Phase Two Of Redeveloping Rockwood Park Well Underway

          (Entrance To Rockwood Park)
                      (File Photo)

You may have noticed the construction that's taking place right now at the entrance to Rockwood Park. The parking lot being built is part of the 3 million dollar second phase of the park's redevelopment. Landscape architect Larry Stewart tells CHSJ News there were a couple of themes he wanted to incorporate including better accessibility for both the handicapped and those people riding bicycles, a more natural look and better water quality in Lily Lake.
Two matching boulders will be installed at the entrance to the park that will replace the existing sign. The Public Gardens on Seely Street will be connected to Rockwood Park by a trail. Stewart says people will visibly notice a big change once phase two is complete.

Volunteers Pick Up Some Hardware

      (Volunteers Receive Recognition in Quispamsis)
                     (Photo by Sherry Aske)

Plenty of pride was showing for fifteen volunteers and their families as they were honored by the Town of Quispamsis last night.


The annual Volunteer Recognition Awards were handed out prior to the start of last night's council meeting by Mayor Murray Driscoll.


A few of the winners were Tina Doiron-Wilson from Canadian Parents for French, Denise Brennan of the Kennebecasis Public Library and Matthew McQuade from the Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department.


Two of the selected volunteers, Peter McGinn and Candace Snowden, were recognized but were unable to attend the event.

Quispamsis Officials Speak About Roaming Deer

(Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll)
            (File Photo)

One combined voice and education is what Quispamsis is hoping will produce some results to a growing deer problem in it's town.
An invitation is being sent to Rothesay, Hampton, local service districts and the Department of Natural Resources to form a regional public education program.


Mayor Murray Driscoll says town officials can't solve this issue on it's own.
As for re-locating the deer, Driscoll adds the cost is one thousand dollars an animal and suggestions of a new form of birth control is not a solution as it is not approved in this country.

Quispamsis Resident Speaks to Council About Deer

(Anne Downey Speaks to Quispamsis Council)
            (Photo by Sherry Aske)

A resident of the Model Farm Road spoke to council last night and pleaded with them to help find a solution to the deer problem.


Anne Downey tells CHSJ News, ticks are set to hatch and Lyme Disease has already been detected in Millidgeville and agree's.....education to this problem is the first step.


Downey says from the research she has gathered, there are 20,000 cases of Lyme Disease in the United States every year.

Volcanic Ash Could Affect Us Here at Home

If you've been following the plume of volcanic ash in Iceland, here is the latest we can tell you and how it might affect us here at home.

Environment Canada has issued a special advisory which says there is a possibility of low level ash falling in areas of the Maritimes and eastern Quebec.

Right now, the satellite shows no ash in Canadian airspace.

Meteorologists also tell us the presence of volcanic that could impact air travel in this area is very low.

The same advisories have been issued for Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

Sheet Metal Workers Hit the Picket Line

(Union Members Walk the Line on University Avenue)
                    (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Sheet metal workers in Greater Saint John are off the job and walking the picket line.

This as they ramp up their demand for a raise. John London is a member of local 437 and tells CHSJ News, the Province doesn't want to sign a contract which would give them a raise unless something else in the contract is taken away.
London adds there are still non-unionized contractors working on the expansion at the Regional but the other unions refuse to cross the picket line.
Other picket lines are set up on the West Side and in the Industrial Park.
Pat Darrah with the Saint John Construction Association saw sheet metal workers are making $32.24 an hour and in Moncton, they make $29.25.


Darrah says they want to level the playing field so that contractors can work in both areas and stay competitive.
A mediator was appointed to try and find middle ground for both sides. No word on when negotiations might resume.

What To Do About the Growing Deer Population

Deer and what to do about the growing number of them in the Kennebecasis Valley will be up for discussion tonight.

It's one of the agenda items for the regular meeting of Quispamsis council.

If you live in the area, we don't need to tell you how the population of bambies has exploded recently.

Many fear lime disease is carried on the ticks of the animals and families are at risk.


There are several theories about the growing population including the clear cutting of wooded area's to make room for commercial and residential development.
 
Many believe that people feeding the animals is bringing more of them in to the area.
 
Tonight's meeting gets started at seven o'clock.

Premier Graham on Piont Lepreau Refurbishment

(Premier Shawn Graham)
        (File Photo)

Atomic Energy of Canada and the refit delay at Point Lepreau will be the main focus of a meeting in Ottawa soon.

Premier Graham and several of his cabinet ministers are close to locking up a date to meet with the Prime Minister to discuss problems at the site and how the project has fallen 16 months behind schedule.

Graham tells CHSJ News, Saint John MP Rodney Weston has a responsibility with this file.
Graham says Atomic Energy of Canada has told them the reason for the delay is this is the first refurbishment of a Candu Six reactor and there is a learning curve.

Changes Proposed for Peel Plaza

(Artist's Rendition of What Peel Plaza Might Look Like)
                       (File Photo)

Several changes are being made to the Peel Plaza development to make it cheaper for Saint John taxpayers.

City Manager Pat Woods concedes the new parking garage will not be as large as first proposed.
Woods maintains those changes will not negatively impact how the police station operates.

He also claims the parking garage will be financially self sustaining.

There will also be more green space around the arts centre with fewer bells and whistles.

Quality of Life Still Concerned

Concerned about drilling activity by Corridor Resources in the Kings County area and beyond, the Quality of Life Initiative continues it's fight.

They are hosting an information session Thursday night with a member of the environmental law society to speak on a variety of issues.

Spokes-person Otty Forgrave tells CHSJ News, wells and life-style are the main concerns of home-owners.


Forgave adds there is currently no work going on by Corridor Resources but the group is staying pro-active.
 
The meeting Thursday gets started at 7:30pm at the Upham Rec Center.

New Faces on NB Power Board

Some new faces have been appointed to NB Power's Board of Directors.

Ed Barrett's term has been extended for an additional four years and has been named chair of the board, effective immediately.

This after serving as vice-chair for the past three years.

Robert Youden, Lise Ouellette and Louis LaPierre have also been named as new board members for three-year terms.

John Mallory has also been reappointed to the board for three years.

Deadly Collision Outside St. Andrews

The RCMP along with Ambulance and Fire Crews from St. Andrews and St. Stephen responded to a deadly collision yesterday afternoon at the intersection of Highways 170 & 127 outside St. Andrews.
A woman from Nova Scotia was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name has not been released yet.
The driver of the vehicle, the woman's husband, suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to hospital. The RCMP tell us the car failed to stop at the intersection when it collided with a tractor trailer whose driver was not injured.

Final Decision On Peel Plaza Development Not Made

(Common Council - file photo)         

Still no final decision on whether the Peel Plaza development will go ahead even after a special meeting of Common Council. 42 million dollars is the estimated price tag for a revised and somewhat downsized development north of Union Street. Council rejected the idea of a public-private partnership as too expensive and instead wants bids submitted for each individual project starting with the new police headquarters. Councillor Donnie Snook is hoping the final price tag will be lower than the estimate.
Councillor Peter McGuire leaves little doubt where he stands believing the project will lead to private investment which the city desperately needs. He claims the economy of Saint John is at a crossroads.
A final decision is now expected in four to six weeks time when the tenders come back and the city has a better take on the final cost. Mayor Ivan Court, who again locked horns with Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase accusing him of not understanding the situation, is promising all the numbers will be revealed at that time.

Former Deputy Mayor Critical Of Peel Plaza Discussion

Former Deputy Mayor Michelle Hooten turned out to hear the discussion on Peel Plaza but concedes she was disappointed at the lack of information and tone which she describes as hostile to Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase who was asking questions about what the impact would be on the tax rate and spending on other city services.
Hooten makes clear she supports the building of a new police station but adds the costs of the project have never been justified even when she was a member of Council.

Employee at Worksafe NB Is Injured On The Job

As investigators try to piece together what happened, a 21-year old man remains in stable condition after he was injured last week on the job.
Andy Nyenhuis received an electrical shock while working at Worksafe NB's Portland Street office. Nyenhuis is a data cable technician with 3D communications.

Quispamsis Nursing Home is Open for Business

(Shannex President Joseph Shannon)
      (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

After a year and a half of construction, the nursing home at the Shannex Complex in Quispamsis is open for business.
Several dignitaries including Premier Graham and Health Minister Schryer were on hand to cut the ribbon.


President of Shannex is Joseph Shannon and says 60 hospital beds will be freed up when the 72 bed facility opens Wednesday.
Total cost of the nursing home is eleven million dollars with close to 100 staff.


The other two components, an assisted living set-up and retirement complex are still under construction.

Minister Schryer on Freeing Up Hospital Beds

(Health Minister and Quispamsis MLA Mary Schryer)
                        (File Photo)

With 60 new hospital beds set to be freed up with the opening of the new nursing home, Health Minister Mary Schryer says it won't take long to put them to good use.


Schryer points out since the Liberal mandate began in 2006, there are now 147 new nursing home beds in Quispamsis between the Shannex set-up and the Kingsway Care Center on the Gondola Point Arterial.

No Sour Grapes in Rothesay

(Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop)
         (File Photo)

You might remember the Shannex facility was first proposed to be built on the upper end of Millenium Drive in Rothesay before it was relocated to the end of Millenium in Quispamsis.


Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News, there are no sour grapes, admitting it would have been nice to have it but you live with what your faced with.


Bishop adds there are no solid proposals on the table for Rothesay's end of Millenium Drive but is hopeful when it is, the residents are happy with the mix of residential, commercial and plenty of green space.

Cold Wet Weekend for Two Fisherman

It was a cold and wet weekend for two men after a trip down the Kennebecasis River went wrong.


Hampton RCMP received a call from a woman who told them her boyfriend and another man left to go fishing earlier in the day and hadn't come home.


Officers were told the trip started in Norton but still no sign of the two.


After a search the two men were found in a field in Bloomfield around 1:30 in the morning, tired but no worse for wear.

Park and Ride Looking for New Passengers

(Forty Foot LImo On King Street)
          (File Photo)

A new system called Parcobus has been unveiled by the Saint John Transit and Parking Commissions.


It encourages people to park and take the bus or car-pool and includes four parking lots.
They are at Golden Grove Road on Hillcrest Road, the Latimore Lake Community Center, the Lorneville Parking lot on Stinson Drive and the Loch Lomond Parking lot near St. Joseph's Church.


It's hoped the Parcobus system will help reduce CO2 emissions by 167 tonnes every year.


Funding for the project comes from the Province and totals $287,000.

New Project for Disability

You will now have improved access to library services if you or someone you know suffers from a print disability.
The province is spending $187,000 dollars on the new set-up where over the next six months, it hopes to remove barriers between library resources and people who are unable to read standard print due.


The goal is to expand the service model to all 63 public libraries in the province following a successful pilot project.


Both the Saint John and Kennebecasis Libraries are taking part in the program.

Alward to reveal Conservative Energy vision

          (Conservative Leader David Alward)
                    (File Photo)

The Province's Opposition Leader is ready to unveil his long-awaited energy strategy.

David Alward will announce his plan to take an inclusive approach to the challenge of ensuring that people, small businesses and industries can benefit from afforable, smart and secure energy.


Alward will also reveal how New Brunswickers can fully participate in the development of a long-term energy plan that includes helping the economy and our environment.

He will be joined by Energy critic Paul Robichaud and Finance critic Bruce Fitch for the announcement in Fredericton tomorrow morning.

Premier Vows To Stand Firm On Blood Services

                  



(Premier Shawn Graham -file photo)

The task force on blood services is advising the province about the necessity of maintaining blood Services in this province and even building upon it. The next move is up to Premier Shawn Graham who tells CHSJ News, the report clearly indicates the importance of having blood services remain in the province and warns if Canadian Blood Services do not realize it then other avenues will have to be taken which include going it alone or partnering with Quebec.
Graham says the infrastructure is already in place with the current facility on University Avenue and continuing to use it would be the preferred route.

Its Now Crunch Time For The Peel Plaza Development

(Common Council - file photo)           

The fate of the Peel Plaza development will be decided tonight at a special meeting of Common Council. Members of Common Council will first meet behind closed doors in Committee of the Whole for two hours.
Nearing the end of last month, Mayor Ivan Court told our newsroom to expect an announcement concerning the new police headquarters and also said the project would be finished.
Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase has blamed the costly project for the city not putting enough money into much needed roadwork and he has withdrawn his support. The majority of councillors appear to be in favour but there is sure to be intense debate at tonights public meeting, getting underway at 7 o'clock in the Council Chambers.

Three Teens Rescued Near Partridge Island

The Coast Guard, city fire crews and emergency medical services responding last night to what might be called a misadventure by three teens who were trying to make their way from City Line to Partridge Island. They were on the other side of the breakwater when District Fire Chief William Johnstone says one of the girls slipped and broke her leg.
Johnstone says she was stabalised and then the Coast Guard brought the trio back to the Brunswicker.

Kennebecasis Valley High Wins Reach For The Top In Toronto

Chalk up another Reach for the Top win for Kennebecasis Valley High after capturing its third consecutive University of Toronto Schools Invitational over the weekend. K-V-H-S was represented by team captain Micheal Forestell, Josh Konconvy, Alexander Maxan, Josh Outerbridge and Jordan Woods. They rolled through the round robin but had a tougher time in the semi final against Martingrove Collegiate from Etobicoke, Ontario where the lead went back and forth. In the final, K-V-H-S defeated the 2006 Canadian champions from Woburn Collegiate in Scarborough, Ontario. Both Martingrove and Woburn have programmes for gifted students but K-V-H-S has not lost in 40 straight matches.

Province Launches New Construction Website

The provincial government is trying to prevent delays for travellers during this construction season.

The province is launching a new website that will inform drivers of where road work is being done throughout New Brunswick.
Transportation Minister Denis Landry says this toll will help aid commuters, tourists, and businesspeople plan trips and summer activities across the province.
The site will feature project maps, with icons providing information on several 2010 construction projects; as well as proposed projects, and recently completed jobs.
Follow this link to find the website.

Seadogs Take a Commanding 2-0 Series Lead

(Seadogs Celebrate After Scoring Go-Ahead Goal)
               (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Marco Couseinau made 32 saves to back-stop the Seadogs to a 5-1 win over the Tigre last night in front of close to five thousand at the Station.

They now own a 2-0 series lead in their best of seven semi-final Head Coach Gerard Gallant says this series isn't over by any stretch and expects Victoriaville to come out hard at their home barn next week.

Nathan Beaulieu iced the win with a wicked blast from the point to put the Dogs up 2-1 early in the second and they never lookd back.

Game three is Tuesday night in Victoriaville.

Liberals Have Their Candidate in Saint John Fundy

There was one notable person absent at the nomination of Simonds High principal Gary Keating who will run for the Liberals in Saint John Fundy.

Longtime M-L-A Stuart Jamieson, who resigned from the provincial cabinet and left the Liberal caucus over NB Power, was not on hand.

Keating, who has served as President of the Saint John Fundy Liberal Association, tells CHSJ News he is disappointed and was told Jamieson was on vacation.

In accepting the nomination, Keating promised he will listen and be accessible.

He also argues the Liberal government has proven how committed it is to Saint John.

Premier Shawn Graham concedes the road hasn't always been smooth and some days it hasn't been easy being a Liberal.

District Six Spending Savings in Classrooms.

(District Six Superintendent Zoe Watson)
             (File Photo)

Thanks to a mild winter, District Six has some extra cash in it's budget to play with.

5% saving on it's electricity bill and 20% on fuel means officials have purchased plenty of new smartboards.

Superintendent Zoe Watson tells CHSJ News, this is a vital tool in the learning process.


Watson says they hope to have 80-85% of class-rooms set-up with a smartboard in the near future.

Blinds for all the class-rooms and new lockers were purchased with the money saved as well.

Forest Fire Season Starts on Monday

Fores fire season around the Province gets started Monday and runs until Halloween.

Charles Beaulieu is a wild-fire prevention officer and tells CHSJ News, grass and brush fires started by home-owners are a huge problem.


Last year, 251 hectares of wooded area were lost because of 195 forest fires but Beaulieu calls that a slow year due to all the rain.

To find out if your in an area that does allow burning, you can call 1-866-458-8080.

Rothesay Getting Ready For It's Birthday

As Town officials in Rothesay continue to prepare for it's 150th anniversary celebration this summer, a huge mile-stone has been achieved.

The Rothesay History Book is almost ready to go to print with Advocate Printing locking up the job.


Total cost is close to $20,000 dollars with 1000 books expected to be delivered by July.30th with the remainder to show up before August.20th.

Student Council Nght at Saint Malchys

It's a chance for the students that represent all four Saint John high schools to brag about their accomplishments.

District 8's District Education Council is holding Student Council Night at St. Mac's next month.

Chair Rob Fowler tells CHSJ News they usually hold it at the District 8 offices in Millidgeville but their student representative is from Saint Malachy's hence the reason for the decision.


Fowler says not only do they raise money for school events but for community events like the Terry Fox Fun and the Run for the Cure.

Area Legion Get New Looks

A new look for the Legion on the Marr Road after two months of work and $24,000 dollars. Brian Roberts is first vice and acting president of the branch and tells CHSJ News, the new look will help keep the membership numbers strong.

The new space is for consulting rooms. Meantime, Fundy Royal MP and Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism Rob Moore has announced funding for the Peninsula Pearls under the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

It is over $24,000 to renovate washrooms and buy tables and chairs for the Moss Glen Legion.

Curbside Recycling Being Looked At In Rothesay

Curb-side recycling continues to be discussed for Rothesay. Officials continue to receive feed-back on the issue after it was made public a few weeks ago. 56 people have sent in comments to Town Hall with only three opposed. Their comments include who will pay for the service, the present set-up is fine as is and they don't want to pay for more bags or increased taxes.
Staff expects to have a report and recommendation for Town Council by next month's meeting.

Seadogs Win Opener of Semi-Final Series

(Seadogs Celebrate Go-Ahead Goal)
       (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Mike Thomas scored the go-ahead goal and Michael Kirkpatrick put it away late in the third period to lift the Seadogs to a 4-2 come from behind win over Victoriaville.

Game one of the semi-final opened with the Tigre dominating Saint John and jumping out to a 2-1 lead which they held until after the second period.

Dogs head coach Gerard Gallant says they spent too much time in their zone in the first period.


Marco Couseniau kept Saint John in the game making brilliant saves through the second period.

Kevin Poulin was just as sharp for Victoriaville. Game two of the best of seven goes tonight, note the start time, eight o'clock at the station.

RCMP Find Missing Fisherman

Scott Jefrey Pineo of Quispamsis has been identified as the man who drowned during a fishing trip on Thursday afternoon.

The 23 year old's body was found close to where the boat, he and friend were fishing in, turned over on the Nerepis River.


The other man managed to swim to shore but neither was wearking a life jacket.

His body was found just after 3:30pm yesterday afternoon by the RCMP dive team.

Big Tanker Dots Skyline

The city skyline is changing temporarily -- the big tanker "Heather Knutson" has tied up at Long Wharf.   The ship slipped up to the berth earlier this afternoon and will remain in port for about ten days while some maintenance work is carried out on its engines.

Weston Makes a Bet

(MP's Weston and Bellevance Don The Colors)
               (Photo Supplied)

They say you have to be a big fan of a team to make a bet.


Saint John MP Rodney Weston is putting pride on the line as the Seadogs open their semi-final series against Victoriaville tonight.


In a friendly wager, Weston has bet his counter-part MP Andre Bellavance, who's riding falls in Victoriaville.


Both agree the MP for the lsoing team will wear the winning team's jersey on Parliament Hill for a day.


Game One in the best of seven goes tonight, 7:30pm at the Station.

Man Still Missing Along Nerepis River

Dive team, boat and the RCMP helicopter are all being used as the search for a missing 23-year old man continues along the Nerepis River.
He is presumed drowned after the boat he and friend were fishing in yesterday over-turned. RCMP were called to the area just after twelve o'clock where one of the men in the boat swam to shore.
Officers says the initial investigation shows neither man was wearing a life jacket. The name of the 23-year old is not being released.

West-Bound Lane Of Old Rothesay Road Closed

City Police are again reminding drivers using the Old Rothesay Road, the West-Bound lane is CLOSED after several close calls.


Construction has been going on in the area over the past few weeks and despite plenty of warning signs, vehicles continue to drive west-bound.


Officers says it is going to save you some cash to use the Fox Farm Road as a detour because if they catch you driving in the west-bound lane.......you will be fined $172.50.

Looking For Help With Illegal Dumping

Atlantic Home Improvements on Golden Grove Road wants to be cut some slack from the city on where it can put its dumpsters.
The company would like them to be away from the storeroom in the back but the city's planning department doesn't want them to be a threat to the environment by being too close to a nearby waterway.


Ralph Thomas of Atlantic Home Improvements says the dumpsters are now too visible and being used for illegal dumping which is costing the company big time dollars.


The company and city planners will be meeting to see if a compromise location can be found.

PRO Kids Brings Home the Cash

With $30,000 dollars raised at this years P.R.O. Kids dinner, over 120 children from Greater Saint John will be able to take part in recreation programs.


Ticket sales raised the majority of the cash which provide equipment and participation fees.


The auction following the dinner raised four thousand dollars and the door prize tickets brought in two thousand dollars.
The goal for P.R.O Kids this year is to help 800 children.

Roly MacIntyre Says Goodbye

(Saint John East MLA Roly MacIntyre)
            (File Photo)

The MLA for Saint John East is spending his last day on the job after 15 years in the political spot-light, the MLA for Saint John East spent his last day on the job.
Roly MacIntyre took his chair in the Provincial Legislature as it shuts down until after the fall vote.
MacIntyre says his health is one of the reasons he is stepping down but thanks all his colleagues for their work and support over the years.
To this point, Common Councilor Bruce Court is the only candidate in the running for the Liberal Party to take over MacIntyre's position.
Glen Tait is the Conservative Candidate.

Blood Report is Tabled

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

The task force report on the future of Canadian Blood Services distributuion center in Millidgeville has been tabled in the Legislature.

CBS is preparing to move it's facility to Dartmouth by 2012 after then Health Minister Mike Murphy approved the re-alignment.

Rothesay Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney says we stand to be the only Province in the country to lose it's blood production and distribution center.


Blaney adds the recommendations in the report give direction to the Graham Government to move immediatley to rectify the situation.

Canadian Blood Services will study the report and provide official response next week.

Arbitrator Will Be Appointed In Fire Dispute Between Quispamsis And Rothesay

(Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll)
                  (File Photo)

A judge is expected to appoint an arbitrator for the towns of Quispamsis and Rothesay this month. This after the two can't find any middle ground on the hiring of a new fire-fighter by Quispam with Rothesay indicating the fire budget needs to be cut by $100,000 dollars. Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News, they are still waiting to hear from their neighbours.
Driscoll adds he remains hopeful this issue can be resolved with-out going through the entire arbitration process. Currently, there are four fire-fighters working at Station One and Quispamsis is looking for the same number of bodies at the station within it's town limits.

Lots Of New Medical Construction In Saint John Region

220 million dollars worth of medical construction will be taking place in the Saint John region according to the master plan outlined by the Horizon Health Network. Two major projects at the Regional Hospital are almost finished. The Linear Accelerators that will be used to treat cancerous tumours will be finished in a week's time. The Dalhousie Medical School Lab is 99 per cent complete and the medical school is still on schedule to open for business this fall with 30 students. The expansion of the Emergency Department is expected to be finished by November 30th with an opening early in January of next year.

Province Having Little Trouble Attracting New Doctors

The province is on a roll in attracting new doctors. That, according to Horizon Health Network Vice-President Dr. Edouard Hendriks in a report to the Board of Directors who met in the city last night. Dr. Hendriks says any fears about the wage dispute last year between the provincial government and Medical Society putting a damper on recruitment have proven to be unfounded.
Dr. Hendriks says they're looking to recruit up to 38 doctors provincewide, 14 of which would be newly created positions. In the past four years, 21 new doctors have come to the Saint John region, 14 of them being specialists. He also reports the well publicised staffing shortages in the Emergency Department have pretty much been cleared up.

Man Ejected From Vehicle In Sussex Area And City Police Make Arrests At Concert

A 20 year old man from Lower Millstream is in hospital after being ejected from his vehicle along route 880 in Berwick. The RCMP in Sussex say he was not wearing his seatbelt and the vehicle rolled over several times. They believe alcohol may have been a factor and are continuing to investigate.
Meantime, City Police say a few people are sleeping it off in the lockup after being arrested for liquor related offenses at last night's concert in Harbour Station.

Man is Missing after fishing trip in Grand Bay Westfield

No name is being released after a 23-year old man is missing and may have drowned during a fishing trip in Grand Bay Westfield.

RCMP was called to the Nerepis River this afternoon just after twelve o'clock to find an over-turned boat.

One of the men in the boat managed to swim to shore but the 23-year old is believed to have drowned.
Officers says the initial investigation shows neither man was wearing a life jacket.

Saint John Man Guilty of Attempted Murder

(Adrienne Lepage Escorted From Hampton Court)
             (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

A Saint John man will be sentenced next month on three charges including attempted murder.

55-year old Adrienne Lepage had already pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and abduction.

The attempted murder charge was handed down this afternoon by Judge Henrick Tonning.

The charges stem from when the Barnwood Pub in Quispamsis was robbed in November of last year.

Sargeant Craig McDougall is head of major crime with Rothesay Regional Police and says this is one of the most serious crimes he has seen.


Judge Tonning called Lepage's actions cold and calculated.
 
He duct taped 22-year old Jessica Michaels hands and legs, threw her in the back of a van, drove her to a gravel pit in Lepreau, duct taped a bag over her head and left her.
 
Sentencing will take place in Hampton on May.27th.

Consultation Meetings About Primary Health

(Health Minister and Quispamsis MLA Mary Schryer)
               (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

If you have any idea's on how to improve primary health care in the Kennebecasis Valley, the Health Department and Horizon Health Network want to hear from you.


Beginning next month, a series of consultations will be held and Health Minister Mary Schryer says once all the information is collected, a final report will be put together and released in June.


No word on how much the set-up costs and no schedule of meetings has been released at this point.

District Six Keeps an Eye on Bullies

(School District Six Superintendent Zoe Watson)
                  (File Photo)

School District Six has always had a strong policy when it comes to bullying.


Superintendent Zoe Watson tells CHSJ News, there is good communication at the elementary level but the same can't be said about middle and high schools.


Watson is referring to cyber and text bullying which is happening outside school hours but shows up in the building the following day.

Fight for Bullying Legislation Continues

Those people in favour of proposed anti-bullying legislation are holding a rally at the Legislature.


Anti-bullying activist Rob Frenette is calling it a final stand.


He disputes criticism from Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock that too many suspensions will be handed out if the bill were passed because they would be mandatory.


Frenette is comparing this struggle to the campaigns for civil rights that were waged in the 1950's and 60's because he claims the lives of students are at risk.

Students Get Up Close and Personal With the Harbor

Students from Woodlawn and Saint John High have a new found respect for issues concerning the harbor thanks to a new program.

Over the past few weeks, they have explored harbor management issues through innovative classroom exercises.

Velta Douglas, a Masters student at UNB's Faculty of Education, developed the set-up and tells CHSJ News, guest speakers from various stakeholder groups gave the students an idea of what they deal with everyday.


Douglas says when the program started most students believed the harbor was just there and it's not important.
 
You can watch the video here. 

U-S Tax Deadline Serves As A Reminder

This is tax day for U-S residents who must file their income tax returns by midnight tonight -- and -- that serves as a reminder our tax deadline is just around the corner. Roger Haineault of Help 4 Taxes tells CHSJ News there is some confusion about the deadline for filing our personal income tax returns -- but -- the fact is midnight April 30th is the cut off date.
Haineault says if you haven't filed your income tax return -- you're not alone because stats show about half of the 25-million Canadians eligible to file will do so in the two weeks before the April 30th deadline.

Job Fest Underway At T & C

Job Fest 2010 goes today with over 400 grade 11 students from Districts six, eight and ten taking part.  
The event is designed to help students make better informed post-secondary decisions.
All of the students will take part in professional development workshops and will then be put through an interview for the mock job position they applied for. 
J.D. Irving is a sponsor of the event and spokes-person Geoff Britt tells CHSJ News, their company has over 4000 jobs to fill in the next five years and this is a great starting block.
The event gets started at 9:30am at the Trade and Convention Center.

Gas Prices Fall In City

The price of gas is cheaper this morning in Saint John after the weekly setting.
Self serve regular is down a couple of cents and selling for $1.02 a litre.
Diesel is also lower at $103.9.
Furnace oil is listed at 91.7 cents and propane is $103.5 a litre.

District Eight Finalizes it's Budget

The Province has released the operating budget for District Eight in 2010-2011 and it includes a $1.9 million dollar increase.

It will receive over 94 million dollars which is an increase of 1.76 per cent and Director of Finance Chris Toole tells CHSJ News, they had significant savings in utility costs this winter.


Toole adds that situation can change if the winter is much worse next year, District 8 could be trying to find resources to cover those costs.

When Will Long Wharf be Restored

(Port Authority Captain Al Soppitt)
             (File Photo)

The question remains....when will Long Wharf be de-commissioned?

The work is necessary after Irving Oil's plan to build it's headquarters on the site was scrapped.

Captain Al Soppitt with the Saint John Port Authority tells CHSJ News, the best idea is to keep the pilings in the ground.
Soppitt adds there is no real urgency to decommision the site because the first Cruise ship at Long Wharf is not scheduled to dock until September.

Leslie MacLeod with Irving Oil tells CHSJ News, the Port Authority has asked them not to decommission the site at this time but they will work with them to meet their requirements and schedule.

Hampton Kings Has It's Conservative Candidate

(Hampton Kings Conservative Candidate Bev Harrison)
              (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

By acclamation, Bev Harrison has accepted the responsibility to fly the Conservative banner in the riding of Hampton Kings.

A full house was on hand at the Hampton River Center last night to usher him in.

Harrison tells CHSJ News, the Liberals are poised to make history.....they are going out after one term.


Harrison says if the Conservative Government is elected to the position of power, the first thing it pledges to do is engage people.

Alward Wonders What is the Rush

(Conservative Leader David Alward)
              (File Photo)

What is the rush?

That is the question on the mind of Conservative Leader David Alward as several bills are being pushed through in order to shut down the Legislature on Friday.

Alward tells CHSJ News, the Liberals claim this is one of the longest sessions in history but the reason is, the NB Power-Hydro Quebec proposal bogged things down.


Alward adds it's ironic the anti-bullying bill which has passed first and second reading, will not make it to committee of the whole for debate, questions or possible amendments.

Anti-Bullying Campaign in District Six

(One of the Dozen Anti-Bullying Posters)
       (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Even though anti-bullying legislation will not be passed by the Graham Government, District Six is kicking off a new campaign to stop it.

It's called ""Nobody Hurt"" and Superintendent Zoe Watson tells CHSJ News, new posters featuring students from one of the 24 schools in the district are being distributed today.


There are 12 different posters and 500 of them, laminated by a company in Hampton, will be handed out with four going to elementary schools, four more to middle and the remaining four to high schools.

New French Immersion Program Rolling

Enrolment in the new Grade 3 French Immersion program is off to a strong start for the upcoming school year.

Figures from the anglophone districts' registration process show that 1,619 students have signed up.

Currently there are 1,450 Grade 3 immersion students from the previous early immersion program.
In September, there will be 84 Grade 3 immersion classes, up by six from the current 78, with a total of 169 more students.

Recent changes to French Second Language instruction include eliminating the Core French program and replacing it with an Intensive French program and moving the entry point for the immersion program to Grade 3 from Grade 1.

Making Room For an Artificial Turf Field

The Principal of Millidgeville North wants to convert one of the natural grass fields at the school to artificial turf.

Gary Sullivan, who's also a member of Common Council, tells CHSJ News, the three fields they have now are great although they have their limitations.
Sullivan believes one and a half million dollars will have to be raised.


A meeting has been scheduled for next Wednesday night at 7:00 in the Millidgeville North school cafeteria to set the wheels in motion.

Anti-Poverty Board Structure

Anti-poverty activists are concerned about who will serve on a new board which will determine who gets funding to combat poverty and where that money will go in the province.


Jean Paul Basque of the Common Front for Social Justice tells CHSJ News, the members will have alot of influence.


There will also be members representing business and government.
Basque also points out where the members live could also have a bearing on which parts of the province receive funding.