Smoke could be seen coming from the Full Gospel Assembly Church on Mount Pleasant Avenue East earlier tonight. City fire crews responding and quickly knocked the blaze down. The source of the smoke was a plastic drain pipe that has an electrical wire in it to keep the water from freezing.
Platoon Chief Eric Garland tells CHSJ News people were in the church when the call came in.
He says they did a search anyway but everyone was out of the building when crews arrived on scene.
Garland says the cause is likely accidental but a fire investigator was brought in anyway.
Many people spend their entire lives planning for their big day, but just a few of us are preparing for it.
A study by BMO InvestorLine revealing that on average, Canadians plan to spend $15,000 on their wedding and invite an average of 100 guests. Interestingly enough, almost 40-percent of those people feel like they won't be able to afford the wedding day of their dreams with only 28-percent actively investing for the event.
Those who plan on getting married between the ages of 18 to 44 plan to spend the most at an average of more than $18,000 while those 65 and older plan to spend the least at almost $5000.
Traditional wellness programs are failing employees because they're not addressing the elephant in the room which is the problem of how they can better manage their personal finances.
Frank Wiginton, C-E-O of Employee Financial Well Being estimates 61 per cent of workers are financially stressed. By contrast, only 16 per cent are considered obese yet every wellness programme focuses on diet and exercise.
He also points out people who are stressed out are six times more likely to be depressed and 7 times more likely to suffer from high anxiety which are not good for productivity on the job.
Moosehead hopes you do. The company rolling out a new product called Radler. Ray Gracewood of Moosehead tells CHSJ News consumers want products that are not traditional beer flavours.
He says they are very excited about the response from testing on this product adding it feels different and tastes different and a whole different consumption experience.
Radler-style beverages have been around for 100 years in Europe. The Moose Light version blends grapefruit, grape and lemon juice with beer.
It will be available in New Brunswick liquor stores next week and will begin shipping to Nova Scotia in early May.
Some lucky Saint Johners might find it in local liquor stores this weekend.
It's a sad fact for
supporters of local arts and culture that those sectors are the first
places to suffer in an economic downturn.
Symphony New Brunswick
President Reid Parker tells CHSJ News even though many people would
rather give to a children's charity or their local hospital rather than a
symphony or theatre company, the arts are still a worthy investment.
Parker
says music and the arts are still crucial to growing our cities because
they provide an incentive for people to move here, and improve the
quality of life for those who live here already.
Saint John Police tells CHSJ News a man who made the rounds from the East Side, to the uptown, and finally to the West Side aggressively panhandling and harassing passers-by will be spending the weekend in jail.
The man was seen banging on car windows and cursing at people when they refused to give him cash. He also caused a ruckus in Brunswick Square before police were called.
He was eventually arrested on a city bus near a west side mall.
He has been charged with causing a disturbance and also found to a breaching court conditions to keep the peace.
At Bowl For Kids Sake, every dollar raised helps match kids with a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor---which helps kids' self-esteem and makes them more likely to stay in school.
Laurie Collins of Big Brothers says they're hoping to raise a total of $110,000 dollars, or a third of their operating budget. That amount would help the organization serve the 400 kids they do already, plus take some off the waiting list.
Bowl for Kids Sake starts at Fairview lanes at 10am and goes until 7. For more information, click here
It was inevitable with the rain this week....the Darling's Island road is under water as of this morning.
Parents with kids who went to school on the bus this morning were wondering how their kids might get home today.
Zoe Watson of Anglophone South School District tells CHSJ News they have a bus on Darling's Island that picks up the kids and the driver is supposed to get on the Department of Natural Resources boat with them while they travel to the other side where another school bus picks them up.
One parent tells us her child has already arrived home today on a bus.
If you're a developer, coder, or other business-minded person who's got a great idea for a start-up, this weekend could be your chance.
From 5:30 at the old Kent Theater on Coburg, you can sign up to take part in Startup Weekend. Event Chair Catherine Doucette tells CHSJ News it's going to be an unusual and fun set-up where people brainstorm and develop a business plan within 54 hours.
You don't need to come with a team--you just show up with your skills and get connected with a lot of other expertise. For more information about Startup Weekend, click here
CUPE members from across the province hosting a rally in front of the provincial legislature to support correctional officers, human service councillors and custodians who have been without a collective agreement for nearly 3 years.
Local 1251 President Everett Godfrey say negotiations with government so far have been difficult with wage parity being a major stumbling block.
Godfrey adds that correction officers in this province are the lowest paid in the country and the goal is to bring their wages in line with their counterparts in the Atlantic provinces.
Delegates at the CUPE convention will be voting an emergency resolution calling upon all CUPE members to support Local 1251 in its efforts to get a new deal.
The Liberals meet Saturday in Fredericton to talk about the policies they'll be running on in September's provincial election.
The governing Conservatives are on the attack with Post Secondary Education Minister Jody Carr calling provincial Liberal leader Brian Gallant a flip flopper.
Gallant argues it's the Alward Government that people have lost faith in because of so many broken promises.
The Speaker of the Legislature decided Carr went too far when he suggested Gallant couldn't be trusted and Carr agreed to retract the comment.
A rally being held outside the Legislature tomorrow at 11:00 by animal rights advocates from around the region calling for legislative changes to better protect animals.
Rita Bihr of People for Stronger Animal Protection tells CHSJ News it should be illegal to have dogs chained or penned up 24/7 because they're pack animals and, as such, crave socialisation.
Bihr also argues it should be against the law to keep pets outside in the extreme cold. Recently, a rescue group in Kent County found a small dog that had been buried alive in the snow.
Bihr says usually just the minimum fine is imposed in cases of animal abuse and neglect. She would like to see jail terms imposed if the abuse is severe enough.
A bomb threat at the North End McDonald's turning out to be a hoax.
Sgt. Dave Cowan telling CHSJ News their officers were called to the restaurant around 10:30 last night and it was briefly evacuated.
It may be related to a North America trend called "swatting" where hackers make prank emergency calls that prompt a swat team response.
An incident at a school in Hartland yesterday and one at Simonds High last year where a bomb threat was called in could also be related to the same hoax.
Sgt. Cowan tells us City police will be looking into it today but no one has been detained or arrested.
A guilty plea from a 25 year old St. George man, Stephen Hall of Fundy Bay Drive to a charge of robbing the Garden Street Circle K on April 4th while armed with a knife.
Changes to the Parks Act introduced today will aid with the long-term protection of provincially-owned parks, according to Culture Minister Trevor Holder.
The changes include strengthening conservation efforts, requiring better resource management, prohibiting prospecting, mining and shale extraction inside parks, and addressing accessibility issues.
The changes stem from the results of an online survey conducted in 2013 which almost 2,500 people filled out.
Irving Oil revealing the completion of converting its fleet of crude oil railcars to the Association of American Railroads specifications.
This move supports Transport Canada's announcement on enhanced protection standards for rails cars stemming from recommendations by the Transportation Safety Board in January.
Irving Oil President Paul Browning says they took the voluntary position of converting the fleet as promised three years ahead of regulation.
The A.A.R. specifications are for railcars built after 2011 to be constructed with reinforcements that reportedly reduce the risk of product loss should these railcars be involved in a derailment.
The Horizon Health Network's Board hearing that plans are moving along for a perinatal program to co-ordinate care for mothers and babies which will be a new service for the province. Dr. Lynn Murphy-Kaulbeck tells CHSJ News one aspect will be data collection which already exists in Nova Scotia.
She says in their program they collect 1100 variables on every woman and child allowing them to use that research to make decisions that can save governments money.
Dr. Murphy-Kaulbeck points out the New Brunswick Perinatal Health Program will be independent from the government.
They plan to hire staff over the summer and be up and running by September.
As the election draws closer, Question Period is increasingly becoming a battle of rhetoric between the so-called "do nothing, moratorium" Liberals and the Alward government, which the Grits have painted as unconcerned with the average taxpayer.
Liberal MLA Rick Doucet claims the Tories have left a legacy of broken promises on cost overruns at Point Lepreau, changes to EI, and more.
Meanwhile, Saint John MLA Carl Killen described the positive impact of the new forestry plan on our local economy.
Doucet says the premier has demonstrated he's not up to the task of getting this province what it's owed from the feds.
Nine hundred kids from across the province are excited to be singing and playing in the New Brunswick Competitive Festival of Music this week.
The festival is now in its 78th year and organizer Christopher Lane tells CHSJ News it's like old home week for many of the students who only get to see each other when they're competing.
The kids compete for trophies, plaques, and cash prizes at various venues throughout the city. The Festival runs until May 3.
A series of paintings depicting First Nations experiences with cancer treatment will be on display at the Saint John Regional Hospital, and the George Dumont Hospital in Moncton.
Health Minister Ted Flemming exaplains they are part of a new Canadian Partnership Against Cancer's initiative that aims to capture the journey of First Nations cancer survivors.
The six paintings were created by Natalie Sappier, an artist from Tobique First Nation. To see some of her work click here
Pairing schools and business is working out well for the Anglophone South School district.
A Pals partnership between Port Saint John, the school board and Centennial school was announced late last year. Community Engagement Co-ordinator Erica Lane tells CHSJ News the interest is growing beyond the City.
She says folks outside of Saint John have asked about it adding it has an amazing impact on their students.
Companies that may be interested in forming a PALS partnership can contact Erica Lane at 506-643-7977.
There should be at least one person who's bilingual within each paramedic team at Ambulance NB. So says the Official Languages Commissioner who is calling on the provincial health department to ensure compliance with the law.
This is Katherine d'Entremont's first recommendation as Commissioner and follows an incident that occurred in September of 2013. Neither of the two paramedics who were sent to help a person in Dieppe who could only speak french.
D'Entremont confirms there was a 2008 investigation requiring at least one person with each paramedic team be bilingual.
She argues attempting to help someone in an emergency situation when you can't understand what's being said is life threatening and goes beyond linguistic rights.
Gas prices taking quite a jump after the weekly setting. The price of self serve regular in the city reaching a new high at $1.40.1 a litre. Diesel is also up at $1.40.5 a litre.
There are no reports of flooded streets in the Saint John area this morning as the rain continues to come down.
According to River Watch, the water levels in Quispamsis and Saint John are forecast to be stable but remain above flood stage for the next number of days.
In Fredericton, water levels are expected to surpass flood stage by tomorrow. It's believed water levels at Maugerville will reach flood stage tomorrow and be above flood stage for a number of days at Jemseg, Grand Lake and Sheffield-Lakeville Corner.
Checking out your neighbourhood and places you've lived on Google Street View is a great way to kill an hour or two--and updated images of Saint John on the popular mapping site may make that even more fun.
The new pics were taken on a sunny day in May 2013: before that, they were noticeably outdated.
To check it out, Google any local address and select Street View.
The goal of a new men's shelter that will open on Waterloo street this summer is not only to get people off the street but to play a role in transforming their lives. Outflow Board chair Colin McDonald of Outflow tells CHSJ News it's not just about a shelter but having a larger vision.
He says they don't want to just shelter men which he calls a noble ambition but the bigger picture is they want to see these men transition into homes.
McDonald says solving the problem of finding a men's shelter came together much quicker than anyone is used to in the non-profit sector through co-operation with local agencies and the provincial government.
He tells us the province is providing Outflow with the temporary location in the Somerset Community Centre.
If you or a senior you know is interested in keeping an eye on the neighbourhood, they might be interested in this: the Saint John Police Department is hosting a Senior's Police Academy starting on May 8. The program will deal with personal safety, fraud awareness, and other issues that effect seniors in our community. The program starts on May 8th and runs for 5 weeks, and spaces are limited.
Show me the beef when it comes to a plan for education.......That challenge being made to the Alward Government by Provincial Liberal leader Brian Gallant. He charges there is no plan.
Education Minister Marie-Claude Blais is accusing the Liberals of talking big on education but there's more to it than just spin and producing a glossy paper.
Blais, who has two children attending school, says teachers know exactly what the outcomes should be and how to achieve them.
The New Brunswick Health Council releasing community profiles and for Saint John, we're lagging behind in healthy behaviours.
Only 33 per cent of adults in the area eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables a day. The Health Council's Stephane Robichaud tells CHSJ News the way we eat has changed a lot in a generation with the onset of fast food.
Among young people in grades 6 to 12, we're lagging behind when it comes to connecting with family. Robichaud believes that has a lot to do with social media.
Even among younger children in grades 4 to 12, there are higher than desirable levels of behaviour considered disrespectful, defiant and rude.
Saint Johnners are also lagging behind when it comes to alcohol, drug and tobacco use.
Robichaud says these numbers are valuable because they can be used to devise strategies to make things better.
The Symphony New Brunswick Foundation will receive about $220,000 in matching funds through the department of Canadian Heritage.
Saint John MP Rodney Weston made the announcement at the Imperial Theatre. Symphony New Brunswick is the largest classical music orchestra in this province.
It's the largest grant the symphony has received so far from the program, and it puts their foundation assets past the $2 million mark.
A new 20-bed homeless shelter for men will open in the city to replace the Centre of Hope at the Salvation Army on St. James Street.
That announcement from Social Development Minister Madelaine Dube.
The shelter will be operated by Outflow, a local organization that delivers up to 800 meals a week to those in need.
The shelter will be located at the former Waterloo Street Baptist Church on Waterloo Street.
The site is located near Romero House, St Joseph's Hospital and the regional office of Social Development. It will open in a temporary location at the Somerset Community Centre on May 1st while renovations are completed on the old church on Waterloo Street. The work is expected to take about 8 weeks.
A vehicle that was on fire prompting police to close one lane along Highway 1 eastbound by the weigh station in Rothesay to be closed between 3 and 4 this morning.
The car had been parked on the side of the highway before the fire. Police tell us it was fully engulfed in flames and there were some small explosions until the blaze was extinguished.
With the poverty, high teenage pregnancy rates and apparent lack of opportunities here in Saint John many of our young people may find it almost impossible to feel positive and empowered...but a Port City youth speaker wants that to change.
Nick Pereira tells CHSJ News part of changing your story comes down to loving yourself, saying we may be plagued by problems here in the city, but underneath those problems are a lack of vision and self-love. He says if all you see is poverty then all you know is poverty and the idea of becoming something bigger never enters your mind.
A speaking event called "Champion Your Story" at the Boys & Girls Club of Saint John marking the launch of the presentation Pereira will be doing all across the country. You can find more information by clicking here or here.
Less than a week after a devastating flood struck Sussex, the town being dealt another blow with a fire at the Department of Natural Resources office.
Sussex Fire Chief Harold Lowe tells CHSJ News smoke was seen coming from the building after staff had left the office and when crews arrived the roof was fully engulfed in flames and starting to collapse. While the structure itself is still standing, the roof is gone and the D-N-R office has sustained some water damage.
One firefighter was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure with possible heat exhaustion.
The fire marshal will be coming to investigate what caused the blaze.
Water main flushing will be happening tomorrow between 7am to 7pm as part of the maintenance of the Blacks Harbour Water Supply, however those hours can vary.
You might notice periods of low or no-flow and discolouration of water during that time. Once flushing is finished, you're being urged to remove the screens from your taps and clean them off.
We're not out of the woods yet according to Paul Bradley of the Department of Public Safety on the flooding risk for the province.
He tells CHSJ News while water levels have been going down over the past few days they are expected to climb back up with rain in the forecast for the region including heavy rain and freezing rain warnings up north. He says they're asking New Brunswickers to stay on alert.
He confirms there will be a boat shuttle service from Darlings Island running from 6am to 7pm daily if residents do get cut off from the mainland. There will also be a boat service for emergency first responders going 24-7. For more info, click here
Certain big industrial facilities in New Brunswick--like those belonging to Irving--currently get their natural gas directly from the distribution system, bypassing the general franchise; however, that's going to change according to Energy Minister Craig Leonard.
Leonard says while those users have been instrumental to getting the system up and running, their contribution isn't currently proportional to their natural gas usage.
Charlotte the Isles MLA Rich Doucet questioned why the Gas and Distribution Act of 1999 is only being amended now, just a short while before the election. The change means that big users like Irving will be paying more.
Earth Day is a time when people think about cleaning up the trash that's been collecting in the woods and on the sides of road through the long winter. Graeme Stewart-Robertson of the Atlantic Coastal Action Group tells CHSJ News they give schools and other groups help on how to conduct a clean up and many are held this time of year.
He says it could be schools like Millidgeville North who is hosting one day and another clean up is taking place around UNB Saint John and the Regional hospital.
Stewart-Robertson says they are getting calls from people wanting to organize clean ups later in the week or next week.
For more info on ACAP...click here and for more on Earth Day...click here
The circus is coming to town--but not everyone is pleased about it.
Event planner Mark Burnett tells CHSJ News he certainly won't be going to see Cirque Mondo when they come to Harbour Station in June, because the circus uses elephants, buffalo, monkeys and other exotic animals.
We asked Burnett whether a circus can ever provide animals with a good life--to which he responded that these are wild animals and there's more to caring for them than simply having good intentions. A call to Cirque Mondo for comment has not yet been returned.
Even though things look pretty bleak right now with the state of the provincial economy, Yves Bourgeois of U-N-B Saint John's Urban Affairs Institute tells CHSJ News he's optimistic about the long term future if the province plays its cards right.
He goes so far as to say he thinks New Brunswick could becoming a driving economy in the country but it won't happen for another 10 to 15 years. The belief that a turnaround can happen in the next four years is unrealistic.
Economic Development Consultant David Campbell of Moncton says the province needs more information technology growth and there are some interesting initiatives happening in the cities.
He argues the role of government is to create the environment for new companies to start up and do well........It's not to do industry or even pick industries. Campbell says he's cautiously optimistic about the future economic prospects of the province.
Another delay in legal proceedings against the young man accused of robbing the Garden Street Circle K with a knife on April 4th.
The case of Stephen John William Hall has been set over until Thursday morning while he seeks legal advice. Hall, who is from Saint George, came into the gas station with the weapon and demanded cash. A police officer was injured when he slipped on the ice trying to track Hall down.
Well known Saint John businessman Robert McIntyre died unexpectedly at the Regional Hospital on Easter Sunday. He would have turned 67 next month. McIntyre was the owner and operator of McIntyre's Moving and Storage on St. James Street and it was said he may have moved half the city over the years. His funeral will be held at Brenan’s Chapel on Paradise Row this Friday morning at 10. You can drop by tomorrow for visitation from 6 to 8 in the evening and Thursday, from 3 in the afternoon to 8 at night.
