Fire destroys Home

Nobody hurt after a fire destroyed a home Last night at the Milltown trailer park. Rcmp tell us that the fire happen around 2:39am this morning but the owners were out of town at the time of the fire. Police say foul play is ruled out. The fire started by electrical malfunction.

Lake Utopia Paper Mill

Environment Minister Rick Miles has announced the 180-day public participation process to renew the air quality for Lake Utopia Paper near St. George is underway. The process covers air-quality-related issues, including questions or comments about air emissions, pollution-control equipment, conditions proposed in the draft approval, monitoring and reporting requirements, and information on enforcement and compliance. Information on how to get documentation or to submit comments during the public review process is available on the Department of Environment website or at any department office. The current air quality operating approval expires March 12, 2010.

St Stephen Mayor remembers 9/11

St Stephen mayor Jed Purcell says when he first heard the news about the attack on the towers he was speechless. Purcell says he was in Toronto at the time and it was terrible news hearing how many had been hurt and how many had parished. He says they will always be remembered.

Purcell says it has changed the way everyone lives today not only in the United States but also here in Canada. Over 3000 people died and over 6000 were injured in the 9/11 attack.

8th Anniversary of 9/11

Today marks the 8th Anniversary of Sept 11 and many still feel the hurt of so many who died that day. Calais Fire Chief remembers very well the day when the twin towers were attack in New York City. Dan Carlow tells tide news it was heart breaking to hear what had happened.

Carlow says emergency crews all over the Country are like brothers and you feel the pain when you lose a emergency member. He says since the attack emergency service has change on how they provided service to protect themselves and the communities.

A Swim in the St. Criox River

A California woman is locked up after taking a swim in the St. Croix River. The 41-year old was arrested yesterday in St. Stephen by RCMP and border officials after a woman in the United States noticed the woman sliding into the river. The woman had previously been denied entry into this country and still remains in custody of the Canada Border Services Agency.
No word on charges.

Bucket Sit Fundraiser

If your passing by the St Stephen Superstore today around 4:00 pm and wonder why there is a man sitting 50 feet in the air in a bucket truck well here is why. Its the St Stephen Fire Departments annual bucket sit fundraiser. Fire Fighter Merton Lewis will spend 54 hours in the bucket of the bucket truck to raise for specialized equipment for the fire department. You can help support this project by purchasing a rung on Mert's escape latter. For a donation of $50 dollars or more , your name will be placed on the rung and displayed at the event.

US-Obama-Health-Care

U-S President Barack Obama is defending the potential costs of health care reform. In an address to Congress last night, he estimated the changes he wants would cost about 900 (b) billion dollars over a decade. Obama says that's still less than the costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and ``less than the tax cuts for the wealthiest few Americans'' passed during the Bush administration. Health care has become the issue for Obama, just nine months after he took office amid enormous expectations at home and abroad.

Gas Prices

The Energy and Utilities Board has released its weekly price schedule and the maximum price for regular self serve gas has dropped nearly two cents a litre to land at 99.4. Most gas stations in St Stephen are selling gas for 97.3.
Meanwhile, the maximum price for Diesel fuel has fallen more than 3 cents to land at 96.8, while propane has inched up to 97.4 cents a litre.

Road Closed in Harvey

If your travelling to Harvey today heads up that Route 636 between Harvey and Lake George will be closed to traffic from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 this afternoon.
This closure, two kilometres from the Village of Harvey, has been scheduled as Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert in the area.

Update on Two year old hit by Vehicle

A two-year-old boy is being treated at the I-W-K hospital in Halifax after being hit by a vehicle. R-C-M-P say they were called to Harvey on Monday afternoon to find the toddler. His injuries are listed as serious. No word on whether charges will be laid.

Update on Man swept away by the High Tide

A 62 year old man from Massachusetts has drowned after being swept away by the high tide near the lighthouse on Campbello Island. Rcmp says the preliminary investigation has determined that the 62 year old and a women had crossed from Campobello Island, to Head Harbour Lighthouse, not aware that the tide was beginning to rise. When they left, the walkway was submerged. While attempting to make the return crossing, the man lost his footing and was swept away by the tide. Rcmp were told that he did not wish to wait for the tide to fall. A nearby boater was able to bring both the man and woman to shore. His name is not being released.

Two Year Hit by Vehicle

McAdam RCMP are investigating an accident after a two year old had been struck by a motor vehicle in Harvey.
The two year old sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries and was transported to the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, N.S.

Campobello RCMP are investigating the sudden death of a man

Campobello RCMP are investigating the sudden death of a man from the United States. At 12:30 yesterday afternoon RCMP responded to an emergency call regarding a man and woman who were recovered from the water . The man, who was in serious condition, was taken to hospital in Machias, ME where he was pronounced dead.
The preliminary investigation has determined that the couple had crossed from Campobello Island, to Head Harbour Lighthouse, not aware that the tide was beginning to rise. When they left the walkway was submerged. While attempting to make the return crossing, the man lost his footing and was swept away by the tide. A nearby boater responded and was able to bring both the man and woman to shore.

Schools and the Swine Flu

If the swine flu hits like officials predict, there could be a lot of empty class-rooms around the Province this school year. School districts have been working closely with health officials to get the latest information and what can be done to avoid picking up the virus. Dr. Cristian Muecke tells Tide News, washing your hands on a regular basis is the best defence.

Dr. Muecke adds the regular flu shot, which does not protect against the swine flu, will be available next month. The pandemic vaccine is expected to be available by December.

Children Back on the Streets

Updated Sept8/09

For the next ten months, traffic in and around Charlotte County will pick up the pace with schools back up and running. Sargeant Evan Scott, head of the Traffic Division tells Tide News, try not to get distracted by using cellphones and playing with the stereo.

Sargeant Scott adds a good policy for every driver is to always anticipate the worst. RCMP are giving fair warning the fine is doubled for those with a heavy foot in a school zone coming in anywhere between $340 to over $1200 dollars.

Peacekeeping Officer Back in Saint John

The Board of Police Commision honored a recently returned member of the force last week. Officer Mike Young has been working in Port-au-Paix Haiti for the past 9 months on a UN Peacekeeping mission helping the Haiti Police gain stability within the poverty stricken country. Young tells us that the expierence, although difficult at times, has helped make him a better officer.Young says he hopes to see other officers in the future participate in simulair missions.

Camping Season Comes to an End

The long weekend will mark the end of setting up tents and trailers for many campgrounds around the Province. The wet weather in June and July no doubt dampened many profit margins. Howard Haines is owner of the Hardings Point Campground and tells us it was a fast finish after a slow startHaines says he didn't hear alot of complaints about the new passport rule or the price of gas and will keep the camp open until the end of the month.

St. Stephen Waterfront Gets Funding

Ottawa is spending some money on the St. Stephen water-front. Officials have announced $10,500 dollars to refurbish the wharf and lighthouse which have taken a beating over the past few years. The work includes replacing the deck and underlying structure of the wharf and replacing windows, shingles and putting a fresh coat of paint on the lighthouse.
The Town of St. Stephen is putting in $11,500 dollars towards the project with the local business improvement area rounding out the cost of the project with $4,600 dollars. No word on when the work will get started or finish up.

Man Shoots off Tip of Finger

One man is recovering at home after a freak accident in Charlotte County yesterday. A 59-year old man from the Shamcook Area was out hunting squirrel when his hand slid down the barrel of his rifle, the trigger fired and the tip of his finger was blown off. He showed up at the Charlotte County Hospital looking for help and thats when the RCMP were called.
Sargeant Greg MacAvoy tells Tide News, they are still looking into the matter but at this point, it just looks like one of those fluke accidents. No alcohol was involved and the man is expected to recover.

Wild Ride in Charlotte County

Updated Sept2/09

It was like a scene from the television show Cops in Charlotte County last night. St. George RCMP received a call around 9:30pm about a tractor trailer cab all over the road. Officer's got the truck to pull over near Blacks Harbour when a second RCMP cruiser arrived on the scene and thats when the truck driver put it into reverse and sent the two police cruisers crashing into each other.
The chase continued onto Wellington Road where the truck hit a parked vehicle and then crashed into a ditch. RCMP believe the driver who is 64-years old and from St. Stephen, was suffering from a medical condition and there is no word on charges.