Possible Gunfire in Fredericton Junction

Little is known about an incident this morning in Fredericton Junction allegedly involving gunfire.

A tip to our newsroom tells us that around 7:30 this morning there were shots fired in a residential neighbourhood.
So far RCMP have not confirmed an incident, but a resident tells CHSJ New the area has been buzzing with RCMP presence.
No word on any injuries.

Protesting Parliament Proroguing

If you don't think Parliment should be shut down, your invited to a rally this afternoon and make your voice heard. What started out as a Facebook Group has grown into a day of protest from coast to coast. The event in Saint John is being organized by Joan Pearce who tells CHSJ News, it's easy to sign your name on-line but another to get out and make your voice heard: The rally gets started at one o'clock at the Germain Street entrance of the City Market.

Work Continues for Saint John M-P

[Saint John M-P Rodney Weston---File Photo]

The MP for Saint John is looking at the glass as half full with the Federal Conservatives still taking heat about Parliment being shut down. Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News, you don't have to be in Ottawa to get work done for your constituents:

Weston adds an example of still getting work done even with Parliment shut down is how quickly this country responded with aid to the crisis in Haiti.

Victim of Sackville gas explosion identified

RCMP have confirmed the identity of a man killed in a vehicle collision in Sackville
on Tuesday.
23-year-old Alexander Burden died of injuries he sustained when his vehicle collided with a gas reservoir at the Sackville Public Works building.
Foul play has been ruled out.

Saint John store collects shoes for earthquake survivors

Anyone with extra shoes in Saint John that wants to help out the people of Haiti, can drop them off tomorrow.
The Soft Moc location in McAllister Place is accepting shoe donations tomorrow.
The footwear will sent on the earthquake survivors in Haiti.

Alward Puts Forward Motion

(Conservative Leader David Alward)
               (File Photo)

A motion for full dis-closure of the latest Memorandum of Understanding involving NB Power and Hydro Quebec has been brought forward in the Legislature. Conservative leader David Alward is looking for the Graham Government to commit to releasing the details of the latest MOU at least 30 days prior to it being signed. Alward tells CHSJ News, the focus of his party remains getting this proposal scrapped.


Alward adds the contract will be signed March 31st but the Graham government says they will not make public the full contract until after it is signed.

Update for Grand Manan Ferry Coming Monday

An update on the new Grand Manan Ferry will be announced at a news conference Monday. $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. Monday's news conference gets started at one o'clock at Grand Manan School with Premier Graham and Fisheris Minister Rick Doucet taking part.

Another Big Year for the Saint John Airport

(Airport President Bernie Leblanc)
            (File Photo)

It was another big year at the Saint John Airport. Year-end traffic figures came in at 222,310 – up 12% from 1999 when the Airport was privatized but down from a high of 245,102 in 2008. President Bernie Leblanc tells CHSJ News, they are very pleased with the bottom line.


Leblanc says there are several reasons for the growing numbers including the start up of WestJet and Sunwing service, additional summer flights offered by Air Canada and the growing local economy.

Irving Oil Jet Makes Trips to Haiti

(The First Dartmouth Medical Team to Leave for Haiti)
               (Photo Courtesy of Irving Oil)

Irving Oil is donating more than just cash to the relief efforts in Haiti. The companies corporate jet has made two flights to the country this week delivering $125,000 dollars in medical supplies and trauma care teams. Dale Hackett is the Chief Pilot who organized both trips and tells CHSJ News, both teams were anxious to get to work.

Hackett adds they weren't able to land in Port au Prince and had to be diverted to Santo Damingo. Irving Oil has already donated $50,000 dollars to the relief efforts and will match all fund-raising currently underway by company employee's.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  (The Second Medical Team Leaving New Hampshire)
                 (Photo Courtesy of Irving Oil)

Military Training

Soldiers from CFB Gagetown will be taking part in driver training in a few different localities starting today. If you live in Gagetown, Blissville, Welsford and Petersville, you can expect to see military personnel and vehicles. The Military doesn't expect the movement and activity of the soldiers and their vehicles to be too disruptive. The training begins today and continues until the 29th.

High Number of Vehicles Towed in City

There might be some confusion over the city's new bylaw as it applies to a no parking ban after a storm. Without having an exact number, City Police tell CHSJ News alot of vehicles have been towed since the ban went into effect at 11 last night. Police do say 69 vehicles were ticketed city wide. According to the bylaw, no parking on the street extends to most of the city, not just the south central peninsula.

Group Opposed to NB Power Deal Wants Referendum

Put NB People First are continuing their efforts to get a referendum vote for the proposed sale of NB Power to Hydro Quebec.
Spokesperson Bethany Thorne Dykstra says by holding a referendum it will give members of the liberal cabinet who oppose the sale a way out.
Dykstra says anyone who says the new deal is better, such as Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams, they are looking after their own vested interests.
She says under the new deal Quebec has exclusive rights to the transmission line heading into New England. She says it sounds better, but doesn't believe it's changed.
So far the Put NB People First petition has over 3000 thousand signatures.

Put NB People First Spokesperson Bethany Thorne Dykstra Discussing New Deal

Students at Saint John High Helping Out

     (A Haitian Child Being Given Medical Attention)
                          (File Photo)

It is not just businesses in Greater Saint John looking to help those suffering in Haiti. A group at Saint John High, Club Hope, is selling pizza and pop during the lunch hour with all of the moey raised going to doctors with-out borders. Maggie Higgins is part of the group and tells CHSJ News, their student advisor, Lynn Kristofferson came up with the idea.


Higgins adds today was the first day of the sale and they will continue it for a few more.

Award Winners are Announced

(Leah Richardson and Saint John East MLA Roly MacIntyre)
                   (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Saint John East MLA Roly MacIntyre and UNB Saint John student Leah Richardson are being honored by the YM-YWCA. MacIntyre is the recipient of this years Red Triangle Award winner and Richardson is the Leader to Watch winner. Richardson tells CHSJ News, this is a great honor. MacIntyre tells CHSJ News, this is nice recognition with nine months left to go in his political career.


Both awards will be handed out April.22nd at the Trade and Convention Center and you can get tickets by calling 634-4937.

Old Downey Ford Building has a New Tenant

You may have noticed there is some activity in the former Downey Ford building on Crown Street, well so did we and here is what we can tell you. Murray O'Conner is the General Manager of the dealership and tells CHSJ News, the company still owns the property on Crown Street and a new tenant is ready to set up shop.


At this point how-ever, O'Conner says they aren't ready to tell everyone who they are and when they will be open for business. The property was vacated for the new dealership on Consumers Drive five years ago.

RCMP Officers Return Home

 (Sargeant Mark Gallagher)
(Photo Supplied by RCMP)

It will be a sad day for the RCMP tomorrow as the bodies of two of their fallen colleagues are brought home. Superintendent Doug Coates and Sergeant Mark Gallagher will arrive on a flight in Trenton tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock after being killed in last weeks earthquake in Haiti.


The family of Sgt. Gallagher has requested a RCMP Regimental Funeral to take place in Woodstock but a date and time are still being finalized.

Parking Ban for South Central Peninsula

City Works crews are going to be working overnight to get rid of some of the snow from the latest storm. That means there is a parking ban for the South Central Peninsula tonight. Anyone with a vehicle is reminded to get it off the street before eleven o'clock until seven tomorrow morning. If it is not moved, it will be towed at your expense.


Five lots are available to park your vehicle at the corner of Princess and Charlotte Streets, King Street East, Peters Street, Carmarthen Street and the corner or Mecklenburg and Wentworth streets. To get a look at the parking lots available, go to our web-site at country94.ca and click news.

Storm Roundup

Yesterday's storm which hit the Saint John region turned out to be more intense than predicted with centimeters being reported at the airport but the totals outside the city were higher than that. 23 centimeters was reported at Point Lepreau and 26 in Grand Manan. The treacherous driving conditions played havoc with traffic yesterday afternoon especially during the commute home. City Police tell CHSJ News there were 27 accidents yesterday through last night and early this morning. One of the more serious mishaps occurred late in the afternoon when a car and school bus collided at King Street East and Pitt Street. There were 21 young people on board the schoolbus at the time but none was injured. The airbags deployed in the car and one person was taken to hospital for treatment of a cut.

Revamped NB Power Deal Gets Support

Not everyone outside the confines of the Provincial Government is opposed to selling at least parts of NB Power to Hudro Quebec. An energy consultant, based in Fredericton, likes the revamped deal because it retains ownership. William Marshall of W-M-K Energy Consultants admits he had problems with the original proposal but the revised deal leaves room for regional energy co-operation which has been something he has been calling for. He tells CHSJ News NB Power's debt is really staggering, much more serious than most people in the province realise. Marshall says the revised proposed agreement better increases the province's ability to control rates and set future energy policy.