CJRO News: July 22 to July 28, 2024

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

Russell Township Council has announced by-election details. Council is approving authorization of internet and telephone voting and hiring Intelivote Systems to manage voting. It is a sole-source contract which Council agreed to, saying there is not enough time for the RFP and tendering process. The cost is expected to be around $50,000. Nomination and registration periods end August 16. Election day is September 30.

Mayor Mike Tarnowski at Russell Township Council recently. Photo Candice Vetter

The deadline for registering to vote passed July 22, and CJRO has just learned that some people who have voted in the township for years were surprised to find they were not on the list.

LCBO stores are reopening this week after the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and government of Ontario came to agreement late last week.

LCBO workers from the Embrun store, near its parking lot, on July 16. Photo Candice Vetter

An OPP news release said a serious single-vehicle collision on June 20, near Hawkesbury on Highway 417 resulted in a three-year-old child being transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver and two other passengers were also sent to hospital with serious injuries. The eastbound road was closed until the next morning. Names have not been released.

The OPP also said an Embrun man, 22-year-old Felix Lecomte, has been arrested for impaired driving, flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and no license. He was spotted by numerous drivers who reported an erratic driver in a Mazda CX5 flashed its high beams and stopped in a live lane, causing other vehicles to swerve onto the shoulder. Complainants gave the license plate number and it was later spotted in the drive-thru at the Embrun McDonalds (which the OPP detachment is one block away from). When officers approached the driver fled, say police, who also said he almost struck a police vehicle head-on. Police identified the driver, arrested him and impounded the vehicle for 45 days. He is scheduled to appear in court in L’orignal August 28.

Russell Township Fire Services received two grants from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada. Station 11 in Embrun received $10,948 to buy a Paratech Basic Control Kit, three lift bags, and accessories, and Station 12 in Russell received $7,780 to buy a positive pressure ventilation (PPV) ventilation fan, which the Russell Fire Service said fulfills a critical need.

Denis Charbonneau from Firehouse Sub, Fire Chief Brian McBain, District Chief Darcy Provost and Firefighters from Station 11 and 12 pose with the newly received equipment funded by these grants. Photo courtesy Russell Township

Finally, a listener has asked CJRO for photos of the Rainbow Ride at Super Ex 1987. The listener said it is an amusement park ride that flies up and has rainbow decorations. If you have a picture contact newscjro@gmail.com.

CJRO wants to report on the local news that matters, so send news ideas, issues and comments to newscjro@gmail.com by Monday mornings. Listen to the news and Local First on cjroradio.com anytime or on the Tune In or Radio Player Canada apps, or at FrequencyNews.ca. I'm Candice Vetter for CJRO News. CJRO, last on the dial and first for local news.