City Promotes Commuter Challenge

Saint John companies, who sign up with the city, will be competing in the nationwide commuter challenge. You'll be asked to leave your vehicle at home during National Environment Week from June 5th through the 11th and find another way to get to work which could be walking, roller blading, carpooling or riding the bus. Program Co-ordinator Jody Kliffer says, who knows, you might like it.

He says this has health, physical and social benefits. He says one person in a vehicle with three empty seats and no interaction travelling to and from can only lead to road rage which is a negative form of interaction.
Your kilometers will be tracked daily and the final numbers will be tallied to determine which company and which city have done the most in saving gas along with carbon dioxide.

Excitement Builds For Dogs Game Tonight

The Saint John Sea Dogs could punch their ticket tonight to the Memorial Cup with a win over Gatineau. A victory would give the Sea Dogs their first ever President's Cup. Sea Dogs President Wayne Long tells CHSJ News everyone is on pins and needles.

He says hasn't seen anything like it with everyone in the malls and in the pedway talking about the team. He adds with up to 6500 people there tonight, it's great for the city and the team.


The Sea Dogs lead 3 games to 1. Tonight's game, which is a sellout, will start at 7:30. Before then, there's fan fest outside Harbour Station getting underway at 5:00 which includes a charity barbeque.

Coon Blasts Blaney Over Wetlands Mapping

Provincial Environment Minister Margaret Ann Blaney is being accused of not protecting wetlands in the province by the Conservation Council. Blaney is using the Regulated Wetlands map that was put together through aerial photography to regulate developments in wetlands or their buffers. The Conservation Council's David Coon tells CHSJ News there are 16 wetlands not included on that map that were earlier confirmed as being wetlands under the legal definition in the Clean Water Act.
 
He says it's quite incredible to have a Minister who thinks she can suspend regulations by government and ignore legislation that she is responsible for enforcing. Blaney has said she wants to have a made in New Brunswick wetlands policy.

B-Pass Refund Deadline Extended

If you are owed money on your Harbour Bridge B-Pass, you now have some extra time to return it. Provincial Transportation Minister Claude Williams announcing you have until June 30th to return it for a refund. Another option is to donate them to the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation which will use remaining refunds for its fundraising efforts.


The B-pass devices can be dropped off at the hospital and various locations throughout the Greater Saint John area or through any of the Saint John Dragon Boat Teams that are taking part. If you want to do this, keep your eye peeled for the Pass it on Campaign posters. You can also call the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation office at 632-5596 for drop-off locations.

Current and Former CFL Players Visit Saint John

A former Toronto Argonaut who won the Grey Cup with the team back in 1983 thinks the CFL has a future in Atlantic Canada.
Slotback Jan Carinci of the CFL Atlantic Alumni Association tells CHSJ News the fan base is building.

He says it has a small base right now but, every time the Tiger Cats, Argonauts, Eskimos and Stampeders can out here and do something it grows.


Carinci says Moncton securing CFL regular season games is impressive because these games count. He adds you will start to see exhibition games in Saint John and training camps in PEI if Atlantic Canada can secure a franchise in one of the four provinces.

Gas Prices Drop

It's alot cheaper today to buy self serve regular around town with one station selling it for 121.7 a litre..........The maximum prices for self serve and premium have both dropped by more than 8 cents a litre. There has been no change with diesel.

Police Involved In Slow-Speed Pursuit

Police involved in a slow speed chase in the City earlier this afternoon.

A driver refusing to stop for police but only travelling at a rate of 50 kilometres an hour.

The car meandering through the West side and North end as officers followed.

Police were able to stop the vehicle at Jack Street and Sandy Point Road near Rockwood Park.

The driver took off on foot and was caught by police and is facing drug charges.

Information Not Getting To Committee Analyzing Point Lepreau Refurbishment

Opposition Energy Critic and member of the Select Committee on Point Lepreau Brian Kenny says he is getting frustrated with the lack of information he is receiving about the Point Lepreau refurbishment.

The committee is suppose to analyze the refurbishment contract and hold the federal government accountable for the cost overruns but Kenny tells CHSJ News he has yet to receive any data.

He says he is getting mixed signals as to whether there is dialogue going on between the province and the federal government behind the committee's back.

Gas Prices May Drop Tomorrow

If you were holding off until pay day to fill up...wait one more day.

Choatic trading on petroleum markets today has gas prices falling and a subsequent drop is expected in premium gas tomorrow by as much as 8 cents a litre.
Regular gas prices may also drop as well.

Development On The Waterfront Should Be Mixed

The Saint John Waterfront should consist of mixed-use development according to Cyndi Rottenberg-Walker with Urban Strategies.

She was speaking at the 1st Annual Waterfront Conference being held at the Trade and Convention Centre today.

She tells CHSJ News it makes the waterfront more financially sustainable if there is constant activity by the water.

She says the city has a unique opportunity to make the waterfront accessible for all people while being a thriving residential and commercial area.

Police Officers Honoured For Long Term Service

Eight serving and retired city police officers are sporting new certificates and medals for long term service and peace keeping missions.
The awards were handed out during a ceremony including one to recently retired Sgt Pat Bonner who served just over 40-years and tells CHSJ News he's witnessed many changes from power steering being introduced to police cruisers to the in-car computers and other technology of today.
Also honored for long term service were Constables Chris Acker - Ray Coleman - John Grady - Staff Sergeant Tanya LeBlanc - and - retired Inspector Bill Hanley.
Constable Greg Oram and retired Sergeant Kim Phillps received the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal for serving with missions in East Timor and Sudan.

Millrats Joining New National Basketball League

The Saint John Millrats are joining the National Basketball League of Canada.   Halifax and Quebec will also join franchise groups from Moncton and London, Barrie, Kingston and Oshawa, Ontario have membership offers pending.   Millrats Owner and Vice-President of Marketing David Cooper says the Millrats season will likely start October/November and finish in February/March.
 

Cooper says at this time Jaren Jackson is still head coach for the Saint John Millrats but talks will be happening over the summer.
Andre Levingston CEO of the Halifax Rainmen will be the interim head of the National Basketball League of Canada which will have it's headquarters in Toronto.

Premier Urged To Stop Shale Gas Development Permanently

Premier David Alward getting a letter from the Penniac Anti-Shale Gas Organisation claiming that in every jurisdiction where shale gas exploration has taken place, people have lost their water and their health.

Spokesperson Armand Paul tells CHSJ News there is no way the government can regulate adequate protection for homeowners.

The group is calling for shale gas development and exploration in the province to be stopped permanently because there are no regulations that would be able to protect homeowners.

Environment Minister Margaret Ann Blaney is about to leave for Pennsylvania to see how its working there. She says nothing tangible will happen for at least two years if the provincial government decides to move ahead.

Interim Provincial Liberal Leader Victor Boudreau is accusing the Alward Government of being too industry friendly on this issue.

There are concerns hydraulic fracturing or fracking to extract the natural gas will contaminate water supplies wth methane.

Rise In Gas Prices Stemmed

Some good news for those drivers who use self serve regular......The price has gone down after the weekly setting by almost three and a half cents a litre.

Self serve is selling around town for $1.29.9 while diesel is slightly higher than it has been the past few days at $1.26.6.

Propane has gone up almost three cents and is listed at $1.14.2 a litre. Heating oil is also higher at $1.11.3.

Federal Industry Minister Tony Clement will hold a news conference in Toronto today to discuss the fluctuating cost of gasoline.

He will comment as motorists welcome a downswing in pump prices after prices rose 6.5 cents a litre on Tuesday in much of Ontario, Montreal and Vancouver, then by another 2.5 cents per litre on Wednesday.

Today's decrease comes after gasoline futures and oil prices tumbled on Wall Street Wednesday to drag down the price of oil below US$100 a barrel.

Funding Of Nursing Homes Defended

The Provincial Minister of Social Development Sue Stultz says taking care of seniors in the province is a government responsibility.

Stultz tells CHSJ News the province does provide significant funding to nursing homes despite the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes saying the funding has not been keeping up with the increase in the costs of taking care of the elderly who are getting older and require more medications.

Stultz tells CHSJ News half of the budget for social development is designated for seniors and senior care.

She adds the government is working to increase the number of beds available in the province in a way that is fiscally responsible.

There are an estimated 500 people in hospital beds who should be in nursing homes but space these days is at a premium. It is also twice as expensive keeping someone in the hospital as compared to a nursing home. 

Stultz maintains seniors want to be able to stay in their homes for as long as possible and that is the government's number one priority.

The province is currently reviewing aged care in the province through the Nursing Home Renovation and Replacement Plan.

School District 8 On Horns Of A Dilemma

School District 8 is trying to work out a scheduling conflict.

This year, the middle school track and field meet is set for the week of the June 7th which coincides with the provincial assessments.

Superintendent Susan Tipper tells CHSJ News the dates for the meets were chosen last year but parents don't need to panic...the track and field meet has not been cancelled.
 
They're trying to re-book for the following week at the Canada Games Stadium. Tipper adds the Districtwide Track And Field meet for elementary students is on June 4th.

Mercantile Centre Gets Green Recognition

The Mercantile Centre getting recognized for it's green initiatives and energy efficiency.

It has been awarded the BOMA BEST level 2 certification for environmental stewardship, which is a national environmental certification program for existing commercial buildings.

Project Manager for Commercial Properties Limited Mark McGraw tells CHSJ News it's about leveraging green technology, such as installing faucets with efficient water flow and lights that turn off automatically during off-peak times.

He says an energy audit was also done on the building which resulted in the reduction of electrical usage by more than 20 percent and savings of about 75-thousand dollars.

Commercial Properties Limited had previously won a green award for the Brunswick House building.

Councillor Farren Wants All Of Chesley Drive Re-paved

Councillor Bill Farren wants one of the most beat up roads in the city to get a complete make-over instead of a partial one.

The city plans on paving three out of the four lanes on Chesley Drive from Hilyard to Bentley but Farren says the city might as well fix all four lanes as the additional cost will only be about 30-thousand dollars.

The city plans to make repairs despite it being designated a provincial road.  The city will be looking for reimbursement from the province.

The New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes Says Situation Is "Dire"

Not all is well with nursing homes around the province with costs going up far more than funding and space being at a premium.

The New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes is holding its annual meeting in the city. Assocation President Marcelle Fafard Godbout tells CHSJ News each nursing home resident is getting on average 3.1 hours of care a day when it should be 3 and a half hours.

Fafard also estimates there are 500 people in hospital beds who should be in nursing homes but the space just isn't available.

Police Chief Says Working With Community Is Crucial

Police Chief Bill Reid says city police has a handle on crime in the priority neighbourhoods, particularly in the North End.

He tells CHSJ News intelligence-lead policing has been great for the city since it was introduced in 2009 and he says it's about having the support of the community as they can tell police when new problems arise or when certain issues have been resolved.

According to a recent Ipsos-Reid survey on community policing in the city, 32 percent of north end residents believe there has been more crime in their community but 42 percent also say their police service has improved.

K-V Public Library To Get Millions Of Dollars

Rothesay Council is agreeing to foot its part of the bill to get an addition built on the Kennebecasis Public Library. Rothesay agreed to pay $2.6 million dollars with Quispamsis paying $3.4 million.

Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News there is some worry over whether the province will come through and pay for books and staff because thus far there has been no commitment.

Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll was in attendance and says he thinks the library is a great project and an example of how the two towns can work together.

Boys And Girls Club To Get More Money Today

Smile! It's McHappy Day. Amanda Masters with McDonald's tells CHSJ News this year one dollar from every Big Mac, Happy Meal and coffee sold in Quispamsis and Saint John will go to the Saint John Boys and Girls Club.

Police Chief Bill Reid will be stopping by the McDonald's at Brunswick Square while Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll will be at the Esso McDonald's on Millenium Drive.

Mayor Ivan Court will take his turn at the McDonald's on Fairville Blvd and Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop is going to be at the McDonalds in Quispamsis.

Common Councillor Mel Norton will be at the McDonald's in Brunswick Square and Councillor Bruce Court will be at the McDonald's on McAllister Drive.

Millidgeville Neighbourhood Getting Flood Relief

The city making drainage improvements to Woodward Avenue and Boars Head Road in order to prevent future flooding.

A culvert will be constructed under Woodward Avenue and Cedarwood Drive.  A channel will also be built on the south side of Boars Head Road.

Municipal engineer John Campbell tells CHSJ News there will be some traffic delays during the project.
 
The project will be completed in about 5 weeks.

Parents To Meet With Ministers Over K-Park School

While they are glad they are still in talks with the Province, parents in K-park are angry a new school will not be builit.


Finance Minister Blaine Higgs says plans are on hold because the proposed school for 300 students is not big enough when the area requires a school for a mininum of 500 students.


Parent John Oxley tells CHSJ News a lot of money has already been spent on the site including clearing about 20 cords of wood.  He says that's like building a house and stops after digging the pit for the foundation adding people are angry because they feel they have been lied to. The parents will be meeting with Ministers Carr, Higgs and Blaney at the school on May 25th.

City Says Expect Road Delays This Summer

If you hate sitting in traffic then you may want to stay off the streets of Saint John this summer.

The city has a slew of road repairs and infrastructure upgrades on deck for this summer which will result in lane closures and delays.

Commissioner of Municipal Operations Paul Groody says work will include the Westfield Road, Westmorland Road and Union Street.
 

Construction projects related to harbour clean-up will also cause a number of road closures and delays.

Here is list on the projects the city will undertake this summer:

One Mile Interchange - lane reductions on the Throughway and reconstruction of Rothesay Avenue/Russell Street

Westfield Road Reconstruction - Dalton Court to By Road #7 (plan to maintain one lane of alternating traffic during construction)

Bleury Street Reconstruction - Sand Cove Road to Molson Avenue (will likely result in road closures and detours)

Market Place Reconstruction - road closures and detours

Kennebecasis Drive Culvert  - at Brothers Cove (road closure and detour)

Station Street/City Road Forcemain - Harbour Station to Haymarket Square (lane reductions)

Union Street Reconstruction - Aquatic Centre to Wellington Row (road closures and detours)

Broad Street/Crown Street Forcemain - Charlotte Street to Haymarket Square (lane reductions)

Westmorland Road Reconstruction - Westmorland Place to Kervin Road (road closures and detours)

New Beer Flavour Part Of Global Trend

Moosehead Breweries adding another new beer to their collection of products.
The new brew....Moosehead Light Ginger is now available for sale in the province.  Director of Marketing Ray Gracewood tells CHSJ News the ginger flavour is growing in worldwide popularity.

He says the flavour has a natural healthy image to it and it's very popular in Asian cuisine.
The companies brewmaster Darrell Little says the new beer was developed specifically to suit the changing taste buds of beer lovers.

Water Said To Be Lapping Over Road In Millidgeville

Emergency Measures Organization officials are warning the St. John River is expected to be at flood stage through tomorrow.

Vera Myers who's staying with her daughter on Beach Road tells CHSJ News waves are already lapping over the road which she describes as impassable.

 She adds plenty of debris is coming with the water from the river and if drivers are unaware they could find themselves submerged.

The City of Saint John telling CHSJ News that Beech road is closed until further notice due to flooding.   For more information..call 658-4455

High Water Near Route 102 This Morning

 High water on the Nerepis River along Route 102 this morning.

Cause Determined For Major East Side Fire

It has been determined yesterday morning's major fire at Alot of Auto Recyclers on the Old Black River Road was caused after fuel that had been spilled was accidentally ignited by welding.

The building collapsed a short time later and one worker had to be treated for minor burns.

Meantime, there was a water rescue last night shortly before 9 in Millidgeville.

District Chief Gerry Morris says the fire department's water rescue boat was launched after getting a call from the Coast Guard about a boat running aground on the rocks off Ragged Point in Millidgeville.

The boat that ran aground in the rocks was towed to a nearby cove and the one person on board was not injured.

East Side Could Get Much Needed Greenspace

Irving Oil is offering to design and foot the entire bill for a proposed park and greenspace at the Little River Reservoir on the city's east side.

Upgrades will include upgrading paths around the park to form a walking trail, building two bridge crossings, and new playground equipment. The project is estimated to cost about 400-hundred thousand dollars.

J.C. Besner of Irving Oil tells CHSJ News all they need from the city is the green light for the project and an agreement to cost share the upkeep of the park.

Common Council wants to first hear some estimates from city staff before green lighting the project.

Besner says if approved, construction will begin this summer and wrap up in 2012. Glen Creamer with the Little River Resevoir Association is confident work will begin this summer.

Retired Teacher Wins Seat On Quispamsis Council

Election fever, so to speak, isn't over for some people in the province.
13 municipalities in the province held municipal bye-elections to fill the void around council chambers. Voter turnout was under 25 per cent.

In Quispamsis, Libby O'Hara received 949 votes to become the newest member of Town Council, defeating her closest opponent by almost 500 votes. The voter turnout in the town was low at just over 19 per cent.

Other results include Natalie Harris winning a seat on Blacks Harbour Council by acclamation and Roger Doiron is the new mayor of Richibucto by acclamation.

In Norton, Juliana Catherine Booth was elected to Council with 135 votes.

Gas Prices Remain Volatile

If you were confused by the change downward in the price of diesel this past weekend, the change on Saturday was allowed because of something called the "interuption clause."

Dave Young with the province's Energy and Utility Board tells CHSJ News the price of gas changes if the cost of fuel in the New York Market goes up or down by at least six cents a litre in one day.

Young says it's very rare that the price of fuel would change by that much in one day, which is why normally gas prices only go up or down on Thursdays after the weekly setting.
 
The price of self serve remained the same and now is more expensive than diesel.
 
Meantime, gasoline prices took a major leap higher in parts of the country overnight with the price soaring 6.5 cents a litre in southern and eastern Ontario. A litre of regular gas in the Toronto area now costs $1.39.6.

The price in Montreal is now $144.9 after a nickel per litre increase and $144.1 in Vancouver after a 4.6 cent per litre increase.

Drug Busts In City And Kingston

Saint John Police, Rothesay Regional Police, and the RCMP teaming up for a pair of busts on a marijuana grow-op this weekend.

On Saturday, police seized 32-thousand dollars worth of plants from a residence on Summer Street North in the city's north end and at Lake Road in Kingston.

A pair of 52-year old men being arrested and released.  They will be facing charges of production of a controlled substance and will be back in front of a judge at a later date.

Boys And Girls Club Kicks Off Capital Campaign

The Saint John Boys and Girls Club off to a good start as they look to raise 750 thousand dollars for programs and services. 

So far 375,000 dollars in donations have come in from various organizations. 

Campaign co-chair David Merrithew tells CHSJ News the staff does an excellant job with the budget that they have, but the Club needs money to pay for the upkeep of the building and new activities for the kids. 

He says the money will be used for things like new playground equipment, a new music room and new gym walls.

Merrithew says in 2010 the Boys and Girls Club had 110 thousand child visits, so it's a very well used facility.

New K-Park School Put On Hold

With plans to build a new school to replace Kennebecasis Park Elementary on hold, Finance Minister Blaine Higgs says it's about understanding what makes the most sense for the Kennebecasis Valley as a whole. 

The new K-Park school, which was set to open in 2012, was meant to accommodate 300 students. 

Higss tells CHSJ News, that's just not big enough.Higgs says there are issues with the existing school, such as the ventilation system, that need to be addressed sooner rather than later. 

He says the education Minister is prepared to address those problems.

Water Levels Going Up

As water levels in Fredericton drop they're going up here. 

The flood stage in the Saint John-Quispamsis area is set a 4.2 meters, and today water levels came in just below that at roughly 4.1 meters. 

Flood forecasters are projecting water along the Saint John River will reach the initial flood stage by tomorrow and stay steady there for Wednesday. 

People are advised to stay alert and make sure their belongings are protected.

Mayor Confident About Landing Porter Air

Mayor Court says officials from Porter Air are expected to visit the city in the near future.


Court tells CHSJ News the airline's Toronto Island terminal will mean almost direct access to the downtown - convenient for business people and sports fans alike.'

Court was a member of a delegation that met with Porter officials in Toronto recently -- he remains confident the city may be added to the airline's destinations when it begins receiving new planes later next year.

East Saint John Fire Guts Business

A east side fire destroying part of an auto recycling operation this morning.
City fire crews responding to the call of a fully involved building at Old Black River Road.
District Fire Chief Eric Garland says on arrival crews found thick black smoke and flames coming from a metal building.

At that time, Garland says they received word that all employees were out of the building but, one worker was taken to hospital with superficial burns.
He adds they do not believe the cause of the fire to be suspicious.

Chief Garland says there are no injuries to firefighters.
17 City firefighters at the scene today working the blaze along with another 8 recruits who were brought in to assist.  The main fire is knocked down and the metal building did collapse.

City Crews Respond To East Side Blaze

A major fire in an auto parts facility at 695 Old Black River Road is being fought.

The blaze at Auto Recyclers broke out shortly after 9:30 in the one and a half storey building which was fully engulfed in flames.

 Everyone is reportedly out of the building which is a total loss.

 Lots of thick black smoke could be seen billowing from the building and that prompted nearby homes to be evacuated.

Traffic is being prevented from going down Old Black River Road at Bayside Drive. Cottage Road is also blocked

Sea Dogs In Gatineau Tonight For Game 3

With the series tied at a game each, the Saint John Sea Dogs are in Gatineau tonight for Game 3 of the President's Cup Final.   Game 4 is also in Gatineau.
Game 5 will be back at Harbour Station on Friday and tickets will go on sale this morning.
 
The Sea Dogs are expected to welcome the one millionth fan in team history through the turnstiles on Friday.  That lucky fan will win a special prize.
For tickets call 657-1234 or click here

Early Morning Accident And Missing Teen Found

City Police reporting 15 year old Amber Mitchell who had been reported missing for a few days has now been found safe and sound.

A woman had to be transported to hospital early this morning after her vehicle left Foster Thurston Drive at Ashburn Lake Road and went into a ditch.

Parking At The Regional Hospital

With the expansion of emergency department at the Regional Hospital, many people are wondering what's going to happen with parking and will it be increased to handle the growth of the hospital.

The President and C-E-O of the Horizon Health Network Donald Peters says some extra spaces were made for the expansion and adds more spaces overall is on their radar but nothing is on the drawing board yet and there is no timeframe.

 A few years ago there had been talk of building a parking garage.

Municipal Byelections Being Held Around Province

A byelection being held in Quispamsis today to fill one empty town council seat. Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News a new candidate always has some catching up to do but it's not a monumental task.

The vacancy occurred after Gerry Maher stepped down late last year.

 He had been a vocal advocate for the towns of Quispamsis and Rothesay to amalgamate.
The polling station for the Quispamsis by-election is at St. Mark's Church on the Pettingill Road and will be open from 10 this morning until 8 tonight. You can also vote at the returning office in the former Lane Home Furnishing building on Millenium Drive until 4:30 this afternoon.
 
The four candidates running in Quispamsis are Michael Cole, Barry Farnsworth, Libby O'Hara and Kirk Miller.
 
Byelections are also scheduled in Norton and Blacks Harbour. There are three candidates running for council in Norton......Juliana Catherine Booth, Trevor Carson and Lawrence Dykeman. In Black's Harbour, Natalie Harris will join council by acclamation being the only person offering to run.

Common Councillor Wants All Of Chesley Drive Repaired

Common Councillor Bill Farren is calling on city staff to pave all four lanes of Chesley Drive instead of just three.

Farren tells CHSJ News the road is a provincial responsibilty but has not been properly maintained so the city has agreed to fix three lanes that are in desperate shape.

Farren estimates repairing all four lanes instead of just three would add an extra 30 thousand dollars to the project.

Councillor Peter McGuire is asking that any new tax revenue that comes from the new court house as part of the Peel Plaza development will be invested into the city's roads and streets.

Premier Calls Attracting Young People To Province A Priority

Premier David Alward says the greying of the province and the need to get young people back into the province is something his government is well aware of and must start now.

He calls it a priority telling CHSJ News the province has a great pool of young talent in the ICT sector and we need to attract more.

The Premier points out groups like FUSION and 21inc. show young people want to be a part of New Brunswick's future. He also realises New Brunswick is growing older more quickly than other provinces.

Canada Post Defends Move To Community Mailboxes On Peninsula

A spokesperson for Canada Post is denying claims by an official with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers that the addition of community mailboxes on the Kingston Pennisula is just an excuse to cut jobs.

Denise Cora tells CHSJ News this move is all about safety with an increase in vehicle traffic is making it more dangerous for letter carriers walking and driving.

Cora adds Canada Post has seen more 40 rulings resulting from 3000 complaints by rural mail carriers over health and safety concerns.

Pulp And Paper Mill Completes One-Week Shut Down

Things will be back to normal tomorrow at the Irving Pulp and Paper Mill, and traffic will be back to normal at the mill's entrance near the Reversing Falls Bridge. 

City police have been directing traffic each morning near the mill as 56 contractor companies descended on the mill to perform annual maintenance. 

Mill Manager Tony Binotto says maintenance is performed on the mill every 18 months to ensure the mill remains competitive in the long term.

Local By-Election In Quispamsis Tomorrow

A by-election being held in Quispamsis tomorrow to fill one empty council seat.

Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News a new candidate always has some catching up to do, but it's not a monumental task.

The polling station for the Quispamsis by-election is at St. Mark's Church on the Pettingill Road.

The four candidates running in are Michael Cole, Barry Farnsworth, Libby O'Hara and Kirk Miller.

By-elections are also being held tomorrow in Norton and Blacks Harbour.

Crews Make Quick Work Of Carbon Dioxide Leak

Traffic diverted from Grandview Avenue for about an hour yesterday due to a carbon dioxide leak at the Praxair Plant. 

District Chief Gerry Morris tells CHSJ News police and fire crews arrived on scene just after 11am to find vapours coming from one of the tanks. 

Morris says a perimeter was set up and the HASMAT Unit was called in as a precaution, but carbon dioxide is non-flammable and is only a threat in confined spaces because it gets rid of the available oxygen.

Morris says the leak was caused by an electrical problem in the plant and the vapours quickly shut themselves off due to a built-in safety system.

Former Premier To Receive Humanitarian Award

Former premier Frank McKenna receiving the province’s Humanitarian Award for 2011.

McKenna is being recognized for his work in Canada and the U.S. to improve children’s access to clean water, food and education.

McKenna has also worked with causes such as United Way, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the YMCA.

Megan MacDonald of Rothesay will receive the Young Humanitarian award for her involvement with Amnesty International and the Saint John Community Autism Center.

Both awards will be presented at a dinner in the city in November.