Draw 9 Is In The Books At The FWCC

Draw 9 is complete at the World Women's Curling Championship, Canada doubled Latvia 8-4, Sweden beat Denmark 7-2, Korea defeating the Czech Republic 8-5 and Russia hammered Scotland 10-4. 

Switzerland is undefeated at 5 and 0, Canada and Sweden are tied with a 5 and 1 record.

Switzerland plays today and Canada takes on Scotland tonight.

Scathing Report Released On Proposed Energy East Pipeline

A new report released by a group of environmental organisations claims nearly all of the 1.1 million barrels a day of crude oil the proposed Energy East pipeline would carry from Alberta would be exported unrefined.  According to the report, eastern Canadian refineries would process only a small amount. 

Catherine Abreu of the Ecology Action Centre tells CHSJ News the number of jobs that would be created considering all the money that's going to be spent is distinctly unimpressive, 166 for every billion dollars spent.
 
By contrast, Abreau says for every billion dollars invested in green energy initiatives, 15 thousand jobs are created according to research done by the University of Massachusetts.

Adam Scott of Environmental Defence claims we are being misled about the claims being made by politicians on how this pipeline will help turn the provincial economy around.

Just What Was That In The Sky?

If you were up early enough this morning you may have been among the folks who saw what appeared to be a fireball in the sky for just a few seconds. 

It was seen around 5:00 by people in this province and also in Nova Scotia. 

There's been a lot of speculation what it was with a suggestion that it could have been a meteor shower.

Fire Leaves Two People Homeless

A home is destroyed by fire a few kilometers north of Fredericton in McLeod Hill. We hear from the Red Cross that two people managed to get out safely but they were still in their night clothes. 

The man and woman are getting emergency assistance from the Red Cross which includes somewhere to stay temporarily, food and clothing. 

There's no word on what caused the blaze on Chateau Drive.

Canadian Women Curlers Win Twice

After an 8-2 win over Denmark in the afternoon, Canada, skipped by Rachel Homan, defeated the U.S. 9-3 in six ends at Harbour Station last night. 

Team Canada improves to 4-1, behind only Switzerland, who won 7-3 over Denmark and has a perfect 5 and 0 record. 

This morning, Canada takes on Latvia and then Scotland tonight. The Swiss will play South Korea this afternoon and the U.S. tonight.

Shale Gas Study To Be Carried Out

It's being described as its very first research initiative with half a million dollars to be spent by the New Brunswick Energy Institute on what the impact will be on groundwater of shale gas exploration. 

According to the Institute, this study will provide the necessary baseline data that's required to assess shale gas extraction and the occurrance of methane gas in private water wells. 

The study will examine four areas in the southern part of the province, including the Sussex area.

The Energy Institute was created by the Alward Governnment but its legitimacy was called into question after Professor Louis LaPierre resigned as the head of the Institute following controversy over his academic credentials. 

Business Climate Improving In Saint John

Most members of the Saint John Board of Trade are optimistic about the business climate in the area, according to its annual survey. 

78 per cent of Board of Trade members say they expect their companies to do better in the year ahead and more than 96 per cent expect to maintain current staffing levels or even hire more people. 

More than 61 per cent believe the city is headed in the right direction with 26 per cent undecided and 12.5 per cent saying Saint John is on the wrong track.

Over 70 per cent support shale gas development and as for the provincial government's new drug plan, 45 per cent are in support with 44 per cent still undecided.

A Chilly Groundbreaking For The New Y

On a bitter day in the North end, many excited members of the extended Saint John Y family reaching a crucial milestone...a groundbreaking on the new facility.
 
MP Rodney Weston told the chilly crowd everyone has been waiting for this for a long time and he wanted to thank everyone especially Dale Knox, Shilo Boucher and everyone from the Y.

Some kids joined Y CEO Shilo Boucher and the politicians to big in the ground with gold shovels. 

Dale Knox also announced that the campaign has reached $4.8 million dollars and they will happily accept donations from the community.

The new Y is set to open on Churchill Boulevard in the late fall of 2015.

To make a donation, click here

Transformer Fire And Car Crashes In Musquash

Musquash firefighters responded to a transformer fire and a pair of car crashes over the weekend.  
  
The transformer fire happened Saturday shortly after 9 o'clock in Lepreau and caused a power outage for 6 hours in that area.

One crash happened on Route 1 near New River on Sunday shortly after 2 in the morning after the car hit a guardrail. A few hours later, there was a rollover on route 790 in Musquash around 8am in which the vehicle ended up on its roof in a brook.

No one was injured in either crash. The roads were extremely slippery at the time.

CBS Workers Could Soon Strike

Canadian Blood Services workers in the province may soon be on strike, after they say the latest contract offer didn't offer enough money for the hours worked.


CUPE rep Mike Davidson tells CHSJ News the action could effect as many as 40 workers,
including phlebotomists, clinic assistants and drivers.

The workers will be in a legal strike position as of tomorrow. CUPE Local 1655 has requested another meeting next Thursday March 27th in hopes of negotiating a new deal. 

More Work Being Done On Partridge Island

A new committee with representatives from Irish, Jewish, historical, and political groups in the city has agreed to develop a detailed report on the future of Partridge Island.

That report will come out in October, around the same time as the engineering study that's already been commissioned. Mayor Mel Norton tells CHSJ News it's been in the works for a long time, and the dedicated volunteers who have agreed to be part of the committee are an asset to the project's continued success.

Joshua Thompson has spent the past several years studying Partridge Island and he says he's thrilled to be on board, because it's vital for the younger generation to value our community's historical legacy.

Various ideas have included a green park with walking trails, a monument, and an interpretation center. 

Councillor Still Struggling Over Fluoridation

Common Councillor John MacKenzie says if substantial amounts of money in healthcare costs can be saved by fluoridating water, then the provincial health department should pick up the tab.  The issue will come up before Common Council tomorrow night.

Both the Dental Society and District Medical Health Officer Dr. Scott Giffin argued health dollars are saved because of fluoridation but how much of a saving is unknown. 

Councillor Gerry Lowe says most of the people he has heard from don't want fluoridation. That appeared to be the consensus judging by the results of a Country 94 poll we conducted after the city voted to stop fluoridating the water.


MacKenzie admits he is troubled by the decision to stop fluoridating the city's water supply after hearing more than half of children suffer from toth decay.

Provincial NDP Snags Conservative

A former President of the provincial Conservative party's youth wing is jumping ship. 

William Carter of Hampton is joining the NDP. Carter is also a former Conservative party staff member. 

The NDP has scheduled a news conference tomorrow to introduce Carter and have him elaborate on his reasons for changing party allegiance.

Utopia Traffic Stop Leads To Coke Seizure

A Saturday night traffic stop in Utopia leading to the seizure of nearly 6 grams of coke.

The 47 year old man from Pennfield was stopped in his vehicle about 10:30pm on Johnson Lane.

He was arrested at the scene and later released with an August court date in St. Stephen provincial court.

Unique Drinking Facts For Saint Patrick's Day

It's Saint Patrick's Day in Canada's "Most Irish" City, which means the whiskey and green beer will be flowing at local watering holes.

To help your avoid feeling green tomorrow, CHSJ News has gathered a few drinking tips:

-Eat before you drink, especially proteins, fats and dense carbohydrates: they'll slow down the rate at which you get tipsy and allow you to enjoy the fun for longer.

-Pop and other carbonated mixers make your body absorb the alcohol faster, as does drinking warm drinks like Irish Coffee. Energy drinks mask your body's ability to tell you when you've had enough, making you more likely to drink more and be hungover.

- If you want to drink responsibly you should have no more than one drink per hour, or alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones.

-Once alcohol is in your blood neither coffee nor a cold shower will make you sober up more quickly.

-One trick for avoiding a hangover: if you're drinking bottled beer, put your bottle caps in your pocket. Count them and have that many glasses of water when you get home. 

 Above all, make sure that you have a plan to get home safely and don't drive if you've been celebrating.

Police Chief To Present Common Council With A Dose Of Reality

We expect police to be there to deal with emergency situations when they're needed but will a budget frozen at 2014 levels or even with a 2% increase allow them to keep up the current level of service? 

Chief Bill Reid tells CHSJ News the police department will be giving Common Council the lowdown on what the future will look like with a budget frozen at 2014 levels. He warns it won't necessarily be a pretty picture. The Chief pointing out the Shared Risk Pension means $300-thousand dollars comes out of the police budget right off the top, which was never the case before.
 
Common Council has warned all city departments they'll be looking at a budget freeze in the coming year or a 2 per cent increase.

RCMP In Grand Bay-Westfield Nab Wanted Man

A 29-year-old man from Markham, Ontario, has been arrested in Grand Bay-Westfield on charges in connection with credit card fraud and will be back in court today.
 
The RCMP arrested a man for violating a condition imposed by the York Regional Police and then they found out he was wanted on a number of outstanding warrants for credit card fraud in Ontario.
 
Zhong Cai Liu has been charged with violating a court order not to leave Ontario and not possess any credit card or any card with a magnetic strip unless it's in his name.
 
Additional charges related to credit card fraud are anticipated.

Canada Loses To The Swiss At Harbour Station

Team Canada, skipped by Rachel Homan, lost 8-2 to Switzerland at the Ford World Women's Curling Championship. The Swiss trailed 2-1 after five ends but Binia Feltscher made a wonderful shot in the fifth end, a double takeout to score three. Switzerland put the game away by stealing one more in the sixth, two in the seventh and one in the eighth end.

Switzerland is tied with Allison Pottinger of the U.S. at 3 and 0 atop the round-robin standings. Canada is in a four way tie for third with Russia, Sweden and South Korea.
 
The loss ended a 15 game winning streak for the Homan rink including an unbeaten run at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

The U.S. takes on Sweden this morning at 9:30 while the Swiss meet Latvia. Team Canada takes on Denmark this afternoon at 2:30 and then the U.S. tonight at 7:30.

What's Next For Partridge Island?

We should find out later today what the next step will be in the continuing talk about doing something with Partridge Island. It has been largely abandoned since the end of the Second World War.

A noonhour news conference has been scheduled at City Hall on Partridge Island involving Mayor Mel Norton, Saint John M-P Rodney Weston and Provincial Tourism Minister Trevor Holder. 

Former Fundy Baykeeper David Thompson tells CHSJ News the installation of a floating dock that could be stored away in the winter is more feasible than building and maintaining a road or walkway to get people back and forth as well as being cheaper to maintain.
 
Thompson doesn't think a road or walkway would stand up to the stormy weather in the Bay and might prove too inviting for vandals to make the crossing and cause damage when people aren't about.

Canada Remains Undefeated At World Women's Curling Championship

Team Canada skipped by Rachel Homan downed Anna Kubešková of the Czech Republic 8-4. Canada is now 2 and 0 and tied for top spot in the 12 team round robin pool with Margaretha Sigfridsson’s Swedish foursome, which had the bye on Sunday morning.

Canada used last-rock advantage to put deuces on the board in the second, fourth, seventh and ninth ends, the final deuce the result of a draw to the four foot by Homan that clinched the win.

Mayor And Enterprise Saint John Hopeful Of Economic Expansion

Both Mayor Mel Norton and Enterprise Saint John are hoping the announcement of almost a thousand new jobs with the modernisation of the Irving Pulp mill at Reversing Falls will be the catalyst to spark more economic development. 

A couple of other mayors in the Saint John area are bullish on the local economy. Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News it appears the worst is over and he believes Saint John has turned the corner. 

Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Grace Losier says the Saint John region was already up something like 18 hundred new jobs even before the announcement by J-D Irving.

Life Coach Visits SJ Offering Advice

A professional life coach in the city recently celebrating women and challenging them to face fears and take risks.

Paula Morand tells CHSJ News she likes to teach people about the potential that can come from facing fears.

She says character is everlasting and how we handle things and how we perceive things and our perspective on who we are and what we docan have a tremendous impact for the negative and for the positive.

Morand who was in Saint John for the Pathways to Empowerment--International Women's Day event is a big fan of Saint John telling us there is a real buzz and energy here and people who really want to connect with each other.

Say No and Follow Your Instincts To Avoid Identity Theft

Learn to say 'NO!" and follow your gut because if it sounds to good to be true it usually is.

That advice from the RCMP who are trying to help you avoid identity theft and other types of fraud.
 
Constable Jullie Rogers-Marsh tells CHSJ News anyone can be a target.

She says criminals target everyone and with the new technology some criminals can be a bit smarter in being able to obtain your personal information.

For tips on how you can avoid the traps and for the number to report a scam..
click  here

Port To Benefit From Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement

Nearly a decade of negotiations--sometimes with talks coming to a standstill--and a number of tough decisions were behind Canada's recently announced free trade agreement with South Korea.

The agreement will have implications for various industries throughout this country--however, one place where the benefits will be acutely felt is Port Saint John.

Port President and CEO Jim Quinn called it a historic moment. Some Canadian products in demand in Korean markets include blueberries, cranberries, and seafood.

This is Canada's first free trade agreement with an Asian country.

Enterprise Saint John Praises JDI Investment

Enterprise Saint John wants to ride the buzz of last week's $450 million dollar direct investment in the West side pulp and paper mill.

In a release, chair Bill Teed calls it the biggest announcement in the forestry sector in Canada in twenty years adding it's evidence of the kind of impact a local home team industry can have on the region.

Teed adds with the equivalent of 600 full time jobs, this investment will yield spinoff benefits to go way beyond forestry meaning everyone from metal fabricators to pizza shops stand to gain.

Enterprise Saint John is excited for young people in the region questioning their careers options.

Teeds says the JDI announcement is a good news story for young people looking for opportunities to stay home and for those looking who want to come back.
 

Sussex Business Offers Horse Therapy

Did you ever think a horse could heal you?  

One woman operating a business near Sussex says horses can help you with stress and be medicinal too.
 
Christy Clark of Gratitude Works tells CHSJ News some of their programs allow people to get back to nature and their roots.

She says putting your feet on the ground and putting your hands on something that's warm and 1000 pounds of muscle is very humbling and inspiring.

She says the horses are the leaders in this, she is the assistant and she starts with a schedule and sometimes the horse decides to change things.

Rollover On Highway Near Grand Bay

Saint John police are reporting a few accidents with the roads getting extremely icy and slippery overnight.

Most notably, there was a rollover near the Grand Bay Exit of the highway heading north toward Fredericton. The car flipped over around 3am but no one was hurt.

The thawing, then freezing, temperatures have resulted in a lot of black ice and slick conditions.

FWWCC Opening Ceremonies

All eyes on Harbour Station today as the best women curlers around the globe descend on the Port City for the World Women's Curling Championship.

The opening ceremonies were held earlier today and the first draw between Canada and Russia is underway.

Crowdfunding Effort To Secure A New Heart

A crowdfunding campaign being launched to help cover the costs of one Saint John man's heart transplant.

Carla Chisholm says her friend, father of two Robert Thornton was born with a rare heart condition and a transplant is now his only option. Chisholm tells CHSJ News they are hoping to raise 20-thousand-dollars.

She says they are living at the mercy of the public and Robert has been overwhelmed at the generosity and all the caring hearts.

Chisholm says the money will go towards medical expenses including travel costs and living costs while in Halifax as well as any medications that aren't covered.

Find the link to donate here

Dole Salad Recall

Before you fix yourself that side salad for dinner, be sure to check you're not using a brand that's been recalled over fears it may be contaminated with listeria.

Health Canada urging you look and see if you have the Dole brand Italian Blend Salad in your home, and if so, it should be thrown out or returned to the store where you bought it.

Food contaminated with listeria may not look or smell spoiled, but it can still make you sick. The products were sold in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario and possibly other provinces.

Pregnant Women Should Know Their Rights At Work

Women need to be aware of their rights as employees if they become pregnant....and employers need to respect them. 

Randy Dickinson of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission tells CHSJ News employers will sometimes find any reason to dismiss a worker who becomes pregnant because they don't want to have to deal with her mat leave--and that's illegal.

He says they have had situations once the employee tells the employers that they are pregnant before they are ready to leave, the employer
seems to change and become very critical of the employee's performance.

Dickinson says the Human Rights Commission still sees cases like this despite the strides we've made toward equality in the work force....and employers need to be aware such discrimination won't be tolerated.

World Curling Championships Begin Today

Saint John is the place to be as the Ford World Women's Curling Championships get underway at Harbour Station today.  

The opening ceremonies are coming up at noon and they are free of charge.

At 2:30, the Rachel Homan rink representing Canada will take on Russia.

Homan says she thinks it will be amazing curling and they want the audience to share the excitement and the energy of the experience with them.

For more info on the event, click here

Cruise Ships To Embark From SJ In 2015

Saint John is going to be a home port for small cruise ships for the first time ever starting in the summer of 2015.

Tourism Minister Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News the implications are huge for small communities like Saint Andrews, Grand Manan, Digby, and other points along the coast.

The Blount Small Smalls cruise line features ships that carry about 88 passengers. The cruises are a week to 16 days long. To check out their brochure, click here

Acadia Broadcasting Granted Approval For Moncton Station

Acadia Broadcasting is expanding - the parent company of Country 94 and the Wave has received approval from the Canadian Radio - Television - and - Telecommunications Commission to purchase Moncton radio station CKNI-FM from Rogers Broadcasting.
Acadia plans to move the station to newly constructed studios and launch its new music and information format later this year.
Meantime - the federal regulatory agency has given thumbs up to Newcap to purchase CHNI-FM - the Rogers station here in Saint John.
Both stations currently feature a news - talk format that Rogers has been unable to make financially successful.
Moncton becomes the 13th station for Acadia spanning New Brunswick - Nova Scotia - and - Ontario.

Canada And Sweden Considered The Favourites At World Curling Championship

Competition is expected to be intense at Harbour Station for the Ford World Women's Curling Championship with Canada and Sweden the favourites to win. Sweden won the silver medal at the Sochi Winter OLympics.

The tournment crowns a champion a week from this Sunday night with the gold medal game that will be broadcast by TSN.

Host Committee chair Jeff Lacey tells CHSJ News the curlers will also be meeting fans face to face next week at various times to sign autographs at the Trade and Convention Centre.
 
All of Canada's round robin matches will be televised by TSN which will also be showing all the playoffs.

Schoolbuses In Hampton That Will Be Running This Afternoon

The Anglophone South School District in Hampton is reporting schoolbuses # 25, 30, 39, 56, 57, 112, and 804 will be running this afternoon.

Questions Raised About Provincial Drug Plan

The prescription drug plan being touted by the Alward Government as one of its big achievements but the opposition Liberals are hammering away at who's going to pay what after the first year which is voluntary.
 
The drug plan becomes mandatory in year two at a cost estimated at between 120 and 150 million dollars. Healthcare critic Donald Arsenault says he has heard 15 to 25 million dollars will be sought from business. Arsenault has also heard the possibility of a 2 per cent payroll tax increase. He also wonders what the penalties will be for those who can't pay.

New Links Between New Brunswick Producers And South Korean Markets

Soon, New Brunswick blueberries, lobster, and salmon will more easily be making their way to tables in South Korea, thanks to the recently announced Canada Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Dignitaries from Canada and South Korea marked the Atlantic Canadian implications that agreement today at the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Ship Terminal. Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore, who is also in charge of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, tells CHSJ News it's a landmark achievement. Negotiations took 8 years in total to complete, according to Moore.

This is Canada's first free trade agreement in Asia. New Brunswick's fish and seafood exports to South Korea were worth an average of $5.1 million annually between 2010 and 2012.

Several Schoolbuses Not Running Today

The following school buses will not be running today in the Hampton Ed Centre, Bus # 25, 804, 39, 112, 30 and 57. 

These buses go to Dr.A.T. Leatherbarrow Primary School.......Hampton Elementary School.......Hampton Middle School......Hampton High........Macdonald Consolidated School......Norton Elementary........Sussex Middle School and Sussex Regional High.

Saint Johners Arrested For Attempted Robbery In Barnesville

Two Saint Johnners are facing charges after a robbery at Kathy's Convenience in Barnesville.

It happened on March 7th around 9:45 p.m. Three masked people entered the store and demanded money and alcohol. They also scuffled with the owner, but no one was seriously injured. The three left without any money or merchandise.

A 15-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man were arrested Wednesday. The two appeared in Sussex Provincial Court on March 13. The boy, who can not be named because of his age, was charged with assault, wearing a disguise, and breaking his probation order. 20-year-old, Greg Nav, was charged with assault while attempting to steal, wearing a disguise and breach of an undertaking.

They're still looking for a third suspect . Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Hampton RCMP at 506-832-5566, or to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.crimenb.ca.

Roads Remain Treacherous With Schoolbuses Delayed

Police warning drivers to slow down a bit this morning because the roads are still icy and treacherous. 

Emergency crews were called to the highway by Spruce Lake after a rollover which happened around 6:00 this morning.

All schools in the Anglophone South School District are open at their normal hours this morning but the schoolbuses are operating on a two hour delay.

Verdict In Obstruction Of Justice Trial Will Not Be Made Immediately

The trial of a senior official in the provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture for obstruction of justice has ended with a verdict to be announced June 19th. 

Peter Andrews was charged in connection with the investigation of the brother of Deputy Premier Paul Robichaud on an aquaculture violation. 

He has denied there was any political interference. The Deputy Premier also denying accusations that he interfered. 

The defense argues the prosecution never did present any evidence showing there was political interference. The prosecution questions why this particular case was even discussed by officials at a senior level in the department.

Provincial Government Urges Caution In Storm

It's looking pretty messy out there.

The provincial government is reminding New Brunswickers to think ahead have everything they need for at least 72 hours following a storm. That means: having an emergency kit for home and car, knowing what to do during power outages, and knowing how to stay safe during an emergency.


The public is also advised to monitor future forecasts and warnings.

Copper & Car Tire Thefts Troubling SJers

According to Sergeant Jay Henderson of the Saint John Police Department,  copper thefts have increasingly become a problem in Saint John.

A total of 8 break-ins by thieves seeking copper plumbing have been reported in the New Year alone.

Another new scheme has been hitting car dealerships, as well.Thieves quickly put cars up on blocks, then stealing the new tires.

As well, police are investigating a break-in at a home on Mason Road on the East Side in which a phone and camera were stolen while the homeowners were sleeping.

VIDEO: JDI Announces $450 Million Investment At The Pulp Mill

The pulp mill on the west side never heard so much applause or saw so many standing ovations.  

 A huge crowd on hand as JDI annnounced it's investing 450 million dollars in a modernization program at the West side pulp and paper mill.

It will generate 1.2 million in person hours of construction over two phases which is the equivalent of 600 full time equivalent jobs.

Jim Irving says there will be further announcements in other locations.
He says there will also be money spent at mills in Doaktown, Chipman, St. Leonard's and Sussex.

Premier David Alward was asked about the timing, one day after his government's new forestry strategy was laid out.
He says a stable wood supply was essential to see any sort of investment back in the industry.
He's says it is a direct link but he feels very positive because they have found the balance of environmental sustainability.

The land available where the old Simms Brush factory used to stand will be used for overflow parking and staging but no new buildings will be constructed there.

The total investment is $513 million in three phases.   Phase 2 begins this spring with a price tag of $198 million and will last for two years.   It will include building a new chip screening and handling system.

Saint John To Get Lots Of National And International Coverage

Curling fans from around the world will have their eyes on Saint John beginning Saturday afternoon at Harbour Station with the Ford World Womens Curling Championship. 

There will be 50 hours or so of TV coverage on TSN and 50 hours on Euro Sport. 

Canada hasn't won this competition since 2008. Rachel Homan, representing Canada, won bronze last year. 

Host Committee Chair Jeff Lacey tells CHSJ News curling turned out to be the hot sport at the recent Winter Olympics and is getting popular in the unlikliest of places such as Turkey and Brazil.
 
The opening ceremonies at noonhour on Saturday are free. Canada plays Russia on the opening day. Three of the teams taking part competed in the Sochi Olympics including Sweden which won the silver medal.

Forestry Plan Denounced As "Devastating", Will Result In Local Extinction of Wildlife

As politicians and business leaders celebrate JDI's $513 million dollar investment in its mills, environmental groups are condemning the Alward government's new Crown forestry plan as a tragic blow to our forests and wildlife.

Close on the heels of the new forestry plan in an announcement today at the Irving Pulp and Paper Mill, JDI spokesperson Mary Keith stated the $513 million dollar investment will create 326 new jobs in Saint John.

Tracy Glynn of the New Brunswick Conservation Council tells CHSJ News the idea this investment in mills will create long-term jobs is patently false--in fact, she says, modernizing the mills will ultimately reduce the amount of manpower needed. 

The new forestry plan announced yesterday reduces the amount of protected old growth forest and deer habitat from 30% to 23%, and allows for 20% more softwood to be cut annually on Crown land. The rationale is that a stable supply of wood will result in greater investment in our forestry industry.

Glynn says we can expect to see the local extinction of wildlife species in the province due to the destruction of their habitat.

SJPD To Start Wearing Cameras On Duty

Earlier this month police fatally shot a 27-year-old Rothesay man who allegedly threatened police with a knife--and the whole thing was captured on tape thanks to small cameras worn by the police officers involved.

Saint John Police Chief Bill Reid tells CHSJ News the SJPD is looking to adopt similar devices. In fact, they're already talking to vendors and are hoping to roll out a pilot project this year.

Reid says they've been looking at cameras since long before the Rothesay incident, but that's a prime example of why cameras can be useful.

Gas Prices Down Again

Drivers getting another price break if they have to fill up after the weekly setting. 

The maximum price for self serve regular is lower by half a cent a litre.

Diesel decreasing by almost 4 cents a litre and heating oil by just under 2 cents a litre. 

The maximum price of propane falling by almost 15 cents a litre.

Storm Causes Disruptions

Schools are closed in Anglophone South from Sussex to St. Stephen including the Saint John area as well as schools in Francophone South, Anglophone West, Eastern College and Eastern Trades College. 

Classes at the New Brunswick Community College in Saint John and St. Andrews won't begin until 10:30 this morning. Classes at U-N-B Saint John have been delayed until 10:00.

Gelas Duguay of Environment Canada tells CHSJ News Saint John won't be getting as much snow as earlier forecast with just another 2 to 4 centimeters along the coastline with more the further inland you are.
 
In the Fredericton area, they're expecting 30 or more centimeters of snow. Duguay also telling us it will be turning a lot colder as we get into the afternoon. 

Air Canada flights from Toronto and Montreal into Saint John Airport have been cancelled through noon hour, meaning  no departures for Montreal and Toronto until later this afternoon. The only flight leaving the airport this morning will be at 9:40 for Halifax.