Problems at the new Saint John Law Courts building at Peel Plaza.
The
opening of the courts will be delayed, after the building suffered
major water damage in the overnight hours of Sunday. In an e-mail,
Department of Justice and Attorney General spokesman Dave MacLean says
an issue came up with the heating equipment that caused pipes to burst
and resulting in water damage in the building.
In
the meantime, the old courtrooms at City Hall, Charlotte street and
Sydney street are temporarily being used. The contractor is working with
its insurance company to evaluate the damage.
The new
courthouse has 13 courtrooms. The original completion date was to have
been June 2012, with the first cases scheduled to be heard this month.
'Non-stop' is how City and Rothesay Police describe their work over New Years Eve.
Saint
John City Police Sgt. Jim Fleming tells Tide news a man in his twenties
is in hospital after being stabbed by a 35-year-old man around 1:30 am.
The man is due to appear in court today facing charges of assault with a
weapon. Flemming says the stabbing occurred on the streets in the south
end and it appears to be a random act since the two don't know each
other. Alcohol is believed to be a factor.
There
was also a total of 9 criminal arrests in the city that were mostly
assaults. Those include 2 domestic assaults, while the rest were at bars
in the uptown area and out east. 7 people were held overnight for
drinking a little too much. Police say most of the commotion started
after midnight.
Police
do say there were no arrests for drinking and driving in Saint John,
although in Rothesay there were 2 impaired driver reports.
In
Rothesay, police tell Tide news they've been incredibly busy with calls
since 9 pm and having to put a few people in jail until they sobered up.
There were 5 car accidents and 2 domestic disputes.
Saint
John Fire Department wasn't as busy, but did respond to a fire alarm
being pulled at the Delta on King Street, although there was nothing to
be found.
A big
accomplishment for a newer coach. Saint John Mill Rats coach David
Cooper has been named Coach of the Month for December by the National
Basketball League of Canada.
Cooper
has been a Mill Rats player, VP of marketing and assistant coach before
being named head coach in August. He's lead the team from a 3-6 record
at the end of November to a 10-8 run, including a six game winning
streak from December 13-28.
The Mill Rats are currently atop the NBL's Atlantic Division standings.
