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Thursday, January 10, 2013

Rothesay High Locked Down This Afternoon

Rothesay High School locked down for 20 minutes this afternoon.

Rothesay Police tell CHSJ news they received a call that a student had received a threat with a firearm.

The incident happened just after 2:30. The man who made the threat was taken into custody and will appear in Hampton Provincial Court tomorrow.

BREAKING: Donnie Snook Facing 8 Charges

Ward 3 Common Councillor Donnie Snook is now facing 3 counts of sexual interference on a child under 16, 2 counts of possession of child pornography, 1 count of making child pornography, and 2 counts of making child pornography available. Snook--renowned for his work with youth in the city's priority neighborhoods-- was flushed and appeared slightly disheveled, but otherwise showed no emotion when asked if the charges were understood. 

40-year-old Snook was taken into custody yesterday by the RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation Unit and a search warrant was executed. During that search, police seized computer equipment and child sexual abuse images. Snook has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing on January 14.

In a release, the Mounties say the investigation involves the RCMP, Saint John Police Force and Toronto Police Service and dates back to 2011. 


In a release from the Diocese of Fredericton, Archbishop Claude Miller says they were shocked and concerned to learn about the recent arrest of Donnie Snook, who is the Executive Director of the Saint John Inner City Youth Ministry. Archbishop Miller assures the authorities they will cooperate fully in their investigation.

Snook's Facebook page describes him as the director of a Saint John nonprofit organization for the past 13 years. He is especially known for his work with the popular youth programs Kids Zone and the Chicken Noodle Club hot lunch programs as well as numerous other community organizations. 

The City releasing a statement of behalf of the Mayor saying in light of the charges Councillor Snook is entitled to hold office under the provisions of the municipalities act until there is a violation. 


It goes on to say it's a personal matter for Snook and a matter for the courts and they will not be commenting on it.  For more info,  click here

Zoo Relieved They Received Funding


Now that 2013 budgets are completed in Greater Saint John, the Cherry Brook Zoo is taking a sigh of relief.

Zoo director Linda Collrin tells CHSJ news with a tough economic year and the City dealing with the pension deficit, she was scared they wouldn't receive any funding.

The non-profit zoo received just $60,035 from Saint John, $5,000 from Rothesay, but for a second year nothing from Quispamsis.  Collrin says she understands Quispam couldn't find any room in their budget, and says making a request to the council is all she could do.


Collrin says the zoo is still in a deficit position with the funding, but every penny still counts.

VIDEO: Donnie Snook Enters Court


City Police Receive Medals For Exemplary Service

Whether they've been with the force for 20 or 40 years, 19 officers of the Saint John Police Force receiving medals and awards for exemplary service.

The awards were given out by Graydon Nicholas, Lieutenant Governor of the province. A Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal being awarded to Cst. Sarah Black for her work in the DARE program, and a Peacekeeping medal being given to Cpl. Ramsey Hunt for his mission in South Sudan.

Officers receiving medals for 20 years of service:




Cst. Kent Atherton
Sgt. David Hartley-Brown
Sgt. Ron Cooper
Cst. Mike Damon
Cst. Peter Haslett


Sgt. Tony Hayes
Sgt. Jay Henderson
Cst. Dave Kimball
Cst. Tanya Lawlor
Sgt. Lori Magee
Cst. Tracy Simmons

Officers receiving medals for 30 years of service:


Sgt. Peter Fres
Sgt. Dannie Forret
Cst. Mike Horgan
Cpl. Ramsey Hunt
Staff Sgt. Mike King
Sgt. Dan Oram
 

Officers receiving medals for 40 years of service:



Cst. David Caines
Retired Staff Sgt. Stephen Patterson

Hearing On Point Lepreau Kicks Off

The first of five days of an EUB hearing into the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station's deferred non-capital costs--and how long the plant's operated life is expected to last--kicking off today (Thursday) at the Delta Brunswick. 

Green party leader David Coon tells CHSJ News he has a lot of questions about the projections, saying the projection the plant will run without issues for 27 years is about as likely at the projection the project would be completed on time and on budget.

NB Power Marketing Director Brent Staben says they're ready to take both Coon and the public intervener through the reasoning, and have already supplied thousands of pages of supporting documents.



The hearing is expected to wrap up Wednesday.

Snook Due In Court This Afternoon

Common Councillor Donnie Snook has a court appearance in Saint John this afternoon relating to a multi police force investigation that began in 2011.

The 40-year-old is due in court at 3:30 today (delayed from 1:30). In a release, the Mounties say their Internet Child Exploitation Unit arrested him yesterday afternoon at his Martha Avenue home.

The investigation involves the RCMP, Saint John Police Force and Toronto Police Service.


Gilman Leaves Board Of Trade

The longtime president of the Saint John Board of Trade is leaving her post. 

The board of directors announcing the appointment of Dick Daigle as interim president.  Daigle is a local small business owner and a former Chair of the Board of Uptown Saint John.

The board's chair Larry Hachey says the board thanks Gilman for her years of leadership and service to our members.

Hachey says Daigle's top priority will be to help the Board of Trade achieve it’s mission as having Greater Saint John recognized as the best place in Canada to start, run and grow a business.

Snook's Arrest Shocks City

The City of Saint John is reeling after news that Ward 3 Common Councillor Donnie Snook was taken into custody for questioning.
 

The arrest relates to an ongoing investigation by the RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation Unit.
 

CHSJ News asked Mayor Mel Norton if he is aware of any court date for Donnie Snook. He says he is not aware of anything other than what he was informed of by the Saint John Police.

Snook was re-elected last May to Common Council after first being elected in 2008.
Fellow Councillor Bill Farren tells CHSJ News he is very shocked and unsure what its all about and says let the police do their job.


City police remain at Snook's east side residence this morning.

Buses Delayed

There will be a one-hour delay for school buses serving schools Oromocto, Geary, Burton, Lower Lincoln, Sunbury West, Chipman, Minto, Cambridge Narrows, Coles Island, and Gagetown.

The buses will also be delayed one hour for french schools in Oromocto only.

Schools will open at their usual times.


The Drive Could Be Slick


City Police would like motorists to be aware for the drive in this morning that the roads may be slippery in spots despite the mild temperature.

Gas Will Cost You A Bit Less Today

The price of gas is down slightly at the weekly setting.
 

Regular self serve is set at 125.7 a litre down from 127.1 a litre last week.

Diesel is down too from 141.3 a litre to 138.5.

The price of home heating oil is down from 119.1 to 117.2 a litre.