Compensation for Agent Orange Victims at CFB Gagetown

The federal government has decided to approve more payouts under the compensation program for those people affected by the spraying of Agent Orange at C-F-B Gagetown.

The Canadian Press has learned approximately 30 people will now receive payments for exposure to the defoliant in the 1960s.

They were eligible for funds but filed an application too late.

Government sources say the rules were reviewed after it received several complaints when a number of families went public with their bureaucratic battles.

Air Miles Will Now Have Expiry Date

Air Miles is imposing an expiry date on reward miles starting today. It says participants in the Air Miles reward program will be required to use their existing miles before December 31st, 2016. 


Reward miles earned after New Year's Eve will only be valid for five years after they're first posted. 

Until now, the miles never carried an expiration date.

911 Hoax Gets Mispec Teen in Hot Water

Don't fool around and make false emergency calls.

That message from the RCMP after an extensive search in Mispec was prompted by a hoax. A teenager who claimed to be wounded at a camp is now facing a charge of making a false 9-1-1 call. 

Corporal George Parisella tells us this is no joke, and that 911 is only to be used for emergencies.

The RCMP say the youth called 9-1-1 and sounded very agitated when he claimed to have injured himself while cutting wood and was not able to give clear directions to where he was.
The teenager was eventually located none the worse for wear in a camp off West Beach Road.

New Year's Message From District 1 RCMP

Don't start the new year, with the wrong foot on the pedal.

Sgt. Bob MacKnight with the District 1 RCMP says the department already charging a number of people this month with impared driving.

New Year's Eve tomorrow night bumping up patrols for the RCMP, alongside MADD's Red Ribbon Project and St. Stephen Citizens On Patrol giving police a better sense of awareness.

If you know of someone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you are asked to call 911.

ATV Stolen From St. Stephen

Crimestoppers looking for your help in the theft of an ATV in St. Stephen.

District 1 RCMP Constable Arnold Murphy says a black 2002 Yamaha 660 Raptor all terrain vehicle was stolen from Ross Street, sometime between December 10th and 15th.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

They will pay up to $2000 for information leading to an arrest.

Hitch Hiker Charged With Attempted Robbery

A young St. Stephen man giving people a second thought about picking up hitch hikers.

20-year-old Bradley Johnson appeared in court briefly yesterday on a charge of attempted robbery.

District 1 RCMP in St. George responding Wednesday to a man, who claimed he picked up a hitch hiker, who pulled out a weapon and tried to rob him near Seeley's Cove Road in Pennfield.

Johnson is due back in court Tuesday for a bail hearing.

Police respond to Attempted Robbery by Hitch Hiker in Pennfield

A local Good Samaritan was duped yesterday.

District 1 RCMP responding to an attempted robbery in Pennfield, just before 2pm.

A man claimed he picked up a hitch hiker, who pulled a weapon and tried to rob him.

After a struggle, the driver says he was able to pull over and get the hiker out of his vehicle.

A 20-year-old St. Stephen man was later arrested and held in custody for a court appearance this afternoon.

No one was seriously injured.

Police Need Help in Break and Enter in Musquash

Keep an eye out for a 'hot' ring making the rounds.

That word from RCMP in Lepreau and Crimestoppers in asking the public for help in a break and enter.

From a home in Musquash, on December 15th, someone stealing over $1000 in cash as well as jewelry.

A unique gold ring with a Harley Davidson logo, and the name "Franko" engraved in the band was taken in the heist.

If you have any information, please call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

$30 Grand Reward for Missing Maine Toddler

A $30,000 reward to bring home a missing toddler from Maine.

A group of private citizens putting up the money for information leading to the location and return of 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds.

The toddler from Waterville, Maine reported missing from her bed Dec 17th.

Ayla was last seen the night before when her father put her to bed.

Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey says the department receiving around 330 leads from across the country-- some as far away as California.


If you have any information about Ayla's whereabouts, please call 911 or the Waterville Police Department.

Boxing Day Sales Draw Crowds

With some retailers cutting prices now that Christmas is over, shoppers throughout the area have been packing stores hunting for bargains.

Shoppers lined up at 80 Consumers Drive, East Saint John at 6am to take advantage of Future Shop's Boxing Day electronics sales.

Some retailers report the lines outside stores appeared a bit thinner than previous years -- but the Retail Council of Canada estimates there will be a three per cent increase in retail sales this Christmas compared to last year.

Photo Credit: Mark McGraw

Spread Out Holiday Cheer, Advistes Counselor

Now that Christmas is over, it's normal to feel a little let down. The post holiday blues are a common phenomena, says Judy Urqhart of Gentle Path Counseling. She tells CHSJ news that people should try to spread out their holiday cheer and this of Christmas as a season--not just one day.

Planning activities throughout the long cold months can help you beat the post-holiday let-down. Seeking the support of faith communities, family and friends is also important to feeling good all winter long.

Gentle Path offers counseling at locations in Saint John and Hampton Road.

Jack Layton Named Newsmaker of the Year

Jack Layton has been named Canada's Newsmaker of the Year--by a long shot. The late NDP leader receiving the accolade by one of the largest margins in the 65-year history of the Canadian Press poll at 90 per cent.  

Canadian Press Ottawa correspondent Stephanie Levitz tells CHSJ that Layton's landslide in the poll didn't come as a surprise to people in the media, since he was unequivocally the person who consistently made the most headlines nationwide.

Layton, who died of cancer in August, has been credited with leading the NDP to the most successful result in the party's history, winning 103 seats, enough to form Canada's Official Opposition.

Murder Suspect Found

The Saint John Police force got their man.

The police arresting 50-year-old Stephen Wallace Martin in the city's uptown yesterday. There had been a Canada-wide warrant issued for Martin in connection with the death of Robert Ryan.

Ryan's body was found earlier this week in a fire on Mount Pleasant Avenue.

Martin remains in police custody.

Christmas Eve Ferry Run To Deer Island

Attention all residents of Deer Island!

The last ferry on Christmas Eve will be leaving a little earlier than normal.

Conrad Cline of the John E. Rigby Ferry says the last run tomorrow from the mainland to Deer Island will leave at 7:30pm.

Canada-Wide Warrant for Murder in Saint John

Tuesday's fire death on Mount Pleasant Avenue North in Saint John is a being called a homicide by police.

70 year old Robert Ryan was killed but police have not released the cause of death.

A Canada-wide warrant has been released for 50 year old Stephen Wallace Martin.

He is considered armed and dangerous.

You can contact city police or Crimestoppers if you have any information on the crime.

Toddler Still Missing From Maine

It's almost been a week since a toddler from Maine was last seen.

Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey said the search area had expanded for missing 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds, to include the Kennebec River, and more wooded areas and ponds.

Searchers have been spotted looking through garbage dumpsters, while the FBI continues to go door to door, asking anyone for information on the child's whereabouts.

The department confirmed they have received over 160 tips from the public and are investigating each one.

Help Find Ayla!

Wardens have been spotted searching through dumpsters, in search of a toddler from Maine.

Searches by boat and plane also continue for 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds.

Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey says, "Everything is open. Everything is on the table. We have not recovered any information that has sent us in any direction."

Ayla was reported missing from her home in Waterville, Maine, Saturday morning.

It's now 5 days later -- and still no results, and police are asking everyone to keep a look out.

Club Asks For NO More Donations

We have exceeded the amount of donations we needed -- and can hold!

That word from Karen Tracy, treasurer at the Eastern Charlotte Lions Club in Pennfield.

They started collecting food and toys for local families at the beginning of November, kicking off the drive with a Christmas Telethon.

Tracy sending a big thank you to everyone who donated, including Cooke's Aquaculture, who made the closing donation this morning with $500.

28 familes with 34 children receiving toys, turkeys, the rest of Christmas dinner.

Rally in the St. Croix Valley 2012

News of Atlanticade changing locations to PEI this summer, dampens spirits like driving in the rain for local bikers.

However, a new event is being planned for St. Stephen and Calais.

A week-long bike fest to honor Veterans and active service members getting the nod from both sides of the border.

Local biker Bob Hamel and Calais Police Chief Dave Randall bringing the "Rally in the St. Croix Valley" to reality.

Hamel says both towns have stepped up with start-up funds, and the committee is currently working on event planning and other funding.

The rally is scheduled from July 1st - 8th 2012.

Theft in St. Stephen

If you get a new set of chrome rims for Christmas, be careful, they might be hot!

Sometime during the night between Sunday and Monday, 4 tires and rims were stolen from a parked truck at the Olde Carr Auto Sales car lot on Highway 170 near St. Stephen.

District 1 RCMP and Crimestoppers asking for help from the public on finding who is responsible for the theft.



The 4 tires are new Goodyear Wranglers and the "Mamba" rims are chrome with 5 thick spokes.

If you have any information, please call CrimeStopprs at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).