CJRO News October 2 to October 8, 2023
Hello, bonjour, and welcome to CJRO News on CJRO Radio. I’m Candice Vetter, back from vacation and reporting from Embrun.
Very early this morning Highway 417 was closed in both directions between Anderson and Ramseyville roads due to a major collision. The Ottawa Police Service reported serious injuries. A local resident near the scene said the accident involved multiple horses, some of which were killed. Avoid the area.
The City of Ottawa is filing an environmental assessment of its preferred “Option 7” extension of Brian Coburn Boulevard. The City has so far been stopped by the National Capital Commission which says the plan would harm ecologically sensitive land. The brand-new six-lane road and transit route would partially run alongside the Mer Bleue bog and would cut through an uninhabited natural area where wildlife including moose, bears and turtles currently live. Both the Ottawa Field Naturalists’Club and Ontario Nature have published objections to the extension, saying of all the options it is the most environmentally disruptive. In April of 2022 several politicians wrote an open letter to the NCC saying they were “unanimous” in thinking that was the best route, and the cheapest. The politicians included councillors Catherine Kitts, Laura Dudas, Tim Tierney and Matthew Luloff; MPP Stephen Blais; and MPs Marie-France Lalonde and Francis Drouin. There has long been friction and attempts at one-upmanship between elected representatives and appointed NCC members. City Council delayed filing its EA with the province during negotiations, but now says it must move forward even though the NCC owns the land.
Early last month another open letter was signed by eleven City councillors calling on Auditor General Nick Stavropoulos and Integrity Commissioner David Wake to investigate how and why the Province unilaterally decided to add 654 additional hectares for development to Ottawa’s urban boundary, including existing farms. One such farm was bought for $12.7 million in 2021. Directors of the company which sold it, 1177 Watters Developments Ltd., donated over $12,000 to the provincial Conservatives over the previous two years, according to CBC. But last week, Councillor Shawn Menard moved that Council ask the mayor to write Paul Calandra, who recently replaced Steve Clark as Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, saying he should be given “the benefit of the doubt.” The motion was carried unanimously. Both letters can be seen at cjroradio.com under News.
The Kin Club of Russell held a gala on September 23rd at which over $2 million was given out to six charities. Good Neighbours Food bank received over $500,000, Valoris Foundation received over $400,000, Storage Centre for Charities received over $340,000, WDMH Foundation got almost the same amount, Osgoode Care Centre got over $178,000 and Victoria’s Quilts Canada was given over $188,000. Funds came from the proceeds of Catch the Ace. A new round of the lottery will commence this month.
The OPP has released more information about two persons charged with 68 combined charges, mostly vehicle theft, break and enters and arson which occurred all across the OPP’s East Region. The police investigated 42 crimes between July 15th and July 25th. Tylor McPherson of no fixed address and Lisa Laviolette from Nectaux Falls, Nova Scotia allegedly abandoned and burned a stolen vehicle, then tried to flee police. They were arrested by the RCMP and returned to Ontario. Stolen bank cards were found in the stolen vehicles which included personal water craft, RVs and trailers. Municipal police, OPP and RCMP all cooperated in the investigation.
The Metcalfe Community Association is hosting a free on-line distracted driver course for new drivers this Thursday, October 5th and 7 p.m. To register visit Metcalfecommunityassociation.ca/events.
The Living Locally Fair is now accepting vendor applications. The annual market is planned for January 20th at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School in Russell. Previous exhibitors have first right of return for their previous spots, and new exhibitors are considered based on a percentage of food and farmers, community groups and artisanal exhibitors. For more information see livinglocallyfair.ca.
Paving on North Russell Road is pretty much complete and the reconstruction of Craig Street in Russell has alternating traffic lanes using traffic light signals from Mills St. to Forced Road starting this Thursday, October 5th. Local traffic for Parkland Avenue will be directed through MacDougall Street.
Russell Township and the Russell Agricultural Society have installed a new outdoor photo exhibit at 901 Notre-Dame Street in Embrun. the exhibit showcases winning photos from the 2023 and 2022 Photo Expo contests.
OPP are still searching for Smiths Falls resident Lawrence Bertrim who disappeared one year ago. He is 5’6”, medium build with brown and blue eyes. Investigators are seeking anyone with potential first-hand knowledge of Bertrim’s activities the night he disappeared.
A video appeal can be seen on the OPP East Region Facebook page or on X at @OPP_ER. Anyone with information should call the OPP tip line at 1-844-677-9404 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS) or online at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
The Carlsbad Springs Community Centre is the site of a new scientific activity organized by STEAMpunks Discovery Lab on Saturday, October 21st. Children must be registered for the free session by October 13th at cluboptimistecarlsbad@gmail.com. This session will work with canister rockets, elephant toothpaste, and coke and mentos.
Check our website for additional videos and photos. Send the News you want included in this weekly report to newscjro@gmail.com by Monday mornings. Don’t forget—Facebook may not allow Canadian News, but we’re all about it. Get the local news that matters to you anytime on cjroradio.com, or tune in to 107.7 or 107.9 FM, or the Tune-In and Radio Player Canada apps. I’m Candice Vetter for CJRO News. CJRO, last on the dial, first for local news.