People's Alliance Holding Public Meeting Tonight On Bilingualism Discrimination

The People's Alliance Party of New Brunswick is partnering with a St. Stephen woman in sounding the alarm on the Official Languages Act.

Joyce Wright says she is concerned how the Act is affecting Charlotte County in striving to provide a 50% bilingual workforce in every provincial place of employment.

Wright says this doesn't make sense for Charlotte County where almost 92% of the population is English only.
Wright says everyone deserves the right to be served in the language of their choice -- but there are other ways of accomplishing it -- like using technology, instead of denying jobs to English-only people.

The People's Alliance Party will be hosting a public meeting tonight at Wright's home in Heathland.
The address is 14 Family Lane in Heathland, just past the Hall Road and the Ambulance NB Bay.

The meeting gets underway at 7pm.

Local Mother Responds To Ontario Autism Letter

International media attention for an Ontario mom who recieved an anonymous letter from a neighbour, telling her it would be better to euthanize her child with autism because he bothers others in the neighborhood. 

Amanda Hensey has four kids ages one to 10. Her 10 year old and her 3 year old have autism. 

She tells Tide News judgment from strangers pours salt in the wound. Hensey urges people to try and give parents the benefit of the doubt when their kids are having a meltdown, or even help by holding a door or offering to help bring grocery bags out to the car. 

She says in a way she's glad the letter has gotten so much attention because it draws attention to prejudices that still exist against families of kids with autism and other disorders.

Ask Pipeline Questions Today At NBCC In Saint John

Trans Canada is hosting a public information session on the Energy East pipeline today at the NBCC campus on Grandview Avenue in Saint John.

The kiosk-style event will give citizens a chance to ask questions and voice their concerns about the pipeline from 4-8pm in the gym.

The next meetings are September 10 at the St. Alphonsus Parish Hall in Hampton then the next day at the Legion in Chipman.

Newcomer Kissel Is Also A Vet

He got a Canadian Country Music Association nomination when he was just 13 years old and now he's back with a grown up album.
Brett Kissel is a singer songwriter from Flat Lake, Alberta who was nominated for a Rising star award back when the awards were held in Saint John in 2006.

Kissel tells Tide News he loves working in country music because you can write an upbeat party song or something stripped down that's about love or loss.

You can hear Kissel's debut single "Started With A Song" on 98.1 The Tide.
His debut album comes out after the CCMA's in September. 

It's The First Day Of A New Summer City Festival

It's the first day of Saint John's newest summer theater festival.

The Fundy Fringe Festival features 125 shows over five days by 25 acts including dance, music, improv, performance art and stand-up comedy. It kicks off officially at 11:30 this morning at the Sanctuary Theater, and live shows will be held at various uptown venues until the 10:15 tonight.

Most acts cost $10 or less and last less than an hour. For a full description of all the acts, click here and a schedule click here.

New Mill Rat Hopes To Crack An NBA Roster

An Ontario basketball player will be bringing his talents to the Mill Rats this fall.
 
Mike Luby was drafted by the Mill Rats in the National Basketball league of Canada Draft.

Luby says it's been a long road to get this far adding between injuries and other disappointments he thought his career was over but he stuck with it and feels like he can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The 6'11'' Luby says the NBL will give him a good chance to crack an NBA roster.

Local Tim Hortons Installing Second Speaker For Quicker Service

You've always got time for Tim Hortons -- now you'll have more time!

St. Stephen Owner Carl Dow tells Tide News construction at the King Street location is to install a second speaker in the drive-thru.

He says the new speaker will stand where the dumpsters used to be, and a second lane will be created that will merge with the original lane ahead of the take-out window.
He says some people take a long time to order, so this way, others will be able to go ahead of them, and essentially, you will get faster service.

Dow adds the two speakers will be a learning curve for the store, and asks for patience from customers until workers can master the new system.

Dow says construction should be completed before this weekend.

Canada Bread Issues Bread Recall

Before you make that sandwich for work, check the brand of bread you are using.

Canada Bread issuing a voluntary recall for some bread sold in the Maritimes.

It impacts Ben’s Xtra Soft enriched white and whole wheat bread and Super Club white and whole wheat bread with a best before date of August 29th.

It was produced at the Canada Bread facility in Moncton.

There is a possibility the bread may contain fragments of glass from a light bulb that shattered during production.

You can return the bread to the store where it was purchased to receive a full refund.

HotSpot Parking Coming To Saint John

As of late September, you will be able to feed the meter from your cell phone on a trial basis.

Phillip Curley, 21, is an engineer and the developer behind the Hot Spot parking app that's coming out next month. He tells Tide News it's a simple process that allows you to dodge tickets with a touch of your Smartphone: you just text in the number on the meter to subtract from an online balance you pay with your credit card.

The app is already getting rave reviews in Fredericton with over 400 people signing up in just 6 days. Curley says there's another perk: local businesses will also have the option to pay for customer parking at their discretion.

Snook Appears In Newfoundland Court

Former Saint John Common Councillor Donnie Snook appeared in court in Newfoundland this morning on 4 charges related to abusing a boy under the age of 14. 

The charges date back to December of 1995, around the time Snook spent a year as the senior pastor of the former Salvation Army Citadel in Mount Moriah when he was in his early twenties.

A source at the provincial court in Cornerbrook tells Tide News the case has been set over to October 29, when Snook is expected to enter a plea.

He has already pleaded guilty to 46 charges in New Brunswick, and is scheduled to appear in court on August 29th for what defense lawyer Dennis Boyle has predicted will be a lengthy sentencing hearing.

Local Gay Leader Weighs In On Sochi Olympic Boycott

With Russian laws threatening to prosecute anyone spreading gay "propaganda" to minors, many athletes and would-be spectators are fearing they could be prosecuted for simply posting about their relationships on Facebook or wearing a rainbow flag. 

Tide News recently attended Pride Week in Saint John and asked gay rights leader Brian Boyd his opinion, to which Boyd stated it's up to individuals to decide what their stance will be, but personally he will not be supporting any part of of the Winter Olympics.

The Winter Olympics are set to take place from February 7-23 in Sochi, Russia. Athletes attending the games would be prohibited by the Olympic Committee from protesting the anti-gay laws.

Pipeline Info Sessions Begin In Edmundston

We may get a little more information on plans for the Energy East Pipeline as information sessions begin in the province tonight.

Trans Canada is hosting 7 public meeting beginning tonight in Edmundston continuing until next month when they end in Stanley.

Saint John's turn in Thursday between 4 and 8pm at the New Brunswick Community college on Grandview Avenue.

Phillip Canon of Trans Canada tells Tide News the info sessions are a kiosk format where people can come and go as they please.

He says if people have questions on land, safety or the environment they can go to that specific Trans Canada specialist and ask their questions.

Hampton gets a session of its own on September 10th at the St. Alphonsus parish hall.

Deer Draw Results Out Today

You can find out the results of the antlerless deer draw today.

3,450 hunters had their names selected in the random draw for antlerless deer validation stickers. If your name was drawn, you can find out either on the department website or by mail and your sticker will arrive by September.

Hunters with a sticker can harvest either bucks or does in the zone designated on their tag,  or an antlered deer in any area of the province open for hunting. Each hunter can only bag one deer.

For a link to more information, click here

Chris Brown Bows Out Of Canadian Gigs

Drop Entertainment Group announcing all of Chris Brown's Canadian concert dates are cancelled including one in Saint John set for next month.

In a release, the company's owner Stephen Tobin says in light of Brown's recent personal and health-related issues all four shows have been cancelled.

Refunds will be available at the venue where tickets were purchased started Thursday.

Another Ex-Bacchus Member Granted Bail

Another of the six arrested after police carried out simultaneous raids last week has been granted bail. 

Former Saint John Bacchus Motorcycle club member, 39 year-old Ryan Wallace, is facing drug charges including possession and trafficking along with having two unlicensed rifles. 

The other four people arrested include the local president of the biker club, 44 year-old Brian Schofield of Public Landing, who plead guilty to possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was released on house arrest and will is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on September 5 and to plead on other charges.

Former Bacchus Member Released On Bail

A local man who used to be a striker for the Saint John Bacchus Motorcycle Club has been released on bail. 

39 year-old Blaine Beddow of Saint John is facing several drug charges, among them, production and trafficking.

Beddow was one of six people arrested last week as police carried out simulteanous raids in Kingston, Public Landing and Saint John, seizing drugs, weapons and ammunition. The raid followed a six-month long investigation involving four local police agencies called Operation J Turmoil. 

Bail conditions for Beddow include having to stay in the province, having to give over his passport and not having any contact with certain people, including the members of the biker club. Beddow makes his next court appearance on September 5.

Plane Crash In South-Central N.S. Kills Pilot

The pilot of an ultralight plane has been killed in a fiery crash in south-central Nova Scotia. 

The Mounties say the lightweight aircraft burst into flame after it hit the ground near Old Barss Corner Road by New Germany around 10 o'clock this morning. The 65 year-old man from Barss Corner was flying alone when the plane went down.

RCMP, firefighters and emergency health crews are on the scene. Police say the Transportation Safety Board has been advised but they won't be sending anyone to the crash site.

Crews Respond To East Side Blaze

Fire crews going a mile into the forest to fight a pick-up truck blaze. 

They got a call around 10:30 this morning from a resident saying something shook their house. Because the fire was so far in the woods at the end of Baxter road, they weren't able to get the fire engine in—so they brought in ATVs with a portable pump to put out the fire. 

Division Chief Eric Garland says the explosion heard could have possibly been from the vehicle's gas tank. There was nobody with the truck when firefighters arrived, and they haven't yet determined if the blaze is suspicious.

Break And Enter In The North End Of Saint John

A home in the North End being broken into while the owner was away. 

It happened in the Fort Howe area and some items from the residence were stolen. City Police believe it was a random act, and they're still looking for whoever is responsible. 

Sergeant Caswell reminding people to make sure their home is secure—and if you see anything strange going on near your neighbour's house, don't hesitate to report it.

KV Police Bring Back Bike Helmet Ticket Program

Not wearing a bike helmet in the valley can get you a fine, but police are letting first-time offenders pay it off with their time instead of their money.

Rothesay Regional Police have brought back their Bike Helmet Ticket Program—if you've been ticketed, you have the option of taking a one-hour information class on the safety and benefits of wearing a helmet instead of paying the $54.50 fine. The fee is waived once you finish the session. 

Cyclists who don't wear a helmet will be fined, as well as parents who let their child bike without wearing one. The program ends on October 19 and the class is the following week at Rothesay High School.