Safety Tips From KV Fire During Power Outage

The Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department advising the public not to use makeshift heaters during the power outages. Captain Bill Gentleman speaks for the department.

"We want every body to stay safe, he says. Running generators inside of houses, barbeques, charcoal heaters, anything like that people shouldn't be doing."

He says if you see an issue with wires down or transformers smoking,   report it through 9-1-1. He adds, it's a good idea to check on neighbors, to see if anyone needs help.

Gentleman says a big problem during the storm is broken pipes because of freezing. He says when your power comes back on, you could be finding leaks throughout your house.

If you think your pipes are frozen you may want to contact a plumber, to take action and prevent flooding  damage to your house.

Snowfall Warning In Effect

A snowfall warning is in effect for New Brunswick.
Andy Firth, Meteorologist at Environment Canada tells us to expect up to 25 centimeters of snow.

"Over the extreme south western corner, it will change to rain by late this evening," he says

Other areas in the southern regions of the province can expect snow to change to freezing rain. He tells us, the worst of the storm will be late this evening to dawn tomorrow, and is expected to last about 12 hours.
 
The Department of Public Safety says avoid unnecessary driving. The storm will leave more risk of power outages and hazardous driving conditions. NB Power says some customers might be out of power into the new year.

Right now, almost two-thousand customers are still without power in the St. Stephen region, more than three-thousand in the Rothesay region, and more than one-hundred in Sussex.

Saint John Emergency Measures Monitoring Storm Situation

There's some concern in the city about what might happen to trees near power lines that are already under alot of strain from the ice storm withe the latest weather maker. 

The E-M-O in the city, under Fire Chief Kevin Clifford, telling CHSJ News it's monitoring the situation and is prepared to open up warming centres should there be power outages that are prolonged. 

According to the weather forecast, there could be some more freezing rain in the morning in addition to the heavy snow beginning tonight.

Devastation On Kingston Peninsula From Ice Storm

The aftermath of the ice storm is hitting the Kingston Peninsula especially hard. Howard Heans, who operates the Harding's Point campground at the Westfield ferry landing, has been without power for over a week. 

Heans telling CHSJ News he drove to Carter's Point and the damage is mind boggling with downed trees covering both sides of the road forcing you to drive down the centre. Heans says, at times, he had to stop and lift trees that were in the way. He's worried what might happen and how many more trees will come down if the winds become gusty.
 
Heans goes on to say the sound of tree limbs falling in the deafening silence sounded like shotgun blasts.

CANADIAN RED CROSS CONTINUES AID FOLLOWING NEW BRUNSWICK ICE STORM

Disaster volunteers with the Canadian Red Cross from across the province, with reinforcements from Nova Scotia, continue to manage or support eight warming centres and shelters in New Brunswick communities significantly impacted by power outages following last week's ice storm.

 

While hundreds of people take advantage of the service to warm up for a few hours, refill water bottles, charge mobile phones or laptops, and receive information updates, the number requiring overnight lodging remains low, as most people chose to spend the night in their homes, or stay with relatives, friends or at hotels and motels.

 

New Brunswickers seeking up-to-date information on warming centre or shelter locations and hours of operation can contact the Canadian Red Cross 24 hours a day at: 1-800-222-9597.

 

Currently, warming centres open daytime include:

• Quispamsis: QPlex at 12 Randy Jones Way - 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Oak Bay: Volunteer Fire Department, Route 170.

• Lower Greenwich Fire Department – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

 

Warming centres that offer overnight shelter if required, including cots, blankets and 24/7 staffing include:

• Lawrence Station:  Lawrence Station Elementary School

• Harvey Station: Harvey Health Centre,2019 Route 3.

• St. George: Magaguadavic Place, 11 J.O. Spinney Drive

• Grand Bay-Westfield: St. Matthews Church

• Garnett Settlement-Simonds: Simonds Fire Department, Range Road

• Sussex: Sussex Middle School, 49 Bryant Drive (currently closed but on standby if need arises)

 

At shelters staffed by Canadian Red Cross personnel, there have been 495 clients to date, though only 29 have opted to stay overnight. In a couple of isolated cases due to special needs of clients, the Canadian Red Cross has also arranged emergency motel lodging.

 

Sixteen Canadian Red Cross disaster volunteers and one staff continue to support warming centre and shelter operations. That includes four from Nova Scotia who will be returning home on Sunday in advance of the next approaching storm.

 

Disaster services offered to the public by the Canadian Red Cross are always free of charge thanks to individual and corporate donors whose financial donations cover costs including training and equipping volunteers, inventories of relief supplies and direct aid to clients. Donations to support such ongoing work of the Red Cross can be made online any time atredcross.ca, or by calling toll-free 1-800-418-1111, or in person during regular office hours at any Canadian Red Cross office.

 

Social Media Helping Police Solve Crimes In K-V

The Rothesay Regional Police Department's social media presence getting lots of "likes" from those living in the KV. 

That from Rothesay Police Chief Stephen MacIntyre who tells us the community response to their online presence has been positive for the most part. MacIntyre tells us they do get negative comments from time to time, but he says once you make a post online, you have to accept the fact criticism could follow.

He says it's been a excellent way for them to get information out there quickly---and says there have been at least several instances where police received tips concerning minor crimes from people who read their posts on social media. The department starting posting outstanding warrants on their site about five months ago and they are active on Facebook and Twitter.

More Snow Tonight

We're expecting a couple of centimeters of snow this afternoon and another 5 to 10 tonight before it tapers off in the overnight hours. 

George Parkes of Environment Canada warns another snowstorm is possible on Monday which could be more intense with more snow.
 
Parkes tells us if you have to go to work tomorrow morning, the snow will be over by the time of your morning commute.

Emergency Measures Organisation Issues Warning

The Emergency Measures Organisation is warning people, still without power, to never use charcoal or gas barbeques, camping equipment or home generators inside their homes because they give off carbon monoxide which can be life-threatening.
 
After your power is restored, you should give the electrical system some time to stabilize before reconnecting tools and appliances. Turn on your heating system first, followed in a couple of minutes by reconnecting your fridge and freezer. Wait 10 to 15 minutes before reconnecting everything else.
 
For more information on the emergency centres, you can call the Red Cross, 1-800-222-9597.

Tourism Minister Shares His 2013 Highlights

Having a tourism ad run in Times Square and a big funding announcement for the Fundy Trail are two of the big successes of this year for Trevor Holder.

The provincial Tourism Minister believes the province is getting much more sophisticated at how we market New Brunswick, pointing to the tourism ad that ran in New York's Times Square. He's also happy to hear about plans from Ottawa which was announced last June to seek a replacement for the Princess of Acadia.

Holder says he looks forward to hearing the results of the home-port study launched last May to see if Saint John can be a location for cruise ships to depart from.

Heating Unit Recalled Due To Overheating Hazard

A warning from Health Canada not to use a certain type of heating unit because it has a manufacturing defect that causes overheating, which could lead to injury or property damage.

RONA Incorporated issuing a voluntary recall of Uberhaus 1500-W wall-mounted convection heaters with the model number HC09C15 and a product number of 63545004 that were sold between April 2010 and November of this year. An estimated 17,000 units were sold in Réno-Dépôt stores in Quebec and in RONA stores across Canada, including RONA stores that were formerly under the TOTEM banner in Alberta.

Health Canada has received a report of an incident without injury relating to the use of the product. If you own this you're being told to stop using it immediately and return it to a Réno-Dépôt or RONA store. You can also contact customer service toll-free at 1-866-283-2239 for more information.

K-V Fire Chief Reflects On The Past Year

At the end of November, total volume for fire calls is down 14% over 2012 at the KV Fire Department.
 
Chief Bill Ireland tells Tide News calls for overall service are up but they are reducing the number of fires in the community. Ireland adds included in the overall numbers numbers would be the medical calls they respond to. He says medical calls represent about 55% of their overall call volume.

Two of the departments big fires occurred on a weekend last May when a home was lost on Alderbrook Crescent in Quispamsis and a forest fire in French Village. Another major blaze was just last month, a garage fire on Iona Avenue in Rothesay.

Ireland says the department did have to deal with a situation early in the year with several people out on long term disability which resulted in some increased costs at the start of the year.

Christmas Day House Fire In The Valley

A Quispamsis family getting out safely after their house caught fire on Christmas Day.

Rothesay Regional Police tell us it happened at a home on 64 Quispamsis Road around 12:30pm, and while the cause of the fire is not known at this point, it may have been caused by a problem with a generator. 

There is major fire damage to the front of the house and police say if crews had arrived five or ten minutes later the house would have been completely lost.

Thousands Still Without Power Across N.B.

It was a cold and dark Christmas for many New Brunswickers, as thousands of homes and businesses around the province still don't have power days after a major ice storm.

There are still more than 18,000 customers who don't have electricity with the hardest hit area being Rothesay with a total of more than 11,000 outages. NB Power saying trees and heavy snow are making it tough for crews to access many areas in order to do repairs, which is leading to more delays. The utility is estimating some customers won't have power back until New Year's Eve.

Saint John Energy says there are outages on Keating Road, James Way, Woodside Drive, Bay Crescent Drive, Chalmers Drive, Station Road, Upper Golden Grove, Kirkpatrick Lane, Bradley Lake Road and Dolan Road. They have no estimated time for when power will be restored. 

Warming centres have been set up in Grand Bay-Westfield at the St. Matthew's Church by Sobeys, the Lighthouse River Centre in Hampton and in Rothesay at Rothesay-Netherwood in Heritage Hall. The Quispamsis Civic Centre above the number 2 fire station on Civic Road will be open until 10pm tonight then will move to the qplex opening at 8am. Click here to see a list of other warming centres across the province.

NB Power Making Headway In Restoring Power

NB Power is making headway in getting power restored with more than 28 thousand homes and businesses around the province without, which is down from the more than 51 thousand yesterday morning.

There are still more than 14 thousand in the Rothesay region. This includes not only Rothesay but Grand Bay-Westfield, Quispamsis, Hampton, Nauwigewauk,  Titusville, the Kingston Peninsula, Nerepis, Rowley, Queenstown and Passekeag.

NB Power is now estimating restoration could be anywhere from late tomorrow night to  Saturday night depending on where you live.

Warming centres have been set up at the Brundage Point River Centre in Grand Bay-Westfield, the Lighthouse River Centre in Hampton, the Quispamsis Civic Centre above the #2 fire station on Civic Road and at Rothesay-Netherwood in Heritage Hall.

Saint John Energy, in its latest update, is reporting power outages on Keating Road, Kirkpatrick Lane, Bradley Lake Road, Dolan Road, Janes Way, Woodside Drive, Bay Crescent Drive, Chalmers Drive, Station Road and Upper Golden Grove. There's no estimate when the power will be back on.

There are more than 75 hundred homes and businesses still in the dark in the St. Stephen region. This includes as well as St. Stephen, Blacks Harbour, St. George, Lepreau, Harvey,  McAdam, St. Andrews, Pennfield, Musquash, Utopia, Oak Bay, Waweig, Yoho, Pocologan, Back Bay, Oak Bay, Little Ridge, Chamcook, Bocabec, Oak Hill and Digdeguash. NB Power is estimating it could be anywhere from tonight before power is restored for a few customers in McAdam but, for most still without electricity, it appears to be late Saturday night now.

Warming stations have been set up at the Civic Centre in St. George and the D-F-O Biological Station in St. Andrews.

More than 31 hundred homes and businesses are without electricity in the Sussex area with NB Power estimating it will be late tomorrow night before over a thousand customers in Jemseg get their service restored but the latest estimate for most is late Saturday night. 

Power Outages Update

                                 In St. Stephen, 3744 are currently without power.

About 58 customers are still without power in Rothesay.

That number going down from over 400 earlier today.

Saint John Energy reporting power outages affecting the West Side earlier today. Customers in the lower West side should have power back at this time.

A New Treatment Center Will Be Built For Mentally Ill Teens And Kids

This province is in dire need of new facilities to treat teens and children struggling with mental health issues.
 
No ones knows that more than Maureen Billerman of Dots NB who created a non-profit group after struggling to find help for her child with mental health challenges.
 
Billerman tells Tide News the province is seeking request for proposals for a 15-bed treatment centre for children and youth.

She says the facility for children and youth in crisis who need serious help. 

She says they will work intensely and the idea is that they will get back into their communities as quickly as possible.

Billerman calls this move a really good step that will serve a deep need.  

She expects it will be open a year from now.

For more info on Dots NB, click here

Proposed Medical Marijuana Factory In St. Stephen

A business in St.Stephen has put forward a proposal for the building of a medical marijuana factory in the town. 

Darren Marshall is VP of Tidal Health Solutions. The business has applied for a license, under the new Health Canada regulations. 

He tells us the factory will add 15 more jobs and will be regulated under the new Health Canada Rules.

"This whole new system is going to be centered around license producers, so we've made an application to become a licensed producer," he says.

 Right now, patients who use medical marijuana can grow it themselves or can have a licensed producer do it for them.
 
After the new rules take effect on April 1st, growing medical marijuana will only be permitted to licensed producers. 

Marshall tells Tide News, "some of the challenges will be educating people on what it is and how it's used, and getting away from some of the stigma that surrounds the product now."

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year Or The Most Stressful?

For many of us it's not the most wonderful time of the year, it's the most stressful.

 But the C-E-O of the Canadian Psychological Association has some advice on how to stay calm and collected this holiday season. Dr. Karen Cohen says it's important to set realistic expectations.

"If you're go into the holidays hoping Uncle Jim and cousin Bob are going to get along really well this year, and mom is going to something different, and everyone is going to be happy. We may end up being disappointed because that's not always the way it works out," she says.

She says you should keep things in perspective if something doesn't go according to plan and try not make a mountain out of a molehill. She also says its important to pay attention to your own feelings and ask for help if you need it.

Holiday Fire Safety Tips

As you're decorating your home for the holiday season, Regional Fire Marshall in Saint John, Jeff Croft, has a few fire safety tips to keep in mind. 

He says, check your extension cords for damage before use.

"Make sure that they're not damaged, or that they aren't running under carpets, or in a high traffic area."

He adds, make sure you inspect your Christmas lights for cuts in the wires before putting them on. Especially if you use them year after year. 

Two Rexton Protestors Opt For A Trial, One Gets Time Served

27 year old Coady Stevens of Nova Scotia pleading guilty to five charges dating back to October's shale gas protests in Rexton.

Stevens faces several charges including assaulting a police officer.   He's been in jail since his arrest and was sentenced to time served with several conditions including that he stay away from any SWN Resources equipment, compound or work site.

20 year old Aaron Francis of Nova Scotia pleading not guilty to 16 changes stemming from incidents on October 17th.
The charges include two counts of assault on a police officer, assault on a corrections officer and eight charges relating to firearms.

21 year old Germain Breau of Upper Rexton was also in court pleading not guilty to 19 charges in connection with his actions on the same day.

Francis and Breau are due back before a judge on December 30th to have trial dates se

Expect Slippery Conditions Tonight

Expect slippery conditions tonight with freezing rain, and ice pellets headed our way. 

 Cindy Vallis is a meteorologist at Environment Canada. She tells us, the worst of the weather is going to around be midnight.

"Periods of rain through the evening hours, then changing to periods of rain around midnight," she says.
 
Expect about 10 to 15 centimeters of ice pellets.  She adds, the weather will gradually improve tomorrow as the system moves.

MADD Canada Launching Project Red Ribbon

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada and Irving Oil launching Project Red Ribbon in Atlantic Canada.
 
The red ribbon is a symbol many of us are familiar with, and is a reminder to never drive impaired. The campaign has been around for 26 years. 

 Dawn Regan speaks for MADD Canada, and tells us impaired driving is the number one criminal cause of death in Canada. 

"It just such a preventable activity there's no reason for this crime to happen. People just need to make the right decision and never drive impaired," she says.

She adds, 1,200 to 1,500 people die in impaired driving related accidents per year, averaging about 4 deaths per day.

More Than $1.5 Million In Unclaimed Lottery Money

 No one wants to miss out on winning some cash, especially during the holiday season.

 Atlantic Lottery telling us there's more than 1.5 million dollars in unclaimed lottery money. That's just for the month of December. 

Carla Burque of Atlantic Lottery, tells Tide News, 

"People have these ticket on their counters, in their wallets, in their purses. They're worth some money." 

She says smaller prizes may not change your life, but they could pay for dinner, coffee or something you may have had your eye on for a while.

After a year, unclaimed prizes are returned to a special fund and offered back to players through some form of prizing.

Tonight Is Algonquin Night!

Tonight is Algonquin Night at Kingsbrae Garden.

The annual Festival of Trees in St. Andrews is a silent auction on Christmas Trees loaded with goodies from local businesses, as well as collecting food and monetary donations for the food bank.

Volunteer Centre of Charlotte County Co-ordinator Donna Linton tells Tide News people are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items or a suggested donation of $3 for admission to the Festival of Trees.

For "Algonquin Night", the Algonquin Hotel will match the weight of food donations that are raised tonight.

The Festival is open from 5-9, and you will be able to bid on any of the Christmas trees until December 29th.

Slushy And Slippery Roads In Charlotte County This Weekend

Get ready for a big slushy mess.

Environment Canada issuing a freezing rain warning for the weekend in Charlotte County.

The national forecaster says periods of snow will be mixed with ice pellets and freezing rain by tonight.

That will continue into tomorrow evening when the temperature rises to 2 degrees above zero and we'll have some rain showers.

Sunday is also calling for more snow and freezing rain.

2 Hurt In 5 Vehicle Crash On Highway 1

5 vehicles in a major crash on Highway 1 westbound near the Tourist bureau leaving two people seriously hurt.

It happened in the middle of rush hour causing a major traffic problem.

Saint John City police tell Tide News it looks light one of the cars crossed the centre line into the oncoming traffic.

The highway was closed but is now back open to traffic.

Warning About Synthetic Drugs Seized By City Police

The seizure of two synthetic drugs in the north end prompting City Police to issue a warning about their dangers. 

Sergeant Jay Henderson says both D-M-T and 2-5-I (eye) cause users to hallucinate to the point where they could be dangerously unaware of their surroundings.
 
Police say there's no known medical use for these drugs which will be chemically analysed.

Woman Pleads Guilty To Stealing Drugs From Hospital

After stealing morphine, oxycodone, percocet and other types of drugs from the Regional Hospital, Erin Munn says she wants to make things right.

The woman pleading guilty in provincial court to taking drugs from the hospital's surgery department this summer while she was working as a cleaner in the building. Munn was caught after a surveillance camera was installed near the cabinets.

She says she has written a letter to the hospital and wants to get back on track. Her employer has hired her back on and the Crown says she's taking steps to get help for her pill addiction. The judge giving her a six-month conditional sentence saying rehabilitation is the key here.

Smith Inquest Jury Rules Her 07 Death A Homicide

The jury at the Ashley Smith inquest in Toronto ruling her death was the result of a homicide.

The Moncton teen died in her prison cell in Kitchener, Ontario in 2007. She choked to death of pieces of material after jail guards were told not to rush and help her.

Among its many recommendations, the jury is recommending that indefinite solitary confinement be abolished and until that happens, they suggest it be restricted to a maximum of 15 days.

Another recommendation is for Smith's story to be used a case study for front line workers at the Correctional Service of Canada.

For nearly a year, the jury has been listening to thousands of hours of testimony and reviewing hundreds of exhibits of Smith's time in federal prison.

Work Underway On The 2014 Vote

Next year's provincial vote is a big undertaking and the work is already underway at Elections NB.

Chief Electoral Officer Mike Quinn tells Tide News says during the last vote they began a pilot project with full returning offices on campuses in Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton, and Edmunston.

He says they are looking at ways of changing that service around and make it better so that students get to vote all through the election.

Quinn says they are preparing the new polling division map because of the riding changes shrinking the number of ridings from 55 to 49.

Healthcare Budget Will Have Surplus

Tide News has been told by Provincial Health Minister Ted Flemming it appears the healthcare budget is heading for a 26 million dollar surplus. 

Flemming says this turnaround would not have happened had the culture within the healthcare system not been changed and this change has been embraced by the people working in healthcare after years of political interference and bad decision making as a result.

He also says the healthcare budget next year will not be going up from this year and the government has achieved this without touching clinical services.

Man Facing 19 Charges After Shale Gas Protests In October

A 21-year-old man from Rexton, New Brunswick is facing 19 charges, after his actions during shale gas protests.

 Germain Breau was arrested in October and has been in custoday ever since. RCMP say he was arrested after police were trying to control a dangerous situation involving firearms, improvised explosive devices and other weapons.

Some of the charges against him include, careless use of a firearm, pointing a firearm at a police officer, obstructing a police officer and violating a probation order. 

 Yesterday, 15 more charges were laid against him at Moncton Provincial Court, and he will be back in court tomorrow.

New Brunswick Getting More Money From The Harper Government

The Alward Government's bottom line getting a big boost with a five per cent increase in transfer payments from Ottawa. 

Federal transfers will rise next year to over 2.6 billion dollars which comprises one-third of the provincial budget. 

Saint John M-P Rodney Weston blames the previous Liberal Government under Premier Shawn Graham, in large part, for a financial mess by spending more money than it took in, driving up the debt.
 
Weston concedes the province still finds itself in a difficult financial situation in spite of higher federal transfer payments, adding he doesn't envy the challenge faced by Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs.

Shale Gas Protestor Pleads Guilty To Charges

After two months behind bars, a 47-year old man arrested during the violent clash between RCMP and shale gas protestors near Rexton has been released from jail.

47-year old James Pictou of Saint-André-de-Madawaska being sentenced to time served as he was in custody since his arrest on October 17.

Pictou pleading guilty to seven charges stemming from incidents on the Elispogtog First Nation and near Rexton, including uttering a threat towards a First Nation peacekeeper, uttering threats to kill an RCMP dog by saying "Bring that dog, I'll kill that dog" while holding a long peace of wood, and assaulting a police officer by pointing a can of bear spray at him.

He will be under house arrest for there months and under curfew for six months and is not allowed to participate in any shale gas protests in New Brunswick. He is also being ordered to stay a kilometre away from employees and equipment belonging to SWN Resources and its subcontractors.

Funeral For City Teen On Saturday

A funeral service is coming up on Saturday for 17 year old Gavin Adams of Saint John.

The Saint John High student died earlier this week after being reported missing to police on Sunday.

He is described as a dependable friend who loved to play guitar and enjoyed being on the swim team and in the choir.

Visitation is tomorrow and Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 at Brenan's on Paradise Row with the funeral on Saturday at the Church of St. Andrew and St. David at noon.

Man Who Robbed His Boss Sentenced To 4 Years

After getting drunk and robbing his own employer, 35-year-old Simon Basque gets a sentence of 4 years in jail for robbery.

He has to submit a DNA sample and he can't own any weapons for 10 years.

Basque pleaded guilty to holding up his boss's brother at knife point, demanding a debit card, the PIN number, and car keys. He then tied up the victim in a bathroom and took off in their van. He was later pulled over in Quebec and arrested.

He said he doesn't know why he did it considering he didn't want to hurt anyone and he even had money on him at the time.

It's A Greasy Drive Today

It's a pretty scene out there today...but not so pretty when you're driving. 

Sgt Dave Cowan of Saint John Police says people should be extra cautious on the roads today.
 
He tells Tide News the roads are typical for a winter storm with a lot of them being snowpacked and slushy.

He suggests drivers slow down and leave a lot of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of them.
 
He says police have responded to about a dozen minor accidents in the Uptown area today.

To follow the storm's track, click here

No Charges In Fatal Baxter's Corner Shooting

No criminal charges will be laid in the deadly shooting of a Baxters Corner man in November 2012.

RCMP investigators had recommended to the Crown charges of murder, manslaughter and criminal negligence be considered in connection with the death of 31-year-old Ryan Firlotte; however, the Crown Prosecutors Office decided not to proceed with charges because there was no likelihood of conviction.

Ryan Firlotte and two other men were shot during an altercation in Baxters Corner with a 35-year-old man who also lived there. Firlotte and the other two men were in a vehicle that had been struck by bullets. The 35-year-old man under investigation for the shooting had been assaulted in the Saint John area earlier that same day.

The investigation determined that all the individuals involved in the incident knew one another.

NB Liquor Announces Holiday Hours

If you like a little holiday tipple, you'll want to keep in mind the holiday hours for NB Liquor locations announced today.
 
The regular hours will vary over the next 10 days or so at corporate stores, such as the ones in St. Stephen, St. Andrews, and St. George.


●    Sunday, Dec. 22: Open noon to 5 p.m.
●    Monday, Dec. 23: Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
●    Tuesday, Dec. 24: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
●    Wednesday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day): Closed.
●    Thursday, Dec. 26 (Boxing Day): Closed.
●    Friday, Dec. 27, to Monday, Dec. 30: Regular operating hours.
●    Tuesday, Dec. 31: Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
●    Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014: Closed.
●    Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014: Regular hours resume.

NB Liquor's 80 agency outlets may open all days except Christmas Day. Hours may vary by location.

Date Set For Pleas In Blue Moon Arson Case

The man charged with burning the Blue Moon Motel being given another court date.

Defence asking for more time in St. Stephen Provincial Court this morning so Gordon Lankisch from St. Andrews, and another man from Saint John who is also charged may review disclosure in the case.

The Blue Moon Motel on Mowatt Drive in St. Andrews was significantly damaged by fire in 2010.

Judge David Walker setting the matter over until February 25th, when both men will enter a plea and elect to be tried by judge and jury, or judge alone.

Two Year Anniversary For Missing Maine Toddler

It's now been 2 years since a toddler in Maine was reprted missing from her crib.

Justin DiPietro made the call December 17, 2011 that his daughter, 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds had disappeared from his home in Waterville.

Police have said a good amount of Ayla's blood was found in DiPietro's basement.

Ayla's mother, Trista Reynolds also released to the public that police had told her the baby's blood was also found in Justin's truck, throughout the house, and on his shoes.

Community members offered a $30,000 reward for evidence or her return.

No charges have been laid and police do not believe Ayla will be found alive.

Snooks Gets An Additional 3 Months In Jail

Former Saint John Common Councillor Donnie Snook gets an extra three months in jail on three sex charges stemming from when he was living in Newfoundland.

The jail time is in addition to the 18 year sentence he received in Saint John for crimes against children.

Snook appearing in a City courtroom today looking thin, with a goatee and a shaved head.

There were four charges originally but one was withdrawn because the victim was 14 at the time.

Snook's lawyer Dennis Boyle says his client's participation in this was minimal adding it was his first sexual experience as an adult.

The Crown wanted Snook to get a year for each of the new charges to which he pleaded guilty. 

Pensioners Could Get Cost Of Living Increase

It might not entirely quell their fears about the Shared Risk Plan--but retirees who had been receiving pensions under the Public Service Superannuation Act could receive a cost-of-living increase in 2014 equal to 100 per cent of the inflation rate under the new plan.

The cost-of-living increase will depend, however, on how well the plan is funded, but in a release Finance Minister Blaine Higgs claims the new plan is designed in such a way that the likelihood of providing annual cost-of-living increases is very high. Effective Jan. 1, 2014, retirees' pensions will increase by 0.96 per cent  based on the average change in inflation.

Higgs says if a shared risk model had been adopted 20 years ago, the cost-of-living increases  retirees received would have been the same as what they were under the former plan.

City-Wide Crackdown Leads To 29 Arrests

A special operation known as Operation Sweet Tooth has been bitter news for the local criminal element.

Sergeant Jay Henderson of the Saint John Police Department explains they reassigned officers from their regular detachments and formed a special unit to undertake Operation Sweet Tooth.

In total, 29 people from all over the city were arrested and charged with over 103 criminal charges including weapons offences, drug dealing, and assaults. 

Over $102,000 in drugs and cash were also seized.

Police Confirm Identity Of Body Discovered

Saint John City Police cordoned off an area by the train bridge on Chesley Drive late yesterday afternoon as you turn left off Hilyard Street towards the former Acadian Lines bus station.  Yellow police tape could be seen.

Searchers who were out looking for 17 year old Gavin Adams came across a body late yesterday afternoon.
 
Police have now confirmed the body is that of the teen who was reported missing late Sunday afternoon. 

Adams was last seen Saturday night in the area of Chesley Drive. Police don't suspect foul play but are awaiting the medical report on cause of death.

The Dogs Looking For A GM

Need a job?   The Sea Dogs might need you.      The team is now accepting applications for a new general manager.

President Wayne Long says says the team is in a rebuild and they want to drive toward another championship.

The gm's duties are currently being shared by head coach Ross Yates and head scout Christian Vermette.

The closing date for applications is January 17th.   

To apply for the post...email waynelong@saintjohnseadogs.com

Shoplifting Great Grandmother Caught

A 65-year-old great grandmother with 9 thefts and 3 breaches of probation on her record has been sentenced to house arrest after stealing a shrub from Kredl's in Hampton.

Shirley Hazel Rogers originally gave police a fake name when police came to her door, but eventually admitted to the theft which she says was the result of a compulsion she can't control.

Judge Jamie LeMesurier saying normally repeat shoplifters get jail time but he would take into account her age.

In addition to the house arrest she's prohibited from going to any stores unless accompanied by her common law husband.

Gallant Rejects Charge Of Waffling On Shale Gas

The Alward Government has been attacking Provincial Liberal Leader Brian Gallant for what they say is his wishy-washy stance on shale gas. 

Gallant tells Tide News his call for a moratorium on shale gas development is based on evidence, and there are too many unanswered questions about the environmental and health risks involved in the process.
 
Gallant argues there are still too many unanswered questions about the effects of fracking on the environment and human health.

Police Looking For Missing Teen

Saint John City police are looking for your help in finding a missing person.

17 year old Gavin Adams was last seen on Saturday night and was reported missing to police late Sunday afternoon.

He is about 5 foot 6, 150 pounds with a slim build, short brown curly hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a tan jacket, black hoodie, jeans, and black sneakers in the area of Chesley Drive in the North end.

If you have seen him, please contact City police at 506-648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or click here.

Gov't Looking At Options To Fix Lorneville Road

Homes and businesses on the Lorneville Road are still accessible but a pipe failure under the Lorneville causeway leaving part of Lorneville Road closed to thru traffic in both directions because of safety concerns over a sinkhole.

Transportation Minister Claude Williams tells Tide News they'll have a better idea what to do about that this week. 

Williams says that was one of the pieces of infrastructure they needed to look into and there was some inspection done last summer, but you can't predict mother nature. He says this year they are dealing with over a million dollars in flood damage.

That part of Lorneville Road was flagged as a possible danger spot seven years ago.