Maxwell Crossing Bridge Will Stay Covered

It's big news for residents of Maxwell Crossing. Charlotte-Campobello MLA Curtis Malloch says the historic covered bridge, just outside of St. Stephen town limits will be repaired -- and not replaced with a non-covered, metal one.

Malloch tells Tide News it's a happy day. "This is exactly where we want to be. It's good news for the community. I've had the minister's support on this, he knows this has been a priority since day 1. As you know, there is a petition out there with 800 names, and I'm one of those names." The petition he is refering to was sent out to St. Stephen and surrounding areas in support of keeping the covered bridge for tourism and historical reasons.

Malloch says right now they are just waiting for a final engineering report from the Department of Transportation to compare with a report from the insurance company.

He says exact dates have not yet been set, but construction should start this fall.

The covered bridge was damaged on January 21st of this year when a driver lost control of his car due to high speeds, driver inexperience, and slippery conditions, before slamming into the side of the bridge.

All three occupants were injured in the crash, the car was totalled, and the bridge was left missing a large section on one side. It has since been closed to traffic.
(Photo by Murray Weeks)

CBS Holding Blood Donor Clinic Today In St. Stephen

It's time to roll up your sleeve and save a life.

Canadian Blood Services holding a blood donor clinic today at the St. Stephen Legion.

Doors will be open for donations from 2-4 today, and again this evening from 5:30-7:30.

To book an appointment, log on to www.blood.ca.

Child & Youth Advocate Unconvinced Anti-Bullying Laws Work

If you want to stop cyberbullying, you have to get to the root of the problem. That, from the province's Child & Youth Advocate, Norman Bosse. 

He tells Tide News with Nova Scotia passing legislation against cyberbullying in the wake of the Rehtaeh Parsons tragedy, the province is likely looking into passing something similar in New Brunswick, but he doesn't think laws are enough. He says he's not convinced that legislation like the Cyber Safety Act will change bullying behaviour.

He says educating students about bullying has to start at the elementary school level.

Money For Grand Manan Improvements

The Province and The Feds teaming up to contribute nearly $200,000 to fix up the Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station and the Swallowtail Lighthouse.

The work will include improvements to the research station and the installation of a proper basement, walls and a new roof.

The Swallowtail Keepers Society is taking on enhancements to the Swallowtail Lighthouse including work on the footbridge and the construction of a boardwalk.

Liberal Health Critic Has Issues With MLA Flemming

New Brunswick needs a plan for the provincial healthcare system...and the Alward government has failed to deliver on that promise.

Those harsh words from Liberal Health Critic Donald Arsenault didn't mince any words with Tide News describing Health Minister Ted Flemming's attitude toward releasing the health plan.

Arsenault describes Flemming as very arrogant adding it's his way or the highway.

Arsenault says it's just like the catastrophic drug plan....the health minister claimed to have all the answers on that as well and now three years into the mandate of the Alward government that hasn't happened either. 

Flemming claims time is needed to make sure it's done right because of the program's complexity.

Environmental Concerns Raised At Pipeline Meeting

Tremendous...that's how one resident describes his environmental concerns about the Energy East pipeline project, and says the recent open house information session on the Energy East pipeline didn't do much to dispel them.

Carl Wolpin attending Hampton's edition and he tells Tide News his two major problems with the project is the potential for contaminating the village's well-water, and that the pipeline is going to be built right through a regulated wetland. He says the wetland from Darling's Island to Bloomfield Bridge is home to rare species of plants and the project would put it at risk.

He says he doesn't feel the representatives at the open house properly addressed his concerns.

Hotel Robbed In Saint John

The Best Western Hotel on the east side of Saint John along Majors Brook Drive was held up this morning around 1:15 by a man and woman. 

City Police say they took off with an undisclosed amount of money but were arrested a couple of hours later in the area of Duke and Sydney Streets.

Missing Nova Scotia Teen May Be In Charlotte County

A missing teen from Nova Scotia may be in our area.

RCMP and Halifax Regional Police say they've received information that 14-year old Dametry Ruscoe of Lake Echo may be in the Saint John area on his way to Oshawa, Ontario. 

He was last seen on August 19 at his home on Walker Street. He may have been in Halifax on Spring Garden Road and looking to go a local shelter. He's described as being 5'7', 140 lbs, with medium length dark hair.

Police and Crimestoppers asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact any RCMP office, Halifax Regional Police or Crime Stoppers anonymously anytime at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

9/11 Anniversary Marked In NB

September 11, 2013 marks 12 years since the tragic attacks on New York City in which nearly 3,000 people lost their lives. 

Saint John Fire Chief Kevin Clifford tells Tide News as a firefighter, he was struck by the conscious sacrifice many New York  emergency personnel made on that day.

An honor guard and memorial service was held in Fredericton to honor both the emergency personnel who died in New York that day, and also those who have passed away both in and outside the line of duty.