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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Fox Farm Road Overpass Under Construction

New for June 17 2009 5:51pm

Drivers can expect traffic delays on Route 1 over the next couple of weeks as the Department of Transportation undertakes concrete repairs on the Fox Farm Road Overpass. Construction work on the 29-year-old structure is happening on the eastbound lane and traffic is reduced to one lane in that direction.

The work is expected to be finished by the end of the month.

Federal Government Boosts Pulp and Paper Industry

New for June 17 2009 5:50pm

The federal government says Canada's struggling pulp and paper industry will be tossed a one-billion dollar lifeline. Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt says the funding will help pulp mills make capital improvements that increase the production and use of clean energy. J-D Irving spokesperson, Mary Keith, tells CHSJ news this means investments at the Irving Pulp and Paper Mill can happen sooner rather than later.

Keith says the grant program will be good for business as well as the environment.

Saint John Animal Rescue League Narrows Down New Shelter Location

New for June 17 2009 5:49pm

The Saint John Animal Rescue League is getting closer to finalizing a deal to secure land to build a new shelter. Executive Director, Janet Foster tells CHSJ news they are thinking about purchasing a piece of property but are also considering two land donations. The options include the new Bayside Drive, the Lorneville Industrial Park and Sandy Point Road.

The new building would cost 2.6 million dollars and Foster says they want between 5 and 10 acres of land. Plans for the new Animal Rescue League include a large reception area, pet crematorium, boarding room for vacationing pet owners to leave their animals, and large play areas for both the cats and dogs. Foster says they want to begin a large fundraiser this year and start construction next spring.

Blackville Free of Arsenic Toxicity

New for June 17 2009 2:27pm

A national agency says there's no evidence of toxic levels of arsenic from any source in Blackville. The Public Health Agency of Canada launched an investigation after elevated levels of arsenic were found in the blood of four residents.

Health Minister Mike Murphy says no one in the community, including those four people, met the definition for cases of arsenic toxicity. Also, all arsenic well water samples taken in Blackville during the investigation were below the Guideline for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. District Medical Officer of Health Denis Allard says it's not uncommon for people to have some arsenic in their bodies because it is a naturally occurring chemical.

Renovations Planned for Market Square Boardwalk

New for June 17 2009 2:26pm

The Market Square Boardwalk will undergo a face lift this summer. I-C-R General Contractors has been awarded the 448 thousand dollar contract to complete phase one of the refurbishment project.

The company will replace the entire wooden boardwalk between York Point Gateway and Harbour Passage, as well as the end of the boardwalk near the volleyball courts. Other work will include landscaping, lighting, railings, concrete curbs and planters. Councilor Bruce Court says city staff should be taking on these types of projects to help the city save money.

Westfield School Gets $50,000

New for June 17 2009 1:54pm

Regional Development Corporation has announced 50 thousand dollars for the Westfield Home and School Association. They money will be used to expand the grade K-2 playground at Westfield School and replace the old grades 3-5 playground equipment and make it wheelchair accessible. Energy Minister Jack Kier presenting the cheque this afternoon.
105 thousand dollars has been raised over the past three years to carry out the playground renovations.

Canada Day Celebrations



June 17, 2009

New For 2pm

The Canada Weekend Celebrations are expecting to be bigger than ever this year.Canada Day Celebrations Chair Heather Peterson says the uptown event continues to grow each year, and so does the citys patriotism.
The Canada Day Countdown starts on June 30th with Joel Plaskett and the Emergency performing free of charge. Then on Canada Day the fireworks will be going off at quarter after 10 rain or shine at the boardwalk. If there is fog they will go the next allowable day.

For more information on the Canada Day Festivities check out http://www.sjcanadaday.ca/sjcanada/

Planning for Tidal Power

New for June.17th/2009:

New for 11am:

A project between Emera Inc and Open Hydro will put a tidal turbine into the Bay of Fundy. For now it's going into the Minas Passage on the Nova Scotia side but President and CEO of Emera Chris Huskilson says depending on the energy potential, it may be coming to this side of the bay soon. For now how-ever, the Canaport LNG terminal will supply all energy needs.

Huskilson says tidal energy technology should become more prevalant in the Maritimes over the next 5 to 10 years.

Gas Prices Continue to Climb

New for June.17th/2009:

New for 11am:

When you wake up tomorrow.....expect to see four digits on the over-head signs of gas stations in Greater Saint John. With the Energy and Utilities Board set to release it's weekly price schedule at midnight, sources tell us the price will go up between four and five cents taking us over the loonie a litre plateau. Kevin McCann with Wilson Fuels tells CHSJ News, many shouldn't and probuably aren't suprised to see the price climb.

McCann adds even with crude prices falling, gasoline prices are up as we make the turn for the peak driving season.

Airport Waiting to Get to Work

New for June.17th/2009:

New for 11am:

A 10,000 square feet expansion of the terminal, expansion and re-location of the parking area and adding new lighting to the runways. That is where money from the Building Canada Fund will be used at the Saint John Airport if it's grant application is accepted. They filed the paper-work back in April and President and CEO Bernard Leblanc tells CHSJ News, they anticipate the need for more room with all of the energy related activity.

Leblanc says they hope to hear back by the end of the month.

Uptown Parking Fees are Going Up

New for June.17th/2009:

New for 5am:

It's final--- on-street parking is going up in price. City council has passed the final steps in putting the increases for parking fees and parking fines into effect. Parking meters will jump from $1.25 an hour to $1.50 an hour--and--an expired meter fine will go from ten dollars to fifteen if paid within 7 days.

A ticket for parking in a handicap, loading or bus zone will go from 35 dollars to 50. This is the first parking fee increase in five years.

Contract Awarded to Pave City Streets

New for June.17th/2009:

New for 5am:

19 city streets will be re-paved this summer as part of the city's annual maintainance program. Debly Enterprises has been awarded the 2.9 million dollars contract for re-surfacing the streets and repairing several concrete curbs and sidewalks.

Work is expected to begin this month.

West Side Business Plan

New for June.17th/2009:

New for 5am:

A public hearing will be held next month regarding the West Side Business Association's proposed Business Improvement Area. The Association has submitted a scaled down version to the city for consideration. Local government had warned that the original proposal included too many businesses over too large an area.

The public hearing will be held on July 6th.

Blood Task Force Meets With CBS

New for June.17th/2009:

New for 5am:

The provincial task force for the Canadian Blood Services distribution centre in Saint John has wrapped up meetings with agency officials. Head of Canadian Blood Services Dr. Graham Sher says he stands behind a plan to move the agency's production and distribution facility from Saint John to Nova Scotia. Task force Co-chair Margaret Ann Blaney tells CHSJ News, she's not sure Canadian Blood Services fully understands the industrial growth going on in Saint John and the risks associated with that.

Blaney says about half of their questions went un-answered during the meetings and Canadian Blood Services has promised to provide the information by the end of the month.

District Six Graduation Ceremonies

New for June.17th/2009:

New for 5am:

The first of five high school graduation ceremonies for District Six goes tonight. Students from Bellisle Regional High School will don the cap and gown and say goodbye to the first phase of their academic careers. Tomorrow night, Hampton and Sussex High Schools will hold their ceremonies.

On Friday, Kennebecasis Valley High will graduate the class of 2009 and things wrap up Saturday afternoon with a ceremony for Rothesay High School.

Drug Bust in the Valley

New for June.17th/2009:

New for 5am:

There is a little less dope on the streets of the Kennebecasis Valley today after a drug bust at a home in Quispamsis last night. Rothesay Regional Police carried out an under-cover operation and took a man in his 40's into custody. He has been released but has a court appearance scheduled for August.

No word on how much marijuana was found but the man is facing a trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking charge.

Trafficing Calming Policy

New for June.17th/2009:

New for 5am:

After months of going over paper-work to find the best model, the Town of Quispamsis has a Traffic Calming Policy in place. This comes after years of complaints from residents on certain streets about increased traffic volume and heavy-footed drivers. Director of Engineering Gary Losier spear-headed the initiative and says each area identified as a trouble spot will be evaluated and graded on a point system to see who picks up the cost of putting calming policies in place.

Losier says council will have the final say on all of the area's they receive a petition from identified as a trouble spot and expects paper-work to start rolling into the Town Hall immediately.

Turbines Are On the Way Home

New for June.17th/2009:

New for 5am:

The two turbine rotors that were dropped into the Saint John Harbour late last year have been refurbished and will arrive back in the city this weekend. Heather MacLean with NB Power tells CHSJ News the rotors will be stored at the Saint John port until the end of the fishing season. They were sent to the UK to be refurbished after they were dropped into the harbor while being loaded onto a barge for delivery to Point Lepreau.

They will then be transported to the Point Lepreau Generating Station for installation.