Sign Up For Ball Hockey Tonight

The ice might be going -- but the hockey stays.

Tonight you can sign your kid up for Ball Hockey, a 6 week program for kids ages 6 through to 17.

Organizer Blair Furlotte tells Tide News the start date will be April 8th. He says Tuesday evening from 6-7pm will be for ages 6-9, and Thursday evenings from 6-7pm will be for ages 10-17.

Kids will need to have a full face mask helmet, shin pads -- soccer pads will do, and hockey gloves.

Furlotte tells us they had 80 kids participate last year and they are hoping for a bigger turn-out this year and expanding the program.

Registration is $30 and will be held upstairs at the Border Arena in St. Stephen tonight from 6-8.

A Men's Ball Hockey tema will also be meeting on Tuesday night from 7:30-9:30pm. Cost is $10 a head per night and the men will need to wear a helmet.

Furlotte says they are also looking for a few volunteers and any donations would be appreciated to get goalie equipment for the kids.

If you would like to donate, call Blair Furlotte at 921-0038.

Chilling Details From MacKean Trial

Chilling details are being revealed in the sexual assault case involving a teenage boy who was chained up for 10 days inside a cabin in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia.

64 year old John Leonard MacKean is facing two charges in relation to his alleged role in the incident which took place in September 2012.

The alleged victim - a teenage boy - was the first witness to take the stand in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Bridgewater.

He told court he was blindfolded and chained to a bed while he was sexually assaulted by David Leblanc and Wayne Cunningham.

The teenager also testified about a third man involved in the sexual acts.
However, the boy was blindfolded and could not clearly identify the other individual.
Evidence of chains, a blanket from the bed and a blindfold were submitted as evidence by the Crown prosecutor.

Defence lawyer Mike Taylor will cross examine the alleged victim this afternoon.
The trial is being heard before a judge and 12 member jury.

The trial is expected to last three days.

Former P-C Party Staffer Claims Party Can't Win Next Provincial Election

There's deep dissatisfaction within the provincial Conservative Party and no one sees the Conservatives winning the next election.

That claim being made by Bill Carter of Hampton, a former Conservative party staff member and ex President of the party's youth wing in the province.

He points to how many young people are giving up on New Brunswick and moving elsewhere. Carter calls that a sad commentary since their hearts are in New Brunswick and they would rather be living here if there was opportunity.

Carter has joined the provincial NDP but will not be running to be an M-L-A in September's election.

Draw 9 Is In The Books At The FWCC

Draw 9 is complete at the World Women's Curling Championship, Canada doubled Latvia 8-4, Sweden beat Denmark 7-2, Korea defeating the Czech Republic 8-5 and Russia hammered Scotland 10-4.

Switzerland is undefeated at 5 and 0, Canada and Sweden are tied with a 5 and 1 record.

Switzerland plays today and Canada takes on Scotland tonight.

Scathing Report Released On Proposed Energy East Pipeline

A new report released by a group of environmental organisations claims nearly all of the 1.1 million barrels a day of crude oil the proposed Energy East pipeline would carry from Alberta would be exported unrefined. According to the report, eastern Canadian refineries would process only a small amount.

Catherine Abreu of the Ecology Action Centre tells Tide News the number of jobs that would be created considering all the money that's going to be spent is distinctly unimpressive, 166 for every billion dollars spent.

By contrast, Abreau says for every billion dollars invested in green energy initiatives, 15 thousand jobs are created according to research done by the University of Massachusetts.

Adam Scott of Environmental Defence claims we are being misled about the claims being made by politicians on how this pipeline will help turn the provincial economy around.

Fire Leaves Two People Homeless

A home is destroyed by fire a few kilometers north of Fredericton in McLeod Hill. We hear from the Red Cross that two people managed to get out safely but they were still in their night clothes.

The man and woman are getting emergency assistance from the Red Cross which includes somewhere to stay temporarily, food and clothing.

There's no word on what caused the blaze on Chateau Drive.

Canadian Women Curlers Win Twice

After an 8-2 win over Denmark in the afternoon, Canada, skipped by Rachel Homan, defeated the U.S. 9-3 in six ends at Harbour Station last night.

Team Canada improves to 4-1, behind only Switzerland, who won 7-3 over Denmark and has a perfect 5 and 0 record.

This morning, Canada takes on Latvia and then Scotland tonight. The Swiss will play South Korea this afternoon and the U.S. tonight.

Shale Gas Study To Be Carried Out

It's being described as its very first research initiative with half a million dollars to be spent by the New Brunswick Energy Institute on what the impact will be on groundwater of shale gas exploration.

According to the Institute, this study will provide the necessary baseline data that's required to assess shale gas extraction and the occurrance of methane gas in private water wells.

The study will examine four areas in the southern part of the province, including the Sussex area.

The Energy Institute was created by the Alward Governnment but its legitimacy was called into question after Professor Louis LaPierre resigned as the head of the Institute following controversy over his academic credentials.

Transformer Fire And Car Crashes In Musquash

Musquash firefighters responded to a transformer fire and a pair of car crashes over the weekend.

The transformer fire happened Saturday shortly after 9 o'clock in Lepreau and caused a power outage for 6 hours in that area.

One crash happened on Route 1 near New River on Sunday shortly after 2 in the morning after the car hit a guardrail. A few hours later, there was a rollover on route 790 in Musquash around 8am in which the vehicle ended up on its roof in a brook.

No one was injured in either crash. The roads were extremely slippery at the time.

CBS Workers Could Soon Strike

Canadian Blood Services workers in the province may soon be on strike, after they say the latest contract offer didn't offer enough money for the hours worked.


CUPE rep Mike Davidson tells Tide News the action could effect as many as 40 workers,
including phlebotomists, clinic assistants and drivers.

The workers will be in a legal strike position as of tomorrow. CUPE Local 1655 has requested another meeting next Thursday March 27th in hopes of negotiating a new deal.

Provincial NDP Snags Conservative

A former President of the provincial Conservative party's youth wing is jumping ship.

William Carter of Hampton is joining the NDP. Carter is also a former Conservative party staff member.

The NDP has scheduled a news conference tomorrow to introduce Carter and have him elaborate on his reasons for changing party allegiance.

Utopia Traffic Stop Leads To Coke Seizure

A Saturday night traffic stop in Utopia leading to the seizure of nearly 6 grams of coke.

The 47 year old man from Pennfield was stopped in his vehicle about 10:30pm on Johnson Lane.

He was arrested at the scene and later released with an August court date in St. Stephen provincial court.

Unique Drinking Facts For Saint Patrick's Day

It's Saint Patrick's Day in Canada's "Most Irish" City, which means the whiskey and green beer will be flowing at local watering holes.

To help your avoid feeling green tomorrow, CHSJ News has gathered a few drinking tips:

-Eat before you drink, especially proteins, fats and dense carbohydrates: they'll slow down the rate at which you get tipsy and allow you to enjoy the fun for longer.

-Pop and other carbonated mixers make your body absorb the alcohol faster, as does drinking warm drinks like Irish Coffee. Energy drinks mask your body's ability to tell you when you've had enough, making you more likely to drink more and be hungover.

- If you want to drink responsibly you should have no more than one drink per hour, or alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones.

-Once alcohol is in your blood neither coffee nor a cold shower will make you sober up more quickly.

-One trick for avoiding a hangover: if you're drinking bottled beer, put your bottle caps in your pocket. Count them and have that many glasses of water when you get home.

Above all, make sure that you have a plan to get home safely and don't drive if you've been celebrating.

RCMP In Grand Bay-Westfield Nab Wanted Man

A 29-year-old man from Markham, Ontario, has been arrested in Grand Bay-Westfield on charges in connection with credit card fraud and will be back in court today.

The RCMP arrested a man for violating a condition imposed by the York Regional Police and then they found out he was wanted on a number of outstanding warrants for credit card fraud in Ontario.

Zhong Cai Liu has been charged with violating a court order not to leave Ontario and not possess any credit card or any card with a magnetic strip unless it's in his name.

Additional charges related to credit card fraud are anticipated.

Canada Loses To The Swiss At Harbour Station

Team Canada, skipped by Rachel Homan, lost 8-2 to Switzerland at the Ford World Women's Curling Championship. The Swiss trailed 2-1 after five ends but Binia Feltscher made a wonderful shot in the fifth end, a double takeout to score three. Switzerland put the game away by stealing one more in the sixth, two in the seventh and one in the eighth end.

Switzerland is tied with Allison Pottinger of the U.S. at 3 and 0 atop the round-robin standings. Canada is in a four way tie for third with Russia, Sweden and South Korea.

The loss ended a 15 game winning streak for the Homan rink including an unbeaten run at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

The U.S. takes on Sweden this morning at 9:30 while the Swiss meet Latvia. Team Canada takes on Denmark this afternoon at 2:30 and then the U.S. tonight at 7:30.

St. Andrews Celebrates St. Patti's Day

Around 3 dozen St. Andrews residents braving the cold to wear their green and celebrate their Irish heritage.

The 2nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade coming down Water Street yesterday in below zero temperatures.

Organizer Matthew Gick -- dressed in kilt -- says the event was done in support of the Charlotte County SPCA and over the course of the weekend with another event held at The Red Herring Pub, they were able to raise over $300 for the local animal shelter.

Acadia Broadcasting Granted Approval For Moncton Station

Acadia Broadcasting is expanding - the parent company of 98.1 The Tide, Country 94 and The Wave has received approval from the Canadian Radio - Television - and - Telecommunications Commission to purchase Moncton radio station CKNI-FM from Rogers Broadcasting.
Acadia plans to move the station to newly constructed studios and launch its new music and information format later this year.
Meantime - the federal regulatory agency has given thumbs up to Newcap to purchase CHNI-FM - the Rogers station here in Saint John.
Both stations currently feature a news - talk format that Rogers has been unable to make financially successful.
Moncton becomes the 13th station for Acadia spanning New Brunswick - Nova Scotia - and - Ontario.

Canada And Sweden Considered The Favourites At World Curling Championship

Competition is expected to be intense at Harbour Station for the Ford World Women's Curling Championship with Canada and Sweden the favourites to win. Sweden won the silver medal at the Sochi Winter OLympics.

The tournment crowns a champion a week from this Sunday night with the gold medal game that will be broadcast by TSN.

Host Committee chair Jeff Lacey tells Tide News the curlers will also be meeting fans face to face next week at various times to sign autographs at the Trade and Convention Centre.

All of Canada's round robin matches will be televised by TSN which will also be showing all the playoffs.

Questions Raised About Provincial Drug Plan

The prescription drug plan being touted by the Alward Government as one of its big achievements but the opposition Liberals are hammering away at who's going to pay what after the first year which is voluntary.

The drug plan becomes mandatory in year two at a cost estimated at between 120 and 150 million dollars. Healthcare critic Donald Arsenault says he has heard 15 to 25 million dollars will be sought from business. Arsenault has also heard the possibility of a 2 per cent payroll tax increase. He also wonders what the penalties will be for those who can't pay.

New Links Between New Brunswick Producers And South Korean Markets

Soon, New Brunswick blueberries, lobster, and salmon will more easily be making their way to tables in South Korea, thanks to the recently announced Canada Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Dignitaries from Canada and South Korea marked the Atlantic Canadian implications that agreement today at the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Ship Terminal. Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore, who is also in charge of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, tells Tide News it's a landmark achievement. Negotiations took 8 years in total to complete, according to Moore.

This is Canada's first free trade agreement in Asia. New Brunswick's fish and seafood exports to South Korea were worth an average of $5.1 million annually between 2010 and 2012.