2009-06-08
21:37:49
(Marco Polo supporter Barry Ogden - photo by Gary MacDonald)
Marco Polo promoter Barry Ogden is proud with the naming of the new cruise terminal -- Ogden has been working for almost a quarter of a century to have a replica of the famed sailing ship constructed.
He says it only makes sense to have a connection with what was once the fastest sailing ship in the world built on the shores of Marsh Creek.
Ogden says work on a replica of the famed ship is nearing completion.
2009-06-08
21:30:54
(Marco Polo cruise terminal officially opened - photo by Gary MacDonald)
It's no longer the Water Street cruise terminal -- it's now known as the Marco Polo cruise terminal.
That's the name unveiled tonight during the official opening of the new facility -- a terminal for which Princess Cruises president Allan Buckelew has high praise.
Buckelew -- who was a guest speaker at the opening ceremony -- says it will only enhance what is one of the best port experiences in the world.
Saint John High student Laura Daigle suggested the name as part of a contest sponsored by the Port Authority.
The terminal welcomes its first cruise ship tomorrow morning -- the Carnival Triumph arrives with just over three thousand passengers to begin the cruise season.
2009-06-08
17:39:34
Sobeys head office is saying there is not a problem with mice at the Grand Bay Westfield location.
Several calls to our newsroom where people say they spotted the pesky rodent prompted the call to the head office.
Spokesperson Jill Myrick tells CHSJ News, a complaint was filed two weeks ago about mice, and Public Health conducted an investigation.
She says Public Health found no problem, and says anytime a complaint is made action is taken immediately.
Myrick says food safety for the grocery chain is a number one priority.
2009-06-08
17:15:12
Make sure to bring some change when you stop into NB Liquor this summer---beginning mid-summer the corporation will begin charging 5 cents for new recyclable plastic bags.
All proceeds go to MADD Canada, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Spokesperson Nora Lacy tells CHSJ News, the 45 per cent recycled material bags were a long time coming, because they could only find manufacturers in the Asian markets---meaning the bags could not be recycled in the province.
Lacy says several prototypes from a Saint John company finally came up with the right bag.
NB Liquor will continue to supply on the house brown paper bags, as well as a new 4 bottle canvas bag.
2009-06-08
15:33:47
Expect to see an abundance of out of towners tomorrow in the Uptown area.
The first cruise ship is coming to town for the inaugural call to the new terminal on Water Street.
The Carnival Triumph is bringing 32 hundred passengers on it's first trip to the city---and will be the first of the expected 74 ships, and a record breaking 190 thousand passengers.
2009-06-08
14:46:08
A couple of St Stephen area men are facing charges in connection with the death of a dog last month.
R-C-M-P say the two are facing charges of animal cruelty after a large dog was left in a parked vehicle overnight.
Police say the driver and a friend crossed over to the U-S and when they returned -- the dog was dead after suffering from excessive heat and lack of nourishment.
The two are scheduled to appear in St Stephen court August 4th.
2009-06-08
13:23:34
(Student Anthony McDevitt and Saint John East M-L-A Roly MacIntyre unveiling drawing of new building - photo by Gary MacDonald)
More cash for higher learning today -- the provincial government is spending 21-million dollars to build a new Center of Excellence for Energy and Construction at the Grandview Avenue campus of the Community College.
Post Secondary Education Minister Donald Arsenault says it's a significant new project covering about 90-thousand square feet.
The federal government is also contributing 2.5-million dollars for the project -- that's in addition to the Community College's new Allied Health building to be constructed at the Tucker Park campus of U-N-B-S-J.
2009-06-08
13:19:38
(UNBSJ Vice President Robert MacKinnon - photo by Gary MacDonald)
A major shot of cash for U-N-B-S-J -- Ottawa is committing eight million dollars in funding while the province is coming in with 10-million for expansion plans at the Tucker Park campus.
Vice President Robert MacKinnon says it's part of the concept for the university commons which includes new buildings for students services and high tech library and the Allied Health services component of the Community College.
Total cost of the project is estimated at 25-million dollars.
2009-06-08
11:43:03
Three companies have qualified to bid on the contract to construct the province's Route 1 Gateway. The project involves the construction of 55 km of four-lane highway to the St. Stephen border, including 27 km between Murray Road and St. George-- and-- 28 km between Letang River and Lepreau.
New Brunswick Transportation Group; The Dexter Team; and the Brun-Way Group are all open to submit proposals by March 31st. The request for proposals will be sent out in a couple of weeks. The successful bidder will complete construction by 2013 --as well as-- take on the operation and maintenance of Route 1 starting in June 2011 for up to 30 years.
2009-06-08
10:40:55
Port Days are here, which is the official beginning of the biggest cruise ship season ever for the port city, with 190 thousand passengers expected. Several activities are planned over the next two days, including the Port Days Golf Tournament taking place at the Westfield Golf and Country Club, as well as the St. John River Cruise on the M.V. Voyager II. Saint John Port Authority Chair Stephen Campbell tells CHSJ News, so far getting the new cruise ship terminal up and running has been smooth sailing.
Tonight will be the official grand opening of the new cruise terminal, which will also be the official naming ceremony.
2009-06-08
10:17:24
The Provincial government is investing $10 million for the expansion of the UNB Saint John campus, including the development of the university common and new buildings. The federal government has already committed to contributing $8 million to the project.
Later this morning - An announcement is scheduled on a building design at the Community College on Grandview Avenue.
2009-06-08
10:16:15
Bell Aliant is still warning customers about a phony email making the rounds. The e-mail refers to the company doing an upgrade to the web-mail and requiring your address and pass-word to keep you from losing service. The email is actually designed to trick people into giving out their personal information. These types of phishing emails are not uncommon ---we first reported on the problem back in February.
If you do receive one of these e-mails, feel free to get in touch with the company at abuse@aliant.net.
2009-06-08
09:31:06
RCMP have released the name of a murder victim from Damascus. The body of 78 year old Frank Tonge was found in his Hampton area home last week. A young Hampton woman has been charged with first degree murder and is to appear in court on Wednesday.
Her name cannot be released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
2009-06-08
09:30:21
(Two Cats Up for Adoption--Photo Courtesy of the Saint John Animal Rescue League)
After putting the call out to Saint Johner's on Thursday the Saint John Animal Rescue League has found homes for 50 cats and kittens. Volunteers and employees at the shelter were desperately trying to find homes for 19 of the long-term residents with all but two being adopted over the weekend. Director Janet Foster tells CHSJ news they have made a lot of room and the two remaining cats that have been there since October will no longer be euthanized.
Foster says the shelter now has 119 cats--down from 169 on Friday--but they are still at their limit.
2009-06-08
04:37:27
A teenage Hampton girl has been arrested and charged with first degree murder in the death of a 78 year old man from Damascus. Officers were called to a home in the Hampton area late last week where they discovered the body of the elderly man. No names have been released.
The young woman is due back in court on Wednesday.
2009-06-08
04:10:52
Rural residents will find out how soon they can expect high speed internet access today. Under an agreement between the province and Barrett Xplore Inc -- the company is beginning construction of a wireless network immediately in a number of areas including Hampton - St Stephen - and - Oromocto.
Work on the required towers is expected to be completed by the end of the summer -- the company says the towers will reach the greatest number of customers in rural areas in the shortest time frame. Meantime - a coverage map and construction schedule will be available through a new web site www.highspeednb.com
