Police issue 112 tickets, tow a half dozen vehicles, and charge impaired driver

The Western Valley Region RCMP reported a highway enforcement operation over the Labour Day long weekend resulted in officers issuing 112 charges for traffic violations.

The RCMP said officers from the New Brunswick RCMP Tactical Traffic Enforcement Unit (TTEU) and the Department of Justice and Public Safety Highway Safety Branch hit the highway on Sept. 1 and 2 to conduct multiple operations throughout the Western Valley Region, including the Trans Canada Highway.

In total, the RCMP reported, officers ordered six vehicles towed, several of which had no insurance coverage on the vehicle, and issued 112 tickets under the New Brunswick Motor Vehicle Act.

The TTEU release said police towed and impounded one vehicle for seven days for speeding more than 50km/h over the posted speed limit but less than 80km/h.

Additionally, the release explained, officers issued a court date to two people for driving while suspended.

Police gave several breath demands throughout the day, resulting in the arrest of one person for driving while impaired and another person receiving a seven-day roadside licence suspension.

“The focus of the RCMP’s Tactical Traffic Enforcement Unit is on behaviours that are the greatest risk to the public, whether it be driving behaviours or criminal activity,” says Sgt. Ghislain David with the TTEU. “We all have a role to play when it comes to making our roads and communities safer, and our top priority continues to be keeping the public safe by limiting the number of dangerous drivers on our roadways.”

The RCMP said the public can assist in keeping dangerous drivers off the road by reporting them to police.

“If you see a dangerous or a suspected impaired driver, call 911,” the RCMP explained. “Your description of the driver, vehicle, licence plate number and direction of travel can assist police in making New Brunswick roads safer.”

The post Western Valley Region RCMP enforce traffic laws over the Labour Day weekend first appeared on River Valley Sun.

New log pavilion is the centrepiece of the facility in Perth-Andover

Southern Victoria residents are invited to a community celebration on Sept. 22 to commemorate the village’s new community park, an ongoing project of the Rotary Club of Perth-Andover.

The official opening of the Rotary 4-Seasons Park at Veterans Field, 540 East Riverside Drive, Perth-Andover, N.B., will be held on Friday, Sept. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m.

“See what the Rotary Club of Perth-Andover has accomplished and learn about the next phase for this four-season multi-purpose park in our community,” said Louiselle St. Amand, club president. “Rotarians will be joined by our funding partners, including provincial and federal representatives. Everyone is invited, and refreshments will be served.”

The Rotary 4-Seasons Park has been a multi-year project for local Rotarians, featuring a paved activity court and outdoor ice surface, green space and a new log pavilion with lights and electrical outlets to allow activities like picnics, concerts, family reunions and community events.

“The community is already using the new pavilion. Last week, a wedding was held at the structure and surrounding green space,” said Marsha Lang, past president of the Perth-Andover club. “Rotarians hope community members will enjoy the park and amenities for years to come.”

The official opening concludes Phase 1 of the park project. The Sept. 22 event will kick off fundraising for Phase 2, including accessible washrooms, walking trails and improved park infrastructure.

In case of inclement weather, ceremonies will be held at the Perth Elks Club.

The post Rotary 4-Seasons Park’s official opening planned first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Organization’s inaugural En Plein Air event this summer could mark the beginning of an annual celebration

The “big” and “little” artists’ fun day on the Woodstock waterfront in August could mark the beginning of an annual celebration of art and an ongoing fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters Carleton-York.

On Aug. 12, the organization hosted En Plein Air, an event which paired area youth with adult artists for a day of art creation, mentorship and friendship along the downtown Woodstock waterfront.

Little brothers and sisters spent the day one-on-one with accomplished artists from the local area and beyond. The art they created was sold at a special event that evening at the historic Connell House.

The entire event met or surpassed organizers’ expectations.,

“It was so gratifying to see the ‘big’ and ‘little’ artists all working together and having fun,” said BBBSCY president Karen ‘Kippy’ Taylor.

She said all aspects of En Plein Air left a positive impression on participants and the public who watched the artists at work or attended the art show at Connell House.

“Overall, I am delighted with the results of the first En Plein Air event,” Taylor said.

She expressed delight about the turnout at Connell House and their commitment to buying the newly created art.

“All of the art created by the ‘big’ artists sold for the full asking price, so I didn’t need to be the auctioneer,” Taylor joked. “The ‘littles’ art was sold by silent auction, and they were so excited to see people appreciating their art and bidding on it.”

She said those attending the Connell House event were generous in their bids.

Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones was among the attendees.

Taylor said Jones actively supports Big Brothers and Big Sisters, serving as an in-school mentor. She added the mayor’s ‘Little Sister’ was one of the young artists.

Taylor said event sponsor Greg MacPherson of Manulife Securities also attended and supported the artists.

Taylor said she and the BBBSCY board are grateful to the talented artists who agreed to participate.

Several participating artists gathered for a barbecue at artist Suzanne Hansen’s house the night before En Plein Air.

Hansen, familiar with open-air art creation along a beautiful waterfront from her years of involvement with Hartland’s Paint the Heartland, said she happily jumped on board for such a “great cause.”

She said she reached out to the many artists she knew, and most responded positively.

While most participating artists live and work in the Upper St. John River Valley, some travelled to Woodstock to join the fun and support Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Grant Lounsbury, who teaches art at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., welcomed the chance to make the trip to Woodstock.

He said he hopes to spread the great idea to other communities.

Taylor said En Plein Air supported BBBSCY while also promoting the town.

“As a keen supporter of promoting downtown Woodstock, our beautiful rivers and creating a fun learning opportunity for our young people. En Plein Air seemed like the perfect event to achieve those goals,” she said.

As for the future, Taylor is optimistic En Plein Air will return to Woodstock.

“A number of people said, ‘I hope you will do this again next year,’ so I guess that’s an indicator of success,” she said.

The post Big Brothers Big Sisters Carleton York celebrates the success of ‘big’ and ‘little’ artists first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Moncton resident Michael Roy is calling on the city to reduce the speed limit on residential streets to reduce the risk of injury and death when someone is hit by a vehicle. 

A new group of residents on New Brunswick’s southeast coast is working to better prepare for future storms. The “citizen network” is bringing together coastal property owners in the Regional Town of Cap-Acadie to share ideas and help each other before and after hurricanes.

A Miramichi company with links to the controversial Atcon Group is the subject of complaints in two provinces over its handling of public infrastructure contracts.

A cyclist has died after a collision with a pickup truck in Fredericton on Saturday, Fredericton police say.

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The two people found dead in a southside apartment Saturday morning both lived there and were of Russian descent, says Fredericton’s top cop, and officers aren’t pursuing suspects in the case.

Given a busier-than-normal weekend for police in the capital, Fredericton Police Force Chief Martin Gaudet held a news conference Sunday afternoon to brief reporters, and top of the agenda was a double fatality.

As the Fredericton Independent reported Saturday, Gaudet confirmed the police force received a 911 call at about 11 a.m. about an incident at 94 Forest Hill Rd., the site of a new apartment building that online records show belongs to Gorham Real Estate, and officers responded.

“Upon arrival, they found two individuals deceased,” he said.

“The individuals are of Russian descent.”

While the two people have been identified, the chief said, their names aren’t being released because notifying the next of kin is proving challenging, given the international connection.

He said Fredericton officers are working with the RCMP and international authorities to facilitate that notification.

Gaudet declined to indicate the genders or ages of the decedents, though he confirmed both lived in the apartment in which they were found and had been in Canada for 16 years.

“There is no threat to public safety at this time,” he said.

While the investigation continues, Gaudet said, officers don’t believe someone else was involved.

“We’re not seeking any suspects at this time,” he said.

The chief declined to say if the incident was a murder-suicide.

When officers arrived, he said, the scene was fresh, indicating whatever prompted the 911 call had just occurred.

Gaudet declined to say if firearms or other weapons were involved.

Officers with the Fredericton Police Force’s major crime and forensic identification units were on the scene for hours Saturday, and the Fredericton Independent learned an employee with New Brunswick coroner services was also on hand.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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An adult male cyclist involved in an accident with a pickup truck Saturday died from his injuries, says the Fredericton police chief.

Fredericton Police Force Chief Martin Gaudet held a news conference Sunday afternoon to update reporters on a number of incidents around the city over the weekend.

Among them was the collision between a pickup truck and cyclist in the intersection of King and Westmorland streets in the downtown core.

He said officers responded to the scene at about 5:10 p.m. Saturday. The cyclist was transported to the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, the chief said, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

He didn’t indicate how old the cyclist was.

In a social media advisory Saturday, the police force noted one person involved in the incident sustained “serious, life-threatening injuries.”

Photos from the scene showed a black pickup truck in the middle of the intersection, with a bicycle nearby, and the chief confirmed Sunday a pickup truck was the vehicle involved in the incident.

He declined to give the gender or age range of the driver, but he said the driver wasn’t alone in the truck.

No charges - either under the Criminal Code or Motor Vehicle Act - are pending at present, Gaudet said, noting the accident remains under investigation.

“There’s plenty of witnesses,” he said, adding public-safety cameras also recorded the events.

The intersection was closed for about two hours while officers with the accident-reconstruction team examined the scene, the chief said.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Sheree Fitch is best known for her whimsical children's books, but when she writes these days, it's often about Alzheimer's. Her husband Gilles Plante was diagnosed with the disease in 2017, and a new documentary from Myfanwy Davies charts their journey.

Two people were found dead at an apartment complex in Fredericton on Saturday, Fredericton police say.

Romero House in Saint John has served nearly 477,000 meals since COVID-19 began — all out of a takeout window. But now, it has reopened its dining room to hopefully connect with people using the soup kitchen.

Taym Saffar's dystopian story revolves around a box you can step inside to spend for as long as you want, doing whatever you please.

Ashley Sanipass of Indian Island, near Richibucto, was the master of ceremonies at the Pabineau First Nation powwow.

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Police officers have shut down a major downtown intersection around the supper hour Saturday after an accident sent someone to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

“Fredericton Police Force (FPF) are on scene as a result of a motor vehicle vs. cyclist collision at the intersection of Westmorland and King streets,” the police force posted on social media shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday evening. 

“One adult male was transported to the Dr. Everett Chalmers [Regional] Hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.”

The intersection was closed while the force’s collision reconstruction team investigates the incident, the advisory stated.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.

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Fredericton police officers were delving into what appears to be a sudden death at a new southside apartment building Saturday, though the police force was mum about the details.

Numerous police vehicles were stationed outside 94 Forest Hill Rd., a new apartment building located just a couple of hundred metres from the access point to the Princess Margaret Bridge and Fredericton Bypass.

Acting Sgt. Brent Legere, a shift supervisor with the force’s patrol division, told the Fredericton Independent early Saturday afternoon officers were dispatched to a southside location at 11:15 a.m.

He said he wasn’t at liberty to discuss the nature of the call or its specific location.

However, a reporter went to 94 Forest Hill Rd. on Saturday afternoon and noted members of the force’s major crime unit and forensic identification unit were on the scene. The forensic unit’s van was also stationed out front.

Furthermore, the Fredericton Independent has learned a representative with New Brunswick coroner services was there as well. The coroner’s office only responds to scenes at which there are “suspicious or questionable deaths,” according to the branch’s section of the provincial government’s website.

Responding to an inquiry Saturday about the situation at the apartment building, Fredericton Police Force spokesperson Sonya Gilks said a statement will be forthcoming at a later time.

“It’s currently under investigation, but we will be releasing something once we’re able to,” she wrote in an email.

The Fredericton Independent will be monitoring the situation and will report additional information as it becomes available.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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The union local representing many of the administrative, support, IT and technical employees of the City of Saint John have given the city notice of its intention to strike next week unless negotiations resume by Monday night at midnight.

RCMP responded to a fatal crash Friday at approximately 7:20 p.m. near the intersection of Route 616 and Holyoke Lan in Keswick Ridge, west of Fredericton.

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A woman was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Keswick Ridge on Friday night, the RCMP reports, but a child who was also in the car was unhurt.

The Keswick detachment of the RCMP issued a news release Saturday indicating officers responded to the scene of the crash at about 7:20 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Route 616 and Holyoke Lane.

Also on scene, it said, were personnel from the Keswick Ridge Fire Department and Ambulance New Brunswick.

“The driver, a 37-year-old woman from Keswick Ridge, was transported to hospital where she died from… her injuries,” the release said. 

“A young child, and only other passenger of the vehicle, was also located at the scene of the crash and was transported to hospital, but is not believed to have suffered any injuries.”

A collision reconstructionist with the Mounties and a member of the New Brunswick Coroner's office are working with officers on the investigation, it said.

“The crash is believed to have occurred when the driver lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway and rolled several times,” the release said.

“The road was closed for several hours, but has since reopened.”

Police said an autopsy will be done to establish the victim’s cause of death, and the investigation is continuing.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.

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After 44 years, Westminster Books in Fredericton is turning a page. The former owner of the oldest independent bookstore in the province has retired, but the store will still remain, now under the name Westminster Bookmark.

Participants at Camp Courage  were introduced to the basics of policing, firefighting and paramedicine — with hands-on activities such as basic police defence techniques, CPR, breaking windows with axes and vehicle extraction.

If you can stand getting close enough, it's like a scene from a horror movie — countless long, dark bodies writhe and wriggle around a silky sack of creepiness. 

Nurses who graduated from the Moncton Hospital School of Nursing over the decades are back in the city for a reunion.

You can find out your HIV status in just one minute, and it won't cost you a dime. The I'm Ready program can ship self-testing kits anywhere in Canada, including to your home.

It might not be the Northwest Passage or lead to the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, but this year’s corn maze at Hunter Brothers Farm pays tribute to Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers.

The New Brunswick COVID core, presented in the auditor general's pandemic review as being third in the "COVID-19 decision-making hierarchy," after cabinet and the cabinet committee on COVID-19, had no decision-making power, according to the government.

New Brunswick Public Safety Minister Kris Austin says he's working on legislation that would enable police officers to force people into addictions treatment, even if they haven't committed a crime.

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A homeless man who sexually assaulted a woman in a motel hot tub in 2021 after sneaking into the establishment now faces a charge of failing to obey a sex-offender registration order.

Richard Graham Anderson, 59, of no fixed address, stood trial last year on a June 11, 2021, charge of summary sexual assault.

He was convicted after trial, and as part of his sentence last November, Fredericton provincial court Judge Natalie LeBlanc imposed an order under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (SOIRA) requiring him to register annually, providing a centre with up-to-date information on where he was residing and other personal details.

Anderson was back in provincial court Friday, charged with failing to comply with that SOIRA order. Specifically, the charge alleges that on Dec. 8, he failed to report in person at the registration centre about his place of residence within seven days of the order being issued.

Friday marked his first appearance on the allegation, and he tried to explain what happened.

“I went to the cop shop and nobody knew what’s going on,” he told Judge Cameron Gunn.

“They told me to come back next year.”

The judge said Anderson needed first to learn more about the case against him and get legal advice.

Gunn set the matter over to Sept. 29 for plea to give Anderson a chance to request disclosure of the Crown file and to apply for legal aid.

Anderson was sentenced to probation and the SOIRA obligations.

The sexual assault giving rise to that sentence occurred June 11, 2021, at the Days Inn on Prospect Street.

Court heard that the victim was a young woman who was in the motel’s hot tub with friends at that time.

Her identity is protected by a court-ordered publication ban.

Anderson, who wasn’t staying at the motel, had managed to sneak into the pool area and stripped down to his underwear in a changing room.

He got into the hot tub with the woman, evidence at trial showed, and he submerged himself. That’s when he touched the victim between her legs and thighs.

Anderson came back up above the water line closer to the woman, court heard, and the victim and her friends immediately left the tub and called police.

The offender was arrested at the scene.

Anderson claimed at trial he hadn’t touched the woman, but he also testified she and her friends had invited him into the hot tub and beckoned him closer.

LeBlanc rejected that evidence as nonsensical, noting the victim’s friends corroborated her version of events.

The judge also noted the sexual intent behind Anderson’s actions was clear, as there was no other explanation for what he did.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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In addition to this month’s marquee exhibitions, Gallery 78 also welcomes new additions by Nancy Morin, Cathy Ross, Bruno and Molly Bobak, and others.  As September marks many changes, Gallery…

The post Gallery 78 Opens Exhibitions by Richard Montpetit and Jessie Babin appeared first on Grid City Magazine.

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Harrison Gilks was starting to develop an interest in Texas Hold ‘Em poker in his later teen years, mirroring his father Trevor’s appreciation and enjoyment of the game.

Trevor said his late son - who documented his battle with cancer, earning him a global following on TikTok - always wanted to play in a live poker tournament, but he wasn’t old enough, and he never got the chance to experience it.

Now, a local service club is hosting a charity Texas Hold ‘Em tournament to benefit the foundation named in Harrison’s honour, and his dad will be among the 100 people hoping for pocket aces and shoving all-in.

UCT Fredericton, a service club based in the capital, is hosting a charity poker tournament Oct. 14 at the Fredericton Legion on Smythe Street.

Proceeds will go to the Harrison Gilks Legacy Foundation.

Harrison died March 30 at the age of 18 after a public battle with rhabdomyosarcoma - a type of cancer that attacks soft tissue, connective tissue and bone, with which he was diagnosed in the fall of 2020.

He gained hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok and widespread community support in the capital region as he documented his cancer journey and his quest to fulfil a bucket list of notable experiences, from a helicopter ride to attendance of pro sporting events across the country. 

His death made headlines the world over, given his social-media following and positive messages in the face of a terminal illness.

Trevor told the Fredericton Independent this week that when representatives of UCT Fredericton got in touch with him earlier this year about holding a tournament in Harrison’s honour and to benefit the foundation, he welcomed it.

“Of course I said yes,” he said.

Trevor Gilks noted he enjoys Texas Hold ‘Em and has been active in the local poker scene for some time, and he was aware of UCT’s annual poker event to benefit charity each January.

“I always played in one of the tournaments they had,” he said.

He felt a poker event for Harrison’s foundation was fitting, as his son had started playing Texas Hold ‘Em with friends at home.

“He was young, just getting into it,” his dad said.

The proceeds from the tournament will help to cement the Harrison Gilks Foundation, he said, making it viable and sustainable going forward and enabling it to help other kids.

Trevor said the foundation’s goals are two-pronged: to help kids fighting cancer just as his son did, and to support young people with a passion for sports.

“Honestly, Harrison was a big athlete,” he said - from hockey to softball and everything in between, he loved sport.

There are kids out there who don’t have the same access or opportunity to enjoy athletics, Trevor said, so the foundation aims to ensure such love of sport is within reach.

UCT Fredericton volunteer Peter Arseneault said the organization wanted to do something with the Harrison Gilks Foundation because of what he meant to the community and how his story inspired so many.

“  … Even in his darkest moments he felt the need to share the positive side of life in hopes to aspire and help others who may be living a similar experience,” Arseneault said.

“Even knowing his cancer was terminal, he never really gave up his intense enthusiasm for life.”

The tournament will be capped at 100 players, and he said just a week after tickets went on sale, the event is almost sold out, with only a handful left.

Trevor Gilks said he’s not surprised the tournament is on track for a quick sellout. There’s always a strong interest among poker players for these charity tournaments, he said, but he likes to think Harrison’s name drove the demand a bit more.

He said he’s received calls from friends who don’t really play poker who expressed interest in participating.

During the interview, Trevor occasionally was overcome with emotion as he spoke of Harrison. He’s only been gone a few months, after all.

But he said events such as this charity tournament and others to benefit the foundation are keeping his son’s memory alive in the community, and that’s an encouraging thought for him and his family. 

For more information on the event or for ticket availability, email Arseneault at [email protected].

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has made true on its threat to sue New Brunswick if it didn’t revoke its changes to the school gender-identity policy.

Beth Powning and her latest novel, ‘A Sister’s Tale,’ set to help launch a return of L.P. Fisher Public Library’s literary celebration

After a prolonged hiatus, the L.P. Fisher Public Library welcomes the triumphant return of Woodstock Reads featuring the latest novel of acclaimed New Brunswick author Beth Powning.

Woodstock library director Jenn Carson said the 2023 Woodstock Reads features Powning’s A Sister’s Tale. She explained the author would attend a special event described as “an evening of books and bites with Beth Powning” on Oct. 19 at the Woodstock Best Western.

Carson explained copies of A Sister’s Tale and the $20 tickets for the Woodstock Reads event are now available at the library and Woodstock town hall.

Library board member Karen Arnold said fellow board members share Carson’s excitement in restoring Woodstock Reads.

Another one excited to see Woodstock Reads and the promotion of literacy return is Catherine Sutherland, a former Woodstock deputy mayor, councillor and the town’s representative on the library board.

Sutherland said the origins of Woodstock Reads date back more than a decade. She said the inspiration hit her while listening to CBC Radio’s long-running annual show Canada Reads, in which five well-known Canadians champion what they believe is an “essential Canadian novel.”

She recalled listening as Terry Fallis’ political satire, Best Laid Plans, won the 2012 Canada Reads title, and thought to herself, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could bring him to Woodstock?”

Sutherland said she reached out to Fallis, and Woodstock Reads was born.

She said the courteous author agreed to come to Woodstock to help promote the library and literacy.

Sutherland said Fallis agreed to attend Woodstock Middle School to talk to students interested in writing. Unfortunately, heavy fog forced the cancellation of Fallis’ flight to New Brunswick, thus thwarting Woodstock Read’s best-laid plans to welcome the author of ‘Best Laid Plans.’

Although his in-person visit failed, Sutherland said the gracious Fallis arranged to Skype with WMS students, talking to the young aspiring writers over the Internet for a long time.

Sutherland said Woodstock Reads continued for the next few years, bringing acclaimed authors, including Hawkshaw resident Riel Nason and her award-winning ‘The Town That Drowned,’ to town.

However, Sutherland explained, significant changes, growth and challenges at the library forced the board to put Woodstock Reads on the shelf for a few years.

The retirement of long-time director Jon Tait and a major expansion, including the construction and opening of the Thompson Centre, grabbed the board’s focus for a couple of years.

The arrival of the COVID pandemic hindered attempts to rekindle Woodstock Reads for a few more years.

Sutherland is excited to see it finally return this year, as is Carson, who welcomes the participation of Powling, another acclaimed New Brunswick author.

A Sister’s Tale is a national best-selling novel, described on Amazon as “a novel of orphans and widows, terror and hope, and the relationships that hold us together when things fall apart.”

The Sister’s Tale re-introduces characters from Powning’s previously beloved The Sea Captain’s Wife. The New Brunswick-based author published several acclaimed books over the past two-plus decades, including A Measure of Light, The Hatbox Letters, Edge Season, Shadow Child and Home: The Chronicle of a North Country Life.

Carson encourages everyone to drop into the Woodstock library for a copy of A Sister’s Tale and tickets for the special evening with the author while both remain available.

While this marks Carson’s first experience with Woodstock Reads, she is sure it won’t be her last.

She said they already have plans for 2024, offering only a teaser of what to expect.

Carson said she can’t provide details but wryly hinted it’s “a non-fiction travel memoir based in Nova Scotia.”

The post Woodstock Reads returns first appeared on River Valley Sun.

1. Trial delayed for co-accused in kidnapping case

Timothy Grant, 30, of Canterbury, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 6 for his two-day trial on charges related to the alleged kidnapping of a Scotts Siding man.

After hearing submissions from the crown and defence counsel, Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean adjourned the trial until Feb. 29 and March 1, 2024.

Crown Prosecutor Gwynne Hearn and Defence Counsel Michael Mallory made a joint recommendation to have the trial adjourned to a later date due to an additional disclosure of evidence. Hearn told the court the information was currently in the hands of the police and would be reviewed by the crown before trial.

Grant pleaded not guilty to three charges concerning an incident on Nov. 13, 2021, in Scott Siding. RCMP charged him with using a handgun to kidnap Chris Demerchant, unlawful confinement, and indictable assault.

The rescheduling of Grant’s trial delays those proceedings until after the December trial of Rodney Butler, 49, of Bulls Creek. Butler sat in the back of the courtroom during Grant’s court appearance on Sept. 6.

Butler appeared in provincial court on Sept. 5 and confirmed he secured a new lawyer for his trial involving the same alleged kidnapping and the shooting death of his former partner.

Defence Counsel Alex Pate told the court via teleconference that he will represent Butler at his five-day trial set for Dec. 4, Dec. 6-8, and Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m. The court set a monitoring date for Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. Pate said he planned to adjust his schedule as necessary to represent Butler at trial.

RCMP charged Butler with reckless discharge of a firearm, 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, following an incident on Nov. 13, 2021, at Bulls Creek.

On that date, RCMP was called to the scene of a fatal shooting on Route 165 at Bulls Creek. Christine Pelletier-Thibodeau, 35, died as a result of her injuries. Over the next several days, the police erected tape around the property, including a residence surrounded by a vehicle salvage yard.

2. Charge laid after shots fired

Jerry Inman, 68, of Kincardine, will appear in provincial court on Oct. 3 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a firearm charge laid by RCMP.

Inman was charged with intentionally discharging a firearm into or at a place, knowing another person was present in connection with an incident on April 27 in Kincardine. He made his first court appearance on Sept. 5 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

3. Woodstock woman to stand trial

Jessie Jeanette Sharp-Yerxa, 27, of Woodstock, will appear for trial in provincial court on June 19, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to one charge laid by the Woodstock Police Force.

Sharp-Yerxa was charged with possession of stolen property (a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt) concerning an incident on April 11 in Woodstock. She made her first court appearance Sept. 5 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

4. Sentenced to 70 days or time served

Dean Randall Bell, 43, of McAdam, appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 7 and was sentenced to 70 days in jail or time served after pleading guilty to three charges laid by RCMP.

RCMP charged Bell with possession of stolen property (a 2010 Ford halfton) and breach of probation for an incident on March 17, 2021, in Benton. He was also charged with failing to appear in court on April 18. The crown withdrew another charge of failing to appear in court on Aug. 15.

The court heard that police recently took Bell into custody and transferred him to hospital for treatment of an infected dog bite. He was released while at the hospital and failed to attend court due to lack of transportation.

Bell was also facing charges in Fredericton. He was released from custody after hearing his sentence in Woodstock on Sept. 7.

5. In custody awaiting plea

Amber Holt, 32, of Bluebell, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 7 for a bail hearing and waived her bail until later. She was remanded and will return to court in custody for plea on Sept. 28 at 9:30 a.m.

Holt appeared in provincial court in custody on Aug. 15 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court. She waived her bail until later and was remanded to jail. She appeared in provincial court in custody by video for a bail hearing on July 27 after being arrested on a warrant. She was released with conditions but failed to return to court.

RCMP charged Holt with possession of a firearm without a licence (.22 Magnum rifle) and careless use of a firearm for an incident on June 22, 2022, in Weaver. A warrant was issued for Holt when she failed to appear in court for plea on the firearm charges.

An earlier warrant was also issued for her in January after she failed to appear in provincial court to answer charges of flight from police and driving while suspended for an incident on Sept. 5, 2022. She is also facing charges of possession of stolen property, fraud, impersonation, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace.

6. In custody awaiting plea

Brandon Cecil Armour, 34, of no fixed address, will appear in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 19 for plea on charges laid by Woodstock Police.

He appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept.6 for a bail hearing and waived his bail until later. A date for his bail hearing is expected to be set at his next court appearance on Sept. 19.

Woodstock Police charged Armour with breach of an undertaking and failing to attend court on July 11, as well as theft of a vehicle and resisting arrest on Aug. 14.

Armour appeared in court in custody on Aug. 15 after being arrested on a warrant. Woodstock Police also charged him with prowling at night and resisting arrest in connection with an incident on March 24 in Woodstock.

He is also scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on Nov. 16 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to three other charges laid by RCMP. He entered his plea at a court appearance on Feb. 21.

Police charged Armour with break and enter at a dwelling house, committing mischief causing property damage to a door, and assault on a female victim, stemming from an incident on June 8, 2022, in Hartland.

7. Arrested and released with conditions

Brady Melvin Crain, 27, of Wicklow, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 6 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He returns to court for plea on Sept. 26 at 9:30 a.m.

Crain appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Aug. 28 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear for sentencing.

Crain was charged with assault on a female victim and breach of an emergency intervention order concerning incidents on April 29, 2021, and March 14, 2021, in Woodstock. RCMP also charged him with breach of a release order on Dec. 6, 2021, at Mount Pleasant. He pleaded guilty, and a sentencing date was set for July 27, but he failed to appear.

He appeared in provincial court on April 18 and pleaded not guilty to other charges laid by RCMP. His trial date was set for Jan. 17, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.

Crain was charged on April 4 with breaching his release order. He also appeared in provincial court on March 16 on charges of breach of an undertaking, committing mischief, and taking a vehicle without consent in connection with incidents on Aug. 29, 2022, and Oct. 28, 2022, at Perth-Andover.

The post Trial delayed for co-accused in kidnapping case first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Police apprehend a 40-year-old after a brief foot chase and recover more than $1,600 in stolen merchandise

The Woodstock Police Force arrested a 40-year-old man and recovered more than $1,600 of stolen Walmart merchandise.

The Woodstock police said officers responded to the report of a suspicious male near 390 Connell Street on Thursday, Sept. 7.

“The complainant stated they overheard him saying he had just stolen from Walmart,” Woodstock police said in a media release.

Police said that upon arrival, officers quickly located the individual, who fled on foot when they attempted to speak to him.

After a brief foot pursuit, the responding officers apprehended and detained the suspect without further incident.

The Woodstock Police Force statement said that after a thorough investigation, officers discovered the man allegedly successfully stole over $1,600 worth of merchandise from Walmart.

The WPF said investigating officers also determined the suspect was on a conditional sentence order for previous offences.

Police recovered all stolen items and returned them to the store.

Woodstock police took the 40-year-old man into custody. He will face charges for possession of stolen property.

The Woodstock Police Force expressed appreciation for the support and cooperation of the public and local businesses in helping to maintain a safe and secure community.

The post Woodstock police arrest Walmart shoplifter first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Witness reported concerns after seeing female passenger on an ATV

The Woodstock Police Force is actively investigating reports of a potentially distressed woman in the town’s south side. 

WPF Deputy Chief Mark Bennett said officers responded to a call in the area of Lower Main Street and Phillips Drive near the Woodstock Industrial Park at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 4.

A witness told police they observed a female passenger on an ATV who appeared to be in distress.

Police described the woman as someone in her 20s with a slim build and light-coloured hair.

While the force has few details, Bennett said it takes the report seriously and requires a full investigation.

“We can’t ignore it,” he said.

Bennett said police made the report public as they actively seek to speak with the female or anyone who may have witnessed this incident.

The police ask anyone with information to contact Woodstock Police Force – Sgt. Seth Cahill at (506) 325-4601 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), online at www.crimenb.ca.

The post Woodstock police respond to reports of a woman in distress first appeared on River Valley Sun.

The Woodstock Police Force seeks the public’s help to find and collect discarded needles and other drug paraphernalia.

“We all want to make our neighbourhoods safer and cleaner, right?” the force asked in a Facebook post on Sept. 7. “Well, here’s a small but impactful way you can contribute: if you ever come across discarded drug paraphernalia like needles, pipes, or drug containers, don’t hesitate to pick up your phone and call us at (506)325-4601.”

Deputy Chief Mark Bennett said the post wasn’t a result of new developments but simply an effort to keep the public informed.

He explained some people are unsure whether they should call the police or not.

“They should,” said Bennett.

He explained police officers have the personal protection equipment and the knowledge to collect and dispose of the needles and other equipment safely.

“By reporting these items, you’re not just helping keep our streets safe, but you’re also protecting kids, pets, and anyone else who might unknowingly come across these hazards,” the WPF explained in the post. “Together, we can make a big difference in our community’s well-being.”

Bennett explained informing the police about the type and location of such discarded items is not a reflection on any individual or the community but simply the best way to remove a potential hazard.

“Remember, it’s not about passing judgment; it’s about ensuring the safety and cleanliness of the place we call home,” said the post. “Together, let’s work to build safer and healthier neighbourhoods for everyone.”

The post included a poster outlining the proper steps to report the location of a discarded needle. It also outlined several legal uses for needles or equipment called “sharps,” including allergies, numerous diseases and chronic conditions.

The post Woodstock police urge residents to call them if they find discarded needles first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Drone Bath is a 50 minute, meditative wash of shifting sounds and textures, originally performed during the 2023 Flourish Festival.  Matt Carter  I was heading to work after dropping my…

The post DenMother Shares Flourish Festival Performance Piece appeared first on Grid City Magazine.

Thunder rolled over much of New Brunswick early Friday morning, with the most activity centred around Fredericton.

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A Harvey man told police he knew he was drunk after his vehicle was found stuck in a snowbank early last year, court heard Thursday.

Joshua Edward Bubar, 40, of 45 Cherry St. in Harvey, previously pleaded guilty to counts of impaired driving and drug possession, and he was back in Fredericton provincial court Thursday for a sentencing hearing.

Crown prosecutor Nina Johnsen said on the second weekend of February 2022, there was an increased police presence in Fredericton due to a Freedom Convoy protest in the capital coinciding with similar such demonstrations elsewhere in the country.

It was at 8 a.m. Feb. 13, 2022, she said, that an officer stationed at a checkpoint took note of “a small black car travelling at a high rate of speed.”

The suspect vehicle left the area after coming upon the checkpoint, court heard, so police were on the lookout for it, given the odd driving.

The car was found a short time later in a snowbank along Route 8 on the south side of Fredericton, Johnsen said.

“The driver said he was OK,” she said, adding the motorist - identified as Bubar - didn’t have a licence or insurance information with him.

An officer noted there was an odour of alcohol coming from Bubar, the prosecutor said, and empty cans for alcoholic beverages could be seen in the car.

As such, court heard, he was given a demand for a sample of his breath.

“Mr. Bubar advised, ‘I’m going to blow over,’” Johnsen said.

Shortly thereafter, she said, a breathalyzer test revealed his blood-alcohol level to be 190 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, more than double the 80 mg that’s the starting point for impaired-driving offences.

Officers also found some pills in Bubar’s possession that turned out to be benzodiazepines, a depressant or downer, court heard

The prosecutor filed Bubar’s prior criminal record with the court, and Judge Lucie Mathurin noted that while most of the entries were motor-vehicle infractions, there was also a prior drug-possession conviction

Johnsen asked the court to impose standard fines.

Defence lawyer Edward Derrah said Bubar has been faring much better since his arrest last year and is now employed as a cook.

As for the pills, he said, the defendant had been seeking painkillers on the street to deal with chronic pain due to a motor-vehicle accident.

“He bought what he thought were Dilaudids on the street,” Derrah said, noting Bubar has since moved away from illicit drugs to deal with that issue.

Mathurin imposed a $2,000 fine for the impaired driving, a $100 fine for the drug possession and customary victim-fine surcharges of $630, for a total of $2,730.

She also prohibited him from driving for a year anywhere in Canada.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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A lightning storm Thursday night into Friday morning plunged many New Brunswickers into darkness, with the bulk of those affected in Fredericton and surrounding communities.

NB Power’s online outage list reports 1,654 customers in the province were without power as of 7 a.m. Friday morning, with 1,620 of them being in the capital region.

A more detailed breakdown of the outages notes that 994 of them are in the Fredericton, Lincoln and Rusagonis areas and were caused by lightning.

There were reports of thunder and lightning lasting for hours throughout the night Thursday into Friday morning.

The utility's website reports that all outages are expected to be resolved with power restored before noon Friday, with several of the unplanned outages set to be fixed by 8:30 a.m.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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More than three months after the Stein Lake fire burned out of control in Chamcook and Bocabec, north of Saint Andrews, signs of new life are sprouting up.

Acclaimed New Brunswick guitarist, ‘bird whisperer’ and social media sensation Ewen Dobson to take the stage in Plaster Rock and Nackawic

An acclaimed Canadian finger-style guitar champion will perform in the Upper St. John River Valley this month, with stops in Plaster Rock and Nackawic-Millville.

Described as a champion guitarist, bird whisperer and composer, Ewan Dobson will take the stage on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 2 p.m. at the Plaster Rock United Baptist Church.

The following Saturday, Sept. 30, Dobson will perform at 2 p.m. in Nackawic-Millville at Kirk United Church on Landegger Drive.

Both performances are free, with donations encouraged to support the artist.

Dobson earned widespread acclaim in the music industry as a guitarist with 18 albums and performances with other artists, including ex-Megadeth member Marty Friedman.

Dobson’s multi-genre performances gained a vast following on YouTube with more than 85 million views.

The talented guitarist is not limited by genre, with styles ranging from classical and finger-style to acoustic metal and folk.

In addition to his efforts as a guitarist, Dobson enjoys a massive social-media following as the “Bird Whisperer of New Brunswick.”

The public can view his world-record-setting footage on YouTube, showing Dobson hand-feeding 26 species of birds in the front yard of his New Brunswick home.

Find out more about Dobson on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and his website www.ewandobson.com

The post Canadian guitar champion performing in Upper Valley concerts first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Pat Septon has resigned from his seat on Hanwell council a month and a half after his colleagues voted to suspend him from council for a three-month period over allegations that he spread misinformation about them publicly.

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A Lincoln man accused of incest and other sex-related crimes involving his son will remain in jail until the case against him concludes.

The 28-year-old man from Lincoln appeared in Fredericton provincial court by video conference from jail Thursday for his bail hearing.

There’s a court-ordered publication ban in place protecting the identity of the complainant, and as that child is the defendant’s son, the Fredericton Independent isn’t identifying the accused either.

The father faces counts of sexual assault, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and incest, all against his son.

The latter count refers to an allegation the defendant had sexual intercourse with the boy knowing the child is “his son by blood relationship.”

All charges refer to events in Lincoln between July 26, 2019, and Aug. 13, 2023.

The evidence presented at his bail hearing Thursday is subject to a court-ordered ban on publication until the case concludes, as are the reasons for the judge’s decision.

Ultimately, Judge Lucie Mathurin ruled the Crown had shown cause why the defendant’s continued detention was justified, and she ordered he be remanded for the duration of the case.

At the request of prosecutor Nina Johnsen on Thursday, the judge also ordered the defendant to have no communication with his wife and son while he’s in custody.

Mathurin set the case over to Sept. 28 for election of mode of trial and pleas, and to give the defendant time to retain counsel or to apply for legal-aid representation.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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New Brunswick’s auditor general is refusing to say how many of a dozen departures from his office since the start of 2023 were firings. 

The New Brunswick government did not make sure nursing homes were prepared for a pandemic, and staff shortages and other already existing problems played a critical role in the impact of COVID-19, Auditor General Paul Martin says in an audit released Thursday.

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A police operation that locked down a Marysville neighbourhood in Fredericton last week was the result of a man reportedly armed and barricaded inside a home, the city police force says.

Fredericton Police Force officers responded en masse to the area of Crockett Street and Pettigrove Crescent the morning of Aug. 31.

The neighbourhood was locked down for hours, with officers on the scene with firearms drawn. The police force advised people through social media that day to avoid the area, and later advised when the area was reopened to public access.

However, it wasn’t clear at the time what prompted the response, though the police force indicated at one point during the operation there was no threat to public safety.

The police force issued a news release Thursday morning, a week after the incident, indicating officers were responding to a report of an armed suspect inside a home in the area.

“On Aug. 31, 2023, the Fredericton Police Force responded to a call on the city’s north side for an individual who was armed and barricaded,” the release said.

“A police operation was initiated around 8:05 a.m. and, after six hours, the individual was arrested without incident.”

As a result, it said, Andrew Jim Roberts, 39, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Sept. 1.

While Thursday’s news release indicates Roberts is from Fredericton, information in the court file, which comes from the police, lists his place of residence as Copperhead Lane in Maugerville.

The defendant now faces eight counts as a result of the events of Aug. 31. They are:

• possessing weapons - a camo sawed-off 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and a black CO2 revolver handgun for the purpose of committing an offence, 

• possessing a prohibited weapon (the shotgun) knowing he wasn’t the holder of a licence or registration certificate for it,

• possessing that prohibited shotgun without a licence,

• storing the shotgun improperly,

• possessing the unloaded shotgun with readily accessible ammunition making it capable of being discharged,

• possessing the shotgun, revolver and an American Classic pellet gun while prohibited from doing so by a court order,

• uttering a threat to Jessica LaPointe to cause her death or bodily harm,

• and assaulting LaPointe.

The Crown objected to Roberts’ release Sept. 1, and he was remanded pending a bail hearing, scheduled for Sept. 18.

The police force news release indicated the investigation is ongoing, as it’s asking anyone with information about the standoff and its circumstances to call 506-460-2300. Those wishing to provide information anonymously can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Airport to host Fly-In with plane rides, antique cars and children’s activities

September will be a month of celebration at the Woodstock Airport in Grafton.

The Woodstock N.B. Flying Association Copa 86 will host its annual fly-in to celebrate the airport’s 55th annual Fly-In on Saturday, Sept. 23.

The event, planned from noon to 5 p.m., includes plane rides, an antique car show and face painting for the children.

The day will see local pilots joined by several who will land at the airport in Grafton. The airport is located on Airport Road, off Route 585, east of Woodstock.

The flying association will also host its monthly breakfast at the airport on Saturday, Sept. 9. 

Between 8 and 10 a.m., guests can enjoy a hearty breakfast of eggs, pancakes, bacon, hash browns, tea or coffee and juice for $12. Children under six eat for free. 

The post Woodstock Flying Association to celebrate airport’s 55th anniversary first appeared on River Valley Sun.

A man has been charged with killing a Dieppe couple, Bernard and Rose-Marie Saulnier, on the fourth anniversary of their deaths.

The New Brunswick government reacted quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic with unprecedented measures aimed at saving lives, according to Auditor General Paul Martin, but he found problems with the government's level of preparedness, decision-making process, record keeping and communications.