Premier Says No Pipeline Subsidy Request

In a year end interview with CHSJ News - Premier Alward discusses the possibility of subsidies for proposed west-east crude oil pipeline.

Some Are Still Without Power

 469 homes and business are without power in the province.

3 outages in the Fredericton area are impacting 264 people.

70 are in the dark in Woodstock and 50 remain powerless in Sussex today.

Man Overboard Being Treated As Missing Person

East Coast Navy Captain Tyrone Grande tells CHSJ News a call came in last night at 5:45 that a local fisherman who had fallen overboard in the Grand Manan area.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre responded with a helicopter, a rescue boat from Saint John, as well as local fisherman searching all night in the Bay of Fundy.

Grande says the search was downsized at 7 this morning.

He says the case has been taken over by the RCMP as a missing persons search.

RSC's Begin Their Work Officially January 1st

2013 will see more of an impact of the new Regional Service Commissions.
 
Back in February, the government announced the creation of 12 commissions by January 2013 to increase collaboration and planning between communities.
 
Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Grace Losier is the chair of Region 9 and tells CHSJ News they will be working with the unincorporated areas to establish stronger emergency measures plans.

She tells us through the office of the RSC they will be tasked with doing their own land use plan leading eventually to a new plan for the entire service commission area of 9.

Losier announced last week the commission's Executive Director will be Jack Keir the former head of the Crane Mountain landfill and a former cabinet minister with the Graham government. 

She adds because the solid waste commissions now fall under their responsibility, Keir's previous experience with Crane Mountain made him rise to the top as a candidate.

You Might Qualify For A Break On Your Heating Bill

If you're getting smacked with huge energy bills you can't pay, you might want to apply for this.

The provincial government offering a $100 benefit to help New Brunswick families cope with their heating bills. Almost 50,000 applications were received last year, and the program has benefited over 95,000 families since first starting in 2010.

The benefit applies to those who had incomes up to $28,000 in 2011, and are issued 4 weeks after the application is received. You can apply at Service NB, online, or by phone toll free at 1-800-669-7070.

Get Ready For Soggy Shopping

We are gonna get wet tonight.      A rainfall warning is in effect for the southern half of the province.    Up to 25 millimetres could fall by tomorrow morning.

Up north, the precipitation will begin as snow and change to ice pellets for a couple of hours before changing back to rain.

Here on the coast we can also expect wind gusts to 80 kilometres tonight and overnight.

City Police Advised to "Civilianise"

City Police could save money by hiring more civilians. That word was delivered to Common Council following a review of city services but won;t there be any savings realised. 

Police Chief Bill Reid says to accomplish that would require negotiating with the Saint John Police Association and, as it stands now, there wouldn't be any savings because civilian employees cannot be used to supplant police officer who would have to be used doing something else because they cannot lose their jobs.

The city has been told by consultant Todd MacDonald the ideal split is 60/40 with 40 per cent civilian employees and the rest police officers.

Sweet Success For The Gingerbread Trail

Local retailers and restaurants have been competing for a sweet honour---- in a local fundraiser with a delicious twist.

The Delta and Fishy Chores have snagged top nods for their submissions in the Gingerbread Trail fundraiser. Twenty-two gingerbread, icing, and candy houses were entered as part of the benefit for the Joshua Group. Organizer Darlene Baker tells CHSJ News while the numbers aren't in yet, it was a smash success.





Food service category winners: 

1rst Place: Delta Brunswick
2nd Place: Piece of Cake Custom Creations
3rd Place: The Saint John Alehouse

Retail category winners:
 1rst Place: Fishy Chores
2nd Place:The Urban Shoe Myth
3rd Place:Manchester Shoe Salon
 
Baker says it was such a hit they're planning to do it again next year. You can see the Delta's winning house in person on the second level of Brunswick Square.

City Police Offer Up Safety Tips For Busy Shopping Weekend

This could turn out to be the busiest weekend for shopping all year which means lots of traffic in and around the malls. 

City Police Sergeant Jay Henderson tells CHSJ News this is also the time of the year for parties and there will be checkpoints around town to catch drunk drivers.
 
Sergeant Henderson warns thefts increase at this time of the year and police are advising drivers to lock up their vehicles and keep any presents you might buy away from prying eyes.