Media Cars, Equipment Seized At Shale Gas Protest

The Premier and the Chief of the Elsipogtog First Nation may have agreed to a cooling off period, but things appear to still be heated at the scene of the shale gas protest near Rexton where journalists have reportedly had their vehicles and equipment seized. 

The provincial Assembly of First Nations' Chiefs issuing a statement condemning these acts of intimidation against the media. They endorse Arren Sock's call for peace, and agree that a cooling off period is needed.They say this means an end to violent protests, an end to the blockades, and an end to violence by all parties in all its forms.

The RCMP are advising drivers that traffic is slow on Highway 134 near the demonstrations and encourage you to find a different route.

Industry Leaders Embarking On Cross-Border Tour

Partners from the tourism industry will be taking in the sights around here and across the border in an effort to better promote the so-called Two Nation Vacation. 

Provincial Tourism Minister Trevor Holder says marketing New Brunswick and Maine together is something they have been doing for about a decade, but have been ramping it up in recent years.

Holder says the centerpiece of the marketing strategy is the fact that four-term US President Franklin Roosevelt vacationed with his family for several generations on Campobello Island.

They leave the Fundy Trail Parkway Interpretive Centre in St. Martins tomorrow at 6:30 in the evening. For more information about the Two Nation Vacation, click here.

Women's Clothing Boutique On Wheels Opens

A new women's boutique rolling into Saint John.

In Pursuit is a mobile clothing store that's run out of a hot pink truck owned by Dominique Leger, who says she fell in love with the concept when she saw one in Boston two years ago and started researching how to start up a fashion truck of her very own.

Leger tells Tide News she has a permit allowing her to park at any metered parking spot in the city, and once the time on the meter runs out, she just moves to another location.

The boutique is having a soft launch today at the Harvesting the Arts festival in King Square. For more information about In Pursuit, visit the boutique's Facebook page.

National Foster Family Week Beginning Tomorrow

This upcoming week is dedicated to recognizing the more than 500 families in the province who have brought foster children into their homes.

National Foster Family Week starts tomorrow and runs until October 26. Right now there are over 900 children being fostered in New Brunswick.

The provincial Foster Families Association president, Brian Williams, says the week is also a time to encourage those thinking about becoming foster parents to start the process. For more information about foster families or becoming a foster parent, call 1-800-990-0119 or visit the Department of Social Development's website.

Premier Meets With Elsipogtog First Nation Chief

A three hour meeting between Premier David Alward and the Chief of the Elisipogtog First Nation Arren Sock taking place last night in the aftermath of a violent clash between shale gas protestors and police.

Both agreeing on a cooling off period with more meetings next week. There was no agreement on whether there should be a moratorium on shale gas exploration on First Nation land.

Sock was among the 40 people arrested along Route 134 in Rexton on Thursday. RCMP say six police vehicles were destroyed by fire, several explosives were were discovered and defused, Molotov cocktails were thrown at police and at least one shot was fired by someone other than police.

As the RCMP enforced a court injunction obtained by SWN Resources, snipers could be seen lying in the grass off the side of the road as police, some in riot gear, came face to face with the protestors.

Rain Today Makes For Good "Muddin'" Tomorrow

Rain today -- sunshine tomorrow -- the perfect ingredients for getting muddy.

The 3rd Annual SPCA Mud Run taking place tomorrow at 12 o'clock noon at the pit on the Cleland Road, in St. Stephen.

This year, 4-wheelers and dirt bikes have been added to the mix in a "Run Whatcha Brung" category.

The biggest trucks in Charlotte County will be competing to see how far they can drive through the mud.

Registration will take place between 9 and 11am and seatbelts and helmets will be required.
Registration for trucks is $20 and registration for ATV's and dirt bikes is $10.

Admission to the Mud Run will be a free-will monetary donation, pet food or kitty litter.
The past two years has brought in a total of $3,757 and two trucks full of pet supplies for the Charlotte County Animal Shelter.

Council of Canadians Predicts Opposition To Shale Gas Will Intensify

It's only going to get worse with more blockades and more protestors.

So claims Mark D'Arcy of the Council of Canadians in Fredericton on what he thinks will happen in response to the violence along Highway 134 outside Rexton. 

D'Arcy tells Tide News it was setback for the Premier and Energy Minister Craig Leonard with videos from the taking down of the blockade and enforcing the court injunction going viral on social media.

D'Arcy doesn't see opposition from the First Nations to shale gas exploration flagging. He also tells us the word is a lot of people will be flooding into the province from other provinces to support the shale gas protestors.

Premier To Meet With First Nations Chief On Shale Gas

In the aftermath of yesterday's violencem on Highway 134 outside Rexton, Premier David Alward and the Chief of the Elsipogtog First Nation will meet today. 

Aaron Sock was among the 40 or so people arrested yesterday. 

The Premier has released a statement saying he's deeply troubled about the violence that erupted at a protest site on Highway 134  but the government cannot endorse or tolerate unlawful activity. He also maintains his government is committed to dialogue and a peaceful resolution.

84 Years Today Since Women Were Declared "People" In Canada

It's 84 years today since women were first legally recognized as "people under" Canadian law.

The court case fought by the so-called Famous Five--Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards and Irene Parlby--is now one of the most famous court cases in Canadian history.

In fact, a lesser-known persons case happened in New Brunswicker two decades earlier. The first woman in NB  to graduate from law school, Mabel French, was refused to admission to the bar 1905. Legislation in 1906 that finally allowed women to practice law in New Brunswick.

Rothesay Police Release Names Of Those Wanted On Warrants

The Rothesay Regional Police are looking for 10 men and 1 woman wanted on warrants. Kennebecasis Crime Stoppers have pre-approved rewards of $500 for any information leading to their arrest.

The rewards go as high as $1200 dollars and the offences range from fraud to break and enter and suspended driving. If anyone has any information they are asked to contact the RRPF at 847-6300 or NB Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Paul Thomas Romanoff, age 50       (Pre-Approved Reward $500)

    Warrant of arrest for fraud and failure to appear

Phillip Anthony CURTIS, age 39       (Pre-Approved Reward $500)

    Warrant of arrest for breaking & entering

Jordan Stephen Paul ROWE, age 20

    Warrant of arrest for breaking & entering  (Pre-Approved Reward $500)

    Warrant of committal for suspended driving, $960 or 23 days

    Warrant of committal for suspended driving, $600 or 15 days

William Henry MARTIN, age 42

    Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $1200 or 27 days

    Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $500 or 13 day

Matthew Owen McBrine, age 29

    Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $600 or 15 days

Ernest William ANDREWS, age 39

     Warrant of arrest for Impaired Driving

Thomas Frederick CROWE, age 33

     Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $900 or 21 days

     Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $1200 or 27 days

Kevin Stanley SAUNDERS, age 33

     Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $1200 or 27 days

Kyle Anthony SMITH, age 21

      Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $510 or 27 days

Doreen Lois McCULLOUGH, age 49

       Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $600 or 15 days

Stephen Joseph MATTSON, age 32

        Warrant of committal for driving while suspended, $1001 or 24 days

Cardy Glad To See Blockade Coming Down

5 RCMP cruisers set on fire, over 40 arrests and protestors getting a face full of pepper spray as the blockade in Rexton becomes violent.
 
The RCMP are now enforcing a court injunction obtained by SWN Resources and have closed parts of the highway in the area.

Those opposed do not want seismic testing done as part of shale gas exploration.

NDP Leader Dominic Cardy tells Tide News the lack of action by the government and police up until now looks like a failure to act.  

He says it's good the blockade is coming down adding he hopes there is no more violence.

Cardy says you need a rule of law in this province which means roads are not blocked by protestors but it also means the government has to have meaningful discussions with First Nations.
 
Liberal Leader Brian Gallant says he saw the protest this morning firsthand noting the angst and anxiety at the site adding he hopes the dialogue resumes in order resolve the differences.

Football Coach Asks Team To Participate In Raising Awareness Of Violence Against Women

It's just as important for men to be involved -- if not more -- than women.

That word from Fundy Minor Football Coach Mike Scott on the 3rd Annual Take Back The Night March which raises awareness of violence against women in our communities.

Scott tells Tide News he is urging his team, the Bantam Silverados, to take part in the March tomorrow night. Scott says he wants the boys there -- whom range in age from 14 to 15 years old -- in hopes of educating them at an early age and having the issue of domestic violence discussed more openly.

The March will run from the Border Arena on King Street to St. Stephen's University on Main Street, tomorrow evening, from 7 to 9pm.

Getting Muddy Charlotte County Style To Help Future Pets

It won't be the animals that need a bath.

This Saturday, October 19th, the 3rd Annual SPCA Mud Run will raise donations once again for the Charlotte County Animal Shelter.

Vice President at the Shelter, Anne Gagne tells Tide News last year's donations had a great impact. She says they recieved almost $2300, plus a full truck load of supplies, and in addition, were able raise an extra $340 with a BBQ at the event.

Gagne tells us their organization depends solely on fundraising efforts to supply the shelter, and the Mud Run is a big help.

Admission for the Mud Run this weekend is a free will donation of money, dog or cat food, or litter.

The event will take place at the pit on the Cleland Road, across from the Red Rooster Country Store, just outside of St. Stephen, Saturday, from 12 noon until 4pm.

A Tense Situation In Rexton

Black smoke and flames can been seen in Rexton today as vehicles including an RCMP cruiser have been set on fire.

The RCMP are now enforcing a court injunction obtained by SWN Resources and have closed parts of the Highway 134 and Highway 11 in the area.

Snipers can be seen lying in the grass off the side of the road and police, some in riot gear, are coming face to face with the protestors.

Many of the protestors are from First Nations and want SWN Resources to stop seismic testing in the area and leave.

Solving NB's Population Bomb

How do we keep the youth here and deal with the exploding senior population?

It's a huge question and the Provincial Growth Secretariat wants your ideas on how to fix it.
 
Over the last twenty years,  50,000 youth between the ages of 15 and 34 have left the province combined with 40,000 New Brunswickers turning 65.
 
Lisa Hrabluk of wickedideas.ca tells Tide News we need to examine if it easy enough to accomplish what you need to do here.

She says we definitely need a more diversified economy adding the Energy East pipeline will create a lot of jobs but they are a very specific type of job.

To learn more about the issue and find a link to share your ideas, click here

Canaport Staff Sent Home As Federal Agents Investigate

All non-essential staff at Canaport LNG have been sent home today as federal agents from Canadian Wildlife Services  investigate the deaths of 7,500 birds at the facility one month ago. 

Kate Shannon with Canaport tells Tide News officials at the facility were not aware the agents were arriving today. The birds, some of which are considered endangered, were attracted to the large flame at the plant in the foggy weather.

The plant is still operating. Shannon says while she can't disclose exactly what the agents are looking for, Canaport is complying fully with all their requests.

Shale Gas Protestors Confronted By The RCMP

A court injunction issued a while back to end a blockade by shale gas protestors near Rexton is now being enforced. 

The RCMP closed highway 134 near Rexton as well as a section of Highway 11 between Rexton and Sainte-Anne-de-Kent.
 
The Mounties moved in around 7:30 this morning. The injunction was granted earlier this month to end the blockade of a SWN Resources compound. 

The protesters, many of whom are from First Nations, are demanding the energy company stop seismic testing and leave the province. 

Talks to end the blockade involving the Premier were not successful.

NB Power Offering Rebates

NB Power says it's willing to pay you next month to buy selected energy saving appliances. 

The utility will pay out a 75 dollar mail in rebate for if you buy clothes washers and fridges that meet the eligibility. 95 thousand dollars in rebates are on offer from Efficiency New Brunswick. 

savetwice.ca

Man Sentenced For Attempted Murder

You might remember a woman being shot in the driveway of her home last January in the Fredericton area followed by a standoff involving the RCMP. 

A Fredericton judge has sentenced 38 year old Benjamin Nason to 15 years in prison for attempting to murder Beth Ann Wallace outside her home in Lincoln. The two had once been in a relationship. 

Wallace has not regained use of her left arm and hand and has undergone 9 surgeries after being shot with more to come. She also suffers from post traumatic stress.

Funeral Service Later This Week For Man Who Went Missing

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 this Friday morning in Reid's Funeral Home in Hampton for 21 year old Adam Andrews, whose body was found in a marshy area off Route 100 near the Stock Farm Road. 

He was reported missing after not showing up for work and a two day search ensued. 

An autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death but the results won't be known for a few weeks. 

Foul play reportedly is not suspected but Rothesay Regional Police tell Tide News there's nothing official yet on that.