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.