Premier Asks MLA To Step Down After DUI Arrest

The premier has asked his deputy house leader to step down from duties in the legislature after he was charged with impaired driving.
 
In a statement, David Alward says Wes McLean was charged last Saturday in Edmundston.
 
Alward says McLean will no longer represent the government on legislative committees and has also been asked to step down as a legislative secretary.

City Reminding Citizens To Get Set For Blizzard

Fire Chief Kevin Clifford and the City's Emergency Management team reminding everyone to prepare for 72 hours by stocking up on batteries, water and non-perishable foods in case of a loss of power.   

Snow removal crews will be out in force keeping City streets as safe as possible.    The City is asking you to avoid travelling during the storm and take advantage of off-street parking where possible.

The War of 1812 commemorations scheduled at HMCS Brunswicker and the Museum have been postponed due to the weather.

For more info on all matters relating to the storm, click here

Saint John Could Get 35 Centimetres Of Snow

The coming weather system already impacting communities in the Fundy Isles where some schools closed early.
 
Our region is under a blizzard warning and areas like Sussex and Kings County are under a blowing snow warning.

Environment Canada meterologist Claude Cote tells CHSJ News we could receive up to 35 centimetres of snow by the time it's all over.

He tells us we could see a few flurries before midnight with conditions getting worse overnight with more snow and wind speeds picking up.

He says the brunt of the storm will be felt tomorrow with heavy snow at times and wind gusts to 80 kilometres causing near zero visibility.

The snow will stop on Saturday night when it tapers off to flurries.

Port Of Saint John Handling Alot More Cargo

Traffic through the port is way up as compared to the same time last year. Total tonnage last month increased by 20 per cent over January of 2012. 

Dry bulk rose by a whopping 240 per cent with the number of ships making stops at the port rising by 26 per cent.

 Port President and C-E-O Jim Quinn tells CHSJ News more will be happening and promising new proposals for redevelopment he says will be exciting.

Quinn says the port has made inclusion and getting as much input as possible a key priority. He adds the port will be reaching out to the adjacent neighbourhoods to see what help can be provided to community associations and the schools.

Some Information From Snook Search Warrants Will Be Released

The lawyer for former Common Councillor Donnie Snook is not objecting to releasing some of the information from the search warrants in the investigation. Snook is facing 8 child exploitation charges.
 
The court order against releasing any information from the search warrants was called overly broad. 

Prosecutor Kelly Lee Lamrock has no objection to releasing some of the information so long as it doesn't identify anyone who has come forward with allegations or harms the ongoing investigations. She told Judge Alfred Brien not all of the alleged victims have been identified. 

The judge is giving the prosecution 7 business days to review all the material in the search warrants and release what it deems appropriate. Whether what is released will be acceptable or not remains to be seen.

The Storm Is Underway In the Fundy Isles

The coming storm has begun in the Fundy Isles.

Campobello Island Community School and Grand Manan Community School closed early due to weather conditions.

A blizzard warning extends from Fundy National Park to Saint John county.

Environment Canada says heavy snowfall, strong winds and blowing snow will cause blizzard conditions overnight and tomorrow.

Near zero visibility is expected for these regions.

Saint John is looking at 20 centimetres of snow tomorrow before it turns to flurries by the evening.

The KV, Kings County, Sussex, St. Stephen and Northern Charlotte County are under a blowing snow warning.

The snow is due to start falling around midnight.

Mechanic Injured On City Road

A mechanic in his 50's has been injured after an industrial accident.

He suffered cuts to his head and has been taking to hospital to be checked out.

Crews responding to Universal Sales on City road about 10:30 this morning.

Worksafe NB has been called in to look into what happened.

Court Hearing Scheduled In Snook Investigation

Whether information from the search warrants in the investigation of former Common Councillor Donnie Snook can be made public will be the subject of a court hearing scheduled this morning.

An application has been made to unseal the search warrants. The 41 year old Snook is facing 8 charges of child exploitation but Police Chief Bill Reid says more people have come forward with allegations and additional charges are possible. 

The details in the search warrants were sealed by court order to protect the identities of the young people who have come forward with allegations and to maintain the integrity of an ongoing investigation.

Firefighters Return To Scene Of An Earlier Blaze

A shed that was pretty much destroyed by fire earlier this week at 88 Free Lane off the Acamac Backland Road ignited again prompting another visit by city fire crews. 

They were also called to a home off the Hillcrest Road where some clothes caught on fire.

Medal of Bravery For Three City Officers

Three City officers receiving an extra special honour today.
 
Constables Roger Paris, Nicholas Roy and Neal Fowler will receive the Medal of Bravery from Governor General David Johnston for their role in the rescue of a man trapped in a tractor trailer four years ago.

The flipped transport knocked down a telephone pole spilling fuel onto Loch Lomond Road and downed wires arced in a large ball of flames.

The officers climbed on to the top of the cab and kicked at the windshield ignoring the electrical shocks they were getting in the process.

Once they broke a hole in the glass, they helped the driver out and got him to safety.

The three officers will receive their award in a ceremony Rideau hall today.