2009-05-14
17:40:22
There are nearly seven thousand NB power customers without electricity at this hour as a result of strong winds knocking down polls and power lines. Spokesperson Heather MacLean says there are currently 122 separate incidents but crews continue to work at restoring power.
She says restoration times will vary throughout the province as conditions change.
2009-05-14
17:14:13
Opposition members are skeptical that a new bill introduced in the legislature today will be passed. The provincial Conservatives have introduced proposed legislation that would allow desperate mothers to leave unwanted newborns at the hospital up to 72 hours after giving birth without fear of prosecution. Rothesay MLA, Margaret An Blaney tells CHSJ News government has supported the bill in principal but it doesn't look like it will get past second reading because of the complexity of the issue.
Any babies left at an emergency room would be turned over to the care of the province and likely be put on the foster or adoption list. Blaney says if this bill doesn't go forward, she hopes government can work together to come up with a replacement.
2009-05-14
17:11:37
Members of the New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women will be lobbying municipal governments to introduce pay equity for municipal employees. Chair, Elsie Hambrook tells CHSJ news they will be meeting with councils in the coming months to deliver a presentation on pay equity.
Pay equity involves not only equal pay for both men and women for the same work--but--also bumping traditional women's jobs to the same pay level as jobs traditionally held by men. So far Quispamsis and Memramcook are the only two municipalities in the province who have completely implemented a pay equity policy for their staff.
2009-05-14
12:42:45
Like most arena's across North America......Quispamsis is offering up naming rights for the Q-Plex to a corporation. Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News, the price is one million dollars.
The current price tag of the Q-Plex is $2.8 million dollars over budget and Driscoll says if a sponsor can be found, this certainly can keep the original design in tact. Also up for naming rights at the new arena is the pool area, dog park, playground, walking track and conference center.
2009-05-14
12:41:51
The Department of Transportation is performing an inspection on the Kennebecasis River bridge near Hampton today. This after a tractor trailer hit a clearance beam on the structure yesterday on Route 121. Andrew Holland with DOT tells CHSJ news the beam served its purpose.
RCMP tell us the driver is not pleased because he says his tractor is well below the posted height 4.1 meter limit which is shown on the sign of the structure. Holland with DOT says drivers should pay close attention to the signs and he's not sure why the trucker was confused about the clearance. The driver wasn't hurt but one of the beams of the bridge is bent.
2009-05-14:
04:34:48:
Alot of people walked away from last night's meeting, frustrated they didn't get the answer they were looking for. Lori Gale lives on Wedgewood Drive which is situated right behind a portion of the un-developed land on Millenium Drive. She tells CHSJ News, this proposal is no different than what they were shown in 2007 and calls for more public consultation have gone un-answered.
Residents do have until the 26th of next month to voice their approval or dis-pleasure with the proposal by letter or e-mail to the Town Hall. Gale says she isn't against development on Millenium Drive just not major commerical....something more along the line of lower density commercial.
2009-05-14:
04:33:53:
A public presentation by Town staff in Rothesay last night was well attended. Over 50 home-owners showed up to hear what the draft proposal for the Municipal Plan looks like. Many residents expressed concern over future development along Millenium Drive and near the Riverside Golf Course and what impact it would have on those homes already in the areas. Gay Drescher is the Director of Development Services and tells CHSJ News, there are no proposals for either area on the table.
Drescher says any development will be encouraged in the most appropriate manner and it doesn't have to be commercial, it can be residential. The next step in the process is to go over the findings, gather public input, a public hearing and then a vote by council.
2009-05-14:
04:32:38:
It's up and close to what most predicted. The Energy and Utilities Board has released it's weekly price schedule which shows the maximum for a litre of self-serve is 93.7 which is up just over four cents from a week ago. Rick Demoan owns the Shell Service station on Campbell Drive in Rothesay and tells CHSJ News, he never put alot of faith into gas prices spiking for a Long Weekend.
Propane is up over a penny at 82 cents and furnace oil is up almost three cents at 70.9.
2009-05-13
23:52:07
Budget cuts are in the air for School District 6.
Superintendent Zoe Watson says she isn't sure the full extent of programs, or resources that are on the chopping block---and she says it's never easy to make those decisions.
Watson says one program that will be greatly reduced is the mentoring of young teachers. Previously teachers beginning their careers would take an afternoon to shadow a more seasoned teacher---and would receive feedback on issues that are not taught in university.
Other cuts include librarians, and intervention workers.
2009-05-13
23:30:00
School District 8 is considering cutting out all summer programs, slashing the number of school bus routes and reducing the number of library assistants. All this is in anticipation of an expected one million dollar cut in the districts 2009-2010 budget. Director of Finance and Administration, Chris Toole tells CHSJ News there are several layoffs on the way--but-- he doesn't know the exact number until the province announces the official budget. Toole says the districts declining enrollment alone has meant 180 thousand dollars less in provincial funding this year. The total 2008-2009 budget was 90.5 million dollars.
Library Assistant at Forest Hills Elementary School, Alice Hayward says she expects half of the 10 existing library assistant positions in the district will be eliminated--and--that will hurt students.
Meanwhile, Chair of the District 8 Education Council, Rob Fowler tells CHSJ news he is confident staff can come back with a spending plan for the upcoming school year that will have the smallest impact on students. Fowler says the danger in reducing the number of library assistants is that students may not be able to find resources because the library could become too disorganized.
2009-05-13
20:33:13
New Brunswick is in the international spotlight -- this time in the I-T sector with Fredericton and Moncton finalists for the honour of the world's most intelligent community.
The distinction is awarded by the Intelligent Community Forum at New York University based on efforts to make a city a so called "smart" technological community -- and -- Premier Graham tells CHSJ News it's a real feather in our cap to gain international attention.
He also says it's an excellent opportunity to promote New Brunswick as Canada's "smart" and technologically friendly province.
Graham is in New York to support the bids -- and -- is travelling with eight provincial I-T companies looking for new trade opportunities in the Big Apple during the two day trip.
2009-05-13
16:59:43
(Bill Hutton - photo courtesy RTNDA)
The founder and first president of the Radio and Television News Directors Association of Canada has passed away.
Bill Hutton began his career in radio news in Moncton and here in Saint John -- he also served as a reporter for the St Croix Courier in St Stephen -- he moved on to positions with broadcasters in Toronto - Vancouver - Ottawa - Brampton - and - London, England.
The Moncton native passed away today in a Halifax hospital at the age of 83.
A funeral service will be held in Burnt Church on Saturday.
2009-05-13
16:19:32
Four people have been charged in relation to a human smuggling operation from St. Stephen into the United States. 43 year old Savita Singh of St. Stephen and 71 year old Vaughn McLuskey of Fredericton were arrested in New Brunswick while Ontario residents Mohammed Habib-Yusef, 53, and Ravindra Hariprasad, 36, were arrested in Scarborough, ON.
RCMP say more charges may be laid as they investigate two migrants from Guyana that the group was allegedly attempting to smuggle across the US border. All four of those arrested face charges of criminal conspiracy to violate immigration laws, and will appear in St. Stephen court May 14.
2009-05-13
16:12:07
A 30-year city man is undergoing a five day psychiatric assessment after being charged in connection with a standoff on the west side last night.
Jeremy A'Hearn was arrested after police stormed a Fundy Drive home to end a four hour standoff.
A'Hearn is facing various weapons charges -- possession of stolen property -- and -- assaulting a police officer.
He's due back in court next Tuesday.
2009-05-13
12:26:00
Some lucky graduates may be able to have the weight of student loans lifted off their shoulders.
Applications are being accepted for the Timely Completion Benefit--where students who have graduated their post secondary education programs in a timely manner, and have loans in excess of $26 thousand dollars can have their debt forgiven.
Students who have completed an undergraduate, certificate, or diploma program at any publicly funded school may be eligible.
There is also a second tuition freeze in place for New Brunswick post secondary education institutes for next year.
2009-05-13:
11:12:45:
This Province has one of the oldest populations in the country and officials in Fredericton are trying to correct that. Over four million dollars has been set aside to go toward a variety of priorities for the Population Growth Secretariat.
The five new initiatives include streamlining processing times for applicants to the Provincial Nominee Program, retain more young people and promote the province worldwide.
2009-05-13:
10:57:21:
Police agencies across the country including this province, are getting some cash from Ottawa to help with several projects. $8.8 million dollars has been set aside for fighting organized crime, attract new recruits, regional policing and put in place a unit for new safe communities and neighborhood legislation.
The cash will be spread across three projects over the new four years with $6.2 million towards organized crime, $240,000 to find new recruits and the proposed new unit for neighborhoods will be provided with over two million dollars.
2009-05-13:
10:56:36:
If plans for the up-coming Long Weekend include camping you will be happy to hear this. Eight of the Provincial Parks will be open starting Friday, the only one waiting until the 22nd is the park in Herring Cove.
Because of the heavy snowfalls over the winter, conditions in the parks may vary. Some services may be limited due to snow or wet and muddy conditions. You should call ahead to make reservations if you plan to go camping.
2009-05-13:
10:55:46:
Alarm bells were going off like crazy for RCMP in Grand Bay Westfield earlier this morning. They spotted a vehicle driving with no lights on just after two o'clock along River-Valley Drive. When they pulled over the 93 Voyager, the driver didn't have a license and officers found illegal liquor and tobacco in the vehicle. No word on charges or a court date.
Sussex RCMP have someone trying to get their kicks out of vandalizing property. Two mailboxes were destroyed by fireworks last weekend. The first call was to a home in Norton last Saturday and officers were also called to a home in Riverbank for the same kind of damage. No word in the incidents are related and no suspects.
2009-05-13:
10:55:00:
It seems like yesterday the lights went up, and already changes are in the works. The traffic lights at the upper exit of the Lancaster Mall, and Harding Street are in the hands of the city planning department.
Councilor Bill Farren says the plan is to have the exits align, so there can be a flashing green light for one of them. Farren says residents find the lights confusing the way it is and something needs to be done before an accident happens.
