Ossie Gildart recently discovered that he owes more than $4,600 for a claim from an accident that happened two provinces away — and 65 years ago.

Program offers free simple tax returns for low-income individuals, families

Volunteers can do your tax return for you if you have a modest income and a simple tax situation.

Tax return documents can be dropped at the Andrew & Laura McCain Public Library in Florenceville-Bristol anytime during working hours.

Volunteers will pick them up and drop off completed returns on Tuesdays starting on March 11.

The last day to drop off documents is Tuesday, April 22.

All returns will be complete and ready to be picked up at the library by April 29.

The post Free tax clinics in District of Carleton North first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Ryan Evans of Oromocto, N.B., says he knows how lucky he is. The 12-year-old Evans never imagined he would get to share the ice with Team Canada for Thursday's 4 Nations Face-off final against the U.S. in Boston.

The Northern Super League will kickoff in April and some hope it brings more than professional women's soccer to Canada. The CEO of Sport N.B., Cheryl MacDonald, hopes it will increase visibility and opportunities for aspiring players.

By Alex Allan, Acadia Broadcasting

The New Brunswick SPCA has announced an expansion of its Happy Tails fund.

The program was initially launched in 2024 to provide cat spay and neuter procedures for low-income pet families.

The program will now offer financial assistance for emergency veterinary care, ensuring that pets receive the medical attention they need without being surrendered due to high costs.

Executive Director Lesley Rogers highlighted the significance of this expansion, noting that Happy Tails has already helped over 250 families across the province.

“We’re seeing more families than ever having to make impossible choices between paying their bills and providing medical care for their pets,” Rogers said.

“When a family is forced to surrender their pet due to medical costs, it’s not only heartbreaking, but it also places additional strain on our shelter system.”

The program started after noticing the financial barriers that low-income families face when their pets need urgent medical care.

Rogers shared a touching story about a young cat named Tigger, whose family could not afford a necessary surgery.

Instead of surrendering the cat, the Happy Tails fund covered the cost, allowing Tigger to stay with his loving family.

Similar situations prompted the SPCA to expand the program to offer emergency veterinary assistance.

Tracy Marcotullio, executive director of the Oromocto SPCA, said they have seen success from the Happy Tails program.

“We’ve helped with amputations, dental work, cancer treatments, and more. Families who would have had to euthanize or surrender their pets now get to keep their beloved companions,” Marcotullio said.

She also explained the subsidies available through the program.

For dog spaying and neutering, families can apply for a $200 subsidy, while the cat program involves a $100 cost to the client, with the remaining expenses covered by the SPCA and participating veterinarians.

Marcotullio said the program is open to all types of pets, not just cats and dogs, ensuring that every family member receives the care they need.

The Happy Tails fund is supported by community donations and grants, and the NBSPCA aims to assist 500 families in the coming year.

Both Rogers and Marcotullio believe they will surpass that goal based on the successes they are seeing with the program.

For more information on how to apply for assistance or make a donation, visit the New Brunswick SPCA’s website.

The M/S Batory sailed into Halifax Harbour April 17, 1942 with AC1 Stirling Cranston Campbell (GB1366913), a 22-year-old native of Prestwick, Scotland, aboard.  He wasted no time settling into his new temporary wartime home of Canada – within 20 days of setting foot on Canadian soil he was united in marriage at Yarmouth North, NS. Although Campbell survived the war, his union did not succumbing to divorce.

As No.34 Operational Training Unit moved to Pennfield Ridge in the later part of May 1942, more unions followed commencing with Sgt. William O’Connell (R/97362) who was united to Laurette Rita Delorme August 20, 1942 at St. Peter’s Church, Saint John.  This marriage was also short lived – O’Connell “Gone for a Burton” (a British English expression meaning to be missing or to die) June 15, 1943 while serving overseas with 103 (RAF) Squadron.

O’Connell was not the first or the last airmen who took what was a potentially fateful step in wartime, a decision to get married. Before doing so, an airmen was required to seek the air force’s official permission. Once they satisfied their superiors that they were free of debt and could support a wife – their principal concerns – they were granted permission to marry.

The first staff officer known to marry was F/L Denis Gordon Lacey (GB76586) (1918-2003) who was wed to his bride Constance Lynn Holt (1917-1995) at Flushing, New York (USA).  They later returned to Worthing, England, raising their son and enjoying a little over 50 years of wedded bliss together.

You could fill an encyclopedia volume of wartime romances that bloomed as a direct result of the Pennfield Ridge Air Station.  However, space does not allow us the room to outline every story so let us examine just a few that bubble to the surface and save others, perhaps, for another time.

LAC Clifford David Lewis (GB1279594) was wed to Mary Ella Denyer @ St. David’s Parish Church, St. Stephen in September 1943.  Taffy, as he was commonly known, met his bride at Crystal Palace (roller-skating rink) in the fall of 1942. After their union they honeymooned in Fredericton. In the Spring of 1944 Taffy returned to England until he was discharge in 1946, returning to Canada and his young bride. 

Jack Reid when asked “How did you meet Doris?”, his reply: “She snagged me! There was no barracks at the time, and those of us that were there stayed in tents. I didn’t know her, and the coincidence here was there was two Jack Reid’s close by. The other was a Sergeant of the DF a direction plant. She had seen the Jack Reid that ran the direction plant, but I for her. It was fate.”

Hazel Fogler, who grew up in Pennfield attending a one room schoolhouse, meet Harold Robert (Bob) Keezer who was stationed at Pennfield Ridge.  During their courtship Bob would fly over Hazel’s house and drop notes of admiration attached to small rocks; this was the beginning of 51 wonderful years of marriage until Bob’s death in 1999.

At the movie theatre in St. George, LAC Charles Rowland (Roy) Swanston (GB1577187) met a young woman from Pennfield by the name of Marion Wells.  Just before the close of the base, and after months of waiting for approval from the Royal Air Force, Roy & Marion were married.  Three months later he was sent back to England and was transferred to the British Army, as a member of the Army of Occupation in Belgium and Germany. It was three years before he saw his wife again.

In closing we are reminded of the words of Barbara Hutton, an airmen’s widow, who reflecting over her time here remarked: “Pennfield [Ridge] was a place where a number of young people began their married/adult lives, and where a number of young men spent their last few months before their lives ended overseas. The scenery was alternately dank, dismal – and wildly beautiful. The people who lived there were sometimes kind and generous; resourceful and industrious; skillful and friendly – and at other times inhumane, indifferent to suffering, unreasonable, unpatriotic, insular and ignorant.” 

Christian Larsen currently serves as President of Pennfield Parish Military Historical Society.  He has been actively involved in researching the genealogical & military history of Pennfield Parish for nearly four decades.  From 2009 until 2017 he hosted the annual Pennfield Ridge War Memorial Services.  Recognized at the provincial & federal levels for his work with Veterans having been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012); Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (2023); Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation (2024) & King Charles III’s Coronation Medal (2025).  He can be reached at: [email protected]

The Supreme Court of Canada has been asked to review a lower court decision in a lawsuit alleging mothers at the Moncton Hospital were given a drug without their consent.

On the first Wednesday of every month, the Lunar Rogue Pub becomes a hub for the Fredericton members of the Tough Guy Book Club, with the goal of getting men interested in having real conversations about interesting books.

New Brunswick has a deep treasure trove when it comes to writers. With the likes of Bliss Carman, Shirley Bear, and David Adams Richards, the soil seems rich for growing literary talent.

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A Fredericton man who’s back behind bars after violating the terms of his release from prison for drug crimes admitted to driving offences Friday committed late last year.

Ian Keith Edwards, 26, of Aberdeen Street, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by telephone from a federal penitentiary Friday morning to answer to three indictable charges.

He’s accused of fleeing from police in a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and violating a court-ordered prohibition against driving, all on Dec. 12.

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The day after the night before, Frederictonians are basking in the glow of Thursday’s big win.

A man accused of killing two boys in Saint John’s north end will undergo a second fitness assessment.

Roman Kamyshnyy, 45, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder following an incident on Jan. 29.

Police said officers responded to a 911 call at residence on Skaling Court in Millidgeville around 7 a.m.

Inside they found the bodies of two boys, aged 10 and 17. They also located a man with life-threatening injuries who was taken into custody.

Kamyshnyy, who remains in custody in the hospital, was ordered by the courts last week to undergo a five-day assessment.

His case was back before a judge on Friday, where the court heard the assessment determined he is not currently fit to stand trial.

Kamyshnyy appeared by phone from his hospital bed along with Saint John police Det. Const. Peter Osbourne, who was in the room with him.

Osbourne said Kamyshnyy’s condition has “improved a great deal” in recent days, noting his trach tube has been removed and he is now able to speak and move while sitting up.

The Crown requested a longer 30-day fitness assessment, which was agreed to by the defence and granted by the judge.

Kamyshnyy is now scheduled to return to court on March 20. He will remain in custody during that time.

Police have said the accused was known to the victims but would not elaborate on how, citing the ongoing investigation and court proceedings.

“It’s all about community!”

By Ross Kinney, Dooryard Arts Festival Program Director

For those of us who’ve attended the Dooryard Arts Festival year after year, many will say it’s all about one thing: community. It’s about having a good time with our neighbours; it’s about creating lasting memories in our historic downtown; it’s about inviting artists from all over the region to visit Woodstock and share in its beauty; it’s about the magic of art, its soul medicine, and its ability to bring out the best in us.

The value of the creative arts is in their ability to enrich our lives. The mission of Dooryard is to make the arts a centrepiece of our community.

Dooryard Arts Festival began in 2009 as a way for Woodstock to celebrate our area’s rich cultural and creative heritage. In the years since, the festival has become an annual event that brings our town together, showcases emerging and established performers, and supports the broader artistic community in New Brunswick. It’s an important part of the provincial artistic landscape and the local tourism economy.

Past performers at the festival include a variety of notable New Brunswick and Canadian artists, such as Matt Andersen, Rose Cousins, Cadence Weapon, Les Hay Babies, James Mullinger, Julie Doiron, Ben Caplan, Sally Dibblee, Michel McEwing, Janice Wright Cheney, Morgan Toney, Erin Costelo, and Ross Neilsen. Many have performed at Dooryard as emerging artists early in their careers. Music is a big focus, but the festival also features short films, original plays, improv shows, fine art exhibitions, murals, public art installations, children’s entertainment, circus acts, and community activities.

The 2025 festival (July 17-19) is shaping up to be another highlight of the summer. You can expect a flurry of activity and loads of chances to see exciting performances.

BUT FIRST, we have some winter/spring programming coming right up!

In partnership with The Scene Promotions, Dooryard Presents: The Connell House Series! Monthly performances will occur between February and May at the historic Connell House in downtown Woodstock. Tickets can be bought at the door or in advance online.

Feb 21 – Colin Fowlie
Mar 13 – Kylie Fox
Apr 24 – Charlie A’Court
May 21 – Robert Thomas & the Sessionmen

Please mark these dates in your calendar and invite a friend for a night of songs and stories! Your support makes a meaningful difference.

Dooryard will announce an initial festival lineup this winter, so stay tuned! Check back for more in the River Valley Sun. You can also follow the festival on social media @dooryardfestival.

Dooryard Arts Festival is 3 days of songs, stories, and community celebration in Woodstock, New Brunswick, taking place July 17-19.

The post COLUMN: Dooryard Drop In – Dooryard Arts Festival first appeared on River Valley Sun.

A boil water order issued for the entire Municipal District of St. Stephen (MDSS) has been lifted just shy of two weeks after it was declared.

Residents and businesses can now resume normal water usage and drink tap water without boiling it, according to the municipality.

Read more: St. Stephen isolates water supply issue, boil water order continues

“It’s recommended to run your faucets for a few minutes to flush out your plumbing,” according to an update from MDSS.

The issue original began after routine maintenance revealed an issue on Feb. 8. Crews would later learn of a leak in the water. line causing issues to the vacuum at a pump at the Maxwell Crossing facility.

Read more: No clear timeline for repairs to water issues in St. Stephen, boil water advisory continues

The town submitted two samples to the Department of Health, which would have been tested before it authorized the municipal district to lift the order.

No update was provided on the status of the repairs, but MDSS officials did say on Feb. 20 that it was awaiting parts from Ontario.

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An Oromocto man accused of extorting a Fredericton man and discharging a firearm at a home is fit to stand trial and not exempt from criminal responsibility due to mental illness at the time.

Scott Brent Collins, 25, of Howe Crescent, appeared before Fredericton provincial court Judge Mary Jane Richards on Friday, accompanied by his defence counsel, legal aid lawyer Michael Mallory.

He faces May 9 counts of intentionally discharging a firearm at the home of Eliza and David Wicketts on Barton Crescent in Fredericton knowing it was occupied, extorting money from David Wicketts by using violence, damaging a window at the Wicketts home, and possessing a stolen 2015 Mazda 3 belonging to Roxanne Rheault.

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Federal and provincial governments has announced $3.5 million in funding to Saint John in a new agreement to tackle homelessness. The agreement will make the funding available to the city over a span of two years.

A Saint John man accused of killing two boys in the city's north end last month has been found currently unfit to stand trial, bur ordered to undergo further psychiatric assessment.

Several Coldest Night of the Year walks will take place across the country on Saturday. In the small town of Sussex, the community has come together in a big way as the town faces growing food insecurity.

The New Brunswick SPCA will now help cover emergency vet bills and unexpected procedures for low-income pet owners, thanks to an expansion of its Happy Tails Fund program. 

Some residents of Bathurst will soon have a new police service taking over areas that had been served by the RCMP.

Paddlefest, Saint Andrews' long-running festival of music, nature and water sports, has just announced its lineup for 2025.

Frank McKenna, a former premier of New Brunswick and former Canadian ambassador to the United States, said Canada needs to continue efforts at solidarity in the face of threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

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A Canadian Forces soldier denied allegations Friday that he sexually assaulted someone and damaged their property when on a military exercise in the western United States in 2023.

Christopher West, 44, of Route 101 in Tracyville, appeared in Fredericton provincial court with defence counsel Isabelle Caissie Friday to answer to two summary charges.

Caissie said her client was pleading not guilty to Nov. 3, 2023, counts of sexual assault and mischief causing damage to property.

There’s a court-ordered publication ban in effect protecting the identity of the complainant.

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Eastern Charlotte Council has commissioned a preliminary study to look at the economic and development viability of the area near Exit 56. 

It is the exit that leads out to Trans Canada Highway 1, according to Chief Administrative Officer Jason Gaudet. There are currently a few businesses in the area, like a Tim Hortons and a gas station. 

“This study will be conducted by CBCL,” he said during the meeting. “They’ll look at services that are required and improvements that are needed to that exit. Services mean municipal water and wastewater. They’ll also look at traffic impact.” 

Gaudet said CBCL may also call upon previous studies that have been done in that area to help inform their work. 

The municipal portion of the study is $3,000 out of a total of $33,000. The remainder will be shared between the Regional Development Corporation and the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission. 

“I think this is a significant moment to try to move ahead with trying to develop that area,” Gaudet said. “It is a very central area. It poses great potential for retail, industrial, and commercial development, especially it being a very central point for Eastern Charlotte as well.” 

In an interview with the The Courier after the meeting, Gaudet added development of the area around Exit 56 has been a priority for council since it took office. 

“I think everybody wants to see larger development,” he said. “It’s great. Housing is certainly important, but we also need that commercial retail development in this region as well.”

The council passed the payment for the study unanimously.

Saint Andrews Council has received some feedback about changes it wishes to make to its traffic bylaws, which serve to make certain areas safer. 

About twenty residents attended the open house, according to senior administrator and clerk Paul Nopper. 

A point of concern for some residents was not making Harriet Street and Reed Avenue a four-way stop. The council has spoken at length about the trickiness of that intersection, including during peak tourism season.  

“There was concern from staff about how much traffic could be backed up going down Harriet in the summer toward the gas station if you make it a four-way stop,” Nopper said. 

A four-way stop is an option within the transportation master plan, should the council choose that option. 

Mayor Brad Henderson said the council had discussed that a four-way stop didn’t make much sense given the concerns expressed about traffic backup and potential accidents due to the traffic changes. 

A line through the intersection, explaining through traffic, has been proposed. 

Other concerns included construction trailers and commercial vehicles being marked off when they are downtown using pylons. 

Some asked for a permitting process for protected parking spaces in the event they need to leave the space for any number of reasons. 

“A little more difficult in that we don’t have any mechanism to control our blocked parking spots,” he said. 

Lowering the speed limit

The council did receive a lot of feedback about lowering the speed limit from 50 kilometres an hour to 40, according to Nopper. 

“Residents did have concern that, although you are reducing the speed limit, is it going to reduce speeds in town,” Nopper explained to council. “There were concerns about enforcement and capabilities of enforcement.” 

Some suggested enforcement rather than lowering the speed limit should be looked at further, he said during the meeting. 

Henderson said during the meeting he does agree that enforcement is likely the issue. 

“Enforcement is an issue, but the 50 kilometres an hour also is and based on the data we received from when we put up the speed sign,” he said. 

It also clarified concerns about ride-sharing, like carpooling, but Nopper said regulation would apply to for-profit ride-sharing like Uber, Kari Ride Share, or URide. 

Camping in non-designated areas 

The council heard a lot of complaints about people camping in areas where it was not designated. 

“There are a number of residents who feel that more needs to be done because it seems to be growing,” Henderson said. 

There are no current limits on parking in the downtown streets, parking lots or parks with RV campers within the bylaw. 

Henderson said a 24-hour notice could offer a solution, but it is a balance. 

“Because sometimes the campgrounds are full and if you say nothing at all, then you’re telling people to leave your community,” he said during the meeting. 

Coun. Darrell Weare suggested it could be tricky to give them notification, but also suggested that the notice should be lowered to 12-hours notice. 

The council is hoping there could be alternative areas for people to park overnight, which could provide alternatives to the downtown streets and parks. 

Coun. Mark Bennett said there has definitely been a difference in the number of people camping overnight in the downtown over the last couple of summers. 

“If people in the community know of our good nature, we allow you to sleep at night in town, then I don’t think our situation will improve, I think we’ll just continue to see more and more campers,” he said. “If you allow any amount of it, I think it’ll just continue to get worse and worse.” 

He said the community has spoken that they do not want to see camping in the downtown core. 

Coun. Kurt Gumushel also agreed that there needs to be limits, adding enforcement is going to be tricky. 

“People coming to town in those class B campers are spending money,” he said. “But enforcement is very tricky.”

He said he thinks it might be too difficult to enforce, but also not welcoming to in a town with a tourism-based economy. 

The council is hoping to find a balance in order to protect year-round residents, but also people trying to visit and spend time here. 

Nopper also explained there were concerns about large RV campers blocking intersections and sight lines primarily on Water Street and Queen Street. 

Chief Administrative Officer Chris Spear also explained there is limited space within the Town of Saint Andrews plat that an RV would fit comfortably, further limiting the options. 

Coun. Annette Harland said this is a difficult situation.

“We continually, as a council, have to balance the needs of our full-time residents with the needs of our tourists, which we value,” she said. “However, I have heard a lot about this issue, particularly from the senior population.” 

Coun. Marc Blanchard also suggested the council explore some sort of dedicated RV parking.

“I wouldn’t want to push out people who are bringing in the RV and the campers,” he said during the meeting.

Staff will take guidance from council to amend the bylaw before it comes back to the council for three separate readings and a final vote.

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A Sackville man has lost his bid to overturn his conviction for robbing a former marijuana dispensary in Fredericton in 2018 and to lessen his prison sentence for the crime.

Kevin Andrew Melanson, 53, of Alice Street in Sackville, stood trial before a Court of King’s Bench judge and jury in late 2022 on June 16, 2018, charges of robbery and unlawful confinement.

The case arose from a violent incident at Buddy’s Cannabis Clinic on King Street in Fredericton on that date, during which Melanson led three other men and his wife, Christina Melanson, on a mission to get back $25,000 he’d invested in the business.

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A child sex offender considered a high risk for re-offending, who Saint John and Halifax police both issued alerts about, will continue to live at a halfway house for at least another year, but has now been granted leave privileges.

Julie Sentner could not be happier with the cosy warmth of her home this winter. However, the Saint John woman was surprised to see how her energy consumption has climbed since heat pumps were installed late last year.

The City of Fredericton plans to spend about $50,000 installing speed cushions on three streets where speeding has been a problem. A councillor said one has "really become a raceway" in the last few years.

Nano-fertilizers made from marine waste might soon be applied to New Brunswick potato fields

By Mark Rickard

New Brunswick potato farmers were told a potential solution to the problems of fertilizer runoff and nitrogen from fertilizer releasing into the atmosphere could be found at the bottom of the ocean using nanotechnology at the Potatoes New Brunswick Conference and Trade Show held at the AYR Motor Centre in Woodstock on Feb. 6.

Dr. Gurpreet Singh Selopal, an assistant professor at Dalhousie University, explained to potato growers and industry officials how research into nano-fertilizers made from oyster shells could boost potato production and make crops more sustainable.

“Our (global) population is growing exponentially, and this growing population will need more food…. Roughly 10 per cent of the global population doesn’t have enough food,” Selopal said. “We have to tackle this challenge… by boosting crop production while retaining our sustainability.”

The promise of nano-fertilizer takes advantage of the unique properties of nanoparticles, objects measuring less than 100 nanometres (a nanometre is one billionth of a metre). Selopal said the nano-fertilizer developed in his lab hinders the release of nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, one of the deadliest greenhouse gases attributed to climate change.

“We use marine waste to develop our nano-fertilizer. Researchers based their fertilizer on oyster shells, a plentiful and affordable byproduct of the marine food industry,”  Selopal said.

Oyster shells are ground into a powder, and organic nutrients are added to the mixture. Researchers engineer their shape, size, and composition to tailor a fertilizer to individual fields. Organic nano-fertilizers release nutrients slowly over time, reducing run-off and nitrous oxide production while providing plant nutrients throughout the growing season.

The naturally sourced fertilizer also improves soil health after harvest by inhibiting nitrogen release. The lab is developing nano-fertilizers for both soil and foliage applications.

The researcher said leaching tests using New Brunswick soils in the lab showed the nano-fertilizer exhibited better control of leaching and needed much lower applications than traditional fertilizers to produce optimal yields. Crops fertilized with nanotechnology can be consumed immediately.

“We are now ready to test our nano-fertilizer in the field,” he said. “It’s completely eco-friendly… It’s a promising tool to boost crop production in a sustainable way.”

Expanding markets and customers

Potatoes New Brunswick will continue to work to expand its market reach and diversify its customer base, Ryan Culberson, PNB chairman, said in his chairman’s report during the association’s annual general meeting at the trade show.

“Our team has worked diligently to strengthen and promote the potato industry in New Brunswick… 2024 was a year of growth, resilience and accomplishments for PNB. With the unwavering dedication of our members and stakeholders, we are confident in our continued journey to support and project the New Brunswick potato industry,” the report said.

Culberson said Potatoes New Brunswick will strengthen sustainable farming practices, promote environmentally responsible solutions, and invest in research and innovation to boost quality and productivity.

“We successfully expanded our market reach (in 2024) which led to increased sales and new export opportunities… creating a growing demand for New Brunswick potatoes,” Culberson said in his report. “Potatoes New Brunswick continued its advocacy efforts to represent our members at the provincial and federal levels. We worked closely with policymakers to address industry concerns and needs.”

Culberson acknowledged the industry had to contend with a new provincial government, weather issues, market fluctuations and regulatory changes.

The N.B. Potato Shippers Association, N.B. Seed Potato Growers Association, Processing Advisory Committee, and Agricultural Certification Services Inc., all part of Potatoes New Brunswick associations and committee network, presented annual reports at the meeting.

The 2025 Potatoes New Brunswick board executive includes Ryan Culberson, chairman; Jan Rademaker, vice-chairman; and Charles Culberson, treasurer. Directors include Gilles Godbout, Denis Levesque; Andrew Givskud, Louis Laforge, Robert Culberson and Richard Strang.

The post Nanotech could make spud growers’ thumbs greener first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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After being closed for almost three months, labour and delivery services at the hospital serving the upper river valley area are being offered to expectant mothers once again.

The Horizon Health Network issued a news release Thursday announcing that its Upper River Valley Hospital (URVH) in Waterville, near Woodstock, is resuming its labour and birth services.

“All pregnant individuals who would normally deliver their babies at URVH should proceed to this facility,” the release said.

“All expectant individuals in the area that are 35 weeks pregnant and over have been contacted by nursing staff.”

Horizon spokesperson Maggie Estey told the Fredericton Independent on Thursday that labour and delivery services resumed at the hospital as of Feb. 12.

Horizon announced the closure of birth services at the Waterville facility last fall. That original announcement indicated the closure would run from Nov. 17 to Jan. 31.

It wasn’t clear from this week’s announcement of the reopening what forced the additional two weeks of closure.

During that period, expectant mothers from the area were directed to go to the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton.

The reason for the extended closure was said to be a staffing shortfall that made emergency caesarian sections (C-sections) unavailable at URVH.

Expectant individuals in the Upper River Valley who are experiencing signs of early labour or any symptoms of concern are now asked to call the URVH labour and birth services team at 506-375-2611.

The obstetrical service at the Upper River Valley Hospital sees as many as 500 patients per year, Horizon reported last fall, and it saw 206 births and 40 emergency C-sections in 2023.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Canada Games council officials were in Moncton and Saint John this week to evaluate the cities' bids to host the 2029 Games. 

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A Durham Bridge accused of driving while impaired four times in the span of four months last year is headed to trial on all matters after denying the allegations Thursday.

Mitchell James Bye, 39, of Route 628, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Thursday to answer to multiple allegations of driving while impaired.

He’s accused of driving while impaired by a drug in Fredericton on May 30 and on June 20; driving while impaired by a drug in Mazerolle Settlement on Aug. 12; and driving while impaired by alcohol in Fredericton and driving while suspended Sept. 12.

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The Municipal District of St. Stephen (MDSS) says while the boil water order remains in effect, a sample sent to the province on Feb. 19 met the regulatory requirements.

“A second sample was taken today and couriered to the laboratory for analysis,” an update to Alertable said. “While we are optimistic that this sample will also meet requirements, it cannot be guaranteed at this time.”

Read more: St. Stephen isolates water supply issue, boil water order continues

A further update, it said on Alertable, will be provided once the Department of Health advises MDSS of the results or any decision regarding our system status.

Citizens should continue to comply with the boil water advisory until advised otherwise, continue to monitor MDSS communications and by joining the Alertable app for regular updates.

Any water used for consumption, food preparation, or brushing your teeth should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute.

The municipality did isolate the area where the issues is believed to be located and is awaiting parts to complete the repairs.

A boil water order for St. Stephen remains in effect after an initial notice was issued nearly two weeks ago. A water quality alert was first sent out on Feb. 8.

The owners of a company that sprepares and supplies cans for craft breweries say they are anxious about 25 per cent tariffs on aluminum and steel, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, that are set to take effect March 12. 

One person has died after a fire broke out at a residence on Gabourie Road in Haut-Madawaska. Firefighters were called to the residence at 4:05 p.m. Wednesday and the residence was already engulfed in flames when they arrived on the scene.

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A Red Bank man in custody on murder charges who was scheduled to stand trial on older allegations Thursday saw those charges withdrawn Thursday with no explanation.

Mark Robert Foster Elley, 42, of Route 123 in Red Bank, near Chipman, appeared in person and in custody in Fredericton provincial court Thursday for trial.

He previously denied March 16, 2023, counts of careless storage of a Chiappa M1-9 carbine semi-automatic rifle and violating federal firearms storage regulations, as well as a related request for a peace bond alleging he gave Whitley Copeland reason to be fearful he’d harm her.

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RCMP looking for man after goods stolen from Perth-Andover business

The Perth-Andover RCMP is asking for the public’s help to identify an individual following a theft in Perth-Andover.

The theft occurred at a business on Columbus Street between 8:50 p.m. and 9 p.m. on February 8, 2025.

An individual entered the business, filled a cart with a significant amount of goods and left the business through a back door without attempting to pay. He then loaded the goods into a dark-coloured Dodge Grand Caravan and fled the scene.

Police are now releasing surveillance footage photos in hopes that someone may recognize the individual.

The individual is described as being a man with a large build, thin/balding hair and a thin grey beard. At the time of the theft, he was wearing a camouflage hoodie, black shorts, and black footwear.

Anyone who recognizes the individual or the vehicle or who has information that could help further the investigation is asked to contact the Perth-Andover RCMP at 506-273-5000. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.

The post Police ask for public’s help to solve theft first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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A Fredericton woman accused of scamming several people in the capital out of sums of cash asked a court this week for time to retain counsel before entering pleas.

Tiffany Lynn Martin, 34, of Riverside Drive, made her first appearance in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday to face four fraud charges.

The charges all allege events in Fredericton last year.

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In Saint Andrews, a unique initiative is unfolding—one that is not just about art, but about collective memory, identity, and civic engagement. The Saint Andrews Tapestry Project, led by Sara Brinkhurst and Bessie Bartlett, is transforming local history into an intricate, community-stitched masterpiece that tells the town’s story through embroidery. This grassroots effort is more than a creative project—it is a form of civic participation, giving residents a chance to contribute their own voices to the historical narrative.

A community woven together

At its core, this project is about empowering the people of Saint Andrews to take ownership of their shared history. Kits filled with hand-dyed wool, embroidery needles, and fabric sourced from across Canada are given to participants of all backgrounds—seasoned stitchers and first-time embroiderers alike.

“It’s about getting as many community members involved as possible who might not normally engage in a creative project,” Bartlett explains.

The tapestry reflects not only the well-documented colonial past of St. Andrews but also the stories of Indigenous peoples, Irish immigrants, Black settlers, and other marginalized groups whose histories have often been overlooked.

“We definitely want input from people because it’s their story,” Brinkhurst emphasizes, reinforcing that this is a project built on inclusivity.

Art as a public record

The finished tapestry, expected to span 100 feet, will serve as a visual historical record, covering milestones from early Indigenous settlements to present-day St. Andrews. Unlike traditional history books or plaques, this artwork will be an evolving, tactile chronicle—one that invites community participation and ensures that no one’s story is left untold. Each contributor will sign their work, forever etching their names into the town’s living history.

Strengthening community resilience

Beyond preserving history, the Saint Andrews Tapestry Project is creating a space for civic engagement, storytelling, and intergenerational connection. It provides an opportunity for residents to collaborate across age, culture, and experience, reinforcing social bonds and a sense of belonging.

“It’s hard to find interests that really everybody can get behind,” Bartlett notes, but stitching together a shared history is proving to be a powerful unifier.

This initiative aligns with the mission of Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Centre, which serves as the project’s administrative base. Supported by funding from the Town of Saint Andrews and the Paradox Foundation, the project ensures that both financial and institutional backing reinforce its long-term sustainability.

A legacy for future generations

As the tapestry takes shape, so too does a stronger, more connected community. “I think it will be good for their souls to do this. I think it’ll give them joy,” Bartlett reflects.

More than just an art installation, the St. Andrews Tapestry will be a lasting testament to the town’s resilience, unity, and commitment to honouring every thread of its history.

Through collective storytelling and creative expression, the people of St. Andrews are proving that history isn’t just something to be read—it’s something to be lived, shared, and stitched together, one thread at a time.

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A Fredericton woman was seen stumbling in a liquor store parking lot before resuming her drive on the city’s north side, veering around the road on an afternoon late last year, court heard Wednesday.

Ann Louise Scovil, 66, of Mill Street, made her first appearance in Fredericton provincial court Wednesday to answer to allegations of impaired driving.

She pleaded guilty to having an elevated blood-alcohol level within two hours of driving.

Crown prosecutor Brett Stanford said Fredericton police officers were alerted to a possible impaired driver on the city’s north side at about 3 p.m. Dec. 7 after receiving a report about a vehicle that was all over the road.

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As Premier Susan Holt prepared to deliver her State of the Province speech last month, a handful of Progressive Conservatives were two blocks away, pondering the state of their own party. The PCs lost government in the fall, and will spend the year finding the best path back to power.

Jenna Green, and some other members of her run club, are training for a marathon in June that crosses the Canada-U.S. border.

Conference outlines work to lower greenhouse gas emissions at New Brunswick potato farms  

By Mark Rickard

Efforts to move New Brunswick potato farms toward net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will also make the sector more resilient and profitable, predicted Dr. David Burton, director of the Centre for Sustainable Soil Management of Dalhousie University at the Potatoes New Brunswick conference, trade show and annual general meeting held at the AYR Motor Centre in Woodstock on Feb. 6.

“The amount of carbon that is being stored in our soils is the secret that is going to get us to net zero. We can adopt management practices to increase the amount of carbon stored in our soil… It will make your farms more resilient to climate change, more fertile and help you with your disease management,” Dr. Burton told farmers and industry officials. “As we develop systems that increase our carbon storage, increase the resilience of our systems, we generate environmental goods and services. I believe agriculture needs to be paid for the environmental activities we are undertaking.”

Dr. Burton urged growers to stop focusing on maximum yield and instead focus on maximum profit regarding fertilizer applications. He said efforts to improve cover crops and rotational crops on potato farms are making large strides toward increasing carbon storage. But if farmers don’t quantify these actions, there is no value for consumers.

“We need to make that information available, so we get credit for what we do… We need good data to convince farmers and others of that,” he said. “Documenting allows us to communicate with buyers that ‘I am implementing more sustainable practices and that adds value to my crop.’ ”

The soil scientist pointed out that half of the nitrogen consumed by potato plants comes from the soil, “not from the bag,” and farmers need to test and report that data on their farms.

“There are tremendous variabilities in field to field, and right now we are considering all fields (on a farm) are the same… That’s nitrogen we are wasting,” he said. “Part of this process of improvement in nitrogen management is generating documentation, to show consumers what you are doing and why it adds value to your crop.”

Tracking environmental metrics

Mohamed Yaghi, VP of Innovation Hub for Farm Credit Canada, told farmers the industry is already doing a lot that will help farming remain profitable in the future.

“Farmers are the folk the connect this country together. Farming is critical to our identity,” Yaghi said. “Farmers and ranchers across Canada are critical to our sustainability story. We have an amazing story to tell, but sometimes its just not as published as it should be.”

Yaghi cited a McMaster University study that determined Canadian farmland has 25 years of manmade emissions sequestered in the soil. He said the challenge is how farmers get paid for what greenhouse gas emissions they reduce and sequester on their farms. Yaghi urged farmers to invest in a sound data collection system.

“It’s incredible what farmers are doing today. We are stewards of the land, we are critical to our nation’s success when it comes to emissions. To tell our story, we need to be compensated for it.”

Yaghi pointed to the growing prevalence of New Brunswick shelter belts and linear tree and shrub plantings on crop and livestock lands as an environmental practice that needs to be measured and monitored.

“New Brunswick is first in the nation putting up shelter belts. There has been a 260 per cent increase in no tillage, and only 3.7 per cent of New Brunswick (greenhouse gas) emissions comes from agriculture. You are continuing to adopt these practices.”

Yaghi told farmers they need to quantify everything that happens on the farm, especially before implementing new sustainable practices, to prove the environmental gains to businesses and consumers.

“Start tracking those metrics, it will benefit you in the long term… This is missed opportunity for a lot of us. If you aren’t tracking the progress you are making on your farm, in the future when there are more incentives and rewards, you might miss an opportunity,” he said. “Agriculture compared to any other industry, are decreasing our emissions and increasing our carbon sequestration as well.”

The innovation expert said that in the future, industries will be willing to pay farms for their carbon sequestration and pay a premium to producers who can prove their crop was grown sustainably.

“Document and measure everything. It’s fun to say we are doing this, but we will have to prove it. We are already doing this today, but we have to combine all this information together.”

The post ‘Secret’ will make net-zero potato farms profitable: expert first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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With a renewed plea Wednesday for tips on the whereabouts of a wanted man, the Fredericton Police Force advised the federal parolee shouldn’t be approached if spotted.

The Fredericton Police Force issued an advisory Jan. 29 that Codi Martin, 32, was being sought on a Canada-wide warrant for being unlawfully at large in contravention of a prison sentence.

“Police believe that he may possibly be in the Fredericton region,” the social-media alert stated three weeks ago, noting the force was seeking tips to aid in locating and arresting Martin.

The police force reiterated its plea for information from the public Wednesday, noting Martin is still at large and wanted.

This time, the police force indicated Martin posed a risk to public safety.

“If seen, please do not approach, but call 911 immediately,” it said in the updated advisory.

Martin is described as being about 5’11” tall, weighing about 181 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

Those with information on his whereabouts can call 911 or the Fredericton Police Force at 506-460-2300.

People wishing to provide information anonymously can do so through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the secure P3 Mobile App or visiting Secure Web Tips online at www.crimenb.ca.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.

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All seven Mi’kmaq First Nations in New Brunswick are taking control of their own water and wastewater systems in a new agreement with the federal government. 

New Brunswick lost years of progress reducing poverty as pandemic supports ended, housing costs soared and inflation ticked up, a new report shows.

Laurel Miller says she unknowingly drank the water in St. Stephen for two days without knowing there was a boil water advisory. 

She was told by a cashier at the local grocery store after she said she experienced a sore stomach and headache for several days after drinking the water. 

“I was very angry, and I started to cry because I’m just that type of a personality that I was livid,” she said. “Just because of past problems I’ve had with my own water issues in the house.” 

Laurel Miller said she is concerned about those who have limited access to technology. (Patrick Watt/The Courier)

Doctors at the Charlotte County Hospital did run tests, she explained, and she is awaiting those results. 

Miller didn’t have Alertable, the main method of communication for issues with the Municipal District of St. Stephen to its residents. It has used that app and service to communicate regularly with the residents. 

“I got so angry and I’m just frustrated with the town over the water issues,” she said, speaking to prior issues with discoloured and sediment-filled water. “I feel for older people that don’t even have the limited capabilities I have with my phone that have no idea they’re drinking spoiled water because it was clear.” 

On Feb. 19, The Courier observed two samples of discoloured water. One was filled with an algae-like brown substance, the other yellowish. However, when Miller ran her water from the tap, it ran clear. 

She said other people on social media have expressed that she isn’t alone in her periodically discoloured water. 

“I just feel like something’s going on and it’s not good for people,” she said. 

Miller said she does understand that informing everyone is very complicated – knowing people have different methods of communication and needs. 

“That’s a hard situation,” she said. 

Her water has been discoloured and has a thick, brown, algae like substance in it. (Patrick Watt/The Courier)

However, the town said work is continuing in an update on Feb. 19, contending with inclement weather and frigid temperatures making the work additionally challenging. 

“Today, the Municipal District of St. Stephen has implemented operational changes, which isolated the problematic area,” a message on Alertable said. “This has allowed an agreement with the Department of Health to begin water testing with the ultimate goal of lifting the current boil water order.” 

It confirmed, in the Alertable update, that the first sample was taken on Feb. 19 and another will be taken on Feb. 20. 

“If both tests return acceptable results, the department would be in a position to lift the boil water order,” it said. “While an issue remains at the Maxwell Crossing facility, work will resume when (the) required parts/equipment arrive.” 

Sean Morton, the town’s deputy chief administrative officer, said those parts are delayed due to weather-related issues in Ontario – which has been battered by winter storms. 

Residents, according to the Alertable, should expect the boil water order to last until at least Friday. 

MDSS is encouraging everyone to share this information with family, friends and neighbors to ensure everyone understands and has the information needed.

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An Upper River Valley man is set to return to court next month to answer to allegations that he molested an underage family member two decades ago.

A 62-year-old man from Central Waterville, about 30 kilometres east of Woodstock, made his initial appearance in Fredericton provincial court Wednesday to answer to charges alleging sexually based offences dating back about 20 years.

Matthew Oram, an articling student with the Crown prosecutors’ office, asked the court to impose a publication ban to protect the identity of the complainant in the case, and Judge Pierre Gionet issued that order.

Because of a familial connection between the complainant and the accused, the Fredericton Independent isn’t naming the defendant.

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