Covered Bridge Re-Opens

The people of Charlotte County are no doubt happy about this.

The Maxwell Crossing Covered Bridge reopened today.

You may remember it suffered a lot of damage early last year when it was hit by a car.

The historic structure is now fixed up and you will find it on the Maxwell Crossing Road between Route 750 and Route 3.

UNB Prez Happily Announces Deal To End To Strike

Students and teachers at UNB will be spending the weekend getting back into school mode.




Faculty on strike since January 13th have reached a tentative deal with the administration to end the strike.

UNB President Eddy Campbell announcing all classes will resume on Monday and they are looking forward to campus life returning to normal.

The school's website can answer questions the student's may have click here

Sting Operation Leads To Arrests, Recovery Of Stolen Jewelry

Two jewelry thieves finding themselves under arrest after trying to sell the stolen goods on the internet. 

Sergeant Jay Henderson of Saint John Police says the jewelry was taken during a break, enter and theft last summer on the West side. When an online classified ad featuring the jewelry popped up, undercover officers got in touch and met up with the ad-posters at an uptown coffee shop.

The 20-year-old man and woman were arrested and are being charged with possession of stolen property. Both will be making court appearances.

NDP Leader Has Different Take Than Premier On State Of The Province

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy sees Premier David Alward's State of the Province speech as a sign of desperation with so much being pinned on the future of shale gas. 
 
Cardy tells CHSJ News you just have to check on what's happened since the Premier's first State of the Province address back in 2011 with unemployment levels up and would be a lot higher without all the migration out west, the provincial debt has risen and the government has not been able to get a handle on the deficit.
 
As for the revitalisation of forestry, Cardy points out the province is still losing tens of millions of dollars on its crown lands which is a sign of incompetence so there's still a long way to go before that's turned around.

Premier's State Of The Province Address Is Upbeat

Even though the New Brunswick economy is still struggling, Premier David Alward delivered a State of the Province address that's optimistic about the future. 

He claims the government is revitalising forestry in the province with commitments to invest half a billion dollars in the upgrading of mills that will generate hundreds of new jobs. 

The Premier also speaking strongly in favour for continued development of shale gas, claiming the oil and gas industry in the province could amount to more than 20 billion dollars and Corridor Resources is looking to drill new wells in the Sussex area. According to Alward, New Brunswick is viewed as a critical player in the global energy market. 

He describes the shale gas protestors as a minority who will not derail the future development of the province.

Alward Government Under The Gun Over Daycares

The Alward Government is being accused of excessive secrecy by not releasing information from daycare inspections that have taken place around the province.
 
Provincial Liberal leader Brian Gallant says for him, it's a no brainer.......It's all about the safety of children and ensuring quality standards are maintained. 

He argues if daycares get public funding then parents are entitled to know how they're doing. 

Gallant points to a study done in 2012 which found, among all the provinces, New Brunswick and Quebec were the least likely to release information.

Police Association Not Surprised At Recommendation On RCMP

The President of the New Brunswick Police Association is hoping any talk of switching Saint John over to the RCMP will end once and for all. This follows the recommendation by City Manager Pat Woods against the switch, warning of dire financial implications. 

Dean Secord tells the Tide Mayor Mel Norton should have listened to the new chair of the Police Commission, Jonathon Franklin who's well aware of Moncton's experience with the RCMP. Franklin has been vocal in his support of retaining City Police. There has also been criticism of Common Council for bypassing the Police Commission. 

City Manager Pat Woods is recommending against any switch as he warns it could sink the shared risk pension plan and result in the tax rate rising by 28 to 35 cents.

The suggestion has been made that all the talk about the RCMP was mean;t to influence contract negotiations between the city and the Saint John Police Association.

Abandoned SJ Kittens Are Doing Well

It's good news for the 7 kittens found in a laundy basket in Fernhill Cemetery in Saint John on Monday afternoon.

3 have been adopted and 4 are being fostered by Saint John SPCA Animal Rescue League president Melody McElman.

McElman tells CHSJ News says the kittens are quite young.
She tells us their teeth have just broken through so she had to bottle feed them and the next day put some older cats in the same rooom who showed the babies how to use the litterbox and eat soft food.

McElman tells us that Dr. Catherine Adams of the Fairvale Animal Hospital in 
Rothesay have offered free vet checks and the first two shots for the four kittens she is fostering.

McElman says this situation shows the serious problem of cat overpopulation and how badly a low cost spay and neuter voucher program is needed in Saint John.

All 7 kittens are spoken for.

Covered Bridge Re-opens Friday

The Maxwell Crossing Covered Bridge in Charlotte County will re-open to traffic tomorrow.

The historic structure underwent extensive repairs after sustaining significant damage when it was struck by a car crossing the bridge early last year. 

The covered bridge is located on the Maxwell Crossing Road between Route 750 and Route 3. 

There will be a ribbon cutting around 2:00 pm on Friday at the bridge to celebrate the occasion.

100 Women St. Stephen Donate $8700

The inaugural meeting of 100 women St Stephen took place last night. 

Their 87 members voted on donating their collective funds $8700 to the Volunteer Centre of Charlotte County- the local food bank. 

With this money and other capital the volunteer center will install a basement door. This door will allow easier access to their lower level where they will soon be installing a walk-in refrigerator. 

Easy access to a cool space results in fresh, healthy food in the bellies of food bank clients. 

The next meeting for 100 Women is in May. 

Any interested women can join by signing up here

Should You Be Able To Will Your Property To Whomever You Choose?

An estimated quarter of a million dollars in ancient artifacts, coins and documents that once belonged to Saint Johner Robert McCorkill is in legal limbo, because McCorkill bequeathed them to the American antisemitic and white nationalist organization, the National Alliance.

The court heard that it's not the job of lawyers to decide whether a beneficiary of a will is morally worthy of receiving it. That, argued lawyer Andy Lodge for the Canadian Association for Free Expression, would create  a slippery slope wherein none could then argue that a drug dealer or a rapist shouldn't be able to inherit property.


McCorkill's will itself is legal and does not specifically say the funds should be used to promote hate--just that they be given to the National Alliance. The National Alliance also  paid for McCorkills final expenses.

Little information had been revealed about McCorkill other than that he was a friend of one-time teacher and noted Holocaust denier Malcolm Ross who was present in the courtroom.
Conversely, lawyers representing McCorkill's sister who is challenging the will argued that leaving the estate to the National Alliance would be contrary to public policy in Canada.

Saint John M-P Finds Criticism Of Harper Government Over The Senate "Ironic"

The federal budget will be unveiled on February 11th. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is promising to present a balanced budget in 2015 without raising taxes or cutting transfer payments to the provinces.

While the Harper Government wants to steer clear of the Senate expense scandal and concentrate on the economy, the opposition has other ideas.

Saint John M-P Rodney Weston tells Tide News he finds what has transpired very odd because it's the Harper Government that wants to reform the Senate, yet it's getting all the criticism.

Weston accuses the Liberals of not having anything to say about reforming the Senate and the NDP just wants to abolish it which may be popular these days but could very well be unconstitutional unless all the provinces agree.

Weston applauds the Alward Government for coming out in favour of an elected Senate.

Police Search for Thieves From Power Station

Police asking the public for help in a  break & enter and theft that took their power this past weekend.

On Saturday, January 25th, 2014, between 2:30 and 3:30 a.m.,the fenced-in NB Power substation in Harvey was broken into along Route 3, and copper wiring was stolen.

The theft caused an explosion that caused a number of homes in the area to lose power.

Sgt. Bob MacKnight tells Tide News it can not be over-emphasized how dangerous this illegal activity is -- that in the past --  has resulted in death.

If you have any information on the theft, please call local RCMP or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crimestoppers will pay up to $2000 for information leading to an arrest.

Rally Gets Two Prize Bikes For Harley Draw

This year's Harley Draw will be double the excitement.

The Rally In The St. Croix Valley announcing they will have two 2014 Harley Davidson motorcycles for 1st and 2nd prize at the annual Harley Draw. 1st prize will be a 2014 HD Street Bob. 2nd prize will be a 2014 HD Sportster low. 3rd prize will be a HD leather jacket.

Spokesperson Bob Hamel tells Tide News having two bikes as prizes instead of one will not effect the draw itself. He says it will still be 1 draw, with 800 tickets available, at $50 a piece.

Hamel says the winners will also have a chance to upgrade, using their prize bike as a down-payment towards the bike of their choice at the dealershipin Saint John.

The Rally will take place July 4th-6th at the St. Stephen Legion.

Province Appoints Outside Mediator In Faculty Strike

Postsecondary, training and labour Minister Jody Carr announcing the appointment of a special outside mediator while directing both sides in the UNB faculty dispute back to the bargaining table.
 
Carr says Brian Keller will meet with both sides on Wednesday and Thursday.

Carr adds he has the endorsement of both sides and this move adds a new level of urgency to the process.

Carr says Keller is an expert in labour law practicing in the field since 1972 and has served as vice chair of the Canadian Labour Relations Board.

New Reading Program Launched By Sea Dogs

The aim is to get young children who are in kindergarten to grade 3 at St. John the Baptist-King Edward School reading books. 

The Sea Dogs, Canaport LNG and the Anglophone School District  have launched the program that will see those students who read three books be eligible for Sea Dog tickets. 

Sea Dogs President Wayne Long tells Tide News they want to make reading fun for the kids and he's hoping the program will be expanded to other schools from St Stephen to Sussex next year.
 
School District Superintendent Zoe Watson says it's essential children know how to read by grade 3, otherwise it becomes more of a challenge later on and can result in behaviour problems. 

It's estimated 60 per cent of people in the province 16 years of age and older have problems with literacy.

Liberals Calling For Health Plan

People in the province need to know what the future of healthcare is going to be. 

That, from Liberal healthcare critic Donald Arsenault who's calling on Health Minister Ted Flemming to come up with a health care plan in light of the latest layoffs in radiation and nuclear medicine at Horizon Health.
 
Arsenault claims the people who work in healthcare are uncertain about what the future holds and for the first time ever, no nurse practitioners have been hired and other provinces are coming in to approach these graduates.

Researchers Exploring High Salmon Mortality Rate During Early Migration

Photo Courtesy of Tom Moffatt/ASF

Researchers with the Atlantic Salmon Federation are closer to getting to the bottom of why wild salmon are dying off in large numbers once they swim into saltwater. 

Director of Research Jon Carr says his team is launching new studies to try and figure out what's causing the high death rate. He tells us they've been tracking juvenile salmon for over a decade and now, they're going to be tracking striped bass as well.

Carr says while the population of striped bass has been booming, they found in 2006 smolt survival through the estuary of the Miramichi was about 60-per-cent and by 2012 survival had dropped to about 26-per-cent.

They'll be looking to see if striped bass are found in the same areas as smolt, and at what's inside their stomachs. They will also be looking at the potential impact cormorants may be having on smolt survival.

The tracking of smolt starting in 2003 on the Miramichi and Restigouche rivers in New Brunswick and the Cascapedia river in Quebec. A-S-F researchers will be back in the field tracking salmon starting in May.

Laubach Literacy Holding Family Literacy Day

Highlighting the importance of literacy in all of our lives.

Laubach Literacy New Brunswick is holding Family Literacy Day on January 27th. The day features literacy events and fairs across the province. 

Executive Director Deanna Allen tells us the organization has been providing one-on-one adult literacy services for 35 years across the province.

In New Brunswick approximately 60 per cent of the population aged 16 and over, have what are considered to be below the level of literacy skills that would allow them to function day to day in work, and in personal matters, according to Allen.

She adds, literacy is the foundation of prosperity in the province. For information on Family Literacy Day events, visit the organization's Facebook Page.

Better Business Bureau Has Advice On Choosing A Safe Kennel

If you're looking for a place to house your pet while you're away, the Maritime Better Business Bureau has some tips for finding the right kennel.

Jill Atkinson of the bureau tells us many times consumers aren't aware of who they're dealing with and aren't satisfied with the service they received. She says the first thing you can do to avoid getting into a similar situation is to simply ask around. Get recommendations from friends and family and also check with the Maritime BBB to see if they've had any complaints.

Atkinson adds you should ask a lot of questions especially if your pet has health or behavioural issues and make sure to get a contract in writing so you know exactly what you're getting into.

January Is International Crime Stoppers Month

This month is dedicated to celebrating and promoting the work of one of the largest crime-solving and crime-fighting programs in the world. 

In New Brunswick, Crime Stoppers has helped solve almost 8000 cases since it started back in 1985. Provincial Police Coordinator Sergeant Noel Cyr tells us one of the challenges the organization faces is raising their profile and finding enough volunteers to help out.

Tips to Crime Stoppers resulting in more than 8000 people being arrested, $8-million in property being recovered and an estimated street value of over $67-million worth of drugs seized.
 
If you have information on any unsolved crime, and wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or submit your information online at www.crimenb.ca.

Two Arrested In Lower West Side Assault

Two men arrested for assaulting another man with a weapon on the lower West side of Saint John.

Sergeant Cowan of the Saint John Police says the incident happened on Rodney Street just after 10pm yesterday night and a man was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police are still working to figure out what type of weapon was used. 

Cowan says this assault was not random. The two men who were arrested will be appearing in court at a later date.

Power Out For Many New Brunswickers

Many New Brunswickers are off the grid today. 

Over 1500 NB Power customers are without heat and lights in the province with Fredericton and Mirimichi bearing the brunt of the outages. NB Power estimating the power will be back on in the later part of the afternoon. 

Yesterday, thousands in St. Stephen were in the dark after a Harvey substation was vandalized.

Turbine Travelling To Point Lepreau Tomorrow

Another turbine is making the trek from the Port City to Point Lepreau.

The large, approximately 130-tonne turbine rotor being transported to the generating station tomorrow, weather permitting. The journey will take about six hours and there will be police escorts for the duration of the trip.

Drivers being advising to avoid travelling on King Street West, Market Street and Ludlow Street between 6 and 8am. You can expect delays on Route 1 between 7 and 10:30am on the east and westbound lanes from Ludlow Street to Route 790 at Lepreau.

Last week, one of the rotors made the journey from Saint John to the station.

Pacifier Holder Clips Recalled Due To Choking Hazard

A warning to new moms and dads, Playtex is recalling their Pacifier Holder Clips because they can crack and a small part can break off, posing a choking hazard to small kids.

The company getting almost a hundred reports from consumers, including forty-three from here in Canada, of the clip cracking or breaking. Health Canada getting one report of the clip breaking where a small part broke off. No injuries have been reported to either organization.

About 150,000 of these were distributed in Canada. They were sold from July 2010 through October 2013 here and in the U.S. They were sold in green with a monkey figure, pink with a flower and blue with a tow truck.

Police & Fire Respond To Explosion In Fredericton Apartment

Police and fire crews in Fredericton responding to reports of an explosion at an apartment building on the city's south-side.

When they first arrived they found significant damage in a vacant apartment. The Fredericton Police Force Explosive Disposal Unit did a secondary search and secured the location. The Major Crime Team and the Forensic Identification Team were also on the scene investigating. 

No one was hurt, and the cause has initially been determined to be misuse of cleaning supplies.

Fire Destroys Farmhouse, Leaves Three Homeless

A fire destroying a farmhouse in the rural community of Holmesville, leaving three people homeless.

Firefighters from Bath and Florenceville-Bristol responding to the blaze at 6am on Thursday to the home on Doherty Road. A retired couple along with the woman's mother escaping the home unhurt.

No word yet on the cause of the fire.

Man And Woman Facing Charges In Cocaine Bust

A man and woman from Halifax are facing charges in connection with a coke bust at a traffic stop near Havelock.

RCMP stopping a vehicle traveling on the TransCanada Highway near the community seizing about five and a half pounds of cocaine along with cash.

38-year-old Lajuane Bruce and 26-year-old Debonnie Pearce appearing in Moncton Provincial Court on Friday to be charged with trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and possession of property obtained by crime.

Both will be back in court again on Monday.

CCHP Says Payments Were Made -- The Rest To Come Shortly

The Charlotte County Hospitality Partnership -- who is responsible for the management of the renos at the iconic Algonquin Resort -- issuing a statement on the big bill that several companies reportedly say is owed to them.

The CCHP says they have been working with sub-contractors over the past 6 weeks to reconcile work with each contract, significant payments were made in December and January, and they expect the accounting to be completed in early February.

Here is the full statement issued:

“In a statement issued in December 2013, we noted that Charlotte County Hospitality Partners has assumed responsibility for the management of the renovation of the Algonquin Hotel.

Over the past six weeks we have been working with the sub contractors to reconcile work performed against each contract and significant payments were made in December and January. With the cooperation of all the sub-contractors we have been able to

continue working towards full project completion for May and a possible partial opening in February or March. As the account reconciliation continues, some sub-contractors have exercised their lien rights. We understand that this is a legal precaution to protect their interests and we appreciate the continued support we are getting from the subcontractors.

We expect to have the accounting work completed in early February and for additional payments to be made shortly.

When we set out to revitalize the Algonquin, we knew there would be challenges.  We’re certain, however, that when the final results are unveiled it very quickly will become the hospitality landmark of Atlantic Canada and make all New Brunswick very proud.  Our booking pace is extremely positive and we anticipate an exceptional spring and summer.”

Charlotte County Hospitality Partnership.

Sub-Contractors Say Algonquin Owes Them $

Our iconic hotel may be in some hot water.

Reports say several companies have filed liens against Southwest Properties and Newcastle Developments, the owners of the Algonquin Hotel and Resort in St. Andrews, for money they say are owed to them for the renovation.

Reports say four of the liens also name Avant-Garde Construction, the general contractor for the reno.

The claims apparently add up to $881,000.

Kent Building Supplies is claiming the largest amount owing at $481 thousand.

Southwest President Gordon Laing giving a statement saying payments were made to sub-contractors in December and January, with another due in February.

Funeral Arrangements Announced For Former St. Stephen Mayor

St. Stephen saying goodbye to one of its former Mayors.

Jed Purcell -- who served as mayor from 2008-2012 -- passed away last Saturday, January 18th, 2014, while in Florida.

Visitation with family will be held at Mehan's Funeral Home on Main Street in St. Stephen, on Sunday, January 26th from 2-4 and from 7-9.

Mehan's announcing Jed's funeral will be held on Monday, January 27th at St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church, 407 Milltown Blvd at 11am.

For a link to Jed's obituary, click HERE

No Tax Increases In Upcoming Provincial Budget But There Are Job Cuts In Health

One thing is for sure, you won't have to worry about taxes going up in the near future. Finance Minister Blaine Higgs saying taxes aren't going up in the next budget, scheduled to come out next month. 

Kevin Lacey of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation saying while this is good news for the province,we still need to pay attention to government spending.

"There are positive signs for the future that things are going to get better, so we want to see the Finance Minister address the government's spending problem, and not just hope that a lot of the longer-term projects are going to come on and save the day for the province," he says.  

 At the same time, he says the Minister's decision is really the only option right now, and 
new projects such as the pipeline, can help drive up provincial revenue.

 He tells Tide News, "when you consider that someone earning sixty-thousand dollars in Saint John would pay about seventeen-hundred dollars more in taxes than someone earning the same income in Edmonton, New Brunswickers can not take anymore tax increases."

Still with the province's bottom line......Horizon Health estimates it will save half a million dollars with 8 job cuts and not filling 4 vacant positions in radiology and nuclear medicine in Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton.

Latest Layoffs At Horizon Health Criticised

Liberal Healthcare critic Donald Arsenault believes the Alward Government is shooting itself in the foot with the most recent layoffs at Horizon Health.

There are 8 layoffs in radiology and nuclear technology while four jobs will stay vacant in Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton.

Arsenault doesn't buy the claim by Horizon Health that the quality of patient care will not be compromised, telling Tide News these are skilled positions and he fears the province will get a reputation that will make it harder to recruit front line medical professionals down the road.

He also says people are going to work in healthcare unsure about whether they'll have a job the following week and this is damaging morale.

Cellphone Saves Pilot's Life After Crash

The 22 year old trainee pilot whose small plane crashed between Fredericton and Minto is expected to make a full recovery.

 He managed to crawl from the wreckage and used his cellphone to get help. It still took rescuers a couple of hours to find him in dense brush with bitterly cold temperatures but Fredericton's Assistant Deputy Fire Chief David McKinley says using the cellphone to provide GPS co-ordinates saved his life. 

The Transportation Safety Board is investigating to try to determine what sort of problem occurred to force the pilot to make an emergency landing.

CUPW Stand Against Job Cuts And Stamp Costs

If you're a bit older -- or disabled -- it could be a lot harder for you to get your mail.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says Canada Post wants to cut door-to-door delivery and put everyone in community mailboxes -- which the unions claim will make it harder, especially in the winter months, for everyone to get their mail.

Tony Villeneauve tells Tide News Canada Post also wants to raise the cost of one stamp to $1. He says they need the public support in St. Stephen, for people to sign the petition, call their Mp's, write their MP's, and let them know that this is not what the people of St. Stephen deserve. He calls this an attack on workers, corporations, and on service.

Villeneauve says CP wants to cut 6000 to 8000 jobs nationwide over 5 years. He says that translates into 4 job losses in St. Stephen alone.

CUPW will be marching in front of MP John Williamson's office on Monday, January 27th on Milltown Blvd in St. Stephen.

You can sign the petition opposing the job cuts and raise in stamp prices by going to www.savecanadapost.ca .

Minister To Meet To Discuss Future Of Lobster Industry

Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries ministers from the Maritime Provinces will be meeting from March 26 - 27 in Halifax to talk about why the price of lobster has plummeted so drastically, and what can be done to strengthen the industry.

The summit will focus on the Maritime Lobster Panel report, given to the three ministers last November. It addresses why the price of lobster dropped in the spring of 2013 and looks at the various cost and revenue aspects of harvesters, buyers and processors.

The report also looks at ways to stabilize and potentially increase prices paid to harvesters, and a possible formal system where the industry would know the price that will be paid in advance.

Anxiety Levels Among Students At U-N-B Rising

As the strike by university professors at U-N-B in Saint John, Fredericton and Bathurst continues, the Provincial NDP is calling for students to be legislatively protected both academically and financially from losing out. 

Pat Joyce is Executive-Director of the New Brunswick Student Alliance and tells Tide News, financially that would mean rebates on their tuition.
 
As for what could be done for them if their semester is lost, Joyce says that would be unprecedented but a semester could very go down the drain, he has heard, if a strike lasted more than 4 weeks. He would hope the provincial government would step in and help the students out if that happened.

Old Man Winter Is Back

The storm which hammered the northeastern U.S. is hammering down on us.

Mel Lemmon of Environment Canada tells Tide News things are turning for the worst this afternoon because of heavier snow accompanied by strong winds. He says we can expect winds gusts up to 60 km/h, and those will continue through tonight before it starts to taper off.

Grand Manan and coastal Charlotte County is also under a blizzard warning with 15-25 cms of snow expected.

St. Stephen is only calling for 10-15 cms of snow with lighter winds.

Plane Crash In Fredericton Area With Pilot Rescued

An investigation will be launched to determine why a small plane with a trainee pilot crashed last night near Highway 10 and Grub Road, between Fredericton and Minto. 

The Fredericton Fire Department says phone contact was made with the pilot who was found near by after an extensive search in dense brush and then was airlifted to hospital for medical treatment. He's listed in critical condition.


The pilot is in his 20's but his name has not been released. He managed to crawl out of the wreckage and called for help on his cellphone.

Meantime, on the east side, there was a two vehicle collision yesterday afternoon at 340 Loch Lomand Road. One person was taken to hospital.

Police Seek Public Help With Suspicious Fire

Police are asking for your help with a suspicious fire on the island.

Police in Grand Manan say they were called to a storage facility on Route 776, around 4am on June 28th.

RCMP say, by that time, the building was fully engulfed in flames and the loss is estimated around $50,000.

After further investigation, police are calling the blaze suspicious since there was no power going to the building.

If you have any information on the fire, please contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Storm On The Way For Charlotte County -- Blizzard For SJ

After days of spring-like temperatures, it's time to break out your shovel again. 

A blizzard is on the way for Saint John, bringing heavy snow and blowing snow to the region. A winter storm watch warning is in place for Charlotte County. 

Claude Cote of Environment Canada tells Tide News starting before Wednesday morning we'll see periods of snow, blowing snow and reduced visibility to near-zero. It's expected we'll see winds gusting to about 60 km/hr closer to the city.

Cote says the storm will start tapering off at about 8pm or 9am. We can expect to see about 15 cms of fresh snow on the ground by the end of the storm.

The provincial E-M-O reminding you that strong winds can bring power outages and you should make sure you have everything you need to last you at least seventy-two hours after a storm, including an emergency kit for your home and car. They're also encouraging you to avoid driving if you don't have to during and after the blizzard.

Man Arrested In Fredericton Stabbing Incident

A 31-year-old man has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, and one count of  assault following a stabbing incident at Eastern College in Fredericton yesterday. Luke Thomas Powers of Fredericton appeared in court this morning.

 Police responded to Eastern College on Prospect Street in response to a disturbance, and when they arrived police found that three victims (two instructors, one student) had been injured by a large, long-bladed knife.


Police arrested Powers at the scene. He will appear in court again next month.

Huge Gym Bag Full Of Pot Seized

RCMP are reporting two Nova Scotia men were arrested on the weekend after a traffic stop in Havelock in which a quantity of marijuana was seized

The vehicle was going east on Highway 2 on Saturday shortly before noon. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery and seizure of about  43 lbs of marijuana, as well as cannabis resin. The seized put could have been used to roll more than 63-thousand joints.

Two men ages 30 and 41 were arrested and later released on a promise to appear in Moncton Provincial Court on March 10.

Rinehart Concerned About Students Caught In Strike

As the strike drags on at UNB, former UNB Dean Shelley Rinehart tells Tide News she knows from experience it's very difficult for the university to hire--because the school isn't competitive even with some of its closest neighbours.

She says she's especially concerned about the students in the MBA program, considering it's an 8-week module and they've already lost a week, which could impact their ability to finish on time.

Rinehart says there are some legitimate issues that need to be addressed and nothing would make her happier than hearing everyone is back at the bargaining table tomorrow.

Canadian Shoppers May Have Been Hacked

If you shopped at a Target store in the U.S. prior to Christmas, your name and contact information might have been stolen by hackers.
 
An email from the company has been sent to some Canadian customers which warns their names, mailing addresses, phone numbers and email addresses may have been taken if they shopped at Target stores in the U.S. between November 27th and December 15th.
 
Target has said hackers stole data related to 40 million credit and debit accounts in the U.S.
 
Canadian stores were not affected because they have a separate point-of-sale system.

Union Questions Commitment of University to Revitalising Faculty

As the strike by university of professors continues at U-N-B, a lot of people are getting nervous about when classes might resume. There's pressure to resume negotiations and there has been talk of that happening this week.

Union President Miriam Jones concedes at first glance it appears the professors are making good coin so why are they striking but she argues the faculty is aging and not being replaced by younger professors who would be making less. According to Jones, that's what the older professors would like to see because it means there's a commitment on the part of the university to revitalize the faculty with new blood. 
 
As it is, Jones tells Tide News the university is replacing full-time professors with people who teach course by course for what she describes as "peanuts" or on term contracts.

Date Set For Oland Inquiry

Six weeks have been set aside for a preliminary hearing to determine if Dennis Oland will stand trial in the death of his father, Richard, in July of 2011.

It is scheduled to go from May 12th to June 20th and, in almost all cases, the presiding judge imposes a ban on the publication of evidence.

The body of Richard Oland was found in his office on Canterbury Street in Saint John. 

Man Crashes SUV At River's Edge

A crash on Milltown Blvd this morning could have been a lot worse.

Just before 10am, a man driving an SUV losing consciousness in the back parking lot behind 98.1 The Tide with his vehicle slamming into one of the town's heritage signs -- very close to the edge of the St. Croix River. 

Once first responders arrived, the driver became aware and said he had fallen on the ice a few minutes prior to getting into his vehicle.

He was taken to the Charlotte County Hospital in St. Stephen to get checked out, with no visible injuries.