CJRO News: October 7 to October 13, 2024

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

Charles Armstrong won the Russell Township by-election for the vacant councillor position on September 30. Armstrong had 1278 votes, Jean-Yves Otis had 878, Julian Hunt 789, and Jevon Rudder 772. Armstrong will assume office on October 15, 2024, for the remainder of the term which ends on November 14, 2026. Voter turnout was low at 22.8%, with almost 3800 of the 16,400 eligible voters participating. Here is Armstrong.

Dale Lusk, a resident and business owner in Metcalfe, has died of the injuries from being attacked and stabbed on September 23. The Ottawa Police Service said Lusk was found near Ira Morgan Way in Metcalfe. On October 7 police said there’s no longer a danger to the public, but did not say if an arrest had been made, and are still asking anyone with information to contact them at 613 236 1222. A GoFundMe has been set up for Lusk’s family.

Hydro Ottawa is moving ahead with plans to build a transformer station on Piperville Road at Farmers Way, west of Highway 417, to connect to Hydro One’s existing 230 kV transmission line. Hydro Ottawa said the project’s purpose is to meet growing electricity needs in the southeast end of rural Ottawa. A third community information session will be held virtually online October 23 at 12:15 p.m. and at 7:15 p.m. Interested parties can register for one of these sessions or for a personal one-on-one session by emailing piperville@hydroottawa.com.

In related news, the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) proposed for north of Metcalfe which was rejected by the community, and by Ottawa City Councillor for Osgoode Ward George Darouze, is back on the table. Darouze said an amended proposal is being brought forth to City Hall and residents can voice concerns until October 30.

CJRO tried to get a comment from Hydro Ottawa on both of these announcements but was told no one would be available for up to five business days.

That is not the only change coming from Ottawa City Hall. CJRO recently learned the forest and swampy area at Thunder Road on the west side of Boundary Road has been redesignated at Rural Industrial Freight and Storage, from agricultural. A land acquisition and development company named Avenue 31 has assembled 44 acres of land there. It has conditionally sold six of those acres for $330,000 per acre, according to the company’s website. It does not appear the land has yet been rezoned, however, or if that is a condition of the sale. CJRO has asked the company for clarification but has not heard back.

The Carlsbad Springs Optimist Club is hosting a Halloween party, called Orange vs Black, on Sunday, October 27 at 11 a.m. at the Carlsbad Springs Community Centre at 6020 Piperville Road. The Optimist Club said although the flyer says “for children 3 to 12 years old”, younger children are welcome and all the kids will leave with a candy bag. A flyer will be mailed to Carlsbad Springs residents this week.  

Sign up by November 9 for children of Carlsbad Springs, Ramsayville and Edwards areas to paint their own Christmas ornament at the Carlsbad Springs Community Centre on November 16. Register by email at cluboptimistecarlsbad@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 and the Local Journalism Initiative. CJRO, 107.7 FM, last on the dial and first for local news.