CJRO News February 27 to March 5, 2023

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

The Ottawa Police Arson Unit has taken over the investigation of the February 13th Blossom Pass Terrace explosion. The Ottawa Police said circumstances surrounding the explosion were deemed criminal. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Criminal Investigations Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5625, email mcm@ottawapolice.ca, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppers.ca.

Half-load restrictions have started in the City of Ottawa and will start in Russell Township this week.

A chart comparing tax rates in Prescott-Russell is available. Least expensive is East Hawkesbury and most expensive is Hawkesbury.

Russell Township Mayor Pierre Leroux has confirmed a Food Basics will be built on the cleared land northeast of the Embrun roundabout on the east side of St. Guillaume across from A&W.

The Taste of Russell event is this Sunday, March 5th, noon to 4 p.m. at Russell Arena,1084 Concession St, Russell. Entrance is free but organizers suggest bringing cash to spend. There are over $700 worth of raffle prizes, but the real prize is opportunity to taste cuisines from around the world, all supplied by local vendors. There is also a kids’ corner with an arcade and balloon, face and henna artists.

Vendors include Grilled Shawarma, Amena's Kitchen, Ayra's Pret, Jan's Spices, Kinder Paint n Twist, École Ibn Batouta, Palki Restaurant, Russell Restaurant, Fiyah Foodz, Spiceful Cuisine, Smirlholm Farms, Henna by Thasleema and Musfira, Cup of Kindness, Jacky's Face Painting, Rotis and Rolls, Flavours of East Africa, Birdie Blocks, Fluffy POP Cotton Candy, and Ethnic Jewelry and Craft Boutique. Listen to my interview with the organizers on Local First.

Russell Township is hosting a Lunch & Learn for businesses next Monday, March 6th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Township Office, 717 Notre-Dame Street Embrun. Register in advance.

Be sure to watch the western sky shortly after sunset to see the brilliant conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. No special equipment is required, although if you do have binoculars or a telescope the planets will be glorious. For more information see the latest from Gary Boyle, The Backyard Astronomer on our website.

A spring market will be 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. with the Easter Bunny visiting midday.

The Russell and District Horticultural Society and St. Thomas Aquinas High School are once again hosting March it on Out! The popular swap meet is Saturday, March 25th. Items can be donated Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. or Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the school at 1211 South Russell Road, Russell. Pay once to enter and take away any items you wish.

The Kin Club of Russell’s Catch the Ace lottery, currently the largest Catch the Ace in Ontario, only has 18 envelopes left. The current jackpot is an estimated $388,000.00 and the weekly prize is an estimated $16,000. Purchases can be made at 26 retail locations or online at 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.