News

Province unveils new shale gas regs

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:26:00 GMT

The province is proposing to fine energy companies up to $1 million if they violate new rules governing the oil and natural gas industry. That's one of 116 recommendations contained in a discussion paper released Thursday. The recommendations address a number of issues including well design, royalties and protection of water supplies. The paper comes as a number of companies explore for shale gas despite a public backlash to fracking. But Natural Resources MInister Bruce Northrup says the government has everyone's best interests in mind...

Northrup says the new regs would also give the province the authority to act immediately, instead of referring violations to police...

Last year, Northrup accused a Calgary company of testing for shale gas within Sussex town limits without getting permission from the municipality. He referred the case to the R-C-M-P which determined there were no grounds for charges. The recommendations also call for a greater share of royalties for the province and landowners where gas and oil wells would be located. The recommendations will be put out for 60 days of public input before going back to the legislature this fall.

Parents pushing for FYHA policy change

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:40:00 GMT

The Fredericton Youth Hockey Association holds its annual meeting tonight and a group of parents hopes it will lead to the association adopting a conflict of interest policy. Trina MacDonald is one of those parents. She tells Astral Sports, the FYHA is one of only a few sports organizations that doesn't have such a policy...

We've reached out to FYHA President Scott Lockhart to see if the proposed amendment will actually be on tonight's agenda, but he hasn't yet returned our call.

CFB Gagetown a buzz over royal isit

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:34:00 GMT

It's likely to be an hour and 50 minutes most folks at CFB Gagetown will never forget. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla will visit the base Monday to kick off their visit to Canada celebrating the Queen's diamond jubilee. Major Phil Meany is the base coordinator for the royal visit. He says planning began in February. He tells Astral news for most of the 100 soldiers taking part in the Guard of Honour parade it'll be a once in a lifetime moment.

Meany says the community is invited to the public event portion of the visit. The Guard of Honour parade goes at 10:30 Monday morning.

Downtown medical clinic proposed

Thu, 17 May 2012 13:54:00 GMT

A former popular downtown Fredericton lunch spot may fall victim to a wrecking ball. A re-zoning application has been made to permit a new medical clinic at the corner of Brunswick and Northumberland Streets. The current structure was the home of The Lucky Lunch. The request is for permission to build a two-story office building to house a dermatologist's office. A second doctor may move in as well. The planning advisory committee has approved the proposal, but it must still go before city council for a final O-K. Two existing buildings will have to be torn down to allow for the new structure.

Blogger assault file handed to Mounties

Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

An unusual twist in the latest investigation of a controversial Fredericton blogger. City police are getting the RCMP to take over the case after Charles LeBlanc was arrested for an alleged assault yesterday outside the legislature. City police haven't identified LeBlanc as the suspect, saying only that a 52-year-old with "recent public dealings" with city police was picked up concerning a complaint of assault by trespasser, and is due in court next month. They say the investigation's being handed off to the Mounties because of their recent history with the accused, and in the interest of transparency. The city administrator is already reviewing the city force's investigation of LeBlanc for criminal libel -- a charge the crown refused to prosecute.

Lamrock not ready to lead

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:09:00 GMT

Kelly Lamrock says he's not ready to become the next leader of the provincial Liberals. The former cabinet minister in the Graham government has pulled out of the party leadership race, saying he's not sure he could manage those duties while maintaining a law practice and raising a young family. Lamrock also says he entered the race because he felt some important issues were not being addressed, but they now are by Mike Murphy, who's getting his support. Lamrock says he may still seek the Grit nomination to win back the riding of Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak.

Burtts Corner man jailed for arson

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:00:00 GMT

A Burtts Corner man has been sentenced to six months in jail for arson. Charles Haines, 19, had earlier pleaded guilty to five counts in relation to fires set last spring and summer in Burtts Corner and Zealand. The fires involved vehicles and vacant or abandoned buildings. Haines told police he set the fires in an effort to accumulate hours in the Keswick Ridge Volunteer Fire Department.

Ganong offers advice to UNB graduates

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:51:00 GMT

It's graduation week at UNB. Wednesday afternoon degrees were handed out in the faculties of business administration, kinesiology, and education. The graduates got some advice from one of the province's most successful and well-known businessmen. David Ganong told the graduates there are three key challenges facing the province, and they now have the backgrounds to help -- building the economy, health care and obesity, and literacy. He says we all have a role to play in moving the province forward as we can't look to government to do it all.

Ganong says he realizes not all of the graduates will stay in New Brunswick, but he hopes once they are established in their careers they'll consider coming back home.

Tommies Earn CIS Academic All-Canadian Honours

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:09:00 GMT

Twenty-six Tommies, from three St. Thomas University teams that competed at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) level in 2011-2012, earned Academic All-Canadian status.

The honour is given to student-athletes competing on a CIS member team who achieve an A- or 80 per cent cumulative average or better in their courses. Twenty-six is just one short of STU’s 1999-2000 all-time record of 27 Academic All-Canadians.

“St. Thomas is pleased to have so many of our athletes achieving this high academic standard. We encourage all of our athletes to be students first,” says President and Vice Chancellor, Dawn Russell. “As we see from their academic success, they’ve taken that encouragement to heart. Participation in athletic competition complements their studies at St. Thomas and contributes to their development as well-rounded individuals. We’re very proud of their accomplishments.”

In their inaugural season competing in the CIS, the cross country team’s Bridget Yard, Julia Bremner, Sarah Galvin, Kyla Tanner, Sarah Peel, Cody McKay, and Katie Cameron, all earned Academic All-Canadian honours.

Men’s STU hockey veterans Erick Tremblay, Bryan Main, Matt Eagles, Jordan Scott, and Charlie Lavigne, continued their success in the classroom, setting an example for sophomores Yuri Cheremetiev, Christain Morin, Randy Cameron, and rookies, Chris Morehouse, Sebastien Bernier, Felix-Antoine Poulin, and Robert Zanbeek who each earn Academic All-Canadian status.

The women’s hockey team had seven Academic All-Canadian players: Courtney Fox, Kathleen Boyle, Julia Sharun, Kayla Blackmore, Katie Brewster, Erin MacIsaac, and Renata Mastna.

“We are very proud to see our athletes excel in the classroom,” says Director of Athletics Mike Eagles. “It’s another great example of our student-athletes becoming leaders and being fantastic ambassadors for the University. We really appreciate the coaches’ ability to attract well-rounded individuals to the institution.”

Fredericton blogger arrested

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:37:00 GMT

Just a couple of weeks after the crown refused to pursue criminal libel charges against him, a controversial Fredericton blogger has been arrested. Police confirm a man was arrested over the noon hour Wednesday for trespassing outside the legislature. Witnesses say it was Charles LeBlanc, who has been under a no-trespass order at the legislature for several years. Despite that order, officials have - for the most part - allowed him on the grounds to conduct interviews with politicians. It's not known what prompted the change of heart Wednesday.