Hundreds Attend Greenslade Park Dedication

The memory of 6 soldiers will live on in a beautiful new green space overlooking the Kennebecasis River.
 
Hundreds coming out to witness the dedication of the Private David Greenslade Peace Park in honour of the 20 year old Saint John soldier and his comrades of Bravo 22.


  
Plaques featuring their faces honour each of the soldiers lost on April 8th 2007 with a red maple tree in front of each one.

Kate Stannix is Chris Stannix's mom and says it's an uplifting day and here she is in tears but at the same time it's heartwarming to know everyone has supported this project to create such a beautiful tribute to them all.

Laurie Greenslade, David's mom, says she is very grateful to the City, Saint John high and the Peace Park committee for making it possible.

The black wrought iron gate that marks the entrance was built by students at Saint John, David Greenslade's high school. 

Driscoll In Vancouver for Federation of Canadian Municipalities Convention

Mayors from all across Canada congregating on the west coast for a weekend convention for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Quispamsis mayor Murray Driscoll is among them, and he tells CHSJ News that safety is paramount in any community and he attended a talk on the importance of street lights and sidewalks that echoed his thoughts. He says our country is only as strong as our communities.

Driscoll says he's spotted several familiar faces during his time in Vancouver, including Saint John's deputy mayor, Shelley Rinehart.

Inside Greenslade Peace Park

Families, dignitaries and the public have been allowed into the Private David Greenslade Peace Park.

ATV Destroyed By Fire On West Side

An ATV parked in a driveway on the west side being engulfed in flames after the owner was working on it. 

The Saint John Fire Department tells CHSJ News that when the call came in around 6:30 pm, there was worry that the fire was dangerously close to a home, so a full response team went to 483 Russell Hill Road but they then realized there was no danger to the house so the call was downgraded.

The three-wheeled ATV was destroyed in the fire, but nobody was hurt. There's currently no word on how it started.

Most Used Needles Properly Disposed Of In Saint John

Fear of needles is a very real phobia, but it's not likely you'll face your fear one as you stroll around the Port City.

Julie Dingwell of Aids Saint John tells CHSJ News they've been operating a needle distribution program for more than twenty years and have approximately five-hundred people using the service at this time, but Dingwell says most needles are properly disposed of, and they very rarely get a call from someone who has found one in the community.

In the event that you do come across a used needle, Dingwell says pick it up by the other end, put it into some type of used container and dispose of it. She says it's easy to dispose of needles nowadays; even many gas stations have sharps containers in their washrooms.

Dingwell tells us she's never heard of anyone getting HIV from a used needle, though she says if it's a fresh needle, Hepatitis C could be a worry. But she says the amount of needles given out has decreased by 50% since the methadone programs were introduced in the city.

Queen Square Market Kicks Off With More Vendors Than Ever

The South End will be filled with the smells of delicious food and the sound of live music tomorrow.

The Queen Square Farmer's Market is back for another season with the first edition kicking off June 2.

Organizer Jody Kliffer tells CHSJ News the bi-weekly Market was a big hit last year--and this year will be even better. New this year will be local cheese, organic meat, fresh fish and buckwheat products. In the coming weeks, a brand-new electrical hook-up will allow a wider range of vendors than ever before.

The Market runs on Sunday from 8:30-2pm. For more information check out their Facebook page here

Three Hospitalized After Car Crash Near Perth-Andover

Alcohol and speeding are two factors that contributed to a car crash that's left three young men in hospital. 

Police officers were called to Four Falls exit off Route 130 in the early morning hours after a car going south didn't negotiate the curve, veered off of the road, down a bank, and stopped in the woods. 

One man was brought to hospital in Saint John with serious injuries, two were brought to Edmundston hospital with non-life threatening injuries and the fourth person in the car was not seriously hurt. 

The four men are between 20 and 25, three from Drummond and one from Saint-André.

Ride A Big Bike, Help A Good Cause

Get ready to see a lot of bikes out and about for the 5th annual Ride for Dad.
 
The event started as a way to create awareness about and raise money for prostate cancer.

Organizer Tony Mowery tells CHSJ News it's an extremely curable disease if caught early.

He says having over 300 bikes ride through the City brings some attention to the cause.

Registration begins at 8am tomorrow morning in the rear lot of the Lord Beaverbrook Rink and the ride begins at 11am on a police led parade throughout the city.

The bikes take part in a poker run to St. Martin's, they meet up with the Fredericton and Moncton events in Sussex before heading back to the Port City for their owns awards event.

Car Collides With Child On Bayside Drive

A kid is fine after colliding with a car at 153 Bayside Drive around noon today.

Police and emergency responders were dispatched to the scene after the child appeared to be trapped, but it turns out they were just shaken up more than seriously injured.

NB and PEI Hardest Provinces In Which To Get An Abortion

The anti-abortion organization right to life Right to Life is claiming Henry Morgentaler's lawsuit to have abortions covered by Medicare in New Brunswick ends with his death. In a statement, the organization's director Peter Ryan said, "His legacy is the death of hundreds of thousands of Canadian children, including over 9,000 in New Brunswick. He thought he was helping women but a dead child helps no mother. His opinion on the matter no longer counts. Only the truth matters now."

But Simone Leibovitch of Fredericton's Morgentaler clinic tells CHSJ News the clinics will continue to fight for what they call a human rights issue. She calls the situation in New Brunswick and PEI "unique," since they are the only provinces that don't cover the procedures. In New Brunswick women must seek permission from their family doctor to get an abortion---which can be difficult in a province where many people don't have family doctors. Besides, Leibovitch says she knows of some doctors who are pro-life and will not even prescribe birth control.

In PEI, women have to go off-island to get the procedure which Leibovitch says is impossible for women who are often already strapped for cash or unemployed.

Despite his controversial legacy, Morgentaler had been hailed as a champion of women's rights before his death this week at age 90.

Saint John Soldier And Comrades To Be Honoured

The official opening tomorrow morning of the 22 Bravo Landing and Private David Greenslade Peace Park in Millidgeville will be emotional.

Private Greenslade, who attended Saint John High, and six of his comrades were killed after a roadside bombing in Afghanistan in 2007.

David's mother, Laurie tells CHSJ News her son has not been forgotten by Saint Johnners over the passage of time and he lived a life worthwhile which will be the inscription ont he gate as you enter the park.

The dedication ceremony starts at 10:00 next to the Romeo and Juliette ferry landing.

Saint John To Get Visit From Alberta Premier

It's not hard to guess at what will be the main topic of conversation will be when Alberta Premier Alison Redford visits the the province next Friday and that's the proposed West to East oil pipeline.

Redford will be talking to the Saint John Board of Trade, touring the Irving Oil Refinery and addressing the Legislature.

The pipeline which has been promoted by former Premier Frank McKenna appears to be gaining momentum.

Premier David Alward, who's looking for some positive economic news, calls this project "historic" and compares it to the building of the national railway.

Get Out In The Woods And Have A Ball While Helping Nature

Our rivers, lakes and marshes are part of what makes our province unique, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada works tirelessly to protect them. 

David Loundes of the Nature Conservancy of Canada tells CHSJ News they've preserved 15,000 acres of land here in New Brunswick and 2.6 million acres Canada-wide.

Tomorrow, the Nature Conservancy  will be hosting a cleanup of the Musquash Estuary Nature Reserve. Volunteers will meet at 9am and the cleanup is expected to run until 4pm. Snacks and water will be provided, and keep in mind the trail is rugged and can be challenging. Long sleeves, long pants, hats, gloves, and good hiking footwear are a good idea. 

It's open to individuals, groups, and families.  For further information contact 1-877-231-4400 or click here

Snook Facing Sex Charges In Newfoundland

Former Common Councillor Donnie Snook is now facing four sex charges against a boy under 14 in Newfoundland.

These charges date back to December of 1995 and Snook is scheduled to appear in a Cornerbrook courtroom June 11th or at least have lawyer do so on his behalf.

Snook spent a year as an officer of the former Salvation Army Citadel in Mount Moriah back when he was in his early 20s and commissioned to be the church’s senior pastor.

Snook pleaded guilty to 46 charges of abusing children in Saint John earlier this week. He's back in court here on June 25th to have a date scheduled for sentencing.

Mounties Look For A Man Offering A Ride To A Child

The Mounties in Oromocto releasing a sketch of a man after a 12 year old girl was approached from a car in Mazerolle Settlement.

On May 10th at about 5pm, Oromocto RCMP got a call that a 12 year-old girl was approached while walking along Mazerolle Settlement Road.
 
The man offered to give the girl a drive but the girl refused and told her parents.

He was driving a dark 4-door SUV with tinted windows and a grey interior.

The man has a thin build, reddish colored skin with wrinkles about 60 years old or older.    He had thinning hair possibly balding.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oromocto RCMP at 1-506 357-4300 or N.B. Crime Stoppers at www.crimenb.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Gridlock on the Viaduct This Morning

Traffic at a standstill on the Viaduct this morning.

Commuters have one less lane when coming uptown during morning rush hour with one blocked off for the bike lane.

Some motorists have complained at the change causing traffic congestion especially when cyclists don't seem to be using it.
 

No Criminal Charges Will Be Filed In Perry's Death

City police consulting with the Crown prosecutor's office deciding no criminal charges will be laid in the death of Serena Perry.

Perry died on February 14th, 2012 while she was a patient at the Regional Hospital.

The forensic pathology examination can't confirm a cause of death and as a result Police Chief Bill Reid has requested the Coroner's office hold a public inquest into Perry's death.

Ruling Made On Minto Man Who Killed His Neighbours

30 year old Gregory Despres, who brutally stabbed Fred Fulton and Verna Decarie to death in their Minto home back in 2005, will remain locked up in a secure psychiatric facility inside Dorchester Penitentiary.

A review board has determined Despres still is a threat after hearing from psychiatrist Louis Theriault who testified his treatment has stalled.   
    
Despres was found not criminally responsible for the horrific carnage because he could not understand the wrongfulness of his actions.
    
Both Fulton and Decarie were in their 70s.   
    
Theriault is recommending Despres be transferred to the Restigouche Mental Health Hospital in Campbellton to allow for visits from his family, which might help him understand his role in the murders but the board turned that down.

Power Restored In South End

If you lost power earlier in the south end, CHSJ News has been told the lights are back on. City Police telling CHSJ news the power was disrupted after a transformer blew up.

A Faulty Detector & Broken Water Pipe Keep Crews Busy

If you were wondering about the series of sirens uptown & west--we can tell you why.

Fire crews busy in the last hour with a faulty detector at Scotsburn Dairies-- the Popsicle factory on Station street and now crews are west dealing with a broken water pipe at Moosehead breweries.