Why You Have Dirty Water...

Expect some darkness in your water glass.

The St. Stephen Utility Department will be flushing hydrants for the next two weeks, starting tomorrow.

It may cause some residents to have dirty water.

The town apologizes for any inconvenience.

Crossing to Calais Will Soon Be A Smooth Ride

You may still pay duty, but your car won't bottom out.

During the week of October 17th, The US Customs and Border Protection will be closing the Ferry Point Bridge Calais entry for a paving project.

Anyone wanting to cross to the United States will be directed to the Milltown or International Avenue border crossings.

Are You Prepared?

Are you prepared for the next natural disaster?

After the flood last December,  the Canadian Red Cross is partnering with Kent stores to raise funds for disaster relief, and to raise awareness for families to get prepared.

Until the end of November, all Kent stores, including the one in St. Stephen, will offer free Red Cross checklists,  of items every family should have in a kit in case of evacuation.

You can also include a donation for the Disaster Fund with your purchases.

John Howard introduces New Learning Centre

The John Howard Society introduces the New Imagine Learning Center for Charlotte County.

Kelly Wilson, executive director for John Howard tells Tide News, the center is for students from kindergarden to grade 12 who need a little extra help.

Wilson says they also have programs for students with test anxiety.

An Open House will be held this Monday evening from 6-8 at the John Howard Society in St. George, to introduce the new center.

A Big Birthday for an Old War

The War of 1812 is rounding it's 200th anniversary, and the Harper government wants to raise awareness to Canadians over the next 4 years about our defining moment in history.

Charlotte County MP John Williamson says Canada as we know it, would not be here, if it weren't for the heroic efforts of many Canadians.

The Harper government has invested $20.8 million dollars into historic sites, like the St. Andrews Blockhouse, to boost tourism and strengthen the economy.

Storytime for Kids

Imagination and Creativity for Pre-schoolers!

The St. Croix Public Library in St. Stephen is hosting Storytime.

Kids ages 3-5 can enjoy stories, crafts, songs and games on Friday mornings from 10:30 until 11:15am.

For details, head to the Library on  King Street.

Local Business Tradeshow Tonight!

Would you like to learn more about business?

The Women in Business Charlotte County networking group is hosting a tradeshow tonight at the Masonic Hall in St. Stephen.

Open to the public to find out about local businesses and how women play diverse roles in the community.

Admission is free, doors open at 5:30.

Evening Registration for Kindergarden

It's time to send the munchkins packing.

Tonight is kindergarden registration for any child born in 2007.

Head to the District 10 Office, on School Street in St. Stephen, tonight between 4-8pm to sign up your little one.

Registration can also be done at your local school, for the remainder of this week, during school hours.

Long Weekend Breaks Temperature Records

The warm Thanksgiving long weekend breaking some temperature records here in Saint John and in Fredericton.

Sunday's high of 28 degrees broke the temperature record set back in 1970.  The previous high was 21 degrees. 

Fredericton also broke the record set back in 2006 when the mercury in the capitol city reached almost 29 degrees.

Saint John broke another record on Saturday when the temperature soared up to 21 degrees.

Saint John Mayor Says Students Need More Gym Time

The latest community report card shows an increase in the obesity rate in the greater Saint John region -- and -- that has Mayor Ivan Court suggesting our schools have to do a better job at keeping our kids active.
    
Court tells CHSJ News they're spendng a lot of time on buses and not getting enough gym time in school.
 
The Vital Signs community report card released last week shows our obesity rate sitting just over 24-percent in 2010 -- up from 23.7 in the previous year.

Mental Health Program Gets Funding Boost

A program designed to train people to recognize signs of distress in others and encourage them to get professional help is getting a shot in the financial arm.

MindCare New Brunswick recently receiving 19-thousand dollars from Bell and 5-thousand dollars from RBC for their Mental Health First Aid Program.

Dr. Pam Forsythe with Mindcare tells CHSJ News they have one trainer in the program so far and the program has been taught to staff at schools in both Districts 6 and 8.

Today is World Mental Health Day as well as Mental Health Awareness Week.

Company With Local Ties Makes Top 100 List

An engineering and design company with an office right here in the city getting some major kudos.

Edmonton-based Stantec has been named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers by Mediacorp.

Stantec was singled out because of its continued growth across the country and because it advocates designing sustainable projects and buildings.

This is the second year in a row that Stantec has won the honour.

Fireworks Alarms Fredericton Area Residents

People in Fredericton and the outlying communities getting spooked by a celebration for the Currie Centre

Fireworks were launched last night celebrating the Currie Centre but according to the chatter on Facebook and Twitter, many residents weren't expecting such a loud celebration.

The online reactions ranging from the annoyed to the surprised.

The fireworks could be heard in the communities of Rusagonis and Lincoln outside the city.

Mural Honouring Fallen Soldiers Makes Stop In City

The Portrait of Honour making a stop in the Port City today while it continues on a cross-Canada tour.

The mural shows the faces of every Canadian solider, sailor, and aircrew who have lost there lives during the war effort in Afghanistan.

Wayne McQuarrie with the Charlotte-Fundy Kin Club tells CHSJ News the memorial will be coming down from its tour stop in Fredericton.
 
He says the parents of Saint Johner David Greenslade, who as killed in Afghanistan back in 2008, will be at the base when the mural arrives.

The mural will be on public display until 3pm down at the Barrack Green Armouries on Broadview Avenue.

Province Releases Survey For Disability Action Plan Strategy

The Alward Government is looking for input on the Disability Action Plan Strategy. 

It has released a survey and is looking for your input on the current level of services available in the province.

The province wants your input by November 11 and plans to have town hall meetings throughout New Brunswick on the issue.

To take the questionnaire, click here.

Fire Prevention Week Encourages Family Fire Safety

The Saint John Fire Department urging area residents to keep their families safe from fire. This in time for Fire Prevention Week, which runs October 9th to 15th.

Captain of Fire Prevention and Investigation Roy Nolan says the public is encouraged to tip off the fire department to rental properties or public places that they may think is a hazard.

Saint Johners are also advised to test smoke alarms, maintain heaters and chimneys in time for the heating season, and sleep with bedroom doors closed.

Ready To Work Tourism Program Rolls Out Graduates

The Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick celebrating the success of a new program.

15 people recently graduating from the program and some of them will be working in the Saint John area.

The Ready-To-Work Program trains unemployed New Brunswickers in a range of tourism-related skills. Participants get a chance to improve their chances of re-entering the work force.

The program boasts a 60% success rate for graduates launching careers in tourism. 

It is delivered free of charge.

Bare Necessities Campaign Is Undeway

The Women In Business Forum at the Saint John Board of Trade are keeping up their good works this year through the Bare Necessities campaign.
 
It sees people contribute travel-size toiletries at a variety of locations around the city all to benefit over 20 local charities.
 
President Imelda Gilman tells CHSJ News it came out of a discussion about how many business people have a drawer full of toiletries from their various trips.

She says the idea came about to collect the toiletries and let people donate them to help people in our community.

The 10th annual Bare Necessities campaign runs until November 25th.
Gilman says they will be distributed to various groups in early December.
 
For a list of the items they are looking for, click here

Don't Get Sick On The Holiday!

Cook your turkey well, because you'll have a longer drive if you get sick.

The Fundy Health Centre in Blacks Harbour will be closed Thanksgiving Monday, October 10th, and re-open Tuesday.

Horizon Health network apologizes for any inconvenience.

For emergencies, call 911.

Women in Business Tradeshow

Are you trying to make it in business?

The Women in Business networking group is putting on a showcase for Charlotte County on Wednesday.

The tradeshow is open to the public, giving you an opportunity to learn more about local businesses, as well as see how women play a part in diverse roles.

Head to the Masonic Hall in St. Stephen Wednesday evening.

The event is free.