Ride A Big Bike, Help A Good Cause

Get ready to see a lot of bikes out and about for the 5th annual Ride for Dad.
 
The event started as a way to create awareness about and raise money for prostate cancer.

Organizer Tony Mowery tells CHSJ News it's an extremely curable disease if caught early.

He says having over 300 bikes ride through the City brings some attention to the cause.

Registration begins at 8am tomorrow morning in the rear lot of the Lord Beaverbrook Rink and the ride begins at 11am on a police led parade throughout the city.

The bikes take part in a poker run to St. Martin's, they meet up with the Fredericton and Moncton events in Sussex before heading back to the Port City for their owns awards event.

Car Collides With Child On Bayside Drive

A kid is fine after colliding with a car at 153 Bayside Drive around noon today.

Police and emergency responders were dispatched to the scene after the child appeared to be trapped, but it turns out they were just shaken up more than seriously injured.

NB and PEI Hardest Provinces In Which To Get An Abortion

The anti-abortion organization right to life Right to Life is claiming Henry Morgentaler's lawsuit to have abortions covered by Medicare in New Brunswick ends with his death. In a statement, the organization's director Peter Ryan said, "His legacy is the death of hundreds of thousands of Canadian children, including over 9,000 in New Brunswick. He thought he was helping women but a dead child helps no mother. His opinion on the matter no longer counts. Only the truth matters now."

But Simone Leibovitch of Fredericton's Morgentaler clinic tells CHSJ News the clinics will continue to fight for what they call a human rights issue. She calls the situation in New Brunswick and PEI "unique," since they are the only provinces that don't cover the procedures. In New Brunswick women must seek permission from their family doctor to get an abortion---which can be difficult in a province where many people don't have family doctors. Besides, Leibovitch says she knows of some doctors who are pro-life and will not even prescribe birth control.

In PEI, women have to go off-island to get the procedure which Leibovitch says is impossible for women who are often already strapped for cash or unemployed.

Despite his controversial legacy, Morgentaler had been hailed as a champion of women's rights before his death this week at age 90.

Saint John Soldier And Comrades To Be Honoured

The official opening tomorrow morning of the 22 Bravo Landing and Private David Greenslade Peace Park in Millidgeville will be emotional.

Private Greenslade, who attended Saint John High, and six of his comrades were killed after a roadside bombing in Afghanistan in 2007.

David's mother, Laurie tells CHSJ News her son has not been forgotten by Saint Johnners over the passage of time and he lived a life worthwhile which will be the inscription ont he gate as you enter the park.

The dedication ceremony starts at 10:00 next to the Romeo and Juliette ferry landing.

Saint John To Get Visit From Alberta Premier

It's not hard to guess at what will be the main topic of conversation will be when Alberta Premier Alison Redford visits the the province next Friday and that's the proposed West to East oil pipeline.

Redford will be talking to the Saint John Board of Trade, touring the Irving Oil Refinery and addressing the Legislature.

The pipeline which has been promoted by former Premier Frank McKenna appears to be gaining momentum.

Premier David Alward, who's looking for some positive economic news, calls this project "historic" and compares it to the building of the national railway.

Get Out In The Woods And Have A Ball While Helping Nature

Our rivers, lakes and marshes are part of what makes our province unique, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada works tirelessly to protect them. 

David Loundes of the Nature Conservancy of Canada tells CHSJ News they've preserved 15,000 acres of land here in New Brunswick and 2.6 million acres Canada-wide.

Tomorrow, the Nature Conservancy  will be hosting a cleanup of the Musquash Estuary Nature Reserve. Volunteers will meet at 9am and the cleanup is expected to run until 4pm. Snacks and water will be provided, and keep in mind the trail is rugged and can be challenging. Long sleeves, long pants, hats, gloves, and good hiking footwear are a good idea. 

It's open to individuals, groups, and families.  For further information contact 1-877-231-4400 or click here

Snook Facing Sex Charges In Newfoundland

Former Common Councillor Donnie Snook is now facing four sex charges against a boy under 14 in Newfoundland.

These charges date back to December of 1995 and Snook is scheduled to appear in a Cornerbrook courtroom June 11th or at least have lawyer do so on his behalf.

Snook spent a year as an officer of the former Salvation Army Citadel in Mount Moriah back when he was in his early 20s and commissioned to be the church’s senior pastor.

Snook pleaded guilty to 46 charges of abusing children in Saint John earlier this week. He's back in court here on June 25th to have a date scheduled for sentencing.

Mounties Look For A Man Offering A Ride To A Child

The Mounties in Oromocto releasing a sketch of a man after a 12 year old girl was approached from a car in Mazerolle Settlement.

On May 10th at about 5pm, Oromocto RCMP got a call that a 12 year-old girl was approached while walking along Mazerolle Settlement Road.
 
The man offered to give the girl a drive but the girl refused and told her parents.

He was driving a dark 4-door SUV with tinted windows and a grey interior.

The man has a thin build, reddish colored skin with wrinkles about 60 years old or older.    He had thinning hair possibly balding.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oromocto RCMP at 1-506 357-4300 or N.B. Crime Stoppers at www.crimenb.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Gridlock on the Viaduct This Morning

Traffic at a standstill on the Viaduct this morning.

Commuters have one less lane when coming uptown during morning rush hour with one blocked off for the bike lane.

Some motorists have complained at the change causing traffic congestion especially when cyclists don't seem to be using it.
 

No Criminal Charges Will Be Filed In Perry's Death

City police consulting with the Crown prosecutor's office deciding no criminal charges will be laid in the death of Serena Perry.

Perry died on February 14th, 2012 while she was a patient at the Regional Hospital.

The forensic pathology examination can't confirm a cause of death and as a result Police Chief Bill Reid has requested the Coroner's office hold a public inquest into Perry's death.

Ruling Made On Minto Man Who Killed His Neighbours

30 year old Gregory Despres, who brutally stabbed Fred Fulton and Verna Decarie to death in their Minto home back in 2005, will remain locked up in a secure psychiatric facility inside Dorchester Penitentiary.

A review board has determined Despres still is a threat after hearing from psychiatrist Louis Theriault who testified his treatment has stalled.   
    
Despres was found not criminally responsible for the horrific carnage because he could not understand the wrongfulness of his actions.
    
Both Fulton and Decarie were in their 70s.   
    
Theriault is recommending Despres be transferred to the Restigouche Mental Health Hospital in Campbellton to allow for visits from his family, which might help him understand his role in the murders but the board turned that down.

Power Restored In South End

If you lost power earlier in the south end, CHSJ News has been told the lights are back on. City Police telling CHSJ news the power was disrupted after a transformer blew up.