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A Fredericton man is in custody and awaiting a bail hearing after being arrested this week on allegations of theft and assault at a business in the city earlier this month, police report.

The Fredericton Police Force issued a news release Wednesday afternoon about a Jan. 11 incident at a King Street business involving an alleged theft and assault.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered that an individual had stolen from a store, assaulted an employee when approached and fled the scene,” the release said.

“The victim sustained minor injuries.”

Officers identified Kirk Peterson from video footage of the incident, it said, and arrested him Monday.

He appeared in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday and charged with counts of summary assault, theft and breach of probation, stemming from the Jan. 11 incident.

Peterson also faces unrelated counts of theft, assault, breach of probation and mischief causing damage to property.

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

The Fredericton Independent can be reached at [email protected].

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NB Liquor (ANBL) says some internal and external business emails and phone numbers were accessed in a cyber incident that occurred on Jan. 7. 

It says it has concluded its investigation into what happened. 

“There was no access to personal or financial information from an employee, customer, or partner perspective,” said CEO Lori Stickles. “At the tail-end of the investigation, it was determined that an internal business directory was accessed.” 

Internal emails with @anbl.com and external partners – vendors and agents – were accessed, according to the statement. 

It said the information accessed is “largely publicly available already.” 

ANBL said it takes its responsibility as a Crown corporation seriously and followed its internal process for potential information breaches to ensure no personal information was compromised. 

“After confirming the information that was accessed did not include personal information, out of an abundance of caution, we notified the affected partners to be extra vigilant to phishing attempts to their business emails,” Stickles said in the statement. 

It also notified the Office of the Ombud of New Brunswick. Both NB Liquor and Cannabis NB were impacted by the disruption to its point-of-sale system but reopened to all forms of payment on Jan. 19.

Southwest Magazine is an original CHCO-TV production filmed on location in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.

After calling 31 witnesses, the Crown is expected to close its case when Zakkary Reed’s first-degree murder trial resumes in Saint John Thursday morning. 

A plan to establish a tiny-home community of 75 to 80 homes in east Saint John has the support of the city's planning advisory committee.

Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin has decided not to run in the next federal election.

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Three teenage boys awaiting trial by jury on a manslaughter charge will be back in youth court this summer for a preliminary inquiry to test the Crown’s case against them.

The young trio - two from the Fredericton area and one from the Woodstock area - are jointly charged with manslaughter stemming from the September 2024 death of André Bourgeois, 41, of Grande-Digue, on Sept. 22.

The Fredericton Police Force allege the teens assaulted Bourgeois in the Tannery courtyard in downtown Fredericton in the early-morning hours of Sept. 22, and that the victim died Sept. 27 as a result of injuries sustained in that fracas days earlier.

The boys elected last week to be tried by a Court of King’s Bench judge and jury, and Fredericton youth court Judge Pierre Gionet set the matter over for a week so the lawyers could co-ordinate their schedules.

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A Minto man denied an indictable charge alleging a sexual offence in 2022 Wednesday and requested a chance to plead his case for conditional release pending trial.

Codie Nicholas McNeill, 24, of Northside Drive in Minto, appeared in Fredericton provincial court in person and in custody Wednesday.

He faces an indictable charge alleging he sexually assaulted a complainant in Minto between Sept. 28 and 29, 2022.

There’s a court-ordered publication ban in place prohibiting the dissemination of information that would tend to identify the complainant.

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Thousands of N.B. Power customers in the Edmundston area lost electricity Wednesday morning for a second day while extremely cold temperatures continued in the region.

A second man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of two people whose bodies were discovered in a burnt-out SUV in Chipman last fall.

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Three of six suspects arrested last week at Welamukotuk (Oromocto) First Nation when RCMP officers carried out a drug raid will face charges at a later date, the Mounties report.

The New Brunswick RCMP issued a news release Wednesday morning, indicating officers embarked on a drug-trafficking investigation Jan. 9 in the indigenous community in Oromocto.

“On Jan. 16, 2025, at approximately 5 a.m., members of the Oromocto RCMP and the New Brunswick RCMP’s emergency response team executed a search warrant at a residence on Waasis Road in the community of Oromocto First Nation,” the release said.

“During the search, police seized quantities of what is believed to be cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription medication, drug paraphernalia and cash.”

Five people were arrested at the scene without incident: two women from the First Nation, aged 34 and 48; a 47-year-old Burton man; a 38-year-old man from Geary; and a 40-year-old man from Oromocto.

Officers also arrested a 40-year-old Welamukotuk man a short time later, it said, at a residence on Moccasin Lane on the First Nation.

The men from Burton and Welmukotuk remain in custody on unrelated cases, the RCMP reported Wednesday, while the 40-year-old Welamukotuk woman was released on conditions and a promise to appear in court at a later date to face charges.

The other three people who were arrested - the Geary and Oromocto men, and the 34-year-old woman - were released, the police said.

Welamukotuk Chief Shelley Sabattis and others in the community have complained publicly that the community hasn’t received sufficient support from the RCMP to deal with a serious drug problem in the community, which they blame on non-indigenous outsiders on the First Nation.

Sabattis and eight others from the community are facing break, enter and assault charges stemming from an alleged instance of vigilantism April 29 during which a man accused of drug trafficking at Welamukotuk was attacked.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached at [email protected].

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The RCMP’s major crime unit has charged another man in connection with a double-murder, stemming from the discovery of two bodies in a burning vehicle near Chipman last fall.

A Mountie brought Corey Agnew, 34, of Minto, to the Fredericton courthouse Wednesday morning in custody, and soon thereafter, he made an initial appearance in Fredericton provincial court.

The RCMP’s major crime unit laid new charges against him, alleging he committed first-degree murder Nov. 25 in the deaths of Robert (Robbie) Wayne Waugh, 47, and Victoria King, 23, on Midland Road in Midland, near Chipman.

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Man has 162 days left to serve after guilty plea

Curtis Brent Hatheway, 45, of Woodstock, appeared for sentencing in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 20 after changing his plea to guilty on several charges laid by Woodstock Police.

He received 300 days in jail minus time served. The court heard he has 162 days left to serve once his remand time is applied.

Hatheway appeared in custody by video on Nov. 21, 2024, for a bail hearing. He waived his bail and was remanded to jail. He was arrested on a warrant. On Jan. 20, he told the court that he planned to leave the Woodstock area following his release from jail.

Hatheway pleaded guilty to three counts of breach of probation and three counts of breaching a peace bond between June 30 and July 8, 20204, Sept. 13, 2024, and between May 24 and Sept. 16, 2204, in Woodstock. He had a lengthy prior criminal record. The charges involved a female complainant.

More charges of breaching an undertaking, breach of probation, breach of a peace bond and criminal harassment between Sept. 14 and Sept. 16, 2024, in Woodstock, were withdrawn by the crown and his trial was cancelled.

Six months house arrest

Jeret Lee Everett of Wakefield appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Jan. 21 after changing his plea to guilty on four charges laid by RCMP. He received a conditional sentence order of six months of house arrest and a 10-year prohibition on firearms.

Everett pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking, possession of a firearm (a 12-gauge shotgun) without a licence, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun, and improper storage of a firearm. The crown withdrew one other firearm charge.

Everett was charged in relation to a police check of a vehicle on Oct. 27, 2023, in Florenceville-Bristol. He was held in custody for a bail hearing and released with conditions.  He had a dated and limited prior criminal record.

The court heard police pulled over a vehicle for speeding on Route 107 near the Bristol Elementary School. A shotgun, bear spray and a machete were found in the vehicle. All weapons seized by police were forfeited to the crown.

Arrested and released with conditions

Jonathon Daniel Stockford, 36, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 21 after being arrested on a warrant. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on Feb. 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Stockford was charged by the RCMP with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, and breach of probation in connection with an incident on Aug. 21, 2024, in Woodstock.

He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond on a separate shoplifting charge for another incident on Aug. 6, 2024, at the BMR Hardware Store in Hartland. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn.

Stockford was ordered to stay away from the hardware store under the conditions of the recognizance. He had a lengthy prior criminal record.

Wapske man released with conditions

Seth McAskill, 21, of Wapske, appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 21 after being arrested on charges laid by RCMP. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on Feb. 11 at 9:30 a.m.

McAskill 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.

Charged with trafficking in cocaine

Jacob Richard Sewell, 34, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea on drug trafficking charges laid by Woodstock Police.

Sewell was charged with two counts of trafficking in cocaine in connection with incidents on April 24 and May 2, 2024, in Woodstock. He appeared in court on Jan. 20 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.

Warrant issued

The court issued an arrest warrant for Joshua Adam Demerchant, 35, of Pembroke, after failing to appear for a provincial court trial on Jan. 20.

Demerchant pleaded not guilty to several charges. Woodstock Police charged him with two counts of breaching a release order stemming from incidents on Oct. 18, 2023, at Pembroke and Dec. 4, 2023, in Woodstock.

RCMP also charged him with possession of stolen property (an ATV) and failing to stop for police in connection with an incident on July 12, 2023, near Hartland. 

Demerchant appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 4, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.

Greenfield man has two charges

Dustin Arthur Hawksley, 29, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 21 to answer two new charges laid by Woodstock Police.

Hawksley was charged with assault involving a female victim and breach of a peace bond following an incident on Jan. 11 in Woodstock.

He returns to court for plea on Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m.  He was released on an undertaking to have no contact with the complainant.

Aroostook man fined $2,600

Curtis Pirie, 29, of Aroostook, was fined $2,600 when he appeared in provincial court on Jan. 21 for refusing a breathalyzer demand.

RCMP charged Pirie in connection with an incident on Jan. 1 at Perth-Andover. He had no prior criminal record. The court heard Pirie was stopped by police around 1:15 a.m. and was caught with open liquor in his vehicle.

Bustard sentencing adjourned

Mason Bustard, 18, of Woodstock, appeared for sentencing in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 20 after changing his plea to guilty on several charges laid by Woodstock Police.

His sentencing was adjourned, and his defence counsel requested that a monitoring date be set for Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m.

Bustard was denied bail on Aug. 8. He pleaded guilty to uttering threats against a female on July 24, 2024, in Woodstock and guilty to breaking into a garage on Houlton Street, wearing a mask during the commission of an offence, and assault with a weapon (a knife) on July 16, 2024, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew two other charges.

Bustard was arrested after police received a report of an armed intruder who entered a yard on Houlton Street on the morning of July 16, 2024, and approached a woman while holding a knife. The man’s face was partially covered with a mask or scarf.

He instructed the woman to go inside her house. She immediately complied and locked the door behind her. The man then went inside her garage before eventually leaving the area.

Bustard is scheduled for trial on Feb. 7 on charges of breach of a release order, possession of prohibited weapons (a sawed-off shotgun and brass knuckles), possession of a firearm without a licence, and possession of a loaded prohibited firearm and ammunition without a licence on July 28, 2024, in Woodstock.  The court heard a resolution may be pending on these charges.

Police made their arrest after spotting a suspect on Houlton Street around noon on July 28. The individual fled on a bicycle into the woods and was pursued by officers on foot. During the chase, the suspect discarded various items, including a sawed-off shotgun, brass knuckles, and a mask, which were retrieved later by an RCMP police dog.

Sentencing adjourned, trial date set

Mitchell LaFrance, 26, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 21 for sentencing on one matter and then plea on other charges laid by RCMP.

At the request of his defence counsel, his sentencing was adjourned until Jan. 28 at 1:30 p.m. LaFrance pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking by failing to comply with a no-contact order at East Brighton on Oct. 2, 2023.

He also pleaded guilty to criminal harassment for incidents between Aug. 28 and Sept. 25, 2023, in Lower Brighton, involving the same female complainant. The court heard he tried to contact the same female victim hundreds of times by phone, text message and on Facebook. The crown withdrew a threat charge.

LaFrance pleaded not guilty to other offences, and a trial date was set for Jan. 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

LaFrance appeared in court in custody by video on Dec. 16, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him in connection with an alleged breach of his house arrest on Dec. 7, 2024. He pleaded not guilty.

RCMP also charged LaFrance with breaching a no-contact order for an incident on Sept. 21, 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol. He also faces a charge of assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim stemming from an incident on July 19, 2024, at Carlingford. He pleaded not guilty.

Guilty verdict on sex charge

Matthew White, 42, of Upper Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 21 for a verdict following his trial on a sex charge laid by RCMP. Judge Karen Lee found him guilty, and his sentencing date was set for April 22 at 1:30 p.m.

White was charged with invitation to sexual touching involving a female minor in connection with an incident on June 3, 2023, in Bloomfield. He pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations during the trial.

Trial set on two charges

Shawn Sullivan, 38, of Plaster Rock, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Jan. 21 for plea on two charges laid by RCMP.

He did not appear but was represented by Defence Counsel Alex Carleton, who entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. A trial date was set for Dec. 17, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

Sullivan was charged by RCMP with assaulting another man and breach of probation in connection with an incident on Nov. 23, 2024, at Plaster Rock and Gladwyn. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant. Sullivan had a prior criminal record. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 12, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.

Sentencing adjourned on sex charge

Ryan Coles, 33, of Drumheller, Alberta, will appear in provincial court on March 10 at 1:30 p.m. for sentencing on one sex charge laid by RCMP.

Coles was charged with touching a female minor for a sexual purpose, invitation to sexual touching, and sexual assault in connection with an incident on Sept. 2, 2022, in Perth-Andover. 

On Oct. 9, 2024, Coles appeared in provincial court for the continuation of his trial and changed his plea to guilty of touching a female minor for a sexual purpose (indictable). The remaining two charges will be withdrawn by the crown at sentencing.

The court heard the victim testified at length during the trial about being sexually assaulted by the accused. A SnapChat conversation was also entered into evidence by the crown.

Crown Prosecutor Samantha Goodine said she would seek a jail sentence for Coles, while Defence Counsel T.J. Burke advised he would request a conditional sentence order of house arrest. 

Chief Judge Brian C. McLean requested victim impact statements and a pre-sentence report before sentencing. A sentencing date was first set for Feb. 21 but was adjourned to March during court proceedings on Jan. 21.

Nortondale woman to be sentenced

Kayley Ann Briand, 23, of Nortondale, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 14 at 9:30 a.m. for sentencing after pleading guilty to an impaired driving charge.

Woodstock Police charged Briand with an incident on May 17, 2024, in Woodstock. At the request of her defence counsel, her sentencing was rescheduled for Jan. 21.

Centreville woman charged

Amber Dawn Shaw, 35, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 11 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 Jan. 21 when the matter was adjourned to allow her more time to secure legal counsel.

Shoplifting charge withdrawn

Elizabeth Alice Davidson, 54, of Nackawic, appeared in provincial court on Jan. 21 to answer a theft charge.

The RCMP charged Davidson with shoplifting at Nevers Pharmacy in Hartland on March 4, 2024. At the crown’s request, the charge was withdrawn, and the matter was dismissed.

Bail hearing scheduled

Brycen Trae Stewart, 28, of Lakeville, will appear in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 22 at 9:30 a.m. for a bail hearing after being arrested on warrants.

Woodstock Police charged Stewart with dangerous driving, fleeing police, and breaching his curfew on Dec. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. He was also charged with breaching a no-contact order on Jan. 13.

A warrant was issued for Stewart’s arrest after he failed to appear in court to answer charges on Dec. 10, 2024. He also failed to appear in court on Oct. 30, 2024, and an arrest warrant was issued at that time.

He was charged with two counts of breaching his release order (curfew) concerning incidents on Sept. 24 and Oct. 8, 2024, in Woodstock. He appeared in court in custody via teleconference on Oct. 22, 2024, and was released with conditions.

He was also charged with breaking into a dwelling house on May 25, 2024, in Killoween and possessing a stolen vehicle on Aug. 4, 2023, in Lakeville. He is still awaiting plea on those charges as well.

Trial continues for Centreville man

Stacey Harry Broad, 57, of Centreville, is scheduled to appear in provincial court in custody on Jan. 22 at 9:30 a.m. to continue his trial.

Broad appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 23, 2024, and was denied bail. He pleaded not guilty to multiple assault charges laid by RCMP, and the first part of his trial was held on Dec. 11, 2024.

Broad was charged with uttering threats, assault, assault by choking, sexual assault and unlawful confinement involving a female victim and breach of probation in connection with an incident in the County of York between April 3 and April 10, 2024.

He was released from custody with conditions but was re-arrested a few days later on a charge of breaching his release order. He later pleaded guilty to mischief, and his sentencing was set for Jan. 22 at 9:30 a.m.

Awaiting sentencing on multiple charges

Bradley Tyler Whitney, 42, of Newbridge, will appear in provincial court for sentencing on Jan. 22 at 9:30 a.m. after changing his plea to guilty on multiple charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP.

Whitney appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 4, 2024, and was released with conditions until his sentencing. The court heard he was entering a rehab facility in Moncton and would remain there under house arrest.

Whitney appeared in court on Aug. 26, 2024, and was denied bail. He pleaded guilty to forging a doctor’s prescription for Dilaudid on July 30, 2024, in Woodstock, guilty to causing property damage to a dwelling house on Slipp Street, guilty to uttering threats, and breach of probation on July 14, 2024.

He also pleaded guilty to a separate theft charge under $5,000 for an incident on Dec. 17, 2023, at Madawaska First Nation. The crown withdrew two other charges of fraud and using counterfeit money (a $100 American bill) on Jan. 1, 2024, in Newbridge.

Whitney pleaded not guilty to other charges of assaulting a female victim, uttering threats and breach of probation on Aug. 24, 2024, in Woodstock, and assault with a weapon (a torch) involving a female victim between July 1-28, 2024, in Woodstock. His trial date was set for Jan. 22. He had a limited prior criminal record.

Returning for plea

Joseph Sockabasin of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) will appear in provincial court on Feb. 11 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by RCMP.

Sockabasin was charged with refusing a breathalyzer demand in connection with an incident on Oct. 6, 2024, at Neqotkuk. He made his first court appearance on Jan. 21, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

Adjourned to new date

Brian Keith Reynolds, 45, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Jan. 21 to answer several charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

RCMP charged him with uttering threats against a female victim, breach of probation, and driving while suspended, stemming from an incident on Oct. 8, 2023, in Bloomfield. He pleaded not guilty and returns to court on Feb. 25 to set a trial date.

Reynolds was also charged with two counts of resisting arrest on Nov. 1, 2023, and Nov. 27, 2023, at Wotstak. He also faces two new charges of assault and assault with a weapon concerning another incident on Aug. 4, 2024, at Wotstak. He returns for plea on those charges on Feb. 25.

Reynolds appeared in provincial court in custody in July and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.

The court heard he is also facing two breach allegations for incidents at Wotstak on Dec. 10, 2024, and between Nov. 11 and Nov. 23, 20204.

The post Woodstock Provincial Court: Guilty plea results in jail sentence first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Saint Andrews council is implementing a policy to help people seeking financial assistance for their water bills.

Chief administrative officer Chris Spear said the town staff re-checked the data, which showed that a small number of households saw spikes in their water bills, some increasing by triple or more.

“In some cases, we went back and did meter readings in early January and their consumption was still very high indicating a leak within their homes,” he told the council through his report. “In other cases, the consumption was appropriate for larger households, but still financially high.”

He said because of concerns from both council and staff a policy was developed to help some residential customers.

Spear explained that the town operates under a consumption-based system, and those who use more for various reasons will pay more.

Spear said his research revealed the average person uses about 250 litres of water per day or about 25,000 gallons per year.

The council was in support of this new policy, which would allow staff to handle each request for financial assistance instead of them coming to the council for individual approval.

A section was added to require the water bill up to the date of the request for assistance to be in good standing in order to receive credit.

The policy was passed unanimously.

Vitalité Health Network says access to primary health care continues to improve after it signed agreements with six additional local family health teams in the last quarter, ending in December.

A suspended Moncton structural engineer faces more lawsuits alleging design flaws in buildings that require repairs.

Looking back on 2024 and forward to 2025

RVS: What do you consider the highlight of 2024 for Woodstock?

TJ: The success we’ve seen with events in 2024 certainly tops the list of our accomplishments and highlights what we are capable of. We saw the return of the snowmobile races, which was a tremendous success, the first Family Day-focused events that had huge participation, a region-wide total solar eclipse event, a massive Canada Day event, and many, many other successful returning events that are too endless to list.

We have so many great organizations hosting tremendous events in our community, and with the 2025 budget, we hope it shows that the council intends to build on the momentum of 2024. We want to continue to look for ways we can better support events, whether that is financially, with improvements to infrastructure, or by assisting with our own resources. Events provide opportunities for our community members and visitors to participate in many experiences in arts, music, culture, sports, etc., and they all contribute to an economic spinoff for our local businesses.

RVS: What do you consider 2024’s biggest disappointment?

TJ: One of our biggest challenges continues to be with water infrastructure. It was certainly apparent in February of 2024 with a huge water break that required significant time and effort to fix. The timing lined up with the return of the snowmobile races that saw thousands of people in attendance, and that break caused a lot of disruption to our local businesses.

We also had to deal with the discovery that one of the two wells that make up our only water source was in a state beyond repair. On the flip side, we have made tremendous progress in the past year with repairing and fixing our water and sewer infrastructure, and with every repair, we have gained better control over all of the system. It’s the one resource we cannot live without, so it continues to be a top priority for this council.

We acted fast and with urgency to dig a third well that will help secure our only water source and we hope to have that operating in full by spring of 2025. The fast timeline we’ve been able to achieve on this required a large hands-on approach from our own team, and consultants, and the provincial government, and we are thankful for the assistance we’ve received.

RVS: What are your biggest hopes for Woodstock in 2025?

TJ: We are hopeful that the provincial government will come through with a plan for fiscal reform for 2026 and beyond. Smaller, rural areas struggle to find other revenue sources that are significant enough that would allow us to alleviate our reliance on property taxes to fund all our service and infrastructure needs.

We know this government is also looking at how property taxes are structured. Time will tell if any changes there will have a positive impact on our situation, but I’m in full support of the property tax system review for our province.

RVS: Significant decisions on the future of the town hall complex will come in 2025. What do you see as the ideal solution for the locations of the fire hall, town hall and police station?

TJ: What we know for certain is that the current facility on Main Street, which is home to the Woodstock Police Force, Woodstock Fire Department, and the majority of the town administration, is not adequate. We have already displaced the town council and some administration staff, but as we look to expand the WPF, we will need to displace the entire town administration, even if temporarily.

We want to continue to make use of the building on Main Street, so we will be working with consultants to help us determine which group is best suited to use that space for the long term. Ideally, the other two departments would share one building, but that would mean finding suitable land large enough and affordable enough in the right location.

We are currently looking at land options, and we are also hoping to secure a temporary home for the administration staff early in 2025.

RVS: The town has made great strides in future housing development, but affordable housing seems elusive. What steps can the town take in this regard?

Depending on your definition of affordable housing, I think we will have a number of announcements in 2025 that will help provide affordable housing options in our community that meet CMHC’s definition of affordable housing. We are excited by the potential of the projects that we have on the horizon and we look forward to sharing more about these projects as soon as we are able.

RVS: Utility costs are rising, and questions remain about a second water source and rising costs. Will 2025 bring answers, including how the town will deal with the costs associated with the failed Grafton well?

TJ: As was shared in our last council meeting of 2024, our second council meeting (of 2025) on Jan. 28 is dedicated solely to all things water. We will be sharing what we’ve accomplished in 2024, our 2025-2027 infrastructure plans, the effects of current costs on water rates and what customers can expect for rate increases in 2025 and 2026, and the council will consider a proposal on long-term rates from the staff. I will also share an update on the Grafton well project.

The post Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones’ year-end Q & A first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Town of Saint Andrews Regular Council Meeting for January 20, 2025 on CHCO Television.

The jury in a Saint John murder trial has finally heard the results of a long-talked-about gunshot residue test in the case. 

Trump Says Tariffs Could Hit February 1; Premier Holt and MP Williamson Prepare New Brunswick for Impact + Team Adams Wins Curling Provincials in St. Andrews + Ann Manuel’s “Breath” Opens at Sunbury Shores

Original Broadcast Date: January 21, 2025

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

N.B. Power will undergo an independent audit after thousands of customer complaints about December power bills, which for many were hundreds of dollars higher than expected.

The province and utility are getting complaints from customers about bills showing an unexpected spike in power usage, spurring the government and board of directors to launch an independent audit.

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A missing Cape Breton man might be in New Brunswick or Maine, the Nova Scotia RCMP advised Tuesday as it turned to the public for tips on his whereabouts.

Troy Gould, 53, of Inverness, N.S., has been reported as missing to the Inverness County District RCMP, the force said in a news release Tuesday, and police are seeking the public's assistance in locating him.

Gould is described as being 5’10” tall, weighing 250 pounds, with short black hair.

“He may be in New Brunswick or Maine,” the release said.

Anyone with information on Gould’s whereabouts is urged to call Inverness County District RCMP at 902-625-2220 or local police where he might be spotted.

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 crimestoppers.ns.ca.

Tipsters can cite police file no. 2025-65127.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached at [email protected].

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New Brunswick's official languages commissioner says she's disappointed that Premier Susan Holt isn't moving faster to implement recommendations from a three-year-old report on bilingualism.

A water main break has forced the early dismissal of students at St. Stephen elementary.

“There has been a water main break affecting Kings Court, including St. Stephen elementary school,” according to a message on Alertable, the town’s notification system.

Students were dismissed today at 1:30 p.m. The water will be turned off until the repair is complete, the alert said.

Roads in the immediate area of Kings Court are closed, which has several businesses including Carmen’s diner and Stationary Plus.

“This will remain in effect until the break is repaired, but is expected to end at 6 p.m. today,” the alert said.

Another update will be provided if the outage is prolonged.

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Editor’s note: This report includes comments made in court by the journalist who wrote this piece in objecting to a publication-ban motion.

A judge ruled Tuesday there was no evidence to justify an order banning the location of an alleged assault and the faiths of the two high-school girls involved in the altercation last year.

A Leo Hayes High School student of Jewish heritage - along with her father, acting in the capacity of her litigation guardian - filed a notice of action and statement of claim last fall in the Court of King’s Bench in Fredericton seeking damages for alleged assaults perpetrated by another girl at the school April 30,.

The lawsuit claims the incidents - one in the school, and another off school grounds on the date in question - were motivated by anti-Semitism.

The girl accused of assaulting her is of the Muslim faith.

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Around 4,900 residents in the city of Edmundston and the surrounding area are without electricity in severe cold.

MLA Margaret Johnson told CBC she received dozens of complaints in the past week from constituents upset that their power bills had doubled. 

To mark the 10th anniversary year of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action, UNB Saint John is beginning a year of programming, starting with an Indigenous Film Festival.

Some renters in New Brunswick will soon have more access to curbside recycling under a program offered by Circular Materials, but a deadline for their landlords is coming up soon.

Many New Brunswickers may be feeling blue when they head to their mailboxes this week.

Property assessment notices are now in the mail, the province announced on Monday.

More than half of properties — around 57 per cent — will see their assessments increase by up to 10 per cent.

Another 30 per cent will see even higher increases, though many will qualify for the spike protection mechanism.

It does not include properties with new construction or major improvements, those that have been recently sold and property values set by legislation.

Twelve per cent of properties will see no changes while less than one per cent will see their assessments go down.

While a number of municipalities lowered their tax rates for 2025, many residents will still pay more in taxes due to the higher assessments.

New Brunswickers who want to request a review will have until Feb. 19. Property tax bills showing the amount owed will be mailed on March 3.

“We are continuing to experience property assessment growth across New Brunswick,” Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy, who is also minister responsible for Service New Brunswick, said in a news release.

“A strong real estate market and new construction are directly impacting that growth.”

Overall, New Brunswick’s assessment base grew by 8.7 per cent over the past year, or $7.8 billion, to a total of $97.2 billion.

Residential properties shouldered $6.9 billion of that increase with non-residential accounting for just $900 million.

Of the province’s major cities, Dieppe saw the largest assessment base increase at 12.8 per cent — one of 19 municipalities that saw its assessment base grow by more than 10 per cent.

As for what is driving the increase, new construction accounted for $2 billion while reassessments made up the remaining $5.8 billion.

Networking – it is a situation where you thrive, or which can make you nervous. Networking is an important aspect of advancing your career and may seem daunting to some, but it doesn’t have to be. Networking can be from getting to know a new person to going to an event. There are also different types of networking – speed networking, networking events, lunch and learns, coffee events, volunteering, or simply getting to know your neighbors and those in your community.

So how do you effectively network while having meaningful conversations?

Attend events – There are events that you can join. Typically, you can find these events on Eventbrite or Facebook events if you search for local events. Many job fairs, workshops, and other related events can be found on these websites. These resources provide you with information about what to expect at these events and on Facebook you can follow the conversation of what others are saying about the event in the discussion tab. Attend events that suit your interests.

Conversations – When you are going out to meet new people it is important to remember to ask them questions and practice active listening. Don’t be afraid to ask open-ended questions and always be receptive to new ideas that you may hear about from other people. This is especially important when you are networking in business. People will have all different kinds of businesses and may even be willing to collaborate with you on projects if your skills match. The key thing to remember when networking or getting to know new people is that you never know who you will meet so going in with an open mind is important. And always remember to bring business or contact cards so you can stay in touch with those you meet.

Follow up and stay connected – After going to a networking event one thing a lot of professionals practice is keeping in touch with who they met. When you network, you don’t need to connect with everyone in the room. Make it a point to make 1 to 3 solid connections. Get their contact and follow up with them through email or on social media sites like LinkedIn. Send a message with a simple hello and what you enjoyed or found interesting about your conversation. Always enter a networking connection with how you can be of help!

Networking is an important part of the career-building process. The key point to remember is that networking doesn’t stop when you get a job, you should always continue to go out and meet new people. After building relationships (some can turn into friendships) you will have a network of people you can connect with should you have a project you need help with, your company is searching for a new candidate to fill a role, or many other opportunities.

Jennifer Bouley is a Career Development Practitioner located in St Stephen. She has a passion for helping others find wellness in their careers, while finding fulfilling jobs. Jennifer can be reached at [email protected].

Ruins of rink destroyed by a fire nearly 100 years ago will become property of Moncton. The city plans to demolish parts of the structure that have been deemed unsafe.

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A Manitoba man is set to appear in court in Fredericton next month to answer to a serious allegation of sexual assault in the capital last summer.

Damen Henry Wasicuna-Ledoux, 22, of Sioux Valley, Man., made his first appearance in Fredericton provincial court Monday by telephone to answer to an indictable charge.

He’s accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Fredericton on June 23.

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A growing number of university students across the country are reporting disabilities — and receiving academic accommodations — with Maritime institutions leading the way.

Scallop fishers in the Bay of Fundy are keeping an eye out for a creamy-white species that grows on the seafloor and would be described by some as gross.

Mayor hopes the letdowns of 2024 become highlights of 2025

As he reflects on 2024, District of Carleton North Mayor Andrew Harvey can list several highlights, including “lots of significant projects.” 

As he reviews the past year, the mayor also recalls significant lowlights, but he says that’s the reality of running a municipality. 

“Disappointments,” Harvey said. “There’s always disappointments.” 

One major disappointment stands out in the form of a landmark bridge across the St. John River. 

“The Higgs government’s failure to begin restoration of the Old Florenceville Bridge,” Harvey said as he identified one of the year’s greatest disappointments. “It was disappointing we couldn’t get anything done.” 

In October 2023, the provincial government announced to great fanfare its plans to begin restoring the historic bridge in the heart of downtown Florenceville-Bristol in 2024. By June, however, the government had pulled its plan, citing the high costs of its requests for proposals (RFPs).

After the bad news of 2024, Harvey hopes the new government and new Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Chuck Chaisson can deliver good news about the bridge in 2025. 

The mayor said he met with the new minister and plans to sit down with him and department officials early this year. 

“We want a participant in the solution,” Harvey said, although he acknowledged the district doesn’t have the funds to be part of the financial solution. 

While one of Carleton North’s infrastructure landmarks delivered a significant disappointment, another was one of the highlights of 2024. 

Harvey cited the opening of the R.G. ‘Bun’ Veysey Active Living Centre as a special moment in 2024. 

The project to undertake a massive expansion of the former Northern Carleton Civic Centre began under the former Florenceville-Bristol council in 2020. COVID and supply chain issues significantly delayed construction. 

The District of Carleton North finally celebrated the grand opening of the modern recreation complex on June 8, 2024. 

The centre was at the heart of another of Harvey’s 2024 district highlights — the visit and speech from Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield as part of the solar eclipse celebrations on April 8. 

Clear skies over Western New Brunswick, including Carleton North, made the region one of the best locations in the world to witness the total eclipse. 

Harvey said Hadfield’s visit enhanced the already once-in-a-lifetime experience. He said more than 11,000 people enjoyed Hadfield’s presentations, not including the astronaut’s visits to local schools. 

Another area of infrastructure growth in 2024 which pleased Harvey involved housing. He said the district worked with developers to deliver more housing, adding he and the council expect to continue the growth in 2025. 

After struggling to meet the increased demands and staff requirements accompanying municipal reform on Jan. 1, 2023, Harvey said the new district solidified its administrative operations over the past year. 

He said the recent hiring of the district’s public safety manager, who will work with the six fire departments, EMO and police, filled the last available position. 

Heading into 2025, Harvey acknowledged the district faces several challenges but also appears on the cusp of several new highlights. 

After the province tabled a comprehensive plan submitted in 2024 by Carleton North and Hartland to create a municipal force to replace the RCMP’s coverage of the communities, Harvey said the future of policing in the area will remain a hot topic in 2025. 

The mayor noted that the Department of Public Safety didn’t reject the policing plan outright but explained that it required more study. 

Harvey hopes that in 2025, Carleton North will be part of a comprehensive provincewide plan to address New Brunswick’s policing issues. 

The Carleton North mayor said several provincial-municipal partnerships will be at the forefront this and the following years. 

Harvey called it “puzzling” that plans for a new K-to-8 school didn’t appear in this year’s provincial capital budget. He added that education officials assured him that the already announced school is expected in the near future. 

Harvey said the community had already identified a site along Route 130 for the school. 

The mayor also wants to work with the province to pursue a collaborative health centre. 

“We need movement on that, too,” he said.

With the retirement of two prominent doctors in 2024, the community is searching for new health officials to work with the remaining family physicians. 

“We’re working on trying to get a new doctor here,” Harvey said. 

Harvey said the new provincial government, which took office late in 2024, will need to work closely with municipal governments to address several issues, including health care, policing and municipal financing. 

He said municipal governments cannot afford to deliver required services to their residents under the current system. 

Harvey hopes the new year means new ideas and new partnerships. 

The post Successes and disappointments in the District of Carleton North first appeared on River Valley Sun.

43-year-old Chipman man arrested by RCMP Jan. 19

Charges have been laid against a 42-year-old man from Chipman following a double homicide investigation in the same community.

On Nov. 25, 2024, at approximately 8 a.m., members of the Chipman RCMP detachment responded to a report of a vehicle on fire off the Midland Road in Chipman. There were two people inside.

When police arrived at the scene, they located the bodies of two individuals inside a vehicle that had been consumed by fire. Early in the investigation, it was determined that their deaths were the result of a double homicide.

On Jan. 6, 2025, the New Brunswick RCMP’s Major Crime Unit (MCU) released the names of the victims in connection with the double homicide. The victims were identified as 47-year-old Robert Waugh, originally from the Nackawic-Millville area, and 23-year-old Victoria King, originally from Sheffield.

On Jan. 19, 2025, members of the MCU, West District RCMP and the Emergency Response Team arrested a 42-year-old man without incident at a residence on Route 123 in Chipman in connection with the homicides.

On Jan. 20, 2025, 42-year-old Mark Elley appeared in Fredericton Provincial Court and was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Robert Waugh and Victoria King. He was remanded into custody and will reappear in Fredericton Provincial Court on February 10, 2025.

The investigation is ongoing.

The post Charges laid in Chipman double homicide first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Now in its third week, Zakkary Reed's first-degree murder trial heard Monday from a firearms expert about the shotgun police believe is the murder weapon.

A 42-year-old man from Chipman has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of two people whose bodies were discovered in a burnt-out SUV in the community in November, RCMP say.

Tackling New Brunswick’s Housing Crisis: Peter Corbyn to Host Call for Collective Action in St. Andrews on January 27 with CHCO-TV

The housing crisis in New Brunswick isn’t just a headline—it’s a reality felt across the province, and Peter Corbyn, Executive Director of the New Brunswick Nonprofit Housing Association, wants you to be part of the solution. On January 27th from 7pm to 8:30pm, Corbyn will take the stage at the WC O’Neill Arena Theatre in St. Andrews for his interactive talk, “Let’s Solve the Housing Crisis.”The event aims to spark meaningful dialogue, rally the community, and explore actionable solutions to one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Admission is free, and donations to local non-profit Neighbourhood Works will be accepted at the door.

Corbyn isn’t pulling punches about the scale of the problem. “In Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton, there are 1,500 people unhoused right now,” he says. But the real story lies beneath the surface. For every individual visible in shelters or on the streets, countless others are on the brink—struggling to pay soaring rents, couch-surfing, or living in unsafe conditions. “This crisis affects everyone. It’s not just the people you see,” Corbyn adds.

The roots of the problem are deep, spanning decades of neglect. Corbyn points to a drop in government funding for nonprofit housing that began in the early 1990s. “A lot of us in the nonprofit housing sector will say we were abandoned 30 years ago,” he explains. Combine this with the trend of bigger homes for fewer people, and the result is a system out of balance—a province where housing supply simply doesn’t meet demand.

Corbyn likens the housing crisis to the climate crisis, stressing that collective action is essential. “It’s about the small things everyone can do,” he says, comparing steps like switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs for the environment to small but significant actions that could alleviate housing shortages.

There are glimmers of hope, particularly in communities like Miramichi, where local contractors Blair Martin and Jesse Tucker are redirecting their efforts toward nonprofit housing. Their work shows how local expertise can help meet housing needs without waiting for large developers to step in. In rural areas, Corbyn sees opportunity in leaning on tight-knit networks and tapping into provincial rent supplement programs to incentivize private developers to build affordable units.

One of the most striking success stories comes from Moncton, where Rising Tide transformed a dilapidated Victorian house into a rooming house that slashed emergency service calls by 97%. What started as scepticism from neighbours turned into a rallying cry: “Yes, in my backyard.” The project’s success illustrates how affordable housing can uplift an entire community, shifting perspectives and improving quality of life.

Corbyn’s vision for the future is ambitious but grounded. He aims to see nonprofit housing grow from its current 3.5% of Canada’s housing stock to 20% within the next 20 years. “It’s doable,” he says, “but it’s going to take real investment, smart partnerships, and a shift in priorities at every level of government.”

His talk in St. Andrews promises to be more than a lecture—it’s a call to action for New Brunswickers to come together and tackle the crisis head-on. “There’s a role for everyone to play,” Corbyn insists. Whether it’s volunteering time, advocating for policy change, or simply staying informed, the path to a more equitable housing future starts with collective action.

For those looking to make a difference, January 27th is the date to mark on your calendar, from 7pm to 8:30pm at the WC O’Neill Theatre in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.

Parliament is officially prorogued until March 24 following Prime Minister Trudeau’s resignation. Meanwhile, south of the border, Donald Trump is back in the Oval Office and threatening tariffs on Canadian goods. So, what does this mean for the state of our nation? John Williamson, MP for New Brunswick Southwest, joins CHCO-TV’s Vicki Hogarth in studio to discuss all this and more.

Original Broadcast Date: January 20, 2025

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

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A Fredericton man has been missing for almost a week, the Fredericton Police Force reports, and it’s turning to the public for help in locating him.

The city police force issued an alert on social media Monday afternoon, reporting that Christopher Kierstead, 45, of Fredericton, was considered missing.

“Keirstead was last seen on Jan. 14, 2025, in the downtown area,” it said. “Police have made several attempts to locate him without success.”

This marks the second time Kierstead had been reported as missing in the past several months.

The police force indicated last summer that he’d gone missing in late June, but followed up a couple of days later to report that he’d been found.

Anyone with information on Kierstead’s whereabouts this time around is urged to call the 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.

Tipsters can cite police file no. 25-956.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached at [email protected].

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New Brunswick’s snowfall accumulations have been declining over the past few years, as annual average temperatures continue to rise.

Right to Information request reveals four years of patient and family concerns

The Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville has received 157 complaints about the delivery of health care at the facility in the past four years.

Under a Right to Information Request (RTI) filed by the River Valley Sun, Horizon Health Network released its record of complaints about URVH from 2020 to 2024.

There were 37 complaints about the hospital emergency department between 2020 and 2022. Within that number, 24 pointed to problems with quality of care or wait time. Eight complaints were about the behaviour and attitude of staff, including medical and nursing staff.

Three complaints were about hospital policy on visitation and wearing masks during the pandemic. There was one complaint about communication and confidentiality, while one patient visiting emergency was critical about their expectations not being met.

Horizon Health records indicate all of the complaints were handled internally by the head of the emergency department, an attending physician, a nurse manager, an executive and administrative director or a facility manager.

Another 13 complaints were filed between 2020 and 2022 about various other departments in the hospital, again mostly about quality of care and staff behaviour and attitude.

“Feedback and concerns are addressed on an individual basis and assigned to different levels of leadership, depending on the patient/families’ expectations,” said Janice Melanson, access to information coordinator for Horizon Health. “In all cases, the manager or the administrative director, or the chief of staff is made aware.”

Melanson explained that several actions can be taken to resolve a complaint, including interviewing the staff member involved, reviewing documentation, peer evaluation, mentoring, staff education, and ongoing monitoring of care.

“Changes resulting from concerns or feedback are dependent on each case and each department. Each case gives Horizon an opportunity to serve future patients and families better and provide conciliatory closure with previous patients and families through transparent communications.”

Laura Russell of Canterbury disagrees. She has been waiting nine months for her concerns about URVH to be resolved and says communication with healthcare officials has been less than transparent.

After the death of her loved one at URVH in April of 2024, she confronted hospital staff, wrote letters, and contacted the provincial Department of Health to request a review of medical care being delivered in Waterville.

In August, Russell met with a patient advocate with Horizon Health in Fredericton to discuss her concerns but received no reply despite her follow-up calls and emails.

In October, Russell wrote to Margaret Melanson, the president and chief executive officer for Horizon Health, again with no reply. She noted Melanson was the patient advocate she met with in August.

“There are questions to be answered and issues to be addressed about the delivery of healthcare in Waterville,” Russell said. “I have been unable to get any answers.”

Most of all, Russell wants to see the results of a CAT scan given to her loved one, whom she was told had terminal cancer. She acknowledged she was not named next-of-kin on his medical file, but she had written consent from the next-of-kin to be informed.

Records show that between 2022 and 2024, URVH received 107 complaints, 62 of which concerned the emergency department. Again, the majority of complaints centred around quality of care, wait times, and staff behaviour and attitude. The information indicates that most cases were resolved.

Russell said her family member was a patient in the emergency department before being moved upstairs to medical/surgical/palliative care and then to the alternative level of care (ALC) unit for seniors, where he died.

The records from URVH indicate that 11 complaints were filed about medical, surgical, and palliative care on 2 East (floor) in the past two years.

Five complaints were filed about the ALC unit on 2 North (floor) within the same period. One complaint referred to patient/family expectations. However, the outcome section is left blank.

Russell said she had no knowledge about whether her complaint was officially filed with Horizon Health, but she was not surprised by the total number of complaints received about URVH.

“I’m surprised the numbers are not a lot higher,” said Russell. “There are lots of things that don’t get reported. To me, quality of care does not exist at that hospital.”

Within the RTI package from Horizon Health, information was also provided about various hospital policies, including the management of patient and family feedback and concerns.

This policy states there is an “escalation process” for patients and families who are not satisfied with the investigation of their complaint, noting they can go to the Ombud NB or the NB Seniors Advocate for further assistance with their case.

Horizon Health also shared policies on patient safety and “harmful incidents,” which outline definitions for an apology from a hospital and the disclosure of information by healthcare providers.

The policy on patient safety states: “employees, medical staff, students and volunteers are accountable to ensure patients and families are partners in care leading to improved health, quality of life and well-being.”

The post URVH received 157 complaints about health care deliery since 2020 first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Recent dramatic growth in New Brunswick’s property assessment base is slowing down for the second year in a row provincewide — but the four largest cities are still seeing major increases in values.

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A Chipman man has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of a man and woman found in a torched SUV in Chipman in November, the RCMP reports.

Mark Elley, 42, of Chipman, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in Fredericton provincial court Monday, the New Brunswick RCMP said in a news release.

The allegations stem from the deaths of Robert (Robbie) Wayne Waugh, 47, and Victoria King, 23, both of the Fredericton area.

Their bodies were found in a burning Chevrolet Equinox off Midland Road in Chipman the morning of Nov. 25, the RCMP reported previously.

The release said members of the RCMP’s major crime unit, West district detachment and emergency response team arrested Elley at a home on Route 123 in Chipman on Sunday in connection to the double homicide.

Elley has been remanded and is set to appear back before a provincial court judge Feb. 10.

The investigation is ongoing, the RCMP said in the release.

The RCMP’s major crime unit released a photo of a red Corolla on Dec. 10 it said was believed to be linked to the homicides.

It’s unclear at this point if that car has any connection to Elley.

People charged with murder don’t have an automatic right to bail. Such defendants have to apply to the Court of King’s Bench for a bail hearing if they so choose.

Those charged with murder also don’t have the option of choosing their mode of trial, as such cases are automatically directed to the Court of King’s Bench for trial by judge and jury, unless the provincial attorney general consents to a judge-alone trial.

Typically, a preliminary inquiry would be held in provincial court to determine if there’s sufficient evidence to set such a case over for a jury trial at the higher level of court, but in recent years, the Crown has filed preferred indictments in homicide cases.

That’s an option available under the Criminal Code of Canada to allow the prosecution to skip the preliminary-inquiry phase.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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A Fredericton woman took advantage of two vulnerable women, draining their bank accounts and securing nine loans against a victim’s house to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars, court heard Monday.

Florence George Yousef, 57, of Willington Court in Fredericton, appeared at the Burton Courthouse on Monday before Court of King’s Bench Justice Richard Petrie.

She previously admitted two counts of fraud, stemming from events in which Sheila Amos Betty Fairley were taken for tens of thousands of dollars.

Monday’s court date was supposed to be a hearing to hear testimony to iron out the exact facts of the case, as the defendant was disputing some of what the prosecution was alleging.

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Team Adams from the Capital Winter Club has retained the title for the 2025 Provincial Women’s Curling Championship – securing the team’s spot in the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. 

“It’s such an amazing feeling,” said Skip Melissa Adams. “We won it last year, to win it two years in a row is always tough. The competition is really tough.” 

The tournament lasted three days in a TKO format – where teams played two shifts per day, which began on Jan. 16. 

Adams said the team is very excited to go to the Scotties. 

“We’ve been there before, we know what it is like, and we like going,” she said. 

She said the team’s motto was to “play every game like it Sunday” – showing grit and determination to remain champions of the tournament, which was held at the Heather Curling Club in Saint Andrews. 

“We had a lot of close games,” she said. 

Adams has been curling since she was young – winning bronze at the Canada Winter Games in 1995. She has one gold medal, as well in the World Juniors Championship in 1998. She has been to Scotties six times in her career, which is held this year in Thunder Bay, Ont. 

Her team includes Jaclyn Crandall (third), Kayla Russell (second), Kendra Lister (lead), Molli Ward (alternate), and Alex Robichaud (coach). 

The team will represent New Brunswick at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in February.

Canada Post has issued a red alert for New Brunswick due to the inclement weather that has hit the province.

According to the company, a red alert means it is “suspending delivery and not sending our delivery agents out or we are recalling them.”

The province saw significant snowfall in much of the province.

“Delivery will resume once conditions improve and it’s safe to do so,” the company said in a release. “The safety of our employees is our number one priority.”

A red alert can be issued for any particular area or a whole province depending on the weather event.

“We encourage customers to clear the snow and ice from their walkways, stairs, and driveways, to ensure safe access to the front door for both their visitors, as well as their mail carriers when service resumes,” it said.