Graphic and disturbing details of the investigation into former common councilor Donnie Snook have come to light with the release today of search warrants in the case--albeit heavily redacted.
The warrants reveal someone using the same internet IP address as Snook's home on Martha Avenue engaged in lengthy chats discussing sexual activities with numerous young boys. The warrants state someone at the home posessed the technical knowledge and ability to steal Wi-fi from others at nearby addresses; however, the Mac address signal was traced to Snook's home address.
To an undercover officer playing the role of a fellow pedophile, the chat user described himself as "100% boy lover" plauged by "forbidden passion that haunts [him.]" The person also described "playing" with at least 3 boys, engaging in "cam sessions" with others, and shared video depicting a prepubescent child engaged in a sex act.
Of the victims, chat user writes, "little boys like pleasure to [sic] you know...its society that has messed them up with shame and hate...i NEVER hurt. i treat them like gold...they are little princes." Over a thousand images with child-related pornographic content were shared on the network.
The documents also indicate Snook attempted to grab a laptop and flee through the back door when police came to arrest him at his home on January 9th.
Snook's bail hearing is scheduled for March 11 pending completion of the police investigation. Until then, he has been remanded to provincial jail. Since the initial charges came to light several more people have also contacted city police and RCMP alleging they have been sexually abused by the 40-year-old.
His lawyer, Dennis Boyle, says he will enter a plea on March 11.
One of our road warriors sent in this picture of an accident Sunday on Highway 1 near Hammond River. A tractor trailer had skidded off the road and had to be removed.
The Department of Natural Resources is on the scene today excavating some soil contaminated by a fuel spill after the weekend crash.
Photo credit: Brett Stevens
We could soon know more about the case against former common councillor Donnie Snook.
Search warrants in the case are scheduled to be released later today although some of the information will be blacked out.
The two-term councillor resigned last month amid 8 charges relating to child pornography, child exploitation, and sexual interference with a child under 16. The 40 year old was arrested at his home on January 9th and resigned as a Councillor on the 17th.
The best and brightest of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will be getting some kudos at the 3rd annual Salty Awards.
Voting is now live for the social media awards which includes categories like Twitter Person of the Year, Best Facebook, and a new award for the Best Instagram account.
Co-chair Craig Allen tells CHSJ News received over 500 nominees and they're hoping a large number of Saint Johners will vote as well.
Former winners include the Saint John Alehouse, Jonathan Huberdeau and Piece O'Cake Custom Creations. Allen says since social media is an ingrained part of many of our lives it makes sense to recognize the locals who make valuable contributions.
To vote for your faves, click here
Some massive sketches by famed Saint John artist Miller Brittain are getting a new lease on life, thanks to the efforts of staff at the NB Museum.
Conservators are working to repair the 9-by-9 foot drawings, which were intended as the basis for a mural at the old TB hospital.
Conservation intern Moya Dumville has been removing decades-old tape inch by inch and making repairs using stable materials. The sketches, made for a proposed mural for the walls of the Saint John Tuberculosis Hospital in 1941-1942, depict people suffering from tuberculosis, the treatments of the time and the hope for a cure.
Conservator Claire Titus tells CHSJ News it's a shame that improper handling has done some damage to the works, which consist of large squares held together with paper tape. Over the years, someone had applied masking tape to hold them together--and while that was done with the best intentions, it now is damaging the works and needs to be removed.
The public are invited to see the sketches and the restoration work in person at the NB Museum Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:30-3:30pm; Thursday from 1:30-3:30pm and 5:30-7:30pm; and Sunday February 17 and Sunday February 24 from 1:30-3:30pm.
One Change has big plans for programming at the Nick Nicolle Community Centre on Victoria Street when it takes over running the day to day operations in a few months time.
The President of One Change Scott Crawford says there will be programmes on offer for everyone in the neighbourhood, not just recreation for young people.
Crawford is talking about pre-natal classes, early childhood education, which he calls essential, so children from the Old North End don't find themselves behind even before they start their schooling and adult education programmes including computer instruction.
PotashCorp New Brunswick giving a matching contribution of $250,000 to the Imperial Theatre.
That means the theatre has to come up with $250, 000 themselves in order to get the corporate donation.
Jamie Whittaker of the Imperial Theatre's board says this kind of contribution engages the community in something they already own.
He says a non-profit charity organization runs the theatre now but it was started by Saint Johners donating money so it's really owned by the whole community.
Whittaker says the Imperial Theatre has been restored now it just needs to be maintained.
Common Councillors will learn everything they need to know over the next several weeks about a public-private partnership to bring clean drinking water to the city with construction of a water treatment plant on the east side.
A number of meetings are being scheduled with the aim being to draw up an application for funding by early April.
Mayor Mel Norton, who would like to break ground later this year, is adamant the city will not be giving up control and ownership of its water.
Common Council will be getting a value for money study in the next little while to give a better idea whether this arrangement makes financial sense for the city.
The city of Saint John will soon be posting on its website the pay scales and salary ranges of its employees.
The idea coming from Common Councillor Greg Norton who argues it will provide taxpayers with the opportunity to compare the performance of an organisation with what's its paying people to do the job.
Fellow Councillor John MacKenzie is hoping Mayor and Council will be leaders of the pack with publicising what they get paid.
Norton points out there will be no names used and this is already being done by the city of Fredericton on its website.
One Change getting a vote of confidence from Common Council and will be taking over management and day to day operation in a few months of the North End Community Centre on Victoria Street which is officially called the Nick Nicolle Community Centre.
West Side Common Councillor Bill Farren is not hesitent to voice his support and fellow Councillor David Merrithew says he has seen how well this type of arrangement can work in the south end with the Boys and Girl Club.
City Manager Pat Woods telling Council One Change will be more responsive to the needs of the community and offer increased programming for both young people and adults.
