They spread ticks, cause car crashes and even attack humans—deer aren't just a nuisance, they're downright dangerous—and as we wait to see what, if any, plan the province's Department of Natural Resources will put in place to control our numbers, one Canadian city has started a bow and arrow hunt to deal with their exploding urban population.
The Mayor of Kenora, Ontario, David Canfield, tells CHSJ News he highly recommends this method. Canfield says it's probably the best method possible for controlling the number of deer, because you only have a short range with a bow and arrow. He says deer are an emotional issue for people, but at the end of the day, it's about sustainability.
A few years ago New Brunswick's DNR considered bringing in archers to deal with the booming population. Another suggestion was to tranquilize the deer and bring them somewhere with low numbers, but the rate of deer death with that method was very high. Rothesay's town council expressed shock at the numbers of car crashes caused by deer just this year: over 700. That number was revealed as the results from the Kennebecasis Valley deer survey came in.
It's been three years almost to the day since the official sod turning at Peel Plaza. Now, the new police headquarters and and law courts are celebrating their grand opening.
Police Chief Bill Reid tells CHSJ News they want the public to be able to see how their tax dollars were spent on the new facility, and thus will be arranging tour bookings on weekends and other convenient times.
Reid pointed out that the force had occupied City Hall since the 1970s, and it was never supposed to be permanent arrangement--so the new facility was long overdue.
He got a Canadian Country Music Association nomination when he was just 13 years old and now he's back with a grown up album. Brett Kissel is a singer songwriter from Flat Lake, Alberta who was nominated for a Rising star award back when the awards were held in Saint John in 2006. Kissel tells CHSJ News he loves working in country music because you can write an upbeat party song or something stripped down that's about love or loss.
You can hear Kissel's debut single "Started With A Song" on Country 94. His debut album comes out after the CCMA's in September. You can hear our full interview with Brett Kissel on Pulse 94 this Sunday after the 10am news.
International media attention for an Ontario mom who recieved an anonymous letter from a neighbor, telling her it would be better to euthanize her child with autism because he bothers others in the neighborhood.
Amanda Hensey has four kids ages one to 10. Her 10 year old and her 3 year old have autism.
She tells CHSJ News judgment from strangers pours salt in the wound. Hensey urges people to try and give parents the benefit of the doubt when their kids are having a meltdown, or even help by holding a door or offering to help bring grocery bags out to the car.
She says in a way she's glad the letter has gotten so much attention because it draws attention to prejudices that still exist against families of kids with autism and other disorders.
A $13 million project in Rothesay is slated to start in the Spring of next year.
Common Council approving in principle the building of a new arena on Scott Avenue, as well the refurbishment of the existing complex.
Before the new arena goes up, some residents in the area will have to leave their homes, but will they have to do it on their own dime? Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News town council plans on helping those people move and paying for any expenses they run up.
The town of Rothesay is calling for proposals for architectural design services right away. The new arena will include an indoor walking track and a full-size ice surface and it's expected to take between eight and 10 months to build. A proposed field house was estimated to cost between $25-30 million dollars, but the town said that was just too pricey.Bishop says they're hoping to get several million dollars from both provincial and federal governments for this project.
Standing room only at Quispamsis town hall, as a petition to remove a cement barricade on Autumn Avenue and Market Street was put before council.
The town's Director of Engineering and Works, Gary Losier tells CHSJ News the town has asked staff to do a traffic analysis of the area, examining speed, traffic volume and other factors. The results will be included in a staff report presented to council before a public hearing on the issue in October.
Losier says in 1984, council enacted a Stop & Close by-law to stop industrial vehicles from driving on the street. Since then, he says there have been many requests to open it back up and they've all been turned down.
Published by Ken Val Co-op Food Market, the petition says the barricade is bad for their business and other businesses in the area because when having to drive around the town to get to their store, drivers pass two other similar stores.
A drug bust in Chipman has resulted in the arrest of a 58 year old and a 60 year old man.
Police executed a search warrant Friday, finding a quantity of cocaine at a home on Beers Lane in Chipman. Sixty-year-old Gordon Stockford of Chipman has been charged with possession of cannabis resin and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
The 58-year-old was released without charges. Stockford is expected to appear in court next month.
An Ontario basketball player will be bringing his talents to the Mill Rats this fall.
Mike Luby was drafted by the Mill Rats in the National Basketball league of Canada Draft.
Luby says it's been a long road to get this far adding between injuries and other disappointments he thought his career was over but he stuck with it and feels like he can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The 6'11'' Luby says the NBL will give him a good chance to crack an NBA roster.
It's the first day of Saint John's newest summer theater festival.
The Fundy Fringe Festival features 125 shows over five days by 25 acts including dance, music, improv, performance art and stand-up comedy. It kicks off officially at 11:30 this morning at the Sanctuary Theater, and live shows will be held at various uptown venues until the 10:15 tonight.
Most acts cost $10 or less and last less than an hour. For a full description of all the acts, click here and a schedule click here.
What if, instead of building a playground out of plastic and metal, you built one out of your natural surroundings?
That's the idea behind a natural playground, which is what Quispamsis Elementary School wants built in its backyard.
Their Community Play spokesperson, Christy Bourque tells CHSJ News natural playgrounds help kids understand their limits, take risks, meet challenges and some people say they can even cut down on bullying.
The playground is estimated to cost $740,000 dollars. Through fundraising efforts, students and their parents have raised $75,000. They've approached the town asking for their land and financial help. Quispamsis council referring the matter to town staff.
Open signs in storefronts don't light up on Sundays until lunchtime, and the Saint John Board of Trade wants to gauge how its members feel about that.
They've released an online survey asking members if they're happy with the status-quo or if they think businesses should set their own shopping hours on Sunday. The second question asks if they think businesses shouldn't be allowed to open before noon.
Executive Director David Duplisea says a number of their small business members have told them it's an important issue and one that can have significant impacts on the business community. If you're a member and you haven't received the survey, you're being encouraged to contact the Saint John Board of Trade by calling 634-8111. Fredericton store-owners can set their own Sunday shopping hours, after council recently voted to change a by-law.
With Russian laws threatening to prosecute anyone spreading gay "propaganda" to minors, many athletes and would-be spectators are fearing they could be prosecuted for simply posting about their relationships on Facebook or wearing a rainbow flag.
CHSJ News recently attended Pride Week in Saint John and asked gay rights leader Brian Boyd his opinion, to which Boyd stated it's up to individuals to decide what their stance will be, but personally he will not be supporting any part of of the Winter Olympics.
The Winter Olympics are set to take place from February 7-23 in Sochi, Russia. Athletes attending the games would be prohibited by the Olympic Committee from protesting the anti-gay laws.
RCMP in Grand Bay Westfield are seeking your help finding a Jeep stolen over the weekend in Summerville, which is just outside of Grand Bay.
Between Friday night and Saturday morning an unlocked 2006 black Jeep Liberty with the license plate GZX 741 was taken from the owner's property.
The police want to remind you you should lock your vehicle even when it's parked in your own driveway, and take out the keys and other valuables. Anyone who may have seen this vehicle or noticed any suspicious activity in the Summerville area in the early hours of Saturday morning is asked to contact RCMP or Crime Stoppers at www.crimenb.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS.
Former Saint John Common Councillor Donnie Snook appeared in court in Newfoundland thi morning on 4 charges related to abusing a boy under the age of 14.
The charges date back to December of 1995, around the time Snook spent a year as the senior pastor of the former Salvation Army Citadel in Mount Moriah when he was in his early twenties.
A source at the provincial court in Cornerbrook tells CHSJ News the case has been set over to October 29, when Snook is expected to enter a plea.
He has already pleaded guilty to 46 charges in New Brunswick, and is scheduled to appear in court on August 29th for what defense lawyer Dennis Boyle has predicted will be a lengthy sentencing hearing.
As of late September, Saint Johners will be able to feed the meter from their cell phones on a trial basis. Phillip Curley, 21, is an engineer and the developer behind the Hot Spot parking app that's coming out next month. He tells CHSJ News it's a simple process that allows you to dodge tickets with a touch of your Smartphone: you just text in the number on the meter to subtract from an online balance you pay with your credit card. The app is already getting rave reviews in Fredericton with over 400 people signing up in just 6 days. Curley says there's another perk: local businesses will also have the option to pay for customer parking at their discretion.
Before you make that sandwich for work, check the brand of bread you are using.
Canada Bread issuing a voluntary recall for some bread sold in the Maritimes.
It impacts Ben’s Xtra Soft enriched white and whole wheat bread and Super Club white and whole wheat bread with a best before date of August 29th. It was produced at the Canada Bread facility in Moncton.
There is a possibility the bread may contain fragments of glass from a light bulb that shattered during production.
You can return the bread to the store where it was purchased to receive a full refund.
