CJRO News July 24 to July 30, 2023
Hello, bonjour, and welcome to CJRO News on CJRO Radio. I’m Candice Vetter, reporting from Embrun.
The storm which did so much damage in Embrun on July 13th has been confirmed as a tornado. Roofs and vehicles were damaged, trees were downed, and items outdoors in the area near Blais Street and around St. Thomas were blown away.
Photo courtesy Sylvie Nash
Videos courtesy Holly Vatcher
Last Wednesday, July 19th, the Township of Russell announced a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study Master Plan Update for Russell Township Water and Wastewater Systems will be proceeding. The notice said the 2016 plan, which was supposed to outline a 20-year strategy, is no longer suitable due to the pace of development which exceeds previous projections, and the official plan amendment which expands the “urban” boundaries. It says newly developed areas will require water and wastewater servicing. It is not clear what parts of the township will be subject to the EA as the entire township is shown on the accompanying map. That map shows an earlier version of the 417 Industrial Park than that which the township only revealed publicly in May. Every EA undertaken over the last seven years shows a different version of the proposed expansion of the industrial park, which is one of many complaints residents along Eadie and Burton roads have with the Township Council. It is unclear what this new consultant will be considering. To be placed on the Project Contact List to receive notices and information or to provide comments at any time during the process, contact Francois Landry at 613 443 1747 or francoislandry@russell.ca or contact Bradley Young from CIMA+ at 647 614 2462 or Bradley.young@cima.ca.
A new petition on change.org asks for a potable water pipeline to be built from Limoges to supply the town of Casselman. The town’s water has had persistently high manganese levels several times over the last decade. The petition, started by Patrick Cabana, says a new pipeline would offer numerous benefits, ensure a steady and reliable source of water, minimize the risks of contamination and guarantee a consistent supply of safe drinking water. It would also eliminate the need for expensive and short-term fixes. However, that would draw extra water from the Limoges supply, which comes from Clarence-Rockland via pipeline, and may affect both Limoges’ and Casselman’s ability to grow.
The OPP laid over 7,000 charges during Operation Safe Driver, which ran from July 9th to 15th. Passenger vehicles in Ontario racked up almost 6200 charges and commercial vehicles over 900 charges. The charges included speeding, distracted driving, careless driving, impaired driving, following too closely, other unsafe/illegal moving violations, speed limiters, defective equipment, unsecured load, unsafe lane changes and improper documents.
Speaking of driving, paving is now in progress on Piperville Road, from Ramsayville to Farmers Way. Culvert repair on Mitch Owens Road near Farmers Way, just east of Yorks Corners Road, and just west of Hall Road will begin on August 28th. One lane will remain open to traffic.
Highway 417 and several ramps will be closed in both directions between Woodroffe Avenue and Greenbank Road from Friday, July 28th at 11 p.m. until Monday, July 31st at 5 a.m. as part of the Stage 2 West LRT extension to install a pedestrian bridge that will provide direct access to the future Queensview Station from Baxter Road.
The final closure of Highway 417 will be August 10th to August 14th for replacement of the Percy Street bridge. Eastbound between Carling and Metcalfe streets and westbound between Metcalfe and Bronson streets will be closed.
The Embrun Optimist Club is hosting a blood donation drive this Wednesday, July 26th in Embrun. See the club’s Facebook page for how to make an appointment.
Smirlhome Farms, at 65 Main Street, Morewood, is hosting a fundraiser for the Winchester Hospital called Soak Up the Sunflowers and Bee Amazed, featuring music, food, wagon rides and displays from July 28th to August 8th. For details and how to get tickets see smirlhomefarmshoney.ca.
The PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise has partnered with Employment Services of Prescott Russell to host a business event for local entrepreneurs on July 26th. PARO lends money to help women across Ontario start, scale and grow their businesses.
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We have additional content and Local First podcasts online. Hear us 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.