No Impaired Drivers Over The Holidays!

Thank You Charlotte County for drinking responsibly!

District 1 RCMP responding to a number of traffic collisions, 911 calls, and complaints of possible impaired drivers between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.

But Sgt. Bob MacKnight says not a single driver was found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol over the holiday season.

He says only minor injuries were reported from traffic collisions, and none of the drivers involved were impaired.

Police Say Foul Play In Case of Missing Maine Toddler

The Waterville Police Department in Maine believes foul play is involved with the disappearance of a toddler.

Police Chief Joseph Massey says the case of 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds, has evolved from a search for a missing child, to a criminal investigation.

The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit now taking the lead role.

Ayla was reported missing from her crib December 17th.

Man Gets Arm Stuck in VLT

A sticky situation at an uptown Saint John pool hall--fire officials had to rescue a man who got his arm trapped in a VLT.

Fire department getting a call from Dooly's on Prince Edward Square shortly after noon saying that a man was stuck to the elbow in a video lottery terminal.

According to District Chief Joe Armstrong, it took over an hour of hard work to cut the machine apart and free the man. He wasn't injured--but he probably won't be doing that again any time soon.

Police Looking for Tips in Macdougall Lake Arson

NB Crime Stoppers and the St. George RCMP are asking for your assistance into the ongoing investigation of a possible arson in the Macdougall Lake area.

Between the 20th and 28th of December 2011, individual(s) set fire to a warming shack recently installed near the Victoria Lake Pit by the Charlotte County Snow Cruisers. The structure was valued over $2000.

They're asking any one with knowledge of the offence to please contact Crime Stopper. They're offering up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest.

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.