Power Outage Hits Lower West Side

A number of people on the lower West Side are without power -- Saint John Energy crews have been working to restore service and at last word power was expected to be fully restored by 9pm.
So far there's no indication from the utility on the cause of the blackout.

Bay of Fundy Still In The Running for Natural Wonders Contest

The push is on to make sure the Bay of Fundy is listed as one of the seven natural wonders nature.The bay has made it to the list of 28-finalists and Saint John Fundy Conservative M-L-A Glen Savoie says the bay's marine biodiversity has been compared to that of the Amazon rain forests:

To vote for the Bay of Fundy, click here

Best Buy Not Coming To Saint John

Electronics box retailer Best Buy won't be arriving in our city any time soon -- almost two years ago a company official told us the electronics retailer was looking at opening a store here by 2011.But a Best Buy spokesperson now tells CHSJ News there are no plans for a store or expansion of its Future Shop store here in the city.
That follows long time electronics store Wacky Wheatly's closing stores here and in Fredericton due to declining sales and profits.

Marco Polo Still Needs To Find A Place To Dock

Barry Ogden with the Marco Polo Project is hoping that the replica ship will be able to hit the waters this year

He tells CHSJ News it would be significant, given that this year is the 160th anniversary of the ship launching from the mouth of Marsh Creek.


He says he needs the co-operation of the three levels of government to make it happen.

He believes the ship would become a huge tourist attraction.

City Police Prepare For New Driving Legislation

The days of being able to take on your cell phone while driving are coming to an end as the province is expected to enact legislation banning that act in the coming months.

Head of the Saint John Police Force Traffic Unit Jeff LaFrance tells CHSJ News they'll be working with the province on an awarness campaign.

He says a lot of people are already aware of the incoming legislation so he doesn't a expect a lot of slack to be cut for first-time offenders.

A driver convicted of breaking the law loses three points from their licence and faces a fine of $172.50.
   
The legislation is expected to pass some time in June.

NDP Candidate In Fundy-Royal Wants Conservative Assistant Turfed

NDP candidate for Fundy-Royal Darryl Pitre wants Conservative Candidate Rob Moore to fire his Special Assistant Michael Sona.

This comes after Sona allegedly tried to seize a ballot box at a special polling station at the University of Guelph on Thursday, claiming it was an illegal station.

Pitre tells CHSJ News given the current political climate around the globe, the incident is disrespectful to democracy.

He says the incident reflects badly on the leadership of Rob Moore.

Elections Canada ruling the special ballot polling station to be valid

Jason McCoy Coming To The Imperial Theatre

You know him from his solo career and the Roadhammers but did you know he was funny?
Jason McCoy will prove in his one man show hitting the Imperial Theatre stage on Monday night.He tells CHSJ News he was asked to do an acoustic tour and they decided to add screens playing all of his old videos featuring questionable hair and clothing choices.

His says the comedy just comes naturally if the crowd is having fun and he is too.

The show features some virtual guests including Grammy-nominated female singer and the top Canadian male singers.
To get tickets for  "Real life. Real laughs. Real McCoy." on Monday night
go to www.imperialtheatre.nb.ca or call 674-4100 or toll free 1-800-323-7469.

Delays On Harbour Bridge May Be Minimized

Remember those long lines of traffic during construction on the Harbour Bridge last year? -- with the province now in control -- there may be some changes to planned work this year.
Transportation Minister Claude Williams tells CHSJ News he's hoping to avoid the traffic delays and frustration of last year.

Williams says the province is in talks with Dexter as it prepares to take over a section of Route 1 between the Maine border and Riverglade including the Harbour Bridge June 1st -- the Minister says it's possible the work on the east bound lanes may be spread over two years.

Seal Tour Offered Today at Irving Nature Park

If you ever wanted to see some seals frolic, today's your chance: J.D. Irving Limited and the Canadian Wildlife Federation are teaming up to celebrate National Wildlife Week

They will be hosting a seal watching walk at the Irving Nature Park today.

Those interested can go to the main gate of the park where staff will take visitors on a guided tour to see the seals beginning at 2pm.

Abandoned Building Burns Down

An abandoned building burning to the ground on the city's east side last night.

Fire crews responding to a fire last night around 11:30pm at Jones Drive.

The fire department says the building has been empty for a number of years since the owner passed away.

No one was hurt and the cause of the fire is deemed suspicious.

Some Will Vote Twice Next Month

Some New Brunswickers get the distinct pleasure of voting twice next month, once in the federal election and again for municipal byelections.

One week after the national vote, byelection are being held in six communities including Norton and Quispamsis to elect councillors at large.
Seven candidates were elected by acclamation including Natalie Harris who was elected as a councillor at large in Blacks Harbour.
In Harvey, not one candidate put their name forward for the Mayor's job.
To learn more about byelections on May 9th click here

Students In State Of Flux With School's Apparent Closure

The future of a private school in the City is in doubt after closing this week.
25 Academy of Learning students meeting with the government to find out what their options might be.  Jeanette Peters is a teaching assistant student and given the choice between finishing her course or getting refund, she tells CHSJ news she wants to finish.
She says she wouldn't have taken the course to begin with if she didn't want to finish it and says it's devastating that option may not be available to them.
Peters says they have to wait until next week to find out exactly what the government is able to do for them.

Weston Defends Record On Healthcare

Saint John Conservative candidate Rodney Weston doesn't know what's with the NDP and criticism on health care from its local candidate Rob Moir.

He claims health care is not a priority for the Conservatives which Weston dismisses out of hand.

He says the Prime Minister has agreed to a 6 per cent escalator for healthcare and there were health care provisions in the budget the New Democrats asked for but yet they still voted against and forced the election.

Weston tells CHSJ News the Conservatives are not pitting rural against urban with incentives for more doctors to practice outside cities. He argues having more rural doctors will ease the pressure at urban hospital like Saint John Regional.

Anti-Nuclear Coaltion Says Enough Is Enough

Just the day after all of the M-L-A's vote in favour of pressing the federal government to pay for the cost overruns at Point Lepreau, an anti-nuclear coalition is voicing opposition to any more money being spent on the nuclear power plant.

David Thompson of the Nuclear Decommissioning Coalition tells CHSJ News any federal money should be going to renewable energy projects.

He argues Point Lepreau represents obsolete technology and is the most expensive energy to produce. Thompson says we've gotten along well without Lepreau operating because of the refurbishment and NB Power has even turned a profit while the plant has been offline.

21 groups make up the decommissioning coalition including the Sierra Club.

Talking Closure About Morna Heights School Is Premature

The fear of a closure of Morna Heights school is rippling through the community but from what the chair of the District 8 Education council is saying that is premature.
Rob Fowler tells CHSJ News this proposal was first sent to the provincial government two years ago and it's no closer to becoming reality.
He says they want to put up a new building that would include students from Grand Bay Primary, Inglewood and Morna Heights.
Fowler describes it as a wishlist right now saying they are only in the taking stages nothing formal is underway.

Minister: No One Will Be Denied Medical Services

Health Minister Madeleine Dube says no one will be denied medical services even if they have an expired Medicare card.


The Minister came under fire from the Opposition Liberals in the Legislature this morning after 15-hundred New Brunswickers were left without valid Medicare cards due to a computer glitch.

She says if anyone is presented with a bill for service or that must pay cash - they should send receipts to Medicare for payment.

Dube says new cards are now in the mail for those affected by the foul up.

A Shooting And Two Suspicious Fires Being Probed

A man in hospital after being shot this morning in the north end. City Police tell CHSJ News the shooting occurred shortly after 2:30 on Main Street near Albert and the victim is expected to recover.

The fire department and Major Crime Unit are investigating two suspicious fires. The first one was set in a vacant building at 595 Sandy Point Road.

District Chief Joe Armstrong says fire crews were then called to a second blaze at 147 Rodney Street on the lower west side. There was hesvy fire damage to the first floor of that three storey building on the corner of Ludlow Street. It's believed the blaze began in the laundry room.

Also, a woman was struck by a car at 716 Westmorland Road and had to be taken to hospital for treatment of her injuries.

Alberta Building Owners Facing Huge Fine For Not Fixing Up Properties

The court handing an Alberta company a fine of more than $11,000 for violations relating to the City's minimum property standards by-law.
The fines issued to the company that owns several buildings in the City as a result of a charge of non-compliance of a court order.

The company did not carry out court-ordered repair work to a building in the City's north end. It is the second time the numbered company is facing a fine for non-compliance. The owner have until the end of the month to repair and secure the building's interior and exterior.
In a separate ruling, the same company receiving a fine of more than $3000 for failing to make repairs to a building in the South end.

Mike Duffy Campaigns In City For Weston

Conservative Senator Mike Duffy stopping off in Saint John to speak to seniors at Hillcrest Village on the west side and campaign for incumbant Rodney Weston.

Duffy tells CHSJ News he has no doubt Prime Minister Harper will win a majority government because Canadians are tired of all this craziness.

Duffy goes on to say the leaders' debate the other night showed Harper as calm, competent and who looks like a Prime Minister and he only has to win 12 more seats than he did the last election to gain a majority.

Duffy told the seniors at Hillcrest it was Weston's personal intervention with the Prime Minister that finally got the tolls taken off the Harbour Bridge.

No Flexibility In Timing Of Good Friday Advance Polls

Advanced voting for the May 2nd federal election begins next Friday -- and -- in case you haven't noticed -- that's Good Friday.


Pastor Edward Powell of the Grand Bay United Baptist Church isn't surprised given we have Sunday shopping and a lot of people not really observing other religious holidays.

Powell says it comes down to those who want to honour God on Good Friday will do so while those who want to vote will do that as well.

Elections Canada says it has no say in how the advance voting falls for the May 2nd federal election.

Spokesperson Karen Janigan says the law states the advanced voting must be held so many days prior to the actual election day -- but -- she tells CHSJ News there are other options available for those who aren't comfortable voting over the Easter weekend including a special ballot that can be cast at your local returning office.

More information on voting can be found here.