Loan Gives St. Stephen 13 New Jobs

A St. Stephen company is getting money from Invest NB and the provincial government to create 13 new full-time jobs.

Premier David Alward making the announcement today at Superior Tanks.

Alward says the government and Invest NB are empowering businesses to create jobs, grow their communities, and rebuild a stronger economy.

Superior Tanks co-owner Sylvain Villeneuve says the support has allowed them to nearly triple their workforce.

Invest NB is providing a $100 thousand forgivable loan.

Canadian Country in China

Two country stars from New Brunswick will soon be entertaining the chinese.

Kevin Chase of the Kingston Peninsula and Melanie Morgan of Cap Pele are a tour with 5 stops, ending in Shanghai.

 The purpose of the trip is to create awareness of their brand of Canadian Country in China.

 They leave next month.

Questions Raised About Nuclear Spill in Lepreau

An environmentalist is raising questions about the role of Canada's nuclear safety regulator after a heavy-water spill two months ago at the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant.
   
David Coon of the Conservation Council says the regulator, then called the Atomic Energy Control Board should have followed-up on similar incidents back in 1995.
   
The earlier incidents came to light in a report from NB Power.
   
The report, obtained by The Canadian Press, says heavy water entered a gas monitor three times during a shutdown in 1995, but the design was never changed.

Will Marriot Parent The Algonquin?

A prominent piece of New Brunswick history may be getting a new owner.
   
The Crown-owned Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews could soon carry the Marriott banner, if a deal can be finalized.
  
Tourism Minister Trevor Holder says the provincial government is in final negotiations with a consortium.
   
New Castle Hotels and Southwest Properties are interested in buying the resort, or becoming a partner with the province.
   
The minister says the parties now have 60 days to conduct their due diligence.
   
The province launched the search for a new operator last February .
  
Last year, the government said the century-old resort needed repairs and upgrades worth 20 to 25 million dollars.

Something For Every Biker

The "Rally in The St. Croix Valley" scheduling rides for all different kinds of bikers.

Canadian Chair Bob Hamel tells Tide News about a new ride added this year, called a dual-sport ride, for specialized bikes that go on and off road.

Hamel says they have a few dual-sport rides scheduled, leading the bikers through wooded areas, and giving them a chance to utilize the bike they own.
There will also be a "Blueberry-Chocolate" ride that includes blueberry tasting at Granite Farms in St. George and a tour of the Chocolate Museum in St. Stephen.

The Rally is set for July 1st to the 8th.

They are currently looking for volunteers, if you would like to participate, contact Bob Hamel at 467-7101 or through Facebook.

Cooke's To Be Awarded For Heroic Efforts

A local fish plant being honored for their heroic efforts.

Cooke's Aquaculture in St. George will be given an Industry Achievement Award during the Fish Canada/Workboat Canada Trade Show this weekend, for their selfless acts in the Flood of 2010.

When Charlotte County went under water last winter, an excess of 60 employees of Cooke's utilized boats to rescue people, as well as deliver food and supplies.

Cooke's also joined with JD Irving, in efforts to get those hit hardest into a new subdivision.

Glenn Cooke, CEO of Cooke's Aquaculture says "the flood happened in our town and to our people, there was no question of us getting involved."

The award will be presented at the Moncton Coliseum tomorrow night at 6.

SJDA Wins Technology Package

Congratulations goes out to the Sir James Dunn Acadamy in St. Andrews.
They are one of the winners from the MindShare Learning 21st Century Digital Classroom Challenge.  Sir James Dunn Adadamy is one of three regional winner’s from Canada  that will receive technology packages worth over $15,000.

Teacher Seth Richardson says “At SJDA technology education is at the forefront of our 21st century learning initiative. He says they are committed to inspiring future leaders to question, innovate and collaborate, using the skills necessary to succeed".

Business Participation Wanted For Bikers

Local communities are revving their engines for the Rally in the St. Croix Valley.

A public meeting was held last night at the Calais Motor Inn to organize the ground work behind the scenes of the event planned for this summer.

Canadian Chair Bob Hamel says the major thing they need now is for the business community to step up.

Hamel says this is an opportunity for businesses within the community to bring in an influx of financial support for themselves, by finding a special niche to provide for the folks coming into town during the Rally.

He adds they are also looking for any non-profit groups who would like to participate.

The entire event will be non-profit, with all proceeds going to Veterans Organizations, and they are allowing non-profit groups to "piggy-back" by holding fundraisers and events of their own.

If you would like to participate, contact Chair Bob Hamel at 467-7101, or on Facebook at Rally in the St. Croix Valley.

Bay Of Fundy Island Now Protected

An island in the Bay of Fundy near Grand Manan is now in the hands of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick.

Connors Brothers donating Southern Wolf Island to the trust.

Renata Woodward tells Tide News it will not be used for tourism, as it has at-risk species and a high ecological value.


She says they will probably promote scientific research, and outreach and education in terms of science and environment.

Woodward says this came about through the Nature Trust's "Campaign for Coastal Lands".

Threat to Fredericton Hospital

Fredericton police are at a hospital in the city after a man phoned in a threat today.

Const. Rick Mooney declined to elaborate, saying only the threat to the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital was of a general nature.

Mooney says the threat was phoned in at around 10:30 a.m. and officers are stationed at all of the hospital's entrances.

He says people are only being allowed in through the hospital's main entrance and officers are searching all men entering the building.

The Tide's Marathon Food Drive a Success!

Thank You Charlotte County!

The Tide's 10th Annual Marathon Food Drive was a success, despite Friday's portion being cancelled due to bad weather.

Between 3 food drives being held in St. Andrews, St. George, and St. Stephen, we raised $933 dollars in cash, and almost 16 hundred pounds of food for our local food banks.

Blood Found At Home Of Missing Toddler

Frightening evidence has been uncovered in the case of a missing toddler from Maine.

Police say blood was found in Ayla Reynold's home in Waterville.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland says some of the samples tested had come from the toddler, but there is still more testing to be done.

Police told the family that the amount of blood is "more than what a small cut would produce".

Ayla Reynolds was 20 months old when she was reported missing 6 weeks ago (Dec 17) from her crib in her father's home.

Third Bridge Not Reaching Full Potential

Some interesting numbers coming from the Canadian Border Services Agency.

Many residents of St. Stephen expected the Milltown Border crossing to close down, once the new Third Bridge was opened.

But, statistics from the CBSA based on 2011, saw the Milltown bridge far exceeds the amount of travelers, with just short of 460 thousand.

The Third Bridge processed barely more than 245 thousand travellers for 2011.

Worries in Grand Manan on Lobster Licenses

Lobster fishermen in Grand Manan may be in hot water.

Concerns have been raised by the Grand Manan Fisherman's Association to local MLA Rick Doucet about the potential loss of lobster licenses.

A temporary freeze on interprovincial license transfers between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia has been lifted.

The GMFA has sent a letter to Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield asking for the freeze to give time to address concerns.

Doucet supports it.

He says "the island's economy is heavily dependent on this industry, this is their livelihood."

Food Drive For Tomorrow!

The storm bringing lots of cancellations today, including our Food Drive.

98.1 has decided to cancel tonight's portion of the Tide's Marathon Food Drive, but we will continue as planned tomorrow morning.

We will be filling shopping carts at the St. Stephen Superstore, the St. Andrews Save-Easy, and the St. George Save-Easy to donate to our local food banks.

The drive kicks off at 10am, running until 2pm.

New Speed Limit On Porter Street

A narrow street in St. Stephen -- where 'Just 4 Kidz' daycare resides -- is getting a new speed limit.

Concerns were raised by residents whom witness speeders daily who take the side street to avoid waiting for a red light.

St. Stephen Town Council approved the lower speed limit to 30 kms per hour, effective as soon as signs are in place.

RCMP Retires His Badge

Today, St. Stephen sends a thank you to one of our finest.

Constable John MacCready retires from the District 1 RCMP, after serving more than 38 years with the force.

His final years he spent as the town's Court Liaison Officer.

Best wishes John!

(Picture - St. Stephen Mayor Jed Purcell with Cons. John MacCready)

Lacey Pleads For No Tax Increases

Please don't raise our taxes!

This from Atlantic Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation Kevin Lacey when confronting Finance Minister Blaine Higgs on the 2012-2013 provincial budget.

Lacey says New Brunswickers' salaries are not going up, but all the fees we pay like food, health, gasoline, and CPP are.


He adds, to raise taxes now would not give the revenue that is needed, nor will it benefit any New Brunswicker that is forced to pay all the prices that are on the rise.

Lacey and Finance Minister Blaine Higgs were at the St. Stephen Legion Tuesday, hosting a pre-budget consultation to get New Brunswickers' input.

Healthcare Cut To The Bone?

How will our healthcare be affected in the 2012-2013 provincial budget?

Finance Minister Blaine Higgs says it's not about cutting services that are needed.

Concerns were raised in the border town, as to why the province is cutting hours down in health clinics.

Higgs asked, if it made sense to have a facility open for hours and hours, if there is nothing happening there.

Higgs was in St. Stephen for 1 of 10 pre-budget consultations, getting New Brunswickers' input before the budget is announced.

(Picture - Finance Minister Blaine Higgs seated with Campobello-Charlotte MLA Curtis Malloch)

What is Next For The Garcelon?

What is the next step for the Garcelon Civic Centre?

 Town Manager John Ferguson tells Tide News some activity will include stockpiling fill, approximately 7 metres high, designed to weigh down a specific area of property, compacting the land, to support the future pool.

He adds, that stockpile mimics years and years of compaction, and the process will take around 2 months to complete.