3rd Annual Learn and Go Program

A program to give neighbourhoods with low income a chance to learn a skill and choose a project is underway for a third year.

It's called Learn and Go and spokes-person Bonnie McGraw tells us, all five of the priority neighbourhoods in Greater Saint John are taking part.

Projects that have been completed in the first two years include better bus access to the health center on the West Side and improved lighting in some neighbourhoods.

Powered Seating At Saint John Airport

Convenience is coming to the Saint John Airport in the form dual power-USB outlets.

Twenty spots with-in the terminal will allow passengers to use these seats to power up their electronics in the arrivals, departures, restaurant, and public waiting areas.

Airport officials expect the work to be finished by the middle of next month.

Cruise Ship Greeters Needed

If you'd like to get involved with the cruise ships that are rolling into Saint John, the Trinity Church is in need of volunteer greeters.
 
Jim Brittain tells us 52 ships are expected to come to port between the end of August and late October.
 
Brittain says the people that normally serve as greeters have work-terms that expire at the end of August, which is why there's a need now.
 
He says all volunteers are expected to do is answer questions and hand out information brochures.
 
For more information call Jim Brittain at 333-9523 or email jmb@nb.aibn.com.

Strike At Brunswick Square

(Members of Local 1306 stike outside of Brunswick Square)
(Photo by Sherry Aske)

After trying to hash out an agreement with their company for six days, workers with Local 1306 are on strike.

Ron Arseneau is the Union Griever for Delta Brunswick and Brunswick Square and tells us they took to the picket line at 8am Saturday Morning.



Arseneau says the strike affects the whole Brunswick Square Complex as well as the parking garage and includes everyone from maintenance workers to restaurant servers.
 
Arseneau says their housekeepers are doing 16 rooms a day for 10.86 an hour, and with minimum wage going up, that has to change.
 
He says the union is open to talks at all times and they're hoping the strike won't last long, but says it's up to the company.

Alward On Business New Brunswick

(Conservative Leader David Alward)
(File Photo)

If elected in September, Conservative Leader David Alward says he'll attract new jobs to the province by making real changes at Business New Brunswick.

Alward says Liberal Leader Shawn Graham has used BNB as his personal political piggy-bank and he spent taxpayer’s money on failing businesses like ATCON, luxury golf courses and bailouts.

Alward says he'll create a new crown corporation called InvestNB, that's led by a private sector board of business leaders, to develop the economy.

Man Assaulted Outside The Studio

Police also looking into an assault.

A man was found unconscious outside the Studio Club on Sydney Street at 1:20 in the morning.

Police say his head was seriously injured and he is still in hospital.

The Major Crime Unit looking into that as well.

Body Found In Saint John River

(The Water Rescue Unit leaves to look for the body)
(Photo by Doug Epton)

City police retrieving a body from the water yesterday afternoon.

Police got word a body was floating in the Saint John River near Highland Road just after 4 o'clock.

The Water Rescue Unit was sent out and the Major Crime Unit is investigating.

The body has not been identified yet.

Saint John Business Man Dead

(William Walsh, Owner of Walsh Luggage)
(File Photo)

The Saint John Business community is mourning the loss of a friend.

William Walsh, owner of Walsh Luggage in Market Square has died at the age 78 at the Regional after a short illness.

Walsh started his business career in Nova Scotia but made his was to the Port City in 1965 and along with operating the business, drove a school bus and sold diesel trucks.

Visitation is Sunday at Fundy Funeral home between 2-4pm and 7-9pm with the funeral scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Nova Scotia.

Dragon Boat Festival Is Back

The sixth annual Dragon Boat Festival goes today on the Kennebecasis River at Renforth Wharf.

Spokes-person Jill Logan tells CHSJ News, there are 44 teams entered.

Logan says all monies raised this year will go toward minimally invasive spine surgery equipment for the extended day surgery program at St. Joseph's Medical Center.

In the first five years, the event has raised over $1.25 million dollars.

Independent Firm To Look Into Allegation

An independent firm will be responsible for looking into allegations stemming from the 2006 provincial election.

Mike Quinn, the province's chief electoral officer says there's an allegation that someone may have breached the Political Process Financing Act by making unreported cash payments during the previous campaign.

Quinn made the decision to hand the case over to a third party after meeting with the auditor general.

He says he doesn't want his office to loose focus on delivering a voter-oriented election, and says the investigation should be done by an independent team in a timely manner.

Is A Federal Election Looming?

(Saint John MP Rodney Weston)
(File Photo)

Now that they ""official"" campaign is underway for the Provincial vote next month, there continues to be chatter about a Federal Election in the spring.

Saint John MP Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News, since being elected back in 2008, the rumblings of an election haven't stopped. 

He says a lot of the speculation comes from political pundits but when it comes from the opposition, then it needs to be taken seriously

Weston adds if and when the Federal election writ is dropped, he is ready to stand by his record and let voters be the judge of the service provided.

Car Tires Fuel Suspicious Fire

City fire crews responding to a fire at First Stop Auto on the corner of Adelaide and Metcalf Street last night.

District fire chief Gerry Morris says flames were coming from the back of the building when crews arrived on scene just after 12:30 in the morning.

He says the fire was being fed by discarded car tires that were piled at the back of the building and then it entered the building through the roof.

Crews were on scene for 2 and a half hours.

Morris says the building did sustain damage but should be open for business on Monday.

He says the cause of the fire is suspicious at this time.

Light Pole Knocked Over In Accident

(A traffic light is knocked down during an accident)
(Photo taken by a Road Warrior)

An accident at the intersection of McAllister Drive and Westmorland Road causing some havoc for drivers.

Traffic lights are off at the busy intersection and one light pole has been knocked down completely.

No one was injured, but still no word on when the lights will be back up and running.

New Appointment At Irving Oil

(President Of Irving Oil Limited Mike Ashar)
                 (File Photo)

Mike Ashar has been appointed President of Irving Oil Limited. 

He is responsible for all aspects of day-to-day management of the company.


Arthur Irving Sr. will continue in his role as Chairman.


Prior to this, Ashar was in charge of several operating units.

Update on Premium Gasoline Mix-Up

It seems there has been a problem with Irving Oil gasoline longer than first expected.

The company has completed it's review of off-spec premium gasoline which was necessary after a malfunction at one of the loading racks at the Refinery.

Octane levels have been lower than expected since the beginning of 2008 but to a significantly lesser extent than this year.

Beginning on Monday, anyone who believes they paid for premium gasoline but did not get it can file a claim by going to www.irvingoil.com with the deadline set for September 10th.

Irving Oil will then review all the claims and make sure everyone who is in line for a refund receives it.

Stone Hammer Flag Flying at City Hall

RCMP Warn About Making Online Purchases

A warning from Sussex RCMP after a person there was selling an item on the internet where a vendor was in contact with a buyer and a price was agreed on.
The buyer sent the vendor a cheque for more than $2200 over the purchase price with instructions to cash the cheque and send the money and the item to an address with a post office box number.

RCMP warning the public when paying for something online they should use a certified cheque or money order for the exact amount of the purchase price.

GeoPark Site Evaluation Draws Closer

(Chair of the StoneHammer Project Bill Merrifield)
              (Photo By Jim Hennessy)

Excitement is building in anticipation of next week’s visit of the Global Geopark Network Evaluators.


Saint John is looking to be established as the first in North America.


Chair Bill Merrifield tells CHSJ News, we live around wonderful things all are life but until it is underlined, we don't take notice.


Merrifield says the tour will include an aerial view of the entire 2500 square kilometers of the geopark Monday morning with a final decision expected in November.

Drug Raid In The North End

A raid last night by City Police has taken more dope off the streets of the North End.


It was at 8:30pm when officers entered a home on Albert Street and found five grams of crack cocaine which has a street value of one thousand dollars.


A teenager has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking but has been released to one of his parents but no word on a court date.
Officers say further charges are possible.

Store Window May Have Been Smashed For A Third Time

(A broken window at the Fortune Market on King Street)

(photo by Tamara Steele)

For possibly the third time, the window of the Fortune Market on King street has been smashed.

The owners reported the property damage on Wednesday which happened sometime overnight.

It appears to be smashed again today.

Sargeant Pat Bonner tells CHSJ News Wednesday's damage may have been result of a fight where someone was pushed into the glass breaking the first pane since no glass was found on the street.

The owners telling police on Wednesday they had just had the glass replaced two days before which runs about $500 dollars each time.