Minister wants search to continue

Now is not the time to be giving up on finding answers in the disappearance of two fishermen from White Head in the Bay of Fundy.
So says Provincial Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet who isn't happy with the search for 45 year old Harold Cossaboom and 35 year old Corey Cossaboom being called off.
Doucet tells CHSJ news the search was called off a little too prematurely and
hopes something can be done to find out what happened to the boat.
The Transportation Safety Board is trying to determine why the fishing boat "The Whole Family" sank. The RCMP are also investigating as a missing persons case.

Weston on Harbour Bridge

[Saint John M-P Rodney Weston---File Photo]

Saint John M-P Rodney Weston says there is always progress being made on the Harbour Bridge issue, and the province even being willing to discuss it shows that.

Weston tells CHSJ News, he's surprised when he hears reports the Harbour Bridge Authority is waiting on the federal government to approve it's budget before it seeks out a lender.
Weston says what it's going to take is the provincial government to sit down with the feds and find a solution.
The Harbour Bridge Authority needs to receive $35 million dollars to perform mainenance, and the city and province have both signed off on allowing it to find a lender.

Mayor Reacts to New Bus

[Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll----Photo by Dave Briggs]

Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll says the amount of traffic and interest the Comex service is generating reflects the growth happening in the town.

Driscoll tells CHSJ News, he wants everyone to try commuting on public transportation, and use the Park and Ride lots.
He says there are a lot of parking spaces to accommodate everyone, and says it's a way to save money.
Driscoll says he consistently hears positive feedback from citizens on the service, and says while every bus isn't full, a lot of them are.

New Bus in Quispamsis

[Articulated Saint John Transit Bus]

Quispamsis is the new owner of a brand new articulated bus.

The purchase of the second accordian style bus for the region was in collaboration with Hampton, Quispmasis, the Saint John Transit Commission, as well as the provincial and federal governments.
Chair of the Transit Commission Chris Titus says he's surprised how quickly the Comex service needed a new bus, but isn't surprised the service is working.
Titus says the service is helping save millions of dollars in regards to parking in Saint John, as the service has save the Parking Commission from having to build another parking garage.
Titus says the buses are designated for the park and ride system, where passengers in Quispamsis can commute into Saint John and leave their vehicles in a designated parking lot.
The new bus can hold approximately 61 passengers, where the regular city transit buses hold 40.

Shots Fired at Vehicle in Grand Manan

Grand Manan RCMP are investigating after shots were fired at an empty vehicle Sunday afternoon. No one was hurt but, police have arrested a 37-year-old man from Grand Manan who was seen shooting the vehicle.

After a search of the residence where this happened, police seized three firearms, ammunition and the damaged vehicle. The accused was held in custody and has a court date in St. Stephen today. Another 37-year-old man was also arrested for obstruction and later released. He will appear in court at a later date.

Federal NDP Candidate Chosen In Charlotte County

The New Democratic Party officially has a candidate for the Southwest riding in the next federal election.
Third time runner Andrew Graham is going for the spot and tells CHSJ News he doesn't count his chickens before they hatch but thinks the resignation of longtime Tory M-P Greg Thompson may help his chances. He believes Conservative voters who were loyal to Thompson may look at other parties now that he will not be running again. Graham says his platform will consist of economic development for fishing, farming and forestry.He says even though there will not be a federal election this year,  his campaign gears up today.

First Articulated Bus In Quispamsis

People in Quispamsis are going to be noticing a different 40 foot limo on the roads after this morning.
Saint John Transit is unveiling the town's first articulated bus, with remarks coming from M-P Rob Moore, M-P Rodney Weston, Health Minister Mary Schryer and Mayor Murray Driscoll.
The ribbon cutting gets underway at 11 o'clock, just down the street from the town hall at the Park and Ride lot.

Options Summit on Energy Organised By Opponents Of NB Power Sale

A wide ranging discussion of energy is being promised this morning in Fredericton by those who are opposed to the same of some of the assets of NB Power to Hydro Quebec. Tom Mann of the Coalition to Stop the Sale tells CHSJ News these will be presented as alternatives to any sale which, he charges, have been dismissed by the provincial government.
Tidal power, wind power, solar power, nuclear power and biomass will all be part of what's talked about.

Four Saint John Businesses Vandalised

City Police are investigating after four businesses along Rothesay Avenue were vandalised. Ball bearings were shot through the front windows at Dairy Queen, the new Lexus dealership, Saint John Hun-day and Nissan. The damage was first discovered after midnight with marble sized holes through the windows.

Loch Lomond Villa Closed Until Further Notice

The Norwalk Virus has hit the Loch Lomond Villa again this year so until further notice, visitation to the facility is restricted to “”necessary only”” until further notice. In a news release, CEO Cindy Donovan says the virus is extremely contagious and staff want to isolate it to protect both residents and staff.


Along with the visitation restrictions, strict hand-washing guidelines are being put in place for both staff and those who require a necessary visit to the facility.

News Casts On Hold Due to Renovations

Due to the current renovations at Country94, the hourly news casts are currently on hold. The technicians are currently setting up the software, and systems and we hope to bring you the most up to date news as soon as possible. If we are unable to make it to the air today, join us tomorrow morning as Brian McLean will recap today's news, with tomorrows breaking stories. We thank you for your patience.

Kennebecasis Valley Chamber of Commerce Pleased With Progress

Happy with the progress it is making, the Kennebecasis Valley Chamber of Commerce is pleased with what has been happening so far in this new year. President Phil Broderson tells CHSJ News, the door is always open for businesses to set up shop in Rothesay or Quispamsis:

Broderson adds there are a few new members that have joined the chamber lately but at this point, he can't say who.

Cresent Valley Master Plan Meetings

[Social Development and Housing Minister Kelly Lamrock----File Photo]

March.9th, 11th, 16th and 18th have been set aside as community information sessions regarding the Cresent Valley Master Plan. Last week, the Graham Government unveiled a 20-year, five phase proposal that would add 1373 new homes in the area along with new and updates to current green spaces. Social Development and Housing Minister Kelly Lamrock tells CHSJ News, he has no pre-conceived notions as to what he would like to hear from residents:
Still no locations or start times for the meetings with two set aside for residents and one for the business and non-profit organizations.

Parents Urged to Register Kindergarten Students

Parents with a kindergarten aged children should be registering their kids for classes now.
Director of Education for District 8 Bev MacDonald says not only will registering early help families, but faculty as well.
MacDonald says early registration allows parents to attend Welcome to School activies with their children, which will help ease the transition of starting school.
Right now there are 623 children registered, and over 800 in Kindergarten this year.

NDP Nominating Meeting Tonight

Southwest New Democrats will be meeting to decide who will be representing them in the federal party.
A meeting in Grand Bay Westfield takes place tonight, where Andrew Graham will once again seek nomination. Halifax NDP M-P Megan Leslie will address members, and speak of the growing support in the Maritimes.
Things get underway at 7 o'clock this evening at the Grand Bay Westfield Centrum Building.

Local Lottery Winner

One lucky Saint Johner is over $7 million dollars richer this morning.

With getting 6 of 6 numbers on the Lotto 649 draw someone in the city is sitting on a ticket worth $7.6 million dollars.
The identity of the winner will be released after the prize is claimed at the lottery office in Moncton.

Missing Fishermen Are Identified

The search for two fishermen from Whitehead Island has been called off. The vessel, the “Whole Family” was reported missing Thursday night, and a good portion of the Bay of Fundy has been searched by the Coast Guard with help from search and rescue. Debris from the vessel was found yesterday afternoon but the two fishermen on board have not yet been found.


They have been identified as 45-year old Harold Cossaboom and 35-year old Corey Cossaboom. RCMP are now handling this as a missing persons case while the Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the sinking of the vessel.

Saint John Wine Fair Tonight

The Trade and Convention Center will provide the back-drop for the 8th annual Saint John Wine Fair tonight. It is one of the most anticipated events of the new year and a major fundraiser for the Red Cross. Marketing chair Janelle Shillington tells CHSJ News, there is a fine selection for wine lovers to enjoy:
Shillington adds all of the money raised goes toward the Red Cross's on-going efforts in Greater Saint John. Things gets started at 7:30pm.

Province Reacts to Mortgage Change

[Social Development and Housing Minister Kelly Lamrock----File Photo]

Concerned that many people are taking on too much debt, Ottawa has moved to make it tougher for first-time buyers to get in over their heads when entering the hot housing market. Social Development and Housing Minister Kelly Lamrock tells CHSJ News, we don't want to see in this country what happened recently to the housing market in the United States:
One of the measures would require a potential home owner to meet the ability to pay a five-year fixed-rate mortgage whether they chose that option or not.

J.D. Irving Companies Match Employee Contributions for Haiti

The J.D. Irving group of companies continues to support humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti. The company has matched $40,000 in employee contributions for a total contribution of $80,000 to the Red Cross.
Jim Irving says it is the company's hope that the employee's contribution along with the international effort will mean that the people affected by this tragedy continue to get help.
John Byrne of the Red Cross says with the committment from the J.D.I group they can continue to provide emergency medical care, food, water and shelter to 320, 000 people in Haiti.
The JDI Group has also provided a truckload of diapers and tissue from Irving Personal Care and Irving Tissue in Dieppe.