Bail Hearing In Charlotte Street Fire Gets Extended

The bail hearing for 20 year old Roger Chiasson being put over until next week. 

The hearing begun today but was extended to May 10th so that the judge can hear more testimony from additional witnesses.

Chiasson is being charged with arson in connection to the fire that burned down 127 Charlotte Street on April 25th.

The entire building had to be demolished and it contained a convenience store and an accounting office.

A 19 year old and a 15 year old have also been charged in the blaze.

Chiasson also pleading guilty to a mischief charge for damaging the lock on his cell that delayed his original bail hearing.

Power Outage In Rothesay

Several famillies in Rothesay may be ordering in tonight since the lights are out for 131 homes.

A collision earlier today on James Renforth Drive knocking out power.

NB Power told us earlier the lights would be back on before 5pm.

Police Seeks Two Men After Attempted Robbery

The Major Crime Unit of the Saint John Police Department looking into an attempted robbery Monday night at the Jones Variety Store on City Line during which a sawed off shotgun was used.

Police are looking for two men between the ages of 18 and 25.

One is described as between 5 foot 8 and 5 foot 11 with a medium build wearing a dark blue hoodie and dark grey baggy sweatpants, black gloves and sneakers. The second man is about 5 foot 6 with a small build wearing a grey hoodie with AX in blue lettering and dark jeans.

An 89 year old man who was in the store suffered minor injures after being shoved to the ground.
The suspects ran away emptyhanded.

If you know anything about this crime, call 648-3333 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-222-8477.

Man On A White Bike Talking To Kids

City police getting several reports of a white man about 30 years of age riding a white bike and acting suspiciously when talking to children on the west side.

Posts on social media websites have the man talking to kids at Havelock and Seawood schools over the last two days.

Police have yet to speak with him themselves but have received several calls about it.

 The Community Services Unit is talking to school officials letting them know about about and they encourage parents to speak to their kids about the safety rules concerning strangers.

If you can help police identify the man, call them at 648-3333 and call Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477.

Some Saint Johners Not Psyched For The Royals

Prince Charles and Camilla are coming to the Port City later this month and it seems our listeners couldn't give a fig about it.

Mark asks "does any one really care?" adding the monarchy is a siphon of money from Canada for no reason.

Saint John is cutting Police and Fire budgets and look at the problems already with crime and fires.

Daniel adds his voice saying the city is going to spend tons of money on these losers and yet cut the budgets of police and fire.

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Jury At Defamation Trial Told What Choices It Has

The jury has alot to consider in its deliberations at the defamation trial of former Common Councillor John Ferguson.

It took Mr. Justice William Grant two hours to deliver his instructions on what the jury has to examine.

The jury has three choices......It could assess all of Ferguson's statements about the city's pension plan as a whole......Assess the statements made on the individual dates or even all of them individually.

The jury must decide if Ferguson acted in good faith or out of malice.

If it decides Ferguson was malicious then it will be up to the jury to assess damages which could range from trivial, as little as a cent, to substantial and there is no cap or guidance from the judge.

Sea Dogs Prez Expects Another Championship

Sea Dogs fever is on the climb as hundreds of fans turned out to purchase tickets for game 1 of the President's Cup finals.

Sea Dogs President Wayne Long tells CHSJ News he is not feeling pressure of being the defending champions and it was his goal this season to make it back to the finals.

He says while they will not overlook Rimouski, he expects the Sea Dogs to take it all.

Game 1 is this Friday at Harbour Station.  Game time is 8 o'clock.

Pay Equity Group Wants Improvement In The Private Sector

The NB Coalition for Pay Equity will be setting its sights on improving pay equity in the private sector.

Spokesperson Louise Imbeault tells CHSJ News the Alward government recently committed to make pay equity adjustments for all the public sector and four groups in the private sector.

But she says more needs to be done to improve private pay and she hopes the private sector will be on board.

While private companies are focused on the bottom line, she believes everyone can share the wealth.

The Alward government recently committed pay equity adjustments over the next six years beginning with 6.4 million this year.

Tourism Forum Hears Of Provincial Marketing Plans

Bar and restaurant owners, politicians and tour operators attending a tourism industry forum at the Delta.
 

Director of the Marketing branch for the Provincial department of Tourism, Culture and Healthy Living, Kim Matthews tells CHSJ News the campaign's are expanding on last year's theme of "unexpected finds".

She says this year they are introducing themselves by using the first person to welcome visitors to the province.   A t.v. commercial focusing on the Bay of Fundy with narration by musician Matt Anderson will be seen in Ontario and US markets.

Matthews says there are different types of travellers including the cultural explorer who pick a destination based on its cultural aspects.

Judge Instructs Jury At Ferguson Trial

The jury at the defamation trial of former common councillor John Ferguson is receiving its instructions from Mr. Justice William Grant.

The jury was told Ferguson is relying on his defense of qualified priviledge and fair comment when he accused the pension board of being derelict in it's duties and deceptive.

Mr. Justice Grant made notice of the alleged conversation with pension board trustee David Gould about disability pensions being handed out improperly.

The judge pointed out Ferguson did not reveal that conversation to his colleagues on common council for many months after.

The judge also described Ferguson as being combative under cross examination and said it was hard to reconcile his testimony about what he was not aware of or didn't know the meaning of.

Tickets Go On Sale For President's Cup Final

Sea Dogs fans line up for tickets for the President's Cup final.  Game 1 is 8pm Friday at Harbour Station.

John Ferguson Defamation Trial

Convenience Store Held Up

There was a robbery last night around 9:30 on the lower West Side. 

City Police telling us it took place at Jones' Convenience Store on City Line. 

One employee suffered minor injuries but he did not require hospitalisation.

Verdict Reached in Ferguson Defamation Trial

Case dismissed--former common council John Ferguson being found not liable for damages to the city pension board at the close of his 12-week jury trial. Only one of Ferguson's statements from July 17, 2006 was found defamatory because it implied deceit--but qualified privilege shielded Ferguson from liability. The case was dismissed.



Ferguson tells us the whole thing has been a waste of time and he wouldn't wish such a lengthy trial on anyone. He further stated he has nothing to say to the main players on the pension board and simply wants to get home to Saint Stephen, where he is currently employed as city manager.


Pension board lawyer Barry Morrison refused to comment on the decision. Defence lawyer Rod Gillis tells us the legal cost for each side of the case is pushing 2.5 million dollars and the pension board will have to pay.

Photo: Ferguson exits the court of Queen's Bench with his mother, Joan, and sister Peggy.

Grand Bay-Westfield Gets New Fire Truck

The Grand Bay-Westfield Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department getting some new hardware.

The town recently purchased a new pumper truck which features a compressed air foam system that will drastically reduce the amount of water needed to fight fires.

The fire department also buying a 28 foot specialized rescue trailer. The trailer will primarily be used for off road and ice rescue emergencies but can also be used other situations.

Tourism Minister Looking For Banner Season

Tourism Minister Trevor Holder is predicting a good year for the tourism sector this season.

Holder is proud of his department's new web site with links to social media like FaceBook and YouTube - in addition we've received some positive ink in respected international publications like National Geographic and recognition with the bid to have the Bay of Fundy named as one of the top 7 natural wonders in the world.

And he's quick to dismiss a popular myth that we are basically just a drive through province - Holder says this is a place that people want to come - they want to experience.