Fire Rips Through Home in Martinon

A home in Martinon has suffered severe damage after fire ripped through it tonight.

City Crews were called to 20 Granville Lane just before nine o'clock to find flames coming from the basement area of the home.

One person was sleeping but got out alive thanks to a working smoke detector.


Officials are not calling the fire suspicious and tell us it got started near the wood stove in the basement.

Irving Refinery Marks Earth Hour

Earth Hour Goes Tonight

The world movement to reduce power usuage will happen tonight but the City of Saint John is acknowledging Earth Hour in its own way. Spokesperson Leah Fitzgerald tells CHSJ News, they are going to continue to do what they do everyday by turning off non essential lights and turning down heat and air exchange systems.
The town of Quispamsis is encouraging citizens to take part. Earth Hour takes place tonight between 8:30 to 9:30. People are being encouraged to turn their lights out for the hour. Also participating this year is the Irving Oil Refinery which will turn off the lights on it's storage tanks and the LED light at the main entrance.

Independent Candidate to Challenge Both Keir And Parrot

A resident of Lorneville who ran for Common Council in 2004 and was defeated is taking a stab at provincial politics. Ed Hoyt is running as an independent against incumbent Jack Keir in Fundy River-Valley and Conservatiive nominee Dr. Jim Parrot. Hoyt tells CHSJ News he found the Conservative Party leadership to be too controlling about what individual candidates can say and do. He warns Keir, he has become too arrogant for his own good.
Hoyt was considering carrying the Conservative banner for Saint John Lancaster but says he made the decision himself to withdraw.

Youth Arrested After Security Guards Stabbed

A teenager is behind bars after two security guards at McAllister Place were stabbed last night. City Police say the victims were treated and released from hospital after being stabbed in their legs. A suspect was arrested early this morning. According to police, a scuffle began when a youth tried to cash in a stolen gift certificate at Toys R' Us.

Opposition Leader Offers Up Solutions on Property Assessments And Harbour Bridge

(Provincial Conservative Leader David Alward)
                  (Photo by Brian McLain)

Adding another 35 million dollars worth of debt on the Harbour Bridge doesn't make sense to Provincial Conservative Leader David Alward who was in town last night for the party's nomination meeting in East Saint John. Alward tells CHSJ News the repairs should be jointly paid for by the provincial and federal governments but then looking beyond that he says the bridge should become part of Highway One with the federal government writing off the 22 million dollar debt and removing the tolls. Alward is also proposing a three per cent cap on property assessments until a long term solution is found to the escalating tax bills for homeowners. He charges the Graham Government botched the issue by not consulting with the municipalities.

Glen Tait To Run For Conservatives In Saint John East

(Saint John East Conservative Candidate Glen Tait)
                    (Photo by Brian McLain)

What a mess we are going to inherit.......That message delivered by former Fire Chief and Common Councillor Glen Tait who will be running in Saint John East for the Conservatives after being acclaimed with no opposition. Tait tells CHSJ News there is no shortage of issues on the east side. He says flooding must be addressed and it will take provincial involvement to get that done. Tait also hasn't given up hope on a second oil refinery being built. Tait told his nomination meeting the failed NB Power deal was the inevitable sinking of Captain Shawn Graham's ship. He points to his own credentials for having to make tough decisions as head of the firefighters union and then as Chief.

Tories Say They Will Be Ready In Saint John Harbour

A Conservative party official admits Saint John Harbour isn't a Tory stronghold -- but -- work is underway to bolster the party's fortunes.
Yesterday we told you about some grumbling over an apparent lack of preparation for a nomination meeting -- but -- party Executive Director Stewart Fairgrieve tells CHSJ News planning is underway with an annual general meeting to be held soon.
Fairgrieve says a new executive will be elected and a date set for the nomination meeting.
Two people have already announced intentions to seek the nomination -- west sider John Campbell and councilor Carl Killen while former councilor Carl White is also said to be thinking about a bid.