$30 Million From The Province For School Improvements

The province announcing 30 million dollars for school improvement projects.
District 6 will receive $1.8 million for 8 projects including a roof replacement at Quispamsis Elementary and flooring and masonry work at K.V. High.

The biggest price tag is $770 thousand dollars for work on the ventilation system, washroom upgrade and more at Sussex Regional High school.

In the Saint John area, District 8 gets over $1.9 million for 9 projects at 12 schools.  The largest being $455,000 for work on the exterior walls at Bayside Middle, Bayview and St. John the Baptist and King Edward schools.

Over 1.2 million dollars is set aside for improvements in District 10.
The projects include a roof replacement at Back Bay elementary and Campobello Island consolidated school and a heating system upgrade for St. Stephen elementary.
It also includes $190, 000 for weatherizing and other work at St. George and Vincent Massey elementary schools and St. Stephen middle and high schools.

Business Confidence Falls In Province

Small businesspeople in the province aren't feeling good these days. 19 per cent of small and mid sized businesses plan to cut fulltime staffing over the next three to four months.

The Director of Provincial Affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business Andrea Bourgeois tells CHSJ News the pessimism is based on more than just perceptions. She describes the economy as soft with employers not expecting to see alot of business growth due to weak consumer demand.

Bourgeois does concede all the attention that has been paid to the provincial government's financial woes hasn't helped boost confidence.

In its pre-budget survey, most of the more than 300 respondents would like to see the province control its spending and move towards balanced budgets.

Police Chief Welcomes New Program To Rid Neighbourhoods Of Troublemakers

The SCAN programme, a provincial initiative, designed to make neighbourhoods safer has been well received by both Common Council and Police Chief Bill Reid. The new legislation allows people who cause trouble or break the law to be evicted.

Reid says this has nothing to do with his department although officers will help out if a situation is deemed to be potentially dangerous but the big benefit is information about those who are causing the trouble.

The chief concedes this new unit can act alot faster than police can because the legal restraints are not as strict.

A Snow Ban Is On For The South/Central Peninsula Tonight

The dig out carries on after 25 centimetres of snow fell with more snow in store for us this weekend.
The City issuing a temporary overnight snow ban for the South/Central peninsula from 11pm tonight to 7am tomorrow morning.  Parking on the street is not allowed anywhere in the south central peninsula and vehicles remaining on the street will be towed. Communications Manager Nancy Moar tells CHSJ news the notifications are done as required by the Saint John traffic by-law.
She says the by-law states they have to set up a line so people can call 658-4040 to see if a ban has been declared.   She adds they also get the word out through news releases to local media and through advertising.

You can move your vehicle to one of five snow ban lots located on King Street East, Peters Street, Carmarthen Street at the Vineyard Church, Mecklenburg Street at Wentworth Street and at the corner of Princess and Charlotte Streets.
Vehicles can be moved there at 6pm tonight but, must be out 7am tomorrow morning.
The last time a ban was issued on January 23rd, more than 50 vehicles were towed.
For more info, click here

Cleanup Underway After Another Major Snowstorm

Morning commuters are being advised by police to drive with extreme caution as you make your way into work in the aftermath of the latest weather maker to batter Saint John.

The plows have been working non-stop but road conditions are still described as very slippery.

Some places in the region got as much as 45 centimeters of snow while Saint John recorded about 25 centimeters with more falling in the Valley.

Meantime, the long range forecast from Environment Canada is calling for periods of snow on Sunday and again next Tuesday.

First Candidate Announces For Vacant Seat At Quispamsis Council

Former telecommunications manager Barry Farnsworth throwing his hat into the ring for the vacant seat on Quispamsis Council.

The seat was formerly held by Gerry Maher who resigned on December 21st.

Farnsworth tells CHSJ News he wants to give back to his community and would like to see a more regional approach to recreation in the valley.

Gas Prices Continuing To Rise

Gas prices are on the rise after the weekly setting........The maximum price for self serve regular rose by a cent a litre to $1.12.5 and the max for diesel is up by just under two cents to$1.25.1.

The prices charged at the pump are usually a few cents cheaper than the maximums.

Heating oil also rose by almost two cents a litre and is listed at $1.07.6.

Dedicated Fans Show Up In A Snowstorm To Support Memorial Cup Bid

Some die-hard Sea Dogs fan braving the elements to attend a Rally at Brunswick Square aimed at bringing the Memorial Cup to Saint John next year.


Dogs brass announcing that community leader John Travis will be chair for the tournament and the 2012 logo was also revealed.

It showcases Martello Tower and military personnel past and present.
The selection committee visits on the 9th with a decision coming in the spring.  To see video of the rally...go to country94.ca and click video.

The City Is On Storm Watch

City of Saint John crews are out in force, clearing snow and ice and people are reminded to be patient on the ride home.
They suggest motorists keep the conditions in mind and slow down when necessary.
The City’s Winter Operations Centre is open and will remain activated into the night to manage the response to the storm.
You are asked to help your neighbours and the City by using any off-street parking to ensure efficient snow plowing and snow removal.
For more information about the City's storm response click here
In the meantime, City police are warning of terrible road conditions today with visibility of only 200 metres in some cases.

Meterologist Says The Worst Is Yet To Come

Despite what the groundhogs are predicting, an early spring couldn't seem farther away on a day like this.

Up to 25 cm's of snow are on the the way making the commute treacherous this afternoon.
Claude Cote of Environment Canada tells CHSJ News everyone will also have to contend with strong winds to 60 kilometres per hour causing reduced visibility.

He says by midnight there will be more than 15 centimetres on the ground and conditions will slowing start to improve after midnight will some flurries and drifting snow. He expects it will be tomorrow morning before it's all said and done.
Earlier today, the Saint John airport had 31 centimetres of snow on the ground where the normal for this time of year is 15 centimetres.

YM-YWCA Announces Award Winners

The Saint John YM-YWCA announcing this year's recipients of the Red Triangle and Leader to Watch Award.

The Red Triangle award is given to an individual with a long history of community service.

This year's recipient is Dale Knox and he tells CHSJ News it's important for him to use the distinction to be an ambassador for the Y.

The Leader to Watch award going to UNBSJ science student Taryn O'Neill for her youth-related volunteer work.

The awards will be given out at a gala on April 6th.  For tickets, call 506 634 4937.

Canadian Taxpayers Federation Agrees With Auditor-General

Criticism about government spending by the provincial auditor-general being welcomed by the Atlantic Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

Kevin Lacey tells CHSJ News the M-L-A's gold plated pension plan is one of the reasons the province finds itself facing a fiscal crisis.

Lacey says the previous Liberal government increased spending from 2006 and 2007 by an unprecedented 1.7 billion dollars, an increase of over 20 per cent, which he calls reckless and unsustainable.

Issue of Bilingualism Arises At Police Meeting

The Saint John Police Commission has decided spending 75 hundred dollars a year translating its documents into French is a wise use of its money regardless of how many people actually take the time to read them.

In these times of budget constraints, Chris Waldshutz, who chairs the Police Commission, questions whether the money could be better spent.

The newest member of the Police Commission, Jonathon Franklin, who just retired as publisher of the Telegraph Journal calls this issue  "a political minefield" and the rest of the police commission went along with that deciding to let the matter drop.

One member did express surprise if anyone bothered to read the minutes from the police commission in either English or French.

Drunk Driving Victim Pays It Forward

A 16-year-old girl who lost her parents after a crash involving a drunk driver is paying it forward.
Kaylie O'Dell gives presentations to youth about the consequences of drunk driving.
Her grandfather, Rick McNulty tells CHSJ News Mothers Against Drunk Driving was very supportive in the aftermath of their tragedy.    He says they vowed that after the man who was charged and convicted in their case that they would get involved with MADD and try to do something about it.
McNulty is now the Saint John and area chapter president for Madd Canada.
A public service announcement featuring Kaylie O'Dell telling her story is airing on televison in Atlantic Canada. For more information, click here.

Storm Causing Flight Cancellations

The latest winter storm is playing havoc with airline schedules both here and other points in eastern and central Canada.  
A number of flights at the Saint John airport have been canceled today - for the latest flight information go here and scroll down the page for Arrivals and Departures.

Police And Fire Busy With Crashes

Slippery road conditions being blamed for a pickup leaving Highway 7 just before the exit towards Grand Bay-Westfield exit while travelling northbound last night. The fire department telling us four people were trapped inside but were not injured.


Two people were injured and had to be taken on hospital earlier after two vehicles crashed into one another at 330 Rothesay Avenue.

A 45 year old Perth-Andover man, Kenneth Goodine has been identified as the truck driver who died after his transport left the intersection of Highway 3 and Route 127 at Lawrence Station Monday afternoon and wound up in a ditch.

Powdered fertilizer was spilled which prompted an evacuation of the immediate area as a safety precaution.

Sea Dogs Cup Rally Goes This Evening

The Sea Dogs want you to show your Sea Dogs' spirit as the team will be hosting a public rally in support of their bid to host the 2012 Memorial Cup.

The rally will be filmed and be shown to the selection committee when they arrive in town on February 9th.
Sea Dogs president Wayne Long tells CHSJ News the a lot of work has been down to try to get the cup to Saint John.
The team will also announce the chair of the tournament committee -- Long keeping mum but says it's a well-respected community leader.



The rally gets started at 5:30pm at Brunswick Square.

Police Reach Tentative Deal

A tentative agreement on a new contract has been reached with the Saint John Police Association.


That word coming from Police Chief Bill Reid.

If that happens, the Chief says the deal will be presented to the police commission for its approval.

Mall Expansion Gets Green Light

Retail growth continues with Common Council approving a 5900 square metre expansion to McAllister place.


Lawton's already has plans for some of the space with an expansion.

McAllister Place recently finished with millions of dollars worth of renovations.

Saint John To Get Hammered By Groundhog Day Storm

All schools in Districts 6, 8 and 10 along with Samuel de Champlain in District 1 are closed for the day because the Groundhog Day storm coming our way looks to be the worst of the winter so far.

Environment Canada's Andy Firth tells CHSJ News the Saint John region will get something like 30 centimeters accompanied by winds gusting to 50 kilometers an hour.

Firth expects it will taper off in the overnight hours. There will be less snow the further north you get.

Driving conditions were slick and are being blamed for a pickup going off Highway One northbound just before the Grand Bay-Westfield exit and winding up on its side early last night. 4 people were trapped inside. The fire department says they did not sustain any injuries.

Earlier, two vehicles collided with eachother at 330 Rothesay Avenue, injuring two people. They were taken to hospital for treatment.