CJRO Radio News - December 9th, 2025

Hello! This is Manuela Dascal and you are listening to CJRO Radio local news.

The Russell Township Recreation Complex Project has been moving forward with many areas completed through the month of November. The CIMCO refrigeration plant, natural gas generator, and several pieces of roof-top equipment were installed. The exterior brick work was finished and the exterior steel framing and boarding around the Community Centre is mostly complete. Masonry crews continued building interior block walls in Rinks 2 and 3, as well as in back-of-house areas. The concrete slab for Rink 1 has been poured and the change room floors for the arena and pool have also been completed. For more updates about the Recreation Complex in Russell visit the Russell Township webpage. 

Russell Township is reminding its residents that  starting January 5, 2026, garbage collection will be automated using the black bins recently delivered. Collection remains weekly on the usual collection day. You are advised to place the bin at the curb by 7 a.m. with wheels away from the road. Recycling is now handled by a third party and no longer managed by the Township. For any questions, collection problems or to receive a bin, contact Miller Waste at area2@millerwaste.ca or 1-888-852-2374.

For information about the dates for special collections for the year you can download the 2026 Collection Calendar at Russell.ca/waste  or get a printed copy

at Town Hall. You can also register for  email reminders at Russell.ca/subscribe.

Christmas Tree Drop Off will start on December 26  and will end on January 4. 

Starting January 1, 2026, new Ontario Fire Code rules for carbon monoxide (CO) alarms will take effect. For updates you can follow the Township and Fire Services on social media. Russell Township Fire Services will offer a Red Cross Standard First-Aid & CPRC course in January and February. Each course includes an 8-hour online portion (completed before class), and two 4-hour in-person sessions. More info on registration, date and time of courses will be shared on social media, or you can contact fire-dept@russell.ca .

Ottawa Police Service has announced that so far this year, there have been 153 personal robberies, up 21.4% from the same period in 2024 (126 reports). Thirty of this year’s personal robberies have stemmed from online buying and selling. These types of crimes have historically increased leading up to and including the holiday season.

Prioritize your personal safety when arranging to meet with strangers for a trade with these safety tips: Avoid inviting strangers to your home to complete a transaction; bring a friend and choose a well-lit public place with video surveillance—preferably a Safe Trade Zone; meet during daylight hours. 

Last-minute changes to the meeting location should be treated as a red flag. Walk away from the exchange if you're asked to go to a second, unfamiliar location.

Avoid meeting in vacant parking lots or secluded areas.

The OPS Safe Trade locations are: 

211 Huntmar Drive (Kanata Police Station)

245 Greenbank Road, Nepean (Greenbank Police Station)

466 Metcalfe Street (visitors' parking lot behind 474 Elgin Street)

4561 Bank Street, Gloucester (Leitrim Police Station)

3343 St-Joseph Boulevard (Orléans Police Station)

For more information, visit ottawapolice.ca/safetrade .

Good Neighbours Food Bank provides food every month to more than 300 people from Russell Township and the surrounding communities. The need keeps growing, and every act of kindness—no matter the size—truly makes a difference.

They are asking for your kind support to help them provide Christmas baskets for families in the community who are going through difficult times. 

You can donate via e-transfer, drop-off non-perishable items at their location in Embrun or at the grocery stores in Russell Township. Visit their Facebook page for updates or their website  at https://goodneighbours.wixsite.com/foodbank 

Ottawa Public Health is advising people to be cautious and well informed about safety regarding ice on rivers and lakes. The ice on a river or lake must be 6 inches thick to support just one person. It needs to be a lot thicker to support more people or a vehicle. If you are not sure if the ice is safe, stay off the ice and choose an indoor/outdoor rink to skate. 

All ice on rivers, lakes or streams can be risky. Before stepping on a frozen river or lake you should check the ice conditions. Clear blue ice is strong and the safest. White ice is half as strong and can cover up dangers. Grey ice is unsafe and will not support much weight. Changing temperatures, salt from roads, under surface currents and rocks can all affect the thickness of the ice. Consistent temperatures below freezing are needed for natural bodies of water to freeze. Other tips about safety on ice include: wearing a life jacket; avoiding stormwater management ponds; not going out onto ice alone or at night. You can also learn about what you can do if you or someone you are with falls through the ice at lifesavingsociety.com. Have a fun winter time and stay safe out there.

That wraps up our local news. If you have any questions, stories or news to share, contact us at the following email address localnewscjro@gmail.com I also invite you to visit our website at cjroradio.com   for the latest news.