At a public information session requested by the Town of Rothesay, N.B. Power tried to assure customers who spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the dark that it’s taking a proactive approach to reliability.

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A Minto woman who had been scheduled to stand trial on a charge of second-degree murder next week has admitted to manslaughter in the 2022 death of a Maugerville man.

Jodie Carrie Clark, 32, of Minto, appeared in person and in custody at the Burton Courthouse on Wednesday morning ahead of her scheduled jury trial Feb. 18 for second-degree murder.

The RCMP arrested and charged her in October 2022 after Alexander “Andy” Ladds was found dead in his home in Maugerville.

That murder won’t be proceeding, though, as the Crown and defence lawyers told Justice Stephen Doucet they’d resolved the case without the need for next week’s jury trial.

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New Brunswick’s Liberals are now projecting a nearly $399-million deficit this fiscal year.

That is compared to a $41-million surplus budgeted by the previous Progressive Conservatives.

Finance Minister René Legacy said several factors negatively influenced the most recent quarter,

“We know there are difficult decisions ahead, considering the results we have seen over the last two quarters,” Legacy said in a news release.

“We remain committed to being fiscally responsible and are determined to help New Brunswickers navigate the very real struggle they face during these challenging financial times.”

Total expenses this fiscal year now are projected to be over budget by more than $409 million.

Officials said the most significant factors included higher costs in the regional health authorities, with a significant portion attributed to travel nurses.

There is also increased demand for services in income security and more complex cases in child welfare and youth services.

The government also cited its commitments on nurse retention payments and the electricity rebate.

Meanwhile, total revenue is projected to be $30 million lower than budget, which is due in part to the federal GST/HST break.

More to come …

The New Brunswick government’s budget deficit this year has exploded to almost $400 million.

The estimated cost to construct a performing arts centre in Fredericton has climbed again and is now at $111.2 million, prompting the city to look at borrowing even more money to make the project happen.

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A Harvey man who processed bogus returns at his sales-manager job over the course of three years fleeced his employer for more than $115,000, earning himself a year behind bars.

Christopher John Howe, 42, of Route 665, appeared before Fredericton provincial court Judge Lyne Raymond on Tuesday to hear her decision on sentence in his fraud case.

He pleaded guilty last year to an indictable offence he perpetrated against his then-employer, Bird Stairs, between March 8, 2019 and August 22, 2022.

The judge said the agreed-upon facts in the case indicated that a company official at Bird Stairs, a construction and supply company, became suspicious of an unusual return that Howe had processed at work one day.

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By Barbara Rayner, The Courier

ST. GEORGE • Land owner Charlie Avery is asking Eastern CharlotteCouncil to consider meeting with him to discuss what they would like to see developed at 110 Mount Pleasant Road.

Avery purchased the 4.4 acre lot, which is currently zoned agriculture/forestry, for $87,500 and in order for any development
other than a single family dwelling to take place, it would have to be rezoned.

This is a vacant piece of property with a frontage of 291 feet and a depth of 633 feet. The town’s water and sewer lines run along the entire front of the property with a fire hydrant on the north east corner.

When the request for rezoning to sub-divide the property into four separate lots came before council, there was no seconder after Coun. Adam Hatt put the motion on the floor so it was lost without even being voted on.

Avery said he emailed a letter to council members in January asking what they would like to see developed on that lot.

“I have let them know different times that I would be happy to sit down with council and discuss any potential plans that would allow affordable housing. Unfortunately, it only seems to fall on deaf ears. As of today, the only council member who has replied to the letter is Adam Hatt.

“I would think council would be eager to sit down and talk about possible proposals that would best serve and help support the very community and municipality that they are representing especially in the times we are living in today dealing with a housing crisis as never seen before.”

Avery questioned whether council is serving the public’s best interest. In the past he said he has spoken to different provincial
representatives who were in support of any proposal that would allow for residential development on the property but, since then, there has been a change in government.

“I see an inexperienced council that most likely knows very little about small town economics and what it takes for a community to thrive in a very competitive world. A council that shoots down a positive residential growth opportunity is to be questioned.”

Avery said developing this property would bring new families into the community and would generate extra tax dollars but it seems this council would rather see non-productive land sit vacant.

He disputes those who claim the property is farmland. He said it has never operated as commercial farmland or put a meal to market as the property is too small and impractical to use for agriculture.

If developed, he said, it would provide homes for families as well as creating jobs, supporting local merchants and store owners, and making it more attractive for any new businesses wanting to come to the area.

Before he submits another proposal, Avery said he is seeking a legal opinion on whether two members of council were breaching code of conduct and conflict of interest guidelines. If that is the case, he said, this should be dealt with.

According to the province’s Local Governance Commission, conflict of interest rules exist to prevent councillors from using their positions to gain financial benefit or advantage for themselves or family members.

One possibility for the property, said Avery, would be building affordable residential units on the land. He said these are what are needed today as people, especially seniors, don’t want to contend with cutting grass or shovelling snow.

“Outside of the mayor (John Craig) and possibly one or two other council members I’m convinced that Eastern Charlotte Council lacks the knowledge and ability to steer the community into a growing and prosperous future.

“I can’t help but think that council’s inadequacy to participate in talks of beneficial growth to the community should warrant their
resignation for the betterment of the municipality as a whole.

“As a taxpayer of Eastern Charlotte, I feel we could be spending our taxpayer dollars on better leadership much needed to help steer the municipality into a brighter future.”

Mayor John Craig said Avery can come back to council as many times as he wants as long as it is a different proposal each time. As for the request to meet with council to discuss a future proposal, Craig said he would have to ask councillors if they are willing to do that.

“I would have to ask council if they are willing to sit down with him and try to find common ground where both sides are happy. To me, it is always good to sit down and find a compromise so everybody is happy. Nobody is going to get everything they want.”

If council is not in favour of such a move, Craig said Avery can submit a new plan and see what happens.

Chief Administrative Officer Jason Gaudet said the lot would have to be rezoned from agriculture/forestry if anything other than a single family dwelling was built on it.

He said it would be possible to put three housing lots on the front of the property and leave a driveway for Avery to build a home for himself at the back.

These lots would be similar in size to two housing lots further down the road and that land was sub-divided on the approval of a former St.George town council in 1985.

Central and northern regions of the province are expecting 15 to 25 centimetres of snow from Thursday morning until Thursday night, according to Environment Canada.

In custody on new charges

James Blair Hovey, 28, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 10 to answer several new charges laid by RCMP. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on Feb. 27 at 11 a.m.

Hovey was charged with assaulting another man, theft of a vehicle and breaching his curfew on Oct. 25, 2024, at Perth-Andover; and flight from police, assaulting police, theft of a vehicle, dangerous driving and breaching his curfew on Nov. 27, 2024, in Plaster Rock.

At an earlier court appearance, Hovey was charged by Woodstock Police with breach of probation and break, enter and theft at a dwelling house on Creighton Street on Sept. 26, 2024. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 14 at 9:30 a.m.

Remanded for bail hearing

Jerod Nowlan, 40, of Rosedale, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Feb. 10 and was remanded to jail. He returns to court in custody for a bail hearing on Feb. 12 at 9:30 a.m.

Nowlan was charged with assaulting a female, assault with a weapon, assault by choking and uttering threats concerning incidents which occurred between Jan. 20 and Feb. 1 at Rosedale. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.

Bail hearing delayed

Tanna Wright of Perth-Andover appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 10 for a bail hearing. At the request of her defence counsel, Wright’s bail hearing was adjourned until Feb. 12 at 9:30 a.m.

RCMP charged Wright with breaching a no-contact order, assault, assault by choking and uttering threats against another woman concerning incidents on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 at Weaver. She also faces a theft charge (a wallet) in connection with a separate incident.

Released with conditions

William (Billy) Harding, 34, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 10 to answer two charges laid by Woodstock Police. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on March 4 at 9:30 a.m.

Harding was charged with theft from the Superstore and breach of probation following an incident in Woodstock on Sept. 10, 2024.

A co-accused, Tammy Schloemer, 57, of Neqotkuk, appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 11 after being arrested on a warrant. She was also charged with theft from the Superstore for the same incident and returns to court for plea on March 4 at 9:30 a.m.

Schloemer failed to appear for sentencing in provincial court on Jan. 30 after changing her plea to guilty on two other charges laid by RCMP and Woodstock Police. She was released from custody with conditions, and a new sentencing date was set for Feb. 14 at 1:30 p.m.

Schloemer was charged by RCMP with assault while threatening to use a weapon (a wooden stick) against another woman and committing mischief causing property damage to a window in relation to an incident on Oct. 3, 2021, at Neqotkuk.

Woodstock Police also charged her with shoplifting at the Superstore on April 20, 2023. She pleaded guilty to the store theft and the mischief charge. The crown withdrew the assault charge.

Remanded on breach charge

Jacob Alexander Roy, 27, of Windsor, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 10 to answer a breach charge laid by RCMP. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Feb. 19 at 9:30 a.m.

Roy was charged with breaching a release order by violating the conditions of his house arrest following an incident on Feb. 8 at Coldstream. A plea date will be set at his next court appearance.

Weekend in jail

Dynielle Allison Demerchant, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Feb. 10 after spending the weekend in jail.

Woodstock Police arrested Demerchant for breaching her curfew on Feb. 8. She received six months of house arrest in December 2024 after pleading guilty to other charges. She admitted to breaching her curfew and was released.

Fined $2,000

Joseph Sockabasin, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 and pleaded guilty to refusing a breathalyzer. He was fined $2,000 and was prohibited from driving for one year. He had no prior criminal record.

Sockabasin was charged in connection with an incident on Oct. 6, 2024, at Neqotkuk. The court heard police stopped him after his vehicle swerved on the highway and almost collided with an oncoming police car.

Arrested on warrants

Christian Shannon, 25, of Williamstown, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Feb. 11. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on March 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Woodstock Police charged Shannon with breach of probation between Jan. 30 and Aug. 16, 2024, in Woodstock; theft from Don’s Pawn Shop on April 30, 2024; and assaulting a female victim on Nov. 17, 2024, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). He was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court.

House arrest on three charges

Paul Sappier, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Feb. 11 after pleading guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. He received three months of house arrest and 12 months of probation.

Sappier was charged with impaired driving, resisting arrest, and flight from police for an incident on June 2, 2023, at Neqotkuk. He had a limited prior criminal record.

The court heard Sappier would be able to attend work and school during his house arrest. The last 60 days will involve only a curfew. He was also prohibited from driving for 18 months and must seek counselling as required.

Bedell man fined $2,600

Andrew Richardson, 37, of Bedell, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 and pleaded guilty to an impaired driving charge laid by Woodstock Police. He was fined $2,600 and was prohibited from driving for 18 months.

Richardson was charged in connection with an incident around 1 a.m. on March 3, 2024, near McDonalds in Woodstock. He had no prior criminal record.

Conditional discharge for assault

Bonnie Noel, 55, of Woodstock, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Feb. 11 after being found guilty of assault. She was handed a conditional discharge and 18 months of probation. Noel must also complete 50 hours of community service work.

Judge Karen Lee said the conditional discharge would allow Noel to secure future employment without having a criminal record. The judge also recommended she seek mental health counselling as required.

Noel appeared for trial in provincial court on two charges on Oct. 28, 2024. She was charged by RCMP with assault on a male victim and resisting arrest, stemming from an incident on Jan. 19, 2024, near North Lake. Judge Lee found Noel guilty of assault but not guilty of resisting arrest.

At an earlier court appearance, Noel pleaded not guilty to three more charges laid by RCMP. Her trial date was set for Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m. Noel was charged with assault, breaching an undertaking, and breaching a peace bond for an incident on Aug. 6, 2024.

Noel was also charged with breach of an undertaking (no contact) on Feb. 18, 2024, at Canterbury, breach of an undertaking (no contact) and breach of curfew on April 1, 2024, at North Lake, and breach of an undertaking (no contact) on Jan. 21, 2024, at North Lake.

She pleaded not guilty, and more trial dates were set for March 14 at 9:30 a.m. and June 13 at 9:30 a.m.

Released on an undertaking

Donald Nason, 63, of Hartland, will appear in provincial court on March 4 at 9:30 a.m. to answer an assault charge laid by RCMP.

Nason was charged with assault by choking involving a female victim concerning an incident on Jan. 2 in Hartland. He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.

Canterbury man charged

Chase Rodbard, 21, of Canterbury, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 to answer two sets of charges laid by RCMP. He returns to court for plea on March 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Rodbard was charged with impaired driving and driving while suspended on Oct. 26, 2024, at Hay Settlement and impaired driving and possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles) on Sept. 15, 2024, in Lower Woodstock.

Neqotkuk woman awaiting plea

Amy Moulton of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) will appear in provincial court on March 11 at 9:30 a.m. to answer two charges laid by RCMP.

Moulton was charged with impaired driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident following an incident on Sept. 28, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She was scheduled to enter a plea on Feb. 11 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

New trial date

Nicholas Adam Cullins of Ashland appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 to set a new date for his trial. He failed to appear in court for his trial on Feb. 7, and a warrant was issued.

Cullins pleaded not guilty to break, enter and theft at a storage facility on Popular Street in Woodstock on March 15, 2023. Woodstock Police laid the charge. His new trial date was set for Nov. 12 at 1:30 p.m.

Returning for plea

Ryan Fitzherbert, 30, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 to answer a stolen property charge laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until March 4 at 9:30 a.m.

Fitzherbert was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle on Oct. 23, 2024, at Pembroke.

Sentencing adjourned

Jerrica Bear of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Feb. 11 after pleading guilty to a forgery charge laid by RCMP.

Her sentencing was adjourned until May 13 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Bear pleaded guilty to uttering a forged document (three cheques valued at approximately $1,000) between June 23 and July 2, 2022, at Neqotkuk. The crown withdrew a second charge of fraud.

Awaiting plea on three charges

Jonathon Daniel Stockford, 36, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 for plea on four charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to consult legal counsel.

Stockford appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 21 after being arrested on a warrant. RCMP charged him with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving while suspended, and breach of probation concerning an incident on Aug. 21, 2024, in Woodstock. He has a lengthy prior criminal record.

Plea adjourned to new date

Seth McAskill, 21, of Wapske, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 to answer assault charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until March 4 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to secure legal counsel.

McAskill appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 21 and was released with conditions. He was charged with two counts of assault involving a female victim on Dec. 17 and Dec. 18, 2024, at Plaster Rock and breach of an undertaking by violating a no-contact order on Jan. 20 at Plaster Rock.

Centreville woman charged

Amber Dawn Shaw, 35, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court on March 4 at 9:30 a.m. to answer three charges laid by RCMP.

Shaw was charged with obstructing police, fraudulent impersonation and breach of probation following an incident on June 22, 2024, in Upper Woodstock. She appeared in court on Feb. 11 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

Moved to alternative measures

Alesha Rossi, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 for plea on three charges laid by RCMP.

Rossi was charged with assault involving a male victim, assault with a weapon (a chair), and uttering threats concerning an incident on Oct. 12, 2024, at Neqotkuk.

The court heard the matter is being moved to the alternative measures program. Rossi returns to court on Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m. for approval from the crown. Once she completes the program requirements, the charges will be withdrawn.

Charged with uttering threats

Brandon Lee Kinney, 25, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 to answer a threat charge. The matter was moved to the alternative measures program with the consent of the crown.

Woodstock Police charged Kinney with uttering threats stemming from an incident on July 19, 2024, in Woodstock. He has until May 13 at 9:30 a.m. to complete the requirements of the program in order to have the charge withdrawn.

Trial set on firearm charges

Brandon Chappel, 27, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 and pleaded not guilty to four charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Nov. 7 at 1:30 p.m.

Chappel appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 21 and was released with conditions. He was charged with pointing a firearm at another person, uttering threats, possession of several guns without a licence, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace in connection with an incident on June 15, 2024, at Plaster Rock. A monitoring date for his trial was set for Sept. 2 at 9:30 a.m.

Warrant on file

Stephen Pirie, 60, of Rowena, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Feb. 11 to set a date for his trial. He failed to appear, so a warrant was held on file.

Defence Counsel James Crocco attended court on his behalf, and a trial date for Pirie was set for Oct. 30 at 1:30 p.m.

RCMP charged Pirie with impaired driving following an incident on Oct. 20, 2024, at Perth-Andover. He pleaded not guilty a court appearance on Jan. 21.  A monitoring date for his trial was set for Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m.

New Demark man has two charges

Damian Pelletier, 30, of New Denmark, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Feb. 28 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

Pelletier was charged with driving while impaired by drugs and mischief causing property damage for an incident on June 30, 2022, in Waterville.

Not-guilty plea entered

Brock Perley of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Nov. 13 at 1:30 p.m.

Perley was charged with uttering threats and assault following an incident on Aug. 2, 2023, in Lower Knoxford.

Decision reserved after trial

Harlie Dominique Scott, 26, of Fredericton, appeared for trial in provincial court on Feb. 10 after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by Woodstock Police.  

Scott was charged with fleeing from police, dangerous driving, and driving while suspended concerning an incident on Feb. 6, 2021, in Woodstock. After a half-day of testimony, Judge Scott Brittain reserved his decision until April 10 at 1 p.m.

Trial scheduled for Neqotkuk man

Thomas Perley of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 for monitoring about his trial after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for May 26 at 1:30 p.m.

Perley was charged with refusing a breathalyzer and leaving the scene of an accident stemming from an incident on March 29, 2024, at Neqotkuk. Another monitoring date was set for Feb. 28 at 9:30 a.m.

Three trial dates set

Trevor Lee Crain, 49, of Killoween, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 11 to set new dates for his trial after pleading not guilty to multiple charges laid by RCMP. His trial dates were set for July 25 at 9:30 a.m., May 30 at 1:30 p.m., and Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m.

He was charged by RCMP with possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), resisting arrest, and breach of a release order in connection with an incident on July 1, 2024, at Killoween. He appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing in August and was released with conditions. The trial will be held on Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m.

He was also charged with breaking into a residence and committing sexual assault for another incident between May 1 and May 23, 2023, at Moose Mountain. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 25 at 1:30 p.m.

He also faces a charge of possessing stolen property for a separate incident on May 5, 2024.  The trial will be held on Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m.

Crain was charged by RCMP with break and enter at a dwelling house and breaching an undertaking on June 15, 2023, at Moose Mountain, and committing an assault involving a female victim on June 11, 2023, at Killoween. The trial on these matters will be held on July 25 at 9:30 a.m.

Crain is facing two more charges for incidents on July 11, 2023. His trial will be held on May 30 at 1:30 p.m. He returns to court on Feb. 18 at 9:30 to confirm another trial date for an incident on Dec. 27, 2024.

Charges diverted

Jessica Lynn Ouellet, 35, of Canterbury, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 10 for monitoring about her plea on two charges laid by RCMP.

Ouellet was charged with committing mischief causing property damage to a car, a truck, and a mailbox, and uttering threats concerning an incident on July 9, 2023, in Bloomfield.

The charges were diverted to the alternative measures program with the consent of the crown. Ouellet has until May 13 at 9:30 a.m. to complete the requirements of the program in order to have the charge withdrawn.

The post Woodstock Provincial Court: Perth-Andover man in custody after new charges first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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Even more snow than was originally expected for parts of New Brunswick on Thursday is in the forecast, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather service.

The federal weather service issued a special weather statement Monday, advising of as much as 15 centimetres of snow for most parts of New Brunswick except the southern coast.

But in the early-morning hours of Tuesday, Environment and Climate Change Canada upgraded that advisory to a snowfall warning for Thursday.

“Snowfall with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm is expected,” the new alert said..

“Snowfall rates of two to four cm per hour may occur over some locations. Snow is expected to mix with ice pellets Thursday afternoon and evening over Queens, Sunbury, and southern York counties.”

The snowfall warning is in effect for central and northern New Brunswick, and the snow is expected from Thursday morning until Thursday night.

“Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions,” the warning stated. “Take frequent breaks and avoid strain when clearing snow.”

Saint John, the southern shore, the Moncton area and southeastern areas of the province are subject to a special weather statement, calling for 15 cm for those parts of New Brunswick.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.

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The New Brunswick government has officially removed an Ontario construction company from three major bridge projects in the province, the company's lawyer says

A St. Stephen-area woman called the government to find out why she hadn't received her seniors' benefits. She said the answer was 'absolutely shocking.'

Danny Joyce has been fixing cars in Saint John for almost half a century. Here are his top tips on keeping your vehicle — and yourself — safe throughout the cold months.

The New Brunswick Medical Society is calling on Horizon Health Network and the Department of Health to cancel the virtual care service being tested at two rural emergency departments immediately.

As Canada gets hit by 25 per cent U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, imposed on Monday, the country is also on edge waiting to see if President Trump will follow through on his threat of universal tariffs next month. 

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A Lincoln man accused of assaulting a Mountie and trying to take away the officer’s weapon has been released on strict conditions pending the outcome of the prosecution against him.

Masoud Masoori, 33, of Nevers Road, was charged Friday with Feb. 6 counts of assaulting RCMP Const. Matthew Norzil while in the execution of his duty, attempting to disarm Norzil, and resisting Norzil and Const. Jeffrey Cameron.

The Crown objected to his release, and he was remanded pending a bail hearing set for Monday.

When the case was called in bail court Monday, though, counsel asked for the matter to be set over for a day and referred to plea court.

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Brothers Face Off in Thrilling NB U-20 Curling Final in St. Andrews + Downtown St. Andrews Development Hits Roadblock Over Sidewalk Issue + Premier Holt Heads to Washington Amid U.S. Tariff Talks

Original Broadcast Date: February 11, 2025

CHCO TV NewsBreak26 is an original CHCO Television production produced at the CHCO-TV studio in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.

Fredericton-based children’s author Janet Robinson discusses her debut book Never Wake a Sleeping Nanny and its follow-up You Can Have Mine on Southwest Magazine on CHCO-TV.

Original broadcast date: February 10, 2025

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

Sara Brinkhurst and Bessie Bartlett sit down with host Vicki Hogarth to talk about the Saint Andrews Tapestry Project, which aims to tell St. Croix’s history through embroidery.

Original broadcast date: February 7, 2025

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

Village of Grand Manan Regular Meeting of Council for February 2025 on CHCO Television.

Town of Saint Andrews Regular Council Meeting for February 3, 2025 on CHCO Television.

The night sky is filled with more than meets the eye, and New Brunswickers are lucky enough to have some of the best views of worlds that lie beyond our own. Stéphane Picard and Jordan Holmes of Cliff Valley Astronomy discuss what can be seen among the stars, the technology available to capture stunning photographs of galaxies and nebulas, and why our part of the country is one of the best places to observe it all.

Original broadcast date: February 6, 2025

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

The cause of the boil water advisory for the Municipal District of St. Stephen (MDSS) is the result of an issue with a pump during a repair late last month. 

Crews were doing routine daily maintenance on Jan. 29 when they were alerted to an issue. 

“During the repair, it was determined that the pump failure was a result of a constriction of a line running between the pump and well,” a statement from Mayor Allan MacEachern said. “This discovery necessitated the replacement of this line.” 

On Feb. 7, staff were able to bring the repaired pump and new line into service. 

“Testing taken at the reservoir outlet on Feb. 8 showed a level of turbidity in excess of regulated levels,” MacEachern said in a statement. “In according with protocols, Public Health was notified of our findings.” 

A boil order water advisory was issued on the advice of the Department of Health for the entire potable water system, encompassing the entirety of MDSS. 

“At this time the boil water order remains in place while municipal staff, supported by necessary contracted services, continue efforts to ensure that all contributing factors to this situation are identified and corrected,” he said in the statement. 

MacEachern said the town is fully aware of the inconvenience that this situation has on our community and “can assure you that we are working with the utmost urgency to correct the situation. 

Residents and businesses should continue to follow the boil water advisory until notified it has been lifted by Public Health. All water used for consumption, food preparation, or brushing your teeth should be brought to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute.

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A Fredericton man who recently denied a number of charges alleging a break-in into a woman’s rural home and revenge porn how stands accused of stealing a van and driving offences.

Chad Rex Kendell, 35, of York Street, appeared in Fredericton provincial court late last month, when he denied a variety of charges, mainly revolving around violent and harassing conduct toward a woman.

But he was back on the court docket Monday after being arrested on new counts alleged to have occurred in Fredericton over the weekend.

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A 22-year-old Doaktown woman is dead as a result of a single-vehicle crash in Boiestown on Monday afternoon, the RCMP reports.

The RCMP’s Blackville detachment issued a news release Tuesday morning about its response to a fatal accident the evening before in nearby Boiestown.

“On Feb. 10, at approximately 5:15 p.m., members of the Blackville, Doaktown and Sunny Corner RCMP responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash on Highway 8 in Boiestown,” the release said.

“The crash is believed to have occurred when the vehicle, travelling northbound, lost control and rolled over several times.”

The driver - a 22-year-old woman from Doaktown, who was alone in the vehicle - was transported to hospital for treatment, but she succumbed to her injuries there, police reported.

In addition to several Mounties, the release said, personnel with the Upper Miramichi Fire Department and Ambulance New Brunswick also responded to the scene.

“A member of the New Brunswick coroner's office and an RCMP collision reconstructionist are assisting with the ongoing investigation,” it said.

“An autopsy is scheduled to determine the driver's exact cause of death.”

The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.

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The post In Loving Memory of Matthew Tweedie first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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A Fredericton man who admitted months ago to drug-trafficking and weapons crimes changed his tune Tuesday, telling a judge he felt like he was forced into pleading guilty.

Scott Cameron Powers, 50, of Irvine Street, was scheduled to be sentenced in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday on June 16, 2023, charges of possessing methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and possessing a weapon (plastic knuckles) for a purpose dangerous to the public peace.

Judge Lyne Raymond said the court had received Powers’ pre-sentence report, but defence lawyer Michael Mallory said an issue had arisen that derailed the sentencing hearing.

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Saint John councillors have unanimously paved the way for a tiny-home project in the city's east end.

A new vital piece of medical equipment has finally arrived in Charlotte County. 

The CT scanner was brought to the Charlotte County Hospital at the end of January. 

Steve Backman, who is the president of the Charlotte County Hospital Foundation, said the assembly has begun. 

“We’re so excited to see it arrive, and we’re very happy that the construction phase is finally over, and we can actually see the light at the end of this tunnel,” he said. 

The scanner is not completely built yet, as many of its parts and components come in different boxes, but Backman said it is well underway now. 

“It has been a long journey, but we’ve had a tremendous amount of support from the community,” he said in an interview. 

Backman hopes the CT scanner will be up and running by March, but the timeline depends on many factors. (Steve Backman/Submitted)

The community alongside some generous donations and a telethon through Charlotte FM was able to raise $700,000 for the much-needed machine. 

Backman said he hopes the CT scanner will be up and operational by March, but its start-up depends on different factors. 

About 4,500 patients per year travel to Saint John for CT scans, according to Backman. 

“Some of them have to go multiple times for multiple scans,” he said. “That means you’re tying up an ambulance for seven or eight hours. You’re sending a nurse. So now paying other nurses overtime to make up those shifts. So having this here in St. Stephen is a huge benefit to our local community and to the staffing at the hospital.”

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An unhoused man accused of breaking into various locations in downtown Fredericton last fall and setting a fire in one of them has been released from custody on conditions.

Shawn Allan McLaughlin, 62, of no fixed address, was arrested Nov. 23 and charged with several break-ins and property crimes, and he was back before a Fredericton provincial court judge Monday, scheduled for a bail hearing.

He appeared remotely from the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre.

McLaughlin faces a long list of charges, mainly alleging property crimes.

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My family eats a lot of yogurt. It’s great for gut health, but at $7 per 650-gram container, the cost adds up quickly.

I refuse to pay full price for groceries, so until recently, I searched for half-off yogurt deals. However, even at $3.50 per container, that still adds up to more than $20 a month for just this one item. So, I decided to start making it myself.

Homemade yogurt is far superior to anything you can buy, and there are no added ingredients. It’s simply milk and a small amount of yogurt to serve as a culture to start the fermentation process.

I have been making homemade yogurt for the past several months. It’s straightforward but does take some time from start to finish.

I make four litres at a time. I start with this amount of whole milk and ¼ cup of plain yogurt, which I save from the previous batch. I pour the milk into my Instant Pot (a slow cooker will also work) and heat it to 180°F (82°C), then allow it to cool to 110°F (43°C). This usually takes a couple of hours. At that point, I whisk in the yogurt starter.

Next, I set the Instant Pot to the yogurt setting. If you’re using a slow cooker, simply place it on the keep-warm setting.

Then, all that’s needed is six to eight hours of waiting for the fermentation process to be complete. For a thicker yogurt, leave it for up to 12 hours. Once the yogurt is set, simply transfer it into storage containers and refrigerate. Sometimes I reuse clean yogurt containers, but most often, I store it in mason jars. This keeps for about 10 days in the fridge, which is just the right amount of time before we’re down to the last of it and I need to make a new batch.

The cost of four litres of milk is about $8. This produces six 650-gram containers of yogurt. At full price, that would cost $42. Simply put, homemade yogurt is both far superior and far less expensive than store-bought.

I use maple syrup and fruit to sweeten and flavour it. On its own, plain yogurt is also a great substitute for sour cream.

If you want to make a smaller batch, I recommend using one litre of whole milk and two tablespoons of plain yogurt (with live cultures).

The gut health benefits of yogurt come from lactic acid fermentation, which preserves it and creates its tangy flavour.

Yogurt is rich in probiotics—beneficial bacteria that promote a healthy gut microbiome, improving digestion and supporting a stronger immune system.

Some research suggests that certain fermented foods have anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the gut-brain connection indicates that probiotics may influence mood and cognitive function.

Next time, join me as we look at how to ditch pricey prepackaged convenience foods for homemade options that will save you both time and money.

Laverne Stewart has spent her entire career as a writer, journalist, and communications professional.She’s won multiple literary and journalism awards for her work. After a year in radio, she made the move to TV news, spending 11 years with CTV in Halifax, Saint John, and Fredericton. Stewart has also worked in government communications, most recently in the Office of the Premier. Stewart is a published author and now works on feature stories from her community and beyond. Her life is full and happy thanks to the people who are in it. She is married to her husband Robert. She is mother to Mary Louise and Nicolas. Also included in her family is Sally, a Labrador retriever, and three cats; Dusty, Joe, and Clancy. She can be reached at [email protected].

Fredericton city council has denied a request to change the facade of the Centennial Building, a decision the developer says puts into jeopardy his plan to turn the vacant building into apartments.

The Charlotte County Resource Centre has partnered with the New Brunswick Public Libraries to offer tech support to area seniors. 

Emma Keech said the resource centre, which is a nursing home without walls, saw a gap in computer lessons and many things associated with technology. 

“We wanted to empower all our seniors to use their technology as well as trying to close that digital divide,” she said, speaking in an interview with The Courier. 

According to Statistics Canada, about 74 per cent of people aged 65 years and older sent and received emails in 2022, which was an increase of about 7.7 per cent from 2020. 

However, only about 40 per cent of seniors use technology for banking purposes in 2022. 

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a lot of people to use technology in ways not typically done before, including for banking, government services, medical appointments, and working from home. 

Keech said the digital world never stops growing. 

“There’s no way to get around it, really,” he said.  “It is critical, I think, in day-to-day life now,”

“We’re just feeling that if we can help guide them and navigate that system for them or with them, it really lets them take control of their life and give them the choices to navigate the systems if they choose to,” she said. 

Every class and one-on-one session to date has been filled, although they take a break in the wintertime. 

Keith MacKinnon, who is the regional resource librarian for the Fundy Library region, has been doing the classes, travelling from Saint John. 

“I started off doing class sessions on how to search Google, how to use your iPad,” he said in an interview. “There were so many different questions that came out of that that were beyond the scope of the class that we decided we would do one-on-one tutorials.” 

He said questions ranged from simply how to use their cellphone, to how to pay their bills online, and how to store information on the computer. 

People have continued to come to these sessions armed with questions about technology. 

“I think they really need that contact to understand a wide variety of things,” he said. 

MacKinnon said the digital literacy aspect of these sessions is very important. 

“There’s no way to get around it, really,” he said.  “It is critical, I think, in day-to-day life now,” MacKinnon explained. 

He also said he learns from these sessions too, sometimes getting questions that require him to do a little bit more research, but he also understands digital literacy can keep seniors safe. 

“I think it’s just a matter of raising their awareness that there are so many scams out there,” he said. “They’re getting more and more clever, and it’s easier to be fooled by them.” 

The group hopes to resume the sessions by late March or April, once there is an improvement in the winter weather.

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Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather service is warning of a significant snowfall for later in the week that could be substantial enough to affect travel conditions.

The federal service issued a special weather statement at 5:17 a.m. Tuesday, alerting the public of the potential for a lot of snow for Thursday.

“Snow will begin Thursday morning and ending Thursday evening,” it said.

“Total amounts are likely to exceed 15 centimetres for some areas.”

Almost all areas of New Brunswick are subject to the special weather statements. The only ones excluded are Saint John and the southern shore of the province.

“Travel could become difficult as heavy snow may come during busy traffic hours,” the alert said. “Motorists should be prepared for winter driving conditions.”

The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.

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A Calgary man accused of fleecing a woman of cash in the capital region in 2023 will have to return to the capital area to stand trial on the charge in a year’s time.

Aikebaier Abulimiti, 56, of Copperstone Park in Calgary, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by telephone Monday to answer to a June 6, 2023, charge alleging he defrauded Chloe Butt of less than $5,000 in cash in Oromocto.

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The City of Fredericton is preparing to bring in zoning changes that would give homeowners the right to split a home into four separate units without needing to first go through the city's zoning amendment process.

Two of the most recognizable brands in the Maritimes say newly announced cuts to immigration programs will have a devastating impact on their workers.

Chief Judge Brian C. McLean tells Rodney Butler his actions caused “horrible effects” for victims and his family

Rodney Butler has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on eight charges related to the kidnapping and violent assault of a Scott Siding man in 2021.

Butler, 50, of Bulls Creek, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for his sentencing on Feb. 10. In addition to his prison sentence, Chief Judge Brian C. McLean ordered him to register with the federal DNA database and prohibited him from firearms for life.

Judge McLean told the court Butler’s violent actions created  “horrible effects” for his victims and others in the community, including his own family. Butler’s young son is now left without both of his parents.

“Mr. Butler lost his spouse, and he will be incarcerated away from his son during his formative years,” McLean stated.

Christine Pelletier-Thibodeau died from a gunshot wound to the neck during a shootout outside Butler’s residence on the night of the kidnapping. Her family blames Butler for her death. No charges related to her killing have been laid.

RCMP charged Butler with intentionally discharging a firearm while reckless as to the life and safety of another person, indictable assault, uttering threats, using a handgun to kidnap Chris Demerchant, unlawful confinement, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, possession of a firearm without a licence, and illegal possession of a firearm in a vehicle on Nov. 13, 2021, at Bulls Creek. Butler had a limited prior criminal record.

Judge McLean found him guilty on all eight counts after a five-day trial.

On Monday, the court heard Butler struggled with depression and personal loss, including other family and friends he served with in the United States military. His pre-sentence report revealed he had been gainfully employed for most of his life and remained compliant with his release order during the lengthy court process.

Judge McLean recommended Butler seek help for substance abuse, grief and mental health counselling. He noted Butler showed remorse and took responsibility for his crimes. Police never recovered the loaded handgun used in the kidnapping.

There was testimony during the trial that Butler shot Pelletier-Thibodeau accidentally during the mayhem. Butler refuted that evidence, saying he believed she was shot by one of two intruders on his property who came to rescue Demerchant and fired shots at his house.

Pelletier-Thibodeau was the first to see movement outside their residence. She was armed with a loaded shotgun when she stepped out the basement door and fired several shots into the yard. Minutes later, she fell to the ground, fatally wounded.

On Jan. 13, Butler was jailed to await sentencing. (His 27 days in remand will be applied to his 10-year sentence). At that court appearance, he told Judge McLean he took part in the shootout, but he was not responsible for her death.

“I fired at random but they shot her,” Butler contended. “I wish I had stepped out that door first.”

Butler expanded further about the fateful day, revisiting details about picking up Demerchant in Scotts Siding, as well as shots fired in the woods at Ryan Purvis, Demerchant’s friend, and the vehicle chase that followed. (Purvis got away but died later in an unrelated drowning in Woodstock).

“The biggest regret of my life is what transpired,” Butler stated. “I wasn’t the only one involved, but I’m the only one left standing. For three years, this has been hanging over my head. I’ve worked hard and never had any serious problems with the law. I just wish I had stayed home (that day).”

Defence Counsel Alex Pate asked the court to extend compassion to Butler, who was “heartbroken” over the death of his former partner, who “died in his arms.”

“She was a party to the offence, but she didn’t deserve that,” said Pate.

The defence argued Butler’s actions were not pre-meditated, explaining he decided to confront Demerchant on the spur of the moment and while under the influence of drugs. Pate said Butler’s problem with Demerchant was about an unpaid debt, and tensions grew as the day unfolded.

Crown Prosecutor Rodney Jordan stressed Butler’s crimes were “violent and serious,” leading to a stand-off and shootout, which ended in gunfire and death. He argued Pelletier-Thibodeau’s demise could not be considered a mitigating factor because she was a party to the offences.

During the trial, Chris Demerchant testified he believed he was taken to Butler’s residence at Bulls Creek to be executed.

“He held a gun to my head and told me a human being skinned out looks like a bear skinned out,” Demerchant said during the trial. “I feared for my life.”

Clutching his hat in his hand, Demerchant spoke calmly from the witness stand and went through the events of the day ending in Pelletier-Thibodeau’s death. He testified he was sitting at home at his kitchen table with two friends when Butler and Pelletier-Thibodeau arrived just after supper.

Butler was angry. He stabbed a knife into the table, head-butted Demerchant in the face and pulled out a handgun.

 “I said I don’t know who you are,” Demerchant recalled. “He went crazy. He lost his mind.”

At the time, Demerchant and Butler were close friends who worked together to tear apart old vehicles for scrap metal. Butler operated a salvage yard near his home.

The day before the shooting, Demerchant and another friend, Ryan Purvis (now deceased), were in Butler’s yard when an argument began at the end of the driveway.

Butler and Purvis were yelling at each other about a licence plate. In his statement to the police, Demerchant said he heard Purvis make threats toward Butler. Purvis then left on foot and caught a ride back to Demerchant’s home in Scott Siding, where he was living at the time.

The next day, Butler and Pelletier-Thibodeau showed up at Demerchant’s home looking for Purvis. Demerchant told them Purvis was up the road in the woods near Benton to jump-start a car. The two men had spent the day cutting fir tips. Butler said he wanted to go find Purvis.

“He told me I was going with him,” Demerchant testified.

Demerchant said they loaded him into the backseat of Pelletier-Thibodeau’s Ford Escape at gunpoint. Butler sat next to him. As the vehicle started moving, Butler pistol-whipped Demerchant around the head with a nine-millimetre handgun and threatened to shoot him in the knee. Thibodeau was behind the wheel at the time while Butler’s friend, Timothy Grant, was in the front passenger seat.

A few minutes later, they pulled into the wooded area where Purvis was located. Butler got out of the vehicle, and Demerchant heard a series of 10 gunshots. Then, Demerchant saw Purvis speed off in the van he had borrowed to boost his car. Butler returned to the backseat of the Ford Escape, and they raced after Purvis toward Scott Siding.

Demerchant said he was “dazed up” and bleeding profusely when he looked up from the backseat and saw he was back home. There was no sign of Purvis. He saw his van parked in the driveway go into reverse, strike a mailbox and go into a ditch.

Demerchant said he tried to get out of the Ford Escape at that point but fell to the ground. Then Butler and Pelletier-Thibodeau attacked him with their boots.

“I took a shit-kicking on the road,” Demerchant told the court. “It was a pretty good beating.”

Demerchant struggled to his feet, and they loaded him back into the Ford Escape. Butler was next to him again in the backseat. Pelletier-Thibodeau was still driving with Timothy Grant in the front passenger seat. They headed for Earle DeLong’s residence at Dead Creek.

Everyone went inside. Butler told Demerchant to go wash the blood off his face. Then Butler took him to the kitchen and sat him on the floor. Pelletier-Thibodeau began poking Demerchant with a shotgun and threatened to cut his throat. Other people were in the room at the time, but no one had said a word about what was happening.

A few minutes later, Butler, Pelletier-Thibodeau, and Demerchant climbed back into the Ford Escape and drove about 20 minutes to Bulls Creek. This time, Timothy Grant was not in the vehicle, having left the area on foot.

“I asked them to take me home,” Demerchant said about the ride to Bulls Creek. “I said this is crazy.”

At Butler’s residence, they all went into the basement. Demerchant sat on a wooden chair in the dark. He had a beer and waited. Butler kept the handgun on him while Pelletier-Thibodeau continued to jab him with a shotgun. He looked around the room and saw another gun, noting Butler was ex-military. His phone rang. It was his brother, Troy Demerchant.

“They told me to tell him I’m alright, don’t worry about it,” Demerchant testified. “I had a gun to the side of my head.”

Soon after the phone call, Troy Demerchant drove into Butler’s driveway in his truck. Troy Demerchant shouted for Butler. In response, Pelletier-Thibodeau and Butler both opened fire into the yard. Suddenly, Pelletier- Thibodeau was hit.

“When she got shot, everything went silent,” Chris Demerchant testified. “That’s when I got out of there.”

As Demerchant ran past Pelletier-Thibodeau, he heard her say: “You shot me Rodney.”

“He shot her in the back of the neck,” Demerchant told the court.

Demerchant said he ran outside and down the driveway. His brother, Troy, was still under gunfire when he yelled for him to call 911. Demerchant said he took refuge in a ditch and then went to a neighbour to get a ride home to Scott Siding.

There was no one home when he arrived. He sat by his video surveillance monitor, watched and waited. The next morning, the RCMP was in his yard. They took him to the police station. Paramedics checked him and later went to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. He said his recovery was long and painful.

Demerchant admitted he had a prior criminal record. Several photos of his head, neck and facial injuries were entered into evidence by the crown, along with other photos of a bloody backseat in the Ford Escape, the yard and basement at Butler’s residence and the area outside Demerchant’s house in Scott Siding.

Under cross-examination, Demerchant testified he did not hear any exchange of gunfire even though a window in a door leading to Butler’s basement was shattered as if someone had shot at the house. Demerchant said he did not know if Purvis was outside with his brother. After Pelletier-Thibodeau was shot, he said he ran for safety. He could still hear gunfire behind him as he fled toward the road.

In rendering his verdict, Judge McLean described the trial as a “saga about the aftermath of a feud” over vehicles for salvage and bad feelings between Butler, Ryan Purvis, and Demerchant that escalated into violence and revenge.

The post Bulls Creek man sentenced to 10 years for kidnapping, violent assault first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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The same day that police announced a drug-trafficking bust that netted quantities of suspected fentanyl and morphine, the suspect whom they arrested was released on consent of the Crown.

The Fredericton Police Force issued a news release Monday afternoon about an arrest and drug seizure effected by its officers and others with an integrated enforcement unit (IEU) Jan. 30.

It said Shawn Mitchell Wright was arrested in that police operation.

“Police seized 21.07 grams of fentanyl, along with various other drugs, cash and weapons,” the release said.

“Wright was held in custody pending a future court date.”

And the suspect was held in custody - until Monday morning, hours before the police force issued the release.

Wright, 48, of Neighbourly Way, appeared in Fredericton provincial court remotely from a provincial jail for a bail hearing Monday morning.

However, the hearing didn’t proceed as scheduled, as prosecutor Patricia Gillett said the Crown was withdrawing its objection to Wright’s release, provided he abides by the conditions included in a judicial release order.

Judge Mélanie Poirier LeBlanc issued that order Monday morning.

Wright is accused of Jan. 30 counts of possession of fentanyl and morphine for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of $545 believed to be the proceeds of crime.

He also faces a Nov. 25 charge of personal possession of methamphetamine.

The judge ordered him to return to provincial court March 3 to elect mode of trial and enter pleas.

The police news release said the investigation linked to Wright’s arrest is ongoing.

It noted that IEU teams consist of Mounties, officers with New Brunswick’s nine municipal forces and peace officers with the provincial Department of Justice and Public Safety.

The goal of the IEU teams are disruption of violence, the use of firearms and drug trafficking in New Brunswick.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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By Brian Owens, The Courier 

Residents of St. Stephen are advised to continue boiling their water before drinking or using it to prepare food.

The advisory was first issued Saturday morning due to turbidity (cloudiness) in the municipal water supply, which indicated it may be unsafe to drink and could cause serious illness.

The turbidity was caused by ongoing repairs to the pumping system at the water source, according to an alert sent out by the town. The advisory is expected to remain in place for 3-5 days. A further update is expected by Tuesday morning.

In 2023, an infrastructure failure at the town’s main well led to a boil water advisory that was in place for more than a week, also due to turbidity. It is not clear whether the repairs that led to the current advisory are related to that issue.

Jeff Renaud, the town’s chief administrative officer, did not respond to requests for comment.

During a boil water advisory any water to be used for cooking, drinking, food preparation, making ice, or brushing teeth should be brought to a rolling boil for one minute.

It is generally not necessary to boil water for bathing, showering, laundry or washing dishes, though you should take care not to swallow any water while bathing or showering.

Local businesses and institutions affected by the advisory are making do the best they can.

“It hasn’t been too bad, except we can’t use our ice machine or serve tap water,” said Mary Cunningham, owner of the Border Café.

The café’s coffee machines reach a high enough temperature that they can continue to be used as normal, she added, and the lack of ice is less of an issue in February than it would be in July.

“If it was summer we’d probably have to be buying sacks of ice,” she said.

At a quieter-than-usual Carman’s Diner at lunchtime on Monday, server Nicki Lemay said business had been slow, but was not sure whether that was related to the water issues. The staff had been hard pressed to boil enough water to keep the coffee flowing on Sunday morning, she said.

“It’s extra work but we’re persevering,” she said. “This isn’t the first time we’ve had to deal with it.”

Carman’s has bottled water available for drinking, but they are trying to avoid clearing out all of the stock from local stores so that there is enough for the rest of the community, said Lemay.

St. Stephen High School advised students to bring full bottles of safe drinking water with them to school until further notice, and temporary water coolers will be available at the school for refilling.

Horizon Health Network said in an email statement it has put the necessary interventions in place at the Charlotte County Hospital. (CCH).

“Signage has been placed throughout the facility for awareness and bottled drinking water has been made available for patient and staff consumption,” the email said. “All clinical treatments that involve water such as dialysis have been evaluated to ensure safety. As a standard of care, CCH has a water filtration and purification system for the administration of dialysis.”

It is continuing to monitor the boil water advisory and ensure necessary measures are in place until it has been lifted.

U.S. President Trump's plan to levy 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum tariffs would put New Brunswick in a bind.

A judge will decide in April how long a Moncton killer should serve in prison before becoming eligible for parole.

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City hall let Frederictonians know Monday that it’s going to be a tricky time to make one’s way through the downtown core, as one block of a key street will be closed all week.

The City of Fredericton posted on social media that King Street between Carleton and Regent streets will be closed to traffic all week due to the ongoing construction of the new courthouse.

The reason: workers will be installing windows in the future site of the Fredericton Law Courts, it said.

There will be alternate routes to key facilities that people normally access from that block of King Street, the city said.

“Access to Barker House Lane will remain available via Regent Street,” the Facebook advisory stated.

“Access to the parking lot east of the NB Power Building will be available from Carleton Street.”

Motorists are advised to plan their routes through the area with those restrictions in mind, and they’re encouraged to be patient as the courthouse construction continues.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.

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A Tracyville wood-products company is accused of new workplace-safety violations in the wake of an August accident involving a drill press at its Tracyville facility.

Marwood Ltd. was charged with three counts under the provincial Occupational Workplace Health and Safety Act after a WorkSafe New Brunswick investigation into an incident last summer.

The company is accused of failing to take every reasonable precaution to ensure the health and safety of its employees by modifying its hydraulic system without an evaluation of risk of injury; failing to establish a written lockout procedure for a timber incisor, and failing to provide directions on the safe use of machines used in its workplace.

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A Fredericton man has gone missing, and the city police force is turning to members of the public for help in finding him.

The Fredericton Police Force issued an alert through social media early Monday afternoon, asking for the public’s assistance in locating Joshua Robert Wright, 38, of Fredericton.

“Police have made several attempts to locate him without success, and there are concerns for his well-being,” it said.

No photo of the missing man was available.

Wright is described as being about six feet tall, with brown eyes and black hair.

Anyone who has been in contact with Wright, has seen him or otherwise has information on his whereabouts is urged to call Fredericton Police Force at 506-460-2300.

Those 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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Food Depot Alimentaire, the non-profit responsible for distributing the New Brunswick government’s free breakfast program to 135 schools, says the 160 other schools in the province will have the program by September.

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A Grand Lake-man accused of murdering two people last fall had two different lawyers turn up in court Monday to represent him.

Mark Elley, 42, of Route 123 in Red Bank, near Chipman, appeared in custody and in person in Fredericton provincial court Monday.

The RCMP’s major crime unit charged him last month with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Robert (Robbie) Wayne Waugh, 47, and Victoria King, 23.

Their bodies were found in a burning Chevrolet Equinox on Midland Road in Midland, near Chipman the morning of Nov. 25.

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Police have security images of two suspects who broke into a Plaster Rock business more than two weeks ago, and they’re hoping members of the public can identify them.

The Perth-Andover detachment of the RCMP issued a news release Monday, reporting its officers are investigating a break, enter and theft at an area business.

“The incident is believed to have occurred between 1:20 a.m. and 1:48 a.m. on Jan. 25, at a business on Old CN Station Road, in Plaster Rock,” it said.

“Two individuals arrived on foot and forcefully gained entry to a building by breaking the lock and damaging the garage door, and stole a three-ton chain hoist, a propane torch, a chainsaw, a leaf blower, fuel and a propane tank.”

The RCMP says the pair also broke into a vehicle and caused significant damage to it.

The release was accompanied by grainy stills from security footage depicting the two suspects, and police asked anyone who recognizes either of them to provide information.

“The first individual is described as having a small build. At the time of the incident, he was wearing blue coveralls, gloves, a red toque and a black balaclava,” the release said.

“The second individual is described as having a medium build. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a black jacket, black pants, a grey toque, gloves and a red balaclava.”

Area residents who may have witnessed suspicious activity or others who might have information that could aid the ongoing investigation are urged to call the Perth-Andover RCMP at 506-325-3000.

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

The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.

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The Saint Andrews RCMP is seeking the public’s helping following a break, enter, and theft in the community, according to a release from police.

RCMP said the theft occurred on Feb. 4 between 4:15 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. at a business on Augusta Street. According to police, an individual used his vehicle to force open a security fence to gain access to a storage facility.

It says the individual is believed to be a man.

“At the time of the theft, he was wearing a high-visibility safety jacket, dark-coloured pants, and green rubber boots,” the police said in the release.

It is alleged the individual stole a quantity of scrap metal, five 20-pound barbeque propane cylinders, a 100-pound barbeque propane cylinder, and a number of small and large blue C-25 mixed gas cylinders.

“The truck and some of the stolen items have since been recovered,” police said in the release.

Anyone with information that could further the investigation should contact the Saint Andrews RCMP at 506-755-1130 or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Police release photos, looking for two suspects

The Perth-Andover RCMP is asking for the public’s help to identify two persons of interest following break, enter and theft in Plaster Rock, N.B.

The incident is believed to have occurred between 1:20 a.m. and 1:48 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2025, at a business on Old CN Station Road in Plaster Rock.

Two individuals arrived on foot and forcefully gained entry to a building by breaking the lock and damaging the garage door, and stole a three-ton chain hoist, a propane torch, a chainsaw, a leaf blower, fuel and a propane tank. They also broke into a vehicle at the time of the break, enter and theft, causing significant damage.

Police are now releasing video surveillance photos of the individuals in the hopes that someone can identify them. The first individual is described as having a small build. At the time of the incident, he wore blue coveralls, gloves, a red toque, and a black balaclava. The second individual is described as having a medium build. At the time of the incident, he wore a black jacket, black pants, a grey toque, gloves, and a red balaclava.

Anyone who lives in the area witnessed suspicious activity or has information that could help further the investigation is asked to contact the Perth-Andover RCMP at 506-325-3000. 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 investigation is ongoing.

The post RCMP looking for public’s help in solving break-and-enter in Plaster Rock first appeared on River Valley Sun.