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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

IT Company Gets Provincial Money

Money from the provincial government will help IT company Innovatia fulfil a new contract with a global technology client.

The province is investing 3.3 million dollars into the the company -- 425-thousand dollars will be used a payroll rebate while 75-thousand dollars will be used to upgrade infrastructure.

Co-owner of Innovatia David Grebenc tells CHSJ News they have already filled 35 new jobs.

Newly Expanded Barbour's General Store Opens For The Season

A tourist fixture in the Uptown is bigger and better this summer.
Barbour's General Store and Museum are offering hot and cold tea, "tea"-shirts and a spot to play checkers.  Sylvia MacVey-President of G.E. Barbour Inc. says they decided to expand after a complete change in the management team.

She says it's a way of showing Saint Johners they are part of the community now, always have been and will be for a long time.
The expansion is allowing the company to hire about ten staff and they will be hiring more people as they plan to increase their hours to tie in with events on the boardwalk.

Court Appearance For Saint John Cop

There was a brief court appearance for a 10 year veteran of the Saint John Police Department.

34 year old Chris Messer is charged with assault causing bodily harm, assault and uttering threats. Those charges were laid after an outside investigation carried out by Miramichi Police.

Messer's home was also the target of a drive by shooting and breakin.

Messer's lawyer, Brian Munro elected trial by judge and jury.

Another court appearance is scheduled for July 22nd at which time a date for a preliminary hearing will be scheduled. That hearing will determine if there's enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Sussex Man Imprisoned For Stealing Guns

Two years in prison for a 28 year old Sussex man, Joseph Shortridge of Fowler Avenue who stole 7 handguns May 27th from Sussex Outfitters on Main Street. All of the handguns were recovered.

Shortridge claims he wasn't in his right mind when he stole the guns, had no intention of selling them and even thought about returning them when he realised what he had done.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen credit card, theft of a $125 jacket from a store in Market Square, possession of marijuana and failing to make an earlier court appearance in Saint John

Graduation Ceremonies And Proms Take Over Greater Saint John

As June draws to a close grade twelve students in Districts 6 and 8 are picking up their caps and gowns for graduation.

Belleisle Regional High School holding the first graduation ceremony of the week tomorrow night at 7pm in their school gym. Sussex Regional High and St. Mac's both have ceremonies on Thursday. St. Mac's goes at 6:30 at the school, while the Sussex ceremony starts at 7 at the 8th Hussars Sports Centre.

Energy Minister Forges Ahead With Shale Gas Development

Provincial Energy Minister Craig Leonard is hoping the shale gas industry will be in full swing by next near.

He tells CHSJ News their priority right now is to get industry regulations up to par in order to handle such an expansion.

He acknowledges there has been vocal opposition against such development but he says it's a matter of educating the public about the safety and success of the industry in other jurisdictions.

He says revenue generated by shale gas is estimated at 300-400 million dollars a year, which would make a huge dent in the province's debt.

Local CUPW Not Enthused About Back To Work Legislation

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says thing are not looking good them once back-to-work legislation get enacted and an arbitrator is brought in to settle their dispute with Canada Post.

Local President Wally Moore tells CHSJ News the government appointed arbitrator will be choosing either Canada Post's offer or the unions -- and he's pretty sure how things will turn out.

He says the corporation will get everything they want and the Union and workers will get none of the things they want.
He says government involvement has already cost the union a bump in wages -- as the back-to-work legislation includes wage increases that are even lower than what Canada Post was offering.

Crime Mapping Software Assisting Local Police Force

It's been almost 3 months since City police began using the online tool CrimeMapping.com.
The software identifies the type of crimes happening in any given neighbourhood.
Deputy Chief Bruce Connell tells CHSJ News it encourages public involvement.
He says one of the options is the public can email the department about crimes in their neighbourhood.  He adds the force can then send units out to those areas for follow-up.  You can register for alerts about crimes in your neighbourhood.  To sign up, click here

Saint John Man Pleads Guilty In Fatal Collision

Four guilty pleas from a Wright Street man charged after a fatal head on crash between two trucks on Golden Grove Road May 22nd.

35 Year old Vincent Eric Reid will be sentenced July 18th for impaired driving causing the death of Gerald Troy Bridges and three counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm for injuries suffered by three women passengers.

Reid has been remanded to jail and a presentence report has been ordered by Judge Anne Jeffries.

EI Cheques Need To Be Picked Up

For those of you receiving Employment Insurance cheques, Service Canada is reminding you they are not being mailed out like other government cheques and will have to be picked up due to the postal strike.

However, Canada Post will continue to deliver Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security benefit cheques.

To find out where to pick up your EI cheque, click here.

Children Released From Hospital After A-T-V Flips

Two young children who were injured when an A-T-V flipped over in Red Head were treated and released from hospital.

Police say a woman and two children were riding just before noon yesterday on Harbourview Drive when the A-T-V crashed and the children, both under the age of 5, were pinned underneath.

Reports from the scene indicated helmets were not being worn.

Relocation Of Flood Prone Homeowners In Glen Falls Off The Table

Despite asking the flood-prone residents of Glen Falls to consider relocation last year, it is not a viable option now. That, from the city's director of public works Shane Galbraith.

He says the idea is pretty much off the table because the homes at risk are spread out in Glen Falls so turning the plots back into wetlands is not feasible and a fullscale relocation is just too costly.

He adds the city will continue its efforts to prevent flooding. An environmental impact assessment is planned next year at Mystery Lake for flood relief infrastructure. The city will examine the feasibility of constructing detention reservoirs at Kelly Lake and Ashburn Lake.

Glen Falls resident Blair Glazier, who can't get flood insurance, liked the relocation option and is disappointed that it is no longer an option. Crystal Lockerbie is with the Glen Falls Community Committee and says those people who want to stay aren't looking for a miracle.