Traffic Disruption On West Side

Because of the stormy weather yesterday there has been a delay in a traffic disruption on the west side.

Traffic will be reduced this afternoon on Bridge Road by Simms Corner because of the demolition of the Simms Brush factory between 3 and 4. 

Drivers are being urged to use the Harbour Bridge if they don't want to be delayed.

WATCH: Police Nab 22-Year Old In Stolen Vehicle

City police involved in a brief pursuit trying to stop a man in a stolen vehicle.

Sgt. Jay Henderson says Sussex RCMP let City police know the vehicle had been taken from their area a few days earlier. As the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver took off. The officer pursued the vehicle but given the road conditions and the potential for others being hurt it was called off. 

A short time later another officer found the driver and vehicle on Gladstone Avenue which is a dead end street. He fled into the woods and was caught a short time later. 

A 22 year old man is several charges of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police. He's in jail until a court appearance.

If you know anything about any crime, you can contact City police at 648-3333 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. You can watch today's SJPD Crime Report by clicking here.

Price Changes For Gas After Weekly Setting

There has been a slight rise in the price of self serve regular and a bit of a drop in what you'll pay for diesel. 

Self serve regular is selling in the city for $1.30 a litre with diesel at $1.50. 

The maximum price for heating oil is up by half a cent a litre to $1.33.6 and propane countinues to rise with a a maximum price of $1.51 a litre.

Energy East Pipeline Would Add Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A new environmental report is claiming the Energy East pipeline that would bring oilsands bitumen to the Irving Oil refinery will increase greenhouse gas emissions enough to wipe out all the gains caused by the elimination of coal-fired power plants in Ontario and be the equivalent of adding 7 million new cars on the roads.
 
Clare Demerse of the Pembina Institute, who wrote the report, says regulators should consider the proposed pipeline’s effect on climate change when hearings are held on the project.
 
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and the National Energy Board have said the expected tripling of output from the oilsands over the next 16 years depends heavily on new pipelines being built.

The Drive Home Is Not Fun For Some

Thanks to a road warrior for telling us that Hwy 7 between Welsford and Colonel Nase Boulevard is snow covered and slippery with one vehicle off the road.

We hear the road conditions from Hampton to Saint John are not so fun right now.

We are looking at another 5-10 centimetres of snow before the snow ends after midnight.

Natural Gas Prices High & Will Stay High

Natural gas customers will continue to feel the sting of high prices well into this month, and possibly March.

The high prices are being caused by demand in New England where pipeline capacity is limiting the supply. The shortage is limiting the gas in Boston and driving up prices through the region.

There are plans to expand pipeline capacity to New England which would limit this kind of price hike--but that won't be finished until next winter.

In a statement, the Energy and Utilities Board stated the price for natural gas is set by the regional market, and not the Board.

Two Under Arrest After Bay Street Bust

A 47 year old man and a 36 year old woman are in some trouble following a bust on Bay Street.

Troy Beveridge and Sandra L. Ross are facing charges of trafficking drugs and possession of the proceeds of crime.

Ross is also facing an obstruction charge relating to the arrest.

Members of the Street unit made the arrest on Tuesday afternoon.   The unit is made up of RCMP officers along with Saint John and Rothesay police.

Both are due back in court on Friday for a bail hearing.

Check Ahead On Flights In & Out Of YSJ

If you planning to fly somewhere or pick someone up at the airport...that flight could be late or not going at all.

The Saint John airport's website shows delayed and cancelled flights for Toronto and Halifax both leaving and arriving.

Be sure to check ahead before you make the trek out there.

To find out, click here

Two Hurt In Highway 1 Tractor Trailer Blaze

The driver of a tractor trailer that caught on fire and the man who stopped to help both hurt in the highway incident. 

Saint John Police say they are both suffering from minor injuries. The fire breaking out during rush hour on Highway 1 near Foster Thurston Drive and traffic was impacted for a while as crews cleared away the scene. 

One of our road warriors telling us it looked like the back wheels were melted to the ground.

Fear Grows Over Lyme Disease in Valley

The Deer Committee wants a deer management plan put in place in Quispamsis, Rothesay and Hampton sooner rather than later. Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll says the problem with deer is growing in the K-V and there's also a growing level of frustration on the Deer Committee itself.

The Health Department is being asked to do scientific testing of ticks to find out the extent of the problem and risk of people contracting Lyme Disease.

Vacant Lots Abound In Uptown And Beyond

First the Paramount:, now the Simm's Brush Factory, and the former site of a pawn shop on the corner of Waterloo and Union.

In light of all these recent examples, some might say Saint John's looking like a prime location to shoot a disaster movie. Mayor Mel Norton tells CHSJ News the key to rehabilitating all these empty lots is obvious--economic development.

The Mayor says he hasn't heard about any plans for the site on Union, but one thing is certain: we want to see buildings and people, not more parking lots.

Man Admits To Possession But Not Illegal Weapon

A 41 year old Saint John man has admitting to having cocaine---but not to possession of an unlawful weapon.

Kenneth Ward of Charlotte Street was found with 17 rocks of crack valued at $340, $120 in cash, and two cell phones when he was searched by police last summer. The investigating officer also found a switchblade-like knife, which could be illegal.

It's up to the court to decide whether the specific knife found on Ward is prohibited by law and if the cocaine was for the purpose of trafficking.

Gallant Slams Government For Not Balancing the Books

The Provincial Liberal leader says the Government is cheering and applauding while they break their biggest election promise to balance the books during their mandate.
 
Brian Gallant tells CHSJ News instead they have added another 2 billion dollars to our debt.

He says they overestimate how the economy will perform and they have done it for three budgets and even though there is a drop on the deficit we still expect it to be higher.

Gallant says only one mention of Saint John in the provincial budget show the government has no plan.

Heritage Designation Both Blessing And Curse

A heritage designation on a building might be a blessing for tourists, history buffs, and preservationists; however, it's something of a curse for parishioners at St George's Church on Watson Street on the city's West Side.

Common Council has voted to keep the heritage designation on the nearly two hundred year old church, which means there's a lot less flexibility about how the dilapidated building can be repaired.

Susan Jack is the church warden, and she says they'll be out of funds by 2015.

The congregation has asked for permission from the diocese to sell the building and are now waiting to see whether that will be granted.

Crime Rates On A Major Downward Turn Since 2009

In Saint John, it seems we still see our share of car break ins, thefts, and other crime--however, their frequency is apparently far less now than in the recent past, according to Police Chief Bill Reid.

Reid tells CHSJ News there's been an overall crime reduction of 16%, and in certain areas like robberies that has skyrocketed to 60%. Reid tells CHSJ News the methadone maintenance program has been a huge factor and it's having positive spin-offs for solving crime as well.

Reid says when the police force goes before council to offer a review of its operations in March, intelligence-based policing and the methadone program will be non-negotiables as far as he's concerned.

NDP Leader Says Alward Govt's Budget Priorities Skewed

The provincial NDP Leader says the Alward Government has its budget priorities all wrong. 

While Dominic Cardy is glad to hear they'll be holding the line on new, large capital projects, he tells CHSJ News huge amounts of money are being wasted on programs that don't benefit New Brunswickers and there's a lack of investment in those that are needed. 

He says cutting money from Education and Early Childhood Development at the same time as you're putting more money into corporate welfare programs just doesn't make any sense.

While he wasn't surprised by anything in the new budget, Cardy says one thing worth noting is that while Premier David Alward made his commitment to shale gas very clear during his State Of The Province address, there wasn't anything in the budget about how that will change our financial outlook.

It's predicted the budget will be balanced by the year 2017-2018, but Cardy says he doesn't think that's going to happen with this government.

Saint John Is Home To National CBS Contact Centre

Saint John is home to the second national contact centre for Canadian Blood Services.
 
Atlantic Canada Donor Relations Director Peter MacDonald tells CHSJ News the new centre opened in the fall.

He says since late October they have made 175,000 calls and booked over 10,000 appointments to give blood.

MacDonald says 20 people were hired in the first phase.

The other national contact centre for Canadian Blood Services is located in Sudbury, Ontario.

UPDATE: Two People Involved In West Side Robbery

City police confirm that a robbery did take place this morning at the Medi Trust on the Manawagonish Road.

They believe two people are involved. 

One man demanded prescription pills, got some and took off.   No one was hurt.

The man got into a waiting truck which headed west on the Manawagonish Road.

The major crime unit is looking into the robbery.

One of the men is described as in his early 20's, between 5 foot 8 and 5 foot 9 , weighing about 180 pounds wearing baggy pants hanging low on the waist.

The truck he got into is described as a white Dodge Ram type truck with a lift kit installed. 

If you have any info contact the Major Crime Unit at 648-3333.

CTF Calls It A "Status Quo Budget"

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is happy there are no tax increases in the provincial budget.
 
CHSJ News asked Atlantic Director Kevin Lacey if its looks like an election year budget.

He says normally in an election year there is huge growth in spending but he thinks the government was concerned with how that would look so the spending increases are modest.

Lacey says even with a decline the deficit is still a concern adding it's still huge and a burden that taxpayers will have to bear well into the future.

Provincial Budget Shows A Drop In The Deficit

As the provincial government tables its new budget, the Minister of Finance says the economy is showing signs of recovery.

A deficit of 391-million dollars is being projected, down from 564 million-dollars and spending is predicted to grow less than two percent. 

Blaine Higgs says the Energy East pipeline and the development of the natural gas industry will increase investment and more. Higgs says they have the potential to significantly boost investment, job creation and government revenue for years to come.

He says given these projects and planned investments in the forestry sector, the department of finance is forecasting growth of 2.1 per cent in 2015.

The capital budget which totals 555-million dollars includes 213-million to maintain and improve health care infrastructure and 99-million for school infrastructure.