Foul Play Not Suspected After Body Found In Park

Police in Fredericton say at this time foul play is not suspected after human remains were found in a city park.

They're waiting on the results of the autopsy and a review of the dental records before they release the person's identity, upon notification of next of kin.

The body was found in a remote area of Odell Park on April 28.

NB Fisherman Charged In Employment Insurance Fraud Scheme

A 28-year-old fisherman from the Burnt Church First Nation is facing charges in connection with an Employment Insurance fraud scheme, which resulted in almost $400-thousand in losses to the federal government in E-I benefits payments.

Ryan Michael Wade Bear is charged with fraud, making fake Records of Employment and selling and/or transferring Records of Employment. 

The RCMP were tipped off last June that people were involved in a possible scheme and they started investigating.............they say Bear sold or transferred 33 Records of Employment between April of 2012 and January of last year.

Police say most of the claimants paid Bear for the service.

Six-Week Adjournment In Second Degree Murder Case

The crown and prosecution have recommended a six-week adjournment in the case of Joseph Irving, who is charged with second degree murder in the death of his wife Cynthia.

During that time, forensic reports will be gathered and the evidence seized at the scene will reviewed. Irving, who made his appearance by video, will be back in court June 16.

Pension Coalition To Proceed With Legal Challenge In June

A legal challenge against the Shared Risk model will be filed by the Pension Coalition in June.
 
On it's third provincial tour, the group informing retirees of the plan at a meeting at the qplex.

Bonny Hoyt-Hallet tells CHSJ News they never said there didn't need to be some pension changes.

She says parts of this model might be good for some but with the Shared Risk model and the memorandum of understanding the way it is now, they need to start back at square one.

The coalition is planning on getting a map of all the new ridings and contacting all candidates for the provincial election.
 
Attendees were also asked by the coalition to contribute what they can to the group's operating and legal fund.    

They expect the legal challenge will cost $200,000.

Prince William Street Seen As The Festival Street

Uptown Saint John is recommending Prince William Street become a pedestrian only Festival Street for special events only, warning it would be premature to close off the street to traffic permanently.  

Prince William is viewed as holding the greatest potential because it's already the restaurant district with greenery, it has good connections to the Market Square Boardwalk along with Harbour Passage and rerouting traffic would not be that difficult.

Some questions still need to be answered which include what effect this might have on businesses.

Anti-Shale Gas Alliance Coming To Town

The New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance claims no jurisdiction has regulations that can make shale gas exploration safe. 

Former Provincial Environment Minister Trevor Holder maintains New Brunswick's regulations are among the toughest in North America. Jim Emberger of the Anti-Shale Gas Alliance tells CHSJ News they still fall short when it comes to how close you can drill to homes and schools without risking health.
 
The Anti-Shale Gas Alliance will be giving a presentation tomorrow night at the K-V Library in Quispamsis that's scheduled to get underway at 6:30.

Liberal Leader Predicts Alward Government Will Not Backtrack On Shale Gas

What to do about shale gas development is bound to be an election issue in the province. 

Provincial Liberal leader Brian Gallant tells CHSJ News the Alward Government is not going to backtrack on its support for shale gas exploration because to do so would be an admission it was on the wrong track and the governing Conservatives see it as their saviour in turning around the provincial economy.
 
New Brunswick has been at the bottom among provinces in economic growth over the past four years. 

Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs is arguing shale gas development along with the Energy East pipeline are ways to bring young New Brunswickers, who have gone out west to work in the oil and gas industry, back home again.

Drunk Drivers An Issue Over The Weekend

City police had issues with a number of drunk drivers over the weekend.

Sergeant Jay Henderson explains one 35 year old man crashed his car and kept right on driving on the rim of his front tire, with sparks shooting out of it. He was arrested a short time later near Reversing Falls after a concerned driver called police.
 
Three other men--all in their twenties--were also charged with drunk driving over the weekend in separate incidents.

Visiting The Hospital? Wash Your Hands

Clean hands save lives--and the Saint John Regional Hospital is reminding the public of that by marking National Hand Hygiene Day today.

Volunteers will be at the entrance of the hospital directing visitors to alcohol-based hand rinse dispensers.

Proper hand hygiene is the easiest way of preventing infections in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities--and you should be doing it not just today, but every time you visit.

Does A Coffee (or Peanut Butter) Burger Sound Good To You?

What better way to celebrate BBQ season? Uptown restaurants are inventing new creations for a brand new event called Uptown Burger Week, which runs in the uptown from today until the 11.

Tracy Hansen of Uptown Saint John tells CHSJ News some of the more interesting burgers include a dessert burger from East Coast Bistro and the Double Double Burger from Ryan Duffy's which is infused with coffee. Hansen says there will be plenty available for vegans and vegetarians as well as the carnivores among us.

The specialty burgers will be offered at 15 different uptown restaurants for a limited time only.

For a menu of the weird, wonderful, and delicious offerings click here

Retirees Meet In Quispamsis

Provincial Government retirees will be meeting this morning at the Q-Plex on the first stop of the provincial tour after the decision was made to take the province to court over changing to the shared risk pension plan. 

Clifford Kennedy of the Pension Coalition tells CHSJ News the retirees will hear from their lawyer in a video message and find out what their political strategy will be.
 
Kennedy goes on to say the province has refused to give them information they requested which makes them suspicious about whether the government's claims are true about the long term financial impact and they're confident of winning the court action because their vested rights are being violated.

Three Young People Rescued From Beach

City Police, the RCMP and the fire department spent the morning looking for three young people who went missing in the woods off the Old Black River Road as it comes to a dead end near the Garnett Settlement Road.
 
They apparently made their way down a steep hill to the beach a long way in from the road itself but can't get back up. 

After a few hours, Police finally got in contact by cellphone with them and the three told them they were safe. The fire department brought in its argo along with a four wheel drive truck which can make their way along the trails which are described as pretty rugged. 

The Coast Guard put out an all points bulletin and the three were picked up from the beach by a zodiac.

Saint John Will Benefit From Additional Bucks For Two Nation Vacation Promotion

Discussions begin today on how Saint John tourism promotion will participate in a beefed up Two Nation vacation program.
The province and Maine are jointly investing one million dollars over four years to promote this region - something Discover Saint John's Ross Jefferson welcomes with open arms.
He says a large portion of tourists coming to our area are from the U-S so the additional funding will help promote even more growth locally.
Jefferson says partnerships like the Two Nation vacation program are the way of the future to promote our region.

Holder Remains Confident In Shale Gas Development

(Tourism Minister Trevor Holder)

A local member of the Alward cabinet is standing firm in his support of potential shale gas development.
A recent report by a group of scientists is urging all levels of government to refrain from quick approval of shale gas development proposals - the scientists say there isn't enough information about the impact on health and the environment.
Tourism Minister Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News as a former Environment Minister he is confident we have some of the toughest environmental regulations in North America.

Holder does admit he hasn't had an opportunity to read the report.