Despres Will Remain In Psychiatric Facility

A man known in Charlotte County for being able to successfully cross the U.S. border while carrying a multitude of weapons, including a bloody chainsaw, will remain locked up.

30 year old Gregory Despres, who brutally stabbed Fred Fulton and Verna Decarie to death in their Minto home back in 2005, will remain locked up in a secure psychiatric facility inside Dorchester Penitentiary.

A review board has determined Despres still is a threat after hearing from psychiatrist Louis Theriault who testified his treatment has stalled.   
    
Despres was found not criminally responsible for the horrific carnage because he could not understand the wrongfulness of his actions.
    
Both Fulton and Decarie were in their 70s.   
    
Theriault is recommending Despres be transferred to the Restigouche Mental Health Hospital in Campbellton to allow for visits from his family, which might help him understand his role in the murders but the board turned that down.

On April 25th, 2005, a day before the bodies were found, Despres (who is an american citizen) was allowed to cross the St. Stephen/Calais border while carrying a homemade sword, a knife, a hatchet, brass knuckles, and a chainsaw that were stained in blood. 

Police Chief Asks For Inquest After No Charges Laid

Saint John City police consulting with the Crown prosecutor's office deciding no criminal charges will be laid in the death of Serena Perry.

Perry died on February 14th, 2012 while she was a patient at the Regional Hospital.

The forensic pathology examination can't confirm a cause of death and as a result Police Chief Bill Reid has requested the Coroner's office hold a public inquest into Perry's death.

Snook Facing 4 More Sex Charges Against Boy Under 14

Former Common Councillor Donnie Snook is now facing four sex charges against a boy under 14 in Newfoundland.

These charges date back to December of 1995 and Snook is scheduled to appear in a Cornerbrook courtroom June 11th or at least have lawyer do so on his behalf.

Snook spent a year as an officer of the former Salvation Army Citadel in Mount Moriah back when he was in his early 20s and commissioned to be the church’s senior pastor.

Snook pleaded guilty to 46 charges of abusing children in Saint John earlier this week. He's back in court here on June 25th to have a date scheduled for sentencing.

Alberta Premier Coming To NB To Talk Oil

It's not hard to guess at what will be the main topic of conversation will be when Alberta Premier Alison Redford visits the the province next Friday and that's the proposed West to East oil pipeline.

Redford will be talking to the Saint John Board of Trade, touring the Irving Oil Refinery and addressing the Legislature.

The pipeline which was the brainchild of Charlotte County M-P John Williamson and promoted by former Premier Frank McKenna appears to be gaining momentum.

Premier David Alward, who's looking for some positive economic news, calls this project "historic" and compares it to the building of the national railway.

NB And PEI Toughest Provinces To Get An Abortion

The anti-abortion organization right to life Right to Life is claiming Henry Morgentaler's lawsuit to have abortions covered by Medicare

in New Brunswick ends with his death. In a statement, the organization's director Peter Ryan said, "His legacy is the death of hundreds of thousands of Canadian children, including over 9,000 in New Brunswick. He thought he was helping women but a dead child helps no mother. His opinion on the matter no longer counts. Only the truth matters now."

But Simone Leibovitch of Fredericton's Morgentaler clinic tells Tide News the clinics will continue to fight for what they call a human rights issue. She calls the situation in New Brunswick and PEI "unique," since they are the only provinces that don't cover the procedures. In New Brunswick women must seek permission from their family doctor to get an abortion---which can be difficult in a province where many people don't have family doctors. Besides, Leibovitch says she knows of some doctors who are pro-life and will not even prescribe birth control.

In PEI, women have to go off-island to get the procedure which Leibovitch says is impossible for women who are often already strapped for cash or unemployed.

Despite his controversial legacy, Morgentaler had been hailed as a champion of women's rights before his death this week at age 90.

Pitcher's Pres Says Championship Will Bring Economic Spin-Offs For St. Stephen

A bid to get the Canadian Horseshoe Pitching Championships to town in 2015 is looking promising.

St. Stephen Horseshoe Pitcher's Club President Jason Rideout tells Tide News getting the grant from Town Council to host the championship at the new Garcelon Civic Centre was a key part of the bid. "A large event like that, you can't depend on weather being nice as it is a four to five day event. And so, the Civic Centre was the spot we were looking for and that was the key to our bid process was having a building large enough to host the event."

Rideout estimates between 200-250 people will be pitching in the championship, plus friends and family, bringing many economic spin-offs for the community. He tells Tide News, "The pitchers only pitch about 3 hours of the day because there are so many different classes. So they've got the other 21 hours to do something else. So they are looking for different events and what not to do which will definately bring economic spin-offs to our community."



Rideout tells us the budget to host the Championship will range between 30-40 thousand dollars, but they have two years to prepare. "Through fundraising and trying to get some grants, some business sponsorships, bake sales, ticket drives as well as fundraising within the club using tournaments and such. It's nothing we can't handle, we are up to the challenge, but it was a big decision for the club to make."

Rideout says they currently have about 50 active members and are always looking for new ones. He says they meet every Tuesday evening at Frasier Farm, located at 8838 Route 3 in Old Ridge, where he says everyone is welcome to come and try it out. He says everyone pitches, no matter the skill set or age, and there is no membership fee until to try it out and decide to join the Club officially for $10.
You can check out the St. Stephen Horseshoe Pitchers Club on Facebook, or their new website at www.sshorseshoepitchers.com .

He says they will find out if they won the bid in by July 11th.

Couples Benefit From Travelling Together

38 per cent of people responding to a Travelocity.ca survey say by traveling together they learn they have more in common with their partner than they thought.
 
Couples Therapist Ashley Howe tells Tide News most Canadians want to travel with partners rather than alone.

She says people were noticing a trend of single vacations and people trekking through Europe alone so there was an impression that travel alone was becoming more popular.

The survey found 88 per cent of Canadians prefer to travel with their spouse.

Former Mayor Reacts To Snook Case

A sad situation but time heals all wounds and they city will move on .......That's the reaction of Councillor At Large Shirley McAlary to her former colleague on Saint John Common Council, Donnie Snook pleading guilty to so many charges of abusing children he was in the business of helping.

McAlary, who is out and about a lot, concedes she did not suspect Snook of being a pedophile.

Alot of people who had contact with Snook may be beating themselves over how they could have been fooled for so long. That's understandable according to Katina Feggos, Case Manager of Clinical Services at Family Plus/Life Solutions.

She says the real focus, though, should not be on what they should have known or done but on what the individual did to violate their trust.

Prest Found Dead In His Cell

Saint John City police confirm the inmate who died at the jail on the Old Black River Road is 39 year old Adam Lee Steven Prest.

He was found unresponsive in his cell about 1:20 yesterday.

The Major Crime Unit has determined there is no foul play involved in his death and no criminal offences occurred.

Prest was charged last Wednesday with 2nd degree murder in Rothesay in the death of his common law partner 33 year old Tanya Shand.

UNBSJ Professor Researching Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Tool

When domestic violence escalates, the results can be tragic. But what if police could predict when to intervene? 

That's the idea behind a family violence risk-assessment tool being researched by UNB Saint John professor Dr. Mary Ann Campbell. She tells Tide News making arrests isn't the entire solution, because putting someone in handcuffs doesn't mean they won't become violent again.
 
Campbell says police could use the tool to refer high risk families to a special unit that could follow up and provide services and support.

She tells us there's currently a lot of discussion about the right risk tool to use in Saint John but, generally, people seem to be leaning towards a willingness to adopt one.

Snook's Former Friend Upset At Seeing Him In Court Today

Donnie Snook's former friend was in court today and didn't like what he heard.

Darrell Bastarache tells us he was upset when he saw Snook in court today.

He says didn't look to remorseful and he thinks that is pretty sad.

Bastarache says parent's have to be cautious and don't fall for every little nice gesture.

He says the kids trusted them and no one ever saw this coming. 

Bastarache's own children were part of the children's charities that Snook was involved in.

Crown Prosecutor Offers More Details On Snook Proceedings

With Donnie Snook pleading guilty to all 46 charges against him, Crown prosecutor Kelly Lee-Lamrock pointing out at least the victims will be spared the ordeal of a long trial.

Lee-Lamrock tells Tide News the magnitude of the Donnie Snook case is the most severe she has ever dealt with in terms of the number of victims.

Snook also faces an extortion charge, which Lamrock explained has to do with acquiring pictures through the use of threats. The benefit of the guilty plea is that the families will be spared the ordeal of a long trial.

New Brunswick Federation Of Labour Had New President

The wolves are at the door everyday.......That's the situation facing all too many workers according to the new President of the Provincial Federation of Labour. 

Patrick Colford of Miramichi tells Tide News the clock is being turned back with a huge gap between the rich and the rest of us. He says there are workers with full-time jobs who are having a tough time providing for their families. Despite that, he's optimistic about the future, believing the Harper Government will pay a price for its reforms to Employment Insurance. 

Colford is a member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and ran federally for the NDP. Ron Oldfield of the Saint John and District Labour Council also ran for the Presidency but lost out to Colford.

Grow-Op Dismantled In Beaver Harbour

Officers seizing marijuana plants and drug paraphernalia as they dismantled a grow-op in a home near St. George late Monday night. 

The RCMP arrested a 33-year-old man who will be in court at a later date. The investigation is ongoing, and the Mounties say it's possible a second person will face charges.

Snook Crimes Go Back 12 Years And Involve Boys As Young As 5

Former Saint John Common councillor Donnie Snook pleading guilty in court to 46 charges involving 17 children.
 
The charges involving 17 boys between January 2001 until Snook's arrest in January of this year.

Most of the victims were from the Saint John area and range in age from 5 years old to 15 years old at the time of the offenses.

They include 13 charges of touching a child for a sexual purpose, 9 charges of producing child pornography and 2 charges of sexual assault.

The 41 year old Snook is due back in court on June 25th at 9:30am to set a date for sentencing.

Anyone with further info on this case is asked to contact Saint John City police or Crime Stoppers. 

For City police call  1-506-648-3333 or contact NB Crime Stoppers online at crimenb.ca at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

St. Stephen To Receive Sculpture In 2014

They needed one more community -- and they got it.
After a unanimous vote, Town Council confirming St. Stephen will be a part of Sculpture Saint John 2014.


 Symposium Chair Diana Alexander giving a presentation to Town Council last night (Monday) explaining how the event worked. She said for 2012, artists from all over the world, as well as local artists, came together at the Coast Guard site in Saint John to chisel away at huge pieces of granite, turning them into masterpieces that respresented the areas they were destined for.

Alexander says St. Andrews and Calais are taking part and will get unique sculptures made during the event.
 She adds, a new mobile app is also being created for a Sculpture Tour that will connect Bangor, Maine through to Sussex.

St. Stephen Councillor John Ames tells Tide News he definately sees a benefit in the town taking part. "I think that there is a lot of great talent around the world, and to have it showcased in our region, it just makes us that much closer to more tourism."
Ames says, after hearing that Calais is another confirmed community, he is interested in the possibility of a collaboration of sorts. "It is unique to have this relationship with Calais and St.Stephen. If we could have a sculpture that resembles our heritage and friendship with Calais its just more potential for our community."

St. George participated as a receiving community in 2012. That sculpture, by artist James Boyd, (as seen in picture) is on the lawn of the Post Office.

St. Stephen Getting Public Car Charger For Electric Cars

Chocolate-Town is going eco-friendly.

Sun Country Highway donating a 90 amp car charger for electric cars to St. Stephen as a way to promote economic and environmental sustainability.

Mayor John Quartermain tells Tide News it will also be beneficial during tourist season. He says, "It's something you can put on your sign, on your website. Eco-friendly, put one of those little placards for people coming into your town."



Quartermain tells us it's an initiative with an energetic purpose, "They want to prove that there are enough chargers for a car to drive from Edmunston to St. Stephen without having to refuel for gas."

Quartermain says the charger will be installed within the vicinity of the Garcelon Civic Centre and will be free for users for at least one year. He adds, to charge a "dead car", it will take 4 hours to bring it to full power. He says that 4 hours will cost the Town of St. Stephen $1.76.

Paying More For Power This Fall

You'll have to pay 2 per cent more for the electricity you use beginning on October 1st. That word from NB Power following rates being frozen over the past 40 months at their June 2010 levels.
 
NB Power says it has eliminated 300 jobs, frozen salaries, successfully reduced operating costs by $47 million annually and had record earnings. 

NB Power President and C-E-O Gaetan Thomas claims another $20 million in yearly cost savings have been identified with plans calling for the utility's debt to be lowered by $1 billion in the next 10 years.

Canoe Rescue At Reversing Falls

A person canoeing in Reversing Falls overturned just past the Falls restaurant, but has been rescued safely.

Police getting the call shortly before 1pm that the occupant of the canoe--a man from Perth--was clinging to the side of the boat. The Coast Guard was been notified and a small powerboat came in to assist them and tow the canoe back to shore.

Police are on the scene.

Pipeline Won't Make Province Rich, Says NDP Leader

The province's NDP leader says the pipeline is not going to be the silver bullet that saves New Brunswick. 

Dominic Cardy tells Tide News that he supports the project, but we're not just going to make this province wealthy by pulling things out of the ground and processing raw materials. 

He says we need to work on education and skill-training so we can compete for what he calls the high-end jobs.

Cardy says the educational system has let many people down, and needs to be turned around before New Brunswickers can become competitive in the job market.

Investigation Into Inmate Death At Regional Jail

Saint John City police say they don't believe foul play is involved in the death of an inmate at the Regional Correctional Centre this afternoon -- they tell us they were called to the Old Black River Road jail shortly after one this afternoon.

So far no name has been released - we have placed calls to the Department of Public Safety but so far the Department which is responsible for operations at the jail has not offered up any details.

Six Figure Fine For Port City Businessman

A Saint John businessman has a year to pay a six-figure fine after pleading guilty to charges of tax evasion. 

Bruce English, the owner of environment dust control business Soil Solutions, has been fined over 200-thousand-dollars, which makes up 75% of the taxes he tried to evade. 

Over 120-thousand-dollars of that amount is for not reporting his business income between 2006-2008 and 100-thousand dollars for making false statements on his HST returns and understating his payable HST over the same three years.

RCMP Seize Enough Pot To Create 85,000 Joints

Police seizing hash oil, marijuana plants and dried marijuana from a home near Florenceville-Bristol, and they say, 85-thousand joints could have been made from the seizure.

The Mounties and the Woodstock Police Force used a search warrant in a house in Piercemont, and during their search, they also recovered an ATV that was reported as stolen back in 2011.

A 59-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman were arrested. 

They're going to be in court at a later date and are expected to face multiple charges.

The Rain Is Finally Over

After a full week of rain, many of us are feeling a bit water-logged. So how much rain did we get?

Environment Canada meteorologist Claude Cote tells Tide News since last Thursday, (May 23rd, 2013)  Charlotte County reported anywhere from 85-105 mms of rain. Cote says, "That brings the total monthly rainfall to about 147 mms, typically in Charlotte County we have 118 mms, so already we are above normal."
He tells us, over the weekend, on average, communities in New Brunswick received 70 mms of rain.

Cote says St. Stephen recieved 91 mms of rain, Grand Manan reported 102, and the Bayside and St. Andrews areas with 103 mms of rain.



He adds we will soon dry out with June, July, and August in Charlotte County having warmer than normal temperatures.
Sunshine is forecast for tomorrow.

Moose On The Loose In McAdam

RCMP are warning people in McAdam of an increase in wildlife sightings -- especially moose.

Officials say in the past week alone, one officer spotted five of the animals near a roadway, they had one report of a moose in the middle of a highway that refused to move, and one vehicle collision involving a moose that caused extensive damage to the vehicle and minor injuries to the occupants.

Police ask that drivers be extra cautious along Highway 3 and Highway 4, and make sure your headlights are working well, and are clean.



Police say the majority of the sightings are in the evening or at night.

RCMP also recommending drivers to slow down, even below the recommended speed limit at night

Funeral Today For Woman Killed In K-V

There was no public visitation but a funeral service will be held this morning for 33 year old Tanya Marie Shand who was killed last week with her common law partner charged in her death. 

The funeral service starts at 11 this morning in the Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home on the Pettingill Road. 

39 year old Adam Lee Steven Prest is charged with second degree murder and is scheduled to reappear in court on June 10th. He was sent back to jail in the meantime. 

Prest was arrested after Rothesay Regional Police responded to a call at an apartment on the Dolan Road.

Changes At Murder Trial After Juror Injures Herself

The composition of the jury at the second degree murder trial of 28 year old Crystal Dawn MacKenzie has changed.

One of the jurors injured herself on the way to the jury room at the Saint John Sydney Street Courthouse and had to be taken to the hospital. 

She was replaced and the jury is now made up of six men and six women.

MacKenzie is being retried for the death of 29 year old Patrick Thomas in March of 2010 on Alma Street. 

The Court of Appeal ordered a new trial after concluding the judge at the original trial erred in his instructions to the jury.

The first trial heard plenty of testimony about MacKenzie and Thomas having a volatile and often violent relationship.

CTF Calls On Province To Stop Taxing Gas Taxes

Dig deep when traveling this season to cover the high price of gas.

Kevin Lacey of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation tells Tide News that gas taxes cost New Brunswickers $24 every time they fill up their tanks --$4 more than it cost in 2010.

He says they are calling on the government to stop taxing the taxes on gasoline when they balance the provincial books.

Lacey adds we pay taxes on everything but he would have thought the Alward government would have stopped taxing its own taxes.

Lacey says the Alward government’s 2011 gas tax hike costs provincial families $31 million this year.

Heavy Rainfall This Weekend Could Lead To Flooding

They say a little rain never hurt anyone, but the same isn't true for a lot of rain.

As of late last night, Saint John was the recipient of the second highest amount of rainfall in the province with 80mm, with the first being Grand Manan. That comes on the heels of an advisory issued by River Watch warning people who live in flood-prone areas to keep an eye out for high water levels. 

They say that homeowners who have experienced flooding during heavy rain storms in the past, should make sure that their rain gutters, culverts and ditches are free from debris and leaves.

Chief Coroner Admits Drowning Death Remains A Mystery

There's still a lot of mystery about what happened in the three minutes 17 Year old Yifan Wang  hit the water at the Aquatic Centre until he was discovered unconscious in the deep end of the pool. That admission from Chief Coroner Greg Forestell in spite of an inquest at which 21 witnesses testified. 

Forestell does say, if nothing else, at least a lot of rumours and misconceptions were disspelled. The inquest determined Wang was not sick when he drowned or on drugs. 

Forestell regrets not being able to find out more about what sort of person Yifan was but his parents remained in China and did not attend the inquest.
 
He admits we still don't know what transpired in the 3 minutes from the time Yifan  hit the water until he was discovered unconscious in the pool and likely never will.
 
The family has until mid September to decide whether or not to launch legal action against the Aquatic Centre.

Holder Says Boys & Girls Club Will Have A Chance To Renew Next Year

The Boys & Girls Club of Grand Manan saved the season this time -- but what about the next one?

A one-year agreement being finalized with the Club to operate the Anchorage Provincial Park, after the province decided it would not open it's doors as a way to save money.

Tourism Minister Trevor Holder tells Tide News the Boys & Girls Club will have the opportunity to renew after this year. "After that, we often look at multi-year agreements, but that will be finalized come the next fiscal year. The Boys & Girls Club will have the usage of this park from now until the end of this fiscal year at the end of March."

With the camping season already upon us, Holder says they are hoping to have the park open for campers by early June. "That will welcome visitors to Grand Manan Island and give them a place to put their trailer and enjoy everything that Grand Manan and the Bay of Fundy has to offer."

Some Students Drink, Smoke, And Take Pills

The province releasing the results of the 2012 Student Drug Use Survey Report.

It's been in use since 1996 to gather info on the use  of alcohol, tobacco, gambling and more to understand student behavior and respond the right way.

More than 3500 randomly selected students in grade 7, 9, 10 and 12 completed the survey.

The results found 48 per cent of students consumed alcohol, 22 per cent smoked cigarettes and 28 smoked pot.

11 per cent report taking oxycontin or codeine without a prescription and 57 per cent drink energy drinks.

The numbers are consistent with the 2007 survey and down significantly from the 2002 edition.

Jury Delivers Reccommendations At Drowning Inquiry

The four person coroner's jury determined 17 year old Yifan Wang died of accidental drowning.

The jury made nine recommendations including additional lighting at the deep end of the swimming pool, province wide standards for aquatic centres and swimming pools along with an additional lifeguard at the shallow end of the pool.

They would also like to see portable phones for the lifeguards, the use of spineboards for swimmers who get into trouble and are pulled from the the water and provincial paramedics should be required to have a minimum of Advanced Paramedic training as they do in Nova Scotia.

The inquest began on Tuesday.

Owner Of Dog Offering $3000 Reward

A man who claims his family pet was stolen by misguided animal rights vigilantes is campaigning to get his family dog back. 

Elad Shalom says after his Alaskan Malmute, Tara, went missing he posted about it on Kijiji to see if anyone had spotted the distinctive white purebred. In response he received anonymous messages back from someone saying they had taken the dog because they thought Shalom was keeping her in a sub-standard crate. 

Shalom tells Tide News Tara is a show dog who has won numerous awards including Best Pet and Best in Breed. He describes Tara as a family member and says his children miss her desperately. The family moved from Israel to New Brunswick less than two months ago. 

Starting Saturday morning, Shalom is offering a $3000 reward to whoever finds both the dog at the thief.

Visit the Facebook group campaigning for the dog's return here

If you have any information about Tara's whereabouts you can contact the owner directly at 506-654 6664 or by email at e@devaffair.com

Doucet Applauds Grand Manan Residents For Fighting To Keep Park

Now that one of our Provincial Parks is off the chopping block, one local MLA hopes the government will still help out.

The announcement coming this week the Boys & Girls Club of Grand Manan is finalizing a one-year agreement with the province to take over operations of the Anchorage Provincial Park for 2013. The park was set to close this year in an effort to find efficiencies and cut costs.

Charlotte-The Isles MLA Rick Doucet tells Tide News the club came up with their proposal only weeks ago. "They've had little time to prepare and the camping season is already upon us, so there's got to be a lot of work from the Department of Tourism and from government to help them out to get them through the season because this is a big undertaking for a volunteer group."

Doucet says when the closure was first announced, the entire island took part in signing petitions and letters to keep the park open. He says, "It took every Islander who could print or write their name to sign a petition. There were countless letters that went into government. Bad press and bad social media, the Mayor was demanding a meeting with the Premier, and we also had a debatable motion in the legislature on the park."

He adds he applauds the people of Grand Manan for keeping the issue alive.

Dig Deeper At The Pumps

Dig deeper at the pump today.

The price of gas up by 2.2 cents per litre bringing the price for regular self-serve gas to a $1.29 a litre.

Diesel is up 1.7 cents a litre and furnace oil is up 1.6 cents a litre.

Regular self-serve gas was selling for 126.5 a litre around town while diesel was going for 128.7 a litre.

Inquest Hears From Pathologist

The inquest into the death of 17 year old Yifan Wang has been told by pathologist Dr. Marek Godlewski the cause of death was drowning even though Wang did not die until a couple of days after being pulled from the swimming pool at the Aquatic Centre.

The inquest also heard there was no indication Wang was sick before he drowned.

There was evidence of bronchial pnuemonia but that is consistent with taking in water and being on a ventilator.

He also had bruising and abrasions which the doctor concluded was caused when Wang was pulled from the pool and given what was described as aggressive CPR.

Adam Lee Steven Prest Facing 2nd Degree Murder Charge

A 39 year old man facing 2nd degree murder charges in the death of his common law partner 33 year old Tanya Shand.
 
Rothesay Regional Police have not released how she died in a violent domestic incident early Wednesday morning on the Dolan road.
 
Detective Sergeant Craig MacDougall tells Tide News he isn't surprised by the community's reaction.

He says anytime there is a homicide it's shocking especially in small community like Rothesay.

Adam Lee Steven Prest has been remanded to the Saint John Regional Correctional Center.
Police would not say if there was a history of violence at the couple's apartment. 

MacDougall tells us he doesn't expect any further updates now that the matter is before the courts. 

Prest is due back in court on June 10th.

Guilty Pleas In NS Confinement Case

A Nova Scotia man accused of confining and sexually assaulting a teenage boy at a home in Upper Chelsea has pleaded guilty to five charges in the case.
 
David James LeBlanc appeared in Nova Scotia Supreme Court today in Bridgewater, where he pleaded guilty to kidnapping, forcible confinement, sexual assault, uttering threats and breach of conditions.

The victim's mother, who can't be identified, says it was difficult to see Leblanc in court today.  She says it was hard and she wants him to suffer adding she isn't normally like that but the whole thing is overwhelming.
   
Leblanc was charged after a woman reported that a barefoot teenager arrived at her home in Upper Chelsea chained at his wrists and ankles.
 
At the time, the RCMP said they believe the 16-year-old was held captive about ten days before he was able to escape.

LeBlanc also pleaded guilty today to making and distributing child pornography as well as sexual interference in a separate case. 

The Crown and Defence are working on a joint recommendation for a prison term in the range of 11 years.

33 Year Old Woman Dies In Rothesay Incident

Rothesay Regional Police reporting the death of a 33 year old woman this morning through their Facebook page.

Craig MacDougall of the Major Crime Unit says a 39 year old man is under arrest and will be charged in the death.

The incident happened in the Dolan Road area about 5am.

In a video release, MacDougall says the names of the victim and the accused will be released later.

Inquest Hears From Paramedics And Lifeguards On Aquatic Centre Death

Testimony from Aquatic Center lifeguards continues at the inquest into the 2011 death of Yifan Wang.

Both lifeguards and paramedics on the stand said all procedures were followed correctly the day the 17 year old student died.

A lifeguard testified the Aquatic Center would have had adequate supervision even with 2 guards and 3 were on duty when Yifan Wang died. According to paramedics the boy had no heartbeat when they arrived on the scene, but his heart was restarted in hospital with a shot of adrenalin.

The paramedic added that from his very first impression of the patient he didn't expect a good outcome.

Doomed Park Saved By Boys & Girls Club

A doomed provincial park on Grand Manan Island being rescued by locals.

Tourism Minister Trevor Holder announcing an agreement has been reached between the Boys & Girls Club of Grand Manan to operate the Anchorage Park for the 2013 season.

The Alward government decided it would not open the park this year due to a decreased budget and sought a third party to continue its operations.

Holder says after reviewing proposals, the department decided the Boys & Girls Club had an innovative plan for operating the park.

He says a 1 year agreement is being finalized.

Death Toll Downgraded In Oklahoma Twister

The Medical examiner's office is revising the death toll from the Oklahoma tornado to at least 24.

The Oklahoma state medical examiner's office says that 20 children are among the dead in the tornado that ripped through Oklahoma City suburbs.

Medical examiner spokeswoman Amy Elliott confirmed the children's deaths last night.    The tornado made a direct hit on an elementary school in Moore and rescuers were seen pulling children alive from the rubble.

Authorities are still searching for victims throughout the community.

Inquest Begins Into Aquatic Centre Death

A jury of three women and two men have been chosen to hear testimony at the inquest into the death of a Chinese student at the Aquatic Centre in September of 2011

The General Manager of the Aquatic Centre, Karen Ervin was the first witness to testify at the inquest  

She wasn't working on the Sunday when Yi Fan Wang died.

She testified there is usually 1 lifeguard for every 25 swimmers. The inquest will be focusing on the Ultimate Swim when everything at the swimming pool can be used. 

Yi Fan Wang's family is not in attendance.

Two-Person Protest On Health Care Cuts

Two protestors gathering outside of a provincial announcement on the west side to show their disagreement with health care cuts.

Rick Patton, who works in nursing with CUPE tells Tide News the cuts that Health Minister Ted Flemming is imposing will have an impact on all communities in the province, big and small, but especially in rural areas, which he says have seen a reduction in both staff and service.

Patton tells us he's worked at the Ridgewood Veterans Heath wing for the past 25 years. 

Point Lepreau Power Output Increses

Point Lepreau's power output continues to climb. 

NB Power says that the nuclear power plant is now operating at 60% capacity. Power was down earlier in the year because of trouble with the reactor's fuel caps, forcing the company to slow re-fueling. They've said that the caps were too tight after adjustments were made during a refurbishment of the plant that finished in November.

The company says they'll continue to boost energy over the next few weeks until they reach full power. Point Lepreau began sending energy to back the grid in late April, with the reactor at 35% power.

Medical Residents Say Docs Won't Find Much Work In NB

Doctors who want to live and work in this province may be forced to find work elsewhere.

That's from Dr. Bobby Pomerleau, an assistant chief resident in Saint John. Medical residents have written a letter to Premier David Alward and Heath Minister Ted Fleming expressing their concerns that this province is discouraging family physicians from practicing here.

Pomerleau says that before he became aware of these issues, he would always say yes, that he is a New Brunswicker and wanted to stay and work in this province, but as he's nearing the end of his residency training, he says it's becoming more and more obvious that there simply aren't practice opportunities in our cities.

He says the few positions available in the province require doctors to take over established practices or move to remote and rural areas where there's little support for new physicians.

Paramount Film Makes International Debut

 A made-in-Saint-John film about the long-derelict Paramount Theatre will have its American debut tonight in Chicago.

Producer Greg Hemmings tells CHSJ News everyone can relate to the loss of community theatres which are being rapidly replaced by big-box cinemas.

The film, The Paramount, has gathered national attention since its release last year. The actual derelict theater, which is in uptown Saint John has not fared as well, with efforts to repurpose the building apparently at a standstill.

Scandal-Fuelled Departure of Senator Raises Question

With the news much-maligned Senator Mike Duffy is stepping down from the caucus, Saint John MP Rodney Weston is remaining tight-lipped about the inquest into allegations Duffy--who campaigned on his behalf in 2011--dipped into public money for his private expenses.

Weston simply said he would prefer to leave the investigation to the RCMP and ethic commission.

Premier David Alward tells CHSJ News it opens a valid debate over whether we should have an elected Senate.

Duffy is charged with making over $90,000 in improperly-claimed living expenses.

Dennis Oland Named Prime Suspect In Richard Oland Murder Case

Speculation has been running in this direction since the investigation began, but now we are able to report that Dennis Oland is considered the prime suspect in his father Richard Oland's murder according to search warrants. The Saint John businessman was murdered in his office two years ago this July.

There had been a broadcast ban on Oland's name since last fall, but that was lifted today by Justice William Grant. We had previously been able to report that Dennis Oland's home and boat had been searched, but not that he is considered the prime suspect.

Grant agreed with media lawyer David Coles that the broadcast ban served no purpose and went against the principle of an open court.