Logs Smash Through Cab In Musquash Crash

Plenty of damage after a crash in Musquash last night.

Officers with the Musquash Fire Department tell Tide News a man driving a pick-up crashed his truck into a utility pole around 11pm last night (Sunday) on Route 790.
At the time, the truck was carrying logs, which crashed into the passenger side of the cab from the force of the impact.
Firefighters say they blocked traffic until NB Power crews could arrive. They tell us power and phone lines were down, including one home that had the service entrance ripped off of it.

Officials say the man was able to get out of the truck on his own and walk away from the vehicle before firefighters arrived. The man was sent to hospital to be treated.
(Pictures courtesy of Lt. Paul Poirier with the MFD)

VIDEO: 2 Buildings Destroyed By Fire In Saint John

Fire crews are still battling a major fire in the south end in Saint John, which has completely destroyed 2 buildings and caused serious water and smoke damage to a third.

Fire Platoon Chief Peter Saab tells Tide news the fire started at 71 Mecklenberg Street around 2 am, then spread to 2 other buildings eastward. The first two buildings are completely gutted, and had their back ends completely cave in from the damage. Saab explains the first building was unoccupied, while the surrounding homes were evacuated and no one was hurt.

Saab says it's a stubborn fire that's deep in the building and will take awhile yet to put out. Over 30 fire fighters are on scene, Saab says they're not only battling fire but the cold and exhaustion.

The Canadian Red Cross say 16 people were evacuated and sheltered on city transit buses until Red Cross volunteers arranged emergency lodging at motels.

There's still no sign as to what caused the fire. Fire investigators will look at the scene once everything has been extinguished.

Know Ice Strength By Color & Thickness

As we're smack dab in the middle of winter, skating outdoors on frozen lakes looks very tempting.

But to be safe, Divisional Chief for Fire Prevention Mark Wilson says you have to look at the color of the ice and measure how thick it is. Ice is strongest when it's clear blue, if it's white/opaque it's half as strong, and if it's grey in color it's very unsafe. If the ice is 15 cm thick it's safe to walk on, 20 cm means it can hold groups or party games, and 25+ cm can handle snow mobiles.

Wilson adds it's best to avoid going out alone and at night. For more information on ice safety, click here.

After School Programs Get Boost From Province

After-school programs getting a $52,000 boost from the provincial government.

The After School Hours grant program helps fund opportunities for school children to be active and engaged in fun activities. First Nations, schools, licensed day cares, community organizations and family resource centres in Saint John, Fredericton and 6 other communities have received the funding.

Healthy and Inclusive Communities Minister Dorothy Shephard says after-school hours are a key time and opportunity for kids to be active.

Sarah Wagner, interim executive director of the organization, says there's a need in the province for quality after-school programming that's affordable and accessible.

Premier Hasn't Seen Change With Ousted MLA

Premier David Alward says he's ready and willing to sit down with independent Fundy River Valley MLA Dr. Jim Parrot, but doubt he'll see a change.

Parrot was ousted from the Tory caucus in September after he criticized the party for not listening to doctors when making decisions on healthcare.  Alward says he understands Parrot wants to meet with him, and he will, but adds that so far he's seen no change in Parrot's attitude.

Alward says when Parrot made his comments he broke their trust, which is why they made the difficult decision to cut him from the Conservatives.

Alward says they did wish him well over the holidays, when Parrot underwent heart surgery.

Great Outdoors Full Of Winter Activities

Getting outside and enjoying the bitter winter can be 'cooler' than you think.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is showing you the beautiful outdoors at a wellness fair today at Market Square. NCC spokesperson Andrew Holland says the Musquash Estuary boasts 3,900 acres of forest and two trails. He says that's plenty of space for activities like birding, snowshoeing, and even a popular treasure hunting activity called geocaching.

The Fundy Wellness Network will also be promoting healthy eating, living and activities today in Market Square from 1 until 4.

Cross-Country Ski Event Hits The Slopes

Tomorrow an annual cross-country ski event will be hitting the slopes at the Kouchibouguac National Park.

The 29th annual Boules de Neige Loppet will offer 3 different distances for skiers that include 3, 10 and 30 kilometers. People who register will also get a warm meal. The oldest and youngest competitors that compete at least 10 km will receive a plaque that will be displayed at the waxing hut in the park.

The event gets underway at 9:30 am for 30 km and 11:00 am for 3 and 10 km tomorrow morning.

For more information, click here.

Literacy Skills As Essential As Healthy Food

Having strong literacy skills is as essential to your well-being as eating healthy... that's according to Deanna Allen, executive director of Laubach Literacy NB.

Today is Family Literacy Day, a day to recognize and promote the importance of literacy for both parents and children. Allen tells Tide news parents should put an effort into helping kids improve their reading and writing in their everyday lives. She says there's many easy exercises parents can do, like asking their child to read recipes, labels on boxes and picking out places on a map.

Although some parents may not have a love of reading themselves, Allen says just like eating healthy foods it's essential and kids will imitate their parents. She says 60% of people over 16 in New Brunswick have literacy problems, which is a pattern that needs to change.

Inquest Into Death At Aquatic Centre

An inquest into a death that occurred at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre in Saint John over a year ago is scheduled for court.

17-year-old Yi Fan Wang died in September 2011 from injuries sustained during a public swim session. The inquest is scheduled for April at the Sydney Street Courthouse where Chief Coroner Gregory Forestell and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses to determine the facts surrounding the international students death.

The jury will then take that information and make recommendations so a situation like this well never reoccur.

Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels---Or, Suspcious Fives

Your mama always warned you not to take any wooden nickels....and if you're in Charlotte County you might also want to watch out for counterfeit fives.

District 1 RCMP is investigating four incidents where counterfeit $5.00 Canadian bills were passed...... two at grocery stores and a pub in St Stephen, N.B. and in the elementary school cafeteria in St Andrews.

All the notes were 1986 series with the same serial number.Police have interviewed at least one person suspected of passing the counterfeit money. If you think you've received a fake bill contact the police or Crime Stoppers.

A Stark Message About The Provincial Economy

The provincial economy is not bouncing back from the recession of 2008 with New Brunswick at the bottom of the scale in economic growth. That message delivered by Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs at his first pre-budget consultation meeting.

Higgs heard from alot of union members at the first of his pre-budget consultation meetings with the message from them being it's time to tax the rich more. Higgs says if you tax small businesses too much then more people won't be hired.

Peter Woychuk, who teaches skilled trades at Simonds, fears the province is failing its students even though Higgs pointed out student enrollment is falling but costs are still rising.

The leader of the provincial Green Party David Coon advocated personal income taxes be raised and a new tax created on junk food.

Alward Government Will Not Be Balancing Its Budget In Its First Mandate

The provincial books will not be balanced anytime in the next two years.

That means the Alward Government will not reach its goal of a balanced budget by the time the next provincial election is held in 2014.

Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs says the only way it will happen is through a balanced approach of containing costs and raising more government revenue.

Higgs doesn't see any big improvement with the deficit happening. He says the provincial economy is not bouncing back from the 2008 recession and New Brunswick is at the bottom when its comes to economic growth as compared to the other provinces.

Green Party Leader Calls For Tax Increase

You don't hear this too often........A provincial party leader actually calling for taxes to be raised but that's what David Coon of the Green Party is advocating.

He says Provincial Health Minister Blaine Higgs only has two choices.....Raise taxes or implement deeper cuts to health and education.

Coon says income taxes are good and he is calling for the tax cuts instituted by the previous Liberal government in 2009 to be rescinded because in his words, they were reckless and left provincial coffers short of much needed revenue.

He goes on to say raising income taxes would mainly affect those people who already enjoy luxuries and maybe mean one less trip south in the winter.

Sick And Premature Babies To Receive Even Better Care

The Saint John Regional Hospital has received a big boost to its Neonatal Unit in the form of $2 million combined funding from a record-breaking The Give fundraiser and the provincial government.

Dr Luis Monterossa tells Tide News the new equipment for treating conditions including jaundice makes all the difference when you're dealing with severely premature infants.

The $2 million dollar upgrade to the facility features specialized equipment, 10 patient care rooms and three hostel rooms for mothers to remain in hospital and care for their babies.

Health Minister To Meet With Provincial Medical Society

A meeting will be held this weekend between the Provincial Medical Society and Health Minister Ted Flemming.

Flemming tells Tide News he was simply doing his due diligence when he investigated the feasibility of the suggestion that doctor's pays be made public.

Further, Flemming says it wasn't even him that wrote the proposal--rather, it was penned by the auditor general. The health minister has already met with the Saint John Medical Society and they say they're satisfied with Flemming's clarifications.

Mariners Playing Home Opener After Delayed Start

The Fundy Arena in Blacks Harbour will be a busy spot this weekend.

Tomorrow night (Saturday)  Team 911 will take on the Fundy High Alumni for the Charlotte County Crimestoppers Annual Community Hockey Game. The game starts at 6:30pm. Cost for tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students, and kids under six can get in for free. The annual event raises money for the local branch of Crimestoppers.

The next day (Sunday), the Fundy Mariners will finally have their home-opener after a delayed start to their season. Available ice at the local arena caused a back-log for the boys hockey team, and until recently, Coach Matt Murray was unsure when they could host another team.
What better way to kick off their first game than against the rival St. Stephen Spartans. (Featured in picture.)
Puck drops Sunday afternoon at 3pm.

CAO Recommends Virtual Tour Of Civic Center

The Garcelon Civic Centre is really starting to take shape.
Tilt-up wall panels can now be seen on most of the structure which will be the final exterior of the building.

St. Stephen Chief Administrative Officer John Ferguson tells Tide News a lot of work has been put into foundations and footing, surveying, and getting the steel erected for the arena section. Ferguson talks about what is next. "Work will continue inside the building on the section that has been enclosed. When we get into more milder weather in the spring, further work will continue on the exterior of the building that would include the pool, the conference area, the front entrance, offices, and ticket area."





Ferguson says the Garcelon has a split-level design with two main levels. He describes what the final result will look like once you walk through the front doors. "There is a 10 foot deck to your right, which is the platform of the pool. It's sort of in-between the first and the second floor. Then if you take the staircase or the elevator, you will end up on the second floor which is the conference area and the upper concourse of the arena walking track. If you stay on the main level, there is the lower concourse with access to all of the changing facilities, Zamboni rooms, maintenance rooms, and office area."

Ferguson says we are still on budget, and despite a few minor setbacks this winter, the construction is still on time to be completed by mid-October.
To see a full 3-D video of the completed Garcelon Civic Center click the link www.yourciviccenter.com

If You Are Sick, Don't Make Others Suffer

It's officially 'flu season, and Horizon Health wants to ensure the infection isn't spread more than necessary.

If you're coughing, feverish, sneezing, or have a sore throat, you're asked to avoid visiting friends and loved ones in the hospital. Or if you can't avoid visiting while under the weather, wear a mask and clean your hands with an alcohol based hand rub upon entering and exiting. Regional lead Marita MacMillan tells Tide News good hygeine is key: "To practice good hand hygeine, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rinse or soap and water because both methods are effective.

You can get surgical masks and hand rub at the entrances of all hospitals. If you have any questions you're asked to contact your local health-care facility.

Prison Guard Testifies He Followed Orders To Not Intervene

A prison guard who videotaped the death of Ashley Smith of Moncton says he was just following orders when he didn't intervene as the 19-year-old woman lay dying in her cell.
Rudy Burnett was testifying at the inquest into Smith's death in a cell in Kitchener, Ontario, five years ago.
He said there were orders and a protocol to follow at the correctional centre. The inquest was also told Smith trashed the sprinkler head in her segregation cell just hours after arriving at the jail where she died a few months later.
Another guard, Blaine Phibbs testified he first saw Smith tie a ligature around her neck within 12 hours of her arrival at the jail.

Deep Freeze To Last Until Next Tuesday

Put on your long-johns, the cold snap is holding strong.

Environment Canada issuing a wind chill warning for all of New Brunswick for tonight and tomorrow. Meteorologist Claude Cote tells Tide News the temperatures in Charlotte County are well below normal. He says, "Typically for this time of the year we should have afternoon temperatures near -4C, and overnight temperatures at -16C. Overnight tonight (Wednesday) Charlotte County will dip down to -24C and Thursday afternoon will se a high of -17C."

Cote says Charlotte County will be under the deep-freeze all week. "Beginning on Saturday, the temperature will start to recover somewhat, but we will have to wait until next Tuesday before the temperatures will return to seasonal value , around -3C to -4C, and by then we're probably going to find it mild."



Cote says a cold, arctic air mass from northern Canada and the Arctic has moved south to cover Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. He says there is nothing in the upper atmospheres to push the air mass away from us that would make the cold last only a day or so. He adds, as a result, we've been under the same air mass for the past week and it is only going to be pulling out of the region late over the weekend or early next week.