Kent Hills Wind Farm Getting Federal Money

2009-05-11

15:22:40

First the ribbon is cut then a shot in the arm comes courtesy of the federal government.
Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore announced today the Kent Hills Wind Farm in Albert County will receive up to $29 million dollars from the federal government.
The money is coming from the federal ecoENERGY for Renewable Power program aimed at increasing the supply of clean electricity in the country.
Kent Hills is the provinces first commercial wind farm and will sold electricity produced to NB Power.

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Murphy Believes Solution Is Near

2009-05-11

14:30:53

[Health Minister Mike Murphy-----file photo]

Health Minister Mike Murphy says discussions are ongoing with health officials on whether or not the Emergency Rooms in Saint John are able to compete with other regions for doctors.
Murphy says he has met with with the head of Regional Health Authority B to discuss ER's, and is optimistic a solution will be reached soon.

Late last month Murphy gave the Health Authority 10 days to report back to him on how to solve a doctor shortage in the city.
The need for a report came after doctors refusing to work overtime hours caused the Sussex Emergency Room to close overnight last month to send the doctor to the Regional to cover it's unit.

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New Equipment Coming to St. Joseph's Hospital

2009-05-11

14:22:57

St. Joseph's Hospital is getting not one but two new pieces of equipment to help the fight for early detection of breast cancer.
The hospitals capital campaign CareConnections has raised 2.7 million dollars towards the purchase of two digital mammography systems as well as other equipment.
Director of Mammography for the hospital Dr. John Allen says purchasing the two units benefits the screening and diagnosing patients.

The provincial government is donating an additional $160 thousand dollars towards the units, bringing it's total amount given to $330 thousand.
The total cost for the digital mammography systems is $3.5 million---meaning an additional $800 thousand needs to be raised.

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Honest Debate Needed On Cost Of Energy Policies

2009-05-11

12:51:43

The president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers says there has to be more open discussion about the cost of public environmental energy policies.
David Collyer says there is a real difference between a willingness on the part of consumers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- and -- what they're willing to pay -- and -- he says the debate on the real costs has to be honest and open so consumers can make an informed choice.
Collyer was taking part in a panel discussion on energy exports at the national conference of energy regulators underway at the Trade and Convention Center.

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Maintenance Work on Cat-Cracker is Finished

2009-05-11:

12:09:48:

Don't be surprised if you see additional flaring and louder than normal noise coming from the Irving Oil refinery. Spokes-person Leslie McLeod tells CHSJ News, crews have finished maintenance work on the cat-cracker unit and the flaring and noise will be part of the process as they bring the unit back on line over the new few days.

Homes in the area are being notified and crews will try and limit this work to day-time hours. No major problems were discovered during the maintenance work.

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Work Resumes on Marco Polo Replica

2009-05-11:

12:08:45:

The finishing touches are set to be worked on for the replica of the Marco Polo. With the hull almost complete, the search is on for volunteers to help out. Project co-ordinator Barry Ogden tells CHSJ News, he is very proud to have taken things this far and is glad to see the coastline on the horizon.

If everything stays on schedule, the vessel will be brought across the harbor this summer but still no word on a final berthing place. Ogden says he would like it along the water-front and preferably inside. 

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More Garbage Found During Creek Sweep

2009-05-11:

12:07:52:

Five and half tons of trash was hauled out of a section of Marsh Creek over the weekend. Over 200 volunteers donned rubber boots and gloves for the 12th annual spring clean-up of Majors Brook. Tim Vickers is executive director of the Atlantic Coastal Action Program and tells CHSJ News, this is more trash than they found last year and is discouraging.

Vickers says these numbers show it may be time for more serious measures to wake a few people up.

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Ribbon is Cut on New Wind Farm

2009-05-11:

12:06:46:

The largest wind farm in Atlantic Canada has officially be opened this afternoon. Energy Minister Jack Keir has cut the ribbon at the Kent Hills site in Albert County. It has a capacity of 96-mega-watts but won't always be running at capacity due to the un-predictability of wind. Keir tells CHSJ News, he isn't sure there will be savings from this type of energy.

Three other wind farms at Caribou Mountain, Lemec and Aulac are in the construction phase. No word on when they are set to open.

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Teenager Killed near Confederation Bridge

2009-05-11:

12:06:01:

No name is being released after a 14-year old boy was killed in a car crash earlier this morning. RCMP say it happened near the Confederation Bridge just after 12:30am. The vehicle left the road and hit a traffic sign.

The boy is from Lennox Island on Prince Edward Island and officer's suspect fatigue may have been a factor in the crash.

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Fire Destroys Home In Pennfield Area

2009-05-11

08:48:28

An electrical problem is being blamed for a stubborn blaze which destroyed a home in the Pennfield Corner area yesterday.
The fire broke out in a home at 48 Black's Harbour Road around 1230 yesterday -- initial reports indicated at least one person trapped inside.
But -- fire crews quickly determined that wasn't the case -- the two women who live there weren't at home.
Fire departments from Black's Harbour - St George - Fundy Bay - Pennfield - and - Musquash battled the flames for over four hours.

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Training for CFB Gagetown Soldiers

2009-05-11:

04:48:09:

Don't be surprised if you see military vehicles around certain area's of the Province. Soldiers from CFB Gagetown will be conducting driving training exercises in six municipalities--including Sussex, Moncton, Stanley, Marysville, Gagetown and here in the city.

Canadian Forces officials say the vehicles will not pose any disturbance or disruption to traffic flow.

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Numbers Look Good for the YM-YWACA

2009-05-11:

04:47:07:

Positive news expected to come out of the 22nd annual general meeting of the YM-YWCA later this week. The audited financial statements will be released and acting CEO & CFO Shilo Boucher tells CHSJ News, they currently have 14 sites across Saint John and always looking to expand.

Boucher says they continue their search for a new permanent home with nothing concrete in mind and all area's of the metro open to possibilities. The meeting gets started at Noon on Thursday at the Glen Carpenter Center Lodge. 

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Plenty on the Council Agenda

2009-05-11:

04:46:03:

Much to talk about at common council tonight including the city getting a grant for historic sites. The Provincial government is supplying a $75 thousand dollar grant for the city to participate in the Historic Places Program that will result in 70 newly registered historic places raising the city's total to 427.

Also on the agenda is setting the date for a presentation from the Glenn Group on plans to redevelop the Reversing Falls. Tonight's meeting gets started at 6:30pm in the council chamber.

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Getting Ready to Receive and Ship Natural Gas

2009-05-11:

04:45:05:

A series of tests have been completed and the Brunswick Pipeline is ready to start shipping and receiving. The Canaport LNG Terminal is just weeks away from being complete and Pipeline spokes-person Susan Harris tells CHSJ News, they still have some work to do in the area's where the pipeline was installed.

The mechanical work for the pipeline was completed back in February. The LNG terminal is scheduled to go on-line next month.

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Long Wharf Paper Shuffle Continues

2009-05-10

09:07:55

(Cruise ship docked at Long Wharf - file photo)

All sides involved continue to whittle away at the paperwork and various agreements needed to finalize the deal for Irving Oil's new corporate headquarters at Long Wharf.
Port Authority president - Captain Al Soppitt - tells CHSJ News the process is moving along slowly but surely -- but -- he's hoping it will all be finalized in the near future.
Irving is buying the former Lantic Sugar site from the city and will swap it with the Port Authority for some of the land needed for its complex at Long Wharf -- the rest of the land will be leased from the Port Authority for a 99-year period.
Ottawa must give its formal approval to the entire package.

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Energy Conference Begins Tomorrow

2009-05-10

08:51:23

The heavy hitters of the energy world are converging on Saint John for the next three days. The Provincial Energy Department and the Energy and Utilities Board welcome policy and regulatory makers from across North America to discuss what the future holds. Energy Minister Jack Keir tells CHSJ News, they are expecting a good crowd.

Some of the featured speakers include the Executive Vice-President of Enbridge Gas, the President of Repsol Energy Phillip Ribbeck and Premier Shawn Graham. Minister Keir will open the conference with a few words to the delegates tomorrow morning at the Delta. 
 

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Quispamsis Councilor Takes Home Top Prize

2009-05-10

08:50:23

The next time you run into Quispamsis Councilor Gary Clark, make sure you ask to see his new piece of hardware. Clark is sporting a championship ring from last weekends Three on Three Street Hockey Tournament. Clark scored the winning goal to lift the Vogue Optical team to the 35 and over competitive title.

Over 60 teams competed in the tournament......raising money for Mindcare New Brunswick. Clark says he and his team will be back to defend it's title. 

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Heritage Grant

2009-05-10

08:49:19

The city is getting some provincial cash to help beef up it's historic site directory.
The Department of Wellness, Culture and Health is giving the city a grant worth $75 thousand dollars.
The money will help register 70 new historic sites, bringing the total number up to 427.
The cash will also fund the development of a website for heritage landmarks.

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Heritage Walking Tours Planned

2009-05-10

08:48:08

The city's heritage architecture will be on display over the next couple of weeks with a series of walking tours and community meetings.
It's part of the Heritage Development Board's efforts to promote heritage awareness in the city.
The first walking tour is scheduled to go this afternoon in the Mount Pleasant Area with story teller and historian David Goss -- the walk gets underway at two from the Horticultural Gardens on Seeley Street -- rain date is tomorrow night.

Below is a complete list of the walks:

Mount Pleasant Area
Sunday - May10 - 2pm-330pm
Meet at Horticultural Gardens on Seeley Street
rain date Monday - May 11th at 7pm
Community Meeting Wednesday - May 13th - 7pm-9pm at the Rockwood Park Interpretation Center

The Old West Side
Sunday - May17 - 2pm-330pm
Meet at Carleton Community Center - Market Place
rain date Monday - May18 at 7pm
Community Meeting Wednesday - May 20th - 7pm-9pm at Parish Center of Our Lady of Assumption Church on Chapel Street

The Old North End
Sunday - May24 - 2pm-330pm
Meet at St Peter's Gate on Clarendon Street
rain date Monday - May25 at 7pm
Community Meeting Wednesday - May 27th - 7pm-9pm at St Luke's Anglican Church on Main Street

The South End
Sunday - May31 - 2pm-330pm
rain date Monday - June 01 at 7pm
Meet at St John-the-Baptist Church on Broad Street
Community Meeting Wednesday - June 3rd - 7pm-9pm at St John-the-Baptist Church on Broad Street

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Accident Sends Four To Hospital

2009-05-10

08:46:54

A single vehicle accident on Route 7 yesterday evening sent four people to the hospital.
The Jaws of Life were needed to get two passengers out of the car----none of the injuries are believed to be serious.
Details of what caused the crack up are still unknown, and the police accident reconstruction spent several hours examining the scene.
Charges are pending.

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