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Construction

Contract awarded for jail project

DALHOUSIE - A contract has been awarded for foundation work at the new jail in Dalhousie. Quebec-based Pomerleau Inc. will receive $1.1 million-contract for the job. The Dalhousie Correctional Centre, located on Miller Boulevard, is scheduled to be complete by spring 2011. In total the project represents an infrastructure investment of more than $16 million. Donald Arseneault, MLA for Dalhousie-Restigouche East, said the project will benefit the community hard-hit by a string of plant closures. It will create more than 150 jobs during construction, 47 new permanent positions when the facility opens, and about $400,000 in annual property tax revenues to the municipality.

Fundraising

Breakfast benefits youth facility

BATHURST - A community breakfast was held Tuesday by anorganization that helps troubled youth. The Portage Atlantic facility at Cassidy Lake is a residential treatment centre for youth between the ages of 14 and 21 with serious substance abuse problems. The bilingual Portage program offered to youth is based on the therapeutic community model, which through positive peer pressure and role modelling, helps youth increase their self-esteem by learning positive coping mechanisms.

Events

Bathurst Santa parade set for Friday

BATHURST - Bathurst's annual Santa Claus Parade is being held Friday. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. from Bathurst High School. The parade runs along King Avenue, across St. George Street, up Douglas Avenue, right onto Main Street and ends at the corner of Main and King. The event culminates with the lighting of the community Christmas tree.

Safety

Fire department gets rescue boat

GRAND FALLS - The Grand Falls Fire Department now has its own rescue boat. The new boat was parked on its trailer outside the town hall for viewing on Nov. 10. Efforts to equip the local fire department with the boat were boosted following the tragic drowning death of 13-year-old Shannon Bernard on June 20, 2008. Bernard, who had accompanied friends into the gorge below the La Rochelle tourist reception centre, drowned after falling into the churning river. She was found floating on the surface of the St. John River in Perth-Andover six days later. Lacking its own boat, the fire department had to depend on watercraft manned by local boat owners, as well the Perth-Andover fire department's rescue boat. Fire Chief Charlie Kavanaugh said the boat will complement other rescue equipment such as the rappelling gear the firefighters train with on a regular basis and have used in other rescue missions.

Crime

School bus vandals sought

POKEMOUCHE - The RCMP is searching for one or more suspects who broke into four school buses parked behind the Pokemouche municipal garage. Police say the individuals emptied fire extinguishers inside the buses and stole a first aid kit. The damage caused by the chemical products contained in the extinguishers was extensive. RCMP say the incident occurred on either Nov. 14 and 15. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Caraquet RCMP at 726-5222 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-222-8477.