Give Blood and Get Dessert

Starting tomorrow, when you give blood, you can fill that dessert craving at the same time.


Canadian Blood Services is hosting its Strawberry Shortcake clinic this week.


Michelle Thibodeau-Coates of CBS tells CHSJ News before giving blood you should be well hydrated with non-caffeinated beverages like juice and water.

She says you also want make sure you have had enough to eat before donating adding often hospital appointments require you to fast but they want you to do the opposite and eat.

To make an appointment, click here

Man Assaulted & Robbed on Union Street

A Saint John man was assaulted and robbed early this morning on Union Street.

Saint John City Police tell CHSJ news the 29 year old man was walking when a 35 year old man robbed him of his cash.

Police say the suspect was later arrested in a cab on King Street. The victim received minor injuries.

World Acadian Congress Receives $2 Million

The provincial government supplying a good chunk of change towards the 2014 World Acadian Congress.

Two million dollars will be given to the congress that brings Acadian from around the world together for family reunions, conferences, and performances.

The event is held every five years and lasts from two to three weeks in northwestern New Brunswick, parts of Maine and Quebec.

Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud says the provincial government plans to take advantage of the congress to promote the province as a tourist and cultural destination as well as a place to do business.

Bikers Can Refresh On Safety Tips

With summer season in full force, motorcycles are in abundance across the province. And whether your a new or novice rider, it's never a bad idea to refresh yourself on some safe driving tips.

Gearing Up is a motorcycle training class offered from Safety Services New Brunswick, specializing in different areas of safety.

Bill Walker from the training program tells CHSJ news driving a motorcycle is not an intuitive skill, it has to be taught.

"Anybody can get on a motorcycle, twist throttle make it go apply the breaks to make it stop, but there are some concepts that aren't intuitive. That includes emergency breaking, collision avoidance and counter steering."

Walker adds out of the forty years the 21 hour class has been taught they've had very few fatalities from graduates.

Classes run from April until late fall in nine different locations across the province.

For more information, click here.

Canada Hockey Tournament/Fundraiser In Town

You can get a free game of ball hockey today plus help your food bank.

Five Hole For Food is inviting Saint Johnner's to bring their hockey sticks and food donations to Smythe Street by Harbour Passage trail. Today is Five Hole For Food's fourth stop on their coast to coast venture to play ball hockey and raise 100,000 pounds of food in communities across Canada.

Founder Richard Loat tells CHSJ news this is their third annual tour.

"It's just exciting to be back on the road, to put on these drop in games for everyone to participate in."

Loat adds out of the 13 stops last year, Saint Johnner's raised the second highest amount of food. The fundraiser takes place from 3 o'clock until 7pm.

For more information on Five Hole for Food, click here.

Large Rock Smashes Woman's Face & Windshield

Rothesay Regional Police are looking for your help after a giant rock smashed a women's car windshield and face.

Police say the 64-year old woman was heading North bound on Route 111 towards the Rothesay Fire Station at around 3:20 yesterday afternoon when a large rock bounced off an  dump truck heading South.

The rock that Police describe as "bigger than a baseball, but smaller than a volleyball" then broke her windshield and hit her in the face, resulting in deep cuts on her hands, blood on her face, and a possible broken jaw.

The incident occurred near the Rothesay Baseball field.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rothesay Regional Police.

Parent Locked Out Of Underage Party

A parent being locked out of their home after an underage house party got out of control.

Saint John City Police tell CHSJ news they responded to two house parties full of underage drinkers on Duke Street and Ocean West Way near Manawagonish road.

Police warn that when once a party announcement is made on social media like Facebook, parties can easily have a large group of unexpected guests.

Multiple charges were made for underage drinking.

1 Year Since Oland Murder

One year ago tomorrow Saint John being shaken by the murder of the son of a Maritime dynasty....on July 7, 2012 Richard Oland was murdered in his uptown office by an unknown attacker. The police have been notoriously tight-lipped about the investigation, which Police Chief Bill Reid has said is ongoing. Rumours have abounded after searches conducted in wooded areas, as well as at the home of his son, Dennis Oland.

In June Provincial Court Judge Leslie Jackson ruled to keep the search warrants in the case sealed to avoid compromising the investigation. Another hearing will be held later this month with police evidence from Constable Bob Davidson.

The family recently  releasing a statement remembering Oland as a father, husband and friend.

Unemployment Rate Down In City

Unemployment last month in Saint John dropped from 8.2 in May to 7.8 per cent. The jobless rate for the province has gone up from 9.4 to 9.5 per cent.

The unemployment rate across the country fell in June from 7.3 to 7.2 per cent with the addition of 73 hundred jobs which is considered minimal. Ontario was the only province showing any significant job gains.
 
A survey of employers this week found 40 per cent expected to hire fulltime workers in the second half of this year. That compares to 43 per cent for the same period last year.

Boil Water Order From City

A broken water main near the intersection of Sandy Point Road and Thornborough Street prompting the city issuing a boil water order.

Some homes will have either low water pressure or no water at all as repairs are carried out.

People who live on Sandy Point Road between Hawthorne Avenue and MacLaren Boulevard will have to boil their water before drinking it but not including Parkwood Avenue.

Also affected by the boil water order are the people who live along Thornborough Street, Jack Street, Kelly Lane, Anglin Drive including Anglin Crescent and Pidgeon Street, Kiwanis Court, Corkery Street and Cranston Avenue between Sixth Street and Thornborough.

The boil order is expected to be in effect until early next week.

The water is safe to use for showers, baths and to wash dishes without having to boiling it.

Concerns Over Air Ambulance Service To Grand Manan

The Alward Government being accused of playing Russian roulette with the lives of people who live on Grand Manan.

The charge is being made by Liberal M-L-A Rick Doucet of Charlotte-The Isles about the change with air ambulance service.

Doucet tells CHSJ News the provincial government's contract with Atlantic Charter expired July 1st and the island is now being served by Ambulance New Brunswick's Air Care plane which has to fly in from Moncton. He warns the plane will find it difficult to land at times because of poor weather conditions especially when Grand Manan is shrouded in fog.

Doucet argues Atlantic Charter is based on the ground in Grand Manan and just last week an Air Care plane was unable to land because of poor weather conditions.

Big $ For The New Y From Their Own

Some large cheques announced for the new Y project in the North end and from some of their own.
 
The Y's men's club announcing $500,000 for the project.
Chuck Crawford tells CHSJ News their 50-member group debated on a donation of this size.

He says when you look at the fact that the Y and its board had the courage to put the building in a community with children in need they the Y's mens club had to support them.

The Y's Endowment Fund also announcing $275, 000 for the new Y in the North end.

Design For New Y Unveiled

The look and feel of the new Y coming to the Crescent Valley being revealed to an audience of the group's supporters.
President and CEO Shilo Boucher says they expect shovels in the ground by January of next year.

Boucher tells us the building will include an indoor walking track, three pools along with a day care on Churchill Boulevard.

She says they are not only building a building but providing programs, training for employment and jobs and the community is really excited. 

The new North End Y is estimated to cost more than 20 million dollars.

Free Tunes And Fun At Uptown Festival

The Port City's own Salty Jam is kicking off for another summer. Uptown will be echoing with free live acts on the Boardwalk Stage and ticketed shows in the Moose Light Tent on Water Street. Hardman Group Property Manager Heather Peterson tells CHSJ News there's going to be a quirky array of live entertainment on the boardwalk--including one childhood favourite: Fred Penner.

Other acts include Ben Caplan (whose voice Peterson says "gave her goosebumps," O'Leary's OPen Mic fixture Brett Mason, Sandy Mackay, the Depp Dark Woods, and much more.

There's no age restriction on the free Boardwalk shows so be sure to bring the whole family. For more information, click here

The Google Doodle Is A Huge Hit

Being a google doodle is doing wonders for provincial tourism.

Since the Hartland Covered Bridge got the global honour, people have been eagerly searching all things NB.

The tourism department confirms to CHSJ News that yesterday's Google Doodle resulted in 5 times the normal traffic to the provincial tourism site--40,000 visits compared to 8,000 visits the day before on Tuesday.

For more info on Tourism in New Brunswick, click here

Horses Allegedly Abused Near Geary

A horse allegedly left out in the heat over the long weekend without food or water will be allowed to stay with its owner for now. That from Constable Yann Ardoux of the RCMP, who says they're investigating the alleged animal cruelty.

Ardoux tells CHSJ News a number of other agencies have gotten involved to check on the welfare of the animal, including the SPCA and a veterinarian.
 
According to reports the horse was left out in a field near Geary and seemed to be suffering from dehydration. The RCMP are still investigating. 

The above photo of the horse in question was sent in to the CHSJ Newsroom by a concerned citizen. 

Peer 126 Counsellor Speaks From Experience

A City man is using his mental health challenges to help others.

In high school, Derek Haines was struggling with turbulence in his family life when mental health issues surfaced. 

Haines tells us he was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and his life became a series of hospital visits, strained relationships and lost possessions.

After several years in a group home and years spent rebuilding his self-esteem with lots of help from loved ones, social workers and doctors.

Haines  now lives with a roomate paying bills, rent and holding down a job as a counseller at Peer 126.  

Peers Engaged in Education and Recovery provides support to young people living with mental health issues at 126 Duke Street.

Jail Inmate Attacked

A inmate at a maximum-security jail in New Brunswick has been hospitalized after an assault.

The Atlantic Institution in Renous reports the man was attacked in the facility then taken to an outside hospital for treatment.

The case is being investigated by the RCMP and Correctional Services Canada.

Financial Abuse Of The Elderly Is Increasing

Armed with 350 thousand dollars, the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes will embark on a three year campaign to education people in the province about elder abuse.

The Association's Executive-Director Micheal Keating tells CHSJ News financial abuse of seniors is on the rise.

Detecting physical abuse is easy but emotional abuse is alot harder and made more difficult because 85 per cent of seniors in nursing homes suffer from some form of dementia.

Keating says some of the money will be used to bring the people who work in nursing homes up to speed on what to look out for.

Peel Plaza Facing More Delays

More delays in the completion of the Peel Plaza Project....the police headquarters will not be ready for the force to move in until late summer. That from City Manager Bill Edwards, presenting a report to common council. Edwards says the contractors encountered a number of unforeseen delays which have continued to stall progress.

He said the full completion date was supposed to be March 2012, but obviously that hasn't been the case

Edwards says contractors ran into further delays on Union Street, where they found infrastructure in the ground that wasn't on any plan--- and was only discovered during the digging phase.