Linked Header

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Sea Dogs Winger Recovering


It's good news as Stephen Anderson continues to recovery from upper-body injuries he suffered in Sunday's game against the Titan.

The 19-year-old right winger has been in hospital since Sunday evening after a body check forced him to leave the game and complications that came later.

The Islander has been interacting with his family and making steady progress but it's not clear when he'll be released from hospital.

His mother expressing thanks for the many emails, texts and phone calls they received and for the support from the team.

Stolen Goods Returned To Stores Following Arrests

Saint John Police getting more than they bargained for while responding to a shoplifting incident on the East side. 

Sergeant Jay Henderson says officers were called to a shop on Fashion Drive for a theft around noon on Tuesday but the suspects fled the scene. A 34-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were pulled over on Prince Edward Street, where police found a large number of stolen goods from various shops on the East side. Henderson says they have been returned.

The two were arrested and face charges of theft, possession of stolen property and breaching previous court orders. Henderson says they are well known to the police department.

Province Announces Bundled Birth Service

The province is helping new parents apply for federal and provincial benefits for their newborn babies.

It's called The Bundled Birth Service and gives parents the option to apply for Canada child benefits and a social insurance number at the same time they register their newborn's birth.

Parents can complete one form to register the birth of their child with vital statistics with Service New Brunswick and consent to have their child's info shared with the federal government as well to access multiple programs.


For more info, click here

Margaret Begner Remembered At Common Council

City council remembering Margaret Begner as a tour de force in the city's restaurant and hospitality industry. 

The owner of the Opera Bistro and Dufferin Inn passing away late last week at Bobby's Hospice. Mayor Mel Norton says Begner was a true renaissance woman, driven to be involved in the community. 

Begner founded such events as Chop Chop Restaurant Week and the Fundy Food Festival. She also organized the Out of the Cold men's shelter, giving meals to the homeless, and  sent meals to the hospice for patients and families for free every week.

A burial is being held tomorrow at Our Lady of Assumption Church at noon, with a reception following at the Assumption Center.

Some Of The Derailed Cars Were Heading Here

Irving Oil was informed of the Plaster Rock derailment by CN rail last night.
 

Sam Robinson of Irving OIl tells CHSJ News they don't know exactly how many cars have been impacted yet.

They do know that some of the rail cars that derailed were destined for their refinery.

Robinson goes on to say they are working closely with the rail companies and local authorities and they sent firefighting foam from Saint John to the scene and have offered further help to CN Rail should they need it.


Plaster Rock Man Didn't Hear A Thing

Danny Braun of Plaster Rock tells us he didn't hear anything and didn't know anything was going on.  

The organizer of the World Pond Hockey Championships lives 4 to 5 miles from the site of the train derailment and fire.  


He tells CHSJ News he heard about it from his daughter who is at university in Fredericton.

He says it seems to be under control now.  He says it was on fire most of the night and after the rail cars derailed he knows 40 to 50 home were evacuated.

Braun says he's hearing the derailment has caused significant damage to the tracks but he tells us he can't smell any smoke adding in the town you can't really tell anything is going on.

Smoke Drifting From Train Derailment Could Be Harmful

The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is monitoring the smoke from the train derailment blaze fire in Plaster Rock, which is drifting east into a sparsely populated area.

The Department of Health is advising infants, children, pregnant women, older adults, smokers and people with chronic heart or lung diseases should stay indoors to reduce their exposure to the outdoor air in that area.

If smoke conditions become more severe, people may experience irritation of eyes, throat and possibly shortness of breath. EMO advises the public to keep an eye on the public alerts posted on the provincial government website.

Parts Of The Market Remain Closed

Two businesses and the upper floors of the City Market remain closed today following a heating line rupture early Monday morning.

Howard's Convenience and the Infusion Tea Room remain closed along the with the parts of the Market tower currently occupied by groups lke PRUDE and the Senior's Resource Centre.


Contractors are continuing to evaluate the situation after extensive water damage following the heating line rupture.

CHSJ News has learned there may be an update on the situation later today.

Fires Still Burning Near Plaster Rock Derailment

Black smoke is still billowing from the site where a CN train jumped the tracks and caught fire about five kilometres outside the village of Plaster Rock.

The train was carrying propane and crude oil when it crashed and caught fire just after 7pm.  There are no reported injuries at this point although the area has been evacuated. CBC is reporting the derailed cars include one at the front, and 15 at the back. There were 122 cars on the train. Emergency crews planning on letting the fire burn itself out.

A shelter has been set up at the Tobique Plex recreation and community centre.


Photo Credit: Carleton County Firefighter

Quispamsis Tax Rate Rising This Year

The tax rate for the town of Quispamsis going up with councillors giving this year's budget their seal of approval. 

Residents will be paying 1.85 cents more this year for their taxes than they were last year, but Councillor Lisa Loughery says that's still one of the lowest rates in New Brunswick. She also points out they were able to maintain the previous rate for the last eight years. Councillor Kirk Miller estimating the average taxpayer will pay about five dollars more in 2014.

Mayor Murray Driscoll says the increase is because council wants to keep the debt-cost ratio down, and make sure the town is in good financial shape in the future. He says growing their finances is the way to keep spending under control.

Almost $1.5 million going towards fixing and paving parts of streets including Pettingill Road, Hammond River Road and Millenium Drive. $100,000 dollars going to local improvements, storm sewer work and traffic calming. The town seeing a cut of more than $147,000 dollars in unconditional grant money this year from 2013.

Applications Are Available For $100 Energy Benefit

The government says Home Energy Assistance Program forms are now available.

The $100 benefit helps families who don't have a lot of money cope with the high cost of energy.

It's a one-time payment given to those who had an income up to and including $28,000 in 2012.

Last year, more than 47,000 applications were received for a total benefit of about $4.74 million.

You can apply through the Department of Finance website and forms are available at Service New Brunswick outlets.


For more info, click here