District 8 Saves Carpentry Program For This Year

District 8 doing what they can to help improve the skilled trades numbers in the Province.
With looming budget cuts, there are fears the popular carpenter training program may face the axe.
Rob Fowler says it gives high school kids a chance to get some training.

He says it's 6 weeks in the classroom and a co-op where the student in actually on a construction site getting hands on experience.

Fowler gives credit to Director of Finance Chris Toole and Acting Superintendent Robert Johnson
for finding the funding to keep the program around for this school year.

Financial Woes Of Europe and U.S.A. Should Not Worry Canadians

The Governor of the Bank of Canada is telling Canadians that the financial problems currently facing Europe and the U.S. have little bearing our country's bottom line.

Speaking at a business luncheon today in the city, Mark Carney says one shouldn't be paralyzed by the fiscal woes going on in Europe and the U.S.

He says the Bank of Canada is there to protect and boost and economy, such as keeping prices stable.
 
He says given the downturn in exports to the U.S., Canada needs to begin making headway into emerging markets like China.

The Give Gets Closer To Goal

The Region is stepping up for The Give 2011 as they get closer to their goal of $680,000 for a new stem cell therapy in Saint John.

St. Stephen Town Council donating $5,000 last night, the Sussex Health Centre Auxiliary giving $10,000 yesterday and last month PotashCorp gave $50,000 to the campaign.   The fundraiser also bring in $1500 dollars back in July at the Salty Jam Music Festival.

Dr. Terrence Comeau says doing stem cell treatment in Saint John will lead to natural spin-offs like gene therapy.

For more info, click here

Bank Governor Predicts Growth Will Resume

The Bank of Canada Governor says he expects economic growth will resume in the second half of this year.
And Mark Carney is telling a business luncheon here in the city he doesn't expect the U-S to slip back into recession although he admits the risk is now much higher.

Saint Johner Gets Post On Invest NB Board

 Saint John, the first stop today for the Premier as he launches Invest NB with a goal to attract foreign investment to the Province and improve our gross domestic product.
Premier David Alward unveiling Invest NB's new board of directors today and announcing the business plan framework.
Board Member Helena Cain of Bell Aliant in Saint John says Invest NB will bring focus.

She says having a private sector board that understands how to work in this province sends a strong message.

Premier Alward says in terms of foreign markets because of our location we will always look to the U.S. but also the Asian and South American markets.

Longshoremen In City Set Up Strike Headquarters

There's no indication a walkout will be happening anytime soon but, nevertheless, strike headquarters has been set up by longshoremen in the city not far from the port on the West Side.

Local 273 of the International Longshoremen's Association is negotiating with Logistec Stevedoring which has just signed a new long term deal to operate out of the port.

The two sides are in conciliation right now and no deadline has been announced for actual strike action.

CHSJ News has been told the strike headquarters was set up just in case a new agreement isn't worked out.

Premier Unveils Details About Invest N-B

Premier Alward, Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud and Invest NB's Robert MacLeod are launching the business plan framework and announcing members of the board of directors at news conference underway at the Delta.

The new crown corporation aims to increase the provincial gross domestic product by $293 million over the next three years.

The board members include Denis Losier of Assumption Life, Helena Cain of Bell Aliant and Eddy Campell of UNB.

Some People In Red Head Advised To Boil Their Water

There's a precautionary boil water advisory in effect for those people who live in the Harbourview Subdivision.

This comes about because Saint John Water is introducing chlorinated water from the Ocean Drive well into the system. The chlorinated water will be phased in over a period of several days.

The boil water advisory is to ensure the water you drink meets Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. We're told you will be notified door to door when the boil water advisory is lifted.

Teenager Remains In Critical Condition After Near-Drowning

A 17 year old international student from China remains in critical condition at the Regional Hospital after a near drowning Sunday afternoon at the Aquatic Centre.

He had just registered to attend Simonds High and his mom and dad are expected in the city later this week from China to be with him.

Sgt. Glen Hayward with the Saint John Police Force says foul play is not suspected and police are still looking into what caused the incident.

He says the lifeguards acted accordingly but he would not confirm whether a health issue caused the near-drowning.

Premier Visits The Port City Tomorrow

Premier David Alward will be in the City tomorrow morning for a economic development announcement.   The same announcement is also happening in Moncton and Campbellton later in the day.

The Premier will be joined by Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud and Robert MacLeod CEO of the Invest NB.

The announcement gets underway here in Saint John at 9 tomorrow morning at the Delta.

Rothesay Woman Receives Honour In Ottawa Tonight

A Rothesay woman receiving national recognition from Canadian Blood Services tonight for her many donations over the years.

Judy Morgan tells CHSJ News she first learned of blood donation as a little girl when her dad with rare blood was called to donate in emergency situations.

She says it was really in her to give and she also became a medical lab technologist so the importance of giving blood began to hit home.

Morgan will be recognized this evening in the national Canadian Blood Services "Honouring Our Lifeblood" ceremony in Ottawa tonight.

Together with her husband, Martin, the Morgans have donated blood and plasma 500 times.

Housing Starts Will Continue To Slump For The Next Few Years

Housing starts in Saint John, Fredericton, and Moncton are down about 28 percent this year and Claude Gautreau with the Canada Mortage and Housing Corporation says that slump won't be changing soon.

Gautreau tells CHSJ News housing starts are cyclical and because the province peaked around 2008, the numbers will continue to dip into the foreseeable future.

He says the market should pick back up in about 2 to 3 years.

800 Homes Affected By Outage In Welsford

About 800 people without power earlier today in the Welsford area.  The power went out around 10:30 this morning.

NB Power spokesperson Jennifer Gallagher tells CHSJ News crews are working on the issue and most people are back on the grid.

She says there are still about 70 homes that need to reconnected and they should have power back around 2:30pm.

There are also about 70 homes without power in the Rothesay area.

Golden Ball Gas Bar Coming Down

One of the last full service gas bars in the city has closed down in the parking lot behind the Golden Ball Building on Union Street.

It had been a fixture there for years. Fencing has been put up to allow for it to be dismantled.

As for the building itself, we're told by Irving Oil it's being fully utilised. There have been renovations to all of the floors as well as a new state of the art gym for the employees being installed.

City Wants Sydney Street Courthouse

The city doesn't want the Sydney Street courthouse to fall into disrepair once the province moves to the new Justice Complex next year.

Councillor Chris Titus believes the city will get first crack at the building once it's vacated and he wants to take advantage of that opportunity.

He says a city department could move there or a public-private partnership could be entertained.

The city will be talking to the province about obtaining ownership.

Saint John To Get Visit From Bank Of Canada Governor

The Governor of the Bank of Canada Mark Carney will be in town tomorrow talking about the economy.

There are predictions we will continue to see a slowdown, especially in construction activity. Pat Darrah of the Saint John Construction Association claims the slowdown is already happening and Saint John M-P Rodney Weston describes the state of the economy as being fragile.

Steve Carson of Enterprise Saint John tells CHSJ News growth will be more modest over the next few years but the city is not likely to see any big decline. Carson points out the Saint John economy has diversified significantly in the last decade or two with tremendous growth taking place in health sciences and information technology.

Teenager Rushed To Hospital After Nearly Drowning

A 17 year old youth is listed in critical condition at the Regional after nearly drowning yesterday afternoon at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre.

An eyewitness says he didn't appear to be breathing when ambulance, police and fire crews arrived. 

Acting District Chief Marc Carey says fire crews were also called to a blaze at 70 Jean Street which began in the kitchen. The remainder of the building  sustained smoke and water damage.
 

There were no injuries but a woman and her 6 year old daughter have had to move in with family members. There's also a pet grooming business in that building.

City Police telling us about a home invasion on Queen Street but the victim, who suffered just minor injuries, isn't co-operating with investigators.

Weston Heading Back To The Hill

MP's from coast to coast are heading back to the Hill as Parliament resumes.
Saint John's MP Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News Question Period will be a whole new ball game this time round without Jack Layton standing across the floor.

He says it will be different with the two parties opposite having interim leaders and he's anxious to see what it looks like.
Weston adds politics aside, the government has work to do including tackling the fragile economy.

Work On Flooding Problem In Oakville Acres Hits Brick Wall

More complications in solving the flooding problem for the people who live at Oakville Acres in Rothesay.

The project is now at a standstill according to Mayor Bill Bishop because of restrictions from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans along with two property owners who are putting up a fight over the town taking over their land.

No work will be done this year and, according to Bishop, the earliest it can be started is next summer.



The town had to apply to the province for a watercourse and wetland alteration.

New Trail Now Open At Lou Murphy Park

You're being invited out to try out the new trail system Lou Murphy Park.

Kevin Watson is Recreational Manager of Leisure Services and he tells CHSJ News despite some odds and ends that need to be tied up, the 3 kilometre trail is now open.

Emera New Brunswick donated 27 acres of land to the park.

Watson says more work is being planned for the park -- over the next year or two he would like to see new playground equipment and a new basketball court.

The Diets Of Students In School District 6 Aren't Good Enough

Students in School District 6 are not eating enough fruits and vegetables......That, according to a wellness survey that was presented to the District Education Council. 

Only 40 per cent or so of students in District 6 are eating the daily recommended amounts. That bothers acting Superintendent Gary Hall because he tells CHSJ News the better you eat, the better you'll learn and then there's a correlation between students who smoke having higher rates of dropping out and lower levels of mental fitness.

Hall says the school district will use the information in formulating future strategies.

Water Rescue For Stranded Boat

A water rescue taking place last night by 115 River Shore Drive.

A few people getting stranded in their boat after it wouldn't start.

The Coast Guard making the save -- the Saint John Fire Department's rescue boat was initially dispatched but was ultimately not needed.

HDC To Take Part In Food Challenge

Randy Hatfield of the Human Development Council is one of 18 New Brunswickers taking part in a food challenge by the Common Front for Social Justice.

They have agreed to live for three days on groceries delivered by local food banks.

He tells CHSJ News it will provide a snapshot of the struggle people go through when they rely on food banks.

The challenge begins on September 26th.  The participants will post comments on the Common Front's website and will speak to members of the legislature about their experiences.

Two Project On Deck For The Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission

The Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission is getting ready to launch two initiatives in the coming weeks.

Spokesperson Brenda MacCallum tells CHSJ News after September 23rd,  it will stop taking leaf and yard waste if it is not properly disposed of in clear or compostable bags.

Also, the household hazardous waste and computer round up event will take place from October 14 to the 22nd.  The program includes Hampton St. Martins, Quispamsis and Saint John.

For more information, click here.

New Trail At Lou Murphy Park Set To Open Today

You're being invited out to celebrate the expansion of Lou Murphy Park.

Today is the opening of its new trail.

The Mayor, members of Common Council, and representatives of Emera New Brunswick will be there.

The festivities begin at 1 at the park, which is located across the Milford Memorial Community Centre.

For more information, click here.

St. Andrews Celebrates Water Upgrades

The town of St. Andrews marking an important municipal milestone --  the opening of its improved wastewater treatment facility.

MP for New Brunswick Southwest John Williamson and St. Andrews Mayor Roger McNabb were on hand for the opening.

In addition to being able to service the town's current and future needs, the improvements also mean less power consumption and impact on the environment.

Total cost of the project was about 3 million dollars.

Overturned SUV Found With No Driver

Police are trying to track down the driver of an SUV that left their vehicle overturned on the Golden Grove Road.

Emergency crews arriving at 745 Golden Grove Road around 3 this morning to find an SUV on its roof. 

A search was conducted and no one was found in or around the vehicle.

Irving Oil Celebrates Neighbours

Irving Oil is inviting everyone out for its Annual Open House and Neighbour Appreciation Day.

It all takes place today at Champion Heights Elementary -- acclivities will include information displays, lunch, entertainment for kids, and refinery bus tours.

Irving Oil spokesperson Sam Robinson tells CHSJ News it's a great way to stay in touch with the community.
 
The event goes from 11 to 2.

Schools In Quispamsis Pushing Maximum Capacity

It's a little cramped at some District 6 schools these days but wide open in others.

Acting Superintendent Gary Hall tells CHSJ News elementary schools in Quispamsis are bursting at the seams.  He says a high percentage of schools are using the portable classrooms and they're even running out of room for those units.

But in other parts of the district, such as Belleisle, Hampton and Sussex, Hall says they have a slight decline in the student population and lots of space.

City Police Bust A Grow Op

City police busting a grow op at a Millidge Street home seizing marihuana plants with a street value of $88,000.

The Street Crime Unit executing a search warrant yesterday afternoon and police learned that the house was empty and it was only being used for the purpose of cultivating marihuana.

Nearly 200,000 Fewer Smokes Going To N.S.

RCMP nabbing a driver with nearly 200,000 illegal smokes in his car after a traffic stop near Coles Island.

A 43-year-old man from Nova Scotia was arrested and will appear in court in Moncton this December to face charges.

Police believe the contraband smokes were heading for Nova Scotia.

Peel Plaza Construction Carries On

Drain Flushing At King And Germain Streets

Drivers and pedestrians had a lot of water to contend with this morning for a little while.
A City of Saint John spokesperson tells us the work is part of regulary scheduled drain flushing.

City Police Release Photo From East Side Robbery

City police releasing a photo of the man who took some cash from an East Side convenience store in a daylight robbery.

The man came in just before 1:30 with a large knife demanding cash, put some in a pillow case and took off.


Police are still looking for him.

Federal Program Helps End Cycle of Poverty

Over $168, 000 from Ottawa will help Saint Johners struggling to overcome barriers to work like a criminal record or a lack of education.Saint John MP Rodney Weston announcing the funding at the John Howard society for the Skills Link program.
Program Manager Susan O'Neil says this program cuts the cycle of poverty and reduces the number of people on welfare.


She says a lot of the young men have girlfriends with babies and when they get placed with a carpenter or an electrian they make enough money to get their own apartment and take care of their girlfriend and their baby.

O'Neil adds about 90 people have gone through with a 68 per cent success rate.
She says they measure success based on the client remaining in the job a year after placement.   For more information on the program click here

Curbside Recycling In Rothesay Delayed

The Town of Rothesay has run into a problem as it tries to implement curbside recycling.

 Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News the town's old garbage disposal company went out of business and sold its assets to a new firm and the quote for curbside recycling has more than doubled which means nothing will happen this year.

Bishop is hoping now to get it started sometime in 2012.

The town has received a grant from the province to get what is needed for the programme.

Former Premier Remembers The Late Neil McKelvey As Unpretentious

A former Premier calls the late Neil McKelvey a "genial giant" who put Saint John and New Brunswick law and lawyers on the map.

That's how Frank McKenna describes the man who died last weekend after a battle with cancer at the age of 86.

McKenna tells CHSJ News he first met McKelvey in his early days as a lawyer more than 30 years ago.

McKenna says McKelvey was extraordinary community citizen in Saint John and in the Province as head of one of the largest and most prestigious regional law firms. McKelvey co-authored a report on health care which was the foundation of the reforms that were implemented during his time as Premier.

A public celebration of Neil McKelvey's life will be held this afternoon at the Imperial Theatre getting underway at 2:30.

Common Front Looking For Answers On Heat Subsidies

The Common Front for Social Justice wants assurances from Social Development Minister Sue Stultz there will be a programme this winter to help low income people pay for their heat.

The Common Front's Jean Claude Basque tells CHSJ News there are about 100 thousand people in the province living below the poverty line with heating oil increasing in price by over 12 per cent in a year and electricity rates up as well by 16 per cent per kilowatt hour.

Basque says the subsidy should be something like ten per cent higher than it was last year.

More Reaction To Flu Shot Proposal

We're still getting reaction to the proposal of getting rid of free flu shots for people in the province between 18 and 64 regardless of whether they're high risk or not.

The Executive-Director of the New Brunswick Medical Society, Anthony Knight worries about how not having the flu shot will affect those people who already suffer from chronic conditions and he warns could turn out to be penny wise but pound foolish if enough of them fall ill and have to seek out medical treatment.

Ellen Snider of the Canadian Cancer Society in the province tells CHSJ News there are people who are not only dealing with chronic illness but don't have a whole lot of money to work with.

Mayor Wants Crackdown On Ice Time No Shows

Mayor Ivan Court is fed up with ice time in the city being booked but not used because the city has to pay its share regardless of whether there's someone on the ice or not.

He wants those who reserve ice time to pay whether they use it or not.

The Mayor also doesn't want to see ice time being booked and then sold to someone else at a profit and feels there should be someone checking to see who's supposed to be on the ice at a certain time is on the ice when they should.

Court concedes this has been a problem now for at least the last three years but probably longer.

Robbery In East Saint John

City police in the hunt for a man after an East Side convenience store was robbed.

The call came in just before 1:30pm

He got some cash after confronting the clerk with a large hunting knife at the store at
411 Ellerdale street.

He put the money in a pillow case and took off.
The man is described as about 5 foot 8 or 9 wearing a dark hoodie, grey sweatpants, sneakers and beige work gloves.

City Group Offers New Internship In Senior Care

Senior Watch in Saint John offering a new internship that will address a shortage of staff, an ability to provide appropriate services and the cost of training.
The care-ed learning internship program combines theory and practical experience together to provide an program for adult learners that care for seniors.
Jean Porter Mowatt tells CHSJ News over the last 10 to 15 years they have been concerned about how to get people trained to care for seniors.

Mowatt says applicants must have finished high school or have a GED, they must do criminal checks and they are selected based on qualifications.

For more info, click here

District 8 Aims To Reduce The Torment Of Grade 9's

Reducing the amount of hazing that Grade 9 students must endure is a priority for District 8.



The District 8 Education Council is looking to host a hazing summit aimed at combating the problem.


Chair Rob Fowler says it has to stop.

He tells us the "rookieing" has always been a problem and it's upsetting for everyone at the District level to see the pictures on Facebook and to hear what is being done to kids.

Fowler adds staggering the beginning of the school year did help with the Grade 9's having the first day of school to themselves and grade 10,11 and 12 students starting a day later.

A Slight Decline In Price Of Gas

A bit of a break for drivers in the city after the weekly setting for gas prices.

Self serve regular is down by just over a cent a litre at $1.27.3.

Diesel is virtually unchanged at $1.30.3 a litre.

Propane and heating oil are still over $1.14 a litre.

Port Gets Some Good News In Wake Of Metal Shredder Controversy

The Saint John Port Authority is all smiles thanks to a contract renewal with one of its customers.

Logistec Stevedoring has renewed their commitment to the port until the end of the decade.

Port President and CEO Jim Quinn tells CHSJ News the recent difficulties with powering a metal shredder at the port makes this kind of news a welcome relief.

He warns colleagues in other countries have been asking him about the recent woes with powering a metal shredder at the port and it's important to manage the reputation of not only the port as a place to do business but as a city as well.

Another Cigarette Bust Near Woodstock

RCMP making an illegal cigarette bust on the Trans Canada Highway yesterday near Woodstock.

A search of a car revealing 60 thousand illegal smokes.  A 25 year old man from Indian Brook, Nova Scotia has been arrested and will appear in Woodstock Provincial Court at a later date.

Police believe the cigarettes were headed to Nova Scotia.

 

The Mounties in Woodstock nabbing a Dartmouth man with 4 kilos of coke and 1 kilo of hash in a vehicle stop near Woodstock on Monday afternoon.

Fredericton Man Gets Fine, House Arrest And More

A 36-year-old Fredericton man gets a year of house arrest after pleading guilty to 12 charges of trafficking and conspiracy to traffic steroids.

Spencer Gordon Court also fined $10,000, is prohibited from owning a firearm for a decade and faces more charges of money laundering and possession of proceeds of crime.

The charges stem from an investigation by the RCMP's Fredericton and Saint John Drug Units and the Fredericton Police Force.
It targeted an organized criminal group involved in the traffic of cocaine, marijuana, prescription drugs and anabolic steroids in the province.

Government Proposing To Stop Free Flu Shots

There's no shortage of reaction to word the provincial government is looking at not providing free flu shots for people between between the ages of 18 and 64, even those who have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and cancer.

Jake Reid of the Canadian Diabetes Association in the province tells CHSJ News this would be risky for people who suffer from diabetes if they come down with complications and could even be life threatening.

The Liberal Healthcare critic Bill Fraser of Bay du Vin predicts if the government goes ahead with this, the estimated cost savings won't be as high as 600 thousand dollars because if people get sick from coming down with the flu then the cost to the heathcare system will rise.
 
He calls the proposal shortsighted pointing out the old axiom that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Bay Of Fundy To Be Showcased On Canada AM

The Bay of Fundy as one of the 7 wonders of the world getting a boost tomorrow with Canada AM coming in the form of weather guy Jeff Hutcheson who will be at Hopewell Rocks.

He'll be doing cutins on the show at the top and bottom of the hour from 6:30 to 8:30. Terri McCulloch of Bay of Fundy Tourism is hoping a large crowd comes out like they did when the show came to the Market Square Boardwalk a few years ago.

She says you can get there by 6:00 if you want to be part of it.

A video about the Bay of Fundy campaign is playing on Air Canada flights in the back of the seats in a bid to generate more national attention and votes.

U-N-B Seawolves Football Team Recognised Nationally

The U-N-B Saint John Seawolves football team is getting national attention and it's all positive.

Team spokesperson Barry Ogden tells CHSJ News it all has to do about where they buy their gear from and that's Key Industries. He says the quality has been excellent and it gives the people who work there hope for the future.

Ogden says they try to build character as well as teaching the players how to better their football skills.

The Seawolves will open their home season September 24th at the Canada Games Stadium. They're in Halifax against Dalhousie this Saturday afternoon and we're told the game is sold out but it will be streamed live.

For information on how to see the stream, click here.

New Dream Home Up For Grabs In Hospital Lottery

Get out your good luck charms -- the 4th annual Hospital Home Lottery is back.

Up for grabs this year is a 2800 square foot, 4 bedroom home in Rothesay valued at 750 thousand dollars.

Donna Gate is the Vice President of the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation and she tells CHSJ News the home lottery fundraiser has been a huge success.  To date, over 1.8 million dollars has been raised.

The money supports the Regional Hospital, the New Brunswick Heart Centre, and MindCare New Brunswick.

For more details on the lottery, click here.

City Police Warning Drivers

Lock your vehicle after you park it and remove anything of value from inside........That message from City Police after several recent theft reports of late from vehicles that have been parked but not locked.

 These thefts have been reported for the most part in the central core of the city and west side.

Police also telling CHSJ News several arrests have been made with those people who were nabbed facing charges of theft and possessing stolen property.

Some of the arrests were made after police were called by people who were witnessing what was going on.

Potash Rally In Sussex Organised By Conservation Council

The Conservation Council of New Brunswick is offering its support to the 26 Penobsquis residents who are seeking compensation from the Potash Corp mine over compromised wells and damaged properties.

The Conservation Council is organizing a rally today at 9am outside the All Season's Inn in Sussex, the site of a hearing between residents and the Mining Commissioner for the next 3 days.

Tracy Glynn of the Conservation Council tells CHSJ News it has been a long battle.

She says Penobsquis has been the canary in the coal mine for the potash business in the province and wants those attending the rally or the hearings to wear a "canary" theme.