Never one to back down from a challenge, former Saint John M-P Paul Zed says the doors are staying open at Romero House.Zed is the chairman of the Finance committee for the soup kitchen, and he tells CHSJ News, the commitment everyone has shown to Romero House has been overwhelming.
Today was the day Romero House was supposed to cut it's staff due to financial difficulties, but Zed says there are over 100 volunteers working and 8 permanent staff.
Zed says an celebration event is in the works for the end of the month, and says the amount of businesses and organizations getting involved to show their support is impressive.
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Friday, August 7, 2009
Education Cuts This Fall
With 24 million dollars being cut from education for the upcoming school year, changes are underway in school districts across the province. Cut backs include student busing and staff lay offs that involve teaching assistants, intervention workers and library assistants.
Opposition Education Critic Claude Landry tells CHSJ News the governments treatment of the staff who received lay off notices is disgraceful.
Opposition Education Critic Claude Landry tells CHSJ News the governments treatment of the staff who received lay off notices is disgraceful.
Van Burnt in St. Stephen
Add another burnt vehicle to the list in St. Stephen.A tip to our newsroom tells us several stop signs were damaged, and a van was set on fire.RCMP confirm a van was burned, and an investigation is underway.
No word on if there is any connection to the 13 cars destroyed at a garage early last month.
No word on if there is any connection to the 13 cars destroyed at a garage early last month.
More Federal - Provincial Funding About To Flow
Look for a good news announcement soon regarding some funding to help the city begin upgrades to its water treatment system. Saint John Conservative M-P Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News he expects to be making an announcement within days. Weston also tells us a deal is close to being finalized which will see federal-provincial funding for a six million dollar upgrade of the Canada Games Stadium.
Hampton Community in Blooms Competition
The town of Hampton is trying to earn bragging rights as residents prepare for the judges of the International Communities in Bloom competition.Laurie Mills tells CHSJ News, it would be great if residents between now and Sunday can do some tidying up before the judges get here.
Mills says Hampton won the national competition in 2007, and says the town has a shot at winning the International title.The public is invited to attend the judges’ reception on Monday evening at 7:30 at the River Center in Hampton.
Mills says Hampton won the national competition in 2007, and says the town has a shot at winning the International title.The public is invited to attend the judges’ reception on Monday evening at 7:30 at the River Center in Hampton.
Mayor Thinks Harbour Cleanup Cost Overrun May Be Less
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(Mayor Ivan Court - file photo)
Mayor Ivan Court thinks the projected 20-million dollar overrun for the harbour cleanup project may end up being reduced. Court says things have changed in the marketplace with the shelving of Irving Oil's proposed second refinery -- so -- he thinks contractors will be a little sharper with their pencils than originally when it seemed like a number of major projects were on the books.The mayor says the city remains on track for meeting its target of treating all of East Saint John's sewerage -- meantime -- Tim Vickers of the Atlantic Coastal Action Program says it doesn't make sense to push for other projects until this one is completed.The original cost of the harbour cleanup project was pegged at 88-million dollars with completion set for 2012.
Animal Cruelty Charges Delayed
RCMP are waiting on the crown prosecutor before animal cruelty charges will be laid against two men in St. Stephen. They are accused of leaving a large dog in a parked vehicle overnight last May when they crossed over to the U-S. The dog died after suffering from excessive heat and lack of food and water.
The two were scheduled to appear in St. Stephen court last Tuesday but RCMP did not receive the Necropsy report until the day before the court appearance. The file still needs to be reviewed and approved by the Crown Prosecutor before charges can be laid. No court date has been set.
The two were scheduled to appear in St. Stephen court last Tuesday but RCMP did not receive the Necropsy report until the day before the court appearance. The file still needs to be reviewed and approved by the Crown Prosecutor before charges can be laid. No court date has been set.
City's Jobless Rate Remains Steady
Saint John remains a bright spot in Atlantic Canada as far as the jobless rate is concerned. Stats-Canada reports our unemployment rate remained at five percent between June and July -- that's lower than Halifax and St John's. It's also lower than the national rate which also remained unchanged at 8.6-percent last month. The provincial rate inched up slightly to 9.4-percent last month from 9.2 in June.
Job Stats Improving
The number of job listings being advertised in this country is below where it was a year ago. President of Career AIM David Forster tells CHSJ News, the rate is 3 per cent higher than last month, but still lags behind last years number by 17 per cent. Forster says these stats prove we are starting to see the economy recover.
Right now there are just over 5000 job postings for New Brunswick, down by nearly a thousand a month ago.
Right now there are just over 5000 job postings for New Brunswick, down by nearly a thousand a month ago.
Passenger Train Rides Announced for Dragon Boat Festival
The St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation is celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Saint John Dragon Boat festival on August 29th with the Dragon Boat Express. NB Southern Railway will run a passenger train between Harbour Station and the festival site on James Renforth Drive.
Return trips will be offered throughout the day of the event for 10 dollars per person--with all proceeds going directly to the Hospital Foundation's Wellness Garden Fundraising Project. For more information visit www.sjdragonboat.ca or contact St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation 632-5497
Return trips will be offered throughout the day of the event for 10 dollars per person--with all proceeds going directly to the Hospital Foundation's Wellness Garden Fundraising Project. For more information visit www.sjdragonboat.ca or contact St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation 632-5497
Busy Morning for City Police
One man is facing charges after police found him rifling through a jeep early this morning on Main Street in the North End. He was arrested and will be charged with attempted robbery. There have been a number of thefts from vehicles in the city recently.
Meanwhile, police are looking for the driver of a Ford Ranger that crashed into a couple of houses around 3:30 this morning in the South End. Homes on Pitt and Leinster Streets were struck by the truck, which was later found empty. And a man in his 40's is facing a charge for refusing to take a breathalyser after drive-thru workers at a McDonald's called police. They say the man was driving drunk when he had a snack attack last night.
Meanwhile, police are looking for the driver of a Ford Ranger that crashed into a couple of houses around 3:30 this morning in the South End. Homes on Pitt and Leinster Streets were struck by the truck, which was later found empty. And a man in his 40's is facing a charge for refusing to take a breathalyser after drive-thru workers at a McDonald's called police. They say the man was driving drunk when he had a snack attack last night.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Minister Getting Full Marks For New Regulations
The federal environment minister is getting applause from the executive director of the Atlantic Coastal Action Program. Tim Vickers says the minister's commitment to strict enforcement of the new regulations is welcomed news -- he says a lot of people will be relieved to find out there is a watchdog making sure people are following the laws and doing what they're supposed to do.Meantime -- Mayor Ivan Court says he's is pleased to hear the minister indicate there will be some financial assistance to help municipalities upgrade treatment plants to meet the new guidelines.
Feds Rolling Out New Waste Water Treatment Standards
(Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice speaking to reporters following Board of Trade speech - photo by Gary MacDonald)
The federal government is rolling out new national standards for waste water treatment. Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice made the announcement during a noon hour speech to the Board of Trade -- and -- he says those regulations will be backed by enforcement.Prentice says the new regulations should be in place by some time next year -- and -- he says the federal government is also making low cost infrastructure loans available to cash strapped municipalities to help with upgrades to meet the new standards.
Update on H1-N1 Virus
[Dr. Eilish Cleary, and Heather MacLean with NB Power Giving H1N1 Update----Photo Courtesy of GNB]
It seems the amount of the so called swine flu cases in the province is starting to tailor off.Chief Medical officer of Health Dr. Eilish Cleary says there was an upsurge of cases over the past number of weeks, but this weeks the numbers are showing a decline.Dr. Cleary says like any influenza strain---once the virus is present in a community, people develop immunity to it.
Cleary says when a particular virus is circulating people become immune to it, which is why there are so many cases of a new virus, such as the H1-N1.So far only three people have been hospitalized in New Brunswick, and there have been no deaths.
Maple Leaf Weiners Recalled
The Department of Health is warning the public certain brands of Maple Leaf, Shopsy's and Hygrade wieners may be contaminated with the listeria bacteria.The company has voluntarily recalled the products, and people are advised to check their fridges and freezers for affected products.Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eilish Cleary says there have been no reported cases of listeriosis in the province as a result of these products, and the Department of Health will monitor for new cases.
For a list of recalled products check out the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Website here.
Two Inmates Sent to Hospital After Fight
Two inmates from the Atlantic Institution are back from a visit to the hospital after a fight last night.Both inmates were taken to the nearest health care facility, but their injuries were not serious so they have returned to the institution.Staff at the facility in Renous are reviewing the incident to determine if corrective action needs to be taken.
More Praise For Maine Increasing Truck Weight Restrictions
First it was the Saint John Board of Trade, now members of Access Atlantica-The Northeast Trade Corridor are applauding the state of Maine for a possible one year pilot program increasing weight restrictions on cargo trucks.Spokesperson Nancy Thorne tells CHSJ News, having the weight restriction in Maine increase to 100 thousand pounds like it is here in New Brunswick would cut down on travel time for drivers.
She says right now drivers have to travel through Quebec, and down through Detroit to get to the Southern United States.
Thorne says not only from a financial standpoint, having trucks be able to travel through Maine with 100 thousand pounds of cargo would help decrease the environmental impact.
She says right now drivers have to travel through Quebec, and down through Detroit to get to the Southern United States.
Thorne says not only from a financial standpoint, having trucks be able to travel through Maine with 100 thousand pounds of cargo would help decrease the environmental impact.
Look Out For Algal Blooms
The Health Department is warning people to be aware of the health risks posed by algal blooms in lakes and other water.Keep in mind if the water looks different than usual, it's best to avoid it.Swimmers are urged to avoid discoloured areas of water, as well as areas that appear to have a thick, blue or green plaint like scum.When present in the water, these blooms may cause skin, eye or throat irritation, and for more information, click here.
Provincial and Federal Government Helping out Water Projects
The provincial and federal governments are in a giving mood today handing over nearly $7 million dollars to New Brunswick water system projects.Edmundston is receiving $1.6 million dollars from each government for infrastructure relating to upgrading water and wastewater systems, and Clair is getting $2.3 million for the same.The projects are expecting to enhance the local facilities, as well as create jobs.
Meanwhile, three Madawaska communities are getting a $1.3 million dollar shot in the arm from the province and feds to upgrade drinking water and wastewater collection systems.
Meanwhile, three Madawaska communities are getting a $1.3 million dollar shot in the arm from the province and feds to upgrade drinking water and wastewater collection systems.
Province Sitting on Energy Gold Mine
Energy Minister Jack Keir is driving home the importance of diversifying energy generation in the province. He tells CHSJ News having tidal, nuclear, wind, and potentially natural gas generated electricity will create a huge advantage for not only Saint John--but--the entire province. Keir says New Brunswick is sitting next to the largest energy demanding market in North America--the New England States.
As for a second reactor at Point Lepreau, Keir says there would be a benefit for rate payers in the province. He says the province will only move on that project and sell the power to the Southeastern United States if it can get a strong rate of return.
As for a second reactor at Point Lepreau, Keir says there would be a benefit for rate payers in the province. He says the province will only move on that project and sell the power to the Southeastern United States if it can get a strong rate of return.
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