No Campfires Allowed In NB

This hot, sunny and often weather is great for the beach--but potentially disastrous for forests.

All of New Brunswick is currently at the highest level of restriction for outdoor fires until we get some  rainfall. Grass fires require permits, written burn plans and inspection by a forest service officer.

Under the latest fire restrictions anyone who has a fire could be charged with significant fines.

For Campfires, Burning Debris Permits call 1-866-458-8080.

Get updates on the status of the province's forests here

26 Jobs Affected At Fundy

Twenty-six positions affected at Fundy National Park due to federal cuts to Parks Canada earlier this year, resulting in thirteen volunteer departures and thirteen seasonal workers with reduced hours taking effect at the end of the summer season.

Fundy Park Superintendent Blair Pardy tells CHSJ news visitors shouldn't notice a difference in service this summer. They're working out the details but shorter hours during the fall and winter could be expected.

Pardy adds that work roles in all areas of the park are being adjusted to the cuts. 

The federal government announced budget cuts to Parks Canada earlier this year.

Mortgage Broker Charged With Fraud

A mortgage broker accused of fraud will appear in Fredericton provincial court Thursday.

William Watson Priest-Phillips of Nackawic and his company, Priest Phillips Management Corp., were charged with one count each of fraud over $5,000 and one count of uttering forged documents.

Inspector Lise Roussel, Officer in charge of the RCMP's Commercial Crime Section pointed out that  mortgage frauds have a bad effect on the real estate market and they take these crimes seriously. The charges were laid as a result of a 5 month investigation.

Ambulance NB Weighs In On Grand Manan Death

With Liberal MLA Rick Doucet slamming cuts to air ambulance services on Grand Manan, Ambulance NB is offering its side on the case of a patient who died over the weekend after waiting hours for an ambulance.

The contract between Ambulance New Brunswick (ANB) and Atlantic Charters expired June 30. 

Spokesperson Sophie Cormier-Lalonde saying in a statement Atlantic Charters won't have flown the patient anyway, as their condition was serious enough to warrant critical care flight nurses.

Doucet said the cuts were playing Russian roulette with people's lives. 

Free Car Show in Hampton

Antique car fans won't want to miss the 16th annual Hampton Lions Show and Shine. Lions chair Larry Barton says it's turned into a huge event for a great cause. He says it's a chance for serious car fans to come and show off their hard work.

Prizes will also be awarded. Last year the event raised $1200 for the Lions charity work in the area. It runs at the Hampton Town Arena from 6:30-8:30 on Wednesday. Admission is free.

Trial Date Set In Alleged Sex Assault And Attempted Murder Case

A Quispamsis man accused of sexual assault and trying to choke a man to death has had his trial date set.

35 year old Christopher Eric Lunnie pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, sexual assault, and a drug charge. The alleged incident happened May 17th on Gondola Point Road.

Lunnie will be tried in Saint John on February 4, 2013.

Helping Seniors Retain New Info Through Music

The Resident iPod Project at the Loch Lomond Villa aims to help those with Alzheimer's or Dementia reconnect with songs from their youth.


Recreation Director Mary Lynn Steele tells CHSJ News a playlist is created on an Nano or Shuffle for listening sessions lasting from 15 to 30 minutes.

She the two residents were asked Yes or No questions before and after listening to the music. After four sessions they were responding quicker and speaking in full sentences after the music was over.

Steele says they are looking for iPod Nanos and Shuffles, iTunes gift cards and chargers to get more residents involved in the program.

If you would like to donate to the project, call Amie Walton at T4G at 721-2157 or Mary Lynn Steele at the Loch Lomond Villa at 643-7111.

To see the viral video which is part of the inspiration for the program, click here

Pedestrian Hit By Car

A 24 year old woman struck by a car this morning.

City Police tell CHSJ news she was crossing from King Square South onto Sydney Street when a 22 year old woman was turning left onto Sidney Street where she struck the pedestrian with her car.

Police say the driver was distracted by sun glare. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries.

Collision Sends Two To Hospital

A collision on Highway 7 sending two people to hospital.

District 3 RCMP tell CHSJ news a 23-year-old Geary woman heading north while a 53-year-old Grand Bay-Westfield man was heading south when one of the drivers crossed over the line and side swiped the  other vehicle.

Both drivers were sent to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The investigation is continuing and charges are anticipated

Crews Knock Down North End Fire

Saint John fire crews responding to a fire in the North end in the Ricky's mall.


Smoke was coming from the Good Fortune Restaurant on Churchill Boulevard.
District Fire Chief Eric Garland tells CHSJ News they got the call shortly after 6am.

He says when they arrived scene they found heavy smoke coming from the roof and he says crews have knocked down the bulk of the fire.

Garland adds 25 firefighters were working the blaze at one time and they were concentrating on making sure the fire didn't extend into the roof of the mall.


He says the smoke has spread to the businesses neighbouring the Good Fortune Restaurant.

Smoke Coming From North End Restaurant

Fire crews responding to a fire in the North end in the Ricky's mall.

Smoke can be seen coming from the Good Forture Restaurant.

City fire crews are on the scene.

Drainage Issues Continue In Rothesay Neighbourhood

Too much rain in too short a time could spell serious problems for Rothesay--that from Gary Howard of the Oakville Acres citizen's group. The town has funding and plans prepared for a detention pond--but, Howard says, they're running into problems with a neighbouring municipality.

He says the area where the detention pond has to go is in the town of Quispamsis and they need to cooperate and to this point, have decided not to do so.

Howard says he's not sure why Quispamsis objects to having the detention pond built on their land. While temporary measures are in place to deal with overflow, Howard says that won't work long term.

Boil Water Order Over

Water is now safe to drink for the Sandy Point Road area. 

Test results have confirmed that water at the following locations is now safe to consume:

•    Sandy Point Road between Hawthorne Avenue and MacLaren Boulevard (not including Parkwood Avenue)
•    Thornborough Street
•    Jack Street
•    Kelly Lane
•    Anglin Drive, including Anglin Crescent and Pidgeon Street
•    Kiwanis Court
•    Corkery Street
•    Cranston Avenue between Sixth Street and Thornborough Street (not including Sixth Street)(Notices were hand delivered to affected residents.)

That being confirmed by water test results reviewed with the Department of Health and the Medical Officer of Health.

They recommend if you've been away from your home during this period, you take a few minutes to flush out the water in your plumbing.

Grand Mananer Dies After Long Wait For Air Service

A heart attack victim from Grand Manan has died needlessly....that according to MLA for Charlotte-The Isles Rick Doucet. He emphasizes the importance of air-based evacuation from Grand Manan to the Saint John Regional.

 Previously, residents could be transported to hospitals in Saint John or Moncton directly from the island. Under a new contract signed less than a week ago the wait-times are much longer.

Doucet says he's been saying all along the cuts would have a disastrous effect and this incident proves it. He says given the "golden hour" for medical response in certain emergencies, the wait time is simply unacceptable.

Doucet says the helicopter arrived just after 1pm, but just before the patient could be taken to the helicopter--four hours after the ambulance was called--the patient suffered another, fatal heart attack.

Doucet says Grand Mananers are anxious to have the island-based service restored.

Horse Dies After Alleged Abuse

The horse allegedly abused in a high-profile case near Geary has been euthanized.

We told you last week the animal was left out without food or water in stifling heat. Sergeant Joel Sauleof District 2 RCMP tells CHSJ News the owner of the animal surrendered to to the SPCA voluntarily.

The animal was later euthanized. Saule says the investigation is ongoing.

Photo: courtesy of a concerned tipster to our CHSJ Newsroom.

Man Dies In Police Custody

A 43-year-old man has died while in police custody.

The Tracadie-Sheila man being arrested twice Sunday morning for knocking on people's doors while intoxicated, then hours later for trying to break into a house.

While in custody for a second time Mounties say during a routine evening check a guard noticed he was unresponsive. Officers tried to resuscitate him and he was later taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Bathurst police are leading the investigation into the man's death. His name has not been released.

Saint John Ads Take Over Halifax

The City of Saint John getting more publicity around Halifax. 

Giant billboards can be seen around the Nova Scotia city -- promoting the City market, Uptown and other areas. 

Ross Jefferson from Discover Saint John tells CHSJ news Porty City offers a lot with it's waterfront, historic character, great shopping and food.

Jefferson adds the new ads in Nova Scotia makes sense since most visitors come from the Maritimes.  He estimates tourism brings in about a quarter of a billion dollars spent on goods and services.

Look For A Vehicle Report Card On Your Car

Four Saint John police officers are putting report cards on vehicles in Uptown parking lots based on what can or can't be seen inside and if its locked or not.

Sgt. David Hartley-Brown tells CHSJ News four officers are placing pass/fail report cards on the vehicles in some uptown parking lots.

He says they are hoping to increase the numbers of people who lock theirs cars adding 100 per cent would be ideal but any improvement is better.

Hartley-Brown says an easy target is a car with the windows down and doors unlocked with valuables in plain sight where a hard target is locked with nothing valuable visible from looking inside.

Teens Arrested In Car Thefts

Some Rothesay teens arrested for theft after an early-morning bust...

Police received a report around 4am that a young pair were tampering with vehicles around Hillsview Crescent area. When they arrived on the scene they found a group of teens, including two that matched the description of the thieves.

The 14 year old girl and a 15 year old boy were arrested.

Moose License Draw Results In

The results of the 2012 provincial moose license draw are now available.

Hunters who entered the draw may find out if they were successful either by calling or by checking online.  

Callers will be asked to enter their provincial medicare number using the telephone keypad and applicants will then be informed if they were successful in the draw.

To purchase their moose license, hunters must bring a valid medicare card to a Natural Resources office or to a participating Service New Brunswick center after August 20th.

There were over  63,000 applications for more than 4,600 licenses available for provincial residents. The 2012 moose hunting season runs from September 27th to the 29th.

To find out whether you received a moose license click here. 
You can also call 1-800-459-3729.