Tech Event Goes This Weekend

2009-05-07

14:34:58

It's going to be an intense weekend for some geeks in the greater Saint John area -- "54 Hours" is an event which will is designed to turn ideas for new software products into reality.
Jason Richard is one of the organizers -- and -- he tells CHSJ News the idea people will have an opportunity to work with experts to bring the product to market.
The event begins tomorrow evening and wraps up Sunday -- Richard is hoping to see at least a couple of new companies spawned from the weekend.
He says everyone working on the ideas making the grade will have a stake in the new company.
You can still register at http://www.54hours.com/

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Allison Grounds Set To Open

2009/05/07

14:10:00

Players will be rounding the bases at Allison Grounds in Rockwood Park as early as May 16th.
Director of Leisure Services Bernie Morrison tells CHSJ News, the improvements to the field held up strongly over the winter, and the preparations to open the field isn't any different from other fields around the city.

Morrison says the grand opening of Allison Grounds will take place on June 5th and 6th with a slow pitch softball tournament, with all proceeds going to PRO Kids.
He says currently there are about 10 teams ready to suit up, but if anyone is interested in putting a team together they should contact Leisure Services.

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No More Notification Letters

2009-05-07:

11:48:59:

There is a big change coming for everyone who drives a vehicle in this Province. Fredericton will no longer send you a notification letter that your registration is due. Energy Minister Jack Keir is looking after the Public Safety portfolio and tells CHSJ News, the reality is, there is only so much money to go around.

And Keir says given the choice, he would take a front line nurse or social worker over a reminder letter for vehicle registration. The move will save $350,000 dollars every year. 

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Sussex RCMP Report

2009-05-07:

11:47:27:

A man from Wards Creek has learned the hard way that scams are lurking everywhere. Sussex RCMP tell us the man responded to a newspaper ad from a company in Toronto who finance loans. Last month, the company asked the man to send them some cash to insure the loan and he didn't hear from them again. An investigation showed the company does not exist and officer's remind everyone trying to secure a loan, that you don't have to make a deposit in advance.

35-year old Jody Sutton of Coles Island has been sentenced to 45 days in jail and a years probation. This after she attempted to fill a forged prescription at a pharmacy on Main Street in Sussex this week.

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Paving Contract Awarded

2009-05-07:

11:46:15:

Don't be surprised to see Debly Construction workers and equipment rolling into Quispamsis in the coming weeks. For the second straight year, the company has been awarded the summer paving contract coming in at just over one million dollars. Director of Engineering Gary Losier tells CHSJ News, they can get alot of asphalt spread for that price.

Along with laying hot asphalt.....the contract includes concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk work for several streets including the Vincent and Stock Farm Roads, Summer Court, Gondola Point Road and drainage work at the Memorial Arena. Losier says any work done by the company last year that didn't weather the winter will be repaired.

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Gas Stations on the Decline

2009-05-07:

11:45:13:

The number of retail gas stations in this country is on the decline. Numbers in a survey released today show as of December.3st last year, there were 12,684 stations from coast to coast which is down from an even 20,000 in 1989. This means there are 3.8 gas stations for every 10,000 people in this country. Rick Demone who owns and operates the Shell Station on Campbell Drive in Rothesay tells CHSJ News, gas alone will not make a profit for gas retailers.

Demone says most retailers are on the hook to sell between five and six million litres of fuel every year or it is not worth opening a site.

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Macintyre is on the Mend

2009-05-07:

11:43:49:

With a light work schedule of answering e-mails and taking phone calls, Saint John East MLA Roly Macintyre continues his come-back from double by-pass surgery. Now into his tenth week, he feels pretty good and is amazed at how well he feels recently. Macintyre tells CHSJ News, he will be back to work but no specific time table has been set.

Macintyre made a brief appearance at yesterday's news conference at the Saint John Learning Center. His colleague, Business Minister Greg Byrne is going in for heart surgery at the Regional this week and knows he is in good hands.

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Lock It and Pocket

2009/05/07

11:28:57

The Saint John Police Force is kick starting a new campaign to get people to lock their vehicles.
Lock It and Pocket aims to prevent avoidable crimes--- like theft from unlocked vehicles.
Sgt. Jim Flemming says most cars that are stolen have the keys inside.

The police have placards that say No Valuables for people to hang from the rear view window to help deter what they call Car Prowlers.

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Price of Gasoline Takes Another Hike

2009-05-07:

04:19:08:

The price of gasoline continues to hover beneath the 90-cent a litre mark. The Energy and Utilities Board has released it's latest price schedule which shows a litre of self-serve going for 88.1 cents which is up just under two cents from seven days ago. Most stations in the metro are selling a litre for 88.3.

Diesel is down a penny at 85.2, Furnace Oil is down percentage points at 67.9 and propane drops as well landing at 81.9.

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Update on Oromocto Murder

2009-05-07:

04:17:49:

A second person has been charged following the murder of 43-year Michael Thurber back on April.5th in Oromocto. 20-year old Brian Dobson made an appearance in court earlier this week and will remain locked up. He will be back before a judge on the 19th to enter a plea on several charges. They include accessory after the fact of murder and intimidation.

A 16-year old boy has been charged with manslaughter in this case but no word on when he will be back in court.

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