Dogs Take Game One

West Side fire under investigation

City fire crews responding to a house fire this morning on the west side.

The call came in just before 2am at a single family home on By-road 5 where firefighters found the deck and roof on fire and then the roof collapsed.

Everyone in the home got out safely, no one was injured.

Fire officials tell CHSJ news the cause of the blaze is unknown and under investigation.

Warm temperatures continue for the first day of Spring

You certainly don't need a calendar to tell you today is the first official day of spring. An early thaw and the time change last weekend has given Greater Saint John plenty to smile about through the winter months. Meteorologist Claude Cote with Environment Canada tells CHSJ News, temperatures so far this month have been four degree's higher than normal:

Cote adds this is the 18th warmest winter since Enviroment Canada began keeping records 139 years ago.

Local MADD president says random breathalyzer tests work

The federal government has suggested the idea of introducing random breathalyser checks in this country.
President of the Saint John chapter of MADD Canada, Rick McNulty tells CHSJ News this is common practice in other parts of the world.

He says Australia has had a 35 per cent decrease in alcohol-related crash deaths where it's been the norm for over 30 years.

McNulty says its an excellent idea and is a proven deterrent in the countries that have tried it, lowering the number of alcohol-related deaths and crashes.

Talks continue on restoring Long Wharf site

Meetings continue between the Port Authority and Irving Oil to discuss the restoration of Long Wharf. After months of pre-construction work and then cancelling plans to build it's headquarters on the site, Irving Oil promised the site would be returned to it's original state. Captain Al Soppitt tells CHSJ News, they are trying to come to terms on what is the best way to restore it:
Soppitt points out Long Wharf will continue to serve as the number two cruise dock but no time-table has been laid out to have the restoration work finished.

Rally at the Legislature today

With no deal signed between NB Power and Hydro Quebec, Put NB People First will continue it's push to have the proposal squashed. A rally, inviting people from all around the Province, is being held on the front lawn of the Legislature today eleven and one this afternoon. Spokes-person Bethany Thorne Dykstra tells CHSJ News, she is going to stay with the fight til the bitter end:

Thorne Dykstra adds with the end of the month date now out the window to have this deal signed, she is confident there is time for a referendum.