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A Bilijk (Kingsclear) First Nation man with a 10-page criminal record who passed a counterfeit $100 bill at a downtown business last year won’t go to jail for the crime.

Shaun Leo Francis, 45, of French Village Road, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Wednesday for sentencing for uttering counterfeit currency.

He’d previously pleaded guilty to the charge.

Crown prosecutor Geoffrey Hutchin said Francis was caught on video at the King Street Irving on March 14, 2022, providing a $100 bill to buy cigarettes, and he received change from the purpose.

It was shortly thereafter employees realized the bill was bogus, he said, and they called police to report the incident. Officers identified Francis from the video, court heard.

When an officer spotted Francis at a bus stop a few days later, the prosecutor said, he stopped to arrest him.

“Mr. Francis made a spontaneous utterance he didn’t know the bill was counterfeit,” Hutchin said.

He filed a copy of the offender’s past criminal history with the court, noting it was 10 pages long and included previous convictions for property crimes, though there were no priors involving funny money.

The prosecutor said Francis’ record is so lengthy, he’s reaching the point at which he could get jail time just for jaywalking. However, he said, given his guilty plea, the Crown wasn’t seeking incarceration for this latest offence.

Instead, Hutchin recommended a 60-day conditional sentence, to be served in the community subject to a strict curfew. He also asked the court to impose a probation order requiring Francis to pay restitution to the Irving.

Duty counsel Melinda Ponting-Moore said the conditional sentence was a joint recommendation from the Crown and defence.

Francis accepts responsibility for his actions, she said, noting he’s an Indigenous man whose life has been affected by numerous systemic, historical traumas.

He has wrestled with substance abuse and housing challenges on and off throughout his life, the defence lawyer said.

“He’s struggled with an alienation from his community,” she said. “He’s trying to right the ship.”

“You’re getting a little bit old to be in here,” Judge Henrik Tonning told Francis.

The offender agreed, acknowledging he needed to make some changes.

“Where’d you get it?” the judge asked him, referring to the counterfeit bill.

“It doesn’t matter where I got it,” Francis said.

“It didn’t come from Scotiabank,” Tonning jibed back.

The judge accepted the jointly recommended sentence, imposed a conditional sentence for 60 days. During that time, Francis must be in his residence from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and stay off the premises of the King Street Irving.

That’s to be followed by one year of probation, during which Francis is to continue to stay away from the Irving and to pay $100 in restitution.

Tonning also imposed a $100 victim-fine surcharge.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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James Johnston rode his horse through a small French town toward Vimy Ridge as machine-gun fire sounded around him. He was taking ammunition to troops on the front lines, performing one of the wartime logistics jobs his son believes haven't been celebrated much, despite the dangers. 

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A Fredericton police officer is on suspension after being accused of assaulting and threatening a Hanwell woman, and of forcing his way into her home two months ago.

Const. Colin Holmes, 25, of Fredericton, was charged this fall by the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) with three counts: a summary assault on Deidra Wheeler, a threat to kill her and forcible entry into her home.

The charges allege events Sept. 24 in Hanwell.

SIRT is an independent, Nova Scotia law-enforcement agency that investigates police actions alleging death or injury as a result of officer actions, or violent offences officers are accused of committing.

The provincial governments of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick finalized an agreement in February to have SIRT handle the same independent police oversight function in this province as well.

Holmes wasn’t present in Fredericton provincial court when his case was called, but defence lawyer T.J. Burke appeared on his behalf.

He said he still needs time to obtain and review Crown disclosure in the case, and Judge Henrik Tonning adjourned pleas on the summary charges to Nov. 27.

A city police force spokesperson confirmed Wednesday the officer isn’t on active duty at the moment.

“Const. Colin Holmes is currently suspended with pay from the Fredericton Police Force,” Megan Barker wrote in an email to the Fredericton Independent.

She noted the file had been reviewed by the Nova Scotia SIRT, and she referred all further questions about the case to that agency.

SIRT didn’t respond to an inquiry Wednesday about how the case came to the team’s attention.

A 2019 post on the Fredericton Police Force’s Facebook page shows Holmes joined the force that year.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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A Geary couple facing serious weapons charges stemming from alleged 3D-printing of firearms failed to attend court Wednesday, so a judge issued warrants for their arrest..

Leslie Dawn Boyd, 26, and Brady Geoffrey Storey, 30, both of Broad Road in Geary, were scheduled to return to Fredericton provincial court Wednesday to elect mode of trial and enter pleas.

They’re accused jointly of manufacturing 3D-printed handguns and handgun frames without authorization; possessing those 3D-printed items with intent to transfer them; possessing those prohibited 3D-printed firearms with readily accessible ammunition; possessing a revolver and two 3D-printed handguns without a licence; possessing those three firearms without a licence or registration certificate; possessing prohibited weapons (five sets of brass knuckles); and possessing an auto-conversion kit and six overcapacity magazines, which are all prohibited devices.

The RCMP charges allege offences committed in Geary on June 20.

When Judge Henrik Tonning called the case Wednesday, neither defendant was present.

During their initial court appearance on the charges last month, they were accompanied by two Fredericton defence lawyers, Patrick Hurley and Robert Digdon.

However, those lawyers noted at the time they hadn’t been retained yet, but that Boyd and Storey were hoping to do so.

Though Hurley wasn’t present in court Wednesday, Digdon was on hand, and he noted the Geary couple still hadn’t retained them as counsel yet.

Crown prosecutor Geoffrey Hutchin asked the court to issue warrants for the couple’s arrest.

Digdon suggested those warrants could be held in the file to give them a chance to attend.

He said there could be a valid reason they were unable to get to court.

When Tonning asked him if Boyd and Storey knew of Wednesday’s proceedings and the need for them to attend, Digdon acknowledged they were present last month and were advised as such.

The judge issued the warrants as requested, noting the couple would be appearing in court, one way or another.

The RCMP reported earlier this year that acting on intelligence from the Mounties’ integrated firearms trafficking team in Montreal, officers with its New Brunswick crime reduction unit investigated the manufacture of 3D-printed guns in the capital region.

As a result, the RCMP said in a news release, officers secured and executed a search warrant at a residence on Broad Road in Geary on June 20.

“During the search, police seized 11 firearms, including restricted and prohibited firearms, eight 3D-printed handgun frames, eight prohibited devices (over-capacity magazines), four body-armour carriers with plates, and six prohibited weapons,” the release said.

“Police also seized prohibited 3D printed firearm devices, one prohibited firearm conversion kit, several thousand rounds of ammunition and other firearm manufacturing parts.”

Storey and Boyd were arrested at that residence and released on conditions.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Moncton councillors voiced criticism over being asked to approve adding four more Codiac RCMP officers next year without evidence whether five added this year made a difference.

Lawyers for the province are arguing today to have the Court of King's Bench throw out a labour arbitrator's decision to award the fired head of Horizon Health Network $2 million.

NBYO to present Lieutenant Governor’s Award to dedicated orchestra booster

Erica Fisher, New Brunswick Youth Orchestra‘s longest-serving member and principal viola, says nothing compares to the intricacy, emotion and intensity of live music.

“The dynamics of live classical musical is different than listening to it online. You hear, see and feel the passion of the musicians when you see it in person,” Fisher said. “Our orchestra now has more than 100 musicians. It’s incredible to hear everyone playing together.”

The McCain Community Theatre in Woodstock will showcase the next New Brunswick Youth Orchestra concert on Sunday. Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. The orchestra performed at packed audiences in Tracadie and Bathurst in October to kick off their 2023-24 concert season.

“I feel we have a very strong orchestra this year,” said Antonio Delgado, NBYO conductor. “We have expanded our repertoire for this concert… Hopefully, we have many people get involved and attend our concert.”

The Woodstock concert will include performances of Batuque “Danza di Negri”; Danzas del Ballet “La Estancia”; Miramichi Ballad – A Suite for Orchestra and Symphony No. 9.

Delgado said this year’s orchestra features musicians ranging from 10 to 22 years old, and many of these musicians received a big boost from their acclaimed June performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

“Our musicians realized the world is watching. They see what happens when you do well. That was very encouraging to help them work harder.”

Thanks to Sistema NB’s success at providing transformational social change through music and orchestra, the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra has abundant young musical talent from across the province. Conductor Delgado owes much of his musical education to the world-renowned El Sistema program.

“Sistema NB is a proven pathway to better futures. The young musicians now playing for the NBYO are learning focus, discipline and valuable skills that will help them succeed in life,” Delgado said.

Fisher, who was part of the initial Sistema New Brunswick program in 2009, said she enjoys meeting other young New Brunswickers who share her love and understanding of music. In her 12 years with NYBO, Fisher and orchestra members have performed at Carnegie Hall, the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, and in Mexico for Encuentros, performing under Conductor Gustavo Dudamel.

The Woodstock concert will also highlight the presentation of the Lieutenant Governor’s NBYO Award to a long-standing patron and supporter of the orchestra. Founded in 2006, the NBYO awards recognizes exemplary leadership and contribution to the development of the orchestra, the musical development of youth and/or the orchestral community in New Brunswick.

“The Award is presented each year during the NBYO concert season to deserving musicians, instructors, members, patrons or volunteers from across the province and beyond,” the awards guidelines stated.

Don Matheson, NBYO director of community engagement, said the Woodstock concert will leave a lasting impact on concertgoers.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a first-time concertgoer or a veteran of NBYO performances, I can promise everyone they will be moved by the young musicians, amazed by their talent and feel New Brunswick proud,” Matheson said.

Tickets for the performance can be purchased at nbyotickets.com

The orchestra will also perform at Saint John, Fredericton, and Moncton this season.

The post New Brunswick Youth Orchestra will bring wonder of live music to Woodstock first appeared on River Valley Sun.

An inquest jury examining the suicide of a Fredericton-area teenager within days of visiting the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital ER and not getting help is now considering recommendations. 

Session will identify common scams

The Woodstock Police Force will address common frauds and scams at a seminar on Nov. 14 at the AYR Motor Centre in Woodstock.

The Fraud Prevention Seminar will address such topics as grandparents scams, CRA scams, government rebate scams and others.

Police representatives hope to use the public session, which will run from 7 to 9 p.m. in Sam’s Room, to demonstrate the three R’s of fraud detection — recognize, reject and report it.

The post Woodstock Police Force hold fraud prevention seminar first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Bull denied bail on charges of kidnapping, pointing a firearm 

Jeffrey Richard Bull, 45, of Newburg, was denied bail when he appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 6. He returns to court in custody for plea on Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m.

Bull and Ryan Michael Fitzherbert, 28, of Woodstock, were each charged with kidnapping, unlawful confinement, and multiple firearm offences following an incident involving a female victim on Oct. 15 in Pembroke. Bull faces 14 charges, while Fitzherbert faces seven. 

Bull was charged with kidnapping, unlawful confinement, pointing a firearm at another person, assault while threatening to use a weapon, possession of a firearm (a shotgun) to commit an offence, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a firearm while prohibited, flight from police, dangerous driving, resisting arrest, careless use of a firearm, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, and breach of probation. He was remanded and ordered to have no contact with the complainant or his co-accused. 

Fitzherbert was charged with kidnapping while using a firearm, unlawful confinement, possession of a firearm without a licence, unauthorized possession of a firearm, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, breach of probation, and breach of a release order. 

Fitzherbert appeared in custody by video for his bail hearing on Oct. 20 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He returns to court for plea on Nov. 28 at 9:30 a.m.

Fitzherbert is scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on June 17, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other separate charges. 

He was charged by RCMP with improper storage of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, and possession of a prohibited weapon (a switchblade knife) in connection with an incident on Dec. 10, 2021, in Jacksonville. He will also stand trial at the Court of King’s Bench on April 15-17, 2024, on drug trafficking charges.

Sentencing decision reserved in assault case

Garett Andrew Bright, 33, of Greenfield, appeared for sentencing in provincial court on Nov. 7 after pleading guilty to several charges laid by RCMP. 

After hearing submissions from the crown and defence counsel, Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean reserved his decision on sentence until Nov. 30 at 3 p.m.

Bright pleaded guilty to assault involving a female victim on April 12, 2022, in Greenfield; guilty to mischief causing property damage to a car and breach of an undertaking on Oct. 25, 2022, at Beechwood; and guilty to breach of an undertaking between May 13-21, 2022, at Perth-Andover. The crown withdrew another charge of sexual assault.

Crown Prosecutor Derek Weaver recommended Bright receive a four-month conditional sentence of house arrest or jail time for his crimes and two years of probation. Bright had no prior criminal record.

Defence Counsel Emily Cochrane asked the court to consider a conditional discharge for her client, explaining he was suffering from mental health issues at the time of the offences. 

Bright appeared in court in custody in October and was remanded for a bail hearing the next day. He was released from custody with conditions. 

Jacksonville man remanded for bail hearing

Shayne Everett Cameron, 30, of Jacksonville, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7 to answer new charges laid by RCMP. 

He was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court on Oct. 31. His bail hearing was scheduled for Nov. 8 at 1 p.m.

Cameron was charged with breach of an undertaking on Sept. 28, and uttering threats and assaulting another man on Oct. 28 at Greenfield. He was also charged with breach of a no-contact order and obstructing police on Nov. 4 at Perth-Andover.

At an earlier court appearance, Cameron was also charged with assault, assault with a weapon and uttering threats for incidents between Sept. 8 and Sept. 13 in Woodstock and possession of stolen property on April 11 in Woodstock. The matters were adjourned for plea until his next court appearance.

He also appeared in provincial court in September and pleaded not guilty to two other charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for July 4, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. A monitoring date was also scheduled for April 2, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.

Cameron was charged with possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace and possession of a firearm while prohibited concerning an incident on Jan. 24 at Juniper. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Sept. 19.

Held for bail hearing

Brittany Francis, 34, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 7 and was remanded to jail. She returns to court in custody by video for a bail hearing on Nov. 8 at 2:30 p.m. 

RCMP charged Francis with breach of a release order and mischief causing damage to an ankle bracelet in connection with an incident on Sept. 20 at Neqotkuk. Multiple warrants were issued for her arrest.

She appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on July 14 and was released with conditions. She was charged with breach of a release order and pleaded guilty. She failed to return to court for sentencing on Sept. 16.

She also appeared in custody on June 19 after being arrested on a warrant. 

RCMP charged Francis with shoplifting at the Maliseet Gas Bar in Neqotkuk on June 30, 2022, and two counts of failing to appear in court on Oct. 11, 2022, and again on April 25. She pleaded guilty to the theft and one count of failing to attend court.

Arrest warrant issued

The court issued an arrest warrant for Brian Vrieze, 53, of Debec, after failing to appear for provincial court trial on Nov. 6.

Vrieze pleaded not guilty in December to possessing a firearm without a license, a Savage 223 rifle, concerning a Nov. 18, 2021, incident at Limestone and not guilty to possessing methamphetamine on April 24, 2021, in Woodstock. 

Upper Woodstock woman remanded

Brittany Priscilla King, 27, of Upper Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Nov. 6 and was remanded to jail. She returns to court in custody for a bail hearing on Nov. 8 at 1:30 p.m.

King was charged with three counts of assault, theft and breaking into a dwelling house for a recent incident in Woodstock. 

She is also scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on March 25, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., and April 3, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to other charges laid by Woodstock Police. A pre-trial conference was also set for Jan. 15, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.

King was charged by Woodstock Police with possession of a stolen vehicle on Nov. 22, 2022, and failing to attend court on Feb. 21. She was also charged with assaulting a police officer, committing mischief, and resisting arrest for another incident on Nov. 7, 2022, in Woodstock. She appeared in court in custody on March 28 and was released with conditions. 

Hartland man to enter plea

Dylan Rideout, 25, of Hartland, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 28 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on three charges laid by RCMP.

Rideout was charged with uttering threats involving a female victim, possession of a firearm without a licence and careless use of a firearm (a shotgun) concerning an incident on Aug. 9 at Cloverdale. He made his first court appearance on Nov. 7.

In custody awaiting plea

Christian Mario Albert, 37, of Grand Falls, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 21 at 11:30 a.m. in custody by video for plea on two charges laid by RCMP.

Albert was charged with breaking into the Save Easy in Plaster Rock and breaching curfew following an incident on Sept. 10. He appeared in court in custody by video on Nov. 7 when the matter was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel. The court heard he was being held in custody on other matters.

Charges mount for Woodstock man       

Myles Andrew Dymond, 49, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 7 for plea on several charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

On Tuesday, Dymond was charged with breach of a no-contact order and breach of an emergency intervention order for an incident on Sept. 17-18 in Woodstock. 

He first appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 28 and was released with conditions. He was charged with breach of an undertaking by failing to abide by a no-contact order following an incident on Aug. 26 in Woodstock.

On Sept. 19, he faced charges of assault on a female victim on March 26 at Bedell, uttering threats on June 18 in Woodstock, and breach of a no-contact order between Aug. 19 and Aug. 21 in Woodstock. 

Dymond was released on an undertaking to have no contact with the complainant. He was also prohibited from the use of firearms. 

Sentencing set for Upper Kintore man 

Gunner Gray of Upper Kintore appeared in provincial court on Nov. 7 and pleaded guilty to an assault charge. A sentencing date was set for Dec. 5 at 1:30 p.m.

RCMP charged Gray with assault with a weapon (keys) involving another man in connection with an incident on June 11 at Upper Kintore. On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to the lesser included offence of common assault.

Agreed to peace bond

Brian Clohosy, 53, of Arthurette, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 7 to answer two charges laid by RCMP. 

Clohosy was charged with uttering threats and criminal harassment following an incident on June 26 at Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation). 

He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the charges did not proceed. Under the peace bond, he must have no contact with the complainants.

More charges for Benton man

Edward Hayes Jr., 27, of Benton, appeared in provincial court on Nov. 7 to face two new charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned for plea until Dec. 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

Hayes was charged with driving while prohibited and breach of probation for an incident on the Trans Canada Highway near Woodstock on July 1. 

On Oct. 19, he appeared for trial in provincial court after pleading not guilty to other charges of sexual assault and unlawful confinement. The trial was adjourned until July 10, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

Hayes was charged by RCMP with sexual assault and unlawful confinement involving a female victim between May 18 and June 13, 2022, in Summerfield. 

Hayes was also scheduled to be sentenced on a mischief charge related to a separate incident on June 17, 2022, in Woodstock, when a holding cell was damaged. He pleaded guilty. His sentencing for this offence was adjourned until Nov. 21 at 1:30 p.m. 

Greenfield man awaiting plea

Dustin Arthur Hawksley, 28, of Greenfield, appeared in provincial court for plea on Nov. 7 on several charges laid by RCMP and Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned until Nov. 14 at 1:30 p.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

Hawksley appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Sept. 28 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. He was also placed under house arrest at a residence in Greenfield. 

Hawksley was charged by RCMP with break and enter at a dwelling house, two counts of assault on a female victim, and assault with a weapon (a plate) in connection with an incident on July 2 at Bloomfield. 

Woodstock Police also charged him with assaulting a female, assault by choking and breach of an undertaking for another incident on Aug. 5 in Woodstock. He was arrested on a warrant on Sept. 24. 

Hawksley was ordered to have no contact with the two complainants and must have no drugs, alcohol or firearms in his possession. He must also attend court as required.

Plea delayed for Woodstock man

Christopher James Kitchen, 44, of Beardsley Road, will appear in provincial court on Dec. 19 at 9:30 a.m. to answer a new charge laid by Woodstock Police. 

Kitchen was charged with breach of an undertaking. The matter was scheduled for plea on Nov. 7 but was adjourned to the new date at the request of his defence counsel.

He will also appear for trial in provincial court on April 18, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to a criminal harassment charge.

Woodstock Police charged kitchen following an incident on March 13 in Woodstock. The charge involves allegations of repeated communication with a female complainant. Kitchen entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Sept. 13. He was released on an undertaking.

Trial set on assault charge

Clay Nicholson, 27, of Woodstock, formerly of Clearview, will appear for trial in provincial court on Dec. 7 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to assault. He appeared in court for monitoring on Nov. 7 and advised the court he plans to represent himself during the proceedings.

Nicholson was charged by RCMP with assault involving a female victim in connection with an incident on Sept. 15 at Green Road. He entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Oct. 17. 

Trial date set for Moncton man

Ryley Smith, 28, of Moncton, will appear in provincial court on Nov. 21 at 9:30 a.m. for further monitoring about his upcoming trial. He appeared in court on Nov. 7 via teleconference when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

RCMP charged Smith with assault with a weapon (a bottle), assault involving a female victim, breach of probation, and breach of an undertaking concerning an incident on July 25 in Lower Woodstock. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was set for Feb. 16, 2024, at 9:30 p.m. 

Smith appeared in provincial court in custody for a bail hearing on Aug. 8 and was released with conditions. As part of his release, Smith was ordered to report to the police weekly and have no contact with the complainant. He is residing at a residence in Salisbury.

In custody awaiting plea

Morgan Nicholas, 27, of Perth-Andover, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7 for plea on charges laid by RCMP. The matter was adjourned until Nov. 28 at 11 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

Nicholas appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 28 for a bail hearing. He was denied bail and remanded. He was charged by RCMP with two counts of breach of a release order, resisting arrest, uttering threats, assault, assault with a weapon, and assaulting a police officer. He was arrested on the New Brunswick Day weekend.

He also appeared in provincial court in April and pleaded not guilty to all other charges laid by RCMP. Three trials were scheduled for early next year on Feb. 1, Feb. 5, and Feb. 9, 2024. 

Nicholas pleaded not guilty to uttering threats on Oct. 18, 2022, assault and assaulting a female with a weapon on Nov. 25, 2022, breach of an undertaking and mischief causing damage to a police safety shield on Dec. 15, 2022, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer on Jan. 6, breach of a no-contact order on March 5, breaching his curfew on March 16, uttering threats and assaulting a police officer on Jan. 7 in Woodstock, and committing mischief on Jan. 6. All but one of the alleged incidents occurred in Perth-Andover and Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation).

Nicholas appeared in custody by video on March 7 and was released with conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, but was taken back into custody.

Sentencing set on multiple charges

Jacob Jinson, 24, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Nov. 7 and pleaded guilty to several charges laid by RCMP. A sentencing date was set for Dec. 18 at 1:30 p.m.

Jinson pleaded guilty to breach of probation on June 19 at Glassville; guilty to breach of a release order (curfew) on Aug. 20 at Oakland; guilty to breaching a release order (ankle bracelet violation) and obstructing police on Sept. 23 at Somerville; guilty to breach of a release order (ankle bracelet violation) on Sept. 9 at Somerville; and guilty to breach of a release order (ankle bracelet violation) on July 30 at Mainstream.

Jinson also elected trial by judge and jury on charges of indictable sexual assault and unlawful confinement. His 10-day trial will be held at the Court of King’s Bench beginning on Sept. 23, 2024. A pre-trial conference is set for Dec. 18. 

Jinson appeared in custody by video on April 3. RCMP charged him with sexual assault involving a female victim, unlawful confinement, and indictable breach of probation concerning the same incident on March 26 at Limestone. He was released with strict conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, but was later brought back into custody.

Jinson appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 25 for a bail hearing and was remanded to jail. 

A co-accused, Riley Cowper, 19, of Limestone, will also stand trial before a judge and jury next September on similar charges of sexual assault and unlawful confinement. 

Cowper appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 5 for a bail hearing and was released with strict conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle. RCMP charged him with sexual assault involving a female victim, unlawful confinement, and breach of probation in connection with an incident on March 26 at Limestone. 

Cowper will also stand trial in provincial court on Aug. 14, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. on other separate charges. RCMP charged him with assault with a weapon (a hammer and tire iron) involving another man on March 23, 2022. He pleaded not guilty at an earlier court appearance, and a trial date was first set for Oct. 30 when the trial was adjourned to the new date.

Michaud sentencing postponed to December

Walter Patrick (Ricky) Michaud, 43, of Debec, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on Nov. 7. Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean reserved his decision on sentencing until Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. 

At Michaud’s earlier court appearance, Federal Crown Prosecutor Justin Hebert recommended he be sentenced to five and a half years in jail for trafficking in methamphetamine. 

The crown also requested Michaud be ordered to register with the federal DNA database and that he receive a three-year driving prohibition and a 10-year ban on firearms. Michaud had a criminal record, including one conviction for drug possession in 2016.

Crown Prosecutor Matthew Paik told the court Michaud deserved another 36 months in jail, minus time served, on the remaining 17 charges. 

Paik also requested that the accused pay $9,139 in restitution for a stolen truck. He stressed Michaud’s crimes involved both guns and drugs while also suggesting the accused was likely a poor prospect for rehabilitation.

Defence Counsel Alex Carleton argued Michaud’s trafficking was “not a sophisticated operation” and he deserved no more than 30 months in prison on the drug charge. Carleton agreed with the crown on 36 months, minus time served, for the rest of the charges, for a total of four years in prison on all counts. 

The defence also suggested the hefty restitution order for $9,139 might mean Michaud will have to lay out additional time in jail. 

Michaud was charged by RCMP with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking following an incident around midnight on March 11, 2022, in Teeds Mills. He was also charged with possession of stolen property (a 2013 Hyundai Elantra) as a result of the same incident. He pleaded not guilty, and the matter went to trial in June. He was found guilty after trial on Sept. 26.

Michaud appeared in provincial court in custody for trial on Aug. 30 and changed his plea to guilty on all other remaining charges laid against him by RCMP. 

He was denied bail and remanded to jail in October on nine charges stemming from the day of his arrest on Sept. 27, 2022, at Bull’s Creek, including possession of a firearm without a licence (a Ruger 10/22 rifle), being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a loaded gun, improper transport of a firearm, possession of a firearm dangerous to the public peace, flight from police, dangerous driving, assaulting a police officer while threatening to use a weapon (a vehicle), possession of stolen property (a Dodge Ram truck), and resisting arrest. 

He was also charged with assaulting a police officer with a weapon (a vehicle), flight from police, and dangerous driving on Sept. 18, 2022, in Meductic, and pleaded guilty.

Michaud also appeared in provincial court in custody on July 21 for a verdict following two other trials. He was found guilty of flight from police, dangerous driving, and possession of stolen property (a Ford 150 half-ton) for an incident on Sept. 16, 2022, in Woodstock. The charges related to a police chase in Woodstock.  

More charges included assaulting a police officer while threatening to use a weapon (a bush saw) and resisting arrest on Sept. 6, 2022, in Debec. Michaud was found guilty on both counts. 

Michaud also faced charges of assaulting a woman in Debec on Aug. 27, 2022. He was found not guilty of the assault on June 29 after the alleged victim failed to appear to testify at the trial. 

The post Woodstock Provincial Court: Bail denied in kidnapping case, charges mount for Woodstock man first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Four councillors hold a public forum to explain what led to council’s suspension

As Lakeland Ridges residents await a report outlining what led to the suspension of their mayor and council and how the municipality will proceed, four councillors held a public forum on Saturday, Nov. 4, sharing their side of the story.

Perry Bull, representing North Lake’s Ward 1, Linda Porter from Debec’s Ward 2, and Chris Yerxa and Randy Stairs from Meductic’s Ward 3, addressed residents and fielded questions at the North Lake Recreation Centre in Fosterville. They explained Ward 2 Coun. Patricia Budd supported their actions but could not attend because she was out of the country.

Mayor Tanya Cloutier, Canterbury’s Ward 4 councillors Mike Furrow and Mark Grant and Ward 1’s Ross Stairs did not participate in the public forum.

Bull said the four councillors on hand, plus Budd, represent a quorum of councillors who agreed to speak publicly. Porter read a statement from Budd expressing her support for the meeting.

Following the meeting, Bull explained they held the open meeting in North Lake in response to requests from Ward 1 residents. He said they would do the same in other wards if residents wanted it.

Stairs explained the meeting intended to make facts public.

“We’ve been slandered on social media,” he said.

“Every statement we make today will be backed up,” Stairs said, noting they have the emails and other records to confirm their claims.

Stairs and his fellow councillors at the table listed several problems leading to the Department of Local Government’s suspension of council and the appointment of a supervisor. The focal point surrounded communication problems with Lakeland Ridges CAO Susie Patterson and council’s failed attempts to replace her.

They cited several occasions where the CAO failed to provide requested information and made decisions without council’s knowledge or consent.

Bull explained the Local Governance Act requires all municipalities to have a mayor, clerk, treasurer and auditor. While a CAO can fill one of those roles, he noted, council sets the CAO’s powers and duties,

Bull said the communication issue with the CAO began early when the council formed a committee to decide on the location of the Lakeland Ridges municipal office. He said Mayor Cloutier and the CAO explained the Canterbury town hall was gifted to the town and must be used as a municipal office.

Bull said the committee requested a copy of the deed, but the CAO failed to produce it.

“That held us up for five months,” he said.

The four councillors noted several instances where council or respective committees failed to receive critical information.

They said the CAO registered to attend a conference without informing the council of the timing or cost.

The councillors also complained about the circumstances surrounding the application for grant money covering the hiring of summer students.

He said the CAO applied for the grants in February or March.

“We didn’t know anything about it,” Stairs said. “We weren’t asked. That was one of the things where the tail was wagging the dog.”

Porter, who chaired the Tourism Committee and has experience delivering youth programs through Debec Recreation Council, raised concerns about creating a Fun Park in Canterbury for the summer.

She explained specific rules must be met, including the screening of all staff.

Porter said she failed to receive timely information, raising concerns that the Fun Park would meet “all-important” rules.

“We’re responsible for those kids,” Perry said, adding the Fun Park proceeded without those questions being asked.

Yerxa complained about the town staff’s failure to keep council members informed. He recounted being “blindsided” at a public event by residents of his ward about an unaddressed complaint.

Bull said the final straw leading to their suspension occurred after their efforts to replace the CAO. By that time, both the CAO and clerk were off the job on stress leave.

Stairs said council used Section 35:11 of the Local Government Act to terminate the CAO, noting Minto and Carleton North recently used the same section.

They approached retired Woodstock CAO Ken Harding to fill the role temporarily. He agreed to terms on a part-time basis. Stairs said Mayor Cloutier informed them that the CAO or clerk position must be full-time.

Stairs said they then talked to Peter Kavanaugh, an experienced official in several roles with the Department of Local Government. He said Kavanaugh agreed to retire from Local Government if he took on the Lakeland Ridges role.

Stairs said that fell apart when Kavanaugh’s name was leaked to the public and the department following a close-door council meeting. Kavanaugh informed the council he was no longer interested in the job.

Local Government eventually ended the council’s effort to terminate the CAO.

Shortly after the department appointed Michael Blaney as supervisor of Lakeland Ridges on July 28, Canterbury administrative staff returned to their jobs.

Greg Lutes replaced Blaney as supervisor for the Municipality of Lakeland Ridges on Sept. 16.

A spokesperson for the Department of Local Governance said Lutes is working with the staff in day-to-day operations, with the current priority of finalizing the 2024 budget.

The department said an inspector is completing an investigation, which will be part of a report Lutes will submit to the commissioner of municipal affairs. The report will also include recommendations and a transition plan to implement the recommendations.

The councillors’ meeting in North Lake on Saturday met with a mixed reaction. Many appreciated unknown details, while others raised concern about hearing only one side of the story.

Second Eel Lake resident Larry Corscadden hopes the pending government report explains the situation, but, most importantly, he hopes the transmission back to council works smoothly.

“The fact of the matter is that I pay, like everyone else in this room, a hell of a lot of taxes, and as a result, nothing has been done with my money since the council was established, so I really, really, really hope that you folks get your act together and I mean that collectively.”

Corscadden told the councillors he didn’t see any of them take responsibility for what happened nor offer an apology.

All four councillors apologized and accepted part of the blame at the end of the meeting.

Asked if he could work with the same CAO once he resumes as council, Stairs said he’d have no choice.

“Will that be easy? No. Will we try to work through it? Yes.” he said. “Will it be successful? Guess we will know.”

The post Deep divisions in Lakeland Ridges first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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A Currieburg woman accused of killing and neglecting horses earlier this year appeared to cast aspersions on animal-protection officials during her initial court appearance to face criminal charges.

Charlotte H. Bright, 76, of Currieburg Road, just a few kilometres west of Stanley, made her first appearance in Fredericton provincial court Wednesday on three indictable charges laid by the New Brunswick SPCA recently.

She’s accused of killing, maiming, wounding or otherwise injuring horses she owned or cared for; neglecting those horses by failing to provide them with adequate food, water, shelter and care; and allowing unnecessary pain or suffering to those same horses.

The charges allege events in Currieburg on April 8.

Bright told Judge Henrik Tonning she’d consulted with a lawyer about the allegations.

“He’s an Ontario lawyer but he’s familiar with the humane society problems,” she said.

The defendant was referring to past issues she’s had with SPCA officials in another jurisdiction.

Bright said she hadn’t received disclosure on the April charges, and her counsel had directed her to obtain it.

Tonning set the case over to Dec. 20 for election and pleas to give her time to get the Crown file and to consult with defence counsel.

The NB SPCA issued a news release last month indicating the charges stemmed from the discovery of 14 dead horses in the Stanley area in the spring. 

“The charges stem from an incident the NB SPCA animal-protection officers responded to in early April of this year involving several deceased horses,” the release said.

This isn’t the first time Bright has run afoul of authorities over horses. She made headlines in Ontario in 2018 after neighbours complained that horses at her farm in Blessington, Ont., were running wild and causing damage to adjacent properties, according to reports in the Belleville Intelligencer at the time.

She told Ontario reporters she’d been breeding and caring for Arabian horses for decades.

Bright had been charged by the Ontario Provincial Police with mischief as a result of those complaints, the Intelligencer reported, but in January 2019, those charges were withdrawn and Bright entered into a peace bond, requiring her to follow certain conditions.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Editor’s note: The defendant in this court report and the journalist covering the case share the same first and last names, but they aren’t related or connected in any way.

A Noonan man awaiting trial on sex-assault allegations involving two minors denied related charges Tuesday of accessing and possessing child pornography.

Donald Ashley MacPherson, 65, formerly of Canada Street in Fredericton but now on Hughes Street in Noonan, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday with defence counsel Joshua Adams to answer to two criminal charges.

The defendant elected to be tried in provincial court and pleaded not guilty to counts of accessing child porn between Feb. 12 and April 16 and possessing it May 3.

Both charges, laid after an investigation by the RCMP’s internet child exploitation (ICE)  unit, allege offences committed in Fredericton.

Judge Lucie Mathurin set the matter over to Nov. 22 for a case-management conference, during which a date will be set for trial.

Earlier this fall, MacPherson elected for a provincial court trial and pleaded not guilty to Fredericton Police Force charges involving two underage complainants.

He’s accused of sexually assaulting one child, touching her sexually and touching her sexually while in a position of trust or authority over her between Oct. 1, 2022, and Jan. 1.

The defendant faces the same three charges but in relation to a different minor, alleged to have occurred between Jan. 1 and March 1.

His trial on those charges is scheduled for Feb. 16 and 20.

The identities of the young complainants - now aged eight and 10 years old - are protected by a court-ordered publication ban.

In a news release issued last month on the day MacPherson was charged with the alleged child-porn offences, the RCMP said its ICE unit launched its investigation in February after receiving information from the RCMP's National Child Exploitation Crime Centre.

“On May 3, 2023, members of the RCMP ICE unit, RCMP digital forensic services and the Fredericton Police Force executed a search warrant at a home in Fredericton in connection with the investigation,” it said. 

While the Fredericton Police Force laid its sex-assault charges first, both that case and the child-porn matter appear to have arisen after the same search.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Interest in calling a snap election this fall by Premier Blaine Higgs may have faded, but the bills from floating the idea for several weeks are still coming in and may eventually surpass $1 million. 

A group of high school students, led by Joell Gallant, will be going to Pine Grove Nursing Home on Thursday to help connect the wiring for the home's annual display of Christmas trees.

The Fredericton police major crime unit is investigating the death of a patient in the ER waiting room more than a year ago and a coroner's inquest into his death remains suspended pending the outcome, CBC News has learned.

Moncton staff have proposed a 2024 budget with a slight tax rate cut for most residents.

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A Fredericton man accused of assaulting and threatening a woman at his northside apartment building last month is headed to trial after denying the charges against him Monday.

William Bruce Joncas, 46, of Irvine Street, was arrested after a significant police response and standoff at 711 Irvine St. the afternoon of Oct. 15 after there was a report of a man brandishing a knife.

As a result, he was charged with assaulting Christine LeBreton with a knife, uttering a threat to her to cause death and/or bodily harm, uttering threats to cause death and/or bodily harm to police and possessing a knife for the purpose of committing an offence

Joncas appeared in Fredericton provincial court by telephone from the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre on Monday, and during that brief proceeding, he pleaded not guilty to all counts.

New Brunswick Legal Aid staff lawyer Edward Derrah was available to the defendant as duty counsel Monday, but Joncas rejected him, telling court he wants to hire local defence lawyer L.A. Henry as his counsel.

Judge Scott Brittain set the matter over to Nov. 27 for a case-management conference to see if Joncas is able to retain counsel and to schedule a date for his trial.

He remanded the defendant again until that time.

Sunfield Apartment Rentals, which owns 711 Irvine St., has moved to evict Joncas since the events of Oct. 15.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Lexi Daken’s father said he doesn’t believe his daughter wanted to die. “I don’t think she was a kid who wanted her life to end,” Chris Daken told a coroner’s inquest on Tuesday morning.

Premier Blaine Higgs is already acknowledging he may not be able to make good on a threat to defy the federal government’s carbon-tax legislation by blocking its collection in New Brunswick.

Alan Doyle and his Beautiful Beautiful Band will perform at Casino New Brunswick on March 15.  Alan Doyle and his Beautiful Beautiful Band will hit the road in the new…

The post Alan Doyle Announces Moncton Show appeared first on Grid City Magazine.

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An international tour affiliated with a top pro-golf organization will stage one of its tournaments near Fredericton next summer.

PGA Tour Americas - a spinoff of the PGA Tour - is scheduled to make a tournament stop at Mactaquac Provincial Park golf course in July 2024, the provincial government announced in a news release Tuesday morning.

It noted the Mactaquac tournament is one of two new stops added to the lineup, with the other one being in Brazil.  

Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace said in the release that the provincially owned course will see its profile raised significantly thanks to its inclusion in the PGA Tour Americas.

“Hosting events of this calibre showcases New Brunswick as a vacation and sport destination and boosts our economy and supports our industry partners,” she said.

The PGA announced in April it was merging the PGA Tour Latinoamerica and PGA Tour Canada into one international tour, the PGA Tour Americas.

The tournament at the Mactaquac course will be called the Explore NB Open.

Brianna McQuillan, executive director of Golf New Brunswick, said in the release the organization is teaming up with the provincial tourism department and the City of Fredericton to promote the event and ensure its success.

“We believe this is an amazing opportunity to develop golf further in New Brunswick. We look forward to involving our members and junior golfers for an experience like no other,” she said.

Fredericton Capital Region Tourism manager Stacey Russell said the capital region offers great golfing experiences, and this event will allow the area to grab some attention.

“Showcasing it on PGA Tour Americas will build awareness and shine a light on our spectacular, beautiful region,” she said in the release.

Show me the money

The government news release was silent on whether the province or the city will be investing public funds to bring the tournament to the capital region.

The Fredericton Independent has contacted both the provincial tourism department and city hall asking about that and is awaiting responses.

However, McQuillan, when reached for comment at a conference in Texas on Tuesday, said Golf NB will be dedicating resources to the event, though whether that will include a financial component is “to be determined at a further date.”

For now, she said, the organization is acting in a supporting role to solicit sponsorships for the tournament and to co-ordinate the logistics of staging such an event.

When asked if the provincial government was contributing funds to bring the PGA Tour Americas to the Mactaquac course, McQuillan said, “That would be a really good question for Tourism New Brunswick.”

She said the tourism department had already hired a tournament director for the event, though she wasn’t sure of that person’s name, if they’re from New Brunswick or if they’re coming from outside the province to bring tournament-specific expertise needed for the event.

One of the reasons the PGA Tour Americas stop at Mactaquac is such a big deal for New Brunswick golfers, McQuillan said, is that it should allow local golfers to avail themselves of some excellent opportunities.

While the golfers competing in the main tournament will be part of the established tour, she said, Golf NB will be working to develop spinoff events for amateur golfers to enhance their games, such as a possible pro/am event.

More to come…

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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A Hartland man who’s been remanded on allegations of robbery and unlawful confinement told a court this week he plans to represent himself in a jury trial on the charges.

Keith Mitchell Reid, 33, of Main Street in Hartland, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by telephone from jail Monday to elect mode of trial on two serious, indictable charges.

He’s accused of robbing Allan Graves of a 2006 Honda Accord while armed with an offensive weapon and with confining Allan and Jelisa Graves unlawfully.

The charges allege Sept. 16 events in Napadogan, about 70 kilometres northeast of Fredericton.

Reid elected to be tried in the Court of Queen’s Bench before a judge and jury, and he indicated he plans to represent himself.

Judge Scott Brittain scheduled Reid’s preliminary inquiry - to determine if there’s sufficient evidence to set the matter over for trial at the higher level of court - for March 1.

The defendant will remain in custody until that time.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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New Brunswick reported three more deaths from COVID-19 in its weekly update Tuesday, while hospitalizations, outbreaks and new cases all remained about the same.

Business owners in Fredericton are growing increasingly frustrated by roadwork projects that are dragging on well past target completion dates.

The release of NNNYN and School Tour comes packaged with news of a forthcoming album set to arrive early next year. Matt Carter  The combination of baseball references and the…

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RCMP says community policing a priority, despite calls to replace RCMP with municipal force in Hartland and Carleton North

The Western Valley District RCMP is ramping up its efforts to crack down on crime in the river valley with more resources, a push toward community policing, a commitment to increase police presence, and fighting petty crime in rural areas.

“We are putting every effort and all our resources into solving crime and putting those responsible in jail,” said Sgt. Dan Sharpe, in charge of operations for Western Valley. “Petty crime is rampant. It’s having an impact on our communities, leaving people to feel unsafe.”

Communities up and down the river valley have been struggling with property theft and drug-related crime due to drug use and trafficking in methamphetamine.

Many local residents worry about their homes and businesses being broken into and their property stolen. Theft of all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, motorcycles, trucks, cars, tools and copper wire are conducted regularly as a source of revenue to feed drug addiction.

“I have zero tolerance for that,” Sgt. Sharpe said. “We’re coming to get those criminals and get property recovered for people.”

The municipality of Hartland and the District of Carleton North are currently undergoing a joint review of RCMP services in the area due to concerns about policing. The first public meetings will be held on Nov. 8 at Carleton North High School and on Nov. 9 at Hartland Community School.

“It’s up to communities to decide what they want to do,” Sgt. Sharpe stated. “I can’t sway them one way or the other. My job is to make sure they get the best service possible from the RCMP, and that’s what I promise we will do.”

Sgt. Sharpe grew up in Upper Woodstock and knows the area well. He has 12 years of service with the RCMP, with former postings in Oromocto, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Iqaluit in Nunavut. He sees community policing as an essential first step in tackling crime in the valley.

“Community policing is a priority,” Sgt. Sharpe said. “I want Western Valley to be involved in the community, not just responsible for responding to calls for service. People should know us by name and see us as a friendly face as well as police officers. It’s our way of working together with the community to bring change.”

By developing connections within the community, police are better informed and empowered to solve public safety problems, he said. Police forge partnerships with people who live and work in the community, and these partnerships can help develop trust and transparency, leading to more efficient and effective policing and better community-police relationships.

Sgt. Sharpe pledged an increased police presence and more visible patrols in rural areas. He said RCMP officers in the district will also be visiting schools, attending community events, and meeting with community groups to discuss any issues or concerns.

“All we need is to be invited,” Sharpe said. “Call us or come by the detachment to talk to me. The easiest way to reduce crime is to let us know what’s happening in your community. We need those calls coming in so we know what areas to focus on.”

The Western Valley District RCMP covers an area from Perth-Andover to the outskirts of Nackawic. Sgt. Sharpe is in charge of policing for Florenceville-Bristol, Hartland, and the rural areas surrounding Woodstock, Canterbury, Fosterville, Debec, Benton, and Kirkland.

His counterpart, Cpl. James Gallant, is stationed in Perth-Andover and is in charge of policing for Perth-Andover, Plaster Rock and Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation).

There has recently been a significant increase in the number of officers serving the entire district.
The RCMP is working to address the drug problem in the region through a Crime Reduction Unit. This unit is part of a provincial task force that partners with Woodstock Police, Fredericton Police, and government agencies to increase awareness and crack down on violent and serious crimes, including drug trafficking.

“The drug problem is not unique to Western Valley,” said Sgt. Sharpe. “We are working with our specialized teams throughout the province to identify key targets and cut off drugs coming into our communities.”

The specialized services include police dogs, forensics, major crime investigators, a police helicopter, and emergency response teams.

“We have a wide range of experience to draw from, and our officers bring that experience to every single call they go on. When an officer comes to your door, they are not alone. There is an abundance of officers supporting them in the field.”

Sharpe said the public plays a vital role in assisting police with crime prevention. Residents can contact RCMP anytime to report any unusual traffic, the location of a drug house or storage of stolen goods, a description of a suspicious vehicle, or any criminal activity in their community. Informants may remain anonymous, and all information will be kept confidential.

Sgt. Sharpe welcomes emails and phone calls at his office. He can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 506-325-3009.

Residents may also protect their property by locking their doors and vehicles, writing down serial numbers, and installing cameras, lighting, video surveillance, alarm systems, or a neighbourhood watch.

If rural communities want to see more policing in their area, they can contact Sgt. Sharpe to discuss their needs.

In the last 12 months, New Brunswick has shuttered 110 drug houses through its Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) program. Under the SCAN Act, investigators can evict property owners and tenants from their homes for drug dealing, organized crime and other illegal activities.

The provincial government is also pursuing legislation that could see drug users subject to involuntary treatment. The legislation would give police officers the power to order someone to undergo drug rehabilitation in extreme cases. The legislation is expected to be tabled in the spring of 2024.

The post RCMP ramping up efforts to crack down on crime in Western Valley first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Fredericton's transit manager Charlene Sharpe is proposing councillors allocate $638,294 in next year's budget to hire more bus drivers to operate transit service on Sundays.

A drop-in centre for people experiencing homelessness in Moncton, which a New Brunswick cabinet minister said would open in October, is now expected to partly open next week.

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A Fredericton man who beat a woman in the head repeatedly a year ago saw his stay in jail extended Monday, but the judge was initially reluctant to impose what he viewed as a minimal sentence.

Kyle Brennan McCoy, 35, of Irvine Street, had originally been scheduled to stand trial Sept. 15 on several indictable charges stemming from incidents of intimate-partner violence.

However, he pleaded guilty that day to four of the six charges, and he was back before Judge Scott Brittain in Fredericton provincial court for sentencing Monday.

McCoy appeared by video conference from jail, as he’s serving a six-month sentence for an unrelated property-damage offence out of another jurisdiction in New Brunswick.

The offender had admitted to assaulting Amber Hawkins, damaging her iPhone 14, threatening to kill her and breaching his probation order, all between Dec. 26 and Jan. 5.

Crown prosecutor Jennifer Bueno withdrew related counts of assaulting Hawkins with a samurai sword and assaulting her by choking.

“Ms. Hawkins was hit multiple times in the head,” Bueno said, adding that after McCoy beat her, he threatened to kill her if she reported the abuse to police.

The offender was using drugs at the time of his relationship with the victim, court heard, and he destroyed her new smartphone worth more then $2,000.

The prosecutor said Hawkins reported in her victim-impact statement she now struggles with other relationships in her life and is suffering from the fallout of the trauma.

Bueno said aggravating factors in the case are the fact the crimes represented abuse of an intimate partner, McCoy’s lengthy and related criminal record, and the fact he was on probation at the time of his offences.

However, she noted there are mitigating factors in his favour, such as his guilty pleas, as late in the process as they were, and his expression of remorse. 

Bueno and defence lawyer Lindsay Paul offered a joint recommendation on sentence Monday of 11½ months in jail, to run consecutively to the jail term McCoy is already serving but reduced to account for remand time.

That would mean McCoy would have an additional three months behind bars after his current sentence is served.

However, Brittain expressed concern that the recommended jail term was contrary to the principles of sentencing.

He pointed to McCoy’s criminal record, which lists 20 prior assaults, including one in 2019 that led to a stint in federal prison.

“We’re dealing here with a record that is littered with similar offences,” the judge said.

The prosecutor who negotiated the joint recommendation with the defence - Matthew Paik - said it was the result of a lot of back and forth discussions between himself and Paul.

Both he and the defence lawyer acknowledged that the 11½-month jail term was in the lower end of the range of sentences given McCoy’s criminal history but it still was within an acceptable spectrum.

Furthermore, Paik said, McCoy’s last sentence for assault was for seven months in jail, so the recommendation before the court is in keeping with the step principle, directing judges to increase sentences for similar offences as time goes on.

Paul said one of the reasons for the negotiated sentence was that there were issues with the Crown’s case. She said the victim was hesitant to proceed to trial, and there were potential evidentiary issues.

The joint recommendation was the result of compromise on both sides, she said.

Furthermore, Paul said her client’s crimes flow from his drug addiction and some unfortunate trauma of his own from his childhood.

McCoy witnessed domestic violence in his home when he was a kid, she said, and that led to learned behaviour on his part.

The offender was diagnosed some time ago with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder but had never been medicated for it until recently, the defence lawyer said, and now he sees a path forward to a productive life and is intent on making real change.

‘Time for some serious soul-searching’

“I just want to apologize to Amber,” McCoy said Monday, noting he’s remorseful for what he did to her and bears her no ill will.

“I just hope she can move forward with her life and heal.”

Paik said similarly, while Hawkins noted in her victim-impact statement she wants no further contact with McCoy, she also expressed her hope he’s able to get the help he needs and turn his life around.

Hawkins was present for Monday’s court proceedings but said nothing.

Brittain said it’s clear from McCoy’s record that he hasn’t gotten the message of deterrence in the past, but he’s encouraged by his apparently sincere comments about wanting to live a clean life going forward.

“It’s time for you to do some serious soul-searching and introspection here,” Brittain told McCoy.

After hearing the additional arguments from the Crown and defence, the judge accepted the joint recommendation.

In addition to the jail term, he imposed a one-year term of probation to follow, during which McCoy is to have no contact with Hawkins, and attend counselling and/or treatment appointments as directed by his probation officer.

The judge also ordered him to submit a DNA sample for inclusion in a criminal database, prohibited him from possessing firearms and other weapons for 10 years, ordered the forfeiture of the samurai sword seized by police and issued a standalone restitution order for the damaged phone for $2,321, which can be enforced in a civil court proceedings.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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After an early snowfall, the first season for Moncton's new marked bike lanes is ending, with city crews uprooting the bollards — the post-shaped physical barriers that separate cyclists from traffic.

Check out the full list of nominees and winners from this year’s Silver Wave Film Festival. The Silver Wave Film Festival continues this week with virtual screenings running until November…

The post Silver Wave Film Festival Award Winners 2023 appeared first on Grid City Magazine.

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Internet and telephone services were down for parts of the north side of Fredericton and adjacent communities, and it appears to have originated from a theft of copper wiring.

Chatter in local social-media circles Saturday indicated internet, television and phone service were spotty or down in parts of the north side of the New Brunswick capital, including the Devon neighbourhood.

The interruption - which affected both Bell Aliant and Rogers customers - extended at least as far as Noonan, several kilometres east of the Fredericton city limit.

Rogers emailed customers Saturday evening advising the disruption was due to physical interference with the telecom lines.

“Our technicians have determined that the interruption to your home services in your area is due to a fibre cut,” stated the email, sent at about 6:40 p.m. Saturday. “We now estimate services will be restored in 8-12 hours.”

People in the area reported their service started coming back online Sunday morning, and for many the outage lasted more than 24 hours.

The Fredericton Police Force confirmed its officers are investigating a theft of copper wiring that appears to coincide with the outage.

“Police were notified shortly after 8 a.m. on Nov. 4, and it was the wiring for the telecoms in the area,” spokesperson Sonya Gilks wrote in an email to the Fredericton Independent on Monday.

The police force didn’t indicate if any arrests had been made in the case, only that the investigation was in its early stages.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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A jury will decide the fate of a man and woman accused in the fatal shooting of a Bilijk (Kingsclear) First Nation man earlier this year in the spring of 2025.

Joshua Christopher Raines, 47, of Route 565 in Holmesville, between Perth Andover and Florenceville-Bristol; and Samantha Mary Butler, 22, of Karen Drive in Rusagonis, appeared in person and in custody at the Burton Courthouse on Monday for motions day to schedule their jury trial.

The pair is charged jointly with second-degree murder in the March 12 death of Lucas Richard Solomon Polchies, 27, of Bilijk First Nation.

The RCMP’s major crime unit reported earlier this year that after receiving a 911 call reporting a gunshot, officers and other first responders were dispatched to the 2300 block of Route 102 in Lincoln at approximately 4:10 a.m.  March 12.

They found Solomon Polchies at the scene, a police news release said, and he was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Justice Terrence Morrison confirmed Monday that Raines and Butler’s jury trial is set to begin March 17, 2025, and is scheduled to run for five weeks.

The judge also noted a voir-dire hearing to determine evidentiary issues ahead of the trial is scheduled for the month before, beginning Feb. 3, 2025.

Raines and Butler had been scheduled to go through a preliminary inquiry in Fredericton provincial court in December. Such hearings are held in the lower level of court to determine if there’s sufficient evidence to set them over for trial in the Court of King’s Bench.

But as it’s done with other recent murder prosecutions, the Crown prosecutors’ office filed a preferred indictment in the Raines/Butler case, allowing it to skip the preliminary-inquiry step.

As has been the case during previous court appearances in the case, numerous members of Solomon Polchies’ family and community were on hand at the Burton Courthouse on Monday, most of them wearing attire emblazoned with the words “Justice for Lucas.”

Raines and Butler are subject to court orders barring them from communicating with one another and with six other individuals: Patrick Harris, Victoria King, Abigail King, Tyler Sabattis, Bethany Paul and Hannah Kilfillen - who are likely to be called as witnesses at trial.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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As an Atlantic salmon advocacy group raises the alarm over escapes from New Brunswick salmon farms, two scientists are divided over whether farmed fish are a risk to their wild counterparts.

Legion, ANAVETs and community gather to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice

A large crowd gathered in the Canterbury High School auditorium on Sunday, Nov. 5, to remember.

The Woodstock Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 hosts Canterbury Remembers annually on the Sunday before Remembrance Day to honour those who fought for their nation’s freedom. Legion and ANAVETs Unit 95 members joined local officials and more than 50 members of the public for the solemn ceremony.

Lakeland Ridges Mayor Tanya Cloutier, serving as MC for the ceremony, was joined on stage by Pastor Trevor Williams and Rev. Canon Walter Williams, who delivered the message of Remembrance.

Williams noted Remembrance Day provides an opportunity for today’s generations to pay homage to the previous generations who fought for the freedoms they enjoy today. He said that, unfortunately, the perils of war are not limited to our grandparents and great-grandparents. He noted we need only watch the news to see the threat of expanding wars in the Middle East and Kuwait.

“Remembrance is a time to think about what happened in the past and what’s happening today,” Williams said.

He recounted a story of a student program called “No Stone Left Alone” in the Oromocto area, where students are given poppies and the names of veterans in local cemeteries. He said the students, during a visit to the cemetery, search for their named veterans and place their poppies on their headstones.

He praised the program, saying the students diligently searched for the names and gained an understanding of the veteran’s sacrifice.

Canterbury students offered their reflections on Remembrance Day through hand-drawn stories and posters taped to the front of the stage.

Led by Piper Kate LaFrance and under the command of Sgt-At-Arms Bruce Hendry, a colour guard featuring Legion and ANAVET members opened and closed the ceremony.

The ceremony featured prayers, Scripture readings, hymns, the reciting of Flanders Fields, and the playing of The Last Post and The Reveille, separated by a moment of silence.

It included the reading of the Honour Roll naming Canterbury area men who made the ultimate sacrifice in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean Conflict and the laying of dozens of wreaths and crosses.

Photo captions

Woodstock Royal Canadian Legion President Nick Thomas salutes after laying a wreath on behalf of Branch 11. (Jim Dumville photo)

Canterbury Fire Chief Clifton Furrow places a poppy for each name called out by Mayor Tanya Cloutier during the reading of the roll call. (Jim Dumville photo)

A large crowd attended Canterbury Remembers on Sunday, Nov. 5. On stage, from left, Rev Canon Walter Williams, Pastor Trevor MacMillan and Mayor Tanya Cloutier. (Jim Dumville photo)

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 and ANAVETS Unit 95 in Woodstock attended the Canterbury service. (Jim Dumville photo)

Legion and AVAVETS form the colour party to open the Remembrance ceremonies. (Jim Dumville photo)

Piper Kate LaFrance prepares to begin the Canterbury Remembers ceremonies, as from left, Pastor Trevor MacMillan, ANAVETS Leonard Canam and Beth MacFarlane and Rev. Canon Walter Williams prepare to enter the Canterbury High School auditorium.

Student drawings, essays and other writings about the meaning of Remembrance Day lined the stage. (Jim Dumville photo)

The post Canterbury Remembers first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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A Fredericton construction company facing a count of criminal negligence in the death of an employee has admitted to a provincial offence under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The Fredericton Police Force had previously laid a charge of criminal negligence causing death against Springhill Construction Ltd. stemming from the death of Michael Anthony Henderson while he was in the firm’s employ.

Henderson, 18, drowned at the bottom of an eight-foot hole when a safety plug came loose and pinned him as the hole quickly filled with water during a leak test Aug. 16, 2018, at a project at City of Fredericton’s Barker Street Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Springhill had previously elected to be tried in the Court of King’s Bench by a judge alone, and its trial had been scheduled for January.

However, the company re-elected last month to be tried in provincial court, with the consent of the Crown, and the matter was back on the lower court docket Monday.

Defence lawyer Clarence Bennett - appearing in court by video - entered a guilty plea on the company’s behalf, but not on the criminal negligence causing death allegation.

Instead, he said his client admitted to a charge under Section 47(1) of the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act that the business failed to provide training necessary to ensure an employee’s health and safety..

Springhill and its former site supervisor, Jason Andrew King, had originally faced Occupational Health and Safety Act charges from WorkSafeNB stemming from Henderson’s death, but those counts were withdrawn and replaced with the criminal counts.

Monday’s proceedings appeared to revert Springhill’s case back into a matter overseen by WorkSafeNB rather than the city police force.

Judge Jeff Lantz, chief judge of the P.E.I. provincial court, presided over Monday’s proceeding by video, and he set the matter over to Dec. 15 for sentencing to allow for the preparation of victim-impact statements.

It’s expected the Crown will withdraw the criminal-negligence charge at the conclusion of the sentencing hearing next month.

Foreman convicted on criminal count

King, 46, of Upper Hainesville - who was working as the supervisor in charge of site safety on the day in question - also opted for a trial by King’s Bench judge alone on his criminal-negligence charge, and Justice Thomas Christie convicted him on that count earlier this year.

He sentenced King in September to three years in prison, though King’s lawyer has filed a notice of appeal, and he was released last month on conditions pending the outcome of his appeal.

During King’s trial, court heard Henderson was at the bottom of the hole over the lunch hour, cleaning up debris as directed, when an inflatable plug holding back water flow came loose.

The weight of the plug and power of the water pressure pinned the teenage worker to the side of the hole.

As the hole filled with water, Henderson’s older brother Eric, who was also employed on the worksite, tried to rescue him, but to no avail.

King testified at his trial that he hadn’t reviewed any of the safety manuals on site, noting that he wasn’t much of a reader.

He ordered a water test to the line feeding to the hole despite knowing Henderson was likely going to be working in it, and his plan in case of an incident - just to get someone to haul him out of the hole - was grossly insufficient, Christie ruled.

King testified Springhill hadn’t provided him with training when it made him a site foreman, and he wasn’t up to the task of fulfilling the supervisory and safety requirements of the position.

King was terminated from Springhill’s employ shortly after the fatal incident.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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A coroner's inquest began Monday into the death of 16-year-old Lexi Daken, who took her own life in February 2021, just days after being sent home from the Fredericton emergency department without receiving any mental health intervention.

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Two of four people accused of killing a Minto man earlier last year will stand trial before a judge and jury in 2025.

The RCMP’s major crime unit charged Joshua John McIsaac, 33, formerly of Penniac, and Erica Lea Ann Blyth, 40, of Newcastle Creek near Chipman, jointly with first-degree murder this summer, alleging they killed Brandon Patrick Donelan, 27, on Jan. 28, 2022, in the Chipman area.

The case was before the Court of King’s Bench at the Burton Courthouse on Monday for motions day to schedule their trial.

Both defendants appeared before Justice Terrence Morrison

Normally, the matter would first proceed to a preliminary inquiry in provincial court to determine if there’s sufficient evidence to set the charge over for trial at the higher level of court.

But the Crown filed a preferred indictment in the case last month under a rarely used section of the Criminal Code of Canada, allowing it to bypass the preliminary inquiry and proceed directly to trial.

Morrison scheduled their King’s Bench judge and jury trial for six weeks beginning April 23, 2025.

The judge also noted that two weeks have been set aside for voir dire hearings on the admissibility of evidence, beginning Jan. 6, 2025.

Blyth and McIsaac will remain in custody until their case concludes.

Also charged with first-degree murder in the Donelan death but in a separate prosecution are Devon Mark Hood, 26, and Matthew David LeBlanc, 29, both of Fredericton.

Their case is due back in Fredericton provincial court Nov. 15 to schedule their preliminary inquiry. It remains to be seen if the Crown is going to file a preferred indictment in that prosecution as well.

All four defendants are subject to court orders barring them from communicating with one another while their cases make their way through the courts.

McIsaac, Hood and LeBlanc are all incarcerated at Dorchester Penitentiary, serving unrelated sentences, while Blyth was remanded this summer to the New Brunswick Women’s Correctional Centre in Miramichi pending the outcome of her case.

Donelan was reported as missing to police Jan. 30, 2022, and the RCMP launched a major search effort on the ground and from the air.

His body was found March 31, 2022, along a snowmobile trail.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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An ambitious energy plan by N.B. Power announced two years ago has been put aside.

The first of five buildings planned for the long-awaited Fundy Quay development on the old Canadian Coast Guard site will start going up in the next couple of weeks, delivering 79 badly needed residential units.

As a newcomer, Ramneet Kalra faced challenges finding a space to showcase his work and gain recognition as an artist. He was recently invited to curate a show at Shediac's Pattes de Mouche Gallery’s BIPOC Art Collective.

Melanie Laagland-Winder was on her way home to Fredericton after a trip to Cap-Pelé, N.B., when she noticed she was low on gas. She was driving through Jemseg, and the closest gas station was 10 kilometres away. She ran out about two kilometres from the station.

A Wolastoqey artist performed scenes from her new play in Fredericton.

About 900 Bell Aliant customers are without internet following a copper wire theft in Fredericton. A spokesperson for Bell Aliant said the cable theft is affecting internet, TV and home phone services for customers in Fredericton North, Barkers Point, Pepper Creek, Lower St. Marys and Noonan.

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A man riding an all-terrain vehicle died early Saturday morning as a result of a crash in Taxis River, the RCMP reports.

The Doaktown detachment issued a news release Saturday indicating that a 56-year-old man from Porter Cove lost his life as a result of an ATV crash earlier in the day.

“On Nov. 4, 2023, at approximately 1:30 a.m., members of the Doaktown RCMP detachment, Ambulance New Brunswick and the Upper Miramichi Fire Department responded to a report of an ATV crash on Route 625 in Taxis River,” the release said.

The sole user of the ATV died at the scene, it said.

Taxis River is located about 65 kilometres north of Fredericton, near Boiestown.

“The crash is believed to have occurred when the driver of the ATV lost control of the vehicle on the shoulder of the road, left the roadway and struck a power pole,” the release said.

“An RCMP collision reconstructionist and the New Brunswick coroner's office are assisting with the ongoing investigation.”

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

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A 56-year-old man from Porter Cove, N.B., has died following an ATV crash in Taxis River. Doaktown RCMP and emergency services responded to a report of an ATV crash at 1:30 a.m. AT on Saturday on Route 625. 

The water temperatures are getting colder, and for sea turtles, this could be bad news. If a sea turtle ends up in water that's 10 C or below, it could become cold-stunned, and eventually blow onto shore, where it would die if exposed to the elements for too long.

New Brunswick has finally established its own spelling bee chapter. Until now, spelling champions like Austin He of Quispamsis had to travel to nearby provinces to qualify for the nationals.

Born visually impaired in Grand-Barachois, a small eastern New Brunswick community on the Northumberland Strait, Ysabelle Vautour connects with herself — and with others — through art.