The weather has been unsettled of late with the high winds last weekend in Kings County which many thought were strong enough to be classified as a tornado and now a post tropical storm tomorrow.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement warning of significant rainfall in the southern part of the province beginning late tonight and continuing through most of the day tomorrow. For Saint John, 5 to 10 millimeters of rain being forecast overnight with another 30 millimeters through the day tomorrow with winds gusting to 60 kilometers an hour. Gina Ressler of the Weather Network tells CHSJ News this summer in Saint John should be warmer with daytime highs a few degrees above normal but warns the Atlantic hurricane season will be more active and Saint Johnners should be aware of that.Ressler also cautions we're already into the severe thunderstorm season.
A man accused of threatening his common law partner with a machete in the parking lot of the Superstore has been sentenced to 4 months in jail and 1 year's probation.
51 year old Arnold James Lawrence Cote pleaded guilty to charges of assault with a weapon and possessing a weapon. He was arrested on April 23rd after a drunken confrontation with his girlfriend. Cote admitted to waving the machete around and hitting his girlfriend with the blunt side of the weapon.
Judge Henrik Tonning described the incident as a "pretty scary situation" for all involved, saying given Cote's state of intoxication things could have been a lot worse. Cote's lawyer described him as having a troubled life and being unable to catch a break--but the Judge countered if Cote would simply stay sober most of his problems would be a thing of the past. In addition, He also pleaded guilty to a mischief charge involving a smashed out rear window of a truck. Cote, who has already served 45 days in jail, was also ordered to have no contact with the victim of the assault.
Alison Redford and David Alward spending the day wooing business to support the Energy East pipeline.
The Alberta premier spent a busy day in the Province addressing the Legislature, speaking in Saint John and touring Irving Oil facilities.
At a Board of Trade luncheon, She was asked how a West to East pipeline will benefit the places in between.
Redford says her province has an existing pipeline allowing for economic growth which crosses many provinces with economic opportunities.
We have refineries in Ontario and Quebec that are very interested in this project because it's going to allow for not a supply but an economic supply of feedstock to allow for upgrading and refining.
Redford says this is representative of what true partnership in a federation looks like and why we need a Canadian energy strategy.
Premier David Alward says jobs from the construction phase are the tip of the iceberg when other major projects could follow like those in the petro-chemical and plastics industries.
The Provincial Liberals are touting the latest poll released by Corporate Research Associates.
It shows support for the Liberals among decided New Brunswick voters has risen to 41 per cent with 29 per cent saying they would vote for the Conservatives and Premier David Alward.
The NDP is right behind the Conservatives at 27 per cent.
The Live Life Awards handed out by Uptown Saint John. Past President Charlie Swanton being recognised for his efforts through the years to making the city a better place to live with the Thomas McGloan Award.
Other winners are the Bank of Montreal for best new or renovated business space, the Harbourfront condos at Three Sisters along Prince William Street as the best new or renovated residential space, the Saint John Ale House as the Foodie Favourite, Britt's Pub and Eatery for Social Space, Piece O'Cake Custom Creations as best new business, Sculpture SJ as best new event, Greg Hemmings for his creativity, the bike racks you see around the city core for Greening the Scene, Bustins as best retail and Mayor Mel Norton has been recognised as Shift Disturber.
You get your chance over the next two days to get rid of much of your household hazardous waste by taking it to the Irving Oil Refinery for recycling.
Sam Robinson tells CHSJ News they will accept old aerosol cans, furniture polish, nail polish remover, gas, antifreeze, insect repellent, oven cleaners, automotive transmission fluid, batteries, old propane tanks, paints, weed killer kerosene and roofting tar.
You cannot drop off TV monitors, ammunition, asbestos waste, unidentified compressed gas cylinders along with material that's unclassified or unidentified.
The collection starts at the projects entrance off Grandview Avenue from 4 this afternoon to 7 and tomorrow from 9 in the morning until 1 in the afternoon.
Police suspect a fire at a home outside of Norton might have been set on purpose.
Sussex RCMP getting the call around 1am today to the two-storey home. A 32 year old man who was in the home escaped by jumping out of a 2nd floor window. While he escaped the fire, he suffered serious injuries in the fall and was taken to the Regional.
Another 4 people, 3 women and 1 man, were also in the home at the time. They were able to escape, but one man suffered smoke inhalation and was also taken to hospital. The Fire Marshall is looking into what caused the blaze.
The best and brightest in the Uptown will be honored tonight at the Live Life Awards. Now that nominations ave been received from the voting public, the winners will be announced at the gala this evening at the new Diamond Jubilee cruise ship terminal.
The theme of this year's event is Port Party Paparazzi. Guests are encouraged to wear the event's theme colours of red, black, and white. It's going to be catered by the Delta and guests are invited to a post-awards after party at the York Bistro.
The awards honour businesses, individuals, and creative personalities who have contributed to making the uptown a more vibrant place.
Tickets to the gala are $65 and available at the Feel Good Store, Manchester Shoe Salon, and the Uptown Saint John office at 40 King Street. Here's the full list of nominees: Best New BusinessLiquid Gold Tasting Bar & All Things OlivePiece O’Cake Custom CreationsUrban Shoe Myth Best New or Renovated Residential SpaceHarbourfront Residences at Three SistersHistorica Royale, 78-82 King StreetHistorica Riviera, 91-95 Prince William Street Best New or Renovated Commercial SpaceExchange on Germain - Germain StreetBank of Montreal - Corner of Prince William & King StreetsBrunswick Square Façade - King & Germain Streets Best EventRoyal Visit by Prince Charles - May 2012Sea Dogs Memorial Cup Victory Parade - May 2011Sculpture Saint John - Summer 2012 Greening the Scene AwardSJ Commuter ChallengeUptown Saint John Greenfeet Committee – Uptown Bike Rack InitiativeAtlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) Shift DisturberKeith BrideauMayor Mel NortonAnne McShane Creative Personality AwardGreg HemmingsStephen TobiasRoy Billingsley Foodie Favorite AwardSaint John Ale HouseUrban DeliThandi Best Retail Freak Lunchbox Bustin’s Fine Furniture Collectables
Social Space Java Moose, Prince William Street Slocum & Ferris Britt’s Pub & Eatery
Thomas L. McGloan Award To be announced at the event
It's hard to believe it's been a quarter century since the first cruise ship docked in Saint John.
The Port marked that milestone this morning at its annual general meeting at the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Ship Terminal. Port CEO Jim Quinn tells CHSJ News he'd like to see the people of Saint John more involved in the Port, akin to the atmosphere 40 and 50 years ago when the Port was the hub of the community.
Last year 75 ships from 12 different lines called at Port Saint John. Some of the big items we ship include oil, salt, potash, livestock, and molasses. Members of the public will have a chance to learn more about what's happening at the port at Community Day, which is this Sunday and will feature a BBQ, kid's activities, and information kiosks on what's going on at the Port.
Next week is also Port Days with a variety of business-focused meetings and events planned.
Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy is warning advanced math courses are under threat from cuts in teaching jobs.
He tells CHSJ News that's the wrong way to go if you want the province to economically compete on the world stage.
Cardy says right now you have employers in the province complaining they can't find workers who are skilled enough and that indicates a problem.
He says Provincial Education Minister Jody Carr should be looking at what principal Chris Treadwell is doing at Park Street School on the north side of Fredericton where students in grades 3 and 4 are reading at a high school level.
It was all about celebrating and marigolds and trying to break a world record.
Thousands of students from Sussex to Pennfield happily planting little orange flowers in the 16th year of the Marigolds Project.
Millidgeville North Grade 5 student Rachel MacKinnon tells CHSJ News has been involved for a few years now. She says it's a good project for everyone and its helping the planet too.
The students in the north end had to be finished planting by 10:30 this morning as part of the rules when attempting to break a world record and they wrapped up with 15 minutes to spare.
Barry Ogden tells us it was quite the challenge co-ordinating the world record aspect adding you require hundreds of volunteers to monitor each site.
He estimates more than 7 thousand people, mostly students, took part in the plantings.
The Premier was singing Odgen's praises calling him a great volunteer. David Alward marveled at the growth from one school 16 years ago to 45 schools and as many as 5 students taking part today.
The Marigold Project catching the attention of the Legislature earlier today - Premier Alward rose in the house to offer congratulations to the organizers - schools and students - and the region for the 16th annual planting of the summer flowers.
Alward's endorsement for all connected drew a round of applause from both government and opposition sides of the Legislature.
An armed robbery on the west side being investigated by Major Crime.
It was reported around 5:30 yesterday afternoon at Qwik Mart on the Dever Road.
There was one robber who had his face concealed. He ran away and police are on the lookout for him. City Police describe him as white, in his 40's, from 5’6” to 5’7”, 150 pounds with a skinny build, wearing a camouflage ball cap, a white construction/surgical style mask, a dark long sleeved shirt with white lettering on the left chest and dark pants.
29 year old Crystal Dawn MacKenzie has been found not guilty for the second time in the stabbing death of her common law partner, 29 year old Patrick Thomas in March of 2010. She was retried for second degree murder in his death outside an apartment building on Alma Street after a night of heavy drinking and what was described as horrendous violence.
One of her lawyers, Brian Munro says the jury came to the right decision and he can't understand why a second trial was held considering the time and expense.
Her other lawyer, David Kelly says even if she had been found guilty of manslaughter, which the jury decided she was not, what would a judge do with her since she is no threat to society.
Both Kelly and Munro, say Mackenzie, though relieved by the verdict, was overcome by the stress and had to go to the hospital. She became emotional after being told by Mr. Justice William Grant she was free to go and was embraced by members of her family. Neither Kelly nor Munro believe there will be an appeal by the prosecution and a third trial.
The 12 jurors in the murder trial of Crystal Dawn Mackenzie requesting clarification on some of the judge's instructions....they asked whether the fact that Mackenzie was under the influence should be taken into account as they decide whether she reasonably believed killing Thomas was her only option.
They also asked whether they were to decide what she reasonably believed, or what a reasonable person would believe.
The jury later informed the court they are at an impasse and were called in again before the judge.
Mr. Justice William Grant reminded them to carefully consider the opinions of their fellow jurors and to be guided entirely by the evidence and then asked them to keep trying to reach a common conclusion.
With sex charges against disgraced former common councilor Donnie Snook popping up in Newfoundland & Labrador, many are left wondering about the possibility of investigations in other places.
Police chief Bill Reid indicating they're happening elsewhere, but didn't elaborate, saying he's leaving that to investigators. He says we know there are other jurisdictions, but he'll let that stay with them until notifications are complete.
Reid says if there are other issues they're aware of in other areas, they'll let the proper authorities know and give them their information on the case.
45 schools at 50 sites will be trying to break a world record tomorrow morning for the 16th annual Marigolds Project. Pictures and video of the simultaneous flower planting will be taken and put on memory cards.
Organizer Barry Ogden says they have stewards,a sort of witness, who will record everything.
He says after that materials from every site will be taken to the North end McDonald's and an accounting firm will look at all of it and a videographer will put all the footage together in one video.
Ogden says they will get an unofficial count tomorrow but all the materials will be sent to London, England for official tabulation and they find out if they broke the record in a few months time.
Ogden tells us after years of inviting the Premier, David Alward has accepted the invitation and will be on hand tomorrow.
A 22 year old and a 29 year old have been picked up in connection with a series of fires at a vacant building earlier at 169 Main Street this year between January and March.
22 year old Jacob Jacquard was arrested in Yarmouth County. He has been remanded but will be coming back for a bail heaing on Monday morning.
At this point Jacquard is charged with 1 count of arson dating back to January 11, but it looks likely that more charges will be laid.
The 29 year old man will appear in court on June 25th.
He was originally arrested in connection with the arson case on April 29 in Saint John.
It's been a bumper year for the province's maple syrup producers.
The industry reported a record-breaking five million pounds of syrup produced in the province, which is one million pounds more than last year.
New Brunswick is the third largest maple syrup producer in the world, after Quebec and Vermont. Next fall, for the first time, New Brunswick will host The International Maple Syrup Institute and the North American Maple Syrup Council Conference.
The results are in: four New Brunswick roads have made the Top 10 Worst Roads ranking in a CAA poll.
Fredericton's Hanwell Road came in at number 2. New Brunswick 630 in Andersonville tied for third, and Rothesay Avenue ranked 7th. Fredericton Road in Salisbury rounded off the list at number 10.
CAA's Gary Howard tells CHSJ News damage can be done to cars when the roads are stripped for repaving, with cars being knocked out of alignment by raised manhole covers.
Over 4,000 votes were cast in the poll, which aims to highlight dangerous road conditions and make all levels of government aware of the problem areas in the region.
Jury deliberations are underway on the fate of 29 year old Crystal Dawn MacKenzie, who's being tried a second time for second degree murder in the death of her common law partner, 29 year old Patrick Thomas. He was stabbed to death outside their apartment building on Alma Street, off Waterloo in March of 2010.
Mr. Justice William Grant, in his instructions to the jurors, told them MacKenzie was described as happy go lucky, nice and generous so they can infer such a person would be less prone to violence.
He says the jury will have to decide if MacKenzie was acting in self defense or trying to settle a score out of anger. The jurors will have to determine her state of mind after a night of heavy drinking and history of violence in their relationship. The judge has told the jury there was evidence Thomas assaulted her five different times on the night of the stabbing but did she have a safe means of escape which would include calling police.
The jury has also been told it can find her guilty of manslaughter if it believes she was provoked and lost control.
A new home, sweet home for seniors is another step closer to being built.
City council giving preliminary approval to zoning by-law amendments for a major campus-style living facility on Millidge Avenue from Shannex. President Jason Shannon saying they've identified Saint John as a city that needs more housing. Shannon says the complex will employ up to 150 staff and it's very similar to the one in Quispamsis.
Residents expressed environmental concerns at the meeting, and mayor Mel Norton says they're balancing between development and being sensitive to the ecosystem.
The second degree murder trial of 29 year old Crystal Dawn MacKenzie should go to the jury for deliberations early this afternoon.
Mr. Justice William Grant, in his instructions to the jurors, told them MacKenzie was described as happy go lucky, nice and generous so they can infer such a person would be less prone to violence.
He also says they must determine if she reasonably feared death or serious injury at the hands of her common law partner Pat Thomas who was stabbed to death.
The judge pointed out there was evidence of a violent relationship and this may shed light on MacKenzie's state of mind on the night of the stabbing.
The question of how 22-year-old Serena Perry died at the Regional Hospital is still left unanswered.
Police
chief Bill Reid saying the case is unusual, as anything they suspect could never be validated by forensic pathology which puts them at a
disadvantage when trying to find the cause.
Reid concedes it's disconcerting
to think if the person they identified as a suspect did cause her
death, it can't be proved. He
says it would be a prosecutor's nightmare while a defense lawyer would
be overjoyed because there would be a huge hole in the issue.
Reid
tells CHSJ News he's written a letter to the chief coroner asking for
an inquest into Perry's death because they need to find out what took
place, ask questions about procedures and policies and come up with
recommendations.
Closing statements were read in the second degree murder trial of 29-year-old Crystal Dawn MacKenzie, charged in the death of her common law partner, 29-year-old Patrick Thomas, who was stabbed on Alma Street in March of 2010.
Defense lawyer David Kelly was first to address the jury.
He painted a picture of Thomas as an abusive alcoholic, calling him one of the meanest drunks he's seen in his career. He says that MacKenzie had the right to defend herself that night, and she did. Prosecutor Jill Knee addressing the courtoom saying this is not a case of self-defense, and that MacKenzie had other options available to save herself or anyone else that night; she didn't have to stab him.
Kelly says the knife used went in about four inches, which to him doesn't sound like someone who was intentionally trying to kill somebody. Knee telling the courtroom it doesn't matter how deep the stab wound was, because it was deep enough to kill Thomas. She says the butcher knife severed a vein and punctured a lung.
With more people travelling to Caribbean destinations out of the Saint John, Airport President and C-E-O David Allen saying modifications to the terminal may be needed in the future if demand keeps up.
Allen tells CHSJ News Sunwing Vacation flights to Cuba, Mexico and the Dominican Republic have doubled over the last year and he's heard feedback from people who said they didn't even know the airline flew out of Saint John.
Allen tells some of the people he heard from have been travelling to Fredericton, Moncton and even Halifax to fly down south on charters.
The government and others want to focus on the healthy happy seniors in this province that want a say in the future.
A roundtable discussion on aging well and living healthy is coming up tonight on the West side, one of 9 public sessions in the province. The first was held last night in Moncton.
Minister of Healthy and Inclusive Communities Dorothy Shephard tells CHSJ News says 97 per cent of our aging population are still living at home.
She says that's a really good thing adding they want to keep them at home as long as they can and want to remain at home.
Tonight's event begins at the Branch 69 Legion on Wilson Street at 6pm. Shephard says the data collected by the provincial health council from the 9 sessions will be compiled to determine the priorities for seniors.
A chicken farmer from the Hampton area doesn't see any problem with people living in the suburban areas of the city having chickens. Bernadette Fowler tells CHSJ News chickens need space to move and a fenced in yard would work.
She doesn't see where it will be a messy, noisy problem because chickens don't make much noise or mess.
Fowler has 15 chickens in a coop on her farm and she tells they don't smell because she cleans it often.
29 year old Crystal Dawn MacKenzie, who's charged with second degree murder in the 2010 stabbing death of her common law partner admits she was plastered drunk and wasn't thinking clearly.
The case goes to the jury tomorrow.
She also testified not being herself on the police video with half the stuff she said didn't make sense.
MacKenzie telling the court she doesn't remember stabbing 29 year old Patrick Thomas to death on Alma Street and doesn't recall grabbing a butcher's knife and saying "I'm going to kill him, I'm done".
She claims only to recall being choked and having her head banged but prosecutor John Heneffer maintains she was choked after approaching Thomas while armed with a knife.
Both she and Thomas were pretty drunk and MacKenzie admits she wasn't thinking clearly.
The idea of pseudo-city chickens eliciting quite a reaction from our listeners.
Suzy finds the idea ridiculous saying the City already has enough problem without adding chickens.
Bill says it's about getting back to your roots people and showing your kids where an egg comes from adding he'd rather smell chicken waste than a paper mill.
Anita says there will be more problems for the SPCA to deal with if you allow chickens in the backyard. She says the limit may be only 6 chickens but if she has six and her neighbour has six it will get messy and smelly.
Dave think it's a great idea adding he can speak for all cats in the city and they are fine with it too adding the fox's will have another option instead of kitty.
Any your thoughts to the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Click here
Breakfast
from your own backyard may soon be possible, with Common Council unanimously giving preliminary approval to a recommendation that would allow the keeping of chickens in some
parts of the city.
Raymond
Breau spoke to councillors about his experience keeping a half dozen
chickens in his backyard on John T. McMillan Drive for over a year. He
says they're not noisy, and if a coop is set up properly, invading
wildlife won't be an issue. Breau telling council he saves about $600 a
year in eggs and reception from neighbours was positive.
Mayor Mel Norton tells
CHSJ News a coop's success will depend on the quality of person raising chickens. Norton says if homeowners are responsible and do it the
right way, he sees it as a good opportunity.
That's the idea behind the commuter challenge, hosted by Sustainable Saint John, which dares you to find greener ways to get to work during Environment Week, which runs until June 8. City planner Jody Kliffer tells CHSJ News it's to draw attention to the accessibility of more environmentally-friendly modes of transportation.
He says walking, cycling, taking transit, carpooling, even working at home can reduce our footprint by an extraordinary amount.
Kliffer says last year we placed first in our size category of cities across Canada, and hopes we'll retain the title. To register your workplace, click here.
The local Port's makeover is proving worthwhile in more ways than one.
Port Saint John being recognized by the American Association of Port Authorities for it's rebranding campaign, it's video produced by Hemming House Pictures and its effective use of social media.
The rebranding campaign began early this year and Port Saint John developed a new logo and strategy that removed the word "authority" from their printed materials.
Port Saint John is considered a more approachable title for community members to identify with.
Port Saint John will receive 4 awards at the AAPA conference this fall.
The
jury saw the rest of a police video of 29 year old Crystal Dawn
MacKenzie being questioned in the stabbing death of her common law
partner, 29 year old Patrick Thomas in March of 2010. MacKenzie is being
retried for 2nd degree murder.
The
video shows MacKenzie doubled over, rocking back and forth while
sobbing. MacKenzie tells lead investigator Sergeant Dan Oram she didn't
mean to kill Thomas but didn't want him in the apartment on Alma Street
that night because she didn't want her kids to see them fighting.
She
tells Oram of stabbing Thomas in the shoulder after thinking he was
coming after her. Sergeant Oram told the court he took that to mean
MacKenzie was the aggressor after becoming so enraged.
Defense
lawyer David Kelly suggested she wasn't giving an academy award
performance during the interrogation but Oram told the court, in his
view, she was more upset at her own predicament than what had happened
to Thomas.
Kelly
got into evidence Thomas' past criminal record for assaults including
an order, at one point, to not have contact with MacKenzie.
The 2013 Red Cross Humanitarian Award recipients are Arthur Irving and Alisha Virmani.
Irving is known as a strong supporter of youth establishing many scholarships, mentorships and tutoring programs all while supporting Junior Achievement throughout the province.
Alisha Virmani is the 2013 Young Humanitarian Award winner for the province. She has experienced bullying and decided to share her story in the hopes of creating change among people and in government. Virmani is a graduate of Fredericton High who is studying Life Sciences at Queen's in Kingston.
Irving and Virmani will receive their awards in a dinner in November at the Trade and Convention Centre.
Saint John will welcome the best figure skaters in the world with the 2013 Skate Canada International event from Oct 25 to the 27th.
Competitors include Patrick Chan, Yuna Kim, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. 60 Olympic and world competitors from 15 countries will be converging on the city. Tickets go on sale on June 14th.
The event, which is expected to inject about 4 million dollars into the local economy, has 16 and a half hours of tv coverage. In Japan, 10 million viewers will watch 4 hrs of coverage.
The competition will be the last major event before the next Olympics and many of the skaters will use the same routines.
With so many players participating in the city's revamped growth strategy, texting and e-mailing alone is not enough to keep everybody on the same page.
Saint John mayor Mel Norton tells CHSJ News when it comes to True Growth 2.0 they'll depend on a combination of virtual conversations and behind the scenes, face-to-face meetings to make sure everyone is moving in the same direction.
Norton says that the heads of organizations including the Port, the Airport or Discover Saint John need to be in the same room on a regular basis, so they can talk in real time about what they're working on and share their next set of goals.
He says part of the new mandate and mission the board of Enterprise Saint John has been given is to make sure the collaboration continues.
The Insurance Bureau is warning municipalities to upgrade their stormwater and sewer systems because of climate change and extreme weather conditions. It estimates shich upgrades would cost 69 million dollars.
Former Mayor and now Councillor at Large Shirley McAlary calls it a fair warning and tells CHSJ News the city is well aware of how much rain we can get in a short period of time which is why successive Common Councils have been allocating money through the years for that purpose. She says the key is devoting enough resources for maintenance. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities also coming out in support of a proposal made by Federal NDP leader Thomas Mulcair to allocate another cent of the federal gas tax to public transit which would be worth something like 420 million dollars a year.
Despite some opposition, both the Planning Advisory Committee and City Staff are recommending the Shannex proposal for a campus style seniors development on Millidge Avenue at University be approved by Common Council.
There has been concern over the cutting down of trees and possibility of flooding because the land is wet and details have not been finalised about the need for a stormwater pond.
The developers, who want to construct five buildings. have suggested a meeting be held to answer local concerns. The development, if approved, would house an estimated 330 seniors in addition to 130 staffers. Shannex wanted one of the buildings to be six stories high but the P-A-C is recommending that height be limited to five stories.
Common Council will be getting a recommendation tonight to allow for the keeping of backyard chickens in most parts of the city.
If the councillors approve, you would be allowed to keep a minimum of two and maximum of six chickens but no roosters and they would have to be housed in a coop.
The chickens would be for personal use only and the sale of eggs produced by the chickens would be banned.
City staff telling Council, 6 chickens were kept in a backyard on John T. McMillan Drive for a year in 2011 with only minimal concern. The city has received a large number of letters in support of the proposal.
