Tomorrow Is Your Chance to Send Off The Sea Dogs

Tomorrow is your chance to not only congratulate the Sea Dogs on winning the President's Cup but to wish them well on their quest for another trophy.

The Sea Dogs are inviting everybody out for a send-off as they head off to bring home the Memorial Cup from Mississauga.

You're encouraged to bring posters and letter of support.  You will also get the opportunity to meet the Q-League champs.

The event runs from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at the Harbour Station concourse.  The Dogs leave for Mississauga on Wednesday with game 1 taking place on Friday night.

Body Identified

RCMP the releasing the name of the body found in the woods north of Saint-Léonard yesterday. 

It has been identified as 48-year-old Victor Truchon of Saint-Quentin.  Truchon was reported missing on Friday. 

39-year-old Ghyslain Paquet of Saint Quentin has been arrested in connection with the death. 

Paquet faces one count of second degree murder and will appear in Edmundston Provincial Court to enter a plea on June 8th.

Liberal Critic Says Delays On Harbour Bridge Upgrade Very Telling

Transportation Minister Claude Williams now says there is no schedule at this time for completion of phase 2 of the Harbour Bridge upgrade.


The Minister confirmed the lack of a schedule for work on the east bound lanes in an email to us on Friday -- and -- Liberal transportation critic Rick Doucette tells CHSJ News he suspects the Alward government realizes the work required on the bridge far exceeds the planned upgrades.

Doucette says total maintenance on the bridge could end up costing as much as 150-million dollars in the long term.

He says the question mark surrounding phase 2 is another sign the deal the province struck with Ottawa to remove the tolls is full of holes.

Judge Waits To Sentence Former Jail Guard

A judge waiting to deliver a sentence to 47-year-old Joseph Patrick Allen until she reviews the laws concerning conditional sentencing.  

Allen pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting an inmate while working as a guard at the jail on Old Black River Road and in City Lockup, but maintains the acts were consensual.

The prosecution argues Allen cannot receive a conditional sentence because he was in a position of authority and because of the serious nature of the crime.   

The defense says Allen should receive therapy for sexual addiction and cannot be treated while behind bars. 

Sentencing will be held on June 15th.

City Makes Preparations Because Of Heavy Rain

The city is in prep mode for today's heavy rain.

According to a release from the city, caution signs have been put up in low-lying roadways and crews are keeping an eye on flood-prone areas.

The city wants to remind you to follow any posted detours and to not drive through any flooded roads.

Rainfall Record For May Remains Unbroken

Even though the sun seems like a distant memory with the recent spell of wet weather, we have not broken any rainfall records.


Environment Canada meteorologist Claude Cote tells CHSJ News we have received just over 100 millimetres of rainfall so far for the month of May and the average is 118 millimetres. He says there has been more rain than usual but we are far from breaking any records.


However, others areas have had above average rainfall: Point Lepreau has received 140 millimetres of rain while Gran Manan has been soaked with 121 millimetres.

Young Rothesay Woman To Be Honoured For Humanitarian Work

A university student from Rothesay is being honoured with a Canadian Red Cross Young Humanitarian award.


Meghan MacDonald is attending Mount Allison University and has been active with Amnesty International and groups working with Special Olympics and autism.

She's in the spotlight with former premier and now deputy chairman of T-D Bank Frank McKenna.

McKenna is being honoured for his work groups promoting children's access to clean water - food - health - and - education as well as the United Way - hospital groups and other non-profit organizations.

The awards will be presented during a dinner here in the city in late November.

RCMP Link Discovery Of Body With Missing Person's Case

RCMP discovering a man's body in woods north of Saint-Léonard yesterday.
Police were searching the area after a 48-year-old man from Saint-Quentin was reported missing Friday.
On Saturday, RCMP arresting a 39-year-old Saint-Quentin man in connection with the disappearance of 48-year-old Victor Truchon.
The man is due in court today to face a charge of second degree murder.

We May Learn Cause Of Deadly First Street Fire

The Saint John Fire Department should have an update this week on the cause of that deadly fire earlier this month.
Early on the morning of May 1st, fire broke out in the four unit apartment building on First Street in the north end.
19 year old Sarah Jean Connell died in the fire and several people were left homeless.

Local Sergeant Gets Promotion

The Saint John Police Force has a new inspector. 

Cy Thompson, who has been with the force for 24 years, being promoted from Staff Sergeant to Inspector of Support Services. 

Thompson says the promotion means he'll be in charge of the city's dispatch centre and victim services.

He says now is a great time to be a member of the Saint John Police Force, with the force transferring into a new police headquarters over the next 18 months.

Thompson is replacing Inspector Bill Hanley, who retired from the force last month.

Also being recognized this week are Staff Sergeant Stephen Patterson and Rothesay Regional Police Chief Steve McIntyre, who both received Orders of Merit from the Governor General.

Dogs Prez Says Winning The Cup Is Surreal

"Surreal and a dream come true" is how Sea Dogs President Wayne Long describes the team winning its first President's Cup trophy by beating Gatineau in six games. He tells CHSJ News the team worked so hard this year.

He says they wanted it so badly and they came close last year being two wins away from going to Brandon, Manitoba. He says that kind of stuck with the team all year in a positive way as they learned what it took to win a President's Cup.
He says it's great to give a championship to Saint John which deserves a shot in the arm.
Long adds their work is not done saying they got the first trophy now they want the second trophy.
The team leaves on Wednesday for Mississauga, Ontario with Game 1 of the Memorial Cup on Friday night.

Labourers Protest Over Lack Of Local Work

A group of local labourers want answers from the provincial and federal government as to why local work is going to people out of province.

About 15 demonstrators scattered between the Canada Revenue building and the Customs building in the uptown, holding signs saying they want answers from the Premier.

Protester Robert McCormick tells CHSJ News it's not right when you have workers eating in soup kitchens and work is going to people from Ontario.

He says the group doesn't represent a particular union but are fellow labourers who want answers.

McCormick says they will be demonstrating until they get answers and plan to picket by the One Mile Interchange construction site tomorrow morning.

Sea Dogs Win President's Cup

The Saint John Sea Dogs have their first President's Cup trophy after another dramatic night in Gatineau.
The team beat the Olympiques 3-2 in double overtime to punch their ticket to the Memorial Cup.
In their 6th year, the Sea Dogs accomplishing the feat against the most decorated franchise in the Q League, defeating the seven-time league champs and one-time national champs last night.
Stanislav Galiev and Jonathan Huberdeau also scored for Saint John and Jacob DeSerres made 34 saves for the win.  Alexandre Beauregard got the overtime winner.
The Memorial Cup begins this weekend in Mississauga, Ontario.

Group Seeks Damages Against Penobsquis Mine

A hearing being held in Sussex today for people seeking damages at the hands of the Potash Mine in Penobsquis. Stephanie Merril with the province's Conservation Council tells CHSJ News many people in the area have had water issues becuase of the mine, with 50 peoples' wells actually drying up.
 She has they have dust, noise and quality of life issues and general stress fighting it day in and day out.
Miller says they want to send the message that industries are responsible for the damages they cause, and they want the government to hold the industries responsible.

Missing 13-Year-Old Girl Found Safe

Moncton RCMP locating a missing 13-year-old girl over the weekend.
Chelsea Hartling was found safe and sound yesterday after an investigation lead police to search a Lakeville home.

A 32-year-old woman living there and a 41-year-old woman from Irishtown are facing charges of abduction.
Both women are in custody before a date with a judge this morning in Moncton.