Rally Sending Profits To Ridgewood Veterans Wing

While local bikers will be enjoying the international festival this weekend -- some of our country's finest will be getting a helping hand.

Canadian Chair of the Rally in the St. Croix Valley, Bob Hamel tells Tide News the Ridgewood Veteran's Wing in Saint John is where profits will end up.

Hamel says Ridgewood takes care of our veterans, whether they be male or female, 20-years-old or in their 90's, or from current wars all the way back to Vietnam and WW2.

Hamel says profits from two main events, the Harley Draw and the Best In Show Competition will go to Ridgewood, as well as a few other 50/50 draws and smaller contests.

The Rally in the St. Croix Valley begins tomorrow.

One Man Dead And Three Injured - Including Baby - After Calais Shooting

It's a grim Independence Day in Calais after a shooting leaves one man dead, and 3 injured, including a 6-week-old baby.

Police say 21-year-old Megan Sherrard of Calais is in critical condition at the Eastern Maine Medical Centre in Bangor after being shot twice in the chest.

Her son, Luca, is expected to recover after being grazed by a bullet.

Around 6pm last night, Calais Police Department recieved a call of shots fired at a home at 417 Main Street.

Police say shortly after arriving on scene, police shot and killed 26-year-old Daniel Pinney, who is the baby's father, and who is believed to have shot the baby and Sherrard.

Police say Calais PD veteran officer John Preston was also grazed by a bullet during the incident and is expected to recover.

The Maine Attorney General's Office is investigating whether "deadly force" used by police was justified.

An employee from Bells IGA tells Tide News Sherrard was a cashier at the store in Calais  and Pinney was a bagboy.

Biker Injured In Crash On Route 3

A man has been taken to hospital after his motorcycle collided with a car just outside of town.

Local firefighters say they received a call to Route 3, in Old Ridge, between the Hall Road and Old Ridge Antiques, around 9 this morning.

First responders tell Tide News a woman was pulling out of her driveway, when her car collided with the motorcycle.

Firefighters say the man is expected to make a full recovery, and the woman was shaken up, but ok.

Witnesses say they were very impressed with how quickly first responders arrived at the scene.

Saia Twins Found Guilty In Deadly Saint John Home Invasion

22 year old twin brothers, Brandon and Bradley Saia have been found guilty on charges stemming from a deadly home invasion in Saint John back in early November which include robbery. 

The jury of 7 women and 5 men deliberated for nearly 8 hours before reaching the guilty verdicts. 

18 year old A-J Dennison died from a stab wound he suffered during the home invasion on Prince Street West. 22 year old Christopher Reid, who lived in the home, suffered a serious wound to his back from a machete. 

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 7th.

Province Calls For Inquest Into Serena Perry's Death

Chief Coroner Greg Forestell calling an inquest into the death of Serena Perry at the Regional hospital last year.

The 22 year old died at the hospital while she was a patient.

The coroner and a jury will hear evidence from subpoenaed witnesses to determine the facts surrounding Perry’s death and the jury will have an opportunity to make recommendations to prevent deaths under similar circumstances.

This inquest will be held in Saint John but the date has yet to be announced.

Acadia Broadcasting Applies To Purchase Moncton Station

In business news - Acadia Broadcasting is moving to add another radio station to its stable - the parent company of 98.1 The Tide, Country 94 and 97.3 the Wave has filed an application with the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission to purchase CKNI-FM - News91.9 in Moncton from Rogers Broadcasting.

    The station would be the first for the company in the Hub City and would join Acadia's stations here - Saint John - Bridgewater - and - five stations and two repeaters in Ontario.
    Acadia Vice President Jim MacMullin says he looks forward to bringing our brand of community focused - quality local radio to Moncton.
 
In a related note, NewCap Radio intends to purchase Saint John's News 88.9.
    The C-R-T-C is expected to rule on both applications later this year.

Provincial Pension Plan To Undergo Independent Review

An actuary with more than 30 years experience has been chosen to take an independent look at the provincial pension plan. 

The provincial finance department is picking up the tab. The decision to do this coming about during discussions between the Alward Government and the Pension Coalition.

Clifford Kennedy of the Pension Coalition tells Tide News the retirees want to know if their plan is in such bad shape as the province claims.
 
The retirees have been skeptical about those claims and the need for the plan to be converted to a shared risk model although they don;t object to it happening on a go forward basis with current retirees exempt.

The review will take a few months to complete.