Government Now Encountering "BANANAs" Protests Against Shale Gas

Energy Minister Craig Leonard extolled the virtues of shale gas and other energy developments in the province at a Board of Trade Lunch this afternoon.

Leonard claims the cost of not moving forward on these projects is simply too great in this region, considering the number of businesses that could benefit from a cheap, domestic supply of shale gas. He further says most New Brunswickers see that the process can be done safely, and the detractors are just a small and vocal group.

Despite taking a serious tone on the protests in Rexton which he called a "dark day", Leonard also shared a nickname for the detractors of shale gas: whereas in the past, he says the government encountered "NIMBYs", or "not in my back yard" protestors, now they're encountering "BANANAs" which stands for "build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything."

Extra Patrols Brought In To Keep Halloween Safe

It's almost time for the wee ghosts and goblins to go seeking treats.

Police agencies in the area are planning in advance for the extra people and children going door to door after dark.
 
Sgt. Bob MacKnight with District 1 RCMP in St. Stephen says extra patrols will be brought in to cover Charlotte County, and that includes the Islands as well. 
Sgt Peter Breen of the Rothesay Regional Police tells Tide News kids should wear reflective costumes so they can be seen adding they do bring in extra patrols for Halloween night.

He says every year they triple the numbers of officers working and some might get sent home early but they can keep them all night if they want too.

As for mischief, they do experience some problems on Halloween night so having more officers out and about helps out with that as well.

NB Energy Institute Appoints First Executive Director

The New Brunswick Energy Institute bills itself as an independent organization that provides New Brunswickers with information about the province's energy future.

Annie Daigle appointed as the first executive director of the New Brunswick Energy Institute after Dr. Louis Lapierre stepped down the amid controversy over a falsified doctorate. 

Daigle is an engineer and geoscientist.

Woman Facing Charges In Assault After Video Goes Viral

A 20 year old woman making another court appearance after a fight on Ellerdale street in Saint John back in July became a viral sensation.

The video is said to depict a pregnant woman being kicked in the stomach.

Britany Leavitt-Corning of St. Stephen is facing 5 charges including assault and uttering threats.

The video surfaced months after the fight took place and was quickly taken down.

Leavitt-Corning is due back in court on November 21st to set a trial date.
 
She plead not guilty at an earlier court appearance.

Man In Stable Condition After Stabbing In Oak Haven

The RCMP investigating a stabbing outside a home in Oak Haven, near St. Stephen.

A 32-year-old Oak Haven man in stable condition after he suffered a single stab wound.

A 44-year-old man was arrested and later released. He is expected to appear in court at a later date.

Police say the two men were known to each other and this was an isolated incident.

Aiming To Leap From Municipal To Provincial Politics

He's already the deputy mayor of Bordertown but he's setting his sights on provincial politics.

30 year old John Ames of St. Stephen is the new Liberal candidate for Charlotte-Campobello after a weekend nomination meeting.
 
He says Bordertown is suffering from a decline in economic growth and stagnant population growth and the people are also concerned about employment insurance.

He says on the border they have a lot of people spending money on the other side which he says has it goods points and its bad points.

Ames doesn't think he'd be sacrificing one role for the other adding he just wants to spread his wings and represent everyone.

The next provincial election is less than a year away on September 22nd 2014.

For more information, click here.

Weston Says All Senators "Being Painted With Same Brush"

With more explosive details coming out about the senate expense controversy, including talk of backroom deals, the Saint John MP believes the good work of many senators are being overshadowed by the actions of a few. 

Rodney Weston tells Tide News this is the most attention the senate has received in the last century, and everyone in the senate is being painted with the same brush. 

Weston says he has a hard time with comments that the PMO wields too much power and believes those who make those comments are "going a little too far in that sense" and says that people have to be accountable for their own actions.

He says there's no question that public trust has been tarnished, but hopes it can be regained.

RCMP Identify The Victim Of Fatal ATV Crash

The Mounties releasing the name of the victim in a weekend ATV crash.

20 year old Stephen Christopher Watson of Bath died from injuries sustained in the crash on Sunday afternoon in Lower Kintore.

The crash occurred when the ATV he was driving collided with steel wire at the edge of a private road.

Alcohol has not been ruled out as a contributing factor in the crash.

Digital Health Records Are Seen As Keeping People Healthier

Digital health records can make you healthier according to a Nova Scotia woman who's part of a pilot project. 

Alexa Thompson tells Tide News having the ability to go online to keep track of such things as her test results and blood pressure has turned her situation around completely with her taking far better care of herself. 

Thompson has suffered from osteoarthritis for years and admits she was in pretty rough shape at the end of last year but gaining more control over her health has empowered her with a big change for the better in her attitude.
 
Thompson also keeps track online of what she eats and how much she exercises. She adds it will likely save the healthcare system money in the long run because she won't be as sick.

Target Opening Soon On East Side Of Saint John

There's been a lot of speculation about when the new Target store will be opening in McAllister Place in Saint John. 

The company has announced that store, and ones in Fredericton and Moncton, will all be opening on November 13th.

It's Time To Put Snow Tires On Your Vehicle

While you might not want to hear it, the snowy season is right around the corner and now is the time to get your vehicle winter-ready. 

Gary Howard of the Canadian Automobile Association says a good rule of thumb for when to put on winter tires is when the temperature outside starts to dip below seven degrees. He tells Tide News that's because those types of temperatures tend to bring a risk of frost. However, any earlier and you could risk wearing the tread unevenly.

Howard warns people not to mix and match their tires. He says that's like wearing a sneaker and boot—you will have very inconsistent performance, and it can actually be more dangerous than having all of the same tires.

As for all-weather tires? He says they are okay if you live in a temperate climate like in British Columbia, but not here, where we get a lot of snow.

Overwhelming Support For Electronic Medical Records

It appears to be just a matter of time before our medical records will all be digital. That's appears to be the desire of most of us, according to a new poll by Harris/Decima. It finds 96 per cent of Canadians think it important that the health care system go digital. 

Infoway Vice-President Shelagh Maloney tells Tide News people nowadays want to have more control over their health by having as much information as possible.
 
89 per cent of the respondents say it's important for them to have full advantage of digital health tools and capabilities.

Maloney adds 64 per cent of doctors have an electronic medical record and 86 per cent of those people surveyed say it's important for their doctors to use digital medical records.

Food Recall Expanded

More salads and dips produced by Reser’s Fine Foods are being recalled. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the latest recall is being issued because the food might be contaminated with Listeria. 

This is the third such recall of Reser’s Fine Foods products since October 5th.
 
The newest one includes various potato salads, macaroni salads, creamy spinach dip and cole slaws, all with best before dates between October 10th and November 27th.
 
Some of the products are also sold under the brand name "Market Pantry".

Skate Canada International Was A Big Success

There were no slip-ups off the ice at Skate Canada International, the performance behind the scenes went just as planned. 

That word coming from Cynthia Benson, the co-chair of the local organizing committee during the finale of the event at Harbour Station that began on Thursday.

Benson tells Tide News there was a huge turnout and there has been general sense of excitement in the air over the past few days. And that sense of enthusiasm that wasn't lost on the athletes visiting the city who she says loved the crowds, and the standing ovations that they gave.

She says the event gave Saint Johners the rare opportunity to check out world-class skaters perform in the pre-Olympic season, adding, it's not every day people living in the city walk past Olympic athletes in the pedway.

Benson says they are hoping the event returns to the Port City.

Prime Minister's Office Getting Unwanted Scrutiny

More and more stories are emerging as some MP's and now Senators complain about the power of unelected people in the Prime Minister's office to tell them what to do, what to say and how to vote.

Political Science Professor Don Desserud tells Tide News this is far removed from the vision of how Parliament was supposed to operate but the power of the P-M-O had been growing long before Prime Minister Harper assumed office.

Alberta MP Brent Rathgeber says one reason he quit the Conservative caucus was he could no longer stomach being told what to do and say by unelected youngsters in the Prime Minister’s Office. Former federal cabinet minister Peter Kent called some of the actions of the P-M-O "juvenile".

Debate On Fates Of 3 Senators To Resume

The Senate will continue debating this week whether or not to suspend Senators Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau without pay after a lot of drama last week complete with accusations of backroom deals. 

New Brunswick born Senator Jim Munson worked in the P-M-O under Prime Minister Chretien and tells Tide News keeping the P-M away from the niity gritty to give him plausible deniability is not all that far fetched because it's the job of the political staffers to protect their boss from the whiff of scandal.
 
Having said that, Munson says there's little doubt the P-M would know what the issue was about.

Munson, who has been in the Senate for 10 years, does say it has become more politically divisive and he blames Prime Minister Harper for stacking it with his appointees, some of whom complain about being told how to vote by unelected people in the P-M-O.

Cultural Policy Still In Process Of Being Renewed

 A set of directives for culture in the province penned over ten years ago is still in the process of being rewritten. 

Last year, the government announced they were consulting with residents and cultural stakeholders to update the current cultural policy. 

The Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News they had an election promise to renew the document, and in the meantime, there have been a host of public engagement opportunities around the province over the last year. That public consultation component of the cultural policy renewal has already wrapped up.

The last cultural policy was adopted back in 2002 under Premier Bernard Lord.

Fire Set Outside RCMP Station In Elsipogtog

Police are investigating a blaze they say was deliberately set outside the RCMP station in Elsipogtog First Nation on Friday. 

The fire started on the outside of the building but members of the community and fire crews kept it from spreading. A 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy were arrested in connection to the fire but were later released. 

The Elsipogtog First Nation is the site of last week's violent clash between shale gas protestors and RCMP.

Duhamel & Radford Take Bronze In the Pairs Free Program

Canadian figure skaters Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford winning bronze in the pairs free program as Skate Canada International continues at Harbour Station.

Italian duo Stefania Berton and Ondrej Hotarek took the gold.
 
Hotarak told reporters following the performance they are just happy to be here saying they tried to do their best as they always do and today they had a little bit of luck.

Duhamel says they are not used to very high artistic scores and lower technical scores.   

Radford says he thinks that program has podium potential at the Olympics.    

Wenjing Sui and Cong Han of China won the silver medal.

Skate Canada Int'l Competition Enters Day Two

The competition is heating up as we head into day two of Skate Canada International at Harbour Station.

The first day saw three-time world champ Patrick Chan winning the men's short program, while Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won the short dance. American Gracie Gold got first in the women's short program.

17-year old Canadian skater Kaetlyn Osmond, who came in fifth in the women's short program yesterday, says she feeds off of the energy of the fans, and fans in the Maritimes are always fantastic.

Four events happening at Skate Canada International today at Harbour Station including the Ladies Free Program at 3:15pm and the Ice Free Dance at 5:30pm. Click here for a complete schedule of events.

Crews Search For Woman With Severe Head Injury

Emergency crews spending a half hour searching buildings in Saint John's uptown for a woman who did not know where she was after falling down a flight of concrete stairs. 

The woman sustained a severe head injury from the fall and kept going in and out of consciousness while on the phone with 911 at around 11:30 last night. Police and fire found the woman in a stairwell in the Delta and she was taken to hospital. 

Divisional Fire Chief Mark Wilson says she was very fortunate and says good cooperation between police fire and the emergency centre led to a successful conclusion.

Another woman being brought to hospital after she was found bleeding from her head in the North end this morning. City Police say a passerby saw the woman on Bridge Street and called for medical assistance just after 9am. She has undetermined injuries.

Allergy Advisory Issued For Marshmallows

If your child is allergic to milk, you are going to want to check their Halloween haul for a certain brand of sweets.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is advising people that there is milk in Clic's Strawberry Flavored Marshmallows, which is not printed on the label. The CFIA says there has been one report of someone getting sick from eating the product. 

The advisory affects the 250-gram size bags best before January 17, 2014. The product is sold nationally.

One In Hospital After Millidgeville Crash

One person brought to hospital with undetermined injuries after a car crash in the Millidgeville area.

It happened in front of 80 University Avenue just before 4 in the afternoon. 

Divisional Fire Chief Mark Wilson says the injuries are not life-threatening.

Fire Guts Home On Route # 3 in Old Ridge

A fire at a home on Route #3 being gutted by fire.

St. Stephen and Moores Mills Fire Departments responding to the call just before 1 o'clock this afternoon.

Officials tell Tide News the owner of the mobile home at 8881 in Old Ridge was inside the home sleeping when the fire started.

He was able to escape without injuries.

The cause of the fire has not been released.

Senator Complains "This Is Canada, Not Putin's Russia"

"A show trial"........That's how New Brunswick Senator Jim Munson characterises the goings on in the Senate to suspend Senators Pamela Wallin, Mike Duffy and Patrick Brazeau without pay because they have become a political embarrassment.
 
Munson goes so far as to call the motion a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms by assuming guilt in advance of a hearing of any kind where the rights of the accused are defended by lawyers. Duffy and Wallin were given all of 20 minutes to make the case why they should not be suspended. 

Munson says Senators have not had a chance to see the Deloitte report on Senator Wallin's expenses and even the residency requirement is not clearly defined because it doesn't stipulate how many days you have to live in that residence in the province where you're appointed from.
 
He suspects the government chose to move ahead on this at a politically expedient time just before the opening of Parliament.

Gallant Wants Alward To Slow Down On Fracking

The Opposition wants Premier Alward to hit the pause button on fracking.

Liberal Leader Brian Gallant says they have repeatedly expressed their concerns about the government blindly pushing ahead with shale gas development without addressing people's concerns in a meaningful way.

Gallant says people in the province do not trust the Premier when it comes to this topic adding he's also ignored the recommendations of the Chief Medical officer of Health, Dr. Eilish Cleary.

He says the Alward government has failed to provide the reassurances New Brunswickers want with respect to the impact of shale gas development on the environment and human health.

Skating Competition Brings International Athletes To Saint John

Harbour Station is buzzing with activity as Skate Canada International gets underway.

The venue is a busy spot with hundreds of volunteers, athletes, coaches and international media in town for the event.

4-time Canadian skating champs Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir spoke to the media ahead of a practice this morning.

She told reporters gathering in the media centre that they are very pleased to be in Saint John and are already enjoying the Maritime hospitality.

Athletes are practicing all day today with the competition beginning tomorrow afternoon. The event runs until Sunday. 

For ticket information, click here.

Premier Standing Firm On Shale Gas

Premier David Alward making it clear he has no intention of stopping the testing for shale gas in the province one week after a protest outside the SWN Resources compound near Rexton turned violent. 

Shale gas opponents, meantime, releasing a poll showing people in Nova Scotia support a continued ban on fracking. According to the polling done by Abacus Data, 69% of Nova Scotians strongly support or support a continued moratorium on fracking, unless an independent review finds there's no risk to drinking water, human health, the climate or communities. 

The poll was commissioned by the Nova Scotia Fracking Resource and Action Coalition known, which is also known as NOFRAC, the Council of Canadians and the Sierra Club.

Mom Aquitted Of Child Abandonment Charges

An acquittal today for Caleigh Dawn Shea--the mother accused of endangering her baby by leaving it out on Paddock Street in Saint John last January. Charges were laid after neighbors called the police, saying they had found the baby crying outside with no one in sight.

Judge Henrik Tonning ruling there is no evidence Shea wanted to abandon the child or that it was in any danger. Shea tells Tide News she has moved and the case has been difficult on her family.

Defence lawyer Brian Munroe tells Tide News police didn't find anything amiss at the Shea household--rather, the house was clean, fridge stocked, and the children properly dressed. Judge Henrik Tonning called it "one of those weird cases" in which circumstances result in criminal charges
 
One of Shea's four children--one of whom has autism--is already at home with her, and the other three return to her care this week.

Friends, Family Of Gen Cormier Offer 10k Reward

With nearly a month passing since there has been any sign of missing Saint John teen Gen Cormier, friends and family offering a $10,000 reward for information that will get her home safely. 

The last confirmed sighting of the 19-year old was on September 29 in the back parking lot of the Reversing Falls restaurant.

Cormier's father, Jason, tells Tide News his daughter is the kind of person to always keep in contact with her family. He says the day before his daughter disappeared, they were on the phone together for 20 minutes, which wasn't unusual for them. Cormier says not having any solid leads is frustrating and describes the not knowing as a nightmare.

Sergeant Jay Henderson of City Police says this is a unique case, because there is no crime scene and no physical evidence. He says he has never seen anything like this. 

Anyone with information or tips about Cormier's disappearance are being asked to call the Public Safety Commnications Centre at 648-3333 and the tips will then be forwarded on to Constable Tony Gilbert, who is in charge of the investigation.

McAdam Train Station Can Still Be A Great Place

The Train Station in McAdam is a finalist in the contest for Great Places in Canada.
 
More than 100 thousand votes have been cast over four months right across the country and the train station remains in the running for Great Public Spaces. Also in that same category is the Saint John City Market. 

Three Grand Winners will be announced November 8th for Great Public Spaces, Great Neighbourhoods and Great Streets on the basis of popularity and planning excellence. 

There will also be three People's Choice winners based on the number of votes received.

Woman Who Robbed Garden Street Irving With Syringe Comes Clean, 7 Years Later

In what the judge called a "highly unusual" case, a young woman who robbed the Garden Street Irving in Saint John  with a syringe seven years ago, turned herself over to police in the hope of finally kicking her drug addiction.

The robbery happened on Boxing Day in 2006, when 32 year old Patricia Joy Honeywell threatened staff at the gas station with what she described as a "dirty" needle and demanded cash. Honeywell told the court she wants to get the treatment available in jail so she can get off drugs and be a mother to her three kids again.

In his sentencing, Judge LeMesurier asked Honeywell whether she would want her children working late nights at a gas station after what she did, reminding her that the employees she "traumatized" are also someone else's children.

In his sentencing, the judge said he tried to take into account both the seriousness of the offence and Honeywell's honesty in finally coming clean. Ultimately, she was  sentenced to 3 years federal time.

Ground Beef Recalled Due To Risk Of E. Coli

It might not look or smell spoiled, but that burger you're about to bite into could be contaminated with a potentially deadly bacteria. 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Belmont Meats Ltd., warning the public not to eat the brand's uncooked lean ground beef because it could contain E. coli. This is the third E. coli-related beef recall from the Toronto factory this month. 

Eating food containing the bacteria can cause severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, seizures strokes, and in extreme cases, death. The Belmont Meats Ltd. brand distributes products nationwide to stores including Sobeys, Wal-Mart and Superstore.

Local Activists Backing Rexton Protests

Protestors in Saint John are standing behind the anti-shale gas movement on the Elsipogtog First Nation.

Joel Butler was in attendance at a demonstration in uptown Saint John this afternoon.
Butler tells Tide News the pipeline could provide cheaper crude oil for the refinery, but that wouldn't help consumer prices in gas--nor are there are any details on how it would benefit our local economy.

Further talks between native leaders and Premier David Alward have been discussed for later this week.

Provincial Chiefs Want Leonard To Suspend SWN Permits

The Provincial Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs want Energy and Mines Minister Craig Leonard to suspend permits granted to SWN Resources for shale gas testing near Rexton to ensure a cooling off period can take hold.

Elsipogtog First Nation Chief Aaron Sock describes the RCMP's actions against his people in a violent protest last week as almost horrendous.

Assembly of First Nations' Chiefs co-chair George Ginnish says the province has to acknowledge that the consultation process has failed.

They go on to say that once the licenses are suspended the government must return to the table and have a consultation that isn’t rushed and that leads to a complete understanding of how the shale gas industry would impact Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.

Ashley Smith Remembered

The Elizabeth Fry Society held its annual candlelight vigil in King Square for Ashley Smith, the 19 year old woman from Moncton, who choked herself to death in a Kitchenoer, Ontario jail cell while guards looked on and did not intervene. 

A lengthy inquest in Toronto is being held into her death but Marianna Stack, President of the Elizabeth Fry Society in Saint John, tells Tide News it should be even broader and go back to the very start of her problems in New Brunswick. Stack says while Ashley had difficulties, how she was treated in prison made matters worse and broke her. 

She adds New Brunswick has an abysmal history when it comes to young people if you consider the cases of not only Ashley Smith but the crimes perpetrated by Karl Toft at Kingsclear, former Saint John Common Councillor Donnie Snook and now deceased former SJ police sergeant and city works employee Ken Estabrooks before that.

Final Day Of Pipeline Hearing Postponed Over Security

Protests cut short National Energy Board hearings on a proposal to reverse the flow of a pipeline that runs between southern Ontario and Montreal.

Some opponents suggest the Line 9 reversal is ultimately so Enbridge can transport oil to the Atlantic coast for export, something the company denies.

The final day of the hearing at which Enbridge East was to present its final arguments was postponed because of security concerns.
 
Dozens of protesters rallied outside the site of the hearing to oppose Enbridge’s plan to reverse its line and increase its capacity to carry bitumen. They maintain the pipeline isn't up to the task, thereby increasing the liklihood of a spill happening.

Community Meeting Held At Elsipogtog

How this dispute between the First Nations and the province over shale gas testing will wind up is uncertain. 

A community meeting was held yesterday at the Elsipogtog First Nation and there could be more said later today about where the protest is going. 

Mark D'Arcy of the Council of Canadians in Fredericton tells Tide News the Alward Government is not backing down and the opposition of the people of Elsipogtog is not diminishing. He's suggesting the dispute could wind up in the courts.

D'Arcy says the First Nations feel more strongly about this issue because if their water gets contaminated, they can't just move away.

Cardy Condemns Violence At Shale Gas Protest

The violence erupting outside of Rexton at the fracking protest site ultimately undermining the cause. 

That word coming from the provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy, who tells Tide News the second you break the law, the focus shifts from what you are protesting to the tactics being used. Cardy says these types of violent tactics have to be condemned, and that you can't change laws by breaking laws.

After several heated days, tensions seem to be cooling. Members of the Elsipogtog First Nation attending a community meeting today to discuss next steps. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs voicing their solidarity with the nation and sending Grand Chief Derek Nepinak to the province.

New Trial For Chance Harbour Man

The New Brunswick Court of Appeal ruling  Bradley Scott Wilson of Chance Harbour will get a new trial as it overturns his conviction for sexual assaulting a bartender on the west side in January of last year. 

The Appeal Court ruled the trial judge, Mr. Justice Hugh McLellen did not apply the law regarding reasonable doubt. 

The trial heard differing versions of what happened in the bar after it closed and there were inconsistencies in the testimony. 

When the new trial will be held hasn't been determined.

Elsipogtog First Nation Holds Community Meeting

A Manitoba Chief arriving in the province to show his support for the Elsipogtog First Nation, as they hold a community meeting to discuss their next step after days of conflict at the protest site near Rexton.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs voicing their support for the nation, sending Grand Chief Derek Nepinak to New Brunswick. The meeting today is open to everyone including media.

On Saturday, journalists at the scene of the protest had vehicles and equipment seized. The provincial Assembly of First Nations' Chiefs condemning the actions, which they call acts of intimidation.

Apple Cider Recalled Due To Risk Of Patulin

Check the label on that apple cider before you drink a glass.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says a brand of the drink manufactured and sold in the province is being recalled. Verger Belliveau Orchard's sweet apple cider could contain the toxic chemical patulin. The company operates in the Memracook Valley, their orchard is located 20 minutes from Moncton.

The product was also sold in Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Four Escape Uninjured From Burning House

A fire extensively damaging a house in Grand Bay-Westfield, but four people managed to make it out without getting hurt.

A woman and her teenage son had only recently moved back to the house after being away for a period of time. The other two people were visiting for the weekend from out of town.

The Saint John Fire Department, who helped crews from the town battle the blaze, say the floor of the house at 37 South Street has been burnt through. No word on what caused the fire.

Media Cars, Equipment Seized At Shale Gas Protest

The Premier and the Chief of the Elsipogtog First Nation may have agreed to a cooling off period, but things appear to still be heated at the scene of the shale gas protest near Rexton where journalists have reportedly had their vehicles and equipment seized. 

The provincial Assembly of First Nations' Chiefs issuing a statement condemning these acts of intimidation against the media. They endorse Arren Sock's call for peace, and agree that a cooling off period is needed.They say this means an end to violent protests, an end to the blockades, and an end to violence by all parties in all its forms.

The RCMP are advising drivers that traffic is slow on Highway 134 near the demonstrations and encourage you to find a different route.

Industry Leaders Embarking On Cross-Border Tour

Partners from the tourism industry will be taking in the sights around here and across the border in an effort to better promote the so-called Two Nation Vacation. 

Provincial Tourism Minister Trevor Holder says marketing New Brunswick and Maine together is something they have been doing for about a decade, but have been ramping it up in recent years.

Holder says the centerpiece of the marketing strategy is the fact that four-term US President Franklin Roosevelt vacationed with his family for several generations on Campobello Island.

They leave the Fundy Trail Parkway Interpretive Centre in St. Martins tomorrow at 6:30 in the evening. For more information about the Two Nation Vacation, click here.

Women's Clothing Boutique On Wheels Opens

A new women's boutique rolling into Saint John.

In Pursuit is a mobile clothing store that's run out of a hot pink truck owned by Dominique Leger, who says she fell in love with the concept when she saw one in Boston two years ago and started researching how to start up a fashion truck of her very own.

Leger tells Tide News she has a permit allowing her to park at any metered parking spot in the city, and once the time on the meter runs out, she just moves to another location.

The boutique is having a soft launch today at the Harvesting the Arts festival in King Square. For more information about In Pursuit, visit the boutique's Facebook page.

National Foster Family Week Beginning Tomorrow

This upcoming week is dedicated to recognizing the more than 500 families in the province who have brought foster children into their homes.

National Foster Family Week starts tomorrow and runs until October 26. Right now there are over 900 children being fostered in New Brunswick.

The provincial Foster Families Association president, Brian Williams, says the week is also a time to encourage those thinking about becoming foster parents to start the process. For more information about foster families or becoming a foster parent, call 1-800-990-0119 or visit the Department of Social Development's website.

Premier Meets With Elsipogtog First Nation Chief

A three hour meeting between Premier David Alward and the Chief of the Elisipogtog First Nation Arren Sock taking place last night in the aftermath of a violent clash between shale gas protestors and police.

Both agreeing on a cooling off period with more meetings next week. There was no agreement on whether there should be a moratorium on shale gas exploration on First Nation land.

Sock was among the 40 people arrested along Route 134 in Rexton on Thursday. RCMP say six police vehicles were destroyed by fire, several explosives were were discovered and defused, Molotov cocktails were thrown at police and at least one shot was fired by someone other than police.

As the RCMP enforced a court injunction obtained by SWN Resources, snipers could be seen lying in the grass off the side of the road as police, some in riot gear, came face to face with the protestors.

Rain Today Makes For Good "Muddin'" Tomorrow

Rain today -- sunshine tomorrow -- the perfect ingredients for getting muddy.

The 3rd Annual SPCA Mud Run taking place tomorrow at 12 o'clock noon at the pit on the Cleland Road, in St. Stephen.

This year, 4-wheelers and dirt bikes have been added to the mix in a "Run Whatcha Brung" category.

The biggest trucks in Charlotte County will be competing to see how far they can drive through the mud.

Registration will take place between 9 and 11am and seatbelts and helmets will be required.
Registration for trucks is $20 and registration for ATV's and dirt bikes is $10.

Admission to the Mud Run will be a free-will monetary donation, pet food or kitty litter.
The past two years has brought in a total of $3,757 and two trucks full of pet supplies for the Charlotte County Animal Shelter.

Council of Canadians Predicts Opposition To Shale Gas Will Intensify

It's only going to get worse with more blockades and more protestors.

So claims Mark D'Arcy of the Council of Canadians in Fredericton on what he thinks will happen in response to the violence along Highway 134 outside Rexton. 

D'Arcy tells Tide News it was setback for the Premier and Energy Minister Craig Leonard with videos from the taking down of the blockade and enforcing the court injunction going viral on social media.

D'Arcy doesn't see opposition from the First Nations to shale gas exploration flagging. He also tells us the word is a lot of people will be flooding into the province from other provinces to support the shale gas protestors.

Premier To Meet With First Nations Chief On Shale Gas

In the aftermath of yesterday's violencem on Highway 134 outside Rexton, Premier David Alward and the Chief of the Elsipogtog First Nation will meet today. 

Aaron Sock was among the 40 or so people arrested yesterday. 

The Premier has released a statement saying he's deeply troubled about the violence that erupted at a protest site on Highway 134  but the government cannot endorse or tolerate unlawful activity. He also maintains his government is committed to dialogue and a peaceful resolution.