NBSC Warns Seniors Of Investor Fraud

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the New Brunswick Securities Commission is drawing attention to how that abuse can relate to the finances of seniors.
 
Executive Director Rick Hancox tells CHSJ News it happens all the time with 44 per cent of fraud investment victims being over the age of 55.

He says folks need to be aware that investment fraud happens and they need to protest themselves.
 
Hancox says seniors, caregivers and others can learn more about the signs that some is being targeted for fraud on their website.

To find the link, click here

The Premier Will Be At City Hall Today

The Premier will be in the City today to take part in an event to mark the signing of an act to repeal the City's pension act.   It's happening at city hall at 3pm.

The move that was recently approved by the Legislature is believed to give to City more control over its decision regarding the pension plan and how it might solve the nearly 200 million dollar deficit.
 

Cleaves Win Gold

A celebration for a St. Stephen Gold Medalist.
 
18-year-old Allyssa Cleaves winning the gold at the Junior Pan-Am Wrestling Championship in Guatemala.

She tells CHSJ News how it felt to bring the medal back to her hometown.

She says she was really proud to represent Canada for the first time.

Cleaves says she felt intimidated at first, because this was her first international competition, and she was the youngest girl competing.

Driscoll Says City Money Means They Stay Open

Anne Driscoll of the Crescent Valley Resource Centre tells CHSJ News this $22,000 will be used to hire a full-time executive director.

She says they are a small non-profit serving 300 famillies and the money will allow them to stay open 5 days a week.

The other recipients are Quality Learning New Brunswick, ONE Change Inc, the Teen Resource Centre for Youth and the Village Association/East Side Motivaters.

Also receiving funding today are Westside PACT, P.U.L.S.E. and the Anglin Drive Tenants Association for their story tent.

A Warning About Safety In Bay Of Fundy

Safety of marine traffic in the Bay of Fundy is being jeopardised by the Harper Government's decision to close the Saint John marine communications and traffic services centre. So says Rick Doucette, the Liberal M-L-A for Charlotte-The Isles. 

Doucette charges Premier David Alward is refusing to stand up and fight for people in the province which happened earlier with the proposed changes to Employment Insurance. 

Federal NDP leader Thomas Mulcair is accusing the Prime Minister of treating Maritimers with disdain and warns a low key approach when dealing with the Harper Government doesn't work.
 
Doucette calls the Bay of Fundy the most treacherous body of water on the eastern seaboard because of the high tides and rocky geography and fishermen need help navigating.

City Hands Out $150K In Grants

The City of Saint John distributing $150, 000 dollars through neighbourhood stimulation grants.
 
Councillors Donnie Snook and Susan Fullerton happily handing out the cheques at City Hall to 9 different local groups.
 
Snook tells CHSJ News its great to be able to support community initiatives around the City.

He says the groups receiving the money are the frontline organizations in the City making a real difference.

Councillor Susan Fullerton was thrilled to hand out the money saying its the most fun she has had in the three weeks since she was elected.

Vacancy Rate Rises In Saint John

The vacancy rate for renters in Saint John is going up, in large part, because the population isn't increasing. The vacancy rate in Saint John is at 8.4 per cent. 

Claude Gautreau of Canada Mortgage and Housing calls that a bit high with the ideal being between 4 and 5 per cent, although renters may disagree because a higher vacancy rate is better for consumers.

The average rent for a two bedroom apartment in Saint John is 696 dollars which is below the provincial average. Fredericton has the lowest vacancy rate in the province at 3.8 percent with Moncton at 5 percent. 

The average rent for a two bedroom apartment in Fredericton is $755. In Moncton, it's $721.

Moncton is the fastest growing city in the province.

Gas Prices Continuing To Go Down

With the world price of oil dropping, the price of gas in our area is also becoming less expensive after the weekly setting. 

Self serve regular in the city is now down to $1.22.8 a litre. That's a reduction of under half a cent. 

Diesel dropping by the same amount to $1.23.8 a litre. 

Propane is also down a bit with the listed price of 92.3 cents a litre and heating oil is at $1.07.6, which is a decline of half a cent.

Holder Raves About Disney's Inaugural Visit

The Province's Tourism Minister is just as excited as Captain Mickey to see the Disney Magic in Saint John for the first time.


Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News the average cruise ship passenger spends about $80 in the City.

He says with 200,000 passengers on average every year that's 16 million that wasn't being spent in our economy and huge for the businesses uptown.

Man Flees on ATV After Break And Enter

RCMP in St. George are investigating an armed break and enter that occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m. on June 10.  A man wearing a balaclava entered a residence on Main Street in St. George armed with a knife, demanding a number of items from the resident.  A struggle ensued and he fled on an ATV.  The resident sustained an injury to his hand.  Officers searched the surrounding area with no luck.

Anyone with any information regarding this crime is asked to contact the RCMP.

Province Gathering Healthcare Feedback

 You can give the province your thoughts on the next provincial health plan next month.

Public meetings will be held between Monday and July 5th and the province is offering the public a chance to speak out.

The stops begin Monday in Edmunston and wrap up in Woodstock on July 5th.

The Saint John stop is coming up on July 3rd at the Delta.

To register, click here or call 1-877-795-3789.

Minnie And City Woman Share Fashion Tips

As mentioned Minnie and Mickey paid a surprised visit to the Paediatrics Unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital this afternoon.
Erin Conley who works at the Regional met Mickey and Minnie during the visit - Minnie paused to have her picture taken with Erin who is wearing an outfit she says reminds of her of the kind of outfit Minnie would wear.
The two appear to have hit it off with their similar tastes in fashion.

Disney Magic Makes Inaugural Call

A historic day in Saint John as the Disney Magic Cruise Ship makes her first call to Saint John.

Captain Mickey and the ship's crews presenting welcoming gift to the province, the Port of Saint John and the cruise volunteers.

The ship's Captain John Barwis tells CHSJ News they are thrilled to be there.

He tells us it's very exciting as its a new itinerary for them not only sailing from New York but coming to eastern Canada.

Mickey and Minnie made a surprise visit to the pediatric unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital this afternoon.

Today's call by the Disney Magic is one of 9 the ship is making to Saint John between now and September.

Ping Pong Champs Duke It Out

It's going to be an epic battle for dominance and glory---on the ping pong field, that is. 

Saint John is resurrecting the nostalgic pastime with an event called the Ping Pong Getalong. Organized by Jody Kliffer and Sarah Ritchie, it's a quirky event for the younger crowd.  Ping pong players will compete, of course and entertainment and finger food will be provided. DJ Lauchland Ough will play live tunes and homebrew will be on tap.

Ping Pong King and organizer Jody Kliffer tells CHSJ News the whole idea is to get together and have fun in the uptown. He says whether you love or hate ping pong, it's going to be a fun chance to cheer people on and do something different with your Friday night.

According to the event description on Facebook, you can "show off your loop and your lob. Impress your friends with your flip and fish abilities. Enroll to compete in the tournament and show off your mad paddle skills! " The event happens Friday, June 15 beginning at 8:30 at 89 Canterbury Street.

Tickets for the Ping Pong Get  Along are available at the Feel Good Store and Backstreet Records--and according to organizers, they're going fast.... You can also contact Kliffer or Ritchie directly through their Facebook group, here

John Ferguson's Lawyer Makes Case For Pension Board To Pay

A court hearing on what, if anything, the city's Pension Board should pay in legal costs for its failed defamation lawsuit launched against former Common Councillor John Ferguson is all about freedom of expression.

That, from Lawyer Rod Gillis who argues the lawsuit was frivolous, vexatious, without merit and mean't to harass and silence Ferguson. Gillis says the jury came to the same decision. For his part, Gillis says 2 and a half million dollars in costs might be on the low side.

The Pension Board's lawyer Barry Morrison argues there should be no costs awarded at all because the case was fought over principle and there was no evidence to suggest it was brought to silence anyone. He told the court the Pension Board did not operate in a scandalous, outrageous or reprehesible way.

Deputy Mayor Shelly Rinehart was among those attending the hearing. She had been following the trial long before the municipal election campaign got underway and says it's incumbant on the part of all Council members to educate themselves about the city's pension plan with the facts.

 Mr. Justice William Grant gave no indication when a decision will be made.

Your Neighborhood's Rich History On Display

David Goss is a bit of a local legend--and 2012 marks the 35th year the Saint John author and historian has been educating the masses about the Port City's history. Goss tells CHSJ News people enjoy his tours of sites like Martello Tower, the uptown area, and Fernhill Cemetery because they hit close to home. Goss says people often share stories he hasn't previously heard, even after 35 years of researching local history.

The walks are all free, with the exception of the popular Fernhill Cemetery tour, and happen every Tuesday. 

The next walk happens June 19th from 7-8:30pm at Wolastaq Park, Lancaster Avenue, West. Meet up at the Wolastaq Park Statue Adventures. 

Goss describes it as follows "Learn about the varied Albert Deveau statues of leading men and women of the area via a scavenger hunt, some games ,puzzles, etc.  Also the story of the Reversing Falls Ug Wug will be told. Bring a mug for hot chocolate. Free."

Contact: (506) 672-8601 for more details, including rain dates.

Teenage Thugs Orchestrate Hold Up

A local man getting held up by a gang of teenage thieves--the call coming in to city police around  10:40 this morning that three youths about 16 years old approached a man on Prince Edward Street near Middle Street. They threatened him with a knife and took t his medication and an MP3 player.

According to early reports one of the teenage thugs was wearing jean shorts, a hoodie and red high top sneakers.

Mickey's Boat Arrives Today

Once you board Mickey and Minnie's floating place, you may never want to leave.

The hype and excitement is building as Saint Johners look to get a glimpse of the Disney Magic making her first call to Saint John this morning.

The vessel is due to make 9 calls to Saint John between today and September.

The Disney Magic features six live productions including one on the day you board and a farewell show the day you disembark. 

In their annual reader's choice awards, the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine named the Disney Cruise line the #1 cruise experience.

The ship is due in port just after 9 this morning.

To learn more about the Disney Magic, click here

Man Hospitalised In Valley After Beating

A 20 year old man is behind bars after a serious assault in the K-V. 

Rothesay Regional Police tell CHSJ News the altercation happened in the Quispamsis Trailer Park on First Street and the accused is likely looking at a charge of assault causing bodily harm. 

A 19 year old man is in hospital and will have to undergo surgery for the injuries he sustained.

A Lot Of Suggestions Made On Changing Liquor Regulations

"It's time for government to unshackle us"........That message delivered at a hearing in the city on changing liquor regulations by Luc Erjavec of the Restaurant and Foodservices Association in Atlantic Canada. He say people in the industry should be concentrating on not over serving and underage drinkers instead of complying with silly regulations that serve no useful purpose. 

The hearing has been told underage drinking is out of control and was presented with a stack of fake I-D's.

Bar and restaurant owners say they want to pay a wholesale price for beer, liquour and wine instead of what the rest of us are charged.

The hearing was also told customers should be able to cork their unfinished wine and bring it home with them instead of having to guzzle it on the spot.

There was also the suggestion the time has come to start selling liquor, beer and wine in supermarkets and corner stores.