Subscribe now

A Fredericton woman who’s behind bars for a variety of property crimes and violations of court orders saw a pair of charges from this spring dropped in court this week.

Joe-Anna Marcella Hachey, 31, of no fixed address, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by video-conference from jail Tuesday to set trial dates for a couple of outstanding charges.

She pleaded not guilty last month to May 24 counts of possession of a stolen 2010 Mazda 3 belonging to Ethan Harding-Mitchell and an associated breach of probation.

Hachey was also sentenced last month to 16½ months in jail, less credit for remand time, on a variety of other offences to which she’d pleaded guilty.

Read more

Subscribe now

A Wassis man whom Welamukotuk (Oromocto) First Nation residents allegedly tried to violently oust from the community in the spring has denied drug-trafficking and weapons allegations.

Anthony Shane O’Blenis, 27, of Route 655, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday on numerous charges.

He’s accused of cocaine possession for the purpose of trafficking, carrying a concealed weapon (a BB gun), possession of the BB gun for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, possession of proceeds of crime and trespassing, all alleged to have occurred at Welamukotuk First Nation on July 18.

Accompanied by defence lawyer Edward Derrah on Tuesday, the defendant elected to be tried in provincial court and pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Read more

A boil water advisory has been issued for Saint Andrews residents because of work that's being completed on the water treatment plant, according to a social media post by town officials.

Subscribe now

A Fredericton man appeared in court this week to answer to allegations he sexually assaulted someone in the spring and assaulted that same person this fall.

Isaiah Waterall, 19, of Mason Avenue, made his first appearance in Fredericton provincial court Monday to answer to three summary charges, alleged to have occurred earlier this year.

Waterfall is accused of sexually assaulting a complainant between May 1 and 31, assaulted that same person Oct. 1 and damaged that individual’s iPhone 12, also on Oct. 1.

Read more

Canada Pension fraud nets 15-month conditional sentence and restitution

A Carlow senior must refund the federal government thousands of dollars for cheating on his Canada Pension disability benefits.

Edwin Norman Pardy, 65, appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Dec. 10 after pleading guilty to an indictable fraud charge laid by Woodstock Police.

Chief Judge Brian C. McLean ordered him to pay $42,960 in restitution to the federal government. Pardy was also handed a 15-month conditional sentence, including seven months of house arrest, with permission to attend work, and eight months of following a curfew. He was also placed on 12 months of probation.

Pardy was charged with defrauding Service Canada concerning incidents between July 27, 2017, and Nov. 26, 2021, at Woodstock. The court heard he was receiving disability benefits but returned to work part-time as a truck driver without reporting his earnings. He had no prior criminal record.

Defence Counsel Brent Dickinson said Pardy was injured in 2011 and was then diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He returned to work out of necessity but failed to report his earnings for about four years.

Dickinson said Pardy was receiving the Old Age Pension (OAS) but expected Service Canada to garnish the full amount of $800 per month for the debt he owed from the disability fraud.

Dickinson said his client was remorseful for his actions and was working as a truck driver despite his health problems. Pardy was also fined $200.

Woodstock RCMP officer facing five charges

Constable Christopher Sorensen, 44, a member of the Woodstock RCMP, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on theft charges and one count of breach of trust.

Sorensen was scheduled for plea on Oct. 30 but the matter was adjourned to the new date to allow his defence counsel to further review the disclosure of evidence from the crown. 

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.

90 days in jail for Powers

Steven Frank Powers, 60, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on Dec. 10 and pleaded guilty to one charge laid by RCMP.  He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, minus time served.

Powers appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 1 and waived his bail until later. He pleaded guilty to breach of probation in connection with an incident on Oct. 30 in Plaster Rock. He was ordered to have no contact with the female complainant. Powers had a lengthy prior criminal record.

Held for bail hearing

Robert McFarlane, 39, of Florenceville-Bristol, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Dec. 10 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court. He was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Dec. 11 at 1:30 p.m.

McFarlane was charged by RCMP with assaulting another man on April 4 at Florenceville-Bristol, and breaking into a dwelling house, committing mischief causing property damage to a door, and breach of an undertaking on May 4 in Johnville. He was arrested on a warrant on June 27 and released with conditions.

On Aug. 20, he appeared in provincial court to set a date for his trial after pleading not guilty. The matter was adjourned until Sept. 3 when he failed to appear.

As part of his release, McFarlane was ordered to follow a curfew, have no contact with the complainant and stay away from a residence in Johnville. He was also prohibited from the use of firearms.

Warrant issued for Lakeville man

The court issued another arrest warrant for Brycen Trae Stewart, 28, of Lakeville, after he failed to appear in court to answer new charges on Dec. 10.

Stewart failed to appear in court for plea on Oct. 30 and an arrest warrant was also issued at that time. He was charged with two counts of breaching his release order (curfew) concerning incidents on Sept. 24 and Oct. 8 in Woodstock. He appeared in court in custody via teleconference on Oct. 22 and was released with conditions.

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

Sentencing set on two charges

James Earle Dow, 47, of Dow Settlement, appeared for trial in provincial court on Dec. 6 and changed his plea to guilty on two charges laid by RCMP.  His sentencing date was set for March 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

Dow was charged with driving while prohibited and refusing a breathalyzer demand in connection with an incident on May 14, 2023, at Dow Settlement.

Charges withdrawn

Paul Rideout, 47, of Coldstream, appeared for trial in provincial court on Dec. 2 after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP. The crown withdrew the charges and the trial was cancelled.

Rideout was charged with possession of several firearms without a licence and improper storage of firearms in connection with an incident on Oct. 23, 2023, at Coldstream. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Feb. 13.

Warrant on file

Tristan Alexander Calhoun, 38, of Woodstock, was scheduled to appear in provincial court on Dec. 10 for plea on an assault charge. He did not attend and a warrant will be held on file until his next court appearance on Dec. 17 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 in Woodstock.

Neqotkuk man to stand trial

Austin Aube, 28, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), will appear in provincial court in custody on Dec. 13 at 9:30 a.m. to set a new date for his trial. He was scheduled for trial on Dec. 9 but the matter was adjourned to the new date at the crown’s request.

Aube appeared in court in custody by video on Aug. 29 and waived his bail until later. He was charged with flight from police, two counts of assaulting a police officer with a weapon (an ATV), resisting arrest, dangerous driving, possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), possession of a prohibited weapon without a licence, and breach of an undertaking on July 28 at Neqotkuk; driving while suspended and flight from police on July 12 at Neqotkuk; assault with a weapon (a knife) involving a female victim, assault by choking, and resisting arrest on May 8 at Neqotkuk. He was arrested on a warrant.

Crown called no evidence

Nicole Perley, 39, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court on Dec. 9 after pleading not guilty to two charges. The crown called no evidence and Perley received a directed verdict of not guilty.

Perley was charged by RCMP with break and enter at a dwelling house and assault involving another woman in connection with an incident on June 2, 2023, at Neqotkuk.

Murder charge in Nova Scotia

A Perth-Andover man is facing a murder charge in Nova Scotia while also awaiting plea on charges in Woodstock.

Patrick James Denny, 29, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 10 to answer charges laid by RCMP. He told the court he was currently serving a federal prison sentence and was also facing new charges in Nova Scotia.

Denny returns to court in custody for plea in Woodstock on Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. on charges of reckless discharge of a firearm, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, possession of a firearm while prohibited, and possession of a firearm without a licence, concerning an incident on Nov. 15, 2022, in Hartland.

On Oct. 21, Denny was charged by Halifax RCMP with second-degree murder and committing an indignity to human remains in connection with a homicide that occurred in East Preston, Nova Scotia, on Aug. 30, 2022.

The charges were laid in Dartmouth Provincial Court after police responded to a report of a suspicious van parked behind a strip mall in East Preston. Inside the vehicle, RCMP discovered the body of Barry Angus Studley of Middle Sackville. Denny and Studley were known to each other.

In May 2023, Denny was sentenced in Woodstock to a total of three and a half years in federal prison for his involvement in a police chase near Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation) that involved weapons and assaulting a police officer. Denny was on parole when he was arrested. He appeared in court in custody on Nov. 21, 2022, and waived his bail.

Sentencing delayed on sex charge

A River de Chute man, facing jail on a sex charge, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 10 for a hearing about withdrawing his guilty plea.

Martin Sargefield, 30, was charged by RCMP with touching a female minor for a sexual purpose (indictable) between July 1, 2016, and July 22, 2022. He pleaded guilty and the evidence against him was read into the record by the crown. The court heard about a series of sexual acts involving Sargefield and the victim.

Sargefield was unprepared to present legal arguments on Tuesday and did not have a lawyer to assist him. Chief Judge Brian C. McLean adjourned the hearing until Jan. 7, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

At that time, Sargefield must prove he was unaware of the allegations and charges, that he was unaware of the effect and consequences of his guilty plea, that his plea was not made voluntarily, and that his plea was equivocal in nature. 

Two other sex charges, which were to be withdrawn by the crown at sentencing, will remain before the court as a result of Sargefield’s request to take back his guilty plea.

Facing fraud charge

Cindy Mean, 64, of Lower Brighton, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 31 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a fraud charge.

RCMP charged Mean with defrauding another person of a sum of money with a value not exceeding $5,000 in connection with incidents between Aug. 2 and Oct. 3, 2022, at Lower Brighton. She was scheduled for plea on Dec. 10 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of her defence counsel.

Limestone woman charged

Brandi Cowper, 46, of Limestone, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on one charge laid by RCMP.

Cowper was charged with obstructing the course of justice concerning an incident on Aug. 10 in Jackson Falls. She was scheduled to attend court on Dec. 10 and did not appear but was represented by defence counsel.

Summerfield man awaiting trial

Michael Evan Shellard, 33, of Summerfield, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 10 and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Oct. 23, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

Shellard appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions.

He was charged with discharging a firearm with intent, careless use of a firearm; possession of a firearm without a licence, and uttering threats in connection with an incident on Nov. 5 at Summerfield. He was also charged with assault and assault by choking involving a female victim for another incident on Nov. 3 at Summerfield.

Returning for plea

Braden Morgan, 27, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 17 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by Woodstock Police.

Morgan was charged with assault involving a female victim and uttering threats in connection with an incident on Oct. 30 in Woodstock. He was scheduled for plea on Dec. 10 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.

Charged with impaired driving

Angela O’Donnell, 56, of Glassville, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to answer an impaired driving charge.

RCMP charged O’Donnell following an incident on June 16 at Fielding. She was scheduled for plea on Dec. 10 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of her defence counsel.

Arrested on new charge

Brittany Priscilla King, 27, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 10. She was remanded to jail to await a bail hearing on Dec. 12 at 1:30 p.m.

Woodstock Police charged King with breach of a release order by violating electronic monitoring between Dec. 7 and Dec. 9 in Woodstock. She is also awaiting trial on other separate matters.

Woodstock Police charged King with assault with a weapon (a knife), assault causing bodily harm to a male victim, theft, and unlawful entry at a dwelling house concerning an incident on Nov. 5, 2023, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial dates were rescheduled for April 14 and April 24, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

She was also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, dangerous driving, committing mischief causing property damage and assault using a vehicle following an incident on Sept. 17, 2023, in Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was adjourned until May 8, 2025.

King was also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle on Nov. 22, 2022, and failing to attend court on Feb. 21, 2023. She pleaded not guilty and a trial date was set for April 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

Two charged with fraud

Two individuals from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) appeared in provincial court on Dec. 10 to answer fraud charges.

John Perley and Tara Sappier were each charged by RCMP with uttering forged documents (cheques) and fraud over $5,000 in connection with incidents between Sept. 12 and Oct. 6, 2022 at Neqotkuk. They both return to court for plea on Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

The charges are related to a series of cheques stolen from the band office which were allegedly cashed by a number of individuals in the community. Other charges have been laid.

Plea adjourned on several charges

Logan Estey, 20, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 10 to answer multiple charges. The matter was adjourned for plea until Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

Estey was charged by RCMP with assault, assault with a weapon (a car), and dangerous driving following an incident on July 24 at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation).

Woodstock Police charged him with two counts of breaching a no-contact order concerning an incident on Aug. 3 in Woodstock. He was ordered to have no further contact with the complainant. He appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 8 and was released with conditions.

He was also charged with mischief causing property damage to a window and possession of a firearm for the purpose of committing an offence in connection with an incident on Jan. 1 in Upper Woodstock. The court heard Estey is also facing more charges in Fredericton.

Returning for plea on trafficking charges

Justin Ryan Shea, 36, of Plymouth Road, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 10 to answer two drug trafficking charges. The matter was adjourned for plea until Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

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.

Shea appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7 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 and an additional charge of breaching an undertaking (curfew).

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 in Lower Woodstock.

Sentencing set for manufacturing firearms

Kevin Manuel Cedros, 42, of Aroostook Junction, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 10 and pleaded guilty to seven of 10 charges related to the manufacture of firearms using a 3D printer. His sentencing date was set for March 25, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

Cedros appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 5 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.

Cedros was also placed under house arrest. He was ordered to reside at a residence in Aroostook Junction and follow a curfew. Police will be checking on him on a regular basis and all 3D printer software and supplies were to be surrendered to the authorities immediately.

RCMP arrested Cedros after police received a report on Aug. 15 about a person manufacturing and selling 3D-printed firearms at a residence on Route 130 in Aroostook. Search warrants were executed and police uncovered 3D printed firearms, ammunition, numerous firearm parts, a 3D printer, prohibited magazines and electronic devices.  

In federal prison awaiting plea

Ryan Eccleston, 32, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video from federal prison on Dec. 10 to answer two charges laid by RCMP.

Eccleston was charged with being at large on a release order and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking. He returns to court in custody for plea on Jan. 7, 2025, at 11 a.m.

Eccleston was sentenced in 2021 to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to 11 charges laid by RCMP.  He was paroled and then returned to prison on the new charges. He told the court his prison sentence from 2021 expires in January.

Drug charge stayed

Rhonda Perley, 59, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), was scheduled for sentencing in provincial court on Dec. 10 when Judge Natalie LeBlanc ordered a stay of proceedings at the crown’s request.

Perley pleaded guilty to trafficking in cocaine for an incident on Feb. 27, 2020, at Neqotkuk. The court heard she could not appear for sentencing due to serious illness.

A co-accused, Jeffrey Phillips, 60, of Neqotkuk, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for drug trafficking when he appeared in provincial court on April 3.

Phillips pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking for an incident on Feb. 28, 2020, at Neqotkuk. The crown withdrew two other charges. Phillips had a prior criminal record for drug possession.

RCMP charged them after undercover police officers purchased cocaine from them at their home in Neqotkuk. The crown said the officers dealt with Phillips to make the purchase, but Perley was inside the house and aware of what was happening. Perley also talked to the officers about the deal and possible future deals.

Change of plea for Denny

Braxton Denny, 24, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 10 and changed his plea to guilty on two charges laid by RCMP. His sentencing was set for March 11, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

Denny pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property and flight from police on July 22, 2023, in Jacksonville. Two counts of failing to appear in court, on Oct. 17 and Oct. 24, 2023, were withdrawn by the crown.

Denny was also charged by Woodstock Police with assault, committing mischief by damaging a TV, and breach of a release order by failing to abstain from drugs between May 1 and June 6 in Woodstock; and assaulting a woman, assault by choking, two counts of uttering threats, committing mischief by damaging a mirror and a door, and breach of a release order by failing to abstain from drugs for another incident between June 6-7 in Woodstock.

He pleaded not guilty and his trial date was set for Sept. 11-12, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was also scheduled for March 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Denny appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 17 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.

Trial set for Centreville man

Stacey Harry Broad, 56, of Centreville, is scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court in custody on Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to assault and mischief charges laid by RCMP.

Broad appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 23 and was denied bail. On May 9, he pleaded not guilty to multiple assault charges laid by RCMP.

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

He was released from custody with conditions but was re-arrested on a charge of breaching his release order on April 15.

Plea adjourned on two sets of charges

Dynielle Allison Demerchant, 28, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 29 to answer two charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Dec. 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of her defence counsel.

Demerchant was charged with identity theft (cards) and possession of methamphetamine concerning an incident on May 2 in Woodstock. She appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 4 and was released with conditions.

Demerchant was also charged by Woodstock Police with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a prohibited weapon (a switchblade) in connection with an incident on Dec. 22, 2022, in Woodstock. She entered her not-guilty plea at a court appearance on March 12.

On Nov. 1, her defence counsel told the court a resolution was pending on the trial matter but Demerchant did not appear to deal with the charges and a warrant was issued.

Sentencing set for Davenport

Timothy Grant Davenport, 46, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court in custody on Dec. 13 for sentencing after changing his plea to guilty on six charges laid by RCMP.

Davenport was charged by RCMP with theft of a gun and ammunition, committing mischief by breaking a window, resisting arrest, possession of a prohibited weapon (a loaded sawed-off shotgun), reckless discharge of a firearm, pointing a firearm at another man, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of ammunition while prohibited, and possession of a firearm while prohibited, in connection with an incident on Nov. 26, 2023, near Lakeville.

Three of the charges were withdrawn by the crown and one firearm charge was reduced to a lesser included offence.

Davenport appeared in court for a bail hearing on Nov. 29, 2023, and was remanded to jail. He also awaits sentencing for one other offence after pleading guilty to a fraud charge.

Quebec man awaits sentencing

A Quebec man remains in custody after a spike belt was used to stop a vehicle that was travelling in the wrong lane on the Trans Canada Highway and then fled from police near Woodstock during the early morning hours of Aug. 5.

Frederick Garneau Watson, 42, of Saint Liguori, was arrested by RCMP near Maliseet Fuels at Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation) and remanded to jail.

He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Oct. 30 and pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, flight from police, assault and obstruction.  He was scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 9 when the matter was adjourned to Jan. 23, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

Police laid the charges after receiving a report of a vehicle travelling in the wrong lane on Highway 2 around 1:30 a.m. and then spotted it driving erratically in the parking lot at Maliseet Fuels. The vehicle attempted to flee the scene. Police deployed a tire deflation device to stop it. The driver exited the vehicle and was arrested at the scene. A loaded handgun was located in the vehicle after his arrest.

The post Woodstock Provincial Court: Conditional sentence, restitution order for Canada Pension fraud first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Freezing rain and poor road conditions caused the closure of a handful of schools in the northern part of New Brunswick Wednesday morning, with poor weather in the forecast for much of the province throughout the day.

Subscribe now

A Fredericton woman is facing allegations of using a forged cheque and defrauding the federal tax man.

Amanda Jayne Martin, 41, of Biggs Street, made her initial appearance in Fredericton provincial court Monday to answer to two criminal charges.

Read more

In the first major reversal of a Liberal election promise, the Holt government will not be repealing the so-called “Higgs carbon adjustor” — one of its signature affordability commitments — by the end of this year.

The students slated to graduate this semester at the Fredericton campus of the Moncton flight college will be the last grads for the foreseeable future.

Subscribe now

Western and central areas of New Brunswick - including the capital region - will see freezing rain Tuesday evening, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

On top of the special weather statement in effect for much of the province due to heavy rains expected Wednesday into Thursday, the federal weather service also issued a freezing-rain warning Tuesday afternoon for many areas of the province.

“Freezing rain is expected or occurring,” the 3:45 p.m. alert stated, noting it would be in effect for western and central New Brunswick.

Among the affected areas are Fredericton, Oromocto, Grand Lake, Woodstock, Stanley and Doaktown.

It’s expected to begin Tuesday night and end Wednesday morning, lasting about four to six hours - perhaps.

“There is some uncertainty in the duration and intensity of the freezing rain,” the warning said.

“Initially it may fall as ice pellets or freezing drizzle for a period, followed by freezing rain before transitioning to rain on Wednesday.”

The weather service warned the freezing precipitation could make for slippery driving conditions, and render walkways and parking lots difficult to navigate as well.

Furthermore, the special weather statement issued Monday, forecasting heavy rains for Wednesday into Thursday, was upgraded Tuesday afternoon to a full rainfall warning for western New Brunswick, including the capital and surrounding areas, as well as the Fundy Coast.

Whereas on Monday the federal weather service was calling for up to 25 millimetres of rain in the region, the rainfall warning is now predicting 25 to 40 mm for areas under the alert.

“An intense low pressure system will track west of New Brunswick on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. This system will give periods of rain, at times heavy,” that warning said.

“Strong southerly winds gusting to 80 kilometres per hour will accompany this system, with gusts up to 90 km/hour over the Fundy Coast.”

The service also cautioned that such heavy downpours can cause flash-flooding and pooling of water on roads.

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

Subscribe now

Western and southern New Brunswick are in for a messy day.

Subscribe now

An Oromocto man arrested last week on stolen-car and firearm charges but sprung on conditions is back in custody, facing new charges and an allegation he violated his release conditions.

Alexander James Broome, 23, of Deer Park in Oromocto; and Stuart Raymond McCann, 42, of Moccasin Lane on the Welamukotuk (Oromocto) First Nation, were arrested by Fredericton police officers Nov. 26 and accused of various offences.

Both were charged with Nov. 26 counts of possession of a stolen 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe belonging to Stephanie Dufour, possession of a prohibited and altered firearm without a licence, occupation of a vehicle while knowing that prohibited firearm was contained therein, improper storage of the firearm, possession of break-in instruments (bolt cutters, a grinder and a hammer), and breaches of separate probation orders.

The two men were remanded pending bail hearings.

Read more

New Brunswick’s new Liberal government is ramping up spending on infrastructure, but not by a large margin.

Subscribe now

Editor’s note: The reporter covering this court proceeding became involved in it unexpectedly, given how it focused in part on news coverage. As such, this article cites statements made in court by the journalist who wrote this report.

A lawyer representing the parents of a Muslim girl being sued by a Jewish schoolmate for alleged assaults at their school in the spring claimed Tuesday news coverage of the case is going too far.

A Jewish girl attending Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton and her father, acting as her litigation guardian, filed a lawsuit in September in the Court of King’s Bench arguing alleged assaults by a Muslim student April 30 were motivated by anti-Semitism.

Named as defendants in the case were the Muslim girl, her parents, Anglophone West district education council (DEC) and an unknown man who witnessed one of the two encounters between the girls that occurred off school grounds.

The original notice of action and statement of claim named both girls, but on Sept. 27, lawyers representing the Muslim girl’s parents applied to the Court of King’s Bench for a publication and broadcast ban on information that would tend to identify their daughter.

Read more

New Brunswick's Department of Health is not meeting wait time targets for people seeking addiction and mental health treatment, and despite an increase in demand for treatment, has not increased its budgeted amounts for those services, according to a report by auditor general Paul Martin.

Subscribe now

As detectives with its major crime unit continue their investigation into a double homicide in Chipman last month, the RCMP has released a photo of a car that might be connected to the case.

Last month, the force announced it was investigating the deaths of two people found in a burning car the morning of Nov. 25 in the capital region.

“On Nov. 25, 2024, at approximately 8 a.m., members of the Chipman RCMP detachment responded to a report of a vehicle on fire with two people inside, off Midland Road in Chipman,” the RCMP said in a news release issued Nov. 27.

“When police arrived at the scene, they located the bodies of two individuals inside a white Chevrolet Equinox that had been consumed by fire.”

The RCMP said its major crime unit is treating the case as a double homicide.

Police have said little about the case since that time - until Tuesday.

The major crime unit released a photo Tuesday afternoon of “a vehicle of interest” detectives are seeking as part of the investigation.

“The vehicle, believed to be a red Toyota Corolla, was seen in the Chipman area in the late evening hours of Nov. 24, and the early morning hours of Nov. 25,” the latest RCMP release said.

Anyone who recognizes the car, who resides in the area and has camera footage from the night of Nov. 24 into the morning of Nov. 25, or who otherwise has relevant information to call the RCMP's major crime unit at 1-888-506-RCMP (7267).

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

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

Subscribe now

A preliminary inquiry concluded Tuesday morning for a Moncton man accused of a 2019 double murder in Dieppe, with the case now set to move to a higher level of court where he will stand trial.

The City of Saint John has agreed to provide $125,000 to a YMCA project that will see the creation of a 90-space after-school program geared toward outdoor education.

The Blaine Higgs government cancelled its membership in a federal hotel-rate program to save $14,850 – a decision that led to estimated higher travel expense costs of $632,169 per year, according to New Brunswick’s auditor-general.

New Brunswick's auditor general says the province is failing to meet its legal obligations in reviewing and reporting on child deaths.

Subscribe now

With his defence counsel confirming receipt of additional information from the prosecution, a Halifax man will be proceeding to trial as scheduled in early 2025 on sex-crime allegations.

Aaron Wilson, 40, of Bishop Street in Halifax, faces Aug. 6, 2023, charges alleging he sexually assaulted a minor and touched that child for a sexual purpose in Waterborough, which is located about 75 kilometres east of Fredericton.

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

Read more

Ten municipal byelections came to a close Monday night, with 5,680 ballots cast across the province, according to Elections New Brunswick’s unofficial results.

Subscribe now

A Nova Scotia man scheduled to stand trial next month on an allegation of a violent sexual assault decades ago no longer has to worry about the criminal prosecution.

Crown prosecutor Geoffrey Hutchin and defence lawyer Adrian Forsythe appeared in the Court of King’s Bench at the Burton Courthouse on Tuesday, scheduled to go through a pre-trial conference in the case of Douglas Bourque, 69, of Middle West Pubnico, N.S.

Bourque - who appeared in court Tuesday by telephone from Nova Scotia - faced a charge of sexual assault causing bodily harm to a complainant.

The indictable charge alleged events at Base Gagetown in Oromocto between Aug. 1 and Oct. 1, 1988, and Bourque’s jury trial was scheduled for Jan. 20 to 28.

Read more

Subscribe now

Firefighters in the capital were able to save a pet and quickly extinguish a fire in a residence Monday afternoon, the department reports.

In a post on the Fredericton Firefighters’ Association page on Facebook, the Fredericton Fire Department said its personnel responded to a fire at a house on the city’s north side Monday afternoon.

“At approximately 2:30 p.m. [Monday], city crews were dispatched to a structure fire on Glennorth [Street], off Brookside Drive, on the city’s north side,” the post stated.

“Upon arrival, Truck 2 observed light smoke coming from the windows.”

That truck’s crew deployed a hose line to the rear of the house and entered the basement, it said, and firefighters located the seat of the fire. Concurrently, the post said, another crew secured a water source and searched the main floor of the residence.

“The fire was extinguished shortly after Truck 2 made entry,” the association reported. “During the search, a cat was safely rescued.”

There were no injuries reported, it said, and the home sustained minimal damage.

There was no word about the potential cause of the fire.

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

Subscribe now

Some Syrians who settled in the province after escaping conflict are talking of returning home, while others say they plan to visit but will remain New Brunswickers.

Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers says the city has exhausted its options for reducing crime and is now leaning on provincial and federal levels of government for help as part of a new community safety task force.

Mayor wants to expand locations, design and size of banners, and review the handling of correspondence

Woodstock Council is looking to revise its promotional banner policy to expand it beyond the downtown area and help promote important community events. 

Discussion of the recommended new banner policy at the Nov. 26 council meeting also touched on developing a new policy for handling correspondence with staff, the mayor and the council. 

CAO Allan Walker explained the banner policy revisions would build upon the town’s new logo and rebranding efforts. He noted the town will issue a request for proposals (RFP) on entrance signage, banner locations, and event promotion. 

Walker and Mayor Trina Jones explained that the planned revisions would build upon the banner policy adopted early in 2024, which limited banner usage for town-sponsored event promotion and tourism. 

The policy states, “Eligible banners are for Woodstock-area tourism events only.” 

The only exception beyond the specified categories was the placement of veterans’ banners before and during Remembrance Day. 

The unanimously approved banner policy created a public backlash as it discontinued the annual display of pride banners supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Jones explained that the revised policy would not change whose banners are displayed but would provide “greater flexibility” to the types and sizes of banners and where the town will display them. 

She explained the current banner policy as “very specific” to the type and size of banners, which limited effective promotion of tourism events such as the upcoming Maritime Snowmobile Racing Championships in February. 

Jones said the town is working with a marketing firm to finetune banner promotion options, which include different styles, types and sizes. The town also wants to extend banners to Connell Street to inform visitors entering the town from the Trans Canada Highway. 

“The old policy really focused on downtown Main Street,” Jones said. “We know this would be much broader than that.” 

During the discussion of the banner policy revisions, the mayor acknowledged the town received correspondence from a concerned citizen suggesting the town’s policy violated human rights. 

“It was never our intent to draft a policy that would do that,” the mayor said. 

She said the town forwarded the concerned citizen’s letter to council members, appropriate staff, and a third party for legal review. 

Jones said the legal council, after a detailed review, determined the town’s banner policy was in compliance with the Human Rights Act. She added that the staff accepted that legal finding moving forward. 

Jones told council that the letter about the banners and other correspondence raised the need for council to clarify how the town should handle correspondence. She explained that some writers want their correspondence read into the record at public council meetings while others don’t. 

The mayor said she and members of Woodstock staff are looking at how other municipalities handle correspondence, noting methods differ from one to the other, 

“Really, we’re really not required as municipalities to do anything with any correspondence,” Jones said. “However, we’ve always had good practices in the past, but I think it’s time, even with staff and the clerk trying to manage it as it comes through, that we look at some of the practices that other municipalities are doing.”

Jones said the goal is to establish a more transparent process and let residents know what to expect.

She encouraged council members to share their opinions with staff. 

The Woodstock banner policy also includes handling council proclamations and special coloured lighting displays. 

The policy states that the mayor, council, or town will only read proclamations from organizations with a local connection to the community. 

As for specialized lighting, the policy is direct, stating, “The Town of Woodstock will not place special lighting regardless of the organization making the request.”  

The council closed the banner discussion with a motion to accept the revised banner policy. 

The post Town of Woodstock to streamline banner, correspondence policies first appeared on River Valley Sun.

New Brunswick property assessments for 2025 will not be issued for several weeks but in Saint John Terry Nadeau doesn't need to see the latest Service New Brunswick valuation of his house to know his 2025 property tax bill will jump — by $312.

Kelly Lamrock, New Brunswick's child, youth and seniors' advocate, said there is no legal authority underpinning the use of seclusion rooms in the province's schools. 

Subscribe now

A former Leo Hayes High School teacher is facing allegations of online luring and sexual offences stemming from his employment at the school, and he’s due back in court early in the new year.

Christopher (“Topher”) Lee Jackson, 43, of Wellington Court, was scheduled to make his first appearance in Fredericton provincial court Friday on four indictable charges alleging sex-related offences involving a minor.

He’s accused of sexually assaulting the complainant, luring that child online for the purpose of committing a sexual offence and touching that minor for a sexual purpose while in a position of trust or authority over that person between Oct. 1, 2023, and Feb. 12, 2024.

Jackson is also accused of another indictable sexual assault on the same minor between Jan. 3 and 4.

Read more

Subscribe now

A Fredericton-area man wanted on outstanding warrants has been located and detained, the Fredericton Police Force reports.

The police force issued a public plea Dec. 2 for information on the whereabouts of Christian Scott Norrad, 33, whom it said was wanted on several arrest warrants.

However, police spokesperson Sonya Gilks told the Fredericton Independent on Monday afternoon that the search for Norrad was over.

“He was arrested by RCMP on Saturday,” she wrote in an email.

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

Subscribe now

A new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information about access to primary care and emergency department use underscores the need for a more integrated, data-driven approach to health-care reforms, says a New Brunswick ER doctor.

Lawyer for URVH doctor named in case argues ‘duty of care’ does not extend to family members

A civil hearing at the Court of King’s Bench in Woodstock on Dec. 9 heard the facts disputed about why a Newburg man was discharged from the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville shortly before he took his own life.

The lawsuit was launched against Dr. Alaa Al-Sharief, Horizon Health and the River Valley Hospital Corporation following the death of Leonard Black, 49, who committed suicide on May 21, 2018. Black drove at breakneck speed over a steep embankment on Route 105, hitting a gravel screen before plunging his truck into the river, where he drowned. 

On May 18, 2018, Black was treated at the Waterville hospital emergency department at 2:54 a.m. for symptoms of anxiety and mental depression. He was prescribed antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication and sent home.

Three days later, Black was taken back to the hospital by his wife (Tammy Black) around 5:30 a.m. and was sent home again by the attending physician (Dr. Alaa Al-Sharief) with three sleeping pills.

Around 2 p.m., as his wife prepared to take him back to the hospital, Black grabbed his keys and drove his truck through their garage door.  He headed onto Route 105 at high speed and went over a 20-foot embankment into the river.

The plaintiffs, Melanie Acott and Tammy Black, claim he should not have been discharged from the hospital due to his mental state. They claim the hospital was negligent and breached its duty of care, which “led to the untimely death of Leonard Black.”

Melanie Acott is the daughter of the deceased. She arrived at the Black home just as her father drove through the garage door and sped away. She followed and watched as he ran his truck into a gravel pit and then off the highway over a vertical slope into the river. She is suing for pain and suffering caused by the trauma of seeing her father commit suicide.

Both plaintiffs claim Black needed a more comprehensive diagnosis, testing and treatment for suicidal ideation. They are suing Dr. Al-Sharief for “failing to meet the standard of care by not conducting a full and proper risk assessment on Mr. Black.”

During the hearing on Monday, Jamie Watson, the Saint John lawyer representing Dr. Al-Sharief, told the court that “duty of care” does not extend beyond the doctor-patient relationship. Therefore, the doctor could not be held responsible for what the daughter witnessed after Black left the hospital. She asked for the motion to be struck with costs to the plaintiffs.

“It’s a sad outcome, no question,” said Watson. “The doctor does not owe duty of care to family members. Therefore, there is no claim to be made.”

Watson noted Melanie Black was not at the hospital with her father, and she was not living at home at the time of the incident. Watson added that there was no way for the doctor to know that his patient had a daughter when he treated him in the emergency department.

Dr. Al-Sharief claims he ordered a CT scan and offered to have Black admitted to the hospital until the test was completed. The doctor says Black and his wife both declined and went home. They were to return later that afternoon for the CT scan.

Fredericton lawyer Erica Brown, representing the plaintiffs, argued Black’s wife specifically asked the doctor to keep him in the hospital and send him on to Fredericton by ambulance. She said Dr. Al-Sharief refused and “discharged him prematurely.”

“Mr. Black was suffering from acute psychiatric illness,” said Brown. “He did not know his name, age, the date or what day it was. He was confused, agitated, paranoid, and had trouble communicating.”

Brown contended Melanie Black was owed “novel duty of care” because she would not have witnessed her father’s suicide if he had remained in the hospital.

“The law is not settled on whether duty of care can be owed to a non-patient third party,” Brown stated. “It does not say it could never be owed.”

Brown said Dr. Al-Sharief failed to warn Black’s wife of any possible harm he may have been to himself or others, thus placing them all at risk of tragedy.

Dr. Al-Sharief, Horizon Health, and the River Valley Health Corporation deny the allegations and put the onus on Black’s wife for taking him home from the hospital.

The plaintiffs are suing for loss and damages arising out of Black’s death, which left Tammy Black a widow with a young child at the time. Justice Cameron Gunn is expected to file a written decision on the motion to amend within six months.

Tammy Black’s claim is still before the court.

The post Facts disputed in lawuit related to death of Newburg man first appeared on River Valley Sun.

A Doaktown man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of a woman in Moncton last year.

After a brief delay, an out-of-the-cold shelter with 12 beds is up and running in Bathurst.

Eleven candidates are vying for a Saint John council seat vacated after former councillor David Hickey was elected as a Liberal MLA. Meanwhile, Beausoleil is holding the only mayoral contest.

Subscribe now

It was two years ago that anyone saw Justin McMillan, and the RCMP investigation into his disappearance is ongoing, the Mounties report.

The RCMP issued an updated news release Monday morning, renewing its call for tips on the whereabouts of McMillan, 35, of Keswick Ridge.

“Justin McMillan was last seen on Dec. 19, 2022, at approximately 2 p.m. near the roadway on Route 616 in Keswick Ridge,” the Mounties reported at the time.

“He was reported missing to police on Dec. 26 [2022].”

The release noted that officers came up empty after pursuing several leads, and that there was concern for McMillan’s well-being.

In its update Monday morning, the RCMP offered no new details but once again asked the public for information that could lead to the Keswick Ridge man being found.

McMillan is described as being 5’9” tall and weighing about 120 pounds, with hazel eyes and short brown hair.

The release said he has a number of distinguishing marks: a tattoo of a cross under his left eye, a tear-drop tattoo under his right eye and a spider tattoo on the left side of his neck.

When he was last seen, he was wearing a navy blue winter jacket, a grey sweater, a black T-shirt, black overalls and brown pleather shoes.

Anyone with information on McMillan’s whereabouts or that could advance the investigation into his disappearance is urged to contact the Nackawic RCMP at 506-575-6200.

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

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

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

A Fredericton man accused of a narcotics-trafficking offence will be alleging police violated his Charter rights, his defence lawyer told a court Friday.

Mohammad Karam Abualhawa, 24, of McInnis Court, appeared in Fredericton provincial court in person Friday, accompanied by defence lawyer Ron Morris.

The defendant is accused of Sept. 6 counts of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of $300 in cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Read more

Subscribe now

The federal weather service put New Brunswickers on notice early Monday morning that they’re in for a drenching later in the week.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement early Monday morning for all parts of New Brunswick, forecasting unseasonably heavy rainfall mid-week for the entire province.

“Rain at times heavy and strong southerly winds are expected Wednesday into Thursday,” the advisory stated.

It noted rainfall could exceed 25 millimetres over many areas of New Brunswick, with southerly winds gusting 60 to 70 kilometres per hour, with even more powerful ones in coastal and exposed spots.

It said the wet weather is expected to begin Wednesday morning and continue until Thursday morning.

“An intense low pressure system will track west of New Brunswick Wednesday night and Thursday morning,” the special weather statement said.

“This system will give periods of heavy rain and strong southerly winds on Wednesday and Wednesday night, ending on Thursday morning.”

Furthermore, it said, freezing rain will be possible over northwestern parts of New Brunswick on Wednesday morning.

The daytime high for Fredericton on Wednesday is forecast to be 11 C, and it’s likely to remain at that unseasonable level Wednesday night as well, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather service indicated.

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

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

An Oromocto motorist was weaving across the centre line in traffic last year when an off-duty cop spotted what he was doing, a court heard Friday, and it was discovered he was more than three times over the legal limit..

Alexandre Gagné, 45, of Brennan Court, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Friday and pleaded guilty to an Aug. 3, 2023, count of having an elevated blood-alcohol level within two hours of driving.

Crown prosecutor Kyle Horsman said on the afternoon in question, an off-duty Mountie reported to colleagues that he was following a green Ford Escape on Miramichi Road in the model town that was headed to the Gateway roundabout.

Read more

Teachers and students are exposed to human trafficking on a regular basis — whether they know it or not — say experts who want school systems to bring in policies and programs that could keep students safe, both in class and online.

Two residents claim PAC approval of townhouse projects used misapplications of its authority and ignored unreasonable hardship of existing property owners

The New Brunswick Planning Appeal Board held a meeting in Woodstock on Friday, Dec 6, to hear the concerns of two Helen Street residents who contend the town’s planning advisory committee (PAC) overstepped its authority in approving two townhouse developments on their street. 

Bill Hogan and Bob Stokes, neighbours to the proposed development, outlined the basis of their appeals to the three-member board at the hearing held in Sam’s Room at the AYR Motor Centre. 

Woodstock CAO Allan Walker and Planning and Development Director Andrew Garnett defended the PAC decision. 

The board, consisting of chair Brigitte Ouellette and members Gary Mersereau and Darlene Skaarup, listened to submissions and asked questions of all four presenters during the hour-and-a-half meeting. 

Ouellette explained the board will deliver a written decision within 90 days. 

John Keenan, a developer Martin Rentals Properties representative, attended the hearing but did not address the board. 

The development company, co-owned by Woodstock councillor Mike Martin, hopes to build one three-unit and one four-unit townhouse at 108 and 115 Helen Street. 

Walker and Garnett provided the timeline leading to the PAC decision, which began with a public notice, including hand-delivered notices to nearby residents, on May 10. 

Garnett explained that the PAC held a public meeting on May 21, but Walker filled in for him because he couldn’t attend because of a family death. 

Walker described the May 21 public session as a “standard meeting,” with residents raising several objections and questions about the proposed project. 

He said that because the PAC couldn’t answer some of the questions, it deferred a decision until it could answer them, scheduling a follow-up meeting on June 17. 

Garnett explained he returned to his usual role at the June 17 meeting, coming prepared to answer four questions he deemed relevant to the issue. He also acknowledged that, unlike the previous public meeting, the public was not allowed to address the PAC. 

Garnett told the board the June 17 meeting got heated at times, describing it as one of the worst he had attended. 

“Never saw a group as disrespectful as that,” he said. 

Hogan said he couldn’t defend the actions of a few attendees but noted their actions did not change the basis of his and Stokes’ appeals. 

However, the actions of the PAC at the June 17 meeting played into Hogan’s view, citing the misapplication of proceedings. 

While the PAC had every right to ask rowdy public members to leave the meeting, Hogan argued the committee wrongfully removed all public members while discussing the question. They were allowed to return to hear the vote. 

Hogan quoted the Municipalities Act, which states that “all meetings of committees of council must be open to the public.” 

He added the act sets specific exceptions to that rule, none of which the PAC met. 

Hogan also dismissed the town’s explanation for its actions, which said the committee, according to the PAC constitution, had the right to expel the public. Hogan pointed out the council never passed the PAC constitution, which remains a draft copy. 

“I find that highly irregular and doesn’t meet the standards of a public meeting,” he told the board. 

Hogan, who is Woodstock-Hartland MLA and a former Woodstock councillor, outlined the council and PAC’s steps to fuel his misapplication of process complaints. 

He and Stokes both noted the lack of details describing the planned development. They also stated that neighbourhood residents should have been allowed to ask follow-up questions at the June 17 meeting. 

Hogan and Stokes called it unusual that the council passed a motion at the May 14 council meeting to express “no objection” should the PAC grant the needed variances. 

Walker said the council did not approve the variance with that motion but indicated a “neutral position.” 

Stokes pointed out that the councillor who seconded that council motion also sits on the PAC. 

Stokes, quoting a real estate expert, said the planned developments would cause unreasonable hardship by significantly reducing the value of his and some of his neighbours’ properties. 

Walker and Garnett said property value is determined by assessment, not a realtor’s opinion. 

Stokes also criticized the town’s efforts to notify the neighbourhood about the public meetings, especially for the second meeting. He also noted that the town never notified officials of the Townsview School, which sits at the end of the dead-end Helen Street. 

The board listened attentively to the submissions from both sides of the argument, asking questions for clarity and further details.

The post Appeal board hears submissions from Helen Street residents first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Mayor points to inflation, deterioration as main reasons for rate hike

Rising costs and an aging sewer system mean higher sewer rates for households in the District of Carleton North in the coming year.

Mayor Andrew Harvey announced the increases at the Nov. 26 council meeting.

“Due to the increasing expenses associated with repairing and maintaining aging sewer systems, which include higher costs for materials, labour, and compliance with regulatory standards, the District of Carleton North will be increasing sewer rates for Florenceville-Bristol and Centreville effective January 1, 2025,” he told councillors.

Florenceville-Bristol rates will increase from $311.40 to $390.00, and Centreville rates will increase from $360.00 to $390.00. The “Early Bird” discount option for Centreville will also be removed. Florenceville-Bristol will also be switched to quarterly billing, with the first bill issued in March 2025.

Mayor Harvey said the sewer systems were installed in 1992 and have yet to be significantly upgraded. Likewise, the rates have remained the same for over 20 years.

Harvey said both sewer systems (Centreville and Florenceville-Bristol) need “significant work…done to the lagoons.”

The Florenceville-Bristol system will be overhauled starting next year, as it is now at capacity.

“It’s been thirty-five years since [the systems] were put in, and there’s been a lot of development since then,” said Harvey. “We need to be looking to the future.”

The Centreville system will receive updates within the next few years. Harvey said that the increase in sewer rate will help pay for the cost of upgrades and ongoing maintenance.

The post Sewer rate increase for District of Carleton North first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Fredericton will host the top women’s basketball teams in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association as St. Thomas University puts on the women’s basketball national championship for 2025.

New Brunswick Liberals mixed a dash of boldness on voting reform with some caution on other issues as they adopted 74 policy resolutions that will help form the basis of their campaign platform in this year’s provincial election.

It’s hard to believe now — as the snow banks grow, the heating bills mount and every gust leaves one wondering how much longer the lights will stay on — but spring really isn’t far off. The green-thumbed amongst us will soon be glorying in growing things of all sorts.

Some folks have been gardening and harvesting since childhood. Others are newcomers. Gardening exploded in popularity during the COVID lockdowns, and many have stuck with it, and had more join them, as concerns grow about inflation, corporate profiteering and ever-climbing food prices.

Research has confirmed what everyone who has happily munched a home-grown tomato already knew: gardening is good for you. A 2022 report from the prestigious American Mayo Clinic cited reductions in stress and improved social connections, plus the physical benefits of new exercise.

That’s why we’re excited to this week feature the guest column “In praise of seed catalogues” by Jodi DeLong. She’s a senior editor and gardening columnist with our Advocate media sister title Saltscapes, and an absolute fount of knowledge on all things green and growing.

If you’re new to gardening, she has particularly valuable and money-saving advice: resist the easy charms of transplants from nurseries, and start from seed at home. She takes readers on a tour of some of the many local seed sources in the Maritimes, and their catalogues that are essential late-winter reading and endless planning fodder for devoted gardeners.

Read more.

The post A green light at the end of the tunnel appeared first on The Saint Croix Courier.

The latest report on child poverty rates in Saint John shows that 27.3 per cent of kids in the city were living in poverty in 2021 — an increase of 2.1 percentage points from the previous year.

The latest round of winter scenes you sent us this week.

Joey Paul, a Mi'kmaw Elder from Metepenagiag, is a powwow dancer and drummer who has deep connections spiritually with the ancestors.

A Fredericton fantasy baseball league has been going for more than three decades. Organizer Bob MacMullen says the most valuable thing up for grabs is bragging rights.