Sudden Death On The Highway In Rothesay

This doesn't happen all that often. Rothesay Regional Police telling CHSJ News they pulled a van over along the highway by the scales which isn't that unusual and then, without any warning, the 61 year old driver died instantly behind the wheel. Police are calling it a sudden death.

Also, City Police say the problem of drunnk driving continues unabated as they report three more drunk drivers were nabbed over a span of a couple of hours, two in the uptown and the other on Loch Lomand Road.

Gas Prices Take Another Jump In City

Drivers in Saint John are paying more for gas after the weekly setting. Self Serve regular has risen by more than 3 cents a litre to 99.6 cents and diesel is more than 2 cents a litre higher at $1.02.5. Propane is listed at $1.01.9 a litre.

Conservative Leader Accused Of Begruding Jobs To Saint John

(Provincial Conservative Leader David Alward)
                      (File Photo)

Another politicial storm is brewing...this time over Health Care jobs awarded to the Port City through Facilicorp which is the shared health services agency.
The Conservative Leader said in Dalhousie that the Liberals gave those jobs to Saint John over cities in the province's north. Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir accuses David Alward of begrudging 150 Saint Johners their jobs.
Keir wonders if Alward would say that in Saint John and thinks the Conserverative leader shouldn't be pitting the north and south of the province against each other over jobs.

Oil Spill Exercise Taking Place In Bay Of Fundy

80 people are participating in an 8-hour exercise today in preparation for an oil spill should it ever happen in Saint John.
The 15th annual exercise is timely given the effort to clean up the mess after an oil rig exploded in April causing a BP well to leak oil on the Gulf Coast.
The Atlantic Emergency Response Team or ALERT is conducting its exercise from Courtenay Bay to Lepreau.
The spill exercise is one of many proactive measures ALERT organizes all year that are regulated by Transport Canada and in partnership with the Coast Guard.
No actual product or materials will be placed in the water during any of the activities.
In Courtenay Bay, several hundred feet of orange boom will be deployed and then recovered from the water, to simulate this emergency measure in the event of a 10,000 ton oil spill from a ship.

Major Announcement Coming For Crescent Valley

(Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock)
                      (File Photo)

It's being called a major announcement from the Department of Social Development. A public housing announcement will be made today and it will impact Crescent Valley. Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock and Mayor Ivan Court will be on hand for the annoucement this afternoon at the Somerset Community Centre. The provincial government has made a commitment to revitalise that neighbourhood with the goal being upgraded housing and one thousand new homes. Deputh City Manager Andrew Beckett says the neighbourhood has huge potential but it will take from 20 to 25 years for it to be fully transformed.

Keir Calls Out Alward

(Energy Minister Jack Keir)
(File Photo)

Energy Minister Jack Keir is calling out Opposition Leader David Alward for wanting to keep the Dalhousie Power Plant open.

Keir says this isn't something that has just come about in the last couple weeks.

He says NB Power has been saying for a long time that there is no alternative source of fuel that would make the Dalhousie plant competitive.

Keir says New Brunswickers have asked the government time and time again to keep out of NB Power when it comes to day to day operations, yet here Alward is involving himself.

A Saint John Experiences The Toronto Earthquake

It's been confirmed that a a ``moderate earthquake'' has rocked residents of southern Ontario, Quebec and the northeastern United States.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the temblor occurred just before 2:45 and was a magnitude 5.5 tremor centred about 60 kilometres north of Ottawa, in western Quebec.


A Saint Johner working in Mississauga, Ontario experienced it first hand.

Jenn MacDonald tells CHSJ News she was having lunch with her co-workers when the chairs and walls started shaking.
She says the whole thing lasted 30 seconds.

MacDonald adds the timing was strange since she and her collegeaues were talking about the film "2012" which deals with the end of the world.

Real Estate Board President Not Panicked Over Housing Numbers

The President of the Saint John Real Estate Board says prices in the local housing market did increase slightly last month.
Jason Stephen is reacting to the dismal numbers which show 170 homes sold in May down 26% from May of 09.

He tells CHSJ News that there is no reason to panic as they are month over month numbers, he says they pay close attention to year over year numbers which shows a small increase.
Stephen tells us things are not the way they were in 2007 but, on the whole he calls the Saint John housing market stable and balanced.

Canada Day Celebrations

Saint John is kicking off summer with five days worth of Canada Day celebrations.

Heather Peterson is Chair of the Canada Day Committee and says July 1st is going to be a day filled with family oriented events. 

There will be a parade, a show with Bob the Builder, face painting and giant bounce rides. 

Peterson says this year's theme is "We Believe," which is being carried over from this year's Olympics.

Peterson says there will even be events on July 4th to celebrate Independence day with people visiting from the States.

For more information you can go to http://www.sjcanadaday.ca/.

Canada Day Kick Off

Norton Fire May Have Been Deliberately Set

A suspicious blaze in Norton is under investigation by the Fire Marshall. The fire destroyed a large detached garage on Riverview Drive East. 2 vehicles and a number of tools were also lost. No one was injured but the cause hasn't been determined yet.

Police Saving Saint John Alot of Money Through Reducing Crime

(Police Chief Bill Reid)
       (File Photo)

Crime reduction strategies have saved Saint John an estimated half a million dollars a year. That word coming from Police Chief Bill Reid who says the traditional method of policing in which crime is reacted to when it happens is inefficient and ineffective. The Chief says they meet regularly with a crime analyst who gathers all the data and pinpoints where the hotspots are so effective plans can be put together. He claims less than half of the crimes that take place are actually reported to police.
Chief Reid says city police have managed to reduce the number of stolen vehicles by 19 per cent and breakins last year by 29 per cent.

NB Power Waits

The Energy and Utilities Board is now putting together a report for Energy Minister Jack Keir on whether or not NB Power should get their 3% rate increase.

Public Intervener Daniel Theriault says the Board may have trouble making a decision because they only have access to the financial information from NB Power's distribution branch.

Theriault says the rate increase probably is necessary based on their tendancy to forcast higher earnings then they typically get.

Man Severely Beaten At Public Landing Wharf

A 31 year old man from Public Landing is in hospital in critical condition after being beaten up this past weekend and the RCMP in Grand Bay-Westfield are asking for your help in finding those who did it. The assault occurred around 9:00 Saturday night at the Public Landing Wharf. According to the Mounties, 8 or 9 men got off a 26 foot white speedboat and four or five of them beat up the man while the others went to a nearby store. If you can help, give a call to the RCMP at 757-1020 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-tips.


The RCMP in Sussex have also confirmed a man in his 50's was found dead in Sussex. More details on that are expected later this morning.

Traffic Interruptions Around Town

The Department of Transportation wants you to know traffic will stop on Route 1 eastbound and westbound near the Crown Street off Ramp today and tomorrow.
This will take place at about 2pm both days and is to allow blasting activities as part of the One Mile House Interchange Project. The project is estimated at $65 million and includes a 600-metre structure, ramps and roadways connecting Route 1 to Bayside Drive, crossing the CN rail yard, Marsh Creek and Rothesay Avenue. It will be ready in 2012.

Water Street will be closed to traffic between Duke Street and Prince William Street. Traffic will be detoured between Duke, Canterbury and Prince William streets while water service is being extended to 230 Water Street. The closure starts at 6 this morning and continues until 8 tonight.


Charlotte Street is closed to traffic from Princess to Duke Street due to construction.

Arts Funding To Be Handed Out At City Hall

25 local organizations will receive a share of $64,000 in grants this morning at City Hall.
Mayor Ivan Court will hand out the cheques to the recipients of the 5th annual Saint John Community Arts Funding Program. The ceremony is coming up at 11 this morning.

Musquash Motorcycle Accident

One man taken to the Regional after he lost control of his motorcycle in Musquash.
The Musquash Fire Department along with the Ambulance NB and RCMP responded just before 4 this afternoon.
The collision occurred on Route 790 near the Wetmore Creek Road.

$11 Million Dollar Contract For Welsford Bypass

Saint Isador construction has been awarded a contract worth over eleven million dollars. It is for grading and paevment work to be carried out on the new bypass between Welsford and Nerepis. 
Fundy River Valley MLA and Energy Minister Jack Keir tells CHSJ News, safety and stimulating the economy are two big factors in this project.
Keir says the bypass is needed for safety reasons.
A DOT spokes-person tells our news-room most of the phase one work is ahead or on schedule and work on the road should be finished by 2012.

Goodyear Tours NBCC Saint John

(NBCC Saint John construction site - file photo)

The new expansion at NBCC is getting the seal of approval from the Minister of State, Science and Technology. Gary Goodyear did a tour of the energy building under construction on GrandView Avenue and says this is a key component of the national science and technology strategy.

Ottawa contributed $2.5 million toward the project and the Province cut a cheque for $21 million dollars. The new building will have a capacity for 600 students but no word on when it will be finished.

Minister Keir Responds to Parrot's criticism

(Energy Minister Jack Keir - file photo)

It didn't take Energy Minister Keir long to respond to the accusation that he lied to the entire Province. Keir tells CHSJ News, he has a hard time believing that Jim Parrot called him a liar:
Keir says he understands the budgeted number of $70 million dollars is a lot of money but the figure people are forgetting about is the five billion dollar debt the public utility is carrying.

Dr. Parrot calls out Minister Keir over NB Power

Jack Keir's feet are being held to the fire by the Conservative candidate in the riding of Fundy River Valley.


Dr. Jim Parrot says the energy minister should be ashamed of statements he made about NB Power when the Liberal Government was trying to sell it's assets to Hydro Quebec. Parrot says both Keir and the Premier said the sale had to be completed by April 1st to avoid a rate increase.


He tells CHSJ News he thinks Keir was playing fast and loose to avoid news of NB Power's profits getting out.


Parrot says Minister Keir lied to the entire Province on this matter and that faith has been lost in the Liberal Government.

NB Power Under the Gun Before Energy and Utilities Board

Officials from NB Power are being interrogated before the Energy and Utilities Board about its request to raise electricity rates by 3 per cent. The utility's Lori Clark concedes NB Power is a long way from being self sufficient.
Intervenor Kurt Peacock, representing small consumers, tells CHSJ News NB Power also has a long way to go to cut costs and questions why the utility gave out salary increases last February. David Plante, representing manufacturers and exporters in the province, maintains NB Power should do more cutting before asking consumers to pay more.
Another NB Power official, Darren Murphy says you can't compare the utility to private business because it doesn't have the luxury of discontinuing service if it hurts the bottom line.

Debate on Drinking Water Delayed

(Common Councillor Bill Farren)
              (File Photo)

Common Council may see clean, safe drinking water as the number one issue facing the city but it wasn't able to find the time last night to debate how it will be paid for. Common Councillor Peter McGuire complained there was too much grandstanding being done for the cameras which upset fellow west side Councillor Bill Farren, who called McGuire's comment harassment and intimidation. Farren did apologise to Enterprise Saint John for his previous criticism considering how many volunteers work for the organisation. The Council meeting was also one hour late in getting started. July 5th is the new date for the debate on water. In the meantime, the city will apply for a public-private partnership on water without being bound by that. The estimated price tag has risen to 259 million dollars.

Q-Plex Names "The Wave Pool"

(Murray Driscoll and David Boone shake hands on the Q-Plex partnership)
(Photo by Sherry Aske)

It may not have any waves, but the Wave Pool is going to be the place to be next summer.

Country94 and the Wave are the official radio stations of the new Q-Plex pool and walking track for the next ten years.

Mayor Murray Driscoll says it's a great partnership and he couldn't be more pleased.

The "Wave Pool" will be able to hold 370 people and has two water slides as well as a tots pool.

                













(Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll, CHSJ News Reporter Sherry Aske and
 97.3 The Wave/Country 94 General Manager Dave Boone)
(photo by Gary MacDonald)

NB Power To Be Grilled On Proposed Rate Hike

There will be many voices speaking against NB Power getting a 3 per cent rate increase for electricity at a hearing beginning this morning before the Energy and Utilities Board, more so since the utility made a 70 million dollar profit acrroding to Conservative Leader David Alward.

Bethany Thorne Dykstra of Voice of Real Poverty will be one of them. She's baffled as to why NB Power needs and increase and points out, if granted, such a rise will make life even more difficult for the 15 per cent of the population in the province who live at or below the poverty line.

She goes on to say all groups who would have to pay more for electricity are not equal economically so there should be a mechanism in place to offset the cost for the less affluent.

Prom Night Hijinks

City Police were called to an area behind the Community College on Grandview Avenue early this morning. They found a bonfire and about 200 high school students celebrating prom night. The students were all sent on their way and no arrests were made.

City Gets Out Of Tourism Business

(Common Councillor Peter McGuire)
                (File Photo)

The city of Saint John is getting out of the tourist business. Instead, an industry led group called Saint John Destination Marketing will be leading efforts to promote the city for tourism and will have more money to do that. The city is putting up a million dollars and the hotels are adding 470 thousand. Common Councillor Peter McGuire says there will be regular progress reports on what sort of job is being done and he wants it kept simple with no fluffy language abut branding and the like. Council members were told tourism generates 255 million dollars in economic benefits for Saint John annually but also creates civic pride when the locals know people from away want to visit the city..

Chief Promises Action On Graffitti Tagging

(Police Chief Bill Reid)
     (File Photo)

Despite an apparent increase in graffitti, Police Chief Bill Reid doesn't believe Saint John has a problem with it. He's vowing the police department will get on top of it and find who's responsible. The Chief went on to say police have a good idea who's responsible for the tagging where initials are spray painted.
Graffiti has been sprayed of late on the back of the Imperial Theatre, Hayward and Warwick and at the Duke Street construction site. Chief Reid says police are getting more co-operation these days from the public and told Councillors the number of breakins last year were down by 29 per cent and stolen autos were reduced by 19 per cent.

Council Member Misses Meeting Due To Tragic Death Of Her Cousin

Councillor Patty Higgins did not attend last night's meeting of Common Council after the death of her cousin, Caroline Higgins who was struck and killed by a motorcycle Sunday night on the sidewalk near the Reversing Falls. The 46 year old Higgins was a partner in the law firm, Gorman Nason. A burial mass will be held Thursday afternoon.

Green Party Candidate In Rothesay Speaks Out

The Green party candidate for Rothesay thinks its message on the environment resonates in one of the richest ridings in all of Canada.....A sustainable Rothesay and opening up access on the Kennebecasis River.
Sharon Flatt tells CHSJ news the town also needs to work on keeping young people here.
All three candidates vying to be the Rothesay MLA in the fall vote are women.
With Flatt for the Green party, incumbant Margaret Ann Blaney for the Conservatives and Victoria Clarke representing the Liberals.

Blaney Goes To The Blood Board

(Millidgeville Blood Distribution Centre)
(Photo By Sherry Aske)

The Canadian Blood Services Board of Directors is getting a visit from Margaret-Ann Blaney.

Blaney and a team of people are presenting on Wednesday on how closing the Millidegville Blood Distribution Centre will affect New Brunswick.

Dr. Andrea Garland will be presenting on behalf of medical professionals and says she is optimistic their message will be heard.

Garland says she is also concerned with the current plan to turn the centre into a storage unit.

She say there will be more blood on hand than will be able to be used before it expires, which means wasted blood.

Canadian Blood Services Stands By Decision

Amanda Cullen with Canadian Blood Services says they stand by their decision to consolidate production from New Brunswick to Dartmouth.

She tells CHSJ News that two years ago they moved a distribution centre from Sudbury, Ontario to Ottawa without any problems.

Cullen says they have to do what is right for the national blood system, not just what is right for the Atlantic Region.

As for blood expiring before it can be used, Cullen says they will not be shipping the blood that expires in five days to Halifax first, so wasted blood won't be an issue.

The Millrats Are Coming

(Player David Cooper shoots hoops with Minor Basketball players)
(Photo by Sherry Aske)

If hockey isn't exciting enough, Saint Johners can now enjoy their own basketball team. The Manchester Millrats from the Premier Basketball League are now the Saint John Millrats. Mayor Ivan Court says he hopes people from Fredericton and Moncton will come down for the games at Harbour Station as well.

The team's primary owner Jason Briggs says their has been a lot of debate over the teams name and they give the public a chance to vote in the coming weeks. Briggs says he likes the name Millrats, but he also likes the name Wharf Rats, and the important thing is making this Saint John's team.

Province Offers Free Vaccine for Babies and Kids

(Health Ministe Mary Schryer)

(file photo)

Kids and Babies can now get a vaccine for free thanks to improvements to the Province's childhood immunization program.
Health Minister Mary Schryer announced today this province is among first to make the pneumococcal vaccine available to children and infants starting Thursday July 1.

Invasive pneumococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection commonly associated with severe respiratory tract infections.
It is one of the leading causes of illness, hospitalization and death worldwide.
The vaccine is publicly funded for kids 8 weeks to 1 year.

West Side Raid Nets Many Plants And One Arrest

City police conducting a raid on the West side home last Thursday getting quite a haul of drugs.

The Street Crime unit seized up to 150 marijuana Plants with a street value between $50,000 to $100,000 from a home on Mary Anne Court.

A 33-year-old woman faces production charges and has a court date in late September.

Another Uptown Business Gets Hit By Spraypaint

(Some of the graffiti spraypainted yesterday at Hayward and Warwick)

(photo by Tamara Steele)

Another Uptown business has been hit by spraypaint.
The back wall of Hayward and Warwick in the laneway next to Trinity Anglican church was hit by the graffiti yesterday in several places.

It's the second time the Princess street business has been the target of spraypainters in a month.

The owners of the store are calling on police, fellow business owners and citizens to work together to put an end to the vandalism around the city.
They also express concern over the expense of removing graffiti.

There are reports of another batch of spraypaint graffiti at a construction site on Duke Street.

More Details On Death of Jogger Near Reversing Falls

More details have been released by City Police about the fatality last night on Bridge Road near the Reversing Falls. Sergeant Pat Bonner says a 46 year old jogger was struck and killed by a motorcycle. Police say she was not running on the road at the time but was walking on the sidewalk when the motorcycle failed to make a turn and slammed into her causing serious head injuries.
Sergeant Bonner says the motorcyclist suffered just minor injuries. The Major Crime Unit is investigating to determine if the motorcyclist will be charged. The name of the victim will not be released at the request of the family.

Cost of Supplying Clean, Safe Drinking Water Skyrockets

The cost of supplying clean, safe drinking water to Saint Johnners has escalated to 259 million dollars. That message will be delivered tonight to Common Council. An unanswered question is how will a cost that high affect water rates in the city. Common Council still hasn't decided yet whether everyone will be metered. Brent McGovern of Saint John Water says the people using water meters now have reduced their consumption. McGovern concedes the more people in your family, the greater the liklihood is you will be paying more for water than if you were on a flat rate. That's what concerns Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase who isn't entirely sold on the idea of metering. The head of Municipal Operations for the city, Paul Groody argues the use of meters will encourage people to conserve and not waste water.

Jogger Dies After Being Struck By Motorcycle

A woman, who was jogging, suffered serious head injuries and died after being hit by a motorcyle shortly before 7:00 last night on Bridge Road near the Reversing Falls Bridge. Her injuries were described as life threatening by the fire department. City Police are now investigating but there's no word yet on any charges.
A few hours earlier, there was a collision in the intersection of Chesley Drive and Main Street North between a transport truck and a car. One person was sent to hospital with minor injuries.

Saint John M-P Promises More Federal Money Coming For Saint John

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

Now that the smoke has cleared from the Federal Conservative infighting and accusations of holding back spending, the M-P for Saint John is confident money will continue to flow into Greater Saint John. Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News it's important to point out that The Minister in charge of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Keith Ashfield and Premier Shawn Graham shared the stage twice on Friday to make funding annoucements and Weston, himself, has a few announcements scheduled for the coming week.
As for the Harbour Bridge, Weston tells us Ottawa and Fredericton are still ironing out the details of what is the best option for everyone. Part of Weston's campaign pledge during the last Federal vote was to eliminate the tolls from the Harbour Bridge.

NB Power Set To Be Grilled On Raising Rates

As the Energy and Utilities Board gets set to begin a hearing for the proposed 3% increase by NB Power, a big number is being thrown around by the Conservatives. Leader David Alward tells CHSJ News, the public utility is showing a hefty profit for the past year of close to 70 million dollars.
A hearing isn't required for a three per cent increase or lower but Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir has asked the E-U-B to review the rate hike. Saint John Energy announced it's rate is up by three per cent as of the first of the month. The hearing gets started tomorrow morning at the Delta.

P-E-I And New Brunswick Talking About Joint Lawsuit Over Point Lepreau

(Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir)
                 (File Photo)

A lawsuit is not on the table yet. That from Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir after word Prince Edward Island is joining this Province in a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Atomic Energy of Canada for cost overruns and delays in the refuurbishment of the nuclear reactor at Point Lepreau. Keir tells CHSJ News, he has been in touch with P-E-I and legal action remains an option but they're not at that popint yet.
Keir says his preference is to sit down with Conservative MP Keith Ashfield and member of the federal cabinet and see if something can't get ironed out. The delays have forced the Island's utility to buy power costing two million dollars a month.

New Regulations Could Boost Property Taxes

(Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop)
            (File Photo)

Municipalities might be paying a lot of money to upgrade their wastewater systems. Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop says the federal government is putting forward some expensive new regulations. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities warns the regulations could cause a 1,000 dollar increase in property taxes a year.
Bishop says Rothesay Town Council is one of many municipalities writing a letter to the federal government asking for it to slow down a bit and set up some cost sharing programs.

Traffic Delays Expected In Rothesay

If you travel on the Rothesay Road, something to keep in mind. There will be traffic delays for the next few months as town staff get started on water main extension work and sewer improvements. When the project is finished in March, water lines will extend from Dunedin and Rothesay Road and connect to Kennebecasis Park. This project has been in the works for over two years.

Two Community Police Officers To Be Promoted

Three members of the Saint John Police Force will be promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant this afternoon. Sergeants Tanya Leblanc, James Fleming, both of whom have served as community police officers, and Michael King will all receive their new stripes at a ceremony this afternoon at one o'clock in the council chamber. These three Staff Sergeants will assume the role of Watch Commander of a Platoon shift.

Windmills To Leave Port Of Saint John With Police Escorts

Here's something to keep in mind to go along with all of the construction in Greater Saint John. New sections of windmills, which arrived in Port last week, are on their way to the Kent Hills Wind Farm. Every morning at six, five loads will travel along Lower Cove Loop to the intersection of Crown and Union, then on to Rothesay Avenue and out to the highway. Some of the sections of windmill are 200 feet long so as you can imagine, they will take up a lot of roadway.
City Police will escort the equipment and it's expected the daily deliveries will continue until August 20th.

Graduation Ceremony This Week At Community College

(New Brunswick Community College On Grandview Avenue)
                             (File Photo)

Between five and six hundred students will graduate from the Community College campus this week ready for the work-world. Interim President and C-E-O Bill Best tells CHSJ News, the graduates are entering the work-force with the best skills available.
Best is referring to a donation made last week by General Motors to the automotive service technician program. Elan Cole is this year's valedictorian, graduating from the power engineering technology course. The ceremony will be held at Harbour Station on Friday starting at two o'clock.

Long Wharf Lobster Sale

KidsnKarts

Happy Father's Day

Father's Day has arrived and many in Greater Saint John are celebrating.

CHSJ News took to the streets to ask what some people will be doing to honor the man in their lives.

Some people will be having dinner or a barbeque, while others say they will get their Dad something he enjoys and spend some time with him to thank him for everything.

Reversing Falls Geopark

Saint John may soon have another first.

A tour of the area is expected to take place soon to see if the city can be designated a Geopark.

Mayor Ivan Court tells CHSJ News, the area will stretch between the Fundy Shore to Fundy National Park.

If the designation is approved, Saint John will become the first UNESCO Geopark in North America.

The Province has already put up $35,000 dollars toward the proposal.

King Street Closed In Afternoon

Don't forget if your coming into the uptown today, King Street is closed between 12:30 and 4:30pm this afternoon.

The street will be shut down for the KidsnKarts event and also affects the streets that link onto King Street such as Germain.

Any City Transit buses that use King Street will also use an alternate route.

NBCC Construction Update

(NBCC Construction)

(Photo by Jim Hennessy)

An update today on construction going on at the community college campus on GrandView Avenue.

Last summer, the Province announced $21 million dollars to go toward a center of excellence for energy.

Interim President and CEO Bill Best tells CHSJ News, the steel structure is in place as well as some roofing.

Best adds the new building will provide 600 new seats but no word yet on a ribbon cutting.

Trees For Sussex

Part of the Kennebecasis River near Sussex is getting a facelift in the form of 1500 trees.

Sussex was one of 25 places chosen for a planting project by Trees by the Shore.

President of Tree Canada, Mike Rosen, says there are many lessons to be learned from planting trees.

Rosen says Sussex was chosen because the area needed trees and a community group was willing to participate.

Around 50 volunteers showed up Saturday for the planting.

Bike Lanes for Rothesay

(Mayor Bill Bishop)
(File Photo)

Rothesay is looking at the possibility of getting bike lanes.

Mayor Bill Bishop says he knows there's a need for bicycle lanes, but council doesn't know if the roads are wide enough.

Bishops says the plan is to tentatively mark some roads with bike lanes to see if people driving will pay attention to cyclists.

Jets Over Bay of Fundy

Don't be alarmed if you see fighter jets flying over the Bay of Funday today.

A NATO led training exercise called Halcyon R-V is taking place from today until Tuesday.

Jets from the United Kingdom, the United States and Denmark will be flying from the Bay of Fundy to CFB Gagetown to conduct live fire exercises.

People should expect a bit of noise when planes are flying overhead.

Lobster For Sale On Long Wharf

It certainly wasn't the crowd they got back in December but lobster fishermen appeared happy with the reception on Long Wharf.

They tied their vessels to the dock and sold the crustaceans for six dollars a pound. John Mcdade tells CHSJ News, there were a few things not playing in their favor like having it on the same day as an event at New River Beach.


The other chip stacked against them is two supermarkets in Greater Saint John selling lobster almost 30 cents cheaper a pound but McDade is hoping those who enjoy lobster will see the benefit of getting it fresh out of the water.

Accident Victim Calls For A Third Lane

A Rothesay woman involved in the accident early Friday morning on the McKay Highway is disputing Mayor Ivan Courts call to stop work on a third lane for the area.


Traffic came to a stand still when Patricia Burnett's vehicle was hit by a transport truck and started spinning out of control, ran through the median and almost crashed into the east-bound lane of traffic.


Burnett tells CHSJ News, safety is and should be the only thought behind a third lane.


Banged up and bruised, Burnett says she is going to be fine but the RCMP Officer that reported to the accident says she is lucky to be alive.
Mayor Court says he will present Fredericton with a letter soon on his opposition to the construction of a third lane on the MacKay Highway.

Conservatives Find a Candidate In Saint John Fundy

(Saint John Fundy Conservative Candidate Glen Savoie)
             (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

With no spoiled ballots out of 269 cast, Glen Savoie has captured the Conservative nomination for Saint John Fundy.
Savoie beat Tim Brewer and Marjorie MacMurray and tells CHSJ News, he has already spoken with several voters about their issues and what they are looking for is good local representation and get their message to Fredericton.
The last time a Conservative held the riding in Saint John Fundy was Rodney Weston during the Bernard Lord administration.
It's currently held by Liberal Stuart Jamieson who is not re-offering.

Police Conference Coming To Saint John

The Canadian Association of Police Boards is holding their national conference in the Port City this August.

Christopher WaldSchutz, Chairman of the Board of Police Commissioners says its a big plus for Saint John to show the tools the force uses on a daily basis including intelligence led policing.

Mayor Ivan Court says the city should make at least half a million dollars from having the conference here, just in hotel costs alone.

Randy Jones Celebrity Golf Tournament

Preperations continue for the second annual Randy Jones Charity Golf Tournament coming up on the 29th.
The L.A. Kings defenceman last year with the help of many golfers raised $121,000 dollars for the neo-natal unit.

Randy's brother Tim tells CHSJ News, this year, all money raised goes to pediatric care and the pediatric diabetes unit at the Regional.


Some of the celebrities taking part in this years tournament include Team Canada gold medal winner Drew Dowdy, Wayne Simmons of the L.A. Kings, Aaron Asham with the Philadelphia Flyers and NHL referee Tim Peel.
If you aren't playing in the tourney, there is still a way to help the cause.

On the 28th, food sales at all McDonalds between 4 and 8pm will go toward this years charity.

King Street Is Closed For Awhile Sunday

Just a reminder if your travels tomorrow bring you into the uptown,

King Street is going to be closed for a good portion of the day.

Between 12:30pm and 4:30pm, the street will be shut down for the KidsnKarts event.


The closure also affects the streets that link onto King Street as well such as Germain.


Any City Transit buses that use King Street will also use an alternate route.

Lobster Sale On Long Wharf

Don't be suprised to see a long line-up along Long Wharf holding a cooler today.
For the second time in seven months, the Fundy North Fisherman's Association is hosting a lobster sale.

Fisherman will dock their vessels during high tide and sell their catch to those who are looking.

John McDade is a lobster fishermen and tells CHSJ News, the price is very reasonable.

McDade admits lobster prices on the market are climbing up but no where near to where they should be.


The sale gets started at four this afternoon and finishes up at seven.

West Side Business Is Getting A Face-Lift

A long time west side business is getting a face-lift.
Loblaws, the company that owns Superstore, is changing it's Lancaster Mall store to a No Frills location.
It is one of six stores in Atlantic Canada that is changing their logo. In an e-mail, a company spokes-person says expanding the nofrills model in this market allows them to compete more effectively.
No where in the release does it talk about whether this news affects the stores current staff numbers but our news-room was at the store today and many employee's were visibly shaken up.
We asked several for comment but none were willing to speak with our news-room.
The West Side Superstore will take on it's new look in the fall as will four stores in Nova Scotia and one in Newfoundland.

Animal Rights Activists Shower In King's Square

Liberal Party Extends The Olive Branch

(Energy Minister Jack Keir)
       (File Photo)

The Liberal Party appears ready to kiss and make up with Conservative MP Keith Ashfield.


Conservative M-P Greg Thompson has accused his counterpart, of delaying projects to avoid the Graham's government from gaining political points in advance of the September 27th election.


Energy Minister Jack Keir tells CHSJ News, Minister Ashfield is ready to put what he is calling a mis-communication behind him.
Keir adds it is important that instead of getting into a he said she said arguement, it's time to sit down and find a solution.

Earlier this week, Premier Graham accused Conservative Leader David Alward of partisan interference concerning the allegations MP Thompson raised against MP Ashfield.

City Seminar On Domestic Homicide

(Dr. Deborah Doherty and the Silent Witness Red Silhouette)

(photo by Tamara Steele)

Finding the risk factors of domestic homicide the focus of a Lunch and Learn today at the Saint John Public Library.
Dr. Deborah Doherty analyzed 35 cases in the province where women were killed by their spouse or intimate partner.


Doherty tells CHSJ News that in these cases, we need to make sense of the senseless.
She says in most cases there is a history of violence with threats like "i'll kill you if you leave".

Doherty is part of the New Brunswick Silent Witness committee which is a group of agencies that work with communities and famillies to create life-size red wooden silhouettes to represent a woman who lost her life at the hands of her partner.

Animal Supporter Challenges P-E-T-A's Tactics

Catherine Asher has a master's degree in animal rights -- she's a vegan and tells CHSJ News doesn't agree with the organization's approach.
Asher who was a member of P-E-T-A says the hi-jinks like today's shower exploits women at the expense of the real message about the way animals are raised and slaughtered for food.

New Treatment Center Opens

(Main Building of the New Center)
(Photo by Sherry Aske)

Portage, the substance abuse program for young people, is celebrating the Grand Opening of its new center at Cassidy Lake in Norton.

Geordie Gould, Director of the Portage Atlantic Center, says the new facility has a different room for every function.

Gould says the Center is one of the best in the country and hopes it will bring new beginnings for many young people.

Gould also says the new facility can also house 60 people comfortably, whereas the old one could only accommodate 40.

Liam McCarthy is a resident at the center and says Portage has allowed him to reconnect with his parents and sisters.

He's now looking forward to going back to university to get a degree in business management.

Anti-Bullying Summit Called A Success

Despite some misgivings at first, anti-bullying activist Rob Frenette is happy with the way the anti-bullying summit went in Fredericton. He tells CHSJ News more than 200 people showed up which was twice as many than expected and one third were students with plenty of good ideas being voiced. Those included setting up anti-bullying committees at every school in the province. Frenette also says the Red Cross has a good anti-bullying programme called 'Beyond Hurt".
He believes Provincial Education Minister Roland Hache is committed to tackling this issue which is more widespread and broader than first acknowledged.

Sussex Man Dies near Petitcodiac

A 20-year-old man from Sussex has died after a crash early this morning near Petitcodiac.
RCMP arrived on the scene on Route 890 in Cornhill to find the man had already died from his injuries.
His vehicle was found smashed and on it's roof near a broken utility pole.

Police believe he was not wearing a seat belt and that alcohol and speed may have been factors in the crash.
The man's name is not being released at the request of his family.

PETA Supporters Shower For Animals

They drew a lot of looks - and - a lot of people snapped pictures as two scantily clad members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals showered in King's Square over the noon hour.
The demonstrators were promoting how much water would be saved if people stopped eating meat -- and -- one of the bathers tells CHSJ News she thinks they were successful in raising awarness.
The animal rights activists are travelling through eastern Canada with their shower demonstration.