Story by Paul Bradley The federal budget isn't spectacular, but it does tackle a couple of important issues. That's according to Mike Allen, the MP for Tobique-Mactaquac who says the budget sets provisions to eliminate the deficit by 2015 and renews the federal infrastructure program for 10 years. Allen feels the possibility of another omnibus bill is unlikely.   The renewed infrastructure program promises 14-billion dollars over the next 10 years. Allen says he's optimistic about the bill and is also pleased with the measures announced for workforce training. Read More

The Grand Falls Villa has launched a lawsuit against the building's developers and construction companies. Since the Villa opened, just over two years ago, it has reportedly had to deal with ethanol leaking from the heating system and windows and doors that aren't insulated. That's just a few of the problems with the 69-bed senior care facility which has been dubbed a "lemon". Officials at the Grand Falls Villa feel they should be compensated for the defects they allege to have occurred during development and construction. Read More

Plans by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure have a couple of communities peeved. Perth-Andover and Tobique First Nation officials are reportedly concerned about plans to completely shut down the Tobique Narrows Dam Bridge for two months. Structural problems have been identified by DTI and that section of Route 105 needs fixed. The area councils want a meeting with the Premier about the situation. They're opposed to the closure without and alternate way to cross the Tobique River. Read More

Story by Paul Bradley St. Andre is considering its options for the future of policing in the community. According to Grand Falls Deputy Chief Rosaire Leclerc discussions have opened between the village and the town. Leclerc says in the next few weeks the town's force will present St. Andre with what they can offer them and at what cost. He says the RCMP will also make a pitch to the village before a decision is made. St. Andre is currently covered by the RCMP. Read More

Story by Paul Bradley Police in Grand Falls have some new backup, but it's not the kind you might be thinking of. For the first time, the municipal police force has cameras installed inside their cruisers, which will record video and audio. Deputy Chief Rosaire Leclerc says the cameras will increase the evidence police can bring to court, protect officers against unfounded complaints and reduce court costs. Leclerc says they began talking about adding the camera's about a year ago. The town has paid roughly $15,000 for the new equipment. Read More

From the Canadian Press The RCMP says it could close offices in New Brunswick as part of a review of its operations in the province. Assistant Commissioner Wayne Lang says the Mounties have 56 offices in New Brunswick, some of them 20 or 30 kilometres apart. He says that is among the highest numbers of RCMP offices per capita in the country. Using Nova Scotia as a comparison, Lang says the RCMP operates 37 offices in that province. He says detachments owned by the RCMP in New Brunswick are, on average, 32 years old and many are in need of costly repairs. A number of the department's offices in New Brunswick are only used occasionally by police officers and Lang says some do not give the public access to over-the-counter services. Lang says the RCMP is working with municipalities to identify buildings that could be closed over time and any decisions on their future will be made in consultation with municipal leaders and the provincial government. Read More

From the Canadian Press The farming of white-tailed deer will be allowed in New Brunswick following a review of such operations in other provinces. The position marks a change for the government, which promised last year to shut down white-tailed deer farms after one of the animals killed a 55-year-old man in Saint Leonard. At the time, provincial Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup said Donald Dube's death cast a light on the problem of illegal deer farms. But Northrup now says the government has concluded that white-tailed deer farming can be carried out safely. Northrup says Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec allow white-tailed deer farming. He says New Brunswickers will be able to get a permit to raise the animals for their own use or for sale outside New Brunswick. Read More

A group from Tobique First Nation is looking at the idea of growing medicinal marijuana. Band Councillor Paul Pyres says the group is exploring two different projects; the seconded idea is the production of hemp. Pyres says they are looking to bring jobs to the community and production of hemp and medicinal marijuana could mean up to 100 jobs being created. It would also mean possibly $10-million in revenue for the reserve. He says the idea is in early stages and they will be coming up with a business model in the future. Read More

Story by Paul Bradley A Saint-Quentin man has been sent to prison for the next eight years. In Campbellton Provincial Court earlier this week 27-year-old Camil Bujold was sentenced on two charges he had previously pleaded guilty to. Bujold was given seven years for break, enter and committing and indictable offence. He received another year for being disguised with intent to commit an offence. The charges stem from a home invasion and sexual assault in Saint-Quentin last August. Read More

Story by Paul Bradley With just over a year and a half until the next provincial election the governing Tories continue to slip in the polls. The latest survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates (CRA) suggests satisfaction in David Alward's government is down to 41-percent, while dissatisfied people stayed steady at 49-percent. The most telling stat is with decided voters where for the first time since being elected the Tories trail the Grits. 35-Percent now say they would vote Liberal, compared to 32-percent who say they'd vote conservative. The NDP saw the biggest gain with support jumping 7 points to 26-percent. Although, 45-percent of people surveyed were still undecided. The CRA study also suggests New Brunswickers would prefer a Liberal lead the province rather than PC Leader David Alward.  In the latest survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates 26-percent of people polled said they would prefer either Victor Boudreau or Brian Gallant of the Liberal party to be Premier -- 21 percent preferred Premier David Alward. 23-percent of the 401 people polled were undecided on their preferred leader. Read More