Police Foil Fraudsters

The Fraud Unit of the Saint John Police tell CHSJ News a 20 year old woman and 21 year old man from Montreal faces charges of identity fraud for opening up bank accounts at several different places under fake names on Monday afternoon.

Thanks to the quick thinking of bank employees, the man and woman were arrested before anyone lost any money.
Police found several i.d.'s in a local hotel room where they think the pair were staying.

If you know anything about this incident or any other, you are asked to contact city police at 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

More Liquor Stores Could Be Coming

Five to fifteen new liquor stores could be coming to the province by fall.
Marcelle Saulnier from NB Liquor tells CHSJ news they're looking for more points of sales.

The final locations will most likely be in rural areas and a few in urban places.


Saulnier adds that would increase the total amount of stores in the province by 20%. According to Saulnier there'sd not enough stores in the province to meet demand.

40 New Jobs & Modernized Electricity

A multi-year agreement has been made with NB Power and Siemens Canada to bring Smart Grid technology into the province's electrical system.

It will also create a new research and development centre based in Fredericton. NB Power says by modernizing the electrical system it will offer stable rates. Premier David Alward says the agreement will also create 40 new jobs and help the economy.

The Smart Grid will allow you to control and manage your energy usage.

It's scheduled to start sometime next year.

"Two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar!": SHJS Hosts Grand Reunion

As the school cheer says, "everyone for High School stand up and holler!"

Saint John High School is holding its Grand Reunion August 3-5 at various locations throughout the city. Organizer Bruce Grant says it's going to be a special one because the school is commemorating 80 years of education.

Events include a boat cruise, BBQ and dinners. The oldest alumni attending is from the class of 1937 and lose to 300 people are registered. For a full schedule and how to register yourself for a fee of $80 click here

Boozing and Vandalism Discouraged In Bus Shelter

The bus shelter at the edge of the Loyalist Burial Ground isn't going  anywhere...despite being a hangout for drunks and pot smokers. Common council hopes the criminal element won't be as inclined to gather there now that the bench in the bus shelter has been removed--but Councillor Susan Fullerton says regardless, there's no need to jump the gun and remove it.

She says alcoholic and homeless people can congregate anywhere, and it's the police's job to prevent it from becoming a problem.

The bus shelter was a gift from the Irvings and is built to heritage specifications.

Suspicious Fires In Oromocto

A round of suspicious fires in Oromocto have the RCMP asking for your help.

Early last Friday firefighters responded to a shed and utility trailer on fire on Mockler Street. When firefighters arrived on scene, the neighbor who had made the 911 call had their deck on fire.

Both structures sustained significant damage. Police believe the fires were deliberate.

Anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP at 506-357-4300 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

3 Week Construction On Thorne Avenue

You might need to change your morning drive to work.

Starting tomorrow and lasting for 3 weeks Thorne Avenue between Egbert And Russell Street will be upgraded as part of the Harbour Clean Up Project.

Drivers are advised to plan a different route and drive safe in construction zones.

Car Set Ablaze On West Side

Charges of arson and mischief to property are likely after a car fire on the west side along Tower Street. 

A woman in her twenties is expected to be appearing in court today.

Rothesay Regional Police have a 20 year old man locked up after what is described as a low speed pursuit which began on French Village Road and came to an end at Keller's Hill Road. 

The man is likely facing charges of stealing a car, impaired driving and failing to stop for police.

N-B Day Merit Awards Missing This Year

The New Brunswick Day holiday weekend is just around the corner - but - there will be something missing from this year's celebrations.

The Alward government has confirmed to CHSJ News the annual N-B Day Merit Awards won't be handed out this year to residents of various municipalities - the awards recognize achievements and contributions by local residents.

A spokesperson tells us the awards are "on hold" this year as the government works through a reorganization of departments and agencies.

The awards are certificates with the provincial logo signed by the Premier and either the mayor of the municipality or the local M-L-A.

The "official" New Brunswick Day celebration is still a go - this year it's being hosted by the village of Saint Andre in the northwestern part of the province.

For more information on this year's official celebration click here.

City Will Still Stop And Smell The Roses

Deputy Mayor Shelley Rinehart isn't against stopping to smell the flowers--this after she got a little heat from local florists for suggesting the city make memorial donations instead. 

Rinehart says she's definitely not anti-flowers--rather, she just doesn't want to see city staff waste time on unnecessary frills when a donation can be done instantly.
 
Rinehart points out not only are donations more lasting than flowers, but they can also be managed in an instant.

CFB Gagetown Receives National Project

A national project and investment will be coming to CFB Gagetown.

Defense Minister Peter MacKay announcing today the Canadian Forces Weather and Oceanographic Service (CFWOS) Transformation project. The project will stretch across the country but will center around CFB Gagetown, CFB Halifax and CFB Esquimalt.

The Joint Meteorological Centre will centralize weather briefing and forecasting functions, allowing personnel to develop new and improved weather specific products for the Department of National Defense and the Canadian Forces.

The transformation will expand the former Army Meteorological Centre at CFB Gagetown, and renovations the existing Meteorological and Oceanographic Centres at CFB Esquimalt and CFB Halifax.

The construction work in Gagetown will be done by Saint John construction company Maxim 2000. It's scheduled to be done by June 2014.

Lobster Strong As Ever In The Province

Everyone from retailers, harvesters to scientists and members of government are at the Science Workshop on Sustainable Growth of Atlantic Lobster in Moncton.

Chair of the Science Community Mike Chadwick tells CHSJ news the workshop offers members of the lobster industry to learn about enhancing lobster populations and the sustainability of seafood. Chadwick says we have a strong population of lobster in the province, and we're a major player in the industry.

He says lobster generates about a billion dollars into the economy. He also adds lobster landings are as high today as they were thirty years ago.

The Atlantic Lobster Sustainability Foundation funds private lobster studies around the Maritimes. The Science Workshop runs until tomorrow.

10th Anniversary Of Pride Plans

As other Pride Weeks kick off around the Maritimes, Saint John Pride Week is preparing some big stuff for their 10th anniversary.

President Brian Boyd tells CHSJ news along with bringing back favorites like the Drags VS Lesbian baseball game and the Pride Parade, they're expanding the event by making it more family oriented.

Boyd also adds their going to have a new coffee house for teenagers to display singing and artwork. Their grand marshal for the parade will also be unique, Boyd says their theme is anti-bullying, so anyone who's ever felt bullied will have the chance to be the grand marshal.

Saint John Pride Week kicks off August 19th.

For more information or to volunteer, click here.

Activists Protest Threats To Our Oceans

St Andrews activists getting together to protest cuts to ocean scientists under The Harper government's bill C-38. Caroline Davies of the group SOS tells CHSJ News without long term research, we can't know the best ways to protect our oceans.

She says we all want out children and grandchildren to be able to enjoy the ocean the way we do today.

Save Our Ocean will be rallying at 5:30 tomorrow at Indian Point to form a human SOS, for "Support Ocean Science". The rally and photo are intended to raise concern about the federal cuts that will, among other cuts across the country, close the St Andrews Biological Station Library, eliminate the Contaminants and Toxicology program, and severely cut the Habitat program.

Norton Suggests Online Crime Reporting

You could soon have the option to use a website rather than the phone to report minor crimes...common councillor Greg Norton says he'd like to see Saint John look into an online crime reporting service, where citizens could lodge complaints about issues like graffiti, car thefts and mischief in an uploaded format.

Norton says letting people report less serious crimes on the web would free up the police lines and keep more cops on the street.

Norton says a number of other municipalities are using such systems with great success--and the best part is, it's easy to administer and tweak as necessary. 

Meantime, Stats Canada is reporting the crime rate for 2011 in Saint John fell by 14 per cent.

Police Commission Invited To Comparison Shop

The New Brunswick Police Association is scoffing at the suggestion the RCMP would have kept the Bacchus Motorcycle gang from setting up in Saint John.

Association President Dean Secord says Bacchus is actually headquartered in Albert County with a branch in St. George which are both within the RCMP's jurisdiction.

Secord is also not bothered by any talk of the RCMP taking over policing in the city saying he's heard it all before and welcomes the Police Commission shopping around.


Secord claims, in Moncton, the RCMP costs more money with fewer officers than when that city had a municipal police department.

VIDEO: Albert Street Blaze

Low Flying Aircraft Creates A Buzz

A few raised eyebrows especially on the west side this morning as what sounded like a low flying aircraft zoomed overhead.

Some people thinking it was some kind of military aircraft or a plane in distress because of the unusual whining sound of the engines as it crossed over west around 7.

CHSJ News checked with the Saint John airport - a spokesperson tells us there were two commercial flights departing for Halifax and Montreal between 6:30 and 7 - a check of the logs also shows there were a couple of private flights departing during that period as well.

The airport official says they are not aware of any flights reported in distress - and - suggest it was probably a pilot trying to avoid some active weather -- the west side was drenched by a heavy downpour of rain shortly after they mystery plane flew over the area.

Morning Commute On Harbour Bridge Ground To A Halt

There was a real mess this morning along the Harbour Bridge at the height of the morning rush hour just after 7:30.

There was a mishap involving a transport truck on the Harbour Bridge when it jackknifed and wound up on the top of the median. This caused traffic to back up both ways because a light standard also came down which stopped traffic going in the opposite direction.

Traffic could not move either eastbound or westbound.

The fire department has responded because of a fuel leak from the truck.

The transport was towed away after 10:00 this morning and the Department of Transport had to remove the light pole.

A Dire Evaluation Of City Pension Plan

With the average Canadian saving just $55,000 in RRSPs, Common Council has an interest in keeping the city's pension plan sustainable....That, from the chair of the Task Force on Protecting Pensions Susan Rowland. 

She laid out the benefits of a shared risk model while explaining to Councillor David Merrithew the precarious position of the city's pension plan means solving the deficit won't be easy. Rowland describes the city's pension plan as being one of the worst funded in the province.
 
Councillor Bill Farren says he doesn't know if they'll achieve the results either, but perhaps a shared risk model will take the pressure of younger workers and give more stability to older ones.