News Highlights for Southwest New Brunswick: September 15-22, 2020

After Monday's provincial election, Premier Blaine Higgs now has a 27-seat PC majority government, which included two big wins right here in Charlotte County. Kathy Bockus won the St. Croix riding with a strong lead over Rod Cumberland of the People's Alliance, followed by Green Party's Kim Reeder. Bockus is a first time MLA but gained a lot of experience working under the late Honourable Greg Thompson, the riding's last MLA.

Incumbent MLA Andrea Anderson-Mason was re-elected in a landslide victory in Fundy-the Isles-Saint John West receiving two-thirds of the riding's votes. Premier Higgs ended his campaign trail alongside Anderson-Mason and Bockus in St. Stephen on the eve of the election on Sunday night.

At 2:55am on Tuesday, RCMP responded to a call that a man was unresponsive on Ross Ave in St. Stephen. RCMP have confirmed to CHCO-TV that the man is deceased and that his death is suspicious in nature. The RCMP Major Crime Unit is now investigating the death. An autopsy is currently being performed with more information to follow.

The St. George Area People First organization, a self-advocating group representing people who face physical and intellectual challenges, celebrated the launch of a now fully accessible Canal beach, including the installation of a Mobi-pad and paved boardwalk. These additions npw allow the area to be fully accessible by wheelchair right down to the water's edge. To make this project a reality, People First collaborated with the Eastern Charlotte Association for Community Living, the Town of St. George, Social Development Employment Canada and also worked tirelessly on local fundraisers to raise an additional $6,000 for the project. The group dedicated the Canal Beach project to their former fearless People First president Tina Wilcox who past away in January after a lifetime of self-advocating that will never be forgotten in her community and beyond. '

The annual Fire Truck Pull in Support of Muscular Dystrophy took place behind the firestation in Saint Andrews on Sunday. The St. Andrews fire station is challenging other fire stations to do the same and is collecting donations for Muscular Dystrophy until the end of September at standrewsfire.com. So far, $500 has been raised.

Finally, Terry Fox famously said “Anything is possible if you try.” To mark the 40th anniversary of the Terry Fox Run this year while still following social distancing guidelines for COVID-19, Canadians from coast to coast will continue to race money for cancer research by participating in Virtual Marathons of Hope in support of the Terry Fox Foundation. Visit terryfox.org to make a donation.