This three-year investment plan is intended to continue through to March 31, 2028.

The press release states this funding is to provide greater compensation to Ontario’s midwives and to “connect more people to midwifery services.”

“Midwives are an essential part of Ontario’s health-care system, supporting families at one of the most important times in their lives,” said Sylvia Jones, deputy premier and minister of health.

According to AOM, midwives are “health-care professionals who provide government-funded expert primary care to pregnant people and their newborns.”

Midwives are present through pregnancy, labour, birth and the first six weeks after birth.

Expectant mothers cannot choose a doctor if midwives have been selected, but a physician will be involved if there are concerns or complications.

Details of the funding include:

• Midwives receiving a wage increase of 7 percent over the term of the 2025-2028 agreement.
• Up to $8 million over three years to fund Indigenous community-based midwifery projects and expand access to culturally appropriate and Indigenous-led midwifery care.
• Over $5 million in midwifery practices to manage their day-to-day clinical operations.
• Reduced administrative burden on midwives by streamlining the funding application process.
• Up to $1 million in each of 2026-27 and 2027-28 for midwives to support the purchase of required equipment and furniture.

According to the press release this funding includes support for culturally safe care for Indigenous families in First Nations, urban and rural communities.

(Written by Mik Horvath)

Area residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste at the Renfrew Landfill (376 Bruce Street).

From old paint and aerosols to batteries, propane tanks, and automotive fluids, this is your chance to clean out those garages, basements, and sheds properly.

The Depot will be Open weekly on Tuesday, Wednesdays & Thursday: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM; and on Friday & Saturday: 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

Be responsible. Dispose of these materials while protecting our environment.

By Rick Stow

Sundays in May, the Arnprior and District Museum is inviting Jenny Croft to make community members fluent in Fibre.

Jenny will be conducting three workshops next month- two on spinning techniques, and one on fleece preparation, running consecutive Sunday afternoons beginning May 17th.

Each workshop costs $10, and registration required at arnprior.ca/fibre

By Rick Stow

Sorry, that may be the wrong metaphor for the planned Grass Volleyball Tournament in the works for McLean Beach Park.

This year’s music festival will include six-on-six or four-versus-four recreational play, and anyone over age 16 can participate, starting at Noon on June 6th.

Cost is $100 per team and everyone is guaranteed 3 games. It’s a co-ed tournament requiring a minimum of 2 females on the court at all times.

This tournament is played on grass. Each match is best of 3 game to 21 points, win by 2.

The event is self-refereed.

The winning team of each division is given a $100 shop local gift card.

Spectators are free. Don’t miss out on the excitement and good vibes

Learn more and register at https://arnpriorvolleyball.eventbrite.ca

By Rick Stow

We’ve compiled the list of gas prices on Friday, April 17th, as of 8:30 a.m., according to gasbuddy.com.

ARNPRIOR  

Ultramar, White Lake Road $1.71.3

MacEwen, Madawaska Boulevard $1.71.3

Stinson, Vanjumar Road $1.71.3

Ultramar and On the Run, Madawaska Boulevard $1.71.6

Shell and Circle K, Daniel Street $1.71.6

Mr. Gas, Daniel Street $1.71.6

Canadian Tire & Petro-Canada, Daniel Street $1.71.9

Stinson, Madawaska Boulevard $1.79.9

RENFREW  

Esso, Raglan Street South, $1.72.6

Canadian Tire & Petro-Canada, $1.72.9

MacEwen, Raglan Street South, $1.72.9

Mobil, O’Brien Road, $1.72.9

Shell and Circle K, Raglan Street South, $1.73.9

Petro-Canada, Stewart Street, $1.75.9

PEMBROKE  

Ultramar and On the Run, Pembroke Street West $1.76.6

Irving, Paul Martin Drive $1.76.6

Canadian Tire, Pembroke Street East $1.76.6

Perkins, Pembroke Street West $1.76.6

Stinson, Mackay Street $1.76.6

Petro-Canada, Pembroke Street East $1.76.6

Mobil, Pembroke Street West  N/A

MacEwen, Highway 41 N/A

PETAWAWA 

Shell and Circle K, Petawawa Boulevard $1.76.9

Esso and Circle K, Petawawa Boulevard $1.76.9

Prices are subject to change. For up-to-date information, check gasbuddy.com . 

(Kasey Egan) 

The Town of Arnprior has closed a section of Gillies Trail (Waterfront Trail) due to overland flooding.

The trail is closed from Albert Street through to the Boat Launch.

The Town advises the public not to enter these areas and asks you stay clear of riverbanks at Robert Simpson Park Beach, Bell Park and McLean Beach.

With the situation in possible transition, it’s important you stay informed.

To obtain the latest news on water levels, refer to the forecast section of the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board website: https://ottawariver.ca/.

For any flood-related emergencies, call the Public Works after-hours emergency number at 343-429-6435.

By Rick Stow

Since the covid lockdown days, Camp Legewade on Hurds Lake in Greater Madawaska has been closed, but the local Scouts wants to revive it in time for rentals in June.

Chair of the camp, Sara Luker, said Scouts Canada was looking to sell the camp, but the local regiment put forward a case to keep the campground under the condition Luker makes it a “viable camp” in the eyes of Scouts Canada.

Since the camp has been closed for years, there is a lot of work that needs to get done and Luker can’t do it alone.

On Saturday, April 25, Camp Legewade is hosting a work day for any local volunteer interested in giving a helping hand.

Volunteers must register by April 24, and can do so by clicking this link: CLICK OR TAP HERE

Due to the required work Luker and the team are looking for individuals who are generally handy or have experience with the trades.

However any extra set of hands is greatly appreciated and Luker would like to see people who have previously stayed at the camp come out and help as well.

The campground is utilized mostly with Beavers, Cubs and Scouts but plenty of other youth organizations have learned valuable life skills at this site.

Luker herself has generational ties with the area too.

Anyone with questions regarding the cleanup can email camplegewade@hotmail.com or can call Sara Luker herself; 613-433-4956

(Written by Mik Horvath)

Oldies 107.7 chatted with Civitan member Ron Terpstra in March and told us the local club has had the vision for a number of years to add the structure to amenities on its acreage on Almonte Street, just west of County Road 29.

In the year that the active fundraising has been going, members have raised close to half of the in-excess of 900 thousand dollars necessary to build the accessible playground- but Terpstra says (all bragging aside), the local club is “recognized worldwide as one of the most active and successful Civitan Clubs.”

Not only that, they got a strategic approach to actualize the initiative.

A catalogue of Sponsorship opportunities lists every feature that will be available in the Accessible Playground Project- and the amount it will take to purchase the item; potential donors are encouraged to review it, and select the amenity to which you wish to add your name.

To view what’s available, see www.almontecivitan.com/playground/give the gift of play.

The next nearest of such attractions is currently a four-hour drive away.

In the next several days, we’ll be sharing further excerpts from Terpstra’s interview to provide more on the layout and logistics of the project, as we continue to wish the club the best success in actualizing its objective.

By Rick Stow

Valley Animal Rescue, which looks after a temporary foster care network for local pets with the help of families and boarding facilities, says they are closing their intake for now as their finances have been stretched to their limit.

In their recent announcement, the rescue explains that January, February, and March are the three toughest months for fundraising, an issue that was made worse over the winter by rising vet costs and unexpected emergencies.

VAR is asking for support from the community, either through their general dogs and cats fund through CanadaHelps, by e-transfer, or through PayPal. Cash donations can also be made to Valley Animal Rescue, Box 214, Renfrew, ON. K7V 4A3

(written by Kasey Egan)

The Advisory Committee meets from May to October of the year BEFORE a Municipal Election, and its report recommendations are made public in March the year of. It’s a policy that’s been in effect in Town since 2017.

The current sitting Council then reviews the suggestions, and accepts, rejects or alters what is proposed.

Among changes being contemplated or determined are the establishment of a Deputy Mayor position, who will also sit at Renfrew County Council and also draw remuneration from the Upper Tier; a hike in the rate of pay for all members elected, an annual cost-of-living adjustment, and, for the first time- a pension plan.

These moves have been discussed at length at the last two Town Council meetings, and Treasurer Jennifer Morawiec will bring a final report back to the table in April when decisions will be solemnized.

So far, we know that current Council is in favour of future members joining the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement Savings Plan (OMERS), with both personal and corporate contributions being made on their behalf- and maintaining the COLA equivalent of of what’s negotiated by unionized staff.

While the stated intention of objectivity is a laudable exercise, the optics may also be compared with statistics since year 2000.

Incumbency success in Municipal Elections in Arnprior is a projected 72 percent, meaning representatives are firstly approving their own raises- and secondarily incentivizing candidacy in the wider population.

By Rick Stow