CJRO News: April 29 to May 5, 2024

Hello bonjour and welcome to CJRO News on CJRO Radio. I'm Candice Vetter reporting from Embrun.

The Ottawa Police Service Fatal Collision Investigations Unit is seeking witnesses to a fatal collision that occurred about 2:37 a.m. on Sunday, April 28, at 8th Line Road near Walker Road, south of Metcalfe. The police release said investigators would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the fatal collision, witnessed a pedestrian walking on 8th Line Road between Van Rens Street and Walker Road around the time of the collision, or may have dashcam footage of this incident and have not yet spoken to police. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Fatal Collision Investigation Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 2345 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.

A bouquet placed on April 29, on 8th Line Road marks near where a pedestrian was struck and killed on April 28. Photo Candice Vetter

The OPP is searching for a missing man from Newfoundland who disappeared near Summerstown just east of Cornwall on County Road 27. According to local news media, Brian Lush, 51, is a transport truck driver whose family last heard from him on April 24. Police said Brian's family tracked his truck's GPS to the Petro-Pass gas station on County Road 27 in Summerstown, near Highway 401. "Surveillance video shows the missing man getting out of his truck at the gas station just after 4:30 p.m. on April 24, and walking to the front of his truck. He is not seen again on video," Police said in a news release. “Police found his truck, which had his personal belongings inside, but Brian remains missing.” He is described as 5-foot-10 (178 cm), with a medium build, around 200 pounds (91 kg). He has brown eyes and short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a blue hoodie, jeans and a ball cap. The OPP searched the area on foot, with dogs, with drones and by helicopter. “We are not looking for untrained volunteers to assist," the OPP said on X, but they are looking for dash cam or trail cam video that may show him. Anyone with information should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 and reference incident E240508329.

Brian Lush, photos courtesy OPP

On Thursday, April 25, the Council of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell rescinded Resolution 2024-067, a motion made on March 27, wherein the council committed not to file an appeal if the Nation Municipality approves the zoning for the huge Brigil development project in the Village of Limoges. On April 25 Mario Zanth, mayor of Rockland moved and Normand Riopel, mayor of Champlain Township, seconded a motion saying the previous decision was premature considering The Nation has not yet approved the zoning amendment. The new motion also noted the UCPR’s Planning and Forestry Department has raised significant concerns in regard to this project, and should maintain the right to appeal a zoning amendment. Brigil, the developer, wants to create 2,000 residential units and 110,000 square feet of commercial space, in an area which is not compliant with the UCPR Official Plan. UCPR Warden Pierre Leroux had shepherded the March 27 motion through, but earlier this month he left his position as Russell Township Mayor and UCPR Warden, to take the CAO job at La Nation Municipality, which includes Limoges.

Speaking of official plans and zoning, Russell Township is holding a special council meeting to discuss Official Plan revisions on Monday, May 27 at 4 p.m. at the Township Hall in Embrun. The only material that will be presented at this meeting is the Draft Policy Directions Report, explaining the proposed policy changes. Questions and comments can be sent to planning@russell.ca The township’s release also said staff are available to meet to discuss one on one.

There is also a public meeting on Wednesday, May 8, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Township Hall in Embrun regarding the Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update. Consultants will introduce the project, preliminary results of activities done to date, and to get public and stakeholders’ feedback. If you wish to be placed on the Project Contact List write to francoislandry@russell.ca, Bradley.young@cima.ca, or call 613 443 1747 or 647 614 2462.

Meanwhile in Ottawa, first draft provisions for Ottawa’s new Zoning By-law will be released on May 31, however a staff report is being presented to the Planning and Housing Committee on April 29. Consultations start May 31 and continue until late 2025. Engagement on this first draft will continue until October. The report is live online. To see it, go to engage.ottawa.ca/zoning and follow the links.

The City of Ottawa said on X, “We’ve heard reports of suspicious text messages seeking payment to the City of Ottawa for speeding infractions. Please know these are not legitimate and that the City will never contact you via text seeking payment.” It says "tickets are mailed to the registered plate owner of the vehicle." Residents who have received this scam text are asked to call the Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222.

Next week works starts on a new roundabout at the intersection of Limoges Road (County Road 5) at Route 300. Limoges Road will remain open throughout the duration of this project, but Route 300 will be closed from Limoges Road to St-Thomas Road, with no emergency access. It will be open for local traffic only. Its estimated completion date is this fall.

In Carlsbad Springs on Saturday, May 4, volunteers from the Carlsbad Springs Optimists will be at the Piperville/Anderson and Boundary/Russell Road intersections from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. collecting money for CHEO. Last year $5,000 was collected and 100% went to CHEO for children’s cancer research. Donations can also be made at  cheofoundation.donordrive.com.

The Genealogy Club welcomes Jean-Pierre Proulx, historian and author of  Embrun’s history book, on Thursday, May 2 at 6 p.m. The free talk is at the gym at la Croisee School in Embrun and is in French. Registration at the library is required.

Other library talks coming up are local author Katie Tallo at the Russell Branch on May 16 at 6:30 p.m. in English, talking about her mystery-thrillers which take place in Ottawa. Louise Tremblay will be at the Embrun Branch on May 28 at 6:30 p.m., speaking in French.

CJRO wants to report on the local news that matters, so send news ideas, issues and comments to newscjro@gmail.com by Monday mornings. Listen to the news, Local First and Priorite Locale on cjroradio.com anytime or on the Tune In or Radio Player Canada apps, or at FrequencyNews.com. I'm Candice Vetter for CJRO News. CJRO, last on the dial and first for local news.