Saint John Learning Exchange Celebrates Adult Learning

To see a video of the Saint John Learning Exchange celebrating International Adult Learner's Week, click on the video link to the right of your screen.

Mickey Mouse Sets Course To The Port City

You may spot some famous cartoon characters hanging around the Marco Polo cruise terminal next year -- Disney Cruise Lines will be making 9-calls on our port during the cruise season.
Tourism Minister Trevor Holder says the announced expansion of the cruise berthing facilities help to land the commitment:

The Disney Magic will be sailing out of New York on 5-day cruises and stopping here beginning in June of next year.

YM-YWCA Hands Out Community Awards Tonight

The Saint John YM-YWCA's Red Triangle and Leader to Watch Awards will be handed out tonight at a special gala event.

Winning the Leader to Watch Award this year is Taryn O'Neill for her science outreach work at UNBSJ.

She tells CHSJ News she hopes other will want to follow in her footsteps and get involved in the community.

The other winner is Dale Knox, who will be receiving the Red Triangle award for his long history of community service.

The gala begins tonight at 7pm at the Trade and Convention Centre.

Waistline Increases Along with Cavities

The NB Dental Society say sugary drinks and snacks are having a double impact on children's health.

Fredericton dentist Liliya Nikolcheva tells CHSJ News the incidence of cavities in children's teeth is increasing along with their waistlines.

She says the high amount of sugar in snacks and drinks is easily turned into fat and can wreak havoc on teeth.

She says parents can do their part by limiting the amount of sweeteners in their child's diet and to assist children with their brushing.

NDP Candidate Says Ottawa Has A Culture Of Entitlement

A Saint John economics professor is trying his hand at federal politics again.

NDP Candidate Rob Moir says he's running for two reasons, the first being a need for change in the House of Commons.

He tells CHSJ News that a culture of entitlement is growing in Ottawa.

Moir says it's coming to the point where it's getting disgusting and it's leading to election after election.  He adds the second reason he is running is that Saint John doesn't have a voice in Ottawa.  Moir says the city has so much potential but is underserved.
He ran in 2008 for the NDP in Fundy Royal.

Blissville Woman Calls Paramedics Heroes

A Provincial woman is calling two paramedics her "heroes" for their help in saving her life after she had a heart attack at home last December.
37-year-old Tracey Nowlan of Blissfield began feeling pain and tightness in her chest and after the pain was getting worse, she decided to call an ambulance.
Ambulance NB Paramedics Chris Hood and Les Gillet began assessing her before the trip to the Miramichi Hospital.
On the way, Nowlan went into cardiac arrest and the paramedics revived her with the help of a defibrillator.
Nowlan is now feeling just as good as she did before her heart attack and will return to work soon.

Driscoll Says qplex Feedback Is Very Positive

Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll says he was definitely nervous with the qplex holding it's first major event this past weekend but he says the facility passed the test with flying colours.
The facility hosting the Irving Oil Challenge Cup and he tells CHSJ News the feedback has been very positive.
Driscoll says people are aware it's going to fill a need in the community and he adds the walking track is constantly being used and it's open from morning until night.
He says the only work left to do at the qplex is the completion of the swimming pool and some landscaping. He says the work will be done by May and a grand opening is being planned for summer.

The Saint John Election Race Has An Independent Candidate

40 year old Arthur Watson Jr. has thrown his name into the federal election race as an official independent candidate for Saint John.
The north end resident says it's his first foray into politics and he tells CHSJ News he wanted to give Saint John another choice.

He says it's a choice that doesn't reflect an individual party's platform but a community first.  He says if elected he would seek reduce the federal gas tax by 4 percent, bring down the tobacco tax, and increase the period for campaigning by 3 weeks so that candidates can visit their entire riding.
Conservative incumbent Rodney Weston is the only other candidate to officially file while Liberal candidate Stephen Chase, the NDP's Rob Moir, and Sharon Flatt of the green Party has yet to officially submit papers with Elections Canada.

Companies Will Not Participate In EUB Hearing On Enbridge Gas

Ganong Brothers, Atlantic Wallboard and Flakeboard will not be participating in the Energy and Utilities Board hearing next month on an application by Enbridge Gas to increase its delivery charge.  The companies all believes the Enbridge Gas monopoly is broken and legislators must act.  Atlantic Wallboard spokesperson Mary Keith tells CHSJ News since the year 2000 when Enbridge Gas first began operation customers have seen a 500 per cent increase in the delivery cost. She says New Brunswickers today are paying twice as much for the delivery of the gas than they are for the gas itself.
Keith adds it's like saying it will be ten dollars for the pizza and 20 dollars for the delivery.

Horizon Health Network Announcing New Board Chair

The Horizon Health Network board of directors has a new chair in David Ferguson.
Health Minister Madelaine Dube announcing the appointment is effective immediately.


Ferguson was formerly the clerk of the executive council and secretary to cabinet.Outgoing board chair, John Laidlaw, tendering his resignation earlier today and Dube has accepted it.

Vote For The Worst Road In Saint John

The CAA wants you to speak up if you think Saint John has some of the worst roads in the Maritimes.
The company recently launching their "Worst Roads Campaign", where you get to cast your vote on the worst roads in Atlantic Canada for a chance to win weekly prizes.

CAA spokesperson Gary Howard tells CHSJ News the feedback generated by the campaign can serve as a catalyst for road repair, as was the case in Ontario after the results were sent to mayors, MLA's and MP's.

For the roads indentified as the worst roads they have a been fixed in a very good bay and Howard expects the same kind of results in Atlantic Canada.
He says the main objective of the campaign is to get roads fixed and make them safe for drivers.     For information on how to submit your vote, click here

Film Documents Need For Catatstrophic Drug Coverage

A short film documenting the experience of two people who rely on catastrophic drugs is getting a positive reception.


The idea came about after the Canadian Cancer Society and 20 other groups saw a need to draw attention to the plight of New Brunswickers suffering with cancer and other serious medical problems who rely on these medications.


Senior Manager for Public Isssues Ellen Snider tells CHSJ News the film shows two personal stories that you have to see to believe.

She says it's the first time people are reacting emotionally to this issue and they people are vulnerable and the government should take care of it.
To see the film "Catastrophic Drug Coverage in New Brunswick: Personal Perspectives" click here

West Side Liquor Store Closing On Sunday

NB Liquor announcing its store at Westwind Place along Fairville Blvd will be closing its doors permanently at 5:00 this Sunday afternoon.

It will be replaced by a new store at the Fairville Boulevard Plaza close to the new Sobeys.

Province Issues Warning Relating To Raw Walnuts

Don't eat raw, shelled walnuts that come from bulk bins and or packages. That warning issued by the province's Chief Medical Health Officer who says any such products should be tossed out because they might contain an E. Coli bacteria.


So far, there have been two confirmed cases of this particular E. Coli bacteria in the province and they are being looked into to determine if they are connected to raw, shelled walnuts.

House Fire On East Side Causes Extensive Damage

City Fire crews called to a house fire on the east side late yesterday afternoon. District Chief Joe Armstrong says the call came in from 18 Belgrave Street with heavy fire coming from the second floor.

There was some fire damage caused to the vinyl siding of a neighbouring home.

A mother and her three children managed to get out safely and the cause is believed to be accidental.

In Chipman, there was no one home when a mid-afternoon fire at 338 Red Bank Drive gutted a house being rented by a couple and three children ranging in age from two to 10.

More Adult Learners Enrolling at University

The downturn in the economy has lead to an increase in the enrolment of mature students -- that from UNB Saint John Recruitment Coordinator Courtney Rock.

She tells CHSJ News people are returning to school for two main reasons........ to find a new career or just because they want to enhance their knowledge.

She believes the number of mature students will increase as the baby boomer generation retires and wish to do something with their time.

Adult student Shari Patstone will be graduating this year after 10 years of part time learning.She tells CHSJ News what started out as a curiosity turned into a great experience.

Patstone says the best part of adult learning is that you can have a flexible schedule so that you don't have to give up your career or family life.

 She will be graduating from UNB Saint John this year a Bachelor degree in Education.

Bridge Toll Plaza Should Be Removed By June

The province isn't wasting any time in making changes to the area around the Harbour Bridge toll plaza.


Transportation Minister Claude Williams tells CHSJ News planning is underway for the removal of the plaza and redesign of the traffic lanes in that area.

The Minister says tenders will be called shortly for the demolition of the toll plaza and that work should be completed by June.

Meantime -- Williams says a speed limit of 50-kmh will be strictly enforced by police in the area of the toll plaza.

Tolls were removed late Friday afternoon after legislation was passed giving the province ownership of the bridge.

Police Asking For Help In Locating Missing

City police is asking for your help in finding a missing person from the New Direction Special Care home on the city's west side.

Missing is 58 year old Lional Daigle.  He's described as 5'3", 137 pounds with a slim build, brown eyes, and salt and pepper hair.

He was last seen wearing a three-quarter length grey hooded winter jacket with blue jeans and sneakers.

Police say Daigle requires regular medication for reported mental health issues. 
If you have any information, contact city police at 648-3333.

A Perfect Storm For Housing Insurance Is Possible

"It's not a crisis yet" but the Province's consumer advocate for insurance says increasing weather issues may lead to a perfect storm for the rising cost of house insurance.
Ronald Godin tells CHSJ News premiums have being going up combining with the substantial flooding in recent years.

He says if this keeps up and the experts say it could get worse we are all going to have to pay for it and it will have an impact on availability and affordability.
Godin says the cost of auto insurance has improved tremendously since he opened the office back in 2005.

Coucil Gives City Approval To Pay Off Projects

Common Council giving the city approval to begin paying off some of the major infrastructure projects from 2010.  The projects range from road work and sewer improvements to work on the new police headquarters going up at Peel Plaza.

City Manager Patrick Woods tells CHSJ News the payment periods will vary depending on the project, such as 5 years for a major vehicle or 15 years for a road.

The city will be paying off $41 million dollars worth of projects.