Two St. Stephen Men Busted For Drugs

Two St. Stephen men in their 50's are in hot water after a Bordertown bust.


Mounties doing a search at a home yesterday (Sunday, September 23rd, 2012) found marijuana, pills, cocaine and cash.

Both men were arrested, released on conditions and are due before a judge at a later date.

St. Stephen Man New Leader Of The Provincial Greens

He's pumped and ready for a new challenge. After leading the Conservation Council for 28 years, David Coon is embracing his new role as leader of the Provincial Green Party.


Coon was elected at a leadership convention held on the weekend in Fredericton.

He tells Tide News the transition is not bittersweet. He thinks if we go down the road towards greater local economic alliance and a green economy, we are going to attract young people from across the country because -- in his words -- it's going to be exciting.

Coon tells us his short and long term goals range from learning the Green Party's office number to getting out on the road and meeting more people in the province.

Local Man Getting Creative With An Old Fundraiser

One local man putting a beautiful edge to a dull fundraiser.


Instead of collecting recycled pop tabs to have made into whellchairs, Todd Larsen, a brain injury survivor from St. George is making the tabs into unique jewelery, collecting, cleaning and reconstructing the tabs to sell and raise money to buy whellchairs and other specialized needs for -- as Larsen puts it -- the "Awesome People of Charlotte County".

Larsen says he wants to give back to the community who helped him, not just by buying wheelchairs, but by helping anyone who really needs it with a specialized case.

Todd's Assistant, Mary Rogers tells Tide News Larsen raised $144 at the St. Stephen Fall Fair on Saturday ( September 22, 2012 ), and since they started the project back in May of this year, they have raised around $4000.

Rogers says each wheelchair they intend to buy can range between $2000 to $2500, and with the money raised so far they can buy around one and a half wheelchairs. She says Todd's goal is to get at least five wheelchairs.

If you would like to help Todd with his goal, you can buy your own "Pop Tab Jewels". To place an order call 529-3404.

Missing Man's Body Found In River

The body of a missing man has been found in a car in the St. John River near Aroostook road.

43-year-old Robert Ernest Durost of Aroostook had been missing since Tuesday. RCMP's Underwater Recovery Team recovered his body in his vehicle at the bottom of the river yesterday.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, foul play is not suspected.

Auction To Save A Friends Life

A family benefit auction is being held next weekend to help save a friends life.

42-year-old John Phillippe has a form of brain cancer that can only be stopped by a drug called Avastin, which costs $10,600 a month and isn't covered by the province or a medical plan.

Friend Janet Holt is gathering gift cards and items for the auction which, she says, is the only way friends and family know how to help him. Holt says one prize they have is a 7 day vacation and RV rental in Hampton. She says the drug has greatly helped John, who was partially paralyzed on one side and is now walking and talking.

The auction is taking place on Saturday, September 29th at the Aquarius Pub & Restaurant. Tickets are $20, a meal is served at 4:30, and the auction starts at 7:00pm.

Tickets can be purchased at Cox Electronics & Communication (843 Fairville Blvd) or by calling Janet Holt at 652-1889.

Quispamsis Is Moving Forward On Lift Station

Quispamsis isn't sitting still on their lift station.

Quispam Mayor Murray Driscoll tells Tide news the idea of them moving the station in 5 to 10 years is simply not true. Driscoll says they have agreed to move their lift station which, according to Rothesay council, has been leaking sewage into Rothesay brooks whenever it rains. Driscoll admits that lift stations do occasionally overflow in various areas across the province, and Quipamsis isn't immune to that.

Driscoll adds if Rothesay does not go forward with the retention pond, it would give Quispam more breathing room in moving the lift station, which could mean inserting a force main first then moving the station second.

Driscoll says Quispam is right on schedule, the design is 80% done and there's no reason to think they're not moving the lift station.

Earlier this month at Rothesay Council Mayor Bill Bishop said their council was writing a letter to Quispam addressing the lift station being moved immediately. Driscoll says he has yet to receive that letter.

Global Protests Against Fracking

More than 100 protests against the natural gas drilling process known as fracking are planned around the world today, and organizers are using a simple message to draw people out and spur outrage.

The Global Frackdown website that's promoting the protests claims the process ``pollutes water and makes people sick.''

There is, however, disagreement among scientists about the risks.

The US Environmental Protection Agency and many state regulators contend that fracking can be done safely.

Green MP Elizabeth May will be speaking at an anti-fracking rally in front of the leg in Fredericton at noon today.

Protests are planned in cities that include Pittsburgh, New York, Paris and Madrid.

Teenager Pleads Guilty To Car Theft

A 16-year-old Wards Creek boy will be back in court Monday where police expect to lay more charges of car thefts and break and enters from incidents across Kings, Charlotte, and Saint John Counties.

RCMP say the teen appeared in Provincial Court in Saint John yesterday and pleaded guilty to theft of a pickup truck from a few weeks ago.

Corporal Pat Cole reminds people to keep any items and money in your car out of of sight and to lock your doors.

Walk The Fundy Trail & Fight Cancer

Rain or shine, people who've been affected by cancer will be taking part in the 13th annual Fundy Trail Cancer Walk today.

Proceeds from the walk goes towards cancer treatment centre at the Saint John Regional Hospital.

Organizer Nancy Maynard tells Tide news the event started small and has since grown, with people from Greater Saint John and Fredericton participating. Maynard says the fundraiser was started by cancer survivors to recognize cancer and the people it affects.

Registration starts at 10:00 am until noon. There will also be a BBQ, entertainment, and a 50/50 draw.

The walk is at the Big Salmon River on the Fundy Trail Parkway.

Workplace Accident Sends Man To Hospital

A man is in hospital after a workplace accident in Saint John.

According to the Saint John Fire Department, the accident occurred just before noon at the Irving Pulp and Paper Mill.

No other details have been released.

Doucet Speaks Out On Conservatives Ousting Their Own

"I think it's wrong."


That word from local Liberal MLA Rick Doucet on Fundy River Valley MLA Dr. Jim Parrot being ousted by his fellow Conservatives.

The former heart surgeon used a written commentary to accuse his government of not listening to doctors about health-care and then spoke out about the cost of language duality in healthcare a couple of days later.

Doucet tells Tide News the real team is the people who elect you. He says "..as an elected official you have to be the voice of the people, you have to stand up and fight for what you believe is right. Quite frankly, Alward has thrown the notion of true consultation out the back door, where you don't listen to your own elected member. All he (Dr. Parrot) was doing was echoing the concerns that he is hearing."

Doucet adds, "Alward was elected under the veil of openness and transparency, and his plans were that he was going to listen to the people."
  Parrot will now sit as an Independent in the legislature.

Pedestrian Hit By Vehicle By Old Town Tavern

A pedestrian being struck by a moving vehicle last night in St. Stephen.

District 1 RCMP being called just before 8pm to King Street, infront of the Old Town Tavern, where the man was hit.

Police tell Tide News the driver of the vehicle did stop and was questioned by police.

According to family members, the man struck received a cut on his head and nose, plus has a broken pelvis.

No word yet if any charges will be laid against the driver of the vehicle.

Police Search For Thief From Local Business

Police are still looking for a local thief and are asking the public for help.


District 1 RCMP tell Tide News between the 23rd and 25th of May (2012), someone broke into Southwest Concrete and Construction in St. Stephen.

Police say a "Mastercool" hydraulic flaring tool was taken, which is valued at over $400.

If you have any knowledge of this crime, please call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Crimestoppers will pay up to $2000 for information leading to an arrest.

"Take Back The Night" March This Friday

Shatter the Silence. Stop The Violence.


The 2nd Annual "Take Back The Night" walk will be taking place this Friday ( September 21st, 20120 ) in St. Stephen.

The Charlotte County Abuse Prevention Network hosting the walk to raise awareness of violence against women in our communities.

The Walk will go from 7pm to 9pm, marching from the Border Arena on King Street to St. Stephen's University on Main Street.

"Don't Be A Victim Of Car Theft" - District 1 RCMP

If your car is locked, most culprits would rather move on than cause damage trying to get in.


That coming from Sgt. Bob MacKnight from District 1 RCMP on how to keep yourself from becoming a victim of car theft.

MacKnight points to a number of thefts from vehicles -- and a theft of a vehicle -- in St. Stephen last week, and says in nearly every instance, the cars were unlocked, with keys inside, and valuables in the open.

He says most of the culprits he deals with will not cause damage to a car that is locked, they will simply move on to another unlocked vehicle.

MacKnights wants to remind our listeners (and readers) that they should "lock it and pocket the key". As well, with respect to valuables and cash, you should take them inside the house, or in the very least, placed out of sight. He says this is the easiest way to keep yourself from becoming a victim.

Conservative M-L-A Lambasts His Own Government On Health Care

One of Premier David Alward's own M-L-A's has some blistering criticism of the provincial government when it comes to health care. 

In a written commentary, Fundy River Valley M-L-A Dr. Jim Parrot charges the Alward Government is not listening to doctors and no effort is being made to engage them on any real issue. 

Dr. Parrot goes on to write the ball was dropped on Canadian Blood Services which is transferring blood production from Saint John to Dartmouth and almost was on the M-R-I issue.

He also complains of not being asked in his two years as an M-L-A for his input on any health related issue in spite of his many years in the health care system and being recognised as one of the top heart surgeons around.

School Water Fountains Removed With More To Follow

More than 250 water fountains in schools throughout the province have been removed because they contained high levels of lead and copper with another 180 water fountains to be replaced and 26 water treatment systems installed to fix the problem. 

That word from Provincial Education Minister Jody Carr following tests last fall that found many school water fountains had levels of lead that exceeded Health Canada guidelines and the greatest problems were in the Saint John area. 
 
More than $50,000 has been spent to provide bottled water in schools and another $320,000 has been set aside to replace water fountains but it will be December before everything is installed.
  

Grow Op Found Because Of Traffic Violation

Two men, aged 36 and 58, have been busted after the RCMP discovered a marijuana grow op by chance on Grand Manan.
 
The grow op was found after an RCMP officer followed up on a possible traffic violation when an all terrain vehicle failed to stop for police along Route 776.
 
The officer tracked the ATV to a residence on Route 776. Police got a search warrant and confiscated a quantity of marijuana plants as well as six firearms.
 
The two are scheduled to appear in court  November 15th to face drug charges.

Funeral Service Tomorow For High School Student Killed Tragically

Friends and relatives will get a chance today to say their goodbyes to 14 year old Blake Sherwood of Apohaqui who died tragically earlier this week after his dirt bike collided with a pickup truck on Route 121.  

Blake's family will be receiving relatives and friends at the Wallace Funeral Home in Sussex from 1 to 3 this afternoon and from 6 to 8 tonight. 

A funeral service will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 at St. Paul's United Church in Sussex.

Stolen Car Found At Ganong's Factory

Local roots has proven to be successful.


District 1 RCMP tell Tide News a car stolen from Victoria Street in St. Stephen was found yesterday afternoon  ( September 13th, 2012 ) in good condition by an officer with a hunch.

Police say Cst. John Beck knows our area well and discovered the car -- a 2013 white Hyundai -- in the new parking lot at Ganong's Factory.
The department's Forensic Identification Section dusted for fingerprints and charges are pending.

The car was stolen sometime early yesterday morning ( September 13th, 2012 ) from Victoria Street in St. Stephen.

Children's Donor Wall Unveiling On Saturday

The Fundy Discovery Aquarium having a special day tomorrow ( Saturday, September 15, 2012 ).


Almost a year in the making, the children's seal donor wall will be unveiled at 11am during the 1st seal feeding.

The project is in the image of a seal with 1000 children's names on it. Spokesperson Ashley Simpson tells Tide News the wall was created as a way for those under 18 to contribute to the aquarium.

The Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews decided to make a 2nd wall, after the 1st wall -- put in place last year when the aquarium opened -- was so popular.

Tomorrow, all children under 12 can go free of charge if accompanied by an adult, and will get free treats all day.

Charlotte County Fall Fair This Weekend

The Charlotte County Fall Fair kicks off today!


A weekend full of fun and activities at the Ganong Nature Park, located at the end of Todd's Point Rd in St. Stephen.

Some of the new events this year include a moose calling contest, a McAdam railway Dining Car re-creation, and a barn dance.

The Fall Fair runs tonight from 5pm - 9:30pm, Saturday from 8am - 5pm, and Sunday from 12 noon - 5pm.

Tickets are $5 per person or $20 per family.

For a full schedule of events, go to www.ganongnaturepark.com .

Police Investigate Car Theft In St. Stephen

Local police reporting two separate thefts in St. Stephen.


District 1 RCMP say sometime between Wednesday night ( September 12th ) and Thursday morning ( September 13th ), a 2013 white Hyundai Elantra with the New Brunswick plates reading JDM-538 was stolen from Victoria Street.

Also overnight, St. Stephen Police reporting that money was stolen from a parked vehicle in the Veasey Street area.

If you have any information about these crimes, please call District 1 RCMP at 1-506-466-7030.

Gun Shots Fired In Milltown

Local Police say a St. Stephen man is charged after shots were fired at a car in Milltown.


District 1 RCMP tell Tide News they received a call early yesterday morning (Sept 12, 2012) of gunshots being fired at an occupied vehicle on Spring Street.

Sgt. Bob MacKnight says 22-year-old Michael Kenneth Hanley was arrested and charged with Careless Use of a Firearm.

Hanley pleaded guilty in Saint John Provincial Court yesterday.

He goes back for sentencing on Tuesday, September 18th.

Milltown Legion To Close Before 2013

The Milltown Legion will be closing it's doors before New Year's Eve of 2012.


President of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #48 Amy McCrum tells Tide News they will not be giving up their Charter, just the building.

Currently, the Legion leases the building on Milltown Blvd from the Town of St. Stephen for $1 a year, however, maintaining the building, and paying its bills, is becoming too costly.

McCrum says the members are dwindling and so is the cash flow.

She adds Branch #48 will continue with the Rememberance Day Service and Annual Poppy Campaign this year as normal.

No word yet on future plans for the building.

International Celebrity Chefs Come To St. Andrews To Learn

Dulse, salmon, mussels, and lobster.


The 1st-ever Canada Brand Seafood Lover's Academy bringing celebrity chefs and journalists from around the world to St. Andrews to take part in cooking classes, demonstrations, and tours, all about atlantic seafood.

Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Keith Ashfield tells Tide News we have exceptional seafood in Atlantic Canada, and we need to showcase that. Ashfield says by bringing the group to St. Andrews, each one will take their experience back home with them, and spread the word in their countries. He adds that this is a great opportunity to boost our exports, broaden our markets, and help our over-all economy.

Organizer Andrew Lively tells Tide News says the celebrity chefs have come from 12 different countries, including the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Austria, Germany, Greece, India, Switzerland, Singapore, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Chun Lau stars in food television programs in Hong-Kong as well as writes a regular newspaper food column. He tells Tide News Canada has something that asian markets are missing.
He says Canada not only has great ingredients, but also has a great concern for the environment and the ethics behind our food. He thinks that asian markets need to understand, to consume food as well as try to preserve the environment.

( Picture - Chef Marcus Ritter and Chef Rodrigo Acuna Bravo from the Europa Restaurant in St. Andrews, setting up for their next atlantic seafood cooking class. )

Short Of $10 Grand For Local Fire Department

Just under $10,000.


That's how much the St. Stephen Fire Department raised during the 8th Annual Bucket Sit taking place this past weekend at the Atlantic Superstore.

The fundraiser sees local firefighter Merton Lewis spending 50 hours in a bucket truck, 50 feet in the air.

Dwayne Richards from the department says the final total will probably reach over the ten thousand mark, as late donations are still coming in.
The money raised will go towards specialized rescue equipment.

Richards adds, over the past 7 years, the department has raised in excess of $100,000.

Property Sale Doesn't Change $200,000 SPCA Needs

The sale of the former SPCA peacock property to the Joshua Group is a huge benefit for both the animal shelter and the kids charity... but there's still more work to be done for both organizations.

SPCA President Melody McElman tells Tide news the property sold for $202,000, but the Joshua Group still needs to raise around $60,000 to cover the rest of the cost. McElman says the sale means they can pay down their mortgage and jump start their capital campaign.

McElman says the sale is a huge help for the shelter, but it doesn't change the $200,000 they still need for daily operating costs.

Since last week more than $52,000 has been raised for the SPCA to keep it's doors open.

Government Needs To Focus On Jobs Says Critic

Job creation is not high on the agenda for the provincial government according to opposition critic Chris Collins.

Collins tells Tide news in the past two years the government has lost 1,500 jobs, whereas the previous government created that many. He says he sees young people leaving the province in droves to work elsewhere.

Collins believes the Alward government needs to make a plan by meeting with workers in various industries to figure out how to create jobs.

Last month unemployment rose in the province from 10% to 10.4%.

Three People Homeless After Fire

A house fire in Fredericton has left three people without a home.

The Canadian Red Cross says no one was injured or home at the time of the blaze that happened around 11 am on Saturday.

Red Cross volunteers found a place for the woman and her teenage daughter to stay. The two rented half of the duplex at 32 Simpson Court.

Future Sculpture SJ's Planned

What looked like just a ton of granite a month ago is now shaping it's way into public art.

Sculpture Saint John is in it's sixth and final week at the Coast Guard Site, where artists from around the world have been sculpting giant granite art pieces for Greater Saint John.

Chair Diana Alexander tells Tide news the artists -- many who've been to over forty symposiums -- say it's the best event they've been too. On Saturday, September 15th from 1:00pm - 4:00pm  they'll be having a big reveal called "Rock On The Dock", where you'll be able to touch the pieces and talk to the artists.

Alexander says this isn't the real end of the sculpture symposium. The event has been so successful, they're planning symposiums every two years until 2020. She hopes pieces from future symposiums can be created for towns from Saint Stephen to Sussex.

Just Rain From Hurricane Leslie

Hurricane Leslie won't be hitting the province hard... just a little bit of rain.

The Canadian Hurricane Centre of Environment Canada says the tropical cyclone's influence in New Brunswick is very low at this point.

They say it's weakening and slowly moving northward, resulting in a bit of rain, cloud coverage and larger waves.

Chance Harbour Man Sentenced For Sexual Assault

Hard drinking will destroy your support network of family and friends........That advice from Mr Justice Hugh McLellan, handing down a sentence of 2 years in jail, plus 3 years probation, to 25-year-old Bradley Scott Wilson.

Wilson was found guilty of sexual assault in connection with a January incident at a West Side pub in Saint John.

In a statement to the court, the victim of the assault said she quit her job out of embarrassment and is haunted by the pain of the incident every day.

Wilson's defense pointed out while his client had a prior record, his offenses were all alcohol-related, but the judge said he simply needs to learn to stay sober.

Wilson was also entered on the sex offender registry and required to submit a DNA sample.

His mother and father have say they don't feel justice has been served.

City Police Officer Sentenced To Jail Time

3 months in jail the sentence handed a Saint John city police officer who was found guilty of common assault and engaging in threatening conduct after a breakin at his home on Westfield Road.

Mr. Justice Hugh McLellen cited a New Brunswick Court of Appeal ruling in sending 39 year old Constable Chris Messer to jail. The Court of Appeal ruled when police break the law, a conditional discharge is woefully inadequate.

The judge also rejecting house arrest when Messer's lawyer expressed concern over his safety in jail.

Messer was told he was convicted largely on the basis of his own evidence. The police officer suspected Randy King of breaking into his home and admitted to punching him three times in the back of the head outside the detention area after transporting him from the west side.

The judge also telling Messer he was in a conflict of interest by investigating a crime committed against himself but no one in the police department prevented him from doing so. Mr. Justice McLellen says Messer doesn't seem to understand he was in a conflict of interest which is a breach of trust.

Big News For Joshua Group

It's a happy day for the both the Saint John SPCA and the Joshua Group....Joshua Group founder Bobby Hayes announcing they've managed to buy the former animal shelter on Taylor Avenue to use as a permanent headquarters for the kid's charity.

Hayes tells Tide News there's still much that needs to be done to assess the cost of renovations and make sure the building is safe for the kids to use.

No word yet on how much the building went for, or when the group is expected to start using it.

Two Arrests In B&E Overnight

Two men are in police custody after two separate break and enters that happened in Saint John overnight.

City Police say one B&E attempt by a 26-year-old man was in the west end on Lloyd Street while the other was by a 29-year-old man in the north end on Clarendon Street.

Both incidents happened around 3:00 am.

72 Hour Gaming Convention In Saint John

It doesn't matter if you're a level 12 elf or you've never rolled a D20 before... all levels of gamers in Saint John are together for the 11th annual Impossible Realities gaming convention.

For 24 hours a day, all weekend long, gamers are playing everything from role playing games like Circus Imperium, Dungeons & Dragons and Call of Cthulhu to classic family board games. Organizer Dana Betts says players come from all walks of life, some even from the US, Nova Scotia & PEI. He says it's now "chic to be geek", with popular shows like Big Bang Theory & Community. He says most people who are big into role playing games are usually pretty low key, so this convention gives them a chance to come out and enjoy the company of other people who love gaming. Betts says if you're new to gaming, there's staff there to help you learn.

There will also be a number of artists and vendors from the Maritimes, including Sandy Carruthers (illustrator, "Men in Black"), André Myette (creator of "Humbug!"), and local artist Chas Goguen (creator of "Dotman").

The convention runs until 6:00pm on Sunday at the Chinese Cultural Centre at 24 Coburg Street in uptown Saint John. It's $10 for a day, $20 for the weekend and all ages are welcome.

(Photo courtesy of Impossible Realities)

Two Crashes In St. Stephen - One Involving School Bus

Two car crashes in St. Stephen this morning, one involving a school bus.


Police say the first accident taking place on Exit 7 to Little Ridge and Basswood Ridge, where a truck turning left failed to see the car approaching on his left, and the two crashed.

Sgt. Bob MacKnight with District 1 RCMP tells Tide News there were no injuries to either party, but extensive damage to both vehicles.

MacKnight adds that seatbelts and airbags work.

The second accident taking place at the railway crossing on Hayman Ave, where a car ran into the back of a school bus while it was stopped at the crossing.

MacKnight says there were no injuries, no students on the bus, no damage to the bus, but plenty of damage to the car.

(Picture - From 1st accident, car that was approaching from the left )

The Bucket Will Lift-Off Today At Superstore

Today at the Atlantic Superstore, local firefighter Merton Lewis will be lifted 50 feet in the air, in the bucket of a bucket truck, where he will stay for 50 hours.


It's the St. Stephen Fire Department's 8th Annual Bucket Sit raising funds for specialized rescue equipment.

Dwayne Richards from the department says they have finally raised enough money from past bucket sits, to buy the specialized equipment they need.

However, Richards says, they will continue the fundraiser to keep up with the ever-changing needs of the fire service.

If you would like to help support this project, you can purchase a rung on "Mert's Escape Ladder".
For a donation of $50 or more, your name or the name of your business will be put on a rung and displayed on site while Merton is in the bucket.

For more information on donating to the St. Stephen Fire Department, call Dwayne Richards at 466-7779.

Rain Blamed For Crash On Highway 1

The heavy rains being blamed for a crash on Highway 1.


District 1 RCMP tell Tide News a man pulled his vehicle onto the soft shoulder near the Eastbound Exit 39 marker.

Sgt. Bob MacKnight says the man over-corrected when he pulled over, sending the vehicle across the road, and rolling over an embankment.

Both the driver and the passenger were sent to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and the vehicle has extensive damage.

MacKnight says due to the heavy rain, excess water on the roadways made driving very dangerous.

Pot Seizures In Charlotte County Over The Weekend

Approximately 800 marijuana plants being seized this past weekend from rural St. Stephen and the St. Andrews area.


RCMP Provincial Spokesperson Cpl. Chantal Farrah tells Tide News how the drug raids take place. She says they rely strongly on information from the public, such as tips to Crimestoppers to find where the grow-ops are taking place. She adds the RCMP use all-terrained vehicles, their own vehicles, as well as help from helicopters to spot the plants from the air.

Farrah says it is never too late for someone to report a grow-op. And they can do so my calling Crimestoppers, reporting it to the website at crimenb.ca, or directly call the RCMP.


Cpl. Farrah also has a message for parents: "I know there are alot of misconceptions out there about marijuana, but for parents, please be reminded that marijuana is often the drug that youth will start first, and then go on to harder drugs. It is not harmless."

The Kids Go Back!

Summer vacation has come to an end - at least -  for most of the students.

Tomorrow ( September 5th, 2012 ), students going to St. Stephen Elementary School, as well as Grades 6 and 9 will be starting their classes.

Other students in Grades 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12 will be getting a staggered start, with their first classes being held on Thursday ( Sept 6th, 2012 ).

This is the first semester of the new Anglophone South School District, which amalgamated Districts 6, 8, and our local District 10, into one.

The new Superintendent of the District now has 74 schools to be in charge of from Sussex to St. Stephen.

Zoe Watson says some of the high schools will have over a thousand students each to the smallest school on White Head Island with just 20 students.

Fundy Continues To Draw In Tourists

The whole Fundy experience is key to drawing in tourism.
That coming from Tourism Minister Trevor Holder, who tells Tide news they've been marketing everything from Hopewell Rocks to Campobello throughout the maritimes.

He says their marketing has been focusing on people who want to experience nature and the outdoors, as well as New Brunswick's history and culture.

Holder believe it's been a good tourism season with good weather, steady cruise ships and ramped up advertising for the Bay of Fundy.

New Leash On Life

A new leash on life is what people are giving the Saint John SPCA says President Melody McElman.

She tells Tide news more than $10,000 has been donated to help keep the non-profit animal shelter's doors open, and if the donations keep coming in, they most likely won't close by this Saturday.

She says people have even written to animal lovers and show hosts Anderson Cooper and Ellen DeGeneres for help.

And when it comes to expecting the city for help, McElman says she understands they're under a financial crunch, and doesn't think it's expected of them to give money they don't have. She adds they're already grateful for the $6,600 dollars they receive monthly as part of the animal contract.

Today at 10:00am local non-profit group Harbour Con-Fusion will be around Saint John collecting bottle and money donations to help the SPCA. They'll be stationed at the Admiral Beatty Parking Lot on the corner of Princess and Charlotte Street.

To get more details on donations, click here.

It's Unfair Labour Day According To Taxpayers Federation

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling this Unfair Labour Day because of what it sees as the growing pension gap in the province between what those who work in government will receive in retirement compared to the rest of us.

The Federation's Atlantic Director Kevin Lacey tells Tide News at the very minimum new government employees, whether they be with the city or province, should be on defined contribution pension plans rather than defined benefits.

Lacey says there was a time years ago that government workers received generous pension plans to make up for earning less than workers in the private sector but that wage gap disappeared a long time ago.

Premier Under The Gun On Catastrophic Drug Plan

It was a campaign promise made by Premier David Alward but bringing in a catastrophic drug coverage plan hasn't happened yet.

The Premier says former Health Minister Dr. Dennis Furlong is working on such a plan that will be affordable but the province's finances have to be turned around because there are just so many dollars to work with these days.

He estimates a provincial catastrophic drug plan will cost something like 20 million dollars. As just one example of how expensive drugs can be, the cancer drug Avastin costs 10 thousand dollars a month.

Alward reminds everyone the government has already brought in a dental and vision programme for the most vulnerable children in the province and is also working on a prescription drug programme.

Boil Water Order For Woodstock

Officials in Woodstock, have issued a boil water order for areas of the town.

Residents who live in the downtown core and also part of the south side of the Meduxnekeag River are being told to boil their water for at least one minute.

The town says the boil order is precautionary after a water reservoir on St. Andrews Street lost power on Friday.

It's not known how long the order will remain in effect.  

Courtesy of The Canadian Press.

Saint Johners Coming Together To Save SPCA

Hair Salons, jewelry makers, auctions and even super heroes are all coming together to help keep the Saint John SPCA open.


The SPCA announced if they don't raise a million dollars in a week the centre will close it's doors this coming Saturday, leaving 14 people without a job and animals facing euthanization.

President Melody McElman tells Tide news they had to come out and tell the truth to the public. She says they've been planning to start a capital campaign for months to raise enough money to convert rooms at the 295 Bayside Drive building into viable revenue source, such as a dog grooming and obedience centre.

She says they've done as much as they could to cut costs for the non-profit animal shelter, including cutting the executive director position to help pay for the stack of vet bills and operational costs.

In December the group was given 30 days notice by the NBSPCA to move out of their decrepit building on Taylor Avenue, which had problems with mold, old concrete cages and as McElman describes as "not fit for man or beast". She says the $750,000 price tag on the Bayside property was affordable compared to $4 million if a new building was made.

McElman says she knows she set her goal high by asking for a million, but what they need is a miracle.

The centre has been around for 99 years.

To donate by going in the shelter, click here or call 642-0931. You can also visit their facebook page.

Iconic Lobster Dies

The Fundy Discover Aquarium in Saint Andrews is bidding farewell to one of its iconic residents...Big Dee-Dee, a 22 year old lobster given to the aquarium by a Shediac fish store, was thought to be 40 years old.
Large lobsters are thought to be important in the ocean as a large female can carry as many as 80,000 eggs, although only a small percentage of these reach maturity. Aquarium manager Jim Cornall tells Tide News they don't like to speak about the question on many people's minds: what does a 22 pound lobster taste like? He says no idea... it's something they don't speak of at the aquarium.

The aquarium has another 22 lb. lobster, Tiny, and several other rare lobsters, including several blue lobsters, a yellow lobster and a calico.