Mayor Mel Norton made it back just in the nick of time for common council after a big trade mission to Toronto yesterday.
Business leaders from Saint John including Richard Currie and representatives from the Oland and Irving families also attended those meetings in the Big Smoke, which were geared at bringing business to the Port City.
Topics included the Port, our broadband infrastructure, shale gas, and the Energy East Pipeline.
You might have noticed broken swing-sets and overflowing garbage cans when you take the kids to your local playground.
There's a reason for that, according to Michael Hugenholtz of Saint John's Leisure Services department: a city the size of Saint John should have about 14 playgrounds, but we have over 70 meaning some are falling into disrepair.
Hugenholtz explains under newly-adopted PlaySJ community groups will have to maintain smaller playgrounds--but Common Councillor Ray Strowbridge has concerns that in areas where community groups don't exist playgrounds that are well-used won't be maintained.
Hugenholtz says there are 42 playgrounds that could potentially be phased out and it makes more sense to invest in flagship playgrounds like the one at Rockwood Park that serve a lot of families.
Two simultaneous emergency calls at the same time causing a few blood pressure spikes a short time ago.
A medical call bringing an ambulance to Smythe street while at the same time City fire got the call of a possible structure fire at the Aquatic centre.
Someone could smell smoke in the aquatic centre but no fire could be found. Fire crews are going to hang around as a precaution. It may be an electrical problem.
Many of the emergency vehicles have left the area.
Be prepared for whatever mother nature may bring our way this winter...that's the message NB Power is sending out as they recognize this week as Storm Preparedness Week.
Some tips to prepare include keeping a flashlight and safety light sticks handy to use instead of candles to avoid fire hazards...making sure you have a corded phone or a fully charged cell phone since you can use the device to check NB Power's mobile site for up-to-date information on power outages...and having a battery-operated radio and spare batteries ready.
For more tips, you can can check out Are You Prepared,
a complete guide on how to prepare for storm-related outages.
The Q League announcing former Sea Dogs coach Gerard Gallant is among 4 nominees to the Q League Hall of Fame next year.
The 50-year-old Summerside, PEI native spent three seasons between '09 and 2012 guiding the team to three Jean-Rougeau Trophies as the league's regular season champions, two President Cup titles and the 2011 Memorial Cup championship.
With a record of 159-33-2-7, Gallant has the top career winning percentage of any coach in Q league history at .791.
Dogs' Prez Wayne Long says they are extremely proud of Gerard adding his hard work behind the bench is a big reason why the Dogs were so successful during his time here.
Gallant is joined in the 2014 class of inductees by Jean-Luc Phaneuf, Normand Caisse and Patrice Brisebois with the ceremony coming up next April.
This had to be a rude awakening and likely had the neighbours talking....
At 8am on Saturday morning, City police executing a search warrant on the west side off Catherwood street seizing pot with a street value of about $20,000.
Sgt. Jay Henderson says a 25 year old man and a 24 year old woman are facing charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of marijuana.
A 24 year old woman was released pending a January court date.
25 year old Brandon Scott Gillette made a brief court appearance today and is due back before a judge on Wednesday.
The dam at the mouth of the Magaguadavic River in Charlotte County looking a little different after the completion of a six-month modernization project.
The former stop log gates at the old dam site in St. George being upgraded with three new hydraulic steel gates. Before the changes, opening and closing the gates could take up to eight hours, now it takes 30 minutes. Geoff Britt of JDI tells CHSJ News the process is now quicker and safer for workers.
The fish passage also getting some improvements. To watch a video of the upgrade at the dam, click here.
Saint John is slowly climbing out of a very difficult economic downturn according to Mayor Mel Norton. He's in Toronto speaking to high powered business types which former Premier Frank McKenna and Maple Leaf Foods President Scott McCain organised.
Norton describes the last few years as being a dark period for the city but he sees a turnaround happening with development occurring in the north end with Shannex in Millidgeville and a new 'Y" on Churchill Boulevard along with the Coast Guard site by Market Square.
The Atlantica Centre for Energy is looking for a new President.
Former M-P John Herron has left to join the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board.
Former President Tim Currie has returned from retirement on an interim basis, telling CHSJ News the search is on for Herron's replacement and he expects someone will be chosen by the Board of Directors in the new year.
Premier David Alward is defending the use of a public-private partnership to pay for clean drinking water in Saint John, saying it's the private sector that builds prosperity.
The Council of Canadians has spoken out against public-private partnerships with concern expressed over increases in water rates.
Premier Alward claims the economic tide is turning in Saint John for the better and has suggested the city could be an exporter of natural gas with shale gas development.
The Council of Canadians argues, because of the need to make a profit, Saint Johnners could wind up paying much higher rates for their water than they otherwise would.
Under the proposed public-private partnership or P3 arrangement, project risks including design, construction, financing, operations and maintenance will be transferred to a private partner, which will bear responsibility for any cost overruns and delays.
Four federal byelections are being held across the country today and polling indicates the Liberals have a chance to take the Conservative stronghold in Brandon-Souris. Conservatives are said to be divided there because of the nomination process but the Senate expense scandal has also been mentioned during the campaign.
Prime Minister Harper is accusing the opposition parties of blocking his Senate Reform which Beausejour Liberal M-P Dominic Leblanc scoffs at, pointing out Harper has appointed more senator than any Prime Minister in the last 25 years and has not pushed for vote on his proposed Senate reforms. Leblanc adds the P-M has not pushed for a vote on Senate reform.
A lot of attention is also being paid to Toronto Centre, long considered a Liberal stronghold, where the NDP is running a high profile candidate, author and social commentator Linda McQuaig. The Liberals are going with Chrysta Freeland who has written for the Financial Times and appeared on CNN and Morning Joe on MSNBC.
A fire yesterday afternoon in a home at 3141 Golden Grove Road.
It was called in around 4:30 and the fire department says the house was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived.
Extensive damage was caused to the upper floor and attic. An elderly couple managed to get out of the home safely.
Recreation is one of Common Council's top priorities for 2014 and councillors tonight will be asked to adopt a new strategic plan called Play SJ.
Part of that plan calls for a multiplex ice surface that would replace the existing arenas. Recreation Manager Kevin Watson says that makes good economic sense with less cost to maintain and the timing is right because the existing arenas around town are getting long in the tooth.
The plan would also see fields, where possible, converted to artificial turf. Watson says the theme is quality over quantity.
Saint John now has 70 playgrounds. A city our size, according to national standards, should have 14.
A high flyer with an Alberta Gas company stopping off in the province to talk about the evolution of the oil and gas industry.
Keith Steeves of NAL Resources, tells CHSJ News, when it comes to getting rid of environmental concerns over fracking with shale gas exploration,"you can never alleviate every concern from every person," he says. However, he does say you can create a situation that deals with a lot of the concerns.
"I would say Alberta is a great example. I wouldn't say that we are completely with people that don't have issues, but I would say that it's fairly well known and a common industry, and people are comfortable in terms of what we do from a drilling perspective," he says.
Steeves claims shale gas has the capacity to create thousands of jobs.
When it comes to how many hours you should be spending in dreamland, there is no magic number.
The Medical Director of the Sleep Centre at the Regional Hospital, Dr. Rachel Morehouse says, the question of sleep need is probably the most common question she gets asked.
She tells CHSJ News, the amount differs from person to person and some of it's based on genetics.
"It's quite simple, you need the amount of sleep that will make you feel rested and energetic the day, but that varies between individuals," she says.
She says there are some people at the extreme ends, who may need up to 12 hours of sleep a night, and some who may only need five. Most of us, she says, need about seven and a half.
Saint John Alzheimer Café holding a caregiving and aging Presentation today.
Guest speaker, Dr. Amy D’Aprix is an expert in aging, retirement and caregiving. Much of her work focuses on working with seniors and their caregiving families.
She's the author of two books about caregiving and friendship, and has given presentations across North America.
The presentation being held today at 2pm-4pm, at St. Mark’s Church, in Saint John West.
Stray cats in the city will be getting a cozy home, all thanks to a group in Saint John making cat shelters.
It's the first, "Build a Shelter Campaign," where shelters will be made out of donated supplies such as wood, straw, and rubber totes, and distributed throughout the city.
Yvonne Steeves is the owner of Puddy N' Pooch Palace, a pet resort at 688 Rothesay Avenue. The event is being hosted at the shop today from 10am -5pm.
She tells CHSJ News, "Something needs to be done about the stray and feral cats in the city, and unfortunately all of the shelter and reuses are completely full. There's no way to possibly get all the cats off the street."
Saint John Fire responding to fire at the Irving Pulp & Paper Mill, late yesterday.
Crews were on the scene for an hour and a half.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around Uptown Saint John.
Part of the festivities includes, the 2nd Annual Crosby's Gingerbread Trail, where 16 local businesses compete with displays of gingerbread houses and creations in their shop windows.
Tracy Hanson of Uptown Saint John tells CHSJ News there's going to be a lot of variety in the displays.
"A lot of the people are trying to do something that's consistent with there business, which is always interesting," she says. There will be some unique surprises."
The gingerbread houses will be on display until December 20th.
Saint John Police responding to a power pole being knocked out by the wind this afternoon.
The pole fell at the Milford Trailer Park, early this afternoon.
Police tell us there is minimal damage.
