Warning: Lepreau Could Be Another Fukushima

Lepreau could be another Fukushima....that from Sharon Murphy of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. Murphy says there's a pattern of ignoring the safety issues because there's so much money to be made...but the risks are impossible to ignore. 

She tells CHSJ News Lepreau has many of the same red flags that led to that disaster, and it's especially concerning that the plant has been proven unable to hold up under any sort of seismic event.

Murphy says the Conservation Council is simply using science its attempt to prevent the re-opening of the plant this fall.

Breaking News - Man In Hospital With Electrical Burns

(Courtesy Google Street View)

A man has been rushed to hospital with burns after coming in contact with a live electrical line on Highmeadow Drive this afternoon - emergency and Saint John Energy crews rushed to the scene shortly after 3.
There are reports the man was working in some kind of hole or man hole when he came in contact with the line.
Worksafe N-B and police are now trying to determine what exactly happened.

Loud Boats Hit With Fines

Roaring around on the water is a major no-no....and you could be hit with a hefty fine if your boat has a loud muffler.

Hampton RCMP warning they have received complaints about boats with loud mufflers. The District recently issued a $500 ticket to one boat operator.

You could be fined between 250 and 500 dollars depending on the violation.

Tourism Strategy Unveiled During Trolley Tour

Tourism experts, politicians and others getting a chance to see Saint John through the eyes of a tourist. Enterprise Saint John launching its new plan for growth on a special trolley ride to Lily Lake. Enterprise Saint John's Janet Scott tells CHSJ News growing the tourism industry is about changing attitudes, not big bucks. A grassroots approach, says Scott, is the surest means to achieving success.

Scott says major priorities include extending the tourism season, improving communication about events, and revamping the Trade and Convention Center.

RCMP Recover Body From The Gorge

A body has been pulled from a swimming hole in Musquash known as "the gorge".

RCMP responding yesterday to a report of a man who jumped from a road bridge and didn't resurface.

Sgt. Bob MacKnight tells CHSJ News the body of a 22-year-old man from Nigeria was found this morning by the RCMP Underwater Recovery Teams from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

The man was a student at UNB Saint John and his name is not being released until his family has been notified.

Two Ships To Visit Saint John

Saint John is the site of a Port visit by two Canadian ships beginning tomorrow.

HMCS Brunswicker is hosting the HMCS Goose Bay and the HMCS Kingston until Sunday at Long Wharf.

Lieutenant Marc Brown tells CHSJ News they will be to rest and reconnect with Saint John.

The ships have already made stops in Norfolk, Baltimore and Boston before coming to Saint John.

Brown adds the ships will be open to visitors on Saturday from 1-4pm.

Bridge Work Begins On Monday

Starting Monday work will begin again on the Harbour Bridge and it will be done on single lanes.

Changes to the lights at Somerset street and Paradise Row and at Highway 1 and Paradise Row will be put in place to improve the flow of traffic on and off the highway.

Motorists are encouraged to take steps to ease congestion such a carpooling, walking or biking on Harbour Passage and avoiding travelling during peak hours.    

For info from the City of Saint John, click here 

Traffic updates are available on the Provincial government's website by clicking here

Gas Will Cost You More Today

You may wish you filled up yesterday...gas is up by a nickel at the weekly setting.
The price of regular gas is set for 125.4 and diesel is up two cents to 129.4

Around town, regular is going for 122.8 a litre and diesel is selling at 126.8 a litre.

According to a tipster, Sussex is the place to hit the pumps with gas at just over 118.

Organ Donation Suspended

It might be harder to give the gift of life, the province is temporarily suspending its Organ Donation Program for up to two weeks after a Health Canada inspection found parts of the program didn't line up with national guidelines.

Health Canada found several problems with the program's paper work, including one case in which a piece of information wasn't received about a donor who had a tattoo.

The department expects the Health Canada standard requirements will be in place by fall.

55 Jobs Opening In Fredericton

The country's largest rural broadband provider opening 55 full-time jobs.

Customer care center jobs for Xplornet Communications are opening after a $484,000 investment from Invest NB. The announcement was made today at the opening of the company’s newly expanded offices in Fredericton.

The new jobs are expected to contribute $1.6 million to the province.

Jobs Eliminated at Telegraph Journal

The Telegraph Journal eliminating a swath of unionized employees today in what some see as a union-busting move. According to Union VP and reporter Bruce Bartlett, the external sales department has been decimated over the past year and they aren't buying top brass's explanation that it's due to "technological changes."

Bartlett says only 5 employees are left in the department with the rest of the work being shipped off to BNI's non-unionized news magazine, K.V. Style. He adds they will be filing a grievance.

Last year the newsroom at the Telegraph Journal took a hit when Brunswick news opened up its new production center at Market Square.

Housing Dreams Come True In North End

Carol Ferris has found her dream home in the North End.

Today was the official opening of a new affordable housing project in Saint John, giving a home for low-income families or people with disabilities.

New resident Carol Ferris tells CHSJ news she was staying at her Aunt's home in Garnett Settlement before moving in late May. She adds as soon as she picked up her keys, she was in heaven.

The federal government will invest more than $2-billion in housing projects this year like the 12-unit building at 11 Second Street.

National Track & Field Championships in Saint John

It's never to old for a little competition. Athletes from across the world will be competing in Saint John for the North American, Central American and Caribbean Track and Field Championships in August.

Meet Director Bill MacMackin tells CHSJ news we can expect more than 500 athletes over the ages of 30 (with the oldest being 93) to compete in various track and field events over 3 days.

MacMackin adds about $100,000 has been invested into renovating the Canada Games Stadium with fresh equipment.

If you're interested in volunteering or competing, click here.

House Construction Remains Soft

House builders in the greater Saint John area are basically treading water compared to last year -- Canada Mortgage and Housing reports housing starts are down 22-percent to the end of June compared to the same six months last year.
The federal housing agency says the biggest hit is a 46-percent drop in the number of new multiple residential units going up compared to last year.
Fredericton is also suffering while Moncton is booming with the number of new housing units up just shy of 60-percent to the end of June compared to the first six months of last year.

Busker To Walk Tightrope Across Harbour

It's that time of year again--Buskers on the Boardwalk will be in town starting tomorrow. As usual, there will be loads of acrobats, fire-jugglers, jugglers, contortionists and more performing in the uptown from Thursday until Sunday.

Heather Peterson of the Hardman Group tells CHSJ News one of the acts will be an extra-special feat of derring-do: he's called The Human Who Walks Across the Harbour. On several occasions throughout the weekend, the tightrope walking will be spanning the gap between the two lighthouses on Market Slip.

There will also be concessions and games including at ATV racetrack for the kids. For a full schedule for Buskers on the Boardwalk, click here

Want To Run Away And Join The Circus?

If you've ever wanted to run away and join the circus, here's your chance....Buskers on the Boardwalk is looking for volunteers. Rhonda Cusacks of Resource Development with the Boys and Girls Club tells CHSJ News they've filled most of the spaces to volunteer at the concession stands and midway, there are still a few slots that need to be filled.

The organization needs 8 people to volunteer on Sunday from 12-6, and 2 or 3 people on Saturday from 10-1.

All proceeds from the rides and games go directly to the Boys and Girls Club, with over $13,000 being raised last year. 

Interested in volunteering? Call the Boys and Girls club at 634-2011 and ask for Rhonda and leave a message. Otherwise you can email  at cusacks@nb.sympatico.na.

Pumpkin Patch Robbed

The Saint John Police Force Major Crime Unit investigating a break and enter at 3:30 am this morning at the Pumpkin Patch on Manawagonish Road.

The robbers are said to be young men in their late teens. One has short blonde hair with beige shorts and no shirt. The other was wearing a white hoody, black shorts and black sneakers.

Anyone with information should contact the Saint John Police Force Major Crime Unit or Crime Stoppers.

City Police Want To Curb Graffiti Spread

Graffiti artists are typically smart, introverted young men who need a push in the right direction...that from Sgt. Jim Fleming, giving an update on Saint John's graffiti eradication program. He tells CHSJ News there's a culture of mentoring when kids get into "tagging".

Fleming says sometimes you see nice tags with good designs showing they are talented and below you will see rudimentary drawings which means the artist wants to be like the artist doing the bigger tags or is a wannabe.

Fleming says graffiti isn't a huge problem here--but it does come up from time to time, and is time-consuming and sometimes expensive to remove.

Several Saint Johners Receive Diamond Jublilee Medals

A host of notable Saint Johners receiving Diamond Jubilee medals from Saint John MP Rodney Weston on behalf of the Queen.

The list includes the Dr. Tom Condon, Butch Cogswell, John Irving, Reverend Lloyd Lake and Elsie Wayne.

The recipients were chosen through a nomination process.

Car Prowlers In SJ & KV

Both the Valley and City police forces are battling a stubborn problem....vehicle owners that insist on leaving valuables inside and the doors unlocked.

City police receiving reports of a pair of car prowlers in Forest Hills and in Champlain heights.
Meanwhile, the Rothesay Regional Police telling CHSJ News a group of 5 or 6 youth are prowling neighbourhoods in the River Road area walking onto driveways and checking cars to see if they are open.

No reports yet of anything taken.

No Campfires Allowed In NB

This hot, sunny and often weather is great for the beach--but potentially disastrous for forests.

All of New Brunswick is currently at the highest level of restriction for outdoor fires until we get some  rainfall. Grass fires require permits, written burn plans and inspection by a forest service officer.

Under the latest fire restrictions anyone who has a fire could be charged with significant fines.

For Campfires, Burning Debris Permits call 1-866-458-8080.

Get updates on the status of the province's forests here

26 Jobs Affected At Fundy

Twenty-six positions affected at Fundy National Park due to federal cuts to Parks Canada earlier this year, resulting in thirteen volunteer departures and thirteen seasonal workers with reduced hours taking effect at the end of the summer season.

Fundy Park Superintendent Blair Pardy tells CHSJ news visitors shouldn't notice a difference in service this summer. They're working out the details but shorter hours during the fall and winter could be expected.

Pardy adds that work roles in all areas of the park are being adjusted to the cuts. 

The federal government announced budget cuts to Parks Canada earlier this year.

Mortgage Broker Charged With Fraud

A mortgage broker accused of fraud will appear in Fredericton provincial court Thursday.

William Watson Priest-Phillips of Nackawic and his company, Priest Phillips Management Corp., were charged with one count each of fraud over $5,000 and one count of uttering forged documents.

Inspector Lise Roussel, Officer in charge of the RCMP's Commercial Crime Section pointed out that  mortgage frauds have a bad effect on the real estate market and they take these crimes seriously. The charges were laid as a result of a 5 month investigation.

Ambulance NB Weighs In On Grand Manan Death

With Liberal MLA Rick Doucet slamming cuts to air ambulance services on Grand Manan, Ambulance NB is offering its side on the case of a patient who died over the weekend after waiting hours for an ambulance.

The contract between Ambulance New Brunswick (ANB) and Atlantic Charters expired June 30. 

Spokesperson Sophie Cormier-Lalonde saying in a statement Atlantic Charters won't have flown the patient anyway, as their condition was serious enough to warrant critical care flight nurses.

Doucet said the cuts were playing Russian roulette with people's lives. 

Free Car Show in Hampton

Antique car fans won't want to miss the 16th annual Hampton Lions Show and Shine. Lions chair Larry Barton says it's turned into a huge event for a great cause. He says it's a chance for serious car fans to come and show off their hard work.

Prizes will also be awarded. Last year the event raised $1200 for the Lions charity work in the area. It runs at the Hampton Town Arena from 6:30-8:30 on Wednesday. Admission is free.

Trial Date Set In Alleged Sex Assault And Attempted Murder Case

A Quispamsis man accused of sexual assault and trying to choke a man to death has had his trial date set.

35 year old Christopher Eric Lunnie pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, sexual assault, and a drug charge. The alleged incident happened May 17th on Gondola Point Road.

Lunnie will be tried in Saint John on February 4, 2013.

Helping Seniors Retain New Info Through Music

The Resident iPod Project at the Loch Lomond Villa aims to help those with Alzheimer's or Dementia reconnect with songs from their youth.


Recreation Director Mary Lynn Steele tells CHSJ News a playlist is created on an Nano or Shuffle for listening sessions lasting from 15 to 30 minutes.

She the two residents were asked Yes or No questions before and after listening to the music. After four sessions they were responding quicker and speaking in full sentences after the music was over.

Steele says they are looking for iPod Nanos and Shuffles, iTunes gift cards and chargers to get more residents involved in the program.

If you would like to donate to the project, call Amie Walton at T4G at 721-2157 or Mary Lynn Steele at the Loch Lomond Villa at 643-7111.

To see the viral video which is part of the inspiration for the program, click here

Pedestrian Hit By Car

A 24 year old woman struck by a car this morning.

City Police tell CHSJ news she was crossing from King Square South onto Sydney Street when a 22 year old woman was turning left onto Sidney Street where she struck the pedestrian with her car.

Police say the driver was distracted by sun glare. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries.

Collision Sends Two To Hospital

A collision on Highway 7 sending two people to hospital.

District 3 RCMP tell CHSJ news a 23-year-old Geary woman heading north while a 53-year-old Grand Bay-Westfield man was heading south when one of the drivers crossed over the line and side swiped the  other vehicle.

Both drivers were sent to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The investigation is continuing and charges are anticipated

Crews Knock Down North End Fire

Saint John fire crews responding to a fire in the North end in the Ricky's mall.


Smoke was coming from the Good Fortune Restaurant on Churchill Boulevard.
District Fire Chief Eric Garland tells CHSJ News they got the call shortly after 6am.

He says when they arrived scene they found heavy smoke coming from the roof and he says crews have knocked down the bulk of the fire.

Garland adds 25 firefighters were working the blaze at one time and they were concentrating on making sure the fire didn't extend into the roof of the mall.


He says the smoke has spread to the businesses neighbouring the Good Fortune Restaurant.

Smoke Coming From North End Restaurant

Fire crews responding to a fire in the North end in the Ricky's mall.

Smoke can be seen coming from the Good Forture Restaurant.

City fire crews are on the scene.

Drainage Issues Continue In Rothesay Neighbourhood

Too much rain in too short a time could spell serious problems for Rothesay--that from Gary Howard of the Oakville Acres citizen's group. The town has funding and plans prepared for a detention pond--but, Howard says, they're running into problems with a neighbouring municipality.

He says the area where the detention pond has to go is in the town of Quispamsis and they need to cooperate and to this point, have decided not to do so.

Howard says he's not sure why Quispamsis objects to having the detention pond built on their land. While temporary measures are in place to deal with overflow, Howard says that won't work long term.

Boil Water Order Over

Water is now safe to drink for the Sandy Point Road area. 

Test results have confirmed that water at the following locations is now safe to consume:

•    Sandy Point Road between Hawthorne Avenue and MacLaren Boulevard (not including Parkwood Avenue)
•    Thornborough Street
•    Jack Street
•    Kelly Lane
•    Anglin Drive, including Anglin Crescent and Pidgeon Street
•    Kiwanis Court
•    Corkery Street
•    Cranston Avenue between Sixth Street and Thornborough Street (not including Sixth Street)(Notices were hand delivered to affected residents.)

That being confirmed by water test results reviewed with the Department of Health and the Medical Officer of Health.

They recommend if you've been away from your home during this period, you take a few minutes to flush out the water in your plumbing.

Grand Mananer Dies After Long Wait For Air Service

A heart attack victim from Grand Manan has died needlessly....that according to MLA for Charlotte-The Isles Rick Doucet. He emphasizes the importance of air-based evacuation from Grand Manan to the Saint John Regional.

 Previously, residents could be transported to hospitals in Saint John or Moncton directly from the island. Under a new contract signed less than a week ago the wait-times are much longer.

Doucet says he's been saying all along the cuts would have a disastrous effect and this incident proves it. He says given the "golden hour" for medical response in certain emergencies, the wait time is simply unacceptable.

Doucet says the helicopter arrived just after 1pm, but just before the patient could be taken to the helicopter--four hours after the ambulance was called--the patient suffered another, fatal heart attack.

Doucet says Grand Mananers are anxious to have the island-based service restored.

Horse Dies After Alleged Abuse

The horse allegedly abused in a high-profile case near Geary has been euthanized.

We told you last week the animal was left out without food or water in stifling heat. Sergeant Joel Sauleof District 2 RCMP tells CHSJ News the owner of the animal surrendered to to the SPCA voluntarily.

The animal was later euthanized. Saule says the investigation is ongoing.

Photo: courtesy of a concerned tipster to our CHSJ Newsroom.

Man Dies In Police Custody

A 43-year-old man has died while in police custody.

The Tracadie-Sheila man being arrested twice Sunday morning for knocking on people's doors while intoxicated, then hours later for trying to break into a house.

While in custody for a second time Mounties say during a routine evening check a guard noticed he was unresponsive. Officers tried to resuscitate him and he was later taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Bathurst police are leading the investigation into the man's death. His name has not been released.

Saint John Ads Take Over Halifax

The City of Saint John getting more publicity around Halifax. 

Giant billboards can be seen around the Nova Scotia city -- promoting the City market, Uptown and other areas. 

Ross Jefferson from Discover Saint John tells CHSJ news Porty City offers a lot with it's waterfront, historic character, great shopping and food.

Jefferson adds the new ads in Nova Scotia makes sense since most visitors come from the Maritimes.  He estimates tourism brings in about a quarter of a billion dollars spent on goods and services.

Look For A Vehicle Report Card On Your Car

Four Saint John police officers are putting report cards on vehicles in Uptown parking lots based on what can or can't be seen inside and if its locked or not.

Sgt. David Hartley-Brown tells CHSJ News four officers are placing pass/fail report cards on the vehicles in some uptown parking lots.

He says they are hoping to increase the numbers of people who lock theirs cars adding 100 per cent would be ideal but any improvement is better.

Hartley-Brown says an easy target is a car with the windows down and doors unlocked with valuables in plain sight where a hard target is locked with nothing valuable visible from looking inside.

Teens Arrested In Car Thefts

Some Rothesay teens arrested for theft after an early-morning bust...

Police received a report around 4am that a young pair were tampering with vehicles around Hillsview Crescent area. When they arrived on the scene they found a group of teens, including two that matched the description of the thieves.

The 14 year old girl and a 15 year old boy were arrested.

Moose License Draw Results In

The results of the 2012 provincial moose license draw are now available.

Hunters who entered the draw may find out if they were successful either by calling or by checking online.  

Callers will be asked to enter their provincial medicare number using the telephone keypad and applicants will then be informed if they were successful in the draw.

To purchase their moose license, hunters must bring a valid medicare card to a Natural Resources office or to a participating Service New Brunswick center after August 20th.

There were over  63,000 applications for more than 4,600 licenses available for provincial residents. The 2012 moose hunting season runs from September 27th to the 29th.

To find out whether you received a moose license click here. 
You can also call 1-800-459-3729.

Watch Out For Dangerous Algae

Most of the algae that grows in lakes and ponds is harmless---but there's one kind you should watch out for. The Department of Health warning folks about blue green algae, which can be recognized for its blue-green colour and paint-like scum it leaves on the water.

It causes skin, eye and throat irritation and even more serious effects if consumed. Young children and pets are particularly sensitive.

You should avoid swimming, water-skiing or other activities in water showing signs of blue green algae.

Speed Likely A Factor In Minto ATV Death

A man is dead after an ATV crash in Minto on Saturday night.

RCMP were called to the crash around 7pm where a 21-year-old man drove into a large mud hole where he lost control of his vehicle causing it to roll over several times, throwing him off.

Police say he wasn't wearing a helmet at the time and they believe speed was a factor.

Carnival Glory In Port Today

The Carnival Glory cruise ship is due in Port today with 3500 passengers arriving at 9am and leaving at 5pm from the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal.

For more on the Cruise Ship season, click here

Shale Gas Concerns Stronger Than Ever

Public consultations are over but you can still have your say on shale gas development.

The provincial government released 116 recommendations on shale gas to help ease people's concerns about safety but anti-shale gas activist Greg Cook tells CHSJ news those concerns are as strong as ever.

Cook says a labour report in the United States recently says that shale gas, of all industries has the highest accident rate.

The main concern remains that fracturing the rock will release methane into wells and contaminate drinking water. Federal NDP leader Thomas Mulcair also claims the chemicals used in fracking contain carcinogens.

The government is still looking for your views until September 18th.

Teach Health & Life Skills In Schools

As the provincial government prepares their new health care strategy, a nurse who sees health first hand says we need to get back to the basics.

Shannon Robertson, a nurse at New Brunswick Heart Centre, says community and health professionals need to work together for a healthy future. She tells CHSJ news it starts with the kids.

"Children are our next generation, they need to know whats going on. And we're doing the best we can, but we need the collaboration of everybody."

Robertson says kids need to be taught health and physical education and life strategies in general, and that can be taught through education and in the community.

Health Minister Madeleine Dubé says New Brunswick is "the unhealthiest province in Canada", spending $8.6 million dollars a day in health care costs. The provincial government is currently drafting a new health care plan for December, taking in people's concerns and comments on how to improve our health system.

A Bleak Assessment From City Finance Commissioner

Cities are dying because of a lack of revenue.........This claim being made by City Finance Commissioner Greg Yeomans who's calling for a better way of funding municipalities because what's in place now isn't working.
 
Yeomans says cities only receive 8 per cent of the total pot of tax dollars with the federal and provincial governments dividing up the other 92 per cent.

He adds if the energy hub developed the way people had hoped with the prospect of a second oil refinery in Mispec, the city would have received half a million dollars in more tax revenue but would have to spend 1.2 billion dollars to upgrade the infrastructure.
 
Even with the gas tax money that came back to the city did so with strings attached because it had to be spent, as Yeomans puts it, on "new stuff", not what was already on the ground. 

A Bar Brawl and A Robbery Over The Weekend

City police kept busy over the weekend with a number of people facing charges.
 
Just after 2am Sunday, officers got the call to break a brawl at a East side bar where one person was sent to hospital to be checked out and four men in their 20's and 30's are facing charges.

A short while later a man was robbed and injured at Charlotte and Union.   A man in his 30's made a court appearance on a charge of robbery with violence.

Yesterday, a man in his 40's twice refused a breathalyser, once early in the morning in a car and again last night while on a lawn tractor.

The East Saint John man is being held until a bail hearing.

Give Blood and Get Dessert

Starting tomorrow, when you give blood, you can fill that dessert craving at the same time.


Canadian Blood Services is hosting its Strawberry Shortcake clinic this week.


Michelle Thibodeau-Coates of CBS tells CHSJ News before giving blood you should be well hydrated with non-caffeinated beverages like juice and water.

She says you also want make sure you have had enough to eat before donating adding often hospital appointments require you to fast but they want you to do the opposite and eat.

To make an appointment, click here

Man Assaulted & Robbed on Union Street

A Saint John man was assaulted and robbed early this morning on Union Street.

Saint John City Police tell CHSJ news the 29 year old man was walking when a 35 year old man robbed him of his cash.

Police say the suspect was later arrested in a cab on King Street. The victim received minor injuries.

World Acadian Congress Receives $2 Million

The provincial government supplying a good chunk of change towards the 2014 World Acadian Congress.

Two million dollars will be given to the congress that brings Acadian from around the world together for family reunions, conferences, and performances.

The event is held every five years and lasts from two to three weeks in northwestern New Brunswick, parts of Maine and Quebec.

Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud says the provincial government plans to take advantage of the congress to promote the province as a tourist and cultural destination as well as a place to do business.