Stolen Truck Found Disassembled

A truck stolen from a local business in Rothesay has been found in pieces.

Rothesay Regional Police finding the stolen 2011 Ford F250 pickup truck disassembled into parts.

Charges of Theft Over $5000 and Removal of a Vehicle Identification Number are pending against a 32 year-old Rothesay man and a 39 year-old Quispamsis man. They'll appear in Saint John Court on June 25th.

Trudeau To Compensate Grace Foundation

Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau saying he'll make it right with charities that paid him a speaking fee to take part in fundraising events, including Saint John's Grace Foundation. 

Trudeau was paid $20,000 to speak at a fundraising event to raise money to buy furniture for local seniors. Only 120 tickets were sold, and the foundation was left with a $21,000 deficit. 

Trudeau tells CTV's Question Period he'll either give back the money to each organization, or find another way to make it up to them.

Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore has called on Trudeau to give the speaking fee back to the Grace Foundation, and Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall has said Trudeau should return the $20,000 he was paid for speaking at a literacy conference last year in Saskatoon.

Tennis Club Celebrating Improvements To Facility

Time to practice your serve. The Quispamsis Community Tennis Club is celebrating improvements made to the facility, including the installation of a fourth court, over the last year and half.

Additionally, the courts have been refurbished, the clubhouse has been completed, new lights are in, and the new washrooms are up and running.

President Dana Brown tells CHSJ News, tennis is supposedly is the fastest-growing of the traditional sports throughout Canada, and in Quispamsis they've seen it become popular among kids. But it wasn't always that way. He says it has gone through peaks and troughs alongside national trends in tennis, but in the last six years it's seen phenomenal growth.

Man Rescued At Log Falls Dam

Photo courtesy of Musquash Fire Dept.

A man who lost his footing while fishing with friends and fell into water behind a dam, has been rescued safely. 

When the Musquash Fire Department arrived at Log Falls Dam, they spotted the man standing, almost completely submerged in water. The currents were too strong for him to get himself out of the water. 

Firefighters threw him a rope to wrap around himself, then a firefighter went to the man and brought him to shore. Though he was conscious and alert, he was brought to hospital by paramedics to be checked out. Witnesses say he went under the water multiple times.

Start Your Engines: It's Redneck Raceway Season

A dirt track, souped up cars and hard racing, that's what you'll see at the Redneck Raceway in Norton.

That's according to owner Mark Muir. He tells CHSJ News drivers put a lot of hard work into modifying their cars and that they're passionate about racing. He says that's all they live for; they work all week and race whenever they get a chance. 

When local race tracks started shutting down, Muir says they built a small track in the first season, but outgrew it that same year so they built a regulation-sized track to fit their needs. For more information, including when races are happening, visit their website: redneckraceway.ca.

Province Appoints Three New Legislative Officers

The premier has announced three new legislative officers: a new child and youth advocate, official languages commissioner and ombudsman.

Lawyer Norman Bosse has been named the child and youth advocate, the new ombudsman is Charles Murray, the executive director of the province's Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission and filling the role of official languages commissioner is Katherine d'Entremont, who has worked in public service for over 30 years. 
 
The positions are seven year appointments.

Police Arrest Shale Gas Protestors

More arrests made by the RCMP at a shale gas protest. This one north of Moncton in the Harcourt area.

RCMP Corporal Chantal Farrah says 12 protesters were disrupting work and traffic on Highway 126. The seven men and five women are facing mischief charges.
    
This is the latest of several protests over shale gas over the last couple of weeks. Six other people have been arrested for mischief. 

Buy Local Van Touring Province This Summer

A home-grown initiative is going on the road. 

The provincial government rolling out a traveling buy local initiative, taking a specially-decorated van on a summer tour of the province. 

Agriculture & Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp tells CHSJ News this province is brimming with healthy food produced by local farmers and fishermen, and the tour will highlight that.

They're teaming up with agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries organizations and associations to take part in the tour. They'll be making stops at fairs, festivals and markets. 

The first stop of the tour is today at the W.W. Boyce Farmer's Market in downtown Fredericton. Tim Livingstone of Strawberry Hill Farm will be there, explaining their fresh produce box program. On Sunday, June 23, there will be a "Meet Your Fisherman" day in Alma.

Trudeau Being Called On To Return His Speaking Fee

Give back your speaking fee to a Saint John charity.

That's what Fundy Royal M-P Rob Moore is calling on Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau to do. 

This stems from a fundraiser that was held in June of 2012 at the Imperial Theatre. 

Trudeau came to the city to raise money for the Grace Foundation to buy furniture for local seniors. He charged $20,000 for his speaking fee but only 120 tickets were sold and as a result, the Grace Foundation wound up with a deficit of $21,000. 

Enbridge Gas Applies For Rate Increase

If Enbridge Gas has its way, large industrial and commercial users of natural gas will be paying 20 per cent more as of July 1st. The Energy and Utilities Board would have to approve the rate increase application. 

Large users like Ganongs and J-D Irving received a 32 per cent reduction in distribution costs last fall after complaining to the provincial government about how much they were paying as opposed to their competitors in other jurisdictions. 

Enbridge maintains they will still be getting an average savings of 20 per cent over their previous rates even with the propose

J-D Irving Random Alcohol Testing Makes It To The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision overturned mandatory, random alcohol testing of workers even if their workplace is considered to be dangerous. 

Back in 2006, Irving Pulp and Paper unilaterally imposed such a policy and local 30 of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union filed a grievance. 

The worker who was tested had a blood alcohol level of zero and called the experience unfair and humiliating.

The company says it will review the court's decision. 

The court left open the door for such a policy to be implemented if it's part of a collective agreement.

Benefit Organized For Daughter Of Murdered Woman

A benefit will be held at the Q-Plex in Rothesay on June 23rd for the 6 year old daughter of 33 year old Tanya Shand who was murdered by her common law partner, May 23rd in her Dolan Road apartment. 

The little girl was in the apartment and saw what was happening. She's now living with her grandparents. 

It's hoped a scholarship fund will be set up for her. A Facebook page has been set up and is attracting large numbers and Rothesay Town Council is throwing its support behind the effort.

Higgs Cuts Some Tax Red Tape

Some provincial tax regulations are going to be a little easier to deal with thanks to changes announced in the Legislature by Finance Minister Blaine Higgs.

One of those changes will impact the amount of sales tax you pay on a used vehicle if it's not listed in the valuation books used by Service New Brunswick - the government agency will provide what Higgs calls "a common sense estimate."

But the Minister says you will still have the option of obtaining an independent appraisal of the vehicle for tax purposes - meantime Higgs is also reducing the amount of paperwork required by companies and independent businesses to claim tax free amounts of fuel - and - reporting will now be based on the company's fiscal year rather than the provincial government's fiscal year.

Woman Dies After Being Struck By Car At Marden's

A 49-year-old woman is dead after being struck by a car over the border.
Police say the incident happened around 1:20 yesterday afternoon in the Marden's parking lot.
Calais Police Sgt. Chris Donahue tells Tide News 74-year-old Kenneth Martin of Eastport, Maine was pulling his car into a parking spot near the entrance of the store and struck the woman.
Donahue says Zina Eller of East Machias died at the scene.
He says an investigation is underway and no further details are available.

Most Of Us Think Parliamentarians Fudge Their Expenses

86 per cent of us, according to a new poll, believe Senators and M-P's, are cheating on their expense claims. The overwhelming percent of people surveyed also want to see parliamentarians make public all their expenses online. 

The Atlantic Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation Kevin Lacey tells Tide News they're just hoping the scandal over improper expense claims will just fade away which reflects how tone deaf they actually are.
 
Lacey says the one thing the Senators and M-P's agree on, no matter what party they belong to, is defending their entitlements. 

The Taxpayers Federation wants people to keep putting pressure on their M-P to bring about change and Lacey says if you look at how the M-L-A's pension plan was reformed after public outrage, it can be accomplished.

St. Andrews Native Wins Canadian National Sculpture Competition

Let the ARTrageous-ness begin!

The kick off the St. Andrews festival this afternoon, Kingsbrae Garden hosting the Canadian National Sculpture Competition Awards Ceremony.

Out of 15 finalists, St. Andrews native Alanna Baird winning the grand prize of $10,000.

Baird's sculpture titled "Salmon Vortex" features three wild salmon made from recycled copper roofing. The sculpture now sits in the centre of a pond at Kingsbrae Garden. Baird tells Tide News, "It's exciting for me as a sculptor to get my work out of my studio, out of the tools, out of a chaos, and get them into this kind of setting."

Tide News asked how long it took to make the piece. Her response? "Well, that's something everyone always asks me. I tell them it took me 21 years to figure out how to do it, and then 2 months to build it."

The ARTrageous Festival continues tonight at Kingsbrae with an evening of Jazz, and Saturday is all-day Free admission.

For details on events and tickets, go to their website www.artrageousnb.com .

Student Numbers Drop

Fewer students in the Anglophone South School District in the school year just ending means fewer teachers.
 
Enrollment numbers are down by 650 and Superintendent Zoe Watson says the one place where there had been increases, the Kennebecasis Valley, the numbers have levelled off. 

On the other side of the coin the number of foreign students this year at 15 schools exceeded 500. They're here from China,  Mexico, Colombia, Brazil and Europe.
 
The school district is hoping the foreign student programme will be expanded next year to 20 schools.

Security Exercise At Lepreau

Point Lepreau will be conducting a security exercise today.

It involves  the Nuclear Response Force team and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission testing security procedures.

Residents may see emergency vehicles in the community and hear radio communications simulating a security event at the station.

Pensioners Still Demanding Answers

Switching to the Shared Risk Model is an attempt by the provincial government to offload the pension deficit onto the shoulders of pensioners, according to Clifford Kennedy of the NB Pension Coalition.

Kennedy tells Tide News the members are considering legal action, but it's difficult where  there's no other case they can find when a guaranteed plan has been switched to the Shared Risk Model over the objections of the plan members.

Finance Minister Blaine Higgs has said despite the plan's strong returns in the past year, the changes are going to go ahead; however, Kennedy calls it "damning" that the government hasn't released to the pensioners the actual amount of the deficit.

Distracted Driving Pays High Price

Jim Morrison was right when he sang "keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel."

CAA is warning you that cellphones and texting aren't the only dangerous distactions to drivers. Gary Howard of CAA tells Tide News anything that takes your attention of the road dramatically increases your chances of having an accident, including audio books and even your onboard GPS.

A University of Utah study found drivers had slower reaction times, compromised brain function, and less awareness of cues like stop signs when they were distracted by a GPS system or listening to an audio book.

Howard points out phones conversations are more distracting that those you might have with passengers in the vehicle, because the person on the other end of the line can't see whether you're doing a tricky lane change or coping with difficult road conditions, and don't adjust their conversation accordingly as would a passenger.

Widespread Internet Outage Across Maritimes

If you can read this, you're one of the lucky ones.

According to a Bell representative it's not you....it's them. Customers have been complaining of no internet service all over the Atlantic provinces. The representative was unable to say how many customers are affected but confirmed it's a significant number.

Bell says it's working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you can stop desperately re-setting your router and spending your precious time on tech support.

20 Year Old Playground In Need Of Repair

A local playground -- built by the hands of many Charlotte County volunteers -- is in desperate need of a make-over.

Chair of the St. Andrews Community Playground Restoration Fundraising Committee Isabelle Micheud tells Tide News the unique playground was built 20 years ago. She says, "After 20 years, things have deteriorated. There are pieces that need to be replaced. Areas where the children are walking or touching with their hands, those are all made of wood and need to be replaced with a composite material for safety reasons."

Micheud tells us it's a really big fundraising project with a budget of $120, 000. "So far, we aren't doing too bad. We currently have raised about $70,000, but we need to raise another $50,000 by the end of July."


She adds a Lobster Roll-A-Palooza -- as part of the Seafood Festival -- will be a major fundraiser this Saturday for the project. A 62 foot lobster roll will be sold in 4-inch sections with a drink and chips. She says tickets are $15 and the event will take place at Town Hall on Water Street in St. Andrews, starting at 11am. She tells us Water Street will be barricaded off to vehicles.
Tickets for the Lobster Roll-A-Palooza can be bought at the Vincent Massey Elementary School and Cockburn's Drug Store. If you want to get your tickets Saturday, they will begin selling them at 10:30 with the big roll being made at 11am.


Micheud says they are also looking for volunteers to help rebuild the playground between September 25th to the 29th. For details on volunteering or fundraising, go to their website at www.standrewsplayground.com .

Premier Optimistic Pipeline Will Diversify Economy

The premier says the province is not putting all their eggs in one basket. That basket being the west-east pipeline. 

David Alward tells Tide News he feels better than he has in many years, because that's not the case. He says it's actually diversifying the province's opportunities.
 
He says the pipeline would spur additions in refining and the potential for petrochemicals. He adds, if we're able to tap into natural gas reserves there's even more possibility for development.

Alward and Mayor Mel Norton delivering a keynote speech to Port Days delegates. Alward telling the room, there's a sense of optimism in the province that hasn't existed in a long time.

CBS Looking For 100 Donors In Charlotte County

During National Blood Donor Week, Canadian Blood Services wants you to consider rolling up that sleeve and donating.

Michelle Thibodeau-Coates of CBS tells Tide News there is someone on the other end of that blood donation with a story.

She says there is someone who needs that blood donation to help them feel better a little longer or to potentially save their life.

There will be a blood donor clinic next Thursday, June 20th, at the Magaguadavic Centre in St. George, from 5-8pm. CBS says they are looking for at least 100 donors.

To book an appointment, call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or book online by clicking 
here

More Rain For Charlotte County

A special weather statement has been issued by Environment Canada about more rain beginning today. 

It cautions a low pressure system will approach the region today and then stall near Yarmouth tomorrow. Rain associated with this system will move into southwestern New Brunswick by this afternoon and spread northeastward throughout the day. 

The rain will be heavy at times, persisting into tomorrow. Rainfall amounts may reach warning levels especially for the southernmost areas of the province. Up to 50 millimeters is being forecast for the Charlotte County area.
The network says rainfall amounts may reach warning criteria. It states the worrisome issue is the ground is already quite saturated from remnants of tropical storm Andrea -- which dumped 90mms of rain on Grand Manan Island last weekend. 

NB Doctors Release Poll On Healthcare

The President of the New Brunswick Medical Society releasing a poll from Corporate Research Associates on how 400 people around the province view the healthcare system. 

Dr. Robert Desjardins says it should be a wake-up call for the Alward Government as the poll finds 11% of respondents strongly agree the government is doing a good job managing the health system.
 
It also shows only 14% strongly agree the Alward Government has a plan to improve health care delivery. 

Only 13 per cent of people in the southern part of the province say they strongly agree the government is effectively promoting the province as a good place to practice for new doctors.

The province, meantime, is asking for the Medical Society's lawsuit over caps on Medicare billing caps be dismissed.

Charlotte County Celebrates Seafood

For 4 years now, Charlotte county has been celebrating seafood during Bay of Fundy Seafood Week. 

Co-chair Andrew Lively tells Tide News it's been changing every year with new events including a very unique one this year.

He says this weekend people can buy a piece of a 62-foot lobster roll in St. Andrew's. 

The proceeds will support the local St. Andrews playground.

Today as part of the Seafood Academy, speakers at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre including Dr. Patti Johnston of Minto on the health benefits of seafood.

For more info, click here

Criminal Case Against Doctor Expected To Be Delayed

Don't expect to see the College of Physicians and Surgeons holding a hearing anytime soon into whether a doctor in the north end should have his license to practice medicine pulled. This, despite a favourable court ruling that paves the way for further investigation. 

Dr. Alan Cockeram faces several charges of sexual misconduct while treating female patients.
 
The Registrar at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Ed Schollenberg says no hearing can be held until the criminal proceedings are finished because its feared, if that took place, Dr. Cockeram's right to a fair trial could be jeopardised. 

The 60 year old gastroenterologist is facing 9 charges but more are expected to be laid when he appears for a preliminary hearing on June 17th. The preliminary hearing is not expected to go ahead until the fall.

In the meantime, Dr. Cockeram is prevented from treating female patients.

No Appearance For Snook In Newfoundland

Nothing transpired in court today in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland even though former Common Councillor Donnie Snook's name was in the docket. 

There were four summonses beside his name, two for sexual assault and two for sexual interference against a boy under the age of 14. 

Snook reportedly was not served with a summons to appear and there's no date for him to do so. 

The charges date back to the 1990's when Snook was in his early 20's and commissioned as a senior pastor at the now closed Salvation Army Citadel in Mount Moriah.

MP Says Government Doesn't Invest In Northern NB

The building of a west-east pipeline bringing Alberta crude to the Port City has drawn comparisons to the national railway, with premier David Alward saying it would revolutionize Saint John and the rest of the province. But one MP says the government has a history of not investing in one particular area.
 
Acadie-Bathurst MP Yvon Godin tells Tide News they constantly hear announcements about investments, but never see any money. He says they don't even have proper travel infrastructure, making it difficult to get around.

Godin says he doesn't see the government helping the people living in the northern region at all, and if nothing changes, residents will have to leave the area.

Health Networks Urge Docs And Province To Resolve Dispute

Both Horizon Health Network and Vitalité Health Network urging physicians and the province to put their differences aside, and put their heads together instead. 

Doctors and the Department of Health are in disagreement over cuts to Medicare, a conflict on its way to court. But the two health authorities are asking them simply sit down and talk it out, in order to find savings and create a sustainable system. 

Vitalité board chair, Paul Couturier, says that we know the present-day system is not sustainable, and is beyond what New Brunswickers can afford. He says it's vital all the players, including doctors, work together to solve the fiscal problem. Both networks rely on services from over 1,600 doctors, and say they need their involvement to find savings and build a sustainable, patient-driven system.

The doctors’ court case will be heard on Wednesday in Fredericton.

St. Andrews To Host Triathlon In July

Adults, youth and kids will be running or biking or swimming and maybe all 3 at the first major triathlon in St. Andrew's.

Organizer Tressa Bevington hails from St. Andrews and tells Tide News it's a great location for an event like this.

She says the weekend also includes the Triathlon Canada junior elite series race which will include Reid Burrows of Grand Bay-Westfield.

Bevington says it's a really fast race about 58 minutes and within the town so spectators can check it out.

The Beat the Tide 5-miler will see runners race around Minister's Island and there is a kid's race through the trails of Kingsbrae Garden.

For more info, click here

Deadly Crash Claims One

A two car crack up west of Moncton claiming the life of a 22 year old man from Anagance last night.

RCMP are looking into the head-on collision about 10pm last night on the Homestead road in Second North River.
The drivers of the vehicles were taken to hospital.  
 
The Mounties do not believe alcohol is a contributing factor in the crash.

Post-Tropical Storm Soaks Province

Roads were closed, bridges were shut down for certain vehicles and thousands of homes went without power as post-tropical storm Andrea swept through the region, soaking everything in her path.

She dumped 57mm of rain on Saint John, brought 75 to Point Lepreau, while Grand Manan was slammed with 95mm. The Confederation bridge, linking the province to Prince Edward Island, was restricted to high-sided vehicles including tractor trailers and buses for part of the day because of the gusty winds.

Port Days Focusing On Creating Stronger Ties With South America

Looks like it's networking season in Saint John....as all levels of government attempt to court Alberta crude oil, the Port is doing its bit to strengthen trade links with South America. 

Port CEO and President Jim Quinn tells CHSJ News Port Days is chance for stakeholders and port users to hobnob and discuss future business endeavours.
 
The theme for this year is "Strengthening North South Trade Links" and delegates from all over the world are attending.  Mayor Mel Norton and Premier David Alward will each be giving a keynote address on the future of the city's port. Port Days starts with Community Day today and runs until Tuesday.

Stewards of Children Offering Childhood Sexual Abuse Prevention Workshop

If we want children to have the courage speak up about sexual abuse, we have to do the same. 

That's from Elsie McGraw of the Saint John Support Group for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse who tells CHSJ News it's an issue that's had an air of secrecy for far too long.

McGraw says we want our children to come to us or report sexual abuse or unwanted touching, but yet, we as adults don't talk about it so we can't expect our children to do something we can't. She says open dialogue on the issue is badly needed in Saint John, especially in light of the guilty plea by former common councillor Donnie Snook. Because, she says, not only will it happen again, it's happening right now.

Starting a dialogue is the idea behind the Stewards of Children childhood sexual abuse prevention workshops.

The workshops are on June 14th from 9:30 am to noon and 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm, and on June 15 from 9:30 am to 12 noon at Millidgeville North School, 490 Woodward Avenue in Saint John. It costs $30. For more information call McGraw at 674-1627 or mcgrame@nb.sympatico.ca.

Maple Syrup Sweet & Clear This Season

It's been an especially sweet year for the province's maple syrup producers for more than one reason.

Not only did this year yield a record-breaking five million pounds of syrup, Yvon Poitras, the General Manager of the NB Maple Sugar Association, tells CHSJ News this year's syrup itself tastes sweet and is clear. 

Poitras says with the many environmental factors at play, it's hard to say what combination creates such a product, and although this syrup season was good, it's impossible to predict what will happen next year.

Post-Tropical Storm Brings Rainy, Windy Weather

The buckets of rain and whipping winds could only mean one thing...Andrea's on her way to the region.

The post-tropical storm was located over southeastern Virginia on Friday night, and is migrating into the southern part of this province. Up to 50mm of rain and 70 kilometre an hour wind gusts are expected from the storm. 

The Canadian Hurricane Centre saying that the storm is tracking northeastward, and that the remnants of Andrea will bring heavy rain and moderate winds to Newfoundland and Labrador early on Sunday.

NDP Leader Calling For Review Of Education In NB

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy is warning advanced math courses are under threat from cuts in teaching jobs.

He tells Tide News that's the wrong way to go if you want the province to economically compete on the world stage.

Cardy says right now you have employers in the province complaining they can't find workers who are skilled enough and that indicates a problem.

He says Provincial Education Minister Jody Carr should be looking at what principal Chris Treadwell is doing at Park Street School on the north side of Fredericton where students in grades 3 and 4 are reading at a high school level.

Alberta Premier Coming To NB Tomorrow

Alberta's Premier pays a visit to our province tomorrow.

Alison Redford will speak at a Saint John board of trade luncheon, tour the Refinery and Canaport LNG facility and address the Legislature in Fredericton.

Premier David Alward and Redford will talk about a west-east pipeline and the national energy strategy.

The Board of Trade event at the Trade & Convention begins at noon.

Two Men Knabbed For Fires At Port City House

Two men in their twenties will appear in court in connection with a number of fires at the same unoccupied home in Saint John earlier this year.

22 year old Jacob Jacquard was arrested in Yarmouth County in connection with the case.

 Another 29 year old man was arrested in Saint John in late April. 
Fire crews and police were called to a series of fires at 168 Main Street North this winter.

Some NB Roads Make The Worst List

If you're tired of bouncing over the potholes on Rothesay Avenue in Saint John and Hanwell Road in Fredericton, you're not alone.....CAA's Worst Roads poll has now closed with 4 New Brunswick roadways making the top 10 in the region. Gary Howard of CAA tells CHSJ News the poll aims to raise awareness of the problem spots.

He says its tough for government these days to have enough resources to allow to keep the roads in good shape adding their helps drivers be aware of the bad roads out there.

Fredericton's Hanwell Road is number 2 on the list.....New Brunswick 630 in Andersonville tied for third, and Rothesay Avenue ranked 7th.

Fredericton Road in Salisbury rounded off the list at number 10.

Over 4,000 votes were cast.

MacKenzie Trial In Saint John Goes To Jury

Jury deliberations are underway on the fate of 29 year old Crystal Dawn MacKenzie, who's being tried a second time for second degree murder in the death of her common law partner, 29 year old Patrick Thomas. 

He was stabbed to death outside their apartment building on Alma Street, off Waterloo in March of 2010.
 
Mr. Justice William Grant says the jury will have to decide if MacKenzie was acting in self defense or trying to settle a score out of anger. The jurors will have to determine her state of mind after a night of heavy drinking and history of violence in their relationship. 

The judge has told the jury there was evidence  Thomas assaulted her five different times on the night of the stabbing but did she have a safe means of escape which would include calling police.

The jury has also been told it can find her guilty of manslaughter if it believes she was provoked and lost control.

St. Stephen RCMP Warn Warmer Weather Brings Opportunity For Theft

A reminder from our local Police Sergeant.

By removing the opportunity, you are removing the temptation and reward.

Sgt. Bob MacKnight tells Tide News with the arrival of warmer weather and more people out and about late at night, comes an increase in crime.

He reminds residents to make sure all vehicles and properties are locked up, and that valuables are out of sight from potential thieves.

Accused At Murder Trial Seen Sobbing On Police Video

The jury saw the rest of a police video of 29 year old Crystal Dawn MacKenzie being questioned in the stabbing death of her common law partner, 29 year old Patrick Thomas in March of 2010. MacKenzie is being retried for 2nd degree murder.
 
The video shows MacKenzie doubled over, rocking back and forth while sobbing. MacKenzie tells lead investigator Sergeant Dan Oram she didn't mean to kill Thomas but didn't want him in the apartment on Alma Street that night because she didn't want her kids to see them fighting. 

She tells Oram of stabbing Thomas in the shoulder after thinking he was coming after her. Sergeant Oram told the court he took that to mean MacKenzie was the aggressor after becoming so enraged. 

Defense lawyer David Kelly suggested she wasn't giving an academy award performance during the interrogation but Oram told the court, in his view, she was more upset at her own predicament than what had happened to Thomas.  

Kelly got into evidence Thomas' past criminal record for assaults including an order, at one point, to not have contact with MacKenzie.

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.