2012 Santa Claus Parade

Highlights from the 2012 Saint John Santa Claus Parade

Pre-Parade Party At New Terminal

The Santa Clause parade party starts a whole lot earlier at the city's newest cruise ship terminal.

The Port of Saint John showing off the new Diamond Jubilee Cruise Ship terminal with a pre-parade party from 1 to 3pm on Water street.

The Port's meet and greet volunteers will be hosting tours of the new building's public spaces like the rooftop patio.

Kids can enjoy some hot apple cider, hot chocolate and cookies and get their faces painted before the parade.

Saint John Firefighter Dies From Fall In Ottawa

A 39-year-old man from Saint John has died after falling from a hydraulic lift in Ottawa early Friday morning.

Emergency crews were called to a construction site at around 2:30 a.m. Dale Clinton was rushed to hospital where he later died of his injuries. He fell about 4 1/2 meters off the lift, and friends quickly called 911. 

According to a release from the International Association of Fire Fighters, Dale Clinton was attending their Canadian Political Training Academy in Ontario. The final day of the academy was suspended because of the accident.

There was no construction scheduled overnight, and police are not treating the incident as an industrial accident. 

Calls have been made to the Saint John Fire Department for comment.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

The streets in Saint John are filled with lights and holiday decorations in preparation for tonight's 60th annual Santa Claus Parade.

This years theme is "children's dreams, wishes and imaginations," which Leslie Keating from Uptown Saint John says will bring out some favorite childhood characters. She says this year has some pretty creative entries, plus lots of bands and walking groups. Kids are encouraged to write letters to Santa and are reminded to include their return mailing address so the big guy can write back.

Lightly used coats and donations will be collected for the food bank before the parade starts, which Keating says is the biggest single day pick up for the charity.

Local artist Fred Ross is this year's marshal for the 45 minute event, which will follow the same route as last year. 

The parade will leave the Causeway, go onto Union St., left on Sydney St., right on King’s Square North, left on Charlotte St., down King St. and on to St. Patrick, on to Main St., right on Lansdowne Ave., and right at Wellesley Blvd.  These streets will be closed off during the parade. 

People are also asked not to park on King Street after 5pm, or risk being towed. All 4 lanes of the Causeway will be blocked off beginning at 3:30pm for the parade line-up.

The whole show starts at 6pm. For more information, click here.

Police Looking For Man Unlawfully At Large

City Police are looking for your help in finding a man who's currently unlawfully at large and a Canada Wide Warrant has been issued for his arrest.
   
42 year old William Wayne Cummer was last seen on November 13th. He has an extensive criminal background that involves numerous violent offenses and shouldn't be approached.  He's described as being 6' tall, 181 lbs., with brown hair or a shaved head, hazel eyes, with tattoos on face, neck and body.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Cummer is asked to contact the Saint John Police at 506-648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

3rd Arrest Made In Connection With Stabbing

Saint John City Police arresting a third man in connection with the home invasion that left one 18 year old dead earlier this month.

The 16 year old teenager, whose name can't be released, was arrested Thursday in Moncton. The teen appeared in court Friday to answer to appropriate charges.

On November 3rd police were called to a home on Prince Street West, in regards to a home invasion where two young men had been stabbed. 

A warrant still exists for 22-year-old Bradley Saia.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Saint John Police Force at 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477.

What Is The Gondola Point Ferry Doing In The Saint John Harbour?

Folks who regularly take the Gondola Point Ferry have probably been noticing something a little different lately. A smaller ferry is covering the run while the William Pitt 2 goes in for repairs.

We've received word that the William Pitt 2 is still sitting in the Saint John Harbour waiting to be taken for repairs in Nova Scotia. The work is supposed to take a month and is due to begin tomorrow

A call to the Department of Transportation was not immediately returned.

Newly-Minted Liberal Leader Focusing On Jobs

It's a challenging times for New Brunswick, but and newly-elected Liberal leader Brian Gallant tells CHSJ news he's willing to put partisan politics aside to work on the issues. 

Gallant tells CHSJ News with the soaring unemployment rate the growing economy is number one.
 
Gallant says we need to grow business here in New Brunswick rather than looking for quick fixes--because quick fixes are what got us into this economic mess in the first place.

Port Announces New Interim Board Chair

The Port Authority Board of Directors announcing their chairman, Stephen Campbell, has resigned to accept a new job in Ottawa.

Former vice-chair Peter Gaulton is the interim chairman of the Saint John Port Authority board of directors.

Gaulton has been a member of the Board since 2008.

New Way To Help Your Local Food Bank

As Christmas approaches, the province's food banks are feeling the pinch.

Fortunately, a new partnership called Buy Atlantic, For Atlantic will be giving provincial food banks $1 for every dollar spent on Majesta and Cavendish products. Coupons will be available through local newspapers, flyer home deliveries, and in-store at participating retailers until December 31.

NB Food Bank Association president Greg Piers tells CHSJ News about 1,000 Saint John families rely on the food bank to get by. Further, Piers says, for others Christmas is the only time they need assistance, so it's especially important to be able to provide for everyone.

St. Stephen Students Receive Health Report Cards

Our kids are the first generation that will live a shorter lifespan than their parents.

That word from Dr. Sohrab Lutchmedial, a heart specialist overseeing the Health Report Card Day at St. Stephen High School.
 
Grade 10 students were tested on things such as cholesterol, Body Mass Index and self-esteem.
 
Dr. Lutchmedial says its all about educating the kids.
He says we realize they have to start when the kids are at school instead of dragging them to a hospital setting. 

The school will now offer interventions for mental health, an on-site dietitian, as well as opening the gym after school to give students an extra chance to exercise.

Donor Reaches 700th Donation

Another dedicated donor making a milestone donation at Canadian Blood Services.
Harry Cross reaching the 700 mark in plasma donation at a ceremony this morning.

Cross proudly promotes blood donation recruiting friends,  family and fellow volunteers and was recognized as an exceptional donor at a national awards ceremony in Ottawa.

The donation comes as Canadian Blood Services announces its 'Dedicate a Holiday Miracle' campaign. 

All donors can do so with a holiday card and through the C.B.S. Facebook page with a personalized photo dedication.

For more on the Holiday campaign, click here

Parade Organizers Issue Reminders

The 60th Annual Saint John Santa Claus Parade is coming up tomorrow and organizers have a few reminders for you.

You are asked to bring a grocery bag with non-perishable food for the Community Food Bank.   City workers will collect the donations along the route right before the parade starts.

NBCC students and staff will be picking up gently used coats along the parade route to be donated to the Coats for Kids campaign.

All children should bring their letters for Santa and make sure to include your home address.

Motorists should be aware all four lanes of the causeway will be blocked off starting at 3:30pm on Saturday for parade line-up.

Yous are asked to not park on King Street beginning at 5 pm.
Any vehicles parked anywhere along the parade route after 5:30 p.m. will be towed.

The Parade will leave the Causeway, go onto Union St., left on Sydney St., right on King’s Square North, left on Charlotte St., down King St. and on to St. Patrick, on to Main St., right on Lansdowne Ave., and right at Wellesley Blvd.  These streets will be closed off during the parade.

Hold Up At South End Store

The Major Crime Unit of the City police force is on the lookout for the man responsible for holding up a South end convenience store.

About 7:45pm last night, a man with a weapon came into Shawn's Variety on Broad Street demanding money and did leave with some cash.

Earlier in the day, emergency crews responded to a 3 vehicle collision at the intersection of Rothesay Road and Rothesay Aveneue.   It happened just before 3:30pm.

No one was hurt but there was a small fuel spill resulting from it.

Folk Music Fans Won't Want To Miss This

The times, they are a changin'....folks music is back in a big way, and the Canadian Folk Music Awards are kicking off in Saint John. 

The Awards are being held at the Imperial Theater from November 15 to 17th and organizer Dave Ryan tells CHSJ News it was a grassroots effort with local musician Brett Mason that ended up bringing Folk On The Water to the Port City.

Performances will include  Matt Andersen, The Spinney Brothers, The Atlantic Ballet and many others and will take place at venues around town. 

For more information, click here

Historian Is Glad Fishing House Finally Fell

A local historian is glad to see the old green fishing house by Reversing Falls gone, but says now we have to do something with it. 


Harold Wright tells CHSJ news it represented a significant part of our harbour fishing history which lasted until the beginning of the seventies. He says it was used as a shelter and a place for fishermen to store their supplies. But now that it's in the water it's a navigational and environmental hazard, as well as a loss of our heritage says Wright.

20 years ago Wright approached Common Council and asked the city to designate it as a heritage site but it didn't go through. He says we now have maybe one or two fishing houses left.

Wright adds that now it's floating in our waters, chemicals from the wood could now be in the water and someone needs to pick it up.

Old Fishing House Disappears Down River

Going... going... gone!

The old dilapidated green fishing house off Reversing Falls has finally met it's end. Parts of the 150-year-old building could be see floating down river just before lunch this morning.

Candice Paulin works at the Reversing Falls restaurant, and tells CHSJ news it took about 15 minutes to gradually get out of site. She says it grabbed the attention of the workers and customers. Paulin says everyone has been waiting a long time for it to finally crumble.

The old fishing house was unused and has been falling apart for quite some time.

Job Opportunities Are There In Some Sectors

20% of people under 24 in New Brunswick don't have jobs, and it's no secret that staggering statistic has left many with no option but to move elsewhere. 

But Janet Scott of Enterprise Saint John says the picture is actually brighter in the IT sector and other specialized skills. She tells CHSJ News people should follow the trends if they want to be assured of gainful employment after they get out of school.

Scott also says it's a great time for people without a mortgage or kids to take a risk and start a small business. For more information on the opportunities available to the twentysomething set, including hiring subsidies for workers, click here

MLA Doesn't Understand Why DFO Approved Sale Of Lobster Licenses

Charlotte-The Isles and Liberal MLA Rick Doucet says he's mystified as to why the Department of Fisheries and Oceans would sell lobster licenses along the coast of Grand Manan.

Fishermen protested outside the DFO this week against the sales. Today the Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea will be speaking with the fishermen over a conference call, but Doucet says the fishermen want a face-to-face meeting.

Doucet tells CHSJ news when you remove this way of life from a coastal community there's a rare chance it will come back. He says there's a lot of grief and anxiety with both young and old fishermen right now, and says the more licenses they see leave the harder it is on the community.

Inventory Shutdown To Impact Potash Workers

A slowdown in sales means the Potash mine in Sussex will layoff workers for up to 8 weeks and they don't know why. Inventory here in Saint John and in Dairytown is full and they can't move product until things change.

PotashCorp General Manager Stewart Brown says they can't give a reason for the shutdown adding potash sales are cyclical. He tells CHSJ News company operations here and in Saskatchewan are being impacted.

He says they have to look at the work they have available and at some point they will have workers laid off during the 8 week period.

The shutdown is scheduled to start December 30th and is scheduled to last until February 24th. Brown says if conditions change the shutdown period could be shortened. The potash mine near Sussex currently has 500 employees.   For more info, click here