Elderly Woman Robbed In The South End

Saint John Police telling us an elderly woman was robbed of  her purse in the South end last night. 

It happened around 8:15pm on Leinster Street. A six-foot-tall man, believed to be in his 20's, walked up behind her, and ran away with her purse.

Police say there was a bit of a struggle. The 75 year old woman suffered minor injuries.

They are looking for the suspect and if you have any information, call City Police.

Maritime Author Releases "Road To The NHL"

Telling the stories of the Maritimes' well-known hockey players.   

Phillip Croucher of Nova Scotia, releasing Road to the NHL.
The book highlights the journey of 25 hockey players including New Brunswick's Willie O'Ree. Croucher says the book is for all ages to relate to. 

He tell CHSJ News, what it was like to interview the hockey players.  "You know Maritimers are known for being easy going and very approachable. [That's] what I was most happy about with these interviews, is just how open they all were with talking to me."

 Road to the NHL is in the top locally sold books in the Maritimes.

How To Be Safe If You're Cycling This Winter

If you're braving the cold on two wheels this winter,
Dean Roberts, of Consolvo Bikes says make sure you have the right equipment.

He tells CHSJ News, "A lot of people that aren't familiar with winter cycling can get in over their head a little bit, if they don't have the right equipment."

Roberts tells us winter cycling is picking up in Saint John. 

He says if you're going to try winter cycling, make sure to have studded tires and warm clothing. If you choose not to, the ice can be very dangerous. He says, it can be very sudden, and you don't see it under the snow.

Salvation Army Kettle Drive Runs Throughout The Holiday Season

You've certainly noticed the volunteers in the malls and on street-corners ringing bells, and asking for a few dollars for Salvation Army kettles.
 
Salvation Army officer Rodney Bungay, tells CHSJ News, they work hard to provide housing and hot meals to the homeless.

"They love the work that we do. Many people will stop me and just say thank you for the work the Salvation Army is doing, so the support is there," he says.

The kettle drive runs throughout the holiday season.

French Government Honouring Canadian Veterans For D-Day Landings

The French government paying special tribute to Canadian soldiers who fought in the D-Day Landings. The 70th Anniversary of the battle is coming up in 2014.
 
Larry Lynch is the district commander for the Saint John Royal Canadian Legion. He tells CHSJ News, the branch is looking for members who took part in the battle.



"There are many veterans out there that partook in that battle, that are not legion members. And we would like to make sure, any veteran that partook in that battle, [gets] the opportunity to be honoured." he says.
 
Veterans will be presented with the highest honour conferred by the French government.


This includes veterans who who served in the army, air, or navy from June 6, 1944, to August 31, 1944. 

France will be honouring the veterans by nominating them for the National Order for the Legion of Honour. For more information, contact Larry Lynch at 635-1733.

Romero House Food Drive Another Success

The 7th Annual Ritchie's Food Drive for Romero House wrapping up today, with lots of donations filling up the 53-foot-trailer.

 The donations will help fill the shelves at the soup kitchen. Evelyn McNulty of Romero House, tells CHSJ News, it was another great success.

"Romero, helps a lot of people. A lot more people, then people will ever be aware of, and everything that was donated today will definitely go to good use," she says. She adds, the food from the fundraiser generally lasts throughout the summer and sometimes into the fall.

Saint John Celebrates The First Uptown Sparkles

Saint John kicked off the very first Uptown Sparkles event last night. The city was getting into the Christmas spirit with carols, choirs,horse-drawn carriage rides, and more. 

Kent MacIntyre is President of the Rotary Club in Saint John. The Boys and Girls Rotary club choir kicked off the group's 100th anniversary at King's Square during the event. 

 MacIntyre says, Uptown Sparkles is an event for everyone in the community to enjoy for years to come. 

He tells CHSJ News, " you can get out outside in the fresh and just have some local entertainment. You can interact with folks. It's absolutely wonderful."

Sinkhole Takes Out Lane On Lorneville Road

The City advising drivers that Lorneville Road at the second causeway is closed to thru traffic in both directions. 

The closure is due to a large sinkhole that has taken out one lane. City crews are placing traffic signage to alert motorists.

A crew from the Department of Transportation will be investigating on Monday.

Warning Issued About Unlicensed Hair Removal Devices

Health Canada warning about unlicensed hair removal devices being sold online that could cause some serious health problems, including blindness.

The devices are being sold on websites including eBay and Amazon, and have the potential to cause serious harm because of the intensity of the radiation they emit and not having enough safety features. Exposure to a direct or reflected beam even for a fraction for a second may cause permanent eye damage and serious burns.

They are sold under the names SI-808 and Epsil BSL-10. Click here for more information on the alert.

Romero House Food Drive Reaching Home Stretch

The 7th annual annual Ritchie's food drive for Romero House is reaching the home stretch.

The proceeds from the food drive keep the soup kitchen supplied all year long.
 
Evelyn McNulty tells CHSJ News one of the items they use a lot is powdered milk for drinking and for use in coffee and tea.

She says they also used it to cook and another thing they also need is pepper  which they use a lot of preparing 200 to 400 meals a day.

McNulty adds the cash donations and perishable food like veggies and meat are also welcome.
 
You can drop off a donation to the trailer at Ritchie's until 8pm tonight and again tomorrow between 8am until Noon.

Saint John's Unemployment Rate Drops

Saint John is no longer number one...the latest employment figures showing the Port City does not have the dubious distinction of being the city with the highest unemployment rate in the StatsCan survey.

The unemployment rate in Saint John went down from 9.4% to 8%. Provincially, the jobless rate falling to 9.7% from 10.1%. 

Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.9%. Statistics Canada says the economy created about 21,600 new jobs last month, although almost all the additions were part-time.

Crews Handling An Ammonia Leak In East Saint John

City firefighters, the HazMat unit, ambulance and police are responding to an ammonia leak at the Stu Hurley area on the east side. 

Fire crews have it under control.    Equipment is being sent back now.

Uptown Sparkles Tonight

It's a little rainy out there, but don't let that stop you from getting in the Christmas spirit.

Tonight there's a new event called Uptown Sparkles which will feature Victorian carollers, gingerbread, hot cider, and deals at specialty boutiques and shops. 

The Market will also be lit up with Christmas lights for one night only, and the Rotary Boys Choir will be performing in the bandstand. Free horse-drawn carriage rides will also be available. All activities are free and run from 5 to 8pm.

MLAs Duke It Out Over Economic Plan

Dieppe Liberal MLA Roger Melanson rising in the Legislature to slam the Tories for what he calls a slew of broken promises--he says under the Alward government we've seen every economic indicator in the province worsen, including higher taxes, rising unemployment numbers, and increased debt.

Meanwhile Tory MLA for Saint John Fundy Glen Savoie says the Tories, unlike the Liberals, are moving forward to developments that will create jobs for New Brunswickers

Melanson says the Tories have failed to present a comprehensive plan for exactly how job creation is going to work on a long term basis.

Higgs Warns Against Spending Binge

Finance Minister Blaine Higgs is suggesting the province has too many things to take care off considering how many people live here and that's driving the cost of government up. 

The provincial government's deficit is rising which doesn't leave much room to manoevre.

Higgs will be going around the province seeking ideas of what can be done to control spending and turn the financial situation around.

Stirring New Brunswick Tribute To Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, who died last night at the age of 95 after suffering from a prolonged lung infection, being honoured in the Legislature by Hampton-Kings MLA Bev Harrison.


Harrison describes going to Robin Island, where Mandela was incarcerated for 27 years, and seeing the blinding white rocks the leader was forced to hack away at. Mandela refused to use the dark glasses his captors provided, meaning his eyesight failed later in life.

Harrison says Mandela had every reason to hate, yet he taught the world how to forgive.

Demolition Of Former Sears Building Nears Completion

Demolition of the former Sears store in the north end of the city is nearly complete.

The building housed Sears for a number of years before the retailer moved to a bigger location in McAllister Place.

It was recently home to a Zeller's store and a call centre on the upper level - but - both businesses closed out operations as part of corporate reorganizations and sales.

So far - there is no word on what - if anything - will replace the iconic building.

Another Successful Bare Necessities Campaign

The 11th annual Bare Necessities campaign has wrapped up another successful year of providing basic personal care items like tooth brushes - shampoo - and - soaps for less fortunate people over the holiday season.

Donated items were sorted and wrapped last night by staff from CIBC on King Street and members of the Board of Trade's Women in Business group.

The boxes are now being distributed to various charities around the city.

Concern Over Foster Care In Province

Provincial Auditor General Kim MacPherson pointing out problems at Department of Social Development regarding the foster parent system.
 
MacPherson tells CHSJ News when they randomly tested a sample of files, it was discovered standards are not being fulfilled as they should be and she's concerned about the care the children in the foster home are receiving.
 
MacPherson says in the last 8 years there has been a 40 per cent decline in the number of foster homes around the province while there has been an increase in group homes.

She says when it comes to monitoring foster families, only 3 of 18 files randomly selected contained documentation that annual reviews are being done on a regular basis.

SJFD Assisting At Pulp Mill Fire

You may see a bunch of activity on the west side if you are taking the Reversing Falls Bridge home tonight.

City fire crews assisting Irving personnel in battling a blaze at a smaller building at the Pulp mill on the west side.


Traffic may be impacted in the area.