Parkway Mall Evacuated Due To Possible Natural Gas Leak

A fitness club Parkway Mall on the east side along with two neighbouring stores were evacuated between 4:30 and 5 yesterday afternoon due to a possible natural gas leak.

District Chief Joe Armstrong says a natural gas smell was coming from the electrical room at the fitness club although they could not get any readings. 

The gas supply was cut off and the area checked for leaks. The smell eventually dissipated and things returned to normal.

Metal Shredder Expansion To Get Power Thanks To Saint John Energy

The powering of the American Iron and Metal shredder expansion that drew the ire of a group of west side residents is getting power but not via the controversial route initially proposed.

President of Saint John Energy Eric Marr tells CHSJ News his company is expediting work on a west side distribution line that will allow NB Power to power the shredder for two years.

Marr says he's unsure what a permanent solution will be but now NB Power has the luxury of time to figure that out.

The expansion work is expected to be completed by December.

New Cruise Ship Terminal To Be Ready For Next Year

The Saint John Port Authority sharing some details into what will be going into the second cruise ship terminal on Water Street.

The 15.5 million dollar building will have a public viewing space on the roof as well as a tower with a replica of the dome that was on the Old General Hospital.

President and CEO Jim Quinn tells CHSJ News the need for the new facility is quite simple: growth of the cruise industry has grown exponentially and cruise ships are getting larger and larger.

The long wharf slip will also see some improvements and rail access along the lower cove loop will also be enhanced.

Construction of the building is set to begin in November and will be completed by August of next year.

Nearly 1200 In The Dark

Tree branches hitting power lines keeping NB power crews busy and homeowners annoyed and in the dark.

Nearly 1200 people are currently without power province wide and that includes more than 700 people in Rothesay, Grand Bay-Westfied and the Kingston Peninsula.


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Three Ships And A Ferry Cancel Trips

It's a whole lot quieter uptown today because three cruise ships will not be docking in the city.
The Caribbean Princess, the Regatta and the Norwegian jewel would have brought over 6000 visitors to the uptown but the wet and windy weather in the North Atlantic have caused the cancellation.

But another triple ship day is not far off -- the cruise ship season is scheduled to finish with three cruise ships in port on the 25th.

The winds also cancelling the Princess of Acadia sailing from Saint John at 11 O'clock tonight.
The crossing from Digby at 4 this afternoon and 8 tomorrow morning are also cancelled.

Natural Resources Critic Wants Real Dicussion In Shale Gas Town Hall Meetings

Opposition Critic for Natural Resources Denis Landry says the Alward government is taking a step in the right direction with the recently announced town hall meetings on shale gas.

He tells CHSJ News it needs to be a true opportunity for everyone to express their views -- good or bad -- about the shale gas industry.

He hopes it won't become a Conservative platform on the benefits of the industry.

One of those meetings is scheduled to be in Saint John.

As for the new shale gas website launched by the province, he says the information being provided is all positive toward shale gas and there is no true way to have an open discussion on the matter on the webpage.

Seadogs Say They're Ready To Roll

The Seadogs have all their players back to make a run at defending their Memorial Cup championship. 

So says Team President Wayne Long who tells CHSJ News the acquisition of defenseman Charles Olivier-Rousel, who was drafted by the Nashville Predators, fills the void left by Simon Despres. 

Long admits they were worried forward Jonathon Huberdeau with Florida and defenseman Nathan Beaulieu with Montreal wouldn't return.
 

The Seadogs are back in action this Saturday night at the Station against Rimouski.   

Hansen Visits Saint John 25 Years Later

The "Man In Motion" making a stop in Saint John at City Hall this morning as part of his 25th anniversary relay.
Rick Hansen tells us it was also a chilly fall day when he was here back in 1986 on the original tour.

He says the enthusiasm of New Brunswickers filled him with enthusiasm back then and it's the same feeling today.
The tour keeps moving across the country wrapping up next spring in Vancouver.

Two Cruise Ships Cancel Calls To The Port City Today

The wild wet and windy weather forcing the cancellation of two cruise ship visits in Saint John today.

The Caribbean Princess and the Regatta with a capacity of near 3800 passengers combined were both due in port today.

A third ship was due to make a call today, the Jewel of the Seas, and the Port of Saint John will be dertermining the status of that call by 10:30 this morning.