Good morning Saint John! Mother Nature appears to be making a serious run at melting the rest of winter. Environment Canada has a rainfall warning in place starting this afternoon, with 40–60 mm of rain expected along the Fundy coast through Tuesday, along with gusty winds and rapid snowmelt from the mild temperatures.

With the ground still frozen, that much rain doesn’t have many places to go, so a few soggy streets and puddle-filled parking lots are probably in our future. 🌧

In todays edition:

  • 🚦Put the pedal…down a notch

  • 💰 Your losing ticket helps kids

  • 📅 A busy week around town

🎂 Happy belated birthday to Steve Glendenning who is celebrated his birthday yesterday!

Let’s get it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

🚓Lighten up that lead foot this week

Listen, every single one of us thinks we’re an excellent driver. You may have even said it out loud before. The reality is, you probably aren’t. And this week you’re being judged.

Saint John Police say their Quick Reaction Team and Traffic Management officers will be running an aggressive driving campaign starting today through March 20, focusing on things like speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, blowing through lights, and general “I’m late so everyone else move” behaviour.

And the fines ain’t cheap. Drivers caught going 50 to 80 km/h over the limit face a $500 fine, five demerit points, and a seven day vehicle impound. Go more than 80 over and it jumps to a $1,000 fine, six points, and a 30 day impound.

The message from the cops is pretty simple….slow things down, make the roads safer, and remind everyone that saving 30 seconds on the way to work probably isn’t worth losing your car for a week

Blue Jays 50/50 tickets coming to New Brunswick

Those massive Blue Jays 50/50 jackpots you see during games are about to include New Brunswick.

The province announced last week that New Brunswickers will be able to buy Jays Care 50/50 tickets online starting this spring, joining Nova Scotia and Alberta as the only provinces outside Ontario where the draw is available.

The best part is where the money goes. Every ticket sold here will be reinvested into youth sports programs in New Brunswick through the Jays Care Foundation, which has already invested more than $800,000 in projects around the province over the past 12 years.

So, while you might eventually hit a monster jackpot, by participating every once in a while, a bunch more kids around the province will end up on ball fields this summer.

THIS WEEK’S COUNCIL MEETINGS

⚖️ Rothesay Council Meeting

Rothesay council is scheduled to meet Monday, March 16 at 7pm in the council chambers at Rothesay Town Hall. The agenda was not available as of press time, but the meeting is expected to proceed as scheduled. Residents can attend in person.

⚖️ Quispamsis Council Meeting

Quispamsis council is scheduled to meet Tuesday, March 17 at 6pm in the council chambers at Town Hall on Landing Court. The agenda was also unavailable as of press time. Residents are welcome to attend in person or view via livestream.

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

Here are a few things to look forward to this week. Don’t forget to send us your events any time!

MONDAY

ConnexionWorks Social Media Workshop | March 16
Local entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to get more out of their social media can drop into ConnexionWorks Monday from 6–9pm for a practical workshop on planning content, staying consistent, and turning posts into real engagement. The evening session focuses on building a simple strategy so you’re not scrambling every week wondering what to post. It takes place at Place 400 on Main Street.

TUESDAY

Freaky Film Fellowship Short Film Fest | March 17
Haven Music Hall wraps up its winter Freaky Film Fellowship series Tuesday night with a short film showcase curated by Jamie Greening. Doors open at 7pm with screenings starting at 8pm, featuring a mix of cult and underground shorts including Dottie Gets Spanked and Possibly in Michigan. The free 19+ event takes place at Haven on Union Street and regulars who’ve attended the whole series score a free draft.

WEDNESDAY

Midweek Makers Studio | March 18
Artists, hobbyists, and anyone looking for a creative reset can head to the Hampton Visitor Information Centre Wednesday from 6:30–8:30pm for Midweek Makers Studio. The drop-in gathering invites people to bring whatever they’re working on - drawing, textiles, writing, or something else, and spend a relaxed evening creating alongside others. A featured artist will be working live in the space while basic supplies are available to borrow.

English Paper Piecing Workshop | March 18
Stitch Saint John launches a three-part English Paper Piecing workshop series Wednesday evening at 99 Forest Hill Drive, introducing participants to the classic hand-sewing quilting technique using hexagon patterns. The beginner-friendly class focuses on slow, mindful stitching with all supplies included and no sewing machine required. Sessions run over several weeks beginning March 18, giving participants time to continue their projects at home between classes.

THURSDAY

Sleep & Menopause Workshop | March 19
Women navigating perimenopause and menopause can join Certified Menopause Coach Tammie Black Thursday evening in Hampton for a practical workshop focused on improving sleep during this stage of life. The session runs from 7–9pm at Balance & Beyond on Main Street and explores common challenges like night sweats, insomnia, and early waking, along with strategies to help create more restful nights and energized mornings.

SATURDAY

Cat Foster & Volunteer Info Day | March 21
Anyone curious about helping local rescue cats can stop by Global Pet Foods on McAllister Drive Saturday from 10am–2pm to meet volunteers from the Latimore Lake Cat Rescue. The drop-in event explains how fostering and volunteer programs work, while also collecting donations and offering a chance to spin for prize baskets. Organizers say even a spare room can help give a rescued cat a safe place to land.

SUNDAY

Sew Your Own Easter Basket Workshop | March 22
The Sewist at 62 Water Street is hosting a hands-on sewing workshop Sunday from 9:45am–1:15pm where participants can create their own quilt-lined Easter basket. The session walks through the project step by step, making it suitable for people with some basic sewing experience. Batting, interfacing, and thread are included, while participants bring or purchase their own fabrics for the basket exterior and lining.

Got an Event to Share?

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SIDE NOTES

🌅 7:34am | 🌇 7:31pm

Today’s Tides 🌊

Low Tide

4:35 AM(Mon 16 March)

1.8 m(5.91 ft)

High Tide

10:43 AM(Mon 16 March)

7.37 m(24.18 ft)

Low Tide

5:02 PM(Mon 16 March)

1.39 m(4.56 ft)

High Tide

11:09 PM(Mon 16 March)

7.27 m(23.85 ft)

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Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who always seems to forget their umbrella ☔.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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