Fire at Superstore on Rothesay Avenue

(Crews Working On Fire at Superstore)
      (Photo by Andrew Sanojca)

Nobody hurt but the Superstore on Rothesay Avenue did sustain some damage after a fire.

Crews were called to the building just before eleven o'clock and Deputy Chief Mark Gillan says they found a section of the roof and a vent pipe burning and large pieces of embers falling into the store near the meat shop.


Back-up generators kicked on to make sure product in the store didn't go bad.

The store is back open for business.

Cause Of North End Fire Is Suspicious

The Major Crime Unit is investigating the cause of a fire at 78-80 Victoria Street in the old north end yesterday afternoon. District Chief Eric Garland says the fire began in the rear of the three storey building and spread to the attic area. The ceilings on the third floor had to be taken down. There were no injuries and firefighters rescued a small dog from the building. The residents next door at 82 Victoria Street were evacuated as a precautionary measure. 15 people are now homeless and Garland says they won't be returning anytime soon.

Former Member of District 6 Education Council Threatens To Sue

Legal action is being threatened by a former member of the District 6 Education Council. Tom Oland was given the heave ho from the Education Council and has since shown up the monthly meetings attempting to be heard. He claims his right to be heard during the public comment portion of the monthly meetings of the Education Council is being denied. Oland advocates charter schools and an end to French Immersion which he claims is taking the best students and is contributing to lower literacy rates in the province. Oland is also threatening to take the province to court charging Education Minister Roland Hache is ignoring him.

North End fire impacts up to 14 residents

20 City firefighters battled a blaze on Victoria Street in the North End today.
The call came in just past 3:30 as an outside fire but, was upgraded to a structure fire once crews arrived to investigate.


The fire was at the back of the building and in the attic.
12 to 14 people who live will be displaced tonight at least and the Red Cross is assisting them.

No one was hurt but, a dog was rescued from the building.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Commissioning of Third Tank Underway

(Shot of LNG Site in Red Head)

              (File Photo)

Canaport LNG has begun the process of bringing it's third storage tank on-line.

This means flaring will happen and be visible from some vantage points within Saint John over the next two weeks.

There will also be a significant flare which is normal in the commissioning and cool down of each LNG storage tank.
Once the tank is ready, the flare will continue to operate at its standard height and will not be visible to most Saint John residents.

Rothesay Netherwood Student Grabs Top Honor

If you plan to do some travelling, you may want to find out if Nathaniel Noel from Rothesay Netherwood school can come along.

He won first place at the Provincial Tournament of the Great Canadian Geography Challenge over the weekend.

The competition is open to all students from Grades 4 through 10, displaying their interest in geography while testing their knowledge in a province-wide competition.


Noel will now compete in the national finals which take place next month on the 20 on the internet.
 
This is the second year in a row that a student from Rothesay Netherwood has placed first in the province and has moved on to the national competition.

Port Boss Planning Retirement

It's anchors away for the President and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority.
Al Soppitt will retire in June of next year and tells CHSJ News, he walks away from the job with no regrets.
Soppitt adds the biggest accomplishment for the Port under his tenure is the change to a more commercially orientated Port Authority.
The search for a replacement is underway by the board of directors and port authority and is expected to take up to 8 months to finish.

Is Money Available to Fix Oakville Acres Flooding

(Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop)
         (File Photo)

With $3.8 million dollars in it's reserve fund, residents of Oakville Acres are confused as to why repairs for their flooding problems can't be fixed now?


Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News, that reserve fund isn't just extra cash looking for a place to be spent.


Bishop says he realizes the urgency of the situation and town officials are doing everything they can to rectify the situation.


Last night, council approved releasing a report by an engineering firm that has looked into the flooding situation.

Saint John Energy Rates Poised to Rise

It appears Saint John Energy customers will feel the sting as well with a proposed three per cent rate hike on the table from NB Power.


If applied equally across all of the various rate categories, the utility says it leaves them with very little choice.
President Eric Marr tells CHSJ News, it's too early to say when the rate hike might go into effect.
The board tells us they still must receive word from the Energy Minister indicating a review should be carried out but at this point, no letter has been sent.

Another Road Repair Season is Underway

(Shot of Pot-Hole on King Street)
            (File Photo)

The Westfield Road is one of several areas in Greater Saint John that City Works Crews will spend plenty of time on in the coming months.
This as road repair season ramps up with one hot asphalt plant open for business so far.


Kevin Rice is Deputy Commissioner of Municipal Operations and tells CHSJ News, safety is always the first priority when they map out which roads will be worked on.
Rice adds weather plays a huge so the work can be done properly and ensure the asphalt holds for the projected time it should.

Hampton-Kings MLA to Re-Offer

(Hampton Kings MLA Bev Harrison)
           (File Photo)

Another candidate for the Provincial Conservative Party is confirmed for the fall election.


MLA Bev Harrison will be reaffirmed for the riding of Hampton-Kings tomorrow night.


He has been serving the riding for several decades, being first elected in 1978 and then reelected in 1982, 1999, 2003 and 2006.


Party leader David Alward will also speak at the event which get started at 6:30pm at the Hampton River Center.

Students State Their Case For Crime Reduction

25 ideas to reduce crime in the city compiled by a group of Saint John High students will be passed along to the powers that be.
The suggestions include a youth shelter, more affordable housing and more resources for mental health services.
Katherine Miller says there should be more emphasis on drug treatment programs.


The students are also calling for a safe incjection site which would also have drug counsellors on hand.

St. John River Looks For New Distinction

The St. John River may become part of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System-it already has a nomination.


Simon Mitchell of the St. John River Society gave a presentation to Grand-Bay Westfield town council last night who passed a motion for town staff to look into how they might help the society promote the river.
Mitchell tells CHSJ News, they are in early stages which starts with developing a Heritage strategy which they will be drafting this year.


Council suggested the St. John River Society might want to attend a couple of summer events in Grand-Bay Westfield as a way of promoting the concept.

Saint John Fire Chief Receives Honor

(Fire Chief Rob Simonds)
        (File Photo)

Fire Chief Rob Simonds is the only Canadian to be awarded a Harvard University Fellowship at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Mayor Ivan Court says fire officials from all over North America applied.


Simonds was named Sport New Brunswick's Official of the Year in 1994.
He officiated at both the 1991 and 1994 World Hockey Championships.

Tourism On Upswing In Grand Bay - Westfield

Tourism is growing in Grand Bay-Westfield -- the town's tourism committee focus is promoting tourism in the area, the community itself. and tourism opporotunities.
Councillor Brenda Murphy tells CHSJ News it started tracking activities at the Brundage Point River Centre wanting to offer free events on Sundays.
She says almost every month there are a couple of events and in the summer they're looking at having the center used almost every Sunday -- something she says will draw residents.
And Murphy says they also added canoe and kayak markers at public access point along the St. John River which have been included on a new map for tourists.

Cottage Fire Under Police Investigation

A cottage has gone up in flames along route 102 near Oak Point. The Greenwich fire department spent 3 and a half hours putting out that fire and Chief Kevin Warden tells CHSJ News the cause is suspicious. The RCMP in Grand Bay-Westfield are investigating. The cottage was vacant at the time and the power had been disconnected. Warden says the fact the power had been disconnected raised their suspicions the blaze may have been deliberately set.

Reconstruction Of Simms Corner Still A Long Way Off

(Mayor Ivan Court)
       (File Photo)

The Provincial Government has made it clear to the city if it wants financial help in the reconstruction and reconfiguration of Simms Corner, the land needed for the project must be secured first. Mayor Ivan Court says there's no doubt something has to be done to make the traffic flow there less confusing. He says the mall management is pressing for improvements and some drivers on the west side are actually afraid of trying to make their way through Simms Corner.
As for the suggestion of turning Simms Corner into a roundabout or traffic circle, the head of Municipal Operations Paul Groody argues there isn't enough space and a further complication is the presence of railway tracks.

New Fire Station Needed On Lower West Side

(Fire Chief Rob Simonds)
         (File Photo)

There's no doubt a new fire station is needed on the lower west side but Common Council isn't ready yet to give the go ahead for planning and design work. Fire Chief Rob Simonds says the station now being used is 90 years old and out of date. It's not large enough to accomodate new firefighting equipment.
Before committing itself, Council wants to hear from Simonds in early June on the impact if the fire department is limited to just a one per cent budget increase next year. Simonds says it would be premature to say where a new fire station, if built, should be constructed or the estimated cost.

City Promises More Efficient Phone System For Saint Johnners

  
(Common Councillor Bill Farren)      
(Photo by Brian McLain)                    

   
A 3-1-1 phone system for calling the city is likely too expensive. That conclusion from Deputy City Manager Andrew Beckett who vows a more efficient system for people to contact the right department when they have a problem will be phased in starting next January. Right now there are 65 phone numbers to choose from and that, according to Beckett, is too unwieldy.
City Manager Pat Woods acknowledges he's not satisfied with the cureent level of customer service.
Councillor Bill Farren says he has received complaints from people who claim they were treated shabbily over the phone when they called the city. He says the new system, when fully implemented, will wind up costing half a million dollars. Beckett argues it's far more complicated than having a pleasant voice answering the phone.

Dunedin Residents Get a Compromise

(Mike Start Adresses Mayor and Councilors)
         (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Home-owners on Dunedin Road in Rothesay are happy with a resolution reached with Mayor and Council.

With work set to get started to extend a water line to Kennebecasis Park, residents are worried the work will kill 90-year old Maple tree's lined along their road.

As a compromise, a resident committee and town staff will meet over the next two weeks to make sure both sides are getting what they need.

Mike Start has lived on the street for 12 years and tells CHSJ News, this is what they were looking for.


Mayor and councilors are also happy with the compromise but realize time is of the essence as the project must be finished by March of next year for funding of the project to qualify.

Flooding Issue in Oakville Acres

(Grace Murphy Adresses Rothesay Council)
            (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

A small victory for residents of Oakville Acres plagued with flooding problems over the past couple of years.

They made a presentation to Rothesay Council last night, pleading for help and asking to get a look at an engineer's report with recommendations to finding a solution.

The report will be posted to the town web-site and Grace Murphy tells CHSJ News, her home has flooded three times in just over a year and even if she wanted to move, who would buy her property.

Murphy adds she is desperately hoping town officials will live up to their word and fix the problem.

Total cost of the project is $3.5 million which the town hopes to get some help from Ottawa and or Fredericton but so far, no cash on either end.

High marks for JDI on environmental forest management practices

J.D. Irving Limited is getting high marks from an independent third party report card on it's
environmental forest management practices.
The company has achieved top marks for its forest management work in Maine, Nova Scotia and in this province.

The audits review the practices and environmental management systems for sound forest management including measures to protect water quality and wildlife habitat.
The audit team also reviewed the operations of 7 private woodlot owners who supply wood to JDI.

Events at West side arena tonight will proceed despite ammonia leak

City fire crews responded to an ammonia leak at the Hilton Belyea arena on the west side this afternoon.

District Chief of Special Operations Lou MacDonald tells CHSJ News some work was being performed on a compressor and a small amount was released and exhaust fans were not working at the time.

No one was hurt but, the Hazmat team was called in as a precaution and the building was ventilated.
All events planned for the Hilton Belyea arena tonight will go ahead as planned.

Disruption to Traffic Flow is Coming

(Shot of the New Ramp for One Mile Interchange)
                   (File Photo)

Thing are going to slow down as work continues on the One Mile Interchange.

Work will take place on the Crown Street Exit off of Route 1 at the Alison Road and Wright Street Intersection starting Tuesday, April.13th/2010.
This work is expected to take about 6 weeks to finish and is necessary to install under-ground duct work.
 
Traffic will not be detoured but officials say drivers should expect delays.

Students are Showing Signs of Improvement

Students around the province are making important gains in a number of key areas.

That is the latest information coming from the Province in area's identified by the When Kids Come First education plan from the 2008-2009 school year.

It shows Grade 8 francophone students improved in reading compared with the previous year and that they had achieved steady progress in English since 2005-06.
Anglophone students made improvements in their second-language skills as well as in reading and writing.

First Nations students in Grade 2 significantly improved in reading and are now at the same level as students in the anglophone sector.

City Police Officers Receive Funding

Four officers from Saint John make up the ten from around the Province as recipients of the Police Cadet Graduate Bursary program.

It comes from the Department of Public Safety where each receives a $3,000 bursary which is awarded to each of the successful candidates chosen by the police forces.


The four from Saint John are Constables Donald Shannon, Shawna Doiron, Owen Hatt and Rheal Levesque.

Also, two bursaries will be presented to cadets hired later this year by the Fredericton Police Department.

Energy Minister Keir Not Going Anywhere

(Energy Minister Jack Keir)
        (File Photo)

Is the provincial Energy Minister stepping down?


That is the latest speculation making the rounds that Jack Keir will resign and try to make the leap into federal politics.
Keir tells CHSJ News, that couldn't be any further from the truth and is looking forward to the race against Conservative Candidate Dr. Jim Parrot.
Keir admits he is tired after the long debate over the NB Power-Hydro Quebec proposal but walking away isn't his style. Ed Hoyt is the Independent candidate for the riding.

Road to Recovery Continues for Elsie Wayne

(Former MP and Mayor Elsie Wayne)
             (File Photo)

It has been awhile since we've heard her voice, but a former MP and mayor is speaking since suffering a stroke in November.
Elsie Wayne has been home since February, still under-going physio but tells CHSJ News, all of the well-wishes during her recovery are a huge help and thanks everyone for their cards, calls and other ways of sending their love.
Wayne says she has no memory of her time spent at the Regional but is grateful to be home is getting out for some exercise with the help of a walker.
Wayne adds she really misses going to the Seadogs games but is following their play-off run from home.

Close Call For Senior in Hampton

This story will serve as a reminder that no matter where you live or whether your home, it never hurts to keep your doors locked.


A 72-year old woman in Hampton got quite a scare yesterday when she walked into her living room and found two men standing there.
They told her they were there to ask about a vehicle she had for sale in her yard.
They didn't wait for an answer, jumped into the green half ton pick-up they were driving and took off toward Norton.
One man is described as 60-years old and wearing a plaid shirt and a black ball cap. The other man is 40-years old and was wearing an orange and white t-shirt.

A Visit From Seven Wonders Director

The Bay of Fundy continues it's push for the number one spot with seven months left before the final vote.
The Director of the New7Wonders Foundation will visit the Hopewell Rocks on Wednesday afternoon.
He will meet with regional and national tourism representatives to discuss strategies and identify opportunities for in this international campaign.
This is the first time the Organization has been to Canada since the Bay of Fundy was announced as a global finalist in the New7Wonders of Nature Campaign.
The winner will be announced on November.11th.

Second Anniversary of Cross Canada Journey

His cross country marathon is over but the journey for Ramish Ferris to eradicate polio continues.


You might remember Ferris as the man, with his specially designed bicycle who made his way from coast to coast to bring attention to vaccinating for polio.
Ferris lost the use of his legs when he was an infant and tells CHSJ News, today, he unveils his book re-calling the journey titled, ""Better Than a Cure which can be found on amazon.ca.


Ironically, Ramish also began his cross country journey two years ago today, raising over $300,000 dollars.

Fire Crews Called To East Side High Rise

A fire late yesterday afternoon on a 7th floor balconey at the Skyline apartment building on Mystery Lake Drive. District Chief Gerry Morris says fire crews had to force their way into the apartment because no one was inside at the time. The blaze was contained to the balcony but the 7th floor filled up with smoke and the tenants were not allowed back until it was ventilated. There was another fire later last night at 342 Duke Street West. It was confined to the second floor with damage being minor and no injuries.

Premier Says Cost Of Replacement Power Skyrocketing While Lepreau Refurbishment Is Delayed

                       (Premier Shawn Graham)
                                (File Photo)

Besides a funding agreement for the Harbour Bridge when he goes to Ottawa, Premier Shawn Graham also wants a resolution to the additional costs being racked up with the delay in refurbishing the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant. Premier Graham says the cost of replacement power while the plant is offline has risen to 800 million dollars and growing daily. Graham warns that additional cost has not been reflected yet in the electricity bills of New Brunswickers and he doesn't think people in this province should have to pick up the tab.
The Premier contends the federal government has not honoured the contract on the Lepreau project and, as such, has to pay up with legal action still not out of the question.

Saint John M-P Accuses Mayor Of Political Partisanship

             (Saint John M-P Rodney Weston)
                               (File Photo)

Saint John M-P Rodney Weston is accusing Mayor Ivan Court of being too partisan on the issue of the Harbour Bridge when he was dismissive of the federal offer now on the table. Weston says it's no secret that the Mayor is a Liberal.
Weston maintains Saint John has not seen as many federal dollars since the days of Gerry Merrithew when he was a member of the Mulroney cabinet. Despite his rift with the mayor, Weston vows he won't let that stand in the way of doing all he can to bring even more federal funding to Saint John.

The Big Rothesay Read Is Approaching

The Second Annual Big Rothesay Read is coming up on April 21st. It is a community reading event where as many people as possible are encouraged to read the same book at the same time. Spokes-person Mary Ann Gallagher tells CHSJ News, the book they have chosen this year is an award winner and should be enjoyed as much as last year's title. Gallagher adds the Rothesay Read is unique to similar events across the country because the book will be made available to every high school student. Those receiving the book have six weeks to finish it and then the author will speak at Rothesay High on June.2nd.

Oakville Acres Flooding to Come Up Tonight Before Rothesay Town Council

Rothesay Town Council will be hearing tonight from a group of residents in Oakville Acres who have been plagued with flooding when it rains heavily. Gary Howard of the Oakville Acres Citizen's Committee tells CHSJ News the time for action has come even though fixing the problem won't come cheap. The estimated price tag is 3 million dollars. The residents want to know if the town will still move ahead even if it doesn't get funding help from the province or federal government. They're also not happy with what they perceive as an unresponsive and uncooperative attitude on the part of town management. Howard warns if action isn't taken immediately, the construction season will be missed and the homeowners will be vulnerable to the heavy rains that usually arrive in late summer.

Can I Afford It??

[Mayor Murray Driscoll---File Photo]

Can I afford it? That is one of the questions being asked by many about the new nursing home in the Shannex complex in Quispamsis. Many are under the impression that the privately run companies rates will be too high for them to call home but Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News, a partnership between the Province and Shannex has taken that worry out of the equation.
The first resident is expected to arrive at the new nursing home on Millenium Drive on the 21st.

M-L-A Stressing the Importance of Music and Physical Activity in Schools

[M-L-A Bev Harrison---File Photo]

Having music as part of the school curriculum is not a frill and there should be more emphasis on it according to longtime M-L-A and educator Bev Harrison. He tells CHSJ News, in the end, it's good for business as well.

Harrison, who was Principal at Saint John High at one time, maintains we have to educate, not only the mind, but also the soul. He argues, as well, that another area in which we have fallen behind is having enough phys ed in our schools.

Premier tours Construction activity on UNB Saint John campus

(photo courtesy of Sonya Gilks)

Principal of NBCC Saint John Diane Burt,  Saint John Mayor Ivan Court, Premier Shawn Graham and Vice-President UNB Saint John Robert MacKinnon.

Teams can still join the upcoming Street Hockey Tournament

Have you signed up a team yet for this years World Three on Three Hockey Tournament? If not, don't wait too much longer with the deadline coming up in two weeks. Spokes-person Christine Levesque tells CHSJ News, they haven't set a goal as to how much money they would like to raise:


Levesque adds so far, 45 teams are signed up for the adult division and the goal is for 40 teams in the new youth division. In the first two years of the event, $60,000 dollars has been raised for Mindcare.

To get your team signed up, go to www.sjstreethockey.com.

Minister Moore is keeping an eye on the Loonie

As the loonie continues to rise, so do fears of what it might do to the summer tourism season. Fundy Royal MP and Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism Rob Moore tells CHSJ News, one of the challenges is a rising dollar makes other markets more attractive for Canadians to visit:



Minister Moore says they are continuing the marketing effort that was underway before, during and after the Olympics to bring as many international visitors to the country as possible.

Graham Liberals will not support anti-bullying ammendment

The co-founder of an anti-bullying website is unhappy the Premier and his government refuse to support a bill that would provide greater protection to victims of bullying under the Education Act.
Shawn Graham described the ammendent as " totally flawed" in the legislature yesterday.


Rob Frennette of BullyingCanada.ca tells CHSJ News he has the support of the Leader of the Opposition David Alward.
Bill 52 would have included protection against bullying by including specifics acts such as teasing, social exclusion and threats.

The Opposition continues to hammer the Liberals over NB Power's future

The Conservatives continue to hammer away at the Graham government over the fate of N-B Power.

Tory leader David Alward tells CHSJ News the utility has been left drifting with the loss of some key senior management types while the government focused on its failed attempt to sell it to Hydro Quebec:


Alward says the Graham Liberals were so sure the deal would go through, they didn't care about what would take place in the future.

Alward says N-B Power has also been left vulnerable because it had to open its books to Hydro Quebec as that utility continues to try to seal a deal to sell power to Prince Edward Island.

A thrift Store in the Parkway Mall will close in a week

A city discount store is closing. The Salvation Army Thrift Store will be closing its Parkway Mall location at the end of the business on Friday April 16th.

Major Mike Leblanc of the Salvation Army says as their lease expires they are looking for a larger facility to give their customers more selection than they can offer in the present location.

The store has been in the Parkway mall for 5 years.
The Salvation Army also has a Thrift store at Landsdowne Place in the North end.

NB Power Rate increase will be reviewed

Electricity rates in the province will be going up by three per cent if NB Power has its way.
Interim President Gaeten Thomas says a cost-reduction program will be brought in by the end of June and includes reducing management and administration jobs by about 100. Thomas estimates this will save $20 million a year.
Opposition Leader David Alward questions why the rates have to go up at all.

The proposed sale of many of NB Power's assets to Hydro-Quebec was supposed to eliminate any increase and freeze rates for residential customers for five years but that deal fell apart last month.

Provincial Pay Equity coalition in jeopardy

Efforts to achieve pay equity for women in the province have taken a huge hit. That admission from Elizabeth Blaney, Vice President of the Coalition for Pay Equity in the province, at word the Harper Government is withdrawing its funding.

Blaney charges the decision is based more on ideology than on the value of the work that has been done by the Coalition which includes helping to get adoption of a law on pay equity in the provincial government.

Local ACAP pleased to know federal money is coming

Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice has announced funding the Atlantic Coastal Action Programs.
The Executive Director of ACAP Saint John is pleased that Environment Canada has finally come to a decision on funding.
Tim Vickers tells CHSJ News there 16 ACAP sites across Atlantic Canada.

He says the program itself began here and in most centres back in 1991.
Vickers adds nationally there is some friction where other groups are surprised that Ottawa would give up power but, he says they have a great relationship with Environment Canada.

Police Called To Another Stabbing

Yet another stabbing in the city. This one was reported by a man in the north end. He claims to have been stabbed in an apartment on Elgin Street suffering a minor wound to the side of his head. The major crime unit is investigating.
Meantime, it wasn't hard for police to nab a drunk driver at the Garden Street Irving who rammed into a parked truck when apparently trying to light a cigarette. Police were inside the store when the collision happened.

Uptown Fire

Firefighters found heavy smoke, heat and fire when they were called to 64 Cobourg Stret in the uptown early this morning. District Chief Peter Saab says fire crews managed to contain the fire to the kitchen where they believe it began. The cause is under investigation.
The fire was contained for the most part to the kitchen but there was some smoke and water damage to the rest of the apartment. The people who live there were allowed back in despite the damage and there were no injuries.

Attempted Murder Trial Underway In Hampton

The attempted murder trial of a 55 year old man who was charged after a robbery at the Barnwood Pub last November continues today in Hampton. Adrienne Lepage earlier pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and abduction. A 22 year old woman, who was working at the Pub on the day of the holdup, testified about being robbed, abducted and threatened before abandoned in a gravel pit near Lepreau.

ACAP programs get federal funding

Atlantic Coastal Action Programs will receive their funding from Ottawa.

In a release, Environment Minsiter Jim Prentice says funding for conservation in the Atlantic region will remain the same but, changes have been made to bring it in line with other important ecosystems across the country.


This means a focus on issues including water quality and habitat.

War of Words over Harbour Bridge continues

The truce in the war of words over the Harbour Bridge called for by provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir has been shortlived if it existed at all. Saint John M-P Rodney Weston sees the Liberal Party ads on the bridge issue as a full frontal assault on him.
Premier Shawn Graham says Weston's name was never even mentioned in the ads.


Graham was in town to tour Simonds High and get a looksee at a pilot program in Health Care Sciences developed for students in Grades 11 and 12. The Premier calls it a model for the rest of the province.

New provincial law targets drinking not drunk drivers

New provincial legislation will make it tougher for those drivers who have been drinking but are not legally impaired. If they blow a warning on the breathalyser, they will lose their licenses for seven days instead of just 24 hours.


Sgt Evan Scott of the Rothesay Regional Police tells CHSJ News this is a step in the right direction but he would also like to see some accountability tied in as well.


Scott says the insurance companies don't know that their insurer has been stopped and issued a 24-hour suspension so they are not adjusting their rates accordingly.


Sgt Scott maintains your reaction time behind the wheel is slower regardless of how much or little you've had to drink and he says the number of reports police receive of impaired drivers is skyrocketing.

Federal funding for Symphony NB

250 thousand dollars in federal money has landed in the lap of Symphony New Brunswick. 170 thousand of that is coming from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Symphony President Dr. Tom Condon says the funding is earmarked for hiring more professional musicians.


Saint John M-P Rodney Weston sees this funding as an investment in the provincial economy.  Dr. Condon reports the symphony is in excellent financial shape with its Endowment fund estimated at 700 thousand dollars and growing.

Province signs $580 million dollar deal for Highway expansion

The province has signed a $580 million dollar deal that includes the Mackay Highway being expanded to six lanes.
It also includes the construction of the last 55 kilometres of four-lane highway on Route 1 from Waweig to St. George.

The Department of Transportation says in terms of value, it's the largest highway project in the province's history.
Dexter Developer General Partnership says the project will provide 900 jobs over 4100 months mostly for New Brunswickers.
Premier Shawn Graham, Transportation Minister Denis Landry and Charlotte the Isles MLA Rick Doucet all attended today's announcement.

Gas Prices Rise In Saint John

A big jump in the price of self serve regular after the weekly setting. It rose by more than 3 cents a litre and is being sold in the city for $104.1. The maximum that can be charged is 106.7. Diesel also went up but not by as much and is going for $104.8 a litre around town. Furnace oil is also more expensive at 92.4 cents a litre but there has been another decline in the price of propane which is listed at $103.2.

Campus of U-N-B Saint John Being Transformed

(U-N-B Vice-President Dr. Robert McKinnon)
                (File Photo)

U-N-B Saint John continues to be a bee-hive of construction activity. Vice President Dr. Robert McKinnon tells CHSJ News, there are four major projects underway including the renovation of the Saint John College building for the Dalhousie Medical Program which will open in September as scheduled and the N-B-C-C Allied Health Building. The Canada Games Stadium renovations should be finished this fall.
Dr. McKinnon says the fourth project, still in the planning stages, is the Commons Project which they hope to get started in another month or two.

Olympic Champion To Speak In City Tonight

One of Canada's most famous Olympians will be in the Port City tonight.
Silken Laumann is the guest speaker for the PRO Kids Out of the Park Fun-raising dinner tonight at the Delta.
Laumann tells CHSJ News she's a big supporter of keeping kids active and helping them reach their full potential. She also calls Pro Kids a terrific organisation.
Proceeds from tonight's dinner will allow PRO Kids to place local children in positive recreation activities ranging from sports to dance. For ticket information go to our website, country94.ca..click news.

The Saint John Port Authority attends trade show in Brazil

The Port of Saint John sees huge potential for new business in Brazil where a huge trade show is underway. The port's vice-president of business development, Andrew Dixon tells CHSJ News there's already alot of business going on now with the Brazilians.


Dixon says Brazil is our largest tradest partner in terms of potash shipments from Saint John to ports in Brazil. Dixon one area of future business will come with the growth of manufacturing in Brazil.

Q-Plex Construction Making Steady Progress

(Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll)
              (File Photo)

Still no confirmed date as to when the first skates will hit the ice at the Q-Plex in Quispamsis.

Officials felt that by the end of March, they would have a better feel for when the doors might open but Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News, they are still on target.


When pressed for something a little more concrete as far as an opening date, Driscoll says the end of September is a realistic time frame.

Getting Ready For a Provincial Election

Even though it's over five months down the road, preperations for the fall provincial vote are underway.


Returning officers and clerks who will work the election are in Fredericton this week and next to begin training.
Michael Quinn is the Chief Electoral Officer and tells CHSJ News, there are a lot of people who worked the previous vote who sign up again.


Quinn says some of the work they will go over the next two weeks is finding a location for returning offices, finding staff and train people for the actual polling day.


The advanced poll voting days will be held on the Saturday and Monday, a week before the election which is September.27th.

New Program for UNB Saint John

$15,000 dollars is being made available to UNB Saint John by Ottawa to set up a Small Business Internship Program.
It is set up to help small and medium-sized businesses across the country to improve productivity and competitiveness by hiring roughly 400 student interns to help with ICT projects.
Daniel Dorion is Director of the Electronic Commerce Center and says the program is a success.
The program provides companies with a reimbursement of up to 75% for the student's salary and benefit costs.

Rob Moore on the Harbour Bridge

(Fundy Royal MP and Minister of State for Small
          Business and Tourism Rob Moore)

Calling it a great proposal......Fundy Royal MP and Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism Rob Moore is commenting on all the recent banter surrounding the Harbour Bridge.
Moore says residents shouldn't have to pay to get to one side of Saint John to the other.


Minister Moore adds the $150 million dollar figure the Province is proposin as future maintenance costs is off the wall.
Premier Graham and cabinet Ministers are expected to meet with Federal Officials on the issue in the coming weeks.

Blaney Reacts to Provincial Health Report Card

(Rothesay Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney)
                   (File Photo)

The Conservative Health critic and MLA for Rothesay is speaking out about the Province's recent health report card.
Margaret Ann Blaney tells CHSJ News, she is suprised Health Minister Schryer is satisfied with the results, that the Graham Government should be satisfied with an average rating and should be suiting for excellence.
Blaney adds one of the area's highlighted is wait times but questions how the Graham Government is working on reducing wait times when the Health Minister recently stated they don't track them.

Keeping an Eye on Saint John River

(Recent Flooding in Fredericton Area)
              (File Photo)        

The rainfall we are expecting over the next 72 hours is raising the question of what effect this will have on rising water levels along the St. John River.


Karl Wilmot of River Watch tells CHSJ News, they expect water levels to rise slowly but not to the point where there will be major flooding.


Wilmot does tell us the water is up around the soccer fields on Waterloo Row in Fredericton and will continue rising but he doesn't expect any streets to be flooded.

Kiwanis Govenor in Saint John

The Kiwanis Governor for Eastern Canada and Caribbean District is in the Port City today.

Saint John is hosting the Kiwanis District Convention in August.

Gary Levine will also visit with the St. Malachy’s Key Club and Key Industries this afternoon.


At a dinner tonight, the Saint John Kiwanis Club will be giving cheques to the Regional Hospital Foundation and the Key Industries Charitable Foundation. The donations are from fundraisers like the Christmas gift wrapping and the annual cash Calendar.

Provincial Transportation Minister Weighs In On Harbour Bridge

(Provincial Transportation Minister Denis Landry)
                          (File Photo)

As the banter continues to fly between MP Rodney Weston and Energy Minister Jack Keir over the future of the Harbour Bridge, a new voice is entering the mix. Transportation Minister Denis Landry like Keir is confused as to why this bridge is being treated any different than the structures in Ontario and Quebec. Landry says without $150 million dollars from Ottawa to cover future costs, he doesn't see how it is feasable to get rid of the tolls. He adds a lot of the questions still need answers and that might not happen until Premier Graham and several cabinet ministers travel to Ottawa this month to meet face to face with Federal officials.

Deadline To Apply To Be New Fire Chief In Grand Bay-Westfield

(Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Grace Losier)
                      (File Photo)

Today is the deadline to have your resume in to town officials in Grand Bay-Westfield if you would like to be the new fire chief. The position was left vacant when Dan McCoy left the post to become deputy chief for the Kennebecasis Department. Mayor Grace Losier tells CHSJ News, it will take a few more weeks to choose the top candidate and it's not a slam dunk that they will promote from within the department. Losier says a few resumes have already crossed her desk. She's hoping to announce who gets the job at the town council meeting on April 26th.