NB Power is on Stand By

NB Power is also on on stand-by for what-ever this weather system might bring. Spokes-person Heather McLean tells CHSJ News, freezing rain gives the public utility plenty of grief in many ways:

McLean adds knock on wood, the winter hasn't been all that bad but it is still January and winter is far from over.

Saint John Energy Ready for Bad Weather

Saint John Energy crews are on stand-by with rain, freezing rain and high winds in the forecast for the next 24 hours. President Eric Marr tells CHSJ News, with gusts expected to reach up to 90km/hour, crews are told to use best discretion if any climbing is necessary:
Marr adds so far this winter, Saint John Energy has been lucky with no major power outages because of storms.

City Works Crews Ready for Winter Blast Today

With 30mm's of rain in the forecast and plenty of snow left-over from last weeks storm, the concern for many home-owners is flooding. City Works Crews have been out all weekend breaking down piles and making sure strom drains are clear. Deputy Commissioner of Municipal Operations Kevin Rice tells CHSJ News, so far, this winter compared with the previous two, hasn't been that bad:

Rice says the City has several area's of concern when it comes to flooding and drainage including Glen Falls, Millidgeville and the West Side.

District 6 Superintendent Stands Behind School Closure Decision

[Superintendent Zoe Watson----File Photo]

Officials in District Six say the threat of ice pellets early this morning was their reasoning for shutting down schools for the day. Superintendent Zoe Watson tells CHSJ News, it's not perfect but they do the best they can with what they have:

This is the first storm day of the 2009-2010 school year for District Six and Watson says thats much better than last year when they had eight or nine.

District 8 Receives Feedback on School Closure

[Superintendent Susan Tipper---File Photo]

Officials in District Eight are taking some heat from parents who are asking..."Why was school cancelled?" With freezing rain in the forecast for the early morning run, officials felt it was the right call as there were a pair of accidents involving school buses during last weeks snow storm. Superintendent Susan Tipper tells CHSJ News, they made a mistake last week.
Tipper adds high school exams were scheduled to get started today so that made the decision twice as tough. This is the first storm day cancellation of this school year for the district.

Charlotte County Hospital Gets Provincial Funding

[Premier Shawn Graham----File Photo]

Premier Graham showed up in St. Stephen today with a cheque for close to $1.4 million dollars to set up a satellite dialysis unit at the Charlotte County Hospital. The money will allow a new dialysis unit with five hemodialysis stations operating three days a week, 12 hours per day, with a capacity to serve 10 patients.

It should be up and running by early next year.

RCMP Raid in Sussex

The RCMP in Sussex have arrested a 52 year old man after searching a home on Manitoba Road In Searsville. They seized three weapons that were not secured properly and a quantity of marijuana. The person arrested will make a court appearance later.

They're also investigating the theft of 6 winter jackets and parkas from a store on Main Street in Sussex. The coats were valued at more than 14 hundred dollars.

Fire in Sussex

A vehicle and garage were destroyed by fire yesterday in Knightville. Sussex RCMP along with the Petitcodiac and the Havelock Fire Departments were called to a home on the Knightville Road yesterday afternoon just after two o'clock. A 72-year old man was working on his Cavalier when it caught fire. No charges will be laid.

Sussex RCMP are still looking into a crash on Saturday involving two snow-mobiles. It was just after three in the afternoon when they were called to an area near Tennants Cove to find a 43-year old man from Rothesay hit a 40-year old man from Quispamsis on the Saint John River. Both were treated at the hospital but officers think one or both of the drivers may have been drinking.

Break and Enters Around the City

The major Crime Unit is on the case after several break and enters were reported over the weekend and this morning. In all cases, the front doors were smashed open at Vivaldi's and Stirling Apples on Rothesay Avenue, J-F Taylor on Bayside Drive, I-C-S Courier Services on Industrial Drive and Maritime Industrial Machines. Police suspect those responsible were looking for cold cash because nothing was taken.

NB Power Board of Directors Supports New Deal

The NB Power Power board of directors fully support the sale of it's assets to Hydro Quebec.

The board received a full briefing on the revised deal on Friday, and say under the proposed arrangement power rates for residents will be lower than the utility could set them.
In supporting the deal, the board recognizes the change and corporate re-organization raises concerns for customers and employees, and it's the board and managements responsibility to work closely with employees when facing these challenges.

Nursing Home Workers Ratify New Contract

About 4 thousand nursing home workers in the province have a new deal with big raises. Under the four-year contract just ratified, some workers will receive more than a 30 per cent increase. The average wage hike over the life of the contract is 22 per cent. The contract also includes better job security. The New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions says the deal achieves wage parity with hospital workers who provide similar services in the province.

Premier In St. Stephen Talking Health and Senior Care

Premier Shaun Graham kicks off the new work week with a stop in St. Stephen. He will deliver a speech at Lincourt Manor to discuss the impact of the recently delivered budget on health and senior care around the Province. This includes new details about infrastructure, program investments, and labour issues. Things gets started at ten o'clock. Before arriving in St. Stephen, the Premier will make a quick stop in St. Andrews to present a New Brunswick flag to a family who has recently moved back to the Province. That gets started at nine.

New Grand Manan Ferry

A news conference is scheduled for this afternoon that will give us an update on the new Grand Manan ferry. $65 million dollars was set aside for the new vessel back in the spring of last year by a boat building firm in Florida. The new ferry will have a capacity for 82 vehicles and will replace the current 25 vehicle ferry.
The 60 vehicle vessel will remain on the water with the new ferry to be finished by next year. Today's news conference gets started at one o'clock at Grand Manan School with Premier Graham and Fisheris Minister Rick Doucet taking part.

Sargeant Gallagher makes His Final Trip Home

Sgt. Mark Gallagher makes his final trip home tomorrow (Monday, Jan.25th/2010.) After being killed in the Haiti earthquake, his body will arrive at the Moncton Airport tomorrow afternoon at 2:15pm. The ramp ceremony is closed to the public but media is permited on the tarmac.

Gallagher's body will then be escorted to Woodstock where his funeral will be held. First Responders including RCMP, municipal police and other emergency personnell will set-up a “Highway of Heroes” along the Trans Canada Highway to pay their respects at various locations. An RCMP Regimental Funeral will be held on Thursday in Woodstock.

Protest in Uptown Saint John

                 (Protestors in Front of City Market)
                        (Photo by Dave Briggs)

Close to 60 people braved the cold to take part in a rally yesterday in front of the City Market. They carried signs and chanted against Prime Minister Harper's decision to shut down Parliment until March. Joan Pearce is the organizer and tells CHSJ News, the Harper Conservatives have become quite arrogrant.


Pearce adds she really wants to work on changing how we vote and see if more young people will start to come out and cast a ballot. Other demonstrations were held across Atlantic Canada including Moncton, Fredericton, Charloteetown and Halifax.

Small Building Fire in Uptown Saint John

Nobody hurt and damage was minimal after City Fire Crews were called to a building in the uptown this morning. It was just after 4:30am when they arrived at 149 MeckLenburg Street to find a hallway full of smoke. A few of the tenants had the small fire under control and the building was evacuated to air it out.

 City Police did take one person away in handcuffs but no word at this point whether charges will be laid.

Supply and Services Releases It's Budget

(Supply and Services Minister Ed Doherty)
               (File Photo)

The provincial government is deciding how to spend it's $386 million dollars worth of design and construction projects for this year. Supply and Services Minister Ed Doherty says most of the spending will be towards the Education, Health and Traning and Labour portfolios in an effort to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

New investments include $3.8 million to upgrade the province's network of radio towers, which support the communications system for emergency first responders and $4.75 million for various improvements to Supply and Services buildings. The departments regular account budget is up 2.5 per cent this year compared to last.

Emergency Measures Releases Survey

The results of a baseline survey on Emergency Preparedness in Saint John were released this week. Murielle Provost of EMO tells CHSJ News, the survey found most people turn to the radio first in a crisis.


The survey also found 95 per cent of Saint Johners think the city has a responsibility to prepare for emergencies.

Green Party Continues It's Search for Candidates

(Green Party Leader Jack McDougall)
                (File Photo)

The Green Party continues the fight against the sale of NB Power to Hydro Quebec. It released it's energy platform earlier this week and Leader Jack McDougall tells CHSJ News, the focus right now isn't getting wrapped up in winning seats but having enough candidates.


McDougall says one thing he isn't doing is counting out Premier Graham who is very resilient.

Mayor Court Puts Out the Call for Saint Johner's to Vote

(Saint John Mayor Ivan Court)
         (File Photo)

Mayor Court is asking everyone to vote repeatedly to get Saint John on the new Canadian city edition of Monopoly. Ivan Court says as the countries first incorporated city, we should be the best property on the board and that is Boardwalk.

The Mayor is suggesting everyone log onto the Hasbro website and vote often, and repeatedly. The game is scheduled to be released this summer. To cast a vote check out our website country94.ca for the link