Pharmacists Warn Lowering Drug Costs Will Be Complicated

Pharmacists will have a lot to say when they meet with provincial health department officials about making prescription drugs, including generic brands, less expensive.

Paul Blanchard of the New Brunswick Pharmacists Association tells CHSJ News the misuse of drugs will have to be dealt with because that drives up the cost.

Blanchard says, according to Health Canada, one in 9 visits to the Emergency Department is because of an adverse reaction to drugs and almost half of people with chronic disease couldn't tell a New Brunswick Health Council survey what their drugs were being used for.

Blanchard also says the pharmamcists will be looking for higher fees to process the prescriptions.

Court Date Set For Saint John Cop

Another brief court appearance for a 34 year old Saint John police officer who's facing charges of assault, assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats.

Chris Messer was not there but his lawyer Brian Munro was.

The court set November 22nd for the start of a preliminary hearing to see if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

 Munro says there will be two preliminary hearings because two different people have made allegations that have resulted in the criminal charges being laid.

Those charges were laid after an investigation was carried out by Miramichi Police. Messer's home was also targeted in a drive by shooting.

Dairytown RCMP Investigate Rash Of Damage This Morning

RCMP in Dairytown looking into a rash of damage in the wee hours that began with a fire.
The small shed was found on fire on Main Street in Sussex and from there windows were broken between Court, Park and Nelson streets before it ended near Peter Street. The crimes occurring between 3:30 and 5:30 this morning.

Police believe up to three young men are involved and one was wearing a white t-shirt. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex RCMP at 506-433-7700 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Listeners Are Vocal Over Provincial Plan To Put Off Wage Hike

Our listeners have a lot to say on Facebook about the Alward government's plan
to postpone the next increase in the minimum wage that would see it reach $10 an hour by September. The Conservatives are looking at pushing that increase back to April of next year.

One woman thinks there is no point because whenever minimum wage goes up, so do the prices on everything else so it doesn't help.
Another woman thinks the business community is saying don't make us pay our workers more and cut into our profits yet they want you to work hard with part-time hours and no benefits.
One listener who works and is going back to school in the fall supports the plan saying prices and the cost of living go up regardless but, every little bit helps.

City Police Search Yacht Club As Part Of "Major Investigation"

City police are not confirming whether a search at the Royal Kennebecasis Yacht Club where Richard Oland was a member had anything to do with his death and murder investigation.

Officers spent several hours combing the club's ground and going through boats while divers went in the water. One of the sailboats is listed in the name of Oland's daughter-in-law.

Police will only say the search is part of a major crime investigation. It has now been just over two weeks since the well known businessman was found dead in his office on Canterbury Street.

Musquash Home A Total Loss After Blaze

21 firefighters and a whole lot of equipment battling a blaze in Musquash today.

Musquash Fire Chief Wayne Pollock tells CHSJ News the house at 531 South Musquash Road is a total loss and no one was hurt as the building was empty at the time.
Crews spent some time protecting some outbuildings on the property.

Chief Pollock tells us the call came in just before noon and crews just left the scene at 4 o'clock today.  They got some help from the Black's Harbour Fire Department.

18-Year-Old Facing Charges In Robbery

An 18-year-old is facing two charges relating to a robbery last week at a North end convenience store.
The robbery occurring at the Needs Convenience Store on Wellesley Ave on July 14th.

Officers from Major Crime arresting John William Douglas Daley yesterday and he was in court facing charges of robbery and committing an indictable offence while masked.  Daley will remain at the City jail until Monday when he's back in court.

The City and NB Power Try To Keep Expansion Project Alive

Mayor Ivan Court says he doesn't want the expansion of American Iron and Metal to go down the tubes.

The deal is at risk because the city and NB Power are trying to figure where to lay down power lines for the project without interfering with west side residents as well as sorting out land-ownership issues.

Court tells CHSJ News talks are continuing with NB Power and even residents who were concerned about the power lines want the deal to happen as it would mean millions to the local economy.

He says it would be a tragedy if the deal fell through and hopes power arrangements can be made.

Crews Battle Musquash House Fire

Crews from the Musquash Fire Department responding to a fire in the community around noon today. 

The blaze at 531 South Musquash Road.
There are reports the house was empty at the time of the fire.

(photo courtesy of Joseph Comeau)

City Honours 5th Mayor of Saint John

The city paying respect to one of its former leaders with the unveiling of the restored gravestone of Lauchlan Donaldson at Fernhill Cemetery

Donaldson was the fifth mayor of Saint John and introduced the city's water supply.  He was appointed to the mayor's seat twice, serving from 1829 to 1833 and from 1843 to 1847.

Nan Hagan Gormon is the great, great granddaughter of Donaldson.

She tells CHSJ News she's proud that her great, great, grandfather has left a legacy in Saint John.

Gormon is following in his footsteps -- she is currently the mayor of Hazard, Kentucky.

To see a video of the unveiling, click here.

Buskers On The Boardwalk Is Underway

Lumberjacks are a part of the 21st annual Buskers Festival on the Boardwalk on now until Sunday.
Market Square's Stephanie Peterson tells CHSJ News this year's edition includes a 63 foot dragon and the log-roller demonstration you can try.

She says people are coming in from all over the world including some shows tonight at part of Alpine Country Star.
Peterson says Brad the Balloon Guy created a dress that will be modeled.
Events run all weekend long and are taking place at the Coast Guard site, on the Boardwalk stage and in Loyalist Plaza.   For the busker schedule, click here.

Drunk Driver Gets More Than 6 Years Behind Bars

35-year-old Vincent Eric Reid of Wright Street will serve six and half years in a federal penitentiary for his involvement in a fatal two-vehicle crash on the Golden Grove Road over the Victory Day long weekend.

Reid earlier plead guilty to five charges including impaired driving causing the death of Gerald Troy Bridges.

On May 22, both trucks were returning from the same event in Barnesville when Reid swerved over the yellow line and collided with a blue Tahoe head-on.
 
Officers say his blood alcohol level that night was four times over the legal limit.
 
Bridges' girlfriend, Teresa Ryans, was injured in the accident and read a victim impact statement to the court. 
 
She says when she closes her eyes she either sees Bridges' eyes or the headlights of a Dodge truck coming towards her.
 
Reid is also facing a 20-year driving ban.

A Two Tiered Minimum Wage Has Its Supporters

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business likes the idea of a two tiered minimum wage which the provincial government is going to examine.

Acting Atlantic Director Erin McGrath-Gaudet tell CHSJ News workers who serve liquour and receive tips would get less than the minimum wage along with those school leavers with no experience who get hired for their very first job and receive a so called training wage for a three month period.

She maintains small to medium sized businesses might be more willing to take them on. This system, she tells us, is working well in other jurisdictions including Nova Scotia.

Not Much Change In What You'll Pay At The Pump

The weekly setting sees gas prices remaining virtually unchanged.

Self serve regular increasing by less than a cent to $1.28 a litre with diesel being sold in the city for $1.30.9 a litre.

 Propane is listed at $113.2 a litre which is a bit cheaper.

House Fire In Sussex Area

Police and fire responding to a fire at a Smith's Creek home Tuesday night.

The call came in just after 9:00.

Sergeant Andy O'Connell of the Sussex RCMP tells CHSJ News no one was hurt in the fire at 97 Knightville Road.

The home did sustain smoke, fire and water damage but police describe the cause as accidental.

Fire Department Stops Building Work Due To Air Quality Concerns

The Saint John Fire Department putting a halt to the renovation of a 3-storey home at 100 St. James Street after complaints about particles in the air.

Acting District Chief Barry Oickle tells CHSJ News since the rubble contains urea-formaldehyde and the workers had to stop gutting the building until safeguards are in place.

The workers will now have to seal off the building and bag all of the rubble as they work.

Rainbow Park was shutdown briefly due to concerns about particles blowing down into the park.

AIM President Says Saint John Is Full Of Crybabies

The President of American Iron And Metal thinks Saint John is full of crybabies and creates an atmosphere that no ones want to be in.
But, Herb Black tells CHSJ News he is not mad or upset that council decided to say no to allowing power poles to be put up on the West side as part of his company's metal shredder expansion at the Port.

He says if Saint John is becoming an old people's home and they want to chase away industry that is fine with him.
Black tells us the project would start with 50 jobs and grow to 250 over time.
He says he could be making a decision on the future of the project by Monday but, at this point, without power it can't proceed.

Opposition Wants Hike Now

The Liberal opposition not agreeing that postponing the minimum wage hike is the best idea.  

Labour critic Chris Collins tells CHSJ News having the minimum wage at 10 dollars an hour would bring the province up to the same standards as the rest of Atlantic Canada. 

Collins says raising the minimum wage by 50 cents would not affect the province's employment rate and would actually benefit the economy by increasing the amount of disposable income.

Collins says the people who were counting on this increase are the ones who need it the most, and rather than listening to them the government is listening to businesses.

RCMP Believe Smith's Creek House Fire Is Accidental

Police and fire responding to a fire at a Smith's Creek home last night.
The call came in just after 9pm.

Sergeant Andy O'Connell of the Sussex RCMP tells CHSJ News no one was hurt in the fire at 97 Knightville Road.

The home did suffer smoke, fire and water damage but police describe the cause as accidental.

Heat Can Be Hazardous For Workers

Worksafe NB reminding you the summer heat can be just as dangerous for those working indoors as those working outdoors. 

Chief compliance officer Richard Blais tells CHSJ News heat can build up in places like restaurant kitchens, laundries and pulp mills causing heat exhaustion or stroke. 

He says proper ventilation and fans can help keep heat from building up when working indoors.

Blais says for people who work outdoors it's best to try and do the heaviest work during the coolest parts of the day, such as early in the morning or late at night. 

He says if you experience warning signs like headache or dizziness it's important to drink water, slow down the pace or work in the shade for a while.

City Will Host Strongman Championships

The Port City will be getting an influx of muscle at the end of September  -- the city will be hosting one of four semi-final events for the 2011 Strongman World Championships.

Spokesperson Sebastian Theberge tells CHSJ News this is a big opportunity for Saint John
as it is the first time the semi-finals have taken place in North America.

16 competitors will be taking part in a slew of events which will include the truck pull and tire flip.

The event takes places September 30th down at the waterfront.

For more information, click here.

Saint John Chaplaincy Centre Serves Over 100 People A Day

On Sewell Street, there is a drop in centre for ex-offenders, the homeless and displaced that serves over 100 people a day.
The Saint John Chaplaincy Centre is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.
Interim Chaplain Crystal Koven tells CHSJ News they help a lot of people with addiction issues.

She says people come in and talk to her about emotional, housing and spiritual issues and she does her best to connect them with the people who can provide help.
The Chaplaincy Centre provides toast, coffee and tea every morning and one meal every day between 11:30am and 1:30pm.

Next Increase In Minimum Wage To Be Delayed

The provincial government is proposing to postpone the forthcoming minimum wage increase until April 1, 2012 saying it has heard from small and medium sized businesses that they need time to adjust to the recent successive minimum wage hikes.

The move is being applauded by Erin McGrath-Gaudet of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in New Brunswick who argues the minimum wage has gone up too much, too fast.

The Alward Government also announcing it will explore the idea of a two-tiered minimum wage.

The minimum wage rose to $9.50 per hour in 2011 from $8 in April 2009, an increase of nearly 19 per cent in two years. With the six month delay, it will reach $10 per hour by next April.

Trails In Province Won't Be Repaired Until Fall

The Saint John River Valley Trail is still a little worse for wear after last December's heavy rainfall.

Poul Jorgensen with the provincial Trails Council tells CHSJ News tenders are going out to try and fix 1.5 million dollars worth of damage, with some areas of trail washed away completely including one section south of Grand Falls that is 200 feet long and 100 feet deep.

Jorgensen says he's hoping cleanup work will be done in the next month and a half so that everything can be open again by the fall.

Construction Disrupts Traffic In Quispamsis

With uptown streets get snarled in gridlock due to construction, those in Quispamsis are not immune to it either.

The town's Director of Engineering Gary Losier tells CHSJ News water line installation on the Old Hampton Road, which began two weeks ago, will be slowing things down in the valley until the beginning of October.

Work on the Vincent Road will also be adding to the gridlock. He says work on that road will be done by the end of August.

East Side Gravel Pit Rejected

The issue that turned Common Council into a marathon session two weeks ago and prompted a shouting match involving Councillor Bruce Court at a later public meeting has been put to rest.......A proposed gravel pit adjacent to 460 Latimore Lake Road will not be going forward.

Odette McGrath lives on the road and spoke out against the project during the public hearing phase saying it would cause too much smoke and dust.

City Staff had concluded a gravel pit would have been appropriate.

She tells CHSJ News she is happy with the decision and if the proposal had gone through, many in the neighbourhood would have chosen to leave the neighbourhood.

McGrath also gives credit to her Ward councillors, one of whom is Bruce Court.

Common Council Warned About Rejecting New Housing

Common Council will have to be careful when deciding whether future housing developments will go ahead if they're not in the uptown core.

The President of the Saint John Real Estate Board Jason Stephen warns the wrong message could be sent to developers at a time when the city can use all the tax revenue it can get.

Stephen says he can understand proposals for new housing being denied if there are no services but it doesn't make a whole lot of sense if the water and sewage infrastructure is already available and paid for.

Council turned down proposals for 187 new homes on Loch Lomand Road which prompted Mayor Ivan Court to brand those opposed as being anti-development.

West Side Residents Happy With Power Line Decision

Fundy Heights resident Wendy Cyr spearheaded the campaign against the power lines because of fears of reduced property values and a ruined view of the coast.

She tells CHSJ News the neighbourhood is happy with the result but they doesn't want the project to die.  She's hoping an alternate route can be found for the powerlines.

She says her community is not anti-development but a balance needs to be maintained between job growth and the quality of life.

Metal Shredder Expansion In Possible Jeopardy

The future of the 30 million dollar metal shredder expansion by American Iron and Metal on the city's west side may be in trouble.

Council voting to not allow NB Power to put above-ground power lines on city-owned land along the Fundy Coast.

The lines were intended to power the expansion -- Mayor Ivan Court hopes the project can be moved to an industrial park or another location.

There was also opposition from west side residents who worried about losing their view of the coast and a drop in property values.

The city is currently looking into what land is does own in the area and work by NB Power is on hold.

Our newsroom has placed a call to American Iron and Metal to see how this will impact the expansion.  We have yet to hear back.

Police Seek Help In Finding Those Responsible For Several Crimes

City police want your help in figuring out who set fire to railway ties earlier this month.


The fire took place July 10th at 800 Bay Street where the railway ties belonging to NB Southern Railway were set ablaze.

Saint John police are again reminding people to lock their vehicles after several breakins on the west side.
Officers are also investigating several reports of atv thefts over the last two weeks and reminding you to never leave them unattended and park them inside where possible.

If you have information on any of these crimes, call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or City police at 648-3333.

Review Board Ruling Critical Of Smith Case

An Ontario health review board ruling is critical of the treatment troubled young inmate Ashley Smith received in the days leading up to her death.
    The Health Professions Appeal and Review Board was looking into the case of Smith, a 19-year-old from Moncton, who choked herself to death in an Ontario prison in 2007.
  
    The board found that the investigation of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario was adequate, though it was still critical of how Smith's case was handled in prison.
    The review finds it is difficult to understand how the resources of the Correctional Service of Canada could not have somehow treated her appropriately.
    A delay-plagued coroner's inquest into Smith's death will resume under a different coroner in September.

SJ Will See Heat Splash, Not Full Heat Wave

With extreme heat hitting much of the country this week, Saint John will be feeling a bit of it, but won't be getting the scorching weather expected in Toronto and Winnipeg.

Linda Libby with environment Canada tells CHSJ News Toronto is expected to hit 38 degrees on Thursday.

She says Saint John may be 30 degrees tomorrow, but will die down to 22 degrees on Thursday.

Libby says Saint John normally sits at around 23 degrees so these are much warmer temperatures, but they are not unheard of for this time of year.

She says its unlikely any records will be broken.

Quebec Couple Brighten Up King Street

Two Quebec artists are bringing some colour to a section of King Street.

Eric Couture and Krystal Schippers are creating sidewalk art in the middle of the block between Charlotte and Germain Streets.

The young couple are camping in Rockwood park and living off the money their art brings in to buy food. 
Couture says they were in Saint John for half a day when they decided to stay here.

Mayor Says He Hates Election Years

Mayor Ivan Court upset with his fellow councillors and is blaming next year's municipal election.

Common Council voting down two housing projects on Loch Lomond Road that would have seen 187 residential lots developed.

But the nay votes which included Councillors Bill Farren and Mel Norton, said developing in that area went against the new municipal plan, which focuses on building the uptown core. A dejected Mayor Court was none too pleased calling some of the councillors "anti-development" and charging the votes were politically motivated.

Court says the area was an ideal spot for housing as it was close to commercial areas as well as schools.

Common Council Decides How Big It'll Be

After flirting with the idea only two weeks ago, the size of Common Council will not be reduced.

The move was voted down after several councillors changed their minds since the idea was first presented.

Councillor Mel Norton says the feedback from his constituents was loud and clear that proper representation outweighs any cost savings.

 Councillor Bill Farren initially liked the idea because of the cost savings but had a change of heart after hearing from people but Councillor Peter McGuire voted in favour for the cuts because of the financial benefits for the city.

Council was considering the elimination of four council seats in order to save about 450-thousand dollars over four years.

City Ponies Up Cash For Its Pension Plan

It's time for the city to settle part of its huge pension tab.

The city will be paying 8.7 million dollars to make good on its 2010 pension plan contribution.

Commissioner of Finance Greg Yeomans says it has to be done since the province did not accept the city's initial pension reform plan.

A revised plan will not be looked at by the province until the fall sitting of the Legislature. He says the money will be charged against the city's 2010 operating budget unless the province allows at least some of it to be deferred to lessen the financial impact.

RCMP Lay Down Attempted Murder Charge In Moncton Shooting

RCMP charging 24 year old Shawn Joseph Reid with attempted murder in connection with a shooting in Moncton over the weekend.

A 35 year old Nova Scotia man was injured last Saturday on Wesley Street.

RCMP arresting Reid in Nova Scotia earlier this afternoon after a Canada wide warrant was issued by the police.

Reid Sentencing Delayed

The sentencing of Vincent Eric Reid being delayed until this Thursday now that he faces an additional charge of impaired driving causing bodily harm. 

35-year-old Reid earlier plead guilty to impaired driving causing the death of Gerald Troy Bridges after two trucks collided on the Golden Grove Road on the Victoria Day long weekend. 

He has also plead guilty to four charges of impaired driving causing bodily harm.

Bathurst Call Drug Bust Significant

RCMP and police in the Bathurst area teaming up to keep potentially 18,000 marijuana joints off the streets. 

It what RCMP are calling a significant seizure, police found 17 pounds of marijuana, 40 pounds of hash and six riffles between two houses. 

A 48-year-old man and a 44-year-old man are under arrest and will appear in Court on a later date on drug-related charges.

Bad Driving Habits On The Rise

More congestion on the roads might be leading to the perception that driving habits are getting worse as compared to five years ago.

The Canadian Automobile Association office is located on one of the busiest streets in the city, Westmorland Road as you make your way down the hill to McAllister Mall and Consumers Drive.

The C-A-A's Gary Howard tells CHSJ News when behind the wheel, you have to pay attention to what you're doing.

He says 80 per cent of accidents could be avoided with just one more second of reaction time.

Howard also points out for some reason, people become more aggressive when driving and engage in behaviour they wouldn't dream of doing if just walking along the street.

1785 Charter Was Discriminatory, Man Says

A Saint John man wants the mayor to acknowledge that wording in the city's first Royal Charter was inappropriate towards Black Loyalists. 

David Peters tells CHSJ News he's been lecturing on the subject for 17 years, and says the 1785 Charter was discriminatory in five ways.

He says Black Loyalists were not allowed to vote, live in the city, sell their goods or own a business, and weren't allowed to fish in the Saint John Harbour.

Peters says he's already received letters of recognition from federal Heritage Minister James Moore and Saint John MP Rodney Weston and just wants council  to acknowledge the Charter was prejudicial and would not be accepted in today's society.

Dairytown In The Dark

Most of Dairytown and surrounding area are currently in the dark. 
 
NB Power reporting a major power outage affecting over 9000 customers in Sussex, Four Corners, Midland Kings, and Jemseg. 
 
A spokesperson says crews are investigating the cause of the power outage and hope to have restored power to about 2000 costumers within the hour. 
 
No word yet on when the remaining customers can expect to have power restored.

Reid Back In Court For Sentencing

Vincent Eric Reid of Wright Street faces sentencing today for his involvement in a head on collision on the Golden Grove Road on the Victoria Day Long weekend. 

The 35-year-old is charged with impaired driving causing the death of Gerald Troy Bridges and three other charges of impaired driving causing bodily harm. 

Reid earlier plead guilty to all four charges, and was denied bail.

Moncton Crash Takes Life

One man is dead after an accident involving a single car on the Trans-Canada Highway in Moncton.

RCMP say the crash happened at 9 in the morning on Saturday, when the 82-year-old's car left the road, went into the median and ended up resting against a guardrail.

The man is from Florida, and the cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Collision On West Side

(Photos courtesy of a Road Warrior)

Car and motorcycle collide on Milford Road Sunday night.

Fire Department Checks Out Smell Of Natural Gas

Fire crews getting several calls about the smell of natural gas in the vicinity of Sand Cove Road.

District Fire Chief Joe Armstrong says they made three trips to the Maritime Northeast distribution plant.

No leak was found but Maritime Northeast was doing some maintenance at the plant earlier in the week and that will be checked out to see if it had anything to do with what you may have smelled yesterday.

Green Party Says The Province Lacks The Vision Needed For The 21st Century

We need new thinking in the province from both the government and business leadership when it comes to future energy development in the 21st century.

So says Provincial Green Party President Janice Harvey who points to the desire to move ahead with shale gas development as being an example of a 19th century mentality.

Harvey questions when New Brunswick will base its economy on renewable forms of energy and efficiency as Germany is demonstrating with its move away from nuclear power.

She also rails against the mentality that whatever an outside investor wants to do in the province, so be it.

Business Liason Not Necessary For Rothesay

Rothesay and other outlying communities don't need to follow Saint John in appointing an economic development officer to communicate priorities to Enterprise Saint John.  

Chair Tony Gogan tells CHSJ News it's much less typical for smaller communities to have a liaison officer because there isn't the same maze that exists when navigating city hall.
 
Gogan says Rothesay also benefits differently from Enterprise Saint John, because while new businesses locate within the city, a lot of the employees live in the surrounding communities.

Local Artist Up For National Prize

A Saint John artist is in the running for 25 thousand dollars.

Jared Peters is one of 15 semi-finalists in the RBC Canadian Painting Competition, a national contest for up and coming artists.

He tells CHSJ News he was shocked to have been chosen as a finalist.
 
He adds he is honoured to be competing with his peers -- in fact, one of the other finalists is a former professor.

The winner will be announced in Edmonton on September 27th.