Power is Returning To Some

Over 5400 NB Power customers may be eating out otherwise dinner will be cold because their lights are out.

A nasty wind and rainstorm today knocking out power to many including over 1000 homes in Fredericton and over 400 in Sussex.

The lights are back in time for dinner in Rothesay, earlier 600 homes did not have electricity.

Another Name Comes Forward For 2012 Municipal Election

The municipal election is not until next year but we have another name being thrown into the political ring.

36-year old paramedic Ray Strowbridge has announced he is running in Ward 4, which is in East Saint John.

Strowbridge tells CHSJ News he always felt a strong calling for social responsibility and wants to restore accountability and transparency to local government.

He says one of the first things he would do if elected would be to push for a full audit of the city's finances.

Strowbridge joins John Campbell as another candidate on the ballot.  Campbell is running for the at-large position.

NDP Leader Knows Why Charges Are Not Being Laid

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy says he knows why no charges were laid against Windsor Energy for its seismic testing in Sussex without the town's permission. He blames the previous Liberal Government for negotiating leases with no provisions for enforcement.

He says otherwise it's just an extended love letter to a company and his call to Minister Northrup and the Premier is to give the province a Christmas present by not letting Windsor Energy back in here.

Cardy also tells CHSJ News he got a phone call from the President and C-E-O of Windsor Energy, Khalid Amin threatening him with legal action if Cardy continues his criticisms.

Fleury's Visit Next Month Is Timely

The January visit of the former NHLer who was a victim of notorious coach Graham James couldn't be more timely.
In court yesterday, James plead guilty to charges involving Theo Fleury and will be sentenced in February.
Fleury is the guest speaker at the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation Gala dinner next month.
Dinner chair Nathalie Godbout tells CHSJ News they first approached him back in the summer.

At that time she says he was sought after then but no more than he is now in the light of sex scandals at Penn State and Syracuse universities and the guilty plea from Theo Fleury's abuser.

Everyone attending January's event will leave with an autographed copy of Theo Fleury's book "Playing With Fire".
For more info on the event, click here

Police and Canadian Tire Want You To Use Winter Tires

If the blast of winter weather taught us anything two weeks ago, it's that winter driving can be a dangerous thing.

City police and Canadian Tire holding a winter driving safety session today with a focus on using winter tires.

Mike Feener is the owner of the Canadian Tire on the west side and he tells CHSJ News there is no no added expense to buying winter tires because your summer or all-season tires will last longer.

He saysregular winter tires work better on pavement that studded ones.

He adds another aspect often overlooked is the fact winter wipers should be installed because they are less likely to break down in freezing conditions.

St. Martin's School Closing At 12:30pm

Due to a power outage, St. Martins School will be closing at 12:30pm.
Buses will arrive at 12:30 to deliver students home.

Vacant Home Fire In Codys

A fire in a vacant home in Codys keeping crews busy when the call came after 5am this morning.

The owner of the home on the Salmon Creek Road is working out of province.

Hampton RCMP tell CHSJ News the cause of the blaze appears to be accidental.

No word on the extent of damage to the house.

Another Successful Bare Necessities Campaign

It's a milestone year - and - an effort that will see some less fortunate women some little but necessary personal care items.   
The Board of Trade's Women in Business Forum is wrapping up its 10th annual Bare Necessities campaign by delivering 45-boxes of toiletries to 24 organizations like women's shelters and food banks.
Last year - the group wrapped and delivered 40-boxes to 22-organizations.   
Each year the group collects the complimentary items like shampoo - soaps - and - lotions found in hotel rooms then boxes them up for delivery in time for the Christmas season.
This year - volunteers from the business women's group received some help from students at Loch Lomond Elementary and Brownies who sent along gift tags for the boxes.

Self Serve Gas Is Up But Diesel Is Down

If you fill up with self serve regular, it will cost you slightly more this morning after the weekly setting but diesel is a bit cheaper.

Self serve is being sold in the city for $1.21.1 a litre while diesel is at $1.35.1.

Heating Oil has decreased in price from $1.19.2 a litre to 116.9 while propane remains the same with a listed price of $1.17 a litre.

Group Opposed To Shale Gas Not Surprised At Latest Development

One of the grassroots groups that opposes the establishment of the shale gas industry is not surprised that the Alward Government is moving forward with making it a reality.

The provincial Tories used their majority in the legislature to defeat a Liberal amendment calling for a moratorium and a committee study on shale gas.

Carl Wolpin is with Hampton Water First and he tells CHSJ News he's not surprised the vote in the legislature went the way it did and it appears the province will steam-roll anyone in its way.

He says despite this latest set-back, groups like his will still continue to oppose the shale gas industry in New Brunswick.

Mayor Wants Less Cabs In The City

Mayor Ivan Court says the overabundance of cabs in the city is making it hard on those who drive one full-time.

The taxi by-law is undergoing revisions, such as introducing metered fares, and he says he wishes he could help the drivers trying to make an honest living by getting rid of those who only drive during busy periods or on weekends.

Court says he would like to see a limit on how many taxis there are in the city but that power falls under the province.

Saint John Drug Dealer Sentenced

A 42 year old man who peddled cocaine in the city has been handed two years behind bars. 

Timothy Bostwick was charged as part of the undercover drug investigation "Operation Portland" but then took off out west when he was supposed to appear in court.

Bostwick spent two years on the run before returning to Saint John and turning himself in to City Police. He pleaded guilty to six charges, the most serious of which were two of trafficking. 

Bostwick wrote a letter to the court in which he claims to have a new outlook on life and is a changed person.

Bostwick told the court he's a working man and disputed those parts of the pre-sentence report which claimed he didn't work for a living.

A two year sentence also handed a 24 year old Saint John man David Andrew Breau for breaking into an apartment and removing a baby's diaper with a steak knife. The baby was not hurt.

Growth In Housing Sales Expected In 2012

Housing sales will see a slight jump next year -- that's according to the latest figures from Remax.

Gordon Breau tells CHSJ News there will be a slight increase in price -- .05 percent -- and the number of units sold should go up by about 3 percent.

He says sales have picked up over the last few months and the momentum should carry forward due to great interest rates.

He says first-time buyers drove the market in 2011.

Inmate In Critical Condition After Assault At Local Jail

The Major Crime Unit is looking into a serious assault that took place at the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre last Tuesday.

A 33 year old inmate from Fredericton, Thomas Jack is at the Regional Hospital in critical condition.

His mother says Jack suffered a fractured skull with swelling to his brain and she fears there might be permanent damage.

The suspect is a 35 year old inmate from the Saint John area.

Police say charges are anticipated.

Police Asking For Public's Health In Underwear Thefts

RCMP is looking for your help in the multiple cases of missing underwear and sex toys.

So far, there have been 20 reported thefts of undergarments and sex toys in the Saint-Paul, Sainte-Marie, Bouctouche and Adamsville areas.

Investigators are asking people who live in the areas to contact police if they have witnessed anyone suspicious around their home or had someone unexpected come to their door in recent weeks and months.

The RCMP has set up a dedicated phone line for this investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 506-523-8269, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or  click here.

Quispamsis Council Supports MIllidgeville Blood Production

Keeping the blood production lab in Millidgeville now has the formal support of Quispamsis Town Council with the vote being unanimous. 

Canadian Blood Services has run into mounting local opposition over its plans to transfer blood production to Dartmouth.

There was another unanimous vote but this one rejected a funding request for the proposed field house at Exhibition Park.

The councillors say the priority for recreation dollars in the town is the Q-Plex.

Big Plans Unveiled For Quispamsis Elementary School

A big fund raising campaign will be launched next month to raise money for a major playground improvement at Quispamsis Elementary School.

Mark Hatfield of the Community Play Place Committee tells CHSJ News the total cost when it's all said and done will be somewhere between 300 and 400 thousand dollars. 

The plans call for larger and better fields for baseball and soccer along with new basketball courts.
 
There will also be a walking trail and new playground equipment, the cost of which he says is through the roof. 

The committee has raised more than 20 thousand dollars thus far and is asking the town for 5 thousand dollars. That request has been referred to the town's finance committee.

Phase one of the project will cost 123 thousand dollars.

Parking Garage Partially Reopens

Things are slowly returning to normal at the Chipman Hill parking garage. 

It is now partially opened again after being sealed off yesterday because of an electrical problem.

The bottom part where you come in from Chipman Hill remains sealed off but the Union Street entrance has reopened and the upper floors are lit.

Quispamsis Town Council Approves Raises

The incoming members of Quispamsis Town Council after the next municipal election will be getting paid more and just a portion of their salaries will be taxable. 

Raises have been approved unanimously by the current Council based on the recommendations from an independent consultant.

The new Mayor will be paid over 31 thousand dollars a year with 13 thousand dollars in expenses. Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll calls that reasonable because it has turned into a fulltime job.
 
The next Deputy Mayor will be paid more than 16 thousand 500 dollars plus 74 hundred dollars in expenses. 

Individual town councillors will get over 14 thousand dollars annually plus 69 hundred dollars in expenses. 

Beginning in June of 2013, any hikes will be tied to the increase in the cost of living.

Autism Registry To Be Set Up By City Police

People with autism are 7 times more likely to come into contact with police and many times there is no criminality. 

They are also more likely to perceive sirens, police uniforms and strange voices as threats.

Staff Sergeant Tanya Leblanc says that's why City Police in conjunction with the U-N-B Saint John Department of Nursing and Health Sciences are developing an autism registry.Any names on the registry will be voluntary and will only be available to police. 

Leblanc says the registry has worked well in Ottawa with police better able to handle  situations if they know who they're dealing with. The Police Commission has been told those types of situations can spiral out of control if police officers don't modify their behaviour.

City Police already have a wandering persons registry of people suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.

Uptown Saint John Continues Efforts To Save The Paramount Theatre

The Paramount Theatre earning a short reprieve from the wrecking ball -- Uptown Saint John deciding to continue its efforts to save the Paramount Theatre.

General Manager Peter Asimakos tells CHSJ News it's looking for an extension on its option on the building until the end of March so it can gauge how much in public and corporate donations it can secure.

He says Uptown Saint John will still be looking for government dollars but realizes that the well is currently dry.  However, he says there are programs suited for this development.

While he wouldn't give out a specific amount, he says Uptown Saint John will need to secure thousands of dollars in funding from the public in order to continue the project past March.

Vigil At UNB Saint John For Montreal Massacre

A vigil will be held tonight at UNB Saint John in honour of the 22nd anniversary of the Montreal Massacre and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

There are reports that a vigil being held at Harbour Station but officials at the station telling us that such an event is not scheduled.

The vigil gets underway at 7 at the Whitebone Lounge.

The Give 2011 Campaign Surpasses Goal

The Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation's 2011 Give Campaign surpassing it's fundraising goal.

The target this year was 680-thousand dollars and the campaign topped off at 700-thousand dollars.

The money is being used to build a state-of-the-art lab for stem cell therapy -- the first of its kind in the province.

Campaign Chair Steve Titus tells CHSJ News despite the current economic crunch being felt by everyone, people still found it in them to donate because of the importance of having a cutting-edge facility in our city.

He adds it will allow New Brunswickers to stay in the province for treatment.

  
The lab is set to open in the spring of 2012.

Worksafe NB Charges Two Companies In Two Seperate Deaths

Worksafe NB laying charges against Wal-Mart and Dominion Refuse for two separate incidents that each resulted in the death of a worker.

17-year old Patrick Desjardins died in January after being shocked while using a floor buffer at a Wal-Mart in Grand Falls.

Worksafe NB concluded that the polisher was not in proper working condition and was not being used appropriately.

Meanwhile, 25-year old Adam Harris was killed a year ago when he was struck by a bin being hoisted onto a garbage truck in Blacks Harbour.

Worksafe NB says Dominion Refuse did not provide adequate supervision and training.

The Three Unelected Parties Oppose Shale Gas Development

They don't really have a say but, they are talking anyway.   The three Provincial parties without seats in the Legislature calling on the Province to stop all shale gas development.
NDP Leader Dominic Cardy tells CHSJ News part of their call includes a conditional ban.

He says it's a ban that has to meet a rigourous set of conditions for environmental damage and property depreciation and if the ban were to reversed that the economic benefits would outweigh those costs.

The People's Alliance of New Brunswick and the Green Party along with the NDP share  concerns about the environmental damage caused by the shale gas industry.

Police Seek Help In Finding Missing Rothesay Man

Rothesay Regional Police want your help in finding a missing man from the town.

23 year old Scott Taylor was last seen Friday morning about 9:30 at his home in Rothesay.   Police are concerned for his safety.

Taylor is described as 6 foot 1, about 179 pounds with short brown hair and blue eyes. 

He was acquitted on a charge of second degree murder in 2008 after a Cole Harbour man was killed with a sword on Mecklenberg Street At Sydney following an attempted robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 506-847-6300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Power Surge Forces Brunswick House and Garage Closure

Parts of the Chipman Hill parking garage and Brunswick House are closed today after an electrical problem.

Last night, the Fire department discovered a power surge had damaged some of the infrastructure to both areas.

Work is underway to repair the damage.

The parking garage is open from the Union Street entrance to all the upper floors of the garage.

The Fire Department expressing concern that without power the garage could not properly ventilate the exhaust from vehicles.

Time Is Running Out For Transit Workers

The clock is ticking for the current level of transit service in the city.

Service will be reduced and 10-full time employees will be laid off on December 26th due to a one percent budget increase cap.

Tom McGraw is the president of the local chapter of the Amalgamated Transit Union. 

He tells CHSJ News he was hoping council would infuse some cash into the 900-thousand budget shortfall thanks to the higher provincial tax assessments.

But Mayor Ivan Court said any extra money would need to be spread out, which includes paying off the pension deficit.

He says the union will keep fighting and be a force in next year's municipal election.

However, council did pass a motion to take another look at the 1 percent budget cap.

Overhauls Coming To Taxi Regulation and Fares

Major changes are coming to taxi regulations and how fares are calculated in the city.

The city giving early approval to a new taxi by-law that will toughen up regulations as well as introduce metered fares.

Paul Ram owns 14 cabs in the city and he says a metered system will make rates more transparent as the farther you go, the more you will pay.

The new by-law will also require new drivers to have training, including customer service skills, and vehicles cannot be older than 7 years old.

Drivers will have one year to be qualified under the regulations once the by-law takes effect.

Landfill Expects To Contribute 5 Million By 2048

A committment by the Regional landfill to give 75-thousand dollars annually back to Grand Bay-Westfield is growing since it first began.
It's now up to 87-thousand dollars a year and it was set up back up in 1997 when the landfill was under construction.
Brenda MacCallum of the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission tells CHSJ News that money has gone to various projects over the years.

She says they include everything from donations to scouting groups, new playgrounds, sport fields and the new running track in Grand Bay-Westfield.

MacCallum says because the life of the landfill has been extended from recycling and composting, the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission will be able to invest 5 million dollars back into the community.

Police Busy With Two Stabbings In Less Than A Day

City police looking for the person who stabbed a 16-year-old uptown earlier this afternoon.
The teen suffering a wound to his upper body was sent to hospital and is expected to be ok.

Sgt. Glen Hayward tells CHSJ News that Major Crime is looking into the matter and that the teen is not being cooperative.
The teen came to the fourth floor probation office in City hall after he was hurt.
 
A 35-year-old man facing attempted murder charges after a domestic dispute in East Saint John.   A woman who was stabbed was released from hospital last night.
Brian Andrew O'Keefe is being held in custody until his next court appearance on the 13th.

Uptown Stabbing Update

City police are looking for the person responsible for an uptown stabbing.

Initial reports had the incident taking place on one of the floors of City Hall about 1:30 this afternoon.

Police tell CHSJ News the young man who was stabbed will be ok.

Possible Stabbing At City Hall

Emergency crews responding to a possible stabbing in the probation office of City hall.

The victim has been struck in the shoulder.

What's It Like Being Confined To A Wheelchair

Mayor Ivan Court, Councillor Gary Sullivan and some city hall staffers getting a real eyeopener of what it's like to be wheelchair-bound. 

The Wheelchair Dare is a fund and awareness-raising initiative of Muscular Dystrophy Canada. 

The Mayor tells CHSJ News to make your way about requires a bit of planning beforehand to find the path of less resistence.

Court says he found carpets to be a tough slog and he scraped his knuckles a couple of times trying to get through doorways.

Sullivan, the principal at Millidgeville North, found it very time consuming just to go from point A to point B. 

The City's Cultural Affairs Officer Bernie Cormier says your perspective changes because you're looking up at everybody and they appear larger than if they were at eye level.

A Faulty Toaster Causing Smoke To Fill West Side Apartment Building

A toaster on the fritz may be why smoke could be seen coming from an apartment building on the Lower West Side.

Saint John Fire Department crews responding to 48 Albert Street west just after 11:30 this morning.

All occupants of the building were able to get out safely and no one was hurt.

The smoke has been cleared from the building and there is no damage to the structure other than the smell of burnt toast.

Transit Union Pleased With Support From Councillor

The President of the Saint John local of the Amalgamated Transit Union says the community support on saving city bus service has been positive.
On Boxing Day Saint John Transit will lose 14,000 hours of service, 10 full-time positions and 5 part-time due to budget constraints.
Tom McGraw tells CHSJ News they are pleased with the two motions being put forward by Councillor Patty Higgins at tonight's Common Council meeting.

He says the one they are most concerned with is the motion to revisit the financing and the cuts to transit.

Members of the Transit union are hosting an information picket in front of City Hall today.

City Fire Crews Responding To Smoke In West Side Apartment

City Fire Crews responding to a possible blaze at 48 Albert Street West.
Smoke can be seen coming from the apartment building between Queen and St. James streets.

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.