Residents in North Algona Wilberforce can soon get rid of large bulky items.

The township says from May 22-29, residents can drop off acceptable large items for disposal at either the Berndt Road Transfer Site, or the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre during operating hours.

Acceptable items include Christmas trees, boxsprings and mattresses, broken garbage cans, carpets and underlay, furniture, large bulky household plastic items, pool covers, luggage and hockey bags, mops, brooms, shovels, and rakes. 

Both sites are also accepting all electronic waste, and scrap metal.

Propane tanks, hazardous waste, and freon appliances must be taken to the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre.

Items that will not be accepted include construction and renovation material, bathtubs, toilets, vanities, cupboards, counter tops, sinks, concrete, drywall, flooring, vinyl siding, shingles, windows, doors, lumber, plastic flower pots and trays, as well as clothing and textiles.

The Berndt Road Transfer Site is open Wednesdays, from 3-6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Hours for the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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Hastings Highlands is sticking with Tracy Hagar as its official Mayor

At their latest meeting, town council appointed Hagar to the role.

Hagar’s held the position on an interim basis since the resignation of Vic Bodnar last month. 

She says it’s a reassuring feeling knowing she has support from the council.

“I did not know that I would actually get the position,” Hagar said. “I did have to go through an interview process because there were two of us, but it’s definitely a big relief now that that’s over.” 

Hagar was selected by her peers over Councilor Tony Fitzgerald. 

As a longtime business owner, she likens her new role to leading a business.

“The most important thing to do as a business owner is to listen to customers, so I’m applying that to the municipality, it will be listening to the ratepayers,” Hagar said. “That’s the most important thing for success.” 

Hagar also reflected on Bodnar’s resignation, apologizing to residents for the position it put the council in. 

She says the community can rest assured that it is in good hands. 

“We’d like to tell everyone we’re a great team in Hastings Highlands, with council and staff, and not to worry, we will do the best we can,” Hagar said. “If you want to communicate anything with us, we’re always here to listen and help.” 

Hagar will officially assume the Mayor’s role at a swearing in ceremony next Wednesday.

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The good weather is here to stay. 

That comes from Environment Canada Meteorologist Peter Kimball who’s calling for temperatures in the low 20’s through the weekend, and into next week. 

He says it’s a sign the weather is gradually transitioning from Spring to Summer. 

“We’ve been a couple of degrees below normal for most of May,” Kimball said. “But we are turning a page, and in the forecast you’ll see highs of anywhere between 20-22 degrees.” 

On top of the cool start to the month, Kimball says precipitation levels have only reached about 13 millimeters in May, leaving conditions fairly dry. 

He adds that residents can say goodbye to the cold for at least a few months. 

“By the time we get to May 22nd, we’ll be in that continuation of warm weather, so I think that the likelihood of any frost-like weather is probably about over.” 

To check the latest weather forecasts, head to Environment Canada’s website.

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Hydro One is letting residents in Bonnechere Valley and surrounding areas know about a scheduled power outage.

The outage will affect those living in Eganville, South Algona, Sebastopol, Grattan Wilberforce, Brudenell Lyndoch and Raglan, Madawaska Valley, Golden Lake, North Algona Wilberforce, Bromley, Richards, Hagarty and Fraser.

It is planned for Sunday, from 8 am to 2 pm.  

Hydro One says the reason for the outage is for replacing Hydro Poles.

The energy provider is reminding the public to stay clear of downed power lines or equipment, and to never assume they are safe to approach.

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A local entrepreneur is seeking to change the way we clean our barbecues.

Irma Duguay is the founder and inventor of a new, bristle-free, adjustable BBQ scraper, known as the “BBQ Shape n’ Scrape”, which allows you to quickly duplicate your exact grill grate profile using individual blades, resulting in a scraper that fits like a glove.

Duguay says after learning of the dangers of wire bristles snapping off from BBQ brushes and possibly being ingested, she decided to take action.

“After three years of prototypes and sourcing manufacturers, I’ve accomplished what I set out to do,” Duguay said. “It was a long journey, but it was a journey that was very rewarding.”

Duguay says it was her goal to develop a product that could save a life, and protect someone from ingesting a wire bristle left on a grill grate.

She says from the very beginning of her journey, she knew it would be a significant challenge.

“We just got approval for a patent in Canada, and three weeks ago I got the patent from the U.S.,” Duguay said. “It’s very exciting, it’s been a long road, and I’m just really happy.”

Duguay says if you have similar concerns about grill safety, the “Shape n’ Scrape’ may be just what you need.

To learn more about the scraper, you can head here.

You can also check out how the scraper works in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y34xoAZ6C_Q

The post Local Inventor Launches Bristle-Free BBQ Scraper appeared first on My Barry's Bay Now.

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The Renfrew County District Health Unit and School Board are confirming another student at Madawaska Valley District High School has tested positive for COVID-19. 

It’s the second case at the school this week, and the health unit says all students and staff who are considered close contacts of the student have been given instructions to self-isolate. 

However, the school remains open for in-person learning. 

The health unit says the new case does not warrant an outbreak, as exposure is said to have happened outside the school. 

The Health Unit says that all high-risk contacts will receive a text message from the RCDHU that will notify them if they have recently been exposed to COVID-19. 

Anyone who receives this text message will be asked to self isolate and call RC VTAC at 1-844-727-6404 to self-isolate.

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Police have located seven-year-old Olivia Clark of Bayfield.

The OPP are thanking the public for their assistance in locating her. 

The post UPDATE: Olivia Clark Found Safe, Amber Alert Ended appeared first on My Barry's Bay Now.

It looks like Canada’s marquee figure skating event is set to come to the nation’s capital next year.

Skate Canada has announced that the 2022 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships - featuring 250 of the country’s best figure skaters, will be hosted by the city of Ottawa. 

CEO of Skate Canada Deborah Armstrong says after a challenging 2020-21 season due to COVID, they’re looking forward to a prosperous event. 

She says a tournament of this magnitude will have a tremendous impact on the local economy. 

“It brings fans from all over, it fills hotel rooms, it makes sure restaurants are filled, it has people shopping locally,” Armstrong said. “So, it’s a really prestigious event for the city to have and one that the city has done a great job with during the 11 occasions where they held it.” 

The week-long championships will be held at TD Place from January 6-13, in 2022 will feature the top skaters in the men, women, pairs and ice dance disciplines, competing in three levels: senior, junior, and novice.

Armstrong says the championships are part of the qualification criteria to help select the team that will represent Canada at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. 

“The venue is uniquely located next to the Rideau Canal - the longest skating rink in the world, and it’s really in the heart of the city,” she said. “It really gives us a great opportunity to attract a local fan base. It’s very strong and we’ve had very good support here.” 

The 2022 Skating Championships mark the 12th time Ottawa has hosted the event. 

The city hosted the competition in 1922, 1940, 1949, 1953, 1958, 1987, 1996, 1999, 2006, 2014, and 2017.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, Armstrong says they are cautiously optimistic the event will proceed as planned. 

“What does this mean for people returning to mass-gatherings, because that’s what this is,” Armstrong said. “Obviously, we’re in a large facility and people purchase tickets. So, it will be interesting to see how that is going to work. What the COVID-protocols will be, and what people’s appetite is.”

Ticket information will be released by Skate Canada in the Spring.

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A program is looking to help Inuit in Ontario who are struggling with substance abuse and trauma. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Tungasuvvingat Inuit and Mamisarvik Healing Centre in Ottawa have seen the need for culturally-specific treatment to some of Ontario’s most vulnerable populations. 

Kelly Morrissey is the Clinical Team Lead for the Healing Centre and she says with that increased need, they have managed to pivot all through the pandemic in order to continue offering services. 

“This six-week program is directed toward healing and making positive life changes,” Morrissey said. “It incorporates a holistic, Inuit-specific, and community approach for what wellness looks like. Inuit believe it takes a community to heal, so at Mamisarvik, we celebrate and really use that approach.”

The health centre offers residential treatment to clients 18 years of age and older, and includes 10 beds, a commercial-grade kitchen, multiple meeting spaces and common areas, cultural spaces and a 24-hour support team.

Morrissey adds that providing these services does not come without its obstacles. 

She says it’s important to note that not everyone has access to proper internet. 

“We also have a continuing care counselor who ensures they reach out by phone frequently and through the continuing care program,” she said. “That’s definitely something we’ve increased our presence in, in order to be there for our clients and participants.” 

Because of COVID-19, modifications have been made for the well-being of clients and staff while the program continues. 

All health protocols have been adapted while clients take part  in healing and treatment by addressing troubling thoughts, feelings and behaviours, while exploring Inuit perspectives. 

Morrissey says despite the increased demand, they are still trying to raise awareness about the program’s availability.

“We are still here, we’re still open, and we’re going to walk alongside you in your journey to wellness - whatever that looks like,” Morrissey said. “So, we’re just going to continue to do this important work, we just want everyone to know we are here and we’re still working with our community.” 

The program is free of charge for Inuit in Ontario and the centre is accepting new clients for assessment. 

Anyone who’d like to find out more information can reach out to the healing centre. 

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