Harley Draw: SOLD OUT!

If you wanted a Harley ticket; You snooze, You lose.

That coming from Canadian Chair of the Rally in the St. Croix Valley Bob Hamel on word they are sold out for this year's Harley Draw.

The last of 800 tickets were sold today -- 4 days before the Harley Draw, which takes place this Saturday at the St. Stephen Legion.

Proceeds from the Rally event will go to the Ridgewood Veteran's Wing.
The Rally in the St. Croix Valley runs from Friday through Sunday. 

Provincial Cabinet Minister Explains Why Your Taxes Went Up On Canada Day

Provincial Health Minister Ted Flemming is refuting criticism of provincial income taxes going up as of Canada Day, saying the government's hand was forced because of an irresponsible tax cut implemented by the Liberals under then Premier Shawn Graham in a shameless bid to stay in power. 

Flemming charges the Liberals said they would raise the H-S-T and bring back tolls when they lowered taxes but didn't carry through and, as a result, the deficit ballooned to a billion dollars. 

Flemming goes on to explain, the tax levels now are what they were back in 2006 under then Premier Bernard Lord, and as such, doesn't really view it as a tax hike.

Final Arguments For Saia Twins Trial

The Saia twins trial in a deadly home invasion on the lower West side is wrapping up, with the jury hearing closing arguments in the case. 

The defense saying the case boils down to the three witnesses who testified: Melissa Perry, Christopher Reid and Amber Wilson, as well as the DNA evidence. The defense challenged Perry's credibility, saying she has a record of lying to police and the jury should be careful in believing anything she says. 

They also say it's clear DNA evidence is inconclusive, and you can't place guilt on the brothers based on that evidence.

The prosecution comparing the eyewitness accounts to chapters in a book, saying, when you look at all of the evidence, including testimony from Perry, Reid and Wilson, the story comes together. 

She says it's clear they intended to and did use violence to take Reid's belongings from his home on Prince Street West on Nov. 3, 2012.

NCC's Moose Sex Project Gets Land Donation From Former Diplomat

The group behind a conservation project that aims to spark cross-border romance between moose has acquired hundreds of acres of land in a wilderness corridor.
 
That's largely comprised of recent land donation from former diplomat Derek Burney and Joan Burney, who donated 781 acres to the conservancy's efforts.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada now has 845 acres in an area that bridges this province, which has a healthy population of moose, with Nova Scotia, where moose are endangered with a population of only 1000 individual moose in the province.

It's called the Moose Sex Project and Andrew Holland of the organization tells CHSJ News by protecting this corridor they hope the animals can move freely between the two provinces. He says if mating between the two provinces is a success, it'll diversify the gene pool for moose in Nova Scotia.

Holland tells us the corridor is not along the Trans-Canada Highway.

Firefighters Rescue Passenger In Car Rollover

Photo courtesy of Musquash Fire Dept.

Fire crews extricating a passenger from a car that rolled over on Highway 1. Musquash firefighters used hydraulic rescue tools to get the person out of the vehicle, which went off of the road on Saturday afternoon. 

One person was already out of the car when firefighters arrived, both people were brought to the hospital by ambulance with what appears to be non-life threatening injuries.

East Side House Fire

A blaze breaking out in a single family home on the east side of Saint John. 

The fire department's division chief Mark Wilson says they got the call early in the morning and when they showed up to 1845 Golden Grove Road, they were met with heavy fire and smoke coming from the house.

He says they started an aggressive attack on the inside, and with the help of the Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department, it took crews two and a half hours to get the fire under control.

Wilson says the fire is being investigated by the city police's Major Crime Unit and the fire department's Fire Prevention and Investigation Division.

Red Cross Sends Atlantic Volunteer Group to Alberta

A volunteer team from the East Coast is out West. 

24 Red Cross volunteers are in flood-ravaged Alberta, helping with the flood relief effort on the ground. The 22 disaster volunteers and two staff who have traveled to the province will help run emergency shelters in the Calgary area and other evacuated areas. 

Meanwhile, a much larger group continues to help flood victims from offices located in Darmouth and Sydney, Nova Scotia, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, and here in Saint John. The support will continue through the Canada Day long weekend and likely all of the following week.

The volunteers from New Brunswick now in Alberta are: Catherine Vautour from Bronson Settlement, Gail Brownlee from Moncton, Glen Martin from Lower Kingsclear, Jeanette Miller from Oromocto, Julie Basterache from Jardineville, Lindsay Mitton from Moncton, and Renée Cormier from Shediac.

Police Look For Suspect In Fiery Causeway Crash

Saint John police are looking for a suspect who fled the scene of a fiery car crash on the causeway which sent a woman to hospital.

At 5pm yesterday, a car speeding on the eastern part of the causeway veered out into oncoming traffic, then swerved back, hitting another car. Both vehicles were pushed into the guardrail and the suspect's car burst into flames. 

Police say the suspect then fled the scene on foot, and the woman in the other vehicle was brought to hospital with injuries.

Mounties Reminding Motorists To Drive Safely This Holiday Weekend

Long weekends are made for kicking back and relaxing, except when you hit the roadway. The RCMP say on holiday weekends, there's a lot of traffic on the roadways, so they're reminding drivers to obey the rules of the road. 

The minimum you'll have to shell out for a violation under the provincial Motor Vehicle Act is $172.50, and you can lose demerit points. Constable Derek Black of the Oromocto RCMP says depending on the type of infraction, fines can increase. Fines for speeding can go up to nearly $292.50 when a car is going more than 25 kilometres an hour above the speed limit, and fines double when speeding in a construction zone. 

Here's a list of the most common infractions seen by the Oromocto RCMP:

-Failing to have a front license plate displayed on a vehicle
-Not being able to produce upon request from a police officer an insurance card, drivers license, vehicle registration
-Having a vehicle with tinted windows that prevent more than 30% of light to enter the vehicle
-Passing on a solid line
-Failing to wear a seatbelt, both the driver and any passenger over the age of 16 can receive a ticket. It’s also the responsibility of drivers' to ensure that children are buckled up.

Liberals Say Tax Hikes Are Broken Promises

Broken promises and desperate decisions...that's what the Liberals are saying about tax increases kicking in on Canada Day.
 
It was announced back in March in the provincial budget.
Tide News asked Liberal finance critic Roger Melanson if given the current fiscal situation the province really had any choice.

He says on the third budget of their mandate they made a desperate decision to increase income tax and we need to understand the impact it may have on consumer confidence and disposable income.

Melanson says corporations will pay more in taxes as well, but he says it's obvious the working person will carry the greatest tax burden.

Your Wallet Is About To Get A Lot Thinner

Tax increases go into effect as of Canada Day in the province because of the provincial budget. 

If you earn 30 thousand dollars a year, you will pay about $179 dollars more in provincial income tax and a single income earner making over 60 thousand will pay 796 dollars more. 

The Atlantic Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation Kevin Lacey tells Tide News this is a problem of the government's own making because of overspending.

The Taxpayers Federation would like to see a commitment from the Premier that once the provincial budget is balanced, these tax increases will be rolled back.

Tourism Minister Optimistic About Summer Season

The Canada Day weekend officially kicks off the summer vacation period - and - Provincial Tourism Minister Trevor Holder is excited about this year's potential.

Holder tells Tide News his department has been refocusing its promotions on key markets like the Big Apple where we showcased a video in Times Square.

He says there has been a lot of investment in refreshing our Fundy experience branding through improvements like the second cruise terminal and expansion of the Fundy Trail.

The Minister says his department is also more savvy in how it's targeting its promotions through the use of postal and zip codes - and - as result - Holder says he's feeling good about this year's summer tourism season.

Trial Of Twin Brothers Into Home Stretch

The trial of the Saia twin brothers on charges stemming from a fatal home invasion last November on the lower west side is winding down.

The prosecution wrapped up its case with police testimony about the arrest of 21 year old Brandon Saia after a foot chase at Duke and Watson Streets. The arrest happened three days after the home invasion on Prince Street West. Bradley Saia was not arrested until sometime later in Halifax.

The defense did not call any witnesses.

Closing arguments to the jury, comprised of 7 women and 5 men, will take place Tuesday morning. Jury deliberations will not take place until Wednesday after Justice Judy Clendenning delivers her instructions.

Have Your Own Personal Touch At The Playground

As you walk through the St. Andrews Community Playground, you can still find 20-year-old names and handprints cemented in the wall leading to the swingsets.

Now, Chair of the Playground Restoration Fundraising Committee, Isabelle Micheud tells Tide News they are doing it all over again.

Micheud says they are selling hand tiles you can personalize, and they will be placed in the playground during restoration in September.

She says a booth will be set up on Water Street in St. Andrews during Canada Day for the hand tiles, which are $25 each.
Micheud says they need to raise $120,000 for the restoration project by the end of July.

Grace Foundation Approached By Trudeau

It's not entirely clear whether the Grace Foundation wants its 20 thousand dollars back from Federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau for a failed fundraiser over a year ago at the Imperial Theatre. 

That, according to a spokesperson for Trudeau who says he asked the Foundation last week to specify if it wants its money back in cash or ``some other arrangement,'' like having him headline another fundraising event for free but the foundation has yet to respond. 

No other group has sought repayment except for the Grace Foundation which released a statement claiming it was distressed over the issue becoming "a political football" and aimed some pointed criticism at Fundy Royal Conservative M-P Rob Moore for fuelling the controversy.  

Two Of Four Men Identified In Child Sex Probe

We now know where the four provincial men facing charges in the Operation Snapsnot probe are from.

On June 13th, police seized computers, cd's, dvd's and more from a Lincoln home and a 42 year old man was arrested and later released.

The next day in another search where similar material was seized 52 year old Fred Price of Frederiction was arrested.

On the 21st, a search in Lorne netted more of the same resulting in charges for a 36 year old man and on June 24th another search was conducted in Miramichi where computers and more were seized leading to charges for 48-year-old Donald Martin.

All four men have future court dates.

The investigation being led by RCMP's Internet Child Exploitation Unit with help from other units and other police forces.

Former Chicken Noodle Club Volunteer Speaks Out On Snook

There's stigma attached to the name Chicken Noodle Club ever since the arrest of former Saint John Common Councillor and pedophile Donnie Snook and his guilty pleas on more than 40 charges of child exploitation. 

Snook became the face and voice for the Chicken Noodle Club. Judith Meinert-Thomas, who was a volunteer for 4 or 5 years, says a makeover is needed to ensure its survival but she's confident it will withstand the current difficulties.

Meinert-Thomas says besides a new moniker, a new person will have to be hired who will be spotless.

She points out the lunch program feeds 18 thousand young people a year in the south end and that's nothing to sneeze at.

Weston Calls For Change To Release Of High Risk Sex Offenders

Saint John MP Rodney Weston says he is personally troubled with the number of high risk offenders being released into the community.
 
He says many people are expressing concerns to him over safety and protecting families.
 
After speaking with local police and the federal office of Public Safety, Weston says its clear changes need to be made with how known sex offenders are released, what information should be made available to the public and the locations where they are to be released.

Weston says he'll be working with the Minister of Public Safety and the province to examine the current provisions in place. 

He's calling for stronger rules to ensure more public disclosure of information surrounding the release of high risk sex offenders and the application of conditions to their release which protect the public interest.

Severe Weather Warning For St. Stephen

Charlotte County might be in for a real big storm tonight.

Environment Canada issuing a weather bulletin that states conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.

The Network says the storms could bring heavy downpours, damaging winds, and large hail stones.

St. Stephen and Northern Charlotte County as well as areas around Fredericton are included.

Rally In The St. Croix Valley Gets Nod Of Approval

Our International Motorcycle Festival getting the official nod from St. Stephen Town Council.

Canadian Chair of the Rally in the St. Croix Valley, Bob Hamel tells Tide News he is greatful for the support -- even if it's not financial. "I hope to come back next year and convince them that funding would be an appropriate thing for us."

This year the Town decided not to contribute financially to the Rally as well as a number of other organizations as a way to save money in the community deficit.



The festival will have events for all ages, including the Parade of Lights, themed rides, and outdoor concerts.

The Rally in the St. Croix Valley will run next weekend, from July 5th through to the 7th.