Overhaul Of Lorneville Cemetaries Now Finished

It's a restoration project that's been 12 years in the making, but the Lorneville and Seaview Cemeteries' facelift is finally finished. 

When it started in 2001, the cemeteries were overgrown, stones were tipping and the overall condition was deteriorating rapidly. 

President Philip McCavour says they started the project in 2001 by clearing all the brush and brambles from around the perimeter and built some roads throughout the cemetery to make it more accessible. He tells CHSJ News some seniors hadn't been able to visit their family plots for several years. 

They fixed approximately 150 of the gravestones, filled in the sunken graves, planted new grass and sod, planted 120 trees around the perimeter, installed a water system and built a visitors centre, among other things.

The cemeteries date back almost 200 years. With the improvements, McCavour says they're now a much more fitting tribute to those who have passed away.

Today is Cemetery Day, which marks the official opening of the cemeteries. The grounds will be open until 5pm today for touring.

32 Positions Eliminated At Hospitals Across NB

32 nurses across the province losing their jobs.

On Friday, Horizon Health Network gave layoff notices to the full-time and part-time registered nurses working in the Charlotte County Hospital, Sussex Hospital, Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, Oromocto Public Hospital, Upper River Valley Hospital, and the Moncton City Hospital.

The health authority says the layoffs are because of changes to their standardized models of care and staff skill mix on their 22 family medicine units.

President of the New Brunswick Nurses Union, Marilyn Quinn says, their goal is to ensure Horizon finds work for all those affected.

Biker Group Donating Toys, Cash To Sick Children

They're bikers with big hearts...the Saint John Harley Owner's Group is donating toys and cash to sick kids as part of the Annual Lana Sherwood Memorial Toy Run. 

The donations go to support the medical needs of children facing illness and hospitalization at the Saint John Regional Hospital. This year marks a 20-year partnership between the biker group and the hospital's pediatric program.

The presentation is happening at the hospital cafeteria at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

Two Hurt In North End Collisions

Two people taken to hospital after two separate car crashes in the North end.

Acting Platoon Chief Brian Wilson of the Saint John fire department says one person was brought to hospital after a motorcycle and a car collided on the corner of Adelaide and Metcalfe, while the other was taken to hospital after a collision on McLaren Boulevard. 

Both people have minor injuries.

Woman Arrested In Seven Year Old Robbery Case

Saint John police making an arrest in a seven year old robbery case. 

They say they've arrested a woman in connection with the 2006 robbery of the Garden Street Irving. They've also nabbed a man for a robbery that took place in East Saint John last Tuesday. 

Both are scheduled to appear in court today.

Man Arrested In Convenience Store Robbery

 Saint John police making an arrest in the armed robbery of a convenience store in the South end. 

On Friday morning, a man came into Shawn's Variety on Broad Street with a weapon and made off with some cash. 

He's scheduled to appear in court today.

Why Weren't Charges Laid Against Donnie Snook Earlier?

With the revelation in court that complaints had been filed by minors against Donnie Snook as far back as 2007---but no charges were ever laid--many in the community have been asking "what happened"? 

Police Chief Bill Reid tells TideJ News the force did complete the investigation but the Crown determined there wasn't enough evidence to lay charges.
 
Reid says it's very easy to when one doesn't have all the facts to assume investigators were somehow neglecting their responsibilities--but at the end of the day Saint John Police did their diligence looking into the matter.

Man Who Threw Money At Tim Hortons Clerk Found Guilty For Assault

Throwing money at a clerk could result in jail time for a 48 year old man. 

This happened at the Tim Horton's on Millennium Drive in Quispamsis when 48 year old Roy Edward Gilmore from Pennfield got angry because he didn't have enough change on him for a medium double-double. 

The 22 year old clerk was struck in the face and shoulder with the coins.
 
Gilmore has been found guilty of assault and the prosecution is calling for jail time because he was on probation at the time. Gilmore is back in court on October 15th for sentencing. 

Rothesay Regional Police were able to make the I-D after posting video of the incident on their Facebook page.

Bacchus Club President In Court

The President of the Saint John chapter of the Bacchus Motorcycle Club making a brief court appearance. 

Sentencing for 44 year old Brian Schofield of Public Landing on charges of possession of meth and marijuana for the purpose of trafficking has been adjourned to November 5th. 

Two former Bacchus members were also in court. 39 year old Ryan Wallace will also be sentenced on November 5th. 39 year old Blaine Beddow will reappear September 26th after he gets himself a lawyer. 

The three were among six people arrested last month after a 6 month police investigation. 

Simultaneous raids were carried out at Nature's Way in Saint John, Shamper's Bluff Road in Kingston and Route 102 Public Landing where meth, pot, prescription pills, guns, bullets, brass knuckles and 4 thousand dollars cash were seized.

MLA Wants Minister Of Transportation To Come Clean To Islanders

The Liberal MLA for Charlotte-The Isles calls it another broken promise by the Alward government.
 
Rick Doucet tells Tide News the people of Deer Island were promised a 24-car ferry and he has heard many rumours they will continue with an 18-car vessel.

He says the intent was to provide a 24-car ferry like the Deer Island Princess so they would have two new ferries which he says would make a big difference for the Islanders.

Doucet maintains the people and the ferry were consulted and they wanted a 24-car ferry, adding there isn't a lot of difference in price going from the 24 to 18 car ferry.

Doucet is calling on the Minister of Transportation to lay everything on the table for the public and be clear with the government's plans for Deer Island.

Will We Get More Information From Oland Warrants?

This morning, another hearing took place in Saint John provincial court on whether to make public more information in the Richard Oland search warrants.

Media Lawyer David Coles tells Tide News it seems to him that the blacked-out portions of the search warrants are somewhat arbitrary. Further, he says, considering that police suspect only Denis Oland in the case, the nature of their investigation in relatively self-evident.

Various media outlets have continued to petition for the release of more information.

Further arguments will be made tomorrow, and a decision from Judge R. Leslie Jackson is expected in the first week of October.

Refuge Open At Night For Hunters' Permits

Local hunters looking to get their permit over the river can do so tonight.

The Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge in Baring, Maine opening their doors tonight and tomorrow from 6-8pm Eastern for those who want a refuge hunting permit.

Officials tell Tide News they are looking to reach out to those who can't make it during daytime hours.

Hunting is allowed on almost 300 of the 545 National Wildlife Refuges across the United States.

The refuge office is located at 103 Headquarters Road in Baring, you can also call the refuge office at 1-207-454-7161.

Cancer Retreat For Healthier Women In St. Stephen This Weekend

Minutes count, and Moments matter.

That is the theme behind a breast cancer retreat going on this Saturday at the Ganong Nature Park, located at Todd's Point, outside St. Stephen.

Co-chair of Breast Friends Charlotte County Support Group Shirley Johnston tells Tide News the event will have no talk of cancer, but instead will focus on learning how to live well in mind, body and spirit. She says  the purpose of the retreat is to get women in a healthier place.

Johnston says there is no way to stop bad thoughts if you are living with cancer, but you can learn not to dwell on them.

Johnston says there will be local speakers and presentations on nutrition and yoga.

She adds, the day is open to any women currently with -- or who have endured -- any type of cancer, not just breast cancer.

The retreat will be held Saturday, September 7th, from 9am-4pm. Registration starts at 8:30am. Cost is just $10 per person.
For details, contact Shirley Johnston at 466-2818.

Quispamsis Examining Viability of Electric Cars

You could soon be plugging in instead of gassing up in Quispamsis.

The town is looking into the possibility of taking part in NB Power's electric car program. Mayor Murray Driscoll tells Tide News they've been using hybrid vehicles for the last three years, so going electric would just be the next logical step.

As one of the first municipalities in the province to engage with NB Power on their electric car program, Driscoll says they're taking the lead. NB Power is also in talks with other towns and cities including Rothesay, Fredericton and Bathurst.

The town will be doing an analysis to see what it would take to participate. 

St. Stephen taking a gas-less approach with the installation of a car charger for electric cars, placed on the fence near the Visitor's Information Centre.

Police Release Names Of Couple Found Dead

The names of a husband and wife found dead outside a home in Kedgwick being released.

Police were called to a home on route 260 where they discovered the bodies of 64-year old Raoul Leclair and 65-year old Nicole Leclair. They're both from Kedgwick.

Autopsies have been conducted and at this point in the investigation, police say the deaths are considered sudden and they don't think anyone else was involved.

Mill Rats Sign Curtis Again

Pending clearance from the International Basketball Federation, the NBL #1 overall draft pick says he'll come back to Saint John.

The Mill Rats say 6 foot 10 centre Robert Curtis has agreed to return to the Port City.

He was selected first overall by Windsor and his rights were traded to the Mill Rats for the rights to two other players.

Curtis played two games with the Mill Rats last season before going to play with Thailand.

It's Back To School Tomorrow

All grades 1 to 5 students will begin classes on September 3rd in the Anglophone South School District.
 
For all middle and high school students, there will be a “transition day” with only grades 6 and 9 attending on September 3rd. 

Some exceptions to this are schools with Kindergarten to grade 8, grades 6 to 12 and with kindergarten to grade 12 which will have no transition days. The transition day is intended for students who will be starting middle or high school in a different building.
 
For high schools in Saint John, only the grade 9 students will attend on September 3rd, grades 10-12 students attend on September 4th and all grades 9-12 students attend on September 5th.

Former Little Sister Praises Youth Mentoring

Mentoring programs like P.A.L.S. here in the city can help young people who are struggling with issues. Just ask Gillianne Beaulieu, who was involved in Big Brothers, Big Sisters when she was younger.

Beaulieu tells Tide News by having a mentor, she felt like there was always someone watching out for her, and she was able to talk to her mentor about problems she didn't feel comfortable bringing to her family. 

She says the program gave her a friend who wasn't judging her or putting any social or academic pressure on her. Beaulieu just received the CIBC Youthvision scholarship, and credits her Big Sister for helping her achieve good grades in high school.

She says she highly recommends the program.

CUPE Calls On Feds To Resolve Retirement Security Issue

The National President of CUPE taking this Labour Day to send a message to the Harper Government that they want to see the retirement security issue resolved.

Paul Moist calls the issue one of the most pressing policy issues of our time. He says a gradual and modest expansion of the Canada Pension Plan is the best way to ensure retirement security for all Canadians.

Moist says without adequate retirement incomes, we'll pay with a reduced living standards and an increase in seniors' poverty.

Rain Causes Electrical Issues, Displaces Seven

Two families displaced after stormy weather caused electrical problems in their apartment complex.

The rainwater leaked into two apartments at 460 Ellerdale Street, on the East side of Saint John, causing the issue. 

An electrician being called in to make repairs, and the Red Cross is giving the seven people a place to stay in the meantime.