CJRO News March 29th to April 4th, 2021

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

The Ontario Provincial Police have confirmed the identity of the murder victim at the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital .

Last Thursday evening, March 25th, Hawkesbury OPP were called to the hospital, where Albert Poidinger, age 89, of Pointe-Claire, Quebec was pronounced deceased, and Dr. Brian Nadler was taken into custody.

Nadler, age 35 of Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec is charged with one count of First Degree Murder. He is remanded in custody until a scheduled video appearance on April 6th, at the Court House in L'Orignal.

The investigation is continuing and police are looking into other recent suspicious deaths at the hospital. The OPP are asking anyone who may have information to call the Hawkesbury OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at Crimestoppers.ca.

Nadler’s privileges at the hospital have been revoked. In a media release the hospital reassured patients, their families and the community at large that the hospital is safe and delivering programs in a professional and safe environment.

All patient services are operating including Medical Imaging, the birthing centre, Emergency and Ambulatory Clinics. Patients can keep their appointments.

The authorities at HGH are working in collaboration with the OPP and reaching out to concerned families. It is also assisting staff and doctors with employee assistance and post-traumatic counselling.

A fire at a barn on Renaud Road near Anderson Road last Tuesday revealed an illegal drug lab and cannabis grow-op. The following Thursday, March 25th, police announced the building had been a "sophisticated clandestine extraction laboratory," but has not yet identified the types of drugs there.

The Ottawa police, Ottawa fire's hazmat team, Ontario's Office of the Fire Marshal, and Health Canada, have dismantled the facility and are investigating.

The Ontario government’s vaccination booking system is now booking appointments for individuals who are age 70 or will be 70 this year. You can now book shots at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine.

To book an appointment, you need your Ontario health card, birth date, postal code, and email address and/or phone number. If you need help with booking, call 1-888-999-6488.

The provincial government has also announced that pharmacies in Ottawa will shortly be receiving the Astra-Zeneca vaccine as part of the increased rollout, similar to Kingston.

Christine Elliott, Minister of Health said vaccination appointments to Ontarians are ahead of schedule. As of last Saturday, over three-quarters of Ontario residents age 80 and over had received at least one dose. Over a third of residents aged 75 to 79 have received their first shot.

Rollout and timing had been affected by a one-week delay in shipment of the Moderna vaccine, but on Monday, March 29th Moderna announced it will make up the shortfall in early April. There are also additional shipments of all the other vaccines, including Johnson & Johnson, expected very soon.

The rural City pop-up clinics for those age 70+ are listed on CJROradio.com.

CJRO Radio is looking for a Francophone reporter for about ten hours of work per week. To apply send a resume to cjrofm@rogers.com.

We are also seeking volunteer executive governing members. We need two from the Russell Municipality, two from Carlsbad Springs and one from Vars. If interested please contact us at cjrofm@rogers.com.

Our additional transmitter is being installed in Embrun on April 23rd, and by early summer CJRO will be serving Carlsbad Springs, Vars, Embrun and Russell.

The next CJRO Radio Bingo is this week! Play on Thursday, April 8th, 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.

Russell Kin Club’s Catch the Ace Lottery is expected to hit $300,000 next week. The weekly prize is estimated over $16,000.00 and there are only 10 envelopes remaining. Last week’s weekly prize was $17,800. Go to kinclubofrussell.ca.

Water levels in areas along the main stem of the Ottawa River from Arnprior to Hawkesbury are expected to rise over the next few days as snow pack further north melts. But flood levels are predicted to remain within the normal range of fluctuations associated with the spring freshet.

The Ottawa River Regulating Committee said that flooding in low-lying areas is not expected. A statement said, “While it is not possible to completely rule out the occurrence of a large spring freshet, the factors that are known at this time, namely below average snow water content in all locations and an early spring start, are positive indicators of a year without excessive flooding along the Ottawa River.”

However, as always in the spring, residents in flood-prone areas should follow evolving conditions and take necessary measures. Stay away from watercourses where flows are high and banks might be unstable. Parents are encouraged to explain dangers to children.

Register your cleanup project for the 2021 Cleaning the Capital spring campaign by May 15th. For more information on the Cleaning the Capital campaign, see ottawa.ca/clean. The City anticipates thousands of community will help keep Ottawa clean in 2021.

The Orleans Electoral District is looking for part-time staff in the office of the Returning Officer for the preparation of a possible federal election. To apply, please email 35076.sylvie.duford@elections.ca and attach your resume.

Good news. In a time of apocalyptic news stories, there is a non-apocalypse to report. The asteroid Apophis had been thought to pose a risk of hitting Earth in 2068. But new observations by NASA rule out an impact for at least one hundred more years. Astronomers have watched Apophis since it was detected in 2004. After 17 years of observations and orbit analysis, the European Space Agency is removing the threat-sized asteroid from its Risk List.

Apophis is estimated at about 350 metres across and is classed as a near-Earth object. The latest observations were made on March 6th, when Apophis passed about 17 million kilometres from Earth.

However, it will still be exciting in 2029, in April, on Friday the 13th, when the asteroid will pass closer to Earth than satellites in the geostationary ring, and be ten times closer than the moon. It will be visible to the naked eye and a fascinating sight in binoculars or backyard telescopes.

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.