$1.5 Million Dam Modernization Project Complete

The dam at the mouth of the Magaguadavic River in Charlotte County looking a little different after the completion of a six-month modernization project. 

The former stop log gates at the old dam site in St. George being upgraded with three new hydraulic steel gates. Before the changes, opening and closing the gates could take up to eight hours, now it takes 30 minutes. Geoff Britt of JDI tells Tide News the process is now quicker and safer for workers.

The fish passage also getting some improvements. To watch a video of the upgrade at the dam, click here.

New President Being Sought At Atlantica Centre For Energy

The Atlantica Centre for Energy is looking for a new President. 

Former M-P John Herron has left to join the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board. 

Former President Tim Currie has returned from retirement on an interim basis, telling Tide News the search is on for Herron's replacement and he expects someone will be chosen by the Board of Directors in the new year.

Four Federal Byelections Today May Tell A Lot

Four federal byelections are being held across the country today and polling indicates the Liberals have a chance to take the Conservative stronghold in Brandon-Souris. Conservatives are said to be divided there because of the nomination process but the Senate expense scandal has also been mentioned during the campaign. 

Prime Minister Harper is accusing the opposition parties of blocking his Senate Reform which Beausejour Liberal M-P Dominic Leblanc scoffs at, pointing out Harper has appointed more senator than any Prime Minister in the last 25 years and has not pushed for vote on his proposed Senate reforms. Leblanc adds the P-M has not pushed for a vote on Senate reform. 

A lot of attention is also being paid to Toronto Centre, long considered a Liberal stronghold, where the NDP is running a high profile candidate, author and social commentator Linda McQuaig. The Liberals are going with Chrysta Freeland who has written for the Financial Times and appeared on CNN and Morning Joe on MSNBC.

Executive Of Alberta Oil & Gas Company Gives Perspective On Shale Gas

A high flyer with an Alberta Gas company stopping off in the province to talk about the evolution of the oil and gas industry.  

Keith Steeves of NAL Resources, tells Tide News, when it comes to getting rid of environmental concerns over fracking with shale gas exploration,"you can never alleviate every concern from every person," he says.  However, he does say you can create a situation that deals with a lot of the concerns. 

  "I would say Alberta is a great example. I wouldn't say that we are completely with people that don't have issues, but I would say that it's fairly well known and a common industry, and people are comfortable in terms of what we do from a drilling perspective," he says.

 Steeves claims shale gas has the capacity to create thousands of jobs.

How Many Hours Should You Be Spending In Dreamland?

When it comes to how many hours you should be spending in dreamland, there is no magic number.

The Medical Director of the Sleep Centre at the Regional Hospital, Dr. Rachel Morehouse says, the question of sleep need is probably the most common question she gets asked.

She tells us, the amount differs from person to person and some of it's based on genetics.

"It's quite simple, you need the amount of sleep that will make you feel rested and energetic the day, but that varies between individuals," she says.

She says there are some people at the extreme ends, who may need up to 12 hours of sleep a night, and some who may only need five. Most of us, she says, need about seven and a half.

Caregiving And Aging Presentation Hosted By Alzheimer Café

Saint John Alzheimer Café holding a caregiving and aging Presentation today.
 
Guest speaker, Dr. Amy D’Aprix is an expert in aging, retirement and caregiving. Much of her work focuses on working with seniors and their caregiving families.

She's the author of two books about caregiving and friendship, and has given presentations across North America.

The presentation being held today at 2pm-4pm, at St. Mark’s Church, in Saint John West.

Locals Building Shelters For Stray Cats

Stray cats in the city will be getting a cozy home, all thanks to a group in Saint John making cat shelters.

It's the first, "Build a Shelter Campaign," where shelters will be made out of donated supplies such as wood, straw, and rubber totes, and distributed throughout the city.

Yvonne Steeves is the owner of Puddy N' Pooch Palace, a pet resort at 688 Rothesay Avenue. The event is being hosted at the shop today from 10am -5pm.

She tells us "Something needs to be done about the stray and feral cats in the city, and unfortunately all of the shelter and reuses are completely full. There's no way to possibly get all the cats off the street."

Wind Knocks Over Power Pole In Saint John

Saint John Police responding to a power pole being knocked out by the wind this afternoon.

The pole fell at the Milford Trailer Park, early this afternoon.

Police tell us there is minimal damage.

Life Long Journey Of Adoption Conference Being Held Today

A conference being held today called the Life Long Journey of Adoption. The event is designed for those considering adoption, have already adopted, or are working in the field.
 
Suzanne Kingston is the Executive Director of the New 
Brunswick Adoption Foundation. She tells us, the conference will touch on themes such as school, transition from foster care to adoption and the connection with birth families. 

The adoption conference is being held at Future Inns Moncton, from 8:30 to 4:30 today.

Police Respond To Report Of Driver Waving Weapon In Vehicle

Saint John Police responding to a report of a driver waving around a weapon in his car.

They didn't find a weapon when they searched his car.

 However, they did find drugs. A 25-year-old man is being charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Overnight Fire At Shamrock Park

Crews responding to a structure fire at the field house in Shamrock Park early this morning. 

Crews found heavy smoke conditions in the building, and were on the scene for about two hours.  

The fire being contained to the rear section of the building.
The fire is now under investigation by Saint John Fire, and Saint John Police. It's suspected to be a case of arson.

ECMA Award Winner To Give 1st Screening Of New Music Video In St. Stephen

Country Singer Mike Biggar giving a big announcement for his upcoming concert tonight.

He gave the news via Facebook yesterday morning, stating those who come to the show at St.Stephen High School will be the first ever to see the debut of his brand new video for "Feels Like Now".

The song is the title track on his new album, of the same name.

Biggar says before it goes on YouTube or anywhere else online, friends and fans at the show tonight will get a premiere screening.
Biggar won the Music NB Award for Spiritual Recording of the Year in 2011 and an ECMA Awards for Gospel Recording of the Year in 2012.

Tickets are $10 at the door and kids under 12 get in to the concert free of charge with a parent or guardian.
The concert starts at 7:30pm with doors open at 7pm.

UNB Professor Recognized For Sex Research

A professor at UNB getting recognition for her work in sex research.
Dr. Sandra Byers, professor of psychology, is internationally recognized as the most important sex scientist of the last 100 years.  Byers tells Tide News, more communication is needed when it comes to sexuality.


"It became clear to me that there are big gaps in our knowledge of sexuality, that people had sexual issues, sexual problems, sexual concerns that weren't being well addressed. It's really the gaps that drove me into this field," she says.

Byers is recognized for contributing some of the most important information to the understanding of women's and men's social interactions. She's being awarded the 2013 Alfred C. Kinsey Award by the Society of Scientific Research for Sexuality.

Executive Of Alberta Energy Company Talks To UNB About Oil & Gas

A senior executive from an Alberta oil and gas company, giving a lecture at UNB about the evolution of oil and gas.

 Keith Steeves CFO of NAL Resources, tells Tide News, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers are expecting the gas industry will create over 300,000 jobs across Canada. He says this is expected over the next 25 years.

"There's tremendous amount of spinoff  from energy type drilling services," he says. Adding that about 400 people are involved with the drilling of a well.

Steeves  points out that he's not speaking from a political stance, but he expects shale gas development would create many jobs in New Brunswick.

Another Ederly Man Dies Burning Yard Debris

In the second incident of its kind in New Brunswick this year,an elderly man has died while burning debris in his yard.

RCMP in Perth Andover are reporting an 81 year old man was found deceased with some burns to his body after doing some yard work. This happened before back in May in Hampton when another elderly man passed away under similar circumstances.

Foul play isn't suspected in either case. The man's name is not being released.

Local Student To Open For Country Singer Tomorrow Night

One local young lady is ready for a bigger stage to perform her music.

15-year-old Jenna Carson is one of the opening acts for Country Singer Mike Biggar tomorrow night at the St. Stephen High School.

Jenna's Mom, Stacey Carson tells Tide News she's been playing guitar since she was 7, and resembles another big-time songstress -- Taylor Swift. Carson says her daughter is "kinda country, kinda alternative" and sounds like Swift.

Carson also says her daughter has performed at the Ganong Nature Park Fall Fair and at Chocolate-Fest in St. Stephen.

Jenna will be performing one of her own original songs, titled "Butterflies"  at the concert, and country duo "Dashboard" will also be opening.
Tickets are $10, and are still available at Stuart's Gifts in St. Stephen. Kids 12 and under get in free of charge. The concert will begin at 7:30pm.

Boudreau: Pensioners Being "Forced" To Accept Shared Risk

A heated exchange in Question Period today between Shediac—Cap-Pelé MLA Victor Boudreau and Finance Minister Blaine Higgs over whether the Shared Risk model is the only option for the public service pension plan.

Higgs responded that there have been actuarial reports done from the get-go and they've done their due diligence--but Boudreau argues there's been a lack of transparency and the model has been "forced" on the retirees and current pensioners.

Boudreau says if there is an actuarial plan on the Shared Risk model, the finance minister should table it in the legislature.

Party Leaders Butt Heads Over Shale Gas

Premier David Alward and Provincial Liberal leader Brian Gallant clashing over shale gas.

 Gallant says the Conservatives are jumping ahead too fast without giving enoough consideration to the effect on human health and the environment. 

He points to a document from the Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S. which talks about the potential hazards to human health of fracking. He charges the Alward Government decided to press ahead without giving due consideration to human health, the environment and royalties.

The Premier dismisses the Liberals as "the moratorium party", accusing them of having no plan for growing the provincial economy.

Demolition Starting On Simm's Factory

The Simm's brush factory in announced back in the summer it would be closing down its Saint John operations and laying off 35 employees--and now JDI has confirmed the iconic glass building itself will be demolished in the new year. 

Mary Keith of JDI explains demolition has already begun on the wooden building that is behind the iconic glass-fronted factory on Simm's Corner--and by the new year, the factory itself will be levelled and the site used for heavy industrial purposes.

Keith says they're looking at all the options when it comes to traffic calming on Simm's Corner, but the solution won't necessarily involve a divestiture of any of that land.

Simms has been a family business since it was founded in 1866. 

The glass building was built in 1912.

Shared Risk Pension Model Called "Irresponsible"

" Policy development on the fly".........That's what provincial government retirees are calling the shared risk pension model and have their own expert criticising what's being proposed. 

The Pension Coalition calls Bernard Dussault one of the original architects who reformed the Canada Pension Plan as well as being actuary for the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada. 

Dussault is denouncing the shared risk model as irresponsible because it lacks the standard actuarial projections on how much it will wind up costing along with what the short, medium and long term financial effects will be on the provincial pension plan itself.