Posted 5 pm
Four more people have been arrested in connection with debit card frauds that appear to have targetted Irving restaurants and convenience stores in this province. Oromocto RCMP picked up four men from Quebec Monday night in connection with an incident at the Big Stop in Salisbury. Those arrests came after three other men from Quebec were charged Monday with trying to steal a point-of-sale debit pin pad from a Saint John area Irving. Police believe the two cases are connected and that the suspects may have also been responsible for a fraud that occurred earlier at the Lincoln Big Stop. They describe the suspects as a travelling group of criminals. It's still unclear how many people have been affected, or how much money is involved and police are still urging people to be vigilant in protecting their p.i.n.s and checking their accounts for missing money.
The province is providing incentive for daycares that provide services in a second language. Social Services Minister Kelly Lamrock says $2,000 per new space is being made available for facilities that offer French services in predominantly English communities, and English services in primarily francophone areas.
33 per cent of employers in the Fredericton area expect to hire staff between April and June. The latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey indicates an active hiring climate for the capital city in the second quarter. However, the survey also shows seven per cent of employers expect cutbacks, while 60 per cent plan to maintain current staffing levels.
Fredericton's Regent Mall is about to undergo a $13-million facelift. The renovation project starts next week and is scheduled for completion by Nov. Upgrades will include new flooring and ceilings, new lighting, refurbished entrances, new and renovated washrooms and a renovated food court with new seating areas.
In Sports...James Grattan and his rink from the Gage Curling Cllub in Oromocto continue to struggle at the Tim Horton's Brier in Halifax. New Brunswick fell 7-2 to Northern Ontario Tuesday. Grattan has lost four straight after winning his first two games.
Tickets for the first Canadian Football League game in Atlantic Canada will go on sale later this month. CFL commissioner Mark Cohon was in Moncton Tuesday to release the details of the game between Toronto and Edmonton. Those teams will square off at the new Moncton Stadium in late Sept. Tickets go on sale Mar. 25.