Fire on Waterloo Street

A fire early this morning on Waterloo Street.

Saint John fire department responding to the call shortly after one o'clock. The blaze starting in the basement of the three-storey wood building--fire crews worked to make sure it didn't spread into the adjoining home.

The two people living there have been displaced. No one was home at the time of the fire.

Vigil For Scott Taylor Held in Loyalist Plaza

Family, friends and supporters of Scott Taylor gathering for a vigil at Loyalist Plaza. About 20 people lit candles and hoped for the safe return of the 23 year old Rothesay man.

Sharon Bradley-Munn, a relative of Scott Taylor, tells CHSJ news that the family is keeping the faith and hoping that the young man will come home.

Taylor, who hasn't been seen since December 2nd, was acquitted in 2008 of second degree murder after a robbery attempt at his home. Bradley-Munn states that she believes there could be a connection.

Bank Robbery in the North End

A robbery taking place at the ScotiaBank on Main Street North.

According to early reports, a man with a bag over his head walked into the bank around 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, showed a teller a note, and made off with some money.

Police were searching the area for the suspect.

No one was hurt.

Murder Suspect Found

The Saint John Police force got their man.

The police arresting 50-year-old Stephen Wallace Martin in the city's uptown yesterday. There had been a Canada-wide warrant issued for Martin in connection with the death of Robert Ryan.

Ryan's body was found earlier this week in a fire on Mount Pleasant Avenue.

Martin remains in police custody.

Bank Robbery In North End

Police investigating a robbery at the Scotia Bank on Main Street North.

According to early reports, a man walked into the bank around 4 o'clock, showed a teller a note, and made off with some money.

There are also reports that he wore a bag over his head.

Police are combing the area for the suspect and police have shut down Harbour Passage.

No one was hurt.

House Fire on Glen Road

Fire crews knocking down a house fire at 203 Glen Road earlier this afternoon.

The call coming in around 1:30pm.

There is some damage to the first floor and the owner is being assisted by the Red Cross for a place to stay.

Dogs were in the house but none were hurt.

No word yet on a cause and no reports of injuries.

Reduced Bus Access For Methadone Patients Will Cost Us More In the Long Run

Julie Dingwell with AIDS Saint John says the province will have a high price to pay for reducing bus access for patients getting methadone treatment.

Bus passes used to get to clinics will now only be good for 18 months.

Dingwell tells CHSJ News it was a cost saving measure by the province but it will cost us more in the long run because treatment will be curtailed and patients will relapse.

She says it's about 5-thousand dollars a year to treat someone at the clinic while an untreated person could cost us 45-thousand dollars in healthcare and legal costs.

She adds someone kicking their drug habit after only 18 months of treatment is very unlikely.

Many Struggle Emotionally Over The Holidays

If you're feeling blue around the holidays, don't feel like you're the only one. Especially for people who have lost loved ones, Christmas is hardly the most wonderful time of year. With all the pressure leading up to the season and constant hype on TV and in the malls, the actual day can be a downer for some people.

Judy Urqhart, the director of Gentle Path Counselling, says you shouldn't be afraid to lean on other people if you're feeling depressed.

She says the people she sees who do well are connected to a faith community and that have the support of family and friends.

If you don't have those resources, Urqhart recommends plenty of activities out of the house, exercise, and spreading out fun activities throughout the winter months.

Sussex Robber User Spray Can As A Weapon

Dairytown RCMP looking for a robber that used a can of aerosol spray as a weapon at a gas station.

About 4:15 yesterday afternoon a man came into the the Petro-Canada gas station on Main Street in Sussex demanding money.

He used the aerosol can as a weapon and left with some money but no one was hurt.

The man left in a dark coloured car.  He is described as about 5 foot 10, slim with short brown hair, a moustache and a scruffy beard.  He was wearing jeans and a blue or grey hooded shirt.

If you have any info, contact RCMP at 506-832-5566 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Watermain Break Leaves Tenants Without Water

With all the things you have to do today, imagine how not having any water would complicate your life.
That's the case for the tenants at the highrise apartment building at 411 Ellerdale Street in East Saint John.

A watermain break was discovered late yesterday afternoon behind the building and the water had to be shut off to the entire building.
A caller to our newsroom telling CHSJ News she was concerned about the tenants which include a lot of seniors not having any water two days before Christmas.

A spokesperson for the building's owner Greenwin Inc. tells us the location of the watermain break was located this morning and the contractor tells them the work should be completed by the end of day.

Police Urge Caution On Saint John Streets

Saint John Police are warning the roads are extremely slippery today.


A few centimetres of snow and temperatures hovering around the freezing mark leading to several fender-benders in the last hour.

Police are urging caution to motorists today and asking them to slow down in slippery conditions.

Fresh Snow Making For A Slick Drive

Be careful out there.    Some freshly falling snow creating greasy roads in Saint John and the outskirts.

Crown street is backed up as the transports are spinning their wheels.

Road warriors letting us know it's slippery on the Foster Thurston road also slick on the Kierstead road over west and in parts of the KV.

Up to 7 centimetres of snow will be on the ground before its end overnight.

Liberals Blast Alward Government For Cuts To Methadone Patients

Cuts to bus passes for methadone patients could lead to some serious consequences -- that from Social Development critic Bernard LeBlanc.

The Alward government making changes to bus passes used by patients so they can reach treatment centres  -- they will now only have access to the pass for 18 months rather than the duration of the treatment.  Those already pass the 18 month mark will see their pass expire after May 1st.

LeBlanc says reducing access to transportation could do serious harm to the course of their treatment and the province is attacking vulnerable New Brunswickers.

Death In North End Fire Now A Homicide Case

City police ruling the body found at the fire at 374 Mount Pleasant Avenue North on Tuesday as a homicide victim.

70 year old Robert Ryan was killed but police have not released the cause of death.

A Canada-wide warrant has been released for 50 year old Stephen Wallace Martin.  He is described as 6 foot 2 inches tall and 170 pounds with short salt and pepper hair and glasses.  He is considered armed and dangerous.

You are being asked to call city police or Crimestoppers if you have any information and the numbers are 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Kids Sell Duct Tape Wallets for Classmate with Leukemia

A tale of heartwarming generosity from some kids at Island View School.



Principal Mark Blucher tells CHSJ that Matthew and Thomas Watson, age 8, started the idea of selling handmade duct tape wallets to help a friend in need. All the proceeds from the wallets go to a classmate diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia.

The wallets come in a range of cool colours and styles, from leopard print and camo to traditional silver duct tape. So far the kids have raised several hundred dollars. They're even talking about expanding the pint-sized business to sell them outside of the school.

Vigil To Be Held For Missing Rothesay Man

The friends and family of Scott Taylor holding a vigil for the missing Rothesay man tomorrow night in Loyalist Plaza.

Supporters are invited to bring candles and make posters.

23-year-old Taylor hasn't been seen since December 2nd. Police looking for tips about the Taylor's 2004 light green Cadillac SRX--if you saw that vehicle between December 2nd and 5th, contact police or Crimestoppers.

The vigil takes place at 6:30.

Rothesay and Quispamsis Say No To Congestion Tax

The idea of a congestion tax charged to residents of Rothesay and other out-of-towners who drive into Saint John for work going over like a lead balloon with Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop.

The idea was recently brought up by Councillor Donnie Snook and Bishop tells CHSJ News it's not Rothesay's responsibility to help Saint John with it's budget woes bu he wishes the city the best of luck.

He says one problem the city has is the new bus garage and it's hefty property tax.

Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll also gives a big thumbs down to the congestion tax.

Provincial Summer Job Applications Now Available

Even though it's the holiday season, the province is already looking ahead to the summer months.

Applications are now available for students looking for summer jobs with the provincial government. 

The provincially funded program provides summer jobs in government department and agencies, municipal and First Nation offices, and non-profit agencies. 

Also, students looking to start a summer business can obtain an interest free loan of up to 3-thousand dollars.

To find out where applications are or for more information, click here.

District 17 Schools Closed Today

All schools in Distric 17 are closed today due to icy road conditions.

Loss Of Local Produce Outlet Unfortunate

The loss of On the Vine in Rothesay will leave a hole in a busy commercial sector of the town -- that from the President of the Kennebecasis Valley Chamber of Commerce.

President Camille Bordage tells CHSJ News the business was in a prominent structure and having it empty is a shame.  

He would like to see a restaurant or office space take over the building and finds it unlikely that another produce outlet would take up shop there.
 
He says he has already seen customers pull into the parking lot and leave disappointed when they realize it has closed down.