M-P Thompson Resigns

[MP Greg Thompson---File Photo]

The Minister of Veterans Affairs is stepping down from his post but retaining his MP's status for now. 62-year old Greg Thompson tells us, he told Prime Minister Harper leading into the last election this would be his last kick at the can:

Thompson says after surviving a battle with cancer two years ago and being on the road travelling most of his career, it is time stay closer to home with his wife Linda and family. As for a replacement for the portfolio, Thompson adds he has no indication who the Prime Minister will choose and when the next Federal election is called, he will not re-offer.

Red Cross Looking for Donations

Several Red Cross offices in Atlantic Canada will be open today to accomodate those who want to donate funds to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

In this province, offices will be open from 10 am to 4pm in Saint John, Fredericton, Moncton and Bathurst.

Another Business Outgrows Location

Another business leaving the downtown area of St. Stephen to expand to a bigger location. The Clothesline located on Budd Avenue is moving to The Old Frenchy's building along Route 170. It's expected the move to be final by February according to some staff member at The clothes line. Tide News has made numerous attempts to contact the owner of to see if this would create any new jobs for St. Stephen but have yet to hear back.

Food Needed at Charlotte County Volunteer Centre

Shelves are depleting as we end the second week of January...Over 2500 hundred pounds of food has been distributed since 4th and Donna Linten with The Charlotte County Volunteer Center say food is needed along with baby supplies and of course pets food.

Linton says income wise some family's are operating with little dollars people whom were working before Christmas may not be working now due to cut back in hours and job losses in the St. Stephen and surrounding area.

Manager of The Year Washington County's

It's a first for The Washington County Sheriff's Office!
Chief Deputy Mike St Louis will on the receiving end of The Manager Of The Year Award. This award is presented every year by the Maine's Sheriff's Association.

The award will be given at the Maine Sheriff's Association Conference in Portland in February. Sheriff Donnie Smith said words could not express how proud he is of Chief  St. Loius.

NB Liqour Collecting for Haiti

NB Liquor will be collecting donations for the Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund at all 47 NB Liquor corporate stores across the province.

Gas Prices On The Rise

Gas prices this morning in the St. Stephen area after the weekly setting. The maximum price for self serve regular is up almost 2 cents a litre to 104.8 but most stations are selling it for 102.8 a litre. The maximum price for diesel has also risen by less than a cent to 110.7 furnace oil is 93.9 and propane is at $1.17.

Grand Manan gets new Ferry

The provincial government will invest just over four hundred million dollars in the transportation infrastructure. That announcement made yesterday by Transportation Minister Denis Landry.


The budget includes a major investment to benefit residents of Grand Manan with the delivery on its promise to build an 82 vehicle vessel ferry.

Landry says construction has started and the name has been selected.

Fisheries Minister and Charlotte Isles MLA Rick Doucet will hold a conference in the coming days to announce the name.

Ghost Road upgrades Saint Andrews

The 2010-2011 transportation budget released included upgrades of Route 127 with a five kilometer section to be paved from Chamcook Road area to to the Ghost Road area. Rick Doucet Charlotte Isles MLA said this will be well revceived by area motorists and tourist who visit the region.

NBCC Saint Andrews helps Local Food Bank

You've heard of a cook off but have you heard of a weight off? NBCC's student Life Coordinator Justin Sweeney has taken a unique approach to raise food for the Charlotte County Food Bank.

Each Program and each staff are actually required as much no perishable food items as possible. On Friday when they are all weighted and then they groups that bring in the most pounds of food per person in group are going to be the winning groups.

Sweeney say making it a completion between the programs students and faculty seems to work out a lot better for everybody. The winners will recieve a full dinner put on by the Student Council.

Nuclear-Lawsuit

The Premier is threatening to take legal action against the federal government over the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant.


Shawn Graham says his government will sue Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, unless Ottawa takes care of the cost overruns of the 1.4-(b)-billion-dollar overhaul. The project is 18 months behind schedule.

Snowmobile-Death

Sixteen-year-old Devon O'Donnell and his father were riding snowmobiles Saturday when they hit a barbed-wire fence in a field in Williamstown.


Both were taken to hospital, where the teenager died.

Canada Post Increases

Canada Post are increasing the cost of sending a first class letter within the country to 57 cents from 54, while letters going to the US will cost a dollar, which is an increase of two cents.


Letters heading outside North America will rise by five cents to $1.70.

Canada Post is attributing the rate increases as a measure to raise funds to buy new machinery.

Register Your Dogs!

The race is on for licence number one. Mayor John Craig reminds residents that your dog renewals are up and how important its not only for you but your dog to have it's licence. A lost dogs can be easier returned home when registered.

A dog licence helps protect your pet by providing an easy-to-identify dog tag and registration. Craig says it's funny how many people race to be the first owner of that number 1 tag for their dogs....but reminds all that The first step to responsible dog ownership is licensing your dog.

Crown Land Users Not Subject to Rent Rates for 2010

Rent Rates for 2010 will not be implemented for crown land users.The Department of Natural resources plans to hire an independent third party to conduct a market Value study to see if there is a need to adjust the regulated rates .. although one has yet to be picked.
Matt Jones with The Department of Natural Resources say currently this will affect just over 300 people in Charlotte County.

Two Fire Stations Become One

With a New Year what was two now becomes one. The Blacks Harbour Fire Department and the Pennfield Fire Department have amalgamated. Blacks Harbour fire department now consists of two buildings now known as station 1 and station 2. Station one in located on Wallace Cove road in Blacks while station 2 is located on Highway 1 in Pennfield. Combined membership numbers is around 30 volunteers.

Work Has Begun at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre

It’s started! Geophysical survey work is already being done on the lower campus at the Huntsman Marine Science Center in St. Andrews to prepare for the construction.

Support for the project totalling 5 million dollars has been received from the federal and provincial governments... This multifunctional project will integrate and show case missions of education, research, and innovation around the diversity of the Bay of Fundy, a natural wonder of the world.

The Health Minister is Re-Offering in the Fall Election

[Health Minister Mary Schryer---File Photo]
Expect to see Mary Schryer's name on the ballot in the fall Provincial Election. The Health Minister and MLA for Quispamsis tells us, she is ready to re-offer and stands behind the record of her government since 2006.

As for concern about any backlash from the NB Power-Hydro Quebec proposal, Schryer adds it is a work in progress and the Graham Government continues to listen to feedback.

New ATV Trail Hotline

Safety is the number one priority for the Eastern Charlotte ATV club in Pennfield and a hotline has been set up to help keep track of individuals on the trail, by doing so people may call the line with an estimated time of departure and arrival...Bill Mennie the club's treasurer says it's a good idea to know who and how many and what area to be searching in the event of an emergency. You can reach the hotline by calling 456-3767.

Skidder Fire in Basswood Ridge

RCMP in St. Stephen are investigating a skidder fire that took place in Basswood Ridge. Police say two individuals were spotted leaving the area on an ATV. Police are asking the public to come foward with any information that will lead to an arrest in this case by call 466-7030 or call crime stoppers at 1-800-222- Tips.