Quispamsis Join Growth Strategy

Saint John Mayor Mel Norton visiting Quispamsis Council to promote his regional growth strategy.

Council unanimously supporting Norton's ideas of bringing separate towns together, like Saint John and Quispamsis, to focus on different sectors of the economy that need work.

Norton tells CHSJ he's not suggesting amalgamation but saying we can do more together than we can apart, if we act as a region of 140,000 people as opposed to separate communities of 70,000 here and 15,000 there.


Norton adds a steering committee of members will ensure the strategy will be done in time.

Quispam Will Help Rothesay With Flooding Issue

Quispamsis getting it's feet wet helping Rothesay with it's flooding problems.


Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ news they've spent a $50,000 on consultants to do a study that's shown there's other options than building a retention pond just off Pettingill Road. 

The town is ready to commit over $1.25 million in moving forward on a lift station, as long as it's in a higher location. But if the retention pond is by Pettingill Road, the low level could lead to flooding in Quispamsis.

Driscoll adds they're in the design stage and expect to move forward and work with Rothesay until the flooding is resolved.

Famous Saint Johner's Birthday

77 years ago today a famous actor was born in the Port City.


It's Donald Sutherlands birthday!

Father of actor Kiefer, Sutherland's been in almost a hundred and fifty different shows and films.

When he was young he was a radio DJ, at CHSJ's sister station CKBW, in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

Pharmacists Could Provide More Services

You could be booking an appointment with your local pharmacist instead of a doctor to get certain health issues treated if the NB Pharmacist's Association has its way. Paul Blanchard of the Association says they want to see pharmacists have more freedom in assessing patients, adapting prescriptions, and more.

He says it makes sense, given that the first place most people head when they're sick is the pharmacy, because most of us like to self-treat. The new services would include developing yearly care plans for chronically ill patients, conducting medication reviews, injecting medications, and getting people their medication in emergencies.

Alberta has already given pharmacists that freedom--Blanchard says it makes sense given out shortage of doctors.

Have Lunch With The Delta & Help

The Delta Brunswick Square wants you to have lunch with them and help out the Canadian Cancer Society at the same time.


The bbq is taking place on King Street tomorrow from 11am to 1:30 in front of the Delta's main entrance.

The hotel hopes to raise $10,000 through various events including their "Check in for a Cure" promotion.

When out of town visitors check in, 10 per cent of the room rate goes to the Canadian Cancer Society.

For more info, call 658-1000.

Maintenance Pledged For Mispec

A storm-damaged east side beach is getting a new lease on life....Mispec has been ravaged by bad weather and vandalism and many are complaining it's not safe.

Norton tells CHSJ News Canaport LNG has pledged to do basic maintenance on the site, including cutting grass and replacing Porta-Potties.

Common Council also voted to apply for Disaster Assistance funding to do more work on the beach in the future.

VIDEO: Olympic Spirit Comes To Saint John

A blue London-style cab blasting music and equipped with a video screen is getting Saint Johners pumped for the upcoming Olympics. RBC's Elisabeth Lefevere Courteau tells CHSJ News the RBC Hometown Champions Cheer Tour all about boosting morale and connecting athletes with citizens.

Anyone can hop in the back and record their personalized message which the athletes will view online. The cab will be parked on King Street and at Market Square today.

Neighbors Say Alleged Murderer Seemed "Nice"

A real nice guy...that's how some employees of Union Street shops describe Matthew Thomas Foley, the owner of Wizzards Tattoo and Bacchus Motorcycle Club President recently charged with second degree murder.

Luke Patterson works at a neighbouring used appliance store. He says Foley did his first tattoo and he always seemed like a decent person. A hairdresser working across the street, Chantal Pelletier, says she always waved to Foley and saw his bike parked out front. But both agreed they weren't entirely shocked at what happened, given the tattoo shop owner's highly public connections to Bacchus.

Peterson and others mentioned the tattoo shop had its windows smashed out several times in the past few weeks. Stickers on the door of the shop bear the Bacchus logo and the warning "Criminals Beware: We Shoot Back."

Go Visit The Spoonarm Octopus

When he's calm he is pink or purple but, when he's stressed he can be pale white and his bumps and horns vanish.


He is the spoonarm octopus, a new addition to the Fundy Discover Aquarium in St. Andrews.


Genny Simard tells CHSJ News he's a small little guy.

She says they can reach two feet but he only takes up about a quarter of your hand.
You can see the spoonarm octopus at the Fundy Discover Aquarium.


For more info, here

$2,000 Reward For Wanted Arsonist

Crime Stoppers New Brunswick and the St. Andrews RCMP are looking for your help finding John Elvis O’Dell, who thought to be living in Saint John.
 
O'Dell is wanted on an outstanding warrant for arson from 2010.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest. Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest.

SJ Might Look Down To Solve Water Problem

Saint John could be looking downward for a solution to its water woes...Mayor Mel Norton tells CHSJ News the city is considering ground water as a clean alternative to water from sources like lakes and reservoirs.

Norton says the groundwater option could translate into millions of dollars saved in the construction of a water treatment plant, which would be excellent news for the taxpayers.

Ground water is naturally filtered and requires less treatment--but once it's used up, takes thousands of years to build up again. Norton says there could still be enough there to fill the area's needs.

Illegal Hang-Outs Need To Be Stamped Out

With the South End shaken by a daylight murder on Pitt Street, common Councillors from the South End offering their thoughts on how to keep the neighborhood safe.

Councillor Donnie Snook tells CHSJ News while he can't comment specifically on police business, the force must keep an eye on hot spots where criminals gather. Councillor Donna Reardon agrees she'd like to see police get serious about keeping the South End free of shady hang-outs, especially the ones already well-known to people living in certain areas.

50 year old Matthew Thomas Foley was charged with second degree murder just two days after the shooting near Pitt and Leinster on Saturday.

Saint John Is Ready To Rock!

In less than 3 weeks the Saint John Waterfront will host "Sculpture Saint John", an event that has 6 international artists sculpting 10-tons of provincial granite into works of art.

Artists have 6-weeks to create the works of art that become permanent structures in different parts of the province. Chair of Sculpture Saint John Diana Alexander tells CHSJ news normally this sculptures go for $150-200,000, but communities only pay $10,000.

Alexander adds the symposium will also be a learning experience for educating local artists. The pieces are going to Brundage Point in Grand-Bay Westfield, the Art & Culture Park in Quispamsis, the post office in Saint George, Hans W. Klohn building at UNBSJ, Rothesay Commons, and Saint John has yet to pick a location.

For more information on Sculpture Saint John, click here.

Man Charged In Pitt Street Death

Matthew Thomas Foley is charged with second degree murder in the death of a 31-year-old man.

50-year-old Foley is the President of the Bacchus Motorcycle Club in Saint John.
The victim was found dead near the corner of Pitt and Leinster just before 8pm Saturday night.
Police told CHSJ news earlier the victim and suspect knew each other.

The preliminary hearing is set for August 15th at 1:30pm.

Police Make Arrest In Pitt Street Murder

City police making an arrest in a weekend murder on Pitt street. 

In a release, the Major Crime tells CHSJ News a 50-year-old man will be in court later today on a charge of second degree murder.

A 31 year old man was found dead in the area of Pitt and Leinster street just before 8pm Saturday night.

City police confirm the victim and the suspect knew each other and a handgun was used in the crime.

Norton Promotes Renaissance Saint John

Renaissance is about rebirth, and that's the rebuilding of Saint John, so says Mayor Mel Norton.

Norton tells CHSJ news Port City needs to be focused around people. He says Plan SJ's focus is on building complete neighbors so you can bike or walk to all the services that you need.

Norton adds he'd like to see Saint John as a place for commerce, and the city's #1 priority is clean water.

Norton speaking at a Rotary lunch in the North End. 

Animal Cruelty In Musquash

St. George RCMP are looking into a case of animal cruelty in Musquash.

The Mounties got a call Saturday that a pitbull cross was left trapped in a steel cage at a gravel pit without food, water or shelter.

Police believe the dog would not have survived long due to the 30 degree heat because the cage was wired shut.
RCMP believe the dog was dumped in the pit sometime on Friday night.

The Provincial SPCA provided assistance and the dog is now in the care of the Saint John Animal Rescue League.

If you can provide the RCMP with any information on this, contact the St. George RCMP 506 755-1130 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).

Garnett Settlement Man Dies After ATV Crash

In a deadly weekend around the province, we hear today a 57 year old man from Garnett Settlement died after an ATV crash.

RCMP were called to the scene yesterday but could only find a damaged ATV and later found out the driver was taken home and he died a short time later.
People who saw what happened have told police the victim lost control of the ATV and it flipped over.

Ideas To Fix Mispec Beach

The city has no money to fix up Mispec Beach, but it needs to be maintained or lost says Common Councillor Susan Fullerton.

She tells CHSJ news it'd be nice if businesses around the area could sponsor and adopt a portion of the park, such as up keep of the washrooms or doing grounds work.

Fullerton adds that people have suggested selling the gravel from the park and use it to level the parking lot. Her motion is scheduled for the horseshoe tonight.

HMCS Kingston In Port

From the Canadian Navy, HMCS Kingston in the Harbour this morning.

The vessel is due to leave town today since arriving on Friday for a rest and replenishment visit to the City.