Union Street Building Coming Down

The dismantling of a Union Street building continues.

The dilapidated structure was located between two brick building on the street.  

No word on any future plans for the site.    CHSJ News was told its not a City project.

City Police Responding To Thefts & Car Damage

Busy night for city police. 

Three teenagers were arrested last night for theft and will appear in court at a later date to face charges. Police received a called around 11 last night that 3 teenage boys were acting suspicious by a beauty salon and service station at 1710 Rothesay road. The two 16-year-olds and one 13-year-old were arrested for theft.

Around 2 am, police responded to a break and enter on Harding street where a number of home electronics were stolen.

Just 15 minutes later, a 21-year-old man was charged for damaging a vehicle at the 3 Mile Steak House. He's set to appear in court at a later date.

Meatless Burger Recalled

The Veggie Patch brand Ultimate Meatless Burger is being pulled off store shelves in some Atlantic provinces because of possible Listeria contamination.

The affected product was imported from the United States and sold in one kilogram packages with two best before dates: January 12th and 17th, 2013.

It was distributed here, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia.

The importer, Costco Wholesale Canada, has recalled the burgers and the CFIA is monitoring the recall.

Search Back On For Sackville Man

The search for a missing 20-year-old man resumed yesterday after police found footwear.

RCMP say the footwear was found in Upper Sackville near the Tantramar River and was worn by Christopher Metallic before he was reported missing.
 
Metallic was last seen during the early morning hours of November 25 in Sackville.

Earlier this week the search was later called off for him after investigators looked in a number of areas in Sackville.
 
Metallic is described as aboriginal, six feet tall, 81 kilograms, with short dark black hair and glasses.

He was last seen wearing a shiny bright blue sweater and jeans.

Next Remembrance Day Could Be At Qplex

Remembrance Day in the valley could be a lot different next year.

The Royal Canada Legion Branch #58 are asking Quispamsis Council for use of the Qplex for future veteran day ceremonies.

Gordon Friars, former president and member of the legion, tells CHSJ news venues like the  Kings Valley Wesleyan and the Island View Lions Club are now to small for the growing number of people attending the ceremonies. 

Friars says between veterans, police, fire, scouts and the general public, it won't take long to fill the Qplex. He says it would also give people in the valley a chance to stay in their community instead of going to Harbour Station. 

Quispmasis Council is scheduled to make a decision on Tuesday.

Dog Dies In Fire

A dog is dead after being stuck in a construction trailer that was ablaze.

Saint John Fire Department were called to 10 Worden road just before 6 o'clock last night to find a construction trailer fully engulfed in fire. Platoon Chief Joe Armstrong says no person was injured but the owner's dog did pass away in the trailer.

Armstrong says the area around the trailer was a working yard containing old vehicles. Crews were on scene for 3 hours and the fire is not considered suspicious.

City Transit Says Ridership Has Dropped Significantly

City Transit is looking to, at least, maintain the level of service it has now but General Manager Frank McCarey has told Common Council the cutbacks have hit hard with 450 thousand fewer passengers which represents a decline of 15 per cent.
 
McCarey says to just maintain the bus serve we have now would require a budget of 4.8 million dollars. 

Common Council appears sympathetic to giving more than that.

Fire Department Asking City For A Small Increase In Funding

The fire department is proposing a budget for lnext year of 20.6 million dollars which is up just a bit from this year. 

The review of the core city services is recommending the fire department not respond to emergency medical calls in the rural outskirts of the city. 

Fire Chief Kevin Clifford warns, from his own first hand experience, you have to be careful about doing that. The Chief lives near the airport and he knows of three people living close by who called for medical assistance and the fire department was first to arrive.
 
Chief Clifford was asked what would he do if the fire department got 18 million dollars in 2013, instead of what was requested, and replied he would have to close a fire station.

He says the number of firefighters has been reduced from 161 to 145 in anticipation of the arbitration decision.

Fixing Up Roads In The City Won't Come Cheap

Common Council has been told if it wants better roads and sidewalks, it will have to spend 4.4 million dollars next year and beyond on asphalting. 

That message delivered by the city's Commissioner of Transportation, Bill Edwards who says this will start to move the roads up from what he describes as "palliative care".

Edwards also telling councillors the city has a whole number of streets that require reconstruction and not just resurfacing.


He warns no one is happy with the state of roads around town so something different will have to be done.