Monday, August 10, 2009

Mourners have filled a church in Sydney, Nova Scotia, for the funeral of Donald Marshall.The native rights activist is being remembered as a reluctant hero who helped change Nova Scotia's justice system as a result of his wrongful murder conviction.Tributes were also paid to his role in a landmark Supreme Court of Canada case that granted limited fishing rights to aboriginals.

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Canada's military will begin taking delivery of new Chinook helicopters between 2013 and 2014.Defence Minister Peter MacKay made the announcement this morning in Halifax after awarding a 1.2 (b) billion dollar contract to acquire 15 Chinook helicopters.U-S aircraft giant Boeing will build the CH-147 Chinooks, a model of helicopter that the military says will allow it to reach remote regions.

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The town of Gander in Newfoundland will be getting some international attention at the time of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.An N-B-C television crew has been in the town, doing a profile on the Gander area's contributions in the days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.Residents welcomed hundreds of airline passengers from overseas flights that were forced to set down when U-S airspace was closed.Mayor Claude Elliot says the town will see up to 30 minutes of prime time before the closing ceremonies.
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A Nova Scotia man is dead after crashing his motorcycle in Waverley Sunday in one of several road-related accidents around the province.The 48-year-old man, from Lawrencetown, N.S., and a 46-year-old woman, who also crashed the motorcycle she was driving in the same direction, were rushed to hospital where the man died a short time later.RCMP Staff Sgt. Scott Warnica says the woman is in serious condition.In another crash, a woman was trapped inside her Chevrolet after rolling it near Mount Uniacke on Highway 101.Police say firefighters freed her from her smashed vehicle.And officials say another woman who crashed her motorcycle in the Kentville area was airlifted to a Halifax hospital, where she is listed in serious condition.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Man Biking into Saint John

One man will bike his way through Saint John Tuesday as part of a bicycle campaign to raise awareness about Mental Health. Mel Thompson has biked all the way from Vancouver after learning that his daughter Lindsay was diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Anita Connolly with the Canadian Mental Health Association tells us Thompson will be presented with a cheque for 16 thousand dollars.Thompson is hoping to educate people about mental health and raise money to improve treatment as he bikes all the way to St. John's, Newfoundland.

H1N1 Flu Measurements

Local emergency management organizations are making plans to deal with any major outbreak of the H-1-N-1 flu this fall. Brian Shanks of the Ken Valley E-M-O group tells us they're planning a series of public information sessions to talk about things like the impact of the flu on home life. Shanks says more details will be available within a couple of weeks regarding the information sessions. Public health officials predict absenteeism rates could hit as high as 25-percent if the so called "swine flu" pandemic outbreak gains a foothold in the province this fall and winter.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Van Burnt Last Night

Add another burnt vehicle to the list in St. Stephen.
A tip to our newsroom tells us several stop signs were damaged, and a van was set on fire.RCMP confirm a van was burned, and an investigation is underway.
No word on if there is any connection to the 13 cars destroyed at a garage early last month.

Update on Dog Charges

Updated July7/09



No new court date has been set for two men facing animal cruelty charges. R-C-M-P say the St. Stephen area men are facing the charges after a large dog died when it was left in a parked vehicle overnight.Police say the driver and a friend crossed over to the U-S and when they returned -- the dog had died from excessive heat and lack of food and water.
The two were scheduled to appear in St. Stephen court last Tuesday but RCMP did not receive a report which was needed the day before. The file still needs to be reviewed and approved by the Crown Prosecutor before charges can be laid in provincial court.

Stop Signs Destroyed in St Stephen


[Stop sign turned over on the cornor of Princess Street and Queen Street East-----Photo submitted by listener]

St Stephen RCMP are investigating what you call a lot of Vandalism in the area last night. A caller to our news line tells tide news around 5:45am along princess and Queen street East there were about 15 stops signs destroyed. Tide news has place a call to the RCMP but waiting to hear back.

Maple Leaf Recall

Updated Aug7/09

Certain brands of Maple Leaf, Shopsy's and Hydrade wieners may contain the listeria bacteria. The provincial Department of Health is advising people to check their fridges and freezers and dispose of any affected products.
So far there have been no reported cases in the province, and the Health Department will continue to monitor the situation.

For a complete list click here: www.foodinspectionagency.ca ...

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Algal Bloom Alert

Updated Aug6/09

The Health Department is warning Charlotte County residents who like to take a dip in the lake or other recreational bodies of water to be aware of the potential health risks posed by algal blooms. An algal bloom should be avoided if it appears to have a thick, blue-green or green, paint-like scum. When present in the water, these blooms may cause skin, eye or throat irritation.

Milltown Pool Vandalized

Updated Aug6/09


While kids are enjoying swimming in the pool some are out to destroy it. Someone has damage the Milltown Pool cutting a piece out of the liner. Assistant Director for Recreational and Parks Leah Nixon tells tide news someone crawled under the fence and sliced a rectangle piece out the liner of the pool right along the water line. Nixon says the cost of damage is not none at this time. She says they will have to wait until next summer to see how much water, if any went inside the liner. She says after the winter months that's when they will see if there is more damage to the pool. The pool is repaired.

Energy Demand

Updated Aug6/09

Energy Minister Jack Keir says even though a lot of future energy generated in the province will be sold to the United States, we will feel the benefits at home.

Keir says people living near the nuclear generating station are hopeful plans for a second reactor at Point Lepreau will become a reality. Keir says the province has a strong advantage being next to one of the largest energy demand markets in North America---the New England States.

AC/DC-Concert

Updated Aug6/09

Up to 80-thousand people are expected for the AC/DC concert at Magnetic Hill site tonight. Organizers say it will be the largest show on the Australian band's North American tour. Regional Health Authority B will have an emergency medical building and two secondary tents around Magnetic Hill. There will also be paramedics patrolling the grounds looking for injuries or illness and an ambulance fleet will be available if needed.

Teenager Hit by Train

Updated Aug6/09

A 15 year old teenager was struck by a train on the Main Street overpass in Moncton earlier this morning . A group of teenagers were near the tracks when the collision occurred. The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Gas Prices

Updated Aug6/09

The Energy and Utilities Board has set the maximum price schedule for the province this week and the total maximum price for regular self-serve gasoline is a dollar-two. Yesterday is was 99.1 cents a litre. Most station in St Stephen are showing a pump price 99.9.
Diesel fuel is about the same at 98.8 cents a litre and propane hasn't moved an inch still coming in at 93.2 cents.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Fredericton resident competing in i Factor finale

Upated July 5/09

A 25 year old women now a Fredericton resident is one of the top ten finalist in i Factor. Becka DeHaan born in St Stephen will travel to Ontario this week to compete in the i factor, a musical competition in search of Canada's favourite musician with vision loss. DeHaan will compete against nine other Canadians in three rounds of live performances. She began playing piano at age 5 and started singing at 14. The competition is Aug 8 at CNIB Lake Joseph Centre.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Mayor Apologizes Over Milltown Bridge Comments

St. Stephen mayor Jed Purcell has faced a fire storm lately with his comments relating to his lack of objection to any future closing of the Milltown Bridge. Purcell made a comment to a reporter regarding the possible closure of Milltown Bridge. In a press release the mayor says it is clear that the statement he made was a personal opinion and in no way reflective of the wishes of the St Stephen town Council. He say he now realizes such a closure would cost the two communities over thirty much needed job and deprive the local economy.

Minimum Wage To Increase Next Month

Minimum wage in the province is getting it's second increase this year starting Septemeber 1st.Back in April an extra quarter was added taking it to an even 8 dollars, and at the start of next month it will increase another quarter.At the $8.25 wage people working 40 hours a week are expected to earn $330 dollars a week, up from $268 at the $7.75 rate.

Bridge Repair Work Postponed

The Deparment of Transportation has postponed the repairs that were going to be carried out to the Magaguadavic River # 2 Upper Bridge in St. George.Spokeperson for the Department Andrew Holland tells tide news repairs will take place but at a later date.
Holland says with blueberry season in full bloom it was the best decision for blueberry business. The bridge was supposed to have been reduced to one lane starting last Wednesday but has been postponed the until further notice.

St. Stephen Resident Receives Order of New Brunswick

Shirley Downey of St. Stephen was one the 10 latest recipients of the Order of New Brunswick.The Order of New Brunswick was established in 2000 to recognize New Brunswickers who have demonstrated excellence and achievement and who have made an outstanding contribution to the social, cultural, or economic well-being of the province.The premier Shawn Graham revealed the recipients' names during the official New Brunswick Day celebration held in McAdam.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Provincial Parks Free Today

Looking for something to do today? Admission to all provincially operated parks are free to celebrate New Brunswick Day.Tourism Minister Stuart Jamieson says this is an opportunity for residents to take in the scenery and recreational activities the parks have to offer.The Department of Tourism and Parks operate 9 provincial parks including New River Beach, and Mount Carleton.

The Masks Could Be Doing More Harm Than Good

You may have seen pictures of people wearing surgical masks in areas where there have been severe cases of the so called "swine flu" -- but -- our deputy chief medical health officer - Dr Paul Van Buynder - says people using masks when they don't need to can actually infect the masks and transmit the virus when normally they may not have.Van Buynder says public health strongly believes people ill with the flu should not go to work and should stay home in isolation to help prevent the spread of the virus.