Cirque Du Soleil Returns To Saint John

Cirque Du Soleil performers are ready to skip, flip, and fly around Harbour Station this week as they perform in the touring show Quidam.  

The cast is putting on eight performances between now and Sunday.

Spokesperson Georgia Stephenson tells CHSJ News there's something in it for everyone, including thrill circus acts, a beautiful storyline and powerful music.

She says its the story of a young girl who feels disconnected from her mother and father, which is very relevant in today's world of texting and social media.

Stephenson says the 52 person cast has been to 14 cities so far on their North American Tour.  

Tickets are still available online by following this link, or by contacting the Harbour Station Box office at 657-1234.

City Police Still Mum On Oland's Cause Of Death

City police releasing a statement regarding the Oland homicide investigation that says very little.
It says the police will not be commenting on any media reports only those they have authorized.
The release also says any information as to the manner of death or motive, suspects or persons of interest must remain with the investigation team.


The City police also point out their first obligation is to the family of Richard Oland and to the integrity of the investigation.
A memorial is set up outside of Oland's office on Canterbury street.   

Less Council Seats Would Make New Faces Hard To Come By

New blood will be hard to come by at the horseshoe if the city decides to eliminate four council positions- that from Councillor Mel Norton.

He tells CHSJ News he knows from first-hand experience how hard it can be to get into city politics and it would be a rookie to join the ranks if less seats were available.

He says based on feedback he's been getting from Facebook and Twitter, people are not in favour of the reduction as it would stretch the remaining councillors too thin.  He says he is also having second thoughts on supporting such a move.

Changes To Schedule For Union Street Construction

The City making a change to the schedule for the Union Street construction.
This work was set to begin in mid-August and run until late September.
The next phase includes extensive work on the Brunswick Square parking garage along with Wellington Row and Germain Street.

The work includes new sanitary and storm sewers, watermains, underground electrical, sidewalks and curbing along with road reconstruction and paving.
The Union street entrance to the Chipman Hill parking garage will be closed from July 27th to August 12th.   Drivers can use the Chipman hill entrance to the garage.

For more info call 658-4455 or click here

Free Uptown Shuttle Now Available

If you need to get around the uptown core, you can take a free ride on the 40 foot limo.

A free daily shuttle will take passengers from King Square down to Water Street via Prince William. 

The shuttle will run every 15 minutes, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.


Chair of the Parking Commission Chris Titus tells CHSJ News it's their way of dealing with the parking shortage due to construction and to make the outlying parking spaces more accessible.


The Parking Commission is paying for service, which is about 50 thousand dollars.

It will run until October 7th.

For more information, call 506 658 2970.

Green Party Urges Shale Gas Opponents To Hold Their Ground

Despite the announcement of new regulations by the Alward Government aimed at protecting homeowners, the provincial Green Party remains opposed to shale gas development.

Party President Janice Harvey tells CHSJ News the method of extraction is extreme. She likens it to exploding a bomb far beneath the ground in order to extract the natural gas.

According to the Greens, studies show the methane released through fracking makes this a greater contributor to greenhouse gas emissions than conventional coal and a net contributor to climate change. Harvey also warns toxic waste water is also produced.

Early Morning Fire In The K-V

The origin of a fire this morning in the K-V is suspicious. It was reported around 1:00 in an unoccupied home at 434 Hampton Road with extensive damage being caused. No one was injured but the cause is under investigation.

Doucet Questions Why Province Waited

Liberal MLA Rick Doucet says everyone is happy the seniors of Grand Manan will get a new, safe home, but it should have happened sooner.



Doucet tells CHSJ News there's been a justified sense of outrage over the situation for the last little while.
 
He says this proposal has been in a report on the Minister's desk for the last ten months, so he wonders what the province's priorities are.
 
Doucet says the cost of the project has gone up four million dollars since it was first proposed, and it's the seniors that have to pay for that increase because the province waited.

Police Will Not Confirm Axe Used In Oland's Death

City police will not confirm a media report on Richard Oland's cause of death.
The Toronto Star is quoting an unnamed source as saying the 69-year-old was bludgeoned to death with an axe.

Police are refusing to comment on that report and have not released Oland's cause of death.
Our newsroom placing a call to the police chief to confirm the report and we have yet to hear back.

Province Will Replace Grand Manan Nursing Home

Good news for the patients at the Grand Manan nursing home -- especially those recently taken to other facilities due to a mold problem.
Social Development Minister Sue Stultz announcing the government will be replacing the facility after meeting with residents, staff and administration.

She tells CHSJ News the mold and move issue wasn't the straw that broke the camel's back but did make it a bit more paramount to get a plan into action.

She adds the displaced residents will be moved back in about two weeks once the mold has been taken care of.

As for the new facility, she says department staff will meet with nursing home representatives next week but no timeline has been announced for the new building.

Rainbow Park Splash Pad Officially Opens

Kids are enjoying the splishing and splashing at Rainbow Park -- Councillor Donnie Snook hosting the grand opening of the Splash Pad at the park with a community BBQ.

Snook tells CHSJ News the park has become a real hub for the community and even people from as far as Grand Bay have come to get wet.

Additional upgrades are being also in the works including new basketball and playground equipment.

The pad will be converted to a skating rink in the winter months. 

Project Aims To Conserve Heritage and Greenspace

You can help conserve the province's natural heritage and greenspace thanks to a new program by Nature NB.

Executive Director Vanessa Roy-McDougall tells CHSJ News they're looking for people to monitor, explore, and collect bio-diversity information on the province's many protected natural or birding areas.
She says with industry and development we are starting to lose these kinds of places and it's important for climate change and wildlife to keep them.

To register for the project, click here

Hundreds Attend Oland Funeral

Family, friends, politicians and dignitaries filing into a packed Rothesay Church to remember Richard Oland. 

Pat Darrah, who worked with Oland for six years on bringing the Canada Games to Saint John in 1985, sobbed as he began the eulogy. 

Darrah says he and Oland had many wonderful times together.  He says Oland was a dear friend who loved to drive fast, go sailing, and spend time with his family.

Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop also in attendance, and says people are still shocked at what happened.  Bishop says Oland was a do-er, who was looked on very highly by the citizens of Rothesay and Saint John.
 
Oland's death is being investigated as a murder and police announcing yesterday Oland and the killer knew each other.

Agency Promotes Saint John With New Pictures

If you were on the boardwalk last week, your face may help promote the Port city.
Saint John Destination Marketing doing a photo shoot in the City Market, King Square and the boardwalk.
Manager of Marketing and Communications Jillian MacKinnon tells CHSJ News the pictures will be used in an advertising campaign both here and in Nova Scotia.

She says they were nervous about the weather because the fog was rolling in an out on Wednesday they were able to get some great shots.
MacKinnon says the pictures will also be on the Destination Marketing website next week.

Business Confidence Slipping Among Provincial Owners

Two major concerns for small businesspeople in the province, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, are rising energy costs and upward pressure on wages. C-F-I-B policy analyst Richard Dunn tells CHSJ News the minimum wage in the province has gone up by 25 per cent in two years and that has had an adverse effect on hiring.

He says student employment is being impacted too with CFIB members in accomodations and food service scaling back hiring this year.



Small businesspeople in the province, 85 per cent of whom describe the state of business as being good or satisfactory, expect the yearly increase in wages to be around 1.8 per cent.

Rothesay And Quispamsis At A Loss About What To Do About All The Deer

Rothesay and Quispamsis will hold a joint meeting in the fall to explain to the public what the options are for dealing with the Valley's swelling deer population.

Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News both towns are being inundated by the animals and complaints are coming in weekly, if not daily, about the swelling deer population.

Bishop says both towns have been in touch with the provincial biologist at the Department of Natural Resources but there are no simple answers to the problem and he concedes short of lining the deer up and shooting them, there doesn't seem to be an answer.

Drivers In The Valley Warned About Breakins

A warning for drivers in the Kennebecasis Valley from Rothesay Regional Police.........Lock your doors and take any valuables out of your vehicles.

Police tell CHSJ News there have been something like half a dozen cars broken into over the last couple of nights in the areas of the Queensbury sub-division and Cedar Ridge Boulevard. Police say items such as the G-P-S are being taken and they think young people wandering about might be responsible.

Meantime, one person was taken to hospital with undetermined injuries after being struck by a car in the city and the fire department crews were summoned to 79 Fleming Court where they discovered furniture at the back of the building on fire.

Apartment Proposal Rejected

Potential water issues kept Rothesay Town Council from saying yes to the development of office space and two apartment buildings at 45 Marr Road.

Councillor Norma Mullet says there's water in the area, and it has to go somewhere. Sheila MacDougall of nearby Old Mill Lane tells CHSJ News flooding definitely would have been an issue had the project gone forward.

Concerns were also voiced about increased noise and lower property values.

MacDougall says Rothesay may have a need for more apartment buildings but a lot of people don't want the development in their backyard.

Richard Oland's Death A Homicide

The suspicious death of Richard Oland last Thursday is now a homicide investigation -- that from Police Chief Bill Reid.

He says the evidence and information from the autopsy indicate foul play.

Police not releasing the cause of death or if they are close to making any arrests.

However, Reid suggests that Oland and the perpetrator did know each other and neither the public or the Oland family are in any danger.

The body of the 69 year old Oland was found last Thursday morning in his Canterbury Street office.

Oland Death A Homicide

Saint John police now confirm the death of businessman Richard Oland is a homicide investigation.
Police also say Oland and his assailant probably knew each other.