Fire Chief Says Storm Caused Communications Issues

As if the gale force winds and blowing snow weren't bad enough, there was a major water main break on Rothesay Avenue by Staples which cut off water to the core of the city.

Fire Chief Kevin Clifford says there was a partial activation of the emergency plan when the water main break also severed online communications from the city. He says all the factors combined were unique, differentiating this weather event from your run-of-the-mill winter storm.

The city also issuing a boil water order for everyone from Reversing Falls east to Russell because of the water main break.

Board Of Trade Supports Shale Gas Exploration

The Saint John Board of Trade is throwing its support behind exploration of oil and natural gas deposits in the province.

Spokesman Patrick Beamish tells CHSJ News even though all the environmental impacts have not been fully examined, we should still move ahead and see exactly what kind of energy resources New Brunswick is sitting on.

Former Premier Frank McKenna will be speaking at a Board of Trade luncheon on Monday on potential shale gas development as well as the possibility of an West-East oil pipeline.

Protestors will gather on the sidewalk outside the Delta hotel to demonstrate against such development.

Listeners React To So-Called "Snowmaggedeon"

A water main break, high winds and blowing snow made life difficult for some yesterday---but isn't severe weather simply part of living in the Great White North? We asked our listeners whether Nemo was mostly hype or whether it was actually "snowmageddeon."

Tammy says it was nothing compared to everyday winter, and with all the panic going on south of us, we are taking this too seriously.

But Vanesssa says she actually had a few trees fall down: one landed on her garage and one took the power line down.

Rebecca agrees that "safer than sorry" is always best.

But Kyle points out says when it finally hit, it was just lots of wind and  snow drifts. He thinks people should stop believing the Weather Network so much.

Got an opinion? Join that conversation on Facebook or Twitter.

Saint John Police Force Will Take To Social Media

Saint John's intelligence-led policing model has been hailed as a 21rst-century approach to crime-fighting.

Now, Police Chief Bill Reid tells CHSJ News the force will be stepping up its use of technology to communicate with the public.

Reid says members of the force are being trained on the do's and don't of social media use, and will soon be updating on things like traffic issues as well as dealing with resident's concerns. The Rothesay Regional Police force already has an active Facebook and Twitter presence.

Storm Update From City

Saint John Water and Storm Update

A boil water order has been declared for most residents between Russell Street and Reversing Falls Bridge. Please visit www.saintjohn.ca for more information. The order is in response to a significant watermain break on Rothesay Avenue. Repairs are underway to the watermain and partial service has been restored to the area.

Saint John Transit will be ceasing service at 12:30 pm.

The Saint John Police Department is asking people to stay off the roads.

Saint John E-M-O has declared a partial activation of the City’s Emergency Operation Centre in response to the storm.

Boil Water Order In Effect

A boil water order is in effect because of the water main break on Rothesay Avenue for points east of Reversing Falls to Russell Street. It will remain in effect until Tuesday.

UPDATE: Storm Cancellations

An update on cancellations and other important information related to the severe weather.....

About 900 people are without power in the Rothesay area. We've also heard from folks in the dark around Forest Hills. The water main break has been isolated and your taps should return to normal as soon as the pressure has time to build up in the pipes. The only area still effected is Rothesay Ave between Russell Street and Wonder Muffler.

Saint John Transit informs us that the buses will be taken off the roads at noon. As a result McAllister Place will be closing as of 11am. Brunswick Square is still open.

The Aquatic Centre will be closing today due to the storm. The east, west and central branches of the Saint John Library are also closed, and all programming is cancelled. Several departures from the Saint John airport to Toronto and Halifax have been cancelled.

Snow Expected To Last Until Tomorrow

It's a white, windy mess out there.

Our region is under a blizzard warning and areas like Sussex and Kings County remain under a blowing snow warning.

Environment Canada meterologist Jeremy March tells CHSJ News the snow is far from finished falling, which about 10 centimeters currently on the ground and an additional 15 cm expected over the course of the day.

Gusts of wind up to 90km per hour are reducing visibly in some areas to almost nil---you're advised not to travel unless you have to, but if you must be advised that "snow means slow."

The snow is expected to taper off overnight, and March says we might even see some sun tomorrow.

Many Storm Cancellations

City Transit tells CHSJ News the buses are still operating as of 6am; however, some cancellations could happen later in the day. They will offer 2 hours notice about any service disruptions.

Brunswick Square, The Aquatic Center, NB Museum, and all branches of the Royal Bank and public library will be closed today due to the storm.

The pancake supper scheduled for today at the Church of the Ascension in Apohaqui has been cancelled.

A major water main break occured around Staples on Rothesay Ave shortly before 6am.City police are setting up barricades and are turning traffic back at that location, so you're advised to plan your route accordingly. Many homes in the surrounding area are reporting low water pressure or no water at all.

Several departures from the Saint John Airport to Halifax and Toronto have been cancelled, although some flights are still expected to be on time. Check with the airport at (506) 638-5555 for updated information.

This link will be updated as more cancellations arrive.

Fire, Water Main Break Keep Crews Busy

Two people are temporarily homeless after a house fire at 915 Redhead Road. Fire crews recieved that call around 8pm, and managed to contain the blaze to the bathroom and hall area of a home. Six pieces of fire aparatus stayed on the scene for 3 hours and investigators are still working on figuring out thecase of the blaze although it is not being treated as suspcious at this point.

Fire Crews also responded to an alarm at 112 Prince Edward Square where they found low-level readings of natural gas. The situation was turned over to Enbridge Natural Gas.

Reports are also coming in of a major water main break around Staples on Rothesay avenue around 5:40 this morning. City Works is working to contain that break but there are several feet of water in that area.

Premier Asks MLA To Step Down After DUI Arrest

The premier has asked his deputy house leader to step down from duties in the legislature after he was charged with impaired driving.
 
In a statement, David Alward says Wes McLean was charged last Saturday in Edmundston.
 
Alward says McLean will no longer represent the government on legislative committees and has also been asked to step down as a legislative secretary.

City Reminding Citizens To Get Set For Blizzard

Fire Chief Kevin Clifford and the City's Emergency Management team reminding everyone to prepare for 72 hours by stocking up on batteries, water and non-perishable foods in case of a loss of power.   

Snow removal crews will be out in force keeping City streets as safe as possible.    The City is asking you to avoid travelling during the storm and take advantage of off-street parking where possible.

The War of 1812 commemorations scheduled at HMCS Brunswicker and the Museum have been postponed due to the weather.

For more info on all matters relating to the storm, click here

Saint John Could Get 35 Centimetres Of Snow

The coming weather system already impacting communities in the Fundy Isles where some schools closed early.
 
Our region is under a blizzard warning and areas like Sussex and Kings County are under a blowing snow warning.

Environment Canada meterologist Claude Cote tells CHSJ News we could receive up to 35 centimetres of snow by the time it's all over.

He tells us we could see a few flurries before midnight with conditions getting worse overnight with more snow and wind speeds picking up.

He says the brunt of the storm will be felt tomorrow with heavy snow at times and wind gusts to 80 kilometres causing near zero visibility.

The snow will stop on Saturday night when it tapers off to flurries.

Port Of Saint John Handling Alot More Cargo

Traffic through the port is way up as compared to the same time last year. Total tonnage last month increased by 20 per cent over January of 2012. 

Dry bulk rose by a whopping 240 per cent with the number of ships making stops at the port rising by 26 per cent.

 Port President and C-E-O Jim Quinn tells CHSJ News more will be happening and promising new proposals for redevelopment he says will be exciting.

Quinn says the port has made inclusion and getting as much input as possible a key priority. He adds the port will be reaching out to the adjacent neighbourhoods to see what help can be provided to community associations and the schools.

Some Information From Snook Search Warrants Will Be Released

The lawyer for former Common Councillor Donnie Snook is not objecting to releasing some of the information from the search warrants in the investigation. Snook is facing 8 child exploitation charges.
 
The court order against releasing any information from the search warrants was called overly broad. 

Prosecutor Kelly Lee Lamrock has no objection to releasing some of the information so long as it doesn't identify anyone who has come forward with allegations or harms the ongoing investigations. She told Judge Alfred Brien not all of the alleged victims have been identified. 

The judge is giving the prosecution 7 business days to review all the material in the search warrants and release what it deems appropriate. Whether what is released will be acceptable or not remains to be seen.

The Storm Is Underway In the Fundy Isles

The coming storm has begun in the Fundy Isles.

Campobello Island Community School and Grand Manan Community School closed early due to weather conditions.

A blizzard warning extends from Fundy National Park to Saint John county.

Environment Canada says heavy snowfall, strong winds and blowing snow will cause blizzard conditions overnight and tomorrow.

Near zero visibility is expected for these regions.

Saint John is looking at 20 centimetres of snow tomorrow before it turns to flurries by the evening.

The KV, Kings County, Sussex, St. Stephen and Northern Charlotte County are under a blowing snow warning.

The snow is due to start falling around midnight.

Mechanic Injured On City Road

A mechanic in his 50's has been injured after an industrial accident.

He suffered cuts to his head and has been taking to hospital to be checked out.

Crews responding to Universal Sales on City road about 10:30 this morning.

Worksafe NB has been called in to look into what happened.

Court Hearing Scheduled In Snook Investigation

Whether information from the search warrants in the investigation of former Common Councillor Donnie Snook can be made public will be the subject of a court hearing scheduled this morning.

An application has been made to unseal the search warrants. The 41 year old Snook is facing 8 charges of child exploitation but Police Chief Bill Reid says more people have come forward with allegations and additional charges are possible. 

The details in the search warrants were sealed by court order to protect the identities of the young people who have come forward with allegations and to maintain the integrity of an ongoing investigation.

Firefighters Return To Scene Of An Earlier Blaze

A shed that was pretty much destroyed by fire earlier this week at 88 Free Lane off the Acamac Backland Road ignited again prompting another visit by city fire crews. 

They were also called to a home off the Hillcrest Road where some clothes caught on fire.

Medal of Bravery For Three City Officers

Three City officers receiving an extra special honour today.
 
Constables Roger Paris, Nicholas Roy and Neal Fowler will receive the Medal of Bravery from Governor General David Johnston for their role in the rescue of a man trapped in a tractor trailer four years ago.

The flipped transport knocked down a telephone pole spilling fuel onto Loch Lomond Road and downed wires arced in a large ball of flames.

The officers climbed on to the top of the cab and kicked at the windshield ignoring the electrical shocks they were getting in the process.

Once they broke a hole in the glass, they helped the driver out and got him to safety.

The three officers will receive their award in a ceremony Rideau hall today.