Murder Suspect In Court

A two day preliminary hearing will be held in the spring to determine if 50 year old Stephen Wallace Martin should stand trial for the killing of a man in the north end before Christmas.

It gets underway on May 2nd with two days set aside for testimony. 

The body of 74 year old Robert Ryan was discovered by firefighters after they were called to 374 Mount Pleasant Avenue North. 

Police have not said how he died but determined it was a homicide.

Higgs Reveals How Much You Would Pay In Tolls

Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs has divulged what it would cost drivers if highway tolls were imposed. 

He says the Alward Government has estimated it could generate 50 million dollars a year in revenue by charging 3 cents a kilometer in tolls.
 
A round trip from Saint John to Edmunston would cost over 22 dollars....A return trip from Moncton to Fredericton would cost 11 dollars.......9 dollars from Saint John to Moncton return and $6.50 from Saint John to St. Stephen and back. 

Higgs cautions before tolls can be imposed there would have to be a referendum and the federal government would have to go along.

PlanSJ Close To Adoption

PlanSJ is now just one step away from becoming law. The new municipal plan has its first and second reading at common council Monday. 

According to Deputy Planning Commissioner Jacqueline Hamilton, public consultation on the plan revealed that some amendments were necessary.
 
There will be a total of 21 changes--most of them to do with how people will be allowed to subdivide rural properties, and other site-specific issues.

The third and final reading of the new municipal plan will happen in the coming weeks.

Lots To Say To The Provincial Finance Minister On Upcoming Budget

Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs began the first pre-budget consultation meeting before a standing room only crowd at the community college by saying the Alward Government is considering a system of highway tolls that could raise as much as 50 million dollars in revenue. 

The meeting lasted longer than scheduled because so many people wanted to have a say.

Micheal Saunders came up with another idea to raise revenue and tackle the problem of diabetes by charging a soda tax of one cent an ounce. At the same time, Saunders called for the price of beer to be reduced. 

Gerald O'Dell told Higgs the province has been giving too many handouts to the rich. 

Higgs was also told there are too many managers in the school system and we don't need any more than 40 M-L-A's. He was also urged to bring in balanced budget legislation.

Council Delays Approval of 2012 Budget

Common Council holding off on approving the 2012 budget -- the version released a few days ago put the budget at $144 million dollars and the tax rate unchanged at $1.785.

But Council has decided to meet this Saturday to go over details of an alternate budget -- one that doesn't have pension reforms approved by the province and is 9 million dollars lighter.

Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase says says council is nervous about moving forward without a back-up plan. -- he says it would be impossible for the city to find the money half way through the year.

If council is forced to make the 9 million dollar pension payment, 100 jobs will be immediately lost and city services will be reduced but the tax rate will remain unchanged at $1.785.

A special meeting of council to pass one of the two budgets is expected next week.

Saint John Airport Says Smaller WestJet Planes Are Good For City

With WestJet's considering the launch of a short-haul regional airline next year, the President of the Saint John Airport says the city could look like an attractive location for them.

WestJet would use 40 smaller turboprop plans and Bernie LeBlanc tells CHSJ News those would fit the size of our market much better.

He believes the announcement is good for the city.

WestJet operated out of the Saint John Airport for 4 years.

LeBlanc did not indicate whether the announcement would actually mark the return of WestJet to the city.

Canadian Blood Service Embraces Advisory Committee

As Mayor Court continues to push for better blood services following Friday's decision to move our blood production to Dartmouth, the CEO of Canadian Blood Services tells CHSJ News they support the creation of an advisory committee as announced by the province.

The committee will act as a watchdog to ensure blood service in the province remains optimal.

Dr Graham Sher says CBS embraces the opportunity to work with the medical society, provincial representatives, and others to ensure New Brunswickers get the services they need.

CBS will be attending the mayor's symposium on enhancing blood services in the province, which will be held on January 24th at the Trade and Convention Center.

Fire Crews Contain North End Propane Leak

A brief scare in the North end today after a propane leak outside of the animal shelter.

City fire crews responding to the call just before 3pm after hissing was heard coming from a 4500 litre tank used by Saint John Animal Rescue League.

The tank was quickly contained and turned off and technicians are repairing the leak.

The Provincial Gas inspector from the Department of Public Safety was also at the scene on Taylor Avenue.

Red Cross Responds To Multiple Fires

A couple has lost everything after their home was destroyed by fire lastnight in Hunter’s Home, north of Sussex.

The Red Cross is providing assistance to the couple, who were not home at the time, by providing clothing and comfort items.

It was the fifth fire responded to by provincial Red Cross personnel since the weekend, including two fires in the Sussex area, another two in the Bathurst/Chaleur area and one in St. Stephen affecting more than a dozen people.

Propane Leak In The North End

City fire crews responding to a propane leak in the North end.

The call coming in a few minutes ago outside of the Animal Rescue League at 134 Taylor Avenue.

The cylinder was hissing but has since been turned off.

Lily Lake Opens For Skating

Saint Johners can now lace up their ice skates and take a spin around Lily Lake.

The City tells CHSJ News ice at the lake is nine inches thick and safe for public skating.

You are asked to pay attention to the warning signs posted on the ice.  The designated area is the only spot safe for skating because springs in the lake prevent strong ice from forming in some areas.

The City will continue to monitor ice conditions and may close the lake to skating if ice conditions change.
For more info, click here  or call 652-PLAY (7529).

EMO To Conduct Lepreau Test On Thursday

A test of the Point Lepreau emergency notification system is coming up on Thursday.
The test is being conducted by the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization in partnership with the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating System.

When residents receive the test message, they should listen to the message and then follow instructions to confirm they have received it. The results will allow the Provincial EMO to assess the efficiency of the system.

An emergency notification system has been in place since Point Lepreau opened and an improved system has been in place since 2009 where residents can get the alerts in their home, work or cell phone through e-mail, text message or fax.

If your contact info has changed or you moved, you are asked to contact the Provincial EMO.

 Emergency Measures Organization (1-800-561-4034) or the Musquash Fire Department (506-672-2702 or 506-659-2907).

For more info, click here

No Injuries In Sussex Area Fire

A fire over the weekend in Salt Springs, near Norton forcing a mom, dad, their three children and their grandfather out of their home. 

They, along with their pet dog managed to make it out safely. 

The home is insured and the family is temporarily staying with relatives. 

There's no word on damage to the house or the cause of the fire. The children were given some teddy bears courtesy of the Red Cross.

Saint Johnners Can Have Their Say On Provincial Budget Tonight

You have the chance tonight to get your two cents worth in on what the upcoming provincial budget should look like. 

Saint John has been chosen as the site for the first pre-budget consultation at the community college on Grandview Avenue and Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs will be on hand to hear what you have to say. 

Mike Davidson of the Canadian Union of Public Employees tells CHSJ News while big businesses in the province have been getting tax breaks, the middle class is at the breaking point.

Davidson argues the provincial government doesn't have a spending problem......It's not generating enough revenue. The public consultation gets underway at 6:30.

New City Budget Coming Down Tonight

The city's 2012 budget will be unveiled tonight and the tax rate won't be rising.

Some Saint Johnners may argue there have already been cutbacks in city services with the reductions in bus service and there are rumblings about possible layoffs within the fire department.
 
Common Councillor Chris Titus, who chairs the Transit Commission, points out increasing the number of riders will only make the bus service more expensive because each rider has to be subsidised and that is the case not only in Saint John but also in London, England and Boston.
 
Despite some concern, City Manager Pat Woods is confident the city's debt will not consume too much of the budget. 

The 8 cities cities around the province spent an average of about 12% of their budgets on servicing their debts. The servicing of the debt in Saint John was the second lowest at 9.7% with Fredericton at 8.2 percent.

City's New Municpal Plan Up For Approval

Common Council will be asked tonight to give approval in principle to the new municipal plan that will guide development in the city for the next 25 years. 

Jacqueline Hamilton of Plan SJ calls it a bold and innovative plan saying the goal is to create what she calls complete neighbourhoods with more affordable housing choices and more people living in the city.

Growth will be encouraged in the urban and suburban neighbourhoods.

Hamilton says the message delivered to Plan SJ by Saint Johnners is the desire to protect the rural landscape inside the city.  


 

Pregnant Woman Sent To Hospital After Crash In Valley

Charges are likely after a three vehicle collision on the Gondola Point Arterial at Millenium Drive.

Rothesay Regional Police say drugs and/or alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

A woman who is 7 months pregnant was taken to the hospital to be checked over after she complained of pain.

Taxi Cab Drivers Express Concerns Over Proposed Changes

About 70 taxi cab drivers turning out to talk about recommended changes to the city's Taxi By-Law which will have a big effect on how they do business.

Mayor Ivan Court and Councillor Donnie Snook were also on hand to hear what they had to say. 

he By-Law review committee has recommended several changes to the by-law, including meters, training, insurance, and a 7-year age limit for taxis.
 
Christine Saumure, who chairs of the Saint John Taxi Advisory Committee tells CHSJ News there is concern over the age limit on cabs and the drivers appear to be split on the issue of meters. 

She is recommending they form a viable taxi association.

Dr. Garland Objects to Moving Blood Center

Dr. Andrea Garland has concerns about what will happen now that the Alward government has decided to move blood production from Millidgeville to Dartmouth.

She says that we had a terrific facility here with a great donor base. Moreover, she says the decision is a disappointment because the fight to keep the center was so time-consuming: she and her colleagues had hoped to find a way to make a center here work.

Garland says that according to her research, blood is expensive across the country. Her concern is that without a center here in the province, New Brunswickers will have less access to blood and blood products.

Power Lines Down on Golden Grove Road

Problems with the power lines and telephone poles in the Golden Grove area this morning have left some residents of that area without  power.

At around 8:25, fire officials responding to a call that a line was down had caught on fire on the upper Golden Grove Road. When fire officials got there it was still smoking. They stayed on the scene until NB power arrived and secured the scene.

Just after 11 o'clock Saint John fire department got another call about a telephone pole on fire near 2867 Golden Grove Road, between Bradley Lake Rd and the arterial.

According to early reports, it looks like a high tension wire is down, and the road will need to be shut down.

District Chief Peter Saab tells CHSJ news it's too early to say whether the two incidents are related.

CFIB Urges Government to Cut Through Red Tape

Grab the scissors and start cutting through red tape--that's the message from the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses. The federation's Leanne Hachey says that reducing red tape is more difficult because many people aren't clear on what it means.

Sitting on the phone for hours at a time, getting two answers to the same question, mounds of unnecessary paperwork, and lengthy questionnaires are a burden on business owner's time, which could be better spent doing things that would help their businesses.

She says that because most businesses in New Brunswick are so small, it's generally one person that's left to jump through all the unnecessary hoops. 

The CFIB is getting to word out about the negative effects on red tape on business in the province with a new video series on their website starting Monday. 

You an check out the red tape video diaries at www.cfib.ca

Taxi Drivers Concerned About By-Law Changes

Attention Saint John taxi drivers--recommended changes to the city's Taxi By-Law could have a big effect on how you do business. Taxi industry employees will get a chance to weigh in at a meeting to be held Sunday afternoon.

The By-Law review committee has recommended several changes to the by-law, including meters, training, insurance, and a 7-year age limit for taxis.

Christine Saumure is the chair of the Saint John Taxi Advisory Committee. She says it's that last point that is worrying a lot of drivers, who have expressed their concerns.

The information session happens today, January 15th, from 4pm-6pm at the Somerset Community Centre in the North End Police Station. Anyone who wants to air questions and concerns is invited to attend.

Attempted Robbery on Saint James Street

No one was injured in an attempted robbery on Saint James Street yesterday evening.

A man walked into the south end Fish & Chip take-out and brandished a weapon at an employee of the store.

When another customer entered the store, he got scared and took off on foot.

Police say they're still looking for the man.

Mayor Presses On With Blood Services Symposium

A symposium about enhancing blood services in the city will press on despite the province closing the door on starting its own blood service.

Mayor Ivan Court chairs the committee that is running the event.  He tells CHSJ News despite reassurances from Canadian Blood Services he says safety is still an issue for him, as well as the economic impact the lost jobs will have on the city and the future of healthcare in the province.

He says services need to be enhanced and not stripped down, which he believes will still happen when the production lab moves to Dartmouth in 2013.

He says Canadian Blood Services will be attending the event and he hopes the premier or other provincial politicians show up as well.

The symposium takes place at the Trade and Convention Centre on January 24th.

Name of Car Crash Victim Released

RCMP have released the name of the driver who died following a crash along Ketchum Road on the peninsula yesterday.

57-year old Gail Coggan of Kingston was killed when her car went out of control on her way home during yesterday's storm, slid off the road and rolled down an embankment. Road conditions were slippery at the time of the crash. She died at the scene.

Hair-Cutting Incident at Hampton Middle School

Superintendent of School District 6 Gary Hall says the school is working with RCMP over an incident at Hampton Middle school.

He tells CHSJ News a student was held down yesterday and a piece of her hair was cut off.

He says two students were involved.

According to the RCMP, a complaint was filed today by the girl's mother.

Police Make Drug Bust In North End

Police seizing 35-thousand dollars worth of prescription pills, cocaine, and crack in a raid of a North End home yesterday morning.

RCMP and Saint John Police also found a loaded handgun.

44 year old Troy Anthony Beveridge of Saint John appeared in Provincial Court this morning. He was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and also for possession of a loaded firearm.  Beveridge was remanded to the Saint John Regional Correctional Center until Monday, when he will return to Provincial Court for a bail hearing.

Police Looking For Info On 2 Unsolved Cases

City Police are looking for new information related to two unsolved fatal hit and run cases.

In September of 2002, Roger Cameron was struck at around 3 in the morning while heading home on Rothesay Avenue.  He was hit from behind by what was described as a light blue Lumina van.

70-year-old Gilbert Savoie was killed in 20006 while he was crossing Loch Lomond Road. He was struck by a which was believed to be a beige 1992 or 1995 Mazda.

If you have any information, contact the police force or Crimestoppers.

CEO of Canadian Blood Services Says Province Made The Right Move

The CEO of Canadian Blood Services Dr. Graham Sher says remaining with CBS is the best option for the province.

He says by staying with a national system, patients and the medical community in the province can be assured of a safe and secure blood supply.

The province has announced it will be forming a watchdog group with various medical and advisory groups to ensure that safety will not be compromised.

Heart Surgeon Speaks Out On Blood Decision

One of the critics of transferring the blood production lab from Millidgeville to Dartmouth was Dr. Jim Parrot, a renowned heart surgeon who's now the M-L-A for Fundy-River Valley. 

Dr. Parrot tells CHSJ News he would have preferred the transfer not take place but, at least, the Alward Government avoided total closure. 

Dr. Parrot tells CHSJ News the province went to war with Canadian Blood Services and he believes what was negotiated is significant. 

The New Brunswick Medical Society will be keeping a close eye on the quality of the blood supply and Dr. Parrot maintains what was negotiated is far better than the original plan which would have seen the building shuttered and even blood collection moved to Moncton which isn't going to happen.

Saint John Being Considered For Canadian Blood Services Contact Centre

A Canadian Blood Services contact centre could be coming to the city in the wake of the loss of the blood production lab to Dartmouth.

CBS says it may open a centre that would handle appointments, follow-ups, and support national CBS programs.

A decsion has not been finalized and no word yet on how many jobs would be created.  Winnipeg, Kingston, Moncton, and Halifax are also being considered as locations for the contact centre.

Province Staying With Canadian Blood Services

The provincial government says it will stick with Canadian Blood Services as it's blood provider, despite it moving its blood production lab from Saint John to Dartmouth in 2013.

Health Minister Madeline Dubé says the province cannot afford to start it's own blood system as well as assume the risk and liability that comes with it.

She says staying with a national program has numerous benefits, such as being part of the national organ donation program.

She adds during the dicussions, the province managed to convince CBS to keep other blood products in Saint John.

Woman Killed On Kingston Peninsula

A 57-year-old Kingston woman is dead following a crash along the Ketchum Road on the peninsula.
 
The collision occurred when her car went out of control on her way home during yesterday's storm, slid off the road and rolled down an embankment. 

Road conditions were slippery at the time of the crash. The woman died at the scene as a result of her injuries.

Her name is not being released until her family has been properly notified.

BREAKING NEWS - Alward Government Stays With Canadian Blood Services

The Alward government says it will continue its relationship with Canadian Blood Services - that rules out setting up a provincial blood agency to handle blood production.
C-B-S is consolidating its blood production services at a new facility in Halifax closing out its Millidgeville production facility.
More details shortly.

BREAKING NEWS - Alward Government Blood Decision Coming

The Alward government will announce its decision on whether it will proceed with a provincial blood services agency within the hour.
A news conference is being at the Centennial Building in Fredericton at ten this morning - speculation is mounting the governing Conservatives will back away from going it along because of the costs involved.
The Canadian Blood Services is consolidating its operations at a new facility in Halifax -- the University Avenue Blood Services location will become a donation centre only.

First Snowstorm Of Year Hits City

Saint John getting its first big snowstorm of the year. 17 centimeters of snow fell at Saint John Airport according to Environment Canada. Gagetown got 13 and Moncton 19 centimeters. 

All schools are open in the Saint John area but the schoolbuses in districts 6, 8 and 10 along with Samuel de Champlain will all be running one hour late this morning. 

Schools in District 17 are closed for the day.

(Photo courtesy of Joe Comeau)

Layoffs Not Expected At Canaport LNG Despite Sluggish Natural Gas Industry

The amount of liquefied natural gas going through the Canaport LNG terminal this year will match or be slightly below 2011 levels.

General Manager of Canaport LNG Adolfo Azcárraga says the terminal will operate at about 40 percent capacity but employment levels will not be affected.  He says most receiving terminals operate at about 60 percent capacity.

Meanwhile, the Director of LNG North America for Repsol Phillip Ribbeck says demand for natural gas has been low recently due to the warm weather and high supplies.

He says his company is focused on making money over time and in any scenario.

About 100 people work at Canaport LNG.

We May Get 15 Centimetres Of Snow

The first significant snowfall of the new year may bring 15 centimetres.
Environment Canada Meterologist Linda Libby tells CHSJ News in the changeover from snow to rain after midnight we may see ice pellets or freezing rain.

Libby says we're looking at up to 15 centimetres by midnight with blowing snow.

Some flights are cancelled in and out of the Saint John airport, so before you make the trek out you should call ahead and check on your flight.

To see our list of cancellations, click here

Ambassador Of Qatar Visits New Brunswick

The Ambassador of Qatar for Canada paying his first visit to New Brunswick today.

Salem Murbarak Al-Shafi visiting the Canaport LNG terminal -- the State of Qatar signed a multi-year agreement to supply liquefied natural gas to Repsol Energy Canada back in 2010.

Al-Shafi says it was great to be at the terminal during the arrival of a vessel from Qatar.

He adds he is impressed with the facility's focus on the environment and involvement in the community.

Student Numbers In City Will Drop For Years Ahead

Future enrollment numbers in School District 8 don't look good. According to provincial estimates, the student numbers at high schools in the city will continue declining over the next 12 years.
 
Bob McDevitt of the District 8 Education Council has been doing some number crunching and even though the school district would like to maintain 4 viable high schools in the city, he concedes that may not be possible over the long term but the big question would be which of the high schools would close.
 
The school district meantime is forecasting a deficit of almost 466 thousand dollars with principals told to be careful with their spending. Minor repairs are being deferred and professional development cut back.

Public Consultation On School Closures Was Not Just Lip Service

The recommendation from the District 8 Education Council to keep Morna Heights school from closing shows public consultation is not a waste of time. So says Rob Fowler who chairs the District Education Council. 

He tells CHSJ News they listened to what the parents had to say and they made a strong case to keep their local school open. 

The recommendation, which also includes building a new school in Grand Bay-Westfield, goes to Provincial Education Jody Carr. Fowler says nothing is going to happen for a few years yet so he doesn't expect a decision anytime soon.

Homeless City Men Can Get "Out Of The Cold"

If there was ever a night to have shelter from the storm, it's tonight and one City church will be providing just that.
The "Out of the Cold" shelter operates out of the Grace Presbyterian Church on Coburg street.
Co-ordinator Jillian Driscoll tells CHSJ News they reopened for the winter on January 1st and have the capacity for 15 men a night.

She says they always need volunteers, money to provide the men who come to stay with their basic needs and she adds they also feed them.

Driscoll adds volunteers are always needed along with donations of gift cards for coffee shops and grocery stores, food donations, cash and men's socks.

The shelter opens at 9pm and closes at 8am the next morning.

For more information on volunteering call Fern Bennett at 645-9208.
To make a cash donation, call the church at 634-7765 or to donate gift cards, food or men's socks call 672-4952.

Gas Prices Are Up Again

You'll be paying more for gas after the weekly setting if you have to fill up.

The maximum price for self serve regular has gone up by 1.7 cents a litre but there has been a far greater increase if you use diesel with the maximum price rising by just over 5 cents a litre. 

The price of heating oil also rising by over five cents to $1.21.4 a litre while propane is a cent a litre more expensive at $1.11.2.

Recommendation Made On Fate Of Morna Heights School

The announcement coming as a surprise as the District 8 Education Council votes to recommend a new school be built in Grand Bay-Westfield but that Morna Heights School stay open. 

Lori Nason of the Parents Association at Morna Heights didn't expect the decision this soon but says the parents are ecstatic. She adds they were optimistic because the case they made was strong. 

In making the recommendation, the District Education Council cited Morna Heights as being a community school with the area having the potential for future residential growth which means more young families moving there.

The final decision on the fate of Morna Heights will rest with Provincial Education Minister Jody Carr.

Larger School District Gets Support

Under the reorganisation plan, School Districts 6, 8 and 10 will merge into one stretching from St. Stephen all the way to Sussex. 

Rob Fowler, who chairs the District 8 Education Council, supports the move. He doesn't believe the merged school district will be too large to be managed. 

Fowler points out there are some school districts around the country that are larger with more students than the entire province of New Brunswick.

Reduction In School Districts Will Not Affect Quality Of Education

The Chair of the District 6 education council is confident that the quality of education for students will not be affected by the slashing of seven school districts.

Roger Nesbitt tells CHSJ News putting the plan in place for the 2012-2013 school year will be tough but he thinks it can happen.

He says everyone working in the districts will rise to the occasion and keep everything running smoothly.


He adds he is not surprised with the province's decision as it is looking at any and all avenues to save money.

Dogs To Celebrate Before The Game Tonight

Hearts and eyes may be full with pride and tears when 7 players are honoured tonight before the Sea Dogs game for their recent international play including the World Junior Hockey Tournament.

Four Sea Dogs players including bronze medalists Jonathan Huberdeau and Nathan Beaulieu of Canada will be recognized before the game against Shawinigan.

American Charlie Coyle, a recent acquisition by the Dogs, who played for his country is also making his Sea Dogs debut tonight.

All seven players get a plaque from the Sea Dogs while Jonathan Huberdeau and Nathan Beaulieu will be presented with official Team Canada jerseys at centre ice.

The puck drops at 7 at Harbour Station.

Province Proposes Reducing School Districts

The Alward government is looking at reorganizing school districts, increasing parent involvement on district education councils and paying those councils.

Education Minister Jody Carr says the proposed changes are based on a lot of consultation and will improve education.

The changes would include reducing the number of school districts to seven from 14, a step expected to save $5 million a year in administration costs.

Under the changes, the anglophone sector would comprise four districts and the francophone sector would comprise three districts.

The boundaries would be used during the district education council elections in May with the new councils starting July 1st.

For more information on the changes, click here

Deputy Mayor Says A TV In The Lobby Of City Hall Is Useless

The idea of setting up a TV screen in the lobby of City Hall to show people how much money is being saved with lower energy consumption at the Saint John Transit building doesn't sit well with Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase.

He calls it a waste of taxpayer money because it will attract little attention when what riders want to know is when their next bus will be coming.

Councillor Gary Sullivan has no problem with it, saying the city should be shouting about what it does right and letting people know.

Councillor Chris Titus, who chairs the Transit Commission, says the energy savings amount to a quarter of a million dollars a year.
 
Mayor Ivan Court would like to know if that money is going back into the bus service.

Union Says Jail Guards In Saint John Laid Off For Complaining

The issue of conditions at the regional jail on the Old Black River Road has gotten ugly with word of three guards who complained being laid off.

 Mike Davidson of the Canadian Union of Public Employees tells CHSJ News there's no legitimate reason why they should have been given their walking papers. He says the government wanted to send a message to others to keep quiet.

Davidson goes on to say the matter of the layoffs is now in the Premier's office while conditions at the jail, itself, have not gotten any better.
 
Complaints about what's happening at the jail came to light after an inmate from Fredericton was badly beaten up a few weeks ago by a fellow prisoner.

Mayor Says Commuter Tax Not Likely To Happen

The Mayor says those who are upset with the possibility of a commuter tax have nothing to worry about.

Ivan Court tells CHSJ News it's one of many ideas being considered as a way to generate revenue.  He doesn't believe the tax will ever be implemented.

Court adds the city couldn't put the tax in place even if it wanted to as it would be under provincial jurisdiction.

Valley residents are opposed to the tax and Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop has called it a "joke."

City's Business Community Takes Initiative In Landing New Airline

The Saint John Board of Trade making a big push to land Porter Airlines. 

Board of Trade President Imelda Gilman tells CHSJ News there's a good reason why.........The more options for flying there are, there better it is for businesspeople also also with more options, you might also see better pricing.

A social media campaign has been launched with Saint Johnners encouraged to sign up and demonstrate to the airline the level of interest at www.flyporter.com.

The Board of Trade is also trying to get the fifty top employers in the city to write to the airline. 

Enterprise Saint John and Destination Saint John are also involved in the campaign. 

New Ambulance Quarters Taking Shape

Lots of construction activity on City Road across from the Colonial Inn -- work is progressing on the new Ambulance N-B regional headquarters building.
The new location will contain paramedic quarters - a regional office - and - 4-bays for ambulances -- but -- a spokesperson for Ambulance N-B tells us there won't be any change in the way its trucks are deployed around the city.
The agency will lease the building from F-I-C Holdings and it expects to take occupancy some time in May.
Approximately 40-people will be working out of the City Road location.