CJRO News April 5 to April 11, 2021

Hello, bonjour, and welcome to CJRO News on Carlsbad-Vars Radio. I’m Candice Vetter, reporting from North Russell.

The investigation regarding charges against Dr. Brian Nadler at the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital, is still ongoing, but CBC News has reported that the medication used for COVID-19 patients is part of the investigation.

Nadler, a former physician at the hospital, was charged with one count of first-degree murder in the death of an 89-year-old patient. The deaths occurred between March 17th and 25th and have been described as potentially suspicious.

Anyone who may have information is asked to call the Hawkesbury OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at Crimestoppers.ca.

Covid-19 numbers in Ontario have reached levels of over 3,000 new cases per day. Doctors across the province are warning that hospitals and intensive care units have reached critical levels.

Over the Easter weekend many physicians and epidemiologists publicly pleaded with the government to take stronger actions. They say current restrictions are not enough to protect workers. The grey lockdown stage, which parts of southern Ontario have been under for months, has not stopped the spread of Covid, partly because some of the many mutated variants are both more contagious and more deadly. They are also making younger persons critically ill.

Younger people seem to be at increased risk now, possibly partly because of socialization, but also because they are usually the workers meeting the public or working in group settings. As younger, poorly paid, and less powerful employees or as gig workers, it is also harder for them to demand better or safer work conditions.

For example, the Amazon warehouse in Brampton has been tied to over 600 cases of Covid and has been charged with numerous health and safety violations, including many which existed before the pandemic. When the province ordered it shut down, the company’s response was to appeal the decision.

The question becomes how do we, the public, support both preventive health measures and the online economy, if online retailers are not protecting their employees against infection? Large congregate work settings including manufacturing, food packing plants, and grocery and retail workplaces appear to be problems. CJRO News just requested an interview with the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton. We had not heard back by post time but will keep following up.

As I reported last week, the Ontario government’s vaccination booking system is now booking appointments for individuals who are age 70 or will be 70 this year. You can now book shots at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine. The rural City pop-up clinics for those age 70+ are listed on CJROradio.com.

To book an appointment, you need your Ontario health card, birth date, postal code, and email address and/or phone number. If you need help with booking, call 1-888-999-6488.

Last week the provincial government had also announced that pharmacies in Ottawa and area will shortly be receiving the Astra-Zeneca vaccine, and persons aged 55 or older can book shots through the listed pharmacies. However, I tried doing that on April 3rd and was told by several pharmacies that they would not be booking shots until they actually have the vaccines on hand, hopefully this week or next.

Don’t forget that beginning May 3rd , that is, next month, Piperville Road will be closed in both directions, between Farmers Way and Russell Road, while the bridge over Bearbrook Creek is being replaced. Piperville Road will be closed for six to eight months, so April is probably the last month this year that it will be open.

The Navan Community Association is sponsoring a mini-SpringFest. Residents are encouraged to decorate their front porch, yard, doorway or driveway in a springtime theme. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorations. To register, email nca@navan.on.ca by May 7th and provide your name and address.

Russell Kin Club’s Catch the Ace Lottery is expected to hit $300,000 next week. Last week’s prize was almost $22,000. This week's Catch the Ace lottery jackpot is estimated at over three hundred thirty six thousand dollars and the weekly prize is estimated over $20,000.00 with nine envelopes remaining. Go to kinclubofrussell.ca to buy tickets.

CJRO Radio is looking for a Francophone reporter for about ten hours of work per week. To apply send a resume to cjrofm@rogers.com.

We are also seeking volunteer executive governing members. We need two from the Russell Municipality, two from Carlsbad Springs and one from Vars. If interested please contact us at cjrofm@rogers.com.

Our additional transmitter is being installed in Embrun on April 23rd. That will be followed by a few weeks of testing. The goal is that by early summer CJRO will be serving Carlsbad Springs, Vars, Embrun, Russell, and points in between.

The next CJRO Radio Bingo is this week! Play on Thursday, April 8th, at 7 p.m. Listen live on-air at 107.7 or 107.9 FM or on CJROradio.com, vars.ca or carlsbadsprings.ca. Profits will be split between the Vars Optimiste Club and the Carlsbad Springs Optimiste Club. Cards are available at Rene’s Corners, Vars Gas Bar and Carlsbad Variety.

CJRO is pleased to announce that The Backyard Astronomer, Gary Boyle, one of our interview subjects this week on Local First, will be popping by about once a month to tell us what to watch for in the night skies. You can also link to his columns through our website.

Currently the prominent winter constellations are setting early in the west and in the eastern evening sky Arcturus is rising—a sure sign of spring. To see it, follow the arc to Arcturus. Follow the arc of the handle of the Big Dipper to an orange-tinted bright star above the eastern horizon.

Do you have news that matters to our area? Has your business been affected by Covid, either for better or for worse? If yes, I’d like to interview you. Contact me by emailing newsCJRO@gmail.com.

I’m Candice Vetter. CJRO – Last on the dial, first for local news. Keep well.