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Monday, November 2, 2009

Artist Norm Jackson Talks About Christmas Card For Troops

Federal Minister in Saint John attending Tourism Summit

The Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism is in the Port City for the Tourism Leadership Summit.

Diane Ablonczy tells CHSJ News says is pleased with plans to grow the tourism industry in Saint John and in the Province.
She is impressed by the new cruise ship terminal and also hand a chance to tour the city market.
The National Awards for Tourism Excellence will be handed out at the Delta tonight.
Some of local nominees include T4G Limited, the Saint John Port Authority and
Brian Clark of St. Martin's.

For more information, visit www.tiac-aitc.ca.

H1N1 Clincs Postponed

The Horizon Health Network has announced that six H1N1 vaccination clinics scheduled for tomorrow are being postponed.

The following clinics are affected:

Back Bay Elementary School 980 Rte 172 - November 3 9am - 3pm and 4pm - 9pm
Hammond River Valley Elementary School 1759 Rte 860 - November 3 9am - 3pm and 4pm - 9pm
Lawrence Station 6227 Rte 3- November 3 9am - 4pm and 4pm - 9pm
Quispamsis Elementary School 290 Hampton Rd. - November 3 9am - 3pm and 4pm – 9pm
Champlain Heights Elementary School 111 Champlain Dr. - November 3 9am - 3pm and 4pm – 9pm
St. Rose Elementary School 700 Manawagonish Rd. - November 3 9am - 3pm
For more info on H1N1 clinics, go to www.gnb.ca/flu or call 1-800-580-0038.

Keir tries to dispel myths regarding possible sale of NB Power

The Province's Energy minister is trying to dispel myths about the impact of a proposed deal between Hydro Quebec and NB Power.
Jack Keir says the Province is not losing control.
He says nothing changes in terms of the energy policy in the province.
Keir says his department will continue to develop energy policy as it has in the past and will in the future.
Keir says he is not aware of a report that NB Power employees have been instructed not to speak on the matter. He encourages debate on the deal everywhere and hopes it happens around the watercoolers at NB Power offices as well.

Flu Case Numbers Mounting









(NB's Chief Medical Officer of Health - Dr Eilish Cleary - file photo)

The numbers are beginning to grow in relation to the impact of the H-1-N-1 virus outbreak -- the province's chief medical health officer -- Dr Eilish Cleary says there are flu cases being reported in all areas of the province including four people hospitalized.
But Cleary says the good news is no deaths have been reported as a result of the flu.
Meantime -- Cleary says more vaccine is expected to arrive by Wednesday or early Thursday and the goal is still to have all New Brunswickers needing or desiring to have the flu shot immunized by next month.

Christmas Card is Signed for Troops
















(Angela Jackson, daughter of artist Norm Jackson, signs Christmas card for troops--Photo By Diane Henry)

Angela Jackson's fiance Donald Lanteigne is a Master Warrant Officer training troops in Afghanistan. She tells CHSJ news he is returning home after serving over seas for two months but will be heading back in March or April for another 6 months. Jackson says people tend to go on living their every day lives and forget about what the troops are doing and seeing in Afhanistan--and-- this is just one way to show the soldiers we are thinking of them.

Christmas Card for Troops




















(Photo By Diane Henry)

Troops serving over seas in Afghanistan this Christmas will be getting a bit of holiday cheer all the way from Quispamsis. Local artist Norm Jackson has designed a Christmas card to show troops we are thinking of them this season. Jackson tells CHSJ News he hopes about one thousand people will sign the card.

The card is on display at the Marr Road Shell Station in Rothesay for about two weeks before it will be sent to Afghanistan. Anyone is welcome to add their name and best wishes.

Debit Card Use Back Up at Shopping Mall

Folks at the Lancaster Mall could happily shop with their debit and credit cards yesterday. Repairs to a cut fibre-optic cable were all but complete in time for the start of business at Noon.

A Bell-Aliant spokesperson tells CHSJ news that about 12 customers still without phone or internet service will have it back today. Construction crews cut a cable around noon on Thursday, that left about 2500 home and businesses without phone and internet service.

Two Women Charged In Shooting Incident

Two women are facing a number of charges in connection with a shooting incident at a house in the Minto - Chipman area last week.
The women were arrested yesterday by R-C-M-P after shots were fired at the home on Highway 10 last Thursday -- no one was hurt during the hail of bullets.
They are due in court next month.

Fire Hits Former Training Center

Fire crews from the Fredericton area are on the scene of a blaze at the former Kingsclear Training Center near the capital city.
Word from the scene is one wing of the infamous complex had smoke and flames shooting from it this morning.
The complex was closed in the 90's after guard Karl Toft was convicted of abusing boys housed at the center.

St Joe's Identified As Flu Center

Preparations are continuing for the onslaught of the Swine Flu -- the latest word is St Joe's Community Health Center has been designated as a flu assessment center.
If you are feeling ill with flu like symptoms and would normally go to a doctor or the emergency department -- you are being asked to go to St Joe's for assessment Monday through Friday between 11 and 6 -- a spokesperson tells CHSJ News they will be making a decision on how to handle weekends later this week.
The regional health authority is trying to alleviate the pressure on emergency rooms with the flu assessment centers.

No H1N1 Vaccinations at Local Jail

Correctional officers at the Saint John Regional Corrections Centre are concerned about not getting H1N1 vaccination. A caller to our newsroom tells us the clinic was scheduled for today, but was abruptly cancelled late Friday afternoon.

The employee says no reason was given, and for the past two weeks every employee was strongly encouraged to get the shot. With the centre filled to capacity, the employee says it's concerning because neither the workers or the inmates have received the vaccination.

We've placed a call to centre and the provincial government to find out the reason for the postponement, but with no response.

H1N1 Confirmed at Jail

Meanwhile, the Westmorland Institution is operating on a modified routine as a result of a confirmed case of the H1N1 flu virus ans some suspected cases. Officials say the situation has been contained and all inmates considered to be priority have recieved their immunization.

The facility will return to a normal routine once health authorities determine it is safe and regularly scheduled visits are cancelled.
Meanwhile, the vaccination clinic scheduled for today at Rothesay Park School has been post-poned until further shipments of the H1N1 vaccine.

Partners for Life Recognized

A small and emotional ceremony earlier this week honored Canadian Blood Services Partners for Life program. It's a set-up where individuals and organizations pledge a certain number of blood donations ever year. Spokes-person Amanda Cullen tells CHSJ News, it's important to point out that you will still be able to donate the gift of life even with the production facility re-locating to Dartmouth.

Cullen adds this is a small gesture which shows donors just how much their time means. Most of the organizations and individuals on hand have already reached or exceeded their goal.

Last Cruise Ship of the Season

It got started back in June with the arrival of the Carnival Triumph and will finish up tomorrow with the Queen Mary Two. The 2009 cruise ship season in Saint John comes to a close when the vessel docks at 10:30am and leaves port 12 hours later. 2500 passengers are on the board the massive luxury liner, her second visit this year.

This years cruise season was hampered with plenty of rain but that didn't dampen spirits. The ribbon was also cut on the new Marco Polo cruise terminal, we lost some business due to Hurricane Bill but over-all 192,000 people have paid a visit to Saint John. The Port Authority is shooting for 200,000 guests next year.