CJRO Radio News - February 9th, 2026

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

On Thursday evening, February 5th, Councillor Isabelle Skalski held a town hall meeting in Carlsbad Springs. She updated the community on the City Hall’s present and future projects that are of interest for Carlsbad Springs and the neighbouring community of Vars. She also brought to attention a federal government project for a high speed train rail from Toronto to Quebec City that might impact some areas in Carlsbad Springs. Public consultations for the high speed train rail are open till March, for anyone interested go to the following webpage: altotrain.ca . 

The hot topic of the meeting was the City Hall acquisition of the CRRRC. Residents of Carlsbad Springs and some representatives of Russell Township and Vars raised their concerns about the transparency of the way CRRRC was acquired and the change in discourse about its initial proposed objective of being used as a recycling facility area, to a household landfill. Several other concerns were raised in regard to a possible garbage dump on Boundary Road like truck traffic in the area, lack of a recent environmental assessment of the soil, and impact on the  Bearbrook watershed. Residents present were against the development of a landfill and asked for clear and quick answers from the City Hall, and direct consultation with the community. However, almost everyone present acknowledged and applauded Councillor Isabelle Skalski open door approach, and her willingness to keep them updated and informed, and to be a liaison between the community and the City. 

Photos by Ivana Jurkovic.

The Vars Community Association is happy that they have managed to bring City of Ottawa programming to Vars. Activities offered at the Bearbrook Community Hall this Spring will include: art classes, karate, fitness (cardio and strength), and LEGO® Club. 

Spring registration opens online February 12 at 9:00 p.m. Register at: www.ottawa.ca/recreation. And don’t miss the 2026 Summer Camp registration which opens February 26 at 9:00 p.m. !

The community of Vars will be celebrating the winter Carnival on February 22nd, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Alcide Trudeau Parc. The evening before, on February 21st, the community is invited to attend a Bingo Night that will take place at the St. Guillaume School. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. , and the game will start at 6 p.m. .

This February the Carlsbad Springs Optimist Club is offering a fun and creative activity for the children in the community: learn how to create their own comic strip!

First session is offered on February 15 from 11 a.m. to noon for ages 6 to 9 (for this age group parents have to be present).  The second session will be in the afternoon from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for ages 10 and up. Availability is limited to 20 children per session, so if your child is interested in this activity you have to register your child before February 6, 2026, at the following email address: cluboptimistecarlsbad@gmail.com .  

The Carlsbad Springs Optimiste Club Winter Carnival's fundraising numbers are in, and they were thrilled to announce that despite the negative 30 degrees, they raised $19,888, a record amount so far. All profits will be used for fun and educational activities for the children in the community. The Carlsbad Springs Optimist Club is thankful to the generous sponsors, to the community residents who participated in one or more activities over the Carnival weekend and to all the organisers and volunteers. 

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) will host Open Doors sessions every second Thursday starting on February 5th in the South District.

Members from the South District Community Policing Team will hold Open Doors sessions between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the following locations:

• Walter Baker Recreation Complex – Boardroom, 100 Malvern Drive

• Greely Community Centre – Community Policing Office, 1448 Meadow Drive

The public is welcome to attend to ask Community Police Officers questions, chat with them or get support by submitting online reports. Computers and internet access will be available onsite.

For more information about the Open Doors sessions, please contact Sergeant Andrew Worth at wortha@ottawapolice.ca.

On February 14th, from 10:30 am to 11:15 am the Embrun branch of Russell Township library will host a reading and craft event in celebration of Black History Month.  Local author Karin Prince-Agbodjan will read engaging stories that highlight Black history and culture, followed by a hands-on craft inspired by the theme. 

The storytime is open to all ages but registration is required for the craft portion for children ages 5 to 9.For more information and how to register go to russellbiblio.com .

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 www.cjroradio.com for the latest news.