BREAKING NEWS: Weather Watches End

Environment Canada says the severe thunderstorm watch for Saint John and County, the Kennebecasis Valley, Kings County, Sussex, St. Stephen, Charlotte County, and Grand Manan has now ended.

BREAKING NEWS: Severe Weather Watch Issued

Environment Canada issuing Severe Thunderstorm Watches across the province. 

The watches have been issued for Saint John and County, the Kennebecasis Valley, Sussex, Kings County, St. Stephen, Charlotte County, Grand Manan, and more.

The weather service says the storms are likely this afternoon or evening with the potential for strong winds, heavy downpours and possibly hail.

Click here for the latest weather information.

Artists Create Works To Benefit John Peters Humphrey Foundation

Over 30 artists are in Hampton this weekend creating tiny works of art — they're taking part in Bloomin' Artists, a biennial fundraiser for the town's John Peters Humphrey Foundation.

Participating artist Alison Murphy tells CHSJ News there are six gardens open for the artists to take inspiration from. They'll create their works of art in the garden, and the public is welcome to watch them work. The art itself will be small enough to fit inside a 12-inch pizza box.

The viewing of the finished art takes place at the Lighthouse River Centre at 1075 Main Street starting on both Saturday and Sunday at 11:30am with auctions at 2pm and 4:30pm.

This year, the John Peters Humphrey Foundation contributed funds towards a Hemmings House film about Humphrey called The Boy Who Was Bullied, a documentary about the human rights advocate. The film premiered on CBC Atlantic earlier this month.

Police Make Arrest In Hotel, Gas Station Robberies

A man arrested in connection with two robberies taking place within the span of half an hour. 

City Police say at 5:30am this morning, a man went into the Hilton demanding cash. Then, just before 6am, the man entered the Garden Street Irving, demanding cash and left with an undisclosed amount of money. 

He was nabbed after a vehicle chase, which turned into a foot chase, ending on Prince Edward Street. The man is in court today, and is charged with two counts of robbery.

Province's Black Bear Population Increasing

The number of black bears in the province is growing, and one scientist says the upswing is directly related to the economic downtown across the border.

Kevin Craig, a wildlife biologist for the Department of Natural Resources says because of the financial conditions in the United States, fewer Americans are taking trips to the province to hunt the bears. Craig says the decrease in visiting hunters and more habitat has led to their numbers ballooning to 17,000 in the last few years.

There's been an increase in bear sightings in residential areas, however, Craig says people can reduce the number of encounters with bears by not leaving out garbage and bird feeders at night. To re-locate them, the Department of Natural Resources has set many live-traps in a variety of areas.