New science centre designs unveiled for Huntsman Marine

The new discovery centre at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre moved one step closer this week with some new designs created by Comeau MacKenzie Architects.
Construction of the new facility, which will include a new aquarium, theatre, classrooms and a lab, will begin in the spring, with the aquarium set to open in June 2011.The cost of the new centre is $8 million, with $5 million of that contributed from the federal and provincial governments, and the remainder being raised by the Huntsman. With $1 million already raised through previous fund-raising, the Seal the Deal campaign was launched in October to find the additional $2 million needed. That campaign has already reached the $600,000 mark, and efforts to reach the goal are ongoing.

The designs for the 20,000 square-feet, two-storey building are still subject to some minor changes prior to construction beginning, the start of which will be the tear down of the old aquarium in mid-March. The old aquarium was opened in 1972. There will be a temporary aquarium at the Huntsman for the 2010 season, with the main attractions of the lobsters, harbour seals Loki and Snorkel, the sturgeon and the touch pool all available for visitors to see.

 

Service New Brunswick centre to reopen in Campobello

The seasonal Service New Brunswick centre on Campobello Island will reopen on Tuesday, March 9. It will be open every Tuesday until May 18.

The centre will be at the tourist information centre at 44, Route 774 in Welshpool. Office hours will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the office closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

A list of services available at this location is online http://www.snb.ca/ or call the centre at 506-752-7018.

An official with the Assessment Services Branch will be available by appointment to discuss assessment-related issues. Appointments must be made in advance by calling the SNB assessment office in St. Stephen at 506-466-7335.

Urgent Need for Volunteer Drivers in Charlotte County

The ability to utilize affordable and accessible transportation is critical to quality of life issues especially for people living in rural communities. In Charlotte County, as well as in many other communities in N.B, many individuals simply do not drive, do not have a vehicle or access to a vehicle, and can’t afford to hire a transportation service when needed.The Charlotte County Alternative Transportation Association  http://www.charlottedialaride.com/ a registered charity, has been addressing this problem since Sept., 2005.We coordinate drive appointments 

between the members needing this service, and our greatly-valued volunteer drivers. Members pay a small
yearly membership fee and modest fees for the drives based on the distance they need to travel. For example a one way drive from a member’s home to his or her destination; if it is less than 21 km, costs $4.00. We are
currently helping 120 people; the drive requests are increasing so the number of drivers needs to increase as well.

Our volunteers use their own vehicles and donate their time to provide this service to those with no access to transportation. They are compensated only for gas at .30 per km. Our volunteers are our means of operating and we desperately need more!

We are currently helping 120 people and especially need more drivers in the St. Stephen, St.George, and Blacks Harbour areas, as these are areas that have frequent drive requests.

Drives are always by appointment, and are Monday- Friday between 9 am and 5 pm. Drives are sometimes very short.- eg dropping someone off at work while you are on your way to work. Volunteers are always asked if they are available to carry out a drive request. Volunteers are welcome to join us, even if availability is limited.

Donna O'Rielly Still Missing




Provincial Police have asked their P.E.I. counterparts to be on the alert in case a missing Moncton woman shows up on the Island.

Charlottetown deputy Chief Gary McGuigan confirms his department received an advisory from Moncton with a photo of Donna O'Rielly.

O'Rielly, 54, disappeared last Friday.

She was last seen leaving her job at a Moncton shopping mall around 8 p.m.

Security cameras show her leaving the mall but she did not make it to the car she drove to work.

Family members, many of them in Newfoundland and Labrador, believe O'Rielly is still alive.

Low Income Senior's get Raise in Allowance

A seniors' group is happy the province is keeping its word by raising the low-income seniors' allowance to 400-dollars.
But the Senior Citizens Federation still wants the government to improve coverage of diabetic testing supplies for older people.

The Department of Health said yesterday the province invested about six (m) million dollars a year in 2008-09 to support access to diabetes medication for close to 15-thousand people.

That coverage was provided to groups including low-income seniors and residents of nursing homes.

Gas on the Rise...

Self serve regular has gone up in price after the weekly setting but diesel has gone down. The maximum that can be charged for self serve regular is up to 104.4. The maximum price for diesel decreased slightly to 106.9 a There has been no change with furnace oil. It remains at 90.4 a litre but there has been another reduction in the price of propane which is now down to 111.9.

RCMP seek public help to find Donna O'Rielly

The family of a woman from Moncton who has been missing for more than four days made an emotional plea  for the public's help.

Donna O'Rielly hasn't been seen since Friday night when she left work at H&R Block.

Her youngest daughter says her 54-year-old mother isn't someone who would just abandon her family.
Donna O’Rielly was last seen leaving Highfield Square at 1100 Main St. Moncton on Friday, February 26 at about 8:00pm. At the time she was wearing a brown medium length suede like jacket and jeans. She was also carrying a brown medium size purse and lunch bag.

She is 54 years old, 1.60 m tall (5ft 3in) and weighs 59 kg (130lbs). She has green eyes and shoulder length brown hair.

Juno Awards

Nominees for the 39th Annual Juno Awards will be announced today in Toronto.

This year's gala, honouring the very best in the Canadian music industry, will be in held in St. John's, Newfoundland.

Bryan Adams will receive a humanitarian award when they're handed out April 18th.

Drug Charged against an Oromocto Man

A guilty Plea from an Oromocto man today after a search warrant was executed last week. RCMP say they found a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The 40 year old man will remain in custody until his sentencing March 25.

The complete list of ACM nominees.

The ACM Awards will air live from Las Vegas on CBS on April 18th.



Entertainer of the Year

Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Zac Brown Band



Top Male Vocalist of the Year

Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Darius Rucker
George Strait
Keith Urban



Top Female Vocalist of the Year

Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack



Top Vocal Group of the Year

Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Randy Rogers Band
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band



Top Vocal Duo of the Year

Brooks & Dunn
Joey + Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland



Top New Solo Vocalist of the Year

Luke Bryan
Jamey Johnson
Chris Young



Top New Vocal Duo of the Year

Bomshel
Joey + Rory
Steel Magnolia



Top New Vocal Group of the Year

Eli Young Band
Gloriana
The Lost Trailers



Album of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company(s)]

American Saturday Night - Brad Paisley (Arista Nashville)
Produced by: Chris DuBois, Frank Rogers

Lady Antebellum - Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Victoria Shaw, Paul Worley

Play On - Carrie Underwood (19/Arista Nashville)
Produced by: Mark Bright

"Quitter" Produced by Max Martin & Shellback for Maratone Productions and Mark Bright



Revolution - Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)

Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke



The Foundation - Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)

Produced by: Keith Stegall, Zac Brown



Single Record of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company(s)]

"Need You Now" - Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)

Produced by: Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley



"People Are Crazy" - Billy Currington (Mercury)

Produced by: Carson Chamberlain, Billy Currington



"Red Light" - David Nail (MCA Nashville)

Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke



"Toes" - Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)

Produced by: Keith Stegall, Zac Brown



"White Liar" - Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)

Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke



Song of the Year [Awarded to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

"Cowboy Casanova" - Carrie Underwood

Composers: Mike Elizondo, Brett James, Carrie Underwood

Publishers: Brett James Cornelius Music (ASCAP), Carrie Okie Music (BMI), Rincon Ave Music

(ASCAP), Stage Three Songs (ASCAP)



"Need You Now" - Lady Antebellum

Composers: Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott

Publishers: EMI Foray Music (BMI), Darth Buddha (ASCAP), Dwhaywood Music (BMI), Hillary Dawn Publishing (SESAC), Radiobullets Publishing (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI), Year Of The Dog Music (ASCAP)



"People Are Crazy" - Billy Currington

Composers: Bobby Braddock, Troy Jones

Publishers: Crozier Music Enterprises LLC (BMI), Mighty Nice Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tiltawhirl Music (BMI)



"White Liar" - Miranda Lambert

Composers: Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert

Publishers: Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tiltawhirl Music (BMI)



"You Belong With Me" - Taylor Swift

Composers: Liz Rose, Taylor Swift

Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Taylor Swift Music (BMI)



Video of the Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] (Off Camera Award)

"Boots On" - Randy Houser

Producer: Eric Welch

Director: Eric Welch (Drake footage: Vickie Vaughn)



"Need You Now" - Lady Antebellum

Producer: Clarke Gallivan

Director: David McClister



"Welcome To The Future" - Brad Paisley

Producers: Mark Kalbfeld, Jim Shea, Peter Tilden

Director: Jim Shea



"White Liar" - Miranda Lambert

Producer: Tameron Hedge

Director: Chris Hicky



"You Belong With Me" - Taylor Swift

Producer: Randy Brewer

Director: Roman White



Vocal Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (Off Camera Award)

"Hillbilly Bone" - Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins (Reprise Records / Warner Music Nashville)

Producer: Scott Hendricks



"Honky Tonk Stomp" - Brooks & Dunn featuring Billy Gibbons (Arista Nashville)

Producer: Ronnie Dunn, Terry McBride



"I Told You So" - Carrie Underwood featuring Randy Travis (19/Arista Nashville)

Producer: Mark Bright



"I'm Alive" - Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews (Blue Chair/BNA)

Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney



"Seeing Stars" - Jack Ingram featuring Patty Griffin (Big Machine Records)

Produced by: Jack Ingram, Jeremy Stover

Blue Barrel Mystery

A few tense moments for the Saint John Fire Departments Haz-Mat Unit on the West Side. They were called to Highway One eastbound to find a blue barrel full of chemicals in the ditch near the Waste Water Treatment Plant. It was discovered just before three this afternoon by someone driving by.

No word at this point where it may have come from and it doesn't appear the barrel was leaking any of the chemicals.

Annabelle Juneau to seek Liberal Nomination

Grand-Daughter of Guy R Day Annabelle Juneau has announced her candidacy to seek the Liberal Nomination to represent Charlotte-Campobello in the next Provincial Election. Juneau say she a little late coming on the scene but has decided to run after being approached by friends and feels she has what it takes to represent Charlotte-Campobello. Juneau say she has three top priority. Her main concerns for Charlotte Campobello is Education, Health Care and Employment. Juneau would like to see green Industry in the area to provide jobs. Juneau was born in Montreal and moved to St. Stephen when she was 10 where she graduated from St. Stephen High School.
Juneau recently retired this past years from Canada Customs and has 34 years of Experience within the federal government. The Nominating Convention will be held March 13th at the St. Stephen High school.. To date Juneau will is running against two other candidates Ralph Williams and Dave Ganong.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the medal haul and the 2010 Vancouver Games generally gave Canada a big jolt of confidence.


Speaking in Vancouver, he praised the Olympics' host province, saying British Columbia did Canada proud.

Harper hinted that his government would continue to support the Own the Podium Program which provides funding for athletes.

C-T-V says at least 80 per cent of Canadians watched all or part of the gold medal game between Canada and the U-S -- with an average audience of 26.5 (m) million viewers.

Canada won gold when Sidney Crosby made it 3-2 in overtime.

NB-Teen-Pregnancy

After years of decline, the teen pregnancy rate in New Brunswick is climbing again.

The province's Advisory Council on the Status of Women says it's disappointed with the findings in a new report.

Executive director Rosella Melanson says the teen pregnancy rate had been dropping since the 1970s -- but starting rising again in 2006.

Melanson says the group is baffled by the turnaround

Missing 54 year old woman, Moncton

Mounties are asking for help finding a missing woman. Fifty-four-year-old Donna O'Rielly was last seen Friday night leaving the Highfield Square Mall in Moncton.
O'Rielly is 5-3, weighs 130 pounds and has green eyes and shoulder-length, brown hair. She was wearing a brown, medium-length suede jacket and jeans, and was carrying a brown purse and lunch bag.If you have seen her, you can contact your local RCMP or Crimestoppers.

Canada Wins Gold!!!

Sidney Crosby got the winning goal for Team Canada as they win gold against the United States.
Final score 3 (Canada)    /     2 (USA)   in overtime.

Debate of Government's Energy Plan

The provincial government will call for a full debate in the legislative assembly on legislation to implement the energy agreement between New Brunswick and Quebec. Energy Minister Jack Keir and Government House Leader Greg Byrne made the announcement today.
Keir and Byrne said that the government will introduce the legislation when the final agreements are ready, and that the government will also allow for more than 30 days of debate prior to a final vote on this legislation.

The legislation and agreements will be tabled on or about Wednesday, March 31, with an objective of completing the legislative process by Friday, May 21.

Keir also announced that the scheduled three-per-cent average increase of rates for NB Power customers will be suspended pending the completion of the legislative process.

Province supports up to 70 jobs for SWP

The provincial government is providing a $500,000 loan guarantee and investing $100,000 to help maintain up to 70 jobs at SWP Industries Inc., a value-added manufacturing company in St. Stephen.

The loan guarantee will be used for working capital, along with a $100,000 contribution from the Regional Development Corporation through the Community Development Trust.

The company produces a line of value-added wood products, fencing products from northern white cedar, as well as manufactured vinyl fencing and aluminum fencing. They serve more than 400 dealers in the United States and Canada. Raw material is processed at SWP's sawmill in Bayside, NB.

Gas Prices on the Rise

There has been a jump in gas prices after the weekly setting. The maximum price for self serve regular rose by almost 4 cents a litre to 103.5. The max for diesel has risen to 107.1 Furnace oil has risen by more than 3 cents a litre to 90.4 but propane went down to $1.14.

Moosehead Breweries and Boston Beer Company Celebrate Independence Together

At a news conference in Toronto, Koch and Moosehead President Andrew Oland outlined the long-term distribution agreement that means Moosehead Breweries and its subsidiary the Premium Beer Company will assume the Canadian distribution of Boston Beer’s portfolio including its flagship brand, Samuel Adams Boston Lager.

“This alliance is a real win for Boston Beer,” Koch said. “Our tastes are similar. As Canada’s oldest and largest independently owned brewery, Moosehead understands the Canadian market. I’m raising my Samuel Adams glass today to cheer our new venture.”

Details of the agreement include:

Moosehead will distribute the Samuel Adams family of beer -- including its seasonal offerings and variety packs.

Products will be available in 355 ml bottles, and 30 and 58.6 litre kegs for selected brands.

All Boston Beer sold in Canada will be brewed and packaged by Boston Beer in the United States.