Keeping An Eye On the Neighbourhood

North End listeners on our Facebook Page have a question and this is the answer we have found.

Comments ask why we have not reported anything about a van making the rounds in that part of the city possibly trying to lure children into it.

City Police tell us they were called to Adelaide Street last night to speak to a young boy.
He told his mother that through friends of his, he was told about the little girl but didn't see anything happen.

Officers have taken a statement from the child and encourage all parents to give them a call if they see anything suspicious in their neighbourhood.

Boil Water Order Continues

Close to 50,000 homes and businesses East of the Reversing Falls Bridge are expected to be under a boil water order until at least Sunday evening.

The order went into affect late last night after high winds and heavy rained stirred up the turbidity or cloudiness of the drinking water.

That can cause sediment or organic matter in the water-shed.

Director of Municipal Operations Paul Groody says he realizes how frustrating this situation is for all of the customers of Saint John Water.

Groody adds close to six million litres of affected water entered the system but points out much needed upgrades to the water system would mean they wouldn't be dealing with this problem.

District Medical Health Officer Keeping An Eye On Water

Keeping a close watch on the boil order situation is the District Medical Health Officer.
Dr. Scott Giffen says this isn't a problem isolated to Saint John.

Dr. Giffen points out it's not that the water isn't clean, they just can't guarantee that it isn't infected.

Two clean tests seperated by 24 hours have to be produced before the boil order can be lifted.

East Side Woman In Court In Death Of 19 Year Old Man On West Side

Not guilty pleas to three charges from a 19 year old east side woman accused in the death of a 19 year old man New Year's day. Erika Simms of Loch Lomand Road was charged after a car ran into a pole on Sand Cove Road near Driftwood Lane.

Defense lawyer Dave Lutz offered to plead guilty to dangerous driving causing death but not guilty to the impaired charges causing death. The offer was rejected by the prosecution.

 Simms will return to court November 4th at which time a trial date will be scheduled.

The prosecuter told the court she expected the trial to last five days but Lutz believes it will be more like three.

Members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving were in the court as well.

Permanent Location Being Sought For Marco Polo Tall Ship

Enterprise Saint John and Uptown Saint John are looking for proposals to find a permanent location for the replica of the Marco Polo tall ship.

Barry Ogden of the Marco Polo project tells CHSJ News moving the ship from the lower west side is going to be a huge undertaking.

He doesn't want to see it moved around alot and confirms it won't be headed for the Harbour Station parking lot. It now seems doubtful the ship will be moved from the lower west side on October 18th as earlier talked about.

Ogden is still hoping for a location somewhere in the Uptown near the water.

A Significant Increase In Gas Prices

A big change with gas prices after the weekly setting. Both self serve regular and diesel have risen by more than 4 cents a litre. Propane also went up by just over a cent to a maximum of 105.9 and the max for heating oil is almost five cents a litre higher at 95.1 cents.

Boil Water Advisory Issued For Most Of Saint John

If you live east of the Reversing Falls, the city is advising you to boil their water.

The boil water order was issued early this morning because of an increase in the turbidity or cloudiness of the drinking water due to the rain and high winds. This can make disinfection less effective and leave bacteria in the water which can make you sick.

The city is advising you to boil your water for at least a minute before drinking it. It is safe, however, to shower or have a bath and wash dishes as long as the water is hot and soapy.

 Saint John Water has increased its chlorination and is monitoring the situation.

City Police Holding Public Meeting On West Side

The first of two community meetings being hosted by City Police in the next two weeks goes tonight at the Dennis Morris Community Center.
Sergeant David Hartley Brown tells CHSJ News, the purpose of the get together is to discuss home and business owners concerns because officers always rely heavily on information they get from the public.
 Sergeant Brown adds Inspector Bill Hanley will be at the meeting as well to discuss the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods legislation.

Things get started at seven o'clock.

A Cousteau Is Coming To Saint John To See Marsh Creek

(Alexandra Cousteau's boat The Bounty)

(photo by Lisa Gullison)

Jacques Cousteau's grandaughter will tour Marsh Creek last this month.
Alexandra Cousteau is bringing her 2010 Expedition Blue Planet tour, a 23,000 kilometre treak across North America to the Port City on the 23rd.

ACAP Saint John's Tim Vickers the day starts with a lunch and learn to go over the vision of the Marsh Creek Restoration Initiative.

The day also includes a 90-minute bus trip around Marsh creek and a canoe trip to shows off some of the scenic vistas and wildlife.

For more info on the ACAP events with Alexandra Cousteau, click on the link.
http://www.acapsj.com/MCRI_Dinner.html

Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation Honours Donors

A ceremony and dinner to say...thanks!

The Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation hosting its annual donor awards and dinner last night to honour those who contribute to the facility.

The event recognizing those who make significant contributions as regular donors, also those who are increasing their giving and those on the donor wall.

This year, the foundation made special mention of Irving Oil's "Fuel the Care" program which help families offset transportation costs when they have a sick child in hospital and the Knights of Columbus 6770 .