A craftsman, a songwriter’s songwriter, an everyman for the ages. John Hiatt is all that and more.

One of my greatest concert memories is Hiatt at the Club Flamingo in Halifax test driving these songs. He wound up playing pretty much every track from this masterpiece as I sat front row two feet from him. Switching effortlessly from guitar to piano he fed off the energy of the engaged audience and created one of the most memorable evenings in my music life. Recorded over four intense days in Los Angeles in the winter of 1987, Hiatt assembled a tight trio behind him of Ry Cooder on guitar, Nick Lowe on bass, and legendary Jim Keltner (should have been a credited Traveling Wilbury) on drums. 

The tone is set from opening track, “Memphis in the Meantime”, a chugging, electric hillbilly blues celebrating breaking out of a one-horse town and experiencing life. “Sure I like country music, I like mandolins, but right now I need a telecaster through a vibro-lux turned up to ten”. Economical guitar lines and crisp drumming perfectly frame the positive groove, “I wanna trade in these ol’ cowboy boots for some fine Italian shoes”.

The drums kick into a dirty slide lick for the intro to “Alone in the Dark”, “it’s a lonely picture of an empty glass”, “it’s extreme self-pity and frozen fear, ‘cause I want you with me but you’re not here”. The narrator comes from a long line of men who’ve caused their own solitude and the edgy bluesy groove echoes that barroom malaise. Third track, “Thing Called Love” was a big hit for Bonnie Raitt but this is the real deal version. Rough, ragged but still managing a light pop feel, the drums skitter along and allow for Cooder and Hiatt to play electric/acoustic ricochet bingo. You can’t sit still for the bridge and outro interplay.

The opening three tunes have spun you through rock mission statement of the album but Hiatt is also well known as a balladeer. Fourth song “Lipstick Sunset” quiets the pace somewhat. Not quite bitter, not quite sweet it’s again a tale of loss, “well, a radio was playing and that ol’ summer heat was on the rise, I just had to get away before some sad old song brought more tears to my eyes”. Cooder’s piercing slide aims right for the heart and the bass underpins a touch of texmex weeper.

The long slow outro could have been from a 1950’s tear filled country radio hit. Side one of the vinyl ends with perhaps Hiatt’s most well-known writing credit, “Have a Little Faith in Me”. Very basic piano chording and Hiatt’s fragile voice is all that’s needed. “and when your back’s against the wall, just turn around and you will see, I will catch, I will catch your fall, just have a little faith in me”. Singing a song like this is a challenge that most singers can’t manage, they over-emote and reach for the perfect notes. The secret to Hiatt’s success here is the unguarded, warts and all approach. Sincere and moving this is a love song for the ages. Flip the record over and we have another country-rock-blues hybrid in the style of “Thing Called Love” with “Thank You Girl”, a simple love letter to a supportive partner. Again the electric slide and acoustic strumming play off each other to great effect. “It’s a matter of opinion but I think you’re fine, as a matter of fact they couldn’t hold a candle to your kind”.

The breakdown near the end is so full of joy with Keltner letting go a bit it’s infectious. “Tip of My Tongue” is a wistful ballad with a sunset over a big desert sky feel, “some words flew out and made a crash landing, no love survived, not a trace could be found”. Cooder plucks and picks the electric guitar dancing around the lyrics as everything else fades into the background. “Well, I’d take it back but time won’t let me, No, time just takes you further away”.

The only misstep is Hiatt committing the sin of over-singing this a little bit and the length dragging proceedings a bit. It’s lovely but could have been retried. The most playful cut is “Your Dad Did”, with solid drumming and a cool descending guitar riff as we get a hilarious look at the middle class turmoil of a working stiff. “As your daughter dumps her oatmeal on your son, and you keep it hid, just like your dad did”. The eternal wheel of trying to get ahead, raising kids and just surviving day to day is sung with sweet fondness and tongue planted firmly in cheek, “all hands fold as the two year old says grace, she says help the starving children to get well, but let my brother’s hamster burn in hell, you love your wife and kids, just like your dad did”.

“Stood Up” is a country ballad with a nice arrangement by the super tight band but the lyrics are the weakest on the record and again it doesn’t hold for the over five minute length. Album closer “Learning How to Love You” is another solo piece, this time on gentle acoustic guitar with just some sympathetic harmonies. It’s a lovely positive end to a remarkable album, “And I don’t pretend to know how you ever saw it through, ‘cause I only got to where I am right now learning how to love you”. 

As I sat with feet up on the stage making eye contact and grinning at Hiatt I recognized the songs from this album were going to be a part of my life forever.

Charlotte County resident Stephen MacKnight works for Anglophone South & Working NB after a decade spent as a music teacher in the school system and twenty-five years in the music retail industry cycling through Sam the Record Man, Records on Wheels and CDPlus. There have been nominations from ECMA’s & Music NB as a band-member and songwriter. Passionate and opinionated about music Stephen loves when anyone wants to have a debate. 

Riverview’s Daniel Mallais spent 30 years as a competitive chess player. But after retiring from the sport, it wasn’t shogi or go that he decided to take up next, but shoemaking.

A growing number of municipalities in New Brunswick are offering scholarships to medical school students who choose to practise in the province after graduation.

Game set for the Northern Carleton Civic Centre March 29

The post District of Carleton North to host NHL Legends first appeared on River Valley Sun.

On Jan. 24, the first retinal eye surgery was performed in the province at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton.

350 people, including nearly 100 firefighters, gathered at the Hartland Wesleyan Church to say goodbye to Mike Walton

With tributes from his pastor, granddaughter, brother-in-law, and members of the fire service, Mike Walton followed Hartland fire trucks for one last time on Friday, Feb. 28.

In a devastating Facebook post issued Monday, Feb. 24, the town of Hartland announced Walton’s death. 

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Councillor Mike Walton. Mike was a dedicated and active community member, serving as Hartland’s Fire Chief, a valued council member, and a respected businessman. His commitment to Hartland and his unwavering service to others have left a lasting impact on our town.

“On behalf of the Mayor, Council, and staff, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mike’s family and friends during this difficult time. His leadership, kindness, and dedication will truly be missed.” 

The two-hour service on Friday was filled with fond and funny memories, painting a vibrant picture of a man who used his talents, time, and passion for the greater good. You can read about his impact in Carleton County and in the fire service community here:

https://rivervalleysun.ca/hartland-mourns-death-of-longtime-fire-chief-councillor-community-leader-and-businessman/

The River Valley Sun would like to thank the Walton family for allowing us to share photos from the service. Watch for the full story in our March issue of the River Valley Sun, on newsstands the second week of March.

For those who would like to watch Mike Walton’s funeral, you can do so on the Hartland Wesleyan Church YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPeTo7BYCA4

The post Beloved fire chief, town councillor, businessman laid to rest first appeared on River Valley Sun.

90 days in jail for domestic assault

Hilton Romeo Fredericks, 26, of Kirkland, was sentenced to 90 days in jail or time served when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 26 on charges related to domestic assault.

Judge Sebastian Michaud also placed him on 18 months of probation and ordered him to seek counselling for mental health and drug addiction. He remains in custody on other matters in Fredericton.

Fredericks has been in jail since May 2024 following remand for aggravated assault on a minor in Fredericton on March 21, 2023. His trial is set for March 3-14 in Fredericton Provincial Court.

In Woodstock on Wednesday, Defence Counsel Wanda Severns told the court Fredericks struggles with serious mental health issues and drug addiction. He had no prior criminal record as a result of a conditional discharge.

Fredericks pleaded guilty to assaulting a female victim between Jan. 14 and Jan. 22, 2024, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew a second assault charge.

The court heard about a domestic dispute between the accused and his former girlfriend at a residence in Woodstock. The woman told police that Fredericks pushed her, lifted her off the ground, yelled in her face, pulled her hair, and wanted to trap her in a bedroom. He also kicked in the bathroom door and produced a razor blade, slitting his wrist and then holding the blade to his own throat. He was arrested by Woodstock Police and detained under the Mental Health Act.

In her victim impact statement, the woman said Fredericks was abusive and ruined her life. She wanted no further contact with him or his family.

“You have ruined everything,” she said in her written statement to the court.

He also pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking by violating a no-contact order on Jan. 23, 2024, and breaching a release order (no-contact) on April 6, 2024, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew another breach charge on April 13, 2024.

Fredericks agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond related to a charge of assaulting another man on April 2, 2024, in Woodstock. The peace bond will result in that charge being withdrawn.

Fredericks appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 7, 2024, and was released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was later arrested in Fredericton.

Wotstak man in custody on six charges

Greg Paul McCormick, 36, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 27 for a bail hearing on six charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. His bail hearing was adjourned until March 6 at 9:30 a.m.

McCormick was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon (a taser) while prohibited from having it and possession of a prohibited weapon without a licence concerning an incident on Feb. 25 in Woodstock.

He was also charged with breach of probation, mischief causing property damage to a truck, and possession of a weapon (a BB gun) to commit an offence on Feb. 25 at Wotstak. Another breach of probation charge was laid for an incident on Feb. 9 at Wotstak.

Denied bail on several charges

Jorge Heinz Fenske, 56, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 27 for a bail hearing on charges laid by RCMP. He was denied bail and remanded to jail. Fenske returns to court in custody for plea on March 6 at 9:30 a.m.

Fenske was charged with breaching an undertaking (no-contact order) in connection with an incident on Feb. 1 at Greenfield and breach of an undertaking (no contact), assault with a weapon and uttering threats between Feb. 14-15 at Greenfield.

He is also scheduled to appear in provincial court on April 1 at 9:30 a.m. to answer multiple other charges laid by the RCMP.

Fenske was charged with assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim, assault with a weapon (a broom), and unlawful confinement for an incident on Nov. 16, 2024, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). He was also charged with assault causing bodily harm, uttering threats and taking a vehicle without consent following an incident on Dec. 10, 2024, at Wotstak.

30 days house arrest

Stephen Manfred Spiegler, 62, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 26 for sentencing on a driving offence. He received 30 days of house arrest after pleading guilty to driving while prohibited on a Canada-wide order issued in Ontario in 2023.

Woodstock Police charged Spiegler in connection with an incident on Feb. 9, 2024, on Main Street in Woodstock. He had a limited prior criminal record. Another charge of driving while suspended was withdrawn by the crown.

Spiegler was also charged with shoplifting at the Atlantic Superstore following incidents in Woodstock on Feb. 9 and Feb. 2, 2024. The shoplifting charge was moved to the alternative measures program and was later withdrawn.

Pair charged in shooting at Mainstream

Patrick Harris, 40, of Fredericton, and Tamara Hamilton, 30, of Woodstock, are both facing charges following a shooting in Mainstream on Feb. 17. They will both appear in provincial court on March 11 at noon.

Harris appeared in court in custody by video on Feb. 27 when his bail hearing was adjourned to the new date. He told the court he was also awaiting a hearing on a breach charge in Fredericton.

Hamilton was released on Feb. 20 with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle. She was placed under house arrest with a curfew at a residence in Woodstock. She appeared in court in custody on Feb. 27 after arriving late for court. Her matter was adjourned to the new date, and she was re-released.

Harris was charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited (a sawed-off shotgun), discharging a firearm at a place while reckless as to whether a person was present; possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition without a licence, wearing a mask with intent to commit an offence; uttering threats against another man, breach of probation, pointing a gun at another person, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, and being an occupant of a vehicle (a half-ton truck) knowing it carried a firearm.

Hamilton was charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited (a sawed-off shotgun), possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, discharging a firearm at a place while reckless as to whether a person was present, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition without a licence, and being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a gun.

The pair was arrested by RCMP inside a garage in Pembroke after a blue half-ton truck was spotted leaving the scene of the shooting in Mainstream on Feb. 17.

Charged with drug trafficking

Charles Giberson, 46, of Rothesay, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 28 to answer a charge of drug trafficking laid by Woodstock Police.

Giberson was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, stemming from an incident on July 24, 2024, in Woodstock. He was released on an undertaking and returns to court for plea on March 28 at 9:30 a.m.

Three-day trial for Limestone man

Riley Cowper, 20, of Limestone, will appear in provincial court in custody for his three-day trial on March 3, following an alleged violent attack on another local man.

RCMP charged Cowper with attempted murder by using a hammer and a wrench to assault Rodney Butler, mischief causing property damage to a car window, uttering threats, and robbery of a vehicle in connection with an incident on Aug. 10, 2024, at Jackson Falls.

He entered his not-guilty plea at a court video appearance on November 27, 2024. The trial dates were set for March 3, 10, and 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

He was arrested on Aug. 13, 2024, and ordered to have no contact with Butler, who police said was treated at a hospital for injuries and later released.  Cowper waived his bail until later.

On Feb. 21, Defence Counsel T.J. Burke advised the court a resolution was being sought with the crown.

Facing assault charges

Jeffrey Clark, 41, of Newbridge, will appear in provincial court on March 25 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two assault charges.

RCMP charged Clark with assaulting a female victim and assault by choking concerning an incident on Feb. 1 at Wicklow. He made his first court appearance on Feb. 25 and was released on an undertaking.

Returning for plea

Nicole Gagnon, 42, of Perth-Andover, will appear in provincial court on March 25 at 9:30 a.m. to answer an assault charge.

RCMP charged Gagnon with assaulting a male victim in connection with an incident on July 1, 2024, in Bath. She made her first court appearance on Feb. 25 when the matter was adjourned for plea to the new date.

Released on an undertaking

Gabriel VanHorne, 24, of Hartley Settlement, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 to answer an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until March 25 at 9:30 a.m.

VanHorne was charged by RCMP with assaulting a female victim stemming from an incident on Jan. 29 at Hartley Settlement. He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.

Charged with fleeing police

Brett Roger Chase, 26, of Central Waterville, will appear in provincial court on March 18 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police.

Chase was charged with fleeing police following an incident in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Feb. 25, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

Alleged assault at Dead Creek

Bradley Collicott, 50, of Dead Creek, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 to answer an assault charge. The matter was adjourned for plea until March 25 at 9:30 a.m.

RCMP charged Collicott with assault involving a female victim following an incident on Nov. 3, 2024, at Dead Creek. He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.

Agreed to peace bond

Michael Peter Clark of Woodstock appeared for trial in provincial court on Feb. 19 on an assault charge. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the trial did not proceed.

Clark appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 8, 2024, and was released with conditions. The court heard he turned himself in to the police after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Woodstock Police charged Clark with assaulting another man in connection with an incident in Woodstock on Aug. 14, 2023. He pleaded not guilty. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn.

Gladwyn man to stand trial

Billy Joe Pelletier, 37, of Gladwyn, appeared for trial in provincial court on Feb. 27 after pleading not guilty to charges laid by RCMP. He appeared without a lawyer, and his trial was adjourned until April 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Pelletier was charged with impaired driving in connection with an incident on Nov. 9, 2023, in Rowena. He will also appear for trial on three other charges.

Pelletier was charged with impaired driving and two counts of endangering the life of a child in connection with an incident on April 14, 2023, at Gladwyn.

Fined $1,300 for impaired driving

Dallas Adrian Bernard, 24, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court on Feb. 27 and changed his plea to guilty on an impaired driving charge. He was fined $1,300 and prohibited from driving for one year.

RCMP charged Bernard following an incident on Nov. 17, 2023, near Perth-Andover.

Bail hearing delayed

Tanna Wright of Perth-Andover appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 27 for a bail hearing after being arrested one day after her release. She waived her bail until later and returns to court on March 11 at 9:30 a.m. to set a new date for her bail hearing.

Wright was charged with breaching her release order (curfew) concerning an incident on Feb. 21 in Woodstock. She appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 20 for a bail hearing. She was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle, but returned to custody the next day.

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 is also scheduled for trial on July 10 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to assault with a weapon and uttering threats on Dec. 16, 2023, in Greenfield and theft of a wallet in connection with another separate incident.

Remanded on breach charge

Jacob Alexander Roy, 27, of Windsor, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 27 to answer a breach charge laid by RCMP. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on March 6 at 9:30 a.m.

Roy was charged with breaching a release order by violating the conditions of his house arrest (ankle bracelet) following an incident on Feb. 8 at Coldstream. He has been in custody since his arrest.

Roy was also charged by Woodstock Police with possession of methamphetamine and cocaine, both for the purpose of trafficking, breach of a release order, possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace in connection with an incident in Woodstock on Aug. 3, 2024.

Neqotkuk man still in custody

Kyrin Moulton, 19, of Grand Falls, formerly of Neqotkuk, appeared in court in custody by video on Feb. 27 for a bail hearing. The hearing was adjourned until March 6 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

Moulton was charged by RCMP with aggravated assault involving another man, breaching a release order, and breach of probation for an incident on Nov. 23, 2024, at Perth-Andover. He had a prior criminal record.

On Feb. 18, he appeared in court in custody for sentencing after pleading guilty to other charges laid by RCMP. He was handed 60 days in jail or time served and 12 months of probation. He was then taken back into custody.

Moulton was charged with assault involving a female victim, breach of probation and possession of stolen prescription medication stemming from an incident on Oct. 22, 2024, in Perth Andover.

Released with conditions

Justin Ryan Shea, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Feb. 27. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on March 25 at 1:30 p.m.

RCMP charged Shea with breaching his release order concerning an incident on Feb. 18 in Woodstock.

He also appeared in provincial court on Feb. 4 and pleaded not guilty to two drug trafficking charges. His trial was set for Jan. 26 and Jan. 28, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Shea was charged by Woodstock Police with trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking in connection with incidents in Woodstock on June 30 and May 2, 2024. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m.

Shea appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged by Woodstock Police with break, enter and theft at a dwelling house on Creighton Street on Sept. 26, 2024, and an additional charge of breaching an undertaking (curfew). He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 14 at 9:30 a.m.

A co-accused, James Blair Hovey, 27, of Perth Andover, faces charges for the same alleged break-in and will stand trial with Shea on July 14. Hovey is also facing additional charges, and he remains in custody.

Shea was also charged with mischief causing property damage and break, enter and theft at the East Coast Truck Wash for an incident on March 17, 2024, in Lower Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for Jan. 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was scheduled for Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m.

Shea’s new defence counsel requested monitoring on March 25 to review all the dates for trial.

In custody on eight charges

James Blair Hovey, 28, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 27 for plea on several charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until March 20 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

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.  He waived his bail until later.

At an earlier court appearance, Hovey was also 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.

Trial continues for Centreville man

Stacey Harry Broad, 57, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court in custody on April 9 at 9:30 a.m. for the continuation of 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 the RCMP. The first part of his trial was held on Dec. 11, 2024, and was scheduled for further testimony on Feb. 26 but was adjourned.

Broad was charged with uttering threats, assault, assault by choking, sexual assault, 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 on a charge of breaching his release order a few days later.

Trial testimony continues

Christopher Hazen Hamilton, 50, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 28 for the continuation of his trial after pleading not guilty to 12 charges laid by Woodstock Police. Testimony continued late into the afternoon on Friday.

On Jan. 8, Judge Sebastian Michaud heard testimony from police officers and the female victim who described horrific details of domestic violence involving the accused.

Hamilton appeared in custody by video on June 10, 2024, and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.

He was charged with assault involving a female victim, assault by choking, three counts of uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a broken teacup) and attempting to cause injury and suffering to a dog, concerning incidents between March 1 and May 24, 2024, in Woodstock.

Hamilton was also charged with assaulting a female victim, uttering threats and mischief causing property damage on May 25, 2024, and assaulting a female victim and assault with a weapon (a cigar) on May 26, 2024. The alleged incidents occurred in Woodstock. He spent several days in remand before his release.

Clearview man awaiting trial

Kyle Laurie Williams, 36, of Clearview, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 26 and pleaded not guilty to a breach charge laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for July 10 at 9:30 a.m.

He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 6 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.

RCMP charged Williams with breaching a no-contact order and failing to appear in court. Judge Henrik Tonning imposed a prohibition on firearms as part of his release and ordered him to stay under house arrest at the family farm.

Williams is also awaiting trial on another charge of transmitting intimate images without consent concerning an incident on June 4, 2023, in Centreville. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial was rescheduled for July 10 at 9:30 a.m.

Sentencing rescheduled

Collin Francis Bear, 35, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Feb. 26 after pleading guilty to an assault charge laid by RCMP.

His sentencing was adjourned until March 19 at 9:30 a.m. to allow for the submission of a victim impact statement.

Bear was charged with assault, two counts of assault with a weapon (an axe and a mirror) involving a female victim, possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence (an axe) in connection with an incident on Aug. 26, 2023, at Neqotkuk.  He appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.

On Nov. 21, 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a weapon (an axe and a mirror) and the remaining charges were withdrawn by the crown.

Pair jointly charged with offence

Avory Saige Vatali, 22, and Alexander Timothy Gordon Jansen, 22, both of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 26 to answer a charge laid by Woodstock Police.

Vatali and Jansen were jointly charged with failing to provide the necessities of life to another person concerning a recent incident in Woodstock. They elected trial by judge alone at the Court of King’s Bench. A date for their trial will be held on the next Motion’s Day on April 1.

New Demark man has two charges

Damian Pelletier, 30, of New Denmark, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Feb. 28 for plea on two charges laid by RCMP.

The matter was adjourned until March 28 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel, who appeared in court on his behalf. Pelletier was charged with driving while impaired by drugs and mischief causing property damage for an incident on June 30, 2022, in Waterville.

Trial confirmed for Neqotkuk man

Thomas Perley of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Feb. 28 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.

On Friday, his defence counsel confirmed he will be ready to proceed to trial. Perley was charged with refusing a breathalyzer and leaving the scene of an accident stemming from an incident on March 29, 2024, at Neqotkuk.

Plea adjourned to new date

Clay Hargrove, 30, of Beechwood, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 28 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. He pleaded guilty to two sets of charges, and a sentencing date was set for April 8 at 1:30 p.m.

Hargrove appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 17, 2024, and waived his bail until later. He pleaded guilty on Friday to possession of a stolen vehicle, flight from police, and driving while prohibited following an incident on Dec. 8, 2024, at Tobique Narrows. Another charge of driving while suspended was withdrawn by the crown.

He also pleaded guilty to breaking into a cabin on Sept. 4, 2024, at Tobique Narrows. Two other charges related to the incident were withdrawn.

Hargrove maintained a not-guilty plea on other charges of aggravated assault involving a male victim and possession of a stolen motorcycle for an incident on Aug. 27, 2024, at Upper Kent. He returns to court for monitoring on March 27 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date.

In custody on 22 charges

Yves Levesque, 36, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 28 for plea on multiple charges laid by RCMP. The matters were adjourned until March 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

Levesque is facing a total of 22 charges. He was charged with uttering threats and fleeing police for an incident on Dec. 21, 2024, at McLaughlin, Victoria County. He waived his bail until later.

He was also charged with assaulting a female victim on Aug. 14, 2024, at New Denmark; two counts of assault on the same female between Oct. 1 and Oct. 27, 2024, at McLaughlin; driving while prohibited, uttering threats, assault and assault by choking on Oct. 28, 2024, at Perth-Andover; uttering threats, assault and assault by choking on Oct. 31, 2024, at McLaughlin; uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a helmet), assault causing bodily harm, break and enter at a dwelling house, and mischief causing property damage on Dec. 20, 2024, at McLaughlin; break and enter and theft, and mischief causing property damage at a shed on Dec. 21, 2024, at McLaughlin; and theft of prescription medication and a cell phone on Dec. 21, 2024, at McLaughlin.

Johnville man awaits sentencing

Ryan Troy O’Donnell, 27, of Johnville, will appear in provincial court in custody for sentencing on two charges on March 5 at 1 p.m. His sentencing was first set for Feb. 27 but was adjourned to the new date.

O’Donnell was denied bail on Jan. 9. He was charged with possessing stolen property (cheques) in Beechwood on Dec. 16, 2023, and mischief causing property damage on Feb. 15, 2024. The RCMP laid the charges. He changed his plea to guilty.

O’Donnell pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in connection with an incident in Beechwood between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, 2021.  His trial date was set for Jan. 16.  After one day of testimony, the trial was adjourned for final submissions on Jan. 31. A verdict is expected to be delivered on March 5.

The court heard he was also facing other charges in Edmundston. O’Donnell has a prior criminal record.

The post Woodstock Provincial Court: Domestic assault charge gets 90 days first appeared on River Valley Sun.

The industry is based mostly in Maine, where lobsters are both a cultural signifier and the backbone of the coastal economy.

For the third time, work on the bridge has been pushed back.

Low- to median-income homeowners can now apply on the N.B. Power website to receive up to $15,000 in subsidies.

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A heavy police presence in an uptown Fredericton neighbourhood in the early-morning hours of Friday arose as a result of a person barricaded inside a residence.

At about 1:30 a.m. Friday, the Fredericton Police Force issued an advisory on social media asking members of the public to avoid Morning Gate Drive due to an active police operation.

It followed up at about 7:45 a.m. to report that the operation had concluded.

The police force issued a news release Friday afternoon explaining why police were in the area.

“The Fredericton Police Force (FPF) responded to a barricaded-person-in-distress call on Morning Gate Drive around 12 a.m.,” it said, noting that various units - including its emergency response team, crisis negotiation team, forensic identification and patrol units attended the scene, as did a canine unit with the New Brunswick RCMP.

“Upon arrival, officers quickly secured a perimeter around the area to ensure the safety of nearby residents. Traffic was blocked from Rainsford Lane to Morning Gate through to Wedgewood Drive to ensure a safe environment for both the public and responding units.”

Even though officers cordoned off the area, the force said, police found there was no threat to public safety.

“FPF’s crisis negotiation team engaged the individual to de-escalate the situation, with the operation concluding at approximately 7:15 a.m.,” the release said. “A 53-year-old man was taken into custody without incident.”

The release didn’t indicate if the detained subject remained in custody, if he was released or if he was possibly transported to a medical facility.

The police force thanked the public for its co-operation and patience during the early-morning operation.

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

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A Halifax-based renewable energy company is working with First Nations communities in New Brunswick to bolster wind energy production in the province. 

It’s the last weekend for stargazers to ​spot a planet parade. Curt Nason, president of the New Brunswick chapter of the Royal Astronomical Society, explains what to look for when you look up on Saturday night.

Join Evan McFarlane and Joe Ticotsky (“Mc and T”) in this fast-paced 30 minute CHCO-TV show covering sports topics from around Canada and the United States, along with some music bits and humour (or at least attempts at it!) Featuring Part 2 of the interview with Dan Shulman (Play-by-Play announcer, ESPN College Basketball).

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A Fredericton man was discovered to be under the influence of alcohol when he smashed his car into a roundabout curb and tried to drive away missing two wheels, court heard Thursday.

Jiwan Bhattarai, 44, of Westbrook Lane, was scheduled to stand trial in Fredericton provincial court Thursday on allegations of impaired driving.

However, he opted instead to plead guilty to having an elevated blood-alcohol level within two hours of driving.

Crown prosecutor Rodney Jordan said a witness called the Fredericton Police Force at about 8 p.m. Nov. 12, 2023, to report that he’d seen a white Nissan with an Ontario licence plate go over the curb at the Ring Road roundabout on the city’s north side.

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Legal experts say a pending Supreme Court of Canada case about whether New Brunswick's lieutenant-governor must be bilingual could have much broader implications and be precedent-setting.

A new proposal by Saint Andrews Civic Trust asks the council to give the organization ownership over the historic courthouse in the community. 

The Saint Andres Civic Trust’s mandate is to preserve and re-purpose the historic properties in the municipality – having already done so with Niger Reef Tea House, Macklem House and Pendlebury Lighthouse. 

In 2017, the Town of Saint Andrews took ownership over the courthouse – which also has a small jail on the property. It is in need of significant repairs, including the removal of lead paint on its exterior and a new roof. 

Funding the province provided after handing over the property expires this year. 

“In January 2024, SACT began a four-phase approach to gather ideas and present a vision to the council,” said James Geneau, Vice President of SACT.

In August 2024, it delivered a 120-page report for the council to consider. The report was finally made public in February 2025. 

Thirteen proposals were submitted by the public – who have been adamant, according to Geneau – from the beginning to have the space re-purposed for public use. 

“Not surprisingly, no submission provided a single solution,” he told the council. 

In July, about 255 members of the public voted on their top three solutions. 

“We found that the overwhelming ideas and the combinations of ideas were about building a multi-use, four-season, community hub,” he said during the meeting. 

The courthouse does have an intact courtroom, but Geneau said it is unlikely the province would want to revive it as a modern-day courthouse. 

The proposals for the courthouse

Saint Andrews Civic Trust says it would need to make access enhancements, especially for accessibility, within the limits of the building’s historical designation. 

The new enhancements could include a second entrance and public washrooms. 

It would also add “social enhancements,” which would include upgrading technology, like WiFi, and space within the courthouse. 

It is proposing changing the judges chambers into a community board room and the other into a community game room. 

SACT also presented to the council that one section could become the official tourism visitor centre and gift shop. It proposed a public display case and potentially historical reenactments inside the courthouse. 

Geneau did explain that while they got no indication the province would intend to restore it as a courthouse, the technology upgrades and maintaining the courtroom space could allow for two days a week of court services. 

It also proposed adding fencing around the green space to prevent deer from getting in, leaving behind both feces and ticks. 

The large green space – a fond place for residents in Saint Andrews to go sledding on – is also seeing improvements – allowing for yoga and tai chi. It might also include an outdoor skating area in the wintertime. 

SACT said it should also consider adding solar panels and heat pumps to reduce the cost of operating the building. 

Estimated costs

Much of the funding for the work required to the courthouse would come from grants, Geneau explained to the council. 

The organization estimates it would cost around $825,000 for the renovations and repurposing per the plan presented to council. 

Meanwhile, the commons could cost up to $2.1 million. A social enterprise centre would also add an additional $420,000 to the project. 

It estimates the taxpayer’s burden will be around $282,700 with an estimated revenue of about $143,000. 

“There is a lot of grants for heritage preservation,” Geneau said. “Those tend to, and I’m not saying they will be, but … there are fewer substantial sites in Canada like Saint Andrews that has this collection of heritage … we do have a lot of leverage in asking for those grants.” 

Coun. Marc Blanchard said the presentation hits on so many things that are important to the community. 

There was no formal amount set for the yearly operational costs, according to Geneau. 

“A central gathering point for our community that I’ve been looking to see, to have, in that area for a number of years,” he said. 

Mayor Brad Henderson also thanked the SACT for its extensive work on the report, noting the board is made up entirely of volunteers. 

“A courthouse 2.0 would very much benefit the community as a gathering space,” he said during an interview with CHCO-TV. 

He said a municipality with an aging infrastructure, the council must take a critical look at whether a private organization should take over from the municipality. 

“Lots to be discussed,” he said, indicating it may want to go back to the province one last time. 

Henderson said no matter what the council decides in the end, the building must be preserved properly. 

“Buildings are repurposed all the time,” he said. “The goal is to save the building and have a useful community space for it.”

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A homeless man screamed and ranted during a court appearance Thursday - calling the presiding judge a “whore” - while demanding to be sentenced for a crime he said he didn’t commit.

Joshua Daniel Grant Burden, 49, of no fixed address, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by video conference from the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre on Thursday afternoon for a sentencing hearing.

He had pleaded guilty earlier this month to an Oct. 12 count of uttering threats, an Oct. 24 offence of uttering threats to a police officer, an Oct. 29 instance of arson at MacTavish’s Source for Sports on Queen Street and three related counts of probation violation.

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Deputy fire chief and mayor both say lack of ambulance availability is a larger problem.

A Dieppe patient and an MRI technologist representative are calling for changes to shorten wait times for non-urgent scans in New Brunswick, which are currently nearly five times the national benchmark.

Police, insurance company aware of fraud attempt

A new phone scam focused on identity fraud and financial theft is circulating in the region. The scam is highly detailed, and the perpetrators are armed with a wealth of personal knowledge they obtain from online obituaries. This tricks their victims into thinking that the calls are legitimate.

During the scam, the perpetrator calls, identifying themselves as David Jones from Sunlife Insurance, and says that the victim has been identified as a beneficiary for an unclaimed life insurance policy for a recently deceased loved one, whom they will name. They then proceed to give a list of personal details about the deceased, asking the victim to confirm that they are correct. Next, they will ask the victim to verify their identity details. To reassure the victim, they will provide them with a legitimate address for a local Sunlife office and a phone number where they can be reached.

They will then outline the steps the victim must take to receive their money, all of which appear legitimate initially. In the end, they state that the funds will be deposited directly into the victim’s bank account, and at that time, they ask the victim to please confirm their banking details.

Sunlife Insurance and Woodstock RCMP confirmed they are aware of the scam and have received numerous reports. A Sunlife representative said the fraud scheme has been reported across Canada.

Both Sunlife and Woodstock RCMP said that perpetrators consistently use the name David Jones since it matches the profile of a legitimate Sunlife Insurance employee, further confusing victims.

If you receive a call from a man claiming to be from Sunlife Insurance, hang up immediately. Report the call to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

Sunlife Insurance also asks that anyone who receives a call from someone pretending to be a Sunlife representative to please call their security hotline at 1-519-888-2412.

If you were a victim of the call and at any time you gave or confirmed personal information, including but not limited to your address, phone number, birth date, or banking information, call the RCMP and file a report.

You can also protect yourself by filing a Credit Bureau Alert with Equifax (1-800-465-7166) and TransUnion (1-800-663-9980).

The post Phone scam circulating in Carleton County first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Police have responded to accidents near Perth-Andover and Salisbury amid heavy snowfall.

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Complainants who testified against a Rusagonis man accused of sexually abusing them over the course of a decade will never know how the court was going to decide the case.

A 55-year-old Rusagonis man stood trial over the course of three days in November on serious sexual-offence charges dating back more than a decade.

The charges alleged crimes committed against two complainants who were under the age of 16 at the time.

There’s a court-ordered publication ban in effect protecting the identities of the complainants, and as the defendant was related to them, the Fredericton Independent isn’t naming him either so as to comply with the ban.

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N.B. Power says it doesn’t see any flaws with its smart-meter program and billing system, but is acknowledging it still can’t explain anecdotal evidence of unusually high electricity consumption in some residential bills.

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City hall is in recruitment mode, looking for artists who’d be interested in showcasing their talents at two Fredericton parks as part of the Summer Artist-in-Residence program.

The City of Fredericton announced Thursday that applications are open for the program, which is heading into its seventh year.

Participating artists will set up at the Fredericton Botanic Garden in Odell Park or at Killarney Lake Park between June 30 and Aug. 22.

“The city is inviting artists to submit proposals for a residency at either location during July or August,” city hall said in a news release Thursday.

Each residency period is for two weeks, it said, and each artist would be paid $500 per week.

“The program provides a unique opportunity for artists to move their studio outdoors in the community-run Botanic Garden adjacent to Odell Park on the south side or the natural surroundings of Killarney Lake’s wooded recreational park on the north side,” the release said.

“Artists are required to engage with park and garden users daily on site, and with the broader community through online activities.”

Residencies at Killarney Lake Park will be designed to include regularly scheduled, interactive activities for the public, through studio hours, hands-on workshops, demonstrations and artist talks.

Residencies through the program will also include access to indoor studio and workshop space, the city said.

“Selected artists are free to move throughout the park or garden as part of their creative process and will be provided with portable lawn signs which will indicate that they are the ‘Artist in Residence,’” the release said.

Artists working in any medium are eligible to apply for the program, but the city is specifically looking for art that’s “conducive to community engagement.”

Each artist is expected to be in residence at his or her assigned park Monday to Friday for six hours each day.

Submission guidelines are available online at this link.

“Artists are asked to check available park amenities listed under submission guidelines to ensure their preference of location is best suited to their project,” the release said.

Submissions can be sent by email to [email protected].

The application deadline is March 21 at 4:30 p.m., and applicants will be notified by April 30.

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

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A man already awaiting trial next year on assault and sexual-assault allegations was back in Fredericton provincial court Thursday to face another sex-assault charge involving the same complainant.

Isaiah Waterall, 19 - formerly of Mason Avenue in Fredericton but now listed as living on Crandall Road in Nerepis, between Welsford and Grand Bay-Westfield - appeared in Fredericton provincial court Thursday to answer to a new indictable criminal charge.

He’s accused of committing a sexual assault in Fredericton on June 13.

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Rick Doucett, president of the New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners, says 25 per cent tariffs on lumber would hurt the province’s producers.

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A Fredericton man is facing a charge of arson by negligence stemming from a furniture fire in the College Hill area of the capital late last summer.

Caysey William Walton, 21, of Kings College Road, made his initial appearance in Fredericton provincial court Monday to answer to a pair of criminal charges.

He’s accused of failing to prevent the spread of a fire to property under his control - namely, a couch - in Fredericton on Aug. 31.

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Canada's top court will rule on whether New Brunswick's lieutenant-governor must be able to speak both English and French.

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A Fredericton man is facing serious allegations of drug trafficking, illegal firearms possession and possession of thousands of dollars believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Kelly Lee Moses, 59, of Woodbridge Street, made his first appearance in Fredericton provincial court Monday to answer to 11 indictable charges alleging involvement in the drug trade.

The charges all allege events in Fredericton on June 23.

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NB Power says a third-party audit looking into metering and billing accuracy is taking longer than initially expected.

The report was supposed to be ready for when the utility appears before the legislature’s public accounts committee on Thursday.

But one day before that scheduled appearance by President and CEO Lori Clark, NB Power said work on the independent review is still ongoing.

“Despite our best efforts, the reduced timeline did not allow us to thoroughly consider the concerns raised by New Brunswickers,” NB Power said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We believe it would be a disservice to provide an incomplete review that does not fully consider your concerns.”

The provincial government announced the audit in late January after hearing from “hundreds” of New Brunswickers with concerns about higher than normal power bills.

“Those New Brunswickers had questions about their kilowatt hours, about how meters are read, about a whole bunch of different things,” Premier Susan Holt told reporters on Jan. 21.

“More and more people were reaching out with really significant spikes in power bills that were unexpected, that didn’t go to trend, and we want to get to the bottom of this.”

RELATED: Liberals order audit into high NB Power bills

NB Power said while the initial review has not identified any issues with their metering and billing systems, they are not satisfied that it digs deeply enough into two specific areas of concern:

That includes a “statistically significant sample” comparing smart meters to legacy meters and specific work on a sample of customers who have registered as part of the review process.

According to the utility’s statement, 20 smart meters and 20 traditional meters have been tested using Measurement Canada standards and no issues have been found.

NB Power has also completed “thousands” of high bill investigations, with the “majority” being resolved by factors such as temperature, customer behavior, and increased billing days.

The utility said it has also taken a number of other proactive steps in recent weeks, which include:

• Relaxing enrollment for the Equalized Payment Plan program to assist customers with up to $1,200 in arrears.
• Conducting an internal investigation to understand the causes of high bill concerns and improve customer understanding.
• Waiving late payments for residential customers retroactive to Jan, 1, 2025, until this work is complete. Any customers that have paid late payments charges will be reimbursed through a bill credit.

NB Power said it now expects the additional work that is currently underway will be completed in April.

“Once the review is finalized, we will release the report publicly and are prepared to appear before the standing committee on public accounts if requested,” said the statement.

“We understand that this delay may be frustrating, but it is essential to ensure the review is thorough and addresses all your concerns.”

Eastern Charlotte says it takes up to two years to get reimbursed for costs associated with unsightly premises files within the municipality. 

Alex Henderson, the planning director for the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission, said since 2023 there have been 50 properties that have been identified that fell within the by-law’s dangerous or unsightly criteria.

Unsightly properties are usually identified by the municipality through the bylaws and are governed by the Unsightly Premises Act. The Act outlines the step-by-step process for notifying and enforcement of it. 

In some cases, properties can be torn down if all the processes are followed, but that cost must come first from the municipality. 

“We still have a number of files to get closed,” Henderson said during the council’s regular meeting in February. “They remain on Service New Brunswick, flagged, that they need to come into compliance and that comes up during property transfers.” 

Coun. Adam Hatt said some of the files the municipality is dealing with might remain for a while because of the significant costs of dealing with them. 

“There (are) some tough decisions to be made down the road,” Hatt said. 

Henderson said it is something councils likely need to build a bit of a financial war chest for. 

“The money, you could recoup it, when you follow the process correctly but you still have to have that money upfront to go out and do the work,” he said. 

Coun. Mike Thompson asked whether any money had been recouped from previous unsightly properties. 

Chief Administrative Officer Jason Gaudet confirmed it had, but that the last two were outstanding. 

“We’re still waiting for reimbursement from the Department of Finance,” he said. “Which they are now getting out of that process, they’ve moved it back to ELG, but typically, we would be able to demolish a house, expense it, do up the paperwork with the bylaw enforcement officer, and have our reimbursement within 12 months but now we’re getting into almost two years.” 

Gaudet said the department hasn’t been able to explain why it is taking so long. 

“At the end of the day, we still have two files that are pending for reimbursement,” Gaudet said. 

Coun. Terry Lee said he doesn’t think continuing to try and tear down properties under the act is viable for the community – if it is in fact waiting for two years for reimbursement. 

“It’s a costly venture to demo these houses, clean them up, and the idea was that we would be reimbursed by the province and two years is a bit of stretch to wait for your money,” he said. 

Henderson said there isn’t much that can be done to improve the timeline. 

“If you followed the process, they owe you the money,” he said. “It’s essentially an outstanding payment owed to you and how you account for that, that’s tricky.” 

He said the municipality will likely just need to budget for it, allowing for the wiggle room needed to wait for the reimbursement. 

In Saint Andrews, there is currently only one active file with the municipality – who handles its own unsightly files. 

Each property, according to Clerk Paul Nopper, is different and costs vary. 

He did say reimbursements take time, but there are no outstanding ones, adding that they have received their reimbursement before two years. 

The Department of Local Government did not directly respond about why it is taking two years to reimburse municipalities. 

“Any request for reimbursement of expenditures regarding unsightly premises made prior to December 31 of any year are reimbursed in the following year as indicated under subsection 143(1) of the Local Governance Act. These reimbursements are made every March 1,” said Clarissa Andersen, a spokesperson for the DLG.

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Witnesses at a trial over an alleged firearm incident in Geary in 2023 offered details that appeared to conflict with police information in the case Wednesday.

Darrell Richard Barnes, 52, of no fixed address, was in Fredericton provincial court Wednesday in person and in custody for his trial on 2023 counts of discharging a rifle at with intent to wound or endanger a man’s life, pointing a rifle that person, possessing the rifle without a licence, and possessing stolen social insurance and Visa cards.

Dustin Madden is the named complainant in the case, and he testified he’d been staying over the garage at 481 Broad Rd. in Geary with his brother for about a week and a half when an incident occurred at the property Oct. 3, 2023.

He said it was at about 8 a.m. that morning and he was outside speaking with Jason Coté, a neighbour.

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U.S. President Donald Trump's persistent boast that Canada will be the 51st U.S. state has been met with different degrees of seriousness in Canada. UNB military historian Marc Milner considers the issue.

Take an inside look at the tense relationship between New Brunswick and Ontario-based Julmac Contracting, which — long before it got fired this month over three costly bridge delays — had tested the patience of people facing similar delays on the Marysville Bridge in Fredericton.

An Irving gas station in Woodstock leaked thousands of litres of diesel fuel into the environment, according to government documents about the leak discovered in December.

Corporation celebrates corporate milestones for 2024

At a recent holiday event, McCain Foods took a moment to honour the remarkable achievements of their team members who have reached significant milestones in their journey with McCain.

Their dedication and commitment reflect the company’s core beliefs in bringing out the best in their people and highlighting the shared values that unite them all. In marking the milestones, they recognized employees’ passion, teamwork, and excellence that drive their success and strengthen the legacy they’re building together. Each was thanked for all they do to make McCain a place where people and ideas thrive.

10 Years:  Cindy Chamberland, Leo Clark, Roger Clark, Samuel Delano, Mitchell Denny, Leah Foster, Collett Mabhena, Brian McCain, Bobbi Miller, Christopher Muxworthy, Nadia Power, James Racette, Mary Sinclair, Douglas Sparks, Sterling Springer, Matt Warren, and Darlene Younker.

15 Years:  Teresa Adams, Warren Boone, Clay Brink, Chris Bursey, Bryce Drummond, Morgan Elsemore, Shaun Farrar, Matthew Flewelling, Justin Giberson, Ashley Lake, Douglas Lamont, Troy Lee, Kelly Love, Trudy McBrine-Cox, Holly Gallant Piper, Tia St-Amand, Michael Stoddard, Paul Tatlock, William Tibbets, Dharmesh Vekaria and Dana Wheeler.

20 Years:  Kevin Booker, Scott Brownridge, Tammy Chambers, Kelly Crossman, George Daneluk, Danny Dugan, Nick Everett, Cindy Graham, Lynda Graham, Kevin Harris, Sara Levesque, Patricia MacDonald, Kate MacKenzie, Walter McDougall, Jedd Miller, Chris Monteith, David O’Donnell, Jim Pryde, Jody Ryan, Brandie Simonson, Erica Smith, Karen Southan, Allan Tibbets, Shawn Tompkins, and Lisa Wortman.

30 Years:  Ronald Broad, Peter Giberson, Trevor Hughes, Jason McMann, John Morris, Wanda Seely, Carla Smith, Chris Stairs, Robert Trainor, and Meg White.

35 Years:  Finlay Beaton, Rick Black, Marsha Boxwell, Chris Brooks, Sylvia Bryant, Cory Cahill, Brian Crockett, James Ferguson, Virginia Gray, Robert Green, Almedia Guest, Mark Jones, Kenneth Jones, Eric Ritchie, Phillip Rogers, and Gail Seely.

40 Years:  Robert Heath, Shelley Murphy-Hayden, and Lionel Pryor.

45 Years:  Roger Brown, Glen Cormier, Jimmy Lappage, Wayne Phillips, and Garry Wortman.

50 Years:  Peter DeMerchant

25 Years:  A gala celebration for those who have reached their 25th anniversary will take place in June 2025 in Fredericton. Award recipients from across the Florenceville Campus are:  Angel Anderson, Jody Anderson, Opal Black, David Brennan, Barbara Broad, Nicole Brown, Chris Budrow, Mac Carmichael, Michael Chambers, Marsha Cullins, Corey Demerchant, Aaron Dickson, Jill Ebbett, Marilyn Giggie, Steven Hunter, Laura Kavanaugh, Jeremy Kennedy, Dana Kenneson, Yves LeClerc, Sean Loughery, Margo Lunn, Sean McLeod, Darryl Miller, Rob Moorcroft, Vickie Nicholson, Heather Reid, Fraser Stark, Denise Tompkins, Amy Warren, Shianne Waye, Robert Wortman and Pam Wright.

The post McCain Foods honours employees first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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A Fredericton man’s blanket denials of allegations of sexual misconduct involving an underage girl years ago were self-serving, lacking in credibility and often nonsensical, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Joshua Gorman, 39, of Dora Drive, stood trial in Fredericton provincial court over the course of several days last year on 10 indictable charges alleging sexual offences against a girl under the age of 16 in the capital region.

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A Bilijk (Kingsclear) First Nation man is scheduled to return to court next month to be sentenced for harassing a Fredericton woman repeatedly in recent months and to enter a plea to a revenge-porn allegation.

Scott Graham Sabattis, 47, of Kingsclear Avenue, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by telephone Monday from a custodial facility where he’s been remanded.

Defence counsel Bronwyn Mooney appeared in person in court to represent him, noting he was prepared to enter pleas to a number of charges.

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Southeastern New Brunswick loses a historic covered bridge. The William Mitton covered bridge was demolished Wednesday, leaving the province with only 58 covered bridges.

New Brunswick's electric utility and its largest forestry company are in a dispute over whether industrial power rates in the province are competitive. Who is right? The answer is complicated.

A woman who stood beside a woman bleeding to death in Moncton, didn't call for help and drove the perpetrator away from the scene has pleaded guilty to an accessory charge.

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A Fredericton man busted for drug possession for trafficking purposes after he was found unconscious in a single-vehicle wreck four years ago is headed to prison.

Shawn Kenneth Flemming, 52, of McMann Street, appeared in custody before Court of King’s Bench Justice Richard Petrie at the Burton Courthouse on Friday to hear the judge’s decision on his sentence.

Flemming pleaded guilty last year to indictable counts of possession of cocaine, LSD and psilocybin (magic mushrooms) for the purpose of trafficking.

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A Moncton tire shop faces a workplace safety charge after a worker was killed by a tire weighing 454 kilograms last fall. 

The Municipal District of St. Stephen (MDSS) is warning residents that work planned on the water system could result in another boil water advisory.

“The public is hereby advised that the Municipal District of St. Stephen will be conducting planned work on the potable water system tomorrow, Feb. 26,” it said on a message shared via the Alertable app.

It said the work is necessary as a result of failure of the pump that caused the original boil water order from Feb. 8 to 21.

“While this work is being conducted in a manner to avoid the need for an additional boil water advisory, given the nature of the work, such a result cannot be guaranteed,” it said in the alert.

It advises residents to take the necessary actions to prepare for a boil water should that be deemed necessary by the Department of Health.

“The MDSS appreciates your patience and understanding while this work is underway,” it said.

Saint John council voted to delay a final decision on an Irving Pulp and Paper proposal to convert a portion of a west side park near the mill into a roughly 500-stall lot. Following opposition from residents and city staff, councillors want to see discussion between the company and city staff on the major concerns of the project.

RCMP officer elects judge and jury trial

Constable Christopher Sorensen, 44, a member of the Woodstock RCMP, will be tried by judge and jury on charges of theft and one breach of trust.

Sorensen was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Feb. 24. Defence Counsel Bruce Phillips of Moncton entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf and told the court Sorensen was electing trial by judge and jury at the Court of King’s Bench. A date for his trial will be set on the next Motion’s Day on April 1.

The police officer faces four counts of theft and one count of breach of trust in connection with missing and unaccounted-for exhibits, including cash, seized during a recent crime investigation. Sorensen was a member of the Provincial Crime Reduction Unit.

The charges against him followed an investigation by the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT), an agency that independently investigates accusations against police officers in New Brunswick. The investigation by SiRT was launched in April of 2024.

Five months in jail for fraud

Jacob Perley, 34, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was sentenced to five months in jail when he appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 25.

Perley pleaded guilty to fraud under $5,000 in connection with 13 cheques, totalling $1,527, deposited into his bank account via digital transfer between June 11, 2022, and Sept. 16, 2022.  

The court heard the cheques were part of a sophisticated forgery scheme involving several individuals in the community. The band office was defrauded $67,000 when a social services cheque was copied, altered and deposited multiple times by several people using online banking over cell phones. The Bank of Montreal later reimbursed the band office.

Perley has a prior criminal record. He was denied bail and remanded on Feb. 20 in connection with a separate incident involving the alleged kidnapping and assault of a woman at Neqotkuk in April 2024.

Three months house arrest, probation

Delta Joy Bowmaster, 46, of Arthurette, was handed three months of house arrest and 12 months of probation when she appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 for sentencing on an impaired driving charge laid by RCMP.

Bowmaster was also fined $100 and was prohibited from driving for two years. She will be able to attend work during her house arrest.

She was charged by RCMP with impaired driving, impaired driving causing bodily harm, and reckless endangerment involving a minor following an incident on May 11, 2023, at Odell.

The crown withdrew the original charges and replaced them with a charge of impaired driving causing bodily harm and driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit.  Bowmaster pleaded guilty to driving with a blood alcohol limit over the legal limit, and the remaining charge was withdrawn.

On Tuesday, the court heard Bowmaster was involved in a single-vehicle accident on Route 390 at Odell around 7:15 p.m. A young child was travelling as a passenger in the backseat. When police arrived, Bowmaster was sitting on the side of the highway. She told police she swerved to avoid hitting a moose. The child was not injured in the mishap.

Judge Karen Lee ordered Bowmaster to seek counselling for alcohol addiction, noting her blood alcohol reading was almost three times the legal limit. Bowmaster had no prior criminal record.

Fined $1,500 for impaired

James Francis MacFadyen, 18, of Canterbury, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 and pleaded guilty to impaired driving. He was fined $1,500 and was prohibited from driving for one year.

Woodstock Police charged MacFadyen following an incident in Woodstock on Sept. 21, 2024. Police stopped his vehicle for no tail lights on Connell Street around 11:30 p.m. and discovered open liquor in the car and several passengers travelling with him. He had no prior criminal record.

Sentencing adjourned

Cassidy Guest, 33, of Grand Falls, appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Feb. 25 after pleading guilty to an assault charge.

Judge Karen Lee adjourned the sentencing until March 18 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for further submissions from both the crown and defence counsel.

Guest was charged by RCMP in connection with an incident on July 21, 2022, at the Perth Andover Motor Inn. The court heard Guest launched a surprise attack on another man in the parking lot and punched and kicked him. He was first charged with assault causing bodily harm but pleaded guilty to the lesser included offence of common assault.

Guest did not return for sentencing on Feb. 20, 2024, and an arrest warrant was issued. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 18 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear. He pleaded guilty and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.

Guest had no prior criminal record. He had been on the lam and working out west for a year before he was arrested in February.

Released to rehab facility

Makayla Marie Shaw, 27, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 25 on a charge of breaching a release order (curfew).

She was released to return to a rehab facility in Moncton and will return to court on March 18 at 9:30 a.m. for plea. Woodstock Police charged Shaw for an incident in Woodstock between Sept. 15, 2024, and Nov. 7, 2024.  She is also facing a break and enter charge laid by RCMP.

Returning for plea

Brycen Trae Stewart, 28, of Lakeville, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. The matter was adjourned until March 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

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

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.

Stewart 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 appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 30 for a bail hearing after being arrested on warrants. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. The court heard Stewart was entering a rehab facility in Moncton under house arrest.

Released with conditions

Daniel Jr. Francis, 32, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody for a bailing hearing on Feb. 24. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on March 18 at 9:30 a.m.

RCMP charged Francis with mischief causing property damage to a door and breach of probation concerning an incident on Feb. 20 at Neqotkuk. He has a prior criminal record.

Seeking legal counsel

Zachary Don Brooks, 21, of Peel, appeared in provincial court for plea on Feb. 25 on charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. The matter was adjourned until March 25 at 9:30 a.m. to allow him more time to seek legal counsel.

Brooks appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 20 and was released with conditions. RCMP charged him with assaulting a female victim, assault by choking, unlawful confinement and mischief causing property damage to a cell phone on Feb. 12 at Lower Brighton.

Woodstock Police charged him with assaulting a female victim and unlawful confinement for an incident on Feb. 19 in Woodstock. Brooks also faces a charge of assaulting another woman on Nov. 24, 2024, in Lower Brighton.

Back in custody

Tanna Wright of Perth-Andover appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 24 after being arrested on the weekend. She was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m.

Wright was charged with breaching her release order (curfew) concerning an incident on Feb. 21 in Woodstock. 

She appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 20 for a bail hearing. She was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to her ankle, but returned to custody shortly after.

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 is scheduled for trial on July 10 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to assault and theft of a wallet in connection with a separate incident.

Arrested on new charges

Shawn Sullivan, 38, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 24 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He returns to court for plea on new charges on March 18 at 9:30 a.m.

RCMP charged Sullivan with breaching his release order and breach of probation concerning an incident on Feb. 20 in Waterville. He was also accused of theft from the Twin Rivers Paper Company in Plaster Rock on Jan. 12.

Sullivan is also scheduled for trial on Dec. 17 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to two more charges laid by RCMP. He was charged 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 has a prior criminal record. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 12, 2024, for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.

Kirkland man awaits sentencing

Hilton Romeo Fredericks, 26, of Kirkland, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 24 for sentencing after changing his plea to guilty on charges laid by Woodstock Police. His sentencing was adjourned until Feb. 26 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

Fredericks has been in jail in Saint John for the past several months following remand for aggravated assault on a minor in Fredericton on March 21, 2023. His trial is set for March 3-14 in Fredericton Provincial Court.

On Jan. 15, Fredericks pleaded guilty to assaulting a female victim between Jan. 14 and Jan. 22, 2024, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew a second assault charge.

He also pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking by violating a no-contact order on Jan. 23, 2024, and breaching a release order (no-contact) on April 6, 2024, in Woodstock. The crown withdrew another breach charge on April 13, 2024.

Fredericks agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond related to a charge of assaulting another man on April 2, 2024, in Woodstock. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn.

Fredericks appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 7, 2024, and was released with conditions, including house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was later arrested in Fredericton.

Charged with sexual assault

Jordan Underhill, 30, of Wakefield, will appear in provincial court on March 25 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges.

Underhill was charged by RCMP with sexual assault involving a female victim and making a visual recording without consent in connection with an incident between Sept. 1, 2022, and Oct. 19, 2024, at Wakefield.

He was scheduled to enter a plea on Feb. 25 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel. The court heard a resolution may be sought with the crown.

Returning for plea

Kelsey Schriver, 25, of Johnville, will appear in provincial court on March 18 at 9:30 a.m. to answer one charge laid by RCMP.

Schriver was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle following an incident on Aug. 4, 2024, in Lakeville. She was scheduled for plea on Feb. 25 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

Trial date set

Henry Douglas Oakes, 54, of Greenfield, will appear for trial in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP.

Oakes appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 4 after being arrested on a warrant. He was released with conditions. A monitoring date for his trial was also set for March 25 at 9:30 a.m.

Oakes was charged by Woodstock Police with impaired driving on Aug. 6, 2024, and theft from the Superstore on July 12, 2024, in Woodstock. RCMP also charged him with breach of an undertaking on May 15, 2024, at Florenceville-Bristol.

Plea adjourned

Mackenzie O’Keefe, 26, of Tobique Narrows, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Feb. 25 from the Restigouche Hospital. His plea was adjourned until March 18 at 9:30 a.m.

O’Keefe appeared in provincial court in custody on Feb. 4 after being arrested on warrants. He was released with conditions but was later remanded for a mental health assessment on other separate charges. He told the court on Tuesday that he had nine days left in hospital.

O’Keefe was charged with mischief causing property damage to a windshield on Oct. 26, 2023, at Tobique Narrows, and possession of a stolen vehicle and driving while suspended on Dec. 30, 2023, at Quaker Brook, Victoria County.

Remanded for bail hearing

Jorge Heinz Fenske, 56, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 24. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m.

Fenske was charged with breaching an undertaking (no-contact order) in connection with an incident on Feb. 1 at Greenfield.

He is also scheduled to appear in provincial court on April 1 at 9:30 a.m. to answer multiple other charges laid by the RCMP.

Fenske was charged with assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim, assault with a weapon (a broom), and unlawful confinement for an incident on Nov. 16, 2024, at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation). He was also charged with assault causing bodily harm, uttering threats and taking a vehicle without consent following an incident on Dec. 10, 2024, at Wotstak.

Assault outside Woodstock Legion

Takoda Louis Lee Christian, 19, of Woodstock, formerly of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 to answer three charges laid by Woodstock Police. His matter was adjourned for plea until April 1 at 9:30 a.m.

Christian and a co-accused, Hannah Dawn McGuire, 18, of Woodstock, were each charged by Woodstock Police with aggravated assault, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident following an incident outside the Royal Canadian Legion in Woodstock on Nov. 14, 2024, around 8:55 p.m. Police were called to the scene, and a man was transported to hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

McGuire appeared in court on Feb. 25 for plea, and her matter was adjourned until March 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of her defence counsel.

The pair was arrested on a warrant while attempting to cross the Woodstock-Houlton border on Dec. 20, 2024. They were held in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 23, 2024, and released with conditions.

Carlingford man facing six charges

Patrick Campbell, 29, of Carlingford, will appear in provincial court on March 11 at 9:30 a.m. to answer six charges laid by RCMP.

Campbell was charged with sexual assault involving a female victim, assault causing bodily harm, assault by choking, assault with a weapon (a knife), attempting to obstruct justice, and administering a noxious substance in connection with incidents between 2020 and 2024 in Victoria County.

Campbell appeared in court on Feb. 25 when the matter was adjourned for plea to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.

Arrested on a warrant

Ryan Eccleston, 32, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 24 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court.

He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on March 20 at 9:30 a.m. Eccleston was charged with being at large on a release order, flight from police, dangerous driving and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking on March 17, 2024, in Perth-Andover.  He failed to return to court for plea on Feb. 4, and a warrant was issued.

The crown withdrew the drug trafficking charge at his court appearance on Jan. 7.

Not-guilty plea entered

Bianca Laqua, 35, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court via teleconference on Feb. 25 and pleaded not guilty to one charge laid by Woodstock Police. Her trial date was set for Dec. 1 at 9:30 a.m.

Laqua was charged with refusing a breathalyzer in connection with an incident on Sept. 21, 2024, in Woodstock. A monitoring date for her trial was also set for Sept. 16 at 9:30 a.m.

Returning for trial

Paul Allingham, 48, of Enterprise in Victoria County, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 and pleaded not guilty to an assault charge. His trial date was set for Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m.

Allingham was charged with assaulting another man in connection with an incident on Sept. 17, 2024, near Plaster Rock. He remains on an undertaking until his next court appearance.

Two charges in driving incident

Olivia Annette Young, 32, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on March 18 at 9:30 a.m. to answer two charges laid by Woodstock Police.

Young was charged with flight from police and dangerous driving concerning an incident on Sept. 13, 2024, in Woodstock. She was scheduled to enter her plea on Feb. 25 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of her defence counsel.

Warrant issued

The court issued an arrest warrant for William (Billy) Harding, 34, of Plaster Rock, after he failed to appear in provincial court for plea on Feb. 25.

Harding appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 10 and was released with conditions. He was charged with theft from the Superstore and breach of probation following an incident in Woodstock on Sept. 10, 2024.

Plea pending on multiple charges

Jonathon Daniel Stockford, 36, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 to answer multiple charges laid by RCMP. His plea was adjourned until March 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

Stockford appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Feb. 18 and was released with conditions. He was charged with breaching his release order following an incident on Feb. 18 at Bedell.

He also 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.

Awaiting plea on two charges

Dynielle Allison Demerchant, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 to face two charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until March 18 at 9:30 a.m.

Demerchant was charged with possession of stolen property and breach of probation concerning an incident in Woodstock on Sept. 17, 2024.

Plea delayed on firearm charges

Kathleen Paul, 35, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 to answer two firearm charges. Her plea date was adjourned until March 18 at 9:30 a.m. to allow her more time to secure legal counsel.

Paul was charged by RCMP with possession of a prohibited firearm and being an occupant of a vehicle, knowing it carried a gun. She was arrested on Jan. 30 and released with conditions.

Trial date confirmed

Stephen Pirie, 60, of Rowena, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 for monitoring about his trial. He confirmed he would be ready to proceed to trial on 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 at a court appearance on Jan. 21.  The court heard he has a trial on other separate matters on May 29 at 1:30 p.m.

Facing four charges

Earl James Demerchant, 35, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 to face charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until March 25 at 9:30 a.m.

Woodstock Police charged Demerchant with assaulting police, resisting arrest and breach of probation following an incident on Jan. 12 in Woodstock. RCMP also charged him with breach of probation for an incident on Nov. 3, 2024, in Waterville.

Warrant on file

A warrant is being held on file for Tristan Alexander Calhoun, 38, of Woodstock, after he failed to appear in provincial court on Feb. 25 for plea on an assault charge. The matter was adjourned until March 18 at 9:30 a.m.

Calhoun was charged by Woodstock Police with assaulting a woman, stemming from an incident between March 31 and Oct. 30, 2024, in Woodstock. He was released on an undertaking until his next court appearance.

Awaiting trial date

Alesha Rossi, 33, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 for plea on three charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until March 11 at 9:30 a.m.

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 crown denied a request to move the case to the alternative measures program. A trial date is expected to be set at Rossi’s next court appearance.

Sentencing adjourned

Mus-Hun Muwin of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Feb. 25 after pleading guilty to a fraud charge. The matter was adjourned until April 15 at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the completion of a pre-sentence report.

Muwin appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 18, 2024, after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear. She was released with conditions until her sentencing.

The court heard Muwin deposited a $326 cheque into her bank account that did not belong to her. The single incident in June 2022 was related to a series of fraudulent cheques that were circulating in the community. The cheques totalling $67,000 were copied and altered from a social services cheque that belonged to the band office. They were cashed illegally by several individuals through digital transfer.

On Feb. 25, Muwin was also charged with mischief causing property damage to a window stemming from an incident on Nov. 17, 2024, at Neqotkuk. She returns to court for plea on April 15 at 1:30 p.m.

Trial continues for Centreville man

Stacey Harry Broad, 57, of Centreville, will appear in provincial court in custody on Feb. 26 at 9:30 a.m. for the continuation of 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. The first part of his trial was held on Dec. 11, 2024, and was scheduled for further testimony on Jan. 22.

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 on a charge of breaching his release order a few days later. He later pleaded guilty to a mischief charge, and his sentencing was set for Jan. 22.

Clearview man returns for plea

Kyle Laurie Williams, 36, of Clearview, returns to court for plea on Feb. 26 at 9:30 a.m. on a breach charge laid by RCMP.

He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 6 for a bail hearing and was with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.

RCMP charged Williams with breaching a no-contact order and failing to appear in court. Judge Henrik Tonning imposed a prohibition on firearms as part of his release and ordered him to stay under house arrest at the family farm.

Williams is also awaiting trial on another charge of transmitting intimate images without consent concerning an incident on June 4, 2023, at Centreville. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial will proceed on Feb. 26 at 9:30 a.m.

Hartland man to enter plea

Dylan Rideout, 26, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 to answer threat charges. The matter was adjourned for plea until March 18 at 9:30 a.m.

Rideout will also appear for trial in provincial court on June 16 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP.

Rideout was charged with uttering threats involving a female victim, possession of a firearm without a licence and careless use of a gun (a shotgun) concerning an incident on Aug. 9, 2024, at Cloverdale.

Awaiting trial on multiple charges

Mitchell Hillman, 36, of Wilmot, will appear for trial in provincial court on Aug. 21 at 9:30 a.m. and Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to charges laid by Woodstock Police. He appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 for monitoring.

Hillman was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats concerning an incident on Sept. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. He appeared in court in custody and was released with conditions. His trial was set for Aug. 21. Another monitoring date was scheduled for March 11 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he has legal counsel to proceed.

He was also charged with driving while prohibited on Feb. 12, 2024, in Woodstock and mischief causing property damage to a truck on Feb. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. His trial was set for Sept. 5.

Hillman also pleaded not guilty to a break-in charge at the Richmond Corner’s tourist bureau. His trial date was set for June 26 at 9:30 a.m.

Michael Holt, 68, of Riverglade, will also stand trial on a charge stemming from the same break-in. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial date was set for July 16 at 1:30 p.m.

The pair was charged by RCMP with break, enter and theft in connection with an incident on Feb. 19, 2024.

Trial and sentencing set

Collin Francis Bear, 35, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Feb. 26 at 1:30 p.m. after pleading guilty to an assault charge laid by RCMP.

Bear was charged with assault, two counts of assault with a weapon (an axe and a mirror) involving a female victim, possession of a weapon to commit an offence (an axe) in connection with an incident on Aug. 26, 2023, at Neqotkuk.  He appeared in court in custody for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.

On Nov. 21, 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a weapon (an axe and a mirror) and the remaining charges were withdrawn by the crown.

Not guilty on all counts

Brian Keith Reynolds, 45, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 and pleaded not guilty to several charges laid by RCMP. His trial dates were set for Jan. 23, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. and Jan. 30, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

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.

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.

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 on Dec. 10, 2024, and between Nov. 11 and Nov. 23, 20204, at Wotstak.

Plea date pending

Crystal Lee Phillips, 44, of Richmond Corner, appeared in provincial court on Feb. 25 for plea on one charge laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until March 18 at 9:30 a.m.

Phillips was charged with breaching her curfew in connection with an incident on Jan. 23 in Woodstock. She appeared in court in custody and was released with conditions.

She will also appear for trial in provincial court on Dec. 10 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to 10 charges laid by RCMP.

Phillips was charged by RCMP with flight from police and dangerous driving following an incident on Feb. 24, 2024, at Jacksonville.

Woodstock Police also charged her with flight from police and driving while suspended on Feb. 6, 2024, fraudulent impersonation, using a credit card knowing it was obtained by fraudulent means, and defrauding the Walmart in Woodstock between Aug. 10, 2019, and June 23, 2023.

She appeared in provincial court in custody on April 18, 2024, on another charge of breaching her curfew laid by Woodstock Police.

Phillips appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 2, 2024, on other charges laid by Woodstock Police. She was released with conditions at that time, including a curfew. She was charged with possession of methamphetamine and breaking into a dwelling house on March 31, 2024, in Woodstock.

She also appeared for trial on Jan. 16 in relation to other separate charges. Phillips was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of stolen property (Sobeys gift card) concerning an incident on May 30, 2022, in Woodstock. The matter was moved to the alternative measures program. Phillips has until April 15 to complete the program requirements to have the charge withdrawn.

The post Woodstock Provincial Court: RCMP officer elects trial by judge and jury first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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