News Headlines Thurs Dec 18: Storm Friday PM into Sat PM #Rain #Wind/ Thanks for helping deliver 1700 Food Boxes!!

Moncton Weather: Special Weather Statement for late Fri PM to Sat PM: Warm Temps + Lotta Rain + Extremely Windy. *holiday decorations/ tree limbs/ etc will be blowing around **rainfall of 25mm may not drain off because of snow and ice.

- Today's Weather: Clearing. A bit windy. High plus 2. Storm Links at: https://www.newcountry969.ca/storm/

 

 

- Local News

 

A new pedestrian-activated traffic signal is now operational at the intersection of Mountain Road and the extension of Worthington Avenue to improve pedestrian safety (New Traffic Signal in Operation on Mountain Road | City of Moncton). While the signals are active, the connecting street will remain closed to traffic until the new year, and motorists are advised to be cautious in the area.

 
The Dieppe Fire Department will be conducting a training exercise on December 19 and 22 in the area of Champlain Street and Arsenault Road, near the airport (https://www.dieppe.ca/en/nouvelles/exercice-d-entrainement-du-service-d-incendie-de-dieppe.aspx). Expect to see emergency vehicles and personnel in the area/ please avoid the location if possible to allow the exercise to proceed smoothly. 
 

The Peter McKee Community Food Centre is still welcoming donations to the Food Box campaign for Christmas 2025. See https://www.scottyandtony.com/2025/12/food-box-delivery-is-wed-dec-17-can-you.html. Thank you to volunteers who helped deliver ~1700 food boxes yesterday!! 

The IDEA Centre is hosting its 3rd Annual Symposium, a public event showcasing student and alumni projects focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. The event takes place at the Crowne Plaza Moncton on Thursday, December 18th, starting at 5 p.m. The evening will feature a student panel and a networking session, providing an opportunity for the community to connect with young innovators. See https://www.facebook.com/IDEAMoncton and also https://www.ideacentremoncton.ca/.

 

The City of Moncton has announced the full program for its fourth annual New Year's Eve Family Fun Fest, which will take place in Downtown Place on December 31 (Moncton Announces Full New Year's Eve Family Fun Fest Program | City of Moncton). The event will feature live music, a Moncton Wildcats game, and two fireworks displays, including an early show for families and a traditional countdown at midnight. 

 

Canadian Blood Services hopes that you will donate blood this Christmas holiday season. The need for blood and plasma is constant and the amount that is donated takes a dip at Christmas time. There are hundreds of open appointments at Canadian Blood Services Moncton now through New Years. 
Every year the #BeccaToldMeTo Holiday Blood Drive happens at Christmastime. You can donate in memory of Becca. (To learn more about Becca see this Facebook.) Simply donate blood and say #BeccaToldMeTo. Why not make this a holiday tradition with your family/ friends/ colleagues?!

🩸 Moncton Blood Donation Centre Hours are:

- Monday from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm

- Tuesday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

- Wednesday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

- Thursday from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm
- Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
🩸 The Moncton donor centre is at at 500 Mapleton Road.
🩸 Get an appointment through the GiveBlood app (iphone) (android), call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or book at Blood.ca.

🩸 Canadian Blood Services Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CanadasLifeline

*NOTES FOR 2025: 

- Official Date for this year's #BeccaToldMeTo blood drive is Dec 22 to Jan 2.
- This year the campaign includes Moncton AND Saint John.
- Moncton donation destination is 500 Mapleton Rd/ Saint John Donation is at 405 University Rd. 

 

Q League Hockey
Wildcats at home on Thursday 

- Facebook Post and Ticket Link HERE 

 

 

- Provincial/ Regional News 

 

 

Horizon Health has activated its holiday surge plan to manage an expected influx of patients, as rising respiratory illnesses are pushing hospitals that are already over capacity. The network is urging the public to use alternatives like eVisitNB or walk-in clinics for non-urgent issues to help ease ER crowding, which is significantly worsened by a backlog of patients waiting for long-term care beds. (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/horizon-winter-surge-9.7019727)

 

New Brunswick gas prices have plunged to their lowest level since August 2021 after the government changed regulations to use the cheaper E10 gasoline blend as the new benchmark (N.B. gas prices have plunged, industry contemplates fighting it again | Telegraph-Journal). The fuel industry, which previously fought a similar price-cut attempt, is now contemplating its next move, as retailers warn the sudden drop devalues their existing inventory.

   

 

- National News & Beyond

A new survey reveals that 62% of Canadians are less likely to travel to the U.S. in 2026, citing concerns over the political climate, border processing, safety, and costs (62% of Canadians less likely to travel to the U.S. next year: Flight Centre - National | Globalnews.ca). Instead, many are opting for domestic travel or trips to Europe and Mexico, a trend reflected in a 40% drop in U.S. leisure bookings from Canadians this year.

 

Canada has recorded its largest-ever quarterly population drop, driven by a significant decline in the number of non-permanent residents like international students and temporary workers (Canada sees record population drop, driven by fewer temporary residents - National | Globalnews.ca). The decrease is linked to new federal caps on study permits and a record number of departures as temporary permits expired, a trend that was only partially offset by steady permanent immigration. 

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will expand its territorial gains in Ukraine if Kyiv and its Western allies reject the Kremlin's demands in the ongoing peace talks (Russia to seize more of Ukraine if Europe ‘piglings’ reject demands: Putin - National | Globalnews.ca). The negotiations are currently stalled, as Russia insists that Ukraine recognize its seized territories and abandon its bid to join NATO, terms which Ukraine disputes. 

 
Scientists are studying thousands of 210-million-year-old dinosaur footprints that were discovered on a near-vertical cliff in the Italian Alps (Thousands of 210-million-year-old dinosaur footprints discovered in Italy - National | Globalnews.ca). The site is considered one of the most important from the Triassic period, with tracks believed to belong to prosauropods that were preserved when ancient mud hardened into rock. 

 

Links: 

Gas prices normally change on Thursdays at midnight. See https://www.scottyandtony.com/2023/09/gas-price-predictions-are-bit-of.html

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Q League Hockey: Moncton Wildcats Sched: https://chl.ca/lhjmq-wildcats/schedule/1/211/   

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🏫 Scotty and Tony's School News Page newcountry969.ca/school 

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💊 Health Care and E.R. Wait Times Resources https://www.evisitnb.ca/ and https://www.sowhywait.ca/ and https://horizonnb.ca/services/emergency-department/estimated-emergency-department-wait-times/

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🏒🏈🏀⚽⚾ Sports:
- Scores https://www.flashscore 
- Moncton Wildcats Q League Hockey https://chl.ca/lhjmq-wildcats 
- Moncton AAA Flyers U18 Hockey https://nbpeimu18hl.ca/teams/flyers 
- Ladies High School Hockey www.leaguelineup.com/cehockeyec 
- Boys High School Hockey www.easternconferencehockey.com 
- West Kent Steamers Jr A Hockey https://www.westkentsteamers.com 
- High School Football https://www.gridironnewbrunswick.org/highschool.php 

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💰 Atlantic Lotto Winning Numbers... https://www.alc.ca/content/alc/en/winning-numbers.html 

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🩸 Donate Blood:
- Moncton Blood Donation Centre Hours are Monday from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm/ Tuesday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm/ Wednesday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm/ Thursday from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm/ Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Moncton donor centre is at at 500 Mapleton Road. 
- GiveBlood app (iphone) (android)
- Call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or book at Blood.ca. 
- CBS Moncton Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LifelineMoncton/

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Scotty and Tony Radio Show Contact Links at NEWCOUNTRY969.CA/SCOTTYANDTONY.