Police target bus routes in spring and summer safety blitzes
Metro News

By Joe Lofaro, Ottawa Metro News, July 11, 2016

Ottawa police laid nearly 150 offences in three separate safety blitzes over the spring and summer months focusing on the city’s transit network.

Police conducted blitzes on April 29, May 20, and July 8 on local bus routes, catching people for criminal and bylaw violations, as well as provincial offence violations.

The offences range from minor ones related to bus fares under city bylaws to more serious criminal charges such as carrying a concealed weapon and aggravated assault.

Workshops abuzz with information about bee populations

By Melissa Murray, Ottawa Community News, July 11, 2016

Instead of swatting away that buzzing bumblebee this summer, Friends of the Earth Canada is encouraging Ottawans to take its picture and upload it, as part of the Great Canadian Bumble Bee Count, on until Aug. 15.

According to Frances Fyfe, outreach intern for Friends of the Earth, Ottawa is a hotbed of bumblebee species, which makes it a great location for the count.

Licensing cyclists in Ottawa would be a bad idea
Ottawa Citizen

By the Editor, Ottawa Citizen, July 12, 2016

During the at-times-feisty debate between motorists and cyclists this summer, some have suggested that cyclists should be licensed.It’s a superficially logical idea, if we consider that both bicycles and cars are classified as vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act and operators of both have to follow the same rules of the road. Drivers are licensed. Why not cyclists?The benefits of licensing cyclists are usually cited as more responsible and safer riding, easier enforcement when road rules are broken, and revenue to help pay for the costs of city cycling infrastructure.

Transpo puts number to staff reductions ahead of LRT
Ottawa Citizen

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen, July 11, 2016

OC Transpo will shed between 505 and 608 positions when the Confederation Line LRT opens in 2018, prompting management to ask for ideas to prevent layoffs.

Clint Crabtree, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279, said he’s “very disappointed with the number of the staff downgrade,” which Transpo unions learned from management Monday.

It’s gonna be hot, hot, hot: Heat warning issued for Ottawa
Ottawa Citizen

By Evelyn Harford, Ottawa Citizen, July 12, 2016

It’s getting steamy in the nation’s capital.Environment Canada issued a heat warning for Ottawa early Tuesday morning, with temperatures expected to climb to a high of 31 C.

It will feel more like 33 C with the humidex.

Ottawa Fire Services also issued a citywide open air fire ban Tuesday, warning residents that all open air fires are prohibited.

Transpo only city workforce taking a hit in LRT launch
Ottawa Citizen

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen, July 12, 2016

OC Transpo will be the only municipal workforce directly affected by the implementation of the Confederation Line LRT, the city says.

“There are no anticipated staff reductions or increases in non-OC Transpo departments due to the implementation of LRT in 2018 at this time,” according to Marianne Phillips, the city’s acting director of human resources.

Transpo’s three unions learned this week there will be a major reduction in positions when the LRT system launches in two years.

Your letters for Saturday, July 9: Four lanes good, two lanes bad?
Ottawa Citizen

By Michael Braham and others, Ottawa Citizen Letters to the Editor, July 9, 2016

Four lanes good, two lanes bad

Re: Cutting Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway lanes would divert hundreds of cars: report, July 4, 2016.

Perhaps I’m getting a bit dim as I age, but I can’t see any logic behind the proposal to cut the MacDonald Parkway by a lane in each direction. So it will divert 550 cars an hour. To where? Richmond Road or Carling Avenue” They’re already clogged with traffic at rush hour. Maybe the Queensway, making that parking lot even longer?

Residents decry expansion of hydro-dam in Almonte
Ottawa Citizen

By Aidan Cox, Ottawa Citizen, July 9, 2016

Residents and environment activists are decrying the planned expansion of a hydro-electric generator in Almonte that’s slated to begin construction “soon.”

The goal of the $10-million project by Enerdu Power Systems Inc. is to expand an existing hydro-electric generator along the Mississippi River, which would bring its capacity to 995 kW up from 350 kW. The project is six years in the making.

Boil water advisory issued for Côte d’Azur in Gatineau
Ottawa Citizen

By Ottawa Citizen, July 9, 2016

A preventative boil water advisory has been issued for Côte d’Azur in Gatineau.

The advisory was issued Saturday for every property contained in the area below, including near Rue le Gallois, Avenue Gatineau, Boulevard la Verendrye Ouest and Rue de Cannes.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: South Nation Conservation asking residents to reduce non-essential water consumption :: News - Article

By CFRA News, July 8, 2016

South Nation Conservation is once again raising the red flag about the lack of rain, raising the drought conditions from minor to moderate levels.

They say Environment Canada climate stations in Ottawa, Cornwall and Brockville recorded less than 60 per cent of normal precipitation in the last three months.

They say they're receiving reports of dry wells from residents across their area and that many small streams are beginning to dry up, with longtime residents saying they've never seen such low water levels in June.

Committee gives OK for Starbucks Patio, despite residents’ safety concerns

By Jennifer McIntosh, Ottawa Community News, July 8, 2016

After a lively debate about complete streets, the city’s transportation committee approved a temporary patio for the Starbucks at 240 Rideau St. on July 6.

The patio, which had been set up prior to approval under the encroachment bylaw, measures three metres wide.

Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney introduced a motion at committee that would ensure there are at least three metres of access around the patio, so that pedestrians still have a lot of clearance on the crowded sidewalk

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