Human Rights Commission Marks International Day Of Tolerance

 The Human Rights Commission marking today as the International Day of Tolerance.

The commission says its seen an increase in complaints, that people with mental heath issues are being discriminated at work.

 Randy Dickinson, chairperson of the Human Rights Commission tells CHSJ News, 55 per cent of the annual complaints reported to the commission are around discrimination based on disability.

 "Unfortunately, there are still many individuals and situations where people are blatantly discriminated against, in terms of being denied an opportunity for employment or people making racist comments," says Dickinson.

He says that although we've made a lot of progress, there's room for improvement.

Protest Against Climate Change Inaction

In Saint John, protesters gathering outside of MP Rodney Weston's office opposing the Harper government's inaction on climate change.

The protest being organized by locals that make up various environmental and indigenous community groups.

Andrew Graham is a member of local chapter of the Council of Canadians. He tells CHSJ news, the group is tired of misguided direction in the government.

Graham says the government is being led by industry. He adds, "We'd like to have more leadership because climate change is not just coming, it's here."

Santa Claus Parade Street Closures

All four lanes of the causeway will be blocked off starting at 3 for the parade line-up. The Courtney Bay causeway will re-open right after the parade.

The parade route will be the same as last year. The Parade will leave the Causeway, to Union St., a left onto Sydney St., right on King's Square North, left on Charlotte St., down King St, to St. Patrick, to Main St., right on Lansdowne Ave., and right at Wellesley Blvd. All of these streets will be closed during the parade.

 Citizens are asked not to park on King Street starting at 5 pm. Cars parked anywhere along the parade route after 5:30 will be towed. Everyone is asked to be mindful of all signage along the parade route.

Three Men Sentenced For Armed Robbery In Rothesay

Three men who were charged in the Cochran's Country Market armed robbery back in July, have received their sentences.
In Saint John Provincial Court, Stephen Corey Richard was sentenced to a total of six and a half years in prison for an armed robbery, forcible confinement and having a face disguised with intent to commit an indictable offence. Keith Oliver Dixon also being sentenced for the same offences, and will serve six years in prison.

On November 8th, Blake Andrew Smith was sentenced to eight years in prison for armed robbery, forcible confinement and having a face disguised with intent to commit an indictable offence.

All three men have lifetime bans for owning or possessing firearms.They also had to give DNA samples for the DNA Data Bank. The court ordered the firearms used during the robbery be destroyed, and that the money seized  be returned to Cochran's Country Market.

Hit And Run In Saint John

City police responding to a hit and run early this morning at 2:30 am, on Main and Chesley.

Police later found the driver at the Reversing Falls. The person hit was not injured, and neither was the driver. The driver was impaired, and will appear in court on charges of impaired driving.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town!

Santa Claus is on his way to St. Stephen!

The Annual Santa Claus Parade will begin promptly tomorrow evening at 6:30 at Chocolate Drive, and ending at St. Stephen's University.

Heather Donahue with the BIA tells Tide News this year they have 64 entries, including 98.1 The TIde, as compared to only 42 entries last year.

She says there are so many entries, some will be directed to line up at the Charlotte County Mall.


Donahue says St. Stephen Town Council members will be gathering non-perishable food items along the parade route to donate to the Volunteer Centre of Charlotte County, and Canada Post officials will be gathering letters to Santa from kids as well.

Following the parade, Santa will head to the Town Square for the tree lighting and to visit with kids.

Claim Being Made That A City Police Officer Is Being Persecuted

A key witness at the trial in August of 2012 of Constable Chris Messer has admitted to not telling the truth, according to an arbitrator's report obtained by Tide News. 

Brett McAdam testified Messer accused him of breaking into his home on Westfield Road and threatened to blow his head off.
 
Arbitrator George Filliter dismissed that allegation, writing that he did not find McAdam's testimony to be convincing. Filliter goes on to say McAdam admitted to not telling the truth before the Court or at the arbitration hearing. 

Messer also comes in for criticism with Filliter saying he should not even have spoken to McAdam about a break-in that happened at his own home and was warned against doing that but it would be unfortunate if City Police were to lose his services. Messer has an honours degree in criminology and sociology from St. Thomas University.

Messer's lawyer Brian Munro questions why a perjury charge has not been laid if the testimony given at a criminal trial is false. 

The other witness against Messer was Randy King who has a criminal record including a stretch in prison. His credibility is being questioned by Messer's lawyer Brian Munro. Messer is scheduled to stand trial in late April for common assault against King.

The Police Association says it appears Messer is being persecuted and the wrong message is being sent to criminals in the city.......All you have to do to take the heat off is to file a criminal complaint against a cop.

Donnie Snook In Court Again For Forfeiture Hearing

Former Saint john Common Councillor and youth leader, Donnie Snook appearing in court today to sit in on a forfeiture hearing, which essentially decides what happens to his possessions. 

The possessions in question include electronics he used to record his crimes against children. 

 A few heated exchanges occurred between Judge Alfred Brien and the crown regarding missing paperwork and a lack of specificity about what exactly was seized.

Snook appeared gaunt and tired and expressed through his lawyer, Dennis Boyle, that he does not want to be present at the continuation of the forfeiture hearing on January 8th and Boyle can represent his interests.

The Newfoundland charges against Snook have been transferred to New Brunswick and will be dealt with here on November 28th.

Dennis Oland's Family Releases Statement

Dennis Oland's family releasing a statement to the media professing his innocence adding they are devastated this nightmare is going to continue for him and all of them.

It adds they know he will be found innocent in an objective and fair process in a court of law. 

They want the police to turn their attention to finding out who is really responsible for Richard Oland’s death.

The statement closes by thanking friends and family for their support.

It was released by the family's attorney Bill Teed. 

Clements Pleads Guilty To Arson

40 year old Timothy Edward Clements pleading guilty to two counts of arson on the Dever Road in Saint John.

Police getting calls to the west side on October 22 and November 7 with a transport truck and a garage being destroyed in separate fires.
There had been a number of calls to the site before about suspicious fires.

The court heard Clements emerged from the woods soaking wet and smelling of smoke and told officers on the scene he was walking to work.
He eventually admitted setting the fires by stuffing paper into the bunk of the truck and set it ablaze and lighting the garage on fire with a shredded tire.

The damage is estimated to be well into the tens of thousands of dollars....Clements said all of his problems are the result of alcohol and traumatic events in his childhood and he wants to get help so he can get married & take care of his loved ones.

He will reappear for sentencing on December 18th.

Businessman Fined For Failing To Pay The Tax Man

A businessman getting slammed with a $2000 fine for not complying with two court orders from a previous conviction.

John William Beairsto was convicted last year on six charges of failing to file his 2009 and 2010 corporate income tax returns for his three businesses in Fredericton: The Grille on York, Queen Street Restaurant and Hannah's Foods. He was also convicted for failing to file five HST returns for those businesses and fined a grand on each of the eleven charges for a total of $11,000 and given a year to pay up.

The judge ordering him to file his outstanding returns within six months or face jail time. When he didn't pay back the money, the CRA laid charges against him and he plead guilty.

Saint John Teacher On Jeopardy! Tonight

You might see a familiar face if you tune into Jeopardy! tonight.

Saint John High School teacher Mary Ann Lewell will appear on the iconic quiz show. She is the only Canadian teacher ever to be featured on the Teacher's Tournament. Lewell tells Tide News she's been asked to keep it a mystery whether she won or lost until the show airs--but she says she was certainly thrilled with the experience.

Lewell says the most difficult part was getting the hang of the infamously tricky buzzer and brushing up on her US history to compete alongside teachers from south of the border. 
She teaches history and social studies at the uptown high school.

Man Shoots Part Of His Face Off

A Maine man learning first hand the tragedies of mixing alcohol with weapons.

Reports say 31-year-old Dale Poulin, from Waterville, Maine, shot part of his face off last Wednesday night while sharing hunting stories with friends at a home.

Police Chief Joseph Massey says it was chaotic when officers arrived at the scene, finding Poulin's teeth, chin, and blood on the floor, while the man sat in a chair missing his face from the nose down.

Reports say Poulin was showing off his rifle when he dropped it and it discharged.

Poulin is now in a Boston hospital in stable condition and is able to communicate by writing.

UPDATE: Dennis Oland In Court Today

Dennis Oland showing little emotion in the courtroom as he was formally charged with second-degree murder in the death of his father Richard more than two years ago.

The 45-year old son of the slain City businessman entering the prisoner's box dressed in a grey sweatshirt, nodding at family members who were seated in the courtroom and giving them a slight smile. When the judge asked him if he understood the charge, Oland said yes. 

He will be appearing in court again next Tuesday to set a date for a preliminary inquiry and will be held in custody in the meantime.

When asked for comment, Oland's defense lawyer, Gary Miller, spoke about the weather. Oland's family did not speak to the media.

More Details On Oland Arrest

Dennis Oland spent the night in lockup at Peel Plaza waiting to be officially charged with second degree murder in the death of his father, Richard Oland.

Police Cheif Bill Reid speaking at a media conference describing how Saint John Police caught up with Oland, who has been the prime suspect in the case for the past 2 years. Police caught up with Dennis Oland while he was leaving to wash his car, says the police chief. He was arrested away from his Rothesay home without incident.

Reid declined to comment on whether Oland confessed, on the murder weapon, or any specifics of how Richard Oland died in his office back in July 2011.

Dennis Oland Charged With Second Degree Murder

The son of a businessman found murdered in his Canterbury Street office more than two years ago has been charged with second degree murder in the Richard Oland investigation.

Members of the police spotted Dennis Oland's vehicle in Rothesay yesterday and arrested him without incident. Police Chief Bill Reid says there was not enough evidence for a first degree murder charge. Reid says there's no indication that anyone else was involved in Richard's death.

Reid would not comment on the cost of the investigation or cause of death apart from repeated blows to Richard's body.

Target Opens Its Doors In Saint John Today

Will eager shoppers be waiting for the doors at Saint John's first Target to open?

Target opens for business at 8am today in McAllister place.

The new stores across the country have been met with many excited consumers as the American retail giant brings its brand north of the border.

The new location also includes a Starbucks.

BREAKING: Arrest Made In Oland Murder

Police making an arrest in the Richard Oland murder investigation.

Dennis Oland, his 45-year old son, was arrested yesterday.

The 69-year old city businessman was found dead in his office on Canterbury Street in July, 2011. Documents from search warrants show blood on a coat belonging to Dennis Oland matched the DNA profile of his father, and also that he owed him a lot of money. The search warrants also portray a dysfunctional family relationship. 

His uncle, Derek Oland, releasing a statement saying they believe Dennis is innocent and will support him and his family members.

Police have made no secret of the fact that Dennis has been the prime suspect in the case.

DalMed NB Gets $150,000 From Cooke Aquaculture

Cooke Aquaculture donating $150,000  to the Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick research campaign.
 
CEO Glenn Cooke tells Tide News they have adopted a Health and Safety policy slogan called 'Anchored in Safety'.
Cooke says this donation is a commitment to the program here in New Brunswick.

He says they are proud of the association that Dalhousie has with the province and how it can help all of us.

Cooke says any findings from researchers at the DalMed NB program could be moved into the company's guidelines.

Man, Woman From Quebec Killed In Highway Crash

A car crash on Highway 11 claiming the lives of a man and a woman from Quebec.

The collision happening near Belledune around 10:30 Monday morning. The two from Rimouski, who were traveling together in one vehicle, dying from their injuries. The woman in the other car, from Eel River Crossing, being taken to hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

RCMP say the road conditions were poor at the time of the crash, causing one driver to lose control of the vehicle and collide with the other.