Last Minute Fundraiser Brings In Nearly $6000

The Saint John music community reaching out to help one of their own over the weekend.

The Christmas Magic fundraiser was hastily organized through Facebook to raise money for Terri-Lynn and Van Russell after his recent double organ transplant in Halifax.
Close friend and fellow singer Elaine Boulanger came to the rescue organizing the show at Portland United Church since her friend is with her husband while he recuperates.

She tells us the expenses that go along with that with her being self-employed and caring for Van at this time will be insurmountable.
Boulanger adds her friends in the music community want to do whatever they can to help her.

As of Friday, nearly $6000 was raised for the Russells from the 400 people who came to the concert.

(photo courtesy of Joseph Comeau)

Minto Fire Leaves Family Homeless

A fire yesterday afternoon in Minto leaves a family of 4 homeless, at least temporarily. 

The blaze caused major damage to their home on Northside Drive. There's no word on a cause.
 
Red Cross volunteers arranged for emergency motel lodging, food and clothing and provided personal-care kits, blankets along with teddy bears for the two children, aged three months and three-and-a-half years.
 
The woman and two children were not home at the time of the fire and the man got out of the home safely.

City Offering Free Internet

Saint John is jumping on the bandwagon with other major cities and offering free public internet.

The City recently announcing that it has joined Freespots, the public wi-fi service. According to Mayor Ivan Court, internet access is a big draw for visitors to the city, especially cruise ship passengers and crew.

The Freespot initiative comes on the heels of the city being named one of the world's Smart21 high tech hotsports by the Intelligent Community Forum.

The Shoppes of City Hall, Aquatic Center, and the market are some facilities already providing the free service.

K-V Man Dies In A-T-V Crash

A 24-year-old Quispamsis man is dead following an all-terrain vehicle accident.

The RCMP say the accident occurred Saturday afternoon along Highway 1 in Pennfield Ridge. 

The rider, 24 year old Ryan McLaughlin died at the scene. He worked as a millwright at Point Lepreau. 

A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Gondola Point Road tomorrow morning at 11:00.
   

J-D Irving Gets Environmental Award

For the first time in 36 years, a New Brunswick company getting recognized for innovations in energy efficiency.
 
An award from the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation going to Irving Paper for its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. 

Over the past 5 years, the Pulp and Paper Division has reduced its fossil fuel consumption by 50%.

According to the company, that's the equivalent of taking 32 thousand cars off the road.

Blueberry Hill To Get A Significant Looney Today

The Regional landfill has given $1 million dollars to Grand Bay-Westfield since it's inception.

To honour that milestone, The Blueberry Hill Nature Preserve Trail will receive the one millionth dollar invested by the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission.

A ceremonial passing of the loonie will take place this morning on the Blueberry Hill trail this morning at 11 o'clock.

Councillor Wants Bus Cuts Revisited

Common Councillor Patty Higgins is calling on her fellow Council members to take another look at the bus cuts that are scheduled to take effect on Boxing Day.
 
Higgins says they may have made a shotgun decision before finding out the city's tax base had grown to the tune of 5 million dollars. 

Higgins also would like to see consultations with the public on the impending cuts expedited. The transit union has begun a "Save Our Bus" campaign.

Liberals On Warpath Over Charging Seniors More For Their Drugs

Shameful....That's the charge being levelled against the Alward government by M-L-A Bernard LeBlanc. 

The Alward government is coming under fire for proposing to charge seniors more for their prescription drugs.

Low income seniors in New Brunswick who qualify for the current drug subsidy co-pay up to $250 a year for their prescriptions. The Alward government has proposed doubling that cost, bringing the total to $500.

The Conservatives placed the draft regulation changes on their website to allow for public feedback but LeBlanc argues, because many of the low-income seniors affected by the changes don't use computers, their concerns won't be heard.

Local Historians Looking For Rockwood Park To Be Protected

Local park enthusiasts, professors and historians want Rockwood park to be named the City's only Cultural Landscape. 

Protecting the park would make sure it stays pristine for future generations and not be sold off for condos and the like.
 
In a letter to Common council, local historians David Goss and Harold E. Wright point to the park's use for all sorts of recreational activities over the years, from the zoo, to spelunking, and riding. They maintain that it's a key part of the city's history.
 
There are precedents for the park's long time protection, like King Square and the Old Burying Grounds.

Rockwood Park is considered unique because it's a largely rural park in the city center. 

Council is being asked to forward the request to the Heritage Development Board for further consideration.

Teenager In Coma After Accident Near Bloomfield

A seventeen year old youth is in serious condition after a dramatic accident on Highway one.

RCMP says that the teenager was driving westbound near Bloomfield when his car vaulted between two overpasses.

The car fell to the road and hit and embankment, landing upside down. The jaws of life were used to remove him from the vehicle.

He was transported to the Saint John Regional, where he remains in serious condition and, at last report, was in a coma.

Arrest Made In East Side Stabbing

City police are investigating a stabbing which took place on the east side in a domestic dispute. 

A woman suffered multiple stab wounds at a home on Richard Street. 

She's in hospital in stable condition. 

One man has been arrested and is expected to be charged in court this morning.

City Will Face Hard Decisions On Its Aging Ice Rinks

The city faces a huge challenge when it comes to recreation in the future and how to pay for it.

So says consultant Brian White who has done a study which shows Saint John has too many ice rinks for its population but he tells CHSJ News there is a regional demand for ice time so they serve more than just the people who live in the city. 

White says most of the arenas around town were built in the 1960's and 70's. As such, they are approaching the end of their life cycle and to replace them, would be a big financial burden on city taxpayers.
 
He adds there is a trend in other cities of multi-purpose facilities where, for instance in Halifax, they have a fire station in one section of a building and a community centre in the other.

Zoo Fears Losing Accreditation Due To Funding Shortfall

The Cherry Brook Zoo making it's funding pitch to the city as the 2012 budget begins to take shape.

Zoo Director Lynda Collrin says the zoo is expecting a deficit of over 100-thousand dollars for 2012 to 2014.

Collrin tells CHSJ News the zoo could lose accreditation which would lead to closure.

She says the zoo has been asked to move elsewhere but the zoo wants to remain in Saint John.

The Regional Facilities Commission recently rejected the zoo's bid to become a member which would have solved it's funding issues.

Sea Dogs Release Memorial Cup Book

Sports fans might not always be the biggest bookworms--but the Saint John Sea Dogs are releasing some terrific reading material for fans of the team.

The Sea Dogs are releasing a limited-edition commemorative book called “Hockey Heaven: A Look Inside the 2011 Saint John Sea Dogs, Memorial Cup Champions.” There will be just one print run of 500 copies. 

The books will arrive in time for Christmas, but they're selling fast! Fans are encouraged to place a pre-order make sure they get their copy.

The book is filled with pictures, quotes, and behind-the-scenes looks at the team’s historic journey through the 2010-2011 season.

The 80-page, hardcover book is retailing for $58. It's to commemorate the team winning the Memorial Cup. They're calling it "an exclusive piece of Saint John hockey history."

International Day of Disabled Persons Marked Today

The International Day of Disabled Persons is being observed today. The UN created the day in 1992 to promote the benefits everyone can gain from including people with disabilities.

Christyne Allain, of the Premier's Council on the Status of Disabled Persons, said in a statement that integrating people with disabilities into mainstream society is important to our political, social, economic, and cultural life.

While a lot of progress has been made, says Allain, there's still a gap between policy and practice that must be addressed.

The slogan chosen this year by the United Nations is, "Together for a better world for all: including persons with disabilities in development."

BOT Not Worried About Recent Layoffs

The Saint John Board of Trade does not despair poor job numbers here and in the province and the news of Irving Oil layoffs.
 
President Imelda Gilman tells CHSJ News it's always disappointing to hear that companies have to lay off workers.

She says there are different reasons for these layoffs and it goes to show that we are not isolated here and we are competing globally.

Gilman says growth in the City's IT and Health sector are reasons to be hopeful.

17 Year Old Gets Two Years For Manslaughter

A 17 year old getting two years in Miramichi Youth Centre and 3 months of conditional supervision for the murder of 29 year old Jason Dow.

Dow was found in his underwear on Barker Street with several stab wounds back in March.

During the youth's sentencing hearing, the court was told that Dow met him over the internet and paid him over a thousand dollar to model in a photoshoot. During the course of the shoot, the 17-year old drank over 9 beers and the two were intimate.

The youth then grabbed a kitchen knife and locked himself in the bathroom.  He then texted his girlfriend that he was going to kill Dow and proceeded to chase him to Barker Street where he stabbed him.
 
Justice Hugh McLellan says he did not give the youth the maximum sentence of 3 years because he turned himself into Hampton RCMP shortly after the killing.

City Company Produces Film On Homeless Youth

A working group includings representatives from youth-serving organizations and area churches is working to create emergency housing facility to strengthen existing housing and support services for homeless youth.

A film was put together to show the need in our community for Saint John Youth House.

To see it, click here

Passamaquoddy First Nation Against Lepreau License Renewal

The Passamaquoddy First Nation speaking out at the final Point Lepreau licensing hearing.

Chief Hugh Akagi says the consultation process between the First Nations, NB Power, and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has been a difficult.

He says not enough effort was made in order to keep people informed on the intervenor process and how they can take part in the hearings.

The Passamaquoddy Nation is against the renewal of Point Lepreau's license.  They believe the plant poses too much of a risk to people and the environment.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission will make a decision in about six weeks.

Parents In Saint John Want French Immersion To Start Earlier

The earlier french immersion begins the better........That message delivered to a four person task force by parents in Saint John who would like it to start in Grade one instead of grade 3.

The recommendation doesn't come as any great surprise to former McKenna cabinet minister Jim Lockyer who is co-chairing the task force.

The parents also say the goal should be to emerge bilingual instead of just 70 per cent proficient in french.

They believe more resources and support are needed along with more french courses in high school.

The task force will be at Hampton Middle School for its final public meeting on December 15th.

A report will be presented to the Alward Government in the new year.

Liberal M-L-A Says Province Won't Go It Alone

The province will not set up its own blood services in light of the local opposition to transferring blood production from Millidgeville to Dartmouth .........That prediction from the Liberal M-L-A in Charlotte County Rick Doucette who says the Conservatives are not adventurous enough to take that bold step.

He also says now they're in government, the Conservative M-L-A's haven't had much to say on this issue. Doucette calls their silence deafening.

Doucette makes mention of Environment Minister Margaret Ann Blaney who took then Health Minister Mike Murphy to task at the time, accusing him of agreeing to the transfer. 

Premier David Alward says a decision is close on whether the province will set up its own blood services.

Critic Of Shale Gas Speaks At Hampton High

A vocal critic of shale gas extraction describes it as intense industrial activity on a very large scale.

Cornell University Professor Dr. Anthony Ingraffea appearing at Hampton High last night to talk about the myths and realities of shale gas exploration and development. 

He tells CHSJ News those people who are worried about their wells being contaminated should be. Dr. Ingraffea says it will happen.......the only questions are how many will be affected and who will pay. He says it would be foolhardy for anyone to believe nothing wrong will happen.
 

Dr. Ingraffea specialises in hydraulic fracture simulation and pipeline safety. He spent over 25 years taking part in research and development for the oil and gas industry.

Acadien Bus Service Halted

There will be no intercity bus service until further notice with Acadien bus lines locking out its drivers in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island this morning.

The bus terminal on Chesley Drive is in the dark.

Company vice-president Marc-Andre Varin says parcel delivery will be stopping as well if no buses are running.

 Acadien has routes within New Brunswick and two daily runs to and from P-E-I.
     

Glen Carr of the Amalgamated Transit Union says the bus drivers, mechanics and customer service reps voted 88 per cent against the company's last offer earlier this week and were prepared to stage strike action.

Mayor Says Loss Of Lab Will Hurt Safety and Economy

Mayor Ivan Court crashing the media conference with Dr. Sher -- he has been very outspoken about the loss of the blood production lab and remains unconvinced that patients will not be at risk.

He tells CHSJ News the closure of the lab will also mean the loss of skilled workers and will be a blow to the local economy.

Court was not invited to the media event with Dr. Sher and says he would have been willing to meet with CBS if a meeting was arranged.

CEO of Canadian Blood Service Visits Saint John

The CEO of Canadian Blood Services Dr. Graham Sher says he wants to make sure that misconceptions about CBS's decison to move a blood production lab from here to Dartmouth are put to rest.

Dr. Sher says he made the trip out to the Millidgeville clinic because he wanted to drive home the fact that he's committed to safety.

He says statements by certain community leaders and doctors about patients being in danger are wrong because a blood supply will be kept in the city.  In fact, he says we will now have access to two sources of blood: one in the city and one in Dartmouth.

He adds the province should also remain part of a national blood system and not go it alone.

Arts Group To Fold After Funding Cuts

After a series of deep cuts from the Province, Performing Arts New Brunswick is closing it's doors by the end of the year.

In an email, Executive Director Nancy Schell says she wishes to thank everyone for their support over the years.

Operational funding for Performing Arts NB came from the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport.

Preliminary Work Begins On New Cruise Terminal

Work has begun on the second cruise terminal building down on Water Street.

The 15.6 million dollar project includes berth enhancements at the new terminal and the Long Wharf location.

The new terminal is 25-thousand square feet over two levels.

The preliminary work will be completed by Christmas.

Province Gives Proposed Youth Shelter $50K

It will cost somewhere between $500,000 and a million dollars to establish a facility for homeless or at-risk youth.
The Provincial government announcing a $50,000 contribution to the project.
Saint John Youth House project coordinator Colin McDonald says they want to do it right by creating a safe and comfortable place for youth to be.

He says it could be 2am or 2pm and youth can walk in the door and as long as a bed is available they can stay.   He adds they can stay for 90 days and if they are working towards success they can stay up to six months but ideally they want to move them on to the next phase of program.

The board is still in the site selection process and they are looking at two possible locations which they hope to announce in January.

Point Lepreau Station Manager Says Earthquake Risks are Negligible

The station manager of Point Lepreau says there is virtually no risk of an earthquake hitting the station.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is currently holding hearings at the Delta over whether to renew Point Lepreau's license to generate power.

Station Manager Wade Parker says a lot of critics are afraid of seismic activity causing an incident similar to the Fukushima disaster but he says their data indicates the station is not located in a high-seismic hazard region.

He adds the plant is designed to withstand an earthquake is one does occur.




Natural Resources Canada also presenting data indicating most earthquakes in Eastern Canada cannot be felt and they occur in seismically active zone.

Studies done by the staff of the safety commission are recommending that the license be renewed.

Gas Prices Are Up But Not By Much

There has been a slight increase in gas prices following the weekly setting. 

The maximum price for self serve regular rising by just over a cent a litre while diesel has increased again by less than half a cent. 

Home heating oil is listed at $1.19.2 a litre which is a decline of half a cent and propane is a bit costlier at $1.17 a litre.

City Looking For Ideas On Future Recreation Needs

Common Council is expected to receive a plan in the new year about what the future face of recreation will look like in the city. An open house and workshop were held at the Lily Lake Pavilion to get ideas. 

The Recreation Manager for Leisure Services Kevin Watson tells CHSJ News the city has a surplus in some areas with ball fields and tennis courts as examples.
 
Watson also telling us when it comes to ice rinks, the standard for a city the size of Saint John would be 3 whereas, right now, 5 are being operated in addition to Harbour Station.

One trend he is seeing is more women playing hockey and the demand for ice time in prime time is 100 per cent booked. Another trend is people taking part in individual activities rather than structured programmes.

Board Of Trade Hands Out Business Achievement Awards

The Saint John Board of Trade handing out the 2011 Annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards.

Go-Go Gymnastics picked up the award for Emerging Enterprise, Punch Productions nabbed the Entrepreneurial Achievement Award, and Bayview Trucks and Equipment Ltd. took home some hardware for Business Excellence.

Keith Brideau is the VP of Historica which renovates old heritage buildings for development.  He received the Young Entrepreneur Award and he tells CHSJ News he's proud to offer a unique service to the city.
 

Rounding out the winners was Hestia House for the Big Heart Award and Enterprise Saint John scored the Chair's Award.

The Legislature Supports Movember

More than 281-thousand dollars has been raised in New Brunswick by the Movember event in support of prostate health and awareness.  Members of the New Brunswick legislature posed for a picture today with many sporting moustaches of their own.
  

Tax Assessment Dollars From The Province Should Go To Saving Transit Service

The president of the union for city transit workers believes the influx of an additional 5 million dollars from the provincial tax assessment should be used to save transit service.

Ten employees will be laid off, five workers will see their hours reduced, and 20-thousand hours of service will be cut on Boxing Day due to tightening budgets.

Tom McGraw tells CHSJ News the union is trying to get the message out to Common Council and transit needs only 900-thousand dollars to maintain the current level of service.

He says 21 million dollars in gas tax funding could also be used to boost transit but it been earmarked for water projects.

The Commute Will Be Easier Tonight

The trek across the Harbour Bridge will be even easier this afternoon.
The eastbound Chesley Drive on-ramp is open to traffic once again.

Work continues on the area of the former toll plaza and is scheduled to be completed in the next few weeks.

Earlier this month,  the west bound lanes of the Harbour Bridge re-opened after being closed since the spring for a major overhaul.

At the time, Transportation Minister Claude Williams told CHSJ News the bridge project is on budget and he remains confident the east bound lanes will be completed during the construction season next year.

Overnight Parking Restrictions Begin Tomorrow

Here's a reminder that winter is coming  -- overnight parking restrictions will be in effect tomorrow and ending March 31st.

For most of the City, there is absolutely no on-street parking between midnight and 7 a.m.

City spokesperson Leah Fitzgerald tells CHSJ News there are exceptions, like in the lower west side, north end, and the Mount Pleasent area.
 
The South Central Peninsula works on a year-round alternate side parking arrangement outside of a snow ban.

The Saint John Parking Commission is also offering a new online parking space matching service.

The site will match residents with property owners with available off-street parking spots.  It will launch in the coming days.

For more information on parking restrictions, click here.

For information on the matching service, click here.

Anti-Nuclear Groups Gear Up For Lepreau Hearing

NB Power wants the operating licence for the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant to be extended by five years. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission will be in town for two days of hearings into the application  beginning tomorrow morning at the Delta

Larry Lack of the Lepreau Decommissioning Coalition says the relationship between the regulator and the nuclear industry is too cosy and they're turning a blind eye to any concerns.

The Conservation Council is also warning the next significant earthquake in the province is expected to be in the area of Passamaquoddy Bay. The anti-nuclear groups are calling for a rigorous environmental assessment along with a Royal Commission into the future of the nuclear industry.

Michel Duguay has a Ph.D in nuclear physics and used to be an advocate of nuclear power but now says a much better bet would be to invest taxpayer dollars in wind energy because that's where alot of private investment is headed.

He maintains wind power from the Gulf of St. Lawrence has the same potential to generate as much energy as Saudi Arabia does with oil.

Dr. Gordon Edwards is President of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility and warns an industrial accident at Lepreau would devastate the provincial economy. He also brands the refurbishment of Point Lepreau with the delays and cost overruns "incompetent.

A public forum on nuclear power is being held tonight at the Fort Howe Hotel starting at 7:30.

More Layoffs In City

The Saint John economy will be taking another hit over the next several months with 78 layoffs at Irving Oil.

The company says the workers are losing their jobs because the finance and I-T departments are being consolidated into one division. 

Irving Oil President Mike Ashar recently told CHSJ News the refining business was going through a down cycle.

These job losses follow the recent announcement at Moosehead about 27 administrative jobs being eliminated.

West Side Fire May Have Been Deliberately Set

The cause of a fire at a building owned by Saint John Non-Profit Housing on the lower west side is believed to be suspicious. 

Fire Crews were called to 182 Rodney Street West shortly after 7 last night.

District Chief Peter Saab says there was heavy fire coming from the rear of the building which then spread to the roof. 

Firefighters spent three hours at the scene to make sure all the hot spots on the roof were extinguished.

10 people have been forced out of their apartments because of the damage.

Sea Dogs Take Part In Raise The Roof

The Sea Dogs will be donning red toques to help out homeless youth here and across the country.

80 per cent of the of the proceeds will go to Saint John Youth House, a planned housing facility for homeless and at-risk youth and the rest will help support initiatives across the country.

Colin McDonald, Project Coordinator for Saint John Youth House says the campaign brings added financial resources to address an important issue in this community and raises awareness about youth homelessness in Saint John.

Members of the Sea Dogs will be presented with the toques at Harbour Station tomorrow afternoon at 3pm.

Students Protest Lack of Quiet Study Spaces at UNB Saint John

UNB Saint John students are making some noise about too much noise

3rd year student Samantha Tinker is petitioning the university to decrease the amount of noise at the new commons building or to provide more quiet study spaces.

Tinker tells CHSJ News finding a place to study shouldn't be a hassle as she is paying thousands of dollars to get a quality education.

Grad student Jonathan Simmons signed the petition because the new commons building has become too much of a social hub and a lack of quiet spaces can really hurt grades.

Tinker says the school has increased the hours of the commons building to provide more study time but that is not what she is after.

She expects to have a few hundred signatures by the end of the day and suggests that the Ward Chipman Library be re-opened as a study area.

Watermain Break On City Road

City crews are working to fix a watermain break on City road near Stanley Street.
A crew was called in about 11:30 this morning to respond to the watermain break and the section of pipe has been isolated.

It should take most of the day to fix.
Saint John Water responds to approximately 70 breaks in the drinking water distribution system every winter.

Salvation Army Trumpeter On King Street

Walkers on King Street today treated to some Christmas classics while the Salvation Army fundraises for the annual red kettle campaign.

Pregnancy Committee Using Video & Social Media To Reach Teens

You can't return a baby and babies are a lifelong contract--that's the message in a new campaign put on by the Greater Saint John Teen Pregnancy Committee.
It features a Facebook page and locally produced videos featuring local teens.
Chair Penny Higdon tells CHSJ News Saint John has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the province and it's almost double the national rate.

She thinks involving teens in the process might be a better strategy than always having adults talk about it.
19-year-old Sarah Woodword is featured in one of the videos and become involved through the Teen Resource Centre.

She found it emotionally and physically difficult to be around crying babies adding something you can't soothe a baby even if it's your own.
Higdon says the Committee's vision is a future where pregnancies are planned and desired and happen at a time when it will not limit future opportunities.

To see the video, click here

New Plan On Recreation In The City For The Next Generation

If you have an interest in recreation and parks, you can have your say in developing a strategic plan for the future at the Lily Lake Pavilion tomorrow.

Over 200 community and recreation groups have been invited to take part.

City planner Sara Herring tells CHSJ News the city has too many recreation facilities for the size of the population and with budget constraints, it's becoming harder to maintain all of them so there will have to be some streamlining.

She says recreation needs in the future will change as well because of an aging population.
 
There is an open house and workshop being held from 4:30 until 8:00 tomorrow.

Retirement Age Needs To Be Increased To Fight Pension Deficits

President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business Catherine Swift says more steps need to be taken by our city and others who are struggling with huge pension deficits.

She tells CHSJ News retirement ages need to be increased in the public sector because people are living longer and pensions were not built to be paid out 30 years after retirement.

She says another big step is to move away from defined benefit plans and switch to combination plans that do not punish the retiree excessively.

Our Listeners Do Not Want More VLT's

Our Facebook friends taking issue with the Atlantic Lottery Corporation's plan to add another 75 video lottery machines in province.

Tarah says this is why Facebook needs a dislike button adding it's everyone's choice to gamble but, the need for one at every street corner is ridiculous.

Aimee says if taxes are constantly going up then why do we always seem to be getting less services for what we pay. She can't believe they would add more addicting machines just to line their own corporate pockets.  She says this is what the Occupy movement is all about--corporate greed.

Francina says it's a terrible thing to feel that the Government is so attached to a five letter word called "greed".

Join the conversation on our Facebook page, click here

Bus Strike Looms Larger

Acadien Bus Lines in this province and Prince Edward Island could be hit by a strike Friday morning at 6:30.
   
Local 1229 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, representing bus drivers, mechanics and customer service reps, is reporting members have voted 88 per cent to reject the company's latest contract offer. 

The union withdrew a strike notice last week so that Acadian Lines could present a new proposal but the president of local 1229 Glen Carr says it's obvious the company's latest offer was put together quickly.
   

More Video Lottery Terminals For Province

More video lottery terminals could be set up in the province because of falling revenues from the V-L-T's which fell to 91 million dollars in 2010-2011 from 100 million a year earlier. 

The Atlantic Lottery Corporation wants to install up to 75 more V-L-T's in the province.
    
Bids have been opened for the operation of three new gaming sites. Two of them in Saint John and the other one would be in Fredericton. 

City Loses Garbage Truck In Blaze

A garbage compactor going up in smoke early this morning at the City's repair and maintenance building on Rothesay Avenue known as the City Barns. 

There was heavy smoke emanating from the cab portion of the garbage truck when fire crews arrived. 

The sprinkler system was activated and the building, itself, sustained what is termed signifcant smoke and water damage. 

The garbage truck is a complete loss.