Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Dual Deaths Ruled Murder-Suicide

The RCMP's Major Crimes Unit has completed its investigation into the deaths of two people in Kedgwick.

The bodies of 64-year-old Raoul Leclair and 65-year-old Nicole Leclair, both of Kedgwick, were discovered outside their home on September 1.

Police have determined that both died of gunshot wounds and they died as a result of a murder-suicide. As such, no charges will be laid.

Barlow Points Out Water Woes

It's hard to believe in a water-rich country like Canada but we are a planet running out of clean water.

That from Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians.


Barlow tells Tide News you can find water but it may not be in good shape.

She says it's been polluted, mismanaged or displaced.


A study by the Royal Bank says the demand for water will outstrip supply by 40 per cent by the year 2030 which Barlow says means people will die along with entire ecosystems.

She says we need to turn our heads around and stop taking water for granted.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Charlotte-Campobello First Liberal Nomination Convention In The Province

Our local riding of Charlotte-Campobello will be the first nomination convention in New Brunswick for the Provincial Liberals.

The Liberal Party making the announcement this week while gearing up for the 2014 provincial election.

Vying for the spot are Wayne Wamboldt, Eric DeJong, and St. Stephen Deputy Mayor John Ames.

The Liberal nomination will take place at the St. Stephen Middle School on Saturday, October 26th. Registration will be held 10am-1:30pm, and the convention will begin at 2pm.

Liberal Leader Brian Gallant will be speaking at the event.

Seniors Protest Nursing Cuts In Province

Show me a plan, if there is one, to ensure New Brunswick doesn't have a critical shortage of nurses down the road because of retirements. That plea coming from the President of the New Brunswick Nurses Union, Marilyn Quinn. 

She tells Tide News the assumption should not be made that nursing grads who settle elsewhere will come back to the province, especially if they put down roots. Quinn says nursing jobs are going unfilled at the present time on top of the cuts already made. 

The New Brunswick Senior Citizens Federation is now publicly speaking out against the nursing cuts, arguing there are other areas of healthcare where money could be saved. 

Quinn says all the cutting is accomplishing is more stress in the workplace which will lead to senior nurses retiring sooner than they might as well as prompting new graduates to leave the province.

Prescription Monitoring Program Could Be Coming Soon

While many provinces have a Prescription Monitoring program in place to battle prescription drug abuse, no such program currently exists here in New Brunswick, and the Executive Director of the provincial Pharmacists Association wants to see that change.

Paul Blanchard says there has been a lot of talk about implementing a drug information system where pharmacists and doctors can see all the medications patients are have been prescribed, and from what he understands it may be coming in the next budget.

Blanchard says because we don't have this type of electronic system in the province, it's very important people make their doctors and pharmacists aware of all the medication they are taking.

Body Of Missing Man Found

The body of a missing 21-year old being discovered two days after his disappearance.

RCMP confirming search and rescue found Adam Joseph Andrews of Saint John at noon yesterday.
Rothesay Regional Police say his body was in the Quispamsis area, so they will be handling the investigation from this point forward.
 
Andrews was reported missing to Saint John City Police on Saturday after not showing up to work. The search started in Saint John but moved to the Hammond River area after his empty vehicle was found in that location that same night. Police found his cellphone and sneaker near the car.

An autopsy being conducted tomorrow to determine the cause of death.
The RRPD say they will be releasing a statement after they review the details of the postmortem.

Search For Cormier Expands To Upper West Side

Volunteer search groups looking for clues in a teenager's disappearance now moving into the upper West side of Saint John.

Search coordinator and family friend Amanda Hensey tells Tide News they have covered a large portion of the wooded areas on the West side, but so far, they have come up empty. She says 19-year old Gen Cormier was not the type of person to simply vanish without telling anyone where she was going and calls her disappearance very out of character.

Hensey says they are not losing hope that they will find her.

Cormier was last seen on September 29 in the back parking lot of the Reversing Falls restaurant. A fund has been set up online for people who want to donate to the volunteer search effort, click here for a link.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Milltown International Bridge Temporarily Closed

A heads up to drivers planning on crossing the border.

The Milltown International Bridge temporarily closed to traffic coming into the province today and tomorrow between 8am 1pm. Regular service starts back up at 1pm each day.

Drivers are encouraged to use the St. Stephen Third Bridge or the St. Stephen Ferry Point International Bridge as alternate routes in the meantime. The closure is because of construction in the US.

Ashley Smith Is The Touchstone

Progress is being made but more has to be done to ensure young people with mental disorders in the province get the treatment they need. That claim being made by Maureen Bilerman of Dots NB who became an activist when her own teenage daughter ran into trouble getting the help she needed. 

Bilerman tells Tide News the early intervention being done at schools in Charlotte County and the Acadian Peninsula is producing, in her words, some amazing results. 

Bilerman uses Ashley Smith as her touchstone and, if she were here today, would the mental health treatment be there to make a difference in her life and avoid a tragic end. 

The 19 year old Smith choked herself to death while jailed in Kitchener, Ontario. Her death is now the subject of an inquest in Toronto.

Province Accused Of Passing Up Clean Energy Jobs

New Brunswick is missing the boat when it comes to funding clean energy projects according to Mark D'Arcy of the Council of Canadians. 

He tells Tide News the provincial government could create jobs by following the lead of other jurisdictions in giving tax credits for investing in such things as a community economic development fund and co-ops along with payback loan programmes for residential energy retrofits to make your home more energy efficient.

D'Arcy says this is happening right now in Nova Scotia, P-E-I, Ontario, Vermont, Massachusetts, Germany and Scandanavia but not in New Brunswick.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Fishing Village Celebrating Start Of Lobster Season

A fleet of 17 fishing boats sailing out from the wharf in Alma bright and early tomorrow morning to mark the opening of the fall lobster season.

The town of 251 people celebrating the occasion with the fleet launch and a community festival. They are promoting the event as "pajama-friendly" because as Event Coordinator Jane Chrysostom tells Tide News, the festivities start bright and early. 

The town kicking off the day with the ringing of church bells at 6am tomorrow morning and the launch of the boats a half an hour later, at high tide. A hot breakfast will be served at the wharf.

Chrysostom says the interpretive staff at neighboring Fundy National Park will be on hand giving demonstration about the habitat and life of the Fundy lobster.

Motorcycle Driver, Passenger Killed In Collision

Police say a 30-year old motorcycle driver and his passenger, a 27-year old woman, are dead after a crash between the bike and a pickup truck.

It happened at around 12:30 yesterday afternoon on Route 134 near Campbellton. The motorcycle colliding with the truck as it was turning into a driveway. Police say the motorcycle was trying to pass vehicles at the time of the crash.

RCMP say the names of the victims are not being released at this time.

Irish Rovers Embarking On Final Tour Of Maritimes

After a half century of touring, the Irish Rovers will say goodbye to the road. 

The band that shot to stardom with songs like The Unicorn and Black Velvet Band embarking on their last tour of the Maritimes this fall with a show in the Port City. 

Frontman George Millar tells Tide News as you get older, touring starts to take its toll on you. But while he won't miss the grind of touring, Millar says he will miss playing shows which he calls the "prize" at the end of a long day of traveling.

In the new year, they will tour the US. Their global Farewell to Rovin' Tour ends in 2015. For a complete list of tour dates, click here. You can see them next Thursday at the Imperial Theatre at 7:30pm. To buy tickets, click here.

Consumer Demand For Fresh, Local Turkeys Rising

The demand for fresh, locally raised turkeys to top Thanksgiving tables has been on the rise.

That's according to Tim Cochran, the owner of Cochran’s Country Market in Rothesay who says since the business opened in 1996, the store has gone from selling 20 of their Sussex-raised turkeys around the holidays to around 300.

Over the last five years, Cochran tells Tide News he has seen more people taking a greater interest in where their food is coming from, how it was grown or raised and in the case of an animal like a turkey, what type of food it was fed.

Extended Sunday Shopping Hours Start Today

The open for business signs in some storefronts will be lighting up a little earlier today, as extended Sunday shopping hours begin in the Port City.

June Anderson, the manager of the Liquid Gold Tasting Bar & All Things Olive on Prince William Street in uptown Saint John tells Tide News they will continue to stay closed on Sundays but she is glad businesses are now able to set their own hours.

Anderson says the time has come for businesses to be able to decide when they open.
 

Wal-Mart will now be opening at 7 in the morning and Costco will be opening at 10am. McAllister Place and Brunswick Square Shopping Centres will not be changing their hours.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Kingston Peninsula Crash

Crews responding to a crash between two vehicles near the Gondola Point ferry. 

It happened just before 2pm on the Kingston Peninsula side in the turnaround.

There are reports of minor injuries.

Rothesay Woman Named Finalist In Sandwich Competition

A woman from Rothesay has been named a finalist for Canada's Best Sandwich Contest. 

Ashley Seeley is one of four people who will compete for the title this Thursday in front of a judging panel led by Food Network Canada personality Bob Blumer. Seeley will be making a spicy berbere steak with fresh cheese and lemon vinaigrette salad on sourdough.

She tells Tide News the sandwich was inspired by Ethiopian cuisine, which she discovered while she was in university in Halifax.

If Seeley wins the title, she gets $10,000 for her and $10,000 for the charity of her choice, which is L'Arche Cape Breton. For more information on the contest, click here.

NB Group Joins Call For Ban On Flavoured Tobacco

The New Brunswick Lung Association joining the Canadian Cancer Society in their call for a ban on all flavoured tobacco to curb youth smoking.

A recently released Youth Smoking Survey revealing more than half of high school students who used tobacco products in the last 30 days used flavoured tobacco.

Barbara Walls, the Director of Health Promotion for the NB Lung Association tells Tide News in 2010, the federal government banned candy and fruit flavoured cigarettes, cigarillos and blunt wraps, but tobacco companies were able to keep adding flavours like bubblegum, cherry and watermelon to cigarillos by avoiding the legal definition of the product.

Walls believes if there is another ban, the industry will find another way to continue selling flavoured tobacco, because that's their business. She says part of the reason for the call is about education and raising awareness.

More Blood Donors Needed During Long Weekend

Canadian Blood Services needs plasma all year round, and this long weekend is no exception.
 
Clinic doors are closed on Monday for the holiday, and Michelle Thibodeau Coates of the group tells Tide News because of the closure, they won't be getting as many people in the door donating plasma so she's encouraging more people to come out and roll up their sleeves.

Thibodeau Coates says many of us can be thankful for our good health this Thanksgiving, and we can share that good health with somebody who needs it.

To find a donation site near you, click here. They're open on Tuesday from 11am to 3pm

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Premier Meets With Chief On Shale Gas

First Nations Chief Aaron Sock, who has been at the forefront of the opposition to shale gas exploration, is meeting this afternoon with Premier David Alward  in Moncton

The Premier believes shale gas is key to turning around the sluggish provincial economy and he doesn't appear ready to make a U-turn on that, saying his government is determined to responsibly develop the province's natural resources. 

Shale gas protestors have blockaded Highway 134 near Rexton and demanded SWN Resources leave the province. 

A judge granted a court injunction late last week ordering an end to the blockade.

St. Stephen Police Looking For Missing Man

RCMP looking for your help finding a missing man.

51-year-old Roger Allen McLaughlin was last seen in the St. Stephen area last Monday. Family and friends have not been able to contact him since. He was reported missing on Friday.


Police say McLaughlin is described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, 160 pounds with brown hair and a moustache. They don't believe he has a car.

Anyone with any information about where he could be is asked to contact the RCMP at (506) 466-7030 or 1-888-506-RCMP (7267).

Acts Of Bravery Recognized At Firefighters Gala

An awards ceremony honouring the heroic acts of city firefighters at their inaugural gala.

District Chief Donald Walker was recognized with the Award of Distinction for rescuing a woman trapped behind a door during a fire at 45 St. Paul Street. Walker tells Tide News he simply went and did what he had to do. 

Firefighters Peter Alexander and Doug Trentowsky and Lieutenants Peter Woodhouse and Mike Shelley getting the Award of Distinction for rescuing a woman whose car was in the water back in 1995. Shelley tells us he remembers the top of the vehicle was about a foot underwaterthey were only able to see it because the lights were still on.

City Fire Chief Kevin Clifford says their actions serve as a reminder of the dangerous situations firefighters put themselves in when they go out on calls. The sold-out charity event marked 227 years of service for the Saint John Fire Department

Certificates of Merit:
Salvation Army Major Rowena Wiseman
Salvation Army Member Dorothy 'Dot' Porter
Former Police Officer George Stackhouse, now of the Salvage Corps
Firefighter Corey Cassidy

Award of Distinction:

Captain Kenneth 'Kenny' MacDonald
District Chief Donald Walker
Firefighters Peter Alexander and Doug Trentowsky and Lieutenants Peter Woodhouse and Mike Shelley

Medal of Valor:

Lieutenant Conrad Northrup
Firefighter Gary Breen

Risk of Listeria, Allergens Prompts Food Recalls

Two food items you can buy at major retailers being recalled.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency warning the public not to eat Reser's Fine Foods brand cheesy macaroni salad because it could be contaminated with a bacteria that can cause
listeriosis, leading to high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, and nausea. They are sold in Wal-Mart stores across the province and nationally at Loblaw banner stores.

They're also advising people with allergies not to eat Armella Duo brand Hazelnut Spread with Milk and Cocoa because it may contain almonds which is not written on the label. The product is sold at Dollarama stores across Canada.

Both companies voluntarily recalling the products. The CFIA has not received any reports of people getting sick from eating these products
.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Fire Department Celebrating 227 Years of Service

Tonight marks a first for the Saint John Fire Department.

Their inaugural charity gala is this evening, where they will be celebrating 227 years of service and raising money for the Salvation Army's Community Outreach Program. Fire Chief Kevin Clifford tells Tide News he hopes this event is the first of many.

The formal event takes place from 6pm to midnight at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre. For more information about the gala, visit the official website by clicking here.

Search For Missing Teenager Enters Day Five

Search groups continue sweeping parts of the city as they look for clues in a teenager's disappearance.

Police have now confirmed the last time 19-year Gen Cormier was seen was on Sunday in the back parking lot of the Reversing Falls Restaurant. 

Family friend Amanda Hensey tells Tide News that piece of information gives them hope and helps them pinpoint where she's been, saying, the more steps they can trace, the better their chances of finding her and bringing her home safely to her family. 

They are looking for more people to join the search for the missing teen. Hensey says they prefer adults because of the rough terrain and the sensitive nature of the search. There's a table in the area where Cormier was last seen where people can sign up.

Traffic Disruption on Highway

A heads up if you plan on driving on Highway 1 today. The eastbound off-ramp at the exit to Ashburn Lake Road is closed until 7pm so the City of Saint John can fix a water pipe. Drivers are being diverted to the Exit 129 until it re-opens.

Man Pulls Weapon During Domestic Dispute

A domestic dispute in the North End of Saint John escalating as police arrive on the scene.

A man pulling a butcher knife around 7pm yesterday evening on Metcalfe Street. Police say a woman wanted her boyfriend out of the home. 

He was arrested and will be appearing in court today. He faces charges of threats, mischief of property and weapons offenses.

Police Confirm Cormier Sighting On Sunday

City police letting us know they have a confirmed sighting of Gen Cormier on Sunday. 

An email says she was seen walking in the back parking lot of the Reversing Falls/Boaz restaurant.

A family friend telling Tide News that the 19 year old often walked that route to her home on the lower West side.


She was reported missing by family on Monday.

Police want to hear from anyone who was in or near the parking lot of the Reversing Falls restaurant or in the park above that may have seen her.

The Major Crime Unit is looking into the matter and following up on any leads and tips that come forward.


If you have any information, call 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Friday, October 4, 2013

Searches Continue Today For Cormier

Confused...that is how the friends and family are feeling since the disappearance of 19 year old Gen Cormier.

There has been no sign of her since Sunday afternoon at 4pm in Saint John.  Over 100 people took part in a search last night.
 

Family family Amanda Hensey tells Tide News more searching will continue along Chelsey Drive and Douglas Avenue today.

They are looking for any sign of her including one of her bracelets that fell off if she slipped it will help them pinpoint where she's been.


Search crews will be out looking along Chesley Drive and Douglas Avenue beginning at 1pm today.
 

Cormier is described as 5'7" or 5'8", about 120 lbs with a  thin build, long brown hair which she will wear straight or in a ponytail. 

She has hazel eyes, pierced ears, a black bird tattoo on her left shoulder and often wears  lot of bracelets.
 
She often wears jeans and a t-shirt or sweater and white Puma sneakers or sandals. 

If you have any information, contact police at 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

5 People In Serious Condition After Highway 1 Crash

Five people remain at the Regional Hospital after a serious crash on Highway 1.

RCMP tell Tide News just before 7am yesterday, the driver lost control of the car near the Pennfield / Pocologan Exit, rolled it several times, before coming to a stop in the median on its roof.

Police say all five people in the car were seriously injured, 2 critically.

They tell us a collision analyst was called to examine the scene and found at least one person had been ejected from the car.

RCMP do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved.

Province Pitching The Two Nation Vacation

The Maine Chamber of Commerce hearing from Provincial Tourism Minister Trevor Holder about how the two nation vacation can become a win-win for the state and New Brunswick. 

Holder would like to see them in a combined effort to persuade a good percentage of the people who visit Maine to make the trip further north to the Bay of Fundy.

Holder says there's good potential considering 2.5 million people visit Acadia National Park in Maine each year.

New Energy Plant To Be Built In Saint John

Premier David Alward in town for the Energy Summit but also to make an economic development announcement. 

The Province is giving Atlantic Hydrogen 950 thousand dollars to help build a new plant on Bayside Drive to produce a new, environmentally friendly technology called the CarbonSaver. It processes natural gas to produce clean hydrogen and fit for use carbon with minimal carbon dioxide emissions. 

Atlantic Hydrogen President and C-E-O David Wagner says after ten years of research and development which cost 35 million dollars, they're ready to go global. Germany is seen as a potentially large market.
 

The Premier says this type of world class innovative technology will shine a bright light on New Brunswick on the world stage.
 

The plant is expected to be up and running early next year with the creation of 8 jobs.

Police Release New Photos Of Missing 19 Year Old

Saint John City police releasing new photos of a missing 19 year old girl.


Genevieve Mary Cormier was reported missing on Monday and was last seen on Sunday afternoon in uptown Saint John.

She is described as 5'7" or 5'8", about 120 lbs with a  thin build, long brown hair which she will wear straight or in a ponytail. 

She has hazel eyes, pierced ears,  a black bird tattoo on her left shoulder and often wears a lot of bracelets.

She often wears jeans and a t-shirt or sweater and white Puma sneakers or sandals. 

If you have any information, contact police at  648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Sussex Man Back In Court For Murdering His Dad

26 year old Dana Allison Craig from Sussex, who was charged in the murder of his 63 year old father in a Brandon, Manitoba hotel room, has been declared not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder.
 

The Court in Brandon was told Craig had previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was in the midst of an acute psychotic episode at the time Terry Craig, a retired banker, was strangled and stabbed. 

The younger Craig had been in Alberta and was returning to New Brunswick with his dad.
 

Craig remains in custody. What happens to him will be decided by Manitoba's Criminal Code Review Board. It can release someone into the community if no threat is posed to the public or detention in a mental health facility for those who pose a high risk.

Burger Warning

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning consumers to avoid certain Compliments brand Super 8 Beef Burgers because they may be contaminated with E. coli.
 

The burgers were distributed in New Brunswick at Sobeys.
 

The eight-ounce burgers are sold frozen in packages of six with a UPC code of 0 55742 37055 3.

Five People Sent To Hospital In Highway Crash

The RCMP called to a single vehicle collision on Highway 1 westbound in the Pennfield/Pocologan area.

It happened just before 7 yesterday morning and one lane of the highway was blocked.

Horizon Health confirming to Tide News that five people were rushed to the Regional Hospital.


One car could be seen flipped over on its roof in the ditch. 

The Mounties have not released any information about whether anyone died in the crash

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Mom Stands Trial For Leaving Her Baby Outside In Cold

A 27 year old Saint John mother is on trial charged with leaving her baby outside in the cold alone last January along Paddock Street. The court was told the baby was dressed for the weather with only her face exposed and appeared to be no worse for wear.
 
Norma Cusack, who lived across the street, testified it was more like 15 to 20 minutes from the time she heard a baby crying to the time when police arrived. 

Shea maintains the baby was only outside for a few minutes while she took her groceries inside along with her other young children. 

When Police got there, Constable Amy Cunningham told the court Shea came out of the house dressed in a tee shirt, jeans and no shoes. Cunningham believes Shea didn't realise her baby had been left outside after telling her she had looked through the house twice for her baby who was 4 or 5 months old.

BREAKING: Highway Closed, Tanker Car Still Leaking Propane

Propane is still leaking from a railway tanker car behind Haymarket Square. Fire crews are on scene working to isolate the leaking car and determine the cause of the leak.

The call initially came in about an hour ago. Workers on the One Mile Interchange were evacuated as well as a number of buildings in the immediate vicinity.

Due to concerns about the propane drifting over the road, the east and westbound lanes of the highway are closed until further notice from Crown St. to Ashburn Rd.

Three Months To Go--Chief Still Predicts Oland Arrest Before 2014

As 2013 winds down, Saint John Police Chief Bill Reid still has a New Year's resolution to fulfill: an arrest in the investigation into the murder of Richard Oland. 

Reid tells Tide News the Crown will be reviewing the file in the next month, and then will come back with either a recommendation for further investigation or the green light to lay charges. He says it's impossible to magically declare "today's the day" when in fact a legal process has to be followed, as everyone is aware.
 

Reid says only a small amount of information is available to the public so it's discouraging for some people when assumptions are made about the lack of charges. At the same time, the Chief maintains the SJPD is transparent in all of their operations, and he's confident at the end of the day the police will be successful.

New Screening Program Could Save Lives

Getting screened for cancer improves your odds dramatically--and some people in the province will be taking advantage of a new screening program to catch the disease early.

The province has announced a new program beginning in early 2014 that will remind eligible individuals to get screened and track who's been checked and who hasn't.

A program has existed to screen for breast cancer since 1995--now colon and cervical cancer screening will be added to the list. Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada.

One Mile Interchange To Be Open Next Month

The $75 million dollar One Mile Interchange project, which will provide a direct connection between Highway One and Bayside Drive, will be finished by next month according to Tim O'Reilly of Traffic Services.

Truck traffic headed to the industrial areas out east will be rerouted onto the interchange---keeping it off city centre streets. There's going to be plenty of new signage to direct drivers where to go.

NB Power Integrates Companies Into Single Utility

The province's energy utility bringing its companies together under one umbrella. NB Power's Group of Companies are now one integrated Crown Corporation as required by the Electricity Act.

That company is now solely responsible for generating, transmitting and distributing the province's electricity.

The change means the Electric Finance Corporation which was created to deal with debt is dissolved and the utility will take on $325-million in net debt, and a new subsidiary, the NB Energy Marketing Corporation, will be created.

President and CEO Gaëtan Thomas says the changes will help keep energy prices low and stable over the next decade.

City Clarifies Estabrooks Costs

In an email, the City of Saint John letting us know their contract with the Investigative Solutions Network regarding the Estabrooks investigation includes the approval of funding in $100,000 increments beginning last October and again in January and April of this year.    

About $300,000 has been spent so far and Common Council authorized another $100,000 just over two weeks ago bringing the total approved amount to $400,000.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Local Student Gets Scholarship For Work With Boys & Girls Club

One local highschooler getting a headstart on post-secondary.

Grade 10 student Joelle McCray being awarded a Future Shop Future Generation scholarship in the amount of $5000.

McCray being one out of 23 Grade 10 students from Clubs across Canada to get the scholarship this year.

Program Director of our local Club, Jessica Hall tells Tide News Joelle is a deserving recipient because she has been a dedicated Club member for many years, participating in their after-school program, girls circle, youth collective activities and leaders in training program.

Energy Drink Discussion

If your kids like those energy drinks, you may be interested in the results of this discussion today.

The Department of Health is hosting a dialogue that include the chief medical officer of health Dr. Eilish Cleary, Dr. Samuel Godefroy of Health Canada and Martin-Pierre Pelletier of the Canadian Beverage Association.

A report on the dialogue will be made available on the department of health's website later this fall.

Young Woman Missing

Tide News has been contacted by friends who say they're worried about a 19 year old woman who has been missing since September 29th. 

Genevieve Mary Cormier, known as "Gen" was last seen on the Reversing Falls Bridge in Saint John, heading west. 

She's described as being about five feet 7 with dark brown/blackish hair and has a tattoo on her back reading "Take these broken wings and learn to fly" with a bird.  

Her friends are urging you contact City Police if you know anything about her whereabouts because they're worried sick.

Lawsuits Could Cost City Mega Bucks Just To Defend

If Saint John has to defend itself in the face of 263 lawsuits, the cost could alone bankrupt the city. That word from Halifax lawyer John McKiggan.

He tells Tide News a class action lawsuit will be filed in a matter of days or weeks on behalf of the people who say they were sexually abused by the late Ken Estabrooks when he was a City Police Sergeant and later a city employee with the Works Department.
 

McKiggan says they want to find if the Mayor and Common Council back in 1975 signed off on transferring Estabrooks from the police to City Works after confessing. 

McKiggan says a class action lawsuit offers a more flexible solution.

Man Saved From Leaping Off Bridge

A lot of activity for Police in the Valley. They had to save a man from harming himself when he was hanging off a bridge along Route 111 and threatening to jump the next time a truck came along. Police managed to grab hold of him before he could make the leap and he's now in hospital for mental health issues.

Another man was taken to hospital after losing control of the bicycle he was riding on Randy Jones Way. Police say he was wearing a helmet which save his head but did suffer injuries to his chest.

Another deer was struck causing considerable damage to the vehicle in Gondola Point by Miller Road and a home along Rothesay Road was broken into.

Local Baseball Player Signs With Toronto Blue Jays

A baseball player from Saint John joining the Major League team he grew up rooting for. 

20-year old right-hander Andrew Case of Saint John signing a Major League Baseball deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. He says his heart stopped when he got the call over the weekend, after impressing scouts at a tournament in Toronto by pitching a no-hitter. 

Case, who is in Alberta right now, is coming home for a few weeks to celebrate with family, then will head back out West to train at the Prairie Baseball Academy until late February or early March when he reports for spring training in Florida. The six-foot-two 190 pound Case says he hopes to get some more power behind his best pitch, a fastball which now sits at the low-90s, and put on some muscle.

He says he hopes his story inspires other Saint John baseball players to work hard because anything is possible.