Suspicious Fire

  The RCMP are investigating a suspicious fire in the Musquash area. A house under construction on Route 790 at Chance Harbour went up in flames last night.

A nearby volunteer firefighter noticed the blaze shortly after 9:30 but the structure was fully engulfed in flames and a pile of debris was found burning behind the unfinished home.

 The photo attached shows Musquash firefighters beginning to knock down a large debris pile that was located behind the house that was destroyed. Photo by Andrew Sanojca.

Plowing Scam Making It's Rounds

Another scam making it's round this time in the Moncton-area. Residents are being warned about a snow-clearing scam in the area.

The Mounties say some residents are being told they must sign a contract to have their driveways cleared for the season and that the payment is upfront and in cash only. The service is then never delivered.

Fraudulent ads have been posted online under a number of names, including ``Atlantic Driveways'' and ``Brunswick Snow Removal.''

MacKenzie Found Not Guilty

The women  woman who admitted to stabbing her common-law husband has been found not guilty of second-degree murder.
  
A jury acquitted Crystal-Dawn MacKenzie of Saint John.
  
Patrick Andrew Thomas was stabbed in the  shoulder on March 15th to prevent her three children from seeing them fight.

Her lawyer, David Kelly, argued MacKenzie was acting in self-defence.

St. Stephen High School Fundraiser For Food Bank.

A Unique fundraiser is underway at The St. Stephen High School to raise food for our Local Food Bank.

Mrs. Grant's World Issues and Mrs. Calder's Human Services Class have come together to  work for our local food banks in St. Stephen and St. George and have challenged one another to see who can bring in the most box's of Kraft Dinner.

To date 381 have been brought in with a goal to have 1000 by December 17th .Donna Linton with the Volunteer Center  Of Charlotte County says it awesome when young people come to together to help families.

Once the the School reaches it's goal they plan to built a huge display of the domino effect before the food is distributed to our local food banks.

Saint John Murder Trial Nearing A Verdict

It's into the home stretch at the second degree murder trial of 28 year old Crystal Dawn McKenzie after she testified in her own defense. The case will be going to the jury later today.

 McKenzie is charged in the stabbing death last March of her common law husband 29 year old Pat Thomas on Alma Street just off Waterloo. The court was told she had been dragged along the street by her hair just before the stabbing.

Her lawyer David Kelly claims McKenzie acted in self defense after years of abuse while the prosecution maintains she could have called police.

Calais LNG Hit's Another Hurdles

Yet another bump in the road for the Calais Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal project. The project has lost its right to the 250-acre parcel of land required for the project pushing the LNG proposal to the close to collapse.

Calais LNG has failed to renew it's option to the purchase agreement with the Board Of Environmental Protection and  the land owners are asking the board of environmental protection to suspend the application.

 

CTF Launches No Tax Hike Campaign

A new campaign getting underway today by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation to urge the Alward government not to raise taxes in the 2010-11 budget.

Kevin Lacey, Atlantic Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says the massive spending binge that has gone on over the past five years, the government should cut spending and not raise taxes.

David Alward has said that he doesn't want to raise taxes and will balance the budget on spending cuts.

The campaign includes a petition drive asking New Brunswickers to oppose tax increases. The petition can be found at http://www.taxpayer.com/atlantic/no-tax-hikes-2011-budget.

Growing an Appetite for Local Food

Two films will be in the spotlight this month to encourage us to eat more local food. The Quoddy Future Foundation and Eastern Charlotte Waterways and  will show a film in St. Andrews and St. Stephen as part of the Growing an Appetite for Local Food project.

Mad City Chicken will be shown in St. Stephen on Thursday November 25th at 7:00pm at the Ganong Nature Park. On Monday November 29th ECW and QFF will partner with the St. Andrews Film Society to host a screening of FRESH at 7:00 pm at the St. Andrews W.C. O’Neill arena theatre.

There will be discussions following the screenings of each of these films for those who are interested in hearing more or would like to comment, focusing in part on the local food initiatives that are underway in or planned for our region.

This project aims to bring awareness to the importance and also the rewards of eating local food and supporting food producers and processors in and near Charlotte County.

Crime Stoppers Crime of the Week Missing Person Bathurst Area/Tremblay

Crime Stoppers and the District 9 RCMP, Bathurst Detachment are looking for information regarding the disappearance of Robert Arseneau of Tremblay, N.B.

On June 4 of 2006 the  RCMP were called to the scene of a vehicle fire in the Janeville area on Route 11.  Police say the vehicle was registered to Robert Arseneau and that the fire had been set.

All attempts to locate Robert have failed and his  disappearance is considered suspicious. Robert would now be 59 years old.

If you have any information that might shed light on Robert’s disappearance, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Saint Andrews Host Special Guest Freeman Patterson

An Evening With Freeman Patterson will take place tonight  at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall, corner of Queen and Princess Royal Streets in St. Andrews.

Most people know him as a world-famous photographer, however Patterson also works in visual design, and is a teacher, lecturer, author, gardener and avid motorcyclist.

He has served as an elected trustee of School District 19 in the Hampton-Kingston Peninsula area, on the board of AIDS Saint John, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Patterson's lecture, The Call of Creativity, will begin at 7 PM, followed by a question period. During the dessert hour after the question period attendees can enjoy meeting guest speaker Patterson while having a scrumptious dessert and beverage.

Saint Andrews Water Flushing

Due to unforeseen circumstances the Town of Saint Andrews did not flush watermains on the scheduled dates in October.  Instead please note that the Town of Saint Andrews will be flushing watermains on Tuesday, November 23rd & Wednesday, November 24th.

The flushing will take place between the hours of 7:00 am and 4:00 pm.

You may notice   low water pressure and you may experience discolored water.  

Two New Brunswick Teachers Support Anti-Bullying Efforts By Recording Song

Two Teachers from Fredericton have found a unique way to help in the effort to fight bullying.
Mark Garnett and Peter Cook have both recorded a song.

They say it  will bring the  issue of bullying to back in the spotlights. Rob Frenette, Co-Founder of Bullying  Canada says he commends these two men as leaders within their community for taking a stand and supporting. 

The song is done to the beat of Dynamite can be accessed here: http://twaud.io/qskC  

Secretary of State Announces Waldo County Commissioner District 1 Recount Results

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap announced  that a recount of results from the General Election in Waldo County Commissioner District 1 was conducted and completed.

Waldo County Commissioner District 1 is  Betty I. Johnson  of Lincolnville remained the winner.

Donald P. Berry  Sr. of Belmont requested the recount after unofficial results from Election Day indicated that he lost the election. The recount determined that 2,883 votes were cast for Johnson, while 2,881 were cast for Berry.

Hestia Says No To Used Goods While Transition House Says No To Used Beds

Used goods are no longer being accepted at Hestia House  in Saint John due to the recent out-break of bed bugs around the Province.

Director Elaine Northrup says  this is a direct hit to it's residents who are looking for clothing and furniture to set up an apartment with.
Northrup says the shelter has not been hit with bed-bugs and by putting this measure in place, they hope to keep it that way.

Meanwhile here at home The Executive Director Lynn Matheson of The Fundy Regional Transition house tells us they will not be accepting any donations of used beds at this time until spring although they welcome all other donations. 

Tree Lighting & Food Drive Contest

A contest will be held tomorrow evening to help us give back to our community and to kick off the 20th Annual Retailers Christmas Promotion.

You could have the chance to win $250 dollars in Christmas cash all by bringing a donation for the
Charlotte County Food Bank to the Tree Lighting at the Town Square.

Cash donations or non-perishable food items will be accepted.  Santa is expected to arrive at 7.

Christmas Card For Troops In Afghanistan Vandalised In Market Square

Someone with a black felt marker has vandalised the large Christmas card at the Saint John Market Square kiosk that people were signing for the troops in Afghanistan.

Some sort of grafitti type marking was scrawled on the inside of the card. Artist Norm Jackson came up with the idea of the card and says he's disappointed.

Jackson is hoping he can clean the card up but concedes some of the names and messages might be lost.

He's urging those who signed the inside to come down and have a look to see if their names and messages are lost. If so, they can sign again once the card is cleaned up.

    Photo by Brian McLain

Gas Prices Go Up

If your stopping to get some gas, propane, diesel or furnace oil....it will cost you more than it would have yesterday.

The Energy and Utilities Board has released it's latest weekly price setting which shows the maximum retail for  regular self serve is  gasoline is $107.9, meanwhile gas stations around St. Stephen a selling a litre of self serve regular for 105.8.

Diesel comes in at $111.9, furnace oil is selling for 92.1 a litter and propane tops off at 97.8.

If your headed to Calais today  gas is only going to cost you .84 cents a litre Canadian.

Mealey Road Intersection Closure

As part of the construction of the new Route 1 Gateway, the Mealey Road Intersection to the north of Route 1 Highway will be permanently closed starting today. 

Residents and commuters will have access to Mealey Road and the Route 1 Highway from the Pennfield Corner Exit 60. 

 The Route 1 Gateway project will see the completion of the final 55 kilometres of four lane highway on Route 1 from Waweig to St.George and between Pennfield and Lepreau.

New Used Clothing Store To Open

A new store will be opening in St. Stephen at the old Guardian Drug store location on Milltown Blvd.

Dee's Clothing Outlet is expected to open it's door's next week.  The store will offer new to you clothing. This is the second location for Dee's with another store in St. George.

Riverview Women Remembered

A Riverview woman remembered yesterday as a loving mother and compassionate friend.
Friends and family gathered at a funeral home in Sackville to say goodbye to Sabrina Patterson.

The 25-year-old's body was discovered earlier this month in woods near Moncton, her death is being treated by police as a homicide.

Her funeral was broadcast on speakers outside the funeral home so that loved ones who couldn't fit inside the packed building could listen to the emotional service.

Police have not laid any charges in her death.

Ten Thousand Villages Festival to Take Place In St. Stephen

For two days the St. Stephen area churches will offer the St. Stephen Community an opportunity to shop fair trade.

Shoppers will have the chance to discover some beautiful handcrafted home decor items by skilled artisan in more than 30 developing countries. The hand made products will be offered thru ten thousand villages.

Ten Thousand Villages provides fair  income to artisans around the world by marketing their products in North America.

Over 100 Festival have taken place this past year in communities from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island.

The festival takes place November 26 and 27th at The Kirk McColl United Church Hall on King Street.

Windstar Safety Recall

Ford is voluntarily recalling older, high-mileage Windstar minivans produced between mid-1997 and early 2003 for rear axles. In a very small number of cases, the axles have fractured in certain locations on the right or left side, and affected vehicle handling.

Affected owners will notified.  Media rep for Ford  Wes Shirwood tells Tide News is rare conditions the vechile may be bought back if the part can not be replaced.

The recall for the Windstar which is no longer in production applies to vehicles in 21 states, the District of Columbia and Canada where road salt corrosion is more common.

Ford dealers at no charge to customers will reinforce the axles of the affected vehicles as parts are available. If it’s determined the axle can’t be reinforced, it will be replaced as soon as parts are available. Ford will provide for rental vehicles for customers until the rear axle of their vehicle has been replaced.

Fall Lobster Season Underway

After a delay in the fishing season in the area Lobster fishermen finally made it out this morning for setting day.

Last week the high winds were blamed for delaying the start of the fall lobster season in the south-western half of the Province.

Record Rainfall In The Area

 Days of heavy rain in St. Stephen and across the province have broken a number of rainfall records.
  
Mechanic Settlement comes out on top with just over 339 millimetres.
 
More than 166 millimetres fell on Greater Saint John, while Grand Manan received 133.
  
In Gagetown, 120 millimetres fell while St. Stephen recorded 117 millimetres over the past six days.

Photo By Mark Downey
Photo shows Behind Miss D's

Lobster Season Will Open Friday Morning

The opening of the lobster District 36  has been delayed another day after a conference call this morning with fishermen from every port between St. Martin's and Campobello Island.

The delay is due to the strong Northeast winds expected to persist through tomorrow.

 Friday will be setting day. It gets underway at 6am.

Lobster Season Postponed For LSA 36

Lobster Fisherman expecting to set their traps tomorrow morning will now have to wait until at least Thursday.

The Fundy North Fisherman's association along with DFO have postponed the season to a late start for LSA 36 due to the Strong wind warning in effect.

A spokesperson with The Fundy North Fisherman's association tells Tide News lobster fishermen can expect to set their traps on Thursday  if the weather co-operates.

Garbage Pick Up

The Town of St. Stephen advises its residents that garbage pick up day is Tuesday in the entire community and if you notice garbage out on any other day, please disregard it.

Going To Take Time To Dry Out

Some area's of the Province are going to take a little longer than others to dry out when the sky finally does clear.

Environment Canada has been keeping tabs since the rain began late last week and as of this morning, here are some of the more soaked area's.

Mechanic Settlement has received just shy of 300 mm's of rain,  St. Stephen 77m's, Point Lepreau just over 71mm's,  the Greater Saint John area just over 131mm's, Gagetown 63.5 and Point Lepreau just over 71mm's.

Body discovered confirmed as missing Riverview woman, Shenstone

Body discovered confirmed as missing Riverview woman, Shenstone

The body discovered yesterday in a wooded area in the Shenstone has been Sabrina Patterson.

The woman had been missing since October 29.

At this point no charges have been laid.

Weather Conditions Around St. Stephen

Strong winds and heavy rain are in the forecast today for much of the Maritimes.
St Stephen is expected to receive up to 70 mm of rain today and as much as 40 mm tomorrow
Environment Canada is calling for upwards of 100 millimetres of rain by tonight in some parts of the region.
Pizza Delight in St. Stephen had a close call earlier today with water levels reaching the building and covering the Wharf.
Crews with the St. Stephen Public Works Department are keeping an eye on road condition and backed up drainage paths. NB Power is working to restore Power to the nearly 800 customers affected.

Grand Manan Ferry Off It's Run

 The GMV will not be making the 11:30 trip out of Grand Manan.

A decision has not been made yet on the 1:00 PM trip. Coastal Transport will be advising The Tide of any future cancellations. 

 

NB Power Outages

NB Power reporting outages in St. Stephen at this hour is affecting 290 customers, Valley Road, Rollingdam, Laurence Station, Elmsville, Tower Hill and Little Ridge. Nb Power crews are working on the issue's and expect to have power restored by early afternoon. Meanwhile Fredericton has over 1200 customers without power at this time.

Strong winds and heavy rain are in the forecast today for much of the Maritimes.

Environment Canada is calling for upwards of 100 millimeters of rain by tonight in some parts of the region.

 

Missing Moncton Man Found

One of two people missing from the Moncton area has been found by police at his home.

The RCMP says Fred Prosser was located shortly before noon today at his residence.

Prosser is being interviewed by police to determine his whereabouts over the past few days.
   
The search is continuing for Sabrina Patterson, a 25-year-old Riverview woman who was reported missing on Oct. 29.

  

Canada's Ambassador To U.S. Says Energy Opportunities Abound For Atlantic Canada

Saint John getting a visit from the Canadian Ambassador in Washington, Gary Doer who was the keynote speaker before a large gathering of businesspeople at the Trade and Convention Centre.

Doer says Atlantic Canada is well positioned to take advantage of the energy demand in New England if the provinces work together. He points out New England imports 11 billion dollars worth of energy from Atlantic Canada and 35 per cent of its natural gas comes from this region.

He adds the Americans are looking for energy security which they can't get from the Middle East.

Doer told businesspeople at the Trade and Convention Centre the incoming chair of the Congressional Energy Committee who's a Republican is, in his words, pro-NAFTA and pro-energy from Canada.

(Canada's Ambassador To The U.S., Gary Doer)
         (Photo by Brian McLain)

 

 

 

 

St. Stephen Middle School Dismissing Due To Power Outage

School is dismissed at The St. Stephen Middle School due to the power outage.

Dave Breau with District 10 tells us they are dismissing School at this time due to the power outaged caused by the accident earlier today on Princees St.

Back Hoe Hits Pole & Knock's Power Out In St. Stephen

Lights are knocked out at this hour as Back Hoe hit a pole on Princess Street earlier this morning . The Driver was taken by ambulance  to the Charlotte County Hospital and his condition is not yet know , alothough a  bystanders tells us he did walk to the stretcher. It is believed he blacked out while driving the machine.

NB Power is reporting just over 850 customers without power in the area and is expected to be restored by 2 today.

Human Remains Found On Shoreline Of Grand Manan

RCMP members on Grand Manan Island were called to Castalia  after a someone found skeletal human remains along the shoreline.

The discovery was made within two kilometres of the site of skeletal remains discovered last month.
It is unknown at this time whether the remains are from the same person.

The Coroner's office has been contacted and ongoing forensic examination and DNA testing is being conducted to help establish identity.

Saint Andrews Fire Department Reminds Us To Change Battery's In Smoke Detectors

The Saint Andrews Fire Department has a message for residents and that is "Remember Change you Clock, Change your batteries.

This as Daylight Savings time ends and we prepare to set our clocks back an hour on Sunday, Nov. 7, meanwhile The Provincial fire Marshal Benoit Laroche tells us most deaths due to house fires happen at night, while people are sleeping. He says it's a good idea to place smoke alarms outside every sleeping area and on every level of the home.

 If you sleep with the bedroom door closed, install a smoke alarm inside the bedroom, test your smoke alarms while the family is sleeping and make sure they are clean.

Town Of St. Stephen Fall Clean Up

Residents of the Town of St. Stephen are advised that a Fall pick-up of bagged leaves and brush only will take place the week of November 8.

Town Officials tell us residents should have their brush and leaves out by the roadside by Monday.

Officials once again remind us to have your leaves preferably in clear and biodegradable bags and securely tied in order for Town pick-up.

Change Smoke Detector Batteries

As Daylight Savings time ends and we prepare to set our clocks back an hour on Sunday, Nov. 7, the Office of the Fire Marshal reminds residents to change the batteries in their smoke detectors.

The Provincial fire Marshal Benoit Laroche tells us most deaths due to house fires happen at night, while people are sleeping. He says it's a good idea to place smoke alarms outside every sleeping area and on every level of the home.

 If you sleep with the bedroom door closed, install a smoke alarm inside the bedroom, test your smoke alarms while the family is sleeping and make sure they are clean. Department of Public Safety: www.gnb.ca/publicsafety.

Amy Cummings Named State Library Employee of the Year

A well-organized and dedicated women takes the title State Library Employee of the year.  Amy Cummings has been named the 2010 employee of the year for the Maine State Library.

Each year, state agencies may nominate a single employee who exhibits an outstanding work ethic and attitude and provides a valuable service to his or her agency.

She single-handedly loans and borrows over 22,000 items annually for individuals and libraries on behalf of the State Library.

RCMP Search For Missing Man

RCMP are looking for 31-year-old Fred Prosser last seen by friends early Monday morning at his home in Shenstone, outside of Salisbury.He was  reported missing on Monday night after he didn't show up at work.

He has not been in touch with friends or family and is not answering his cell phone.

Prosser  is believed to be driving a 2004 Chevrolet pickup, grey in colour, with a New Brunswick License plate reading COT 348.

He is about 5 foot 10 weighing about 200 pounds with brown eyes and hair.

If you have any information, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS

St. Stephen Elementary School Looks for Donations

It's that time of year again when the kids head out during school hours for some good old fashion skating. The St.Stephen Elementary  school makes this possible each and every year with their trips to the arena and are now looking for your help in providing some of those kids with some skates and helmets.

This year is the first year that The St.Stephen Elementary School has shared their skates and helmets with the kids at The Milltown School and now are finding themselves in more need of skates and helmets.

If you can help donations of all sizes of skates and helmets are needed and you can drop them off at the St. Stephen Elementary School or call 466-7303 for more information.

Citizens On Patrol Recruit For New Members

A public meeting will be held to recruit new members for the group Citizens On Patrol. Maybe you you want to join or simply just get the info.

The group works with the RCMP to provide an extra set of eyes to help make the community safer and alert Police of any suspicious activity.

Citizens on Patrol have been working in the community with the Police since April of 2006.

The meeting gets underway at 7 in the Library of The Stephen High School this Thursday. 

RCMP Seek Public Assistant In Stolen Vehicle

RCMP are on the look out for a stolen van that was taken from the Pennfield area late last month.It's a 1998 Navy Blue Ford Windstar with paint patches and NB plates BWD 820

Police are asking the public for information that could help them and if you can call District 1 RCMP at  755-1132 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) to remain anonymous.

SPCA Raise Funds with Crafts

Crafters and Animals.. It may sound like an odd combination but The Charlotte County Animal Shelter don't think so. The group is hosting a craft fair to raise fund for the Shelter.

It's s currently looking for donations of Christmas crafts and baked goods to sell at our annual Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday, November 27th.

The Craft Fair will be held at the St. Stephen Legion with  all profits will go towards the care of the animals at the shelter.Donations can be dropped off at the shelter anytime! For more info, please call 465-7657 or see www.cc-spca.petfinder.com.

 

Man Faces Charges After Cocaine Seizure

Police say they've taken about two thousand dollars worth of crack cocaine off the street following a raid on a Princess Street home in Saint John  late last week -- they came armed with a search warrant and seized just over 10-grams of crack as well as scales and packaging material.

A 22-year old man was arrested and has been spending time at the Regional Correctional Centre. He's due in court today to answer to charges of trafficking.

15 Year Old Murder Case Opens In Moncton Court Today

A man in his sixty will appear in a Moncton court today for a preliminary hearing.

Raymond Joseph is accused of killing a woman and her son 15 years ago.He faces two counts of first-degree murder.
 
 He's accused of killing 37-year-old Mary Lou Barnes and 12-year-old Larry Mills Jr.
  
Their bodies were found in their Sackville home in November 1995.
  
Police say they had been strangled.