Latest news with #GrandBayWestfield
CBC
6 days ago
- General
- CBC
Marksman George Chase drops his grudge and enters N.B. Sports Hall of Fame
George Chase will be inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame after a marksmanship career full of national and international accolades. In 23 national championship appearances, Chase was a back-to-back Canadian Fullbore Rifle Champion in 1992-93. In 1993, he also won the Canadian Grand Aggregate, which is the highest shooting honour in Canada. The 84-year-old has travelled to the United Kingdom more than a dozen times to represent his country and has collected dozens of medals for provincial competition. From Saint John and now living in Grand Bay-Westfield, Chase began his rifle competition reign in the late 1970s and was still competing in the early 2000s. He has already been inducted into the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association Hall of Fame. WATCH | Chase explains how he got things wrong when he said no to hall: Why this marksman took so long reaching N.B. Hall of Fame 33 minutes ago Duration 3:20 His greatest win might be the Royal New Brunswick Rifle Association's oldest trophy – the Prince of Wales Challenge Cup. The match trophy is considered by New Brunswick marksmen as the most prestigious and signifies one of the province's top shooters. "There's sort of a separation from the good, to the best, to the unbeatable," Chase said. "I would have been in simply because who the hell can win the Prince of Wales three times? And my answer would be 'I won it nine.'" The trophy was given to the province by Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, in 1860. A years-old misunderstanding surrounding the trophy would also be the reason Chase declined a New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame nomination 25 years before his induction this year. A broken promise When he was a rookie competitor, Chase said, an event organizer told him that if he won the silver cup three times in a row, he'd be the owner. "He knew that I was brand new to this game, and he said if you win it three times in a row, I'll see you get it. How will that be? "He's joking with me, but he's also talking to me. So I think this is bible what he is saying." Chase thought that promise was a guarantee and didn't mention the conversation to anyone until he found himself a defending back-to-back champ. Standing on the range in line for his third consecutive Prince of Wales win in 1986, he reminded the then association organizer, Ellen MacGillivray, about the promise of the cup. "I said to Ellen, 'If I win it for the third time, Ellen, do you realize that trophy's going to belong to me?' She got a blank look in her face and she said, 'I don't think so, George.' I said, 'I know so.'" When Chase completed his third consecutive win, he was shocked when his ownership claim wasn't honoured. "Just 'No, you can't have it.' So then I became a little bit more than pissed with this association." When MacGillivary wanted to nominate Chase for the Hall of Fame 25 years ago, he declined because of the association's Prince of Wales decision. "I easily declined — because of a misunderstanding," he said. He held a grudge about the trophy until he realized all these years later that the mistake was his own. Chase has since researched the trophy and understands there are many in existence, and they were gifts from the Prince of Wales and not for one person to own. "I just didn't know it … I never got the chance to apologize to Ellen because she had passed away. But I do apologize to her often, and hope she forgives me because I know she's in heaven." Chase also said he was a fierce and aggressive competitor and regrets it. "I was so aggressive. I wished I could go back and undo those things because there was no need for it. There was no need for it." 'Kind of a blessing' Now Chase will accept the Hall of Fame honour in Saint John. He thinks things may have worked out for the best. "I wish the Prince of Wales story was never told to me, and now I'm kind of glad that it was, because my great-grandchildren are going to come and see me walk out on stage and talk for five minutes about what I did, who my heroes were. Yeah, so it's kind of a blind blessing." Started young He said that the night is a "big deal" for him. "My whole family, yeah, my immediate family, that is, who are all across Canada, granddaughters, great-grandchildren — they're all coming for this night." Chase started shooting at age five and he had son Paul on the range at a young age as well. Paul knew more about shooting at 12 years old than "most shooters learned in their lifetime," Chase said. Paul became his coach in international competition and later overtook him during a head-to-head shootout, which Chase considers "the biggest moment" of his career. "I thought I would explode. I was so proud of him for that moment."
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Ground search suspended for missing Grand Bay-Westfield, N.B., woman
The official ground search for a missing 79-year-old in Grand Bay-Westfield, N.B., has been suspended for the time being. Ruth Carol Sutton was reported missing Sunday morning. She was lest seen walking on Mallard Drive around 9:10 a.m. Police say Sutton suffers from a medical condition which may cause her to become disoriented. Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Brittany Merrifield confirmed the news through a social media post after speaking with the RCMP detachment in the community. 'While this part of the operation is on hold, I want to reassure everyone that search teams are ready to redeploy if new evidence comes to light,' the post reads. 'Community volunteers are still welcome to continue their efforts. I understand that some are planning to head out in boats [Wednesday], and I deeply respect and appreciate the continued determination to help.' A number of boats were seen searching the Saint John riverbanks Wednesday morning, with search efforts being focused on the Nerpis side of the bridge, closer to where Sutton was last seen. A tent for volunteers aiding in the search has been moved to Brundage Point. 'I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has been involved,' Merrifield says. 'From search and rescue professionals to the many volunteers who have stepped forward without hesitation. Your commitment, care, and selflessness have made a powerful impact.' Police have received several leads and tips on Sutton's whereabouts, but efforts to locate her have been unsuccessful so far. Sutton is described by police as standing approximately five-foot-two and weighing around 130 pounds, with blue eyes and white hair. She was last seen wearing a light blue jacket, rubber boots to her ankles, and white socks. Police ask anyone with information on Sutton's whereabouts to contact them at 506-757-1020. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
No sign of missing Grand Bay-Westfield woman as search enters third day
There is still no sign of a 79-year-old woman who went missing Sunday morning in Grand Bay-Westfield. Ruth Carol Sutton was reported missing to police Sunday morning. The RCMP say she was last seen walking on Mallard Drive around 9:10 a.m. Sunday morning. She was reported missing to police that same day. Police say Sutton suffers from a medical condition which may cause her to become disoriented. In an update posted to social media Tuesday afternoon by Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Brittany Merrifield, search efforts to locate Sutton have continued with the RCMP, Miramichi Search and Rescue, and the town's fire department aiding in the search. That is on top of numerous volunteers who are also helping look for Sutton.' Search and Rescue teams remain active all day, and we are asking the public to please check your own properties, sheds, and outbuildings,' reads the post. Police have received several leads and tips on Sutton's whereabouts, but efforts to locate her have been unsuccessful so far. Sutton is described by police as standing approximately 5'2″ and weighing around 130 pounds, with blue eyes and white hair. She was last seen wearing a light blue jacket, rubber boots to her ankles, and white socks. Anyone with information on Sutton's whereabouts is asked by police to contact them at 506-757-1020. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- CTV News
Search for missing elderly woman in Grand Bay-Westfield, N.B., enters second day
The search for an elderly woman in Grand Bay-Westfield, N.B., who was first reported missing Sunday morning has entered a second day. RCMP says 79-year-old Ruth Carol Sutton was last seen walking on Mallard Drive around 9:10 a.m. Sunday morning. She was reported missing to police the same day. Police say Sutton suffers from a medical condition which may cause her to become disoriented. In an update posted to social media, Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Brittany Merrifield said Tri County Search and Rescue are leading Monday's search operations alongside RCMP and a number of other professionals and volunteers. Continued search efforts include an RCMP helicopter using infrared and thermal imaging to search from the air, boats patrolling shorelines of waterways, and police dogs on the ground. 'We've definitely seen an overwhelming of support from the community,' says RCMP Sgt. Benjamin Comley of the Grand Bay detachment. '[Sunday], registered searchers alone was around 180 people showed up on day one, and we believe there's also more that came out and we're doing [searching] that we didn't even see them, but they were helping.' Sgt. Comley says search efforts are still being focused around the Mallard Drive area where Sutton was last seen. The main search radius has been expanded from 300 meters of Sutton's last known location to a few kilometres. He adds officers have been keeping in close contact with the family amid their searches. Police have received several leads and tips on Sutton's whereabouts, but efforts to locate her have been unsuccessful so far. Sutton is described by police as standing approximately five-foot-two and weighing around 130 pounds, with blue eyes and white hair. She was last seen wearing a light blue jacket. Anyone with information on Sutton's whereabouts is asked by police to contact them at 506-757-1020. -With files from Jesse Huot. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Elderly woman who may be disoriented missing in Grand Bay-Westfield, N.B.
RCMP in Grand Bay-Westfield, N.B., are asking for help from the public in finding a missing elderly woman last seen Sunday morning. Police say 79-year-old Ruth Carol Sutton was last seen walking on Mallard Drive around 9:10 a.m. She was reported missing to police the same day. According to police, they have followed up on multiple leads but have been unsuccessful in finding Sutton. Police say Sutton suffers from a medical condition which may cause her to become disoriented. Sutton is described by police as being approximately five-foot-two, weighing around 130 pounds, with blue eyes and white hair. She was last seen wearing a light blue jacket. Police said Sunday that Ground Search and Rescue teams, as well as Police Dog Services, were in the area conducting a search. Anyone with information on Sutton's whereabouts is asked by police to contact them at 506-757-1020. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
