Monday, May 12, 2014

Hospital Auxiliary Doles Out Funding At Regional


Residents of Charlotte County will certainly appreciate some new additions around the Regional Hospital thanks to the efforts of the Saint John Regional Hospital Auxiliary.

The Auxiliary has approved over $80,000 of funding for a number of projects including new recliner chairs for the Labour and Delivery unit - and - customizable wheel chairs for the Neurology and Rehab units - president Katie Rogers says the Auxiliary has donated over 5-million dollars to patient and family comfort programs since the hospital opened in 1982.

The Auxiliary raises its funds through sales at the gift shop - the uniform shop - and - hair salon as well as patient referrals to Phillips Life Line alert systems.

Passenger Rail Service Saved In Province


Some good news for those who didn't want to see passenger rail service disappear entirely from New Brunswick altogether. 

It has been saved thanks, in part, to Via Rail giving over $10 million to Canadian National Railway to maintain over 70 kilometres of track between Bathurst and Miramichi. 

The passenger rail service goes between Halifax and Montreal through the northern part of the province. 

Transport Minister Lisa Raitt would like to see something done to increase ridership.

Big Drug Bust


City Police reporting the seizure of 16 pounds of marijuana along with 54 thousand dollars in cash after three raids on St. James Street, Ross Street and Canterbury Street. 

Three men have been arrested as part of a three month drug investigation by City Police, the RCMP, Kennebecasis Regional Police and the Canadian Border Services Agency. 

Police say the marijuana was brought into Saint John from outside the province as part of an organised crime drug distribution network. 

The three are facing charges of possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and having the proceeds of crime but more charges are possible.

Oland Preliminary Hearing Underway


A preliminary hearing is underway on the second degree murder charge laid against 46 year old Dennis Oland for the killing of his father Richard in July of 2011 to determine if there's enough evidence to warrant a trial. 

It will be weeks before any decision is made and since there will be interruptions in the hearing, it's not expected to wind up until mid July.

Oland appeared very relaxed as he sat in the front row of the courtroom and before the proceedings began was sharing a laugh with family lawyer Bill Teed. 


Derek Oland was sitting in the second row. When Oland was arrested back in the fall, the family released a statement asserting belief in his innocence.

A ban has been imposed on the broadcasting of any evidence.

Liberal Leader Says Education Is The Key To Economic Growth


As a jobs summit begins today in Fredericton, the message in Saint John over the weekend from Provincial Liberal leader Brian Gallant was the same. His big priority is to improve education, skills training and literacy to transform New Brunswick into the smart province. 

The Liberals chose two more candidates for the provincial election in September with one being former Common Councillor Peter McGuire in Saint John Lancaster who tells Tide News he has knocked on 600 doors in the riding already.
 

Also selected over the weekend was the Principal at Rothesay High, Stephanie Tomilson to run in the riding of Rothesay which the Conservatives have held for years.

The Liberals have chosen three high school principals to run in Saint John.....Gary Keating in Saint John Fundy, Mike Butler in Saint John Portland and Tomilson.

Hearing To Start In Oland Murder Case


The murder of Richard Oland is back in the spotlight today with the start of a preliminary hearing on a charge of second degree murder laid against his son, Dennis. 

Oland was killed in July of 2011 from repeated blows to his body at his Canterbury Street office. The hearing, which is expected to last six weeks, is being held to determine if there's enough evidence to warrant a trial. 

It's expected the presiding judge will impose a ban on the broadcasting of any of the evidence from the hearing itself.

Alward Firm On Shale Gas Development


The premier isn't phased by a report by 14 scientists advocating a go-slow approach to shale gas development.

He tells Tide News that's exactly what his government is supporting--and it's a positive sign that some of the scientists that compiled that report are also members of the Energy Institute.

Alward says in the early 1990s, our average income was higher than that of Saskatchewan; nowadays, Saskatchewan's average income is 25% higher, and that's due to development of natural resources.

Warning From Police On Man Considered Dangerous



A 31 year old man from Ontario, suspected of being involved with a recent shooting in Markham, outside Toronto, is or has been in the Saint John area. That warning from City Police who say he has a history of violence, considered armed and dangerous. 

He's identified as Sirvon Edwards, who's black with several tattoos and is wanted for attempted murder. They include an Egyptian eye on his neck, the number "187" on his left forearm, the words "Loved by few" on his right wrist and "Hated by many" on his left wrist along with a cross with the words "Remember me" on the underside of his right forearm.

Police say he should not be approached. if you see him, give them a call at 648-3333 or 9-1-1.