Canada Day in the Uptown

Machete Mix-up In Rothesay

A man in Rothesay learning to think twice when choosing an object to pick a fight with. 

Rothesay police getting called to Scott Avenue at 10:15pm last night after reports that a man was there brandishing a machete. 

Police tell CHSJ News they arrived on scene only to find out the object was actually the top end of a guitar and the man was fighting with his girlfriend. 

 No one was hurt in the incident but the man is facing arrest.

Red Cross Reports Fewer Drownings

The number of drownings in Atlantic Canada is down compared to where it was this time last year. 

The Red Cross reporting 11 water-related deaths so far this year, compared to the 20 there were by this time in 2010. 

Sgt. Mark Bridges with the RCMP tells CHSJ News people should always wear a life jacket, because when things go wrong on a boat, they go wrong in a hurry. 

He says when you fall out of a boat the shock can make you inhale water, and if you're not wearing a life jacket to bring you to the surface you can quickly drown.

Bridges says he recommends people have their own life jacket they can bring with them when invited to go boating.

That way they know they have equipment that's in good repair and that fits properly.

First Summer For Destination Marketing

In their first official summer, Saint John Destination Marketing wants to attract people to Saint John from outside the province.

Executive Director Ross Jefferson tells CHSJ News they've historically focused on promoting activities to people who are already here through visitor-information centres.

He says Saint John has come a long way in the last couple of decades and they want to promote it as a place for leisure, but also as a great place for meetings and conventions.

Industrial Parks Go Green

Saint John Industrial Parks, Ltd. is stepping up their game and is calling on their peers to go green -- they're establishing a pot of money that will help fund green proposals for the city's industrial parks.

General Manager Brian Irving tells CHSJ News they are willing to fund proposals such as storm water ponds or tree planting.

He estimates the budget will be set at about 5 to 10 thousand dollars a year.

He adds they are now open to proposals.

Dock Purchase Put On Hold

A request to build a floating dock at Renforth Wharf in Rothesay has been put on hold to make sure there's money available for the project.

Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News the town finished refurbishments to Renforth Wharf in the fall, and since then boaters have found it hard to pull up along side the wharf.

Parks and Recreation requesting a dock that would accommodate up to 3 boaters to fix the problem.

The town deciding to wait so the project can be included in next year's budget.

Provinces Join NB's Tobacco Industry Fight

As the province moves to take legal action against the tobacco industry, Manitoba and Nova Scotia are agreeing to join the fight.

The province asking for a trial to hold the tobacco industry accountable for tobacco use saying it lead to increased health-care costs.

The provincial government says it is satisfied with the progress being made in the litigation, and it said it is confident that the case is moving toward a trial.

Saint Johners Celebrate Canada's 144th Birthday

 Many coming uptown to celebrate Canada's 144th birthday with celebrations in Saint John.

Uptown A-Buzz With Canada Day Activities

It's Canada Day and the uptown will be celebrating the nation's birthday in style.

The festivities begin at 7:30am. There will also be a parade and cake cutting at 11am.

The celebration goes until 11:30pm rain or shine and everything is free to attend.

Police Report Safe Start To Weekend

It's a safe start to the long weekend with no major upsets last night.

Saint John police only stopping one impaired driver on the Causeway.

Rothesay Police tell CHSJ News everybody was well behaved last night, as they didn't see anyone driving drunk.

People are reminded to stay safe and not drink and drive.

Fines Heavy For Boating Without A License

If you're out on the water this weekend, don't be caught boating without a license. 

That from BoatSmart President Cameron Taylor who tells CHSJ News there's a 250 dollar fine for driving a boat without a Pleasure Craft Operating Card. 

He says the licensing process has changed slightly, and now there's a 3 hour study course to complete before proceeding to the final exam.

Taylor says boaters can still take the course online and can log in and out at their leisure.
 
Taylor adds the fine for boating without the right number of life jackets is 200 dollars for each person who doesn't have one.

Q-Plex Planning Double Celebration For Canada Day

The Q-Plex in Quispamsis has a double celebration tomorrow with it's official opening and Canada Day activities.
Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News since the complex has been open for a while, the feedback is very positive.
He says the Q-Plex is a great thing for the community with the ice surface, pool and walking track busy with activity.  The celebrations begin at 11am tomorrow and run until 4pm.
Events include a cake cutting, inflatables for the kids and lots of entertainment.  For more information on the events, click here

"Priority Neighbourhood" Not A Stigma

The term "priority neighbourhood" does not appear to have a negative connotation within the Saint John community -- that from the Human Development Council's Randy Hatfield.

He's responding to a recent comment by a Toronto councillor who said the term "priority neighbourhood" is stigmatizing.

Hatfield tells CHSJ News it was the residents who chose that term over the word "vulnerable" when asked to label the area.

He says the word has brought the challenges faced by those communities into focus.

Local Government Needs Overhaul

Municipal financing needs to drastically change -- that from the President of the Union of the Municipalities of New Brunswick.

David Hanson tells CHSJ News all property taxes, like the surcharges on secondary homes, should go back to the cities.

[CLIP]...the roles necessary (14 secs)

He adds local service districts should also have an elected representative in order to have a legal voice when dealing with other levels of government.

61 Drivers Caught Speeding Through Construction Zones

One driver in the Pennfield area given a $600 fine for driving at 160 kilometres an hour in an 80 kilometre an hour zone.
RCMP handing out 61 speeding tickets in just over three hours in a construction zone on Highway 1 in the Pennfield area.

Fines for speeding through a construction zone in the province are doubled.
Police enforcement in construction zones will continue throughout the construction season.

Smith Family In Shock As New Chief Coroner Gets The Case

A new coroner has been appointed to preside over the inquest into the death of a young woman in an Ontario prison.
Ashley Smith, a 19-year-old from Moncton choked herself to death in a Kitchener facility in 2007.   Lawyer Julian Falconer says Smith's family is in utter shock and disbelief to learn that Dr. John Carlisle has been assigned to take over from presiding coroner Dr. Bonita Porter.

He calls it an extraordinary development that means weeks of motions may be lost. He adds its shocking considering the size of this case that a chief coroner would ever been assigned who was not available after November.
The inquest started on May 16th and heard just three days of evidence before being adjourned until September. The Office of the Chief Coroner says Porter wouldn't have been able to complete the inquest when it resumes because of her pending retirement.

Gas Is A Bit Cheaper Heading Into The Long Weekend

It's like a little present for the long weekend--gas is cheaper.  Regular self-serve gas is down a bit going for 122.6 a litre at the weekly setting.  Self-serve diesel is down a couple of cents to 127.2 a litre.

At one city pump, regular and diesel are even cheaper, with regular gas going for an even 120 a litre and diesel for 124.6.
That BBQ won't cost any extra this weekend as the cost of propane remains the same at 114.2 a litre.

Duffers Raise Nearly $110K For Neo Natal Unit Program

Everyone is feeling pretty good about this...a great day of golf bringing in nearly $110, 000 for the Regional Hospital's Neo Natal Unit Intensive Care Unit.

Golfers raising the money at the Randy Jones Foundation annual Golf for Kids Sake tourney yesterday at Riverside Golf and Country Club.
The money will be used for the Breathe Easy program of the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit.

Hundreds Form Giant 7 To Promote Bay Of Fundy

Over 500 people turning up at the Coast Guard site to form a giant human seven in support of the Bay of Fundy. The Bay is the last remaining Canadian entry in the New7Wonders of Nature Competition.

Terri McCulloch with Bay of Fundy Tourism tells CHSJ News she was delighted by the turnout, with people coming up from Hopewell and St. Andrews to take part. She says people are always amazed when they hear about the Bay of Fundy's tides, which are five to ten times higher than anywhere else.

The Bay of Fundy is one of 28 sites left in the competition, and is up against places like the Grand Canyon and the Dead Sea. To vote, go to www.votemyfundy.com or text FUNDY to 77077 ($0.25 per text vote).

Body Of Missing Boater Found

The body of 81-year-old  Doctor John 'Jack' MacKay of Fredericton has been found. 

He was reported missing on June 23 after being reported that he fell overboard while fishing in the Porter Cover area. 

His body was found yesterday by a fisherman on the Main Southwest Miramichi River.