Donnie Snook was not in court today. The matter is being adjourned until late May because more charges are pending.
Snook would normally have appeared by video conference but the technology was not available due to the move to Peel Plaza.
About 50 spectators were in court today. The former councillor faces 8 charges so far including possession, distribution and making child pornography. Snook is due back in court on May 29th.
The suggestion from one of the candidates running in the Ward 3 byelection in May about using volunteer firefighters in the city has generated alot of comment on Facebook.
Common Council has also talked about the possibility but Fire Chief Kevin Clifford warns you can't integrate volunteers without having to spend taxpayer dollars and you can only use them in a limited capacity.
Consultant Todd MacDonald of Performance Concepts warns the availability of volunteers at times is iffy because of their job commitments.
Volunteer firefighters are used in Ottawa and Hamilton because of regionalisation.
In a recent CHSJ News poll, 80 per cent of our listeners who responded didn't think the use of volunteer firefighters in the city was a good idea.
If you normally use the Reversing Falls Bridge to get to and from work, you can expect delays over the next several weeks.
The city telling CHSJ News beginning today and for the next several weeks, the Reversing Falls Bridge will be down to one lane and there will be no vehicle access to Douglas Avenue from Bridge Road or Chesley Drive.
There will be temporary traffic lights in place at both ends of the bridge but, as you might expect, there will be continual delays.
The traffic flow is being disrupted to allow upgrades to be done to the east-west water main below the bridge.
To reboot the city's true growth strategy, officials have to dissect what went wrong the first time around.
Deputy mayor Shelley Rinehart tells CHSJ news that one of the major failings of the original initiative was that there was little linkage between the various sectors.
She cites ICT and health sciences as two sectors that, if combined, can create big opportunities.
True Growth 2.0 mayors' governance task force report will be presented at Rothesay's council meeting tonight.
Former Common Councillor Donnie Snook is scheduled to be back in court this morning on child exploitation charges.
Snook has been in custody since his arrest on January 9th and faces 8 charges.
His lawyer Dennis Boyle told us earlier Snook would be entering pleas today but since then Police Chief Bill Reid has said more people have come forward with allegations and additional charges are possible.
Photo radar has proven to be controversial in Ontario but a member of Common Council would like to see it tried in the city.
Donna Reardon is suggesting overhead speed monitors be installed around town that would be used to issue tickets to the registered owners of vehicles that are exceeding the speed limit.
Reardon would like to see a maximum speed limit in the city of 50 kilometers an hour. She points out along Main Street North, the speed limit is 60 kilometers an hour but most drivers seem to be going along faster than that. The speed limit along the Causeway is 70 kilometers an hour.
Many people don't mind the spring time change because it gives us an extra hour of daylight to enjoy....but it can also play havoc on your internal clock, particularly if you're already sleep-deprived. Dr Charles Samuels is the VP Clinical for the Canadian Sleep Society and he tells CHSJ News there's data to support a greater frequency of accidents after time change.
Samuels says coffee is your friend this week and the Canadian Institute of Health Research actually recommends you get caffeinated before you get behind the wheel as your body adjusts to the time change.
Those late nights spent emptying your wallet at the VLTs, could point to a problem. One of the first indications of gambling addiction is pouring time, money and energy that you can't afford to spend into gambling. Social worker Annie Pellerin tells CHSJ news that gambling addicts will often keep their distance from their home and those close to them.
She says that people who have gambled and struck it rich are prone to gambling addiction, as might try to recapture the high of winning over and over again. There is a direct correlation between gamblers who have won big, and addiction. However, Perellin adds, there are a variety of factors that make a person prone to gambling addiction.
The last gambling prevalence study was undertaken in 2009, where they found that VLT's are the most common form of gambling in the province. To seek help for a gambling addiction, call 1 (800) 461-1234, an information line and referral service.
Many people don't mind the spring time change because it gives us an extra hour of daylight to enjoy.
That being said, it can also play havoc on your internal clock, particularly if you're already sleep-deprived. Dr Charles Samuels is the VP Clinical for the Canadian Sleep Society and he tells CHSJ News there's data to support a greater frequency of accidents after time change.
Samuels says the Canadian Institute of Health Research actually recommends you get caffienated before you get behind the wheel as your body adjusts to the time change.
While he says the time change isn't something you need to worry too much about, you should actually be concerned with how much sleep you're getting in general. Samuels cautions that most adults are carrying around an accumulated sleep debt of as much as 7 hours, and could reap major benefit by simply laying down for a 15 minute nap at the end of the work day.
The new operators of tourism see this city as a bona fide gold-mine for growth. Ross Jefferson, the executive director of Discover Saint John says that, because of the city's offerings, including the waterfront, the uptown and the proximity to US markets, the tourism industry will only get bigger and better in the coming years.
Discover Saint John is a public-private non-profit partnership with the City of Saint John and Saint John Hotel Association that replaced the city's tourism department back in 2010.
We've been hearing for a long time that olive oil is a healthy alternative to canola or sunflower oils...and a local business is looking to promote the heart-healthy fats with a recipe contest. Liquid Gold Manager June Anderson tells CHSJ News they're holding a recipe contest judged by some of the city's top chefs.
You have until the end of the month to develop your winning recipe, which must include olive oil...and the first place winner gets $150. Liquid Gold carries exotic olive oil flavours ranging from oregano and garlic to coconut and orange.
A family has been evacuated after a house went up in flames. The blaze happened yesterday afternoon in Val D'amour, which is located about five kilometers south of Campbellton.
The family of five, which includes a woman in her 70s, her daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and great-granddaughter are currently staying with relatives. There's no word on the cause of the fire.
After 4 fires in the same vacant North end building, City police and fire officials are looking for your help in finding out who is responsible.
Fire Chief Kevin Clifford tells CHSJ News it's hard to say whether it's a single arsonist or different groups of firebugs--but they don't have a definite impression either way. At this point, he says they're considering putting the building under 24 hour surveillance.
Fire crews were called to 168 Main Street for the second time this week in the wee hours this morning. The other fires occurred on January 11th and February 13th. No one has been hurt in any of the fires.
If you know anything, contact the police at 506-648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can also provide information anonymously on the NB Crime Stoppers Website at
Not many people have written a bestselling book and founded a successful company; however, Nova Scotian Barb Stegemann has done both.
She tells CHSJ News women have a different approach then men to doing business, and that can be a real advantage. Some of the qualities she attributes to women include empathy, passion, and an interest in aspects of life other than money.
Stegmann was the keynote speaker at the Pathways to Empowerment conference for International Women's Day. He book, 7 Virtues of a Philosopher Queen, describes the ways Stegemann achieved her personal and professional success.
Her fragrance line, 7 Virtues, was featured on Dragons' Den.
Atlantic Canada is known for its seafood....and our fisheries will get some attention on the international scale in a few days time at the Boston Seafood Show.
A number of companies from Charlotte County including True North Salmon from Blacks Harbour, Northern Harvest Sea Farms from Letang and Deer Island's Paturel will be attending.
Overall more than 50 New Brunswick companies will be participating.
The show attracts more than 16-thousand seafood buyers and sellers from more than 90 countries.
The Sea Dogs and Harbour Station letting us know that it's standing room only for tonight’s game against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
It’s Fan Appreciation Night at the Station and the puck drops at 7:30 pm.
It’s also the last home game of the regular season and for ticket info call 657-1234.
Organised Labour in the province sending out a message to mark International Women's Day that there's still alot of work to be done to ensure women's equality.
Tammy Moore chairs the New Brunswick Federation of Labour's Women's Committee and she tells CHSJ News pay equity and not having access to affordable childcare are squeezing the middle class. Moore says they've been told this is not the right time for pay equity considering the fragile state of the economy.
Moore is also disturbed by a provincial survey that found 53 per cent of New Brunswickers believe it's not a crime to slap your wife in the face after an argument and 27 per cent don't believe it's a crime to rape your wife.
Is "The Hockey Song" a good enough reason for Stompin Tom Connors to be made a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder?
The Bank of Montreal's Leigh (Lee) Winchester seems to think so, comparing Stompin Tom to Foster Hewitt.
The Bank is involved in sponsoring alot of hockey teams including the Chicago Blackhawks, the Canadian Hockey League and its 48 teams along with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.
It's hoping people will write to the Hockey Hall of Fame to push the idea and go on social media.
The Kent Liberal Association will host a nomination meeting for the upcoming provincial by-election on March 16th in Bouctouche.
It's no secret that Liberal leader Brian Gallant will seek the nomination for the riding of Kent.
The by-election is necessary to fill a spot left when former Premier Shawn Graham resigned his seat last month following a conflicit of interest scandal.
His resignation takes effect on Monday.
The meeting is coming up at the Bouctouche Community Center at 70 Evangeline Street at 2 pm. on March 16th.
City police are looking into a series of fires at 168 Main Street in the North end.
Just before 1am this morning, officers and firefighters responded to a structure fire at 168 Main Street.
It's the 4th fire this year at this location.
No one was hurt in this fire and the other fires occurred on January 11th, February 13th and Wednesday night.
If you can provide any information relating to these fires, please contact the Saint John Police Force at 648-3333.
You can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) to provide information anonymously or click here
Two 17 year old high school students, whose parents were away on vacation, will be sentenced later this month for breaking into a home on John Street in Rothesay.
The two pleaded guilty at their initial court appearance. They were arrested after police stopped an S-U-V that was seen leaving the area while they were investigating the breakin.
Nothing was taken because the alarm sounded and the two took off.
Rothesay Regional Police have another breakin on their hands. This one occurred on Melanie Drive with four flat screen TVs, cash, jewellry and electronics reported stolen.
A vehicle was later found abandoned by the RCMP in Hampton and police are investigating to see whether there's a connection.
For the second time in two nights, city fire crews were called to the same vacant building in the north end at 168 Main Street.
The fire was contained to the outside of the building with no injuries reported.
This is the fourth such fire at that same building in just the last two months.
It's International Women's Day and a new event in Saint John called Pathways to Empowerment is giving women a way to re-energize, network, and participate in some great conversations.
Pathways to Empowerment features award-winning entrepreneur and author Barbara Stegemann who will give the keynote address.
The event will also feature an exhibitor's marketplace and panel discussions.
It begins at 8am and runs til 4pm at the Delta.
For ticket info, click here
He was born here so Saint Johners feel a special connection to Stompin Tom Connors.
The iconic Canadian entertainer passed away in Ontario at the age of 77.
Weekend Jamboree host Bob Henry tells CHSJ News that Connors captured the Canadian experience in his songs.
Henry says Tom wrote about us, good, bad and indifferent, and he had a way of reflecting us.
As a born and bred Prince Edward Islander, Henry remembers when "Bud the Spud" arrived at the radio station in the late 60's and thinking it was a great tune.
Country 94's Weekend Jamboree will pay tribute to Stompin Tom this weekend.
It's hard to believe but the Sea Dogs are gearing up for their final home game of the season and it's bound to be a barn burner.
Only 400 tickets remain for the contest between the Dogs and the Titan.
Dogs president Wayne Long tells CHSJ News it's been a great season and they knew where they would be in a rebuilding year.
He says they are as excited to rebuild the franchise to elite status as they are about winning.
Tomorrow night is Fan Appreciation Night with more $6000 in prizes to be given away.
For ticket, call 657-1234 or click here
Candidates are coming out of the woodwork for the Ward 3 By-election this spring.
Mark Leblanc tells CHSJ News it's his third time running for municipal politics having run previously at large in 2008 and last year in Ward 4.
He tells us the jury is still out on how this new council is doing.
He says he's happy with the service they are providing to the citizens but with less than a year on the job it's too early to say for sure.
Leblanc tells us Brian Boyd and Allen Leslie are also running for the Ward 3 seat.
Education budgets are tight these days so every little bit counts for a great deal.
The Industrial Mechanics programme at the Community College on Grandview Avenue has gotten a bit of help with a donation from Canaport L-N-G........A forklift with a value of 96 thousand dollars.
The Industrial Mechanics program has an 85 per cent employment rate after graduation. President and C-E-O Marilyn Luscombe tells CHSJ News the overall rate for graduates is 90 per cent which might explain the popularity of attending community college so more spaces are being made available.
Luscombe says the number of places for students to take courses at the Community College has been going up with 140 more this academic year following an increase of 250 the previous year.
Last June saw the largest number of graduates, over 2 thousand students provincewide.
Tributes are pouring in after the death by natural causes of Stompin' Tom Connors who was born Charles Thomas Connors (known as Tommy Messer) in Saint John.
He was a cousin of Saint John fiddling sensation, Ned Landry. He spent a short time living with his mother in a low-security women's penitentiary before he was seized by Children's Aid Society and was later adopted by a family in Skinners Pond, Prince Edward Island.
At the age of 15 he left his adoptive family to hitchhike across Canada, a journey that consumed the next 13 years of his life as he travelled between various part time jobs while writing songs on his guitar.
At his last stop in Timmins, Ontario, which may also have been his big "break", he found himself a nickel short of a beer at the city's Maple Leaf Hotel. The bartender agreed to give Tom a beer if he would play a few songs. These few songs turned into a 13 month contract to play at the hotel.
A public celebration of Connors' life will be held next Wednesday in Peterborough, Ontario.
Just before midnight, a fire was reported in the north end at 168 Main Street.
Acting Platoon Chief Barry Oickle says it started on the outside wall at the rear of the building and that's where firefighters managed to contain it.
This is the third time in the past sixty days, fire crews have been called to that same building.
Gas prices have gone down after the weekly setting.
Self serve regular in the city has declined by just over 3 cents a litre to stand at $1.30.9.
Diesel has dropped by over 4 cents to $1.38.8 around town.
Heating oil is also less expensive at a maximum price of $1.19.2 a litre, a drop of almost 4 cents a litre.
Perhaps it's biggest fan is very sad to hear of the closure of the AQ.
Saint John-born musician Julian Austin took to Facebook to mourn the loss of his favourite place in the world.
In a call from his current home in Manitoba, Austin tells CHSJ News for those who have a history with the Aquarius Tavern, especially West-siders, it's sad to see it close.
He says when he comes home he checks in at the Travelodge across the street and then heads to the AQ for a cold beer and to shoot the breeze with old friends.
In the late 80's, Austin was a bouncer at the bar and in later years performed with his first band and then in his solo career.
Austin is hoping to get a peice of the bar which he plans to turn into a tribute guitar to the AQ that he can play for the rest of his days.
A 40-year-old man from Lepreau has been arrested in Fredericton in connection with the theft of a truck and liquor.
Tuesday night District 1 RCMP got a call about liquor being stolen from the agency store at the Lepreau Petro-Canada, but weren't able to catch anyone. This morning, RCMP learned a commercial truck stolen from the Lepreau area was last seen by the store at about the same time as the theft.
The man is being held on charges of possession of property obtained by crime, failure to comply with court orders, and other offenses are being considered.
Melting snow and ice is a sure sign of spring. But the city's Parks Operations Manager tells CHSJ news that even with the mild temperatures we've been seeing, as of yesterday the ice is still over a foot thick, making it strong enough to be safe. They measure the ice at Lily Lake a few times a week, depending on the weather.
He says right now the issue isn't that it's dangerous, but that it's messy, with two inches of slush and water on top of the ice.
Common Council is looking to marshal the experience of Partnerships NB to research a public private partnership for Saint John's water.
The Crown agency has delivered a number of P3 projects including the Harbour Bridge and Route 1 Gateway Project. City Manager Pat Woods says it's important to get another set of eyes on the process, simply to ensure the city is not spending any more than it has to.
Price Waterhouse Cooper will be presenting the results of a value-for-money study on P3 to Common Council on March 18. On the other side of the P3 debate, the Council of Canadians will present to council on the 11th.
Full steam ahead ... for the star of the TV show Thomas & Friends, who will be chugging along the city's railroad tracks this summer. President of Ambassatours Grey Line, Dennis Campbell announced the news today, and he tells CHSJ news that the triad of natural attractions, hotels and railway system made the port city the prime location for Thomas the Tank Engine. He says that if the blue train gets the same reaction it's received in other areas, we could be looking at a major boom in tourism.
Saint John is the only city on the east coast ever picked to host the family festival, Day Out With Thomas: The Go-Go Thomas Tour. Thomas will be here from August 9-11 and 16-18, for tickets, click here
One of two 18 year old suspects in a brutal beating in Glen Fall has been released from jail but remains under house arrest.
John Alexander Adams and Robert Hachey are both 18 and due back in court on March 26th.
Adams, Hachey, and a teen who cannot be named are charged with aggravated assault and stealing cigarettes from a man who was beaten with a baseball bat in a shed in the East Side suburb.
He remains in hospital in stable condition.
A warning from Rothesay Regional Police now that the weather will soon be getting warmer.....The spring and summer months bring a dramatic increase in the amount of complaints about“thefts from motor vehicles” as well as “persons prowling late at night”.
In the K-V in 2012 there were 170 reports resulting in a significant number of charges and convictions.
Police say lock up your vehicles and if you see somebody in your car, or in a neighbours car don't holler out the window because this will often give the suspect, a substantial head start in getting away. Get the best description you can, call police and be patient.
Police say a myth is if you lock your car doors, your windows will be broken by someone anxious to get inside.
K-V fire crews called out last night to French Village Road where a blaze broke out in a single family home.
Everyone inside got out safely. K-V Fire says there was a fair bit of fire damage to the inside of the home.
The cause is being investigated.
There's a new figure at the helm of the Saint John West Business Association.
Bill Shannon was named president on Tuesday night at the group's annual general meeting. Shannon, who spent the last six months as chairman of the steering committee, said that he's ready to see the association revitalized. He tells CHSJ news by solidifying a new team of executives, they can pick up where the last chapter left off.
All 12 people who applied to be part of the board of directors were appointed. The group will meet on a monthly basis and hold quarterly general meetings. Shannon says it will take them a few months to create an agenda outlining where they're going and what they plan on doing when it comes to business on the west side of the city. But, he says, personally, he'd like to see the Golden Mile take off and see family restaurants set up shop.
How sweet it is.....with warmer temperatures over the past few days, maple sugar producers are testing their equipment and gearing up for another sugary season. Yvon Poitras, the General Manager of the NB Maple Sugar Association, tells CHSJ News a fine balance of factors is needed to keep the sap flow
He says the freak heat wave last March, coupled with flooding in the Florenceville area played real havoc with the season last year so they're hoping mother nature will cooperate this time.
The days of the AQ are officially over...and our listeners are giving us their opinions of the West Side institution.
Wendy has many great memories and says as with anything places age and they don't look as fantastic as they did in the beginning but it wasn't a dump.
It served the best Tips anywhere. But Patrick says it's about time the dump closed down.
Joe says the closure is the result of low paying jobs. Now there is no disposable income therefore no money to spend at pubs.
Join the conversation on Facebook by clicking here
After a more typical Canadian winter with a lots of snow and cold temperatures, what does Spring hold for us?
The Weather Network is out with its Spring forecast.
Meterologist Gina Wressler tells CHSJ News we are looking at more seasonal temperatures.
She tells us when you average out March, April and May they expect much of New Brunswick to edge out a bit above normal in terms of temperature.
Wressler adds typical daytime highs average 2 or 3 degrees during March.
There were will be a changing of the guard at the Saint John West Side Business Association tonight.
The group's annual general meeting is being held tonight and Deputy Mayor Shelly Rinehart is the guest speaker.
They will also be choosing a new executive director and board.
The meeting is being held at the Branch 69 Legion at 7pm.
A police officer killed while responding to a domestic dispute in northern Quebec Saturday night has been remembered in the House of Commons.
M-P`s observed a moment of silence or 27-year-old Constable Steve Dery, an Ottawa native.
His partner, Joshua Boreland is from Quispamsis. He has gotten in touch with us with an email saying he wants everyone to know he's recovering from being wounded, is okay and will be returning home this week.
The suspect in the fatal shooting was found dead the next day from an apparent suicide.
Tempers flared at last night's meeting of common council over a decision to rezone part of Latimore Lake Road as a gravel quarry. The application from Fundy Bay Sand & Gravel being slated by some residents as dangerous to property values, air, water and road quality.
Odette McGrath tells CHSJ News the decision to let the quarry be built--albeit, provided some recommendations are followed--is a travesty. She described PlanSJ as a cover for treating taxpayers in rural communities as second-class citizens, saying it's unfair to categorize places like Latimore Lake as merely "resource areas."
Businessman Paul Kasdan spoke on behalf of Fundy Bay Sand and Gravel owner Steven Langille. He argued that noise is simply a fact of life in a city, especially one that needs jobs as desperately as Saint John.
The rezoning would create 10-20 jobs, plus an investment to rehabilitate the depleted pit that already exists. In order for the rezoning to be finalized Fundy Bay Sand and Gravel needs to work with the city on a concrete plan to accomplish that end, keep the trees as a noise and dust buffer, and move the crusher farther from houses.
Fraud and theft related charges have been laid after a lengthy police investigation in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia involving the alleged sale of a pair of boxer dogs involving a woman from Saint John.
Gail Benoit has been charged with fraud, theft of under $5,000 and identity fraud.
The investigation began last month when a woman from Saint John placed an online ad looking for a dog sitter.
A Nova Scotia woman responded to the ad and the dogs were sent to Halifax to be temporarily cared for - however - the owner lost contact with the person who accepted the dogs and grew concerned they had been sold.
After a three week investigation, Bridgewater police recovered the dogs and they were returned to their rightful owner.
There's now a warrant out for a man wanted in connection with a stabbing near Sussex last Wednesday.
49-year-old Robin White is charged with attempted murder and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He is described as a white man, approximately 5'11'' tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing glasses, a black coat, blue jeans and black boots. He may be driving a 2009 grey Honda Ridgeline truck with N.B. license plate CPM 926.
The woman was seriously injured and remains in the Sussex Regional Hospital.
If you see White or his vehicle you're asked not to approach him and to contact police or Crime Stoppers immediately.
The Aquarius Tavern, a landmark watering hole since 1970, is closed.
Blaine Harris of the Saint John West Business Association confirms to CHSJ News the famed west side bar is closed throwing about 10 people out of work.
He says they have had a downswing in both the bar and food business over the last few years.
Harris says the owners have decided as of today that it's just costing too much to maintain the property and the staff.
When asked if anyone else might take it over, Harris tells us he doesn't know if anyone would take it over the Aquarius Tavern as a bar/restaurant adding it needs some work.
Neither Quispamsis nor Rothesay have said yes to a new fire station but that isn't stopping KV Fire from scouting out the perfect spot for a new one.
Tenders are currently being accepted for a fire station location study.
KV Fire Chief Bill Ireland tells CHSJ News the current fire station on Campbell Drive is no longer suitable for their needs.
He says they have exceeded the capacity of the building that they currently operate out of in Quispamsis.
Ireland points out neither community has committed to building a new fire station but they are just doing some of the work needed should that decision be made in the future.
The deadline to submit tenders for the location study is March 22nd.
A seemingly harmless grapefruit could be the source of a life-threatening reaction to some prescription medications.
March is Pharmacist Awareness Month and those in this province are trying to create awareness about the harmful drug interactions between prescription or over the counter meds and even food.
Paul Blanchard of the provincial pharamacist's association tells CHSJ News as many as 1 in 9 ER visits are the result of at-risk drug events.
He says it can be the abuse of a narcotic and it can also be the interaction of someone taking a medication and consuming foods like grapefruit.
To help spread the word on the 6000 dangerous combinations and 11,000 possible side effects, the Association are making available a new pamphlet outlining the most common drug interations.
It will be available in provincial pharmacies this month.
Two 17 year old high school students, whose parents were away on vacation, will be sentenced later this month for breaking into a home on John Street in Rothesay. 
Just before midnight, a fire was reported in the north end at 168 Main Street. 
How sweet it is.....with warmer temperatures over the past few days, maple sugar producers are testing their equipment and gearing up for another sugary season. Yvon Poitras, the General Manager of the NB Maple Sugar Association, tells CHSJ News a fine balance of factors is needed to keep the sap flow 
