CJRO News August 16 to August 22, 2021

Hello, bonjour, and welcome to CJRO News on CJRO Radio. I’m Candice Vetter, reporting from our new studio in Embrun.

Big news for local residents who miss George’s Restaurant in Russell. The Big Bite Bistro has announced it will open a location in the same building on Concession Street. The restaurant is expected to open later in August with a varied menu including seafood, steaks, vegetarian, Asian and other dishes. If Public Health allows there will be indoor dining, as well as take-out and catering. If Russell Township grants permission there may also be a tented patio outside where the current four parking spaces are. A sign on the window is advertising for staff and I will be interviewing the new restauranteur on Local First the last week of August.

The Russell Fair is back! A scaled down version is coming this Saturday, August 21st. The Fair has been shrunk considerably with shows, demonstrations, exhibits and local vendors on Saturday, and the Super Gymkhana Western Games on Sunday, August 22nd. There is no charge this year, either to attend the fair or to enter exhibits. The prize book is available online at the Russell Agricultural Society’s Facebook page.

Listen to my hopeful interview with Russell Ag. Society president Mhairi Rowland on Local First.

And yes, there is a federal election coming, again. I hope to have all the local candidates’ names for our listeners in next week’s newscast.

This summer South Nation Conservation monitored the waterways and wetlands of the South Bear Brook Subwatershed. In a media release SNC said the monitoring provides a snapshot of watershed health to help guide future development and stewardship projects.

The release said water quality in Bear Brook is fair. Phosphorus levels routinely exceed the Provincial Water Quality Objective (0.03 mg/L), while benthic invertebrate communities range from good condition to poor condition depending on location. Sites in good stream health have good forest cover, especially along the banks of the rivers. Sites requiring improvement have low forest cover, and are prone to erosion.”

This statement by South Nation reinforces the need for watercourse protection by way of tree cover, natural vegetation and riparian areas.

The proposed Heritage Conservation District in the Russell Village core was defeated in a 3-2 vote at Russell Township Council last week. Misinformation and rumours were reported as being influential on both sides of the debate.

A reminder that in Navan, assuming that provincial regulations still allow it, A Company of Fools will perform Love From Afar on September 9th. More details will be announced closer to the date.

And here’s the Covid news. Vaccination rates in Ottawa are slowing down. Over 84 per cent of Ottawa residents 18 and over have received at least one dose of vaccine and 74 per cent are fully vaccinated, only a couple of percentage points up since last week.

Covid infection rates in the province of Ontario have more than doubled in the same time period with over 500 new cases on Sunday.

Anyone 12 or over can drop in to Ottawa community clinics, into pop-up clinics, or can contact pharmacies for availability or appointments. If you already have an appointment for a second dose this fall you can get an earlier date.

Students attending Ottawa University, and their families and friends, can get vaccinated at a pop-up clinic at the Minto Sports Complex at 810 King Edward Ave. from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Workplaces and other groups can request a mobile vaccination team to administer doses on-site, at their own location. Request this service by completing the mobile vaccine clinic request form online at ottawapublichealth.ca or calling 613-691-5505.

CJRO is looking for a sales representative to help us gain more community partners. The position is commission-based. If you are interested in earning money and helping support the station so we can continue to spread news and interviews of local importance please contact cjrofm@rogers.com.

We are also seeking volunteers to help us promote our stories and music through social media, and to spot news. Contact us through cjrofm@rogers.com or newscjro@gmail.com for more information.

We have a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cjroradio/

Do you have news that matters to our area? Do you have a local business? How have you managed the last year and a half? Tell me your experience by emailing newsCJRO@gmail.com.

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