Linked Header

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

NEW: Crews Battle Blaze At Sussex DNR Office

Less than a week after a devastating flood struck Sussex, the town being dealt another blow with a fire at the Department of Natural Resources office.

Sussex Fire Chief Harold Lowe tells CHSJ News smoke was seen coming from the building after staff had left the office and when crews arrived the roof was fully engulfed in flames and starting to collapse. While the structure itself is still standing, the roof is gone and the D-N-R office has sustained some water damage.

One firefighter was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure with possible heat exhaustion. 


The fire marshal will be coming to investigate what caused the blaze.

Water Main Flushing In Blacks Harbour

Water main flushing will be happening tomorrow between 7am to 7pm as part of the maintenance of the Blacks Harbour Water Supply, however those hours can vary.

You might notice periods of low or no-flow and discolouration of water during that time. Once flushing is finished, you're being urged to remove the screens from your taps and clean them off.

We're Not Out Of The Woods Yet When It Comes To Flooding

We're not out of the woods yet according to Paul Bradley of the Department of Public Safety on the flooding risk for the province.

He tells CHSJ News while water levels have been going down over the past few days they are expected to climb back up with rain in the forecast for the region including heavy rain and freezing rain warnings up north. He says they're asking New Brunswickers to stay on alert.

He confirms there will be a boat shuttle service from Darlings Island running from 6am to 7pm daily if residents do get cut off from the mainland. There will also be a boat service for emergency first responders going 24-7.


For more info, click here

UPDATE: Woman Sets Herself On Fire In the North End

A woman in her 30's will be ok after setting herself on fire.  

The call came in about 3:30pm for police and ambulance to respond to a special care home in the North end.

It's not know if the incident was accidental or on purpose but a cigarette lighter was used and her upper body injuries are described as serious.

City police telling CHSJ News no charges will be filed in the case. 


The injured woman was taken to hospital for treatment.

Talking Wellness In Moncton Next Month


You have until May 7th to register for the Provincial Wellness conference in Moncton next month.

Healthy and Inclusive Communities Minsiter Dorothy Shephard invites everyone to champion the wellness movement by taking part in the two day event.

There will be workshops on creating a tobacco-free workplace, tools to find and keep the best volunteers and community food security.

Shephard says this conference is a great example of how working together can increase our chances of successfully changing behaviors.

For more info on the conference coming up May 14 and 15th, click here

Big Users Like Irving To Pay More For Natural Gas

Certain big industrial facilities in New Brunswick--like those belonging to Irving--currently get their natural gas directly from the distribution system, bypassing the general franchise; however, that's going to change according to Energy Minister Craig Leonard.

Leonard says while those users have been instrumental to getting the system up and running, their contribution isn't currently proportional to their natural gas usage.

Charlotte the Isles MLA Rich Doucet questioned why the Gas and Distribution Act of 1999 is only being amended now, just a short while before the election.


The change means that big users like Irving will be paying more.

Some Are Doing Their Bit For Mother Earth Today

Earth Day is a time when people think about cleaning up the trash that's been collecting in the woods and on the sides of road through the long winter.

Graeme Stewart-Robertson of the Atlantic Coastal Action Group tells CHSJ News they give schools and other groups help on how to conduct a clean up and many are held this time of year.

He says it could be schools like Millidgeville North who is hosting one day and another clean up is taking place around UNB Saint John and the Regional hospital.

Stewart-Robertson says they are getting calls from people wanting to organize clean ups later in the week or next week.


For more info on ACAP...click here  and for more on Earth Day...click here

Not Everyone Is Happy About The Circus Coming To Town

The circus is coming to town--but not everyone is pleased about it.

Event planner Mark Burnett tells CHSJ News he certainly won't be going to see Cirque Mondo when they come to Harbour Station in June, because the circus uses elephants, buffalo, monkeys and other exotic animals.

We asked Burnett whether a circus can ever provide animals with a good life--to which he responded that these are wild animals and there's more to caring for them than simply having good intentions.


A call to Cirque Mondo for comment has not yet been returned.

There Are Degrees Of Optimism Over The Province's Economic Future


Even though things look pretty bleak right now with the state of the provincial economy, Yves Bourgeois of U-N-B Saint John's Urban Affairs Institute tells CHSJ News he's optimistic about the long term future if the province plays its cards right. 

He goes so far as to say he thinks New Brunswick could becoming a driving economy in the country but it won't happen for another 10 to 15 years. The belief that a turnaround can happen in the next four years is unrealistic.
 

Economic Development Consultant David Campbell of Moncton says the province needs more information technology growth and there are some interesting initiatives happening in the cities.

He argues the role of government is to create the environment for new companies to start up and do well........It's not to do industry or even pick industries. Campbell says he's cautiously optimistic about the future economic prospects of the province.

Man Accused Of Voyeurism

A 31-year-old man from Upper Mills has been arrested and is facing voyeurism charges.

He's accused of prowling around looking into the windows of a woman's house in Upper Mills shortly after 2am Sunday morning.

RCMP responded to the house and arrested him. He was later released and will appear in St. Stephen Provincial Court at a later date.

Suspected Garden Street Irving Robber Back In Court

Another delay in legal proceedings against the young man accused of robbing the Garden Street Circle K with a knife on April 4th.

The case of Stephen John William Hall has been set over until Thursday morning while he seeks legal advice.


Hall, who is from Saint George, came into the gas station with the weapon and demanded cash. A police officer was injured when he slipped on the ice trying to track Hall down.

Light Standard Knocked To Ground

There was a single car crash on Tucker Park Road last night with a light standard being knocked over. 

The air bags deployed and the driver was taken to hospital to be examined but did not appear to be seriously hurt.

Colourful City Businessman Passes Away

Well known Saint John businessman Robert McIntyre died unexpectedly at the Regional Hospital on Easter Sunday. He would have turned 67 next month. 

McIntyre was the owner and operator of McIntyre's Moving and Storage on St. James Street and it was said he may have moved half the city over the years. 

His funeral will be held at Brenan’s Chapel on Paradise Row this Friday morning at 10. 

You can drop by tomorrow for visitation from 6 to 8 in the evening and Thursday, from 3 in the afternoon to 8 at night.