Since October of last year Shawn Graham was pushing hard at getting this deal passed through. Now he has scrapped the deal for the sale of NB Power! Many people in New Brunswick are glad to hear this today, myself included. From the start Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams warned Shawn Graham not to go ahead with the sale of of NB Power to Hydro-Quebec. Finally a sigh of relief!

We may be happy now that we will no longer be selling NB Power but what does this mean for our NB Power rates. Will they be going up? It is suggested that they may go up 3% very soon. We’ll have to wait and see what happens when it comes.

In the meantime we can all celebrate and be thankful that Shawn Graham finally……. realized that this was a bad deal. It seems like Hydro-Quebec wanted more out of the deal and that there was too much risk. Imagine if the deal would have gone through??? The rates would have gone up for sure after the 5 year freeze and it could have been drastically too.

NB Power belongs to New Brunswick and it always will after the strong show of support from New Brunswickers outraged over the proposed sale. A win for people of New Brunswick!!! Way to stick together and well done for all those protest held. We were heard and the results we wanted finally happened.

Donna O’Rielly was abducted and held captive for nearly a month just minutes away from Highfield Square Mall. Today, Wednesday March 24th, 2010  Donna showed up at RCMP Headquarters in Moncton. She apparently got away from her abductee and was able to flag down a motorist on St.George Blvd. Donna was held captive in a basement in a nearby Moncton home. Donna O’Rielly’s brother-in-law said that she was dropped off at the police station around noon today by a Puralator truck.

Shortly after police talking to Donna about what had occured, police swarmed in and arrested a 62 year old Moncton man without incident in the alleged kidnapping at 2pm today. It is unsure yet what happened to her or why she was abducted but investigators are talking with her to get more information.

From something that many thought the worse now has ended in happiness. The family has yet to see Donna but they will be reunited shortly. She is still in hospital at this time.

The 62 year old Moncton man will appear in court tomorrow to face the charges against him. More details will be released as they come in.

We’re all happy to see that Donna O’Rielly was found alive and well and that this situation had a happy ending. Donna’s family have literally been tortured not knowing the outcome of where she was or what had happened for nearly a month. Today their wishes came true and Donna O’Rielly came home.

Constable Chantal Farrah – Media Relations Officer Codiac Regional RCMP

Cst. Chantal Farrah
Codiac Regional RCMP
506-857-2494

Anyone with information about Donna O’Riellys whereabouts or any other crime in Moncton is asked to contact the Codiac Regional RCMP at 1-506-857-2400 or
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (8477).

The RCMP are looking for the two couple who left shortly after missing person Donna O’Rielly. If you know who these couples are in this video surveillance or if you were one of them leaving the Highfield Square Mall in Moncton on Friday February 26th, 2010 you are asked to call the police right away. Your information may help in finding out what happened to Donna O’Rielly that night.

Donna O’Rielly was last seen leaving Highfield Square at 1100 Main St. Moncton on Friday, February 26 at about 8:00pm. At the time she was wearing jeans and a brown medium length suede like jacket with faux fur on the collar and cuffs. She was also carrying a brown medium size purse and lunch bag. She is 54 years old, 1.60 m tall (5ft 3in) and weighs 59 kg (130lbs). She has green eyes and shoulder length brown hair.

Anyone with information about Donna O’Riellys whereabouts is asked to contact the Codiac Regional RCMP at 1-506-857-2400 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (8477).

Cst. Chantal Farrah
Codiac Regional RCMP
506-857-2494

 Lockout tags and procedures are set in place at many business’s to prevent injuries. The emergency stop button is not good enough when working on the machine. The term “emergency” says it all. This button or shut off should be used in case of emergencies where an employee would have to shut off the machine quickly. Lockout tags are to be used when any work is being done on a machine to eliminate any chance of injury due to the machine being started up. Lockout tags are designed so that the employee working on the machine locks it out and places the key in their pocket. Only the person who locks out the machine is allowed to remove it. This eliminates any chance of the machine suddenly starting up.

In many cases companies try and take shortcuts to eliminate downtime and increased costs in production but in all actuality they could be increasing costs when an employee becomes injured as a result of a workplace accident on the job. If it takes less then 5 seconds to lock it out, then lock it out! It’s not worth the chance especially working with machines where they could easily remove a hand, finger, arm or even take a life. The emergency button is not a full proof solution to prevent accidents at workplaces. This situation that was emailed to me would have been prevented if a lockout tag was used. If companies are worried about an extra few seconds is ridiculous. Safety first! Companies should think ahead of the time it will take to fill out accident reports, take pictures, investigate and additional costs for compensation of an injured employee. The extra few seconds it would have taken to lock out the machine would prevent this extra work and costs.  Employees working at jobs where lockout tags are there, they should be used at all times when working on machines. I don’t know about you but my safety and well being is worth more then any job.

Lockout Tag - Do Not Operate - Proper Safety Protocol

I would advise any companies in Moncton or anywhere not currently following lock out procedures to start using them right away. It just makes sense and even if it’s going to create an additional minute or two to do this, it’s a cost of doing business. Two minutes is not going to break the bank and just might save your company a ton of money in the long run in case of a workplace injury. Work smart, work safe!

Something like this to happen in the Moncton area is very uncommon. Donna O’Rielly, married with children seemed to be a very happy woman and was apparently looking forward to going to a trip to Florida next month with her husband and daughter. It is yet unknown of what happened to Donna but out hearts and prayers goes out to her family. This is a very difficult time as they wonder about her well being. Anyone who has seen anything, or been to Highfield Square that day should contact the Codiac RCMP.  I know like many people we often debate whether or not our information is of any use to the RCMP but people shouldn’t decide themselves. The littlest bit of information you hold may be very valuable in determining what happened to missing Moncton woman Donna O’Rielly.

RCMP Helicopter at Highfield Square & Search and Rescue Moncton
Searches for missing moncton woman Donna O’Rielly

For anyone who has any information at all should contact the Codiac RCMP. Chantal Farrah mentioned in the Times & Transcript that any information is more then welcomed. Even if people don’t think the information they have is of any value they should still contact them just in case. Let the RCMP decide.

Anyone who was at the mall between 6 and 9pm is asked to call the Codiac RCMP.
Codiac RCMP Moncton Contact Information 857-2400 

Donna O'Rielly Missing Since Feb. 26/10 In Moncton

I know after Donna O’Rielly went missing it started making people think of security issues at Highfield Square in Moncton. I know somethings that people can do is travel in pairs after work and going to their vehicle. Many people have taken this action already as people in Moncton are a little scared after this recent event. Everyone should take the necessary precautions for safety and I’m sure that things will be looked at to help increase security and safety for not just the employees that work there leaving Highfield Square at night but for customers as well. Things will need to change to help protect the public with increased security measures.

All of our hearts goes out to Donna’s family as we hope for her safe return. I can’t imagine what they are going through in this difficult time wondering whether or not their mother, wife or sister is okay. We can all pray and hope for her safe return.

       Donna O’Reilly Missing Moncton Woman

 
Donna O’Rielly is five-foot-three and 130 pounds with green eyes and shoulder-length brown hair.

She was last seen wearing a brown medium-length, suede-like jacket and jeans. She was also carrying a brown purse and a lunch bag.

Last seen just before 8pm on Friday Feb. 26th/10

Leaving H&R Block at Highfield Square in Moncton, NB

“We just really want to find out where she is and have her back safe and sound with us.”
~Amy Popowych – Daughter

Anyone with information on the disappearance of Donna O’Rielly is urged to contact the Codiac RCMP as soon as possible. Any information at all may help locate Donna.

Please call Codiac RCMP at 857-2400

Watch the video below of the damage done to Le Chateau A Pape after the fire was put out.

I’ve found a video on YouTube of the fire itself at Le Chateau A Pape. You can watch it below. Pretty amazing footage!

It was a pretty big fire and it was hard for the firefighters to get under control with the high winds and extremely cold temperatures caused problems with some of their equipment and tired out firefighters quicker. What a shame to see it gone! Moncton just lost a great fine dining restaurant.

Picture of Downtown Moncton During Heavy Snowstorm Warning

So far in 2009 we have had little snow to hit Moncton but this one is a messy one. The wet heavy snow has caused power outages for Moncton and parts of Riverview. On top of power going out for many NB Power customers there was plenty of accidents and people going into the ditches on the highways. It is estimated that we could get up to 25 cm of snow including high winds, freezing rain and a mixture of rain as well. I urge all people who have to go out to drive with caution and reduce their speed. The roads are slippery and snow packed.

We’ve been lucky so far this winter season until now. What does mother nature have in store for us in 2010. Will we keep getting mild temperatures or will we get much more snow for Moncton. For all those people who love to ski they will be wishing for much more snow and colder temperatures. Myself I can’t wait till spring! Till then enjoy the snow and we’ll find out how much snow we will get soon.

It’s still snowing and we have about 15 cm down and more coming. It’s Sunday January 3rd, 2010 at about 9:30pm and and still storming after a short break today. Looks like we’ll have another messy ride to work on our Monday morning. Snow, snow and more snow hitting Moncton!

The 12th annual turkey drive in Moncton by Sue Stultz and the Moncton fire Department is another huge success this year. They were looking at getting 3528 turkeys this year based on people signed up at the local food banks. As of yesterday they were 1000 turkeys short of their goal and was going to end on Friday December 11th, 2009. Sue Stultz was confident that Moncton would come together and reach their goal of 3528 turkeys.

Well it is official! The goal for turkeys for this years turkey drive was reached and well beyond. As of of about 7:15 pm Sue Stultz on Twitter stated that she had received a total of 4464 turkeys! What a great show of the people of Moncton to come together and reach the goal and beyond.

Congratulations goes out to all the people who donated a turkey this year to this years 12th annual turkey drive by Sue Stultz and the Moncton Fire Department. A special thanks goes out to Sue Stultz and the Fire Department for all their work. With all the donations of turkeys we can all rest assured that people will have a nice hot turkey supper for the holidays! This year’s turkey drive in Moncton was another huge success!

Sue Stultz Turkey Drive Record!

4464 Turkeys

Well it hasn’t even been a week since Moncton got it’s first snowstorm of the season and now we have a heavy snowfall amounts coming with about 15-25cm of snow. This latest winter snowstorm is going to be a nasty one. Moncton is not only expected to get some heavy snowfall amounts but it will also bring a mixture of snow, rain and freezing rain by Thursday morning. This will bring some nasty driving conditions and everyone in Moncton should drive with caution. This will be the 2nd snowstorm of the season for Moncton and many people predict that we are in for a winter to remember with all kinds of snow.

On Sunday Dec. 6, we had our first winter snowstorm in Moncton and ended up with 13 cm of snow that fell as reported by The Moncton International Airport. This latest one coming this evening is a much bigger system coming in and expected to leave Moncton in quite a mess.  For all the people who wanted a white Christmas, we have it! All the mild temperatures are behind us now and Moncton should be aware that winter has arrived in full force. More snow in Moncton leads us to believe we could be in for a very long winter. The 2nd snowstorm of the season for 2009 has arrived! Snowfall warning for Southeast New Brunswick which will bring some pretty nasty weather conditions. Drive safe and adjust your driving as the roads will become very slippery when it turns over from snow to freezing rain, then rain. We are also expected to have strong winds between 40-70km/hr and up to 100 km/hr winds in some locations causing blowing snow. This latest snowstorm will most likely cause power interuptions in some areas. Winter has arrived!

What do you think? Is Moncton in for a long winter this year? I think we’re going to get plenty of snow this year, what about you? Are you glad winter is here or are you already wishing summer was here