Voter Cards In The Mail

Voters in municipalities holding by-elections,  first elections, or plebiscites to form rural communities should get cards in the mail this week telling them when and where to vote.

More than 53,000 Voter Information Cards are being sent out. The cards tell you all the details on where and when to vote.

For more information, click here

The Flood Plan Is On For Darling's Island

Public Safety enacting the flood plan for Darling's Island.

Paul Bradley tells CHSJ News they have been keeping an eye on the water level on that road for a number of days.

He says they had some concerns about potholes in the road and it's overall structural integrity so the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure made the call to close it.

Boats will be in place on Darling's Island for a resident shuttle service.  

It will be set up next to the road.

People should contact the Emergency Measures Organization at 1-800-561-4034 if they have questions regarding this plan. For emergency situations call 911. For advice on non-emergency related help contact the Emergency Measures Organization at 1-800-561-4034.

SJPD Seeks Tips In Weekend Assault

A 33 year old woman remains in critical but stable condition in hospital following an assault early Sunday morning.

Sgt. Tony Hayes says Saint John Police responded to the scene of a large fight at 169 Charlotte Street at 2:35am.

He says officers arrived to find an unconscious woman who was taken to hospital.

The Major Crime Unit of City police is looking into the matter and if you have any information you are asked to contact them at 648-3333.

You can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or click here

New Brunswick Urged To Do More To Attract Immigrants To Province

Immigrants are an economic driver and the province should be doing all it can to attract them to New Brunswick. So says economic development consultant and President of Jupia Consultants, David Campbell. 

Campbell tells CHSJ News for every thousand immigrants who settle here, you need 400 people to provide services for them.

Campbell points out there has to be a reason for them to come and then to stay or else they'll just move on to the larger cities.

City Police Officer Back In Court Making His Case

City Police officer Chris Messer, who's facing an assault charge, was back in court with his lawyer Brian Munro arguing he has not received full disclosure from the prosecution. 

Munro wants access to police wiretaps, telling the court 9 shots were fired into Messer's home on Westfield Road to take the heat off a police investigation of break and enters in that area. 

Munro also claims there's no medical evidence to show Randy King, whom he describes as a career criminal, was assaulted. 

Munro says he finds it odd that, according to police statements, they have a good idea who fired the shots into Messer's home, yet no one has ever been charged. 

He's asking for a Stay of Proceedings so Messer won't have to stand trial on the assault charge and poses the question to Court of Queen's Bench Justice Judy Glendenning whether his reputation has been damaged beyond repair.

The Unofficial Campaign Heats Up This Week

The campaign before the campaign will be heating up this week with four separate nomination meetings this week.

Tonight, it's the Conservatives turn with a combo meeting at KV High for Quispam MLA and Finance Minister Blaine Higgs and Health Minister and Rothesay MLA Ted Flemming.

On Wednesday night, Liberals in the riding of Saint John-Portland will chose a candidate at the RKYC and on Thursday night, the Liberals host another nomination meeting at the Sanctuary Theatre to choose a candidate to run in Saint John Harbour.      Former MLA and Cabinet Minister Ed Doherty is rumoured to be running again.

All eyes will be on the Saint John-Lancaster Liberal nomination meeting on May 10th with 3 well-known names seeking to run there.

Former Mayor Ivan Court, former common councillor Peter McGuire and Realter Don Ketchum are all vying to represent the west side riding for the Liberals.

For more info on the upcoming nomination meetings, click here  or here

Body Found In Fredericton Park

A body has been found in O'Dell park in Fredericton this morning.

Fredericton police telling CHSJ News that human remains were found in the park and police are on scene.

K-V-H-S Again Reaches The Top

The provincial Reach for the Top championship was held over the weekend and for the 9th time in the last 10 years, Kennebecasis Valley High has won. 

Chris Huddleston, Alexis Lamontagne, Ryan Queen, Sam Cookson and Keegan Reynolds will now be competing for the national title in Toronto late next month.

Provincial Liberals Adopt New Position On Abortion

The provincial Liberals spent the weekend debating policy questions, they'll be running on in the provincial election campaign. 

The party is continuing its support for a moratorium on shale gas exploration. It wants a re-examination of the shared risk pension plan for provincial government retirees, lower the entry point for early French Immersion to grade 1, development of a ten year plan for education and improved access to abortion which has emerged as a hot button issue ever since the recent announcement that the Morganthaler clinic will be closing down in July. 

The Alward Government plans to stick with the policy that requires the approval of two doctors unless you want to pay privately out of your own pocket to terminate a pregnancy which was brought in by then Liberal Premier Frank McKenna. Party leader Brian Gallant has said the current restrictions are unconstitutional. 

The Liberals have also selected a candidate to run on Kings Centre which includes Grand Bay-Westfield. She's Shannon Merrifield, co founder of Fusion who has also worked as an employment advisor.