The Port City is about to get greener. After a dilapidated building is demolished at 60 Jack street, the city will be putting topsoil and slow-growing grass seeds on the lot to make it less of an eyesore.
It's the first round of a pilot project that councillor John Mackenzie came up with, and he tells CHSJ News that so many lots in the city, particularly in the North end where vacant buildings have been torn down or burnt down, are just left the way they are. And that this project is a way to beautify the area.
He tells us at first, the reception from city staff was lukewarm because they thought it would be too expensive and high maintenance. But MacKenzie says after they started researching ways to implement the project, they decided it would be a worthwhile venture.
They'll be using a slow-growing grass seed on the lots, and the cost to put those seeds and topsoil down depends on the size, but each one will run between one to two thousand dollars on average.
It might seem like a harmless childhood prank to some; however, the St Andrews RCMP is warning the public that so-called "bottle bombs" are serious business.
The RCMP is investigating reports that as many as five "bottle bombs" were set off in a residential area of the seaside village. Remnants from one of the devices indicated that plastic bottles were used to create the explosions.
Sgt. Robert MacKnight warns the public that it's more than a prank, and people caught setting them off could face criminal charges such as mischief, endangering life, or arson.
If you enjoy spending time in nature in our provincial parks, you're going to have fewer weeks to do so this summer.
The province announced over 2 million dollars in cuts to the Department of Tourism, Culture and Wellness.
That will mean parks and visitor information centers will be open for fewer weeks this spring and summer.
The parks will open and close as follows:
● Herring Cove: May 31 to Sept. 29;
● New River: May 17 to Sept. 22;
● Sugarloaf: May 17 to Sept. 29;
● De la République: May 31 to Sept. 2;
● Parlee Beach: May 31 to Sept. 2;
● Murray Beach: May 31 to Sept. 8;
● Mactaquac: May 17 to Sept. 29; and
● Mount Carleton: May 15 to Sept. 2.
Sussex RCMP have identified the body found yesterdayin a vehicle parked in the woods near the Carsonville Road in Smiths Creek.
The body is that of 49-year-old Robin White, who was wanted by Sussex RCMP in connection with a stabbing of a woman on February 27.
An autopsy has been completed and the cause of his death isn't considered suspicious.
Uptown Saint John is looking for your help designing a logo for a new bike route linking the uptown and UNBSJ Campus.
Anne McShane of Green Feet tells CHSJ News anyone and everyone can enter the "Give Us A Sign" Contest to promote the soon-to-be-built route, called the Campus Harbour Connection.
First Prize is $250 gift certificate to Bike Works and your artwork used along the bike route Campus Harbour Connection. Second and third prizes will be donated from Uptown Saint John and Bike Works. The winner will be chosen by a panel from Active Transportation Saint John, the City of Saint John and Bike Works. Among the aims of the contest are to raise awareness of the route and give the community an opportunity to get involved.
The bike route is expected to be finished by fall of this year.
You can submit entries until May 17th to Info@uptownsj.com or call 633-9797 for more information.
The province's doctors are taking the Alward government to court.
The New Brunswick Medical Society is saying they've lost trust in the Tories as a result of Medicare cuts and a long line of "disrespected" written agreements. The signed agreement the government is allegedly refusing to honour binds doctors to a 0% fee increase and lasts through this year. The society says the lawsuit stems mainly from unilateral cuts Medicare, violating that agreement and their commitment to 0%.
New Brunswick Medical Society President Dr Robert Desjardins tells CHSJ News the history of clashes between the NB government and its doctors could be scaring off medical professionals who would otherwise want to practice here.
The last time the Medical Society pursued legal action against the province was in 2009 against the Liberals--and on the campaign trail the Tories had promised never to let that happen again.
More people turned out for a Meet the Ward 3 Candidates forum in the south end than expected although there was no debate. Each of the candidates got a chance to make their pitch and then answered questions.
Former Deputy Mayor Michelle Hooten says she would not be in favour of getting rid of Enterprise Saint John but Anne Marie Mullin argues the city has to be more aggressive in attracting new businesses and jobs and Brian Boyd maintains there has to be more accountability.
Allen Leslie coming out against a 4-Plex ice surface at Long Wharf, claiming it would kill the uptown. Gerry Lowe also expressing his reservations with the worry that the neighbourhood arenas would be killed and would there be enough parking if the Sea Dogs, for instance, are playing at Harbour Station. Graeme Stewart-Robertson says he's in favour of a multi-ice surface but the big question is whether Long Wharf is the right location.
Hooten says people want value for their tax dollars. Mullin argues the city's unionised workers will have to give a little because the city doesn't have any money and Lowe is suggesting the city, in its contract negotiations, should never opt for arbitration like it did with the firefighters.
Lowe, Mullin, Hooten and Barb Ellemberg all touting their business experience.
One of the candidates Mark LeBlanc did not show up saying he didn't like the format because there was no debate among the candidates themselves.
Another Meet the Candidates Forum will be held tonight at the Carleton Community Centre with a starting time of 6:30.
A 51 year old man armed with a machete was arrested by Rothesay Regional Police on the Marr Road.
Police tell CHSJ News he was threatening his girlfriend in a car outside the Superstore in the parking lot but was disarmed and arrested without anyone being injured.
The man, whose name can't be released until he's formally charged will be appearing in court today.
Several charges are expected to be laid including assault with a weapon, forcible confinement and uttering threats.
Final arguments have been this afternoon on whether or not to release more information from the Richard Oland search warrants.
While the representatives of certain interested parties int he case called for a moratorium on the so-called "never-ending barrage" of media coverage, media lawyer David Coles tells CHSJ News enough will only be enough when the public is satisfied the police and judiciary have done their jobs.
A decision on whether to overturn the publication ban imposed by Chief Judge R. Leslie Jackson must be made within 6 months, but it's expected to take much less time than that.
The Sussex RCMP are investigating the discovery of a body inside a vehicle in the woods near the Carsonville Road in Smiths Creek.
Today shortly after 1:30 p.m. Sussex RCMP were called by a person working in the woods who came across an abandoned vehicle with a body inside.
The RCMP's Forensic Identification Section and Coroner's Office are assisting in the investigation.An autopsy will be performed.
Methamphetamine and cash being seized at a home close to Florenceville-Bristol after police executed a search warrant.
A 38-year-old man was arrested and then later released. He'll be making an appearance in court in connection with the drug bust.
With Atlantic Potash talking about building a fertilizer production plant in McAllister Industrial Park, it's hard not to think about the issue of safety given the recent explosion at a fertilizer plant in West Texas that killed at least 14 people and injured more than 200.
Mayor Mel Norton tells CHSJ News that plant had serious safety issues and that Saint John prides itself on complying with regulations. He says that safety is the top concern for any industrial facility.
Norton echoed statements made by councilor Ray Strowbridge, saying that even if a situation did arise, the emergency response team is well-equipped to handle it.
Keeping information from the searches in the Richard Oland murder investigation sealed has been compared to George Orwell's novel "1984". That comparison being made by media lawyer David Coles.
He's arguing the names of those people searched should be broadcast and would not harm the investigation or their reputations. In any event, Coles says anyone with 90 dollars can buy copies of the search warrants and get the information about who was searched.
Coles has told the hearing we have a terrible situation where a prominent person has been murdered, no has been charged and maybe no ever will be arrested. He maintains there is legitimate public concern about why.
Coles maintains to keep the sealed information in the search warrants under wraps poses a greater risk to the administration of justice telling the court attempting to put genies back into bottles puts the justice system into disrepute.
Whether it's paying for somebody's coffee or letting someone cut in front of you in line, small acts of kindness can have a big impact.
That's the idea behind the Pay it Forward initiative, and the founder of Saint John's chapter, Michael Whelton, tells CHSJ News that if Saint Johners can band together and do good deeds for one another, it will make the city a better place to live. He tells us he believes that Saint John has the potential to become one of the kindest cities in the country.
Council declaring the week of April 22 to April 29 Pay it Forward Week in the city, while global Pay it Forward Day is coming up this Thursday. A flag raising event is planned for 8am that day on King Street.
The Saint John Police Force, Major Crime Unit, is looking for public assistance in locating a missing person.
Yeonhee Choi, 45 years old, was reported missing after leaving her residence on Prince Street, West Saint John on April 22nd, 2013 at 6:00 a.m.
She is described as being:
Korean
Petite - 5'4" tall
Short dark hair (may be slightly darker now than in picture but same style)
Both ears have two piercings in them
Black or brown leather jacket waist length
Wearing black tights, black boots, which go about halfway up the calve of the leg
Dark or black knit style sweater, possibly carrying a black knapsack
The Saint John Police Force is asking anyone who has any information in relation to this missing person to contact the Saint John Police Force at 506-648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can also provide information anonymously on the NB Crime Stoppers website: www.crimenb.ca
Rothesay Regional Police reporting an arrest has been made in the assault of an employee at Tim Horton's by a customer.
On February 7th, 2013 a video was posted of the assault. That video generated several tips which resulted in the lead investigator identifying the suspect.
A 48 year-old man is scheduled to appear in court on several charges.
Traffic is disrupted by a transport truck on fire along Highway one westbound just outside Sussex.
The fire was reported between 6:30 and 7 this morning.
The Transport is pretty much a write off. Traffic had been disrupted but is now back to normal.
The RCMP in Oromocto looking for some help in finding whomever stole a front loader from a construction site near the new Highway 8 in Taymouth and caused thousands of dollars damage to highway road signs and blockades.
At one point, a concrete barrier was lifted over an overpass and dropped on a secondary road below. The front loader was abandoned in the woods near Penniac.
Police believe the front loader was stolen sometime between April 12th and the 14th.
Capital Region Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000.00 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for this, or any other crime.
You can contact the RCMP at 506-357-4300 or 1-888-506-RCMP (7267) or anonymously through Crime Stoppers online at crimenb.ca or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
A house fire early this morning destroying a vacant home on Ocean Drive. The blaze reported shortly after 4:00.
Fire crews could see the flames burning away as they made their way to the fire. The house was fully ablaze and burned to the ground.
Two other buildings that are close by were scorched. 7 people in the nearby homes had to be evacuated.
There had been a previous fire in the same vacant home recently.
Two people were sent to hospital after their car wound up on its side along Beacon Street yesterday afternoon. The two were trapped inside and the fire department had to get them out through the car's roof.
Saint Johners will soon be able to grab grub from restaurants on wheels, though the food trucks won't be parked on city streets.
Mayor Mel Norton says a bylaw needs to be changed before mobile vendors are allowed on the streets, and that won't happen by the summer. In the interim, they're letting local entrepreneurs know about privately-owned land they can lease. This way, businesses can get up and running when the hot weather hits.
Canadian franchise, Beavertails, will be parked on private property at the bottom of King Street this summer. Norton says they expect food trucks to be on the streets by the 2014 season.
