A Hospital Bomb Scare

A middle aged man in Fredericton arrested after he caused an evacuation late yesterday afternoon around 5:00 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital.
    
Police say a patient was holding what appeared to be an explosive device which prompted the hospital's lobby and cafeteria to be evacuated and crisis negotiators called in.
    
The man was arrested without incident about 3 hours later.

Fredericton Police have not said what was in the suspicious package but it was not an explosive.

Charges Possible After Serious Crash In The K-V

Rothesay Regional Police believe alcohol may have played a part in a serious two vehicle collision late yesterday afternoon in the intersection of the Stock Farm and Palmer Brook Roads. 

That section of roadway was closed for an hour and a half. 

One of the drivers was taken to hospital.

Convict Who Was On The Lam Arrested

City Police arresting a man who was wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant.   
 
42 year old William Wayne Cummer was nabbed at a rooming house on Peter Street and will be appearing in court today for being unlawfully at large after being last seen on November 13th. 

Cummer has an extensive criminal background that involves numerous violent offenses and people were warned not to approach him. 

Police say he was taken into custory without incident.

Common Councillor Calls For Revitalisation Plan

Plan SJ wants to get more development going closer to the urban core but one member of Common Council believes you will need a specific revitalization strategy to make that happen. 

Donnie Snook, who represents Ward 3, believes there should be incentives on the table for new development and to restore buildings that are falling down. 

He would like to see a curbside recycling pilot program be given another look as well as a stoop and scoop program.

Snook is also calling for more trees and flowers be planted, yearly neighborhood cleanups and an Adopt a Block program.

Questions Raised After Inmate Walks Early

The Opposition Liberals want answers after one Saint John inmate received a Get Out of Jail Free card and we mean that quite literally.

The inmate was released early by mistake on October 15 and then was picked up for a violent crime on November 4th. 

Charlotte-the-Isles MLA Rick Doucette tells CHSJ News it concerns him that Public Safety Minister Robert Trevors waited weeks before releasing information on the oversight.

Doucette says it's obvious the early release of a violent offender is a major error which can't be ignored.

New Immigrants Are Looking At Saint John

The makeup of Saint John is changing if you judge by those people selling their homes to move elsewhere and other folks who want to move here.

Realtor Hodges Hamm tells CHSJ News there's a large number of people who are moving out of Saint John for the Alberta oil sands, a new refinery in B-C and industrial activity in Labrador.
 
On the other hand, Hamm says he's dealing with a number of Russians, Iranians and Turks who want to move here because it's affordable and close to the water.

Hamm concedes its now taking longer to sell houses from an average of 90 days to as many as 180 days with realtors having to show alot more homes to potential buyers who are well aware they are in control of the market.

We Know Now Where Mel Norton Wants 4-Plex Built

One of Mayor Mel Norton's priorities is for the city to build a multi-ice surface 4-Plex and now we know where he wants it to be located. 

The Mayor will be asking Common Council tonight to approve preliminary discussions with the Port Authority on constructing it at Long Wharf. 

Mayor Norton wants to find out how much land might be available and at what cost.

He tells Council the site is central to the L-B-R and Harbour Station with onsite parking and links to several areas of the city via Harbour Passage and bike trails. 

Long Wharf was where Irving Oil wanted to build its new headquarters but ran into opposition from the International Longshoremen's Association.

VIDEO: Canadian Folk Music Association Awards

The Canadian Folk Music Association awards were given in a big gala at the Imperial Theatre. The Once was among the winners taking home an award for vocal group of the year for their album ``Row Upon Row of The People They Know.''

Prince Edward Island singer-songwriter Rose Cousins nabbed contemporary singer of the year, an award she also received at the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

 The string group The Fretless won two awards, instrumental group and ensemble of the year, for their album "Waterbound." Other winners included violin player Trent Freeman, Montreal's Sagapool and Quebec's Mes Aieux.

 

Committee Announces Winning Entries In Santa Claus Parade

The Santa Claus Parade Committee has announced the winning entries in last night's parade. 

They are as follows:

Winning Entries:

• Best in Parade                                           Harbourview High School
• Best Commercial Entry                               Bell Aliant
• Best School                                               Lorne Middle School/ Mayor’s Float
• Best Cheerleaders                                      Harbourview High School
• Best Band                                                  527 Simonds
• Best Association/Church                             Gentle Path Counselling Services
• Chairperson’s choice                                  Xerox

Honourable Mentions: 

• Canada Post Mail Carriers
• Independence Plus Handi Bus
• 3034 Blue Mountain Royal Canadian Army Replica
• revolutionary Fire Dancers
• UNBSJ
• Saint John Energy

To see video highlights from last night's parade, click below

Charges Laid Against 16 Year Old In Stabbing.

A 16-year-old boy is facing charges of being masked during an indictable offence, robbery and forcible entry in connection with a fatal November 3 stabbing on the West Side.

He was arrested Thursday in Moncton.

There is still a warrant out for the arrest of 22-year-old Bradley Saia in connection with the same incident. 

This is the third arrest that has been made in the case.

New Calendar Campaign Raising Money for SPCA Animal Rescue League

One local business owner is dreaming up a made-in-Saint John fundraiser for the SPCA Animal Rescue League.

Debbie Blakney owns Kwik Kopy Design and Print Center. She recently printed a 2013 wall calendar in which local businesses sponsor adoptable pets for each month. Blakney says she got on board because she's an animal lover herself.

So far, the calendar campaign has raised $5,000. They'll be available for sale at the shelter and select businesses starting Monday. For more information, contact Debbie Blakney at debbie@kkdesign.nb.ca, or Kathy Illingworth at (506) 642-0929.

Youth Unemployment A Major Issue

Considering he's barely out of his twenties himself, it comes as little surprise that newly-elected Liberal Leader Brian Gallant is concerned about youth unemployment. 

Currently, 20% of New Brunswickers under the age of 24 don't have jobs. Gallant tells CHSJ News he's heard from a lot of worried young people who say this is the worst year for finding employment they have ever experienced.

Gallant says he was lucky to have good mentors when he started his own small business to make his way through school; however, it's vital for the province to find practical solutions to grow the economy and get people working.

Classic Christmas Tale Comes to Imperial

Ballet dancers as young as 6 and professionals from across Canada will be participating in this year's 9th annual Nutcracker production at the Imperial Theatre.

This year the production will help the Joshua Group by sending 40 kids with accompanying adults to the performance. Artistic Director Sylvia Logan tells CHSJ news there's a brand new set for Act 1 as well as many new costumes.

There are only two productions of the ballet, one on December 8th and a matinee on the 9th. For more information, click here

Cell Phones & Driving Growing Problem In Saint John

Everyone in Saint John know it's illegal but some can't seem to kick the habit.
 
For about a year and half it's been illegal to drive a car while using a handheld electronic device, costing you a whopping $170.50 plus 3 points off your license.
 
City Police Sgt. Jeff LaFrance tells CHSJ news when the law was introduced they initially had very good compliance, but now many people have slid back into their old habits. He says because of this growing trend the police force is going to step up enforcement of the law as part of ongoing safety programs. 



According to LaFrance, year-to-date there's been 192 violations. He says it's doesn't matter whether you're talking or texting, they're both dangerous habits that distract your driving. LaFrance adds he's seen people texting with children in their car and even on highways, where one teen flipped their car and ended up in hospital.



He believes there have been at least 2 accidents due to handling phones while driving. LaFrance reminds many people that it only costs $50 for a Bluetooth device, less than a third of the price of a ticket.

2012 Santa Claus Parade

Highlights from the 2012 Saint John Santa Claus Parade

Pre-Parade Party At New Terminal

The Santa Clause parade party starts a whole lot earlier at the city's newest cruise ship terminal.

The Port of Saint John showing off the new Diamond Jubilee Cruise Ship terminal with a pre-parade party from 1 to 3pm on Water street.

The Port's meet and greet volunteers will be hosting tours of the new building's public spaces like the rooftop patio.

Kids can enjoy some hot apple cider, hot chocolate and cookies and get their faces painted before the parade.

Saint John Firefighter Dies From Fall In Ottawa

A 39-year-old man from Saint John has died after falling from a hydraulic lift in Ottawa early Friday morning.

Emergency crews were called to a construction site at around 2:30 a.m. Dale Clinton was rushed to hospital where he later died of his injuries. He fell about 4 1/2 meters off the lift, and friends quickly called 911. 

According to a release from the International Association of Fire Fighters, Dale Clinton was attending their Canadian Political Training Academy in Ontario. The final day of the academy was suspended because of the accident.

There was no construction scheduled overnight, and police are not treating the incident as an industrial accident. 

Calls have been made to the Saint John Fire Department for comment.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

The streets in Saint John are filled with lights and holiday decorations in preparation for tonight's 60th annual Santa Claus Parade.

This years theme is "children's dreams, wishes and imaginations," which Leslie Keating from Uptown Saint John says will bring out some favorite childhood characters. She says this year has some pretty creative entries, plus lots of bands and walking groups. Kids are encouraged to write letters to Santa and are reminded to include their return mailing address so the big guy can write back.

Lightly used coats and donations will be collected for the food bank before the parade starts, which Keating says is the biggest single day pick up for the charity.

Local artist Fred Ross is this year's marshal for the 45 minute event, which will follow the same route as last year. 

The parade will leave the Causeway, go onto Union St., left on Sydney St., right on King’s Square North, left on Charlotte St., down King St. and on to St. Patrick, on to Main St., right on Lansdowne Ave., and right at Wellesley Blvd.  These streets will be closed off during the parade. 

People are also asked not to park on King Street after 5pm, or risk being towed. All 4 lanes of the Causeway will be blocked off beginning at 3:30pm for the parade line-up.

The whole show starts at 6pm. For more information, click here.

Police Looking For Man Unlawfully At Large

City Police are looking for your help in finding a man who's currently unlawfully at large and a Canada Wide Warrant has been issued for his arrest.
   
42 year old William Wayne Cummer was last seen on November 13th. He has an extensive criminal background that involves numerous violent offenses and shouldn't be approached.  He's described as being 6' tall, 181 lbs., with brown hair or a shaved head, hazel eyes, with tattoos on face, neck and body.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Cummer is asked to contact the Saint John Police at 506-648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

3rd Arrest Made In Connection With Stabbing

Saint John City Police arresting a third man in connection with the home invasion that left one 18 year old dead earlier this month.

The 16 year old teenager, whose name can't be released, was arrested Thursday in Moncton. The teen appeared in court Friday to answer to appropriate charges.

On November 3rd police were called to a home on Prince Street West, in regards to a home invasion where two young men had been stabbed. 

A warrant still exists for 22-year-old Bradley Saia.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Saint John Police Force at 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477.