Students Will Be Hurt By Lack Of Buses

The NB Student's Association is concerned Acadian Line's decision to pull out of the Maritimes will make things a lot more difficult for university students, and maybe even discourage students from coming here.

The Association issuing a statement saying it's a perfect opportunity for other companies to come in and fill the gap...and there's great potential for the routes to turn a profit, provided companies consult with proper interest groups on where they enter the market.

Acadian will stop intercity bus service in the Maritimes as of November 30th.

Despite Struggles Shelter Wants Sick Animals

Despite ongoing financial hardship,  the SPCA animal rescue league wants you to bring sick, injured and abandoned pets to them.

Staff at the shelter found an injured dog left in a box sitting in its own waste that was so far gone had to be euthanized.

Board President Melody McElman tells CHSJ News despite criticism for the move, they had no choice but to leave their North end shelter.

She says the animal cages were inadequate and didn't meet provincial SPCA guidelines adding it had reached the end of its life.

McElman says they hope to have their City contract back but in the meantime are still accepting animals.

VIDEO: SAW Actors Visit Saint John

Actors from the horror film franchise SAW cruised into Saint John to meet fans and answer questions. It was also the infamous puppet's fourth time in public.

More Details Could Be Released On Oland

We could know more about the murder investigation of Richard Oland case by late this afternoon. 

Lawyers meeting behind closed doors in court today discussing what information should be released or kept under wraps.

This Thursday media lawyer David Coles will be before Judge Leslie Jackson concerning the information contained in the search warrants.

Oland was found dead in his office on Canterbury Street last year.

Trial Of City Police Officer Underway

A city police officer is on trial for assault causing bodily harm, uttering a death threat and assault. Constable Chris Messer has pleaded not guilty.

21 year old Randy King claims he was picked up on a warrant for his arrest and while inside the police car was punched in the back of his head by Messer 6 to 10 times, dragged out of the cruiser and had a boot placed on his throat.

King testified Messer accused him of breaking into his house which he denies. King does have a record of breakins. Two days later, 28 bullets were fired into Messer's home. Defense lawyer Brian Munro told King a Monte Carlo belonging to his uncle was seen leaving the area.

47 year old Brent McAdam testified Messer accused him of breaking into his house on Westfield Road and threatened him saying he would send four low life scum to his house and blow his head off.   

Munro told McAdam his vehicle had been flagged after breakins on Westfield Road and the names found in a black book inside his car raised police concerns.

Saw Actors Traveling On Cruise Ship Thrill Fans

For Horror fans in the Port City, it's big excitement as several actors from the Saw films including the puppet are in town on the Carnival Glory.

Actor Ned Bellamy was asked what the atmosphere is like on the ship.

He tells us it's constant activity like taking lower Manhattan and putting it on a ship at sea.

Several actors from the film met with fans who lined up outside of Steamer's for an event this morning.

Chase Leads To Many Charges

An 18 year old man who refused to stop for police on Saturday is facing several charges including dangerous driving, taking a vehicle with an owner's consent and hit and run. 

It happened on the East side and the original call came in as a possible impaired driver.

He also faces charges of violating house arrest and probation and failing to stop for police.

The man was eventually taken into custody and is due in court today.

Housing Starts Down Around 50%

The latest housing stats shows a decrease of about 50% compared to last year in the number of new homes being built in Saint John.

New housing starts are also down significantly in Moncton and Fredericton. President of the Saint John Real Estate Board Jason Stephen tells CHSJ news he's not shocked by the figures. He says when there's so much selection on the market, there's no big demand to build new houses.

On the other side of the coin, Stephen says this is great news for buyers, since interest rates are at an all time low and  there's plenty of selection.

For sellers, it does mean some houses will take longer to unload and they'll have to be negotiable.

No Worries About Canaport's Future

Business as usual........That's how John Herron, the President of the Atlantica Centre for Energy sees the future of Canaport LNG. 

Questions were naturally raised after confirmation Repsol was willing to sell its stake along with liquified natural gas assets elsewhere to prop up its bottom line.  

Herron tells CHSJ News Repsol was hit hard by the nationalisation of one of the company's principal holdings in Argentina but, as far as he's aware, no decision has been made. 

He says Canaport LNG will continue to be a potential supplier to both Atlantic Canada and the northeastern U.S.

A Warning About What's Happening To Our Forests

A warning from the Conservation Council which charges too much clear cutting and spraying of herbicides are wiping out huge portions of forests and wildlife habitat. 

The Conservation Council has released maps which show deforestation and degradation. 

It's Acadian Forest Campaign Director Tracy Glynn tells CHSJ News everyone in the province should be concerned because forests regulate the flow of water to prevent flooding and filter water so that our wetlands, rivers and lakes have clean water. She goes on to say 30 watersheds in the province are at risk.

The Conservation Council is calling on the provincial government to revisit its forest policy because it claims thirty watersheds are at risk because of excessive cutting in public forests.

Common Councillor Wants Criminal Background Checks

Common Council is looking to restructure the city's boards, agencies and commissions with the possible elimination of some and merger of others to make them more efficient and effective. 

Common Councillor Susan Fullerton is proposing something else........That all appointees to these board, commissions and agencies have a criminal background check as means of protecting the public and the city.

Meantime, Deputy Mayor Shelley Rinehart is calling for Common Council to get behind the effort by the Saint John Hotel Association to have NB Liquor set up what's called a boutique liquor store in the uptown. 

The lack of a liquor store in the uptown is viewed as being bad for tourism. The closest liquor store to the uptown is at Prince Edward Square.

Arrest Made After Two Fires

The fire department responding to a pair of small fires at 10 Spruce Street and now a 22 year old woman is facing charges of arson. The fires were set to curtains on a porch and in a bathroom.

Also over the weekend, fire caused serious damage to a garage and workshop on Rodney Street.

Former Sussex Church Youth Councillor Arrested

A former Sussex Church Youth Councillor being held for a bail hearing in Ontario.

42-year-old Kris Allan Gowdy was arrested by Durham Regional police in the Toronto region late last week. He's charged with luring a child online and attempted aggravated sexual assault.

Gowdy was arrested after he made arrangements on social media to meet a 15-year-old male -- who was actually a police investigator --  for a sexual encounter.

Gowdy is HIV-positive and is a youth pastor with the Free Methodist Church in Courtice, Ontario.

Tentative Deal Reached In Lobster Prices

A week-long conflict between lobster fishermen, fish processing plants and the provincial government has been resolved.

The Maritime Fishermen's Union says a tentative deal was reached Friday night and approved by most fishermen yesterday morning.

Tensions over lobster prices bubbled over last week, when fishermen demonstrated in Cap-Pele and Shediac, preventing trucks from delivering Maine lobsters to three processors.

The deal calls for processors to pay an additional 25 cents per lobster, which the union will match to raise the price to three dollars per pound for processed lobster and $3.50 per pound for live market lobster.

Traffic Disruptions Sunday & Monday

Your commute today and tomorrow could be changed.

There's a marathon happening this morning throughout streets like Water Street, Douglas Avenue, Manawagonish Road and more, be careful around the runners!

Tomorrow Harbour Bridge construction continues. One of the westbound lanes will be worked on for about three to four weeks. Work on the eastbound lane will begin this September.

If you drive down Woodward Avenue road work will also begin tomorrow and last for about two weeks between Donaldson Street and Ray Street --- there will be a detour. It will be closed to thru traffic while sanitary and sewer improvements is being done.

Building Suffers Heavy Fire Damage

Saint John Fire Department had a busy Saturday night.

Just after 8:30 crews were called to 169 Rodney street where heavy fire was exiting through the front windows of the building. It took fire crews about two hours to get the bulk of the blaze under control. A third of the building suffered heavy smoke, fire and water damage.

Later around midnight fire crews were called to 10 Spruce Street where porch curtains were ablaze. That fire was quickly knocked out.

There were no injuries in both cases.

Skateboard Competition Kicks Off Tomorrow

If your typical day is practicing your skills at the skate-park, tomorrow you'll be able to show them off!

The first skateboard competition put on by the Rothesay Regional Police Force takes off tomorrow. The free event will see skateboarders from 5 to 18-years-old competing for titles and tons of prizes from the new Shred Board shop.

Cadet Aaron Burke tells CHSJ news the idea came when he talked with other officers about problem areas -- one being the new Quispam skate-park that opened in April.

He says there's a lot of good kids there who are very talented, and this event is a great opportunity to build a positive relationship.

Burke adds there's also going to be a BBQ with proceeds going to the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program -- which helps kids get into sports. The event runs from 11:00 until 4:00 tomorrow at the Quispamsis Skate Park. Kids are welcome to register at 10:00am. There are 3 categories: beginner, advanced and intermediate. Judges are employees from the board shop and Mayor Murray Driscoll.

Athletes Over 75 Breaking World Records

More proof that age is just a number.

At the World Masters Track & Field Championships Canadian and world records have been broken by athletes in their seventies all weekend.

Organizer Bill MacMackin tells CHSJ news Christa Bortignon from BC set a world record in the pentathlon for her age group of 75. There's also been Canadian bests for javelin, race/walks, and others.

In the 10km road race an 84-year-old female athlete finished in one hour and four minutes.

Today is the last day of events that feature athletes from around the world over the ages of thirty at the Canada Games Stadium.

Verdict Comes Down In Sexual Assault On West Side

A Chance Harbour man will be sentenced September 7th after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 45 year old bartender in a pub on the west side last January. 

Two other charges of unlawful confinement and assault causing bodily harm have been stayed.

25 year old Bradley Scott Wilson claimed the bartender took a 100 dollar bill from his jacket pocket and that prompted a chase, scuffle during which she suffered a broken knee after falling and then sexual activity in exchange for the money. 

The bartender told the court she complied out of fear. 

Mr. Justice Hugh McLellen noted there were inconsistencies in both their stories but, in the end, he did not believe Wilson had that hundred dollar bill in his jacket when he had smaller amounts of cash in the pocket of his pants and although she offered sex, the judge did not believe it was consensual.

New Roosevelt Monument Unveiled

History being reborn on Campobello Island.

Over fifty years later a new plaque and monument is unveiled in honor of former American President Franklin D Roosevelt. Roosevelt spent much of his young life on the Island, where his former cottage still stands.

MP for New Brunswick South West John Williamson tells CHSJ news ties are still strong between Canada and the US, and the history is unique for both countries.

The monument is a six feet tall stone plaque with inscriptions on both sides. Williamson says it's built to withstand our tough weather. It's in it's original home in front of the Campobello Public Library and Museum.