VIDEO: Highlights from the Pavilion Cup

Organizers of the 2014 edition of the Pavilion cup have to be thrilled with the weather for this weekend's event.
 
Parking was hard to come by anywhere near Rockwood Park with over 70 teams taking part not including volunteers, staff and spectators.

Nominations Open For Volunteer Appreciation Awards

They're the people that put time and effort into the community without asking anything in return, and the City of Saint John is looking for you to point them out. 

Nominations are now open for the Volunteer Appreciation Awards and the City's Lori Lambert tells CHSJ News a little appreciation goes a long way for volunteers.

Lambert says while they don't do it for the recognition, it's important to say thank you.

The deadline for nominations is March 7, with the ceremony taking place at the Lily Lake Pavilion on April 10. You can find the nomination form on the City's website.

Eating Disorder Awareness Week Begins Today

While many people with anorexia or bulimia suffer in silence, this week is dedicated to speaking up about the issue of eating disorders. 

Today marks the beginning of national Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

Dr. Mimi Israël of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute tells CHSJ News some of the warning signs that you or someone you know may have an eating disorder include not wanting to go out for food anymore, refusing to eat in front of others and withdrawing socially.

Israël says the earlier you treat an eating disorder, the better the chances of recovery. But stresses if someone you know has an eating disorder, it's important not to force them to get help, but to lead them to their own conclusion that they may need help.

Second Turbine On Its Way To Point Lepreau

The second turbine rotor is en route from the West side to the Point Lepreau generating station. 

The journey was originally planned for last Sunday but was delayed because of the weather. 

You're advised to avoid Route 1 between 7am and 10:30am this morning. You can expect major delays in the eastbound and westbound lanes of Route 1 from Ludlow Street to Route 790 at Lepreau as the turbine makes the trek to the generating station.

The convoy will be moving very slowly at between 15-20 kilometers per hour for most of the 50-kilometre journey with a police escort. It should take about six hours to complete the transport. The turbines weigh approximately 130-tonnes each.

BBB Has Tips On Hiring A Reliable Snow Contractor

Hiring someone to shovel your driveway without first doing your research can end up with you getting left out in the cold. 

That warning coming from Jill Atkinson of the Maritime Better Business Bureau who says they've heard numerous reports over the years of people taking money up front for snow removal then disappearing. 

She tells CHSJ News it's important to get the deal in writing, make sure the person is insured and bonded in case your property gets damaged and take the time to ask for references and be sure to check those references. 

You can also check with the BBB for a business review on the contractor by calling 1-877-663-2363 or by visiting their website.

Health Canada Studying Effectiveness Of Morning-After Pill

Does how much you weigh impact how well the morning after pill works for you? That's a question Health Canada is now working to answer.

They're studying new data suggesting a higher body weight could reduce the effectiveness of emergency contraceptives. They're also looking at whether labeling changes will be needed for the pills.

The product labeling for the drug Norlevo was recently revised in Europe to say in trials, the emergency contraceptives were not effective in women who weighed more than 176 pounds.

There are four emergency contraceptive pills available without a prescription in Canada, they are Next Choice, Norlevo, Option Two and Plan B.

Break & Enter On The Lower West Side

A woman being assaulted with a weapon during a break and enter at her home on the lower West side. 

The Saint John Police Department telling CHSJ News it happened on Rodney Street just after 1:30 this morning. While police can't say what type of weapon was used in the incident, they do say it was not a gun or knife. The woman did not sustain any major injuries.

Two women have been arrested. It's believed the three of them do know each other.

UNB Cancelling March Reading Week

After a strike that spanned more than two weeks, the University of New Brunswick is cancelling the March Reading Week pending approval by the Academic Senates so students can make up for lost time.

Classes will also be extended until April 17, so that students can finish the Winter term and have the opportunity to graduate on time. The exam period will now be April 22-30, including exams on April 27. The university says this arrangement will mean only four teaching days are lost and the summer term can start as scheduled. 

All tuition and fees are now due by 4:30pm this upcoming Friday for both undergraduate and graduate students. Classes start back up on Monday after a tentative deal with the union representing faculty. The university is posting updates here.

Vehicle Goes Off The Road, Catches Fire On Highway 1

A man being taken to hospital with serious injuries after his vehicle went into a ditch on Highway 1 past the Crowne Street exit.

Platoon Chief Barry Oickle of the Saint John Fire Department says when crews got to the scene around 6am this morning, the vehicle was flipped onto its side and was fully engulfed in flames. The driver got himself out of the vehicle and was brought to safety by two people who had stopped to help.

Oickle says fire crews and police then worked together to get the scene under control, with firefighters extinguishing the vehicle blaze and officers directing traffic.

Turbine Transport Set For Sunday

They will try again this weekend to get the other mammoth turbine from the Port down to Point Lepreau.

You are advised to avoid Route 1 between 7am and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

You can expect major delays in the eastbound and westbound lanes of Route 1 from Ludlow Street in Saint John West to Route 790 at Lepreau as the turbine is transported to Point Lepreau.

It was originally planned for last Sunday but delayed because of the weather.

The convoy will be moving very slowly at between 15-20 kilometers per hour for most of the 50-kilometre journey with a police escort.

It should take about six hours to complete the transport.

Covered Bridge Re-Opens

The people of Charlotte County are no doubt happy about this.

The Maxwell Crossing Covered Bridge reopened today.

You may remember it suffered a lot of damage early last year when it was hit by a car.

The historic structure is now fixed up and you will find it on the Maxwell Crossing Road between Route 750 and Route 3.

NB Power Creating Long-Term Electricity Supply Plan

NB Power calling on their customers to give input on the development of a long-term electricity supply plan for the province.

President Gaetan Thomas says they value the partnership they've developed with their customers and are excited to hear from them about how they can plan for the future.

The process starting with a workshop in Fredericton. The information gathered with help them create a Integrated Resource Plan which will help them meet a few goals including projected customer demand for electricity over the next 25-years and respecting its mandate to provide reliable, accessible service at low and stable rates.

6th Annual Pavilion Cup Underway Now

With 12 ice surfaces, fireworks, live music and a whole lot of pond hockey....Lily Lake is the place to be for the 6th annual tourney on now until Sunday.

Rolph Spangenburg tells CHSJ News its a family event and the proceeds support a wide range of services at Rockwood park all year.

He says they look after senior events and provide movies in the park for the whole community.

The Pavilion Cup is on now and your can learn more here

Our sister station The Wave has a team this year and they are playing tonight at 5pm taking on Canaport.

Sting Operation Leads To Arrests, Recovery Of Stolen Jewelry

Two jewelry thieves finding themselves under arrest after trying to sell the stolen goods on the internet. 

Sergeant Jay Henderson of City Police says the jewelry was taken during a break, enter and theft last summer on the West side. When an online classified ad featuring the jewelry popped up, undercover officers got in touch and met up with the ad-posters at an uptown coffee shop.

The 20-year-old man and woman were arrested and are being charged with possession of stolen property. Both will be making court appearances.

NDP Leader Has Different Take On State Of The Province

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy sees Premier David Alward's State of the Province speech as a sign of desperation with so much being pinned on the future of shale gas. 

Cardy tells CHSJ News you just have to check on what's happened since the Premier's first State of the Province address back in 2011 with unemployment levels up and would be a lot higher without all the migration out west, the provincial debt has risen and the government has not been able to get a handle on the deficit.
 
As for the revitalisation of forestry, Cardy points out the province is still losing tens of millions of dollars on its crown lands which is a sign of incompetence so there's still a long way to go before that's turned around.

BREAKING: UNB Classes Will Resume Monday

UNB President Eddy Campbell announcing all classes will resume on Monday after a tentative deal with the union representing faculty.

Campbell says they are all looking forward to a return to the vibrant UNB campus life that students, faculty and staff contribute to every day.

He adds they are working toward making sure the move back to class is as seamless as possible.

Campbell says questions can be answered and more details will be found on the UNB website as they become available.

For more info, click here

Premier Optimistic About Province's Future

Even though the New Brunswick economy is still struggling, Premier David Alward delivered a State of the Province address that's optimistic about the future. 

He claims the government is revitalising forestry in the province with commitments to invest half a billion dollars in the upgrading of mills that will generate hundreds of new jobs. 

The Premier also speaking strongly in favour for continued development of shale gas, claiming the oil and gas industry in the province could amount to more than 20 billion dollars and Corridor Resources is looking to drill new wells in the Sussex area. According to Alward, New Brunswick is viewed as a critical player in the global energy market.

The Premier also vowing shale gas protestors, whom he describes as a minority, will not derail the province's development.

Government Receives Report On Aging Well In NB

The provincial government getting a report on how to help our seniors stay happy and healthy during their golden years. 

What Was Heard is a report from the New Brunswick Health Council compiled after nine public sessions were held last summer to identify challenges and opportunities facing our older population. Healthy and Inclusive Communities Minister Dorothy Shephard tells CHSJ News transportation seems to be the biggest issue.

Shephard says transportation ties into being social in terms of being able to get to community events. She says that's one of the areas where more community involvement is needed in order to take care of senior isolation. Getting out and about, socializing and keeping their mind in tip-top shape listed as very important for seniors.

Click here to read the report.

RCMP Cracking Down On Distracted Driving

That phone call you answered while driving could cost you upwards of $170.

The RCMP say they are cracking down on cell phone use while driving. Officers in Oromocto issuing seven fines to motorists on Tuesday and Wednesday while in an unmarked vehicle to people who were using their phones behind the wheel.

They stress drivers who are distracted behind the wheel put themselves and others in danger as they're at a higher risk for being involved in a crash. Constable Derek Black says you have to pull over if you want to use your phone, or have a hands-free device installed in your vehicle. He says you have to be able to react quickly and be paying attention to the roads at all times.

For information on the law regarding cell phone use while driving or if you have questions about any motor vehicle law, head over to the N.B. Department of Public Safety website  or contact the RCMP at 1-888-506-RCMP (7267).

BREAKING: UNB & Teachers Announce Deal To End Strike

Both the school administration and the faculty at UNB announcing a potential deal in their more than two week old strike.

A tweet on the UNB profile says the Association of UNB Teachers and UNB are pleased to announce an agreement to recommend suspension of the strike/lockout.

In a news release, UNB says the recommended suspension comes as a result of reaching a tentative agreement on the key issues related to wages.

The parties agree to jointly announce further details over the next 24 hours.