BREAKING NEWS: 9 Sex Charges Withdrawn Against City Doc

A big surprise in court this morning.

All 9 charges of sexual assault against a Saint John City doctor have been withdrawn.

At a court appearance this morning all 9 charges were withdrawn but a reason has not been given.

8 of the 9 charges against Dr. Alan Cockeram were laid back in February.

Defence lawyer Brian Munro got into a heated exchange with the judge over the reason the charges were withdrawn, which was not revealed.

Munro says his client's name has been dragged through the mud for 14 months.

Green Party Leader Calls Shale Gas Regulations "A Myth"

Provincial Green Party leader David Coon isn't buying assurances from Premier David Alward about provincial regulations being strong enough to protect the environment when it comes to shale gas testing.
 
Coon says the regulations are more like conditions that can be negotiated away.

He can't believe SWN Resources got a blanket exemption to carry out seismic testing for shale gas in provincial wetlands.

Nearly $30,000 Worth Of Pills Seized At Jail

Correctional Officers at the Atlantic Institution have nabbed a visitor trying to bring drugs into the maximum-security federal penitentiary.

The officers seized 25 g of Hydromorphone beads as well as Dilaudid, worth nearly $30,000 inside.

The visitor was arrested by the police and may face criminal charges. From April 12 to July 08, 2013 staff at the Institution have had a total of 7 drug seizures valued at over $65,000 and resulting in four visitor arrests.

The jail uses tools like ion scanners and drug dogs to search buildings, offenders and visitors.

Airport Enjoys Big Increase In Passenger Traffic

Things are going well these days at Saint John Airport which is reporting a ten per cent increase in passenger traffic for the first half of the year. That represents the highest rate of growth of any airport in the Atlantic region. 

The airport also announcing Sunwing is planning its seventh season with direct flights and vacation packages next year from Saint John to Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic starting in February.

The economic impact of the Airport on the Saint John economy is estimated at 66 million dollars as well as the creation, directly and indirectly, of 570 jobs.

Green Party Leader Says Lepreau Refurbishment Not A Good Deal For Province

Even with cost overruns of over a billion dollars, provincial Energy Minister Craig Leonard is calling the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant, a good deal for New Brunswick

The leader of the Provincial Green Party -- and Charlotte County local -- David Coon is scoffing at that, saying if Provincial Energy Minister Craig Leonard considers that a good deal, he would hate to see what a bad deal is.
 
Coon, who formerly was at the Conservation Council, points out the plant is still not up to full power and predicts there will be new problems cropping up to force it to shut down for more repairs.

Buskers On The Boardwalk Kicks Off Tomorrow

It's one of Saint John's most iconic summer events--and the kids will be especially excited to hear the 23rd edition of Buskers on the Boardwalk starts tomorrow.

The pay-what-you-can shows feature every variety of act from fire-juggling to sword-swallowers, contortionists to comedy. Stephany Peterson of the Hardman Group tells Tide News that's not all you can expect: events like zip-lining, bouncy rides, bumper boats and more making the event a magical one for families.

Performers from across the globe will be performing their unique routines from Thursday until the 21rst. For a full schedule and description of the performers click here.

Fire Ban For All Of New Brunswick

After the recent spell of hot, dry weather, the Department of Natural Resources has put a no burn order in effect for the entire province.

They're also reminding the public that all grass fires require permits, written burn plans and pre-inspection by a forest service officer.

The order stands until at least 2pm tomorrow...but there are some showers forecasted for late tonight and overnight which could help quell the dry conditions a little.

Ayla Reynolds' Father In Trouble With The Law

A year and a half after his daughter disappeared -- a man from Waterville, Maine is in the news again.

Portland Police say 26-year-old Justin DiPietro is charged with domestic violence assault after an officer watched him grab and push a woman on July 6th.

Police say the woman, who is DiPietro's ex-girlfriend, was not hurt and the two were arguing when the incident happened.

DiPietro has since been released on bail.

Back in December 2011, 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds was reported missing from her father's home.

Police confirmed Ayla's blood was found in DiPietro's basement, but no charges were ever laid in the child's disappearance and she was never found.

Humidex Advisory For St. Stephen

It's official. The dog days of summer are here, and they're scorching.

A humidex advisory is in effect for St. Stephen today, among many other places across the province, including Fredericton, Oromocto and the Kennebecasis Valley. 

The communities will see a high of 35 today, with a high UV index.

Truck Stolen From Toronto Found In NB

A stolen truck has been found a long way from home. 

A 2003 Dodge Caravan stolen in Toronto earlier this month was recovered in a gravel pit near Musquash by the community's fire department, who reported it to the St. George RCMP. 

They're asking the public for any information they have in connection with the case. You can contact them by calling 755-1130 or Crime Stoppers at crimenb.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Mounties Investigating Fatal ATV Rollover

Police in the northern part of the province investigating a fatal ATV crash on a beach east of Miramichi. 

A 36 year-old man died on the scene from his injuries after the vehicle flipped over as he was driving on L'abbature Beach. RCMP did not release his name, however they're confirming he is from Pointe-Sapin.

Home Invasion Causing Injuries

A man sustaining minor injuries after a home invasion in the uptown area of Saint John.

Sergeant Magee of the Saint John Police Force says the 43 year old man in the house was hurt in the incident, which happened in the early morning hours.

No arrests have been made, and it's currently being investigated by the city police's Major Crime Unit.

Driver of Overturned Dump Truck Hospitalized

After being treated at the scene by firefighters, the driver of an overturned dump truck was taken by ambulance to the Saint John Regional Hospital with injuries.

The vehicle veered off the road, and was empty when it rolled over, landing on the driver's side along the shoulder of Highway 1, westbound near kilometre 76. 

Both the Musquash Fire Department and Blacks Harbour Fire Department responding to the rollover and working to contain and diesel fuel leak from the truck. Firefighters spent several hours on the scene, as the dump truck was taken away by a wrecker.

It's the second rollover the Musquash Fire Department has responded to in as many days.

Minister Says No To Drive Thru

Provincial Tourism Minister Trevor Holder says it's time we bury the myth that we are a drive through province.
Holder says he only hears that from New Brunswickers and he tells CHSJ News his department has been promoting our unique features like the Bay of Fundy - our river systems - beaches - and - Acadien culture that attract new visitors and new money to the province.
The Minister says if we continue to focus on those things and show our pride in what we have then the sky is the limit in terms of reaching our potential.
And he says that potential will translate not only into new money for tourism operators but also provincial coffers that will help fund schools - hospitals - and - roads.

Is Bilingualism Forcing New Brunswickers To Alberta?

Would less people leave for Alberta -- if bilingualism wasn't an issue?

That question being raised by Joyce Wright, a concerned citizen in St. Stephen, who claims English-only people are being denied government jobs because the province is keeping a 50% bilingual workforce in keeping with the Official Languages Act.

"Our bilingual population here in Charlotte County is only 8.07%. So requiring 50% of our government employees to be bilingual is discriminating against the majority of the population saying 'because you can only speak English, you can't have this job', and it's driving more and more people out west."

Wright tells Tide News, "At the Charlotte County Hospital, it's my belief that instead of denying an English-only speaking person a job, the government should say 'we have all this technology available to us, let's set up a translation center that an English employee can link into instantly to a translator' rather than enforcing a discriminatory hiring ratio."

Wright is welcoming anyone and everyone to contact her about a hard-copy petition as well as an online petition on www.change.org .
She says, "Let's get this going so more of our people are employed and we can stop saying goodbye to our friends and family who are moving out west by the droves because they can't get a job in New Brunswick."
To contact Joyce Wright, call 1-506-466-2431 or email at djwright@nbnet.nb.ca .

Gas Prices Rise Significantly

As the price of oil continues to rise on world markets, we're feeling the effect of that in Saint John after the weekly setting of gas prices. 

Self serve regular is over 5 cents a litre more expensive this morning at $1.29.6 in the city. Diesel rising, as well, to $1.33.1. 

Heating oil is up to a maximum of $1.15.8 a litre but propane is down a bit at a maximum price of 95.7 cents.
  
The price of oil closed yesterday at its highest level in 16 months. The price has jumped 14 per cent in the past two and a half weeks because of rising demand in the U.S. and upheaval in Egypt.

Bad Luck For Wanna-Be Thief

A 30 year old man is now facing a list charges as long as your arm in connection with an incident shortly after 1am today in Saint John.

Sergeant Jay Henderson tells Tide News police spotted a man looking in windows and checking cars near McLaren Boulevard. When they ran the name of the person, they found he van was stolen.When the man realized he was caught, he tried to run and a short foot chase followed.

He's now facing 6 charges including possession of stolen property, theft of a vehicle, possession of break and enter tools, drug possession,  resisting arrest, and assaulting a police officer.

He is also being investigated for a theft earlier in the evening at Sobeys on Westmoreland Road.

Alward Thanks NB Volunteers

The Premier is thanking people in the province for stepping up to help in the wake of summer tragedies.

David Alward also thanks the Red Cross for guiding the efforts to help the victims of Alberta and Ontario flooding and those suffering following the train disaster in Quebec.

He points out the Atlantic team of volunteers also provided help to those displaced after the Wabush forest fire in Labrador and another in northern Quebec.

You can donate to the Red Cross to provide help to those impacted by Alberta flooding and the aftermath of the Lac Megantic train derailment.

To make a donation, call 1-800-418-1111.

St. Stephen Wins Bid To Host 2015 Horseshoe Championships

Horseshoe Canada is putting a ringer on Chocolate-Town.

St. Stephen winning the bid to host the Canadian Horseshoe Pitching Championships in 2015.
Local Club President Jason Rideout says Horseshoe Canada was very impressed with with the club's bid and believe St. Stephen is an excellent host town.

Rideout tells Tide News this is a great opportunity for our economy because some 200 pitchers will come here with most of their friends and family and think of it as a vacation.

He says pitcher's will only compete for about 3 hours a day and that leaves another 21 hours people will be scoping Charlotte County for things to do and things to buy. Rideout predicts the 4-5 day event will bring between 200-250 people to St. Stephen.

Rideout tells Tide News they now have two years to raise the money to cover the budget, which he estimates will be between $30-$40,000. "Through fundraising and trying to get some grants, business sponsorships, bake sales to ticket drives to fundraising within the Blub and using some of our tournaments. It's nothing we can't handle, but it was a big decision for the Club to make."

Rideout was also elected as President of Horseshoe Canada for the next two years.

Man Killed In Train Incident Identified

The Saint John Police Force are confirming that the victim of July 6th, 2013 train incident involving a 48 year old man, who was killed on the train tracks is Paul Kenneth Lorne Hayward of Saint John. 

The incident occurred at or near Marsh Creek at approximately 5:45 AM.