New Brunswick’s outgoing lieutenant-governor says she’s honoured to have served in the role.

Brenda Murphy recently spoke to MLAs in the legislature as her time in the role comes to an end.

Murphy told legislators that it has been an incredible honour to represent the King for the past five years.

“My term as lieutenant-governor is every voice counts. As elected representatives, you will make sure that every person you represent in this Legislative Assembly can be heard. Every voice matters within these walls and in communities across the province,” she said.

“As the next chapter begins for me, I will watch from outside this chamber with great interest as you continue to represent the people of New Brunswick so aptly.”

Murphy was installed as New Brunswick’s 32nd lieutenant-governor just over five years ago in Sept. 2019. She led the Saint John Women’s Empowerment Network, formerly known as the Urban Core Support Network, for more than 20 years.

She has also been involved in various roles at all three levels of government, including the Gender Equality Network Canada, the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Poverty and the New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

Murphy also helped form New Brunswick’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy and assisted in the development of legislation to create the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation.

RELATED: New lieutenant-governor named for N.B.

“She has served our province with heart and care over the past five years, focusing on causes that are important to New Brunswickers and celebrating many of the people who make our province such a great place to live,” said Premier Susan Holt.

“She has demonstrated a compassionate, inclusive leadership and she has been a ray of light for many during what were dark times for them.”

Opposition Leader Glen Savoie echoed those words, saying that New Brunswick has been blessed to have such distinguished lieutenant-governors like Murphy.

“I want you to be satisfied and to be secure in the knowledge that the work that you have done will continue, because you will leave echoes, that the next lieutenant-governor will come in and will continue that work,” said Savoie.

“So when you leave an impact and you see those ripples and you see those echoes in the faces of ordinary New Brunswickers, know that that was you who helped to drive that, and that you have made a difference.”

Louise Imbeault has been appointed as the province’s next lieutenant-governor, although no details have been released on when she will take over the role.

Imbeault is described as a respected journalist, a dedicated women’s rights advocate and a lifelong champion of the Acadian community.

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A Lake George man will return to court later this month to schedule trial dates on narcotics-possession and stolen-copper charges after denying them in court this week.

Joseph Vernon Murphy, 44, of Route 635, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Monday accompanied by lawyer Emily Cochrane, who was acting as an agent for defence counsel T.J. Burke.

Court heard Murphy was electing to be tried in provincial court and pleading not guilty to Oct. 31 charges of possessing cocaine, methamphetamines, fentanyl, hydromorphone and clonazepam for the purpose of trafficking; possessing $11,485 believed to be the proceeds of crime; carelessly storing three shotgun shells; and violating a court order barring him from possessing firearms and ammunition.

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Pavan Kumar Moodalkatte says he has complained to the Department of Health six times in the past 16 months.

Two new clinics that pay people for their plasma have opened in Fredericton and Saint John, following a location that was established in Moncton in 2017. 

Local group to present showcase at Connell House in Woodstock Feb. 19 and 20

CHAMP Inc. will host a Legacy Art Exhibit on Feb. 19 and 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Connell House in Woodstock to celebrate Black History Month. Watch the River Valley Sun website for more details in the days leading up to the event.

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New Brunswick RCMP have released the names of a man and woman, whose bodies were discovered in a burnt-out SUV in Chipman in November.

A Saint John marine researcher is using remote sensing technology like drones and thermal imaging to study the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. Her research aims to monitor their health, detect injuries and propose new conservation strategies. 

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Weeks after they were found in a burned-out SUV in Chipman, the RCMP has identified two homicide victims.

The New Brunswick RCMP’s major crime unit issued a news release Monday afternoon, announcing that the victims in the November double homicide its detectives are investigating were Robert (Robbie) Wayne Waugh, 47, and Victoria King, 23, both of the Fredericton area.

“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 previous news release as well as its latest one.

The pair’s bodies were found inside a white Chevrolet Equinox that had been consumed by fire, police reported.

Waugh and King were both linked to the capital region’s drug scene through charges prosecuted in provincial court.

Waugh specifically has faced several prosecutions for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking over the years. More recently, cases against him fizzled after evidence against him was excluded due to illegal searches.

The RCMP has provided little information about the case, and police haven’t indicated if the murders were connected to the local drug trade or organized crime in any way.

On Dec. 10, the RCMP sought tips from the public about a vehicle believed to be connected to the Waugh and King murders.

The major crime unit released a photo at that time of “a vehicle of interest” being sought 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,” said an RCMP release issued Dec. 10.

Anyone who has information about the murders, who recognizes the car, or who resides in the area and has camera footage from the night of Nov. 24 into the morning of Nov. 25 is urged 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.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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A Fredericton man who previously missed key court appearances in a firearms-discharge case was a no-show for court yet against Monday.

Darrell Richard Barnes, 51, of Brunswick Street, was scheduled to elect mode of trial and enter pleas in Fredericton provincial court in an oft-delayed case that’s been dragging on since October 2023.

He faces Oct. 3, 2023, counts of discharging a rifle at Dustin Madden in Geary with intent to wound him or endanger his life, pointing a rifle at Madden, possessing the rifle without a licence, and possessing stolen social insurance and Visa cards.

But Barnes didn’t appear in court Monday as required when Judge Natalie LeBlanc called his case.

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Premier Susan Holt, who has kept her political distance from the federal Liberal prime minister, said Trudeau’s departure is a chance for the country to move on. 

New hours are in effect at the St. Croix border crossing into the U.S.

Starting Jan 6., the crossing located in McAdam will only operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m for non-commercial travellers. It previously operated 24 hours a day.

Commercial vehicles will also be limited to weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Canadian Border Services Agency said in a release in November, it was for an alignment to allow both countries to return inadmissible travellers and goods to the other country, which it said can be difficult when one side of the border is open, but the other isn’t.

It reduced the hours at 35 land borders across the country. CBSA said the borders where the changes took place “see less than two commercial vehicles or travellers during the periods they’ve removed.”

The trial of a Moncton man accused of killing an elderly Dieppe couple in 2019 could last four months, a judge said Monday. 

A hearing was held in court Monday to decide what evidence jurors should hear during an upcoming trial for two people accused of murdering a New Brunswick man in 2022.

Susan Holt speaks with reporters about Justin Trudeau's resignation.

Liberal party to choose a new leader; parliament prorogued until March

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced he will step down as Prime Minister once the Liberal Party chooses a new leader.

Trudeau, who has been under increasing pressure to resign, made the announcement outside his residence, Rideau Cottage, in Ottawa on Monday morning, Jan. 6.

“This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it’s become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election,” said Trudeau to the throng of reporters gathered outside the PM’s residence.

Trudeau asked Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to prorogue Parliament until March 24. She granted the request.

Trudeau has been Liberal leader since 2013 and Prime Minister since 2015.

Monday’s announcement sets off a federal Liberal leadership race.

“The Liberal Party of Canada is an important institution in the history of our great country and democracy. A new prime minister and leader of the Liberal party will carry its values and ideals into the next election,” he said.

More to come…

The post BREAKING: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces he’ll resign first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation today as both the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Canada’s 23rd Prime Minister, saying he would stay on as leader until a successor has been chosen to replace him. 

Trudeau met with Governor General Mary Simon to proroguing parliament until March 24. 

It does terminate the session, but does not trigger an election. 

There has been a growing number of Liberal members of parliament (MPs) publicly calling for Trudeau to resign, including the Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Ontario caucuses. 

Just hours before Chrystia Freeland was expected to deliver the fall economic statement, she resigned from Trudeau’s cabinet – outlining her reasons in a scathing letter. 

Freeland said that on Dec. 13, Trudeau told her he no longer wanted her to serve as finance minister but offered her another position within the cabinet. 

“Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from cabinet,” she wrote in the letter. 

Several other high-profile MPs have announced they would not seek re-election, including former Housing Minister Sean Fraser and former cabinet member Marco Mendicino. 

Trudeau has been Liberal leader since 2013, and served as PM since October 2015. He was first elected in 2008 in the riding of Montréal riding of Papineau. 

More to come…

A 20-day trial has been scheduled in 2026 for a man accused of killing a 52-year-old man last year in Pointe-Sapin. 

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The tension was palpable in the main courtroom at the Burton Courthouse on Monday morning as two murder suspects and the family of the man they’re accused of killing sat silently.

Joshua John McIsaac, 35, formerly of Penniac, and Erica Lea Ann Blyth, 42, of Newcastle Creek near Chipman, both appeared in person and in custody at the rural courthouse Monday.

They’re charged jointly with first-degree murder stemming from the Jan. 28, 2022, death of Brandon Patrick Donelan, 27, in the Chipman area.

Their jury trial is scheduled to begin in late April, but the parties were in court Monday for a two-week hearing on the admissibility of evidence the Crown is seeking to call at that trial.

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A Temperance Value man is challenging his conviction for trying to exploit his former girlfriend’s teenage daughter sexually, and a judge will hear his case in the spring.

The 34-year-old offender was convicted last year of a November 2021 charge of sexual exploitation, stemming from his effort to get a teenage girl to touch his penis.

The victim was the offender’s girlfriend’s daughter, and there’s a court-ordered publication ban in effect protecting her identity. Given the circumstances of the crime, the Fredericton Independent isn’t naming the offender, so as to comply with the order.

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The RCMP is phasing-in the use of body-worn cameras across the country and expects 90 per cent of frontline members to be wearing them within a year.

Firefighters save structure, but significant repairs required at Centreville Equipment

An afternoon fire delivered significant damage to Carleton County business on Sunday, Jan. 5, but firefighters managed to save the structure. 

The Centreville Fire Department responded to a fire call at Centreville Equipment at 3:44 p.m., arriving to find fire and smoke coming through the eves of the garage portion of the business complex. 

Centreville Fire Chief Ritchie Shaw said that upon entering the garage, crews could see the fire burning near the roof of the high garage structure. 

He identified the source of the fire as the building’s heating system. 

Chief Shaw said the Lakeville Fire Department provided mutual aid while the Floreceville-Bristol Fire Department provided an additional tanker. 

He said he called on the other departments to ensure they had enough personnel and equipment if required. 

Centreville Fire Department Captain Luke Shaw said when the firefighters realized the garage was the source of the smoke and fire, they decided to request a tanker and personnel from Lakeville and a tanker from Florenceville. 

While the firefighters knocked down the fire before it damaged the building’s steel structure, Chief Shaw said the blaze destroyed the insulation and wiring. He described the required repairs, including smoke and heat damage, as significant. 

“It’s going “It’s a messy job,” he said. “The chief said NB Power crews and an electrician attended the scene, immediately disconnecting the power. 

He said they decided against restoring the power until the damage to the wiring and electrical system is thoroughly examined. 

“We made the assessment that it was not safe enough,” Chief Shaw said. 

With the cold weather, he said the lack of power and heat will cause problems, noting the structure includes the garage, storage area and an attached office structure. 

Centreville Equipment maintains and repairs transport trucks and trailers. Chief Shaw believes they also sell recreational motor equipment. He said no trucks, equipment or inventory sustained damage.  

The post Fire damages Centreville business first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Oromocto RCMP say mother and three children are missing

Phones lit up across New Brunswick at 1:28 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, when the Oromocto RCMP issued an Amber Alert asking for the public’s help locating a missing family from the community.

A news release issued by the New Brunswick RCMP said Natacha Ashley Kelly, Myles Kelly-Colford, Emrick Kelly-Sellick, and Jenelle Kelly-Sellick were last seen on Jan. 5, on Finnamore Street in Oromocto. They were reported missing to the police on Jan. 5.

Police have followed up on several leads to try to locate them but have so far been unsuccessful. Police and their family are concerned for their well-being.

Natacha Kelly is 34 years old, is approximately five feet one inch tall (155 cm), and weighs approximately 121 lbs. (55 kg). She has blue/green eyes and brown hair. She has an ankle tattoo of a heart with the name ‘Emrick’ and a second tattoo on her hip bone of a dolphin. A clothing description is not available at this time.

Jenelle Kelly-Sellick is 15 years old, is approximately five feet one inch tall (155 cm), and weighs approximately 100 lbs. (45 kg). She has blue/green eyes and ginger hair. A clothing description is not available at this time.

Emrick Kelly-Sellick is 13 years old, is approximately five feet two inches tall (157 cm), and weighs approximately 130 lbs. (59 kg). He has dark-coloured eyes and blond hair. A clothing description is not available at this time.

Myles Kelly-Colford is 1 year old, approximately two feet tall (61 cm), and weighs approximately 40 lbs. (18 kg). He has blue/green eyes and blond hair. A clothing description is not available at this time.

They may be driving in a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan with NB plate KFC 028 or GWO 230.

Anyone with information on the family’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Oromocto RCMP at 506-357-4300.

The post RCMP issue Amber Alert for family in western New Brunswick first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Police in Oromocto, New Brunswick have issued an Amber Alert for three children, possibly abducted on Sunday.

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The RCMP issued an early-morning amber alert Monday for an Oromocto woman and three children, noting that authorities fear the kids could be in peril.

The Mounties made the rare move of issuing an emergency message through the Alert Ready system shortly before 1:30 a.m. Monday in the capital region.

“RCMP seeking assistance in locating Natacha Kelly, 34, and two teen children and one-year-old child,” it said. “Police believe the children may be in danger.”

It said the family had last been seen in a red 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan with New Brunswick licence plate KFC 028 or GWO 230.

The message urged anyone who sees them to call 911 immediately.

It appears that the Alert Ready message may have misspelled Kelly’s name, as an early news release and court records refer to her as Natasha Ashley Kelly, 34.

The release noted that Kelly was last seen with Myles Kelly-Colford, 1, Emrick Kelly-Sellick, 13, and Jenelle Kelly-Sellick, 15, on Sunday on Finnamore Street in Oromocto, and were reported as missing to police the same day.

“Police have followed up on several leads to try to locate them but have so far been unsuccessful,” it said. “Police and their family are concerned for their well-being.”

Child-abandonment charge

Natasha Kelly is also currently before the courts to face several criminal charges, including one alleging child abandonment.

She’s accused of assault causing bodily harm to Erika Polchies, assault on Adam Sacobie, dangerous driving and endangering Myles’ life by abandoning him, all on Aug. 22 at Welamukotuk (Oromocto) First Nation.

She’s scheduled to return to Fredericton provincial court Wednesday to enter pleas to the charges.

Court records indicate that Kelly’s residence is on Finnamore Street in Oromocto.

Natasha Kelly is described as being about 5’1” (155 centimetres) tall, about 121 pounds (55 kilograms, with blue-green eyes and brown hair.

She has an ankle tattoo of a heart with the name "Emrick" and a second tattoo on her hip bone of a dolphin.

Jenelle Kelly-Sellick is described as being about 5’1” (155 centimetres) tall as well, about 100 pounds (45 kilograms), with blue-green eyes and ginger hair.

Emrick Kelly-Sellick is described as being about 5’2” (157 centimeters) tall, about 130 pounds (59 kilograms), with dark-coloured eyes and blond hair.

Myles Kelly-Colford is described as being about two feet (61 centimeters) tall, about 40 pounds (18 kilograms), with blue-green eyes and blond hair.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the family is urged to contact the Oromocto RCMP detachment at 506-357-4300.

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.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Neqotkuk man wanted on two warrants

The Tobique RCMP is asking for the public’s help locating a man currently wanted by the police.

In a social media post on Jan. 5, RCMP reported that 42-year-old Robin Nicholas of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) is currently wanted on two warrants of arrest for multiple counts of assault of a peace officer and resisting arrest in connection with ongoing investigations in the community of Neqotkuk.

Robin Nicholas is described as being approximately five feet four inches (163 cm) tall and weighing approximately 170 lbs. (77 kg). He has brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie with a blue front pocket, black sweatpants and brown boots. He is also believed to be carrying a pocket knife.

Members of the public should not approach Robin Nicholas. If you see him, call your local police force immediately. Police do not believe there is an active threat to the general public.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Tobique RCMP at 506-273-5000. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.

The post RCMP asking for public’s help in locating suspect first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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Fredericton police released a photo of an individual whom officers are trying to identify in connection with an incident in which four armed teens allegedly tried to access a northside school last month.

The city police force released a photo through social media Sunday morning of a hooded individual whose face couldn’t be seen.

“The Fredericton Police Force is seeking the public’s help in identifying the following individual related to an ongoing investigation of an incident that occurred at Leo Hayes High School [LHHS] on Dec. 13, 2024,” it said.

“We acknowledge that the quality of the photo is not ideal, but we are hopeful that someone may recognize this individual or have information that will help identify them.”

The Fredericton Independent has learned that the pictured individual is a person of interest in an alleged instance of attempted violence at the school on that date.

In a news release issued Dec. 20, the police force revealed detectives are delving into two incidents at Leo Hayes that month that had led to arrests on weapons and threats charges.

“At approximately 12 p.m. [Friday, Dec. 13], four youth armed with knives in a stolen vehicle attempted to access LHHS. The suspects were unable to enter due to secured doors and fled prior to police arrival,” the release said.

“Police arrived within minutes and secured the school perimeter. Investigation revealed the youth were targeting one specific individual.”

The force reported that three suspects were identified, with one left outstanding.

Police spokesperson Sonya Gilks confirmed in an email Sunday that the effort to identify the pictured individual is connected to that same investigation.

Police also confirmed last month that there had been a subsequent threat at the school Dec. 16 that was found to be connected to the events of Dec. 13.

“At approximately 7:40 a.m. [Dec. 16], a LHHS student received threatening messages via social media targeting them and the school community,” it said.

“Investigation revealed the message's author was involved in the Dec. 13 incident.”

The force said officers carried out “a targeted operation” and arrested three 17-year-old boys, who are facing multiple alleged charges.

Two of those boys were charged with possession of a weapon, attempted assault with a weapon and possession of stolen property. One is accused of uttering threats and breaching his probation, while another is accused of breaching a police undertaking and a judicial release order.

Both have been remanded into custody.

The police said the third boy who was arrested was released on conditions and a promise to appear in youth court at a later date. He’s also expected to face counts of possession of a weapon, attempted assault with a weapon and possession of stolen property.

Anyone with information about the identity of the individual in the photo released Sunday is urged to contact the Fredericton Police Force by calling 506-460-2300 or emailing Const. Gerik Skoretz at [email protected].

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

Tipsters can cite police file no. 24-29500.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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A Hanwell man has gone missing in the rural community just southwest of Fredericton, and the Mounties are turning to the public for help in locating him safely.

The Keswick detachment of the RCMP issued a news release Sunday morning, announcing that Gerald Hayes, 59, of Hanwell, is missing.

“Gerald Hayes was last seen on Jan. 4, 2025, at approximately 10 a.m., at a residence on Route 640 in Hanwell,” it said, noting he was reported as missing the same day.

“Police have followed up on several leads to try and locate him, but have so far been unsuccessful. Police and his family and friends are concerned for his well-being.”

Hayes is described as being about 5’9” (175 centimetres) tall, about 130 pounds (59 kilograms), with brown eyes and hair.

He was last seen wearing a dark -coloured hoodie with a red T-shirt underneath, as well as dark-coloured sweatpants and black sneakers, and he uses a walker to get around.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Keswick detachment at (506) 357-4300.

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

The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.

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The RCMP issued a public alert Sunday morning seeking the public’s help in tracking down a Tobique First Nation man wanted on two warrants of arrest.

The Tobique detachment of the RCMP issued a news release Sunday advising that Robin Nicholas, 42, of Tobique First Nation, was wanted on two warrants of arrest, reporting he was being sought for “multiple counts” of assaulting peace officers and resisting arrest.

The allegations stem from ongoing investigations in the indigenous community, it said.

“Robin Nicholas should not be approached by members of the public,” the release said.

“If you see him, call your local police force immediately. At this time, police do not believe there is an active threat to the general public.”

Nicholas is described as being about 5’4” (163 centimetres) tall, about 170 pounds (77 kilograms), with brown eyes and black hair.

“He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie with a blue front pocket, black sweatpants and brown boots,” the release said. “He is also believed to be carrying a pocket knife.”

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Tobique RCMP at 506-273-5000.

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

The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.

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A real estate development company is proposing to make changes to an iconic downtown Fredericton building that are already proving to be controversial among some residents and a heritage advocate.

It has been a busy couple of months for the interim leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick.

Glen Savoie was tasked with leading the party after Blaine Higgs resigned following his election defeat in October.

The party went from having a majority government with 25 seats to being the official opposition with just 13 seats.

In a year-end interview, Savoie said he feels like they had a successful first session holding the Liberal government to account.

“It’s a different approach when you’re on the opposition side and in terms of your preparation, so we’re hitting the ground running, making sure that we’re doing our job right from day one,” he said.

“You have to remember, they made over 100 promises in this election and some of their signature promises we held them to account for, raised some issues because we had the background information and the knowledge and certainly held them to account.”

Savoie is no stranger to politics, having first been elected in 2010 and winning several elections since then. He was defeated in the 2014 election but won a byelection weeks later after the winning Liberal candidate resigned.

The Saint John East MLA said that past experience has been a great asset as he learns the ropes of his new role as interim leader.

“Obviously, we’re in a rebuilding mode, so we want to make sure that we’re doing right by not only the party, but the MLAs who are going through this process with me and making sure that we’re doing things in the best interest of New Brunswickers according to the aims and principles of our part,” said Savoie.

Several Progressive Conservative MLAs were reelected but there are also a number of new faces sitting in the legislature this time around.

Savoie said it has been an exciting time being able to help those new MLAs learn and grow as they get used to how the legislature operates.

“Having been a government house leader for six years, I’ve got a lot of experience in that regard, so I remember those days when I walked into that house and I really didn’t know the processes the way I do now and how intimidating that can be,” he added.

While being on the opposition side of the legislature requires a different approach, Savoie said that does not mean the Progressive Conservatives will oppose everything the Liberals bring forward.

“That is certainly something right from the get-go that we made sure that we communicated to the government is that in areas where we feel that there is common ground, we’ll be there to work with the government, and in areas where we feel that there isn’t common ground, that we will find a way to try to find some,” he said.

“I think that’s important to say that we are simply an opposition and that our job is simply to oppose, I think is a gross oversimplification of where I think people expect us to be and where we need to be to make sure that our system of democracy functions well up there in Fredericton.”

The first session of the 61st legislature is adjourned until March 18.

The Nature Trust of New Brunswick, which finds land across the province to turn into nature preserves, is planning its most ambitious campaign to date.

For the past two years, Kayla Geitzler has offered a six-week poetry course twice a year to women at New Brunswick Women's Correctional Centre in Miramichi.

New Brunswick can't seem to make up it's mind on the weather, but that hasn't held back the beauty of this province.

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The Fredericton Police Force is looking for a missing teenage girl who’s been reported as missing, and it’s turning to the public for help in finding her.

The city police force issued an alert on social media Saturday afternoon, advising that Nyla Barlow, 15 of Fredericton, had been reported as missing.

She was last seen on New Year’s Day, Wednesday, the advisory said, and she was wearing a black hat and jacket, blue jeans and black moccasins at the time.

Nyla is described as being about 5’9” tall, weighing about 125 pounds, with dark brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone who’s seen her or has had contact with her is urged to call the Fredericton Police Force at 506-460-2300.

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

Tipsters can cite police file no. 2025-54.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.

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Hundreds gathered Saturday to remember the Salisbury fire captain after his sudden death at home last week.

A 60-year-old woman from Moncton, N.B., has died after being struck by a vehicle on New Year's Eve. Police say she died of her injuries on Friday.

Grand Manan Mayor Bonnie Morse will tell you the biggest achievement for the community in the last year was getting an air ambulance permanently stationed on the island. 

The island is only accessible by ferry and requires urgent patients to be transferred by aircraft in order to receive treatment on the mainland. 

In 2022, Atlantic Charters, which operated the medevac service, was forced to stop operations due to changes in Transport Canada regulations, which saw restrictions on duty and rest times. 

The air ambulance was finally restored full-time this summer through an agreement with Ambulance New Brunswick and Voyageur Aviation. 

Several residents on the island protested the lack of an air ambulance, which lasted for more than a year. (CHCO-TV)

“I said I didn’t realize how much anxiety I was carrying personally until I saw the plane come and land,” she said speaking with The Courier. “Just having it back here, that’s been a huge thing.”

Morse said the community was very anxious during the more than one year the island was without permanent service. 

Back in 2023, CHCO-TV reported on a resident who found her husband unconscious in their home. Carla Guptill said during a protest in May 2023 she wondered if he’d be alive if there had been an air ambulance on the island. 

She explained it took five hours for an aircraft from Halifax to arrive and airlift him to the Saint John Regional Hospital. 

“I don’t know that it would have made a difference for him, but those five hours could have been life-saving,” said Guptill to CHCO-TV at the time. “We need a plane immediately. There’s enough money in this province.”

For Morse, the deal means a sense of security and safety for those living on the island. The next challenge is getting the air hanger, where the King Air 200 will ultimately be housed. 

“Hopefully we’ll have the roof and the door on within the next couple of weeks,” she said. “We’re hoping by the end of January to have at least the shell of the hangar completed so the plane could come inside out of the weather.” 

She said this is likely a challenge that will carry into 2025, given there was a big hesitation around the council chamber about how to deal with a space to keep the airplane. 

“There was a real reluctance around the council table to sell land to an off-island entity because there’s a finite amount of land around the airport. Losing control of that made people apprehensive,” Morse said. “Well, what if the village builds a hangar and rents it out and we cover those expenses that way? It made a lot of sense for us.” 

But the municipality is new to the business of building air hangers, she explained. 

“We’ve had some hiccups along the way that we weren’t anticipating, but finally seeing that light at the end of the tunnel,” she said. “I think for all of us around the table, because this has been such a big issue, and it’s a huge issue for the community, to know that at the end of the day, we’re the final piece that has to be pulled together and we’re now the hold-up, it’s not a great feeling either.” 

However, progress is being made. 

Continuing maintenance and plowing pilot

The island is also planning to continue its pilot program to take over the maintenance of roads and streets. 

“It had always been done by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, so we’ve internalized that staff and are doing it now ourselves, which was a huge shift for us,” said Morse. 

She said the plan will be to purchase the plows that are on the island eventually, making those assets fully owned by the municipality. 

“We’ve entered into conversations now with DTI about doing it long-term because the first year was such a success,” she said. “That was another big thing.” 

She said staffing has been challenging.

The island is isolated and only accessible by ferry, meaning building affordable housing of any kind is a bit more challenging. (CHCO-TV)

“The ongoing struggle has been finding additional staff because it’s a small place, finding people who have those qualifications that want to do the work,” she explained. “We’ve had a few people in and out of positions.” 

Morse said this is something that is in the best interest of both parties. 

“I think long term for us, it’s good to have that local control here on the island because we are so removed from the district office and all of those things,” she said. 

Four cents off the tax rate

Morse said the council has been able to take about four cents of the tax rate for the upcoming year. 

She said this year’s budget was a bit easier than the last. 

“Our assessments are up like they are in a lot of places,” she said. “But part of what we did, it ties back to the discussion we had about DTI, is we put additional money in capital line items recognizing that if we end up taking over the roads, that maintenance, we’re going to have equipment that we need to purchase.” 

Last year, it was dealing with taking over the public works for the island, making this year’s budget much easier. 

Looking ahead to 2025

Morse said there are a few things it is hoping to achieve in 2025 including focusing on more affordable housing. 

“It’s such a challenge because the cost of doing anything is so expensive right now everywhere,” she said. “But then you add the Grand Manan factor because you have to bring in the materials.”

One private developer has proposed garden homes, she explained but hopes more affordable housing is something the council could achieve. 

It will also work toward a recycling program at the island’s solid waste transfer station.

“That’ll be a big change for us, as well, come the early part of the year,” she said. 

The island also needs to begin the transition to replace one of its ferries known as the Grand Manan V. It will need to work with DTI to get the ferry replaced. 

“It’s been an ongoing conversation with us because Grand Manan V is 35 years old this summer,” she said. “It’s nearing the end of its life, and it takes a long time to get a replacement vessel.” 

She said the island has both seen a bump in population but a reduction in service, leading to more demand for the two ferries. 

“To have that replacement for the Grand Manan V, so that we have that stability in knowing that we have vessels that are operational and functional going into the future,” she said.

Despite Canada’s loss and elimination Thursday, a few New Brunswick players had a chance to shine at the world junior hockey championship in Ottawa.

A bald eagle is recovering at the Atlantic Wildlife Institute after finding itself caught in a coyote snare — something the institute says has happened before.

Passenger recounts 'very dangerous' wrong-way driver encounter on Route 15, a highway where there were two triple-fatal crashes involving drivers going the wrong way, in 2024.

On New Year’s Eve, CBC New Brunswick took part in a nationwide CBC special from an event hosted by the Indigenous Tourism Association of New Brunswick. Taste of the Atlantic was a celebration of Indigenous cuisine and culture. Here are some highlights.

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A Fredericton man accused of trafficking in several narcotics is set to return to court later this month to answer to the charges.

Stephen Dexter MacFarlane, 36, of Wilson Row, appeared in Fredericton provincial court for the first time Dec. 27 to answer to numerous indictable charges.

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A 26-year-old Saint John man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife, whose body was found on a west side street early Christmas Eve morning. 

The council in Eastern Charlotte has had its first full meeting with the engineering company looking for a new water source in Blacks Harbour. 

For more than a year, the water in Blacks and Beaver Harbour has been discoloured and full of sediment. The supply is owned by a private company called Connors Brothers, a fish packing and processing plant. While the water has been tested to be safe, residents have expressed frustration over its colour on social media. 

Coun. Adam Hatt brought samples of water from his home to a council meeting in October—one was entirely brown and filled with sediment. 

“This is 54 weeks later, the water is not fixed,” he said in an interview with CHCO TV at the time. “It needs to be fixed. We’re charging residents for this, (that’s) unacceptable, you can’t, like to me I’m not drinking this.” 

Eastern Charlotte has spent $500,000 through joint funding for, EnGlobe, an engineering firm to look at finding a new sustainable water source. 

“These things takes time to find a good source, and that’s where it’s at,” said Eastern Charlotte Mayor John Craig. “Without getting into too many details, it is still being worked on.” 

Craig said he understands that this has been difficult for the people of Blacks and Beaver Harbour. 

“I’m down there as well, too, and Councillor Hatt and it’s very frustrating,” he said speaking with CHCO-TV. 

Craig said there is an understanding that the water lines Connors Brothers has “aren’t great.” 

“We have to have new lines into the Harbor and, as well as, a water treatment plant,” Craig explained. “That’s a given.”

He said he believes they have a better understanding of the overall issue and what needs to be done as they explore the options. 

“I can assure you that it is a priority for this council,” he said. “That is the number one item that we are trying to get solved.”

Firefighters douse overnight fire in the abandoned structures in Lower Woodstock

The Woodstock Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the abandoned Cozy Cabins site in Lower Woodstock in the early morning hours of Jan. 3. 

Fire Chief Harold McLellan said the call came in at 2:09 a.m. He said fire crews spent four hours bringing the blaze in one of the derelict cabins under control. 

He said the cause of the fire is “under investigation,” noting the buildings are unused and without power. 

McLellan said abandoned buildings like the string of former tourist cabins located along lower Main Street in the south end of Woodstock pose a threat. Friday morning’s blaze is the second structure fire in recent years at the Cozy Cabins location. 

The fire chief believes the remaining cabins should be demolished. 

“It should have been done since the last fire,” he said. 

McLellan said he heard rumours that a potential new owner has plans to develop the property, which once housed a restaurant, motel and cabins. He said he is seeking details about the property’s current ownership. 

He said town officials are trying to address issues surrounding derelict buildings, but finding a legal process isn’t always easy. 

“I know they may be hitting their head against a brick wall,” McLellan said. 

Woodstock staff and council are updating its Dangerous and Unsightly Premises Act to make it easier to deal with derelict buildings and property of concern. 

Woodstock Director of Planning Andrew Garnett also noted in council updates that discussions are underway about the possible development of the former Cozy Cabin property. 

The fire chief said his department has been busy during the first three days of the new year, with up to eight calls, including false alarms, by the morning of Jan. 3. He said most of the calls involved motor vehicle accidents, including a pair of tractor-trailer mishaps along the Trans Canada Highway on Jan. 2. 

He said that follows a record year for his fire crew, who responded to 337 calls in 2024. 

“That’s 30 calls more than the year before,” McLellan said. 

On a more positive note, he said the fire department enjoyed a relatively quiet Christmas season in 2024. 

“Over Christmas and New Year’s, we got a little reprieve over four or five days,” McLellan said.

The post Woodstock fire crews respond to blaze at old Cozy Cabins site first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Rarely, I am not paying close attention at the grocery store. I watch for in-store specials, hunt for corresponding coupons, and scan the discount carts for half-off items too good to pass up. I always look at the checkout computer screen to ensure I’m not being overcharged. Sometimes the sales price hasn’t been entered into the system, and the full price is charged instead. If this happens, I ask the person working at the checkout to double-check the price. If there is an error, according to the Grocery Code of Conduct, you’re entitled to get that item at no cost.

Sometimes a 50-percent-off sticker can go unnoticed. I always ensure these stickers are facing the cashier so they can’t be missed. If they have gone unnoticed, I politely ask the cashier to fix the pricing on the discounted item. Before leaving the store, I check my receipt to ensure everything is as it should be and that I haven’t been overcharged for my purchases.

If there is an error, I go to customer service and show my receipt. They’re happy to make any necessary adjustments. Many grocery stores are willing to provide rain checks on sale items if they’re sold out. Most will allow up to 12 of any one sale item. To avoid any confusion, it’s good to ask the store for its policies on these matters.

As I said earlier, I am always on my game whenever I am shopping. Recently, however, I was pressed for time and not paying close attention while at the checkout. As a result, I left a four-litre container of homogenized milk behind. I didn’t notice it was missing until I arrived home, which is 40 minutes from the store. I called customer service, and they assured me I could pick another up the next time I was in the store.

Several days later, when I returned to town, I went into the store and headed for the dairy aisle to get another jug of milk. Since I was in no hurry, I went through the store looking for coupons and discounted items.

It wasn’t long before I spotted Dairy Farmers of Canada coupons, which offered 50 cents off each dairy item bearing its logo. I took several of them, thinking they’d come in handy later. It wasn’t long before I found a use for them.

In the store’s organic section, I found 500-gram containers of grass-fed yogurt with half-off stickers. I never would have considered buying them at the full price of $6.49 each. However, at $3.25 and with the 50-cent coupons, I was willing to buy four of them for $2.75 each.

While at the meat section, I found a package of sundried tomato sausages reduced from $7 to $3.50. I immediately knew these would make a great pasta dish with the pasta, red peppers, and home-canned tomato sauce I already had at home.

A quick look through the discounted personal care items resulted in half-off hairstyling products my family uses. I knew my store loyalty card had enough points on it to take $10 off my bill.

Added up, at full price, my purchases would have come to $41.85. With the discounts, coupons, and loyalty rewards, I paid $12.57. That’s a savings of $29.28.

Join me next week when I will share how zero-waste food practices can stretch your grocery dollars and lead to big monthly savings.

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

Two well-known Canadian actors have relocated to Saint Andrews – proving that post-COVID the landscape of how the industry operates has changed. 

John Ralston, who some might recognize from Life with Derek, and Karen Waddell, who played Ingrid Rowley in CTV’s The Bomb Girls, are now residents of Charlotte County. 

Ralston is originally from Miramichi, with his father growing up in St. Stephen. Over time, he explained, the kids moved out. His parents passed and he always felt a sense of connection to the East Coast. 

“Karen and I got married, although we got married here, by the way,” he said in an interview. “We came back here to get married in the Anglican Church with Reverend Matheson, who’s still here to this day.” 

He said Matheson remembered them when they returned to Saint Andrews. 

“Just through a series of circumstances, we were debating about a move back east,” he said. “Well, also, too, COVID happened, right? Even though actors need to be based in Toronto for a lot of the work, when COVID happened, all of a sudden, we couldn’t go down and do our auditions at the regular facilities where we usually go. Everything became online.” 

Ralston explained that changed the game for himself and Waddell. 

“We just said, if we’re both online, why do we have to stay in the place that we really don’t want to be?” he asked. 

The two decided to take a chance and purchased a home here in June. 

“But the minute we arrived here, it just felt right,” said Waddell. “We were meant at this time of our life just to come back. It was the right time to come back.” 

Waddell said Saint Andrews is a special place and one that feels like home. 

“And the people, oh my gosh, the people we’ve met,” she said. “We’ve met so many new friends here, and I’ve just enjoyed everyone. Everyone’s so kind.” 

But the two said the foundation of an acting career begins in the theatre. The two are settling in and finding their way, with Waddell offering guided meditation in the community. 

And the couple has some advice for aspiring actors. 

“Sometimes you’re on your own a lot, and you have to make these kinds of decisions about what are right choices in your performance,” she said. “And it’s the theatre background that will help you in that. And not only theatre, but theatre encompasses a lot of things, right? There’s musical theatre, there’s drama, there’s comedy, but there’s also improv.” 

Waddell said improvisation is essential, bringing you the ability to think quickly on your feet. 

Ralston also recommends spending time observing people out in public to help examine behaviours, which he said will help when you’re developing a character. 

“You have to develop yourself, and you have to find your own voice,” he said. “A musician has to find their own voice. You end up copying a lot in the beginning and imitating, but eventually, you end up finding your own voice as an actor, as a musician does on their instrument.”

Anyone who lived through the Great Depression and World War II knew how to make a dollar stretch and prepare frugal yet deliciously satisfying meals.

Everyone grew vegetables in kitchen gardens. Many had a cow for milk, cheese, and butter. Most raised chickens for meat and eggs. Some hunted wild game and fished for seafood. Much of it was preserved through pickling, smoking, and salting, which sustained families through the long, cold winters until spring arrived when the cycle of growing, preserving, and storing foods started once again.

Children were taught these skills by their parents and grandparents. They learned at an early age that their vegetables came from the soil. They understood that the chicken, beef, venison, and fish they ate were once living creatures.

It saddens me that many of us have lost the skills of self-reliance when it comes to the food we eat. I am certain that the foods grown and preserved by our ancestors were nutritionally superior to what we are eating today, much of which is shipped thousands of kilometers before it reaches us.

Fortunately, many are rediscovering food preservation methods and using them to build their food storage pantries. There’s nothing more satisfying to me than going into my pantry and looking at the foods I have canned over the summer and fall to enjoy throughout the winter months.

Last week, I found a great deal on plums that were half-price. I decided to buy them and make homemade plum sauce. Six bottles are now sitting in my pantry, ready to enjoy with egg rolls. Each jar cost me $1.50 to make. I’ve never made it before, but I will again. This homemade version is far superior to any store-bought version.

According to safe food preservation guidelines, high-acid foods, such as jams and pickles, may be preserved in a water bath canner, which reaches 212°F. Low-acid foods, such as meats and vegetables, are only safely preserved using a pressure canner, which reaches between 240–250°F. While I am comfortable using a water bath canner, I have yet to use a pressure canner. I am told they’re perfectly safe provided you follow the canning process guidelines, although an irrational fear of blowing up my kitchen is stopping me from trying it.

I do dehydrate and freeze foods often. Soon, I want to learn the art of food fermentation. Kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, and yogurt are examples of fermented foods. According to nutritional research, these foods aid digestion and improve our immune systems by introducing beneficial bacteria into our bodies.

Whether we grow our own food, buy from farmers’ markets, or shop at grocery stores, it’s possible to ensure food security by building up a food storage pantry over time.

When you see a sale on items you routinely eat, stock up on as much as will fit into your grocery budget. You’ll be surprised how quickly a food pantry can grow. Even if you buy a little at a time, you’ll build your food storage while saving on your grocery bill because you won’t be paying full price, and you’ll have what you need when you need it.

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

A first kiss, a stolen kiss, a last kiss — countless moments of affection have taken place within the privacy of Charlotte County’s covered bridges.

On frosty winter nights, suitors would court their sweethearts. With lanterns burning to light the way and the couple wrapped in fur throws, they would enjoy romantic sleigh rides. The sound of horse hooves clip-clopping amplified as they crossed the wooden floorboards of a covered bridge.

These structures were built with practicality in mind. Enclosed with sides and a roof, the bridges were designed to protect wooden spans from the elements. However, they quickly and affectionately became known as “kissing bridges” because, once inside, young couples could steal a kiss and cuddle in the time it took for a horse to pull a sleigh or carriage from one end to the other.

According to Ray Boucher, President of the Covered Bridge Conservation Association of New Brunswick, the oldest of these bridges in the province dates back to the late 1800s. At one time, New Brunswick boasted hundreds of covered bridges, but that number has dwindled to just 58.

The association is actively involved in advocating for the preservation of the province’s remaining covered bridges.

Boucher says he fell in love with covered bridges as a boy in 1963 when he first saw one. He’s been enamored with them ever since. After retiring, he began working on a photo book documenting the province’s covered bridges. Over the past decade, he has also produced items such as calendars featuring these structures, which he sells through his company, Kissing Bridge Publications. People from around the world visit New Brunswick to see its covered bridges, including the seven located in Charlotte County.

Patrick Toth, the association’s vice president, developed a passion for covered bridges in his native Ohio. Their history, design, and craftsmanship captured his interest. Now a resident of New Brunswick for the past 30 years, his enthusiasm for these historic structures remains undiminished.

Visiting a covered bridge is a sensory experience. Not only are they visually stunning in every season, but there’s also something magical about the sound of water running beneath them.

Many who grew up near these bridges feel a deep emotional connection to them. They recall fishing under the bridges or cooling off in the streams on sweltering summer days.

The history of these bridges makes them even more cherished by those who see them as far more than just a means to cross a river or stream.

Covered bridges in the province are now easier to locate thanks to blue signs featuring a covered bridge illustration that points the way.

Both Toth and Boucher say that when visiting covered bridges—whether in Charlotte County or elsewhere in New Brunswick—they inevitably meet others who share their love for these structures.

And if you happen to find yourself at one of these covered bridges, don’t be surprised if it inspires you to steal a kiss from someone you love.

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