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Monday, March 24, 2014

Mount A Students May Not Get Rebate

UNB students received a $200 credit on their accounts to balance out the weeks of classed they missed during the strike--but Mount A students might not be as lucky.

The strike at Mount Allison, which is in Sackville, ended February 17th, and the President's Executive Group at the university has recommended the students not be offered any tuition rebate.

The Student Union say they're disappointed with that decision and hope to overturn it at an upcoming meeting in May.

First Steps Housing Reveals Results Of Case Study

A study launched at First Steps Housing reveals every dollar invested into the program yields about six dollars in social value.

The facility for pregnant and parenting woman and their children received funding to be the province's first Social Return On Investment case study, and Executive Director Sharon Amirault tells CHSJ News many investors are looking for proof that their money is being well spent.

The S-R-O-I method evaluates the work an organization is doing based on outcomes, instead of activity like the number of people that are coming through the doors. Through the study, it was also discovered that the long-term value of investing in First Steps far outweighs the short-term savings.

Anne Miller, the Director of S-R-O-I & Evaluation with the SiMPACT Strategy Group says First Steps is an emerging promising practice.

Second Degree Murder Charge In South End Death

A second degree murder charge has been laid in the death of a woman in the city's South End.

53-year-old Joseph Paul Irving appeared in provincial court in connection with the death of 45-year-old Cynthia Irving who was found unresponsive and not breathing after police were called to 205 Carmarthen Street around noon on Sunday. An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of her death. 


City Police Sergeant Jay Henderson confirmed the two knew each other.

The matter has been set over until April 14 so Irving can undergo a mental health assessment.

Memorial Blood Donor Clinic Being Held At CBS

Donating blood is a invaluable gift to cancer patients and their families, as well as people suffering from any number of other deadly conditions. 

Katie Mitchell tells CHSJ News her dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given 18 months to live, and blood transfusions made a remarkable difference in his quality of life, as well as the length of time he survived.

The Tim Cameron Gift of Life Blood Donor Clinic will be on Saturday April 5 from 9am to 1pm at Canadian Blood Services. You can make an appointment to donate by calling 1-888-2-DONATE or by clicking here.

Liberals Looking For Your Ideas On The Economy

The Provincial Liberals will be coming to town next Saturday to hear what you have to say on how to turn the New Brunswick economy around for the better. 

They'll be at the university looking for ideas. Provincial Liberal leader Brian Gallant tells CHSJ News from what he has been hearing so far, people around the province are pretty dissatisfied. He says what he hears from people is that the province is heading in the wrong direction right now.

The Liberals have a big policy convention scheduled April 26th in Fredericton and what emerges from that will form the party's platform going into the provincial election.

Another Call For A Shale Gas Moratorium

The New Brunswick Federation of Labour is calling for a moratorium on all shale gas development until environmental, safety and health concerns are satisfied.

Labour Federation President Patrick Colford tells CHSJ News doesn't see a lot of jobs being created by shale gas.

Colford also questions how many local people will be hired because he claims not a lot were when SWN Resources was doing its seismic testing a few months ago. He also says there should be no fracking until the First Nations give their consent to it being done on their traditional lands.

Police Still Looking For Missing Man

Fredericton police are continuing their investigation into the disappearance of 31 year-old Joshua David Jewett.

Anyone with information in regards to his disappearance is asked to call the Fredericton Police Force at 506-460-2300 or Crime Stoppers. Joshua Jewett was last seen on Monday, February 10, 2014, in Fredericton.
 

He's described as:

·       5’9” tall                                                          

·       Thin build, approximately 130lbs.

·       Most likely has a beard or facial hair

·       Has eye glasses, but rarely wears them.

·       Brown shaggy hair that may be in a ponytail.

·       Does not have tattoos, scars or other distinct features

Anyone with information about Joshua David Jewett is asked to contact the Fredericton Police Force at 506-460-2300 or Crime

Autopsy Being Conducted On Alleged Murder Victim

An autopsy is being conducted this morning on the victim of an alleged murder  in the city's South End.

According to Sergeant Jay Henderson of the Saint John Police department, that call reporting the woman's death came in to 205 Carmarthen Street around noon yesterday.

City Police blocked off the area as a crime scene and a 53 year old man has been arrested. 


In an unrelated incident, a 19 year old man was also arrested for uttering threats and assault with a weapon at a home of Shillington Street. A 19 year old woman was injured. The suspect will be appearing in court later today.

Partridge Island "A Great Opportunity For NB"

What will become of Partridge Island in the future is a question many are now working to answer. 

One of those people is Marijke Blok, who is the representative for the Irish community on the recently-formed Partridge Island committee. Blok says the work being done surrounding the island is not only good for the city but a great opportunity for New Brunswick.

The committee Blok sits on will be coming out with a report detailing a vision for the island in October, around the same time an engineering study on the breakwater is expected to be completed. Blok is in favour of fixing up the breakwater and also says she also likes the idea of an interpretation centre being on the island.

Weston Dismissing Claims That Job Creation From Pipeline Project Will Be Low

Saint John M-P Rodney Weston is throwing cold water on the report released last week by environmental groups that claim the number of jobs to be created by the Energy East pipeline will not be as great as politicians would have you think. 

The Ecology Action Centre argues for every billion dollars spent on the pipeline project, just 166 jobs will be created. Weston maintains that sounds low to him which is why he's not putting too much stock in the claims.  

The environmentalists say most of the crude coming from Alberta will just flow through Saint John and be shipped overseas unrefined. Weston, on the other hand, tells CHSJ the potential of the pipeline is huge since it will give the Irving Oil refinery a secure supply of Canadian oil.

CHSJ Listeners Say They Don't Have Enough Information About Shale Gas

The more people learn about shale gas, the more they will be opposed. So claims Jim Emberger of the New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance which is why the opponents of fracking have organised a series of public meetings that will start this week. 

70 per cent of our listeners who responded to our CHSJ News poll over the weekend say they don't have enough information about shale gas exploration to make an informed decision, pro or con. 

Emberger tells CHSJ News the industry has never been able to get a handle on the leaks from shale gas wells.
 

He claims there are wells in Penobsquis that are leaking and 5 per cent will leak during the first year with that rising to 30 per cent after five years. Emberger goes on to argue that's why Quebec instituted the moratorium on shale gas after discovering 19 of 35 wells had developed leaks.

City Police Investigate Murder

A 53 year old man is behind bars after being arrested in the suspicious death of a woman in the south end. 

City Police were called to 205 Carmarthen Street around noon yesterday. They're calling the death a homicide and the area has been taped off as a crime scene. 

More details are expected to be released this morning.

Local Economy Got Big Boost From Curling Championship

Canada didn't win gold but Saint John is a big winner after the massive success of the 2014 Ford World Women's Curling Championship.
 

It's bittersweet for the local organizing commitee who sees three years of work come to end. An emotional Jeff Lacey, the host committee chair, is sad it's over but thrilled with how it all went. 

Lacey tells CHSJ news the event is expected to have an economic impact in the range of 8 million dollars.
 

In the end, Switzerland beat Canada for gold but a huge red and white crowd at Harbour Station let the Rachel Homan rink from Ottawa know how much they were appreciated.

Curling Event A Huge Success

Canada didn't win gold but Saint John is a big winner after the massive success of the 2014 Ford World Women's Curling Championship.

An emotional Jeff Lacey, the host committee chair, is sad it's over but thrilled with how it all went.

He tells CHSJ News he is so proud of the way the community came together to support the event from the volunteers, athletes, sponsors and fans.

In the end, Switzerland beat Canada for gold but a huge red and white crowd at Harbour Station let the Rachel Homan rink from Ottawa know how much they were appreciated.