Ottawa

A slush covered rural intersection shows a sign with a No Trucks symbol which says Maximum 10 tonnes.

Signage improvement may keep Sarsfield Road bridge open until replacement

December 18, 2024 by Candice Vetter

A small bridge on Sarsfield Road has been scheduled for replacement next year — but due to weight restrictions, large trucks weighing more than 10 tonnes will still need to detour. In the meantime, new signage has been moved to give drivers more warning.

After media attention to the issue, the City has moved the signage to the intersections of Sarsfield Road and Magladry Road and to Sarsfield Road and Dunning Road so that vehicles can turn around before getting too close to the bridge.

Currently, drivers are required to use a long detour of several kilometres. However, signage at the bridge did not appear to give sufficient warning that the bridge was not strong enough for big trucks and heavy equipment, and turning around on the narrow rural road at the eastern edge of the amalgamated City of Ottawa was not possible for those vehicles.

Councillor Catherine Kitts said the improved signage seems to have resolved the situation for now.

Normand Hector, with his arms folded, against a black background.

Saint John performer brings his message of inclusion to Hockey Canada’s Beyond the Boards Summit

November 22, 2024 by Iona Coe

Hockey Canada’s second Beyond the Boards Summit was held last week in Ottawa, with the aim of building a healthier culture for the sport. The summit focused on the issues of sexism, gender-based violence, homophobia, and transphobia in the game. The keynote speaker at the event was Saint John performer and educator, Normand Hector.

Normand Hector, who also performs drag under the stage name Normani, additionally works with Hockey New Brunswick facilitating workshops and conversations to foster a more inclusive culture in the sport locally. Hector spoke with Local 107.3FM about the summit, his experiences there, and both the progress that has been made and work that still needs to be done in the sport.

A Zumba instructor leads many people in a warm up exercise outdoors.

CJRO News — Terry Fox Run raises nearly $18,000, Russell voter information letter has incorrect information, and more

September 23, 2024 by Candice Vetter

In today’s news roundup — The Embrun/Russell Terry Fox Run raised $17,776 this year, and was down in participants but up in volunteerism.

The Russell Township voter information letter instructs potential voters to contact the township office to provide a date of birth, but the small municipality southeast of Ottawa just announced that the instruction is an error. Voters will be able vote electronically or by telephone September 26 to September 30.

The City of Ottawa announced in its newsletter for rural residents that farms will be allowed to bring agriculture-related garbage to the Trail Road landfill free of charge in April and May, avoiding the three-bag garbage limit, and the Clean Up the Capital garbage pickup campaign is underway.

Two Pride flags fly in front of a blue sky. There is a sliver of an apartment building visible on the far left of the frame.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe refuses participation in Capital Pride after Palestine solidarity statement

August 16, 2024 by Vanessa Landriault

On Thursday August 15, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe stated over X (formerly known as Twitter) that he will no longer be taking part in any pride activities hosted by Capital Pride, which starts this weekend.

This happened as a result of a Capital Pride statement on August 6 in solidarity with Palestine in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

This decision has them facing backlash from Ottawa citizens, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

“I’m disappointed that despite conversations with the Jewish community, the board of Capital Pride has chosen to stand behind its original statement that caused significant hurt and distress for many members of the Jewish community. This decision by the board, days before the start of Pride, has unfortunately created an atmosphere where many now do not feel welcome to participate… I will not be participating in events organized by Capital Pride this year.”

To hear more about this story, listen to the 95.7 ELMNT FM news brief.

Porter Airlines to introduce direct route between Ottawa and Las Vegas

August 2, 2024 by Vanessa Landriault

Porter Airlines, a Canadian based airline, will be introducing a new, direct route between Ottawa International Airport and Las Vegas Harry Reid International airport in the fall. The company made the announcement July 30.

The new service will begin on Nov. 1 and feature services four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Joel Tkach, vice president of Business Development and Marketing in the Ottawa International Airport Authority, said in the July 30 statement, “We’re betting that Ottawa-Gatineau travelers will be all-in on Las Vegas! It’s a jackpot for YOW that Porter is once again expanding its network from Ottawa.” As well, he thinks it will be “good for the community” to feature this direct route.

To hear more information about Porter Airlines new service, updates of a fire that took place in Stittsville, and to find out what will be closed on Colonel By Day, listen to the 95.7 ELMNT FM news brief.

A puddle next to a curb on wet pavement with rain hitting it.

Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Ottawa region

July 24, 2024 by Vanessa Landriault

The Ottawa region and surrounding areas have been placed under a severe thunderstorm watch for Wednesday, July 24th. Environment Canada issued this warning at 9:56 a.m. this morning for the Kanata to Orleans area. Kemptville, Cornwall and Pembroke areas are at risk for this storm as well.

The storm is expected to bring rain and hail, and the potential risk of a tornado for those near the Ottawa River Valley. Environment Canada has not disclosed what caused this storm to occur.

For more information regarding the storm and what to expect, listen to the 95.7 ELMNT FM news brief from Ottawa, ON.

A girl looking at her phone in front of Lincoln Fields OC Transpo station. The sign reads Downtown, 3A, B and 4A, B, Tunney's Pasture.

OC Transpo provides updates on Trillium lines but no opening dates

July 19, 2024 by Vanessa Landriault

OC Transpo released a blog post last night at 6pm, outlining their progress and explaining future steps on Line 2 and 4 of the O-Train. While this post provided insight of where they’re at in testing, it did not provide any set dates on when they will be open.

Renee Amilcar, general manager of transit, spoke on the opening date and why OC Transpo does not yet have an estimate during a meeting on July 18th with Ottawa’s City Council.

Also on this 95.7 ELMNT FM news brief, we hear about the Star Wars: A New Hope’s Ojibwe translation project created by Disney/LucasFilms, the Dakota Objiwe Tribal Council, University of Manitoba and APTN.

Blue Moon Marquee performing on a stage at Bluesfest with blue lighting.

Final night of Bluesfest interrupted by power outage

July 15, 2024 by Vanessa Landriault

Bluesfest’s final night took place yesterday, Sunday the 14th, and the festival went out with a bang.

A power outage in the west Centretown area affected parts of LeBreton Flats where the festival was taking place. From about 5:45pm to 9:00pm, Bluesfest lost power but quickly set up generators to handle performances from “Blues in Schools” and “Be in the Band” programs.

Power was restored in under four hours, allowing main headliner, Nas, to perform the final show without any hiccups.

To hear more information about Bluesfest’s final night and other stories in the Ottawa region, listen to the 95.7 ELMNT FM news brief.

Parliament hill in Ottawa with construction going on during a rainy day.

Ottawa to fund Indigenous led projects with contribution of $1.4M

July 2, 2024 by Vanessa Landriault

On June 27th, Minister responsible for Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Dan Vandal announced a $1.4 million dollar investment to be allocated towards 10 Indigenous led projects in Canada’s North.

Four of these projects are already designated towards Indigenous led projects in Nunavut, four in Yukon, and two in the Northwest territories. In a press release, Minister Dan Vandal has said that “Indigenous economic reconciliation is a key component of building strong economies across the North.”

This and more the 95.7 ELMNT FM news brief.

Provincial employment minister calling on Ottawa to reverse the $625 million cut to labour funding

June 25, 2024 by Tonya Organ

Some of Canada’s provincial and territorial ministers responsible for employment and job training are calling on the federal Minister Employment, Randy Boissonnault, to reverse the decision to cut $625 million in funding for labour.

NL Immigration, Population Growth and Skills Minister Gerry Byrne says they wrote a letter to Boissonnault ahead of a heated debate on Monday. Furthermore, Byrne says “Ottawa wants to spend that money and get the visibility for spending it on Artificial Intelligence.” He says these cuts will affect tens of thousands of people in this province, like students, Indigenous people, women, and disabled people, with the bulk of the funding coming from employment insurance premiums paid by workers and employers.

– With files from Dean Clarke

Other stories in this CKVB Newscast include: reminder about bicycle safety from the RNC, NL Seniors’ Advocate says cases of elder abuse are not being reported, and a graduating high school student in Corner Brook wins a provincial bursary for inclusiveness.

Elgin Street and the corner of MacLaren's late at night. People are walking around near MacLarens pool bar.

New Nightlife Commissioner appointed for City of Ottawa

June 12, 2024 by Vanessa Landriault

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe announced on June 11 that the role of Ottawa’s nightlife commissioner has been filled.

Mathieu Grondin, a night-time economic strategist born and raised in Montreal, was appointed to the role and he hopes not to disappoint, stating that “Ottawa will be the city fun’s going to remember.”

To hear more about what Mathieu Grondin has to say about the role and stories from the Ottawa region, listen to the 95.7 ELMNT news brief.

A rainbow appearing across a stormy sky in front of Algonquin College E building.

Environment Canada issues tornado watch after Illinois storm rolls over Ottawa region

May 23, 2024 by Vanessa Landriault

Environment Canada has issued a tornado watch warning for the Ottawa region as the storm that affected the state of Illinois rolls into the Ottawa region.

Predictions of harsh winds, severe thunderstorms and large amounts of rain are expected to last throughout the night. Similar predictions were seen last night but went away quickly with no tornado spottings.

For more information on the storm approaching and OC Transpo stories, listen to the 95.7 ELMNT FM news brief.