WATCH: Regional Flooding Continues

High water can be seen in many parts of our region including Darling's Island, Hammond River and Millidgeville. 

The Latest On What To Expect For Flooding

With temperatures above zero for the next 48 hours. rain and continued snow melt over the next number of days, water levels could be increasing and staying above flood stage.

Locally, voluntary evacuation orders have been rescinded in Perth Andover--but ice jams along the Nashwaak River could move and cause flooding. There's a risk that the road to Darling's Island will be cut off by rising waters, but a plan has been place for residents to ensure they can get on and off.

Drivers should be on the lookout for deer and moose that may hang around roads if it provides them with a dry shelter. Stranded animals may swim to safety should they feel threatened. The public are asked to not disturb wildlife.

Thompson Says Pipeline Hearing Should Be Held In Saint John

Many are pinning hopes on the construction of the Energy East pipeline but seem to forget the part where it doesn't actually have the green light yet.

TransCanada will be submitting a formal regulartory filing to the National Energy Board this summer.

David Thompson of the Provincial Conservation Council says many questions will be answered when the NEB hearings take place.

He says the project will have to go through these legal hearings where people will have to register as intervenors if they want to participate in the hearings.

Thompson tells CHSJ News the NEB hearings won't to take place before the fall or even next year.

Internet Users Also Responsible For Online Security

While the hysteria over the Heartbleed bug seems to be winding down, many of us are left scratching our heads wondering how or even if we can protect our personal information online. 

David Shipley of UNB's I-T services says users should be taking online security into their own hands by educating themselves. 

He tells CHSJ News there's a lot of information available to consumers about the security and privacy policies of the companies they're doing business with but many users just brush over terms and contract agreements and don't pay attention to the details.

He says some of those contracts can be pretty scary, giving companies permission to do a lot with your personal information.

UNB Business Students Create Aquaponics System

Two university students are hoping to soon see their business plan for an aquaponics farm in Fredericton come to fruition. 

Jake Wildman-Sisk of U-N-B says he and his partner Kristen Olsen haven't secured an investment yet but they've received several offers for their idea, which would produce fresh veggies and farm fish at the same time.

He tells CHSJ News he's surprised more people are using aquaponics systems, which is self-sustaining and environmentally friendly, but they're hoping once they implement their plan in the city, the idea will start to take off.

He says they will have to make some decisions but they are very excited about the opportunities and options they do have and to see what the summer brings.

Plan Changes For Darling's Island Shuttle Boat

The decision to not bring in a shuttle boat if there's flooding at Darling's Island has been reversed.

Originally, there was to be no shuttle boat service.

We're now told by a caller to CHSJ News there will be a boat, but only if the road is closed and people are cut off from the mainland.

Hanging Lanterns Recalled Due To Fire Hazard

Glass hanging star lanterns from home store Pier 1 Imports being recalled by Health Canada because they pose a fire hazard.

The recall affecting the red, amber and clear coloured lanterns sold from August of last year to February of this year. A metal tea light cup sits inside the metal and glass star which can melt the solder and cause the lantern to break.

More than 500 were sold in Canada. Pier 1 Imports getting four reports of the solder melting in the U-S and one in Canada. Health Canada has not received any reports of injuries.

Be Careful As You Clean Up After A Flood

The Chief Medical Health Officer for the province, Dr. Eilesh Cleary says you should be wearing rubber gloves while cleaning up after a flood and washing your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Use a good soap or detergent and lots of hot water when cleaning walls, solid floors and ceilings but not household bleach which can be ineffective because of what's contained in the flood water.

Solid wood or metal furniture may be cleaned with a household detergent solution.
Water-soaked walls and insulation should be removed.

Wastes from the flood should be buried at least 15 metres or 50 feet away from the source of your water. Lime may be used before the wastes are covered with soil.

City Needs To Focus On Its Dilapitated Facilities

It might not be front-and-center on the radar of the average taxpayer, but it's still important

City Finance Commissioner Greg Yeomans says there are a number of city-owned buildings and garages that have fallen into a serious state of disrepair--and while they might not be visible, they're still important and a potential hazard.

Yeoman's referred to the expenses you don't see as the "ugly ducking" or the "poor cousin" of  more high-profile, visible projects.

Darlings Island Resident Decries Lack Of Shuttle Boat Service

Frustration from a man who has spent the last 20 years living in Darlings Island over a decision to not bring in a shuttle boat as the community is under threat of flooding. 

Ed Crossman tells CHSJ News there has always been a service to bring the residents to and from the mainland and he thought that was the case until receiving a notice the other day saying otherwise.

He says residents should have been given a week's notice and he would like to see a government official visit the island so residents can talk to him/her about the situation. Crossman says someone really dropped the ball on this one.

Darling's Island is currently under a voluntary evacuation.

Outmigration Of Young People Could Benefit Province

Despite a lot of hand wringing about the number of young people who are leaving New Brunswick because of a perceived lack of opportunity, it may not be such a bad thing provided they don't abandon the province altogether. 

Yves Bourgeois of the Urban Institute at U-N-B Saint John tells CHSJ News he has seen the expertise they learn elsewhere and the contacts they make be put to good use in New Brunswick for the benefit of the provincial economy with new businesses being set up.
 
The University of Moncton's David Campbell, author of the weekly blog "It's the Economy Stupid", says for every young person who leaves, you want to be attracting two others to the province. Campbell points out it's not all that unusual for young people to have wanderlust and seek adventures elsewhere. 

Both Bourgeois and Campbell say those people who decide to leave the province shouldn't be made to feel guilty.

Water Levels Still High

River Watch is reporting water levels will remain high and above flood stage in several areas but there's some good news for people in Perth-Andover.
 
Water levels remain high in the entire St. John River basin. 

A large ice jam broke into two blocks in the upper St. John River and began moving. Water levels began going down along the river at Perth-Andover yesterday afternoon. 

Water levels in Fredericton, Maugerville, Jemseg, Grand Lake, Sheffield-Lakeville Corner and Quispamsis are forecast to stay above flood stage over next two days. 

The docks at Renforth and Rothesay after underwater but no streets have been closed in the Valley. The water levels remain high at Oak Point. 

In the city, Beach Road, Ragged Point Road, Dominion Park Road and Lawrence Long Road have been closed.