Wind Storm Hits Saint John Hard

A wild day of wind and rain have been incredibly destructive in the Port City.

The causeway is closed to traffic Eastbound because of high water and Bayside Drive is closed from the Causeway to Redhead Road due to downed power lines.
The Chipman Hill Pedway has now reopened as the windows have been secured. Large glass planes were dangerously close to coming out of the pedway and falling onto to Chipman Hill.

NB Power is reporting more than 33,000 customers are without power in the rain and wind storm. Over 8600 in impacted in Darlings Island, Quispam, Rothesay, Hampton and the Peninsula. Major outages are also reported in Sussex and St. Stephen and Moncton.

Saint John Energy is dealing with numerous broken poles and wires down and expect that work to continue until tonight.

City police telling Tide News the Redhead dyke is now closed due to the high water.
High surf is reported at Saint's Rest today.

Lancaster Avenue is blocked to traffic at Simms Corner after a power pole came down.
The storm leading to cancelled and delayed flights at the Saint John Airport.

Legion Ownership Was A Question Of Ethics

The deed is done.
However,  many residents are asking why the Town of St. Stephen is giving the old Milltown Legion building to the Legion members, when the Legion plans on selling the building to the St. Croix Christian Centre.

St. Stephen Town Manager John Ferguson tells Tide News, "Research of the deeds found that when the previous legion building burnt down in 1965, it led to the construction of a new legion building being built on Town property. But the legion that was built, was actually built by the legion members, and paid for and constructed by the legion members."

Ferguson tells us it was a question of ethics. He says, "The ethical route that Council took in this matter was to say, 'Do we believe this should belong to the Legion?' They determined whether or not they could own property, they found out that they could, and Council is basically deeding the property to them to do with what they wish."

High Winds Cause Havoc For Charlotte County

The high winds are wreaking havoc for NB Power crews who are busy with downed poles, wires and power outages.

Currently, NB Power's website says there are 3385 people without juice in Charlotte County.
The hardest hit area in Charlotte County is the Dufferin area outside of St. Stephen with 884 without power.

We have several tips to our 466-2222 News Line of a large spruce tree, approximately 50 feet long, that has toppled over power lines and is covering 3/4 of the road in Chamcook. The tree is positioned by the Clamdigger Take-out and NB Power crews have surrounded the tree with pylons until they are able to take care of the issue.

Every area from St. Stephen through to St. Andrews and Bayside, clear to St. George and surrounding areas has been affected by power outages.

Vocational Centre Needs Help!

Anything and Everything -- we just need donations.

That word coming from the St. Croix Vocational Centre in St. Stephen, who are left with only a small table of items used to support their organization.

Manager Tammy Parks tells Tide News their clients work sorting through clothes, books, and household items, as well as in the Wood & Wardrobe Thrift Store. She says, "It's kind of like a never-ending circle because the items people purchase helps the customers but they also help us because we have to make a certain amount of our own money in order to keep our organization going. The government funds us a portion, but they don't fund us completely."







Parks tells Tide News when it comes to people giving donations -- they're not fussy. "We sell clothing, men's, women's, children's, infants, we sell furniture, appliances, books, jewelery, you name it, we sell it. There is a corner for everything in this store."

The Vocational Centre serves intellectually disabled adults in Charlotte County, teaching them many things like literacy, life skills, and work ethics. Parks says donations are sorted, sold at the Wood & Wardrobe Thrift Store, and in turn, creates revenue to fund the program.

Parks says donations can be dropped off at 129 Union Street, and they are also willing to pick up any donations as far away as St. Andrews.
To contact the Vocational Centre call 466-4977.
(In Picture Kevin Clark and Bobby Clarke standing infront of what is left of their dwindling pile of donations.)

NBCC States Case To Council Over Donation To Kids Carnival

"It's a community engagement piece, not a way to fanaggle money."

That word from NBCC Student Life Coordinator Justin Sweeney while defending the 5th Annual Kids Winter Carnival to St. Stephen Town Council. The debate over a $200 donation brought Sweeney to Council Chambers last night (Monday) to clarify a few things reported elsewhere by local media.


Sweeney says, "The mention of fundraising and trying to raise funds for ourselves and things of that nature, I felt that was very innacurate, I felt that was where the misperception was." Sweeney tells Tide News he wants to clarify the event is not a fundraiser, infact, NBCC is in the hole around $1600 from the past 4 years. "People ask, and we'll say, 'Yeah, It was a huge success!' and for us, we measure success in the number of kids who attend the event, the fact that they have never had any injuries, and the only time we tend to see a kid upset is when their parents say it's time to go, so I mean, to us, that's the major success."

After Sweeney stated his case, St. Stephen Town Council voted 4-2 in favor of the $200 donation.

The 5th Annual Kids Winter Carnival will take place next Saturday, Feb 9th, at NBCC, from 10-6pm.

Charlotte County Residents Helping Local Fundraisers

Local communities were in the giving spirit this weekend.

The Tide's 11th Annual Marathon Food Drive held Friday and Saturday at the Atlantic Superstore in St. Stephen raising 1109 pounds of food along with $566 in cash donations for our local foodbank, the Volunteer Center of Charlotte County.

Meanwhile, Saturday night the Charlotte County Crime Stoppers held their annual community hockey game at the Fundy Arena in Black Harbour.
Locals saw Team 911 beat the Funday High School Alumni 14-9.



The fundraising game raised $1400 for Charlotte County Crime Stoppers.

Buildings Torn Down, Cause Still Unknown

The two buildings on Mecklenburg that received the most fire damage are being torn down today.

The Divisional Chief for Fire Prevention Mark Wilson tells Tide News they're bringing in a private contractor to bring the dilapidated and dangerous buildings down. While that's happening, investigators will be keeping a keen eye on the buildings as they continue their search for the origin of the fire. Wilson says they still don't know what started the fire, but believe it started at the rear of the vacant building.
Witnesses, first responders, and residents will all be interviewed today to help solve the mystery.
As for the frozen cars, a tow truck will move them around the corner in hopes that the sun will melt their icy casing. Wilson says there's been no other damage to the cars, that became encased after water from the fire hose froze on them.

The major fire Saturday morning fire destroyed buildings at 72 and 74 Mecklenburg street, and badly damaged another. 16 people have been displaced.

5 Busted After 4 Month Drug Investigation

Three men and 2 women, all from Saint John, busted after a four month drug investigation with police confiscating drugs with an estimated street value of more than $11,300.

City Police, the RCMP, Rothesay Regional Police and  the Canada Border Services Agency staged raids on Somerset Street, McLaren Blvd and Baxter Road along with a vehicle being searched.

Police say they seized cocaine, marijuana, prescription pills, 4 firearms, ammunition, a prohibited knife, other weapons, contraband smokes and more than $6000 in cash. 

St. Andrews Woman Helping Fire Victims In Saint John

7 kids including an unborn baby from 3 famillies are looking for everything you need to live after a devastating fire on Mecklenburg street in Saint John.

Stephanie Craig lives in St. Andrews but has an apartment on Orange street in the city and is friends with one of the fire victims.
 
She created a Facebook group in the aftermath of the blaze and has seen a tremendous outpouring of support with people offering everything school supplies to baby clothes.

She tells us she is impressed with the support was surprised to wake up this morning and see the group now has 1000 members.

Craig says they need the use of a large vehicle to transport larger items that people are offering to donate.  

To help out, you can post directly on the Mecklenburg Facebook page, click here

Fresh Start Services through the Salvation Army on Prince Edward Street.

Cannon Security on Bayside Drive above Beats and Bytes.

(photo courtesy of Brett Stevens)

Logs Smash Through Cab In Musquash Crash

Plenty of damage after a crash in Musquash last night.

Officers with the Musquash Fire Department tell Tide News a man driving a pick-up crashed his truck into a utility pole around 11pm last night (Sunday) on Route 790.
At the time, the truck was carrying logs, which crashed into the passenger side of the cab from the force of the impact.
Firefighters say they blocked traffic until NB Power crews could arrive. They tell us power and phone lines were down, including one home that had the service entrance ripped off of it.

Officials say the man was able to get out of the truck on his own and walk away from the vehicle before firefighters arrived. The man was sent to hospital to be treated.
(Pictures courtesy of Lt. Paul Poirier with the MFD)

VIDEO: 2 Buildings Destroyed By Fire In Saint John

Fire crews are still battling a major fire in the south end in Saint John, which has completely destroyed 2 buildings and caused serious water and smoke damage to a third.

Fire Platoon Chief Peter Saab tells Tide news the fire started at 71 Mecklenberg Street around 2 am, then spread to 2 other buildings eastward. The first two buildings are completely gutted, and had their back ends completely cave in from the damage. Saab explains the first building was unoccupied, while the surrounding homes were evacuated and no one was hurt.

Saab says it's a stubborn fire that's deep in the building and will take awhile yet to put out. Over 30 fire fighters are on scene, Saab says they're not only battling fire but the cold and exhaustion.

The Canadian Red Cross say 16 people were evacuated and sheltered on city transit buses until Red Cross volunteers arranged emergency lodging at motels.

There's still no sign as to what caused the fire. Fire investigators will look at the scene once everything has been extinguished.

Know Ice Strength By Color & Thickness

As we're smack dab in the middle of winter, skating outdoors on frozen lakes looks very tempting.

But to be safe, Divisional Chief for Fire Prevention Mark Wilson says you have to look at the color of the ice and measure how thick it is. Ice is strongest when it's clear blue, if it's white/opaque it's half as strong, and if it's grey in color it's very unsafe. If the ice is 15 cm thick it's safe to walk on, 20 cm means it can hold groups or party games, and 25+ cm can handle snow mobiles.

Wilson adds it's best to avoid going out alone and at night. For more information on ice safety, click here.

After School Programs Get Boost From Province

After-school programs getting a $52,000 boost from the provincial government.

The After School Hours grant program helps fund opportunities for school children to be active and engaged in fun activities. First Nations, schools, licensed day cares, community organizations and family resource centres in Saint John, Fredericton and 6 other communities have received the funding.

Healthy and Inclusive Communities Minister Dorothy Shephard says after-school hours are a key time and opportunity for kids to be active.

Sarah Wagner, interim executive director of the organization, says there's a need in the province for quality after-school programming that's affordable and accessible.

Premier Hasn't Seen Change With Ousted MLA

Premier David Alward says he's ready and willing to sit down with independent Fundy River Valley MLA Dr. Jim Parrot, but doubt he'll see a change.

Parrot was ousted from the Tory caucus in September after he criticized the party for not listening to doctors when making decisions on healthcare.  Alward says he understands Parrot wants to meet with him, and he will, but adds that so far he's seen no change in Parrot's attitude.

Alward says when Parrot made his comments he broke their trust, which is why they made the difficult decision to cut him from the Conservatives.

Alward says they did wish him well over the holidays, when Parrot underwent heart surgery.

Great Outdoors Full Of Winter Activities

Getting outside and enjoying the bitter winter can be 'cooler' than you think.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is showing you the beautiful outdoors at a wellness fair today at Market Square. NCC spokesperson Andrew Holland says the Musquash Estuary boasts 3,900 acres of forest and two trails. He says that's plenty of space for activities like birding, snowshoeing, and even a popular treasure hunting activity called geocaching.

The Fundy Wellness Network will also be promoting healthy eating, living and activities today in Market Square from 1 until 4.

Cross-Country Ski Event Hits The Slopes

Tomorrow an annual cross-country ski event will be hitting the slopes at the Kouchibouguac National Park.

The 29th annual Boules de Neige Loppet will offer 3 different distances for skiers that include 3, 10 and 30 kilometers. People who register will also get a warm meal. The oldest and youngest competitors that compete at least 10 km will receive a plaque that will be displayed at the waxing hut in the park.

The event gets underway at 9:30 am for 30 km and 11:00 am for 3 and 10 km tomorrow morning.

For more information, click here.

Literacy Skills As Essential As Healthy Food

Having strong literacy skills is as essential to your well-being as eating healthy... that's according to Deanna Allen, executive director of Laubach Literacy NB.

Today is Family Literacy Day, a day to recognize and promote the importance of literacy for both parents and children. Allen tells Tide news parents should put an effort into helping kids improve their reading and writing in their everyday lives. She says there's many easy exercises parents can do, like asking their child to read recipes, labels on boxes and picking out places on a map.

Although some parents may not have a love of reading themselves, Allen says just like eating healthy foods it's essential and kids will imitate their parents. She says 60% of people over 16 in New Brunswick have literacy problems, which is a pattern that needs to change.

Inquest Into Death At Aquatic Centre

An inquest into a death that occurred at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre in Saint John over a year ago is scheduled for court.

17-year-old Yi Fan Wang died in September 2011 from injuries sustained during a public swim session. The inquest is scheduled for April at the Sydney Street Courthouse where Chief Coroner Gregory Forestell and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses to determine the facts surrounding the international students death.

The jury will then take that information and make recommendations so a situation like this well never reoccur.

Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels---Or, Suspcious Fives

Your mama always warned you not to take any wooden nickels....and if you're in Charlotte County you might also want to watch out for counterfeit fives.

District 1 RCMP is investigating four incidents where counterfeit $5.00 Canadian bills were passed...... two at grocery stores and a pub in St Stephen, N.B. and in the elementary school cafeteria in St Andrews.

All the notes were 1986 series with the same serial number.Police have interviewed at least one person suspected of passing the counterfeit money. If you think you've received a fake bill contact the police or Crime Stoppers.

A Stark Message About The Provincial Economy

The provincial economy is not bouncing back from the recession of 2008 with New Brunswick at the bottom of the scale in economic growth. That message delivered by Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs at his first pre-budget consultation meeting.

Higgs heard from alot of union members at the first of his pre-budget consultation meetings with the message from them being it's time to tax the rich more. Higgs says if you tax small businesses too much then more people won't be hired.

Peter Woychuk, who teaches skilled trades at Simonds, fears the province is failing its students even though Higgs pointed out student enrollment is falling but costs are still rising.

The leader of the provincial Green Party David Coon advocated personal income taxes be raised and a new tax created on junk food.

Alward Government Will Not Be Balancing Its Budget In Its First Mandate

The provincial books will not be balanced anytime in the next two years.

That means the Alward Government will not reach its goal of a balanced budget by the time the next provincial election is held in 2014.

Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs says the only way it will happen is through a balanced approach of containing costs and raising more government revenue.

Higgs doesn't see any big improvement with the deficit happening. He says the provincial economy is not bouncing back from the 2008 recession and New Brunswick is at the bottom when its comes to economic growth as compared to the other provinces.

Green Party Leader Calls For Tax Increase

You don't hear this too often........A provincial party leader actually calling for taxes to be raised but that's what David Coon of the Green Party is advocating.

He says Provincial Health Minister Blaine Higgs only has two choices.....Raise taxes or implement deeper cuts to health and education.

Coon says income taxes are good and he is calling for the tax cuts instituted by the previous Liberal government in 2009 to be rescinded because in his words, they were reckless and left provincial coffers short of much needed revenue.

He goes on to say raising income taxes would mainly affect those people who already enjoy luxuries and maybe mean one less trip south in the winter.

Sick And Premature Babies To Receive Even Better Care

The Saint John Regional Hospital has received a big boost to its Neonatal Unit in the form of $2 million combined funding from a record-breaking The Give fundraiser and the provincial government.

Dr Luis Monterossa tells Tide News the new equipment for treating conditions including jaundice makes all the difference when you're dealing with severely premature infants.

The $2 million dollar upgrade to the facility features specialized equipment, 10 patient care rooms and three hostel rooms for mothers to remain in hospital and care for their babies.

Health Minister To Meet With Provincial Medical Society

A meeting will be held this weekend between the Provincial Medical Society and Health Minister Ted Flemming.

Flemming tells Tide News he was simply doing his due diligence when he investigated the feasibility of the suggestion that doctor's pays be made public.

Further, Flemming says it wasn't even him that wrote the proposal--rather, it was penned by the auditor general. The health minister has already met with the Saint John Medical Society and they say they're satisfied with Flemming's clarifications.

Mariners Playing Home Opener After Delayed Start

The Fundy Arena in Blacks Harbour will be a busy spot this weekend.

Tomorrow night (Saturday)  Team 911 will take on the Fundy High Alumni for the Charlotte County Crimestoppers Annual Community Hockey Game. The game starts at 6:30pm. Cost for tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students, and kids under six can get in for free. The annual event raises money for the local branch of Crimestoppers.

The next day (Sunday), the Fundy Mariners will finally have their home-opener after a delayed start to their season. Available ice at the local arena caused a back-log for the boys hockey team, and until recently, Coach Matt Murray was unsure when they could host another team.
What better way to kick off their first game than against the rival St. Stephen Spartans. (Featured in picture.)
Puck drops Sunday afternoon at 3pm.

CAO Recommends Virtual Tour Of Civic Center

The Garcelon Civic Centre is really starting to take shape.
Tilt-up wall panels can now be seen on most of the structure which will be the final exterior of the building.

St. Stephen Chief Administrative Officer John Ferguson tells Tide News a lot of work has been put into foundations and footing, surveying, and getting the steel erected for the arena section. Ferguson talks about what is next. "Work will continue inside the building on the section that has been enclosed. When we get into more milder weather in the spring, further work will continue on the exterior of the building that would include the pool, the conference area, the front entrance, offices, and ticket area."





Ferguson says the Garcelon has a split-level design with two main levels. He describes what the final result will look like once you walk through the front doors. "There is a 10 foot deck to your right, which is the platform of the pool. It's sort of in-between the first and the second floor. Then if you take the staircase or the elevator, you will end up on the second floor which is the conference area and the upper concourse of the arena walking track. If you stay on the main level, there is the lower concourse with access to all of the changing facilities, Zamboni rooms, maintenance rooms, and office area."

Ferguson says we are still on budget, and despite a few minor setbacks this winter, the construction is still on time to be completed by mid-October.
To see a full 3-D video of the completed Garcelon Civic Center click the link www.yourciviccenter.com

If You Are Sick, Don't Make Others Suffer

It's officially 'flu season, and Horizon Health wants to ensure the infection isn't spread more than necessary.

If you're coughing, feverish, sneezing, or have a sore throat, you're asked to avoid visiting friends and loved ones in the hospital. Or if you can't avoid visiting while under the weather, wear a mask and clean your hands with an alcohol based hand rub upon entering and exiting. Regional lead Marita MacMillan tells Tide News good hygeine is key: "To practice good hand hygeine, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rinse or soap and water because both methods are effective.

You can get surgical masks and hand rub at the entrances of all hospitals. If you have any questions you're asked to contact your local health-care facility.

Prison Guard Testifies He Followed Orders To Not Intervene

A prison guard who videotaped the death of Ashley Smith of Moncton says he was just following orders when he didn't intervene as the 19-year-old woman lay dying in her cell.
Rudy Burnett was testifying at the inquest into Smith's death in a cell in Kitchener, Ontario, five years ago.
He said there were orders and a protocol to follow at the correctional centre. The inquest was also told Smith trashed the sprinkler head in her segregation cell just hours after arriving at the jail where she died a few months later.
Another guard, Blaine Phibbs testified he first saw Smith tie a ligature around her neck within 12 hours of her arrival at the jail.

Deep Freeze To Last Until Next Tuesday

Put on your long-johns, the cold snap is holding strong.

Environment Canada issuing a wind chill warning for all of New Brunswick for tonight and tomorrow. Meteorologist Claude Cote tells Tide News the temperatures in Charlotte County are well below normal. He says, "Typically for this time of the year we should have afternoon temperatures near -4C, and overnight temperatures at -16C. Overnight tonight (Wednesday) Charlotte County will dip down to -24C and Thursday afternoon will se a high of -17C."

Cote says Charlotte County will be under the deep-freeze all week. "Beginning on Saturday, the temperature will start to recover somewhat, but we will have to wait until next Tuesday before the temperatures will return to seasonal value , around -3C to -4C, and by then we're probably going to find it mild."



Cote says a cold, arctic air mass from northern Canada and the Arctic has moved south to cover Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. He says there is nothing in the upper atmospheres to push the air mass away from us that would make the cold last only a day or so. He adds, as a result, we've been under the same air mass for the past week and it is only going to be pulling out of the region late over the weekend or early next week.

Maxwell Crossing Closed After Crash Causes Extensive Damage

The short-cut through Maxwell Crossing has been cut off.

Local Police report a single car crash yesterday afternoon caused extensive damage to the Maxwell Crossing covered bridge, which has now been closed to through traffic.

RCMP say three people traveling east in a car lost control of the vehicle just before the bridge around 3:30pm.

All three people were injured and taken to hospital by ambulance, the car was totaled, and the bridge is now missing a large section on one side.

Sgt. Bob MacKnight tells Tide News alcohol was not involved, but high speeds, slippery conditions, and driver inexperience were all factors to the crash.

MacKnight says DOT has closed the bridge because of the damage and it will likely remain that way for quite some time.
(Top Picture taken by Murray Weeks)

At A Grow-Op Near You...

With winter upon us, criminals often move their illegal operations indoors....

Crime Stoppers and New Brunswick RCMP asking the public report any information they may have about possible indoor marijuana grow ops. Growing marijuana indoors can pose a number of risks, including criminal activity and risks of fire and toxic chemical exposure.

Signs of a grow-op include heavy condensation and dark coverings over the windows, an unusual number of vents, increased security measures, and a strange odour coming from the house.

If you have a tip regarding a grow-op in your area, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). There is a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Nursing Homes Open To Visitors, But Screening For Flu-Bug

A ban on public visitation has been lifted for two local nursing homes.

The Passamaquoddy Lodge in St. Andrews and Lincourt Manor in St. Stephen both confirming they are now allowing family and friends to visit loved ones at the facilities after a ban was put in place December 31st to keep the influenza virus from coming into contact with residents.

Karen Lord from the Lodge tells Tide News they are open, however, she asks anyone showing cold or flu-like symptoms to please stay away.


Lincourt says they are currently screening visitors before allowing them to visit.

Cold Snap Could Get Costly With Electric Baseboard Heating

A prolonged cold snap focuses the mind wonderfully on what you can do to keep your heating bills from exploding.

Carl Diuvenvorden says electric baseboard heating is inefficient and tells Tide News from first hand experience he knows what effect the installation of heat pumps or mini splits can have.

He says, "I can tell you, my mother lives in northern New Brunswick and she installed two mini-splits and a few other upgrades as well, and her power bills fell by 50%. In the case of a mini-split, they are several thousand dollars each."



Diuvenvorden says with baseboard heating you get one unit of heat for each unit of electricity.

Snook Stays In Jail

Former Saint John common councillor Donnie Snook will remain in provincial jail until March 11. Snook waiving his right to a bail hearing due to the amount of evidence still remaining to be processed by city police.

According to crown prosecutor Kelly Lamrock the police predict the investigation will take 4-6 weeks to complete. Police are currently working to identify victims in images found on Snook's computer and other potential victims. A number of people have also approached city police and the RCMP since the initial charges came to light, saying they too were abused.

Snook's laywer, Dennis Boyle, says Snook will be entering a plea on March 11.

More Alleged Victims Coming Forward Against Snook

Several people coming forward to both Saint John City Police and RCMP alleging they've been sexually abused by former Saint John Councillor Donnie Snook.

In a release, police say they're also trying to identify victims from the computer images seized from Snook's laptop. 40-year-old Snook is facing 8 charges in total, relating to child pornography, child exploitation, and sexual interference with a child under 16.

Police and the RCMP'S Internet Child Exploitation Unit are asking anyone with information relating to this matter to contact them.  Saint John Police Force at 506-648-3333, RCMP at 1-888-506-7267 or N.B. Crime Stoppers anonymously online at www.crimenb.ca  or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Snook was arrested at his home on January 9th and resigned as a councillor on Thursday. He's set to appear in court tomorrow for a bail hearing.

New Affordable Housing In Fredericton

Those searching for affordable housing in the Fredericton area may soon have a little more choice...

The government announcing the opening of 8 new units for low-income individuals at 411 St. Mary's St., and 75 units for seniors, non-elderly singles and people with disabilities at Brookside and Terrace Courts.

The Feds contributed $3 million in funding for the  Brookside Drive development, and the provincial and federal government contributed equally to the $75 million dollar costs for the development on St Mary's Street.

Human Resources Minister Troy Lifford referred to the developments as part of the mission to enhance taxpayers quality of life while also living within their means.

Liberals Call On Health Minister For Apology

The opposition critic of health is not impressed with various actions by Health Minister Ted Flemming this week.

Donald Arsenault tells Tide news he knows Flemming has a plan in place to reduce 22 emergency rooms to 15, but it's the way he's doing it that's frustrating. Arsenault says the way he's attacked doctors and referred to New Brunswicker's as hillbillies for not jumping on the shale gas bandwagon is not a proper comment to make.

He says if the minister is thinking about shutting down ER's to save money, he should be honest with the public and say where they are. Arsenault worries it's the province's rural areas that would suffer the reduction in health care.

Arsenault is calling on Flemming to make an apology, and be more open with the public in a less aggressive way.

Doctors' Pay Will Not Be Made Public

The idea, put forward by provincial Auditor-General Kim McPherson, to make the individual pay of doctors public has been rejected by the Alward Government.

Health Minister Ted Flemming met with the New Brunswick Medical Society to talk about the concerns raised by her about double billing on the part of some doctors.

Anthony Knight of the Medical Society says it supports addressing what he calls rare inconsistencies but tells Tide News the doctors have gone out of their way to help out the province financially with a two year freeze on any increases in their Medicare fee schedules. He questions how much value the provincial government has placed on that.

The Medical Society has told us doctors believe they have been under attack of late in some sort of campaign to taint the public's perception of them but adds they're looking forward to a stronger relationship with the Department of Health.

Snook's Seat To Remain Empty Until Spring

With the official resignation of Saint John Councillor Donnie Snook, the picture of will happen to his seat around the council horseshoe is becoming much more clear.

Mike Quinn of Elections NB tells Tide News the are regular scheduled by-elections to fill vacant seats that arise throughout the province.

The next round of by-elections is scheduled for Monday, May 13th, so Snook's seat will remain vacant until then. There are currently 6 different requests for by-elections from 6 different municipalities throughout the province, and the number will be 7 if Saint John council votes to move in that direction.

Those Drowning In Debt Seek Help

Now's the time the credit card bills from Christmas are coming in and that's putting a strain on the finances of many households.

John Eisener, the President of Credit Counselling Services for Atlantic Canada, tells Tide News the average debt loads of the people who are coming into his office for held are anywhere from 26 to 28 thousand dollars.

He says if you made minimum payments each month, it would take you from 20 to 30 years to pay it all off.

Eisener says the rising cost of living is putting a strain on households and if your finances are causing you to lose sleep at night or arguments at home then you need some help to get out of the hole.

Another Person Is Sick With E. Coli

An investigation is underway to determine the source of a new case of E. coli which has been confirmed in the province.

Lab results show there's a link with six other cases already reported and Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Eilish Cleary says the most likely cause is shredded lettuce distributed by FreshPoint.

Seven people have now been diagnosed with E. coli in New Brunswick. There are other cases in Nova Scotia and Ontario.

She says if you're going to eat lettuce or cabbage, throw the outer leaves away and then remove the remaining leaves before thoroughly rinsing them in water for about 30 seconds.

Operation Cat Nip Takes Off Today

There's many four-legged early risers this morning.

Volunteers and staff at the Saint John SPCA Animal Rescue League are packing up 35 cats and supplies for their trip to UPEI'S Veterinary College. It's the start of Operation Cat Nip, a new initiative where all the cats will be spayed and neutered at a minimal cost to help lower Port City's vast amount of stray felines.

The SPCA calls it a "win-win" for both the shelter and students, who gain clinical experience from the surgeries and the cats are fixed for a low cost.

Cats who have been fixed are less likely to roam, mark their territory, and have a reduced risk of illness. All the cat surgeries will take place today and the felines will be checked over before coming back home to Saint John.

New Hotel To Open Alongside Garcelon Civic Center

The Bordertown now has two big projects to open this fall.

The announcement coming yesterday from local businessman Tom McFarlane that his company Spur Line Properties Inc. will build a 5-story, multi-million dollar hotel complex within feet of the Garcelon Civic Centre on the St. Stephen waterfront.

St. Stephen's Chief Administrative Officer John Ferguson tells Tide News there couldn't be two more opportune developments to work together.

He says you want to fill your seats in your Civic Center and you want to fill your beds in your hotel, adding, they both need participation and will create great economic spin-offs for the community.

The hotel will include 90-100 rooms, a pool, a seafood and steakhouse restaurant, penthouse condominiums that can be leased, and employ 30-50 full and part-time staff.

The date for completion for the hotel is October of this year, corresponding as closely as possible to the opening of the Garcelon Civic Center.

Councillor With Child Porn Charges Resigns

The mayor of Saint John says a city councillor charged with possessing child pornography and sexual interference with a child has resigned his seat.
    A statement from Mel Norton said he received a letter from Donnie Snook's lawyer on Thursday indicating the councillor was resigning.
    Norton said in the one-page statement that it was the result of a ``personal matter'' for Snook and thanked him for dealing with the matter in a timely manner.

    Snook is charged with eight counts, including possessing and making child pornography as well as sexual interference with a child under 16.

Ecoli Cases Leading Back To Shredded Lettuce

It's believed shredded lettuce distributed by Freshpoint is the cause of a new confirmed case of E. coli in the province.
There is an investigation underway to find the source.
 Lab results show there's a link with six other cases already reported.
Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Eilish Cleary says you should throw the outer leaves of lettuce and cabbage away, then remove the remaining leaves and thoroughly rinse them in water for about 30 seconds before eating.

NB Major Midgets Hockey League To Play In Bordertown Sunday

A big game happening this weekend in St. Stephen -- and two of our local hockey players are tying their skates.

Andrew Dempsey and Damian Gallant playing with the New Brunswick Major Midget Hockey League against the Fredericton Canadians.

The League tells Tide News the boys have been traveling to Saint John all winter and hopes the community will come out to support them.

This is the top level of hockey in the province for ages 15-17. The team has members from St. Stephen all the way to Sussex.

The game is Sunday at the Border Arena. Puck drops at 2:30.

Regional With Top Heart Equipment In North America

The Saint John Regional Hospital now has the top heart equipment in North America, thanks to the $775,000 raised from The Give 2012.

Between selling anything from pizzas to t-shirts, to private and company donations, the foundation exceeded it's original goal by $25,000.

Dr. Marc Pelletier, department head of cardiac surgery, says he wouldn't be surprised if the equipment runs longer than 15 years, since there's less moving parts in the machine and more magnets. Pelletier says this equipment will make a world of difference for more complex surgeries and for more vulnerable patients like seniors.

Thanks to the donations, the heart centre now has 13 pieces of new equipment that will make operations safer and better. The top-notch equipment consists of new heart-lung machines, machines that monitor blood levels better, machines that keep the heart strong during operations, and keep watch of oxygen levels.

The New Brunswick Heart Centre performs over 750 open-heart surgeries, sees 13,000 patients annually, and only 20% of those patients are from Saint John.

Unique Sculpture At Regional Hospital

What do you get when you mix a human torso and heart together? A new sculpture at the Saint John Regional Hospital.

The donated work of art is 140-pounds and made from pieces of the old Saint John Jail. It took Richard Arsenau over 300 hours to create the piece. "What inspired me about this was just the fact that the human torso kind of reminded me of the shape of a heart, so I decided to blend the two together in both the human heart and the human torso."

Called "The Heart Prevails", Arsenau says it represents how the heart and soul can overcome adversity.
The sculpture can be seen in the main lobby of the Saint John Regional Hospital.