Port Launches PALS Partnership At Centennial School

Kids in Saint John will learn about and see the inner workings of Port Saint John thanks to a new PALS partnership.

It's been in the works for two years now and started rolling out today at Centennial School.
 
Teacher Caitlyn Corkum tells CHSJ News the curriculum focuses on the three main activities at the port: cruise, cargo and dredging.

She says the kids will learn about the things that are happening every day including what is being shipped from Saint John all around the world.

Some students from Centennial will be touring the Port today and future field trips are planned as part of the new PALS partnership.

Local Housing Sales Expected To Rise Next Year

If you're thinking about putting your house up for sale, you might want to hold off until next year. 

The numbers in a report on the housing market by Remax forecasting a slight rise in sales after decreasing almost every year since 2008.  

The average price for a home went up this year and will continue to climb according to local realtor Gordon Breau who tells CHSJ News people appear to be buying pricier homes. He says there's not as much new construction going on in the city and people are buying and renovating because any land left in the city is hard to develop.

Nationally the housing sales and average price are approaching a five-year high.

Prosecution Argues Snook Should Spend More Time Locked Up

The Prosecution claims former Common Councillor Donnie Snook should spend more time in prison and is appealing the 18 year sentence he received on 46 charges of sexually abusing boys.
 
Prosecutor Karen Lee Lamrock argues Judge Alfred Brien erred by giving Snook too much credit for time he served in jail prior to sentencing. 

She also says the judge failed to consider a section of the Criminal Code that would require an offender to serve half their sentence or 10 years, whichever is less, before coming up for parole. Snook is eligible for parole after serving just over 6 years of his sentence.

At the trial, Lamrock told the court if Snook were sentenced on each individual charge, he would serve 75 years in prison.

Premier Alward Sings Praises Of New Drug Plan

The Premier says while we can always wish that the new prescription and catastrophic drug plan would have been rolled out sooner, he's more than thrilled it's happening now.

Liberal Leader Brian Gallant had asked the Health Minister if the plan is voluntary in the first phase...David Alward tells CHSJ News it is to begin with but by May of 2015 it will become mandatory for all New Brunswickers without a health care plan to have insurance. 

He says the plan will be set up based on a person's ability to pay, meaning, that means a person or family's income will determine the amount they contribute.

Alward says volunteers alone spent 6000 hours developing the plan, and that number speaks to the amount of work that has gone into the creation of the program. He says all of that work has produced a good end result for New Brunswickers.

Road Closed

Part of hhe Lorneville Road is closed to traffic in both directions until further notice because concerns over the structural integrity of a large underground pipe which has compromised the road itself.

Repair options are being examined.

Domestic Disturbance Lands One Man In Jail

Rothesay Regional Police arresting a 60 year old man after a domestic disturbance. 

This happened in Rothesay and charges of assault, assaulting a police officer and uttering threats are pending a court appearance today.

A Jump In Gas Prices

You will be paying more for self serve regular after the weekly setting. It rose in the city by 4 cents a litre to $1.28.9. 

Diesel is also more expensive at $1.44.4. 

The maximum price for heating oil is $1.27 a litre.

UPDATE: Police Give FHS The All Clear

Reports have them leaving school without bookbags or coats.      

Students and staff evacuated this morning after police received a threat about a possible explosive device at Fredericton High.

A ton of emergency personnel responding to the scene including the Explosive Device Unit, two canine units and the Fredericton Fire Department.

The school was searched and no explosive devices were found.
 
Fredericton police are still looking into tips they received adding they do no believe there is any further threat to the public.

ONE Change Gets $45,000 from RBC Foundation

The stigma of being from the old North End is no more. That, from the President of ONE Change Scott Crawford at a funding announcement where the RBC Foundation gave the organization a check for $40,000.

Crawford tells CHSJ News it's taken some time, but community pride is starting to re-develop in the neighbourhood. He says residents are showing that they care about where they live by working with the police department to lower crime and working with housing agencies to make sure that there is better housing in the old North end.

Crawford says that the money they received will allow them to make the program something special. He says they can now expand their art, sports and self-development programs so that there are no kids on a waiting list.

ONE Change is an organization dedicated to improving life for those living in the old North end.

Flemming and Gallant Duke It Out Over The Drug Plan

A lively back and forth on the new drug plan in the Legislature this morning.

Liberal Liberal Brian Gallant asking the health minister if the program is voluntary in the first phase beginning next spring.

He asking Flemming if its true in the second phase of the plan after April 2015 that it will be mandatory for New Brunswickers to pay into the plan.

Health Minister Ted Flemming says the first phase of the plan is voluntary where people can assess their drug use and the extent to which they have to pay and they have the option to make that kind of decision.

Gallant does say the Liberals do support the new drug plan in principle but they do have questions they think the government should answer.

Union Questions Millions Being Paid To Quebec Consulting Firm

When the Canadian Union of Public Employees complained about cuts to the winter highway maintenance program, the more than 6 million dollars that could be paid to a consultant was prominently mentioned. 

The President of CUPE Local 1190 Andy Hardy has more to say on that.

"What they were hired to do was to find a savings of 44.5 million dollars in the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Budget, and if they do that, they're going to be paid 6.2 million dollars," he says.

Hardy says, the consulting work has been going on all year. He has no doubt there will recommendations forthcoming to save the designated amount of money.

A Lifesaver For First Steps Housing

First Steps Housing for young teen mothers and moms to be, has received a much needed financial boost from the 100 Women Who Care of Greater Saint John. 

The Director of First Steps Sharon Amirault tells CHSJ News,  the donation could not have come at a better time.

"This money has just come at the right time for probably the worst financial year first steps has had," she says.

She says First Steps is full. She doesn't see the need to help young women who find themselves without a place to call home going down but, financially, it will continue to be difficult.

Threat Leads To Another High School Evacuation

Police in Fredericton are on the scene at Fredericton High School, which received an unspecified threat earlier this morning.

The students were dismissed to return home beginning at 10:30am--and students were dismissed from the Ecole Ste. Anne location as well.

No word on the exact nature of the threat but Simonds High School received a call earlier this month about weapons in the school that turned out to be the work of online hackers. No one was injured and no weapons were found.

Big Interest In Contracts For Water Project

More than 170 potential suppliers, contractors and consultants for the Clean Water project attending a bidder's meeting.

Project Manager Dean Price says there is essentially three years of preparation before shovels go in the ground.

He says for them the big item is the RFQ, the request for qualifications, which will go out next summer adding there is a lot of financial and technical information they have to prepare before that.

Price says they don't expect to have much of an update on the project between now and next summer.

He says other P3 projects like the highway jobs had a lot of local content so this one could as well.

NB Conservatives Choose Candidate For SJ Harbour

The provincial Conservatives choosing their candidate for Saint John Harbour for the election next year. 

Current MLA Carl Killen highlighting the importance of moving forward natural gas and natural resource development, pension reform and more in a speech to party members at the nomination meeting.

Killen says if natural gas, specifically shale gas, development can't be done safely it won't be done but they will be moving ahead with it because they believe it will provide an economic benefit and has the power to bring families together. He calls it morally good.

Killen was elected to his current position three years ago and he tells CHSJ News his riding is the poorest in New Brunswick and arguably the only purely urban riding in the province. He says the biggest thing for him is being able to give some help and comfort to the people in his riding who are having a tough go of it.

Prison Drug Bust

Authorities at the maximum security prison at Renous are investigating after a drug seizure. 

An arrest was made after an attempt to smuggle between 15 and 20 thousand dollars worth of drugs into the penetentiary. 

The drugs confiscated included hash, hash oil and hydromorphone.

St. Joseph's Hospital Will Reopen Tomorrow

St. Joe's will be back open tomorrow morning after closing its doors today due to water issues. 

There was a problem with water pressure at St. Joseph's Hospital but it has since been fixed. The closure affected the operating rooms, all out-patient clinics and the Urgent Care Centre. 

Patients who needed care were being advised to visit another clinic or go to the ER at the Regional.

A Pipe Failure Forces Latest Boil Water Order

Add Lakewood Heights to the list of 2013 watermain breaks leading to another boil water order.
 
A pipe from 1800's failed early this morning meaning chlorine stopped entering the system.  

Saint John Water's Kendall Mason says because of the watermain failure the water being drawn from the lake was coming into fast and the chlorination system could not keep up so it was not being disinfected properly.

Doug Walker of the Department of Health explains why Forest Hills school shut down early due to low water pressure.

He says it becomes a concern especially in a school when you get into a situation where you can't use the washrooms and children can't wash their hands.

The City expects the boil water order will remain in effect until at least Friday.

The boil water order impacts 45,000 Saint Johners living east of the Reversing Falls bridge.

New Brunswickers Can Enroll In New NB Drug Plan As Of This Spring

New Brunswick Health Minister Ted Flemming rose in the legislature for a major announcement introducing the Prescription and Catastrophic Drug Insurance Act.

The Act will allow the government to establish the New Brunswick Drug Plan. Flemming calls it a momentous day in our province's history, rivaled only by the introduction of Medicare.

Liberal health critic Donald Arsenault responded with the rejoinder that while the opposition agrees in principle with the act, the Alward government should be apologizing to the taxpayers whose hopes they raised when they promised to have the plan completed in the first year of their mandate, considering it is now over three years later.

The Health Minister has said he refuses to apologize for taking the necessary time to carefully construct the plan.

New Brunswickers with a valid health care will be able to voluntarily enroll in the plan by May 1, 2014. For the full details of the plan click here

St. Joe's Closes Because Of Watermain Break

St. Joseph's Hospital has been closed because of the water problems on the east side.

This closure affected the operating rooms, all out-patient clinics and the Urgent Care Centre.

Patients needing care are being told to visit another clinic or go to the E-R at the Regional with the public being asked to not come to St. Joe's until further notice.

Major Facelift For Prince William Street

Prince William Street isn't the thriving commercial district it once was--but a $2.5 million  refurbishment program is going to bring the nationally-designated historic streetscape back to something of its former glory.


Common Councillor Donna Reardon suggested granite rather than concrete curbing would make sense given the importance of the project, especially since building owners in that area are required to bring their buildings up to the heritage code.

The granite curbing would cost $150,000 more than concrete--but the consensus around the council horseshoe seems to be that if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.

Dentists Against Removing Fluoride From Water

Not everyone likes the idea of fluoride in the city's drinking water supply, whether it's a perceived taste issue, or simply because they don't like the thought of anyone putting medicine in their water.

However, according to New Brunswick Dental Society president and dentist Kelly Manning, fluoridated water is absolutely crucial to preventing tooth decay, especially in kids. She tells CHSJ News she sees a shocking rate of tooth decay as it is.

She tells CHSJ News saving the $177,000 dollars the city spends yearly on fluoride is a poor reason to compromise on public health, and if we take fluoride out we can expect to see a spike in tooth decay. Further, Manning says provinces like Ontario fluoridate their water and have reported no ill effects.

Alward Defends Provincially-Funded Ad

No doubt you have seen the ad during the commercial breaks on your favourite tv show.    

It's from the Province and features many New Brunswickers speaking about having to leave home to find work.
 
Premier David Alward says the ad sends a strong message to the folks working out west to not give up hope on be able to return home someday.

He says our young people and men and woman don't have the opportunities to stay home and build their lives here.

So how will the province sold the problem? Alward suggests the work the province is doing on developing our natural resources and investing in innovation will do the trick.


You can check out the ad yourself by clicking here

Water Problems Close St. Joe's

The water problems in the City forcing the closure of St. Joe's.

Operating rooms and all out-patient clinics at St. Joseph’s Hospital have been closed.

The Urgent Care Centre is closed until further notice. 

Patients needing care should arrange to visit another clinic or go to the ER at the Regional.

The public is asked to not come to St. Joe's until further notice.

Low Water Or A Lack Of Water Causing Problems

Some inconvenient fallout from the East side watermain break this morning.

Several residents and business owners both east and uptown are complaining of low water pressure or a complete lack of water.

As a result, Forest Hills school is closing for the day and all Saint John Y afterschool programming and evening events are cancelled.

The Village at the Loch Lomond Villa had to postpone their Christmas dinner scheduled for today for 300 family members and residents. 

It's re-scheduled for Thursday.

CHSJ News asked the city when the water pressure may be returning to normal and they told us they will provide an update as soon as they can.

Water Rates In City Going Up In 2014

Your household water bill is going to be going up in the new year.

With the newly-approved 2014 water and sewerage capital budget, the domestic water rate will be rising by 7%--which is an extra $6 per month, or $72 per year.

City Manager Bill Edwards explains the increase should come as no surprise, given all the much needed improvements that are going to be undertaken with the water system.

The increase will come into effect regardless of council's decision about the future of fluoridating the water supply.

Boil Water Order For Most Of City

A boil water order has been issued for everyone living east of the Reversing Falls Bridge because of a water main break on a transmission line near the Lakewood Heights Pump Station on the east side.

 Due to the water main break there was increased water flow at the Latimer Lake Treatment Facility resulting in insufficient chlorine being added to disinfect the water.
 
The West side, west of the Reversing Falls Bridge, is not affected. The boil water order is expected to last until early next week.

Watermain Breaks On East Side

There has been a big watermain break on Fish Hatchery Road off Lomand Road on the east side near the Little River Reservoir.

Rothesay Delivers 2014 Budget

Rothesay residents won't have to dig any deeper into their pockets next year when it comes to paying their taxes.

The town's budget for 2014 showing the tax rate for the community remaining steady at $1.19. Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News the water usage rate, on the other hand, is going up by ten cents per cubic meter and the sewer rate is increasing by twenty dollars.

Next year, $2.8-million will go toward street surfacing and $1.2-million to sidewalk improvements. $6-million will go toward design costs and phase one construction for a new arena, while more than $2-million will be used for major improvements to the Rothesay Common including a new building, drainage improvements and an artificial ice surface. Bishop says they also plan to increase the quality of the town's water.

The town's total operating budget is up by 0.32% while the unconditional grant dropping by 31%.

Just What Tires Are Legal In Rothesay?

Rothesay Regional Police have been flooded with calls and emails about what tires are legal in the town of Rothesay which has declared snow tires are required during the winter.
 
Police point out the by-law in question refers specifically to “winter traction tires”. Tires labeled mud and snow, all-season, all-weather or snow tires are considered to be traction tires. 

Traction tires may have a mountain or snowflake symbol.
 
Police add all-season tires can be used year round but snow and studded snow tires should only be used in the winter.

Should Saint John Keep Putting Fluoride In Its Water Supply?

A scant majority of 52% voted to start adding fluoride to the water supply back in 1992--and now, common council is revisiting the idea of whether the chemical should still pumped into the domestic water supply.

City Manager Bill Edwards explains the fluoride itself costs $177,000 each year--but less than 1% of that water actually ends up being consumed, instead going to industry and other uses. He likened the current expenditure to buying a new bottle of 100 asprin every time you need to take a single pill.

The Mayor says the city will be seeking medical advice on whether fluoridated water is a good thing in a blue collar town where some don't have access to dental care.

Another fact to consider is that fluoride is acidic and hard on pipes, so currently another chemical is added to balance the ph level. Council will vote on the issue after hearing more information in February.

100 Women Who Care Holding Third Meeting

A group made up of hundreds of women will soon be cutting a check to give to their charity of choice. 

It's the third meeting of 100 Women Who Care in Greater Saint John, which has grown to nearly 270 members. With each member giving $100 each quarter, Rathwell says they have the ability to donate $27,000 to a local charity this time around.

They will decide who gets the money at their meeting on Tuesday, which is happening on the Main Floor of the Lily Lake Pavilion at 55 Lake Drive South from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.

Provincial NDP Say Give Municipalities More Power

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy says municipalities around the province are being hamstrung because they don't know until late in the year how much money they'll have to work with. 

Cardy says the provincial Department of Economic Development should be scrapped and that money, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, should be divided up among the various municipalities.
 
Cardy says the current system with the provincial government giving out unconditional grants, which can change drastically from year to year, prevents long term planning from taking place on the municipal level.


If the municipal politicians don't spend the money wisely, Cardy says voters can then give them the heave ho.


Saint John is getting more money from the province next year but, despite that, the city's tax base is declining.

Alward Hopeful SWN Project Will Proceed

Premier David Alward attracting a large crowd to speak of the pros and cons of the provincial economy and the many projects on the horizon.
 
He was asking about when SWN resources might return now that testing in finished and he tells us he feels very good that they were able to finish their exploration phase.

He says now they will go back and analyze their information and making a decision on whether or not they would put in test wells but he adds he is hopeful.

Alward says he looks forward to meeting with company representatives in the coming weeks to hear about their results.

Dr. Ed Doherty To Give Provincial Politics Another Shot

Dr. Ed Doherty, who served as a cabinet minister in the previous Liberal government under then Premier Shawn Graham, will be going after the party's nomination in Saint John Harbour. 

Dr. Doherty tells CHSJ News a lot of people in the riding are having a tough go of it these days and he hears from people in the riding they're disappointed with the Alward Government.

He thinks Conservative M-L-A Carl Killen is vulnerable in the next provincial election.

Former Mayor Ivan Court earlier said he would be seeking the Liberal nomination in the riding of Saint John Lancaster, now held by Conservative Dorothy Shepherd. 

Realtor Don Ketchum will also be the Liberal nomination in that riding and there has been speculation former Common Councillor Peter McGuire is, at least, considering a run.

Saint John Will Not Be Hammered By Storm From Eastern Seaboard

We are not going to be inundated with snow and freezing rain, unlike large portions of the U.S. and Ontario. 

That word coming from Claude Cote of Environment Canada who tells CHSJ News light snow will continue through tonight with ice pellets in the overnight hours as it warms up. The forecast is calling for a couple of centimeters of snow later this afternoon and from 2 to 4 centimeters of snow and ice pellets tonight with the precipitation ending overnight.


Beginning later this week, a cold spell will descend on the region with below normal temperatures. The average daytime high for this time of year is expected to be around the freezing mark.

Shelter Needs Volunteers

A cold snap later this week means the city's homeless will have to find somewhere to go for the night.

The Out of the Cold shelter at Grace Presbyterian Church doesn't open until January and is looking for volunteers.
 
Volunteer recruiter Tony Dickinson tells CHSJ News they have four people volunteering at night and two that stay overnight.

He says ideal conditions are a man and a woman or two men for the overnight shift adding they never have woman working alone.
 
He tells us the evening shift is busier and about four hours with a lot more to do because the guys are awake and active.

The shelter can use donations of socks as the men who use their services often walking around all day and during the winter months it can be in slush so they often come in with wet feet.  

Socks can be dropped off anytime at the church and they ask you to specify that they are for the Out of the Cold shelter.

Dickinson says if you attended the first session you don't need to attend the second one.    The training session is coming up on Thursday night at Grace Presbyterian Church at 7pm.

You are asked to use the Hazen street entrance.

Provincial Liberals Choose Their Candidate In Saint John East

The Liberals have chosen their candidate for the next provincial election in Saint John East.

Simonds High Principal Gary Keating who says the state of the economy is the number one issue. Keating, who talks to students all the time as part of his job, tells CHSJ News we need jobs, jobs and more jobs to keep talented young people from moving away. One of Keating's own sons has left the province for work in Toronto.

Provincial Liberal Leader Brian Gallant was in town for the nomination meeting and he tells CHSJ News one of his top priorities is to train New Brunswickers for jobs that are going unfilled because of the skills gap. 

Gallant says New Brunswick is the only province to have lost jobs every year since 2010 and the Premier, who will be speaking to the Saint John Board of Trade today, will have a tough time defending his economic record with the slowest growth rate in the country since 2011.

What You Pay For Your Water Will Likely Be Going Up

If Common Council approves, you'll be paying 7.1 per cent more for your water next year.
 
Common Councillors are being asked to approve a 72 dollar increase next year for those Saint Johnners who are on the flat rate for their water. The rate would go up from just over a one thousand dollars a year to $1,080.

Plans call for the flat water rate to increase to $1,296 a year by 2017.

Metered rates will also be going up by anywhere from 2 cents to just under 7 cents depending on what block under in.

City staff are recommending the city stop fluoridating the water, calling it an inefficient program. The fluoride, itself, costs $177,000 and continued fluoridation would add $650,000 to the design costs of the new water treatment plant in east Saint John.

Council Hears Arguments For And Against Fluoride

A scant majority of 52% voted to start adding fluoride to the water supply back in 1992--and now, common council is revisiting whether or not the chemical should still pumped into the domestic water supply.

City Manager Bill Edwards explains the fluoride itself costs $177,000 dollars each year--but less than 1% of that water ends up as drinking water. He advised from a financial perspective the practice is a huge waste, akin to buying a new bottle of asprin every time you need to take a single dose.
 
The Mayor tells CHSJ News the city will be seeking medical advice on whether fluoridated water is a good thing in a blue collar town where some don't have access to dental care.
 
Another fact to consider is that fluoride is acidic and hard on pipes, and currently another chemical is added to balance the Ph level. Council will vote on the issue after hearing more information in February.

New Brunswick Medical Society Launching "Make Menus Matter."

The New Brunswick Medical Society is asking parents and teachers to take a second look at school menus. 

The group is launching "Make Menus Matter", a campaign to raise awareness about eating healthy at school. 

CEO Anthony Knight tells CHSJ News, when it comes to healthy school menus, there's still room for improvement. He says, unhealthy options are still available on school menus.

"There's all different forms of burgers, whether they're chicken, fish or hamburgers, lot of pizza and some variations of fried foods. We want to encourage more whole grain products, more fruits and vegetables, and more lean meat," he says.

Parents are being asked to submit their child's school menu to the Medical Society, for a chance to with a healthy lunch prepared by doctors and dietitians.

Quispamsis Council Requests Update On State Of Emergency

Quispamsis council making sure they are prepared for the worst...the town making a request to be updated on the state of emergency and local state of emergency legislation. 

Regional Emergency Management Coordinator for Saint John and Sussex Brent Whalen tells CHSJ News, it all starts at the municipal level.

"If an emergency occurs...multiple police departments, multiple fire departments from adjacent municipalities have to come in to assist a single municipality. It becomes overwhelming, and so an escalation in support is going to be required," he says.

Whelan and KV E-M-O Director Brian Shanks making a presentation to council at their last meeting.

SCAN Program Helping Residents File Complaints Against Problem Tenants

It started as a pilot program, but now the SCAN program is helping residents file complaints against problem tenants and residents on a permanent basis. 

That's thanks to funding from the province. Police Chief Bill Reid tells CHSJ News, they have a lot of tips coming in, and they work with SCAN to deal with complaints about drug dealers, squats, and other issues.

 "Scan is not connected to police, it's an outside provincial unit and once we have information we certainly pass it along," he says.

 Reid says the city's fortunate the provincial government has continued funding for the program.

Elderly Woman Robbed In The South End

Saint John Police telling us an elderly woman was robbed of  her purse in the South end last night. 

It happened around 8:15pm on Leinster Street. A six-foot-tall man, believed to be in his 20's, walked up behind her, and ran away with her purse.

Police say there was a bit of a struggle. The 75 year old woman suffered minor injuries.

They are looking for the suspect and if you have any information, call City Police.

Maritime Author Releases "Road To The NHL"

Telling the stories of the Maritimes' well-known hockey players.   

Phillip Croucher of Nova Scotia, releasing Road to the NHL.
The book highlights the journey of 25 hockey players including New Brunswick's Willie O'Ree. Croucher says the book is for all ages to relate to. 

He tell CHSJ News, what it was like to interview the hockey players.  "You know Maritimers are known for being easy going and very approachable. [That's] what I was most happy about with these interviews, is just how open they all were with talking to me."

 Road to the NHL is in the top locally sold books in the Maritimes.

How To Be Safe If You're Cycling This Winter

If you're braving the cold on two wheels this winter,
Dean Roberts, of Consolvo Bikes says make sure you have the right equipment.

He tells CHSJ News, "A lot of people that aren't familiar with winter cycling can get in over their head a little bit, if they don't have the right equipment."

Roberts tells us winter cycling is picking up in Saint John. 

He says if you're going to try winter cycling, make sure to have studded tires and warm clothing. If you choose not to, the ice can be very dangerous. He says, it can be very sudden, and you don't see it under the snow.

Salvation Army Kettle Drive Runs Throughout The Holiday Season

You've certainly noticed the volunteers in the malls and on street-corners ringing bells, and asking for a few dollars for Salvation Army kettles.
 
Salvation Army officer Rodney Bungay, tells CHSJ News, they work hard to provide housing and hot meals to the homeless.

"They love the work that we do. Many people will stop me and just say thank you for the work the Salvation Army is doing, so the support is there," he says.

The kettle drive runs throughout the holiday season.

French Government Honouring Canadian Veterans For D-Day Landings

The French government paying special tribute to Canadian soldiers who fought in the D-Day Landings. The 70th Anniversary of the battle is coming up in 2014.
 
Larry Lynch is the district commander for the Saint John Royal Canadian Legion. He tells CHSJ News, the branch is looking for members who took part in the battle.



"There are many veterans out there that partook in that battle, that are not legion members. And we would like to make sure, any veteran that partook in that battle, [gets] the opportunity to be honoured." he says.
 
Veterans will be presented with the highest honour conferred by the French government.


This includes veterans who who served in the army, air, or navy from June 6, 1944, to August 31, 1944. 

France will be honouring the veterans by nominating them for the National Order for the Legion of Honour. For more information, contact Larry Lynch at 635-1733.

Romero House Food Drive Another Success

The 7th Annual Ritchie's Food Drive for Romero House wrapping up today, with lots of donations filling up the 53-foot-trailer.

 The donations will help fill the shelves at the soup kitchen. Evelyn McNulty of Romero House, tells CHSJ News, it was another great success.

"Romero, helps a lot of people. A lot more people, then people will ever be aware of, and everything that was donated today will definitely go to good use," she says. She adds, the food from the fundraiser generally lasts throughout the summer and sometimes into the fall.

Saint John Celebrates The First Uptown Sparkles

Saint John kicked off the very first Uptown Sparkles event last night. The city was getting into the Christmas spirit with carols, choirs,horse-drawn carriage rides, and more. 

Kent MacIntyre is President of the Rotary Club in Saint John. The Boys and Girls Rotary club choir kicked off the group's 100th anniversary at King's Square during the event. 

 MacIntyre says, Uptown Sparkles is an event for everyone in the community to enjoy for years to come. 

He tells CHSJ News, " you can get out outside in the fresh and just have some local entertainment. You can interact with folks. It's absolutely wonderful."