Paramount Film Makes International Debut

 A made-in-Saint-John film about the long-derelict Paramount Theatre will have its American debut tonight in Chicago.

Producer Greg Hemmings tells CHSJ News everyone can relate to the loss of community theatres which are being rapidly replaced by big-box cinemas.

The film, The Paramount, has gathered national attention since its release last year. The actual derelict theater, which is in uptown Saint John has not fared as well, with efforts to repurpose the building apparently at a standstill.

Scandal-Fuelled Departure of Senator Raises Question

With the news much-maligned Senator Mike Duffy is stepping down from the caucus, Saint John MP Rodney Weston is remaining tight-lipped about the inquest into allegations Duffy--who campaigned on his behalf in 2011--dipped into public money for his private expenses.

Weston simply said he would prefer to leave the investigation to the RCMP and ethic commission.

Premier David Alward tells CHSJ News it opens a valid debate over whether we should have an elected Senate.

Duffy is charged with making over $90,000 in improperly-claimed living expenses.

Dennis Oland Named Prime Suspect In Richard Oland Murder Case

Speculation has been running in this direction since the investigation began, but now we are able to report that Dennis Oland is considered the prime suspect in his father Richard Oland's murder according to search warrants. The Saint John businessman was murdered in his office two years ago this July.

There had been a broadcast ban on Oland's name since last fall, but that was lifted today by Justice William Grant. We had previously been able to report that Dennis Oland's home and boat had been searched, but not that he is considered the prime suspect.

Grant agreed with media lawyer David Coles that the broadcast ban served no purpose and went against the principle of an open court.

Police Say Veterans Upset Over Stolen Lantern

A stolen 70-year-old lantern is causing a stir among local vets.

NB Crimestoppers tells Tide News the lantern, which normally hangs from the cenotaph in the St. Andrews Market Square was taken sometime between Tuesday, May 14th, and Wednesday, May 15th.

St. Andrews RCMP say many residents are very upset with the loss, especially the Veteran community,  and police want your help in getting it back.

The lantern is from the 1940's and is valued around $500.

If you have any information on where the lantern may be, contact NB Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or St. Andrews RCMP.

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

Government Property Vandalized On Campobello Island

Mischief on government property is a serious offence.

Crime Stoppers and the Campobello Island RCMP are asking for your help with the investigation of  vandalism and the damages on  New Brunswick highway road signs, which took place in Welshpool in April and May.

Any one with knowledge is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or RCMP Campobello Island at (506) 752-2211.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Coastguard Chopper Flying From The City To Grand Manan

A Coastguard chopper flying in Saint John's sky isn't an everyday sight, and some may be wondering what it was doing.

Stephen Bornais of Fisheries and Oceans Canada tells Tide News that the helicopter was traveling from Saint John to Grand Manan to do maintenance on the Gannet Rock lighthouse.

Health Minister Says Emergency Rooms Won't Close

Some good news for those worried about health care.

Health Minister Ted Flemming is turning aside speculation some hospital emergency rooms will be shuttered.

Appearing before a Legislature committee - Flemming is putting to rest any concerns - at least for now.
The Health Minister told the committee there are no hospital or emergency room closures in his department's spending estimates for the current budget year that ends next March.

But - Flemming isn't being pinned down on potential closures beyond this budget year - he says he's looking for other ways to find savings because we simply can't afford to continue to maintain the current level of spending on health care.

Paying More For Gas At The Pumps

Gas prices rise over a cent a litre after the weekly setting. 

Self serve regular in the city is selling for $1.24.3 a litre with diesel at an even $1.27.
 
Propane has gone down by just over a half a cent a litre with the maximum price of $1.05 while the maximum price of heating oil has risen to $1.09.2 a litre.

New Rules For Prepping Chemo Medication

The Ontario government says a gap in oversight has now been shut tight after about 12 hundred patients received diluted chemotherapy drugs including 186 at the Regional Hospital.
    
Starting immediately, the government will ensure hospitals buy drugs only from accredited, licensed or otherwise approved suppliers.

The Ontario College of Pharmacists will also be responsible for inspecting drug preparation facilities. Previously, there had been no oversight.

Flemming On Hand To Announce The Healthy Toddler Assessment

The Province announcing a healthy toddler assessment for 18-month-olds by a public health nurse.
 
The aim being that they will allow for earlier detection of health concerns and provide better cooperation between the Department of Education and the early Childhood Development preschool assessments.
 
Health Minister Ted Flemming says the move from home or daycare to school or pre-school is pretty dramatic so early detection is key.

He says the sooner you know anything medically the sooner you can have the appropriate medical intervention.

Flemming says the great thing about this program is that it's available at all Department of Health clinics throughout the province.

Hockey NB Looking At Body Checking Ban For Pee Wee

Hockey New Brunswick will be deciding on whether to ban body-checking among the younger pre-teen pee wee players between the ages of 11 and 12 when it holds its annual meeting in Saint John is early June. 

Executive-Director Brian Whitehead tells Tide News Hockey NB wants to see what Hockey Canada does when it meets later this month on P-E-I.

Whitehead doesn't expect much push-back if the decision is made to go ahead with the same ban approved in both Nova Scotia and Alberta. He concedes parents are concerned about concussions that are suffered by younger players.

University Could Play Key Role In Finding Energy Solutions

U-N-B Saint John wants to get involved in energy development in a big way because universities can come up with creative solutions to our energy needs while, at the same time, protect the environment. 

That message delivered to the Cities of New Brunswick by University Vice-President Dr. Robert MacKinnon. He tells Tide News energy success depends on collaboration.
            
Dr. MacKinnon universities can play a big role in developing innovative ways to better protect the environment because when people think of energy development these days, the first thought that comes to mind is more pollution.

He also says there's a need to improve energy literacy so people know what they're talking about.

Recent Forest Fires Spark Air Quality Advisory

Provincial public health officials issuing a precautionary smoke advisory because of the high number of forest fires.

Dr. Denis Allard is warning residents to take precautions when heavy smoke affects air quality.

He suggests babies, kids, pregnant women, older adults, smokers and those with chronic heart and lung disease stay indoors with the windows closed to reduce their exposure to the air outdoors.

People experiencing difficulty breathing or chest pain should consult their physician.

MLA's Get Pay Freeze

It looks like M-L-A's and provincial cabinet ministers will have their pay frozen for another year under amendments introduced in the Legislature.
    
Government house leader Paul Robichaud says this will freeze the wages of M-L-A's and cabinet ministers for the fourth year in a row.  
    
Robichaud says the last time they got a raise was back in 2008.

Liberals Demand Carr's Resignation

After the test score of a 17 year old student at Oromocto High School was leaked by the Department of Education, the Opposition Liberals are calling for Education Minister Jody Carr to resign. 

Education Critic Chris Collins tells Tide News Carr's office abused its power, likening the snafu to a Health Minister using his or her position to find out the medical test results of a patient.

The student in question had received media attention due to questions raised over whether she should write the English Language Proficiency Exam. The Liberals are asking the premier to intervene and relieve Carr of his duties.

Man Pleads Guilty In Drunken Machete Attack

A man accused of threatening his partner with a machete in a grocery store parking lot has pleaded guilty to assault and a weapons charge. 

51 year old Arnold James Lawrence Cote was arrested on April 23rd after a drunken confrontation with his girlfriend.

The victim was driving Cote to the liquor store when he began waving the machete around and hitting her with the back side of the blade. When they stopped in the parking lot, she ran up to another woman and asked for help---as it turned out, she was the wife of a senior-ranking Rothesay Police official.

Cote will be back in court of June 7th.

Perth-Andover Waiting For Rain

You have never seen so many people eager for rain but that's the case in our tinder dry province.
 
It's hoped the coming rain will help firefighters put out a blaze north of Perth-Andover where two reception centers are open to support nearly 300 people under evacuation orders or notices.

All evacuees are asked to visit the reception center on Main Street in Tobique and register with the Red Cross disaster team giving authorities a clearer picture of how many people are impacted. 

Another center is set up in the River Valley Civic Centre in Perth-Andover.

Residents of about 200 homes in Perth-Andover, Tobique and other communities were told yesterday to evacuate as a precaution.
 
Schools in the area are closed today as a precaution.

Transport Driver Charged With Aggravated Sexual Assault and Confinement

A 54-year-old truck driver from Québec is charged with aggravated sexual assault and forcible confinement after allegedly attacking a woman in a Moncton parking lot.

On April 25, witnesses called 911 when they saw a young woman running naked in a parking lot near the intersection of Church Street and Mountain Road. She was screaming for help after having gotten out of a transport truck, which managed to drive off.

Police tracked down the truck driver in a community on the South Shore of Montreal. Maurice Cloutier will be brought back to New Brunswick to face the charges.

Two Locations Possibilities For Direct Flight To U.S.

Newark and Philadelphia have been identified as two possible locations for a direct flight to the U.S. from Saint John. Airport President and C-E-O David Allen says discussions are ongoing. 

The airport is also talking to Air Canada about adding a flight to Toronto.
 
Allen would also like to see additional flights to Halifax and St. John's, Newfoundland. He tells Tide News the airport has a lot of potential but it's unrealized potential.

The number of passengers using the airport last year increased by more than 4 per cent to over 216 thousand.

Few Leads On Choi Disappearance

Police are still searching for a Korean woman living on the West Side of Saint John who went missing back on April 22, and Police Chief Bill Reid tells Tide News that will continue despite the absence of any solid leads.

Reid says the police force is highly conscious of the fact that there is a family at home wondering where their mother and wife is, and will follow up on any information they receive.

Choi is described as being approximately five-feet, four-inches tall, with short dark hair and two piercings on both ears. She was last seen wearing black tights, a dark knit  sweater and black calf-length boots. She was also possibly carrying a black knapsack.

A $50,000 reward has been offered for information on Choi's whereabouts.