CJRO News March 15 to March 22, 2021
Hello, bonjour, and welcome to CJRO News on Carlsbad-Vars Radio. I’m Candice Vetter, reporting a few kilometres from Carlsbad Springs.
First I want to remind St-Laurent parishioners that mass in Carlsbad Springs will return on Sunday, March 28th. Wearing a mask in the church is mandatory, hand sanitizer is available at both doors and physical distancing is mandatory.
The next CJRO Radio Bingo is Thursday, March 25th, at 7 p.m. Listen live on-air at 107.7 or 107.9 FM or on CJROradio.com, vars.ca or carlsbadsprings.ca. Profits will be split between the Vars Optimiste Club and the Carlsbad Springs Optimiste Club. Cards are available at Rene’s Corners, Vars Gas Bar and Carlsbad Variety.
The Ontario government’s vaccination booking system went live on Monday, March 15th. Individuals born any time in 1941 or earlier can make appointments at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine. When booking an appointment, individuals will need their Ontario health card card, birth date, postal code, and email address and/or phone number. Appointments for both shots can be booked at the same time.
Ontarians who have an old red and white health card, or who need help with booking, can call 1-888-999-6488.
Ontarians who are not in the Phase One priority age group but who are in the Phase Two age group can book appointments starting in April. The government is asking people who aren’t yet eligible not to call now, so that those who are eligible can book their appointments.
Eastern Ontario residents were surprised to find the Druthers newsletter in their mailboxes last week, sparking outrage on local social media. The twelve-page tabloid featured articles condemning the lockdown, calling COVID “A Pandemic of Fraud” and claiming the Centre for Disease Control in the United States inflated numbers. The paper was published with funds from online crowdfunding platforms and its editor is Shawn Jason, who is reported to be Shawn Jason Laplante, the founder of a “free hugs” movement. The paper has already retracted a column by York Centre MPP Roman Baber. CJRO News contacted Baber’s office, which confirmed the online version contains a retraction and apology for taking the column from Baber’s own newsletter. Baber denies he wrote it for Druthers.
South Nation Conservation says to stay away from rivers and watercourses. The weather which has been forecast for this week could increase river flows. Banks might be unstable and slippery. Parents are encouraged to explain these dangers to their children.
Residents in flood prone or low-lying areas should also take precautions. Ensure the sump pump is clear, in good working condition and has a backwater valve on it. Have a portable generator and backup pump available. Ensure downspouts are clear and the outlet is at least three metres from the dwelling. Remove or secure things that might float away. Remove valuable items from basements or lower floors. Keep emergency phone numbers handy. And be familiar with your municipality's emergency preparedness plan.
MPP and former Cumberland Ward Councilor Stephen Blais has launched a petition to convince the provincial government to fulfill the City’s request to re-upload Highway 174 to provincial responsibility.
To sign the digital petition go to stephenblais.ca/petition/highway-174-17 or stephenblais.ca/news
Current Cumberland Ward Councillor Catherine Kitts has been named Vice Chair of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. In a statement she said, “… I will be in an even better position to continue advocating for rural and agricultural interests.”.
The same statement said there were disappointing reports about drivers passing stopped school buses…I provided a direction to staff to report back to committee regarding the pilot project for automated school bus stop cameras.”
Did you feel it? A 3.3 magnitude earthquake struck between Iroquois and Kemptville on Saturday, March 13th.
According to Earthquakes Canada, the event happened before 8 p.m. at a depth of 18 kilometres. Residents from Ottawa to Vermont felt it. Eastern Ontario is part of the West Quebec Seismic Zone and earthquakes are frequent here. For example, in the last month there have been 13 earthquakes recorded in our zone.
If you felt it, you can report it to earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca
CJRO Radio is looking for two volunteer members who are residents from the Russell Municipality, two who are from Carlsbad Springs and one who is from Vars, to be part of CJRO’s governing executive. By early summer CJRO will be serving Carlsbad Springs, Vars, Embrun and Russell. If interested please contact us at cjrofm@rogers.com.
Here is this week’s scam. A fraudster calls and claims to be from the anti-fraud section of a financial institution. The fraudster phones victims and says there is a fraudulent purchase on their debit or credit card. The fraudster tells victims to hand the cards over to a person being sent over. The fraudsters then use the cards to make fraudulent purchases or withdrawals.
Do not listen! Financial institutions do not come and collect cards. They issue new cards and instruct customers to destroy the old ones. This fraud was reported in Quebec but I’ve received that phone call recently, too.
Russell Kin Club’s Catch the Ace Lottery is still growing. Next week's jackpot is estimated over two hundred and forty four thousand dollars ($244,000.00), the weekly prize is estimated over $12,000.00 and there are only 12 envelopes remaining. Go to kinclubofrussell.ca.
We have an unconfirmed report that 17-year-old Lenny Kenny-Laguerre, who was reported missing in Clarence-Rockland last week, has been located.
Do you have news that matters to our area? If yes, contact me by emailing newsCJRO@gmail.com. I’m Candice Vetter. CJRO – Last on the dial, first for local news. Keep well.