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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Snook Sentencing Hearing Scheduled For Tomorrow

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for tomorrow for Donnie Snook on 46 child sex abuse related charges.

The court is expected to hear all the facts of the case and also deal with victim impact statements, pre-sentence reports, and psychological assessments. Judge Alfred Brien is presiding and he has indicated he intends to take his time with the complex and far-reaching case--which means no sentence is likely to be delivered for some time yet.

Snook has pleaded guilty to all 46 charges in Saint John. He's also facing a number of additional charges in Newfoundland but has not yet entered a plea.

Losier Hopes For Greater Cooperation On Commission

It hasn't all been sunshine and roses between the officials on the Fundy Regional Services Commission--and Grand-Bay Westfield Mayor Grace Losier tells CHSJ News she's hoping the commission will be able to reach more a consensus as they identify their common goals.

The main goal of the Commission appears to be providing services to the local service districts and eliminate duplication of services---but the members have continually butted heads over issues like greater regionalized policing.

The next meeting is in early September.

Sea Dogs Roster Down To 25

25 players are left in the Sea Dogs training camp as the 2013-14 season draws closer.

Forwards Mathieu Joseph, Brett Malone and Riley Craft and defenceman Bailey Webster have been reassigned.

There are now 13 forwards, nine defencemen and three goalies remaining in camp.

The Dog's next exhibition game is next Friday, September 6th when they head to Moncton to take on the Wildcats.

 

Thunderstorm Watch Up For Fredericton, Grand Lake and St. Stephen

It could be a bit nasty on the drive home today.

Environment Canada issuing a severe thunderstorm watch for Fredericton, Grand Lake, Oromocto, St. Stephen, Sussex and the KV.

They warn of the potential for large hail and damaging winds.

Nearly 2500 Colposcopy Patients Will Get A Letter

Nearly 2,500 patients will be notified following Horizon Health's discovery that unsterilized biopsy forceps were used at a hospital clinic for 14 years.

    The problem at a colposcopy clinic at the Miramichi Regional Hospital began in 1999 and was discovered this May.


  CEO John McGarry says the biopsy forceps were only cleaned and disinfected before being reused but sterilized at the end of the day.
 

   McGarry advises there is an extremely low risk of infection, but 2,497 patients who had these biopsies are being sent letters to advise them to have blood tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

MLA Savoie Wants Community Input On Centre

The MLA for Saint John Fundy says his constituents are upset about the loss of the Loch Lomond Community Centre and the services and space it provides.

Glen Savoie tells CHSJ News he supports the City doing a feasability study and he thinks the situation also requires a needs assessment.

He says it's too soon for the province to offer support when it's not clear yet what they need.

Savoie says the engineer's report from the City came back with a with a cost exceeding $400,000 which he finds too extravagant for what he believes the community requires.

Riverboats, Sailing Just Part of SJ's Rich History

A New Hampshire historian is coming to New Brunswick to share some of his research on this part of the Maritimes.

Author Thomas L. Shanklin tells CHSJ News a lot of the stories came from his father, who passed away in 2002 at the age of 106. They have to do with the riverboats, sailing on the Bay of Fundy, one room schoolhouses and more anecdotes of a time gone by.

Shanklin is giving a series of readings from his nonfiction book "Downeast, Upcountry) in New Brunswick including one from the Saint John Free Public Library. Shanklin will be at the library tonight from 7-8pm.

Retail Worker Warns Against Flexible Sunday Shopping Hours

The Board of Trade will be appearing before Common Council next month with the results of a survey among its members on whether store owners should choose which hours to be open on Sundays.

Council is being warned about going down that road by someone who works in retail.

Jennifer Eagles is telling Common Council when it comes to working Sundays, you really have no choice. Eagles claims if you refuse, your hours will be cut back or you'll lose your job on some trumped up excuse.

Regional Traffic Tie-Ups


Motorists found it slow going on King Street for a short while over the lunch hour while a tow truck removed a van from one of the parking spots.

It's since cleared up and traffic is moving again.

It's been slow on Highway 1 westbound in Sussex since this morning after a collision between a double trailer chiptruck and an empty tanker.

Traffic is down to one lane. 

City Can't Go It Alone

The city will need financial help to pay for a new building that would replace the Loch Lomand Community Centre which is now closed and slated for demolition before the end of the year. 

Councillor at Large Shirley McAlary says the community centre was well utilised but not everyone who was using it lives and pays taxes in the city.

Ward 4 Councillor David Merrithew says it won't happen unless the local service districts, the province and even the federal government come to the table.


Mayor Mel Norton says he will try to get agreement on joint funding at the Regional Services Commission.