14 Weeks Until Maxwell Crossing Covered Bridge Opens

"Good things come to those who wait."

That quotation being given this afternoon by Charlotte-Campobello MLA Curtis Malloch at the Maxwell Crossing Covered Bridge, just outside of St. Stephen. 

That good news is -- construction on the bridge is now underway and will be completed near Valentine's Day in approximately 14 weeks.

The government is also upgrading the bridge -- beyond costs for the damage -- to a capacity of 15 tonnes.
The bridge was badly damaged in a car accident 10 months ago and has been closed since.

Premier Needs First Nations To Be On Board

If the Alward Government doesn't get the First Nations on board, shale gas exploration isn't going anywhere. That word coming from Carl Wolpin of Hampton Water First who points to the native cases that have gone to the Supreme Court, all of which have been upheld.
 
Wolpin also argues there has been a huge increase in the last couple of years in the number of New Brunswickers who are questioning whether shale gas exploration with fracking can be done safely, rising from 5 per cent to something like 70 per cent.

Are Fake Cabs Trying To Abduct Women In Saint John?

You might have heard stories on social media about would-be abductors trying to lure women in vans or even fake taxis.

Tide News asked Saint John Police Chief Bill Reid once and for all what the truth is, and he wants locals to know there have been no such cases. Rather, he says it's a matter of something as simple as someone in a vehicle making a comment to a pedestrian that gets exaggerated and blown into something it isn't online.

The Chief says while some people find it interesting to speculate about crimes online after listening to the scanner, they actually end up wasting police time as the police then have to try to correct the misinformation.

Alward Government Announces Plans For 2014

Anti-shale gas development protests happening outside of the opening session of the legislature as the government announce their plans for next year.

Lieutenant Governor Graydon Nicholas says the Energy East pipeline project is a once in a generation opportunity and will improve the retain and return our workers. Nicholas says as TransCanada moves forward, the government will keep working with communities in New Brunswick.

He says the project will improve the quality of life for all New Brunswickers, including First Nations people.

Nicholas also touching on health in the province...saying it's no secret that we are facing serious wellness challenges in the province and more emphasis on community and home-based care is needed...he says the final touches are being put on a new home-first strategy.