Police Bust Man With 7 Alberta Warrants

The Saint John City police media report detailing a West side arrest for a man facing a several charges out west. 

On Sunday morning, Sgt. Jay Henderson says officers assisted police in Red Deer, Alberta by arresting a 36 year old man on the Manawagonish Road.

He tells us he was wanted on seven Canada-wide warrants for offences in Alberta and was arrested without incident and is being held until he can be transferred back to Alberta to face the charges.

Officers are arresting a 35 year old man after a fight at an uptown bar about 930 on Saturday night. While officers were trying to restrain him, one of them was assaulted.

He is facing charges of obstruction, uttering threats and assaulting a peace officer and he was held pending a court appearance.

Liberal M-P Predicts P-M Will Continue To Be Hounded On Senate Scandal

Despite the suspensions from the Senate of Pamela Wallin, Mike Duffy and Patrick Brazeau, the Senate expense scandal isn't over by a long shot. Prime Minister Minister Harper is expected to face more grilling during Question Period in the House of Commons which resumes this week. 

Beausejour Liberal M-P Dominic Leblanc tells Tide News the Prime Minister won't be able to put this behind him because most people don't buy his version of events. Leblanc goes on to say Harper is known as the most controlling Prime Minister in a generation so it defies belief to think he didn't know what was going on in his own office.


Leblanc also points out it is not out of the realm of possibility that Harper could be called to testify under oath at a criminal trial if charges are laid.

The Conservatives, meantime, have begun a new attack campaign against federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau. Federal Justice Minister Peter McKay is comparing Trudeau to Toronto Mayor Rob Ford both of whom he says used drugs while in office.

Climate Change Protestor Calls For Green Component To Energy East Pipeline

One of the climate change rallies across the county was staged outside the office of Saint John M-P Rodney Weston on King Street. 

One of the protestors was Christian Tschirhart of the North-South Institute in Ottawa. Surprisingly, he's not against construction of the Energy East pipeline provided the project which includes a green energy industrial park which Tschirhart predicts will last longer than the pipeline with unlimited solar and wind power. 

He warns the oil sands and shale gas are putting our water resources in jeopardy.
 
At the present time, global subsidies for fossil fuels are five times higher than for renewable forms of energy, according to former Irish President Mary Robinson who now heads a climate change foundation.

Police Chief: About Three People Are Reported Missing Every Day In Saint John

About three people are reported missing in Saint John every day, according to police chief Bill Reid. While the majority of them turn up safely, some people in the community have been voicing concerns about a potential link between the cases of a handful of people who have been found deceased. 

Police Chief Bill Reid says, "There's nothing to alarm our community," he adds, It's hugely unfortunate and traumatic for families." 

Reid says it's important to keep in mind that, "this goes on all the time and the media will pick and choose who they're talking about and what the issue is."

He says whenever someone is reported missing they investigate thoroughly and try to re-establish contact between the person and their loved ones, but tragically some people come into harm's way.

Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil In Saint John

A ceremony recognizing Transgender Day of Remembrance is being held in Saint John next week.  The memorial is bringing attention to the violence against people who are transgender. 

The ceremony is a part of the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, that started in San Francisco back in 1999.
 
Taylor Bissnette is organizing the event, they tell CHSJ News,  people are being attacked just for being who they are, and not fitting into social norms.

The memorial will be held on November 20, meeting at King's Square at 7:30, leading to a Vigil at the Boardwalk.

Mind Care Hosts One Nite Wonders Fundraiser

One Nite Wonders coming up next week in support of mental health.

The fundraiser is being organized by Mind Care. Community leaders will be dancing the night away, and dressing up as some well-known musicians. 

Some of the performers include Wayne Long as Bob Dylan, Dr. Greg MacLean, as Elton John, and Kids at Heart performing ABBA.
 
Yennah Hurley is manager at Mind Care, she tells CHSJ news, the event is putting the performers out of their comfort zone, similar to the experience of those dealing with mental illness.

"When someone has a mental illness, they get out of their comfort zone everyday," says Hurley.

The fundraiser will be at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre on November 22nd, at 7. You can get your tickets by calling Mind Care at 635-1454 or 648-6296.

The Santa Claus Parade Winners

The Santa Claus Parade Committee announcing the winning entries: Best in Parade awarded to  Harbourview High School, Best Commercial Entry won by BellAliant,  Best School awarded to Simonds High school, 

Best Cheerleaders  were the Champion Spirit Athletics, Best Band was the161 CK Beveridge RCAC, Best Association/Church awarded to the Kennebec Manor. The Chairperson’s choice given to The Salvation Army. Honourable Mentions: DanceZone Dance School,The Cherry Brook Zoo, Saint John Transit, Key Industries, and Saint John Nissan.

Hit & Run In Saint John

A man is being charged for a hit and run after crashing an SUV on Highway 1, near Harbour Bridge in Saint John. The accident happening around 2:30 this morning.  The man was impaired and fled the scene. 

He was found shortly after, hiding between the bridge and the highway. The driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries. He's also being charged with refusal of blood demand.

Human Rights Commission Marks International Day Of Tolerance

 The Human Rights Commission marking today as the International Day of Tolerance.

The commission says its seen an increase in complaints, that people with mental heath issues are being discriminated at work.

 Randy Dickinson, chairperson of the Human Rights Commission tells CHSJ News, 55 per cent of the annual complaints reported to the commission are around discrimination based on disability.

 "Unfortunately, there are still many individuals and situations where people are blatantly discriminated against, in terms of being denied an opportunity for employment or people making racist comments," says Dickinson.

He says that although we've made a lot of progress, there's room for improvement.

Protest Against Climate Change Inaction

In Saint John, protesters gathering outside of MP Rodney Weston's office opposing the Harper government's inaction on climate change.

The protest being organized by locals that make up various environmental and indigenous community groups.

Andrew Graham is a member of local chapter of the Council of Canadians. He tells CHSJ news, the group is tired of misguided direction in the government.

Graham says the government is being led by industry. He adds, "We'd like to have more leadership because climate change is not just coming, it's here."

Santa Claus Parade Street Closures

All four lanes of the causeway will be blocked off starting at 3 for the parade line-up. The Courtney Bay causeway will re-open right after the parade.

The parade route will be the same as last year. The Parade will leave the Causeway, to Union St., a left onto Sydney St., right on King's Square North, left on Charlotte St., down King St, to St. Patrick, to Main St., right on Lansdowne Ave., and right at Wellesley Blvd. All of these streets will be closed during the parade.

 Citizens are asked not to park on King Street starting at 5 pm. Cars parked anywhere along the parade route after 5:30 will be towed. Everyone is asked to be mindful of all signage along the parade route.

Three Men Sentenced For Armed Robbery In Rothesay

Three men who were charged in the Cochran's Country Market armed robbery back in July, have received their sentences.
In Saint John Provincial Court, Stephen Corey Richard was sentenced to a total of six and a half years in prison for an armed robbery, forcible confinement and having a face disguised with intent to commit an indictable offence. Keith Oliver Dixon also being sentenced for the same offences, and will serve six years in prison.

On November 8th, Blake Andrew Smith was sentenced to eight years in prison for armed robbery, forcible confinement and having a face disguised with intent to commit an indictable offence.

All three men have lifetime bans for owning or possessing firearms.They also had to give DNA samples for the DNA Data Bank. The court ordered the firearms used during the robbery be destroyed, and that the money seized  be returned to Cochran's Country Market.

Hit And Run In Saint John

City police responding to a hit and run early this morning at 2:30 am, on Main and Chesley.

Police later found the driver at the Reversing Falls. The person hit was not injured, and neither was the driver. The driver was impaired, and will appear in court on charges of impaired driving.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town!

Santa Claus is on his way to St. Stephen!

The Annual Santa Claus Parade will begin promptly tomorrow evening at 6:30 at Chocolate Drive, and ending at St. Stephen's University.

Heather Donahue with the BIA tells Tide News this year they have 64 entries, including 98.1 The TIde, as compared to only 42 entries last year.

She says there are so many entries, some will be directed to line up at the Charlotte County Mall.


Donahue says St. Stephen Town Council members will be gathering non-perishable food items along the parade route to donate to the Volunteer Centre of Charlotte County, and Canada Post officials will be gathering letters to Santa from kids as well.

Following the parade, Santa will head to the Town Square for the tree lighting and to visit with kids.

Claim Being Made That A City Police Officer Is Being Persecuted

A key witness at the trial in August of 2012 of Constable Chris Messer has admitted to not telling the truth, according to an arbitrator's report obtained by Tide News. 

Brett McAdam testified Messer accused him of breaking into his home on Westfield Road and threatened to blow his head off.
 
Arbitrator George Filliter dismissed that allegation, writing that he did not find McAdam's testimony to be convincing. Filliter goes on to say McAdam admitted to not telling the truth before the Court or at the arbitration hearing. 

Messer also comes in for criticism with Filliter saying he should not even have spoken to McAdam about a break-in that happened at his own home and was warned against doing that but it would be unfortunate if City Police were to lose his services. Messer has an honours degree in criminology and sociology from St. Thomas University.

Messer's lawyer Brian Munro questions why a perjury charge has not been laid if the testimony given at a criminal trial is false. 

The other witness against Messer was Randy King who has a criminal record including a stretch in prison. His credibility is being questioned by Messer's lawyer Brian Munro. Messer is scheduled to stand trial in late April for common assault against King.

The Police Association says it appears Messer is being persecuted and the wrong message is being sent to criminals in the city.......All you have to do to take the heat off is to file a criminal complaint against a cop.

Donnie Snook In Court Again For Forfeiture Hearing

Former Saint john Common Councillor and youth leader, Donnie Snook appearing in court today to sit in on a forfeiture hearing, which essentially decides what happens to his possessions. 

The possessions in question include electronics he used to record his crimes against children. 

 A few heated exchanges occurred between Judge Alfred Brien and the crown regarding missing paperwork and a lack of specificity about what exactly was seized.

Snook appeared gaunt and tired and expressed through his lawyer, Dennis Boyle, that he does not want to be present at the continuation of the forfeiture hearing on January 8th and Boyle can represent his interests.

The Newfoundland charges against Snook have been transferred to New Brunswick and will be dealt with here on November 28th.

Dennis Oland's Family Releases Statement

Dennis Oland's family releasing a statement to the media professing his innocence adding they are devastated this nightmare is going to continue for him and all of them.

It adds they know he will be found innocent in an objective and fair process in a court of law. 

They want the police to turn their attention to finding out who is really responsible for Richard Oland’s death.

The statement closes by thanking friends and family for their support.

It was released by the family's attorney Bill Teed. 

Clements Pleads Guilty To Arson

40 year old Timothy Edward Clements pleading guilty to two counts of arson on the Dever Road in Saint John.

Police getting calls to the west side on October 22 and November 7 with a transport truck and a garage being destroyed in separate fires.
There had been a number of calls to the site before about suspicious fires.

The court heard Clements emerged from the woods soaking wet and smelling of smoke and told officers on the scene he was walking to work.
He eventually admitted setting the fires by stuffing paper into the bunk of the truck and set it ablaze and lighting the garage on fire with a shredded tire.

The damage is estimated to be well into the tens of thousands of dollars....Clements said all of his problems are the result of alcohol and traumatic events in his childhood and he wants to get help so he can get married & take care of his loved ones.

He will reappear for sentencing on December 18th.

Businessman Fined For Failing To Pay The Tax Man

A businessman getting slammed with a $2000 fine for not complying with two court orders from a previous conviction.

John William Beairsto was convicted last year on six charges of failing to file his 2009 and 2010 corporate income tax returns for his three businesses in Fredericton: The Grille on York, Queen Street Restaurant and Hannah's Foods. He was also convicted for failing to file five HST returns for those businesses and fined a grand on each of the eleven charges for a total of $11,000 and given a year to pay up.

The judge ordering him to file his outstanding returns within six months or face jail time. When he didn't pay back the money, the CRA laid charges against him and he plead guilty.

Saint John Teacher On Jeopardy! Tonight

You might see a familiar face if you tune into Jeopardy! tonight.

Saint John High School teacher Mary Ann Lewell will appear on the iconic quiz show. She is the only Canadian teacher ever to be featured on the Teacher's Tournament. Lewell tells Tide News she's been asked to keep it a mystery whether she won or lost until the show airs--but she says she was certainly thrilled with the experience.

Lewell says the most difficult part was getting the hang of the infamously tricky buzzer and brushing up on her US history to compete alongside teachers from south of the border. 
She teaches history and social studies at the uptown high school.