TODAY: Renfrew will hit the water this Thursday with a paddle along the beautiful Bonnechere River. Bring your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and meet at the Riverview Drive boat launch at 6:00 pm to join for free, or reach out ahead of time to Mad River Paddle Co. at madriverpaddleco@gmail.com to rent for just $25. Bring your own lifejacket and whistle, as well as other mandatory items depending on your craft of choice.

TODAY: The Renfrew Public Library calls on all hard-boiled sleuths to solve the mystery of what to read next with Cuppa Crime Book Club! Mystery, true crime, and thrillers readers unite to share recommendations and chat about their latest reads every second Thursday of the month. The group also reads a crime book each month and then meets to discuss the twists and turns. Registration Required 18+

TODAY: The Eganville Legion hosts its Thursday Dinner and Dance at their branch office, 57 Veterans Way this Thursday, August 6. Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin with roasted potato, salad, desert, and coffee or tea served from 5:00 to 6:00 pm followed by music until 8:00 pm. $18/person. Call 613-628-2802 to reserve.

TOMORROW: Music comes to Mallard’s Milk Bar in Arnprior this Friday! Ottawa Valley-native singer-songwriter Vicki Brittle performs a live intimate concert at the Milk Bar, 55 John St. North, starting at 7:00 pm. Tickets: $20.

TOMORROW: The Downtown Renfrew BIA presents the Heart of Renfrew Market every Friday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 pm in July and August. Low Square will transform into a vibrant gathering place featuring local farmers, artisans, makers, and small businesses from across the Ottawa Valley. Plus, stick around for their weekly Music in the Square concert.

TOMORROW: The annual Hospice Renfrew Golf Classic returns to the Renfrew Golf Club this Friday, August 14! $165/person – includes 18 holes with cart, lunch and banquet meal. Funds raised supporting palliative care for their six bed palliative care centre, serving residents of Renfrew County. Details at: http://www.hospicerenfrew.ca

THIS MONTH: The Cobden, Arnprior, and Renfrew Agricultural Societies present the Renfrew County Fair Jackpot 50/50. Proceeds from the raffle support community events and invest in improvements for all three volunteer-led organizations. Buy your tickets online, at the Cobden Fair August 28-30, or the Renfrew Fair September 10-13.

Tap or click here for more community events.       

Local Sports:           

Registration is open for the upcoming season for both Renfrew and Arnprior Minor Hockey, with parents in both communities encouraged to sign up online.

Have something for the 48? Adding it is easy to do. Click here to get started. 

Set for August 30th at 10:30 a.m., the event will take place at O’Brien Park in Renfrew. Janine Wall, Development Coordinator tells us that the event is a way for people to gather and remember departed loved ones.

The event signifies the release of a loved ones soul and the memories they left behind. Seniors Home Support will have volunteers on hand the day of to release butterflies for anyone who cannot attend.

Wall goes on to say if there is inclement weather on the day of, purchasers will be able to pick up the butterflies at the office on Raglan and release them privately instead.

Butterflies are available for purchase until August 17th. Visit their office at 214 Raglan St. S. or call 613-366-4747 to purchase butterflies for the following prices by credit card or e-transfer:

• 1 Butterfly for $25
• 2 Butterflies for $45
• 3 Butterflies for $70
• 4 Butterflies for $85
• 5 Butterflies for $100

Information can be found on the Renfrew and Area Seniors Home Support website.

(Written by: Bob Kubbinga)

Environment Canada has issued a Yellow Watch – Severe Thunderstorm notice for Arnprior, Renfrew and Calabogie today, August 12th.

The weather service says conditions are favourable for developing severe thunderstorms that could produce strong winds, large hail and heavy rain.

Conditions could include:

• Wind gusts near 90km/h
• Quarter sized hail
• Heavy rain

When severe weather occurs, head indoors or take cover immediately.

The watch is in effect from now until later this evening.

For more information on the notice, visit Environment Canada’s website.

(Written by: Bob Kubbinga)

New research (Field Agent Canada) shows Canadian families will spend 11.7 percent more on back-to-school essentials this year.

Alexis Sapera, Chair of the Board of Directors at the Renfrew County Community Poverty Action Network, says local families are struggling to keep up.

CPAN is trying to help with that. Sapera says their Tools For School program expects to help 700 families with the cost of a new school year.

She says thanks to money raised by local Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie campaigns, they’re able to increase the amount of money they’re spending on each family.

Families who need help can apply for the gift card through CPAN’s website, which is being re-launched later this week.

The Renfrew County Community Poverty Action Network was recently reorganized and is now run solely by volunteers, a move that Sapera says was necessary in the light of rising demand and lower donations.

They are still looking for volunteers to help out with their various programs, as well as in administration.

(Written by: Cindy Clyne)

The Upper Ottawa Valley OPP said officers carried out the warrant on July 14 with assistance from the detachment’s crime unit, the Bail Support Team, the Offender Management and Apprehension Program, the Emergency Response Team, the Tactics and Rescue Unit and the OPP Canine Unit.

Police said the search resulted in the seizure of 17 firearms, several prohibited magazines and a quantity of ammunition.

Christine Lambert, 64, has been charged with four counts of careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition and one count of unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm.

Steven Poirier, 66, is charged with four counts of careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition, unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm.

Bradford Runions, 74, faces 15 counts of careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition, one count each of possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm and unauthorized possession of a firearm, as well as three counts of unauthorized possession of a weapon.

Rudy Sawatzky, 60, has been charged with six counts of careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition, two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order and one count of unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm.

Police said two of the accused were held for bail before being released, while the other two were released the same day.

All four are scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke on Aug. 11.

(Steve Berard)

We’ve compiled the list of gas prices on Wednesday, August 12 as of 8:30 a.m., according to gasbuddy.com.

ARNPRIOR  

Ultramar and On the Run, Madawaska Boulevard $1.57.3

Canadian Tire & Petro-Canada, Daniel Street $1.57.6

Stinson, Vanjumar Road $1.57.6

Ultramar, White Lake Road $1.58.6

Shell and Circle K, Daniel Street $1.57.9

Mr. Gas, Daniel Street $1.57.9

MacEwen, Madawaska Boulevard N/A

Stinson, Madawaska Boulevard N/A

RENFREW  

Esso, Raglan Street South, $1.51.3

MacEwen, Raglan Street South, $1.51.6

Canadian Tire & Petro-Canada, $1.51.6

Shell and Circle K, Raglan Street South, $1.51.6

Mobil, O’Brien Road, $1.51.6

Petro-Canada, Stewart Street, $1.51.9

PEMBROKE 

Irving, Paul Martin Drive $1.59.9

Stinson, Mackay Street $1.59.9

Canadian Tire, Pembroke Street East $1.59.9

Petro-Canada, Pembroke Street East $1.59.9

Perkins, Pembroke Street West $1.61.7

Ultramar and On the Run, Pembroke Street West $1.61.9

Mobil, Pembroke Street West N/A

MacEwen, Highway 41 N/A

PETAWAWA 

Esso and Circle K, Petawawa Boulevard $1.64.9

Shell and Circle K, Petawawa Boulevard $1.64.9

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

(Kasey Egan) 

TODAY: The Arnprior Public Library invites you to test your skill and strategy at their weekly Community Chess Club meet up. The in-person sessions happen every Wednesday at noon in the Art Corridor. The Library supplies the boards, you bring the interest and love for the game. All ages and skill levels welcome!

TODAY: An open jam session welcomes local musicians to the Horton Community Centre every Wednesday at 7:00 pm. All skill levels, abilities, and instruments welcome for a laid back, in-the-round style session! Free to attend.

TOMORROW: Renfrew will hit the water this Thursday with a paddle along the beautiful Bonnechere River. Bring your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and meet at the Riverview Drive boat launch at 6:00 pm to join for free, or reach out ahead of time to Mad River Paddle Co. at madriverpaddleco@gmail.com to rent for just $25. Bring your own lifejacket and whistle, as well as other mandatory items depending on your craft of choice.

TOMORROW: The Renfrew Public Library calls on all hard-boiled sleuths to solve the mystery of what to read next with Cuppa Crime Book Club! Mystery, true crime, and thrillers readers unite to share recommendations and chat about their latest reads every second Thursday of the month. The group also reads a crime book each month and then meets to discuss the twists and turns. Registration Required 18+

TOMORROW: The Eganville Legion hosts its Thursday Dinner and Dance at their branch office, 57 Veterans Way this Thursday, August 6. Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin with roasted potato, salad, desert, and coffee or tea served from 5:00 to 6:00 pm followed by music until 8:00 pm. $18/person. Call 613-628-2802 to reserve.

THIS MONTH: The Cobden, Arnprior, and Renfrew Agricultural Societies present the Renfrew County Fair Jackpot 50/50. Proceeds from the raffle support community events and invest in improvements for all three volunteer-led organizations. Buy your tickets online, at the Cobden Fair August 28-30, or the Renfrew Fair September 10-13.

Tap or click here for more community events.       

Local Sports:           

Registration is open for the upcoming season for both Renfrew and Arnprior Minor Hockey, with parents in both communities encouraged to sign up online.

Have something for the 48? Adding it is easy to do. Click here to get started. 

Hospice Renfrew’s annual Golf Classic returns to the Renfrew Golf Club this week. Volunteer Coordinator Debroah Coelho says there are only a few days left to put a team together and support the 6-bed palliative care facility that helps families stay together during their loved ones’ final days.

The event has become an opportunity to share in a day of fun and friendly competition on the fairways while giving back to a cause that impacts the lives of many people in the community.

On top of a full day of golfing, participants will also have the chance to win big with a number of auctions and contests on site, including a 50/50 golf ball drop that will cap off the evening.

Another giveaway that is expected to garner a lot of attention is the always popular gazebo and patio set draw from Protyre Renfrew, a prize that Coehlo says has been boosted with help from another enthusiastic sponsor.

Registration is still available but limited through the Renfrew Golf Club website. Players will get 18 holes of golf with a cart, plus a BBQ lunch and banquet dinner for $165/person.

(written by Kasey Egan)

The Ottawa River Power Corporation (ORPC) is doing some repairs and infrastructure upgrades in the area of Laura Crescent and Larose and Johanna Streets on August 12th, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Photo Credit: Ottawa River Power Corporation, Website

On August 13th, workers will be trimming trees near ORPC powerlines. Because of this, residents on Parkview Drive and Country, Perth and Bridge Streets may be without power from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Photo Credit: Ottawa River Power Corporation, Website

All customers affected will be contacted by telephone.

More information can be found on the ORPC website.

(Written by: Bob Kubbinga)

There have been more than a dozen flooding incidents on this stretch of road running under the Algonquin Trail bridge over 7 years and August 3rd just added to the tally.

Mississippi Mills Mayor Christa Lowry released a statement on August 7th in response to the repeated issue and concerns from residents. Lowry shares her frustration with the ongoing situation “I understand why people are frustrated. I am frustrated too.” she says in her statement.

Lowry goes on to say “County Road 29 and its drainage infrastructure fall under Lanark County’s jurisdiction. Much of the land where water flows down the mountain is privately owned, and there are no municipal drains on that side of the mountain.”

Lanark County Warden Richard Kidd spoke with MBC News and says the answer is to petition to have a municipal drain installed.

However, it’s not as simple as that. In order to have a municipal drain installed, a third party engineer must come in and review the entire process.

In her statement, Lowry says that a provincial file connected to the watershed that remains unresolved. “…updates and progress on the file have been actively sought, including through MPP John Jordan’s office. While this is only one piece of a much larger puzzle, it is an important piece.”

Warden Kidd goes on to explain that both Lanark County and the Township of Mississippi Mills will do everything they can to curb this issue, but it requires collaboration on all levels of government.

You can read Mayor Lowry’s entire statement on the township’s website.

(Written by: Bob Kubbinga)