Latest news with #PortugalCove
CBC
21-07-2025
- General
- CBC
Bell Island residents growing frustrated with ferry issues and delays
As Bell Island commuters commenced their day on July 19 with only one ferry in service, residents were once again frustrated by delays. Bell Island resident and member of the ferry committee, Verna Carey, says she is growing increasingly concerned by the ferry service. "We have people that depend on [the ferry] for their health, for their jobs, for their education, for the essential services," said Carey. "This is our road. And without [it] we have nothing." On July 18, Carey says she was stuck in line in Portugal Cove-St. Phillips for over four hours waiting for a ferry to take her home after a doctor's appointment. This was because the MV Flanders was tied up with technical issues, she said, and there were no technicians available to do maintenance "Why isn't there people in place to fix these boats?" said Carey. And to make matters worse, Carey says the island was extra busy with visitors who come over for graveyard services. So that evening, Carey said the MV Beaumount Hamel had to do an extra trip, which meant that its crews had a later start the next morning. This meant that the typical 6:50 a.m. run, didn't happen. "The people of Bell Island that worked this morning, and depended on the 6:50 boat, [it] didn't happen. Our boat didn't leave Bell Island until after 8:00," said Carey. And the MV Flanders' crews aren't trained to work on the MV Beautmount Hamel, says Carey. The MV Flanders was back in service shortly after 10:00 a.m, but Carey is growing frustrated with the constant maintenance issues and delays. "How would you like it tomorrow if they decided 'your road is … broke down, we have no way for you to get home and we have no way for your other family members to get to you.' Would you like it?" said Carey. Province considering expansion Last week, while the MV Beaumont Hamel was experiencing maintenance issues, the provincial government attempted to support Bell Island by taking one ferry off the Fogo Island route. But this decision resulted in backlash and Fogo Island residents protested by blocking the ferry from moving. The government kept MV Astron on the Fogo Island route. On July 17, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure media relations manager, Maria Browne, made a statement that they have issued a formal request for information. Browne wrote that the department is looking to have a better understanding of the market availability of ferries that could be used to expand the province's fleet. She says this information will help the department determine how suitable the available vessels are, understand prices from other suppliers, and understand the specifications and requirements for future procurements to be considered. Meanwhile, Carey says the committee has been asking the department for solutions. "We need answers and we need people front and centre … to say enough is enough. This is 2025, this is ongoing and it's got to stop," she said. CBC requested an interview or statement from transportation minister, Elvis Loveless, but has not yet received a response.
CBC
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
Two people in hospital after car goes over cliff in Portugal Cove–St. Philip's
New St. John's Fire Department high-angle rescue team was deployed Police, firefighters and the coast guard were called to the ferry terminal in Portugal Cove-St Philips on Sunday evening after a car went over a cliff. St. John's Regional Fire Department platoon chief Mike Hall says a senior couple were trapped in the car after it went off the road. Hall says the car was well down over the cliff, about eight feet from the ocean in a crevasse. He says the fire department's high-angle rescue team were needed to retrieve the pair. "We were able to get the two individuals out of the car and sent to hospital," Hall told CBC News on Monday morning. He says the woman had more serious injuries. Hall says the fire department had to call in a tow truck to install a winch cable to go down over the cliff and lift the car off of the rocks. At 5:00 p.m., Royal Newfoundland Constabulary announced a road closure along Beachy Cove Road. Hall says the roadway is now passable again. CBC News has asked the RNC for an interview. In a statement, the RNC said the investigation is ongoing and they are looking for people who saw Sunday's incident as well as video footage, like CCTV, dash cams and cell phones.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Wabana mayor Gary Gosine dies at 67
Bell Island has lost a longtime municipal politician who many now hail as a legend. Gary Gosine served on the Wabana town council for 35 years — 29 of them as the mayor — before retiring in 2024. He died Saturday at the age of 67. Philip Tobin, the current Wabana mayor and Gosine's nephew, says Gosine was a role model. "I grew up looking up to him, he was a mentor to me," he said Sunday. Tobin said the former mayor achieved many things for his community, but made a large impact by fighting for improved ferry services connecting Bell Island to Portugal Cove- St. Philip's. Gosine also advocated for better roads and water infrastructure. "He pushed in many ways and held the officials accountable for their actions," said Tobin. … Gosine was awarded Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Tobin said he's learned many things from his predecessor on a political level, like keeping the community's best interests in mind when making big decisions. He said he also has many personal memories. "He was always here to support the youth … he loved hockey," said Tobin. "We've gotten to share some great times and then some great victories over the years." WATCH | Politicians remember a longtimer leader and lover of Bell Island: The dedication Gosine held for the people of his town led to some headbutting with a number of Newfoundland and Labrador's politicians, including former Conception Bay East-Bell Island MHA David Brazil. "We've clashed … a number of times, but as good friends we always moved on," Brazil said in an interview with CBC. Brazil says his connection with Gosine goes back 50 years. The former mayor's 2013 re-election campaign was run in the hospital after undergoing open heart surgery and experiencing a stroke. Brazil sat by Gosine's side at the Miller Centre as he was sworn in. People can learn a thing or two from the Bell Island legend, according to Brazil. He said he admires how he always spoke his mind while respecting others when it came to standing up for his community. "He was multifaceted, he understood the needs of everybody," said Brazil. Fred Hutton, recently elected as the MHA for the area, has similar things to say. The minister for tourism, culture, arts and recreation and former journalist says Gosine always kept a calm demeanour. Hutton said in recent years when Gosine wasn't getting around as often, he'd visit him at home in Wabana. "Oftentimes family members would be there dropping and dropping out," said Hutton. "You could always tell the immense measure of pride that they had for their dad or their grandfather or in Debbie's case, her husband, but also the love that he had for them." He said Bell Island is synonymous with Gosine, a man who led by example. "If you look at the things that people enjoy on Bell Island today, his fingerprints are all over them," Hutton said. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
CBC
09-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Former Wabana mayor Gary Gosine dies at 67
Bell Island has lost a longtime municipal politician who many now hail as a legend. Gary Gosine served on the Wabana town council for 35 years — 29 of them as the mayor — before retiring in 2024. He died Saturday at the age of 67. Philip Tobin, the current Wabana mayor and Gosine's nephew, says Gosine was a role model. "I grew up looking up to him, he was a mentor to me," he said Sunday. Tobin said the former mayor achieved many things for his community, but made a large impact by fighting for improved ferry services connecting Bell Island to Portugal Cove- St. Philip's. Gosine also advocated for better roads and water infrastructure. "He pushed in many ways and held the officials accountable for their actions," said Tobin. … Gosine was awarded Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Tobin said he's learned many things from his predecessor on a political level, like keeping the community's best interests in mind when making big decisions. He said he also has many personal memories. "He was always here to support the youth … he loved hockey," said Tobin. "We've gotten to share some great times and then some great victories over the years." WATCH | Politicians remember a longtimer leader and lover of Bell Island: 'He was a fighter': Municipal, provincial leaders remember former Wabana mayor Gary Gosine, dead at 67 4 hours ago Duration 3:54 The long-time council member passed away Saturday after a long illness. Those who crossed paths with him say he was someone who spoke his mind but always stayed respectful — and who passionately worked for his home of Bell Island. The dedication Gosine held for the people of his town led to some headbutting with a number of Newfoundland and Labrador's politicians, including former Conception Bay East-Bell Island MHA David Brazil. "We've clashed … a number of times, but as good friends we always moved on," Brazil said in an interview with CBC. Brazil says his connection with Gosine goes back 50 years. The former mayor's 2013 re-election campaign was run in the hospital after undergoing open heart surgery and experiencing a stroke. Brazil sat by Gosine's side at the Miller Centre as he was sworn in. People can learn a thing or two from the Bell Island legend, according to Brazil. He said he admires how he always spoke his mind while respecting others when it came to standing up for his community. "He was multifaceted, he understood the needs of everybody," said Brazil. Fred Hutton, recently elected as the MHA for the area, has similar things to say. The minister for tourism, culture, arts and recreation and former journalist says Gosine always kept a calm demeanour. Hutton said in recent years when Gosine wasn't getting around as often, he'd visit him at home in Wabana. "Oftentimes family members would be there dropping and dropping out," said Hutton. "You could always tell the immense measure of pride that they had for their dad or their grandfather or in Debbie's case, her husband, but also the love that he had for them." He said Bell Island is synonymous with Gosine, a man who led by example. "If you look at the things that people enjoy on Bell Island today, his fingerprints are all over them," Hutton said.
CBC
06-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Smokey the Bear was right: you can prevent wildfires. But government has to act too, says N.L. fire chief
Fred Hollett, fire chief for Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, says wildfires are a persistent threat. Officials don't put fire bans in place lightly, but they need co-operation from the public. Hollett tells the CBC's Adam Walsh all levels of government have to be doing more, too.
