Records Being Set By Port of Saint John

A record-breaking first quarter being reported by the port of Saint John with more than 277 thousand tons of potash being shipped through the port. That's the highest amount ever and up 141 per cent over the same quarter in 2012.
 
Forest products were up by 32 per cent with wood pulp tonnage rising from more than 13 thousand tons to over 22 thousand 500 tons. That marks a 71 per cent increase in just one year and container tonnage increased by 72 per cent.

Reaction To Teen's Suicide In Nova Scotia Grows

The torment suffered by Nova Scotia teen Rehtaeh Parsons is being called bullycide by a frontline organisation which operates out of Fredericton.

Her family says no charges were laid after she was sexually assaulted by four boys at a house party. An embarrassing photo of her was posted online and she was called all sorts of names afterwards.

Rob Frenette of Bullying Canada tells CHSJ News the posting of compromising photos over the internet seems to be a trend among teens.

Frenette says he would like to know why this one girl was targeted and whether the four boys have been bullied themselves.

He's not surprised at her mother's frustration with school officials because their failure to act has been a common complaint among other parents in similar situations. Frenette says its imperative school officials act quickly when they become aware of bullying and not let it drag on.

RCMP NB Gets New Commanding Officer

A 32-year veteran of the RCMP has been named the New Brunswick RCMP's new Commanding Officer.

Assistant Commissioner Roger Brown is taking over from Assistant Commissioner Wayne Lang who is retiring from the RCMP. It's expected he'll start in the new role this spring.


Brown has held a number of postings in Regina, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and Ottawa.  The RCMP polices more than 70% of New Brunswick's population.

New Video Blog Series On Flipping Houses And Changing Attitudes In Saint John

We've heard a lot from the current mayor and council about how Saint John needs an attitude shift.

A new video blog series called Flip Saint John is continuing in the same optimistic vein, hoping to point out the potential of the our historic urban core. Historica Developments founder Keith Brideau has flipped properties on King, Canterbury and elsewhere in the uptown. He tells CHSJ News people don't appreciate the beauty of this city but his goal is to help change that.

Brideau says the courthouse on Sydney Street and the old Bargain Shop are two properties that could be made into something amazing. To see Brideau's video blog visit here

Murder Charge Laid Against Sussex Corner Man Out West

A 26 year old man from Sussex Corner named Dana Allison Craig is facing a charge of second degree murder in the stabbing death of his father, 63 year old Terrance Craig.

The two were at a motel in Brandon, Manitoba.

Terrance Craig lived in Sussex Corner and was the president of the Sussex Fish and Game Association, even being awarded their Sportsman of the Year Distinction in 1998. He was also the former manager of the Bayview Credit Union in Sussex

His son will be back in court on Monday.

Arrests Made In North End And Reported Assault Is False

Another case of boats being broken into at the Powerboat Club on Kennedy Street. City Police making two arrests. The two men, aged 19 and 23, expected to be in court this morning. 

Meantime, police also telling us that assault which was reported early yesterday morning in the north end of a woman in her late teens at Robertson Square is false.

Hundreds of Swimmers Descend Today

Don't be surprised if you see a lot of traffic in the malls and the market today.  

More than 300 swimmers are in town with their coaches and parents for the  Marianne Limpert Team Championships at the Aquatic centre.

Saint John Fundy Swim Club president Gary Losier tells CHSJ News it's the first of four events coming to the Saint John region with the next one in May.

He says a lot of kids coming here this weekend are working towards the Canada Games trials hoping to get a spot on Swim NB's team heading to Sherbrooke this summer.

The competitors range in age from 8 to 18 and are traveling from all over the province to take part in the event at the Aquatic Centre beginning today and running until Sunday.

Robber Who Escaped From Halfway House Nabbed

The convicted robber who went missing from a local halfway house earlier this month has been found. The escape of Brady Richard Polchies made headlines because it closely followed the release of the so-called Motorcycle Rapist to a halfway house in the city.

Polchies was serving a federal sentence of more than 4 years for robbery and more when he disappeared from the halfway house in Saint John. 

He was taken into custody at a home in Burtt's Corner, NB this afternoon.

UPDATE: Duncan MacDonald Dies Following March Assault

A senior citizen is dead and another man facing charges is being sent up north for a mental health assessment after an assault uptown last month.

66 year old Duncan MacDonald was seriously injured after an incident at a rooming house at Prince William and Duke streets.
He died in hospital yesterday.
 
MacDonald was hurt on a Saturday afternoon on March 16th and the two men were both living in the rooming house at the time.

35 year old Nicholas Logan was arrested and detained facing charges of resisting arrest and aggravated assault.

He will be sent to Restigouche for a mental health assessment before a court appearance in Saint John set for the 19th.

Saint John Won't Be Getting Double Decker Diner

As the debate over food trucks in the city continues at City Hall, the local entrepreneur who wanted to install a diner in a double-deck bus off King Square tells CHSJ News he's been outbid on the $70,000 piece of equipment. 

John Campbell tells us no businessperson can plan a business cycle with council expected to take a year to make a decision.
 
Campbell says there's no need for council to refer a decision so relatively minor to committees.

More Low Income Housing For Fredericton

A new complex being built at 367 Main St. in Fredericton will include affordable units for low-income individuals, families, seniors and people with disabilities.

The  development has 18 units overall and is being built by Cedar Valley Investments Ltd.

It will cost about $1.7 million.

Saint John Is Among The Top 7 Best Ports of Call

The Port City is one of seven global travel destinations in the Best Ports of Call feature on Yahoo Travel.
 
Our city is listed alongside Singapore and Tasmania, Australia.

Smarter Travel writer Dara Continenza suggests that once travelers dock they check out the quaint uptown area adding nearly everything in Saint John revolves around the water.

The Port of Saint John is fourth in the country when it comes to cruise traffic with nearly 188,000 passengers visiting last year.

To read the full article, click here

A Big Basketball Weekend Coming Up In Town

Basketball fans will be converging on the city this weekend for the National Basketball League's all-star weekend which starts with the all-star mixer at Vitos Friday at 5. 

Mill Rats coach David Cooper tells CHSJ News there will be a youth clinic held at Harbour Station this Saturday along with the Legends game, 3 point shootout and the fan's favourite.........the slam dunk contest.
 
The all-star game itself will be played Sunday afternoon at 2.

Cooper says a basketball all-star game is better suited to individual athletic talents being showcased than other sports.

Ticket prices to see the all-star game range from 13 dollars up to 81 for a front row, courtside seat.

Bus Driver Suffers Stab Wounds In Perth Andover

A man is in the hospital with stab wounds after an incident on a bus in Perth Andover.

 A 27 year old man who was a passenger on the bus was arrested.

The bus pulled into a restaurant parking lot in the village just before 10 o'clock.

Two RCMP officers inside were flagged down and told the bus driver had been stabbed. He remains in the hospital. The man arrested was also taken to hospital for treatment.

Mom Accused Of Leaving Baby Out In The Cold Will Stand Trial

A woman accused of leaving her baby out in the cold on an uptown street back in January will be tried on a child abandonment change on September 12th.

27 year old Caleigh Dawn Shea pleaded not guilty to the crime which allegedly took place on a frigid day in January on Paddock Street. She has described the incident as a misunderstanding.

Lawyer Brian Munroe stating there were multiple witnesses and the trial is likely to last all day.

A Senior Dies From Injuries In A Mid March Assault

A man has died in Saint John after being assaulted last month....the 66 year old died from his injuries yesterday.

The assault happened on Prince William Street.

A 35 year old Saint John man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. 

Nicolas Logan remains in custody and is due back in court next Friday.

The Crown Prosecutor's office and Saint John Police are currently reviewing the file.

Differing Opinions On Future Of Rothesay Common Depending On Your Age

There's a real generational difference on what should happen to the Rothesay Common. 

Students at Rothesay High and Rothesay Park Elementary were asked what they would like to see and their suggestions included a splash pad, an outdoor movie screen, walking track, beach volleyball, rubber surfacing for the playground and even mini golf. 

The adults, on the other hand, want better drainage, an ice surface but no splash pad. George Teed got up at the end of the meeting and had his say, telling CHSJ News he doesn't want to see the covenants removed which stipulate the Common be a public park with no buildings. He warns if that's done, you could very well see hog dog and ice cream stands in the Common.

Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop opened up the meeting by trying to disspell rumours of condos being built on the Common.

Don't Put Your Shovels And Snowblowers Away Just Yet

Another winter storm could be headed our way even though it's supposed to be spring.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement which warns a low pressure system is forecast to pass just south of Nova Scotia late Friday night and Saturday. As of now, it's possible regions along the Fundy Coast and eastern New Brunswick could get close to 15 centimeters of snow by Saturday afternoon.

Drivers Get Price Break

You'll be glad if you held off filling up after the weekly setting. 

Self serve regular is down by almost 4 cents a litre to $1.25.3 in the city. Diesel will also cost you less at $1.29.5 a litre. 

The maximum price for heating oil is $1.12.9 a litre, which is a decline of 3 and a half cents.

Early Morning Assault In North End

One man is being sought after a woman, in her late teens, was assaulted in the north end. 

City Police telling CHSJ News this happened around 3:30 this morning in a park on the lower end of Main Street in the area of Bridge Street. 

There's no word yet on her condition.