Big Cash for Mount Allison University

Students at Mount Allison University received good news today with Ottawa providing over $750,000 for upgrades at it's recreational facilities. Specifically, the project involves refurbishing the tennis courts, repairing the lighting system at the athletic field, improving the track, pool and change areas at the athletic centre.


No word on when construction will get started but has to be finished under terms of the deal by March.31st of next year.

Radio Station Renovations Continue

It's week two of our renovations at the radio stations here on King Street. Most of the walls are now in place and the electrical work continues. Both of the studios are taking shape as is the new look news-room and reception area. This is phase one of the two phase project with work expected to be finished by next month.


If you want to get a look at how things are coming along, just go to our website at country94.ca

Radio Renovations Part Two

Bike and Trails system for South End

The first of four open houses this week goes tonight in the South End. City Officials are looking for your feedback as they continue to map out a bikeways and trails plan for the area. There will be a formal presentation to get the meetings started to show some of the ideas they have been kicking around down at City Hall with a consultant. Tonight's meeting gets started at seven at the South End Community Center.

Postal Rates Increase

If you're heading to the Post Office to mail a letter today, remember to pack a little extra cash. Canada Post are increasing the cost of sending a first class letter within the country to 57 cents from 54, while letters going to the US will cost a dollar, which is an increase of two cents. Letters heading outside North America will rise by five cents to $1.70. Canada Post is attributing the rate increases as a measure to raise funds to buy new machinery.

More Debate on City Budget

After having the weekend to review and make notes, Common Council is reconvening tonight to go over the proposed 2010 operating budget. Last week, acting city manager Pat Woods presented the Mayor and Council with the preliminary numbers and says the top priority when drafting the budget was keeping the tax rate stable. The tax rate is neither increasing or decreasing at the rate of nearly $1.79.
The budget is sure to spark more debate at tonight's meeting getting underway at 6 o'clock in the council chambers.

New Medical School on Schedule

The new medical school at the UNB Saint John Campus is on schedule for it's September opening. Dr. John Steeves is the Associate Dean and tells CHSJ News, the first admissions interviews have taken place with a second round planned for next month in Halifax. Dr. Steeves is confident the medical program will generate plenty of interest in some of the graduating students wanting to stay and set up shop somewhere in the Province. He doesn't expect any difficulty in filling the 30 available seats.

Snowmobiling Fatality

A 16 year old boy is dead after a snowmobile accident over the weekend in Williamstown, between Miramichi and Bathurst. The RCMP say Devon O'Donnell died after his snowmobile crashed into a wire fence. His father was seriously injured but is expected to recover.

More Debate on Canadian Blood Services in Saint John

The debate over the future of Canadian Blood Services in Saint John resumes on the 21st. CBS officials are sitting down with the members of the Saint John Medical Society to discuss their decision to move the distribution center to Nova Scotia. Health Minister Mary Schryer says her support is behind the doctors.
The last comment we heard from Premier Graham on this issue was that the Province was exploring getting into the blood businesse on it's own if Canada Blood Services was firm in it's stance to re-locate to Dartmouth.

Lung Cancer in Saint John

The amount of carcinogens released into the atmosphere in Saint John is ten thousand times higher than releases in Fredericton and Moncton. So claims Inka Milewski, the science advisor and Director of Health Watch for the Conservation Council in a report on lung cancer. She tells CHSJ News more men in Saint John are susceptible by virtue of their jobs and the amount of carcinogens released into the air have risen since 1995.
Milewski says the greater Saint John Community Foundation's Vital Signs report did not contain this information from her second report.

Premier Threatens Legal Action Over Lepreau

Premier Shawn Graham is threatening to take the federal government to court over the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant. The Premier says his government will sue Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, unless Ottawa picks up the tab for the cost overruns of the 1.4-(b)-billion-dollar overhaul.
The refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant was supposed to be finished last September. The project is now 18 months behind schedule.

Councillor Thinks Enterprise Saint John Should Get Less Money

Councillor Bruce Court says a way to free up some money in the citys budget would be to decrease the amount of money allotted to Enterprise Saint John.

Court says when Chair Bob Manning criticized the District 8 school system in the media last month, he's bringing negative attention to the city.
Court says when the organization that is supposed to attract people to Saint John is publicly criticizing the education system, they should receive less money from the city.

Canadian Automobile Association Comments on New Phone Regulations

As Provincial officials continue to hash out whether or not there is a need for a law concerning using your cell-phone while behind the wheel, the Canadian Automobile Association is giving them some extra food for thought. Vice President Gary Howard tells CHSJ News, he agrees the hand held devices are a distraction but so are the hands free:

Howard adds CAA isn't advocating for everyone to get rid of their cellphones or Blackberrys but if it does ring when your driving, pull over, hit the four way flashers and then answer.

Health Minister Re-offering in September

[Mary Schryer---File Photo]
Expect to see Mary Schryer's name on the ballot in the fall Provincial Election. The Health Minister and MLA for Quispamsis tells CHSJ News, she is ready to re-offer and stands behind the record of her government since 2006:

As for concern about any backlash from the NB Power-Hydro Quebec proposal, Schryer adds it is a work in progress and the Graham Government continues to listen to feedback.

Busy Day for Saint John Fire Crews

A busy day for the Saint John Fire Crews yesterday.

Just before 10 yesterday morning crews responded to a riot at the Regional Correctional Facility on the Old Black River Road. Crews remained on site for a part of the day.
Sixteen prisoners barricaded themselves into a unit of the jail, then went on a rampage that caused extensive damage.


A spokeswoman for the province's Department of Public Safety says no one was hurt in the incident.
Then just after 11 o'clock last night fire crews responded to a structure fire at 83 Sussex Drive.
When crews arrived at the 24 unit apartment building people were evacuating, and smoke was visible.
After a quick investigation it was determined the smoke was caused by a cooking fire. There were no injuries.

Garden Street Fire

Five people are homeless after a fire ripped through their uptown home early this morning.

The fire began around 3 am on Garden Street, and is resulting in one woman being sent to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
The Canadian Red Cross is providing emergency hotel accommodations for three people, while an elderly couple living in one unit will be staying with relatives.
No word on what sparked the blaze, but the fire is under investigation.

One Councillor Doesn't Expect Tolls to Be Lifted Off Harbour Bridge

[Councillor Chris Titus----File Photo]

One city councillor doesn't expect the tolls on the Harbour Bridge to be dissappearing anytime soon.

Chris Titus says whoever is suggesting removing the tolls should be ready to take responsiblity for maintaining the bridge.
In the last federal election, Saint John M-P Rodney Weston used removing the tolls at the Harbour Bridge as a campaign platform.

14 New Auxiliary Police Constables

The City Police Force is getting some help. 14 new auxiliary police constables will be sworn in at a ceremony today at the Trade and Convention Center. The training consisted of eight weeks going over the criminal code, use of force, weapons training, cpr and community policing.

Judge William McCarroll will swear in the new officers. Police Chief Bill Reid and Mayor Ivan Court will be on hand for the ceremony as well. Things get started at 9:15 in the Loyalist Room.

Snow Removal Efforts Continue

Municipal Operations in Saint John are putting in some over-time this weekend. Crews will be out tomorrow trying to get rid of the excess snow from last weekend's storm. They will be on both sides of Rothesay Avenue from Russell Street to the Highway 1 interchange. Also Main Street West, Church Avenue and Manawagonish Road.

One lane of Rothesay Avenue will be closed during the work so expect delays.

US Ambassador Suggests New Border Be Used As Model

[New Border Crossing in St.Stephen/Calais---Photo by Lisa Gullison]

The United States Ambassador to Canada says all border crossings should follow the St. Stephen/Calais example.
David Jacobson says the new state of the art building should be looked at as a model for other crossings.
He says other borders should look at the environmental standards used as well.
The crossing was building of natural wood products, and recycled materials, and produdes zero greenhouse gas emissions.