Conflicting Testimony At EUB Hearing

There has been some conflicting testimony at the Energy and Utilities Board Hearing on the accuracy of NB Power's accounting practices.

The hearing is looking at the deferral account for the Point Lepreau nuclear refurbishment and its cost overruns of a billion dollars.
An economist who specialises in energy, Kurt Strunk charges there are a number of violations. He says, "In my pre-filed evidence, I identified two areas where the deferral account has not been made in compliance with the act and associated regulations, leading to inaccurate amounts being presented to the board."
Strunk charges the figures in the deferral account are not accurate. "NB Power neglected to apply the necessary manual adjustments to all units and all time frames during the deferral period. Infact, there are several months in which NB Power appeared to have ignored there own guidelines."

On the other hand, Deloitte and Touche, testified that, based on the samples reviewed, NB Power's costs in reference to the deferral account are accurately recorded.

Bail Hearing For Snook Rescheduled For Monday

There's been a delay in the case of a Saint John city councillor accused of sexual interference with a child under 16.

Donnie Snook's lawyer told provincial court yesterday he needed more time to review the case.
   
As a result, the Saint John city councillor will have to wait another week for a bail hearing. Snook's next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, January 21st, 2012.
   
The 40-year-old is also charged with possession of child pornography and making child pornography.

Meanwhile, there's no word whether any move will be made at the next meeting of Saint John Common Council to remove Councillor Donnie Snook for missing more than 3 meetings in a row.

Phone Scam Still Ringing

A telephone scam we warned you about a few months ago is still hanging around.

People are still receiving fake phone calls pretending to be NB Power and claiming they have ways of reducing your electricity bill. The scam claims you're paying too much and that your home doesn't meet current electricity codes.

NB Power says they do contact customers about account balances, but would never request financial information over the phone.

If you've been contacted, you're encouraged to report the incident to police, RCMP or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or go online.

New Health Council To Improve Health System

Looking at saving money and being more efficient in our health care system is the role the new Innovation and Best Practice Council will play.

The members consist of many executive directors and vice-presidents from different health sectors like the Office of Health System Renewal, Horizon Health and the Department of Health.

In a release, Health Minister Ted Flemming says they'll focus on pin-pointing and adopting cheaper but efficient health practices from the best health systems in Canada.

Not Too Late To Get Your Flu Shot

Flu season is here much earlier than suspected, and it's knocking maybe people in North America off their feet and into bed with tissues and a snuggie.

With sniffles and coughing in mind, New Brunswick pharmacists are encouraging you to get your flu shot. It's not too late, and it's the best method to keep the flu at bay, says Paul Blanchard, executive director of the New Brunswick Pharmacists' Association. He tells Tide news it's important to get a flu shot every year, since the flu strain is always changing.

A big myth is that getting the vaccine could actually give you the flu, which Blanchard says is simply not true. He says the vaccine is made from dead cells of the influenza, which helps your body to develop an immunity. Blanchard says the flu is causing overcrowding in Boston emergency rooms, so the sooner you get it the better.

You can get the vaccine from one of the 230 pharmacists in the province who are trained to give injections. The cost is in the area of $20-$25, but it's free if you're over 65, have a chronic illness (such as diabetes, asthma, a suppressed immune system) and if you're under 18.

For more information, click here.

The Diocese Of Fredericton Is Reviewing Snook Charges

The Diocese of Fredericton is looking into and reviewing information related to the 8 charges Saint John Common Councillor Donnie Snook is facing.

In a release, Archbishop Claude Miller says he remains shocked and saddened. Snook's position as executive director of the Saint John Inner City Youth Ministry -- which includes the Chicken Noodle Club -- is suspended with pay until the resolution of the charges.

The 40-year-old is facing charges of sexual interference on a child under 16, possession of and making child pornography, and making it available. He was arrested at his house on Martha Avenue Wednesday night. Snook remains in custody and will appear in court tomorrow for a bail hearing.

Know A Young Person Looking For A Job?

With the economy in a slump many are complaining it's a lot tougher for young people to find their first jobs...but the SEED program for students might make that a little easier.

The provincially funded program places  students in provincial government departments and agencies; municipal offices and non-profit organizations. Students who want to start a summer business can also apply for an interest-free loan of up to $3,000.

Students can get SEED application at Service New Brunswick, on campuses, in high schools, and regional offices of the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

Milk Prices Set To Rise

Milk may do your body good...but it's getting more expensive as of February 1. The New Brunswick Farms Commission announcing steadily-increasing costs for distributing milk to consumers are going to result in a 3 cent per litre price increase for the white stuff.

Producers will receive less than one cent, processors will receive one and one-half, and the rest goes to  retailers. Pricing under the School Milk Program will not be changing over this school year.

Deer Warning In Effect

If you're driving on Highway 1 between St. Stephen and Saint John you're advised to be extra cautious of deer on the highway. Deer have recently been reported on both fenced and non-fenced sections of the highway.

In fenced sections, deer have become trapped between the fencing and DNR staff have managed to herd some back through, but several deer have been killed recently by cars.

The Department of Natural Resources also wants to remind you that as of Jan. 1, 2013, drivers who are on the same side of a road or highway must slow down  when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle exhibiting a flashing red light. On highways with two or more lanes of traffic, you must also move over into another lane if it can be done safely

Violators will be fined $292.50 and lose three points off their driver’s license.

Fast Food Lettuce To Blame For E.coli

Lettuce from a fast-food restaurant is to blame as the likely source of an E.coli outbreak that affected more than two dozen people in 3 provinces.

Nova Scotia's deputy chief medical officer says lettuce used at KFC and Taco Bell caused 5 people here in New Brunswick to be sick, along with 10 people in Ontario and Nova Scotia. It's not believed the restaurants are responsible for the contamination, and it's unlikely more E.coli cases will come from it considering the specific lettuce has passed its shelf-life.

KFC says it's removed all the affected lettuce and reassure their food is safe to eat.

Two of the cases of E. coli were in Saint John, while 3 were in Fredericton.

5 People Caught Drinking & Driving

Five is the number of impaired drivers caught overnight.

Saint John City Police say they found 3 uptown, one out east and the other out west. The ages of the drivers arrested vary from a 20-year-old woman to a 40-year-old man. There was a foot chase that was short lived, when one of the drivers was also caught violating a parole.

There was no damage or accidents caused by the drivers.

Charges Laid In Rothesay High Lockdown

A bail hearing is scheduled on Monday for the man charged with uttering threats that led to a lockdown of Rothesay High School on Thursday.

Rothesay Police say the 20-year-old wasn't near the school when one of the students received threats through a text message. It was for that reason that the school was in lockdown for 20 minutes while police ensured the building was safe.

15 Year Old SSHS Student Competing For Team Canada

Two years to the day, Emily Dean picked up her first rifle -- now she's competing for Team Canada.

The 15-year-old St. Stephen High School student is heading to Australia on Sunday to compete in the 10 meter Olympic Style Air Rifle competition at the Olympic Festival in Sydney.

Emily's mother, Julie Dean tells Tide News it's been a very quick rise in the sport for her daughter. She says, "When we moved here from B.C. (Britich Columbia), she was hanging out with friends, and somebody told her to try shooting, so she (Emily) said she'd give it a try. So she went up there and was just blown away by it. I think Don Brown, her coach, and a couple of others were just like, 'Oh my gosh! We've got a sharp-shooter!'" She says the competition will be two years to the day from when locals convinced Emily to pick up a rifle and try it out.




Dean says she is very thankful for all the support, generosity, and love coming from the Town of St. Stephen for her daughter. "It is so wonderful! It has just made Emily feel so good. Being outsiders, we've been welcomed in with so much support."

The Town of St. Stephen recently awarding Dean with a $500 grant to help with travel expenses for the Olympian competition.

You can follow Emily's progress on the St. Croix Sportsman Club website, www.stcroixsportsmanclub.com or on her Twitter account @emilykdean22. 

SJ Councellor Facing Child Pornography Charges

 A Saint John Common Councellor looking at child pornography charges.

Ward 3 Common Councillor Donnie Snook is facing a total of 8 charges, including possessing and making available child pornography, and touching a child under 16 for sexual purposes. Snook is flushed, appears slightly disheveled but otherwise shows no emotion when asked if charges are understood.

Snook is charged with 3 counts of sexual interference on a child under 16 years of age between December 2006 and January 2013. All the counts are in regards to the same victim. Two counts of possession of child pornography between March 2011 and January 2013. One count of making child pornography between March 2011 and January 2013. Two counts of making child pornography available between March 2011 and December 2012.

Snook has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing on January 14.

40-year-old Snook was taken into custody yesterday by the RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation Unit. A search warrant was executed. During the search, police seized computer equipment and child sexual abuse images.

In a release, the Mounties say the investigation involves the RCMP, Saint John Police Force and Toronto Police Service and dates back to 2011.

In a release from the Diocese of Fredericton, Archbishop Claude Miller says they were shocked and concerned to learn about the recent arrest of Donnie Snook, who is the Executive Director of the Saint John Inner City Youth Ministry.

The board of ICYM will address the situation at a meeting later today. Archbishop Miller assures the authorities they will cooperate fully in their investigation.

SJ Police Chief Thinks 2 Murder Investigations Will Close In 2013

 With the dawn of a new year, progress is being made in two high-profile murder investigations in Saint John.

Police Chief Bill Reid tells Tide News the February 14, 2012 death of Serena Perry is now in the hands of the Crown, and her family is being kept in the loop. He says, "Rightly so, people will want answers, and they will want answers about what took place in an institution or facility, or in the hospital." Ried says Perry's death wasn't reported in the usual manner. "We didn't recieve a phone call right away. And when we did recieve a phone call to our Public Safety Communications Centre, it was in terms that the hospital couldn't find the next of kin and asked us to do a death notification."

Further, he says he expects an arrest to be made in the murder of Richard Oland by the end of the year. "They have everything that they need, at this point, to what I believe, can produce a case to go to court."
Reid says the wheels of justice can move slowly, but it's key to get all the facts in order.

Ski Instructor Dies After Collision At Crabbe

Jason Crawford, the general manager of the Crabbe Mountain ski hill, is giving details about the death of a skier this week.

He tells Tide News the name of the 62-year-old man who died Tuesday has not been released, but he says he was a ski school instructor at the hill, which is located 30 kilometers northwest of Fredericton.

Crawford says the collision between the instructor and a teenage girl happened on a relatively flat, and wide area at the bottom of the hill and that weather conditions were excellent. He says the man was not instructing at the time and both he and the girl were wearing helmets.He adds that members of the ski patrol, and a paramedic and doctor who were skiing, were able to reach the injured within minutes.

Crawford says the staff are very close to each other and they are having a hard time dealing with the loss. A grief counsellor is working with the staff.
 
The teenage girl was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

  

Algonquin GM Speaks Out On Hiring

The newly named General Manager of the Algonquin Hotel in St. Andrews is speaking out on local jobs.

Tim Ostrem tells Tide News his goal is to hire locally as much as possible for staff at the historic resort.The GM says he will definately bring back some of the old staff from before the hotel began it's renovation.
He says, "We're building a team, we've got a new brand, and we are looking to support the community as much as possible and in doing that, that will certainly mean bringing back many of the old faces our guests have come to know and love."

Ostrem says over the next couple of months they will be at job fairs and starting recruitment opportunities.  



He says they have not started the recruitment process for the front lines yet, but keep our eyes on the job sites. He says, "We've begun posting some of our key roles. Right now we've just recently posted for an Executive Chef, a Director of Rooms, and a Food and Beverage Manager. As we complete that process, we will be beginning to recruit for other positions."
He says they will begin hiring in late March and April.

Ostrem, originally from Alberta, has been linked to big names like Fairmont, Delta, and The Cambridge Suites in Toronto. He was named the new GM of the resort last week.
He tells Tide News being a part of the re-birth of the Algonquin is one of the many attractions of St. Andrews for him. "Most importantly, it's the community and the people. It's [St. Andrews] a charming seaside town, with some wonderful people, and the opportunity to really be a part of something that I think will be very, very special is a great attraction."

Currently, the tudor-design hotel is undergoing a major $20 million renovation, which will include new roofing, windows, heating and air conditioning, a new indoor pool with an indoor/outdoor 3-storey waterslide, balconies along the second floor, and a make-over that will match the newer and older sections of the hotel with the original design.
Ostrem says he is most excited about building his team and the grand re-opening of the Algonquin in June of this year.

January is Alzheimers Awareness Month

2500 a year -- 7 per day.
That's how many people in New Brunswick will be diagnosed with dementia.

The Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick launching the 2013 Awareness Campaign this week titled, "See Me, Not My Disease. Let's Talk About Dementia."

Saint John Regional Coordinator Jamie Matthews tells Tide News what their goal is this year. He says, "We want to address the mis-information that's out there about Alzheimers and Dementia and to shift those attitudes to make it easier and for people who are diagnosed to talk about it openly and honestly."

He says, "It's something that we still need to learn a lot about, despite the reach of this disease and how many are affected, especially in New Brunswick."

Matthews tells us there are 13,000 people in New Brunswick diagnosed with Dementia. This year alone, 2500 will be diagnosed in the province, which works out to 7 people per day.
Matthews says one of the big things you can do to help someone with demetia is by talking with them about the disease. He says this will keep them from feeling shame or isolation which is very common for those diagnosed.

Matthews says they will be having information sessions coming up in March titled "Alzheimer Journey: First Steps."

If you would like to contact the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick, you can call them at 1-800-664-8411, or the Saint John branch at 1-506-634-8722. You can also check out their website at www.alzheimernb.ca , or they have a Facebook Page "Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick".

Astronaut Chris Hadfield Admires SJ From Space

Although we see the snow as more of an inconvenience than as a pretty picture, Saint John is looking pretty good from space.

That view coming from Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield, who took this picture of Port City and tweeted it from the International Space Station on Wednesday.

In the tweet, 53-year-old Hadfield describes our city as "beautiful in the sunlit snow." Hadfield launched into space in December and is scheduled to stay until May.

His twitter handle is @Cmdr_Hadfield.

NBCC Saint John Working Closely With UNB Saint John

The New Brunswick Community College has embarked on a five year strategic plan and more of the pieces of that will be put into place in 2013. This is the first operational plan the community college has ever had.

Community College President Marilyn Luscombe tells Tide News there will be more collaboration with the university.

Luscombe says along with being co-located they have started to talk very intentionally and made progress on articulation and transfer of our one and two year programs into degree programs at UNB.

Luscombe also says the college will be moving forward with E-Learning so those students who have other responsibilities can take programming online, essentially anywhere, anyplace.