Good morning, Saint John! Kids are back to school Tuesday, but maybe double-check this year’s Hilroy scribblers before tossing them in the cart. The Canadian classroom staple somehow left Newfoundland and Cape Breton off its map.
Here’s what else is in our notes this morning:
A rezoning gets cross-examined ⚖️
It’s gonna rain ☂️
Fruit flies take the bait 🪰
Enjoy the day!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
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NEWS NOTES
Spruce Lake heads to court ⚖️
The fight over expanding Spruce Lake Industrial Park is now before a judge.
Three Lorneville residents are asking the Court of King’s Bench to overturn city council’s July 2025 decision that opened more than 600 hectares to industrial development. They argue the unanimous approval was predetermined and that opposition from more than 70 speakers never had a real chance of changing the outcome.
The hearing continued Wednesday with the city presenting its response. The residents want the rezoning tossed and sent back to council for a fresh public hearing.
Ten minutes to make the case 💰
Community groups seeking at least $10,000 from Grand Bay-Westfield will get ten minutes to tell council why the money belongs in the town’s 2027 budget.
Organizations can apply to present at a special council meeting on September 21 at the Community Centrum. Councillors will also have time for questions after each pitch, so come prepared to explain the numbers.
Requests to present must be submitted by noon on September 16. The proposed 2027 budget is expected at the end of October.
Thursday opens the taps ☔
Enjoy the dry walk to work. It may be the last one for a while.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Saint John and County, with rain beginning this afternoon and sticking around into Saturday. A slow-moving system loaded with tropical moisture could produce heavy downpours, thunderstorms and rainfall rates of 10 to 20 millimetres per hour in some areas.
Forecasters aren’t yet sure where the most rain will land, but water pooling could make driving messy. Today’s high is 19°C, and the sun is pencilled back in for Sunday.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
WEEKEND PREVIEW
THURSDAY
Saint John Exhibition | September 3–5
The Saint John Ex continues through Saturday with midway rides, free attractions, live entertainment, farm animals, food and plenty to explore across the Exhibition Grounds. Admission is free and ride bracelets are available daily. Gates open from 2–11pm Thursday and noon–11pm Friday and Saturday.
Brundage Point Weekly Market | September 3
The season is getting short at Brundage Point, where local vendors gather with produce, baking, preserves, crafts, international food and live music. The market runs Thursday afternoon at the Brundage Point River Centre, 4 Ferry Road in Grand Bay-Westfield.
Chase the Ace | September 3
The Canada Games Aquatic Centre, Imperial Theatre and Saint John Arts Centre are dealing cards for recreation, wellness and the arts. Cash ticket sales run from 6:45–7:30pm in the Market Square Atrium before the 8pm draw, with tickets priced at $5 each, three for $10 or seven for $20. Players must be 19 or older and physically in New Brunswick when buying.
FRIDAY
KV Music Fest | September 4
KV Music Fest celebrates its 20th anniversary with Colin James, The Trews, Toque and Raglan Road outside Vito’s KV. Gates open at 5pm, the music starts at 5:30pm and the 19+ festival runs under two large tents until 11pm. Tickets are $115 plus tax and fees, with food available inside and complimentary shuttle service offered.
Sea Dogs vs. Halifax Mooseheads | September 4
The Sea Dogs get a Friday-night tune-up against the Halifax Mooseheads at TD Station. The pre-season puck drops at 7pm, giving fans an early look at this year’s roster and both teams an early opportunity to dislike each other.
SATURDAY
Kingston Farmers Market | September 5
More than 80 New Brunswick vendors bring produce, salmon, grass-fed meats, prepared food, arts and crafts to the Kingston Peninsula from 8am–1pm. It’s the market’s 28th season, so yes, they have this Saturday-morning thing pretty well figured out.
Tacos & Tequila | September 5
Tacos, margaritas and live music take over the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village from 2–9pm. The free, all-ages afternoon features a pop-up margarita bar, food specials, prizes and El Tata y Los Taqueros, who should make sitting still with a taco considerably more difficult.
Early Karaoke at R-Bar | September 5–7
R-Bar starts karaoke at 5pm Saturday and Sunday, then adds a bonus Labour Day round on Monday. Jen X gets the early shift before Matt Currie carries the mic into the wee hours, giving you three chances to sing like nobody has work in the morning.
SUNDAY
Queen Square Farmers Market | September 6
Queen Square fills with fresh produce, flowers, eggs, cheese, local meat and food from around the world from 9am–2pm. The market runs rain or shine, so Sunday groceries and a lap around the park remain on the table either way.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
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SIDE NOTES
🌅 6:48am | 🌇 7:57pm
Today’s Tides 🌊
High Tide | 4:35 AM(Thu 03 September) | 7.26 m(23.82 ft) |
Low Tide | 10:47 AM(Thu 03 September) | 1.42 m(4.66 ft) |
High Tide | 4:58 PM(Thu 03 September) | 7.61 m(24.97 ft) |
Low Tide | 11:20 PM(Thu 03 September) | 1.28 m(4.18 ft) |
Fruit flies meet their maker 🪰
The Fundy Regional Service Commission shared a clever paper-towel trick for keeping fruit flies out of the compost, along with a homemade trap for the ones already buzzing around. The instructions get a little more…enthusiastic(?) near the end.
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Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who knows the only real Canadian notebook is the Campfire Notebook 🔥!
-Geoff Walsh - Publisher