CJRO News June 28 to July 4, 2021

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

First off, we have excellent news for homeowners in Carlsbad Springs who have been scrambling because of poor internet service for many years. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada confirmed this week they will provide Rogers Communications with a grant of $600,000 to help finance the expansion of Rogers into the community of Carlsbad Springs. Rogers will invest an additional $400,000 for this expansion. It will provide access to high speed internet to five areas in Carlsbad Springs, including Carlsbad Lane, Boundary Road north, Thunder Road near Amazon and Highway 417, Russell Road up to Leitrim Road, Foubert Road and a section of Farmers’ Way. The installation of fiber to the homes will start this summer and will be completed by the fall. Homeowners will then have access to 1 GB high speed internet service and also IPTV offered by Rogers. More details to come as we will investigate further. Rogers has also indicated that they will offer a public information session for interested homeowners.

Over one third of Ontarians over age 12 have now had their second shot of a Covid vaccine, and twice that many have had one shot. The high vaccination rates are reflected in lower infection rates, with a little more than 200 cases reported in the province on Monday, June 28th, the lowest number since last September. Public health spokespersons have stated that with the effectiveness of the vaccines it is likely that the Delta variant will spread among non-vaccinated persons, so if you cannot be vaccinated for health reasons, be very careful.

Most persons age 12 and over can now book first and second shots. Those whose first shot was Astra Zeneca must wait eight weeks between doses, but those with an mRNA first shot can book after four weeks.

The beach volleyball court at Landry Park on Piperville Rd is now open and accessible.

Russell Kin Club’s Catch the Ace lottery has still not been won. The estimated jackpot is now $524,000 with a weekly prize of $35,000. There are five envelopes remaining. To buy tickets go to kinclubofrussell.ca/catch-the-ace-tickets or pick them up at retailers listed on the website. The club recently said they had been having some issues with the Catch the Ace website since this past Saturday. Many many purchasers received an OOPS message when trying to buy tickets online. The club is aware and working on it. They said repeated attempts usually work and ask that you keep trying, and try re-booting your device.

We are now broadcasting from our transmitter in Embrun so all three transmitters, in Carlsbad Springs, Vars, and Embrun are all playing the same programming. We welcome Russell Township to the CJRO family, where local news is our priority. And that leads to new prospects.

CJRO is looking for a sales representative to help us gain more community business partners. The position is commission-based and will be reviewed in the second year. 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.

Russell Township has made changes to the Addendum to the Environmental Assessment of the proposed expansion of the 417 Industrial Park, specifically regarding water supply. To view the addendum and the original EA request it from Jonathanbourgon@russell.ca. If I can figure out how to put it up on cjroradio.com I will do that too. Written comments must be in next week, on July 9th.

Prescott-Russell Transpo is returning as an on-demand service. It will operate Monday to Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. It will not follow fixed routes or have predetermined schedules, but instead riders can phone, text or reserve a seat online for the date and time travel is required. You can download the Blaise Transit App from the Apple App Store or the download the Application through the Google Play Store. If you don't have a smartphone, you can access the Blaise Transit web App or call PR Transpo customer service at 613-675-4382.

South Nation Conservation will host their annual summer Youth Fish Camp at three outdoor Conservation Areas in Eastern Ontario. Last year the camps were cancelled due to the pandemic.

The camps are held in July and August at the Cass Bridge Conservation Area in Winchester, High Falls Conservation Area in Casselman, and Jessup’s Falls Conservation Area in Plantagenet. Young anglers will enjoy two fun days of stewardship education, catch and release fishing, and are given a complimentary fishing rod and tackle box to take home.

There is a limit of 15 youth per camp.

Registration opened on June 22nd and some of the camps are already fully reserved. Sign up at https://www.nation.on.ca/resources/watershed-education/youth-fish-camp

Do you have news that matters to our area? Do you have a local business? We are eager to hear from all our local business owners and I’d like to interview you. Contact me by emailing newsCJRO@gmail.com.

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