Police look to cut down on speeding

Good morning!

It’s like they say, April showers bring May…showers. Hard to believe a few weeks ago we were under a fire ban, and now after the occasional sunny day we’re in for more rain.

It’s certainly better than drought conditions, but it really makes you appreciate those nice days when they come along. So it might be Monday, but get out there an enjoy it.

We’ve got plenty to get to today, including events this week.

So let’s get to it.

— Robert Hiltz, managing editor

WEATHER

Monday: 21 🌡️ 6 | ☀️

Tuesday: 20 🌡️ 9 | ☀️

Wednesday: 14 🌡️ 9 | 🌧

POLICING

OPS looks to cut down on speeding, other infractions

What happened: The Ottawa Police Service is starting a new pilot program to better target traffic and other enforcement. Using a district approach, the force wants input from residents and councillors to line up enforcement with local priorities.

• “We recognize that there’s no one-size-fits-all when addressing Ottawa’s traffic concerns. For example, rural communities’ traffic concerns can vary from those of their suburban and urban counterparts. So it’s important that we listen to communities’ priorities and adjust our enforcement plans accordingly,” Supt. Marc-Andre Sheehy said in a press release.

Splitting up: The city is being split up into four quadrants, where they’ll conduct regular traffic blitzes based on community needs.

• West: wards 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 23

• East: wards 1, 2, 10, 11, 18, and 19

• South: wards 3, 20, 21, 22, and 24

• Central: wards 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17

The force said it would focus on 18 different types on infractions, but highlighted five in particular: Speeding, stunt driving, impaired driving, disruptive vehicle noise, residential-area intersection compliance

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OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🥀 500,000: A fungal disease destroyed this many tulips at Green Corners Farm, wiping out their entire crop and causing at least $200,000 in losses. [CBC]

🚴‍♀️ $2.2 million: The record amount raised over the weekend for the Cycle for CHEO, with money for research at the childrens’ hospital. [CTV]

FIRE

Another fire strikes Overbrook highrise

What happened: For the second time in a week, firefighters were called to an Overbrook highrise Friday evening. Fortunately, this time, the fire was smaller and no one was taken to hospital, but residents were rattled, CBC reported.

At least seven people were displaced by the most recent fire, which seems to have started in a bedroom.

• “We have nothing. All our money, the bank cards, the [permanent residence card], health cards, everything [was in our] unit. So we don't have anything with us,” one resident told CBC.

Fire crews stayed on site out of an abundance of caution, particularly with the fire being the second in as many days.

Previous fire: Last Thursday’s fire initially displaced 200 people because of smoke and water damage. There were 56 still forced from their homes by the time of the second fire. A woman and two children were still in hospital in critical condition.

• Ottawa police are investigating Thursday’s fire as a possible arson. Coun. Tim Tierney told CBC the investigation was close to complete, and the final units could be turned back over to the building’s owner for repairs.

Elsewhere: A woman was taken to hospital in critical condition Sunday after a fire in her LeBreton Flats apartment, CTV reported. A dog and a cat died in the blaze, while a second dog was rescued. Fire fighters had to break down the door, where they found the woman unconscious and the unit filled with thick black smoke.

NEW LOCAL JOBS

Check out the new open positions in Ottawa.

1. Human rights officer at the OCDSB

2. Policy and planning officer at National Research Council

3. Graduate studies administrator at Carleton University

4. Copyright officer at the National Gallery of Canada

5. Forestry officer at the National Capital Commission

Local jobs are selected by the Lookout team and are not paid ads, unless specifically noted. 

THE AGENDA

💐 A 15-year-old student who was stabbed last week in Nepean died of their injuries. The Sir Guy Carleton student is not being named. An 18-year-old was charged by police in connection with the stabbing. Neither the charges nor the suspect’s name were released. [CTV]

🥅 It was a tough end to PWHL Ottawa’s first season, as the team missed the playoffs after losing 5-2 to Toronto. [Twitter]

⌨️ Fed up with the city’s labyrinthe online system for finding recreational activities, one local parent made her own online tool to more easily search the site. Claudie Larouche has several useful resources for searching for activities by type, age group, location and more. [CTV/Claudie Larouche]

🖼️ Facing a terminal illness, a man who has collected local art for decades is giving much of his collection away. Bill Staubi is donating about 1,300 pieces to galleries, museums, and more. [Ottawa Citizen]

🤠 After a bustling night for the Tim McGraw concert, some small businesses are wondering how they’ll fare if the Senators move their arena downtown. [Ottawa Citizen]

🩺 A new medical program for prospective family physicians finished its first year at Queen’s University. The program has a concurrent residency program for students to practise while they study. [CBC]

EVENTS

What to do this week

🧚 Absinthe Tasting Experience, Wednesday 7:30 pm: Taste three different types of absinthe, along with small bites and snacks paired for the occasion. Learn the history of this legendary alcoholic spirit. At Absinthe, 1208 Wellington St. W. Tickets $112.

✒️ Turn a Pen, Saturday: Learn the basics of woodturning on a lathe and make your own pen. All materials provided. Two sessions during the day. Wear closed-toed shoes. At Lee Valley Tools, 900 Morrison Dr. Tickets $65.

🌲 Plant Sale, Saturday 9 am: Hosted by the Gloucester Horticultural Society, a chance to get some plants for the warm season. Sale ends at noon or when they run out of plants. At Orléans Fruit Farm, 1399 St. Joseph Blvd. Free to attend. 

🌻 SeedLing Saturday, 10 am: A chance to pick up local seeds and seedlings to get in the ground for the end of the month. At Just Food Community Farm, 2391 Pepin Ct. Free entry.

👗 613Flea, Saturday 10 am: As many as 150 vendors with everything from vinyl records to vintage clothing, and everything in between. At the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park. Free admission.

🍽️ Mother’s Day Brunch, Sunday: A hot and cold buffet to celebrate mom. Explore the grounds afterward. Two seatings. At Strathmere Country Retreat, 1980 Phelan Rd. W. Tickets start at $51.

🏎️ Raymond James Mother’s Day Show & Shine, Sunday 10 am: A day celebrating mom with cool cars and fun events for the whole family. At 450 March Rd. Profits donated to the Do It For Daron foundation.

🤼‍♂️ Evil Uno's Mystery Wrestling 8, Sunday 5 pm: Mystery wrestling is back, and is still a mystery, but this edition is hosted by Chuck Taylor. At Centre Aydelu, 94 Rue du Patrimoine, Gatineau. Tickets $31.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Griff’s Gang have raised some $600,000 for childhood cancer research, and walked in the Cycle for CHEO last weekend in memory of Griffin Bell, who died just shy of his seventh birthday. [CTV]

• Stay ahead of the NHL action with Hockey Recap's newsletter! Get game highlights and expert insights delivered to your inbox. Sign up for free today. [Sponsored]

• E-scooters are back, with new rules and updated features for this season of the rentals. [CTV]

• Love restaurants in Ottawa? Subscribe to Capital Eats, our free food newsletter beloved by 19,000+ Ottawa foodies. Subscribe instantly now.

• The Ministry of Coffee in Hintonburg has had to close its shop indefinitely, they hope to reopen soon. [Instagram]

• One local high schooler has decided to ditch his smartphone for a flip phone. [CBC]

• It was a festive weekend in the ByWard Market with celebrations for Cinco de Mayo. [CTV]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

OTTAWA GAMES

Congrats to everyone who got last week’s Ottawa Wordle, the answer was GREED, which has nothing at all to do with increased Loblaws profits.

For this week’s Ottawa Quiz, we want to know: