DNR boats capsizes in Grand Lake

A Department of Natural Resources boat overturned this morning in Grand Lake and an officer ended up in the water.
RCMP officers from Minto and Oromocto responded to the scene along with other emergency personnel who launched a small boat and brought the officer to shore where paramedics were waiting for him.


He was taken to hospital for treatment for hypothermia because he was in the water for about 45 minutes.
The officer was wearing his safety gear and a life jacket and at this time, it's not known why his boat overturned.

Cruise Ship Volunteers Needed

A call going out today for volunteers for the "Meet and Greet" committee for this year's cruise ship season.
The Port Authority's Bill Eaton tells CHSJ News they've had a waiting list in the past -- but -- they've now exhausted that list.
Eaton says there is a real need with 78-ships scheduled this year -- a lot of them larger than in the past.
If you're interested contact Brittany Halpen at the Saint John Port Authority.

Byrne Disputes Blaney's Claim Beds Will Close

Acting Health Minister Greg Byrne is calling Rothesay Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney out on her claim that 40 beds will be closing at the Saint John Regional Hospital.
Byrne tells us he finds it unfortunate that someone is choosing to play politics with an issue of health care.


Earlier this week, Blaney told us that despite the new Shannex nursing home being open for business, it would not free up 60 hospital beds at the Regional.
Byrne says there is no truth to that and the beds will be available.

River Levels Are Dropping

Good news if you live or play along the St. John River.


With little or no rain expected over the next three days, River Watch believes water levels along the basin will continue to drop over the weekend.


All areas are presently well below flood stage and should remain so for the foreseeable future.


River Watch will not issue any further bulletins unless there is a major change to the weather pattern that might bring a threat of flooding.

Saint John Water Discusses Boil Order

North End Group Gets Financial Shot

(Saint John MP Rodney Weston)
            (File Photo)

Saint John MP Rodney Weston has presented the ONE Change organization with a cheque for over $900,000 dollars.

The cash will be used for the groups Youth Inclusion Program over the next four years.


It targets people between the ages of 11 and 15 with specific risk factors, including substance abuse, poor school attachment and lack of recreational activities.

Boil Water Order Issued for Portion of Saint John

A boil water order is in place for close to 35,000 homes and businesses east of Reversing Falls this weekend.


It was just before eight o'clock at the Latimore Lake facility, a valve was left open and chlorine gas did not make it into the system which meant chlorine wasn't flowing for close to 15 fifteen minutes.
Deputy Commissioner of Water Brent McGovern says 2.1 million litres of untreated water made it's way into the system.
McGovern adds the earliest the boil water order can be lifted is Monday afternoon.


The order is not in affect for those living at the intersections of Spar Cove Road and Belleview Avenue, Millidge Avenue and Ropewalk Road and Somerset Street north of the Superstore.

Dangers If You Don't Boil Your Water

(District Medical Health Officer Dr. Scott Giffen)
              (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Dr. Scott Giffen is the District Medical Officer of Health and says if you feel there is no need to boil your water, you might as well go to the edge of the resevoir and dunk a glass in.


Dr. Giffen adds you have to remember, animals are defacating in that water as well which means you could be exposed to a variety of bacteria's and contaminants.

Construction Continues at UNB Saint John

     (Shot of Construction Activity at UNB Saint John)
                          (File Photo)

Much of the construction taking place in the city these days is happening at U-N-B Saint John.


University Vice-President Dr. Robert McKinnon is hoping the facelift will also boost the number of students attending.


Dr. McKinnon says you have to have the facilities up and running before you can get the students.

Money for Sussex Railway Crossing

(Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore)
        (File Photo)

Fundy Royal M-P Rob Moore has announced an upgrade to a railway crossing in Sussex at a cost of more than 140 thousand dollars.


Moore, who's also the Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, says the federal contribution is for more than 112 thousand dollars.


The money will be used to install flashing lights and signal bells.
It's part of the plan to bring 155 railway crossings across the country up to par at a cost of close to 11 million dollars.

Blaney Claims Opening Of Nursing Home Won't Free Up As Many Hospital Beds As First Thought

(Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney)
                 (File Photo)

The opening of the Shannex Nursing Home in Quispamsis earlier this week may not necessarily free up sixty hospital beds in the Saint John region after all. That word coming from Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney. The Conservative Party's healthcare critic tells CHSJ News she has heard 40 of those beds will be closed elective surgeries had to be postponed because there were no beds available. Blaney says despite all the talk and controversy over the failed NB Power deal with Hydro Quebec, Blaney maintains health care is still the number one priority for voters.

West Side Standoff

 (Manawagonish Road Standoff)

(Photo Courtesy of Doug Epton)

It was a tense night on the West side after a stand-off created some anxious moments for residents.

City police were called to a home on the Manawagonish Road just after 6 to find a man had barricaded himself inside it and was threatening to harm himself.


After 5 1/2 hours of police trying to get him to surrender, just before midnight police convinced the man to leave his home.

He was taken into custody but, there is no word yet on charges or a court date and his name is not being released.

The standoff also snarled traffic, with Manowogonish Road being closed off for several hours.

Leah Richardson is the 2010 Leader to Watch

(2010 Leader to Watch Leah Richardson)
(photo by Tamara Steele)

The 2010 Leader to Watch award winner might be fielding some interesting offers today after being gushed over by the Premier and Roly McIntyre as the future of this city.
UNB Saint John student Leah Richardson tells CHSJ News she did not expect the Premier to talk about her.


Richardson says it's nice to be recognized by someone in government just to know that they are watching what are youth and students are doing.

McIntyre receives 2010 Red Triangle Award

(Roly McIntyre and the 2010 Red Triangle award)
 (photo by Tamara Steele)

Retired Saint John East MLA Roly McIntyre won the Red Triangle Award from the Saint John YM-YWCA, he gave a light-hearted speech thanking his family, friends, political colleagues and fellow volunteers.

Premier Defends Achievements In Charter For Change

(Premier Shawn Graham)
(photo by Tamara Steele)

The Premier is unfazed by the comments of Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney who laughed at the idea that his government has achieved 95 per cent of the goals set out in the Charter for Change.


Shawn Graham tells CHSJ News the facts speak for themselves saying most of the 232 commitments are underway or completed.


While he will not admit that his government has an uphill climb to get re-elected, Graham adds that they do not take any election for granted.


Graham was in town for the Saint John Y's Red Triangle Awards, where he said the government will be at the table when they Y's announces their future plans after supporting efforts by the Y's in Fredericton and Moncton.