Chianello: Picture being presented by Ottawa Neighbourhood Study better than ever
Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Chianello, March 22, 2015

When the folks from the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study present the latest version of the uber-local database to the council’s community and protective services committee on Monday morning, they’ll have quite a bit to boast about. There’s the improved website, which is more informative, better looking and more interactive than it has ever been since the study was first released in 2008. There’s a mapping feature that lets users compare neighbourhoods, or look at comparisons of just one particular area of interest — say, the average distance to a grocery store in a neighbourhood. In previous versions of the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study (ONS), each neighbourhood was profiled in narrative form, but now the information is all laid out in charts — making the data clearer and easier to find. via Chianello: Picture being presented by Ottawa Neighbourhood Study better than ever | Ottawa Citizen.

Smart bike calls when stolen, alerts rider to dangers and best routes
Ottawa Citizen

By Paula McCooey, March 20, 2015

Was your bike stolen? Don’t worry, it will call you. If, that is, it’s the new Canadian-designed bike called the Valour. With thousands of bicycles stolen each year across the country — and less than five per cent recovered — Toronto-based tech firm Vanhawks has come up with an innovative solution to curb the thefts: a lightweight carbon fibre hybrid commuter bike with integrated GPS technology that sends an alert to the owner’s mobile phone to identify the bike’s location. via Smart bike calls when stolen, alerts rider to dangers and best routes | Ottawa Citizen.

Chianello: School planning is key to building better Ottawa suburbs
Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, March 19, 2015

The trouble started when parking spots were painted onto what was once a drop-off lane outside St. Anne Catholic School. Suddenly, parents who had been dropping their kids off in front of the school needed to try to find a place to park nearby. Some of them weren’t good neighbours, often blocking a homeowner’s driveway in the morning rush to make the 9:10 a.m. bell. via Chianello: School planning is key to building better Ottawa suburbs | Ottawa Citizen.

Development of South March Highlands ‘very challenging’ but expected to proceed

By Adam Kveton, Ottawa Community News, March 11, 2015

Two studies on the South March Highlands south-east of Terry Fox Drive show that development will be “very challenging” but is expected to proceed nonetheless, says an Ottawa city planner. The results of studies on drainage and Blanding’s turtles were presented to about 50 attendees of a public meeting on March 4 held by Kanata North Coun. Marianne Wilkinson with city planners. via Development of South March Highlands ‘very challenging’ but expected to proceed.

Letter: Despite the risks, I gain so much from cycling in our city
Ottawa Citizen

By Anthony Leaning, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, March 14, 2015

As I bicycle to work I sometimes wonder — what if I were killed or seriously injured while cycling? Certainly there have been enough tragic accidents between cars and bicycles over recent years, and the incidence of these seems to be increasing. As more and more cycle commuters use the City of Ottawa’s expanding bike network, both cyclists and drivers clearly need to behave more carefully. I am lucky to have a bike route to work that takes me along the Rideau Canal and the new O-Train pathway. The only dangerous part of my route is over the Bank Street Bridge from one side of the canal to the other, which involves crossing four lanes of rush-hour traffic at each end of the day. via Letter: Despite the risks, I gain so much from cycling in our city | Ottawa Citizen.

Letter: Safe cycling begins with safe cyclists
Ottawa Citizen

By Emile Thérien, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, March 14, 2015

Re: Police seek to prohibit distracted cycling, too, March 11. Good for Sgt. Mark Gatien for asking the province to change the wording of proposed distracted driving legislation allowing police to lay charges against cyclists using their cellphones on Ottawa streets. It’s a common-sense proposal that will positively affect traffic safety, injury prevention and safe cycling. How can the provincial government say no to this? via Letter: Safe cycling begins with safe cyclists | Ottawa Citizen.

NCC-city working group returns with new western LRT plan

By Steph Willems, Ottawa Community News, Mar. 7, 2015

A working group formed during the 100-day “truce” between the city and the National Capital Commission has reached a preferred joint solution to the alignment of the western leg of the city’s Phase 2 LRT project. On March 6, representatives from the city and NCC announced a new plan, signing a memorandum of understanding that will be presented to the NCC’s board of directors for approval. The recommendations from the working group would satisfy both parties’ demands – bringing light rail to the west end on time and on budget, while preserving the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway and surrounding green space. via NCC-city working group returns with new western LRT plan.

Asbestos at federal building was a surprise to electrician - Ottawa - CBC News

By Julie Ireton, CBC News, Mar. 9, 2015

Ottawa electrician Denis Lapointe says he was exposed to asbestos and other toxins at work for 16 years, and only recently learned the full extent of his potential exposure after filing access to information requests. The 54-year-old licensed electrician and former public servant had a right to know he was working around hazardous substances. Now he wonders how many other workers at the Canada Revenue Agency buildings at 875 Heron Rd. may have been inadvertently exposed to asbestos. via Asbestos at federal building was a surprise to electrician - Ottawa - CBC News.

Quebec couple fights for right to adopt raccoon
Weird
News
Ottawa Sun

By Pierre-Olivier Fortin, Mar. 7, 2015

SAINT-SYLVESTRE, Que. - It's been almost a week since Jacques and Rachel Lessard had one of their beloved family members under their roof, and the future of Nymous the raccoon is still up in the air. The Lessards found Nymous in May 2013. While walking along the street, they came across a litter of raccoons whose mother was struck by a car. After taking the babies to a shelter, they decided to keep one. via Quebec couple fights for right to adopt raccoon | Weird | News | Ottawa Sun.

Harsh, long winter stalls maple syrup production
Ontario
News
Ottawa Sun

By Elwood Shreve, QMI Agency, Mar. 6, 2015

CHATHAM, Ont. - Mother Nature continues to keep a firm grasp on winter, which means maple syrup producers have no choice but to wait patiently for the sap to begin flowing. "Winter is long and challenging. You can fight it or you can dance with it," Don Giffen, who operates Giffen's Maple Syrup Products in Shrewsbury, Ont., said with a laugh. via Harsh, long winter stalls maple syrup production | Ontario | News | Ottawa Sun.
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