Green Party Leader Unimpressed With Plans To Protect More Wilderness

The Alward Government plans to double the percentage of protected wilderness in the province. 

That might sound like a good thing to most people but not to the leader of the Provincial Green Party David Coon who tells Tide News there's less to this than meets the eye.

Coon argues the areas that will be protected are those where companies have been restricted to select cutting which is more expensive than clear cutting which he claims is continuing on an unimaginable scale.

He claims New Brunswick is facing a crisis when it comes to protecting habitat and the province is caving in to pressure from the forestry industry.

Parking Meter App Gaining Ground In The Province

After getting the green light from Fredericton for a pilot project, the founder of a parking app has set his sights on Saint John. 

Phillip Curley is a student at UNB and the CEO of Hot Spot Parking, a program that lets you pay for on-street parking through your smartphone.

It works like this: when you sign up for the app online, you register your phone number, and when that number phones the Hot Spot Parking system, it will deduct money from your existing balance.

Curley tells Tide News he's been in talks with Uptown Saint John to set up meetings with retailers to get them on board. Through the app, retailers can choose to pay for their customers' parking.

The pilot project in Fredericton starts on Thursday, and Curley says he wants roll out the app in Saint John by September. He says installing the app in the city may come with an integration fee.

Secret Shopper Scam Targeting New Brunswickers

If you get a suspicious cheque in the mail, beware. A secret shopper scam is targeting New Brunswickers.

The Financial and Consumer Services Commission says a 13 year-old Minto girl received a cheque in the mail for $3,900 saying she qualified as a secret shopper. Her parents intervened by calling police, sharing their story on social media and reporting it to the commission. 

The commission says scams like this one have been making the rounds across the country. At least three other people have been approached.

The scheme starts when you get a cheque and letter from a company asking you to spend the money at a certain store, then asks for a certified cheque or a money transfer in return telling you that you can keep the rest of the money as compensation.

If you've been the target of a scam, get in touch with the Financial and Consumer Services Commission by calling (866) 933-2222.

RCMP Identify Man In Bus Crash

The Mounties have identified the man killed in a crash between a coach bus and a car on Friday as 31 year-old Jean-François Audrain.

They say Audrain is originally from Montreal, but was living in Welsford. He was the driver and only person in the car that collided with the bus on Highway 7, about halfway between Saint John and Fredericton. 

They're still investigating the cause of the crash, however, heavy rains are believed to have been a factor.

Local MLA Calls For Changes To Emergency Measures Act

A carbon copy of the flood of the century is how one local MLA describes what happened in St. Stephen over the weekend. 

With the devastating 2010 flood still fresh in the minds of residents, MLA for Charlotte-The Isles Rick Doucet is calling on the Alward government to do more when it comes to preparing for floods and helping people avoid flood damage.

Doucet tells Tide News he'll be re-introducing an amendment to the Emergency Measures Act to provide better coordination of emergency measures for those in charge of critical infrastructure in flood-prone areas. 

Many people have voiced their frustration to him about the dam in particular. He says they want more communication coming from the operators of the dam so that people are aware of what they're doing and when.

In an effort to get input from residents, he's organized a public meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 7pm at the Magaguadavic Place in St. George.

Residents Urged To Report Flood Damage

Residents in Charlotte and York Counties whose properties were damaged during the latest flood this past weekend are being asked by the Department of Public Safety's New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization to report the damage to Service New Brunswick.

On Friday, July 26th, St. Stephen was hit hardest in New Brunswick with 165 mms of rain falling on the town.

To report damage, you can call toll-free at 1-888-298-8555. Phone lines are open Mon-Fri from 8:30am-8pm, Saturday until 5pm, and Sunday from 9am-5pm.

The EMO says these reports will help officials assess the damage.

Mayor Says Changes Needed After 2nd Flood

Despite washed out streets and over 40 waterlogged basements, St. Stephen's mayor says with more than 165mm of rain falling onto our town, the situation could have been much worse.

Mayor John Quartermain tells Tide News he was on his way back from his lakeside cottage when he first heard about the flooding. On his way back into town, he says he pulled off of the new highway onto King Street and saw the road was completely covered in five or six feet of water.

He says they're trying to arrange meetings with the provincial government next week to find out how to handle the flooding issue. He says it's happened before, referencing the devastating 2010 flood, and chances are it will happen again. 

The forecast is calling for more rain for Charlotte County this week.
(Picture - The King Street traffic circle in December 2010)

Queen Square Farmers Market Gets Electricity

The Queen Square Farmers Market in Saint John is getting plugged in. Organizer Jody Kliffer tells CHSJ News the market is finally getting an electrical hook-up.

Kliffer believes it's going to have a positive impact on the market. He says electricity means the market can offer a wider variety of hot food items for sale.

The market occasionally used generators in the past, but Kliffer says they're clunky, noisy and emit gas fumes. He says it wasn't in the spirit of the market.

Now, he says, vendors only need to bring an extension cord to get electricity flowing to their stand

Maritime Delegation On Mission To Save Oyster Industry

A group of Maritime delegates are visiting New England for a week to learn how they've dealt with a deadly oyster disease that could have devastating consequences for Atlantic Canada's aquaculture industry. 

MSX, or Multinucleate Sphere X, is caused by a microscopic parasite that kills oysters. The disease decimated Nova Scotia's aquaculture industry in 2001. Executive Director of Nova Scotia's aquaulture industry, Bruce Hancock, says New England has developed fast-growing oyster strains that are also MSX-resistant. Hancock says the cost of the disease in Atlantic Canada is about a million dollars a year.

The aquaculture associations of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island are leading a group of about 16 researchers, industry delegates and government officials. The group will travel to Maine, Massachuetts and Rhode to talk about technology and policy approaches against MSX.

The disease poses no threat to humans.

Residents advised to report damages from Heavy Rainfall

Persons whose properties have sustained damage as a result of the heavy rainfall on July 26, 2013 in South-western NB (Charlotte and York counties) are requested by the Department of Public Safety’s New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization to report the damage to Service New Brunswick.

They may do so by calling toll-free, 1-888-298-8555(today, from 3:30pm – 5pm, Sunday 9am – 5pm and regular hours Mon. to Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m) or online.  These reports will help officials assess the damages.

Health and safety information, and tips for flood clean-up, are available on the River Watch website.

LINKS:

•

Service New Brunswick (forms): www.snb.ca/emo

•

River Watch: www.gnb.ca/RiverWatch

 

One Dead In Highway Crash Between Coach Bus And Vehicle

A man is dead after a fatal crash between a car and a coach bus on the highway. 

RCMP say it happened at 5:20pm on Highway 7 near Petersville, which is located about halfway between Saint John and Fredericton. 

The driver, who was the only person in the vehicle, died at the scene. Three of the nine people on the Maritime Bus coach were treated for minor injuries. 

What caused the crash isn't yet known, however, the Mounties say heavy rain may have played a role in the collision. They don't believe speed or alcohol are factors.

A collision re-constructionist is helping with the investigation.

Vehicle Flips On Highway

One person brought to hospital after a vehicle flipped over on the highway. 

It happened at noon on Highway 1, near the Fox Farm Road exit. Division Chief Mark Wilson of the Saint John Fire Department says when fire crews arrived, the person was out of the vehicle and being checked out by EMS. 

He says the person's injuries are not life-threatening.

Basement Blaze On Millidge Avenue In Saint John

Fire crews battling a basement blaze for over two hours.

Acting Platoon Chief Roy Byers of the Saint John Fire Department says they received the call of a structure fire at 876 Millidge Avenue just before 6pm, and the first firefighters on the scene reported seeing smoke. 

Byers says they were able to keep the fire from spreading, nobody was hurt and the cause of the fire has been deemed accidental.

Stay Off Roads

Motorists asked to stay off roads

The New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization has issued the following public alert:

Due to localized flooding, motorists are asked to stay off the roads in St. Stephen and other areas that have recently received high amounts of rainfall.  

The public is reminded that the best way to access emergency services is to call 9-1-1.

All residents should continue to monitor conditions and local forecasts, as conditions could worsen.

A list of weather warnings is available from Environment Canada. A variety of self-help advice is available at the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization public alerts site.

LINKS:

●    Environment Canada http://weather.gc.ca/warnings/?prov=nb

●    New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/public_safety/emo.html

Traffic Delays For Some Islanders Starting Today

Traffic delays starting today for some islanders.

The Campobello-Lubec International Bridge at the island will be reduced to one lane and stay that way for the summer.

The Department of Transportation says there will also be at least 3 full bridge closures during low traffic times.

DOT says structural repairs will be made as well as pier reinforcement and the work will be completed by September 30th.

Extra Funding Will Make Playground Wheelchair Accessible

Many dreams coming true with a huge donation.

A whopping $41,000 being donated to the St. Andrews Community Playground Restoration.

Chair of the Fundraising committee Isabelle Micheud tells Tide News with the extra funding they can now make the playground wheelchair accessible.

She says the wood chips will be changed to a rubber surface and equipment will be installed that children with mobility issues can use.

Save-Easy Owner Joey Craswell presenting a cheque of $20,000 yesterday to Vincent Massey Principal Leslie O'Leary and the St. Andrews Community Playground Restoration Fund. He says, "This is a community project and everybody really pulled together on this. I'm just so happy that PC Children's Charity has stepped up with a donation." Craswell says that PC usually chooses only one child to help and this time they've picked an entire community.

Another $20,000 was matched by St. Andrews resident Joe Clark and the Huntsman Marine donated $1460.

Two Arrested In Quispam Break & Enter

Rothesay Regional police are looking for a 29 year old man after 3 people tried to steal items from a home under construction in Quispamsis.

A neighbour across the street alerted police around 1130 last night and officers surrounded the home arresting a man and a woman while a second man took off.

A 26 year old man has a court appearance this morning while a 49 year old woman has a future court date.

Small Savings At The Pump

A teeny tiny break at the pump for some drivers this morning.

Regular self serve is down nearly two pennies to 135.7.

The cost of diesel is up more than a cent a litre to 137.4 and home heating oil is also up to 117.4 a litre.

Propane is also more expensive at 97.8 cents a litre at the weekly setting.

Vets And Many Other Benefit From Biker Festival

Our international biker festival being very beneficial to our veterans.

Canadian Chair of the Rally In The St. Croix Valley,  Bob Hamel tells Tide News they delivered a couple cheques worth $15,500 to the Ridgewood Veteran's Wing in Saint John on Saturday. He says $500 came from the 2nd CAV mambers with the other $15,000 being raised by events such as the annual Harley Draw.




Hamel says on top of raising the money for Ridgewood, other charities benefited. He tells us the Red Knights MC made $820 from the Peter McBride Memorial Poker Run to be donated in Peter's name to a charity. The 2013 Fundy Rugby team made over $950 to fund a trip to compete in a major tournament.

 Hamel says 1951 bikers registered this year and the St. Stephen Legion reported the biggest event fund total in 10 years.
He estimates that over the course of the two and 1/2 day rally, over $250,000 was spent locally on food, fuel, housing and goods.

Apartment Building Destroyed By Fire In Milltown

Seven tenants are temporarily homeless after a fire in an older two-storey wooden building in St. Stephen on Sunday afternoon around 2:30pm.

Red Cross disaster volunteers providing help for six tenants.

One woman was checked briefly at hospital due to a pre-existing medical condition and one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters from St. Stephen, Calais, Moores Mills, and Oak Bay responding to the blaze at 57 and 59 Queensway.

A cause is not yet known.