Sign Up For Ball Hockey Tonight

The ice might be going -- but the hockey stays.

Tonight you can sign your kid up for Ball Hockey, a 6 week program for kids ages 6 through to 17.

Organizer Blair Furlotte tells Tide News the start date will be April 8th. He says Tuesday evening from 6-7pm will be for ages 6-9, and Thursday evenings from 6-7pm will be for ages 10-17.

Kids will need to have a full face mask helmet, shin pads -- soccer pads will do, and hockey gloves.

Furlotte tells us they had 80 kids participate last year and they are hoping for a bigger turn-out this year and expanding the program.

Registration is $30 and will be held upstairs at the Border Arena in St. Stephen tonight from 6-8.

A Men's Ball Hockey tema will also be meeting on Tuesday night from 7:30-9:30pm. Cost is $10 a head per night and the men will need to wear a helmet.

Furlotte says they are also looking for a few volunteers and any donations would be appreciated to get goalie equipment for the kids.

If you would like to donate, call Blair Furlotte at 921-0038.

Chilling Details From MacKean Trial

Chilling details are being revealed in the sexual assault case involving a teenage boy who was chained up for 10 days inside a cabin in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia.

64 year old John Leonard MacKean is facing two charges in relation to his alleged role in the incident which took place in September 2012.

The alleged victim - a teenage boy - was the first witness to take the stand in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Bridgewater.

He told court he was blindfolded and chained to a bed while he was sexually assaulted by David Leblanc and Wayne Cunningham.

The teenager also testified about a third man involved in the sexual acts.
However, the boy was blindfolded and could not clearly identify the other individual.
Evidence of chains, a blanket from the bed and a blindfold were submitted as evidence by the Crown prosecutor.

Defence lawyer Mike Taylor will cross examine the alleged victim this afternoon.
The trial is being heard before a judge and 12 member jury.

The trial is expected to last three days.

Former P-C Party Staffer Claims Party Can't Win Next Provincial Election

There's deep dissatisfaction within the provincial Conservative Party and no one sees the Conservatives winning the next election.

That claim being made by Bill Carter of Hampton, a former Conservative party staff member and ex President of the party's youth wing in the province.

He points to how many young people are giving up on New Brunswick and moving elsewhere. Carter calls that a sad commentary since their hearts are in New Brunswick and they would rather be living here if there was opportunity.

Carter has joined the provincial NDP but will not be running to be an M-L-A in September's election.

Draw 9 Is In The Books At The FWCC

Draw 9 is complete at the World Women's Curling Championship, Canada doubled Latvia 8-4, Sweden beat Denmark 7-2, Korea defeating the Czech Republic 8-5 and Russia hammered Scotland 10-4.

Switzerland is undefeated at 5 and 0, Canada and Sweden are tied with a 5 and 1 record.

Switzerland plays today and Canada takes on Scotland tonight.

Scathing Report Released On Proposed Energy East Pipeline

A new report released by a group of environmental organisations claims nearly all of the 1.1 million barrels a day of crude oil the proposed Energy East pipeline would carry from Alberta would be exported unrefined. According to the report, eastern Canadian refineries would process only a small amount.

Catherine Abreu of the Ecology Action Centre tells Tide News the number of jobs that would be created considering all the money that's going to be spent is distinctly unimpressive, 166 for every billion dollars spent.

By contrast, Abreau says for every billion dollars invested in green energy initiatives, 15 thousand jobs are created according to research done by the University of Massachusetts.

Adam Scott of Environmental Defence claims we are being misled about the claims being made by politicians on how this pipeline will help turn the provincial economy around.

Fire Leaves Two People Homeless

A home is destroyed by fire a few kilometers north of Fredericton in McLeod Hill. We hear from the Red Cross that two people managed to get out safely but they were still in their night clothes.

The man and woman are getting emergency assistance from the Red Cross which includes somewhere to stay temporarily, food and clothing.

There's no word on what caused the blaze on Chateau Drive.

Canadian Women Curlers Win Twice

After an 8-2 win over Denmark in the afternoon, Canada, skipped by Rachel Homan, defeated the U.S. 9-3 in six ends at Harbour Station last night.

Team Canada improves to 4-1, behind only Switzerland, who won 7-3 over Denmark and has a perfect 5 and 0 record.

This morning, Canada takes on Latvia and then Scotland tonight. The Swiss will play South Korea this afternoon and the U.S. tonight.

Shale Gas Study To Be Carried Out

It's being described as its very first research initiative with half a million dollars to be spent by the New Brunswick Energy Institute on what the impact will be on groundwater of shale gas exploration.

According to the Institute, this study will provide the necessary baseline data that's required to assess shale gas extraction and the occurrance of methane gas in private water wells.

The study will examine four areas in the southern part of the province, including the Sussex area.

The Energy Institute was created by the Alward Governnment but its legitimacy was called into question after Professor Louis LaPierre resigned as the head of the Institute following controversy over his academic credentials.