$30 Grand Reward for Missing Maine Toddler

A $30,000 reward to bring home a missing toddler from Maine.

A group of private citizens putting up the money for information leading to the location and return of 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds.

The toddler from Waterville, Maine reported missing from her bed Dec 17th.

Ayla was last seen the night before when her father put her to bed.

Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey says the department receiving around 330 leads from across the country-- some as far away as California.


If you have any information about Ayla's whereabouts, please call 911 or the Waterville Police Department.

Boxing Day Sales Draw Crowds

With some retailers cutting prices now that Christmas is over, shoppers throughout the area have been packing stores hunting for bargains.

Shoppers lined up at 80 Consumers Drive, East Saint John at 6am to take advantage of Future Shop's Boxing Day electronics sales.

Some retailers report the lines outside stores appeared a bit thinner than previous years -- but the Retail Council of Canada estimates there will be a three per cent increase in retail sales this Christmas compared to last year.

Photo Credit: Mark McGraw

Spread Out Holiday Cheer, Advistes Counselor

Now that Christmas is over, it's normal to feel a little let down. The post holiday blues are a common phenomena, says Judy Urqhart of Gentle Path Counseling. She tells CHSJ news that people should try to spread out their holiday cheer and this of Christmas as a season--not just one day.

Planning activities throughout the long cold months can help you beat the post-holiday let-down. Seeking the support of faith communities, family and friends is also important to feeling good all winter long.

Gentle Path offers counseling at locations in Saint John and Hampton Road.

Jack Layton Named Newsmaker of the Year

Jack Layton has been named Canada's Newsmaker of the Year--by a long shot. The late NDP leader receiving the accolade by one of the largest margins in the 65-year history of the Canadian Press poll at 90 per cent.  

Canadian Press Ottawa correspondent Stephanie Levitz tells CHSJ that Layton's landslide in the poll didn't come as a surprise to people in the media, since he was unequivocally the person who consistently made the most headlines nationwide.

Layton, who died of cancer in August, has been credited with leading the NDP to the most successful result in the party's history, winning 103 seats, enough to form Canada's Official Opposition.

Murder Suspect Found

The Saint John Police force got their man.

The police arresting 50-year-old Stephen Wallace Martin in the city's uptown yesterday. There had been a Canada-wide warrant issued for Martin in connection with the death of Robert Ryan.

Ryan's body was found earlier this week in a fire on Mount Pleasant Avenue.

Martin remains in police custody.

Christmas Eve Ferry Run To Deer Island

Attention all residents of Deer Island!

The last ferry on Christmas Eve will be leaving a little earlier than normal.

Conrad Cline of the John E. Rigby Ferry says the last run tomorrow from the mainland to Deer Island will leave at 7:30pm.

Canada-Wide Warrant for Murder in Saint John

Tuesday's fire death on Mount Pleasant Avenue North in Saint John is a being called a homicide by police.

70 year old Robert Ryan was killed but police have not released the cause of death.

A Canada-wide warrant has been released for 50 year old Stephen Wallace Martin.

He is considered armed and dangerous.

You can contact city police or Crimestoppers if you have any information on the crime.

Toddler Still Missing From Maine

It's almost been a week since a toddler from Maine was last seen.

Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey said the search area had expanded for missing 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds, to include the Kennebec River, and more wooded areas and ponds.

Searchers have been spotted looking through garbage dumpsters, while the FBI continues to go door to door, asking anyone for information on the child's whereabouts.

The department confirmed they have received over 160 tips from the public and are investigating each one.

Help Find Ayla!

Wardens have been spotted searching through dumpsters, in search of a toddler from Maine.

Searches by boat and plane also continue for 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds.

Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey says, "Everything is open. Everything is on the table. We have not recovered any information that has sent us in any direction."

Ayla was reported missing from her home in Waterville, Maine, Saturday morning.

It's now 5 days later -- and still no results, and police are asking everyone to keep a look out.

Club Asks For NO More Donations

We have exceeded the amount of donations we needed -- and can hold!

That word from Karen Tracy, treasurer at the Eastern Charlotte Lions Club in Pennfield.

They started collecting food and toys for local families at the beginning of November, kicking off the drive with a Christmas Telethon.

Tracy sending a big thank you to everyone who donated, including Cooke's Aquaculture, who made the closing donation this morning with $500.

28 familes with 34 children receiving toys, turkeys, the rest of Christmas dinner.

Rally in the St. Croix Valley 2012

News of Atlanticade changing locations to PEI this summer, dampens spirits like driving in the rain for local bikers.

However, a new event is being planned for St. Stephen and Calais.

A week-long bike fest to honor Veterans and active service members getting the nod from both sides of the border.

Local biker Bob Hamel and Calais Police Chief Dave Randall bringing the "Rally in the St. Croix Valley" to reality.

Hamel says both towns have stepped up with start-up funds, and the committee is currently working on event planning and other funding.

The rally is scheduled from July 1st - 8th 2012.

Theft in St. Stephen

If you get a new set of chrome rims for Christmas, be careful, they might be hot!

Sometime during the night between Sunday and Monday, 4 tires and rims were stolen from a parked truck at the Olde Carr Auto Sales car lot on Highway 170 near St. Stephen.

District 1 RCMP and Crimestoppers asking for help from the public on finding who is responsible for the theft.



The 4 tires are new Goodyear Wranglers and the "Mamba" rims are chrome with 5 thick spokes.

If you have any information, please call CrimeStopprs at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Bikinis in Winter

With the cold weather baring down on us, it's time to think about -- bikinis?

Eastport's Annual Hearts Warming Hearts Bikini and Speedo Run takes place each year on Valentine's Day, with a brave group of men and women, including children and seniors, doning their favorite swimwear and dashing down the street.

Every dollar raised for the event going to provide fuel assistance for the poor.

Organizer Jeff Starling says he can't think of a better way to say "I Love You", than by helping your neighbours stay warm.

If you would like to participate, pledge sheets are available at the Happy Crab Restaurant in Eastport (207) 853-9400.

Day 4 - Toddler Still Missing

Ayla Reynolds is still missing.

The search for the toddler from Waterville, Maine, expanded yesterday, with police searching the Messalonskee Stream by land, boat, and plane.


Today, searchers were seen looking through garbage dumpsters a few miles from the home.

Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey says the stream is only an eighth of a mile away from the home where Ayla was last seen.

The 20-month-old was reported missing from her crib Saturday morning.

Simple Tips to a Safe Holiday

Be careful with what you post on Facebook.

That warning from New Brunswick police on crime prevention over the holidays.

The RCMP sending out a few simple tips to keep you and your loved ones from becoming the victims of crime.

Along with a warning about social media sites, they recommend locking your doors while shopping, and keeping friends from driving impaired.

Police Need Help In Arson Case on Grand Manan

Crimestoppers and the RCMP in Grand Manan are looking for who is responsible for multiple arsons on Grand Manan Island over the last three years.

Between 2008 and August 2011, Police and local fire fighters have responded to several suspicious fires.

The culprits are targeting abandoned buildings and storage sheds.

Thousands of dollars in damage has been reported.

If you have any information, you could earn up to $4500 in rewards between Crimestoppers and the village of Grand Manan.

Call 1800-222-TIPS (8477)

Missing Child From Maine

A toddler is missing from Waterville, Maine.

20-month-old Ayla Reynolds was reported missing Saturday morning from her bed.

She has short blonde hair, blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a soft cast on her left arm, and green polka dot pajamas reading "Daddy's Princess".

If you have any information, call the Waterville Police Department at (207) 680-4700.

If you see Ayla, call 911 immediately.

Body Found in Parking Garage

A man found dead in an uptown Saint John parking garage.

On Friday evening, police responding to reports that someone appeared to be laying trapped beneath some furniture in the garage.

When city police arrived on the scene, they found the body of a 50 year old man behind some items which were being stored there.

Police are looking into what happened. They also say they're not treating the death as suspicious at this point.

More Controversy Over Prescription Drug Co-Payments

More controversy in the provincial legislature about the Alward government's decision to charge seniors more for their prescription drugs.

Cecile Cassista, Executive Director of the Coalition for Seniors, says that there are other options out there.

She says they're urging government to work with pharmaceutical companies, and seniors, to find different solutions. Seniors in the province are often over-medicated, says Cassista.

The coalition presented its series of recommendations to health minister Madeline Dube when the changes were first announced earlier this month.The Alward Government has proposed doubling yearly prescriptions costs for seniors from $250 to $500 per year.

According to the health minister, the change will save the province $3 million per year.

Saint John Ranked Sexual Assault Capital of Canada

According to the magazine, Saint John has the highest rate of reported sex crimes in the country.

The rate in the city is 132 per cent above the national average at 97 per 100,000. And our provincial capital, Fredericton has the third-highest rates in the country after Belleville, Ontario. 

The numbers don't necessarily mean that Saint John and Fredericton have more sex crimes. It does suggests that more people report the crimes here compared with other places.