Awards Ceremony Coming Up

A unique recognition of the Port City's best and brightest coming to the Imperial Theatre at the end of this month. The Originals Awards are the brainchild of Artistic Director Judith Mackin, who tells CHSJ News there are over a dozen categories ranging from singer/songwriter to social contributions.

Leading up to the ceremony on May 31, local galleries, bars, and restaurants will be putting on special events as a lead up to the Awards. Categories include Music, New Media, and visual arts. 

Fore details, click here

Pennfield Citizens Concerned

Pennfield citizens raising their concerns about wastewater from a fish processing plant leaching into their water. There has been talk of J Smith Excavating Company building a pit for wastewater, but local citizens say they're not prepared to accept that in their neighbourhood. Lester MacKay tells CHSJ News there's been a lack of public consultation, because people weren't aware there might be ash with arsenic dumped near local water supplies until just two weeks ago.

MacKay tells us they've decided not to build the pit in Pennfield, but a new location has not been decided yet. He says wherever it is there will concerns about the smell as well as animals like bears and seagulls being attracted to it.

Romeo and Juliet Coming to Saint John

The Saint John Theatre Company putting a new spin on a Shakespearen classic. Romeo and Juliet will run at the Imperial Theatre from May 17th to 19th. Director Stephen Tobias tells CHSJ News they've taken a uniquely local approach to the tragedy, with the warring Montague and Capulet families being portrayed as Anglophone and Francophone.

Some of the dialogue will be in a French translation with English subtitles playing simultaneously on a screen. The actors playing the title roles are local teenagers, just like in the original. Tickets are available at the Imperial Theatre Box Office.

 For details click here

Benefit for Local Arson Victims

The community rallying around the victims of a senseless act of arson--after a fire ravaged the corner of Charlotte and Princess Streets earlier this month, nearly 30 people lost either their homes or their jobs. Tonight, a benefit show at the Trade and Convention Center will attempt to recuperate some of those losses.

The show will feature performances by a number of local bands including Jinx the Cat, Mike MacDonald, and Nothing But a Necktie.

Tickets are available at Backstreet Records and at the door. The show starts at 8pm.

MLA Warns Ferry Could Go Off Run

With the Alward government planning to make cuts to Grand Manan ferry services, at least one local politician is expressing concerns. MLA Rick Doucet calls the the Minister of Transportation's responses to his questions "coded" and says the lack of reassurance is a worry for taxpayers.

Doucet says because the Minister isn't giving a straight answer we have to conclude the Grand Manan Adventure will be tied up for the year and the government will look to save money by running a smaller, older ferry.

Support Your Sea Dogs

As President’s Cup champions, the Sea Dogs will advance to represent the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League at the MasterCard Memorial Cup in Shawinigan, Que. from May 18 to 27.With the team scheduled to depart Wednesday, the Sea Dogs are inviting fans to a celebratory Memorial Cup sendoff from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday at Harbour Station.

The London Knights are joining the Saint John Sea Dogs and Shawinigan Cataractes at this year's Memorial Cup.

Mugging on Landsdowne Avenue

Watch yourself when you're walking out there--police are searching for a mugger after an early morning incident on Landsdowne avenue.

A 23 year old man was walking in the North End  around 1:30am when he was approached by another man in his teens or early 20s wearing a dark hat and a hoodie.

The mugger managed to take some property off the man and fled. Police are looking for the person in question.

Another Drug Raid On West Side

City Police seizing cash and drug paraphernalia after a raid on the West Side.

Staff Sergeant Tanya Leblanc tells CHSJ News city police raided a home on the lower West Side yesterday (Friday) evening close to 9pm.

No word on what kind of drugs were involved. Three males ages 49, 34 and 19 are expected to appear in court to face charges at a later date.

Walkers And Cyclists Not Welcomed On Bridge

You may have noticed some risk takers of late as you travel the Harbour Bridge - they may think it's open season with the demise of the toll booths - but - that's not the case.
The busy span was off limits to pedestrians and bicycles while the Harbour Bridge Authority and its toll booths were in place - so did that change when the booths came down and the province took control?
The Transportation Department says no - it's still off limits despite a lack of signage and toll takers.
Police have responded to a couple of complaints about walkers on the bridge - so we checked to see about enforcement - they tell us Transportation Department will be installing signs indicating walkers and cyclists are prohibited on the bridge.

Fourteen Flee Flames

Tourism Minister Hosts Provincial and Federal Counterparts In The City

Tourism Minister Trevor Holder all smiles after hosting his provincial and federal counterparts here in the city.

Holder tells CHSJ News the name of the game was to discuss tourism opportunities and strategy.

He says they talked about a variety of topics, including air access into the country and how to roll out the federal tourism strategy.

He adds it was also a great opportunity to show off Saint John to his peers -- he says his colleagues were impressed with the city's vibrancy and protection of its heritage.

Fire At MacLaren Boulevard

Fire crews knocking down a fire at 45 MacLaren Boulevard.

District Fire Chief Eric Garland tells CHSJ News when crews arrived there was smoke coming out of the top floor.

14 people have been displaced.

One of those forced out of her ground floor apartment is Andrea White and she tells CHSJ News she saw the smoke and grabbed her kids and pets then bolted out the door:

White says she isn't sure if she will be returning to her apartment or if her belongings survived the flames and water.

He says the smoke and burn damage was confined to single unit.

Investigators are looking into the cause.

Dropping Off Waste Material At Landfill Will Be Made Easier

A change is coming to the Crane Mountain Landfill with construction of a new drop off area that should be up and running sometime this fall. 

General Manager Marc MacLeod tells CHSJ News no longer will cars and pickups have to drive into the landfill. People have been saying they didn't like driving into the landfill itself especially when it was muddy and they were leery of getting nails in their tires and such. 

MacLeod also telling us they'll be able to get rid of their hazardous household waste six days a week instead of just on Saturday mornings.

A One In Four Chance Your Home Is Polluted With Radon

Your home may be contaminated with radon gas and you could be completely unaware. 

According to a new study, as many as a quarter of the homes in the province might be polluted with radioactive gas or radon that's produced naturally from uranium. 

The President and C-E-O of the New Brunswick Lung Association Barb MacKinnon is not surprised the figure is so high and she tells CHSJ News exposure to radon can be a killer over the long term.
 
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. 

She adds the only way you can find out if radon gas is seeping into your home and in what quantity is to have it tested. Repairs can range from a minimal cost up into to the tens of thousands of dollars.

Royal Visit Details To City Released

It's going to be a busy Victoria Day holiday Monday here in the city with a visit from Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.
    
The royal couple begins a tour here in the province with stop at Base Gagetown in the morning then they make their way to our town.
    
While here, the royal couple will do a walk along Prince William and Duke Streets down to the cruise terminal where a family celebration will be underway.

Kevin McLeod of the Royal Tour says they will also stop at Hazen White St Francis school to hear about the success of a number of programs at the school, especially the mentoring programme with students attending U-N-B Saint John, and a plaque unveiling.
 
The school's principal Jennifer Carhart tells CHSJ News despite the holiday, there will be students on hand with the unveiling of the new Diamond Jubilee I-T Centre.
 
The Royal Couple will be departing for Toronto and a fireworks display late in the afternoon.

Tribute Held For Domestic Violence Victim

The market square atrium packed with family, friends, police, and curious onlookers as the Domestic Violence Community Group held a dedication ceremony for Melanie Davis, who was murdered by her estranged husband 2 years ago on Rothesay Avenue.

A red silhouette featuring her story and life was presented as part the New Brunswick Silent Witness Project.

Spokesperson Deborah Doherty tells CHSJ News the statistics are horrifying -- over 40 women were killed since 1990 in New Brunswick alone and from January to March of this year, there have already been 3 murder/suicides involving domestic partners.

She says domestic violence is not a women's issue but a societal one.

Housing Program For Homeless Mothers Gets Federal Dollars

First Steps Housing Project celebrating it's 10 year anniversary on a high note as the federal government is giving it 80-thousand dollars.

First Steps is a shelter, education, and support services for expectant or new mothers who are also homeless.

New mother Katelyn Johnson has been at First Steps for a year and she tells CHSJ News it would have been a huge struggle for her if such a program did not exist.

Executive Director Sharon Amirault the money will be used to keep operations going and she is most proud of the high school education program.

Those who complete the program receive a diploma from St. Malachy's High School.

The program began in 2006 and 40 women has graduated so far.

Arrests Made In West Side Robbery

Two 19 year old men arrested yesterday afternoon around 4 after a robbery on the west side near Barnhill School. 

City Police telling CHSJ News an 18 year old man was assaulted and robbed of some cash he was carrying Dexter Drive. 

The victim suffered minor injuries but did not have to go to the hospital for any treatment. Police say all three know one another.

Police also stopping a 39 year old man for drunk driving this morning shortly after 3:30 at a spot check on City Road.

Sea Dogs Advance To Memorial Cup

The Sea Dogs left no doubt about their dominance as they completed their defence of the President’s Cup championship with an 8-0 win over Rimouski to sweep the series in four straight. 

Stanislav Galiev had a hat trick and added two assists as the Sea Dogs became the first repeat "Q" League champion since the Gatineau/Hull Olympiques in 2003 and 2004. 

Mathieu Corbeil, who played every minute of the Sea Dogs playoff run, made 24 saves for his first shutout.
 
Tomas Jurco added two goals and two assists while Zack Phillips, Jonathan Huberdeau and Danick Gauthier had a goal and a helper each. Nathan Beaulieu and Ian Saab each had two assists for Saint John

Charlie Coyle  received the Guy Lafleur Trophy as most valuable player of the playoffs. 

The Memorial Cup tournament starts in Shawinigan on May 18th.

Winslow Street Resident Fed Up With Flooding

City Hall tells us the flooding was the result of a combination of the heavy rainfall and a high tide - not infrastructure failure. And a city spokesperson says the backup of water was from the storm water system - it wasn't sewerage water.
The water had drained off by early evening after the rain ended and the tide had started to recede.