CHSJ News: Apr 16, 2009

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Save the Ferries Rally Planned for Friday at Noon

2009-04-16

18:13:03

Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees are planning to hold a demonstration in front of the legislature Friday in opposition to the cancellation of three provincial ferries. Spokesperson Rev Robert McDowell tells CHSJ News they will gather at the Boyce Farmer's Market parking lot and begin a parade to the legislature at 11:AM.

Last month's provincial budget announced the elimination of ferry service at Gagetown, Hampstead and Belleisle as a cost-cutting measure. Rural residents and those who work on the ferries believe the elimination of the ferry service at the end of the month will hurt their life style. Meanwhile, the group "Save Our Ferries" will be hosting a BBQ directly on the Belleisle ferry this Sunday from 2-5 pm. They will be raising money in support of their Legal Fund to fight the Liberal government's decision to shut down the ferry service.

Teenage Girl Arrested In Connection with Theft from a Senior

2009-04-16

16:17:05

A Saint John girl has been arrested in connection with the theft of 17 thousand dollars from a senior citizen in Rothesay. The Rothesay Regional Major Crime unit made the arrest today and the young woman will appear in court at a later date.

15 thousand dollars of the stolen money has been recovered--but--police are cautioning people to never leave large sums of money in their homes.

St. John River Water Levels Dropping

2009-04-16

16:16:13

Water levels along the St. John River are dropping. As a result of cooler, dryer temperatures over the last 48 hours, water levels along the entire river basin continue to decrease. The provincial Emergency Measures Organization says there have been no major problems with regard to flooding or ice jams.

Water levels are forecast to continuing sinking over the next 72 hours.

City Launches Emergency Preparedness Survey

2009-04-16

13:23:12

The Saint John Emergency Management Organization is conducting a survey to determine how well residents think the city is prepared for an emergency. The questions will gauge their understanding and expectations for emergency preparedness as well as their perception of the city's role during an emergency.

The results of this study are aimed at strengthening city-wide emergency awareness. To take the 15 minute survey click here.

Four Hells Angels Charged

2009-04-16

12:51:53

Four men have been charged following a joint forces operation targeting a Hells Angels cell operating in northwestern New Brunswick. Emery “Pit” Martin, the only full patch member of the Hells Angels known to be living in the province, was among those arrested. His associates Reginald Martin of Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska, Eric Martin of Grand Falls and Michel Rivard of Saint-Quentin are also facing charges.

They include conspiracy to traffic in controlled substances, gangsterism, being members of an organized crime group, and committing a criminal act for a criminal organization. Martin is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Police seized drugs, drug equipment and firearms during operation Jacoby on Tuesday.

DOT Spends Thousands on a Ferry About to be Cancelled

2009-04-16

12:19:41

The Department of Transportation is responding to criticism for spending 8 thousand dollars repairing a cable on a river ferry it plans to shut down in a few weeks. Service was stopped on the Gagetown ferry last week after ice broke the main tie-down but it is expected to return to service today. Spokesperson Andrew Holland tells CHSJ news the government is keeping its promise on a 30-day moratorium for ending the Gagetown and Belleisle ferry runs.

Last month's provincial budget announced the elimination of ferry service at Gagetown, Hampstead and Belleisle as a cost-cutting measure. They will stop running at the end of the month.

City Council Split on Future of Police-Justice Complex

2009-04-16

11:33:08

Not everyone around the council horseshoe is convinced spending tax-payer money on a new police-justice headquarters is the best route to go. At a cost of $25 million dollars, Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase tells CHSJ News, the way the proposal is delivered could impact the cost favourably including a public-private partnership which includes commercial development.

Chase says at this point, he is reserving his support for the final analysis of the proposal at this time but certainly hopes it is something City Hall can deliver. Councilor Bill Farren says he is also willing to put the brakes on the project if the cost for tax-payers is too high.

Millidgeville Residents May Get Middle School After All

2009-04-16

11:31:36

Officials in District Eight continue to try and utilize their facilities to get the best return for students and the bottom line. There is a proposal on the table to convert M. Gerald Teed to a Kindergarten to Grade Two facility and move the grades 3, 4 and 5 to Millidgeville North and create an English language middle school program. Chairman of the District Eight Education Council Rob Fowler tells CHSJ News, this proposal works for the DEC members.

Fowler says re-registration forms are being sent home with students from Lorne and M. Gerald Teed to state their preference on where they would like their students to go to school. If the numbers add up the way District Officials hope, this new set-up will go into effect in the fall.

City Seeks Input for Saint John Website

2009-04-16

11:30:41

Your opinion is in high demand as the city is asking residents to speak up on what they want to see on it's website. Most specifically they want your three top wishes and Deputy City Manager Andrew Beckett tells CHSJ News, there will be more attempts made to get the public involved.

An Open House was held last night with a small turn-out. Beckett adds they will consider using focus groups to analyze the website upgrades. If you want to have your say, you can check out the survey by going to our website at country94.ca and click on the link.

Criminal Justice Studies Underway

2009-04-16

11:29:53

The Centre for Criminal Justice Studies at UNB Saint John is looking to increase it's profile and the work they are doing along with the Mental Health Court. The director is Dr. Mary Ann Campbell who says the centre tries to reduce or prevent criminal behavior by researching character traits and the mind set of criminals. Campbell says people only hear about criminals who re-offend, not those who benefit from the work being done at the Mental Health Court.

Campbell says she has had discussions with Police Chief Bill Reid about working together in the future to help prevent crime in the city.

Province & JD Irving Hold Job Fest 2009

2009-04-16

11:29:01

Future workers will get their first taste of what a full-time job is all about today. J.D. Irving and the Province are hosting Job Fest at the Trade and Convention Center where over 400 students from Districts Six, Eight and Ten are taking take part.

The set-up gives grade 11 students information and insight to help make the connection between their education and their search for a job.

Red Triangle Awards Being Handed Out Tonight

2009-04-16

11:28:15

Several Saint John residents will be honored by the YM-YWCA tonight. Their annual Red Triangle Awards ceremony will honor Eric Savoie as the leader to watch this year and the Red Triangle Award is going to the Y's Men's Club. The group has been serving the greater good in Saint John for over 80 years.

Savoie began his volunteer career at the "Y" while taking part in the Leader Corps Program. The Red Triangle Award has been handed out since 1990 and tonight's ceremony gets started at 6:30pm at the Delta.

Gas Prices Take a Small Jump

2009-04-16:

04:01:08:

Nothing major but the price for gasoline is up this week. The Energy and Utilities Board has released it's weekly price schedule which shows the maximum retail for gasoline has jumped to 85.4 which is up not even quite a penny from a week ago. Most stations are selling a litre for 85.7.

Diesel is down percentage points at just over 90 cents, furnace oil is also down just under a penny at 70.9 and propane is down to 83.3.

Busy Night for City Police

2009-04-16:

04:00:08:

A robbery, a beating and an arson. Just a few of the files City Police had to deal with last night. The first call of note came just before 9:30pm to the Fundy Line Motel on Rothesay Avenue for a robbery. Officer's were told two men kicked in the door of a room, stole some items and threw around a woman that was staying there. There was also damage to her vehicle. She is shaken up but is going to be alright. Twenty minutes later officer's showed up in the North End to find a man with his head split open after being hit with something twice. None of his stuff was taken as he never went down after being hit. He was taken to the Regional to get stitched up and is going to be fine.

Then just after one this morning, a vehicle was found burning on Station Street. Officer's know the license plates do not belong to the vehicle and believe this is a case of arson. Major Crime has been called in for all three incident.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)