SJPD Warn Of Credit Card Scam

The fraud section of the Saint John police are warning the public of a credit card scam.
 
Back on November 12th, three people were arrested and found with many fake i.d.'s and credit cards. Sgt. Jay Henderson says police believe it is part of an organized credit card fraud ring operating in this province and in PEI for the last two months.

He says the suspects would enter a business, pick an item and present a credit card to the cashier saying the magnetic strip was not working. Then then ask the store's employee to enter the number manually to make the item go through. The card given to the employee was counterfeit and the number on the card was stolen.   

The SJPD Fraud section advises businesses owners to speak to their employees and see if this happened to their business. To contact police call 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or click here.

Fund To Support Start-Up Community Announced

Those aspiring entrepreneurs who think they've got the next big idea can apply for some help through a newly announced fund. 

The Executive Director of the Pond-Deshpande Centre at UNB, Karina LeBlanc tells Tide News the Saint John True Growth Innovation Fund is designed to spur early stage innovators into action.

The fund is between $1000 and $5000 and the money is meant to help the entrepreneur build a case so they can go out and pitch to those who can then give them more funding. Click here for more information on the fund.

The launch of the fund at the Creative Soup Building uptown also kicking off Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Man Facing Charges In 2004 Crime

A 29 year old man from the Island is facing 6 charges relating to a home invasion more than 9 years ago in Petitcodiac.

Michael Arthur Gaudet of Charlottetown was in Moncton court charged with forcible confinement, assault, robbery, and break and enter into a home.

Two men wearing masks entered a home in Petitcodiac in May of 2004 demanding money. A woman living at the house was assaulted and tied up. Her son arrived home and was assaulted before the pair took off.

A positive DNA match with the National DNA Data Bank allowed the Mounties to confirm the identity of one of the two men involved in the home invasion.

Gaudet is being held in custody until his next court appearance at December 5. RCMP are still looking for another man involved in the crime.

Dennis Oland Granted Bail

Dennis Oland, who is facing a charge in his father's murder more than two years ago, has been granted bail.

The 45-year old in court today for the bail hearing. This marks Oland's second court appearance since his arrest last week. During his first appearance, he was formally charged with second degree murder in Richard Oland's death. Oland was found dead in his Canterbury Street office back in July of 2011.

Dennis Oland is scheduled to be back in court tomorrow morning at 9:30 to set a date for a preliminary inquiry.

Local Principal Receives Award

One of our local principals being given an award for being a great teacher.

10 teachers from the Anglophone south school district winning the Excellence in Teaching Awards from Minister of Education Marie-Claude Blais.

The winners include retired teacher Paul Holder of St. Mac's, Dean Grattan of Oromocto High, Jean Anne Green of Forenceville Middle School, Kathy Young, Principal at Glen Falls School and locally, John Tanner, Principal at Fundy High School in St. George.

The awards handed out in a ceremony over the weekend in Fredericton.

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.