The Motorcycle Rapist Moving Into Local Halfway House

A sex offender known as the "motorcycle rapist" being moved to a city halfway house today. 

John O'Brien was convicted of raping eight women in Nova Scotia and was sentenced to 37 years in prison, and now qualifies for statutory release. 

Saint John police deputy chief Bruce Connell tells us he's being housed at a federal halfway house, so while the Saint John police force do keep an eye on anybody on parole, it's not their responsibility to track O'Brien: that's the responsibility of those running the facility on Carleton street. 

A petition against sharing the city with O'Brien has gone up online. To see it, go to: http://chn.ge/XqkhR8

Federal Government Supports Project To Help Women Become Financially Independent

A three-year project to help marginalized women become financially self-sufficient and secure has received federal backing. 

The feds giving nearly $300, 000 to the Urban Core Support Network, and coordinator Brenda Murphy tells CHSJ News that hearing from local women is a key part of the initiative.

MP Rodney Weston made the announcement, and he tells us that if the information is shared throughout the country, it could benefit other communities who have the same problems we have here in Saint John.

Fire Causes Minimal Damage, Minimal Disruption At Port

Quite a smoke-show last night after some fluff ignited at the American Iron and Metal shredding operation at the port, but Jim Quinn tells CHSJ News that the damage the fire caused was minimal; the flame went up underneath the conveyer belt, melting it.

By the time Quinn got to the site, the fire department had put out the blaze. He tells us there may be a small hiccup in operations, but nothing major.

Another Public Meeting On E-I Changes And Protest

There's still alot of uncertainty and concern about what effect the changes to Employment Insurance will bring about. That's why a meeting on E-I will be held at the Sussex Legion tomorrow night starting at 7.

It's being organised by Dennis Belliveau who will chair the meeting. Belliveau is from Blacks Harbour and tells CHSJ News fishermen won't be the only people who could be affected because if you live in a small town and get laid off, there aren't that many jobs going around.


Belliveau doesn't know if Fundy Royal M-P Rob Moore, who has been invited, will be on hand.   Meantime, a protest against the reforms will be held Friday afternoon at the King Street office of Saint John M-P Rodney Weston. Schoolbus drivers in the Saint John area, many of whom are women, are especially upset.

Sheriff Gives Advice To A City Business Audience

BellAliant's CEO in Atlantic Canada extending her wisdom to a business audience at the first meeting in Canadian Women in Communication's CEO Breakfast Series in Saint John.

Karen Sheriff tells CHSJ News that when she mentors young people she tells them not to worry about the next change or promotion but focus on what they are doing and do it well.

She says one mistake that young people make is moving up or changing jobs quickly.

Sheriff says new stats show the younger generation working today will not only change jobs but careers 3-5 times in their lifetime.

Assault Victim Identified

The 43 year old man who suffered serious injuries in a confrontation at A-J's Lounge on Manawagonish Road Easter Monday has been identified as Scott Crawford.

He remains at the Regional Hospital in serious condition.

A 37 year old man was arrested by City Police and is tentatively scheduled to be formally charged in court May 8th at which time his name will be released.

Regional Hospital Responds To Dilution Of Chemo Medication

Since March of last year, the Regional Hospital says 186 of its patients have received lower than intended doses of a chemotherapy drug used to treat certain cancers.

The Regional Hospital is in the midst of contacting those patients who are being advised to get in touch with their oncologists to guage the impact.

Chief of Staff Dr. John Dornan doesn't believe getting less of the medication has had an adverse effect on them battling their disease but concedes he just doesn't know for sure. He hasn't heard of any problems thus far and characterises the risk as low. The dilution ranges from 3 to 20 per cent.

The under dosage came to light just last Thursday and the hospital now has a new supplier.

City Police Looking For Convicted Robber

Police are looking for a man currently on the lam from a Saint John halfway house.

Brady Richard Polchies is serving a federal sentence of more than 4 years for robbery and more.

He was last seen wearing jeans and light brown boots and he often wears a ball cap with a white and blue pattern jacket with a hood.

He is 6 foot 1, 199 pounds with black hair and brown eyes with numerous tatoos on his arms, hands and face.

Police think he could be in the Kingsclear First Nation area as he has family there but he also has ties to Oromocto, Fredericton and Woodstock.

When he took off before he was caught here so he could be in the city.
If you have seen him, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or click here

Deer Survey To Be Released

Whether you think they're majestic creatures or just plain pests, town officials will gauge popular opinion on deer in the valley by uploading a survey onto the Quispamsis town website. 

Quispamsis mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News that when the results come in, they'll be shared with the Department of Natural Resources. The survey goes up on April 22nd and will be posted until May 31st. Driscoll tells us it will ultimately help in creating a deer management plan.

A Change At The Top At Irving Oil

Irving Oil will be getting a new company President and C-E-O on April 22nd. 

Mike Ashar is retiring on April 19th after five years. His successor is Paul Browning who will be taking over April 22nd. 

Browning comes to Saint John from General Electric in New York where he has been working since 2011 as President and C-E-O of its thermal products division. He has also worked at Caterpillar

Want To Flip Some Historic Homes? Here's Your Chance

Folks interested in flipping some colourful, albeit damaged, homes dating back to 1860 could soon have their chance. Common Council has issued a request for proposals to develop the so-called Jellybean Houses on Wellington Row, which were purchased by the precious council back when Peel Plaza was just a gleam the previous council's eye.

Councillor Donna Reardon tells CHSJ News the former synagogue on the corner of Wellington Row also needs a developer, although that space may prove more challenging to renovate given the unique demands of its architecture. In November 2012, a Toronto-area developer announced his intentions to convert another historic church, The Gothic Arches, into condos.

Councillor Bill Farren tells CHSJ News the proximity to the police station might not be a selling point for some, but the area is also excellent for street-level retail.

The city bought the buildings, which date back to before the Great Fire of 1877, just in case they could be included in a larger project down the line; however, further expansion now looks unlikely given the much-publicized outcry over cost overruns at the Justice Complex.

Port Hit By Serious Fire

A scary situation early last night at the port on the west side as fire crews were called to the American Iron and Metal shredding operation. 

Platoon Chief Joe Armstrong says fire had to be put out in a storage building with a large conveyer system inside and a couple of rail cars but was prevented from spreading.

Heavy smoke and flames could be seen. The blaze broke out around 7 and firefighters didn't leave until 10:00. 

No one was injured as six employees managed to get out of the building safely.
 
There's no word on how the fire started but it's not believed to be suspicious.

Quinn Describes The Role the Port Would Play In the Proposed Pipeline Project

The port saying they're very interested in being part of the proposed pipeline project. 

Port of Saint John president and CEO Jim Quinn tells CHSJ news the challenge is getting western crude into the global marketplace where it gets fair return at global prices, and he says the port can offer an export point for that crude.

Saint John has been named a delivery point for the just-announced TransCanada’s Eastern Oil Pipeline Project, which would be able to move up to 850,000 barrels of crude oil every day.

Boxcar Off Rails

If you're wondering what's going on at Simm's Corner with boxcar off the rails.

Southern Railway NB tells CHSJ News there's a boxcar with one wheel that's simply slipped the track. 

Nothing dangerous has spilled out of the boxcar and they expect it'll be cleaned up within the next 20 minutes.

Carrie Underwood And Hunter Hayes In Saint John Tonight

Some lucky Saint Johners can prepare to be Blown Away tonight.....

Country superstars Carrie Underwood and Hunter Hayes are performing a sold-out show in the Port City at 7:30 at Harbour Station.

Portland is the next stop on Underwood's Blown Away tour.

Norton Calls Transcanada's Step Forward "Tremendous"

Mayor Mel Norton calls Transcanada's move to establish interest in a West- East pipeline a very important first step.
 
He calls it tremendous news and a chance to bring our men and women back from Alberta.

Norton says this project can make Saint John become the leading city we know it can be.

For more info, click here

Business Leaders And Politicians Beam At Potential For West-East Pipeline

With Transcanada's move to seek interest in a pipeline from West to East ending in Saint John, business leaders and politicians are bursting with excitement.

With the backdrop of workers at the Refinery, Premier David Alward says by announcing a binding open season Transcanada is taking a firm step toward moving the project forward.

He says Transcanada is seeking firm commitments from the people that would use the pipeline and that will take 60 days.

Andrew Dawson of the Building Trade Union tells CHSJ News building a pipeline can mean many jobs.  He says during the construction phase it could mean about 3000 jobs.

In two months, Transcanada will determine if there is enough interest and from there begins the regulatory process that will be lead by the Federal government.

New Express Bus Service To Be Tried

Whether it will become a permanent fixture or not remains to be seen and largely depends on how many people use it but a special express bus service will be tested later this month to help those folks who live in three of the city's priority neighbourhoods get to the east side shopping district on Sundays.

Sara Stashick of Vibrant Communities tells CHSJ news there will be test runs on April 7th and the 21st for bus riders who live in Crescent Valley, along Anglin Drive and Rockwood Court, now called Davenport.

Stashick says this express service has been identified as a need in surveys which Saint John Transit has been paying attention to as it gets more money to work with. It's just a matter of determining if financially, you can make something like this new service work and what's the best model.   

Regular fares will be charged but the monthly and other transit passes can also be used.  

Arrest Made In Beating Of Man On West Side

One man has been arrested for an assault that took place early Monday morning at A-J's Lounge on Manawagonish Road which landed a 43 year old man in hospital with serious injuries.

Police say there was some sort of altercation at the bar and they would like anyone who knows how this all came about to get in touch with them at 648-3211 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- tips (8477).

The 37 year old man who was arrested will be formally charged with aggravated assault when he appears in court next month.

In the meantime, he has been released on a number of conditions.

Aquatic Driving Range In Peril

The Aquatic Driving Range, which has been operating since 1979, may not be open this golfing season because it requires major renovations. 

Total Golf Management which operates the driving range is telling the city with advances in golfing equipment, balls are being driven further and too many are being lost, winding up in the quagmire beyond the boom or to the left and right into rugged terrain. 

The suggestion has also been made to come up with a new site.

Common Council also being asked to approve fee increases for this coming golf season with a maximum charge of 911 dollars.