CJRO News August 9 to August 15, 2021
Hello, bonjour, and welcome to CJRO News on CJRO Radio. I’m Candice Vetter, reporting from our new studio in Embrun.
As usual, I’ll start with Covid news. Over 83 per cent of Ottawa residents 18 and over have received at least one dose of vaccine and 72 per cent are fully vaccinated. Although vaccination rates are rising in Ontario, Covid infection rates, while still low, are also rising as rules relax. Infections have gone from below 200 new cases per day in Ontario a few weeks ago, to over 400 new cases last Sunday.
Anyone 12 or over wanting a vaccination can drop in to one of four 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.
Workplaces, community organizations, places of worship and other groups can now request a mobile vaccination team to administer first and second doses on-site, at their own location. Request this service either by completing the mobile vaccine clinic request form online at ottawapublichealth.ca or calling 613-691-5505 for assistance in completing the form.
Patrice 'Pico' Dagenais of Embrun, is heading to Tokyo as co-captain of Canada's Paralympic wheelchair rugby team. His team qualified for the postponed 2020 Paralympics just days before the pandemic lockdown. This is his third Paralympic Games. In 2012 the team came home with a silver medal and in 2016 just missed the bronze. Catch my interview with Patrice on Local First.
The Russell Fair is back! The Fair has been shrunk considerably with shows, demonstrations, exhibits and local vendors on Saturday, August 21st 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.
Last week the governments of Canada and Ontario announced a major investment of over $362 million to connect more than 90,000 homes to the internet. In an event at the Russell branch of the Township Library Minister Maryam Monster and MP Francis Drouin announced citizens of Clarence Creek, Hammond, Bourget, Marionville, Limoges, Russell, St. Isidore, Riceville, Sarsfield, Curran, Vars, and Wendover will be connected. The governments have partnered to support large-scale, fibre-based projects that will provide high-speed Internet access to all corners of the province by 2025.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank is also assessing how the Universal Broadband Fund can provide additional financing on a project-by-project basis.
Speaking of the Library, the Embrun Branch , which has been closed since March 14, last year, is open to the public again, with some regular Covid restrictions. In an agreement with the school, you must register at the front door and sanitize your hands. Check the library’s website or Facebook page for details.
The proposed Heritage Conservation District in the Russell Village core has stirred up controversy. The final study and final plan and guidelines were completed in early 2020. The documents can be seen by going to Russell.ca and searching Heritage Conservation District. Most affected would be properties in the village’s core. Many residents support the concept of maintaining heritage streetscapes, but many are concerned about restrictions on what they can do with their properties.
South Nation Conservation’s Water Response Team has ended the Low Water Advisory across the South Nation River watershed. Above average rain in July helped restore the average total rain received over three months to between 80 and 87 per cent of the three-month historical average. A Level I condition occurs when the three-month or 18-month total precipitation drops below 80 per cent of the historical total. The advisory was issued on June 4th, due to a drier than usual spring and lack of rain in May.
And here’s some fun news from Navan. The Still Upside Down Parade, where spectators drive around and look at stationary floats and displays, will be held Saturday, August 14th, from 10 a.m. –to 12 p.m. at the Navan Fairgrounds. If you are interested in setting up a float or helping out, contact Eleanor at ehodges@xplornet.com.
Also 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.
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I’m Candice Vetter. CJRO – Last on the dial, first for local news. Keep well.