Bikinis in Winter

With the cold weather baring down on us, it's time to think about -- bikinis?

Eastport's Annual Hearts Warming Hearts Bikini and Speedo Run takes place each year on Valentine's Day, with a brave group of men and women, including children and seniors, doning their favorite swimwear and dashing down the street.

Every dollar raised for the event going to provide fuel assistance for the poor.

Organizer Jeff Starling says he can't think of a better way to say "I Love You", than by helping your neighbours stay warm.

If you would like to participate, pledge sheets are available at the Happy Crab Restaurant in Eastport (207) 853-9400.

Day 4 - Toddler Still Missing

Ayla Reynolds is still missing.

The search for the toddler from Waterville, Maine, expanded yesterday, with police searching the Messalonskee Stream by land, boat, and plane.


Today, searchers were seen looking through garbage dumpsters a few miles from the home.

Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey says the stream is only an eighth of a mile away from the home where Ayla was last seen.

The 20-month-old was reported missing from her crib Saturday morning.

Simple Tips to a Safe Holiday

Be careful with what you post on Facebook.

That warning from New Brunswick police on crime prevention over the holidays.

The RCMP sending out a few simple tips to keep you and your loved ones from becoming the victims of crime.

Along with a warning about social media sites, they recommend locking your doors while shopping, and keeping friends from driving impaired.

Police Need Help In Arson Case on Grand Manan

Crimestoppers and the RCMP in Grand Manan are looking for who is responsible for multiple arsons on Grand Manan Island over the last three years.

Between 2008 and August 2011, Police and local fire fighters have responded to several suspicious fires.

The culprits are targeting abandoned buildings and storage sheds.

Thousands of dollars in damage has been reported.

If you have any information, you could earn up to $4500 in rewards between Crimestoppers and the village of Grand Manan.

Call 1800-222-TIPS (8477)

Missing Child From Maine

A toddler is missing from Waterville, Maine.

20-month-old Ayla Reynolds was reported missing Saturday morning from her bed.

She has short blonde hair, blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a soft cast on her left arm, and green polka dot pajamas reading "Daddy's Princess".

If you have any information, call the Waterville Police Department at (207) 680-4700.

If you see Ayla, call 911 immediately.

Body Found in Parking Garage

A man found dead in an uptown Saint John parking garage.

On Friday evening, police responding to reports that someone appeared to be laying trapped beneath some furniture in the garage.

When city police arrived on the scene, they found the body of a 50 year old man behind some items which were being stored there.

Police are looking into what happened. They also say they're not treating the death as suspicious at this point.

More Controversy Over Prescription Drug Co-Payments

More controversy in the provincial legislature about the Alward government's decision to charge seniors more for their prescription drugs.

Cecile Cassista, Executive Director of the Coalition for Seniors, says that there are other options out there.

She says they're urging government to work with pharmaceutical companies, and seniors, to find different solutions. Seniors in the province are often over-medicated, says Cassista.

The coalition presented its series of recommendations to health minister Madeline Dube when the changes were first announced earlier this month.The Alward Government has proposed doubling yearly prescriptions costs for seniors from $250 to $500 per year.

According to the health minister, the change will save the province $3 million per year.

Saint John Ranked Sexual Assault Capital of Canada

According to the magazine, Saint John has the highest rate of reported sex crimes in the country.

The rate in the city is 132 per cent above the national average at 97 per 100,000. And our provincial capital, Fredericton has the third-highest rates in the country after Belleville, Ontario. 

The numbers don't necessarily mean that Saint John and Fredericton have more sex crimes. It does suggests that more people report the crimes here compared with other places.

Extra Patrols Over The Holidays

Is saving on cab fare, really worth a court appearance?

Sgt Bob MacKnight says District 1 RCMP have already arrested and charged a number of people this month with impaired driving.

And more help is on the way for the holidays.

MADD Canada and their Red Ribbon Project, running alongside St. Stephen Citizens On Patrol, giving police a greater level of awareness for drunk drivers.

Anyone knowing of - or suspecting - a driver under the influence is urged to call 911.

Christmas Card Controversy

So much controversy over 1 Christmas Card.

Prime Minister Steven Harper is being criticized for his 2011 Christmas Card -- doning a photo of his family infront of a fireplace.

When compared to last year's Christmas Card, Harper and the kids seem to be wearing the exact same clothes - right down to daughter, Rachel's bracelets.

With critics blasting the Prime Minister for possibly photo-shopping a picture from last year, our Facebook friends think different.

One of The Tide's followers posted " We ask our politicians to stop spending our tax dollars needlessly, and when they do , we complain?"

Another said, "Don't people have better things to complain about, other than what they are wearing?"

See both Christmas Cards on The Tide's Facebook page.

Schools Shut Down Water Fountains

There's too much lead in our schools -- and it's not from pencils.

After recent testing, 9 out of 15 schools tested in District 10 were found to have lead levels in the water system that were above the Health Advisory Limit.

All 4 schools in St. Stephen (SSHS, SSMS, SSES, and MES),  Sir James Dunn and Vincent Massey in St. Andrews, as well as Back Bay Elementary, Fundy High and Campobello Island Consolidated have their water fountains deactivated and will remain on bottled water until the situation is fixed.

7 of those schools -- including all in St. Stephen -- also found elevated levels of copper.

First Anniversary of Charlotte County Flood

It's been a long year for residents of Charlotte County.

Today is the 1st anniversary of the major flood that rocked small communities such as St. Stephen and Bonny River, as they prepared for Christmas.

On December 13, 2010, warm temperatures and torrential rains pounded southern New Brunswick, hiding roads under feet of water, and causing millions of dollars in damage.

One of our Facebook followers posted a "Thank you" to everyone who helped his family when his Lake Utopia home filled with water.

New Directions for Frye Road

One more step for the Route 1 Gateway.

Dexter Construction tells Tide News, this Thursday, the new Frye Road re-alignment will be open for traffic, connecting the Frye Road to Access Road 1B, north of Route 1.



To get to Route 1 from the Frye Rd, drivers will travel north across Route 1 on the new overpass to Access Road 1B. Turning left, motorists will drive until the hit the Murray Road. Turning left again will bring motorists to the Route 127 interchange with Route 1.

To access the Frye Road from Route 1, motorists will use exit 25 and travel north on Route 127, driving along the Murray Road and Access Road 1B, crossing south over the new overpass to Frye Road.

Signs will be in place to direct motorists.

Dexter says the project will be completed by July 31, 2013.

Another Step Completed on Civic Center

Bare and Empty.

Those are the first words that come to mind when looking at the future spot of St. Stephen's New Garcelon Civic Center this afternoon.

Construction work is completed for the time being, with workers and equipment nowhere in sight.

A special meeting concerning the Center was canceled last week, with no new date set.

The meeting was to consider 3 motions, including the appointment of Internal Project Manager.

Police Need Help After Firewood Theft on Campobello

Crime Stoppers and Campobello Island RCMP need your help!

An investigation looking into the theft of firewood from a private cottage.

On or around the 18th of November, on Lighthouse Road in Wilson's Beach, someone stole a large quantity of firewood from private land.

Police say an unknown vehicle was used to move the wood.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Campobello Island RCMP directly at 1-888-506-7267, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Elderly Woman Safe After House Burns

This time of year seems to bring an increase in house fires.

The Canadian Red Cross has stepped in to help an elderly woman, after her Tower Hill home saw major damage last night in a fire.

The blaze was reported about 7 o clock last night.

The woman and her 2 dogs escaped the blaze uninjured, and Red Cross volunteers have arranged lodging, food, and clothing.

No word yet on the cause of the fire.

Seussical a Success!

Sold Out!

That's what the sign read Saturday, at the first performance of "Seussical The Musical".

The St. Stephen High School Drama Club dressing up as famous characters of Dr. Seuss books for this year's play.
They also had cutouts of "The Grinch" and "The Cat in the Hat" for fun photo opportunities displayed in the lobby.
More performances coming this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, December 15th, 16th, and 17th.


Tickets are $10, available at the school, from any cast member, or at Stuart's Gifts.
(In Photo) Audience member, Jordyn Day having fun with the Seussical displays.

138-Year Old Church Destroyed in Kingsclear First Nation

A historic church in New Brunswick was destroyed by a fire early Sunday morning.

Volunteer firefighter Rick Hunter says the blaze started at the 138-year-old catholic church on the Kingsclear First Nation reserve near Fredericton at about 1 a.m.

He said about 30 firefighters were able to save two stone walls and the church's cross, and the flames were extinguished within 15 minutes.

Hunter says the cause of the fire is not known and could not say if it is suspicious.

He says community members are grief stricken and have been gathering outside the church to look upon the rubble.

On Saturday, the century-old Victoria Presbyterian Church in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, was also destroyed in a fire.

Alleged Workplace Bullying at NB Power

Are NB Power supervisors a little power-mad? Bullying Canada drawing attention to an alleged spate of Workplace bullying at NB Power.

Rob Frenette, the director of the anti-bullying association, says that they've received 15 complaints from employees of NB Power who say they were bullied at by higher-ups at work.

According to one employee, the company "doesn't like it when employees speak their minds," and that nepotism is also a concern.

NB Power responding in an email that they aim to provide a workplace environment in which employees are treated with respect. They say they will schedule a meeting with BullyingCanada to further address the concerns.

Meteorologists Predict Milder Winter--For Now

You won't have to dig out your car--or your snow-blower--for a while yet this winter. That's the outlook coming from AccuWeather, which just released its 2011-2012 winter forecast. 

According to the weather agency, New Brunswickers should expect a tamer-than-usual winter with less snowfall than average--for now.

In southern Atlantic Canada, says meteorologist Brett Anderson, the winter will start out pretty tame. But things will turn more stormy in the coming months as the coast gets hit by wintry blasts of snow and rain.

For now, however, enjoy the not-so-wintry wonderland while it lasts.