Ryan Snoddon says it'll be a windy and cold weekend. On Sunday, another storm arrives bringing snow.

A New Brunswick man convicted of second-degree murder after stabbing his girlfriend 32 times in May 2020 is seeking to have his conviction swapped for the lesser crime of manslaughter.

As wildfires are getting worse in other parts of Canada, the federal and provincial governments are dedicating more funding to help prevent the same from happening here in New Brunswick.

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Warning: This report includes graphic descriptions of sexual offences against a child.

An elderly man’s repeated exposing of his penis to a six-year-old girl and forcing her to touch it and his “ejaculatory emissions” were particularly egregious, a judge said Friday, imposing a prison term.

Brian Porter, 70, of Bonney Road in Nauwigewauk, about 25 kilometres northeast of Saint John, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by video conference to hear Judge Karen Lee’s decision on sentence.

He’d previously pleaded guilty to exposing his genitals to a minor for a sexual purpose and inviting that child to touch him sexually.

The offences occurred in Keswick Ridge near Fredericton between Jan. 1 and June 17, 2023. There’s a court-ordered publication ban in effect protecting the young victim’s identity.

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The New Brunswick Medical Society (NBMS) says Horizon Health Network has decided to eliminate incentives at two rural hospitals for in-person physicians for the emergency departments.

It says for the past two quarters, the incentives played a critical role in keeping rural emergency departments open in these communities.

NBMS says the incentives are expected to stop effective Feb. 15.

“The impact of this decision is already being felt,” said NBMS president Dr. Lise Babin in a statement.  “The Sussex Emergency Department is anticipating its first closure on the evening of February 17, 2025, forcing patients to seek care in larger urban centres—adding strain to already overburdened hospitals and increasing risks for patients.”

Babin said in the statement that while virtual care has its place, it is not a substitute for in-person emergency services.

“Without immediate action to maintain these incentives, further closures are inevitable,” she said in the statement.

The NBMS said it is engaged with the impacted physicians, Horizon Health, and the Department of Health to advocate for patients in the community to continue to receive timely emergency care in their communities.

Teladoc Health Canada, which is providing virtual health care, was introduced at both the Sussex ER and Charlotte County Hospital earlier this month for a one-year pilot project.

It was aimed at reducing wait times and enhancing access to care by supporting operations in the smaller more rural hospitals.

Recently called for cancellation of virtual care ER pilot

Earlier this week, the society called for the end of the Teladoc Health Canada’s contract.

“We do not understand why our public authorities are contracting out these services to a United States-based private sector human resource agency, at a premium to the taxpayer, when there was a range of less costly and more effective solutions to increase access to care available to them,” Babin said in a statement. 

It said it was concerned about the precedent being set by these contracts.

“It is obvious that, left unchecked, this approach will lead to more closures of  small emergency rooms across the province as clinicians choose the less onerous option. This risk is reinforced by adding a third-party with a profit motive to accelerate such a change,” she said in the statement. 

The NBMS alleged that the pilot project, costing nearly $1 million, would be better spent in collaborative care clinics in the underserved areas.

“The use of highly specialized emergency department physicians and nurses to provide what is essentially a virtual primary care service seems like a misutilization of resources at a time when our system is in crisis,” she said.  

The NBMS said this removal of incentives raises bigger concerns about the intentions toward rural hospitals.

“This decision is deeply concerning and reinforces our longstanding fears of a deliberate shift away from rural emergency services,” she said in the statement. “It appears that a successful, proven measure is being removed—potentially to justify the introduction of a virtual care pilot project that cannot replace in-person emergency care.”

Babin said the decision to fundamentally change access to care in rural communities is happening behind closed doors.

During the election campaign last year, and in mandate letters, the Holt government promised several things to improve access to primary and emergency care in rural areas, including a collaborative care clinic in St. Stephen within the first 18 months of the Liberals mandate.

“Our health system already faces significant challenges. We cannot afford to create new ones,” Babin said in the statement.

Horizon Health Network said in an email it does not negotiate physician compensation, according to a statement from Dr. Susan Brien.

“Physician compensation is negotiated between Medicare, the Department of Health, and the New Brunswick Medical Society on behalf of physicians,” she said in an email.

The Courier has asked for confirmation that these incentives previously offered by HHN have been removed. As well, it has reached out to the Department of Health and is awaiting a response.

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One has to give credit to a Hampton man accused of possessing a stolen truck in Fredericton - he’s consistent when it comes to appearing in court - or not, as the case may be.

Jean-Paul Dezainde, 36, of Acadia Crescent in Hampton, was supposed to appear in Fredericton provincial court Thursday to elect mode of trial and enter a plea to a June 29 count of possessing a stolen 2010 Ford F150 belonging to the City of Saint John in Fredericton.

He was also scheduled to enter pleas to Nov. 12 and Dec. 17 charges of failing to attend court.

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The Municipal District of St. Stephen has issued another update as the boil water advisory in the community hits the one-week mark, saying it has no clear timeline for fixing the issue. 

According to an update issued to Alertable, municipal staff, aided by local contractors and engineers, have identified the source of the issue.

The alert said an air leak is disrupting the vacuum on the main pump at the Maxwell Crossing facility. 

“In order to undertake appropriate repairs, the source of the air leak must be identified,” the alert said. “At this time, we have been unable to determine the location of this leak.” 

According to the alert, a contractor with specialized equipment was on site to help in finding the location of the leak. 

“This equipment is being deployed alongside pipeline excavation work,” the alert said. “Once the leak is located, repair work can be initiated. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a timeline for the completion of this work at this time.” 

It does outline anticipated timelines for when the repair is complete. 

• Once the repair is complete, municipal staff will need to undertake to flush of the approximately 3 kilometres of pipe. This work is expected to take approximately three days. 
• Following the flushing, it is expected the turbidity in the system should return to normal levels. 
• In order to lift the boil water advisory, Public Health will require two water tests 24 hours apart. 

It said citizens should expect municipal crews and required contractors will continue efforts to find a solution. 

The boil water advisory will last for at least another seven to 10 days. It will continue to provide updates, the alert said, as warranted. 

“The Municipal District apologizes for this unexpected interruption in service and for the inconvenience caused,” the alert said. “We are making every effort to take corrective action as quickly as possible.”

The Courier has reached out to Mayor Allan MacEachern for comment and is awaiting a response.

The New Brunswick government will spend more than $19,000 US per month of taxpayer dollars on a Republican-connected lobbying firm to advance its case against U.S. tariffs in Washington.

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A Springfield man is now facing allegations that he sexually assaulted and touched an underage complainant last year, and he’s set to elect mode of trial and enter pleas in three weeks.

Jesse Clayton Boudreau, 45, of Route 615 in Springfield, about an hour’s drive east of Fredericton, made his first appearance in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday to face two indictable charges.

The RCMP alleges he sexually assaulted a minor and touched that same complainant for a sexual purpose.

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A Geary man stands accused of being high at the wheel last summer when he got into an accident in which someone was seriously hurt.

Robert Joseph Matthew Stewart, 48, of Intervale Road, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday to face two charges laid by the RCMP, alleging Aug. 30 events at Welamukotuk (Oromocto) First Nation.

He’s accused of driving while impaired by a drug and thereby causing bodily harm to Diana Reid, and with possessing cocaine at that time.

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By Andrew Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A man accused of the double murder of two children in January has been sent for assessment after his first court appearance Thursday.

Roman Kamyshnyy, 45, has been in hospital unconscious since Jan. 29, court heard, the date police said they arrested a man after two boys were found dead inside of a home on Skaling Court off of McIntosh Street, near Woodward Avenue in Millidgeville.

In court Thursday, a Saint John police officer, Det. Const. Peter Osbourne, said by telephone he was with Kamyshnyy in hospital. He said that while the defendant was awake with his eyes open and looking up when he heard his name, he was not able to speak and could not confirm he understood his right to counsel.

Crown prosecutor Jeremy Erickson said Kamyshnyy should be assessed for fitness to stand trial, which Judge Lucie Mathurin granted. Kamyshnyy was set for a five-day assessment in hospital.

Kamyshnyy was read two charges of first degree murder, Osbourne said. The charges are dated to Jan. 29, according to court records.

“There was no verbal response, but he looked up at me when I was speaking with him,” Osbourne said, who said he also read out the police caution and right to counsel. “I requested … some sort of indication or movement that indicated that he did understand or wanted to speak to a lawyer, and no such thing happened.”

Erickson indicated the Crown would seek a publication ban on the identity of the victims, who are under 18. After a brief recess, Erickson indicated the Crown was rescinding its request for a publication ban.

Kamyshnyy has been in the custody of Saint John Police since an attempted first appearance on Jan. 29, court heard. Mathurin said he is now remanded by the court until his next appearance on Feb. 21.

Police said in January they responded to a 911 call at the residence and found two deceased male youth aged 10 and 17, and one injured 46-year-old male who was taken into custody.

With files from Barbara Simpson

Upper Valley communities offer a wide array of activities on Feb. 17, including Mayor’s Citizen Recognition Awards in Woodstock

Western New Brunswick communities offer plenty of options for area residents looking to spend quality family time on Family Day, Monday, Feb. 17. 

The mid-winter long weekend will also provide an opportunity for Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones to recognize town residents for their contributions to the community. 

For the second consecutive year, Mayor Jones will present the annual awards on Family Day, with a ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. in the Gallery Room at the AYR Motors Centre. 

Last year, the mayor moved the award celebration to Family Day, previously held as part of the New Year Levee. 

A reception for the recipients, family and friends will be held in Sam’s Room following the presentations. 

The awards presentation follows a busy day at the AYR Motor Centre and other sites around town. 

The day begins with free events for children of all ages, from preschool to teenager, at the AYR Motor Centre from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. With the help of Planet Youth volunteers, town staff will host games, activities,  bouncy castles and other events. 

A pair of charity sports games features Woodstock first responders and youth. At 3 p.m. at the Woodstock High School gym, the first responders face Woodstock Thunder Youth in a hoop contest. The event includes prizes and contests. 

At 6:30 p.m., Woodstock Minor Hockey Youth face off against the first responders at the AYR Motor Centre for a family-friendly game, with other activities, challenges and giveaways. 

Entrance to both games is a donation to the Valley Food Bank. 

The town will also open the AYR Motor Centre on Family Day, with drop-in fees of $5 for students, $6 for adults and $12 for a family of four for various sports and games. 

The Fieldhouse will be available from 3 to 10 p.m. for drop-in opportunities to play basketball, badminton, pickleball and more. 

Upriver, Hartland will offer a variety of free opportunities at the Day and Ross Community Centre, including family games from 10 to 11 a.m. and crafts from 11 a.m. to noon in the community room. 

The day will feature snowshoeing and sliding outside the centre between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and a snowman-building contest from noon to 1 p.m. 

Families can enjoy free skating from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. 

Carleton North offers free rental time of the climbing wall and gymnasium at the R.G. Bun Veysey Centre, along with puzzles and games in the Rotary Community Room from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

It also will provide free public skating and sliding tube rentals at the Northern Carleton Civic Centre between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. 

In Debec, the Debec Recreation Council sponsors a  Family Day event at the Debec Outside Rink from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free skating, hot dogs and hot chocolate. 

The post Plenty to do on Family Day first appeared on River Valley Sun.

The Maple Leaf, designed by George F. G. Stanley, will celebrate its 60th anniversary Saturday. Carmen Celestini, a religious studies lecturer at the University of Waterloo, says the flag has undergone an interesting trajectory over the past five years.

Dog parks in Edmundston remain closed Thursday, more than two weeks after they were shut down due to a number of cases of a highly contagious illness in dogs.

Snowmobile races return with more events and more snowmobiles this weekend

The roar of snow machines and cheering crowds return to the Connell Park Raceway in Woodstock on Family Day weekend. The Maritime Snowmobile Championship Races (MSCR) hits the freshly built ice track on Feb. 14, 15, and 16, with races from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Kendall Leech is the Chair of the local MSCR organizing committee. He said they expect up to 150 racers this year, a 52 per cent increase from last year’s total of 88 racers.

“A lot didn’t want to come last year because it was a new track, and a lot of people weren’t familiar with it. The good track and good turnout from last year made more racers want to come,” said Leech.

Snowmobilers from all over North America will arrive in Woodstock. The event will be full of local teams from the Maritimes and teams from Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Wisconsin, Maine, New Hampshire, and other east coast states.

Tobi Pirie is the head of Woodstock Tourism. She says the MSCR event is excellent for local businesses.

“Hosting a winter event that made its return after over a 40-year hiatus in 2024 has been beneficial to the tourism sector in Woodstock. Accommodations, eateries, and local shops get extra foot traffic to their business,” said Pirie.

This year, the MSCR has teamed up with two other tracks, Valcourt and Roberval, Quebec, to introduce the Triple Crown. This new point-based competition requires racers to compete on all three tracks. Whoever accumulates the most points wins a cash prize.

Attendees are welcome to watch the races, live, under the heated grandstand, with a big-screen TV carrying all the action.

Leech said he’s excited for this year’s event.

“That’s a pretty big feather in our cap, after last year being our first year, but this year will be the best, that’s for sure,” said Leech.

The weekend will be full of activities coordinated with other service clubs around the area.

A vintage snowmobile show will occur on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday evening, there will be a barbecue from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Woodstock Elks Club. People can order a meal consisting of an 8oz steak, a baked potato, coleslaw, a roll, sour cream, and one drink. Each meal costs $25. There will be a live performance by the local band Double D.

After the barbecue, people can stop by the AYR Motor Centre for a dance between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Tickets cost $20.

On Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., a breakfast will be held at the Y’s Men’s Club. There will be TVs playing the live races.

“We tried to get as many service clubs together as we could, the bigger the turn out it helps everybody,” said Leech.

The post Organizers excited for year two of MSCR in Woodstock first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Most of the puppies were already spoken for, but Angela, the kennel owner, had one boy and one girl left.

“You wanted a girl? She’s in the orange collar,” she said. “We don’t name them—just coloured collars. Their first and only name comes from their family.”

Patrick and I had talked about getting a dog for a while, but it had always been just that—talk. I’d only moved back to New Brunswick three years before, and it wasn’t even meant to be permanent. Before that, I was a journalist in Toronto, bouncing from city to city with each new job offer. I had planned to spend just six months back home to take a break and reconnect with my family. Then, I met Patrick, who worked at the local TV station, and fell in love—with him, with local media, and with small-town life. For the first time, I was ready to put down roots. But getting a dog? That felt like the final step, the real commitment to staying.

Baby Maud Watt along the wharf. (Vicki Hogarth/The Courier)

I stepped closer to the enclosure lined with wood chips, where six fluffy puppies tumbled and wrestled. As soon as they noticed us, they froze, their eyes widening. Then, one pushed to the front, standing on her hind legs, her paws pressed eagerly against the gate. Her orange collar stood out against her wrinkled neck.

“Patrick!” I gasped. “It’s like she knows she’s ours.”

Patrick shot me a look—a mix of amusement and a silent reminder of the promise I’d made in the car: no impulse decisions. But the moment I laid eyes on her, my resolve vanished.

Everything about her made me smile. Her face was impossibly delicate, her eyes still soft and sleepy, but her energy undeniable. And her paws—huge, clumsy things—were so goofy, they seemed to have a life of their own. How had the other families passed her by? Maybe it was the orange collar—pink and red had seemed more popular for the other girls. But to me, she wasn’t just another puppy. She was our puppy. The second I saw her, behind those bars with her orange collar gleaming, it was clear: she was my partner in crime.

Angela reminded us that the puppies wouldn’t be ready to leave the kennel for another four weeks. “You can think it over,” she said.

Patrick let out a sigh, his expression softening. “We don’t need to,” he replied. “We’ll sign the adoption papers today.”

He took my hand as he filled in our names side by side at the bottom of the page. It was just ink on paper, but it felt like more—like a promise, a binding contract not just to a dog, but to a life together. I’d never stayed anywhere for too long, but this? This was different. This was home.

Patrick walking with baby Maud. (Vicki Hogarth/The Courier)

As Patrick paid the deposit, he turned to me with a mischievous grin. “If we come back around February 14th to pick her up, does that mean I’m covered for Valentine’s Day? And all future Valentine’s Days for that matter?”

I laughed, but deep down, I knew bringing a puppy into our lives would open our hearts in a way we hadn’t anticipated. In adopting Maud, Patrick wasn’t just making us a family—he was giving me the greatest gift I’d ever received, Valentine’s Day or not.

Four weeks later, we returned with a blue and green collar adorned with tiny whales, a fitting choice for her new life by the sea. The orange collar would stay behind. From that moment on, she was no longer just the orange pup. She was our Maud.

We named her after strong Maritime women: artist Maud Lewis, writer Lucy Maud Montgomery, and Patrick’s late grandmother, Cline Maud Wilkins. The name fit. She was one of a kind.

The day we brought her home, the whole town seemed to come out to meet her. Countless neighbours, friends, and family dropped by to greet our new addition. That’s just how it is in a small town. Word travels fast, and we’re all connected. More than a community, we’re a family, invested in each other’s lives.

Vicki and baby Maud on Water Street. (Vicki Hogarth/The Courier)

A few weeks later, Patrick and I took Maud to our favourite beach near the Blockhouse in St. Andrews. It was still winter, and the town felt magical in its quiet tranquility. Maud, still small, was in my arms as we walked to the shore where she sniffed the salty air. The moonlight shimmered on the water, and the stars lit up the night sky.

Patrick squeezed my hand. “Would you marry me?” he asked. “I don’t have a ring, but I did get you this goldendoodle.”

I laughed, my eyes welling up with tears. “Yes,” I answered. “And we don’t need a fancy wedding either.”

“Thank goodness,” Patrick laughed.

“I just want to sign the papers and make it official,” I said. “We are family.”

By Brian Owens, The Courier

Rumours of Cathy Adams’ death have been greatly exaggerated.

The Charlotte County woman only discovered that the government believed she was dead at the end of January, when her Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security payments failed to materialize in her bank account.

A call to Service Canada revealed that she had been declared dead on December 13, when the agency apparently received a death notice from a family member.

“The lady was really nice, it took a while but she came back and said, ‘Sorry, I have bad news, we got a death notice for you. My condolences’,” Adams told The Courier. “We were both laughing but at the same time we understood the implications.”

Maja Stefanovska, a spokeswoman for Employment and Social Development Canada said Adams’ premature administrative death was the result of a clerical error.

“The error occurred when Service Canada staff worked on a claim for a different client involving the report of that client’s death, made by the niece of that client,” she said. This information was inadvertently inputted into Ms. Adams’ file, resulting in the temporary cancellation of her benefits.” 

Stefanovska said Adams’ account and personal information was not compromised, but Adams is not so sure.

The reason her file was open on December 13 was because someone had called to cancel an application for a Guaranteed Income Supplement that had been made online, but Adams said she neither initiated nor cancelled that application. She was also recently notified of a disability claim that she did not make.

This has left her concerned that her Social Insurance Number may have been compromised, or that someone is attempting to steal her identity.

“I still want to know for sure that it hasn’t been compromised,” she said. “There’s too many odd things happening at the same time.”

Most of the issues have now been sorted out, and Adams’ CPP and OAS payments have been reinstated, and her SIN was reactivated today, though her online account with Service Canada is still locked.

Her bureaucratic resurrection has been a serious ordeal, requiring multiple phone calls as well as visits to the Service Canada office in St. Stephen to provide paperwork proving her identity.

Adams is frustrated that so much of the onus of fixing the issue has fallen on her shoulders.

“I’m running around trying to fix their mistake,” she said. “They should have a protocol in place so the people affected don’t have to do so much work.”

But Adams said the staff at Service Canada have been “stellar” in helping her solve the problem. Local member of parliament John Williamson has also been a big help, she said, in quickly getting the ball rolling on fixing the problem.

Stefanovska said that while Employment and Social Development Canada does not keep statistics on these types of cases, it is “exceptionally rare” for someone to be incorrectly declared deceased and to have payments stopped in error.

Adams, however, has discovered several similar cases with a little online sleuthing, and Williamson said that this is not even the first time he has had to help bring a constituent back from the dead.

“It’s not a usual occurrence, but it’s not the first time we’ve had to help out with something like this,” he said.

Brent Bilsky of St. Stephen said the same thing happened to his father, who lives in British Columbia, just last year. It took nearly six months to get the issue resolved.

Bilsky contrasted the apparent ease of staff accidentally marking someone dead with the hoops he has had to jump through while genuinely trying to close estates for other family members.

“The government sometimes keeps making payments for months after they’ve been notified of a death,” he said.

Despite the inconvenience, Adams can see the amusing side of her situation. She may even have a party to celebrate her “rebirth” once the problem is finally resolved.

“It’s funny even though it’s been a pain in the ass,” she said. “Luckily I have a wicked sense of humour.”

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A Douglas man has been accused of sexually assaulting and touching a minor in Fredericton a year ago.

Arian Marnick Vanderlee, 22, of Riva Ridge Road, was set to make his first appearance Monday on three criminal charges.

He’s accused of sexually assaulting a minor, touching that same complainant for a sexual purpose and assaulting that child between March 1, 2023, and April 24, 2024.

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Some New Brunswick school kids will get an extra long weekend. After a storm brought heavy snow and some ice to parts of New Brunswick, some schools have closed again in its wake.

Saturday marks the end of the federal government's two-month GST/HST holiday to give Canadians a break on the cost of some essential goods, including children's toys, beer and wine, and restaurant meals.

Brenda Trafford, 90, wasn't looking for love but the Murray Corner woman knew there was something special about the voice at the other end of the line.

A proposal to renovate and expand the Stella-Maris-de-Kent Hospital could cost about $242 million, while tearing down the nearly 60-year-old building and constructing a new one could as much as $366 million.

Billy's Seafood, a longtime staple of Saint John's City Market, closed its doors suddenly, putting an end to over 30 years of business. 

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A Fredericton lawyer at the centre of outstanding litigation over a golf-course/hospitality development in Hanwell has been suspended by the Law Society of New Brunswick.

In a notice issued Wednesday, the law society announced that Stephen James Hill is under suspension and can’t practise law on an interim basis.

The notice gave no reason for the suspension.

Hill used to be a partner in the Fredericton firm of Elliott McCrea Hill, with offices on Main Street, but that firm now operates as Elliott and McCrea Law.

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A Saint John man accused of killing two boys in the city's north end two weeks ago has been ordered to undergo an in-hospital assessment to determine whether he's fit to stand trial.

Sean McCann of Great Big Sea joins hosts Vicki Hogarth and Jonathan Brittain in studio to sing some of his hits and take the Good Day from the Bay Questionnaire. Plus, Sean’s wife Andrea Aragon tells us why she decided to write an addiction and recovery memoir with her husband.

Original Broadcast Date: January 2025

Good Day from the Bay is an original CHCO Television production produced at the CHCO-TV studio in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.

Bayside, NB-based author Gerhard Pohle joins CHCO-TV to dive into “Water Lust: A Candid Coming-of-Age Saga”, his powerful memoir of adventure, resilience, and an unbreakable bond with the sea.

Original broadcast date: February 12, 2025

Southwest Magazine is an original CHCO Television production taped on location at the CHCO-TV studio in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.

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A woman will return to court next month to enter a plea on a charge alleging she shared compromising images of someone without their consent almost a year ago.

Samantha Mary Basque, 22, made her initial appearance in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday.

Basque - who lives in Fredericton but is listed in court records as being from Abraham Road in Chamberlain Settlement, near Bathurst - faces a summary count of distribution of intimate images of a complainant without their consent.

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No emergency care will be available at the Sussex Health Centre's ER this holiday Monday because of a lack of emergency physician coverage, says Horizon Health Network.

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A Fredericton man accused of firing a rifle at someone in late 2023 denied that allegation and others Thursday, and he was given a quick turnaround for his trial.

whom police reported Monday as being missing and vulnerable, but for whom there was also an outstanding arrest warrant, has been located and detained.

Darrell Richard Barnes, 52, formerly of Brunswick Street, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Thursday by video conference from the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre.

He was arrested and remanded earlier this month after a series of failures to attend court to elect mode of trial and enter pleas.

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Trial dates have yet to be set for a man accused of killing two people in Dieppe in 2019 as prosecutors seek to revisit whether lawyers for the accused can continue representing him.

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The RCMP’s internet child exploitation unit has filed criminal charges against a Burton man alleging possession and transmission of child pornography.

The New Brunswick RCMP issued a news release Thursday about an investigation its specialized unit undertook last summer involving illicit material online.

“The investigation, led by the New Brunswick RCMP's internet child exploitation (ICE) unit, began in July 2024, following information received from the RCMP's National Child Exploitation Crime Centre,” the release said.

“On Sept. 24, 2024, members of the New Brunswick RCMP ICE unit, members of the Fredericton Police Force and the RCMP's digital forensic services executed a search warrant at a residence in Fredericton.”

Officers arrested a man at that location on that date, it said, and they seized electronic devices as part of their investigation.

The suspect was released on conditions with a promise to appear in court at a later date.

The RCMP laid charges Monday against Brady Matthew Worden, 30, who’s now listed as a resident of Route 102 in Burton.

The charges allege he transmitted child porn Sept. 6, possessed it between June 24 and Sept. 24 and violated a court order prohibiting him from using the internet, also between June 24 and Sept. 24.

The Fredericton provincial court docket indicates Worden is scheduled to make his initial appearance before a judge on those charges Feb. 25.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Liberal leadership hopeful and MP Karina Gould says she would modernize Canada's employment insurance system and introduce a universal basic income if she becomes the next prime minister.

It’s unclear if a full shutdown of Miramichi’s Centennial Bridge will still go ahead as planned this summer after the province removed the contractor from the job over alleged breaches of contract.

A report from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has the Port City at the top of the list of Canadian cities that would be most hurt by tariffs from the United States.

With Valentine's Day on the horizon, love is in the air, and David Hughes from the New Brunswick Military History Museum says there's a romantic side to military history.

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A Fredericton woman was granted a community-based sentence Wednesday for drug and property-damage crimes.

Shelley Darlene Gosman, 38, of Doone Street, pleaded not guilty last year to June 13, 2023, counts of mischief causing damage to a 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 belonging to Budget Rent a Car and a threat to Caitlyn Bault-Gallant to damage the business’s property, as well as to June 16, 2023, charges of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.

However, she later pleaded guilty to the property-damage charge and admitted to the lesser, included count of simple possession of cocaine.

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A code-of-conduct complaint filed against Mayor Brad Henderson has been dismissed by council following an investigation by a third party 

During a council meeting, Henderson recused himself as council was presented an investigative report by Jody Carr – the subject of which is not public. 

The name of the complainant was not revealed, as that information is subject to closed session under legal and human rights. 

Paul Nopper, the town’s senior administrator and clerk, said in an email the review process and determination of the report took several months. 

All code-of-conduct complaints are subject to Bylaw No. 22-02, A By-Law to Regulate the Code of Conduct of Council of the Town of Saint Andrews. 

Any reported violations of that bylaw is subject to an investigation by council, which means council can retain a third party or panel with relevant experience to investigate. 

During his mayoral comments, Henderson addressed the complaint. 

“I just want the public to be aware that it was an unfounded complaint that came into the municipality,” he said, saying he couldn’t say much due to the confines of closed session rules. “Taxpayers of Saint Andrews have a right to know that it costs a significant amount of money to this municipality to investigate it.” 

Nopper confirmed the investigation cost the town $5,000.

Family Day weekend might be a good chance to try out ice fishing in New Brunswick.

Fish NB Days take place this weekend from Saturday through Monday.

It is one of two weekends when you can fish without a licence or guide, with the other being the first weekend of June.

All current catch limits, closures and other restrictions are still in effect, and access to private waters, Crown reserve waters and Crown leases is still restricted.

Before venturing out on the ice this weekend, you need to make sure that it is safe to do so.

The Canadian Red Cross says ice thickness should be at least 15 centimetres for small groups of people.

A minimum of 20 centimetres is needed for larger groups and 25 centimetres for snowmobiles and ATVs.

The organization said the colour of the ice indicates its strength and quality. Blue ice is the strongest, while grey ice is unsafe.

Anglers wishing to retain landlocked salmon from 48 to 63 centimetres (fork length) still require a licence with tags this weekend.

Individuals whose angling privileges have been revoked cannot fish anywhere in the province, including on Fish NB Days.

All New Brunswick schools have closed for the day as a storm that could bring 25 centimetres of snow to some parts of the province is set to begin.

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A Nova Scotia man who pleaded guilty just two weeks ago to sexual offences involving a minor dating back a decade changed his tune this week as he sought to withdraw those admissions.

Andrew J.R. Quann, 38, formerly of Nasonworth but now living in Nova Scotia, elected to be tried in provincial court and pleaded guilty Jan. 27 to charges of sexual assault and sexual interference by touching a minor for a sexual purpose.

Those RCMP charges related to events in Oromocto between Jan. 1, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2019.

There’s a court-ordered publication ban in effect protecting the identity of the victim of those two offences.

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The new rate will be $15.65 per hour, up from the current wage of $15.30. 

Julie Doiron started seeing her song gain traction on TikTok in November. Now, it's hit more 40 million streams on Spotify.

A gas leak in St. George has forced the evacuation of about 30 homes.

Jason Gaudet, the Chief Administrative Officer for Eastern Charlotte, said the incident took place around 4:15 p.m. Excavation work was being done on Main Street.

It triggered the municipalities emergency measures level three and homes within 100 to 150 metres of the line were evacuated. Those streets included Clinch, Carleton and Main streets.

“They just happened to strike a natural gas line,” he said in an interview with The Courier.

Gaudet said it will be investigated whether Liberty Gas was contacted prior to when the contractor began to dig. RCMP, Ambulance New Brunswick, Public Works were assisting in the area, with several road barricades in place.

NB Power crews were called to cut the power for safety to the impacted area.

“Very good response by Eastern Charlotte fire rescue to go address all that,” Gaudet said. “Certainly these things, we don’t deal with them every day but put into practice and evacuation area — sometimes there are things we can learn.”

Several families and individuals were gathered a Magaguadavic Place, the site for evacuees.

Before families can return home, the fire department and Liberty Gas must give the all clear. Gaudet estimates that could take up to three hours, or more, depending on what those two organizations discover.

“Everyone has followed the orders, everyone has gotten out, and everyone is obeying roads being closed as well,” Gaudet said.

Residents who are feeling sick, experiencing skin irritation or having trouble breathing are advised to report to the local hospital or call 911.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says meetings this week in Washington, D.C., have shown her there's widespread opposition to potential U.S. tariffs, and it's coming from both sides of the political spectrum.

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A sentencing hearing for the homeless man who trashed the Fredericton Public Library downtown last fall was postponed this week after concerns arose about his mental state.

Kelly Gordon Kleim, 30, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty last month to numerous charges, including a destructive break-in at the main branch of the Fredericton Public Library on Sept. 30.

He appeared before Fredericton provincial court Judge Lyne Raymond on Tuesday, scheduled to go through a sentencing hearing.

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An online threat made toward a school in Oromocto last week has led to an arrest, the RCMP reports.

The Oromocto detachment of the RCMP issued a news release Wednesday detailing an incident last week that forced an Oromocto school to go into a hold-and-secure status.

“On Feb. 6, 2025, at approximately 12:08 p.m., members of the Oromocto RCMP received a report of an individual who made threats towards an Oromocto school on social media,” the release said.

“Police quickly arrived at the school and arrested a youth in connection with the threats without incident.”

Sgt. Stéphane Esculier told the Fredericton Independent that the school in question was Oromocto High School, and the suspect arrested was a 16-year-old female student at the school.

OHS went on hold-and-secure status at the time of the police response, the RCMP advised.

Hold-and-secure isn’t a full lockdown of a school, but rather is a status that means no one can leave the premises and no one can enter. Students and staff can still move within the facility during such an alert.

“After further investigation, police determined that the threats were believed to be unfounded,” the RCMP release said.

“The youth was later released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court at a later time.”

The RCMP investigates all calls involving threats to a school, even if the information is received through a third party or via social media, the release said.

"The RCMP takes threats to the safety of our communities very seriously," Esculier said in the release.

“We will not tolerate violent threats or statements of any kind, and those who make them may face criminal charges involving significant sentences."

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Environment Canada projects up to 25 cm of snow for the St. John River Valley on Thursday and again on Monday

Upper St. John River Valley residents can look forward to spending their weekend digging out from a significant winter storm on Thursday, just in time for another on late Sunday or early Monday. 

Environment Canada meteorologist Jill Maepea said Woodstock and Carleton County, as it is often, will be the changing point of the winter storm, which will cover the province on Thursday, Feb. 13. 

Starting Thursday morning, she forecasted 15 to 20 cm of snow, potentially reaching as high as 25 cm. 

Maepea said the storm may include “a little bit of ice pellets” along with the snow, adding areas north of Woodstock face snow only, while New Brunswickers south of the area will see less snow but significant amounts of ice pellets and freezing rain. 

She said things could get “messy” in parts of southern New Brunswick. 

She forecasted 10 to 15 cm of snow for the Fredericton area and up to 25 cm for northern New Brunswick from Edmundston to the North Shore. 

With cooler temperatures accompanying the storm, Maepea said residents should expect light, puffy snow, which could create risks of whiteout conditions, especially with heavy winds forecast for Friday. 

While Friday and Saturday will feature sunny conditions, winds may gust as high as 75 km/hr, especially along the Acadian Peninsula. 

Maepea said current forecasts indicate a similar storm will hit the Woodstock and Carleton County area, starting late Sunday, Feb 16, or early Monday, Feb. 17. 

Maepea said the back-to-back storms with significant snowfall are a rarity for New Brunswick so far this winter. 

She said January proved “extremely dry,” with little significant precipitation except for one mid-month winter storm.

The post Back-to-back winter storms heading to New Brunswick first appeared on River Valley Sun.

A man who killed his elderly neighbours in Minto 20 years ago was ordered Wednesday to remain at a federal prison. 

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Warning: This story includes graphic details about violent murders.

A schizophrenic killer found not criminally responsible for his murderous actions in Minto in 2005 will remain in a prison hospital despite clashes and violence toward the doctors treating him.

Gregory Allan Despres, 42, formerly of Minto, appeared by video conference in a Moncton courtroom Wednesday for his latest hearing before the New Brunswick review board.

He was appearing from the Shepody Healing Centre, a secure health-care facility at Dorchester Penitentiary.

Despres was found not criminally responsible in March 2008 on two counts of first-degree murder in the April 2005 deaths of Fred “Papa” Fulton and Veronica “Verna” DeCarie in their Slope Road home in Minto.

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