CJRO News March 6 to March 12, 2023

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

the Ontario Liberal party has chosen Kathryn McGarry as president. she will shepherd the party's upcoming leadership race.

Kody Crosby, age 35, was arrested and charged Wednesday, March 1st, in the Orleans Blossom Pass Terrace explosion arson investigation. He was charged with four counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, six arson charges against persons and property, and two counts of break and enter. CBC reported that documents it obtained show a long court record including previous break and enter charges, theft, property damage and breach of probation. Crosby previously pleaded guilty to many business break-ins and vehicle theft. According to CBC dozens of other charges against him were withdrawn in 2019, including multiple theft charges in Mattamy Homes’ Blackstone development.

The explosion on February 13th destroyed four houses under construction and damaged many surrounding homes, some of which were occupied. Two people were rescued from the rubble with serious injuries and four others, including two children, were hospitalized in stable condition. Many other residents evacuated and many homes will need extensive repairs before they are habitable.

The Taggart family is once again in the News in Carlsbad Springs. After last week’s outraged residents reported Taggarts and Ottawa Cedar Lumber for clearcutting a 70-hectare forest without a tree permit, and for loud work during the middle of the night, the City of Ottawa is investigating. Don Herweyer, GM of Planning, said a stop work order was issued under the tree protection bylaw. Herweyer’s memo said the land is actually south of the Tewin urban growth area. After the stop work order was issued log hauling continued well past midnight during the nights. Taggarts first said the cutting was “clean-up” after the derecho, then said the deforestation was for agricultural purposes. At no time in the Tewin approval process had there been mention of agricultural use. If it is farmed, as Taggarts claim, that may contravene other City bylaws, including one which excludes all prime farmland from development. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has said he needs to learn more before deciding if a special, unlimited fine will be issued to Taggarts and the AOO. In addition Ecology Ottawa has created a campaign to protest the clear-cutting. To sign their petition go to https://www.ecologyottawa.ca/tewin_clear_cut. This is an ongoing story and more details can be found on CJROradio.com/News. You can hear my interview with William Van Geest of Ecology Ottawa on Local First.

Constable Munro of the Embrun detachment of the OPP told CJRO the incident on St. Joseph in Embrun between Route 300 and Route 400 on Sunday, March 5th was mental health call, strictly for the person's safety. the person spoke to a negotiator and was taken to hospital. There was no danger to the public.

Embrun Catholic High School student Liana Flanagan and her curling team came close to the podium at the Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island. They represented Ontario and finished 5th after a quarter-final defeat.

The Russell 55+ Club is organizing a 5-day coach trip to Gaspé and need a minimum of 15 more people. The trip is open to everyone 18 and over. A deposit of $100.00 is required to guarantee your seat and should be paid by this Friday, March 10th, to Sunny Days Ahead Travel in Russell. If interested book at 613-445-1001 or info@sunnydaysaheadtravel.ca or call Diane Ceponkus at 613-445-8265.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early with the Russell and District Historical Society. The Gallaghers will perform Celtic music and dance on March 12th starting at 2 p.m. upstairs at the Russell Arena, 1084 Concession St.

The Russell Township Parks and Recreation department is seeking a full-time Supervisor and Coordinator for the St. Joseph and Mother Teresa school daycares in Russell. Apply before March 14th. Other daycare positions are also available. See the full listings and details at www.russell.ca/jobs.

Spring cleaning? Save your treasures to donate to the Russell and District Horticultural Society and St. Thomas Aquinas High School swap meet. March it on Out will be 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 Rivière Castor public elementary school is hosting the DLRC Market on Saturday, April 1st from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a variety of products made by local merchants and a canteen. École de la Rivière Castor is located at 100 Maheu Street in Embrun.

The next few months will be very busy for the Optimist Club of Carlsbad Springs. The Easter Bunny has confirmed that he will visit the children of Carlsbad Springs on Saturday April 1st, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. To receive this visit and a chocolate, you must register your children, aged 11 and under, before March 20th at cluboptimistecarlsbad@gmail.com. Indicate the child’s name, age and address. This activity is open to the Carlsbad Springs, Edwards and Ramsayville areas only.

The Optimist Club is offering first aid courses given by Ménard Safety Courses for teenagers 15+ and parents on April 22nd and 29th, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Carlsbad Springs Community Centre at 6020 Piperville Road, Carlsbad Springs. This in-person course will be in English and the online module is offered in French and English. The cost is $130 per person and a $50 deposit is required. If you pass, your course fee will be refunded. For more information see https://menardsafetycourses.ca.

A Country Evening will take place on Saturday, April 15th at 7 p.m. at the Lucien-Delorme Community Center in Wendover. The Alain Brisson Orchestra and Country Source will be performing, featuring Eric Michael Hawks, Andrew Charlebois, Erica Brighthill, Phil Denault and Todd Nolan. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. To reserve tickets contact Sophie Bisson at 613-620-5804.

The Kin Club of Russell’s Catch the Ace lottery, still the largest Catch the Ace in Ontario, only has 17 envelopes left. The current jackpot is an estimated $416,000.00 and the weekly prize is an estimated $17,000. 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.