type drilling services," he says. Adding that about 400 people are involved with the drilling of a well.

Steeves  points out that he's not speaking from a political stance, but he expects shale gas development would create many jobs in New Brunswick.

Santa Claus Parade In The Valley Tomorrow

The 15th annual Kennebcasis Valley Christmas Parade will be held tomorrow night starting at 6 from K-V-H-S. It will proceed along Hampton Road to Clark Road and you're being urged to bring a non-perishable food item for the K-V Food Basket. 

Quispamsis is also running a Christmas contest.
 
The Town of Quispamsis held its Christmas tree lighting ceremony and is now inviting you to guess how many lights there are in the Arts and Culture Park. The three closest guesses without going over will win prizes. 

The top prize is a free season's pass at the Q-Plex swimming pool for a family of 4. The winners will be announced December 17th. You can make your guess online. You can find the link by going to country 94.ca and clicking news.

http://quispamsis.ca

Another Ederly Man Dies Burning Yard Debris

In the second incident of its kind in New Brunswick this year,an elderly man has died while burning debris in his yard.

RCMP in Perth Andover are reporting an 81 year old man was found deceased with some burns to his body after doing some yard work. This happened before back in May in Hampton when another elderly man passed away under similar circumstances.

Foul play isn't suspected in either case. The man's name is not being released.

You'll Have To Take The Scenic Route Tomorrow

You're going to have to take the scenic route if you want to get to the peninsula between 10am and 3pm tomorrow.

The Belleisle Ferry will be off its run for scheduled maintenance....every 5 years the cable ferry has to be pulled out for a refit and an inspection. It's the only ferry at that location.

According to the Department of Transportation the service interruption could last more or less time depending on how things go.

WATCH: KV Fire Gets Help Knocking Down Garage Blaze

It had the potential to be a scary fire but KV fire crews with help from Hampton, Nauwigewauk and Saint John were able to contain a garage fire at 55 Iona Avenue in Rothesay.

KV Deputy Fire Chief Dan McCoy tells CHSJ News the first crews attacked the blaze to stop it from spreading.

He says they wanted to make sure they contained the fire to the garage area and they were successful in that.

McCoy says there is some water damage inside the home.

The homeowner was there at the time but not injured.  A cause of the blaze is unknown.

Singh & Loparco Win Peace Awards

The Saint John Y recognizing two champions of peace at a breakfast this morning.

Holly Singh is well known for many years in the restaurant business but, she is also very involved in helping new immigrants arriving here.
 
Singh says it started one year when the Y called about some immigrants who had arrived in Saint John really close to Christmas.

She says they called to see if they could feed these people because they would like the food they serve.
Singh says she told their staff about it and they wanted to help.

17 year old Julia Loparco win the Youth Peacemaker certificate. 

She is a busy student, athlete and volunteer who says she doesn't do it for the recognition, she just loves giving back.

The Rothesay Common Is Getting A New Look

An open house being held in Rothesay discussing concept plans for the Rothesay Common. This was the third open house being held to get feedback from residents.

Some features of the plan include two basketball courts, an oval skating rink and a new playground.

Landscape architect Daniel Glenn tells CHSJ news, the concept will help people make more use of the area. "It can benefit the community by creating a lot more use throughout the season for the space," he says.

 Mayor Bill Bishop tells us, the Common will be for all ages to enjoy. "People are very excited about it," he says, they can't wait to see this because it's not only for the young but for the old. It's skating, walking trails and improvement of drainage, so it's a great facility for the center of the Town of Rothesay."

Bishop says work on the project should begin this spring and is hoped to be completed by the fall.

Busy Lunch Hour for SJFD

A busy lunch hour for City fire crews with back to back calls on opposite side of the City.

Crews had just responded to an issue with a water sprinkler when another call came in on the east side. 

Platoon chief Kevin Forrest tells CHSJ News the first call was at a home on Brigadoon Court in Millidgeville.

He says on arrival crews found it was an activated sprinkler system in the house that caused some water damage.

At the same time, Fire crews were called to a possible structure fire on Simpson Drive in East Saint John. 

It turned out the release valve on the home's water heater went causing steam to fill the home.    Firefighters shut down power to the area and turned the house back over to the homeowner.

Clean Drinking Water May Be Closer

A federal funding announcement regarding water is expected tomorrow afternoon at City hall.

Saint John MP Rodney Weston is hosting a news conference at 3pm tomorrow in the Ludlow Room at City hall.

He has confirmed to CHSJ News that it does have something to do with water.

In March, Mayor Mel Norton said council is committed to delivering clean drinking water because the community wants it.

An application to P3 Canada was made by the City earlier this year looking for the funding to build a new water treatment system.

Boudreau: Pensioners Being "Forced" To Accept Shared Risk

A heated exchange in Question Period today between Shediac—Cap-Pelé MLA Victor Boudreau and Finance Minister Blaine Higgs over whether the Shared Risk model is the only option for the public service pension plan.

Higgs responded that there have been actuarial reports done from the get-go and they've done their due diligence--but Boudreau argues there's been a lack of transparency and the model has been "forced" on the retirees and current pensioners.

Boudreau says if there is an actuarial plan on the Shared Risk model, the finance minister should table it in the legislature.

Party Leaders Butt Heads Over Shale Gas

Premier David Alward and Provincial Liberal leader Brian Gallant clashing over shale gas.

 Gallant says the Conservatives are jumping ahead too fast without giving enoough consideration to the effect on human health and the environment. 

He points to a document from the Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S. which talks about the potential hazards to human health of fracking. He charges the Alward Government decided to press ahead without giving due consideration to human health, the environment and royalties.

The Premier dismisses the Liberals as "the moratorium party", accusing them of having no plan for growing the provincial economy.

The Y Is $260,000 Closer To A New Home

The Saint John Y is $260,000 closer to its fundraising goal of 7 million dollars for a new facility thanks to the generosity of some local donors. 

The Greater Saint John Community Foundation which normally does not support corporate campaigns donating $60,000 and Dale and Wendy Knox will donate $100,000 for a room in memory of Pat Davis a longtime Y employee.
 
The Y's President and CEO Shilo Boucher tells CHSJ News the Y family was touched by that.

She tells us he surprised her with that  adding she knows Dale Knox worked very closely with Pat and she did as well so it definitely brought tears to her eyes.

Another anonymous donation of $100,000 was announced.

Boucher tells us we can expect more announcements in the new year and if all the funding is in place they hope to break ground on the new Y on Churchill Boulevard in the new year.

Lights Out For 6000 Today

6000 home and businesses in the KV will be without electricity for a few hours today because of some work that NB Power needs to do.

The outage beginning at 1pm today will impact Quispamsis, Gondola Point, Kingston Peninsula and Meenans Cove.

The repairs are expected to be completed by late this afternoon.

Demolition Starting On Simm's Factory

 The Simm's brush factory announced back in the summer it would be closing down its Saint John operations and laying off 35 employees--and now JDI has confirmed the iconic glass building itself will be demolished in the new year. 

Mary Keith of JDI explains demolition has already begun on the wooden building that is behind the iconic glass-fronted factory on Simm's Corner--and by the new year, the factory itself will be levelled and the site used for heavy industrial purposes.

Keith says they're looking at all the options when it comes to traffic calming on Simm's Corner, but the solution won't necessarily involve a divestiture of any of that land.

Simms has been a family business since it was founded in 1866. 

The glass building was built in 1912.

Gas Prices Rise

If you have to fill up with self serve regular, you will have to pay more with a three cent a litre rise in the maximum price after the weekly setting. 

The maximum price for diesel also going up by a cent and a half a litre. 

Heating oil is also more expensive by just over 1 and a half cents. Propane also rising by just over a cent a litre.

Shared Risk Pension Model Called "Irresponsible"

" Policy development on the fly".........That's what provincial government retirees are calling the shared risk pension model and have their own expert criticising what's being proposed. 

The Pension Coalition calls Bernard Dussault one of the original architects who reformed the Canada Pension Plan as well as being actuary for the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada. 

Dussault is denouncing the shared risk model as irresponsible because it lacks the standard actuarial projections on how much it will wind up costing along with what the short, medium and long term financial effects will be on the provincial pension plan itself.

Fitz-Randolph's Legacy Is Fighting To Protect Land

A celebration of the life of Mabel Fitz-Randolph is coming up this afternoon on the west side.     

The 100 year old woman recently passed away.

She spearhead the move to make the Musquash estuary a marine protected area and even spurred on other landowners by giving more than 700 acres of her own land to the cause.
 
Andrew Holland of the Nature Conservancy of Canada tells CHSJ News her efforts did not go unnoticed.

He says because of her work she was given an environmental lifetime achievment award from the Province which he says is a testament to her personal contribution to this area west of Saint John on the lower Bay of Fundy.

A funeral for Fitz-Randolph will be held at 1pm today at the Castle Funeral home on Lancaster Avenue.