Premier Defends Giving Companies Financial Incentives

Mariner Partners at the Red Rose Tea Building is the latest company in the province to get a payroll rebate in order to expand its workforce. 

Premier David Alward is rejecting criticism of offering companies in the province such rebates in order to expand. 

The programme was criticised by Provincial NDP Leader Dominic Cardy after layoffs at Radian 6 but Alward is not dissuaded. He maintains Radian 6, based in San Francisco, will still be growing its footprint in the province. 

The Premier adds the risk to taxpayers is greatly reduced with payroll rebates because the government money isn't paid out until the jobs are filled.
 
Alward also sees Information Technology companies as being part of the foundation for long term economic growth in the province. 

Car Fire In Uptown Saint John

Fire crews responding to a car completely engulfed in flames in the uptown. 

Just after 9 in the evening, they found the vehicle in between two buildings at 249 Duke Street and there was concern the blaze might spread.

While that didn't happen, there was some damage done to the siding of one of the buildings.

Mother Of Missing Maine Toddler Releasing Case Information

The mother of a missing toddler in Maine says she will tell the world what police have told her.

Trista Reynolds -- mother of Ayla Reynolds -- says she will release information on her daughter's investigation that has not been made public by police, through her website and a news conference in an effort to charge the child's father.

Trista told WCSH-TV, in addition to Ayla's blood being found in Justin DiPietro's basement, blood was also found in his truck, bedroom, and on his shoe.

Ayla was reported missing from her father's home in Waterville, Maine,  in December 2011.

Trista says she will release more information on Sept. 24th to the website www.aylareynolds.com .

Higgs Think We Should Jump On The LNG Opportunity

Finance Minister Blaine Higgs was in the crowd at the UNB Energy talk with Frank McKenna.
 
He says the LNG was built when the shale gas potential didn't exist and he says now we are in strategic position having the only plant of its kind in Canada.

Higgs says when McKenna mentions that 25 other LNG export facilities are being considered in the US that means our time is now to convert that and get to market first.

Higgs is calling for more political cooperation in other areas like we saw with the pipeline project.

McKenna Talks Energy With UNB Class

Frank McKenna draws a crowd and an energy chat put on by UNB was no exception.
 
Participants in the Energy Fundamentals for Leaders course at Saint John College asking questions of the former premier about the shale gas industry, the Energy East pipeline and more.
 
McKenna tells Tide News the pipeline received unanimous support because the benefits can be seen in terms of jobs and the potential for the Refinery.

He thinks the fact that we have had tanker movement for over 40 years and a refinery made it a much easier sell for us.

McKenna says we don't need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to shale gas extraction since it's been happening for more than 40 years and we can learn from what other locations have done. 

Saint John High Tech Company Expanding

A Saint John I-T company, based in the Red Rose Tea Building, is expanding. 60 new jobs are being created and Premier David Alward says the province is going to help Mariner Partners out with a payroll rebate of 750 thousand dollars which will be paid only when all the jobs are filled. 

Alward says 27 of the jobs have already been filled and rejects criticism of the rebate program based on what happened at Radian 6.

As for what the future holds, the President of Innovations at Mariner, Peter Storey says the sky's the limit when it comes to growth.

Mariner also announcing a deal to provide one of the world's largest TV operators with video quality monitoring for more than 10 million devices by the end of this year. Plans call for that to go up to 20 million devices within 5 years.

Work On Maxwell Crossing Covered Bridge Should Begin Soon

It's been an 8 month wait before news struck yesterday on the future of the Maxwell Crossing Covered Bridge.
 
The bridge will be repaired back to it's original state, but many residents are wondering why it took so long to decide?
 
Charlotte-Campobello MLA Curtis Malloch says the Minister of Transportation was negotiating with the insurance company to get taxpayers "the best bang for their buck".

Malloch tells Tide News they are wrapping up the final paperwork adding they are waiting for the engineering report from DOT to compare it to one from the insurance company.

Malloch says when that report comes in they will be able to set exact dates for construction adding it should begin this fall.
 
The bridge was damaged back in January after a driver lost control of his car and crashed inside it.

The Refinery Is A Tobacco-Free Workplace

The Irving Oil Refinery is a tobacco-free workplace.   For that accomplishment, the company received an award from the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
 
In January 2012, the company let its workers know that all tobacco products would be banned as of July.

Millright Gary Crowell says never considered quitting before and it was easier than he expected.

He tells us he does a lot of climbing in his job and he finds its easier to breathe now and he definitely feels better.

Crowell says he always thought you needed to 100 per cent to successfully quit smoking but he did it with a desire and some will power.

Dan Connolly of the Heart & Stroke Foundation would like to see other companies follow suit.
He says many workplaces restrict or reduce smoking and like Irving are offering incentives to reduce their smoking rates.

He says New Brunswick has some of the highest smoking rates in the country and its a huge risk factor for cardiovascular disease and we need to do something about that.

Connolly says when you consider the Refinery is a workplace of 1400 people, he's amazed they were able to get this done.

New Murals To Go Up In Saint John

The view on Canterbury Street is going to be getting a lot more colorful this weekend.

Jacqueline Collomb of Thirdspace Gallery tells Tide News the murals of Walter Pidgeon, Stompin’ Tom, Miller Brittain, Donald Sutherland and Louis B. Mayer have been totally redone by local Grand Manan artist Sarah Griffin--and will be unveiled on Saturday at a black-tie fundraiser called GALA-VANT. Griffin has also created two new portraits of visual artist Fred Ross and female pilot Daphne Paterson.

Fred Ross will be the guest of honor at the fundraiser and it will be catered by Thandi.

GALA-VANT happens Saturday in the restaurant and under a large tent beside Thandi Restaurant, 33 Canterbury Street, from 7-11 pm. Tickets are available at TUCK Studio, Thandi Restaurant, and Backstreet Records. Tickets are $100 apiece and include a one-year membership to Third Space Gallery. Existing members are $75.

Unofficial Numbers Show Fewer Students

The Anglophone South School School District will be spending a bit less money than last year because of fewer students.  The District Education Council has approved a budget of more than 212 million dollars. 

Unofficial numbers show another 2 and a half per cent decline which translates into as many as 500 students. School District Superintendent Zoe Watson says this is not positive because it means less money from the budget, fewer opportunities for teachers and unused space in schools which always raises the possibility of buildings being closed.

The District Education Council has been told there are more than 90 fewer students in the St. Stephen area and over 300 less in Saint John. Student numbers in the Valley are not growing.

NB Power Releases Point Lepreau Update

NB Power releasing an update on Point Lepreau saying the net capacity factor for August was 93 per cent.

The capacity factor is the megawatt output of a generating station compared to the maximum that could be produced.

During a regular plant inspection on August 30, one of the hangers supporting piping on the main steam supply on the non-nuclear side of the plant was found to be damaged.

The Point Lepreau team decided to reduce reactor power from 95 per cent to its current level of 90 per cent, which reduced vibration levels.
Site VP Sean Granville says adjusting power levels is part of the day-to-day operation of a nuclear power plant.

Everything is on track for a two week outage beginning October 18th to repair a steam valve.
Sean Granville says this  short outage will allow Point Lepreau to return to 100 per cent power.

Granville says they budgeted and planned for this type of equipment challenge when forecasting the first year of operation after refurbishment, so the outage will not have an impact on rates to NB Power customers.

Over the next few weeks, work will be done on lines connecting our province and the US as part of upgrades south of the border.

When interconnections like this are temporarily removed, there is a higher possibility that the New Brunswick System Operator may request that Point Lepreau reduce its power level to support the  stability of the NB electrical grid.

Two new turbine rotors will be transported from Saint John Harbour to the Point Lepreau Generating Station this fall.   The manufacturer Siemens has the lead role in transporting them to Point Lepreau and is working with NB Power and others to ensure an event-free delivery.

Maxwell Crossing Bridge Will Stay Covered

It's big news for residents of Maxwell Crossing. Charlotte-Campobello MLA Curtis Malloch says the historic covered bridge, just outside of St. Stephen town limits will be repaired -- and not replaced with a non-covered, metal one.

Malloch tells Tide News it's a happy day. "This is exactly where we want to be. It's good news for the community. I've had the minister's support on this, he knows this has been a priority since day 1. As you know, there is a petition out there with 800 names, and I'm one of those names." The petition he is refering to was sent out to St. Stephen and surrounding areas in support of keeping the covered bridge for tourism and historical reasons.

Malloch says right now they are just waiting for a final engineering report from the Department of Transportation to compare with a report from the insurance company.

He says exact dates have not yet been set, but construction should start this fall.

The covered bridge was damaged on January 21st of this year when a driver lost control of his car due to high speeds, driver inexperience, and slippery conditions, before slamming into the side of the bridge.

All three occupants were injured in the crash, the car was totalled, and the bridge was left missing a large section on one side. It has since been closed to traffic.
(Photo by Murray Weeks)

CBS Holding Blood Donor Clinic Today In St. Stephen

It's time to roll up your sleeve and save a life.

Canadian Blood Services holding a blood donor clinic today at the St. Stephen Legion.

Doors will be open for donations from 2-4 today, and again this evening from 5:30-7:30.

To book an appointment, log on to www.blood.ca.

Child & Youth Advocate Unconvinced Anti-Bullying Laws Work

If you want to stop cyberbullying, you have to get to the root of the problem. That, from the province's Child & Youth Advocate, Norman Bosse. 

He tells Tide News with Nova Scotia passing legislation against cyberbullying in the wake of the Rehtaeh Parsons tragedy, the province is likely looking into passing something similar in New Brunswick, but he doesn't think laws are enough. He says he's not convinced that legislation like the Cyber Safety Act will change bullying behaviour.

He says educating students about bullying has to start at the elementary school level.

Money For Grand Manan Improvements

The Province and The Feds teaming up to contribute nearly $200,000 to fix up the Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station and the Swallowtail Lighthouse.

The work will include improvements to the research station and the installation of a proper basement, walls and a new roof.

The Swallowtail Keepers Society is taking on enhancements to the Swallowtail Lighthouse including work on the footbridge and the construction of a boardwalk.

Liberal Health Critic Has Issues With MLA Flemming

New Brunswick needs a plan for the provincial healthcare system...and the Alward government has failed to deliver on that promise.

Those harsh words from Liberal Health Critic Donald Arsenault didn't mince any words with Tide News describing Health Minister Ted Flemming's attitude toward releasing the health plan.

Arsenault describes Flemming as very arrogant adding it's his way or the highway.

Arsenault says it's just like the catastrophic drug plan....the health minister claimed to have all the answers on that as well and now three years into the mandate of the Alward government that hasn't happened either. 

Flemming claims time is needed to make sure it's done right because of the program's complexity.

Environmental Concerns Raised At Pipeline Meeting

Tremendous...that's how one resident describes his environmental concerns about the Energy East pipeline project, and says the recent open house information session on the Energy East pipeline didn't do much to dispel them.

Carl Wolpin attending Hampton's edition and he tells Tide News his two major problems with the project is the potential for contaminating the village's well-water, and that the pipeline is going to be built right through a regulated wetland. He says the wetland from Darling's Island to Bloomfield Bridge is home to rare species of plants and the project would put it at risk.

He says he doesn't feel the representatives at the open house properly addressed his concerns.

Hotel Robbed In Saint John

The Best Western Hotel on the east side of Saint John along Majors Brook Drive was held up this morning around 1:15 by a man and woman. 

City Police say they took off with an undisclosed amount of money but were arrested a couple of hours later in the area of Duke and Sydney Streets.

Missing Nova Scotia Teen May Be In Charlotte County

A missing teen from Nova Scotia may be in our area.

RCMP and Halifax Regional Police say they've received information that 14-year old Dametry Ruscoe of Lake Echo may be in the Saint John area on his way to Oshawa, Ontario. 

He was last seen on August 19 at his home on Walker Street. He may have been in Halifax on Spring Garden Road and looking to go a local shelter. He's described as being 5'7', 140 lbs, with medium length dark hair.

Police and Crimestoppers asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact any RCMP office, Halifax Regional Police or Crime Stoppers anonymously anytime at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

9/11 Anniversary Marked In NB

September 11, 2013 marks 12 years since the tragic attacks on New York City in which nearly 3,000 people lost their lives. 

Saint John Fire Chief Kevin Clifford tells Tide News as a firefighter, he was struck by the conscious sacrifice many New York  emergency personnel made on that day.

An honor guard and memorial service was held in Fredericton to honor both the emergency personnel who died in New York that day, and also those who have passed away both in and outside the line of duty.

Doucet Fires Back At Conservatives For "Hogwash" Excuses

A Liberal MLA fighting back against comments made on the Deer Island Ferry.

The Conservatives claim the promise to replace the John. E. Rigby ferry with a 24-car ferry, rather than an 18-car,  was made by the previous Liberal government back in 2007.

Liberal Rick Doucet tells Tide News, that may be true, but he claims when the Premier was campaigning, David Alward made two promises while standing on the Deer Island wharf. He says one promise Alward made was not to privatize the ferry service, and the second was to honor the promise of a 24-car ferry to Deer Island.

Doucet says the Conservatives are claiming a savings of approximately $2.5 million is choosing an 18-car ferry over a 24-car due to construction and dredging costs. He says this is hogwash. "Dredging costs, that's not an issue because they could utilize one side of the wharf. That's something that people have always been trying to figure out, why don't they just use one side instead of having the two sides? So that's not an issue."





Doucet says the community is coming together to host a public meeting on the issue, but a date has not yet been set.

Two Fatalities Under Investigation In The Province

The RCMP in Moncton are investigating a fatal collision involving a motorized wheelchair.
 
A 76 year old woman, in a motorized wheelchair, who was crossing an intersection was struck by a minivan and killed.
 
The man driving the minivan and a woman who was with the victim were not injured.
 
The circumstances of the collision are still under investigation but alcohol is not believed to have been a factor.

Another fatality is under investigation int he northern part of the province.. 

This one happened along Highway 2 near Perth-Andover when a vehicle left the highway and collided with the guard rail before rolling over, killing a 61 year old man from Ontario. Speed and alcohol use are not believed to be responsible.

TransCanada Offers More Details On Pipeline Jobs

Trans Canada announcing the economic benefits that will stem from the Energy East Pipeline based on a report by Deloitte and Touche. 

Deloitte used 40 years as a example for the life of pipeline but expects it will be around a lot longer than that.

The gross domestic product is forecast to be 10 billion dollars in the construction and development phase.  Russ Girling is the President and CEO of TransCanada and he says that's going to mean a significant number of jobs--over 10,000 in the construction phase.

In the operating phase, the pipeline, when completed, will create 1000 jobs and when you add in spinoff positions it increases to 4000 jobs.

Maine Governor Likes Proposed Pipeline

More support for the Energy East pipeline.......This time from a New England governor.

Maine's governor Paul Lepage is attending the New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers meeting in Quebec and calls it a great project.

In an online report, Lepage says he would like to see oil transported by pipeline rather than by rail, adding the Lac Megantic disaster was a perfect storm involving aging equipment and human error.

Scam Alert

Loblaw, which includes the Atlantic Superstore, is warning of a fraudulent scam that targets you over the phone. 

Several people have reported receiving an automated phone call that advises them they have won a free vacation from the Superstore. 

The automated caller asks them to press one if they agree and two if they disagree. If the customer presses one it takes them to a live caller who asks for their personal information including their credit card information to book the vacation. 

Loblaw says customers would never be asked to provide their personal or credit card information over the phone.

Irving Calls $2 Million Gift "The Right Thing To Do".

New research that help keeps workers safe and healthy will be happening in Saint John.
 
Dalhousie Medicine NB will have the first endowed occupational medicine chair in the country.
 
Jim Irving of JDI says it's common sense to ensure you have a healthy safe workforce.

He says it's not just their folks but those who work at others businesses and it will be progressive helping them manage healthcare costs. 

Irving says it will also make them more competitive and its the right thing to do.

JDI is giving $2 million dollars to endow the first chair of this kind at DalMed NB.

Country Superstar Coming To Saint John

Reba McIntyre will be performing in Saint John next month. Harbour Station announcing the Country legend will be at the Station on Friday, October 18th. 

Opening for Reba will be Gord Bamford who won big at the Canadian Country Music awards.
 
Tickets for the Reba Concert will go on Sale this Friday at Noon at the Harbour Station Box Office.

Crime Stoppers Wants Help Solving 2011 Campobello Crime

The Mounties and Provincial Crime Stoppers trying to find out who trashed a Campobello Island school more than two years ago.

Between May 2nd and 3rd 2011, one person or a group of people caused thousands of dollars in damage by breaking 16 windows and more.

The damage to the school was very upsetting to the community and police are asking anyone who might know anything to come forward and help identify whoever did the damage.

You can earn up to $2,000 from Crime Stoppers if your information leads to the arrest of those responsible.

You can call anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS or visit  www.crimenb.ca.

View the Crime of the Week by clicking here

Another Open House On Pipeline

The people in Kings County have a chance to ask questions about the proposed Energy East pipeline tomorrow, where another open house is being held. 

This one will be taking place from 4 to 8 in Hampton at St. Alphonsus Hall on Church Street. 

Tim Vickers of the Atlantic Coastal Action Programme tells Tide News we still don't know a lot, and there are a lot of unanswered questions.
 
He goes on to say there are also concerns about what effect, if any, a pipeline would have on water crossings and will it offset any of the rail traffic with oil coming into the city, reduce the amount of tanker traffic in the Bay of Fundy and how much of the Alberta crude will be refined in Saint John or is most of it being shipped elsewhere for refining.

Transition Camp Helps First Year Students Adjust

Transitioning from high school to university can be scary for many students, but a boot camp offered by UNB this past summer is designed to make the move as smooth as possible. 

The assistant Dean of Engineering, Frank Collins, tells Tide News incoming engineering and science students had the opportunity to take UNBetween, which is basically a week-long simulation of university life. The experience can help the students get over some of their fears and apprehensions before classes actually begin.

Classes at both UNB campuses started on Thursday.

Asthmatic Students Vulnerable To Attacks In Sept.

It's a dangerous time of year for asthma-sufferers, especially if you're a student. 

President of the Asthma Society of Canada Dr. Robert Oliphant tells Tide News about a quarter of the yearly hospital admissions for asthma happen in a two week period called the September Asthma Peak.

Oliphant says the students are especially vulnerable to attacks at the beginning of the school year because of the mold and dust mites that have collected in the schools due to them being closed up during the summer months. It's also because many of the students are still in vacation-mode and not taking their medication regularly, and thirdly, because of the common cold going around.

To keep it under control, Oliphant suggests a asthma action plan. He says students should be keeping a diary of the kinds of things they need to do to control the condition, including taking their medication every day, usually twice a day. He says regular use makes the lungs less susceptible to an asthma attack.

Car Collides With City Bus

Emergency crews and paramedics checking people for injuries after a crash between a car and a city bus. 

Platoon Chief Barry Oickle of the Saint John fire department says it happened just after 10am yesterday at 55 Union Street. 

No word on whether or not anyone was hurt.

Man Arrested For Drunken Boating

A man slapped with handcuffs after driving a boat drunk. The 56-year old was arrested and charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle. 

Sergeant Glenn Hayward of the Saint John Police tells us the way he was driving on the water at Tucker Park first drew attention to him from swimmers. Once he anchored the boat on shore he started throwing empties in the water and insulting the people on the beach, who then called the police to the Royal Kennebeccasis Yacht Club.

The city fire department was also called in to tow the man's boat to shore.

Overhaul Of Lorneville Cemetaries Now Finished

It's a restoration project that's been 12 years in the making, but the Lorneville and Seaview Cemeteries' facelift is finally finished. 

When it started in 2001, the cemeteries were overgrown, stones were tipping and the overall condition was deteriorating rapidly. 

President Philip McCavour says they started the project in 2001 by clearing all the brush and brambles from around the perimeter and built some roads throughout the cemetery to make it more accessible. He tells CHSJ News some seniors hadn't been able to visit their family plots for several years. 

They fixed approximately 150 of the gravestones, filled in the sunken graves, planted new grass and sod, planted 120 trees around the perimeter, installed a water system and built a visitors centre, among other things.

The cemeteries date back almost 200 years. With the improvements, McCavour says they're now a much more fitting tribute to those who have passed away.

Today is Cemetery Day, which marks the official opening of the cemeteries. The grounds will be open until 5pm today for touring.

32 Positions Eliminated At Hospitals Across NB

32 nurses across the province losing their jobs.

On Friday, Horizon Health Network gave layoff notices to the full-time and part-time registered nurses working in the Charlotte County Hospital, Sussex Hospital, Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, Oromocto Public Hospital, Upper River Valley Hospital, and the Moncton City Hospital.

The health authority says the layoffs are because of changes to their standardized models of care and staff skill mix on their 22 family medicine units.

President of the New Brunswick Nurses Union, Marilyn Quinn says, their goal is to ensure Horizon finds work for all those affected.

Biker Group Donating Toys, Cash To Sick Children

They're bikers with big hearts...the Saint John Harley Owner's Group is donating toys and cash to sick kids as part of the Annual Lana Sherwood Memorial Toy Run. 

The donations go to support the medical needs of children facing illness and hospitalization at the Saint John Regional Hospital. This year marks a 20-year partnership between the biker group and the hospital's pediatric program.

The presentation is happening at the hospital cafeteria at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

Two Hurt In North End Collisions

Two people taken to hospital after two separate car crashes in the North end.

Acting Platoon Chief Brian Wilson of the Saint John fire department says one person was brought to hospital after a motorcycle and a car collided on the corner of Adelaide and Metcalfe, while the other was taken to hospital after a collision on McLaren Boulevard. 

Both people have minor injuries.

Woman Arrested In Seven Year Old Robbery Case

Saint John police making an arrest in a seven year old robbery case. 

They say they've arrested a woman in connection with the 2006 robbery of the Garden Street Irving. They've also nabbed a man for a robbery that took place in East Saint John last Tuesday. 

Both are scheduled to appear in court today.

Man Arrested In Convenience Store Robbery

 Saint John police making an arrest in the armed robbery of a convenience store in the South end. 

On Friday morning, a man came into Shawn's Variety on Broad Street with a weapon and made off with some cash. 

He's scheduled to appear in court today.

Why Weren't Charges Laid Against Donnie Snook Earlier?

With the revelation in court that complaints had been filed by minors against Donnie Snook as far back as 2007---but no charges were ever laid--many in the community have been asking "what happened"? 

Police Chief Bill Reid tells TideJ News the force did complete the investigation but the Crown determined there wasn't enough evidence to lay charges.
 
Reid says it's very easy to when one doesn't have all the facts to assume investigators were somehow neglecting their responsibilities--but at the end of the day Saint John Police did their diligence looking into the matter.

Man Who Threw Money At Tim Hortons Clerk Found Guilty For Assault

Throwing money at a clerk could result in jail time for a 48 year old man. 

This happened at the Tim Horton's on Millennium Drive in Quispamsis when 48 year old Roy Edward Gilmore from Pennfield got angry because he didn't have enough change on him for a medium double-double. 

The 22 year old clerk was struck in the face and shoulder with the coins.
 
Gilmore has been found guilty of assault and the prosecution is calling for jail time because he was on probation at the time. Gilmore is back in court on October 15th for sentencing. 

Rothesay Regional Police were able to make the I-D after posting video of the incident on their Facebook page.

Bacchus Club President In Court

The President of the Saint John chapter of the Bacchus Motorcycle Club making a brief court appearance. 

Sentencing for 44 year old Brian Schofield of Public Landing on charges of possession of meth and marijuana for the purpose of trafficking has been adjourned to November 5th. 

Two former Bacchus members were also in court. 39 year old Ryan Wallace will also be sentenced on November 5th. 39 year old Blaine Beddow will reappear September 26th after he gets himself a lawyer. 

The three were among six people arrested last month after a 6 month police investigation. 

Simultaneous raids were carried out at Nature's Way in Saint John, Shamper's Bluff Road in Kingston and Route 102 Public Landing where meth, pot, prescription pills, guns, bullets, brass knuckles and 4 thousand dollars cash were seized.

MLA Wants Minister Of Transportation To Come Clean To Islanders

The Liberal MLA for Charlotte-The Isles calls it another broken promise by the Alward government.
 
Rick Doucet tells Tide News the people of Deer Island were promised a 24-car ferry and he has heard many rumours they will continue with an 18-car vessel.

He says the intent was to provide a 24-car ferry like the Deer Island Princess so they would have two new ferries which he says would make a big difference for the Islanders.

Doucet maintains the people and the ferry were consulted and they wanted a 24-car ferry, adding there isn't a lot of difference in price going from the 24 to 18 car ferry.

Doucet is calling on the Minister of Transportation to lay everything on the table for the public and be clear with the government's plans for Deer Island.

Will We Get More Information From Oland Warrants?

This morning, another hearing took place in Saint John provincial court on whether to make public more information in the Richard Oland search warrants.

Media Lawyer David Coles tells Tide News it seems to him that the blacked-out portions of the search warrants are somewhat arbitrary. Further, he says, considering that police suspect only Denis Oland in the case, the nature of their investigation in relatively self-evident.

Various media outlets have continued to petition for the release of more information.

Further arguments will be made tomorrow, and a decision from Judge R. Leslie Jackson is expected in the first week of October.

Refuge Open At Night For Hunters' Permits

Local hunters looking to get their permit over the river can do so tonight.

The Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge in Baring, Maine opening their doors tonight and tomorrow from 6-8pm Eastern for those who want a refuge hunting permit.

Officials tell Tide News they are looking to reach out to those who can't make it during daytime hours.

Hunting is allowed on almost 300 of the 545 National Wildlife Refuges across the United States.

The refuge office is located at 103 Headquarters Road in Baring, you can also call the refuge office at 1-207-454-7161.

Cancer Retreat For Healthier Women In St. Stephen This Weekend

Minutes count, and Moments matter.

That is the theme behind a breast cancer retreat going on this Saturday at the Ganong Nature Park, located at Todd's Point, outside St. Stephen.

Co-chair of Breast Friends Charlotte County Support Group Shirley Johnston tells Tide News the event will have no talk of cancer, but instead will focus on learning how to live well in mind, body and spirit. She says  the purpose of the retreat is to get women in a healthier place.

Johnston says there is no way to stop bad thoughts if you are living with cancer, but you can learn not to dwell on them.

Johnston says there will be local speakers and presentations on nutrition and yoga.

She adds, the day is open to any women currently with -- or who have endured -- any type of cancer, not just breast cancer.

The retreat will be held Saturday, September 7th, from 9am-4pm. Registration starts at 8:30am. Cost is just $10 per person.
For details, contact Shirley Johnston at 466-2818.

Quispamsis Examining Viability of Electric Cars

You could soon be plugging in instead of gassing up in Quispamsis.

The town is looking into the possibility of taking part in NB Power's electric car program. Mayor Murray Driscoll tells Tide News they've been using hybrid vehicles for the last three years, so going electric would just be the next logical step.

As one of the first municipalities in the province to engage with NB Power on their electric car program, Driscoll says they're taking the lead. NB Power is also in talks with other towns and cities including Rothesay, Fredericton and Bathurst.

The town will be doing an analysis to see what it would take to participate. 

St. Stephen taking a gas-less approach with the installation of a car charger for electric cars, placed on the fence near the Visitor's Information Centre.

Police Release Names Of Couple Found Dead

The names of a husband and wife found dead outside a home in Kedgwick being released.

Police were called to a home on route 260 where they discovered the bodies of 64-year old Raoul Leclair and 65-year old Nicole Leclair. They're both from Kedgwick.

Autopsies have been conducted and at this point in the investigation, police say the deaths are considered sudden and they don't think anyone else was involved.

Mill Rats Sign Curtis Again

Pending clearance from the International Basketball Federation, the NBL #1 overall draft pick says he'll come back to Saint John.

The Mill Rats say 6 foot 10 centre Robert Curtis has agreed to return to the Port City.

He was selected first overall by Windsor and his rights were traded to the Mill Rats for the rights to two other players.

Curtis played two games with the Mill Rats last season before going to play with Thailand.