Philadelphia city council passed a tax on all soda beverages on June 16th. The tax will be 1.5 cents per ounce. This was the third attempt to pass the tax. Philadelphia is now the fifth largest city to pass such a tax. Soda sales are rapidly on the decline but 17% of Americans still drink the sugary stuff daily. The tax is expected to bring in $91 million in its first year and will go towards improving pre-K programs and improving parks, libraries, and recreation centers.

Just after 1:30 A.M. Moncton Fire and N.B. Ambulance respond to a call for a female passed out in front of the bars on Main Street. Crowd gathered as paramedics looked after the young lady. She was transported to hospital, Main Street was only tied up for a few minutes on one of the first nice nights this spring in the Hubcity. Bars were packed and R.C.M.P. were kept very busy with drunk drivers and traffic stops well after the bar rush was over.