The Bucket Will Lift-Off Today At Superstore

Today at the Atlantic Superstore, local firefighter Merton Lewis will be lifted 50 feet in the air, in the bucket of a bucket truck, where he will stay for 50 hours.


It's the St. Stephen Fire Department's 8th Annual Bucket Sit raising funds for specialized rescue equipment.

Dwayne Richards from the department says they have finally raised enough money from past bucket sits, to buy the specialized equipment they need.

However, Richards says, they will continue the fundraiser to keep up with the ever-changing needs of the fire service.

If you would like to help support this project, you can purchase a rung on "Mert's Escape Ladder".
For a donation of $50 or more, your name or the name of your business will be put on a rung and displayed on site while Merton is in the bucket.

For more information on donating to the St. Stephen Fire Department, call Dwayne Richards at 466-7779.

Rain Blamed For Crash On Highway 1

The heavy rains being blamed for a crash on Highway 1.


District 1 RCMP tell Tide News a man pulled his vehicle onto the soft shoulder near the Eastbound Exit 39 marker.

Sgt. Bob MacKnight says the man over-corrected when he pulled over, sending the vehicle across the road, and rolling over an embankment.

Both the driver and the passenger were sent to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and the vehicle has extensive damage.

MacKnight says due to the heavy rain, excess water on the roadways made driving very dangerous.

Pot Seizures In Charlotte County Over The Weekend

Approximately 800 marijuana plants being seized this past weekend from rural St. Stephen and the St. Andrews area.


RCMP Provincial Spokesperson Cpl. Chantal Farrah tells Tide News how the drug raids take place. She says they rely strongly on information from the public, such as tips to Crimestoppers to find where the grow-ops are taking place. She adds the RCMP use all-terrained vehicles, their own vehicles, as well as help from helicopters to spot the plants from the air.

Farrah says it is never too late for someone to report a grow-op. And they can do so my calling Crimestoppers, reporting it to the website at crimenb.ca, or directly call the RCMP.


Cpl. Farrah also has a message for parents: "I know there are alot of misconceptions out there about marijuana, but for parents, please be reminded that marijuana is often the drug that youth will start first, and then go on to harder drugs. It is not harmless."

The Kids Go Back!

Summer vacation has come to an end - at least -  for most of the students.

Tomorrow ( September 5th, 2012 ), students going to St. Stephen Elementary School, as well as Grades 6 and 9 will be starting their classes.

Other students in Grades 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12 will be getting a staggered start, with their first classes being held on Thursday ( Sept 6th, 2012 ).

This is the first semester of the new Anglophone South School District, which amalgamated Districts 6, 8, and our local District 10, into one.

The new Superintendent of the District now has 74 schools to be in charge of from Sussex to St. Stephen.

Zoe Watson says some of the high schools will have over a thousand students each to the smallest school on White Head Island with just 20 students.

Fundy Continues To Draw In Tourists

The whole Fundy experience is key to drawing in tourism.
That coming from Tourism Minister Trevor Holder, who tells Tide news they've been marketing everything from Hopewell Rocks to Campobello throughout the maritimes.

He says their marketing has been focusing on people who want to experience nature and the outdoors, as well as New Brunswick's history and culture.

Holder believe it's been a good tourism season with good weather, steady cruise ships and ramped up advertising for the Bay of Fundy.

New Leash On Life

A new leash on life is what people are giving the Saint John SPCA says President Melody McElman.

She tells Tide news more than $10,000 has been donated to help keep the non-profit animal shelter's doors open, and if the donations keep coming in, they most likely won't close by this Saturday.

She says people have even written to animal lovers and show hosts Anderson Cooper and Ellen DeGeneres for help.

And when it comes to expecting the city for help, McElman says she understands they're under a financial crunch, and doesn't think it's expected of them to give money they don't have. She adds they're already grateful for the $6,600 dollars they receive monthly as part of the animal contract.

Today at 10:00am local non-profit group Harbour Con-Fusion will be around Saint John collecting bottle and money donations to help the SPCA. They'll be stationed at the Admiral Beatty Parking Lot on the corner of Princess and Charlotte Street.

To get more details on donations, click here.

It's Unfair Labour Day According To Taxpayers Federation

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling this Unfair Labour Day because of what it sees as the growing pension gap in the province between what those who work in government will receive in retirement compared to the rest of us.

The Federation's Atlantic Director Kevin Lacey tells Tide News at the very minimum new government employees, whether they be with the city or province, should be on defined contribution pension plans rather than defined benefits.

Lacey says there was a time years ago that government workers received generous pension plans to make up for earning less than workers in the private sector but that wage gap disappeared a long time ago.

Premier Under The Gun On Catastrophic Drug Plan

It was a campaign promise made by Premier David Alward but bringing in a catastrophic drug coverage plan hasn't happened yet.

The Premier says former Health Minister Dr. Dennis Furlong is working on such a plan that will be affordable but the province's finances have to be turned around because there are just so many dollars to work with these days.

He estimates a provincial catastrophic drug plan will cost something like 20 million dollars. As just one example of how expensive drugs can be, the cancer drug Avastin costs 10 thousand dollars a month.

Alward reminds everyone the government has already brought in a dental and vision programme for the most vulnerable children in the province and is also working on a prescription drug programme.

Boil Water Order For Woodstock

Officials in Woodstock, have issued a boil water order for areas of the town.

Residents who live in the downtown core and also part of the south side of the Meduxnekeag River are being told to boil their water for at least one minute.

The town says the boil order is precautionary after a water reservoir on St. Andrews Street lost power on Friday.

It's not known how long the order will remain in effect.  

Courtesy of The Canadian Press.

Saint Johners Coming Together To Save SPCA

Hair Salons, jewelry makers, auctions and even super heroes are all coming together to help keep the Saint John SPCA open.


The SPCA announced if they don't raise a million dollars in a week the centre will close it's doors this coming Saturday, leaving 14 people without a job and animals facing euthanization.

President Melody McElman tells Tide news they had to come out and tell the truth to the public. She says they've been planning to start a capital campaign for months to raise enough money to convert rooms at the 295 Bayside Drive building into viable revenue source, such as a dog grooming and obedience centre.

She says they've done as much as they could to cut costs for the non-profit animal shelter, including cutting the executive director position to help pay for the stack of vet bills and operational costs.

In December the group was given 30 days notice by the NBSPCA to move out of their decrepit building on Taylor Avenue, which had problems with mold, old concrete cages and as McElman describes as "not fit for man or beast". She says the $750,000 price tag on the Bayside property was affordable compared to $4 million if a new building was made.

McElman says she knows she set her goal high by asking for a million, but what they need is a miracle.

The centre has been around for 99 years.

To donate by going in the shelter, click here or call 642-0931. You can also visit their facebook page.

Iconic Lobster Dies

The Fundy Discover Aquarium in Saint Andrews is bidding farewell to one of its iconic residents...Big Dee-Dee, a 22 year old lobster given to the aquarium by a Shediac fish store, was thought to be 40 years old.
Large lobsters are thought to be important in the ocean as a large female can carry as many as 80,000 eggs, although only a small percentage of these reach maturity. Aquarium manager Jim Cornall tells Tide News they don't like to speak about the question on many people's minds: what does a 22 pound lobster taste like? He says no idea... it's something they don't speak of at the aquarium.

The aquarium has another 22 lb. lobster, Tiny, and several other rare lobsters, including several blue lobsters, a yellow lobster and a calico.

Saint John Welcomes First Health & Wellness Expo

Saint John is getting it's very first Health & Wellness expo this month.

The two-day event will feature everything from fitness, nutrition, mental health and even finances.

Organizer Mike McGraw tells Tide news there will be demonstrations, speakers and even a fitness challenge with teams like the Saint John Sea Dogs, firefighters and local businesses.

Another unique part of the expo is proceeds go towards The Children's Wish Foundation. The event starts on Friday September 14th from 11:30am-8:00pm and 10:00am-4:30pm Saturday September 15th at Harbour Station.

Admission is regular $6, $5 for seniors & students, and $10 for a family of five.

For more informaiton, click here.

Saint Johner Biking Across Canada For Cancer

With cooler mornings most people are putting their bikes away, but one Saint Johner is doing just the opposite.

Shelley Wood is leaving Port City today to start a 17 day bike ride across Canada for the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride. Wood has been training for months and has raised her goal of $25,000 dollars.

Wood tells Tide news the SNKCR helps raise money that goes toward oncology research and programs that improve survival rates of kids with cancer.

Wood will be biking 160 kilometres a day (totalling 7,000km), starting in BC on Wednesday and finishing in Halifax on September 21. To follow Shelley's ride, click here to go to her blog.

GAP Coming To Saint John

You'll have more selection for holiday shopping this year.
A GAP factory store is set to open at East Point Shopping in Saint John this November. Construction has already started for the clothing and accessories store that features products for men, women and kids.  The only other GAP in the province is in Dieppe.

It joins Le Chateau, Roots and other retailers in the area.

Man Faces Multiple Charges For Domestic Dispute

A 48-year-old man is heading to court after assaulting a 47-year-old woman.
City Police say they were called to Hazen Street around 5:40pm for the domestic dispute.

The man is charged with uttering death threats, assault causing harm to the woman, and concealing a weapon.

NB Liquor To Help New Brunswick Rivers

Local rivers will soon be getting a big boost from NB Liquor.

The corporation has launched an in-store initiative to donate some of the proceeds from 40 different brands to the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation.

Executive director Stephen Chase tells Tide News they're excited about the partnership. He says this is a great new partnership that will help community groups who are working to protect New Brunswick rivers.


NB Liquor estimates the month-long campaign will raise $50,000 or more to be distributed among various community groups.

Bucket Sit Goes Up Next Week

It's a bird, it's a plane, no - it's a firefighter.


The St. Stephen Fire Department announcing the 8th Annual Bucket Sit next weekend at the Atlantic Superstore.

The fundraiser sees local firefighter Merton Lewis sitting in the bucket of a bucket truck, 50 feet in the air, for 50 hours.

Dwayne Richards from the department says they have finally raised enough money from past bucket sits, to buy specialized rescue equipment, however, they will continue the fundraiser as a way to keep up with the demands of the ever-changing rescue equipment.

Lewis hits the skies next Thursday ( Sept 6th ) at 4pm until Saturday ( Sept 8th ) at 6pm.

Blueberry Festival Revived!

After 25 years - Pennfield has brought back it's Blueberry Festival.


Saturday ( August 25th ) being filled with blueberry-themed events at the Eastern Charlotte Lions Club, including the Miss Blueberry Pageants.

Miss Blueberry Pre-teen Queen was awarded to Sarah Henry, Pre-teen 1st Princess was Cailey Patterson, 2nd Princess to Emily Rogers, and 3rd Princess to Breanna Barrio.

Megan Lyons earned the title of Miss Blueberry Queen, 1st Princess to Shyann Leavitt, and 2nd Princess was Kayla Pitre.

(Picture - Miss Blueberry Queen contestants with The Tide's Jessi Smith )

Missing Woman Found Dead In St. Andrews

A local woman reported missing yesterday has been found dead.


67-year-old Leng Guznzhi was thought to have gone on a walk and become lost/disoriented in St. Andrews.

She was reported missing last night ( August 26th ) around 8:30pm.

District 1 RCMP tell us a Ground Search and Rescue crew was called in this morning ( August 27th ) and found the woman's body around 7am.

Sgt. Bob MacKnight says foul play is not suspected.

No other details are available at this time.

Freedom Fest At The Farm A Success

 "A tentative success."


That from Organizer Sarah McAdam-Parker on FreedomFest at the Farm.

McAdam-Parker tells Tide News she wanted to throw a music festival in a place where there has never been one before - in Heathland.

She says countless live bands, DJ's, fire-spinners, painters, comedians, as well as a number of unique workshops like belly dancing and tye-dying took part in the festivities.

She says the 3 day event raised money for the Angel Fund at the St. Stephen Animal Hospital and Eco-Fredericton, with 40% of the weekend's profits going to each organization.

McAdam-Parker says the festival did as well as she hoped, with only a few technical glitches.


District 1 RCMP reports the event was well organized, and despite a traffic stop on the Heathland Road, there were no reports of impaired driving or problems related to the festival.