Expansion Of Air Service To Be Announced

Saint John Airport is financially strong, debt free and has a bright future. That message delivered by its President and C-E-O Bernie Leblanc. 

The Airport posted a surplus of almost 360 thousand dollars and is debt free.
 

Leblanc tells CHSJ News Sun Wing will be announcing an expansion of its service on May 23rd. There has been a 32 per cent increase in international traffic because of Sun Wing. 

208 thousand passengers used the airport last year. That was down by 8 per cent from the year before but Leblanc reports a 7 per cent increase in passenger traffic through the first quarter of this year.  

It was also announced former Mayor Norm MacFarlane is taking over as the new chair of the Airport Authority.

Police Search For Attempted Robbery Suspects

 The City police's Major Crime Unit wants your help in finding who is responsible for a violent attempted robbery at the Jones Variety on City Line on Monday nigh.
T
wo men came into the store with guns and were combative with employees and an 88 year old man.
A shot was fired in the struggle but no one was hurt.

The two suspects are white men between 18 and 25 years of age.
Suspect 1 is described as five-foot-eight to five-foot-10 in height, with a medium build, wearing a dark blue hoodie, dark grey baggy sweatpants, black gloves and sneakers.

Suspect 2 is described as five-foot-five to five-foot-six with a  small build, wearing a grey hoodie with and the letters "A X "in blue lettering on the front, dark jeans, black sneakers with white.

Any info you have can be passed on to the Major Crime Unit at 648-3333 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Rotheay Engages In Long-Term Traffic Study

The town of Rothesay is looking to tackle current and future traffic issues.

The town is spending 75-thousand dollars on a traffic study that will look as far as 10 years into the future.

Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News there are some problem areas right now that are causing some headaches, including Hampton Road and Grove Avenue.

He says recommendations in the report could range from additional traffic lights to wider streets.

Teen Found Safe Near Penobsquis

A teen missing from Lower Coverdale is safe and sound after a chase near Penobsquis.

The RCMP using a helicopter to locate the girl on Highway 1 about 1pm.
A 24-year-old driver was arrested for breaching a police undertaking.

13-year-old girl Ericka Katy Marie Pettipas was reported missing from her home in Lower Coverdale early Tuesday morning.

Police say tips from the public helped in locating the girl.

Former BOT Chairman Optimistic About Future

The Saint John Board of Trade is looking ahead with a new chair and outgoing chair John Warrington says the future looks bright.

Warrington tells CHSJ News one of his goals last year was to increase membership.  He says the board is financially stable and  70 new members have joined in the recent months.  

He says the BOT is in for an interesting ride thanks to many changes in the city, including a municipal election.

He says new chair Larry Hachey has a great vision for the future, which includes building on our strong sectors like healthcare and ICT.

Cheeky Shirt Becoming A Hit Among Sea Dogs Fans

Sea Dogs fans can get "political" so to speak thanks to a tongue-in-cheek shirt being sold at Lester Trophies.

The store has been selling a "Free Huberdeau" t-shirt which is in response to a 2 game suspension the team captain recently received.

Sales rep Dave Connell tells CHSJ News the shirt idea came from a customer and after getting her permission to use it, the store began selling the tees.

He says the shirt has been a hit on social media sites and people have been placing orders.

To purchase the shirt, click here.

Regional School Districts Rolled Into One

It's official...School districts 6, 8 and 10 serving the area between Sussex and St. Stephen being rolled into one super district.

Superintendent Zoe Watson will be headquartered in Saint John with education support centres in St. Stephen, Saint John and Hampton.

The reorganization means 65 positions in administration will be cut across the province.
Carr says the 2.4 million in savings will be re-invested in education.

American Murder Suspect Arrested In New Brunswick

A 23 year old man from Massachusetts who's suspected of murdering his mother and grandmother in the Boston area was nabbed in Woodstock by the RCMP as he was trying to get away from border officials.
    

Joseph Wright is expected to be in a Massachusetts court sometime today on two charges of first degree murder.

The bodies of the two women were found behind an elementary school.
 

Agreement In Bus Dispute

We have word this morning of a tentative contract agreement being reached between the Amalgamated Transit Union and Acadian Bus LInes. 

The union has distributed an email saying the two sides reached the deal early this morning. No details will be released until there's a ratification vote and that's expected in the next few days.

Until we know the result of that vote, there won't be any word on when intercity bus service will resume. 

We haven't had any since Acadian locked out 59 bus drivers, mechanics and customer service reps in New Brunswick and P.E.I. on December 2nd.

Self Serve Is Down But Diesel Is Up

Self serve regular is a bit less expensive after the weekly setting but not so with diesel. 

In the city, self serve is going for $1.31.1 a litre which represents a decline of under a cent.

Diesel is selling for $1.35.3 in town which is a cent more expensive. 

Heating oil is also more expensive at $1.19.1 a litre and the listed price for propane is unchanged at $1.04.3.

Man Rescued From Kennebecasis River

There was a water rescue by the fire department at the Romeo and Juliette ferry landing on Kennebecasis Drive. One man was in the water about 50 feet off shore when he was picked up by the fire department's rescue boat and taken to hospital with undetermined injuries.

Meantime, Rothesay Regional Police are looking for your help in finding whomever was responsible for vandalism along Hampton Road from Landing Court to Quispamsis Elementary School. Police say two suspects were seen. Any information you might have can be passed along at 847-6300.

Police in the Valley also arresting a youth on Arena Lane who will likely be facing charges of assault with a weapon and causing property damage.