CJRO News February 20 to February 26, 2023

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

A curling team from Ecole secondaire catholique Embrun made up of Ava Acres, Aila Thompson, Liana Flanagan, Mya Sharp and their coach Gord Butler, won gold at the Ontario Winter Games in Pembroke on February 11th. They will represent Ontario at the Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island this week.

Valérie Grenier of St-Isidore in eastern Ontario and her team gave Canada a record bronze medal in the mixed team parallel event at the Alpine Skiing World Championships in Meribel, France. Despite tying Austria with two wins apiece in the final, Canada won the tiebreaker because Valérie Grenier had the fastest time in women and Jeffrey Read the fastest time in men.

Most of the trees located between Piperville and Leitrim Roads, and Anderson and Ramsayville Roads in Carlsbad Springs have been removed and transported by large trucks over the past few weeks. Residents have reported the sounds of many chainsaws at night, and trucks from Ottawa Cedar Lumber pulling out with thousands of tree trunks. CJRO Radio contacted the Taggart Company and Osgoode Ward Councilor George Darouze to find out what was going on. There have been no major updates since the community presentation that took place in January 2021 on the upcoming community plan for the Tewin development project. The Carlsbad Springs Community Association members were told by Darouze and by Michelle Taggart that the deforestation of over 200 acres of land was to “clean up” areas hit by the May, 2022 storm, but aerial photos show this work is complete clearcutting, not “clean up.” Taggarts have claimed they undertook this work outside of the urban area, and the work is done using forest management practices. It is unclear what is meant by forest management practices when the entire forest is being removed. Taggart told the CSCA and Councillor Darouze there will be a Community Advisory Board, under an invitation process set up by Taggarts. The company removing the trees is Ottawa Cedar Lumber. Between five and seven members of that company or Taggart companies joined the Carlsbad Springs Community Engagement Facebook page, then individuals posted comments which could be taken as threatening and unsafe. Councillor Darouze said the City knew about the clearcutting and did not say why the Carlsbad Springs Community Association had not been informed, again. The Taggart Tewin project proposes the construction of 15,000 houses with an estimated population of 45,000 inhabitants in the western sector of Carlsbad Springs. The Tewin Project is an initiative of the Taggart Company and the Algonquins of Ontario.

A two-alarm fire tore through the Rideau Carleton Raceway’s paddock last Wednesday, February 15th, just four weeks before race season starts March 19th. The paddock is used during races, but fortunately not now, and the horses on site were not harmed. For the time being the raceway plans to use other buildings and rebuild the paddock. No one was hurt.

The Nation Municipality is trying out a citizen Question Time for six months. Residents can use a form or email questions to Council before a meeting. They will be read out and a Councillor will answer. Questions cannot be anonymous, and the topic must be on that week’s agenda. Questions can be submitted via online form at nationmun.ca or by emailing the clerk at jbrizard@nationmun.ca or jlanglois-caisse@nationmun.ca.

The Cassel microbrewery in Casselman and the Tuque de Broue brewery in Embrun have announced they will combine their production efforts. The owner of Cassel, Mario Bourgeois, said on social media, that this is not an acquisition but a consolidation of production. He said he is selling his equipment due to growing operating costs of the company, which was founded in 2012. As of February 2023, each establishment is brewing at approximately 50 per cent of its capacity.

Highbridge Construction declared bankruptcy on February 6th. The company has been hired by insurers to rebuild homes and barns, many of which were damaged by the May derecho. Now those homeowners and farmers are uncertain what their recourse is. Chris Nooyen of Brabantdale Farms which had some of the worst derecho damage said, “We have to start at square one.”

Sad news for people needing formal wear. Moose Creek Mall in Moose Creek is closing at the end of February. Juliannah’s Bridal, Richard Men’s Wear and Vimi Shoes have a closing out sale this weekend on February 24, 25, 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. of up to 70 per cent off.

The Township of Russell has a new fire chief, Brian McBain. The Township’s two stations have 52 volunteer firefighters. McBain takes over from Chief Bruce Armstrong who agreed to be interim chief for one year.

The Vars bookmobile stop has been moved slightly, as they now have access to the washrooms in Alcide Trudeau Park. The bookmobile stops on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, and all bookmobile updates visit biblioottawalibrary.ca. It is not necessary to make an appointment. The Bibliobus will have a small collection to consult at all its stops.

City of Ottawa's Roads and Parking Services team are repairing potholes to take advantage of recent mild temperatures. With the frequent freeze-thaw cycles this winter staff expect an increased number of potholes. The link to report a City of Ottawa pothole available on the February 20th News page at CJROradio.com.

Farm shows are back. The Crysler Farm Show will be Thursday, March 2nd from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday, March 3rd from 10 a.m. 4 p.m. at the Community Centre at 16 Third Street. On Thursday the Stormont County 4H Pizza Club will show off their culinary skills.

Other events coming up are:

The Vars carnival this Saturday, February 25th. There will be carriage rides, curling competitions, snow painting, delicious food, campfire and an evening canteen. The VARSnaval takes place at Alcide Trudeau Park in Vars.

Free bowling from MPP Stephen Blais is this Sunday, February 26th from 10 a.m. to noon at the Orleans Bowling Centre, 885 Taylor Creek Drive. Bowling registration will end before noon so come early to get yours or your family’s names in! This event is on a first come, first serve basis.

There will be a spring market at the Embrun Community Centre, Saturday, March 4th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 5th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Easter Bunny will visit from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information or to be a vendor contact Suzelle Gregoire at 613 443 2933. The market is free but a non-perishable food item is welcomed.

On Sunday, March 5th the Carlsbad Springs Optimist Club hosts family outdoor activities at the Community Centre from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. You must register by this Sunday, February 26th by emailing cluboptimistecarlsbad@gmail.com or texting 613-882-8969. Activities planned are snow soccer; snow castle; potato bag race; obstacle course, and hockey (must bring helmet, skates and stick) There will be prizes, hot chocolate and snacks.

A reminder that the Belanger bridge over the South Nation River between Bourget and Casselman, at the turn to Riceville, is closed until autumn. The bridge is located on County Road 8, between County Road 16 and Route 100 East, in Lemieux, in the Municipality of La Nation, for rehabilitation/construction.

The Navan Lions and Team MuggleMorr are seeking volunteers for the Bradley Cup the evening of March 24th and on Saturday, March 25th. They need bartenders (with Smart Serve), bar backs, ticket sellers, and an overseer for the kids zone. They also need donations for the silent auction and sponsors. Saturday evening Eastbound of Bytown will provide music for dancing.

Playing in the snow is fun, but children snow forts or tunnels near a road or at the end of an entrance are extremely dangerous. When snow removal equipment pushes or clears snowbanks snow forts can collapse and can trap or injure a child, or a child could slide out in front of traffic.

See the latest from the Backyard astronomer on our website. This month Gary Boyle discusses the beautiful conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in the western sky shortly after sunset.

The Kin Club of Russell’s Catch the Ace lottery, currently the largest Catch the Ace in Ontario, is still climbing and has 19 envelopes left. The current jackpot is an estimated $362,000.00 and the weekly prize is an estimated $16,000. Purchases can be made locally at 26 retail locations or online at www.kinclubofrussell.ca.

If you have News you want included on this weekly report, please let me know by Monday mornings.

We have additional content up at CJROradio.com. Check for photos, videos, late News, media releases, News text, email conversations with public officials, and Local First podcasts. It’s all here on CJRO. Tune in at 107.7 or 107.9, follow us on Facebook, listen to our podcasts on cjroradio.com or on the Tune-In and Radio Player Canada apps. I’m Candice Vetter for CJRO News. CJRO, last on the dial, first for local news.