Community Colleges Split

Minister for Post-Secondary Education Donald Arseneault is announcing major changes to the province's community colleges.

The New Brunswick Community College and the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick are now managing separate English and French institutions.

He says the split will allow for more funding from the federal government and the private sector.

The province decided the split would better represent the French and English communities.

Alward Responds to Minister's Accusations

An accusation by the Energy Minister is being called a lie by Conservative Leader David Alward. Jack Keir says if elected in the September vote, the Conservatives will consider moving the energy department back to Fredericton.
Alward tells CHSJ News, he is also confused about Keir saying former President of the Provincial Conservative Party Lisa Keenan is questioning the relevance of having the energy department in Saint John because the conversation never happened.
Alward says these accusations do nothing to promote what both parties need to be talking about when it comes to energy and it's future role.

Provincial Health Minister Mary Schryer Rules Out Nothing With Blood Services

(Provincial Health Minister Mary Schryer)
                (Photo by Brian McLain)

Canadian Blood Services may have made changes to its original plan in moving the blood distribution centre from Millidgeville to Dartmouth in 2012 but Provincial Health Minister Mary Schryer isn't ready to accept it as the end of the story. She tells CHSJ News the situation in Saint John has changed alot since the decision was first made and the officials at Canadian Blood Services should be more open minded.
She points to the advances made at the Heart Centre in the Regional Hospital and the opening this September of the medical school. Schryer says alot depends on what local doctors tell her and nothing has been ruled out when it comes to alternatives.

Number of Deer to be Killed Going Up

The Province is increasing the number of anterless deer that can be killed this fall to try and help ease overpopulation.


The number of permits for the area between Saint John and Fundy National Park is going up to 1500 this fall.


Anne Downey has been speaking out about the problem and tells CHSJ News, it's a good start but ticks and lyme disease are a big part of this problem.


Downey says it was just days ago that a woman and her husband hit a deer riding on a motorcycle in the middle of the day in the Meehans Cove area.


The application period to apply for antlerless deer permits begins June 14 for those who hunt with a rifle or bow.

81 Year Old Saint Johnner Speaks Out About Difference Between Treatment At A U.S Hospital And The Regional

(Heart Valve Recipient Jack Stevens)
                (File Photo)

The first patient to undergo the new minimally invasive heart procedure at the Regional Hospital is 81 year old Jack Stevens who says he's feeling well these days and looking forward to playing a little golf come July. Stevens suffered congestive heart failure while in the U.S. and spoke about the difference in treatment between an American hospital and the Regional. He says there seemed to be a lack of humanity at the U.S. hospital which he likened to a supermarket with the first thing wanted to know was what sort of insurance he had. By contrast, Stevens says there was more interest in him as an individual at the Regional Hospital. He gave a cheque to the Regional Hospital to show his appreciation but didn't want to publicly reveal how much it was for.

Thrift Store Close to Finding New Home

The Salvation Army Thrift Store has a big plan for it's future and it involves the soon to be closed Zellers Select in the North End.

The organization confirms it is negotiating to move into the building and hope to have a plan finalized in the next two months.
Roy Bannon is District Manager and tells CHSJ News, their current set-up in Lansdowne Plaza doesn't serve their needs any longer.


Bannon adds when they shut down the Parkway Mall Thrift Store earlier this year, it was all part of the bigger plan to find a new location.


Bannon says it is his belief the Zellers Select Store will be broken up into three working spaces for lease.

Giant Tiger is Not Moving

One company we know for sure that won't move into the Zellers Select location is Giant Tiger.


Speculation has been high the store will leave it's Prince Edward Square set-up to make a new home in the North End.
Vice President of Marketing Dave Thorpe tells CHSJ News, the company is very happy with it's current set-up in Prince Edward Square and feels this location is best serving the community.


As for when the Zellers Select store is shutting down and what the future holds for it's employee's, we placed a call to Hudsons Bay which owns the store and have yet to hear back.

New Heart Procedure For Frail Patients Introduced At Regional Hospital

(The Medical Director of the New Brunswick Heart Centre, Dr. Vernon Paddock)
                                  (Photo by Brian McLain)

A new life saving heart procedure is being used at the Regional Hospital for those patients who are too frail to undergo open heart surgery. The Heart Centre's Medical Director, Dr. Vernon Paddock says the procedure is less invasive with an inflatable balloon being used to insert a new heart valve and the recovery time is just a few days as opposed to several weeks. Up until now patients had to travel to other provinces for this treatment. Dr. Paddock cautions the gold standard remains an operation if the patient is up to it.

Causeway Closed After an Accident

(City Police Cruiser Heavily Damaged on Causeway)
                  (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

The Causeway was shut down for over an hour in both directions this morning.


Sargeant Buck tells CHSJ News, City Police received a call just after eight o'clock about a driver being all over the road and after the vehicle was stopped, another police cruiser coming to assist was involved in a crash with another vehicle.
The police cruiser has extensive damage and the officer driving is a little shook up but no injuries.
No word on the driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident but the driver of the vehicle officers were chasing has been arrested and is facing several charges.

Fires On Boardwalk Raise Concern

(Market Square)
   (File Photo)

The Fire Department is worried a couple of weekend fires along the Boardwalk may have been deliberately set. Both broke out in the wooden timber planks next to the Hilton and the cause is suspicious. City Police are also now part of the investigation. Another fire damaged a picnic table by the volleyball courts at Market Square and profane graffitti has been spray painted along the wall  that winds its way around Loyalist Plaza. Whether all of these incidents are related remains to be seen.

Disability Awareness Week Kicks Off

Disability Awareness Week kicks off today. Rachel Harlow with the Partners for Workplace Inclusion Program says she wants the public to know that people with disabilities aren't that different and they have something to offer employers. Harlow says there will be an information booth set up in Market Square today and tomorrow from 10am-2pm handing out information on disability related issues.

Tragedy Hits Riverview

The RCMP say three young people are dead and two others are in hospital after a car slammed into a tree in the southeastern part of the province. Four of the five people were thrown out of the vehicle in the crash Saturday night on Route 905 in Forest Glen. Police say an 18-year-old woman, a 19-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man were pronounced dead at the scene. An 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were rushed to hospital in critical condition. Police say all five were from the Riverview area. Police say it appears the people were not wearing seatbelts, adding that speed may have been a contributing factor in the crash.

Alward Charges Focus Has Been Lost On Lepreau Refurbishment

(Provincial Conservative Leader David Alward)
                     (File Photo)

It was the previous Lord Government that signed on to the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant. Conservative leader David Alward was in the provincial cabinet at that time. He says Atomic Energy of Canada is responsible for the cost overruns but the issue is who will pay for the replacement power. Alward tells CHSJ News the focus appears to have been lost by the Premier and Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir because of the proposed sale of NB Power to Hydro Quebec.
Alward says the Legislative Assembly should have oversight of the project and it ought to be the number one priority of NB Power these days.

Keir Warns Energy Department Could Be Leaving City Under Tories

(Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir)
          (Photo by Sherry Aske)

Provincial Energy Department Jack Keir is raising the spectre of the Energy Department being moved from Saint John back to Fredericton if the Conservatives win the September election. Keir points to a pledge made by Conservative leader David Alward to reduce the number of cabinet ministers along with remarks attributed to the former President of the Provincial Conservative Party Lisa Keenan. According to Keir, Keenan is a senior advisor to Alward and he says she questions the relevance of having the Energy Department in Saint John.
Keir warns the previous Lord Government lumped energy in with natural resources and it just makes sense that the energy department be close to where most of the energy is being produced.

Reach Team on Top

The Kennebecasis Valley High School Reach for the Top team is on top so far at the National Championships.

The team finishes out the round robin part of the competition with 11 wins and 0 losses.

Coach Jason Thorne says this is the first time KV has gone through the initial round with an undefeated record at nationals.

They now automatically move on to round two at the Royal St-Georges College in Ottawa.

Author Visits Rothesay

(File Photo)

People will soon get to meet the author behind the book of this year's Big Rothesay Read.

Lawrence Hill, author of The Book of Negroes is coming to Saint John this week to speak and answer questions on his book.

Mary Ann Gallagher, the Read's Event Chair, says it was a local committee that chose Hill's book.

She says the book has been getting a great response from both students and adults.

You can go see Hill speak on Wednesday night at 7 o'clock at Rothesay High School.

Heart Procedure Announcement

A big announcement is coming from the province's New Brunswick Heart Centre.

Health Minister Mary Schryer will be at the Regional Hospital tomorrow to announce a new life saving procedure that is now being done in the Province.

There will be an in-depth presentation as well so people can see how the procedure works.

Things get started at 10am in the Level 1 Amphitheatre.

Aids Memorial Tonight

(File Photo)

People who have died of Aids and people who are still living with the disease are being remembered today.

Aids Saint John is holding their annual candlelight memorial at St.Vincent's church tonight at seven.

Support Coordinator Maragret Nickerson says the memorial is to support people in their journey with Aids.

Nickerson says lieutenant-govenor Graydon Nicholas is the guest speaker for the evening and the Quartet from the Saint John Symphony will also be performing.

Mentorship Program For Immigrants

Enterprise Saint John is starting a mentorship program for immigrants in Saint John to help them establish businesses.

The program will run in two sessions from July to December and September to February 2011.

Anita Punamiya tells CHSJ News the appliants do not have to be familliar with business.
 
For more information you can go to www.enterprisesj.com/mentorship.

Ball Fence Taken

(File Photo)

Rothesay Regional Police were kept busy yesterday evening catching a man in the Quispamsis area who was breaking into vehicles.

People living nearby called in to report the incident and the man will attend a court hearing at a later date.

Sergeant Mike Dickson says it was nice to see that the vehicles in question were locked.

Police are also asking for the public's help to locate ball field fencing that went missing Thursday evening.

Two-hundred feet of wire-mesh fencing at the Centennial Ball field has been taken.

Sergeant Dickson says the fencing has a $2500 value and asks the public to call the police or crime stoppers if they have any information.

Annual food drive hits KV

Here's an easy way to help out.


The KV Chamber of Commerce is holding it's second annual one item food drive.

You are encouraged to place a non-perishable food item in a bag and hang it on your doorknob.

Volunteers will be out collecting the donated items.

Donations can also be dropped off at the KV Family Shell or at the KV Food Basket.

The food drive starts at 11 this morning and runs until 3:30 this afternoon.

Green Living Expo comes to Saint John

Lovers of the earth and tree-huggers can gather at the first ever Maritime Green Living Expo this weekend.

It's the first annual event that aims to show people ways of living a greener life.

Terri-Ann Richards-Cormier says they have vendors of everything from granola bars to water and green advertising.

The Maritime Green Living Expo is tomorrow at the Trade and Convention Centre in Saint John from 10am to 5pm.

For more details go to http://www.maritimegreenexpo.com/.

Act of vandalism turns positive

(File Photo)

A negative act of vandalism at the North End Park this week has ended as a positive for the area.

Saint John Portland MLA Trevor Holder says Roberston Square was spray-painted on Wednesday night but the community rallied together and found those responsible.

Holder tells CHSJ News that Tammy Calvin of O.N.E. Change was a big part of the fix.

Holder says it reminds him of when the North End Community Policing office was set on fire a few years but, it didn't set the community back, it galvanized them to move forward.

Man and cat uninjured after Russell Street fire

Fire investigators are looking into the cause after a fire in East Saint John earlier today.
Black smoke could be seen coming from a house at 23 Russell Street just before 3pm.
One resident got out safely and firefighters also rescued a cat from the home.
While traffic was blocked in the area, motorists can access Russell Street now.

(Ministers and President Len Thompson stand before compressed gas containers)
(Photo By Sherry Aske)
Saint John may have new skill set trade jobs in the future.

The provincial government is giving a 1.5 million dollar loan to Floating Pipeline Company Inc. for the purchase of new equipement.

President Len Thompson says the money may help them seal a deal with a South American client, that would lead to the gradual creation of 50 new jobs.

FPC is a company that makes containers that can transport 280 thousand cubic feet of compressed natural gas over land or sea.

East Saint John Fire

Heavy black smoke could be seen billowing from East Saint John just before 3 this afternoon.
City fire crews responding to the scene at 25 Russell street.
Acting District Fire Chief Kevin Clynick tells CHSJ News says people are living in home and all were evacuated when crews arrived on the scene.


Clynick says they are not sure of the cause, the fire investigator is on the way to the scnee and crews have the fire under control now.
The flames extended up the outside of the building into the roof area.
City police have barricades set up in the area, access to Russell Street blocked to traffic at Rothesay Avenue and Kane's corner.

Clynick tells us they expect to be on the scene for another 90 minutes.
He is not sure when the residents of the home can get back in but, he says they will be offered assistance.

Crimestoppers offer reward for solving 2008 Hampton break-ins

Crime Stoppers and the Hampton RCMP are looking for those responsible for breaking into two businesses in Hampton over two years ago.

Sometime on the evening of January 2nd 2008, thieves broke into Jerry’s Barber Shop and a nearby video store. Once inside the barber shop, they broke through a wall giving them access to “Five Sons Video” next door.

The suspects got away with thousands of dollars worth of cigarettes, lottery tickets and cash from the video store. Both businesses suffered extensive structural damage.

If you have any information contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Clean Air Activist In City Is Honoured

Gordon Dalzell of the Clean Air Coalition has been honoured by the New Brunswick Lung Association. Dalzell received the Clean Air Day Award during a ceremony at City Hall for outstanding citizen engagement and advocacy over the past 15 years. Past winners have included David Suzuki. Dalzell tells CHSJ News he is optimistic air quality is getting better in Saint John but the more obvious offensive odours you can smell in parts of the city still give Saint John a bad name. He points to the smell from Marsh Creek as an example. Dalzell's latest project is the impact a proposed bio-diesel plant on Grandview Avenue would have on nearby residents and students attending the Community College.

Alward Calls For Action On Diabetes In Province

(Provincial Conservative Leader David Alward)
                   (File Photo)

The health care system could save millions of dollars with a comprehensive strategy to get a handle on diabetes. So claims Provincial Conservative Leader David Alward who estimates 60 thousand people in the province are diabetic, some of whom are in danger of amputations, and that's why a comprehensive strategy is needed. Alward says any such plan would start with prevention and early diagnosis because he maintains there are 20 thousand people in the province who aren't even aware they are diabetic.

Keir Says Atomic Energy Of Canada Has No Solution To Latest Snafu

(Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir)
                (File Photo)

Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir says Atomic Energy of Canada has no solution to fix the latest delay in the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant. As for this latest delay leading some people to suspect A-E-C-L is flying by the seat of its pants with this project which is now well beyond a year and a half behind schedule, Keir concedes it would be hard to argue against that perception.
Keir charges A-E-C-L is using this province as a learning curve that will be used to avoid the same difficulties with refurbishment projects in other countries like China, Argentina and Romania. That's why Keir says the provincial government has been arguing the federal government has to come good on the cost overruns.

New Ferry For Grand Manan

(Provincial Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet)
                  (File Photo)

The provincial government announcing a new five million dollar ferry will be plying the waters off Grand Manan from White Head Island sometime next year. Provincial Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet tells CHSJ News the ferry will be larger than what has been used since 1976.
A contract has been awarded to the same shipyard in Gaspe, Quebec which constructed the Henry Nase ferry which runs between Grand Bay-Westfield and Harding's Point. The new ferry will be able to carry 12 cars and 32 passengers.

New Brunswick Manufacturers Want Something Done About Energy

Manufacturers from around the province gathered in Fredericton to talk about the current economic climate and investment opportunities. They've had a tough time in the last year or so with the rise in the value of the Canadian dollar and continuing economic difficulties in the U.S. David Plante of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters tells CHSJ News the uncertainty over energy in the province and what will happen with NB Power are not helping. Plante maintains whichever party wins the provincial election in September will have to come up with a long term energy plan. He came out in support of the NB Power deal with Hydro Quebec because of the dramatic reductions for manufacturers in the cost of their electricity.
Plante claims the manufacturers he has dealt with over the past two decades have been improving their energy efficiency by about one per cent per year.

Saint John Man Sentenced To Prison For Robbery And Abduction

13 years in prison the sentence for a Saint John man convicted of attempting to kill a woman who was bartending at a Quispamis pub.
55-year-old Adrian John Lepage also pleaded guilty to robbing and kidnapping the woman from the Barnwood pub last November. It was revealed in his trial last month that he left the victim in a Lepreau gravel pit with a plastic bag taped over her head.

Attempted Armed Robbery On East Side

An attempted armed holdup last night in a convenience store at 150 Westmorland Road near Fernhill Cemetery is being investigated by the Major Crime Unit. City Police tell CHSJ News a man brandishing a weapon came into the store and demanded money but fled without getting any.


Police also arrested a man for possessing a prohibited weapon after stopping a vehicle along Loch Lomand Road.

New Ferry To Be Announced

(Provincial Transportation Minister Denis Landry)
                       (File Photo)

The province will announce a new ferry today for White Head Island located off of Grand Manan Island.
Transportation Minister Denis Landry and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet will announce the details at the White Head ferry landing at 9 this morning.

Cruise Ship Season Begins

(Cruise Ship In Port)
      (File Photo)

The 2010 Cruise Ship season in Saint John begins today.
Betty McMillan of the Port Authority tells CHSJ News the first ship is an 84 hundred ton vessel that specializes in trips to the Antarctic.
Princess Cruises will be calling 15 times with the Grand Princess and the Caribbean Princess.
McMillan says they expect over 214,000 cruise passengers onboard 77 vessels this season.


Meantime, Fundy River Valley MLA and acting Business New Brunswick Minister Jack Keir along with Supply and Services Minister Ed Doherty will be on hand for a funding announcement in the city this afternoon concerning the port. The details will be revealed in a news conference at the Floating Pipeline Company.

Yet Another Delay In The Lepreau Refurbishment

(Premier Shaun Graham)
       (File Photo)

Another critical deadline was missed this weekend in the refurbishment of Point Lepreau. They are now having difficulty getting a proper seal on fuel tubes they are installing while using new technology. There's no word yet on how the delays will affect scheduled completion of construction on the reactor. Premier Shawn Graham says he is very concerned with the continued delays.
Graham says he can't say how long the delay will be as this portion of the project is the responsibility of Atomic Energy of Canada which is a federal crown corporation. That's why the Premier believes the Federal Government has to come good and pick up the costs of replacement energy. It's costing New Brunswick ratepayers a million dollars a day.

Carl Killen To Run For Conservatives In Saint John Harbour

(Conservative candidate for Saint John Harbour Carl Killen)
                              (File Photo)

It was the closest result of any of the Conservative nomination meetings for the September 27th provincial election but Common Councillor Carl Killen won a second ballot victory over John Campbell. Killen acknowledges the Conservatives have not represented the riding for 28 years but claims there is an appetite for change and pthe voters are disgruntled.
Former Common Councillor and Deputy Mayor Carl White withdrew after the first ballot and gave his support to Killen. White tells CHSJ News he has not ruled out running for Council again.
Party Leader David Alward says the Conservatives, if elected, will place oversight for the care of seniors in the hands of the Ombudsman, eliminate the 130 dollar fee for using an ambulance, reinstate the home heating supplement in the winter for low income people in the province and come up with a comprehensive strategy to combat diabetes. Alward claims 60 thousand New Brunswickers have diabetes and 20 thousand don't even know they are afflicted.

Dan Joyce is the new Liberal candidate for Saint John-Portland

(Dan Joyce at his nomination meeting)
(Photo by Sherry Aske)

Dan Joyce is the new Liberal candidate for the riding of Saint John-Portland.

Joyce was nominated by acclamation before a packed house last night at the Thistle Curling Club.

He says there are a few local issues he wants to tackle, but says that people are actually quite pleased with what's going on in the riding.

He says the construction is clear evidence that positive things are happening.

Joyce says he decided to run after he retired when he was approached by minister Ed Doherty.

Joyce is best known as the owner of Joyce's Ultramar on the corner of Somerset and Wellesley Avenue, which he operated for 32 years.

Oromocto Man dies after a weekend crash

RCMP tell us a Oromocto man died in hospital of injuries sustained in a crash last weekend near Lincoln.

45-year-old Dennis Steward was the only occupant of the vehicle that crashed on Highway 7.

The victim was thrown from the vehicle early Saturday morning and died from his injuries today at the Regional hospital.
Police say alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash.

Wildlife Fencing is working

The success of wildlife fencing near Saint John is leading the province to install more.


Transporation Minister Denis Landry tells CHSJ News there are adding another 29 kilometeres of moose fencing near CFB Gagetown in hot spots along Route 2.

The number of car accidents involving moose between Saint John and Geary is down from 44 to zero since wildlife fencing was installed in 2009.

St. Stephen Man Gets Life Sentence

A 32-year-old St. Stephen man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 59-year-old Mary Claire Scott.
William David White will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years and he is banned from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition for life.


On April 22nd, White pled guilty to second degree murder in the death of Mary Claire Scott.
Scott's body was found in her home on Queen Street in St. Stephen on November 30th of last year.
The sentence was handed down today in St. Andrew's Provincial Court.

City Cheerleading Team Win At Montreal Competition

(The Carleton All Stars Cheerleaders)

(photo submitted)

The Carelton Community Centre cheerleaders are the "Max Out" champions after a cheer expo competition in Montreal.The title is given to the team with the highest combined points in all events including stunts, tumbling and routines.
The Carleton All Stars has 25 members ranging in age from 14 to 18.

Chuck Edison of the Carelton community centre says they are competing against teams with cheer gyms and the newest equipment and we still hold our own.
The $20,000 in prizes the team won include new uniforms and other cheer accessories.

Warehouse managers cut the red ribbon

Costco Saint John opens doors

It was an early start for Costco shoppers this morning.

People began lining up as early as 6am to be the first ones into the store.

Lois Hodd is a Costco member who dragged her sister along because she had never been to one before.

Hodd says her sister needed to have the Costco experience.

Warehouse manager Mike Briere says he decided to open a Costco in Saint John because of the booming economy.

He says he knew a lot of Saint Johners were already going to the Moncton store, and he wanted to take advantage of the excellent location at East Point.

Aids Saint John Calls Methadone Clinic Uptown A Success

(Aids Saint John Banner)
      (File Photo)

With another year under its belt, Aids Saint John says the future holds many challenges. President Leslie Jeffrey says that there has been a growing trend to charge people with agravated assult if they happen to be HIV positive. Jeffrey says that runs entirely counter to disease prevention methods because it turns people away from getting themselves tested.


Aids Saint John's major project, the Uptown Methadone Clinic at St. Joseph's Hospital, is seeing some encouraging results. Aids Saint John Board Member Tim Christie says it's clear more people are getting effective treatment because the number of people locally who are injecting drugs has gone down dramatically.
The clinic has been open for 9 months now and has already had over 3000 visits.

Costco Opens This Morning

(New Costco Store at Eastpoint Shopping Area)
                  (File Photo)

It's the day thousands have waiting for....opening day at Costco in Saint John. The 142,000 square foot location in east Saint John is the largest in Atlantic Canada.
Saint John warehouse manager Mike Briere tells CHSJ News they are ready for the crowd. Costco is known for it's bulk items but it also has clothing, a flower centre, an on-site bakery, food court and pharmacy. The Saint John location is the 78th in Canada.
Costco officially opens after a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning at 300 Retail Drive in East Point Shopping.


Meantime, The City is taking steps to prepare for more traffic with the opening of Coscto today. Signals, markings and signage have been improved and motorists are being reminded not stop on the railroad tracks at the exit.
City Police and NB Southern railway had a railway crossing blitz last Friday to educate drivers about the dangers of stopping on the tracks and will do it again next month. Under the provincial highway safety act, stopping on railway tracks is a violation that carries of fine $292.50.
All available officers from the traffic enforcement division will be assisting with traffic today.

Two nomination Meetings in City Tonight

By tonight, we will know which candidate will carry the Conservative banner into the fall vote in the riding of Saint John Harbour. The four candidates are CEO Christie Belyea, entrepreneur John Campbell, Human Rights Officer and former Common Councillor Carl White, and high-school teacher and City Councilor Carl Killen who also teaches at St. Malachy's.
Tonight's nomination convention at the Fort Howe Hotel starts at 7. Liberal MLA Ed Doherty has held the riding since 2005.


The Liberals in Saint John Portland will be choosing their candidate as well. The Premier will be back in town for that. Danny Joyce, who ran the Ultramar station in the north end for years before retiring, announced sometime ago he would be seeking the nomination to take on longtime M-L-A and former provincial cabinet minister Trevor Holder.

One Man Hospitalised From Fumes In East Side Building

The Fire Department's Haz Mat Unit was called into action last night after receiving an ammonia alarm from the Peter Murray Arena. It was checked out but no readings were found. Earlier, District Chief Mark Wilson says they went to 95 Belmont Street after getting a call about fumes in the building. Two men were feeling unwell and one was taken to hospital.
It turns out a gas powered cutter was being operated in the basement of the building but there wasn't enough ventilation. Fire crews also had to extinguish a fire last night under a baby barn on Wyatt Crescent.

Gas Prices Fall Yet Again

For the third week in a row, gas prices have fallen in the city following the weekly setting. They're down by more than 3 cents a litre. Self Serve regular is being sold for 95.2 cents in the city with diesel going for 98.7 cents a litre. Heating oil is also cheaper this week at 85.8 cents and propane stands at $102.3 a litre.

Redevelopment Potential of Crescent Valley Described As Huge

The redevelopment of Crescent Valley into a vibrant community will take from 20 to 25 years to complete with the initial focus on Churchill Boulevard. Deputy City Manager Andrew Beckett says there is huge potential here but admits the area is saddled with a bad reputation. Beckett says much of this will be driven by private investment and he concedes the level of interest on the part of local developers has been low thus far. Having acknowledged that, Beckett maintains the province remains keen and the initial focus will be on Churchill Boulevard. He goes on to say in order to be successful theneighbourhood will have to be populated by people from all income levels.

Wireless Amber Alerts

Canada's Amber Alert system is hoping to reach millions of cellphone users by going wireless


The country's cellphone industry is joining with the RCMP and other police forces to offer free Amber Alerts to most wireless phone users. The alerts, which are issued to the public after a reported child abduction, will be sent as text messages to those who sign up for the service. 12 Canadian wireless providers are taking part so far.
 
To sign up:   go to http://www.wirelessamber.ca/

Canadian Blood Services C.O.O. in Saint John.

(Canadian Blood Services in Millidgeville)

A non-partisan Task Force Report released by the Province on the future of Canadian Blood Services recommended the service be enhanced not reduced.
The blood distribution centre in Millidgeville will relocate to Dartmouth in two years.


Ian Mumford, Chief Operating Officer for Canadian Blood Services tells CHSJ News that they made some changes to their plan.

He says an inventory of blood product will remain in Saint John and apharisees platelet collection will continue here as well.

The move is coming in 2012 and will impact 17 jobs in Saint John.
Mumford says they want to work those employees to help them find other jobs at CBS or in a hospital or assist them in retraining to add new skills.

Temporary Aquarium Now Open in St. Andrews

(Huntsman Marine Science Centre)

(submitted photo)

The Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews has a temporary aquarium, with harbour seals Loki and Snorkel as well as lobsters, sturgeon, a touch pool and tanks on the same site for the public to visit.

The old aquarium was torn down to make way for the new discovery centre.


The temporary aquarium is now open daily until September. Seal feedings still take place at 11am and 4pm and there will be a Meet the Lobsters event every day at 1pm. There is also a display on the new discovery centre and a gift shop on site.

A public birthday party for Snorkel the Seal and World Ocean Day celebrations are both coming up next month.
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors.
For more information or to book tours call (506) 529-1200.

New study shows high level of contraband cigarettes

(The Atlantic Convenience Stores Association speaks about contraband cigarettes)
(Photo By Sherry Aske)

The Atlantic Convenience Stores Association says the problem of contraband cigarettes is steamrolling itself across Atlantic Canada.

A new study that looked at the level of contraband cigarettes in 43 Atlantic Canada locations showed that the amount of illegal cigarettes is close to 20%.

Association President Mike Hammoud says they hope to bring that number down to 10% so that the illegal market cannot exist.

The study included four Saint John locations, and Hammoud says he was quite pleased that two local high schools had relatively low contraband rates.

St. Malachy's High came in with 14% of illegal cigarettes, and Saint John High only had 6.1%.

Lily Lake Receives Provincial Cash

(Lily Lake Pavilion)
    (File Photo)

$200,000 to establish an endowment fund for Lily Lake at Rockwood Park from the Provincial Government.
The funding is from the Regional Development Corporation and will be used to sustain and improve the physical infrastructure of the Pavilion.
With the improvements to Rockwood Park, the pavilion is being revitalized will be available for tourists staying at the Rockwood Park campground, cruise ship passengers and the local community.

Liberals Choose Candidate To Run In East Saint John

It was a landslide vote last night that won Kevin McCarville the Liberal Nomination for the riding of Saint John East. McCarville beat out John O'Kane and Common Councillor Bruce Court on the first ballot by withg 182 of the 324 cast votes. McCarville, who wants to take over from longtime M-L-A Roly McIntyre who has retired and concedes he's got big shoes to fill but is ready for the challenge.
Locally, he says he hopes to improve the environment in East Saint John and secure more jobs. The Conservatives in the riding earlier chose former Fire Chief and Common Councillor Glen Tait as their candidate.

Harbour Passage To Remain Closed

(Harbour Bridge)
   (File Photo)

There is no way Harbour Passage can remain open while the repairs are being made to the Harbour Bridge. The city's rep on the Harbour Bridge Authority, Chris Titus warns there's a danger people could be struck by chunks of concrete weighing between 6 thousand and 8 thousand pounds. Titus goes on to say each portion of the bridge will be subjected to what is called hydro-demolition with the existing concrete being blasted by high pressure water. He likens it to sandblasting. Titus says the outer third and side of the bridge will be demolished completely and replaced with new concrete.

City Hall To Be Reformed Over The Next Two Years

(Common Councillor Peter McGuire)
             (File Photo)

City Hall will be changing the way it does business over the next two years. City Manager Pat Woods is promising a series of reforms will be implemented to make the city more efficient and place it on a sound financial footing by 2012. Common Councillor Peter McGuire wants to see economic development done better and one person to be in charge of interacting with the other two levels of government so the cityh doesn't lose out on much needed grant money from Ottawa and Fredericton.
Woods says he will be presenting Council with a plan to fix the deficit laden municipal pension plan by the beginning of September.

Common Council Hears How Much It Will Cost To Reduce Flooding In Glen Falls

(Common Council in session)
          (File Photo)

Its going to cost anywhere from 48 to 91 million dollars over the next 25 years to reduce the flooding in Glen Falls. It will now be up to Common Council to decide whether it's worth it to spend that much money. The head of Municipal Operations, Paul Groody concedes there will always be flooding there. The storm diversion system consists of a network of pipes that would divert storm water during especially heavy downpours and runoffs to Drury Cove and the Kennebecasis River.
There will be a ward meeting in Glen Falls next month to hear what the residents have to say. There are an estimated 70 to 80 homes in Glen Falls which get flooded continually.

Local rink celebrates 50 years in September

A big celebration is coming up this September when the LBR celebrates fifty years.
The hockey teams, cheer leading groups and many other groups that use the arena will take part.
Malcolm Wickens, who has worked at the famed Saint John rink for 40 years tells CHSJ News there will lots of activities on September 18th and 19th.
The LBR's 50th anniversary celebrations will include St. Mary's Band who performed at the opening ceremonies for the arena. A dedication church service will also be held as part of the festivities.

Compensation rates go up for victims of violent crimes

(Public Safety Minister John Foran)
(File Photo)

Victims of violent crimes are getting a break from the provincial government.

Public Safety Minister John Foran announced today that compensation rates for counselling, medication, eye wear, transportation, relocation expenses and funeral expenses will all be increased.

The maximum amount of compensation a victim can get is going from $5,000 to $10,000.
 
Foran says the changes go into effect June 1st.

Local mom stands up against bullying

(People gather in King's Square for Bullying Rally)
(Photo By Sherry Aske)

A parade of people are standing up against bullying in schools.

Shelly Smith held a bullying rally in Kings Square today because her child was bullied in school.

She says there needs to be tougher punishments in schools and more legislation against bullying.

Councillor Donnie Snook was on hand saying bullying is happening more and more online.

He says part of the solution is talking with those who do the bullying as they need help as well.

Childhood Obesity To Be Discussed At Common Council

(Common Councillor Donnie Snook)
              (File Photo)

Childhood obesity is one of the items that will come before Common Council tonight. Councillor Donnie Snook maintains the city should become more actively involved through its community centres with encouraging young people to be more physicaly active and spend less time just sitting in front of a computer playing video games.
Snook quotes from a recently report which concludes young people in the province are dangerously physically inactive and he will also be calling on the community centres to provide healthier snacks instead of junk food. Council will also be hearing about the Crescent Valley Redevelopment Initiative and West Side Councillor Peter McGuire wants to talk about the business corridor along Fairville Boulevard.

No Plans In Works For Ban On Cellphone Use While Driving

               (Premier Shawn Graham)
                       (File Photo)

The Province has no official plan to put in place a ban on the use of a cell phones while driving like Nova Scotia already did. The Premier thinks New Brunswickers should not be putting themselves or others at risk by being distracted behind the wheel. Shawn Graham says the province is trying to educate drivers about the dangers of texting & talking while driving. He says that's why his government has partnered with the Insurance Bureau of Canada to create awareness about driver distraction.The Premier says it takes time to change people's minds using the example of smoking and young people saying it took their parents quitting to make them think differently about it.







   

Changes Begin On Highway One For Commuters

A big change to the commute today for those travelling west-bound on Highway One. The Crown Street Exit is closed and won't re-open with a new exit now in place just a short distance down the highway. This is all part of the work on the One Mile Interchange. Brad Mullin is an engineer with the Department of Transportation and tells CHSJ News there are sure to be delays but the area will be well marked.
Also, traffic westbound is down to one lane in that area until the end of next month.

Change Of Plans For Quispamsis Company

(Quispamsis Town Council)
          (File Photo)

A used car sales lot on Millenium Drive in Quispamsis will not be turned into a Premanufactured Home Sales Lot. A company had submitted an application to council asking if they could use the vacant land near Tim Horton's and the Co-op for the project. Haldor Ltd withdrew its application after the town's Planning Advisory Committee did not recommend the lot be used for the sale of pre-manufactured homes. The P-A-C wanted the land to be paved so it would develop like the other properties on Millennium Drive.