CJRO News: November 25 to December 1, 2024

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

The City of Ottawa announced that speed limits approaching the Village of Vars have been reduced. Devine Road westbound goes from 80 km/h to 60 km/h, eastbound Devine goes from 80 to 70, and southbound Rockdale from 80 to 60. There is no change in the village itself where the roads are still 50 km/h. A photo radar speed camera is also going to be installed on Rockdale Road from Horizon Drive to Buckland Road in Vars.

The St-Laurent Church in Carlsbad Springs is for sale. The parishioners have considered this outcome for months, and said on social media that since the Covid pandemic attendance at the St-Laurent church had declined to the point where the decision to close the parish became imminent and predictable. Weekly Sunday attendance was once over an hundred participants but over the years it has declined to a quarter of this average. The 1910 stone building has had significant renovations over the last 20 years and is considered to be in good condition.

St-Laurent Church. Photo Candice Vetter

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) honoured Normand Riopel for his second mandate as Warden at a banquet on November 23 in Vankleek Hill. Following the banquet the JP St. Pierre Award was given to Marcel Belle-Isle who has volunteered with several organizations over the past 60 years, particularly with youth. The second recipient for 2024, Connie Johnston, is active in several organizations and is famed for her fundraising events. The Warden’s Award went to Julie Delorme, Nursing Supervisor at the Prescott and Russell Residence, and an Honorary Warden’s Award went to François Bellemare, community volunteer and volunteer firefighter emeritus. The UCPR was founded in 1850 and covers the area between the City of Ottawa to the west and the Quebec border to the east.

In Carlsbad Springs Optimist Club past president Daniel Cayer was honoured at a special breakfast on November 24 at the Carlsbad Springs Community Centre.

The new A&W and Petrocanada are now open on Boundary Road south of Highway 417 in Carlsbad Springs. The Starbucks location opened there a few weeks ago, and a Subway is expected to open within the next few weeks. The project was started a year and a half ago on a small lot near the Amazon distribution centre.

In Russell Township the 2025 budget was approved at the November 18 Council meeting with an anticipated 8.6% tax increase. This is over 2% less than projected on the draft budget. The township said more information will be shared when the budget brief is finalized. All budget documents are on the council agendas at Russell.ca.

In Ottawa the City Council is backtracking on its plan to raise seniors bus passes to $108 and is now considering $78.50 as the monthly price. Seniors can ride for free on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The Russell branch of the Township of Russell’s Public Library is holding a Mega Used Book Sale at the branch during regular opening hours until December 7.

CJRO reports 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, the Radio App, Apple Music, the Unison Radio app, or at FrequencyNews.ca. I'm Candice Vetter for CJRO News and the Local Journalism Initiative. CJRO, 107.7 FM, last on the dial and first for local news.