Crash Claims Life of 18 Year Old

An 18-year-old woman has died after a weekend crash between a vehicle and a transport truck in Oromocto.

She was merging on the westbound lane when she apparently lost control of the vehicle and was struck by a tractor trailer. The passenger in her vehicle was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The driver of the transport truck was not injured.

At the time of the crash roads were icy and snow covered.

The name of the victim is not being released at this time.

Upcoming Campaign Training Workshop for Women

If you-- or a woman you know--wants to get involved in politics, an upcoming two-day workshop from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities can lend a hand.

Councillor Pam McConnell tells CHSJ news the FCM wants to to increase women's political presence on the municipal level--not just by getting their names on the ballot, but actually helping them win elections.

Although women make up 52 percent of Canada's population, only 24 percent are elected municipal politicians. McConnell says this workshop will equip more women with the tools they need to get involved. The workshop will cover topics from campaign financing to ethics, canvassing, and media training. 

For more information on the municipal campaign training course, click here

Politicos Support Ferguson in Midst of Legal Woes

Fellow politicians rallying around embattled former city councillor John Ferguson. The committee to elect John Campbell organizing a rally in front of the  show its support for Ferguson. After 5 years of legal back and forth, he's been slammed with a defamation lawsuit by the the board of trustees of the City of Saint John Employee Pension Plan.

John Campbell tells CHSJ News Ferguson had a point when he made allegedly defamatory comments, because, "a lot of them have come true--in spades".

Campbell says his group feels Ferguson's remarks were made as an elected official, and not as a private citizen with malice--which would count as defamation. The rally will be held in front of the court house on February 14th at 8:30 am, before the trial begins.

Budget Cut Won't Affect Policing Model

Despite losing 1 million dollars in the 2012 police budget, Police Chief Bill Reid says it will not affect how the force approaches crime.

Reid tells CHSJ News the intelligence-led policing model will continue to be used and should not be affected by the funding shortfall.

He says the force will continue to develop strategies for crime reduction  and the model has been very successful so far.

Intelligence-lead policing is based on analyzing and managing persistent crimes.