News

City firefighter recovering from electrical burns

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:46:00 GMT

A city fire fighter has suffered 2nd degree burns to his hand following a call to Saint Mary's Street last night (Friday evening). Platoon Captain Art Van Horne tells us the firefighter was responding to a call at a commercial building for an electrical problem. When he shut off the electrical panel, he received an electrical shock and burns. The firefighter has been treated and released from hospital. No word on when he will return to work.

Cycling expert shares knowledge with city of Fredericton

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:28:00 GMT

A cycling expert from the Netherlands is hoping to help Fredericton break down barriers for the cycling community. Hans Moor works with the Netherlands Embassy and is also President of Citizens for Safe Cycling in Ottawa. He is sharing his knowledge and experience with the city.

"I'm from the Netherlands originally, and everyone cycles--Fathers, mothers, grandfathers, my parents in the 70's cycled to the grocery stores," he says. "So there is no such thing as 'us against them'. In North America, everywhere from Los Angeles to St. John's, Newfoundland, you see that people are always angry with each other. It's this sort of polarizing thing, which I have never understood being from the Netherlands, but that's something people need to understand here, that you're all on the roads and you're all trying to get from A to B, so you might as well do it in a friendly way."

Fredericton's Cycling Working Group plans to create a city-wide, fully integrated network for cyclists. Moor says the city needs to make sure cycling paths connect and flow, in addition to drivers and cyclists learning to share the road.

Hanwell moves up in worst road survey

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:13:00 GMT

Saint John, NB – Earlier this month, CAA launched the third Worst Roads campaign for Atlantic Canada. To date some 3,306 Atlantic Canadians have cast a vote for a Worst Road. The campaign is running through to May 31, 2013.

CAA Members as well as non-Members, drivers and non-drivers from across Atlantic Canada, are invited to have a say and submit a vote for their Worst Road. Vote online at www.atlantic.caa.ca/worstroads.

To date, the top ten, leading Worst Roads in the region are:

1. Cape John Road, River John, Nova Scotia

2. Forties Road, New Ross, Nova Scotia

3. Foxbrook Road, Hopewell, Nova Scotia

4. Hanwell Road, Fredericton, New Brunswick

5. Nova Scotia 203, Kemptville, Nova Scotia

6. Roads Tied

a. Kempt Head Road, Ross Ferry, Nova Scotia

b. Ridge Road, Digby, Nova Scotia

7. Rothesay Avenue, Saint John, New Brunswick

8. Balmoral Road, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia

9. Fredericton Road, Salisbury, New Brunswick

10. South River Lake Road, Guysborough, Nova Scotia

At the close of the campaign on May 31, the results will be tabulated. A top list of Atlantic Canada’s Worst Roads will be published featuring the most voted for roads in the region.

A Worst Road qualifies as a "worst" if it is in disrepair with potholes, fissures, cracks, and even sinkholes. They could also include poorly designed roads or ones that are too narrow for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to share safely.

Roads and driving safety is a priority for CAA. Poor road conditions affect us all through increased vehicle repair costs, insurance claims, work compensation, healthcare costs and precious time and energy wasted in traffic congestion. The Worst Roads campaign puts a spotlight on troublesome and even dangerous road conditions with a goal to engage municipalities and other levels of government to take action and make repairs or changes.

Woodside speaks out against proposed noise bylaw

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:02:00 GMT

Fredericton's mayor has had a change of heart when it comes to a proposed noise bylaw that critics say unfairly targets the motorcycle community. Brad Woodside (top left) initially supported the bylaw, but says he's heard enough from shareholders and the public to convince him it would be akin to killing a mosquito with a sledgehammer. He says he's chosen to speak publicly because as mayor and chair of city council, he cannot debate the issue and can only vote in the event of a tie.

Deputy mayor Stephen Chase tells The Daily Gleaner he's surprised by Woodside's comments. He says most of the feedback he's received favors a responsible bylaw. Chase also says he believes most councillors are of the same opinion.

New Brunswick jury offers recommendations after inquest into teen's death

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:39:00 GMT

SAINT JOHN, N.B. - A three-day inquest into the death of a 17-year-old student in New Brunswick has produced nine
recommendations.
    Yi Fan Wang died from injuries he sustained during a public swim at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre in Saint John.
    The five-member jury concluded that Wang's death in September 2011 was an accidental drowning.
    Among other things, the jury is recommending additional lighting at the pool, telephones for lifeguards at key locations and an
additional lifeguard in the pool's shallow end.
    As well, the jury wants provincewide standards for lifeguards.

Ruling made on abortion policy complaint

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:46:00 GMT

Arguments over the province's restrictions on abortion don't belong before the Labour and Employment Board, according to a Court of Queen's Bench judge. A complaint that the government's abortion policy discriminates against women was referred to the labour board by the Human Rights Commission, but the province insisted the board had no jurisdiction to hear it. The commission hasn't decided whether to appeal.

Trudeau draws crowd to Fredericton mall

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:07:00 GMT

Hundreds gathered near the food court at Fredericton's Regent Mall over the noon hour and not many were there to eat. Federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau spent about 45 minutes shaking hands and having his picture taken. Linda Garwood was among the dozens who had a chance to speak with Trudeau...

After his visit to the mall Trudeau and his entourage, which included life long friend and New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc and provincial Liberal leader Brian Gallant, headed to the legislature. After being formally introduced in the House, Trudeau met with reporters...

Allow pharmacists expanded role: survey

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:23:00 GMT

Pharmacists have long insisted they could play a bigger part in delivering health care services. And it appears the general public has been convinced. A survey by the New Brunswick Pharmacists' Association found 85 per cent are in favour of druggists taking on some urgent but non-critical services that are tying up doctors and emergency rooms. 70 per cent figure this would mean significant savings for government.

Women’s Basketball Tommies Add Former CCAA All-Canadian to Championship Roster

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:48:00 GMT

Fred Connors has been busy. The ACAA’s top coach for the past three seasons and 2012-13 CCAA Coach of the Year has improved his roster with five new additions to a championship-calibre team.

Now he and his St. Thomas women’s basketball Tommies are welcoming a former CCAA All-Canadian into the fold - Lindy MacDonald, (left) a 5’9” guard from Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

MacDonald played two seasons with the Holland College Hurricanes (2010-2012) where she averaged 15.5 points, seven rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game at the point guard position logging 34 minutes a game.

“Lindy is a tremendous all-around player. She can shoot the three, handles the ball well, is a very unselfish passer and understands how to make people around her better,” says Connors.

“She will defend and rebound and has shown toughness against us in the past. She is a fantastic person and will be a great fit for the Tommies program. We are all very excited to get her on the floor and see her in action.”

Previous to her CCAA All-Canadian selection, she was named ACAA Rookie of the Year in 2010-11 with as a Hurricane.

“I have three years of eligibility left and certainly would not be able to pass the opportunity to play for Fred, or a team of that caliber,” says MacDonald. “I am more than ready to get back on the court and face the challenges that will come.”

MacDonald hopes to pursue a career in nursing and believes St. Thomas will help her get there.

In April, Connors announced all-star guards Ashley Bawn and Brittany Gilliss would be returning to the team in 2013-14 and would see the addition of Kaitlyn Carver, Maggie Murphy, Alysha Bulman, and McKenzie Balser.

The deep Tommies squad will likely dress 14 players each game next season as opposed to the usual 12, most commonly done by teams in the ACAA.

Mounties' NM detachment staying open

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:56:00 GMT

Folks in New Maryland needn't worry about losing their RCMP detachment. The force has said it will keep that detachment open, along with one in Keswick. The Mounties have been looking to save money by closing offices that are underutilized or deemed close enough to other detachments.