Shale Gas Protestor Pleads Guilty To Charges

After two months behind bars, a 47-year old man arrested during the violent clash between RCMP and shale gas protestors near Rexton has been released from jail.

47-year old James Pictou of Saint-André-de-Madawaska being sentenced to time served as he was in custody since his arrest on October 17.

Pictou pleading guilty to seven charges stemming from incidents on the Elispogtog First Nation and near Rexton, including uttering a threat towards a First Nation peacekeeper, uttering threats to kill an RCMP dog by saying "Bring that dog, I'll kill that dog" while holding a long peace of wood, and assaulting a police officer by pointing a can of bear spray at him.

He will be under house arrest for there months and under curfew for six months and is not allowed to participate in any shale gas protests in New Brunswick. He is also being ordered to stay a kilometre away from employees and equipment belonging to SWN Resources and its subcontractors.

VIDEO: Saint Johners Will Dig Out Again

It's not even winter yet but you would never know that by looking outside.

The second storm in four days making for difficult if not dangerous driving all over the city.

The RCMP tweeting that some roads are icy and motorists who have to drive should go very slow.

The Mounties responding to a number of vehicles off the road today.

Flights are delayed in and out of the Saint John airport. 

You can see our list of cancellations by clicking the 'bus delays and cancellations" tab.

Dickey Gets 2 Years Jail Time

27-year-old Luke Dickey of Saint John was sentenced to federal time today on a series of fraud-related charges. Dickey pleaded guilty to running several scams in which he attempted to return items to stores which he had stolen, including baby items and expensive liquor.

Dickey begged the judge to send him to federal prison saying he needs the help for his drug addiction that's only available in a bigger institution.

Judge Henrik Tonning obliged, sentencing Dickey to two years in jail. 

West Side Arsonist Sentenced To Federal Time

40 year old Timothy Edward Clements getting 5 years federal time in connection with two counts of arson on the Dever Road.

On October 22 and November 7, police were called out to the Dever Road where  a transport truck and a garage were both destroyed by fire. The court heard those dates weren't the first time there had been calls to that area about suspicious fires.

Clements said in court he never would have done it is he were in his right mind.

The small business that owned the building lost over $150,000 dollars as well as all their licenses, documents, and contracts. Clements was also hit with a 10 year driving prohibition due to a DUI a few weeks prior.

Lorneville Will Get A Temporary Bridge In January

The Province will build a temporary bridge at the Lorneville Creek Causeway in January.

The work will about three weeks at a cost of $200,000.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams says they plan to make longer-term permanent repairs next year if they can find the money.

The Lorneville Road has been closed since early December due to a sinkhole in the area thanks to an old pipe.

A detour is posted in the area.

Man Facing Charges In Geary Gas Bar Robbery

A 31-year old man is facing charges in connection with a robbery at a convenience store and gas bar in Geary.
 
At around 8pm on Monday, a man came into the store on Broad Road demanding money. He made off with some cash and tobacco products but no one was hurt. Police nabbing a suspect within two hours of the crime. 

Troy Parker of Wirral being charged with robbery and committing an indictable offense while wearing a mask. He has waived his bail hearing and will be back in court on the morning of December 30.

Funeral For City Teen On Saturday

A funeral service is coming up on Saturday for 17 year old Gavin Adams.

The Saint John High student died earlier this week after being reported missing to police on Sunday.

He is described as a dependable friend who loved to play guitar and enjoyed being on the swim team and in the choir.

Visitation is tomorrow and Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 at Brenan's on Paradise Row with the funeral on Saturday at the Church of St. Andrew and St. David at noon.

Man Who Robbed His Boss Sentenced To 4 Years

After getting drunk and robbing his own employer, 35-year-old Simon Basque gets a sentence of 4 years in jail for robbery.

He has to submit a DNA sample and he can't own any weapons for 10 years.

Basque pleaded guilty to holding up his boss's brother at knife point, demanding a debit card, the PIN number, and car keys. He then tied up the victim in a bathroom and took off in their van. He was later pulled over in Quebec and arrested.

He said he doesn't know why he did it considering he didn't want to hurt anyone and he even had money on him at the time.

It's A Greasy Drive Today

It's a pretty scene out there today...but not so pretty when you're driving. 

Sgt Dave Cowan of Saint John Police says people should be extra cautious on the roads today.
 
He tells CHSJ News the roads are typical for a winter storm with a lot of them being snowpacked and slushy.

He suggests drivers slow down and leave a lot of space bewteen your vehicle and the vehicle in front of them.
 
He says police have responded to about a dozen minor accidents in the Uptown area today.

To follow the storm's track, click here

Suspicious Vehicle Fire In The North End

City Police responding to a suspicious car fire in the North end. 

Sergeant Jay Henderson says a vehicle behind a building on MacLaren Boulevard was fully engulfed in flames when crews showed up on the scene just before 4am this morning. The car has since been towed away for forensic examination.

Henderson says police also responding to two fires yesterday including an apartment fire off of Duke Street West that started on a mattress, and one on Millidge Street, where a plow was on fire.

Warning For City About Going To Arbitration

Avoid arbitration if you can........That warning delivered to City Hall management by Councillor Gerry Lowe who has had years of experience negotiating union contracts. 

He says just going before an arbitration Board will cost thousands and thousands of dollars in lawyers' fees and thousands of dollars beforehand.

Lowe points out the unions that went to arbitration wound up with wage increases 15 per cent higher as compared to negotiated settlements over a ten year period.

City Manager Pat Woods says there has to be greater flexibility in future contact agreements because city revenue is tight and will be for the foreseeable future.

Common Councillor David Merrithew, who chairs the city's Finance Committee, warns the wage increases of the past are no longer sustainable.

No Charges In Fatal Baxter's Corner Shooting

No criminal charges will be laid in the deadly shooting of a Baxters Corner man in November 2012.

RCMP investigators had recommended to the Crown charges of murder, manslaughter and criminal negligence be considered in connection with the death of 31-year-old Ryan Firlotte; however, the Crown Prosecutors Office decided not to proceed with charges because there was no likelihood of conviction.

Ryan Firlotte and two other men were shot during an altercation in Baxters Corner with a 35-year-old man who also lived there. Firlotte and the other two men were in a vehicle that had been struck by bullets. The 35-year-old man under investigation for the shooting had been assaulted in the Saint John area earlier that same day.

The investigation determined that all the individuals involved in the incident knew one another.

NB Liquor Announces Holiday Hours

If you like a little holiday tipple, you'll want to keep in mind the holiday hours for NB Liquor locations announced today.
 
The regular hours will vary over the next 10 days or so.


●    Sunday, Dec. 22: Open noon to 5 p.m.
●    Monday, Dec. 23: Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
●    Tuesday, Dec. 24: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
●    Wednesday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day): Closed.
●    Thursday, Dec. 26 (Boxing Day): Closed.
●    Friday, Dec. 27, to Monday, Dec. 30: Regular operating hours.
●    Tuesday, Dec. 31: Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
●    Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014: Closed.
●    Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014: Regular hours resume.

NB Liquor's 80 agency outlets may open all days except Christmas Day. Hours may vary by location.

Common Councillors Ask Lots Of Questions On Draft City Budget

Common Council has seen the draft 2014 city budget and is still hopeful of passing it next Monday night. 

City Manager Pat Woods concedes the lowering of the property assessments on appeal by two pulp and paper mills in the city ruled out any reduction to the tax rate. Woods told councillors he believes the reduction in the tax base is a one off and he's optmistic the city's economy will get better down the road. 

Mayor Mel Norton says councillors had a lot of questions but, in his view, appeared generally satisfied with the budget.
 
Councillor Susan Fullerton wants to see more cost reduction actually take place instead of just talking about it.
 
Woods telling Council more flexibility is needed in contract agreements with the municipal unions.

Schools Closed In Saint John With Storm

Another 10 to 15 centimeters of snow expected in the Saint John area with the latest weather maker. 

Jean-Marc Couturier of Environment Canada tells CHSJ News the snow should end by mid afternoon but then the winds will pick up which will blow the snow about and reduce visibility.

The brunt of the snow will be falling this morning from 7 to noonhour.

All schools are closed today in the Anglophone South School District. The Francophone South School District has closed its schools in Saint John and Quispamsis.

Mayors In K-V Want Changes To Unconditional Grant System

Fundamentally flawed is how Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop describes the unconditional grant system in a letter written to provincial Local Government Minister Danny Soucy. 

He tells Soucy he does not want to see more money in the grant pool, but for the money to be distributed more fairly. Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News he completely agrees with Bishop.

Driscoll says the grant for the town is down more than $147,000 and that decrease benefits other communities, who will see their grants go up. He says it's unfair and he would like to see more equity when it comes to distribution. Rothesay's grant will be decreasing by almost $100,000. The only neighbouring community to go up is Grand Bay-Westfield by over $12,000.  

Quispamsis holding off on rolling out their budget until the new year because of the cut to the unconditional grant---because it's less than expected, they need time for more review.