NB-Officer-Charged)
A sergeant with 37 years of service with the police force in Saint John, New Brunswick, has been charged with sexual assault and breaching public trust.
The police force says it received a public complaint about the officer earlier this year.
The complaint was then referred it to the province’s police oversight agency.
He will be suspended from his duties and is scheduled to appear in court next week.
(The Canadian Press)
——
NB-School-Threats)
Seven schools in two New Brunswick cities were closed as police investigated alleged threats.
Fredericton police say six schools in the city have been cleared and deemed safe, but will remain closed for the day.
The Anglophone West School District confirmed Fredericton High, George Street Middle, Barker’s Point Elementary and Leo Hayes High are closed.
R-C-M-P in Moncton are investigating threats against Arnold H. McLeod Elementary School, which also closed for the day. (The Canadian Press)
—
(NB-Softwood-Lumber-Cap)
New Brunswick’s natural resources minister says the province’s historic exemption from U-S softwood lumber duties may be gone for good.
John Herron says it is time for a single, unified national effort to secure a new deal with the United States.
He endorsed the idea of a cap or quota on Canadian softwood exports in exchange for tariff-free access, suggesting a 25-per cent U-S market share.
Herron says the approach would provide stability for producers while allowing President Donald Trump to claim a political victory.
——
(NL-WEA-Storm)
Provincial officials in Newfoundland and Labrador are warning residents to brace for storm surges, coastal flooding an strong winds as a powerful low-pressure system continues to sweep across the province today.
Environment Canada has issued wind and rain warnings for much of the island portion of the province.
Rainfall amounts as high as 50 millimetres are expected in some areas, and gusts could reach 120 kilometres per hour along the coast.
Officials say similar conditions in the past have caused isolated power outages and wind damage.
(The Canadian Press)
—
(NS-PEI-Ferry-Cancellations)
The ferry service that links Nova Scotia with P-E-I has cancelled all of its morning crossings because of windy weather across the Northumberland Strait.
Northumberland Ferries says crossings between Wood Islands, P-E-I, and Caribou, Nova Scotia, have been cancelled for 7 a-m, 8:30 a-m, 10 a-m and 11:45 a-m.
A special weather statement issued for P-E-I says northwesterly gusts are expected to reach between 80 and 90 kilometres this morning.
(The Canadian Press)
—
(NS-Body-Identified)
Police in Cape Breton have identified the body of a man found Sunday in the woods near Sydney River.
Cape Breton Regional Police say foul play is not suspected in the death of 47-year-old Andrew MacDonald.
He was reported missing from the Coxheath area in early October.
His body was found near Highway 125 and the province’s Medical Examiner’s Office was called in to conduct an autopsy.
(The Canadian Press)
—
(PEI-Hall-Renovation)
Some city councillors in Charlottetown say they are concerned about the rising cost of renovating a local community hall.
Heartz Hall was built in 1920.
The first phase of the renovation took place about a year ago and cost 400-thousand dollars; and the second phase is budgeted at close to one-million dollars.
Two city councilors voted against the plan, arguing that the money could be spent on building new hall.
(CBC News)
—
(Atlantic Update by The Canadian Press)
