Generic Drugs Will Soon Cost Less in NB

Generic drugs will soon be getting considerably cheaper: starting June 1, the NB Government will start capping prices at 40% of brand prices. According to health Minister Madelaine Dube, NBers are paying more than other Canadians. Previously NBers could be paying as much as 50 to 70% of the price of brand-name medications.

The plan is projected to save the province $10 million dollars in the first 10 months after it's put into action. Some of that money will be used to improve the existing services and make them more accessible.

Massive Yard Sale in Quispamsis

The 14th annual Quispamsis Town Wide Yard sale is happening today.



It's a rain or shine event and dozens of retailers will be setting up shop from 8am until 1pm to sell of a wide range of treasures.


The town has distributed 2000 maps to help bargain-hunters find their way around the sales. The map is sorted into categories like furniture and kid's items so you can find exactly what you're looking for.

For a link to the map click here

Saint John Co-Op Robbed

An armed robbery last night at the Co-op location on 3300 Westfield Rd.



Saint John Police tell CHSJ News the gas bar was robbed before closing last night and and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken.


No one was hurt. No word yet on how much money the thief was able to make away with. Police have yet to release a description of the robber.

St. Stephen Says Thank You To Former Council

 Today, St. Stephen said their goodbye's and thank you's to it's former Council.


A ceremony being held in Council Chambers to honor some of our hardest working citizens.

Mayor Jed Purcell was presented with a plaque embelished with a gavel.

And Ralph Williams was honored with an official council chair after serving 27 1/2 years in municipal politics.

The ceremony ended with cake, being cut by former Mayor Purcell and Mayor-Elect John Quartermain.



The new Town Council will be sworn in on Wednesday.

Elm Street Park Gets OK To Re-Open

St. Stephen Town Council giving the OK to re-open the Elm Street Park.


President of the Elm Street Park Society, Wilf Torunski tells Tide News he's not sure when the official ribbon cutting will be. He says that is something he would like to address to the new St. Stephen Town Council, as well as get them involved.
The local park came under major damage in recent years, mostly due to the Flooding of 2010.

Torunski says 7500 members of the Society have been cleaning up the south side of the park for re-opening, excluding the dangerous areas north of Billy Weston Brook, where barriers are in place.

Mayoral Runner-Up Is Not Going Anywhere

Robert Tinker may have lost his chance this time for Mayor of St. Stephen -- but we haven't seen the last of him.


Tinker tells Tide News he will be attending future council meetings, asking questions, putting the new council to the test, and making sure the people who voted them in are being represented.

Tinker says he has served 19 years in politics, ten of those being on Town Council, and he will continue to be an advocate for the people.

He adds he doesn't know if he will run for Mayor again in four years, but he will definately run for office.

Two car collision in Lepreau

The Musquash Fire Department was dispatched to a two car collision on Highway 1 in Lepreau at the intersection of Lepreau Village Road on Wednesday evening (May 23, 2012) shortly after 6 p.m.

Firefighters assisted Paramedics with the removal of one of the people from the cars and assisted the RCMP with traffic control.

One person was transported to Saint John Regional Hospital for treatment. Eastbound traffic was diverted thru the village of Lepreau while the scene was cleaned up. Thirteen firefighters responded with two engines, a heavy rescue unit and a utility unit and were on scene for about 90 minutes.

Mayor Purcell Reflects On Last Council Meeting

It was Bittersweet.


Last night was the last regular session of the current St. Stephen Town Council.

Mayor Jed Purcell tells Tide News, "It's a little sad, but I enjoyed it, I'm glad I did it." He says he didn't realize what it would take to do this job (Mayor), but he learned a lot, and he thinks the council brought St. Stephen forward.

After congratulating the new council, Purcell told new members who were present, "You're all very capable, but you have no idea what you're up against."

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Purcell joked, "I was going to sing a couple verses of  'My Way' but I think I'll adjourn."

The new St. Stephen Town Council will be sworn in next Wednesday, May 30th.

(Picture: from left - Current Mayor Jed Purcell, CAO John Ferguson, and new council member Michael Booth. )

RCMP Seek Help On Stolen Bikes

 Two expensive bikes in St. Stephen -- just got hotter.


Crimestoppers and local police in St. George are asking for your help in finding those responsible for stealing two bicycles.

Sometime during the past 2 weeks, the Cannondale Road bikes were taken from a locked shed in St. George.

District 1 RCMP say the bikes are worth over $3000.

If you have any knowledge of the crime, please contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Crimestoppers will pay up to $2000 for information leading to an arrest.

Highlights Of Royal Visit In Saint John

Quispamsis Man Charged With Sex Crimes

A Quispamsis man is in custody after being charged with sexual assault, uttering threats, and aggravated assault.  The 37 year old's name is being withheld in order to keep the victim anonymous.

Rothesay Regional Police tell us he will appear in remand court later today.

Grow Op Dismantled in Jemseg

A 35 year old Jemseg man has been arrested in connection with an indoor grow up off of Highway 695.

District 2 RCMP searched his home and outbuildings and found hundreds of marijuana plants as well as some dried buds and a weapon. The grow-op was dismantled and the man will appear in court at a later date to face charges.

Dogs Play First Memorial Cup Game

The Sea Dogs are gearing up to defend their memorial cup title. Assistant Coach Greg Leland tells CHSJ News it's going to be a tough contest with 4 of the best teams in Canada competing against one another. He tells CHSJ News a major part of his strategy for helping lead to Dogs to victory in 2012 is preparing ahead. 

He says while they're familiar with Shawinigan they're not quite as knowledgeable about Edmonton and London, so they're in the process of gathering information.

Leland says while every coach wants to know as much as they can about the opposing teams it's also key to make sure your own players are taken care of so they can focus entirely on playing.

Fracking Not a Done Deal

With the provincial government rolling out 116 proposed recommendations surrounding shale and natural gas, Karl Wolpin of Hampton Water First tells Tide News it's clear they are not listening to the people of New Brunswick. He says going ahead with fracking shouldn't be treated as a done deal.



According to Wolpin 80% of New Brunswickers disagree with fracking and there isn't enough information available for anyone for have an accurate picture of what the recommendations would look like.

Drug Bust in Saint John

A drug bust on Wright Street in the city's uptown resulting in the arrests of two men. City police tell us a quantity of a controlled substance was found in the home, as well as prohibited weapons.



The men will appear in court today to face charges.

St. Stephen Swearing In New Council - Less Than Two Weeks Away

An almost completely new St. Stephen Town Council will be swarn in, in less than 2 weeks.


The Oath of Office for newly elected Mayor, John Quartermain will take place at the St. Stephen Legion on Wednesday, May 30th.

The results of Monday's Municipal Election are not being contested, so the Town of St. Stephen will go ahead with the oaths.

Jim Maxwell (former Deputy Mayor) is the only member remaining from the former council.

Other members are newly-elected Deputy Mayor John Ames, Marg Harding, Allan MacEachern, Debbie Gullison-MacDonald, and Michael Booth.

The event gets underway at 7 o'clock.

2012 NBCC Chef Competition Winners

The 2012 Chef Competition was held last night at the NBCC Saint Andrews.
The up and coming Chefs had to develop and prepare their menu items using Wild Blueberries, Fresh Atlantic Salmon and delicious Chocolate. 
About 60 people were in attendance to taste test all the Appetizers, Main Dishes and Desserts the Students prepared.
A panel of judges awarded prizes to the top Chefs.

Marco Bernal won for best Appetizer, Anthony Davidson for best Main Dish and Ken Moffatt for Best Dessert.  (pictured above) 

Chef Competition Takes On Local Products

Blueberries, chocolate, and -- Fish?


Tomorrow, three local businesses will be partnering with culinary students from NBCC for the New Brunswick Community College 2012 Chef Competition.

Granite Town Farms, Cook Aquaculture and Ganong Brothers will have their products featured, while the up and coming chefs are challenged to create original recipes using the local products.

A $500 scholarship will be awarded for the best appetizer, entree, and dessert.

A people's choice award will also ge given.
Guests will have the opportunity to mingle, taste and vote for their favorite.

For tickets to the event in St. Andrews, contact Beth at 755-6314.

Canada Wide Warrant For St. Stephen Man

RCMP in St. Stephen and the Charlotte County Crime Stoppers are asking for your help in finding Gary Neil JOHNSTON for his arrest, as the result of a Canada Wide Warrant issued by the Correctional Service of Canada.


In 2008, JOHNSTON was convicted of robbery and other offences and was sentenced to 5 years behind bars.

JOHNSTON qualified for early release to a community residence, but as a result of conditions violations, his release has been suspended, and a Canada Wide Warrant for his Arrest has been issued.

JOHNSTON is from St. Stephen and is believed to have returned to the St Stephen area.

Anyone with information as to JOHNSTON's whereabouts are asked to contact the St. Stephen RCMP at 466-7030 or Crime Stoppers.

Final Election numbers for Grandmanan