Canada Wins Gold!!!

Sidney Crosby got the winning goal for Team Canada as they win gold against the United States.
Final score 3 (Canada)    /     2 (USA)   in overtime.

Debate of Government's Energy Plan

The provincial government will call for a full debate in the legislative assembly on legislation to implement the energy agreement between New Brunswick and Quebec. Energy Minister Jack Keir and Government House Leader Greg Byrne made the announcement today.
Keir and Byrne said that the government will introduce the legislation when the final agreements are ready, and that the government will also allow for more than 30 days of debate prior to a final vote on this legislation.

The legislation and agreements will be tabled on or about Wednesday, March 31, with an objective of completing the legislative process by Friday, May 21.

Keir also announced that the scheduled three-per-cent average increase of rates for NB Power customers will be suspended pending the completion of the legislative process.

Province supports up to 70 jobs for SWP

The provincial government is providing a $500,000 loan guarantee and investing $100,000 to help maintain up to 70 jobs at SWP Industries Inc., a value-added manufacturing company in St. Stephen.

The loan guarantee will be used for working capital, along with a $100,000 contribution from the Regional Development Corporation through the Community Development Trust.

The company produces a line of value-added wood products, fencing products from northern white cedar, as well as manufactured vinyl fencing and aluminum fencing. They serve more than 400 dealers in the United States and Canada. Raw material is processed at SWP's sawmill in Bayside, NB.

Gas Prices on the Rise

There has been a jump in gas prices after the weekly setting. The maximum price for self serve regular rose by almost 4 cents a litre to 103.5. The max for diesel has risen to 107.1 Furnace oil has risen by more than 3 cents a litre to 90.4 but propane went down to $1.14.

Moosehead Breweries and Boston Beer Company Celebrate Independence Together

At a news conference in Toronto, Koch and Moosehead President Andrew Oland outlined the long-term distribution agreement that means Moosehead Breweries and its subsidiary the Premium Beer Company will assume the Canadian distribution of Boston Beer’s portfolio including its flagship brand, Samuel Adams Boston Lager.

“This alliance is a real win for Boston Beer,” Koch said. “Our tastes are similar. As Canada’s oldest and largest independently owned brewery, Moosehead understands the Canadian market. I’m raising my Samuel Adams glass today to cheer our new venture.”

Details of the agreement include:

Moosehead will distribute the Samuel Adams family of beer -- including its seasonal offerings and variety packs.

Products will be available in 355 ml bottles, and 30 and 58.6 litre kegs for selected brands.

All Boston Beer sold in Canada will be brewed and packaged by Boston Beer in the United States.

Change in dates for spring weight restrictions...

Spring weight restrictions will take effect early this year as a result of the unusually warm weather.
Effective at 12 midnight on Sunday, Feb. 28, in southern New Brunswick, and at 12 midnight on Sunday, March 7, in northern New Brunswick.

The Province has experienced mild weather and this is expected to persist, This causes the roads to lose strength more quickly than anticipated. Starting the spring weight restriction on the new dates will help to protect them...Transportation Minister made that announcement yeaterday.

The spring weight restrictions are scheduled to end at 12 midnight, on Sunday, May 16, for southern New Brunswick and at 12 midnight the following Sunday, May 23, for northern New Brunswick.

Ambulance New Brunswick makes improvements to Responding Code One policy

Ambulance New Brunswick announced it's making improvements to its Responding Code One policy to allow for more discretion and judgment among paramedics regarding when they may exceed current speed limits.

The new policy states that ANB speed protocols with best conditions are as follows:

Vehicles will follow the posted speed limits of school zones between the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and anytime children are present.

During all Code 1 calls, paramedics shall drive with safety at all times, and are expected to not exceed posted speed limits by more than 20 km/hr.

On highways where the posted speed is 110 km/hr, the maximum code 1 speed is 120 km/hr;

With the discretion and judgment of the attending paramedic, the paramedic may deviate from the code 1 policy; however, the speed may not exceed a maximum of 130 km/hr.

Ambulance New Brunswick is considered one of the safest ambulance services in the world and – later this year – will be presented with a prestigious international safety award from the EMS Safety Foundation.

Fisheries Minister calling for search to resume

Provincial Fisheries Minister Rick Doucette is calling for the search to be resumed for two fishermen from White Head whose fishing boat went missing sometime on Thursday in the Bay of Fundy. The missing fishermen were identified over the weekend as 45 year old Harold Cossaboom and 35 year old Corey Cossaboom. Debris from their boat "The Whole Family" was located. The RCMP and Transportation Safety Board are continuing their investigations.

Gun fired at vehicle

No one hurt after shots were fired at an empty vehicle in Grand Manan on Sunday.
RCMP have arrested a local 37-year-old man who was seen shooting the vehicle.
After a search of the residence where this happened, police seized three firearms, ammunition and the damaged vehicle. The accused was held in custody and has a court date in St. Stephen today. Another 37-year-old man was also arrested for obstruction and later released. He will appear in court at a later date.

St. Stephen Chamber of Commerce 19th Annual Meeting...

The 19th annual Chamber of Commerce meeting was held last night with Guest Speak John Ferguson CAO for St. Stephen who spoke on the New Charlotte County Civic Center and what it means for St. Stephen and the region.... A large Donation to to the Civic Center was made by Sun Life Financial in the amount of $50,000..The Night didn't end there as Shelly McKeeman gave an extensive report on Chamber activities in the past year. The new board of director was installed and will be lead by Geoff Knight. Knight is the Executive Director of The Community Business Development Corporation.

District 10 receive National Certificate of Merit at Government House.

Five New Brunswick School Districts were presented with a national certificate of merit at Government House.

School superintendents from each district were presented with the Partners in Progress toward Inclusion certificates of merit by the New Brunswick Association for Community Living (NBACL) during its national Inclusive Education Achievement Awards ceremony.

Beginning in September, 2006, NBACL partnered with District 10 to develop ways to engage and involve high school youth to make their schools more inclusive. The partnership continued in 2009, allowing NBACL’s Transition Coordinator to work with students to create and implement a plan which will prepare them to participate in community life after high school. The Hon. Roland Haché, Minister of Education for NB. accepted the Award for School District 10 as Superintendent Derrick O'Brien was not able to attend the event.

          

A successful project that has come out of this partnership is the Workforce Development Program. Since 2006 NBACL has been working with 10 grade 12 students a year to help them acquire job readiness skills and Co-op education with employers within the community. The goal is to have the employer hire the studentafter graduation from high school.

NBACL, a provincial non-profit organization which works on behalf of children and adults with an intellectual disability and their families, recognized School Districts 6, 10, 14, 17 and 18 for their work in partnering with them on various initiatives to test approaches and find tools and strategies to improve inclusive education.

Current Maximum Prices for Gas

Gas prices are continuing their slow decline after the weekly setting. The maximum price for self serve regular is 99.7 a litre but is being sold in the around town for 97.6. The max for diesel is 104.1 Heating oil is listed at 87.2 and propane has gone up to 117.2 a litre.

All prices are in cents per litre.

Motor Fuel Maximum Total Price (incl. HST)
Regular Unleaded Gasoline Self-serve 99.7
Regular Unleaded Gasoline Full-serve 102.5
Mid-grade Unleaded Gasoline Self-serve 103.1
Mid-grade Unleaded Gasoline Full-serve 105.9
Premium Unleaded Gasoline Self-serve 106.5
Premium Unleaded Gasoline Full-serve 109.3
Ultra-low Sulphur Diesel Self-serve 104.1
Ultra-low Sulphur Diesel Full-serve 106.9

Heating Fuel Maximum Total Price(incl. HST)
Furnace Oil 87.2
Propane 117.2

Accident On Highway 1 Musquash

The Musquash Fire Department had to use hydraulic rescue tools to remove one person from an SUV following a three vehicle collision on Highway One. The accident occurred around 8:08 am yesterday when three east bound vehicles collided around the Ducks Unlimited Marsh in Musquash.
On arrival firefighters found one person still in her vehicle which had ended up in the median. Firefighters removed the roof of the SUV to extricate the victim.

The east bound lanes were blocked for a short time as firefighters worked at the scene. Only one person was transported by ambulance to hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries.

According to Fire Chief Wayne Pollock, it is suspected that a combination of glare from the rising sun and road conditions may have contributed to the accident.

Bank Robbery in St. Stephen

The District 1 RCMP is investigating a robbery that occurred on February 12, 2010 at a bank in St. Stephen, N.B. Around 12:30 p.m., a man entered a bank on Milltown Boulevard, approached the teller and demanded money. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken.
The suspect is described as a caucasian male, approximately 5’7 in height, and is believed to be between the early twenties and early thirties. The suspect could have facial lacerations.
If you have any information regarding this incident contact the District 1 RCMP at 506-755-1132 506-755-1132. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at

1-800-222-TIPS(8477).

The Third Annual Eastport Hearts Warming Hearts Bikini & Speedo Run

Last year a dozen runners in bathing attire and one canine in a bikini raised over $4000 to help keep the island's poor elderly warm and assist with heating fuel. The Boat School - Husson Team lead by Skylar Cook, John Vreeland and, Jake Markos raised over half of last run's total.
"Given the fact that Maine has yet to see 85% of the LIHEAP funds from last year's levels as a result of new formulas put in place by the Obama Administration this year's run is more important than ever," says John Miller one of the organizers.

The Run is sponsored by Eastport's Happy Crab Restaurant. Owners Jeff and Lesley Starling always provide runners, those that pledge and the crowd that cheers from the sidelines hot chocolate and pizza following the run.

"No one should be shivering in the cold of winter, especially not our elderly neighbors," says Starling. "The race is a fun event that addresses a serious problem, Maine's elderly poor shivering and just getting by. The run is all about neighbor helping neighbor and making a difference in the quality of life for many that are cold this winter."

The race starts at Eastport's Post Office Square at 2:00 PM on Valentine's Day and follows the island's historic waterfront along Water Street 5 short blocks to the Happy Crab Restaurant. There is still time to sign-up as a runner and to get your pledge sheet filled, enter a runner or team from your business or organization, pledge for a runner and certainly come out and cheer. Raye's Mustard is always on hand to provide all runner's and those that have pledged with jars of their "Hot & Spicy" mustard as a way to say thank you and to help celebrate Valentine's Day

District 10 Teachers take Educational leave in 2010-11

Seventy-two teachers across the province have been granted educational leaves in the 2010-2011 year as a part of educational study.

Patrica Deering District Literacy Support for District 10 will be take a one years leave. Milltown Elementary's principal Mrs. Heather Bell-Williams along with Denise Concepcion Milltown's grade two teacher will be taking a six monthe leave.

Educational study leaves are granted to teachers wishing to devote up to one year of study or travel for retraining, specialization or professional growth. They vary from three months to a full year.

The leaves include administration leadership; masters of education with specialization in resource and methods; and training in the subject fields of literacy, mathematics, special needs and guidance/counselling.

The Department of Education has invested 2.7 million in this program.

Special Flag Boxes made for honoured Deceased

Wooden boxes have been made to hold the New Brunswick flags which are presented to the families of deceased honoured New Brunswickers.
Traditionally, the flag at the legislative assembly is flown at half-staff to honour the death of prominent New Brunswickers and then presented to the family of the deceased. The special boxes are being made by staff and residents of the New Brunswick Youth Centre in Miramichi. The first two boxes were presented recently to the Office of Protocol at the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs.

The boxes are made from maple, and measure 30 cm by 30 cm.

McAdam Railway Station celebrates grand opening of the Maxwell Room

The McAdam Railway Station celebrated the grand opening of the Maxwell room yesterday.The event was held as part of New Brunswick Heritage Week 2010.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Strategic Community Investment Fund and Innovative Communities Fund has invested nearly $740,000 in the McAdam Railway Station project. The Province of New Brunswick contributed $63,500 to the initiative while the McAdam Historical Restoration Commission provided close to $180,000.

Completion of the restoration project will allow the municipality to promote the McAdam Railway Station as a tourism destination, attract visitors to the area, stimulate the economy and create new job opportunities. The newly renovated facility will also serve to host community events.

MP for New Brunswick Southwest, the Honourable Greg Thompson, on behalf of National Revenue and ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield; Minister of Finance, the Honourable Greg Byrne; and McAdam Mayor Frank Carroll took part in the grand opening of the Maxwell room at the McAdam Railway Station today as part of New Brunswick Heritage Week 2010.

Built in 1900, the McAdam Railway Station is a National and Provincial Historic site and a designated Heritage Railway Station.

St.Stephen gets Birds Eye View with Google

Officials from Google spent a few weeks in St.Stephen, travelling around the area in a vehicle mounted with a camera. They have now gone over all the pictures and you can get an up close look at the metro area on Google Maps Street Level.


It gives you an amazing look at any street in the area and even an up close look at your property.

Beijing Student spend time in Saint Andrews

Seven Chinese high school students studying at the Beijing Concord College of Sino-Canada were able to sample a little rural hospitality in Saint Andrews.

The students had the opportunity to spend time at the Sir James Dunn Academy high school, as well as seeing what the small rural community has to offer.

While in St. Andrews, the students visited the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, and met some of the aquarium creatures, including the 22-lb. (10kg) lobster Big Dee-Dee, who became an international name in 2008 when he was donated to the centre after becoming involved in a tug-of-war between environmentalists, who wanted him released, and those who had a lobster dinner in mind. The story of his predicament and his subsequent rescue made the news in Australia, the US, Europe and China.

The school, affiliated to the New Brunswick education curriculum, gives students in China a head start when it comes to studying at universities in Canada. In July, New Brunswick students will have the opportunity to visit China thanks to the partnership between Atlantic Education International Inc. and the New Brunswick Department of Education.

Bay of Fundy Joins Olympic Spotlight at Atlantic Canada House

With just a few days to go until the official start of the 2010 Olympics, the Bay of Fundy is excited to be able to create heightened awareness of their global New7Wonders of Nature campaign at an Olympic venue in Vancouver. The Bay of Fundy is Canada's sole finalist in an international campaign to declare the world's top 7 natural wonders: a contest whose scope is much like the world-famous Olympics.
Atlantic Canada House will be opened on Granville Island, in Vancouver from February 13 to 28, 2010. The Atlantic provinces will be featured in music, cuisine, art and dance. On the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick partner days, the Bay of Fundy will share its story with national and international visitors.To vote for Bay of Fundy in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign, go to: http://www.votemyfundy.com/

Digital Mammography Fundraising Campaign Tops $100,000 Calais Regional Hospital

Calais Regional Hospital’s Digital Mammography Fundraising Campaign has reached the $100,000 mark. The response from our local community and a handful of foundations is very encouraging. The hospital will continue fundraising for the equipment through 2010. Hospital staff has also been applying to foundations that support healthcare projects.

The first major gift to the campaign came from the CRH Auxiliary in the form of a $40,000 pledge. Recently, representatives from the Auxiliary presented hospital Chief Executive Officer Michael K. Lally with a check for half of the pledge. “We were so pleased that the Auxiliary took the lead in supporting the campaign for updated mammography equipment,” stated DeeDee Travis, CRH Director of Community Relations, Development and Customer Service. “We are so fortunate to live in an area where the hospital, and the communities it supports, work collectively to maintain and improve the quality of healthcare available locally.”

Although still up and running great, the hospital’s current mammogram analog system is due for replacement. With digital mammography becoming the new standard, it only makes sense to replace the current system with digital. Many local patients are now being recommended for digital follow-ups and, CRH wants them to be able to continue to receive their care here, at home. Especially as some may find a hardship in accessing the service due to the required travel, or, even worse, may opt not to follow up with recommended screenings.

Digital imaging technology has changed the way rural hospitals provide care. It bridges the gap between larger medical centers and secluded rural hospitals. Not only do the images provide a higher resolution and more advanced techniques for better interpretation, they can be transmitted to other centers for real-time consults and advanced readings. Digital mammography will allow CRH to offer better visibility of the breast, quicker exams, fewer repeat exams and electronic archival of patient records.

Men plead guilty to death of dog, St. Stephen

Matthieu Gautreau from Shediac New Brunswick and Tony Kernighan from St. Stephen both pled guilty to failing to provide suitable and adequate food, water or shelter to an animal, an offence under the Criminal Code. Both men were sentenced to six months of probation, and prohibited from owning an animal for three years.

This was as a result of an incident in St. Stephen New Brunswick in May 2009, where the two men left a large dog in a parked vehicle for a extended period of time which resulted in his death. The investigation revealed that the dog died due to excessive heat and lack of nourishment.

New Maximum Petroleum Prices

Decrease in the price of gas after the weekly setting...The maximum price for self serve regular is just over a dollar a litre. The max that can be charged for diesel is 105.3. Furnace oil is also a bit cheaper at 88.1 but propane rose in price to $1.16 a litre.

David Ganong Releases Panel's Findings

A protest against the proposed sale of NB Power held late yesterday afternoon started at the corner of King and Queen streets made it's way to The St. Stephen Legion as David Ganong released his recommendation on the Sale of NB Power's asset to Hydro Quebec...

A six member independent panel who evaluated the proposed NB power deal with Hydro-Quebec has concluded the deal is good for this province.

The panel, chaired by Ganong and which included former Provincial NDP Leader Elizabeth Weir, was commissioned to study the proposed $3.2 billion sale of 10 NB Power plants, including the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station.

Ganong says the deal would result in lower power rates in the near and long-term and would reduce the financial risks associated with the aging facilities.

The panel is recommending the Energy and Utilities Board be given more authority to eliminate any government interference in its decisions.

Russell Verdict Handed down in St. Stephen Court

Sara Russell, 19 at the time she gave birth to her son at home in Moores Mills in January has been sentenced to 26 months in federal prison for her role in the death of her son today in St. Stephen court. Prosecution Lawyer Jim McAvity says the judge in this particular case was forced to show thru his sentence society imporance to this particular crime and had no other option but to sign Russell to a term of imprisonment. McAvity say the sentence was in the range the Crown suggested to the court that was between 2 and 5 years... Rodney Miller was charged with first degree murder and is currently serving a sentence of 25 years..

Groundhog-Day-Canada

Canada's most famous weather prognosticating rodent has disappointing news for those who've had enough of winter.

Wiarton Willie is predicting six more weeks of winter, having seen his shadow when roused from his slumber today.

Folklore has it that if a groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog Day he'll flee to his burrow, heralding six more weeks of winter _ if he doesn't, it means an early spring.

The origins of the tradition aren't clear, but it's likely related to the fact that Groundhog Day falls midway between the start of winter and the beginning of spring.

Earlier today, both Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam and Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania also saw their shadows, heralding six more weeks of winter.

David Ganong to release NB Power Report

The St. Stephen Development Board and the St. Stephen Area Chamber of Commerce is co-hosting the Advisory Panel Special Briefing this evenging at the St. Stephen Legion at 5.

David Ganong will be presenting his Panel’s report on the sale of NB Powers assests to Hydro Quebcec in a private session for members and guests.

Mr. Ganong will provide context to the report and engage in a dialogue as to the background of their recommendations.

Grand Manan Ferry to be Named

A news conference is scheduled for today that will give us an update and a name for the new Grand Manan ferry. $65 million dollars was set aside for the new vessel back in the spring of last year by a boat building firm in Florida. The new ferry will have a capacity for 82 vehicles and will replace the current 25 vehicle ferry.  The 60 vehicle vessel will remain on the water with the new ferry to be finished by next year. The news conference gets started at ten o'clock with Premier Graham, Transportation Minister Denis Landry and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet taking part.

The Tide's 8th Annual Marathon Food Drive

The 8th Annual Tide's Marathon Food Drive held over the weekend with our live broadcast from the Alantic Superstore brought in more than 1300 pounds of food and almost 900 dollars in cash.... This food will help feed the families that count on The Charlotte County food bank. Local community groups and businesses and town officials all came together to make the Food Drive a “huge success... Last year's years drive collected more than nine hundred pounds of food and over seventeen hundred in cash.

High Tides in St. Stephen

With the recent full moon on Saturaday night brought tides reaching the top of the wharf in St. Stephen over the weekend. Tides are influenced by the regular fluctuations in gravitational pulls caused by the sun and moon. One hundred billion tonnes of water flows into and out of the Bay on an average tide, twice a day, creating rip-currents, seething up-wellings, swirling whirlpools and a tidal range reaching 16m (53 ft) at the head of the Bay.