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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

More Pictures From Today's Historic Memorial Cup Victory Parade



Sea Dogs Victory Parade

People's Alliance Party Questions Possible MLA Trip To Germany

The People's Alliance of New Brunswick taking issue with two Tory MLA's and one Liberal MLA potentially attending a conference on legislative democracy on the taxpayer's dime. The conference is in Germany next month.

Leader Kris Austin tells CHSJ News this trip comes as the current government is slashing and cutting the budget of nearly every department.

He says this trip is a blatant misuse of money. Austin adds the three MLA's considering this trip have 42 years of political experience collectively and if they don't know the job by now, then they should retire.   Our newsroom placing a call to Conservative MLA Wayne Steeves for his thoughts.

Local Players Marvel At Support

After the parade fans holding up flags, posters, hats, and jerseys for their favourite players to sign.

Number 7, Zack Phillips hails from Fredericton and tells CHSJ News the last few days have been amazing.

He says it's been the best few days of his life and seeing all the people out to support the team is similar to the feeling of winning.

Number 22, Aiden Kelly, is originally from Saint John and says turning the corner at Kings Square and seeing the crowd was absolutely surreal.

Thousands Come Out For Sea Dogs Memorial Cup Celebration

Thousands turning out for the Sea Dogs victory celebration in uptown Saint John.

The festivities starting in King's Square, followed by a parade down King Street and then a rally at the Market Square Boardwalk where the team showed off their latest hardware: the President's Cup and the Memorial Cup.

Sea Dogs President Wayne Long says Saint John hockey fans are the best in the country.

Meanwhile, the normally reserved Mayor Ivan Court couldn't hide his enthusiasm, saying the Sea Dogs have joined a winning legacy which includes the Mooseheads and the Flames.

The Sea Dogs flag will be flying at city hall for the rest of the week.

Fredericton Man Facing Child Porn Charges

A 49-year-old man who is part of an ongoing police investigation into the illegal trade of child porn in the province is now facing charges.

Scott Trapnell of Fredericton in Woodstock Provincial Court and charged with possession of child pornography and he'll be back in court next month.

Trapnell is one of four people arrested on March 23 as part of Operation ‘J Treasures'.    An 18-year-old Grand Bay-Westfield man is facing a charge relating to the case.

Brainiacs At K-V-H-S Continue To Excel In National Competition

What constitutes the success of Kennebecasis Valley High at Reach for the Top?

K-V-H-S went undefeated in winning its second consecutive national championship, a feat only accomplished once before in 45 years.

Team coach Jason Thorne tells CHSJ News you need more than just being bright to do well in this sort of competition because if you're not quick on your feet and can answer the questions quickly, it doesn't matter how knowledgeable a student might be.

Thorne goes on to say at K-V-H-S, younger students are groomed by first competing in the junior division and then moving up the ranks.

All of the winning team members this year are in grade 12 and will have to be replaced by a new crop of students.

Charlotte Street Man Back In Court For Attempted Murder

Another court appearance for a 31 year old Charlotte Street man charged with attempted murder.

Nicholas Wayne Welsh earlier pleaded not guilty in the stabbing of a 53 year old man in the neck who was bleeding near the corner of Duke and Charlotte Streets on May 19th.

Welsh is also looking at other less serious charges and is scheduled to return to court on June 14th at which time a trial date will be set. In the meantime, he has been sent back to jail.

KVHS Wins Second National Reach For The Top Championship



KV High Winning Its Second Consecutive Reach for the Top National Championship.

KV beat Centennial Collegiate Vocational Institute of Guelph, Ontario last night 380 to 360.
The Ontario champs mounting a big comeback including a 40-point team question at the end of round three.

KVHS becomes only the second team in 45 years to win back-to-back National Championships.

Fire In North End

The fire department on the scene of a fire in a building at 595 Sandy Point Road for several hours this morning.

Fire Crews were notified as they raced to the blaze that the building was fully engulfed in flames.

There are no reports of any injuries and, so far, not word on a cause.

Sussex Man In Court For Stealing Handguns

The RCMP making an arrest in Sussex in connection with a theft of handguns which had occurred on May 27th.

Seven handguns, which had been stolen during a breakin at a fish and game store on Main Street in Sussex, were recovered.

A 28-year-old man from Sussex, Joseph Shortridge has pleaded not guilty and will be back in Hampton Provincial Court today for a bail hearing.

Waiting List Too Long For Methadone Treatment

More methadone treatment needs to be available in Saint John in order to continue the fight against HIV.

That from the Director of AIDS Saint John Julie Dingwell who tells CHSJ News only a handful are getting methadone, leaving many to languish or put themselves at serious risk by turning to needles for drug use.

She says the majority of people who use the needle exchange have Hepatitis C, which means most intravenous drug users will become infected and become a huge cost the health care system as Hepatitis C is very expensive to treat.

Dingwell adds there are hundreds on the waiting list for methadone treatment and hundreds more who are are not even registered.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Wellington Row Will Have Limited Access For Two Weeks

Drivers who use Wellington row to get to the City Centre will have limited access for the next two weeks due to sewer and water upgrades.

Wellington Row will be barricaded at Carelton Street, except between the hours of 7:45 to 9 in the morning and from 4:30 to 5:30 in the evening in order to ease congestion.

You can get to Wellington any time from Union Street but there will no exit onto Carelton Street except during the aforementioned times.

More Video Of The Sea Dogs Returning Home Today

Memorial Cup tournament MVP Jonathan Huberdeau and the rest of the Sea Dogs return home to hundreds of thrilled fans at the Saint John Airport.

Memorial Cup Champions Get A Hero's Welcome Home

A hero's welcome for the Memorial Cup champion Saint John Sea Dogs as they return from Mississauga after last night's win. Over 300 fans showing up to welcome the team as they arrived at the Saint John Airport. Dogs Goalie Jacob DeSerres refuses to take credit for the win saying his teammates worked hard. DeSerres tells CHSJ News it's quite a change from last year after losing the final 9-1 when playing for Brandon.

It's no surprise that Dogs president Wayne Long is over the moon calling it a dream come true and they are blown away by the crowd at the airport to greet them today.
The team, its staff and owners got a little surprise as schoolchildren lining Loch Lomond Road with Sea Dogs signs were waiting for the team bus to come by.


The Sea Dogs victory parade begins at noon tomorrow in Kings Square.

City Wants Quality Assurance On Road Work

Common Council is looking into demanding quality assurance or long-term warranties from work done on city roads.

Mayor Ivan Court says roads are deteriorating too quickly and the city needs to hold companies accountable for work that carry price tags in the millions.

Councilor Mel Norton suggesting the anticipated life span of the road could be included in the work contract but Director of Public Works Shane Galbraith says it would be hard to enforce given extenuating circumstances like the weather.

Postal Workers Could Strike In 72 hours

Canada Post workers could be heading to the picket line this week.

Wally Moore is the President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in Saint John and he tells CHSJ News they have put forward their final offer to Canada Post this morning in an effort to prevent a strike.  He says if no headway is made then workers could be on strike as early as Thursday morning.

Employees have been in negotiations for about 7 months. 

Moore says the main sticking points of the deal is reduced wages for new employees and proposed changes to their sick leave plan.

Economic Growth In Province Will Be Sluggish

Economic growth this year in the province will wind up being under 2 per cent according to the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council in its latest forecast. 

APEC senior economist Fred Bergman tells CHSJ News employment remains weak although he can see positive growth happening in manufacturing and with exports.

Bergman points out a number of call centres in the province have closed in the past year including Eddie Bauer here in Saint John which have contributed to weak employment. 

APEC is forecasting the economies of all three Maritime provinces will lag behind the rest of the country including Newfoundland.

Spend That Refund Wisely

It's nearly June and some people are still waiting on their income tax refund.
The folks at Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada offering a little advice for those itching to spend the money to consider carefully what to do with it.


Director of Education Tamara Kelly tells CHSJ News most of us would spend the refund before it arrives.  Kelly says a lot of people don't have a rainy day fund so it's really important to set aside some money in case there is an emergency.   For more info, click here

Seadogs Win Memorial Cup

Sea Dogs fans don't have to chant "We Want The Cup" any longer, because Saint John's team is bringing it home.

The Seadogs won the Memorial Cup after a 3-1 win against the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors with Jacob DeSerres stopping 34 shots.

The 21-year-old was appearing in his second straight Memorial Cup final. Last year he helped the Brandon Wheat Kings reach the title game before surrendering nine goals in a loss to the Windsor Spitfires. The Calgary native was stellar for Sea Dogs, who stormed out to a 2-0 first-period lead before DeSerres came up with some spectacular saves to help his club withstand a spirited comeback bid by the hometown Majors.

Simon Despres, Zack Phillips and Jonathan Huberdeau scored for Saint John which becomes the first team from Atlantic Canada to win the Memorial Cup. Huberdeau was named the most valuable player of the tournament and there's now speculation he could be the first pick in the NHL draft.

When Huberdeau scored the Dogs' final goal with four minutes left in the third, fans watching the game on the big screen at Harbour Station were on their feet.

Last night's victory marked the 77th win for the Sea Dogs this season. A homecoming parade will be held for the Dogs tomorrow from Kings Square starting at noonhour and finishing up at the Market Square boardwalk.

Suspicious Fires In South End

Fire crews getting a call just after 12:30 this morning about a porch being on fire at 16 Queen Square North.

When they arrived on scene, crews discovered the vestibules of two homes were ablaze. The flames were extinguished in a manner of minutes but the cause of the fire is suspicious and city police are investigating.

Smoke was also discovered coming from a building at 261 Charlotte Street a few minutes later.

On Saturday night crews responded to a suspicious blaze near Lancaster Mall where a dumpster and a quarter ton truck were found on fire.

K-V-H-S Reach For The Top Team Undefeated

It's down to the crunch for the Kennebecasis Valley High School Reach for the Top team at the Nationals in Toronto.

The team was in first place after the round robin but coach Jason Thorne says the competition has been very strong this year primarily from the three Ontario teams.

Over the last four seasons, K-V-H-S has finished in the top three in Canada each year and won the National Championship for the first time last year. The semi-final and final matches go today.

Speed Bumps Being Considered For Quispamsis Subdivision

Speed monitors have been out again in the Southwood Drive subdivision of Quispamsis as town engineers look at the effectiveness of last summer's traffic calming program.

Speed bumps were installed this time last year on Southwood Drive, Lexington Avenue and Minstrel Drive after the subdivision became a heavily used shortcut to the Vincent Road.

Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News the effectiveness of the speed bumps has to be determined.

Driscoll says no one has directly asked him if the speed bumps will be going in again this summer.

Traffic To Be Disrupted In City Core

A traffic note to keep in mind over the next two days. Water street will be closed starting at 11 this morning until late tomorrow night.

Crews will be trying to move the large crane that's being used for the Harbourfront condo construction project.

Traffic will be re-routed left off Water Street to Canterbury Street, then right to join the Lower Cove Road.

The crane removal is dependent on the weather conditions.

Meantime, did you see that huge crane set up at Germain and King street this weekend?

We can tell you it was there moving concrete blocks off the roof of the C-I-B-C bank.

A worker on site telling CHSJ News it was deteriorating and will be replaced.
To see a picture and video, go to country94.ca and click news.

Sea Dogs Win The Cup

Sea Dogs fans don't have to chant "We Want The Cup" any longer, because Saint John's team is bringing it home.

The Saint John Sea Dogs became the first team from Atlantic Canada to ever win the Memorial Cup with a 3-1 win over the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors last night. 

The score was 2-1 heading in to the third, until Jonathan Huberdeau scored the final goal with just under four minutes of play left in the game. 

Fans watching the game on the big screen at Harbour Station were on there feet.

Sunday's game marked the 77th win for the Sea Dogs this season.

A homecoming parade will be held for the Dogs on Tuesday in Kings Square starting at noon.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Giant Crane Moves Concrete Off Roof Of Bank



An industrial crane set up on the corner of Germain and King Streets this weekend moving concrete blocks off the roof of the CIBC bank.    A worker telling CHSJ News it was deteriorating and will be replaced.


Suspicious Dumpster Fire Near Lancaster Mall

City fire crews putting out a suspicious fire near Lancaster Mall. 

The call came in just after 12:30 last night that a garbage dumpster was on fire at 651 Fairvale Boulevard. 

When crews got there they also found a quarter ton truck engulfed in flames. 

Fire and police are investigating the incident.

City Roads Don't Make The List Of Atlantic Canada's 20-Worst

With over 80 000 votes not one road from the Saint John area made CAA's list for Atlantic Canada's 20-worst roads.

Gary Howard with CAA tells CHSJ News he's from Saint John and was amazed, but says rural roads seemed to get most of the votes.

Howard says their research shows that 75 per cent of Canadians don't think that enough resources are being put back into our roads from the taxes collected.

Beaverbrook Road in the Miramichi came in as the worst road in Atlantic Canada with over 30 thousand votes.

Howard says they will use the list to follow up with the government to see what is being done about the state of our roads.

Minister Wants More Childcare Spaces

Provincial Education Minister Jody Carr concedes the province still has some work to do when it comes to early childhood education.

The Alward Government wants to raise the number of licensed daycare spaces in the province from 20 thousand to 30 thousand over the next four years.

The Director of the Early Childhood Education Centre at U-N-B Fredericton Pam Whitty tells CHSJ News the province is making the right moves with the goal being every child having access to early childhood development before starting school.

Whitty says making early childhood development part of the education department has many benefits including better facilities and greater access to daycare with better trained staff.

Nissan President Sees Future For Electric Cars

It's estimated 10 to 20 per cent of the car market will be taken up by electric cars.

That prediction from the President of Nissan Canada, Alan Childs, who paid his first visit to Saint John last week.

He tells CHSJ News the volatility of gas prices is uppermost in the minds of drivers these days.

Nissan will start mass marketing its electric car late this summer and fall.

Childs concedes tax incentives will be needed in the short term to persuade buyers to take the plunge.

Ontario and Quebec are offering 85 hundred dollars in tax benefits to electric car buyers.

Disability Awareness Week Kicks Off

This week is disability awareness week and Common Council is taking part. 

Council is holding a town hall meeting on Wednesday night at the Loch Lomond Villa to hold an open discussion with disability groups in the city. 

Barry Freeze with the city's Ability Advisory Committee says the week is about drawing attention to the challenges faced by those with disabilities that people might not necessarily consider. 

A disability simulation exercise is also being held at Millidgeville North School to give students the chance to experience what it might be like to have a disability.

Foundation Still Collecting B-Passes For Charity

The St. Joe's Hospital Foundation is still collecting B-Pass transponders if you're looking for something to do with yours.

Jill Logan tells CHSJ News the transponders can be given to anyone participating in the Dragon Boat Festival or look for a location around the city with a "Pass it On" poster.

She says she's not sure how much money the transponder campaign will bring in because some people have two dollars left while others have ten.

Logan says the deadline to do something useful with your transponder is June 30th, and the Foundation is putting a push on to get them collected over the next week or two.

MindCare Helps Out With Money Raised At Skate To Care

MindCare NB handing out this year's funds from Skate to Care to 17 Saint John businesses and organizations.

Chair Pam Forsythe tells CHSJ News more people may understand mental illnesses because of increased awareness, but that doesn't mean the stigma surrounding them is gone completely.

She says they try to pick groups they think will make a real difference in the community.

Groups receiving funding include the YMCA, the Salvation Army's Centre of Hope Programs, and Horizon Health Network's Mental Health recovery services.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Lily Lake Pavilion Hosts All-American Soap Box Derby

It's "On your mark, Get set, Go!" at the Lily Lake Pavilion today as 137 races are held in New Brunswick's All-American Soap Box Derby.
Alanna Waberski with Lily Lake tells CHSJ in addition to the races there will be jugglers, bouncy castles, rock climbing and trolley rides for the public.

Waberski says the Soap Box Derby is unique because all of the cars are the same, making it a level playing field.

Two winners from the Derby will be sent on to Ohio in July for the North American Championship.  

Due to the event the main entrance to Rockwood Park will be closed until 6 o'clock tonight. 

Drivers can access the park by using the Hawthorne Avenue Extension entrance.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Irving Oil Ordered To Shed Holdings In Maine

Federal trade regulators in the United States have ordered Canadian-owned Irving Oil to divest itself of some of its holdings in Maine in order to promote competition. 

The Federal Trade Commission the company to relinquish the rights to terminal and pipeline assets acquired from ExxonMobil.  The commission says the goal is to maintain competition in gasoline and distillates in the South Portland and Bangor/Penobscot Bay areas.
   
Meanwhile, in a statement to our newsrom, Irving Oil says they have voluntarily changed the structure of their deal to address the FTC's concerns and they were always aware of possible changes to the deal before anything was finalized.


Irving Oil says they will control the marketing rights of the terminals while ownership goes to Buckeye Partners, an energy supply firm.

Grand Manan Ferry To Increase Number of Trips

The current Grand Manan ferry will be making extra runs in an effort to accommodate businesses struggling with the smaller vessel after the main ship ran aground last week.
Beginning on Sunday, each run of the ferry will have a dedicated lane for commercial traffic.  There will also be priority boarding for trucks and other commercial vehicles.

However, passengers who have medical appointments or other important business will continue to receive priority boarding.
Service will increase to six runs a day on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams says the province is also looking into using a second vessel.

Atlantic Institution Is In Lockdown

The Atlantic Institution in Renous is ins lockdown status because of a search for contraband and unauthorized items.
The search of the institution is ongoing and normal institution operations including visits are suspended until the conclusion of the search.

The lockdown will remain in effect until the search is completed.
The maximum-security institution in Renous currently houses 195 inmates.

Local Woman Named To The Order Of Canada

A Saint Johner being named to the Order of Canada today -- former senator Erminie J. Cohen receiving the honour for her work in eradicating poverty and increasing the level of adoption in the province.

Cohen tells CHSJ News she was humbled to be standing next to fellow Canadians who have a real passion for making the world a better place.

43 Canadians were named to the Order of Canada today -- notable names include actor Michael J. Fox and former federal cabinet minister Jake Epp, who introduced anti-smoking legislation and implemented a national AIDS strategy.

City Hands Out Cash To Local Arts and Culture Groups

The city handing out 60-thousand dollars in grants to 31 local arts and cultural organizations as part of the sixth annual Saint John Community Arts Funding Program.

The Harvesting the Arts Festival receiving a cheque for 15-hundred dollars and spokesperson Jennifer Waldschutz tells CHSJ News every bit of money helps as the festival is not-for-profit project.

Other groups receiving funding include the Boys and Girls Club for a mural project and the New Brunswick Visual Arts Association.

Another Charge Laid In East Side Fatality

35 year old Vincent Eric Reid of Wright Street faces yet another charge of impaired driving causing bodily harm following a fatal collision last Sunday morning on Golden Grove Road.

Reid, who now faces a total of five charges including impaired driving causing the death of Gerald Troy Bridges, has been sent back to jail until June 6th when he reappears for a bail hearing. Reid still has not entered any pleas.

Meanwhile, a 56 year old registered nurse from the Valley has been handed a 6 month conditional sentence, including house arrest, for stealing morphine at Loch Lomand Villa last November.

The court was told Elaine Skov-Neilson of Quispamsis is trying to cope with some mental health issues including depression and sleep difficulties.

The sentencing judge called the theft "impulsive" and she was described as a low risk to reoffend with no previous criminal record.

Airport Receives Tourism Award

The Saint John Airport receiving a award for new initiatives in tourism.
The Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick recognized the Airport for its steps to implement new training programs, investing in professional development and its commitment to service excellence.

The Saint John Airport has over 225,000 people come through every year and is the first impression of the community for many.   The award for new initiatives in tourism presented at the Pioneer Gala Award Banquet in Miramichi.

Seadogs Planned Well In Advance For Memorial Cup Run

The Seadogs are in a good position to win the Memorial Cup Sunday but it wasn't planned that way according to team President Wayne Long.

He tells CHSJ News they had planned a three year run that would culminate in a championship next season when it was hoped Saint John would be hosting the Memorial Cup.

 Long goes on to say not only have the Seadogs organisation received national exposure this past week or so but the city, itself, has.

He tells us next year's team won't be that much weaker because the core will be returning. He adds the outpouring of support for the team from the city has been overwhelming and has mean't so much to the players.

City Officer Facing Assault Charges In Court Today

Constable Christopher Messer with the Saint John Police Force making a short court appearance today.
He will be back in front of the judge June 21st where he will elect a trial in Provincial Court or in the Court of Queen’s Bench.

The 39-year old officer is facing charges of assault, assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats last September just days before his house on Westfield Road was fired on in a drive by shooting.

Uptown Saint John Reveals Live Life Award Nominees

The Best of the best in Uptown Saint John will be the focus of a splashy awards ceremony next month.

The 2nd annual Live Life Awards will be handed out in a gala event in the White Room on Prince William Street on June 9th.  The nominees include the Saint John 225 Clock, Bourbon Quarter/Magnolia Cafe facade restoration and the Marco Polo Musical for Heritage Project of the Year. The Green Award nominees are Commercial Properties, Olivier Soaps and Plan SJ.
For ticket info..633-9797.

Battle Plan Drawn Up To Save South Bay School

About 70 people who live in Morna Heights and the neighbouring communities formulating a game plan to save Morna Heights School from possible closure.

They want to meet as a group with Fundy-River Valley MLA Jim Parrott as he has expressed support for the closure. The group also plans to flood the email inboxes of Parrot, Education Minister Jody Carr, Premier David Alward and even the Opposition Liberals about their desire to keep the school off the chopping block.

Lori Nason is the chair of the Parent School Support Committee with Morna Heights School and she tells CHSJ News there are many reasons as to why the school should stay open including the fact students would have to be bused outside of their home community. Amy Gillespie of Ketepec Road does not want her children travelling to Grand Bay-Westfield for school.

School District 8 is proposing to build a new primary school in Grand Bay-Westfield while shutting down Morna Heights in Saint John, Inglewood School and Grand Bay Primary.

Nason says Morna Heights School is a Saint John school and shouldn't be involved in Grand Bay-Westfield education issues.

Target Setting Up Shop On East Side

It looks as though the Zellers store in the McAllister Place mall will become a Target store.

Local management at the Zellers in the mall can't confirm the store is becoming a Target store and our CHSJ Newsroom has placed a call to Zellers head office in Toronto for confirmation.

A media report says Target will have 105 stores in Canada opening in 2013.

The Target Canada stores expect to hire 75 per cent more staff as they expect sales will be substantially higher.

Target also announcing it will open its Canadian headquarters in 180,000 square-feet of space in Mississauga, Ontario and the Canadian leadership team is moving this summer.

Back in January, the company announcing that Target was buying Zellers leases in Canada for 1.8 billion dollars.

President Of Nissan Canada In City

The President of Nissan Canada making his first visit ever to Saint John to officially open the dealership on Rothesay Avenue under new ownership.

Alan Childs tells CHSJ News Nissan's first electric car is about to come on the market late this summer at a cost of about 40 thousand dollars.

Childs says the price in Ontario and Quebec are being offset by over 8 thousand dollars in tax incentives to those people who opt to buy the electric car.

He adds there has been alot of interest expressed thus far in social media and the electric car has sold well in other countries.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

McAllister Place Zellers May Become A Target

It looks as though the Zellers store in the McAllister Place mall will become a Target store.

Local management at the Zellers in the mall can't confirm the store is becoming a Target store and our newsroom has placed a call to Zellers head office in Toronto for confirmation.

A media report says Target will have 105 stores in Canada opening in 2013.
The Target Canada stores expect to hire 75 per cent more staff as they expect sales will be substantially higher.
Target also announcing it will open its Canadian headquarters in 180,000 square-feet of space in Mississauga, Ontario and the Canadian leadership team is moving this summer.
Back in January, the company announcing that Target was buying Zellers leases in Canada for 1.8 billion dollars.