Cruise Ships To Embark From SJ In 2015

Saint John is going to be a home port for small cruise ships for the first time ever starting in the summer of 2015.

Tourism Minister Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News the implications are huge for small communities like Saint Andrews, Grand Manan, Digby, and other points along the coast.

The Blount Small Smalls cruise line features ships that carry about 88 passengers. The cruises are a week to 16 days long. To check out their brochure, click here

Acadia Broadcasting Granted Approval For Moncton Station

Acadia Broadcasting is expanding - the parent company of Country 94 and the Wave has received approval from the Canadian Radio - Television - and - Telecommunications Commission to purchase Moncton radio station CKNI-FM from Rogers Broadcasting.
Acadia plans to move the station to newly constructed studios and launch its new music and information format later this year.
Meantime - the federal regulatory agency has given thumbs up to Newcap to purchase CHNI-FM - the Rogers station here in Saint John.
Both stations currently feature a news - talk format that Rogers has been unable to make financially successful.
Moncton becomes the 13th station for Acadia spanning New Brunswick - Nova Scotia - and - Ontario.

Canada And Sweden Considered The Favourites At World Curling Championship

Competition is expected to be intense at Harbour Station for the Ford World Women's Curling Championship with Canada and Sweden the favourites to win. Sweden won the silver medal at the Sochi Winter OLympics.

The tournment crowns a champion a week from this Sunday night with the gold medal game that will be broadcast by TSN.

Host Committee chair Jeff Lacey tells CHSJ News the curlers will also be meeting fans face to face next week at various times to sign autographs at the Trade and Convention Centre.
 
All of Canada's round robin matches will be televised by TSN which will also be showing all the playoffs.

Schoolbuses In Hampton That Will Be Running This Afternoon

The Anglophone South School District in Hampton is reporting schoolbuses # 25, 30, 39, 56, 57, 112, and 804 will be running this afternoon.

Questions Raised About Provincial Drug Plan

The prescription drug plan being touted by the Alward Government as one of its big achievements but the opposition Liberals are hammering away at who's going to pay what after the first year which is voluntary.
 
The drug plan becomes mandatory in year two at a cost estimated at between 120 and 150 million dollars. Healthcare critic Donald Arsenault says he has heard 15 to 25 million dollars will be sought from business. Arsenault has also heard the possibility of a 2 per cent payroll tax increase. He also wonders what the penalties will be for those who can't pay.

New Links Between New Brunswick Producers And South Korean Markets

Soon, New Brunswick blueberries, lobster, and salmon will more easily be making their way to tables in South Korea, thanks to the recently announced Canada Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Dignitaries from Canada and South Korea marked the Atlantic Canadian implications that agreement today at the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Ship Terminal. Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore, who is also in charge of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, tells CHSJ News it's a landmark achievement. Negotiations took 8 years in total to complete, according to Moore.

This is Canada's first free trade agreement in Asia. New Brunswick's fish and seafood exports to South Korea were worth an average of $5.1 million annually between 2010 and 2012.

Several Schoolbuses Not Running Today

The following school buses will not be running today in the Hampton Ed Centre, Bus # 25, 804, 39, 112, 30 and 57. 

These buses go to Dr.A.T. Leatherbarrow Primary School.......Hampton Elementary School.......Hampton Middle School......Hampton High........Macdonald Consolidated School......Norton Elementary........Sussex Middle School and Sussex Regional High.

Saint Johners Arrested For Attempted Robbery In Barnesville

Two Saint Johnners are facing charges after a robbery at Kathy's Convenience in Barnesville.

It happened on March 7th around 9:45 p.m. Three masked people entered the store and demanded money and alcohol. They also scuffled with the owner, but no one was seriously injured. The three left without any money or merchandise.

A 15-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man were arrested Wednesday. The two appeared in Sussex Provincial Court on March 13. The boy, who can not be named because of his age, was charged with assault, wearing a disguise, and breaking his probation order. 20-year-old, Greg Nav, was charged with assault while attempting to steal, wearing a disguise and breach of an undertaking.

They're still looking for a third suspect . Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Hampton RCMP at 506-832-5566, or to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.crimenb.ca.

Roads Remain Treacherous With Schoolbuses Delayed

Police warning drivers to slow down a bit this morning because the roads are still icy and treacherous. 

Emergency crews were called to the highway by Spruce Lake after a rollover which happened around 6:00 this morning.

All schools in the Anglophone South School District are open at their normal hours this morning but the schoolbuses are operating on a two hour delay.

Verdict In Obstruction Of Justice Trial Will Not Be Made Immediately

The trial of a senior official in the provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture for obstruction of justice has ended with a verdict to be announced June 19th. 

Peter Andrews was charged in connection with the investigation of the brother of Deputy Premier Paul Robichaud on an aquaculture violation. 

He has denied there was any political interference. The Deputy Premier also denying accusations that he interfered. 

The defense argues the prosecution never did present any evidence showing there was political interference. The prosecution questions why this particular case was even discussed by officials at a senior level in the department.