14 Weeks Until Maxwell Crossing Covered Bridge Opens

"Good things come to those who wait."

That quotation being given this afternoon by Charlotte-Campobello MLA Curtis Malloch at the Maxwell Crossing Covered Bridge, just outside of St. Stephen. 

That good news is -- construction on the bridge is now underway and will be completed near Valentine's Day in approximately 14 weeks.

The government is also upgrading the bridge -- beyond costs for the damage -- to a capacity of 15 tonnes.
The bridge was badly damaged in a car accident 10 months ago and has been closed since.

Premier Needs First Nations To Be On Board

If the Alward Government doesn't get the First Nations on board, shale gas exploration isn't going anywhere. That word coming from Carl Wolpin of Hampton Water First who points to the native cases that have gone to the Supreme Court, all of which have been upheld.
 
Wolpin also argues there has been a huge increase in the last couple of years in the number of New Brunswickers who are questioning whether shale gas exploration with fracking can be done safely, rising from 5 per cent to something like 70 per cent.

Are Fake Cabs Trying To Abduct Women In Saint John?

You might have heard stories on social media about would-be abductors trying to lure women in vans or even fake taxis.

Tide News asked Saint John Police Chief Bill Reid once and for all what the truth is, and he wants locals to know there have been no such cases. Rather, he says it's a matter of something as simple as someone in a vehicle making a comment to a pedestrian that gets exaggerated and blown into something it isn't online.

The Chief says while some people find it interesting to speculate about crimes online after listening to the scanner, they actually end up wasting police time as the police then have to try to correct the misinformation.

Alward Government Announces Plans For 2014

Anti-shale gas development protests happening outside of the opening session of the legislature as the government announce their plans for next year.

Lieutenant Governor Graydon Nicholas says the Energy East pipeline project is a once in a generation opportunity and will improve the retain and return our workers. Nicholas says as TransCanada moves forward, the government will keep working with communities in New Brunswick.

He says the project will improve the quality of life for all New Brunswickers, including First Nations people.

Nicholas also touching on health in the province...saying it's no secret that we are facing serious wellness challenges in the province and more emphasis on community and home-based care is needed...he says the final touches are being put on a new home-first strategy.

Big News Coming Tomorrow For Maxwell Crossing Covered Bridge

Will locals be able to cross the Maxwell Crossing covered bridge once again?

That question may be answered tomorrow during a public announcement at the bridge made by Charlotte-Campobello MLA Curtis Malloch.

Malloch tells Tide News Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, Trevor Holder and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Claude Williams will be attending as well.

The bridge was badly damaged last January when a car spun out of control, knocking almost the entire side out of the structure.

The bridge has been closed for the last 10 months.

Schofield Pleads Guilty In Court

44-year-old Brian Schofield pleading guilty to 2 counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The Public Landing resident had a half pound of marijuana, 3 cell phones, 136 meth pills, a Bacchus patch, brass knuckles when he was arrested as part of Operational J-Turmoil in August.

The crown described Schofield's operation as mid-level, while the defence stated he was simply giving pills and marijuana to friends.

The court heard he was buying meth pills in Moncton and then bringing them to Saint John and more information is expected to be given when he reappears in court on December 13.

Former Bacchus member Ryan Wallace also pleading guilty to possession of a firearm he wasn't licensed to own.   

Judge Henrik Tonning pointed out he didn't disrupt the public peace because he wielded the gun to defend his property from intruders... and when he realized it was the police he put it away. 

28 year old Lia Olde Damink also charged in that bust will also appear in court on in the spring. 

She's also charged with stealing medical supplies from her job at the Regional Hospital.

Liberals Skeptical Of Tory Promises To Create Jobs, Grow Economy

Liberal Leader Brian Gallant saying the Alward government is going to use the upcoming session for political strategies.

He tells Tide News this means instead of trying to create jobs, and grow the economy...the government will focus on how to win the next election.

He says we'll see a lot of excuses as to why nothing has happened on the job front and social services over the past three years.


Gallant says the the Liberals want to see the economy at the forefront during the session.

Two Teens Face Trafficking Charges

Saint John City police arresting two teens for drug trafficking and possession near Simonds High.
 
Sgt. Jay Henderson says just after 10am yesterday (Mon.) police got a call about students with some pot.

He says officers found a group of men behind the Stu Hurley area.    Two of the men were found in possession of marijuana.

The teens also had drug trafficking paraphernalia on them.  

They are both facing criminal charges of possession and trafficking.  

Both have been released and are due before a judge at a later date.

Local Senator Opposes His Own Party

Rothesay Senator John Wallace arguing against his own party's motion in the Senate to limit debate on whether to suspend Senators Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau. 

The motion passed, nonetheless, meaning there will be a final vote today.
 
Wallace along with his fellow Conservative Senators Hugh Segal and Nancy Ruth voted against. Wallace telling the Senate, limiting debate “would be a serious and significant shortcoming of natural justice”.

Wallace, Segal and Ruth argue cutting off debate would not afford the three senators at the heart of the spending scandal the opportunity to adequately defend themselves.

Toxic Chemical Released Into Bay Of Fundy

NB Power is reporting there was the release of light water from a valve on the non-nuclear side of the Point Lepreau plant into the Bay of Fundy Sunday which contained a toxic chemical known as hydrazine. 

NB Power says the levels of that substance were below federally recommended guidelines, above which, marine life and the ecosystem could be affected. 

More testing was done yesterday. NB Power is reporting the level had dissipated to the point where the chemical could not be detected in the Bay. 

Hydrazine is used to help maintain the safety of the steam generators at the nuclear power station.

Police Do Not Suspect Foul Play In Teen's Death

Foul play is not suspected in the death of 19 year old Gen Cormier.
 
Police tell Tide News they are waiting for the pathologist's report to confirm this.

She went missing in late September and her body was found over the weekend in Redhead.

A funeral for Cormier will be held on Friday at Assumption parish on the West side at noon.

Bacchus President To Be Sentenced

A sentencing hearing is scheduled tomorrow for the President of the Saint John Bacchus Motorcycle Club.

44-year-old, Brian Schofield of Public Landing and five others were arrested after a regonial drug bust in August.

Police seized meth, pot, pills, guns, brass knuckles and four grand in cash. The bust following a six-month investigation involving four local police agencies.

Schofield plead guilty earlier to possession for the purpose of trafficking.

A former Bacchus member, 39-year-old Ryan Wallace of Kingston, is also due in court tomorrow. He's facing drug charges that include possession and trafficking, along with having two unlicensed rifles.

Universal Drug Coverage On Legislature Agenda

The upcoming Legislative session which opens tomorrow afternoon could be raucous with the state of the economy, shale gas and a provincial election in less than a year. 

A universal prescription drug plan is expected to be unveiled. Fundy-River Valley independent M-L-A Dr. Jim Parrot tells Tide News expensive drugs for catastrophic illness should be included but we should be thinking outside the box.

He says we should try to make a deal with the Fed and another Medical Societies in the country to create a national system so no one has to go it alone.

Dr. Parrot goes so far as to say the survival of Medicare depends on getting this right.

Man Takes Pic In Ladies Washroom

Saint John City police are looking for a man who came into the Tim's on Landsdowne Avenue last night and took a picture of woman using the ladies' washroom.

It happened just after 8:30 last night.

Sgt. Jay Henderson of the City police telling Tide News the man went in the ladies washroom and using a cellphone type device took  the picture of a woman in a bathroom stall.

The man is described as 17 years old, about 5 foot 10, thin with fair skin wearing an
army green jacket, black jeans, black shoes with a white stripe and a black and red hat with a red beak.

The patrol division of the SJPF is looking into the incident.

Conservative Senators Under the Gun

Prime Minister Harper is said to be exerting pressure on Conservative Senators to vote in favour of suspending Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau.

Political Scientist Don Desserud who's in favour of reforming the Senate, tells Tide  News getting rid of the Senate entirely may not turn out to be the best thing for our democracy because its abolition would leave even more power in the hands of a Prime Minister. He argues there has to be some body in place as a check against unbridled power wielded by the party that controls Parliament.
 
Desserud maintains electing Senators would give them more independence from the Prime Minister who appointed them.

Senate To Vote On Duffy, Wallin And Brazeau

The Senate is expected to vote this week, perhaps as early as tomorrow, on the fates of Senators Pamela Wallin, Mike Duffy and Patrick Brazeau. 

Polls indicate more people are believing Duffy's version of what transpired than the Prime Minister with a large percentage believing neither. New Brunswick born Senator Jim Munson tells Tide News it's difficult to say who's telling the truth but says it's all politics now.
 
A top federal cabinet minister Jason Kenny is defending  Nigel Wright as a man of “strong ethical character,” even as the Prime Minister last week told Parliament his former chief of staff is the sole person responsible for “this deception.”

BREAKING: Body Identified As Missing Teenager

A body found on a beach being identified as missing Saint John teen, Genevieve Cormier.

The body was discovered near the Anthonys Cove Road in Red Head yesterday afternoon, and was taken to the Regional Hospital, where a medical review will be conducted. The 19-year old was last seen on September 29 in the back parking lot of the Reversing Falls restaurant.

Her family has been notified, and they are asking the public for privacy during this time.

Inmate Arrested After Escaping Correctional Center

A man who escaped from a jail in the city being arrested in the province's capital. 

The man escaping from Parrtown Community Correctional Center last month. Fredericton Police say they were called to a disturbance at a bar on Regent Street, the 20/20. The man took off, but was arrested a short distance away.

His name has not been released.

Sea Dogs Beginning "MOvember Challenge"

The Saint John Sea Dogs are mixing it up this year with a new initiative in support of MOvember. 

The team will donate a certain amount of money based on the number of fans attending games. 

 The team is hoping to raise awareness and money for men's health issues, by getting fans more involved.

 President of the team, Wayne Long, tells CHSJ news the Sea Dogs will donate $5,000 if an average of 3,800 fans show up during the seven home games this month. The team will donate $15,000 if the average is 5000 fans during the games, and $30,000 for an average of 6,000 fans.

The team will also donate $10,000 for any game that's sold out.

Youth Shelter Idea Still In Running To Win 150k

An initiative to get the Saint John's homeless young people off the streets and into their own shelter in the South end still has a shot at $150,000. 

Safe Harbour Transitional Youth Services is taking part in the Aviva Community Fund and has made it past the first round. Project Coordinator Colin McDonald tells Tide News the shelter would offer help to youth who want to get on the right track. 

McDonald says there's a big difference between a 16-year old kid who has just hit the streets compared to someone who has been on the street for 20+ years and are very immersed in street culture. Youth are the least likely group to identify themselves as homeless, so it's hard to say exactly how many young people are homeless in Saint John, but in 2012, 67 youth stayed in adult-serving shelters.

Voting for the second qualifying round ends on Monday. To cast your vote for the idea, click here. To check out the other ideas, click here.