Wires Are Down In Many Locations

Crews are responding to wires down in the North end on Visart street and there are also 5 wires down on the Dever road.

Earlier crews responded to a transformer fire on the Lorneville road and there are branches down on the Loch Lomond Road on the way to the airport.

SJFD Keeping An Eye On A Fluoride Spill

City fire crews along with the Hazmat unit responding to a small spill of fluoride at the Spruce Lake Treatment Plant.

It happened as a contractor was filling the tank.

The Saint John Fire Department and the City’s Safety Manager were called and began a clean up procedure.
 
The fire department remains on the scene monitoring the situation.

RCMP Investigating Camp Break-Ins And Thefts

Reports of buildings and camps being broken into in the rural area between Coles Island and Havelock have been rolling in over the past three months.

Police are looking into the break & enters and thefts where in most cases, rifles and other valuables were stolen from the properties. These incidents mostly happening along Route 112 and the South Canaan Road. 

The RCMP reminding property owners from the area to remove anything valuable from their camps when possible and that firearms must be secured in accordance with federal regulations.

Anyone with information about these incidents is being asked to contact Sussex RCMP at 506-433-7700 or Crime Stoppers at www.crimenb.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

UPDATE: Some Flights Cancelled, Some On Time

That family member or friend flying in or out today at the Saint John Airport may find their flight is delayed or cancelled.

A few flights from Toronto, Montreal and Halifax  are cancelled today while others for later this afternoon are on time.

It's a good idea to check ahead before heading to the airport today.

You can do that by clicking here 

The Saint John Airport tweeting they are having difficulty with updating flight information on their website.   You can also check the status of your flight here

Man Wanted For Assault With Weapon Arrested

Police tracking down a man wanted for beating another man with a steel pipe in Salisbury.

Andrew Stephen Rees being arrested for assault with a weapon after police received several tips from the public. RCMP had issued a call for information about his whereabouts but warned the public not to approach the 27-year old as he was considered dangerous.

Rees is being held in custody and will be appearing in court.

More Than 10,000 Without Power

For over 10,000 people mainly in southern New Brunswick, it might be best to go out shopping because you can't do much without electricity.

Those people without power are in a slew of communities including Pennfield, St. Stephen, St. George, Kingston, Bloomfield, Grand Bay-Westfield, Rothesay and Quispamsis.

According to NB Power's website, people in those places can expect to get their power back sometime between Noon and 6pm tonight.

To see the latest numbers, click here

Flouride Spill On West Side

The fire department called to the water treatment plant on Ocean Westway after getting a report about a flouride spill outside the building after a line broke. Flouride is acidic. 

Common Council has to be make a decision early next year whether to continue flouridating city water. Saint John and Oromocto are the only two muncipalities in the province continuing to do so.

Saint John M-P Expects More Money For "Y"

The "Y" still needs to raise a lot of money to pay for construction of its new building in the north end because the contributions from the federal and provincial government cover under half of the cost. 

Saint John M-P Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News he has no doubt it will be done and he expects more financial commitments will be forthcoming in the next little while.


Weston says the "Y" has a special bond with Saint Johnners and there's a realy good group of people backing the project.

City Buses Getting Long In The Tooth

More money next year in the 2014 city budget for Saint John Transit but there will only be enough to cover higher costs of operating. 

City Transit buses are older than the national average, 11.6 years compared to 7 and a half to 8 years. Common Councillor Donna Reardon argues Saint John has been playing catchup after some budgetary neglect.

Reardon says they would prefer to have the average age of a bus in the city be 8 and a half to 9 years because it costs more money to keep older buses on the road.

Donnie Snook's Lawyer Speaks Out

The lawyer for disgraced former Common Councillor Donnie Snook is is talking about what the past year has been like for him. Dennis Boyle represented Snook beginning shortly after his arrest January 9th until he was sentenced on the last of the child sexual abuse charges earlier this month. 

Boyle says, for him, it was all consuming but it's also been a hard time for the whole community to try to deal with this and a lot of people were hurt. He's hoping the healing can now begin.

Boyle has praise for how the police acted and treated Snook as well as the jail staff in Saint John and Dalhousie.

Concern Over 2014 City Budget

The 2014 city budget comes before Common Council tonight amid concerns over million dollar increases for the police and fire department. 

Mayor Mel Norton is worried over increasing wage costs at a time when the tax base went down.

West Side Councillor Greg Norton wonders about the city's long term financial sustainability. 

Finance Commissioner Greg Yeomans telling councillors wages and benefits account for 50 million dollars or 34 per cent of the city's budget but do not include police. Councillor 

David Merrithew, who chairs the city's Finance Committee, pulls no punches when he says the wage increases given in the past are not sustainable anymore. 

Common Councillor Susan Fullerton points out a reduction in the city's tax rate from $1.78.5 down to $1.78 would cost 300 thousand dollars or two-fifths of one per cent of the total budget which she doesn't consider that big a deal and a reduction of one cent would cost $600 thousand or four-fifths of one per cent.

More Freezing Rain On The Way

Tree branches and power lines are sagging because of 24 hours of freezing rain which has caused widespread power outages in the southern part of the province. 

Jeremy March of Environment Canada telling CHSJ News we're not out of the woods yet with more freezing rain expected tonight until the system winds down after midnight but Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are looking much better.

March estimates the Saint John area has received 15 millimeters of freezing rain. 

As of 11:00 this morning, more than 45 hundred customers are without power in the Saint John area, most of whom are in Rothesay but also in Quispamsis, Grand Bay-Westfield, Upper Golden Grove, Queenstown, Long Reach, Bloomfield, the Kingston Peninsula and Clifton Royal. 

In the St. Stephen area, there are more than 36 hundred homes and businesses without electricity, mostly in Pennfield, St. George, Utopia and St. Stephen itself. NB Power says some people without electricity may not get their service restored until around 6 tonight.

Another Rexton Court Proceeding

A 36-year-old woman from Elsipogtog First Nation has been arrested after journalists and technicians complained in October their vehicles and equipment had been confiscated while they were attempting to work.

The items were returned later the same day.

The woman was arrested and later released on conditions...she's expected to appear in court on February 26.

RCMP are investigating possible charges of mischief and intimidation....and they're not ruling out further charges.

In a separate incident,  a 50 year old man from Bannon was arrested after cash and meth pills were seized at his home. 

He's scheduled to appear in court in January.

Weather Warnings For Atlantic Canada

 

If you have travel plans, make sure to keep up to date on the weather, that from Jeremy March, meteorologist with Environment Canada. 

"A real mixed-bag of weather today, he says, snow, freezing rain and ice pellet mix."

The freezing rain is expected to continue after midnight. 



March tells us, some areas in New Brunswick will continue to get 

freezing rain tomorrow morning, and ice pellets. He adds, on Tuesday it should be moving towards some sunshine. 

*Photo taken by Tina Durelle

Power Outages Update

About 58 customers are still without power in Rothesay.

 That number going down from over 400 earlier today.

In St. Stephen, 3744 are currently without power. 

Saint John Energy reporting power outages affecting the West Side earlier today. Customers in the lower West side should have power back at this time.

A New Treatment Center Will Be Built For Mentally Ill Teens And Kids

This province is in dire need of new facilities to treat teens and children struggling with mental health issues.
 
No ones knows that more than Maureen Billerman of Dots NB who created a non-profit group after struggling to find help for her child with mental health challenges.
 
Billerman tells CHSJ News the province is seeking request for proposals for a 15-bed treatment centre for children and youth.

She says the facility for children and youth in crisis who need serious help. 

She says they will work intensely and the idea is that they will get back into their communities as quickly as possible.

Billerman calls this move a really good step that will serve a deep need.  

She expects it will be open a year from now.

For more info on Dots NB, click here

Proposed Medical Marijuana Factory In St. Stephen

A business in St.Stephen has put forward a proposal for the building of a medical marijuana factory in the town. 

Darren Marshall is VP of Tidal Health Solutions. The business has applied for a license, under the new Health Canada regulations. 


He tells us the factory will add 15 more jobs and will be regulated under the new Health Canada Rules.

"This whole new system is going to be centered around license producers, so we've made an application to become a licensed producer," he says.

 Right now, patients who use medical marijuana can grow it themselves or can have a licensed producer do it for them.
 
After the new rules take effect on April 1st, growing medical marijuana will only be permitted to licensed producers. 

Marshall tells CHSJ News, "some of the challenges will be educating people on what it is and how it's used, and getting away from some of the stigma that surrounds the product now."

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year Or The Most Stressful?

For many of us it's not the most wonderful time of the year, it's the most stressful.

 But the C-E-O of the Canadian Psychological Association has some advice on how to stay calm and collected this holiday season. Dr. Karen Cohen says it's important to set realistic expectations.

"If you're go into the holidays hoping Uncle Jim and cousin Bob are going to get along really well this year, and mom is going to something different, and everyone is going to be happy. We may end up being disappointed because that's not always the way it works out," she says.

She says you should keep things in perspective if something doesn't go according to plan and try not make a mountain out of a molehill. She also says its important to pay attention to your own feelings and ask for help if you need it.

Holiday Fire Safety Tips

As you're decorating your home for the holiday season,
Regional Fire Marshall in Saint John, Jeff Croft, has a few fire safety tips to keep in mind. 

He says, check your extension cords for damage before use.

"Make sure that they're not damaged, or that they aren't running under carpets, or in a high traffic area."

He adds, make sure you inspect your Christmas lights for cuts in the wires before putting them on. Especially if you use them year after year. 

More Than $1.5 Million In Unclaimed Lottery Money

 No one wants to miss out on winning some cash, especially during the holiday season.

 Atlantic Lottery telling us there's more than 1.5 million dollars in unclaimed lottery money. That's just for the month of December. 

Carla Burque of Atlantic Lottery, tells CHSJ News, 

"People have these ticket on their counters, in their wallets, in their purses. They're worth some money." 

She says smaller prizes may not change your life, but they could pay for dinner, coffee or something you may have had your eye on for a while.

After a year, unclaimed prizes are returned to a special fund and offered back to players through some form of prizing.

MADD Canada Launching Project Red Ribbon

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada and Irving Oil launching Project Red Ribbon in Atlantic Canada.
 
The red ribbon is a symbol many of us are familiar with, and is a reminder to never drive impaired. The campaign has been around for 26 years. 

 Dawn Regan speaks for MADD Canada, and tells us impaired driving is the number one criminal cause of death in Canada. 

"It just such a preventable activity there's no reason for this crime to happen. People just need to make the right decision and never drive impaired," she says.

She adds, 1,200 to 1,500 people die in impaired driving related accidents per year, averaging about 4 deaths per day.

Expect Slippery Conditions Tonight

Expect slippery conditions tonight with freezing rain, and ice pellets headed our way. 

 Cindy Vallis is a meteorologist at Environment Canada. She tells us, the worst of the weather is going to be around midnight.

"Periods of rain through the evening hours, then changing to periods of rain around midnight," she says.
 
Expect about 10 to 15 centimeters of ice pellets.  She adds, the weather will gradually improve tomorrow as the system moves.

Two Rexton Protestors Opt For A Trial, One Gets Time Served

 27 year old Coady Stevens of Nova Scotia pleading guilty to five charges dating back to October's shale gas protests in Rexton.

Stevens faces several charges including assaulting a police officer.   He's been in jail since his arrest and was sentenced to time served with several conditions including that he stay away from any SWN Resources equipment, compound or worksite.

20 year old Aaron Francis of Nova Scotia pleading not guilty to 16 changes stemming from incidents on October 17th.
The charges include two counts of assault on a police officer, assault on a corrections officer and eight charges relating to firearms.

21 year old Germain Breau of Upper Rexton was also in court pleading not guilty to 19 charges in connection with his actions on the same day.

Francis and Breau are due back before a judge on December 30th to have trial dates set.

Four People Displaced After House Fire

Four people are permanently displaced after a house fire in the North end.
 
Saint John Fire responding to the call early this morning,  finding heavy black smoke coming from the main door of a two-story building. Police tell us there was significant damage to the home.

A fire fighter had minor injuries, and was treated at the scene. No one else was hurt. 
Crews were on scene for three hours. The fire is under investigation.

"Boot House" Is The Top Gingerbread House

A boot house with laces "wowing" the judges in the 2nd annual Gingerbread Trail contest put on by Uptown Saint John.

Manchester Shoe Salon won for their Boot house complete with licorice laces.   In second place was Fishy Chores with their enormous nutcracker figure and third place went to the Saint John Arts Centre for their replica of the Carnegie building.

15 different gingerbread houses have been on display at businesses throughout the Uptown.

Kedgwick Pair Get 14 Years For Trying To Import/Export Drugs

A man and a woman from Kedgwick are looking at over 14 years in jail combined after pleading guilty to charges of  gangsterism and drug conspiracy.

Back in March, 53 year old Sylvain Borris was found guilty of three charges in a Montreal courtroom including trying to export marijuana and conspiracy to import 300 kilos of cocaine.     He got a 10 and a half years sentence and a $250,000 fine.

43 year old Lucie Lagace was found guilty on a conspiracy to import cocaine and of gangsterism and for that gets sentenced to four years in prison.

The pair were arrested last summer in a multi-agency investigation that found a group trying to smuggle drugs into the U.S. between Maine, New Brunswick and Quebec.

This group had connections with people in Colombia and conspired to import coke into this country.

Sidewalks May Be Slippery

The City suggesting pedestrians be careful when walking around town this weekend.

A thin layer of snow remains on many sidewalks and that mixed with snow and freezing rain could result in slippery sidewalks.

Crews will be working this weekend to clear streets and sidewalks following two snowstorms this week.

New Addition To The NB Energy Institute

A new face is joining the New Brunswick Energy Institute. 

Cecelia Brooks from St. Mary's First Nation has been appointed the newest member of the Scientific Advisory Council. She is the current Research Director and Indigenous Knowledge Specialist with the Assembly of First Nations Chiefs in the province and the Water Grandmother for the Canadian Rivers Institute.

Brooks says she has dedicated her career's work to making sure our water supply is respected and stays safe for future generations and ensuring understanding and respect for indigenous issues.

The Interim Chair of the Institute Dr. David Besner says they are delighted to have Brooks sit as a member of the SAC and that a strong voice for aboriginal issues is imperative to scientific studies pertaining to energy development in our province.

Police Looking For Man Wanted For Assault With A Weapon

RCMP are asking the public for help finding a man wanted for beating another man with a steel pipe.

A warrant being issued for the arrest of 27-year old Andrew Stephen Rees for the incident on Thursday in Salisbury. He is 5'11, about 170 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. He has two distinctive tattoos, one of a teardrop under his right eye and a tattoo of a deck of cards on the left side of his neck and he also wears a nose ring.

Police say Rees may not be taking his medication and is considered dangerous and should not be approached if seen. Anyone knowing the Rees' whereabouts is asked to contact the RCMP, their local police agency or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Cops Hopping With A Number Of Crime Calls

In addition to the serious accident on Highway 1 this morning, police responded to a number of calls ranging from breaches of probation to a small fire that  started on a stove. 

Sergeant Jay Henderson of the Saint John Police Force explains there was an arrest at a home in the North End for assault.

A 43 year old man was also arrested on Orange Street for domestic assault and a probation breach. The  small blaze at a home on Anglin Drive was quickly put out by fire officials.

2 Hurt In 5 Vehicle Crash On Highway 1

5 vehicles in a major crash on Highway 1 westbound near the Tourist bureau leaving two people seriously hurt.

It happened in the middle of rush hour causing a major traffic problem.

City police tell CHSJ News it looks light one of the cars crossed the centre line into the oncoming traffic.

The highway was closed but is now back open to traffic.

Recall Of Playtex Hip Hammock Infant Carriers

A warning to parents from Health Canada about a certain kind of infant carrier that's being recalled because the buckles on it can break.

Playtex Hip Hammock infant carriers were for sale in several stores including Wal-Mart and Toys R Us, and about 36,000 of them were sold in Canada between June 2004 and January 2010.

There have been two reports of injuries in the U.S., where one baby had to go to the emergency room.

If you own the carrier with the model number 05306 , you're being told to call the company for instructions on how to return it. You can reach Playtex at 1-800-522-8230 from 8:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Friday or their website and click on recall for more information.

What Happens After Ashley Smith Inquest Is Uncertain

Now that the inquest into Ashley Smith's choking death in a Kitchener, Ontario jail is over, the big question is whether it will make a difference. 

Marianna Stack of the Elizabeth Fry Society in Saint John is supporting the call for a police investigation into who ordered jail guards not to intervene.

Stack says the people she talks to are appalled that someone could be treated as horribly as Smith was and hopes mentally ill women are just not locked away.

The inquest jury recommends seriously mentally ill women serve time in federally operated treatment facilities, not prisons.

Stack does say she has seen changes being made since this all came to light that are positive.

Another Car Fire In East Saint John

photo courtesy of Courtenay McKinnon

It must feel like a deja vu for the police and fire crews who got the call for another car fire out east not even a day later.

It happened on Consumers Drive behind the Pizza Delight at 11:30am and the fire has been put out.

City police provided traffic control in the area.

Another car fire on Westmorland road yesterday caused a traffic tie up yesterday afternoon.

Injuries and Traffic Disruption In Major Accident on Highway 1

There are still some traffic problems on Highway 1 heading into the city due to a multi-vehicle crash by the Tourist Bureau around 7:30 this morning.

Six people were injured, two of them seriously. Emergency personnel are still handling the situation.

Major Crash On West Side

A major traffic disruption during the morning commute along Highway 1 by the Tourist Bureau after a collision involving as many as six vehicles. 

Drivers are being advised to stay clear of that area altogether because of long delays and traffic will likely be rerouted for the next couple of hours.

Traffic is also backing up along Highway 7 towards Grand Bay-Westfield because of the crash.

Warning About Synthetic Drugs Seized By City Police

The seizure of two synthetic drugs in the north end prompting City Police to issue a warning about their dangers. 

Sergeant Jay Henderson says both D-M-T and 2-5-I (eye) cause users to hallucinate to the point where they could be dangerously unaware of their surroundings.
 
Police say there's no known medical use for these drugs which will be chemically analysed.

Police Seize Drugs, Money and Handgun In Bust

Six people being arrested as part of a three-month police investigation into a drug dealing network in the greater Saint John area.

The investigation focusing mostly on cocaine dealers and the redistribution of crack cocaine.

Police searching several homes in the city and one in Quispamsis finding over a quarter pound of cocaine, more than a pound and a half of marijuana, 1800 ecstasy and bath salt pills, MDMA and hashish. Officers also seizing a loaded handgun and $34,000.

The four men and two women who were arrested will be appearing in court.

Settling Contract Disputes Through Arbitration

Mayor Mel Norton and City Manager Pat Woods are saying the system of arbitration to settle contract disputes is flawed. 

Woods says what emerges can be unrealistic because the city's ability to pay is not taken into account.
 
Woods says the way arbitration works now rewards inflexibility at the bargaining table. Wage increases through arbitration have been a lot higher than those that have been negotiated.

Man Charged In Senior Mugging Denied Bail

A 30-year old man being held in custody on a charge of robbery. 

Matthew James appearing in provincial court for a bail hearing today. He was arrested and charged with the purse-snatching of an elderly woman on Leinster Street in the early evening of December 7. The 74-year old woman suffered some minor injuries after a struggle.

Judge Henrik Tonning says he's convinced if James were released he would commit another offense.

Woman Pleads Guilty To Stealing Drugs From Hospital

After stealing morphine, oxycodone, percocet and other types of drugs from the Regional Hospital, Erin Munn says she wants to make things right.

The woman pleading guilty in provincial court to taking drugs from the hospital's surgery department this summer while she was working as a cleaner in the building. Munn was caught after a surveillance camera was installed near the cabinets.

She says she has written a letter to the hospital and wants to get back on track. Her employer has hired her back on and the Crown says she's taking steps to get help for her pill addiction. The judge giving her a six-month conditional sentence saying rehabilitation is the key here.

Smith Inquest Jury Rules Her 07 Death A Homicide

The jury at the Ashley Smith inquest in Toronto ruling her death was the result of a homicide.

The Moncton teen died in her prison cell in Kitchener, Ontario in 2007. She choked to death of pieces of material after jail guards were told not to rush and help her.

Among its many recommendations, the jury is recommending that indefinite solitary confinement be abolished and until that happens, they suggest it be restricted to a maximum of 15 days.

Another recommendation is for Smith's story to be used a case study for front line workers at the Correctional Service of Canada.

For nearly a year, the jury has been listening to thousands of hours of testimony and reviewing hundreds of exhibits of Smith's time in federal prison.

It's Been A Very Good Week For The Y

What a week for the Saint John Y.   Days after the announcement of more than 9 million dollars from Ottawa and the Province for it's new building...another substantial contribution.

Former Y member Richard J. Currie donating $500,000 to the project.     He will name the new gym after the YMCA Argos Basketball Team, in honour of all of the teams and players that played basketball at the Y over the years.

Currie himself was a a member of the Argos team in the 1950's.   A photo of the team will be put in the new Y's gym recognizing the history of basketball in Saint John.

Construction on the Saint John Y's new $22 million dollar facility is expected to begin next spring.

Work Underway On The 2014 Vote

Next year's provincial vote is a big undertaking and the work is already underway at Elections NB.

Chief Electoral Officer Mike Quinn tells CHSJ News says during the last vote they began a pilot project with full returning offices on campuses in Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton, and Edmunston.

He says they are looking at ways of changing that service around and make it better so that students get to vote all through the election.

Quinn says they are preparing the new polling division map because of the riding changes shrinking the number of ridings from 55 to 49.

Healthcare Budget Will Have Surplus

CHSJ News has been told by Provincial Health Minister Ted Flemming it appears the healthcare budget is heading for a 26 million dollar surplus. 

Flemming says this turnaround would not have happened had the culture within the healthcare system not been changed and this change has been embraced by the people working in healthcare after years of political interference and bad decision making as a result.

He also says the healthcare budget next year will not be going up from this year and the government has achieved this without touching clinical services.

N.B. Getting More Money From The Harper Gov't

The Alward Government's bottom line getting a big boost with a five per cent increase in transfer payments from Ottawa. 

Federal transfers will rise next year to over 2.6 billion dollars which comprises one-third of the provincial budget. 

Saint John M-P Rodney Weston blames the previous Liberal Government under Premier Shawn Graham, in large part, for a financial mess by spending more money than it took in, driving up the debt.
 
Weston concedes the province still finds itself in a difficult financial situation in spite of higher federal transfer payments, adding he doesn't envy the challenge faced by Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs.

Man Facing 19 Charges After Shale Gas Protests

A 21-year-old man from Rexton is facing 19 charges, after his actions during shale gas protests.

Germain Breau was arrested in October and has been in custody ever since. RCMP say he was arrested after police were trying to control a dangerous situation involving firearms, improvised explosive devices and other weapons.

Some of the charges against him include, careless use of a firearm, pointing a firearm at a police officer, obstructing a police officer and violating a probation order.

Yesterday, 15 more charges were laid against him at Moncton Provincial Court, and he will be back in court tomorrow.

Drivers Beware...We Have Another Snow Parking Ban

The city declaring an overnight parking ban for the South/Central Peninsula, in order for crews to push snow back from the streets. 

This will take effect starting tonight at 11pm to 7am tomorrow morning. That means no on-street parking is allowed anywhere in the South/Central Peninsula area.
If you're vehicle is on the road after 11pm it will be towed.
 
But, there are other parking lots available for on-street parking residents including,

•             the corner of Princess Street and Charlotte Street

•             King Street East

•             Peters Street

•             Carmarthen Street/Vineyard Church and

•             Mecklenburg Street at Wentworth Street

•             the corner of Charlotte and Queen Streets at Key Industries (entrance on Queen Street)
 
If you're parking in these areas, your vehicle must be removed by 7am Monday through Friday and by noon on weekends. Otherwise, it will be towed.

There's also parking available at The Carleton-Sewell Parking Garage for $5.00 overnight. This is only available during the temporary snow bans, and the rate is valid only between 6 pm and 8am the following morning.  For more information you can call the Snow Parking Ban Recorded Information Line at 658-4040, or www.saintjohn.ca.

Crawl Space Fire Out East

City fire crews on the scene of a fire in a crawl space inside a home on St. Catherine's street.

The building has been evacuated and the power is being shut off in the building.

Crews have knocked down the blaze and are looking for extension into the floors and walls.

Gas Prices Fall

Just in time for Christmas......The price of self serve regular is down by over 4 cents a litre after the weekly setting to $1.24.5 in the city. 

Diesel is also costing you less by almost 3 cents a litre at $1.41.9. 

The maximum price for heating oil is at an even $1.25 a litre as hearings are held before the Energy and Utilities Board on whether the price should go up.