Sara Russell Sentencing

20-year-old Sarah Russell will be sentenced next month for her role in the death her newborn son last year.

She pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death in November.

Her boyfriend, Rodney Miller, pleaded guilty in September to first-degree murder for fatally stabbing the child and was given an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Russell's sentencing will take place on February 2nd.
 

Storm Problems

The rain and high winds knocking out power for more than 47 hundred NB Power customers around the province with most in St. Stephen and Fredericton. At this point there are still almost 1000 customers off the grid between St. Stephen and Frederiction. Power is expected to be back within the few hours. Drivers this morning are being warned to beware of pools of water on streets that can cause hydroplaneing if you're going too fast.

Lincourt Manor Gets Funding from Government

Premier Shawn Graham announced funding for Lincourt Manor today in the amount of 1.2 Million. The money will be used to undertake substantial renovations to include work on the parking lot, exterior walls, kitchen upgrades and air quality.

The government is focused on three priorities this year: jobs, learning and health and senior care," Graham said. "The government is committed to ensuring opportunities exist for all New Brunswickers to obtain quality health and senior care."

District 10 gets Funding from Provincial Government

District 10 on the receiving end of $885,000 from the Capital Budget. The Provincial government will nearly double it's investment in building, repairing and modernizing schools in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. In St Stephen the Elementary School receives $75,00 for sound proofing the gym...the middle school will spend $150,000 for foundation drainage and waterproofing.
Fundy High, Sir James Dunn Academy, and the Grand Manan school will each get $40,000 for roof flashing replacement. The Campobello Consolidated school gets a new roof with the price tag of $295,000 and Vincent Massey in Saint Andrews will receive $245,000 for Site development for parking.

Windy Weather For St. Stephen

Wet and windy weather is heading for parts of the Maritime region -- and several warnings are in place.

Environment Canada is forecasting heavy rain and strong winds for St Stephen and surrounding area in the overnight hours.

Up to 30 millimetres of rain expected with winds gusting up to 90 km/h along southwestern coastal section these strong winds are expected to produce large seas and pounding surf tonight.

Conditions will improve on Tuesday as the trough moves to lie east of New Brunswick.

New Dialysis Unit at Charlotte County Hospital

The provincial government is investing close to $1.4 million in capital and operating funds to establish a satellite dialysis unit at the Charlotte County Hospital in St. Stephen.
The announcement was made today by Premier Shawn Graham at Lincourt Manor .
The new capital and operating funding will support a new dialysis unit with five hemodialysis stations operating three days a week, 12 hours per day, with a capacity to serve 10 patients. The unit is expected to be in operation in early 2011.
Health Minister Mary Schryer on hand for the announcement said the investment will enable St. Stephen-area residents to obtain dialysis treatment closer to home.

The Charlotte County Hospital Foundation has contributed $350,000 for new equipment for the unit.

Conditions After Winter Storm

Yesterday's storm that hit St. Stephen and area turned out to be more intense than predicted with 17 centimetres of snow being reported with totals outside of town higher. Roads in places are slippery this morning with the milder temperatures last night and colder temperatures this morning...St. Stephen RCMP are not reporting any major accident due to yesterday storm...Meanwhile St John City Police saying driving conditions were treacherous yesterday reporting 27 accidents...One of the more serious mishaps occurred late in the afternoon when a car and school bus collided at King Street East and Pitt Street in Saint John. There were 21 young people on board the school bus at the time but none was injured. The airbags deployed in the car and one person was taken to hospital for treatment of a cut.

Gas Prices go down in St. Stephen

 St Stephen and area drivers are getting a break today if you have to fill up. The price of gas has dropped more than 2 cents a litre after the weekly setting. The maximum price for self serve regular is 102.1 a litre. St. Stephen is selling self-serve for $1.00 a litre. The max for diesel is 106.5 Heating oil is at 89.9 which is four cents cheaper and propane is at 116.7.

New Power Plan released by Shawn Graham

New Brunswick will retain complete ownership and control of its transmission and distribution systems following the conclusion of negotiations of an energy agreement with Québec. The announcement was made in Fredericton by Premier Shawn Graham, Energy Minster Jack Keir and Business New Brunswick Minister Victor Boudreau.
A New Brunswick-Government owned NB Power will retain NB Power Transco and NB Power Disco, as well as NB Power Holdco, while the New Brunswick System Operator will continue to operate as an arm's length agency.

As a result of these changes to the proposed energy agreement, NB Power will continue to operate as a New Brunswick-owned and operated Crown corporation, employing approximately two-thirds of the current workforce of the utility.

As the owner of the transmission and distribution companies, NB Power will continue in its roles of customer service excellence, planning, maintenance and development of our transmission system.

The New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board and the New Brunswick System Operator will continue to have oversight as it applies to all aspects of the transmission and distribution networks in New Brunswick.

New Brunswick will receive $3.2 billion for the assets being sold to Hydro-Québec, projected to be a sum sufficient to retire the debt related to the generation assets of NB Power.

Hydro-Québec will still provide New Brunswick with a 14 terawatt-hour heritage pool of electricity, more than large enough to meet the province' current electricity needs. New Brunswick ratepayers in the residential, commercial and wholesale rate (RCW) category will continue to benefit from a guarantee of no rate increases for the next five years. This will mean those customers will avoid a planned minimum rate increase of 16 per cent over that period.

Fisheries Minister and Charlotte the Isles MLA Honourable Rick Doucet on the resignation of Veterans Affairs Canada Minister

Fisheries Minister and Charlotte the Isles MLA Honourable Rick Doucet on the resignation of Veterans Affairs Canada Minister and New Brunswick Southwest Member of Parliament, Honourable Greg Thompson.


This weekend, I learned that after a career spanning nearly twenty years in federal politics, Greg Thompson had resigned as Veterans Affairs Canada Minister and will not reoffer as Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest in the next federal election.

Since first being elected in 1988, Greg's tireless efforts working for the people of Charlotte County have established his reputation as both a distinguished statesman and representative. The concern and passion he has for his community, province and country has shown a willingness to reach across political lines to move forward on our joint provincial-federal projects in New Brunswick. "Greg's success at the polls show people supported him regardless of party. That's probably because he supported people regardless of party"

" Since my being elected in 2003 to the New Brunswick Legislature and appointment to cabinet in 2006, I have had the opportunity to work alongside Greg on a number of projects for Charlotte County. Our efforts to deliver progress on such things as the funding of the number one highway, countless infrastructure projects in our communities whether it be road work or water treatment facilities along with ones that have been very close to each of us such as the Grand Manan Civic Center , St.George Civic Center the new St.Stephen civic center all certainly show the benefits that come with a productive and collaborative relationship between levels of government."
"I want to sincerely thank Greg for his dedication and support in fostering the positive relationship between New Brunswick and Canada. Together, we have brought forth results for our constituents as two Cabinet Ministers representing Charlotte County.

Honourable Thompson's departure from politics comes after a long and successful career. " He has bridged both political and jurisdictional gaps and I am forever appreciative for his enthusiasm and partnership as we have worked together as cabinet ministers in our respective governments for the people of Charlotte County."

Political Scientist Weighs In On Thompson Resignation

One political scientist suggests the timing of Minister Thompsons resignation may be foreshadowing what is to come.

Don Desserud tells us if you're going to give up a ministerial post, now is the time to do it, to give the new person time to prepare for the opening of parliament.
Desserud says his first reaction was Thompson is stepping aside to be elevated to the upper chamber.
Desserud says if he were a betting person, Thompsons stock in relation to being appointed to the senate just increased.
Earlier last week, Conservative Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaneys name resurfaced as a possible candidate for the Senate, but Desserud says she's been in the game long enough not to get her hopes up.

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.