Man Swims Across Northumberland Strait

One Nova Scotia man is making the most of swimming in the summer heat!

45-year old Chris Dawson swam 13 km through the Northumberland Strait in just over 6 hours to raise money for a good cause.

Dawson raised about $8,400 for the HomeBridge Youth Society, which provides residential care for high-risk youth.

Provincial Organ Donation Is Restored

It was a brief suspension and now organ donation in the province is back in business.

Health Minister Madeleine Dubé says the provincial program is again compliant with the national regulations but will have to improve their documentation practices.
Dube adds they are relieved they did not have to refuse a donation in the week that the system was suspended.

Last week, Health Canada inspectors found problems with the way the program collects and manages its documentation including one case in which a piece of information was not obtained about a donor who had a tattoo.

5 Displaced In North Street Fire

No one was hurt in a North end fire in Saint John but five people are without a home.

Several crews with many firefighters battling the blaze at 121 Victoria street in a two story stone building for 5 and a half hours.

It's believed the blaze began in the basement spreading to the ceiling and the walls.

Fire Chief Kevin Clifford tells  says the turbulent black smoke adding significant danger as that indicates ignition was coming. The first floor suffered smoke and water damage.

The Salvation Army and The Red Cross providing help at the scene to the displaced tenants.

Council Says, "It Could Be The Next Fukishima."

The Conservation Council accusing NB Power of worshipping the almighty dollar when it comes to Point Lepreau.

Sharon Murphy of the Council tells Tide News Point Lepreau has many of the same risk factors as the plant at Fukishima and they can back that up with hard science.

She says it has already been studied and written down by the CNSC and NB Power, that Point Lepreau can not withstand a seismic event.

Murphy says the group has been met with a lack of respect from pro nuclear authorities -- but that won't stop the group from trying to keep the plant from reopening.

Beach Clean-Up For Passamaquaddy Bay Island

"Pendleton Island is a natural gem in the Passamaquoddy Bay."


The nature Conservancy of Canada helping keep it that way with a beach cleanup tomorrow (Saturday).

Volunteers will head over by boat and spend the day cleaning up debris that's washed up on the beach.

Shawna Wallace tells Tide News most people probably wouldn't have been to the Island before, as it's smaller than Deer Island.
Registration for that trip is full, but for more information on the NCC's next green day trip go to:
http://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/what-you-can-do/conservation-volunteers/

Meeting Tomorrow For Chamcook Lake Property Owners

For residents living at, or near Chamcook Lake:


All property owners are asked to attend a meeting tomorrow at the Bayside Hall, by the Chamcook Watershed Landowners Steering Committee.

The purpose is to vote on the formation of an official Chamcook Watershed Landowners Association.

The meeting gets underway at 2pm.

22 Year Old Drowns After Jumping From Bridge

A fun afternoon of swimming coming to a tragic end.

A body being pulled from a local swimming area in Musquash this morning, known as "the gorge".


District 1 RCMP responding yesterday to a report of a man who jumped from a road bridge, and didn't resurface.

Sgt. Bob MacKnight tells Tide News the body of a 22-year-old man from Nigeria was found this morning by the RCMP Underwater Recovery Teams from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

MacKnight adds foul play is not suspected.

The man was attending University in Saint John.

His name has not been released until the family has been properly notified.

Section Of Route 1 Gateway To Open Friday

It will be an easier commute tomorrow for travelers on Highway 1.


A new section of the Route 1 Gateway will be opened Friday, July 13, to motorists between Waweig and Bethel.

Dexters says intermittent lane closures may be needed to install guardrails.

Also, the new Route 127 interchange to and from St. Andrews will be operational with permanent signage in place to help motorists.

Police Search For Stolen Bikes From St. Andrews

Crimestoppers are looking for 4 stolen bicycles.


RCMP tell Tide News the bikes were stolen last Friday night from the Bar Road in St. Andrews.

Police say 2 dark colored adult bikes were taken, a pink "Strawberry Shortcake" child's bike, and a purple tricycle.

If you have any information on the crime, please contact local police, or call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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

Concerns Over Air Ambulance Service To Grand Manan

The Alward Government being accused of playing Russian roulette with the lives of people who live on Grand Manan.
The charge is being made by Liberal M-L-A Rick Doucet of Charlotte-The Isles about the change with air ambulance service.

Doucet tells Tide News the provincial government's contract with Atlantic Charter expired July 1st and the island is now being served by Ambulance New Brunswick's Air Care plane which has to fly in from Moncton. He warns the plane will find it difficult to land at times because of poor weather conditions especially when Grand Manan is shrouded in fog.

Doucet argues Atlantic Charter is based on the ground in Grand Manan and just last week an Air Care plane was unable to land because of poor weather conditions.

Large Rock Smashes Woman's Face & Windshield

Rothesay Regional Police are looking for your help after a giant rock smashed a women's car windshield and face.

Police say the 64-year old woman was heading North bound on Route 111 towards the Rothesay Fire Station at around 3:20 yesterday afternoon when a large rock bounced off an unknown dump truck heading South.

The rock that Police describe as "bigger than a baseball, but smaller than a volleyball" then broke her windshield and hit her in the face, resulting in deep cuts on her hands, blood on her face, and a possible broken jaw.

The incident occurred near the Rothesay Baseball field.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rothesay Regional Police.

Parent Locked Out Of Underage Party

A parent being locked out of their home after an underage house party got out of control.

Saint John City Police tell Tide news they responded to two house parties full of underage drinkers in Central and West Saint John.

Police warn that when once a party announcement is made on social media like Facebook, parties can easily have a large group of unexpected guests.

Multiple charges were made for underage drinking.

Canada Hockey Tournament/Fundraiser In SJ

You can get a free game of ball hockey today plus help a food bank. Five Hole For Food is inviting Saint Johnner's to bring their hockey sticks and food donations to Smythe Street by Harbour Passage trail. Today is Five Hole For Food's fourth stop on their coast to coast venture to play ball hockey and raise 100,000 pounds of food in communities across Canada. Founder Richard Loat tells Tide news this is their third annual tour.

"It's just exciting to be back on the road, to put on these drop in games for everyone to participate in."

Loat adds out of the 13 stops last year, Saint Johnner's raised the second highest amount of food. The fundraiser takes place from 3 o'clock until 7pm.

For more information on Five Hole for Food, click here.

Oland Case One Year Later

One year ago today Saint John was shaken by the murder Richard Oland. The son of a maritime dynasty, Oland was reportedly a shrewd businessman with a wide range of connections in the Port City and beyond. Police Chief Bill Reid has said the investigation is ongoing but they do have a suspect they've been zeroing in on from the beginning.
The family recently releasing a statement remembering Oland as a father, husband and friend.

Provincial Court Judge Leslie Jackson has ruled the search warrants will remain sealed until a second hearing set for July 31.

It's Been A Busy Rally In St. Croix Valley

 As the Rally in the St. Croix Valley nears the end, the fun is just beginning.


Canadian Chair Bob Hamel tells Tide News, so far over 500 bikes have registered in the Rally, and they are hoping to register over a thousand bikes this weekend.

Many events will be taking place in the last days, including the Vendors Village behind the Royal Bank, live music on the waterfront from 7-10 pm, and a stunt bike show.

Hub City Stunters will be performing at the St. Stephen Airport tonight from 5pm -7pm. (As seen in picture)

Hamel says his favorite moment so far in the Rally was escorting the Veteran's Wall over Route 9 and into Calais. He says it was an amazing sight with 100 bikes and border patrol, customs, fire and police departments taking part.

Hub City Stunters To Perform At Airport

A big event for the Rally in the St. Croix Valley has been rescheduled.


Tomorrow, Hub City Stunters will be changing the time of their stunt show and burn-out competition to 5pm at the St. Stephen Airport.

Canadian Chairman Bob Hamel tells Tide News many residents were upset they wouldn't be able to make the show because of working conflicts.

The event put on by the award winning team is family friendly.

Half Way Point Of The Rally In The St. Croix Valley

Hear those engines revving!


Today is Day 3 of the Rally in the St Croix Valley, celebrating all things motorcycle!

Tonight there will be live music on the waterfront, as well as the Miss Rally in the St. Croix Valley Bikini Contest.

Headquarters for the Biker Festival is located at the Border Arena in St. Stephen.

All proceeds raised from the rally go to veterans and active service members.

House Fire Kills Two People

A deadly house fire near Oromocto has left two people dead.

Officials are investigating the incident that occurred near yesterday morning on Highway 102 in the Burton-area. Firefighters discovered the bodies of a man and a woman. Their names have not been released. One victim, an 87 year old man, has been identified as a resident of the home. Autopsies are scheduled for today.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but officials say foul play is not suspected at this time.

Canadians Optimistic On Economy

A Canada Day study done by the Bank of Montreal shows we are an optimistic lot about our future economic prospects. Paul Taylor is Chief Investment Officer with B-M-O Harris Private Banking and he tells Tide News 83% of us are proud of how this country's economy has performed.

"Half of Canadians expect their investment portfolios to grow by Canada Day 2013, which is kind of interesting given the mackerel head winds we see out there in the financial press."

Taylor is surprised at the level of optimism which hasn't been dampened by the cutbacks announced of late by the Harper Government.

Pollution In Fundy Better & Worse

There's been a significant reduction with large industrial debris (such as styrofoam, large pieces of pipe and nets) in the Bay of Fundy, so says Fundy Bay Keeper Matt Abbott. The Bay Keeper has been keeping the waters of Fundy clean since 2003. He tells us there's still problems with ocean acidification, nets and rope garbage and waste from salmon aquaculture, but he's seen some major clean up of the Saint John sewer system.

"We've got a long, long way to go but at the same time there's a lot of people working on this and we certainly hope we can continue to harness that energy and keep our Bay vibrant and give it it's best shot against these big changes that are coming down the pipe."

Abbott would like to see more clean up of municipal waste, which overloads and spills into the Bay during heaving rain. He adds that his advocacy works has paid off, finding that many people bring waste to shore.

The Bay Keeper patrols the Fundy coastline from Alma to St. Stephen.