Queen Square Farmers Market Gets Electricity

The Queen Square Farmers Market in Saint John is getting plugged in. Organizer Jody Kliffer tells CHSJ News the market is finally getting an electrical hook-up.

Kliffer believes it's going to have a positive impact on the market. He says electricity means the market can offer a wider variety of hot food items for sale.

The market occasionally used generators in the past, but Kliffer says they're clunky, noisy and emit gas fumes. He says it wasn't in the spirit of the market.

Now, he says, vendors only need to bring an extension cord to get electricity flowing to their stand

Maritime Delegation On Mission To Save Oyster Industry

A group of Maritime delegates are visiting New England for a week to learn how they've dealt with a deadly oyster disease that could have devastating consequences for Atlantic Canada's aquaculture industry. 

MSX, or Multinucleate Sphere X, is caused by a microscopic parasite that kills oysters. The disease decimated Nova Scotia's aquaculture industry in 2001. Executive Director of Nova Scotia's aquaulture industry, Bruce Hancock, says New England has developed fast-growing oyster strains that are also MSX-resistant. Hancock says the cost of the disease in Atlantic Canada is about a million dollars a year.

The aquaculture associations of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island are leading a group of about 16 researchers, industry delegates and government officials. The group will travel to Maine, Massachuetts and Rhode to talk about technology and policy approaches against MSX.

The disease poses no threat to humans.

Residents advised to report damages from Heavy Rainfall

Persons whose properties have sustained damage as a result of the heavy rainfall on July 26, 2013 in South-western NB (Charlotte and York counties) are requested by the Department of Public Safety’s New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization to report the damage to Service New Brunswick.

They may do so by calling toll-free, 1-888-298-8555(today, from 3:30pm – 5pm, Sunday 9am – 5pm and regular hours Mon. to Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m) or online.  These reports will help officials assess the damages.

Health and safety information, and tips for flood clean-up, are available on the River Watch website.

LINKS:

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Service New Brunswick (forms): www.snb.ca/emo

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River Watch: www.gnb.ca/RiverWatch

 

One Dead In Highway Crash Between Coach Bus And Vehicle

A man is dead after a fatal crash between a car and a coach bus on the highway. 

RCMP say it happened at 5:20pm on Highway 7 near Petersville, which is located about halfway between Saint John and Fredericton. 

The driver, who was the only person in the vehicle, died at the scene. Three of the nine people on the Maritime Bus coach were treated for minor injuries. 

What caused the crash isn't yet known, however, the Mounties say heavy rain may have played a role in the collision. They don't believe speed or alcohol are factors.

A collision re-constructionist is helping with the investigation.

Vehicle Flips On Highway

One person brought to hospital after a vehicle flipped over on the highway. 

It happened at noon on Highway 1, near the Fox Farm Road exit. Division Chief Mark Wilson of the Saint John Fire Department says when fire crews arrived, the person was out of the vehicle and being checked out by EMS. 

He says the person's injuries are not life-threatening.

Basement Blaze On Millidge Avenue In Saint John

Fire crews battling a basement blaze for over two hours.

Acting Platoon Chief Roy Byers of the Saint John Fire Department says they received the call of a structure fire at 876 Millidge Avenue just before 6pm, and the first firefighters on the scene reported seeing smoke. 

Byers says they were able to keep the fire from spreading, nobody was hurt and the cause of the fire has been deemed accidental.

Stay Off Roads

Motorists asked to stay off roads

The New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization has issued the following public alert:

Due to localized flooding, motorists are asked to stay off the roads in St. Stephen and other areas that have recently received high amounts of rainfall.  

The public is reminded that the best way to access emergency services is to call 9-1-1.

All residents should continue to monitor conditions and local forecasts, as conditions could worsen.

A list of weather warnings is available from Environment Canada. A variety of self-help advice is available at the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization public alerts site.

LINKS:

●    Environment Canada http://weather.gc.ca/warnings/?prov=nb

●    New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/public_safety/emo.html

Traffic Delays For Some Islanders Starting Today

Traffic delays starting today for some islanders.

The Campobello-Lubec International Bridge at the island will be reduced to one lane and stay that way for the summer.

The Department of Transportation says there will also be at least 3 full bridge closures during low traffic times.

DOT says structural repairs will be made as well as pier reinforcement and the work will be completed by September 30th.

Extra Funding Will Make Playground Wheelchair Accessible

Many dreams coming true with a huge donation.

A whopping $41,000 being donated to the St. Andrews Community Playground Restoration.

Chair of the Fundraising committee Isabelle Micheud tells Tide News with the extra funding they can now make the playground wheelchair accessible.

She says the wood chips will be changed to a rubber surface and equipment will be installed that children with mobility issues can use.

Save-Easy Owner Joey Craswell presenting a cheque of $20,000 yesterday to Vincent Massey Principal Leslie O'Leary and the St. Andrews Community Playground Restoration Fund. He says, "This is a community project and everybody really pulled together on this. I'm just so happy that PC Children's Charity has stepped up with a donation." Craswell says that PC usually chooses only one child to help and this time they've picked an entire community.

Another $20,000 was matched by St. Andrews resident Joe Clark and the Huntsman Marine donated $1460.

Two Arrested In Quispam Break & Enter

Rothesay Regional police are looking for a 29 year old man after 3 people tried to steal items from a home under construction in Quispamsis.

A neighbour across the street alerted police around 1130 last night and officers surrounded the home arresting a man and a woman while a second man took off.

A 26 year old man has a court appearance this morning while a 49 year old woman has a future court date.

Small Savings At The Pump

A teeny tiny break at the pump for some drivers this morning.

Regular self serve is down nearly two pennies to 135.7.

The cost of diesel is up more than a cent a litre to 137.4 and home heating oil is also up to 117.4 a litre.

Propane is also more expensive at 97.8 cents a litre at the weekly setting.

Vets And Many Other Benefit From Biker Festival

Our international biker festival being very beneficial to our veterans.

Canadian Chair of the Rally In The St. Croix Valley,  Bob Hamel tells Tide News they delivered a couple cheques worth $15,500 to the Ridgewood Veteran's Wing in Saint John on Saturday. He says $500 came from the 2nd CAV mambers with the other $15,000 being raised by events such as the annual Harley Draw.




Hamel says on top of raising the money for Ridgewood, other charities benefited. He tells us the Red Knights MC made $820 from the Peter McBride Memorial Poker Run to be donated in Peter's name to a charity. The 2013 Fundy Rugby team made over $950 to fund a trip to compete in a major tournament.

 Hamel says 1951 bikers registered this year and the St. Stephen Legion reported the biggest event fund total in 10 years.
He estimates that over the course of the two and 1/2 day rally, over $250,000 was spent locally on food, fuel, housing and goods.

Apartment Building Destroyed By Fire In Milltown

Seven tenants are temporarily homeless after a fire in an older two-storey wooden building in St. Stephen on Sunday afternoon around 2:30pm.

Red Cross disaster volunteers providing help for six tenants.

One woman was checked briefly at hospital due to a pre-existing medical condition and one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters from St. Stephen, Calais, Moores Mills, and Oak Bay responding to the blaze at 57 and 59 Queensway.

A cause is not yet known.

Ben & Marcia Will Wed By The Sea

Tell them congrats next time you see them....Ben Vienneau and Marcia Belyea are the grand prize winners of Win & Wed by the Sea.

The couple found out this morning they are the winning couple who win a wedding in St. Andrew's By the Sea worth more than $20,000.

Courtney and Chris from St. Stephen don't go away unhappy winning $2500 dollars for second place.

Crimestoppers Looking For Who Damaged Lot In Elmsville

Two vehicles spinning out causing some serious damage to a parking lot in Elmsville. 

St. George RCMP and Crimestoppers looking for any information the public may have about the incident, which happened on the evening of July 20.

The first vehicle is a newer model white, four-door, Ford 150 with a chrome push bar, side-steps and dark tonneau cover. The second vehicle is a white, two-door, Chevrolet Cobalt with a spoiler. 

You can contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

BREAKING NEWS : It's A Boy For Will And Kate

Duchess Catherine has given birth to a son weighing 8lbs 6 oz. The birth occurred at 4:24pm.

The baby will be third in line for the British throne after Prince Charles and William.
 

BREAKING NEWS: Severe Weather Watch Issued

Environment Canada issuing Severe Thunderstorm Watches across the province. 

The watches have been issued for Saint John and County, the Kennebecasis Valley, Sussex, Kings County, St. Stephen, Charlotte County, Grand Manan, and more.

The weather service says the storms are likely this afternoon or evening with the potential for strong winds heavy downpours and possibly hail.

Click here for the latest weather information.

Artists Create Works To Benefit John Peters Humphrey Foundation

Over 30 artists are in Hampton this weekend creating tiny works of art — they're taking part in Bloomin' Artists, a biennial fundraiser for the town's John Peters Humphrey Foundation.

Participating artist Alison Murphy tells us there are six gardens open for the artists to take inspiration from. They'll create their works of art in the garden, and the public is welcome to watch them work. The art itself will be small enough to fit inside a 12-inch pizza box.

The viewing of the finished art takes place at the Lighthouse River Centre at 1075 Main Street starting on both Saturday and Sunday at 11:30am with auctions at 2pm and 4:30pm.

This year, the John Peters Humphrey Foundation contributed funds towards a Hemmings House film about Humphrey called The Boy Who Was Bullied, a documentary about the human rights advocate. The film premiered on CBC Atlantic earlier this month.

Police Make Arrest In Hotel, Gas Station Robberies

A man arrested in connection with two robberies taking place within the span of half an hour. 

Saint John Police say at 5:30am this morning, a man went into the Hilton demanding cash. Then, just before 6am, the man entered the Garden Street Irving, demanding cash and left with an undisclosed amount of money. 

He was nabbed after a vehicle chase, which turned into a foot chase, ending on Prince Edward Street. The man is in court today, and is charged with two counts of robbery.

Province's Black Bear Population Increasing

The number of black bears in the province is growing, and one scientist says the upswing is directly related to the economic downtown across the border.

Kevin Craig, a wildlife biologist for the Department of Natural Resources says because of the financial conditions in the United States, fewer Americans are taking trips to the province to hunt the bears. Craig says the decrease in visiting hunters and more habitat has led to their numbers ballooning to 17,000 in the last few years.

There's been an increase in bear sightings in residential areas, however, Craig says people can reduce the number of encounters with bears by not leaving out garbage and bird feeders at night. To re-locate them, the Department of Natural Resources has set many live-traps in a variety of areas.