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A Fredericton man accused of choking a woman, assaulting her with a knife and endangering her life has yet to seek counsel to represent him on the serious charges, court heard Thursday.

Martin Robert Tyc (pronounced “teach”), 36, of Union Street, charged last month and initially held in custody on numerous charges.

He faces Oct. 27 counts of assaulting Sandra Andrade by choking, assaulting her with a knife, assaulting her and causing her bodily harm, assaulting her with a vodka bottle, possessing a knife for a purpose dangerous to the public peace; and driving while prohibited by a court order.

Tyc also also charged with committing an aggravated assault on Andrade by wounding or endangering her life, and unlawfully confining her, both on Nov. 12; as well as possessing a weapon (bear spray) for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, obstructing a peace officer and possessing cocaine Nov. 17.

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A Fredericton woman will be back in court in the new year to answer to an allegation that she stole thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from a jewelry store while working there so she could resell it.

Jennifer Marie Sharpe, 44, of Burpee Street, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Thursday, accompanied by her defence counsel, Edward Derrah.

She’s accused of stealing jewelry valued in excess of $5,000 from Spicer Cole Fine Jewelry on Woodstock Road, and possessing stolen jewelry for the purpose of selling it, both between Feb. 1, 2023, and Jan. 1.

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Fredericton city staff have proposed a new requirement for every taxi company in the city to have at least one wheelchair-accessible vehicle in their fleets.

Oakley Gray and Mel Beaulieu talk about the impact beading has had on their lives after their artwork was added to the Radical Stitch exhibit, which showcases Indigenous beading from across Canada and the U.S., when it opened at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery last month.

Residents can pick up paper copies of bills at the Centreville office at the Western Valley Multi-Plex

The recent postal strike prevented the mailout of Centreville sewer bills, so the District of Carleton North advised residents to pick up copies at the Western Valley Multi-Plex.

At the Dec. 10 District of Carleton North Council meeting, Mayor Harvey advised the council and the community about the coming December municipal sewer bills for Centreville residents.

“Due to the interruption in mail delivery, billing statements for Centreville have not been mailed out as planned. To ensure residents can access their statements in a timely manner, paper copies will be available for pick up from the Centreville office located at the Western Valley Multi-Plex, 698 Central Street, starting on December 12, 2024.”

Mayor Harvey thanked residents for their “patience and understanding” as they navigated the Canada Post “situation.”

Payments can be made at any town office or via e-transfer to [email protected]

The post Postal strike disrupts Centreville sewer billing first appeared on River Valley Sun.

By Julie Stone

Volunteer for the Month

Karen Gillespie has been selected as the Nackawic & Area Volunteer for December. Over the years, she has worn many hats: She operates a successful home business, is a Team Manager for Minor Hockey, has supported and organized the Miss Nackawic Pageant multiple times, is a committee member for the Festival on the Bend, and volunteers for the Big Axe Beer Festival each summer. Karen is an enthusiastic race car fan.

Thank you, Karen, for giving your time and service to our community.

Lunch Bucket

The next Lunch Bucket for Seniors deliveries will take place on Dec. 19.  Volunteers go to the homes of vulnerable seniors twice a month with a freshly made lunch, a smile and a bit of time for a quick chat. Seniors say they look forward to the visit as it decreases loneliness and long days. Thanks to the Nackawic Area Wellness Group and the Lions Club for their dedication to the seniors in our communities.

Food Bank

The Western Valley Food Bank stops in Nackawic once a month. Volunteer drivers meet the truck and deliver food to those who have registered for the service in the Nackawic Millville Rural Community. To register, call 506-328-4417, or to volunteer as a delivery person, call Nancy Coy at 506-461-0803.

If you have non-perishable goods, gently used clothing or household goods you would like to donate to the Food Bank, you can leave those items at The Gathering Place. A special, clearly marked basket is located under the card table on the left, and the items are taken to the food truck when it makes its deliveries each month. So far, the basket has been full. Thank you to all for your generosity.

Ukulele Lessons in Millville

It is not only Tiny Tim (Tiptoe Through the Tulips) who can play the ukulele!  If you are interested, Peter Sawatzky will teach you how to strum some favourite tunes on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in Millville. The cost of the lessons is $3 per session. Five people are needed to make the lessons viable, and you can pre-register by putting your name, phone number and the first $3 in an envelope and dropping it off at The Gathering Place (TGP). A drop box is located just outside the meeting room, and the TGP is open from 8 – 5 p.m. daily. E-mail [email protected] if you are interested or have questions about this musical venture.

The post COLUMN: In and Around Nackawic-Millville Rural Community first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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People looking to contact the Mounties on Wednesday evening through direct detachment phone numbers won’t be able to get through, the RCMP advises.

“Due to technical difficulties, local RCMP detachment phone lines in N.B. are currently down,” the New Brunswick RCMP posted on social media Wednesday night.

No explanation was given for the disruption to the force’s direct lines at various detachments.

“If you have a non-emergency call for service, please dial 888-506-RCMP (7267),” the advisory stated. “In the event of an emergency, always call 911.”

The RCMP said it will update the public on the situation when it’s able.

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

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A former Gagetown soldier who's seeking an independent public inquiry into the use of Agent Orange and other chemical defoliants at the New Brunswick military base decades ago has renewed hope, thanks to a series of meetings being held by the standing committee on national defence.

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A teenage boy admitted Wednesday he wounded another youth and endangered his life last month, and the prosecution is seeking to have the offender sentenced as an adult.

The 17-year-old capital-region boy - whose identity is protected by the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act - appeared in Fredericton youth court Wednesday by telephone from the Miramichi Youth Campus, the province’s youth jail, to answer to two serious charges.

The defendant was charged with committing an aggravated assault on a youth victim by wounding him and/or endangering his life, and with possessing a knife for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, both on Nov. 7 in Fredericton.

Defence lawyer Ben Reentovich said his client was electing to be tried in youth court and pleading guilty to both counts.

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Two New Brunswickers will be representing Canada on the world stage in hockey over the holiday season.

The two men most recently convicted of murdering Justin Breau in Saint John in 2022 were each sentenced Wednesday to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 25 years.

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An Oromocto man told a court Wednesday he has yet to retain defence counsel, but he had received Crown disclosure and was ready to deny a sexual-assault allegation against him.

Tylor Ian Robert MacDougall, 28, of Miramichi Road, was back in Fredericton provincial court Wednesday on to a charge of sexual assault laid against him last month.

The charge alleges a summary offence in Oromocto on June 25 against a female complainant.

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More than 40 years after being told she was a threat to Canada because of her sexuality, Diane Pitre is being given one of the country's top honours.

Salvation Army’s fundraising campaign getting a boost with matching donations Thursday and Saturday

Woodstock’s mayor and its Rotary Club hope to boost donations to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign this week by overseeing the kettles on two separate days and matching contributions. 

On Thursday, Dec. 19, Mayor Trina Jones will volunteer at the Sobeys kettle and match the contributions.

Jones noted her plans to support the kettle campaign during opening remarks at the Dec. 17 council meeting. She explained she would match donations on the day up to $1,750, meaning donors can double their contributions on Thursday.

Jones said staff at Best Western Woodstock, as they did last year, will support her at the Sobeys kettle during the day. 

“I’m not doing that alone, but with the awesome staff at the Best Western, plus probably a few other fillers. They will be on the kettle with me, switching in and out. I will be there from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.” 

Donors can again double their contributions on Saturday, Dec. 21, when the Woodstock Rotary Club will volunteer and match donations at the Sobeys kettle. 

The post Woodstock mayor, Rotary Club helping fill Red Kettles first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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A Fredericton man will return to court early in the new year to enter a plea to a charge that his dangerous operation of a dump truck caused the death of a Miramichi man more than a year ago.

Cameron McFee, 66, of Walter Close, made his first appearance in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday to answer to an indictable charge alleging he caused another man’s death.

He’s accused of dangerous driving causing the death of Daniel Frenette in Douglas on July 12, 2023.

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A Saint John mother is angry with her son's school for bolting his locker shut, with his winter clothes and homework inside. The 11-year-old went home without a coat or boots, in freezing drizzle.

The Town of Salisbury's inaugural turkey drive brought in more than twice as many donations than organizers were aiming for, so they're sharing the extra bounty with local food banks in Sussex and Shediac.

Butler awaiting hefty prison sentence

Rodney Butler, 50, of Bulls Creek, is expected to receive a hefty federal prison sentence on Jan. 13 after being found guilty on all eight charges related to the kidnapping and violent assault of a Scotts Siding man in 2021.

Butler appeared for sentencing before Chief Judge Brian C. McLean on Dec. 16. The crown submitted a written recommendation for Butler to serve 10 to 14 years in federal prison.

Defence Counsel Alex Pate told the court he was not ready to proceed and needed more time to respond to the crown’s recommendation for Butler. His sentencing was adjourned until Jan. 13, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

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

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

No charges have been laid in relation to the killing of Christine Pelletier-Thibodeau, Butler’s former partner, who died from a gunshot wound to the neck during a shootout outside Butler’s residence on the night of the kidnapping. Police tape was erected around the property, which was surrounded by a vehicle salvage yard.

Lengthy jail sentence expected for vicious domestic abuse

A Plymouth Road man who admitted to beating and abusing his former partner for weeks is expected to receive a lengthy jail term on Jan. 31.

Andrew Pelkey, 43, appeared in provincial court for sentencing on Dec. 17 after changing his plea to guilty on several charges laid by RCMP. Judge Karen Lee reserved her decision on sentence until Jan. 31, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

Crown Prosecutor Charles Couturier told the court Pelkey deserved 12 to 18 months in jail, while Defence Counsel Wanda Severns asked for house arrest.

Judge Lee said she would have “a real hard time to consider house arrest” because of the serious level of domestic violence involved in Pelkey’s crimes.

“This is not a spat or somebody who had a bad day,” said Judge Lee. “This is violence at an extreme level that is completely unacceptable with long lasting effects on the victim both physical and emotional.”

The crown also requested that Pelkey be placed on 24 months of probation after his release from jail and that he register with the federal DNA database.

A 20-year prohibition on weapons was also recommended for the accused, along with an order for Pelkey to attend counselling for mental health and alcohol abuse. All firearms seized by police during the investigation are to be forfeited to the crown.

“The facts are quite serious and Mr. Pelkey should be punished,” Couturier stated.

Pelkey was facing eight charges and pleaded guilty to five of them on summary conviction. He pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon (a belt, bottle and stick), assaulting a woman by choking her, uttering threats, pointing a firearm at another person, and careless use of a firearm. He had a limited prior criminal record.

Three other charges of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (BB guns and a pellet gun), assault, and willfully causing pain to a dog by shooting it with a pellet gun will be withdrawn by the crown at sentencing. The woman told police two dogs were shot and killed by the accused, but Pelkey refused to admit it.

The court heard the charges involved a series of violent domestic assaults between Feb. 1, 2023, and March 21, 2023, at Richmond Corner. The woman suffered head and facial injuries, bruises to her arms and back, and a cut on her leg.

She was kicked, beaten with a belt and belt buckle, and hit over the head with a stick of wood and a plastic liquor bottle. Pelkey also pulled her hair, choked her on the living room floor, put a knife to her throat, and tore her clothes.

During one incident, he shot the victim with a BB gun. One other morning, she woke up to a beating when he smashed her in the teeth. She finally went to the police and told them his violent attacks were escalating, and she feared for her life.

Police arrested Pelkey when an emergency intervention order was issued to remove him from the home. Five firearms (BB guns and a pellet gun) were found in the residence and were seized by police.

The woman told the crown it took a month for all of her injuries to heal, and she still suffers from headaches. She has no further contact with the accused and attended court with family members who were seated with her in the gallery.

Pelkey also pleaded guilty to failing to appear in court on Dec. 19, 2023, and breaching his release order by violating curfew on Sept. 30, 2023.

The defence argued Pelkey was remorseful for his actions and noted he had no previous convictions involving violence.  He is employed and has moved on to a new relationship.

East Brighton man to stand trial

Ozzie Jr. Trecartin, 30, of East Brighton, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 16 and pleaded not guilty to three charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Oct. 29-30 at 9:30 a.m.

He was charged with impaired driving and two counts of driving while suspended on July 21 in Peel.

Trecartin also appeared in provincial court on Oct. 29 for plea on several other charges related to an alleged attempted murder in East Brighton. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial dates were set for Oct. 16-17, 2025, and Oct. 20, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

Trecartin appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on July 30 and was released from custody with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was ordered to have no firearms in his possession. He must also have no contact with the alleged victim.

RCMP charged Trecartin with attempted murder, reckless discharge of a firearm at a place at the same time a person was inside, two counts of indictable assault against another man, uttering threats, resisting arrest, possession of a firearm without a licence, and storage of multiple firearms in a careless manner following an incident on July 21 at East Brighton.

Neqotkuk man fined $650

Todd Allison Sappier, 63, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared for trial in provincial court on Dec. 16 and changed his plea to guilty on one charge laid by RCMP.

Sappier pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the scene of an accident on Jan. 8 at Neqotkuk. He was fined $650. The crown withdrew another charge of dangerous driving.

Beechwood man waives bail

Clay Hargrove, 30, of Beechwood, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Dec. 17. He waived his bail until later and returns to court in custody for plea on Jan. 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

The RCMP charged Hargrove with possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing police, driving while prohibited, and driving while suspended following an incident on Dec. 8 at Tobique Narrows.

He was also charged with breaking into a cabin, theft, and mischief causing property damage to a door in relation to a separate incident.  More charges of aggravated assault involving a male victim and possession of a stolen motorcycle were also laid for an incident on Aug. 27 at Upper Kent.

Released with conditions

Mitchell LaFrance, 26, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 16 for a bail hearing after being arrested for breaching his release order. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

RCMP charged LaFrance in connection with an alleged breach of his house arrest on Dec. 7.

RCMP also charged LaFrance with breaching a no-contact order for an incident on Sept. 21 at Florenceville-Bristol. He also faces a charge of assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim stemming from an incident on July 19 at Carlingford.

LaFrance also appeared for trial in provincial court on Oct. 10 and changed his plea to guilty on two other charges laid by RCMP. He returns to court for sentencing on Jan. 21, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

LaFrance pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking by failing to comply with a no-contact order on Oct. 2, 2023, at East Brighton.

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

Warrant issued for Wotstak man

The court issued an arrest warrant for Mitchell McKenzie, 38, of Wostak (Woodstock First Nation), after he failed to appear in court for plea on Dec. 17.

McKenzie appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 25 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions until his next court appearance.

RCMP charged McKenzie with assaulting another man with a weapon (a wooden pole) following an incident on July 24 at Wotstak.

Agreed to peace bond

Riley Cowper, 20, of Limestone, appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 16 for his trial on an assault charge. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond and the trial did not proceed.

Cowper was charged with assault with a weapon (a hammer and tire iron) involving another man on March 23, 2022. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn.

Cowper remains in custody to await his three-day trial next March in connection with an alleged violent attack on another local man.

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

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

He was arrested on Aug. 13 and ordered to have no contact with Butler, who police said was treated at hospital for injuries and later released.  On Oct. 18, Cowper waived his bail until later.

Bail hearing adjourned

Brittany Priscilla King, 27, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 17 for a bail hearing. Judge Karen Lee adjourned her bail hearing until Dec. 19 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of her defence counsel.

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 possessing 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.

Alleged invasion of privacy

Dale Boyle, 70, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to answer one charge laid by RCMP.

Boyle was charged with making a visual recording of another person without their consent when there was a reasonable expectation for privacy for an incident between Feb. 1 and Aug. 10 at Plaster Rock. He appeared in court on Dec. 17 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.

Trafficking charge laid

Timothy Thibodeau, 42, of Glassville, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by RCMP. He was scheduled for plea on Dec. 17 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

Thibodeau was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, uttering threats on Sept. 4, 2023, at Hartland, and failing to appear in court on Oct. 24.  He appeared in court in custody on Nov. 4. He was released with conditions of an order to report to the police weekly.

Three trial dates set

Regis Bowmaster, 31, of Bairdsville, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 17 and pleaded not guilty to three charges. His trial date was set for Nov. 6, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

Bowmaster appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Nov. 4 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.

RCMP charged him with two counts of breaching a release order and possession of methamphetamine concerning an incident on Oct. 23 at Pembroke.

He also appeared in provincial court on July 16 and pleaded not guilty to several other charges laid by RCMP. His trial dates were set for June 2, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. and June 12-13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

Bowmaster was charged with possessing a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest concerning an incident on Jan. 4 at Bairdsville. He was also charged with possession of a prohibited weapon (a sawed-off shotgun), improper storage of a firearm, possession of a stolen ATV, and being an occupant of a vehicle, knowing it carried a firearm for another incident on May 27 at Perth-Andover.

Returning for plea

Braden Morgan, 27, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2025, 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. 17 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.

Charges laid following accident

Rylan McLeod, 21, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on seven charges laid by RCMP.

McLeod was charged with three counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm, three counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and obstructing police in relation to an accident on Jan. 5 at Bulls Creek. He appeared in court on Dec. 17 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.

Senior facing two charges

Ursel Wagner Estabrooks, 71, of Wilmot, will appear in provincial court on Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for plea on two charges laid by RCMP.

Estabrooks was charged with impaired driving and dangerous driving stemming from an incident on Aug. 18 at St. Thomas. She appeared in court on Dec. 17 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of her defence counsel.

Resolved by peace bond

Logan Cote, 24, of Wicklow, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 17 for plea on one charge laid by RCMP. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond and the charge did not proceed.

Cote was charged with assault causing bodily harm involving a female victim following an incident on March 20 at Wicklow. The peace bond will result in the charge being withdrawn.

Sentencing reset for Turner

Marshall Turner, 24, of Beaconsfield, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on Dec. 17 after changing his plea to guilty on several charges laid by RCMP.  His sentencing was rescheduled for Jan. 8, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. to allow for the submission of victim impact statements.

RCMP charged Turner with possession of stolen vehicle, flight from police, breach of probation and possession of a stolen fuel pump in connection with a police chase across Carleton North on April 23 that ended in Johnville.

He pleaded guilty to possessing the stolen vehicle and breach of probation, and the crown withdrew the remaining two charges.

On April 13, he was also charged with possessing a stolen vehicle in Greenfield, but the crown withdrew that charge.

Turner also pleaded guilty to possession of stolen vehicle, breach of probation, dangerous driving and driving without insurance on April 18 in Perth-Andover.

The court heard Turner was charged following an accident on Route 130 near Bairdsville when he fell asleep at the wheel and collided with a transport truck.

Turner appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 18 and waived his bail until later. He has a prior criminal record and has been in custody since his arrest in April.

On Dec. 17, he also pleaded guilty to breach of probation and assaulting a correctional officer for an incident at the Madawaska jail on July 5.

Moved to alternative measures

Stephen Bowmaster, 24, of Sisson Ridge, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 17 for plea on three charges laid by RCMP. The matter was moved to the alternative measures program with the consent of the crown.

Bowmaster was charged with fraud, uttering a forged document (a $1,700 cheque), and possession of stolen property (cheques) concerning an incident on Oct. 10, 2023, near Perth-Andover. He has until March 18, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., to complete the requirements of the program in order to have the charges withdrawn.

Charged with sexual assault

Christopher Thomas O’Keefe, 27, of Fredericton, formerly of Fielding, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 17 to answer a sex charge.

O’Keefe was charged by RCMP with sexual assault in connection with an incident on Feb. 26, 2023, at Upper Brighton. He returns to court for plea on Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

Newburg man pleads not guilty

Jeffrey Richard Bull, 45, of Newburg, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 17 and pleaded not guilty to two charges laid by Woodstock Police. He returns to court on Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date. A monitoring date was also set for Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to confirm his legal counsel.

Bull appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 9 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He was charged with aggravated assault and breach of probation concerning an incident on Sept. 8 at 2 a.m. when a man suffered a broken elbow after being struck by a bat on St. James Street in Woodstock. The alleged victim was a newcomer to the town for only three days.

Awaiting plea on assault charge

Tristan Alexander Calhoun, 38, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 17 for plea on an assault charge. The matter was adjourned until Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

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

Charged with breaching curfew

Ronald Terry Bowmaster, 37, of Bairdsville, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 17 to answer a charge of breaching his curfew.

RCMP charged Bowmaster with breaching his release order (curfew) for an incident on March 17 at Bairdsville. He returns to court for plea on Jan. 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

Sentencing set on several charges

Joshua Sisson, 37, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 17 and changed his plea to guilty on several charges. His sentencing date was set for Dec. 23 at 9:30 a.m.

Sisson appeared in court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Nov. 14 and was remanded to jail. RCMP charged him with two counts of uttering threats for an incident on Nov. 11 at Neqotkuk. He was also charged with flight from police on Sept. 24.

He changed his plea to guilty on one threat charge and the flight charge on Dec. 17 and told the court he was planning to enter a rehab facility.

Sisson also pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon (a bottle) involving a female victim, assault, and one count of uttering threats in connection with an incident on April 8 at Neqotkuk.  He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant.

He is awaiting plea on Dec. 23 at 9:30 a.m. on two new charges of attempted break and enter and mischief causing property damage to a shed on Sept. 24 at Neqotkuk.

Carlingford woman to be sentenced

Kortney Boyer, 32, of Carlingford, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 17 and pleaded guilty to an assault charge. Her sentencing date was set for March 25, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

RCMP charged Boyer with assaulting a female victim stemming from an incident on March 18 at Bairdsville. She was released on an undertaking until her next court appearance.

Nabbed with counterfeit money

Chandler Spittle, 22, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 17 to answer two charges related to counterfeit money. He returns to court for plea on Jan. 17, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

RCMP charged Spittle with possessing counterfeit money (a $100 US bill) and using counterfeit money concerning an incident on Dec. 24, 2023, at Johnson Settlement.

Facing fraud charge

Anita Albert, 51, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 17 to set a trial date after pleading not guilty to a fraud charge. Her trial date was set for Nov. 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

RCMP charged Albert with defrauding the Timbertown Lounge during an incident on Sept. 11, 2022, in Plaster Rock.

Hartland man awaiting trial

Braeden Paul Thornton, 28, of Hartland, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 17 and pleaded not guilty to several charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Oct. 30, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

Thornton was arrested by RCMP on Thanksgiving weekend on charges of breaching a peace bond, uttering threats, assault, assault by choking, theft, and breaching an undertaking. A monitoring date was set for Feb. 18, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to confirm he will be ready to proceed to trial.

Thornton appeared in provincial court in custody on Oct. 16 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.

Accused of curfew breach

Catherine Polchies, 46, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), will appear in provincial court on Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to answer a charge of breaching her curfew. She was scheduled for plea on Dec. 17 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of her defence counsel.

RCMP charged Polchies in connection with an incident on March 7 at Wotstak. She also appeared in provincial court in February and pleaded not guilty to other multiple charges. Trial dates were set for Jan. 24, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. and Feb. 3, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

Polchies appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Feb. 7 and was released with conditions after spending a few days in jail. She was arrested on warrant after she failed to appear in court for plea on Jan. 2. She also faces charges of breaching a release order and possession of stolen property on Feb. 1 and several firearm offences for an incident on Nov. 11, 2023, in Woodstock.

Polchies was also charged under the Fish and Wildlife Act with discharging a firearm too close to a dwelling house and not wearing hunter orange following an incident on Sept. 27, 2022, at Lower Woodstock. She pleaded not guilty at her court appearance on Feb. 27.

Charged in police stand-off

Travis Terrance McDougall, 32, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Dec. 17 to answer charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

Woodstock Police charged him with two counts of uttering threats and obstructing police in connection with a stand-off on Nov. 2 when an individual barricaded himself inside a residence in Woodstock.

McDougall appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.

Trial coming up in January

Rachel Sockabasin, 40, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Dec. 17 for monitoring about her upcoming trial in January.

Sockabasin was charged by RCMP with breach of an undertaking, breach of probation and three counts of theft concerning incidents on Feb. 12, Aug. 11, 2023, and Dec. 22, 2023, at the Ultramar in Carlingford. She pleaded not guilty, and her trial was scheduled for Jan. 17, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

Another monitoring date was set for Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to confirm she will have legal counsel to proceed to trial.

Released with ankle bracelet

Brian Keith Reynolds, 45, of Wotstak (Woodstock First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Dec. 16 for a bail hearing after being arrested on a charge of breaching his release order. He was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.

RCMP charged Reynolds with breaching his release order (curfew) concerning an incident on Dec. 10 at Benton. He returns to court for plea on Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

He also appeared in provincial court on Dec. 5 to answer several other charges laid by RCMP. Those matters were adjourned until Jan. 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. to allow him time to secure new legal counsel.

RCMP charged him with uttering threats against a female victim, breach of probation, and driving while suspended, stemming from an incident on Oct. 8, 2023, in Bloomfield. He pleaded not guilty and returns to court on Jan. 7 to set a trial date.

Reynolds was also charged with two counts of resisting arrest on Nov. 1, 2023, and Nov. 27, 2023, at Wotstak. On Sept. 17, he faced two new charges of assault and assault with a weapon concerning another incident on Aug. 4 at Wotstak. He returns for plea on those charges on Jan. 7.

The post Woodstock Provincial Court: Crown asks for hefty prison sentence for Rodney Butler first appeared on River Valley Sun.

A profile of Woodstock Rotary Club President Ashley Farrell

Each year, the Woodstock Rotary Club elects a new president.  The Rotary year spans from July 1 to June 30; the 2024/25 club president this year is Ashley Farrell.  The governing body for all Rotary clubs is Rotary International (RI), which chooses a new theme to guide clubs worldwide in their projects and activities.  Ashley is excited to see how this year’s theme, “The Magic of Rotary,” can influence and guide our club with our current and upcoming initiatives.

Ashley was born in Woodstock and grew up in McKenzie Corner. She graduated from Woodstock High School and attended Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, where she obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree. After graduating from post-secondary education, she worked through the Enterprise Rent a Car Leadership Program in Halifax, N.S.

Ashley moved back to Woodstock and started working for McCain in 2013. and has worked at McCain for 11 years in various supply chain roles. Currently, she manages Inventory and Network Distribution for North America.

In her spare time, she likes to be active and engaged. Working out and physical activity are essential to her, as she enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, biking, dancing, and golf. She also enjoys reading, doing creative projects, and volunteering. Her nine-year-old daughter Payton is also very active, so their time is balanced between juggling their extracurricular and social schedules.

Ashley joined Rotary in the Spring of 2021 because she was looking for a group of like-minded individuals with shared interests and goals while giving back to their community. Ashley respects and admires the Service above Self Rotary Moto and Rotary’s core values of service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.

“The four-way test resonates with me and aligns with my own core values,” says Ashley.

Since joining Rotary, Ashley has served on the Rotary Dance and Draw Committee, Halloween Committee, and Membership Committee and joined the Board as Secretary in 2022. As president this year, Ashley says her goal is “to create an engaging environment for our membership and to encourage more community involvement by learning about and working with local service groups and organizations and identifying future projects that will provide a positive, sustainable impact.”

Ashley has appointed and will oversee various Rotary Committees that are centred around the Pillars of Rotary focus, which include promoting and supporting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, Supporting Education and Literacy, Protecting the Environment and Growing Local Economies.  Each committee dedicates itself to positively impacting the community through its objectives and the projects and requests it supports.

Ashley feels the Rotary International (RI) theme “The Magic of Rotary” emphasizes the transformative power that can be achieved through like-minded individuals working towards a common goal to make their world and surrounding communities better for all.  Likewise, the RI website proclaims that the magic of Rotary is celebrated by its members, who create that magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member of Rotary.

“Rotarians are people of action, and the magic of Rotary lives within each Rotarian who puts service above self and works to accomplish the overreaching and impossible projects and initiatives that they take on,” says Ashley. “Over the years, I have seen a number of magical moments when an idea, became a plan and then that plan became a reality executed with excellence. It is very humbling and magical experience to witness a group of dedicated Rotarians who gather together every week to broadcast Bingo for the community, organize an Annual Rotary Dance and Draw and that take on small and large projects when a need arises, all in the name of creating a better community for everyone. Rotarians are truly magical people.”

Save the Date

In keeping with the Magic of Rotary theme, be sure to like and follow the Woodstock Rotary Club Dance and Draw Facebook page for upcoming announcements about our annual fundraiser. This year, the event will occur on Saturday, April 12, at the AYR Motor Centre. We will be having a “Rotary Magical Masquerade” event.  Dress up with your masquerade masks while enjoying locally distilled spirits, craft beer, and wine while listening to “The Other Guys.” Dance the night away with “The Big Bad Party Band.”  Draw prizes totalling almost $20,000 will be up for grabs.  Don’t miss this great time out while supporting Rotary.

The post ‘The Magic of Rotary’ first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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The Fredericton Police Force (FPF) is expanding its ranks with a new unit aimed at taking over non-emergency and administrative work from officers, but it’s not saying how much it will cost.

The police force announced the creation of a new community engagement unit (CEU), which, it said in a news release, will “enhance community relations and improve service efficiency.”

The purpose of the new unit is to mitigate the heavier workload on police officers by handling non-emergency policing tasks, it said.

“The CEU will consist of former FPF members who will handle non-critical tasks, such as taking statements for minor crimes, handling lost property and providing general public assistance,” the release said.

“This will allow officers to focus on urgent and high-priority calls. Importantly, CEU members will not engage in patrol responses involving risk.”

The unit will be run as a pilot program for six months and be evaluated at the end of that period.

The release said the initiative is being funded as part of the City of Fredericton’s effort to bolster community safety, but it didn’t indicate how much the new unit would cost or from where it’s deriving the funding.

The Fredericton Independent inquired Tuesday with the police force and city hall about the costs, how much the members of the unit would be paid, how many people would be hired to serve as part of the unit and when it would begin operations.

No response was provided.

“It is important for maintaining community trust, ensuring efficient use of police resources and will allow for more proactive community policing,” Insp. David Cooper, a member of the force’s management team, said in the news release.

The police union has signed off on the new unit as well, the release said, but it noted the initiative is meant to be a temporary one.

“The union executive was consulted throughout the process of adopting the community engagement unit,” police union president Chris Furlotte said in the release.

“We fully support FPF management’s decision to engage this temporary solution and will monitor the impact as it relates to our members.”

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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New Brunswick's acting chief medical officer of health is encouraging people to mask during holiday gatherings as the provincewide whooping cough outbreak has spiked to more than 800 cases and other viruses, such as COVID-19, the flu and RSV continue to spread.

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A Hampton man charged with having possession of a stolen Saint John municipal vehicle in Fredericton this summer appeared before a judge in custody Tuesday for failing to attend court last month.

Jean-Paul Dezainde, 36, of Acadia Crescent, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by telephone from the city police station cellblock Tuesday morning.

Judge Natalie LeBlanc said he was arrested on a warrant that was issued last month when he failed to answer a summons to appear in court.

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Christmas by-the-Sea Fest draws hundred to St. Andrews + Sistema St. Stephen students perform first concert + Clothes line initiative helps locals in need + St. Andrews Kiwanis Club continues tradition of bringing seniors holiday baskets

Original Broadcast Date: December 17, 2024

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

The Horizon Health Network is trying to avoid last year's hospital holiday crunch at emergency departments.

Charges against three men accused of starting a fire that destroyed a fish smokehouse in southeastern New Brunswick in July have been dropped.

Dominic LeBlanc, the federal public safety minister and newly appointed finance minister, says he’s optimistic tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S. can be avoided.

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A Fredericton man accused of taking people hostage in a police standoff last month is facing a new string of charges alleged to have occurred earlier this fall.

Bradley Douglas Webb, 36, of no fixed address, was scheduled to go through a bail hearing in Fredericton provincial court Monday.

He’s been in custody since his arrest Nov. 19 after a standoff with police that shut down a northside neighbourhood for several hours.

Webb faces charges of assaulting Kimberley Murray and Tonya Francis with a weapon (a BB gun), pointing a firearm at Francis, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm to Thomas and Francis, and unlawfully confining them, all stemming from events that morning.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters Carleton York blown away by generosity

Three organizers of 100 Women Who Care River Valley Chapter made Big Brothers Big Sisters Carleton York Board Chair Kippy Taylor squeal in surprise when they revealed the total amount from their November event.
 
“Thanks to an anonymous donor, our evening total of $18,150 was significantly higher,” said organizer Kerry Culberson. 

She and committee members Debbi Graham and Laura Cook were on hand to present the $38,150 cheque to Kippy Taylor.

“I can’t believe this!” she said, grinning ear to ear. 

At the Nov. 8 event, women heard presentations from three charities. Those in attendance brought signed cheques for at least $100.

After the presentations, the women voted, and Big Brothers Big Sisters Carleton York was the winner.

“This is amazing,” said Taylor, beaming after being told of the final tally.
“We help kids from Nackawic to Upper Kent, and are compltely self supporting, which means we have to rais all the money ourselves to pay for programming, and rent. This money will be put to very good use. The generosity is overwhelming.”

Currently, the organization has 37 matches, with 19 children on the waiting list. 

The organization’s mandate also includes a ‘comfort fund’ which recently helped pay for dental work (thanks to the generosity of a local dentist) for a low-income family with a child in their program.

“Mentorship changes lives,” said Taylor. “We see it every day.”

The post 100 Women Who Care make big impact with $38,150 donation first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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A Lake George man who’s been in custody since his arrest on Halloween on drug charges was released on conditions Monday and is now subject to conditions while free in the community.

Joseph Vernon Murphy, 44, of Route 635, had been scheduled to go through a bail hearing in Fredericton provincial court Monday.

He faces Oct. 31 counts of charges of possessing cocaine, methamphetamines, fentanyl, hydromorphone and clonazepam, all for the purpose of trafficking; possessing the proceeds of crime (namely, $11,485 in cash), storing three shotgun shells carelessly; and breaching a court-ordered prohibition against possessing firearms and ammunition, all in Fredericton.

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When a Fredericton police officer busted a city woman for a drug-trafficking crime, he also found a young child asleep in the car containing thousands of dollars worth of meth, court heard Monday.

Kelli Mahalia Noble, 53, of Irvine Street, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Monday for sentencing on a serious drug offence.

She’d previously pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking.

Noble had also been charged with trafficking in meth, but that count was reserved until after sentencing.

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It could cost tens of millions of dollars to implement a Moncton council motion aimed at addressing a pungent smell in the city's north end, councillors heard Monday.

Two people are dead following a crash on a highway near downtown Moncton on Sunday evening.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt took part in another premiers' meeting on Monday, a day of upheaval for the federal government.

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A Wassis man accused of dealing drugs in the Welamukotuk (Oromocto) First Nation and who was allegedly the target of vigilantism now stands accused of twice violating a no-go order.

Anthony Shane O’Blenis, 27, of Route 655, elected last week to be tried in provincial court and pleaded not guilty to July 18 counts of possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, carrying a concealed weapon (a BB gun), possessing that BB gun for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, possessing the proceeds of crime and trespassing, all Welamukotuk First Nation.

His trial on those matters is set for January 2026, and he was free subject to the conditions of a police undertaking.

However, O’Blenis appeared in Fredericton provincial court by telephone from the RCMP detachment in Oromocto, having been arrested on suspicion of violating that undertaking.

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A Fredericton man who was a no-show for court earlier this month for election and pleas on serious charges stemming from an alleged firearm discharge last year has been released on conditions again.

Darrell Richard Barnes, 51, of Brunswick Street, was a no-show in Fredericton provincial court Dec. 5, when he was scheduled to elect mode of trial and enter pleas to a number of serious charges.

They include allegations of discharging a firearm at Dustin Madden in Geary with intent to wound him or endanger his life, pointing a firearm at Madden, possessing a rifle without a licence, and possessing stolen social insurance and Visa cards, on Oct. 3, 2023, in Geary; and of breaching a release order by failing to attend court Nov. 23, 2023.

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The Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station has returned to operation after being out of service for eight months, according to NB Power. 

In the spring, the station underwent planned maintenance. NB Power said it was upgrading equipment and ensuring the ongoing reliability and safety of the station’s operations. 

“During start-up protocol, following work completion, a critical issue was identified with the main generator which is located on the non-nuclear side of the station – an area that was not worked on during the outage,” the utility said in a release. “This issue needed to be addressed before returning the station online.” 

Repairs were made to six stator bars located within the main generator – which is the stationary part that converts the rotating magnetic field into electric current. 

“This process was very complex and required careful disassembly, reassembly, and extensive testing to meet the strict safety and operational standards,” the release explained. 

Lori Clark, NB Power’s president and CEO, said the return of PLNGS highlights the incredible dedication of the team and their commitment to serving customers. 

“I am proud of the professionalism and expertise our team has shown in overcoming this challenge. This underscores our pride and commitment to delivering sustainable, safe, and reliable energy to New Brunswickers.” 

The station coming online as the winter months and colder temperatures pick up will help meet the province’s energy needs during what the utility considers a peak season. 

It is estimated to have cost $900,000 for each day that Point Lepreau is offline. NB Power did not say how much taking the generating station offline would cost in its most recent release, but said it “is actively exploring options to mitigate costs for customers, including potential recovery through corporate insurance policies.”

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The RCMP has named a new commanding officer for Mounties in New Brunswick.

In a news release issued Monday, the force announced Assistant Commissioner Matco Sirotic would be the new top Mountie in the province. His appointment was made Dec. 11.

He takes over from Assistant Commissioner DeAnna Hill, who was named to the post just two years ago in November 2022.

The RCMP reports that Sirotic is a 20-year veteran of the force, having graduated from depot in 2004.

He was promoted to the rank of corporal in 2021, it said, and served as the Minto detachment commander. He was subsequently posted to Nunavut in 2014 and promoted to sergeant during that time.

Sirotic became the detachment commander in Iqaluit and was promoted to staff sergeant, it said, and then he took on the role of watch commander in Halifax.

“In 2020, Assistant Commissioner Sirotic became a commissioned officer and served as the director of the Atlantic Regional Departmental Security Section for Nova Scotia,” the release said.

That led to his installation as the officer in charge of operational policy and criminal operations for H Division in Nova Scotia last year, the RCMP reported, and earlier this year, Sirotic was promoted to the rank of superintendent and became the officer in charge of specialized policing and operational support services in New Brunswick.

Sirotic is the 32nd officer to take command of the RCMP in New Brunswick, the release said.

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

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The Kiwanis Club of Saint Andrews put together around 120 Christmas food baskets for local seniors who mainly live alone. 

Each basket is filled with some food items, holiday treats, and a hand-written card from students at Vincent Massey Elementary School. 

There was plenty of people on hand to pack the bags, like an assembly line, with community members giving back. (Nathalie Sturgeon/The Courier)

Sue Lister, Kiwanis Club of Saint Andrews member, said it is a nice way to spread community cheer during the holidays. 

“They get a chance to say hi to a Kiwanian, get a wonderful basket of treats, and we just say thank you for being part of our community,” she said in an interview with The Courier. 

Kids from the community also get involved with fundraising for the baskets, packing the bags, and ultimately delivering them. 

“Those are our kids,” she said. “This is the second year that the kids have helped us out by putting our baskets together and they love it. They said it was the highlight of their year as one of the community things that they do all year long.”

There are also about 12 poinsettias available for people with dietary restrictions and any form of diabetes. 

The Kiwanis Club of Saint Andrews has been doing this for about 50 years, but the tradition has grown. (Nathalie Sturgeon/The Courier)

According to Lister, the tradition started nearly 50 years ago and has continued to grow. It began with just a few items and now is a full basket. 

“It’s important to keep it alive and keep it going because it is such a feel-good for our club and hopefully for the community as well,” Lister explained.  “All of our items are purchased locally as well, so it helps the local economy.” 

She said in the end, they get a lot of thank-yous, even in the form of cards. 

“We get a lot of thank you cards, which is wonderful to read. How pleased they were that somebody stopped in. That somebody remembered them,” she said.

Canada Post workers will return to work on Tuesday following a decision from the Canada Industrial Relations Board. 

According to a release from Canada Post, after two days of hearings, the CIRB issued a ruling confirming the parties are at an impasse. 

“As a result, the CIRB has ordered employees to return to work and postal operations to begin to resume at 8 a.m. local time on Dec. 17,” the release said. “We will share further details shortly, but want to remind employees and customers that our operations will remain closed on Dec. 16.” 

Canada Post said it looks forward to welcoming the employees back to work, “serving the millions of Canadians and businesses who rely on our services.” 

It said while the terms of the existing collective agreement extends until March 2025, it will put forward an offer to implement a wage increase of five per cent for employees, which “was proposed in the company’s last global offer.” 

“With both parties in agreement, the wage increase will be retroactive to the day after each collective agreement expires. The increase will be in effect going forward, and the retroactive portion will be paid out to current employees,” it said in the release. 

Regular full-time and part-time employees will get an upfront payment of $1000 before Christmas and $500 for temporary employees based on a minimum number of hours, the Crown corporation said, with the remainder of the retroactive pay to be given by the end of January. 

It said in the release that its commitment has always been to reach negotiated agreements with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers that would help it better serve the changing needs of Canadians and provide good jobs to those who provide the service. 

CUPW responds to the minister

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said in a release on Dec. 13 that it denounces the decision to send the strike to CIRB. 

“We denounce in the strongest terms this assault on our constitutionally protected right to free and fair collective bargain and our right to strike,” it said in the release. “This order continues a deeply troubling pattern in which successive federal governments have used back-to-work legislation or, in this case, its arbitrary powers to let employers off the hook from bargaining in good faith.”

It described the decision by Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon as an abuse of power. It questioned the timing of the decision as well, claiming Canada Post has had the union offer for the last five days without a response. 

“We will continue to fight for fair wages, safe working conditions and to retire with dignity. We have been pushing Canada Post for years to expand services to generate more revenue,” it said in the release. “We must stand strong in the face of this abuse of power.”

There has been no response to the decision by the CIRB by the union yet.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned from cabinet just hours before the federal government was scheduled to release the fall fiscal update. 

In a scathing letter posted to her social media on Monday, Freeland said that on Friday, Prime Minister Justin 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. 

Freeland explained in the letter that the two had been at odds for several weeks over Canada’s path forward. 

“Our country today faces a grave challenge,” she said in the letter. “The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 per cent tariffs.”

She said the threat must be taken seriously. 

“That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have reserves we may need for a coming tariff war,” she wrote in the letter. “This means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment.” 

Freeland said she has been grateful for her opportunity and will remain as an MP, and will run in the next federal election. 

It comes as Sean Fraser, a prominent Atlantic Canada Liberal MP and federal housing minister, also resigned this morning from the cabinet. He also said he will not seek re-election. The decisions leave another gap in the federal cabinet as a shuffle is looming. 

A federal election is expected to be called in October 2025.

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A transient admitted Friday to brandishing an axe when he attacked a Fredericton community safety officer - the same officer he was convicted of assaulting with an axe last year.

Richard Andrew Hunter, 48, of no fixed address, appeared in Fredericton provincial jail by telephone from the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre on Friday to answer to a couple of charges.

Present in court was his defence counsel was lawyer Wanda Severns.

Hunter pleaded guilty to a March 28 charge of breaching his probation by failing to report to his probation officer, a Sept. 18 count of failing to attend court, a Sept. 21 charge of assaulting Elias Eliakis with a weapon - namely, an axe.

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A defence lawyer argued for a lenient sentence of less than six months in jail for his Syrian client last week, arguing the stiffer sentence sought by the Crown would see him ousted from Canada.

Akram Al Khalifa, 38, of Hawkins Street in Fredericton, was convicted in October after trial of summary counts of sexual assault and an indecent act.

The victim in the case was a woman who was a passenger in Al Khalifa’s taxi the night of March 12, 2022, and her identity is protected by a court-ordered ban on publication and broadcasting.

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Jason Peter Mollins is now serving a prison term for drug-trafficking and stolen-property crimes, but his family members won’t have to worry about incarceration.

Mollins, 40, formerly of Emmerson Street in Fredericton, was sentenced to seven years behind bars last month, less credit for time served on remands, for 13 crimes, including possession of crystal meth, cocaine, hydromorphone and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of stolen items such as three snowblowers, a tractor and a wood chipper.

Those charges arose after police raided his home and the northside residence of his mother, Eunice Gill, on Nov. 30, 2023.

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What began as a 98-day planned and budgeted maintenance shutdown on April 6 ballooned into a 248-day outage, after an unexpected problem surfaced in the station's generator.

The Holt government’s reversal on legislation that would lower the price of gas by four cents a litre came just days after a longtime Liberal Party insider lobbied Energy Minister René Legacy on the issue.

Woodstock Police Force and Woodstock Atlantic Superstore partner in successful campaign for Valley Food Bank

The Valley Food Bank van parked next to a pair of Woodstock Police Force cruisers in front of the Atlantic Superstore in Woodstock Friday afternoon, Dec. 14, to collect more than 134 bags of groceries destined for food bank clients over the holidays and into the new year. 

Atlantic Superstore manager Joe Hastie thanked the police force for partnering with them to launch the inaugural “Cram a Cruiser” campaign to collect food bank donations. 

The campaign enabled its customers to purchase a $10 bag of groceries for delivery to the food bank. Hastie said each bag contained more than $10 worth of grocery items suggested by Valley Food Bank officials. 

Each bag contained a list of the items inside, signed by the customer. 

WPF Deputy Chief Simon Watts said the store staff contacted the police force, which happily joined the campaign. 

“Certainly, at this time of year, there’s a lot of hardship, and with the extra demands on food banks nowadays, we jumped at the chance to partner with them,” he said.

Campbell said they came up with the idea of Cram a Cruiser, which was a great way to support those in need throughout their community. 

Valley Food Bank executive director Monica Grant welcomed the support, thanking everyone involved. 

Like most food banks, she said the Valley Food Bank faces a tough time as the client list and demands increase while donations decline. She said the donations will provide a boost as the organization heads into Christmas and prepares for the new year. 

“This is a fantastic way to start out our New Year base boxes,” she said. 

As Community Relations Officer, Sgt. Shaun Kimball leads the WPF Community Engagement Unit. He helped Deputy Chief Watts and Cst. Ryan Paul transfer the bags of groceries from the police cars and inside the store into the Valley Food Bank truck. 

Kimball and Watts praised the store staff and their customers for the success of the Cram a Cruiser campaign. 

Atlantic Superstore staff Amber Watts and Shannon Delfine joined Hastie and the police officers in loading the truck.

Hastie, who moved to Woodstock four years ago, said he saw this type of campaign in other areas of the country, but he believes it is the first for Woodstock. 

He and the police officers credited the generosity of Carleton County shoppers for the campaign’s success. 

The post Shoppers help store, police ‘Cram a Cruiser’ for food bank first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Vehicle left highway, landing in ditch

A 24-year-old man from Coles Harbour, Nova Scotia, has died following a single-vehicle collision on Route 2 in Summerfield, New Brunswick.

On December 13, 2024, at approximately 8:06 p.m., members of the Western Valley Region RCMP and the Perth-Andover Detachment responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision on Route 2 in Summerfield.

The collision is believed to have occurred when the vehicle, travelling westbound on Route 2, veered off the road and landed in the ditch. The victim, a 24-year-old man, died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

Members of Ambulance New Brunswick attended the scene.

An RCMP Collision Reconstructionist and a member of the New Brunswick Coroner’s Office are assisting with the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing.

The post N.S. man dies in Summerfield crash first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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A Nova Scotia man was killed Friday evening in a single-vehicle crash in Summerfield, about an hour east of Fredericton, the RCMP reports.

The victim was a 24-year-old man from Cole Harbour, N.S., the RCMP said in a news release Sunday, noting the incident occurred about 80 kilometres east of Gagetown..

“On Dec. 13, 2024, at approximately 8:06 p.m., members of the Western Valley Region RCMP and the Perth-Andover detachment responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision on Route 2 in Summerfield,” the release said.

“The collision is believed to have occurred when the vehicle, travelling westbound on Route 2, veered off the road and landed in the ditch. The victim, a 24-year-old man, died at the scene as a result of his injuries.”

The release didn’t indicate if he was the sole occupant of the vehicle or if there were others with him.

Ambulance New Brunswick personnel attended the scene, the RCMP said, noting that a collision reconstructionist and an official with the New Brunswick coroner's office are also assisting with the ongoing investigation.

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

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A 24-year-old man from Cole Harbour, N.S., has died in a single-vehicle collision in Summerfield, N.B. Police say they responded to a call on Friday shortly after 8 p.m.

Saint John’s out of-the-cold shelter opened on Dec. 6 with 60 beds, 20 more than the out-of-the-cold response last winter. Melanie Vautour, executive director of Fresh Start Services, hopes the space will outlast winter.