Latest news with #RenfrewCounty
CBC
6 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Severe thunderstorm warning for Deep River, parts of Algonquin Park
A severe thunderstorm is making its way east across Algonquin Park Thursday morning. Environment Canada has a severe thunderstorm warning for the eastern part of the park and western Renfrew County, such as Deep River. Wind gusts up to 90 kilometres an hour, rain and lightning are risks from this storm, it said. Around 9:20 a.m. the storm was near Lake Traverse, south of Bissett Creek, and moving east. There is a severe thunderstorm watch across western Quebec Thursday. Some local heat warnings remain, but they are expected to be in their final hours. Environment Canada recommends staying indoors and take cover in a basement where possible during threatening weather, and notes strong winds can damage trees or buildings and overturn vehicles. Environment Canada issues a severe thunderstorm watch when conditions are favourable for a storm to develop. A warning is issued when there is evidence that a thunderstorm is imminent or occurring that will produce damaging hail, wind or rain.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
Police data shows intimate partner violence calls on the rise in Ontario
The growing volume of domestic abuse cases in both Lanark and Renfrew counties in rural eastern Ontario is alarmingly high, according to community agencies and police data. "We're seeing an increase in our crisis calls, and so what we're finding is that people are calling about acts of violence. They're not calling to say, 'I'm a little bit concerned'. They're calling when they're in it," said Erin Lee, executive director of Lanark County Interval House. Lee, who for more than three decades has worked in shelters for women fleeing abuse in Carleton Place and Ottawa, said last year the crisis line at the Lanark County shelter received 3,000 calls — hundreds more than the agency received in the years before COVID. The volume is rising across the province. Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say reports of intimate partner violence were up by 18.1 per cent in Ontario in 2024, with 6,289 compared to 5,326 in 2023. And that was 13.5 per cent higher than in 2022. Statistics released July 7 by the Ottawa Police Service show a nine per cent rise in reports in the past six months. "Is there a reality that there are more incidents? Yes. Is there a reality that the incidents are more volatile? Yes. And is there an increased awareness and more discussion happening about it? Absolutely," said Lee. That discussion and new-found co-ordination with law enforcement is the only bright spot in this situation, she added. Historically, the relationship between women's shelters and police was complicated and somewhat detached. That's starting to change, said Lee, who notes they now get calls from the OPP to "mobilize a team" when victims contact police. But most cases of domestic abuse still go unreported. In fact in 2019, 80 per cent of those who experienced intimate partner violence did not report to police, and according to the Canadian government, cases were more likely to come to the attention of police when there was a higher frequency of abuse. In Lanark County, a woman who has experienced violence is now helping inform and train police officers on how to handle domestic situations. "Police need to know that when women decide to leave, they're most at risk. I give them insight into that journey and open their eyes to what women face," said the trainer, whose name CBC is withholding to protect her safety. A key factor in her own survival was that police immediately put her in touch with community agencies that provide a safe place to stay, counselling and group therapy, she said. "On the day of the attack, an officer attended. She sat with me for hours on my front porch. I was scared and worried, in shock. My whole life had blown up," she said. This more victim-centred approach is welcome, says Lee. "Who would have thought that you would have a survivor in a rural community going in and educating your OPP members on how they conduct business?" she asked, adding there's still room for improvement. "If the OPP has 500 calls for service, we would imagine that 500 calls should be referred. We're not at that place yet." Education is key No one can say exactly why the domestic violence calls are climbing, although OPP have a theory. "I think a lot of the effort that the OPP is putting into properly investigating intimate partner violence is paying off," said acting Det. Staff Sgt. Nick Cloutier. "Victims throughout all of our communities are more comfortable with police, have more trust in police, and are more comfortable coming forward." The murders of three women in Renfrew County in September 2015 is never far from the minds of community workers there. An inquest into the deadly rampage in 2022 produced 86 recommendations for agencies and police. "Good things have come out of that inquest. We had various townships and the county itself declared intimate partner violence an epidemic, which opened up opportunities for supports," said Mary Leigh Elliot, executive director of Victim Services of Renfrew County. Coming out of the inquest, the OPP's Cloutier said the force has introduced 70 "abuse issues investigators" across the province, hired to ensure their police work takes a victim-centred, trauma-informed approach. "We have two in Upper Ottawa Valley, one in Renfrew and one in Lanark," said Cloutier. Those officers often refer survivors to Victim Services of Renfrew County for emotional and practical support, says Elliot. When it comes to intimate partner violence, sexual assaults and human trafficking, those calls have all gone up. "[Comparing] ... the 2023-2024 year to the 2024-2025 year ... we had a 24 per cent increase in our referrals in those types of crimes," said Elliot. As in neighbouring Lanark County, Elliot says the co-ordination with police is improving. As to whether there have been more calls to police or more incidents, Elliot says it's a little bit of both. What's really needed is prevention, she said. "Education is key, and starting young," said Elliot. "Teaching at a young age what a healthy relationship is and also providing support not only for victims, but I think perpetrators of intimate partner violence."
CBC
14-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Dangerously smoky air in some places as heat warnings persist
Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for large parts of the Ottawa-Gatineau region because of wildfire smoke drifting south from northern Ontario. A lengthy heat warning persists in some of the same places. Eastern Ontario's air quality alert covers Renfrew County south to the Kingston and Belleville areas and says poor conditions could last into Tuesday for some areas. One that's only for Monday is in place for most of the Outaouais, except for its eastern edge. The Air Quality Health Index at 8 a.m. on Monday was 7, or high risk, for Kingston and ten, or very high risk, in Belleville. The forecast maximum in Gatineau, Que. for the day is seven, or high risk. Further from the smoke, in downtown Ottawa the risk at 8 a.m. was labelled as five, or moderate. In Cornwall, the risk at that time was labelled as one, or low. The heat warning began late Friday morning and now covers nearly all of eastern Ontario, with the exception of Prince Edward County and western communities such as Deep River and Bancroft. There's also a heat warning for Gatineau and Grenville-sur-la-Rouge in western Quebec. The alert says the hot weather is expected to ease Thursday. Daytime highs are expected to range from 29 to 32 C and with humidity, feel like 35 to 40. Nighttime lows may not dip far below 20 C which means little relief from sweaty conditions. Ottawa topped 32 C on Saturday, with its humidex getting into the low 40s. Staying safe The wildfire smoke may pose health risks, Environment Canada said, advising people in affected areas to limit time outdoors and to consider rescheduling outdoor activities. It warned of mild symptoms including eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a cough and noted people over 65, pregnant people, children, people with pre-existing health conditions and people who work outdoors are more likely to be impacted by air pollution. Very high air quality risks such as those in Belleville Monday morning should cause people with health problems to avoid strenuous outdoor activities and the rest of people to reduce them. A high risk means at-risk people should take it easy outside and others should consoder doing the same if they start to feel unwell. The ongoing wildfires in northern Ontario have forced several First Nations to evacuate. On Sunday, the Pikangikum First Nation had been without power for more than 24 hours and was beginning to evacuate its most vulnerable community members. In the extreme heat, Health Canada recommends staying cool and staying hydrated, especially for vulnerable people or people with underlying health issues. That can mean everything from drinking lots of water and planning outdoor activities for cooler times, to preparing meals that don't require ovens and keeping nearby air-conditioned spaces in mind if needed. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion — like a headache, dizziness or a rapid heartbeat — and get to a cool place where you can drink water. Heat stroke, which includes confusion and very hot or red skin, is a medical emergency requiring a 911 call.
CBC
11-07-2025
- CBC
Shock in tiny Quadeville after teen accused of attempting to murder girl
Wanda Resmer says she didn't see the news coming. For over two weeks, people in Quadeville, Ont., a tiny community surrounded by the hills of Renfrew County, were cautioned by Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to keep their kids close — indoors, even — after an eight-year-old girl was found with serious injuries near the town's main drag on June 24. OPP said they suspected an animal attack. Then, earlier this week, they charged a 17-year-old boy with attempted murder and sexual assault. Test results obtained on Wednesday revealed no animal DNA on the girl, police said. It was a devastating double whammy that Resmer says left her heartbroken. "Maybe I shouldn't say this," the longtime Quadeville resident said inside the community centre on Thursday, "[but] maybe I do wish it was an animal." 'My heart dropped' The accused, who can't be named because of his age, is due back in court at a later date. It's unclear if he, too, is a member of the community. The girl was taken to CHEO, the children's hospital in Ottawa. CBC News is not identifying her in order to protect her privacy. Resmer and her husband Junior know the girl and her family. Quadeville, which is part of the larger township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan, is home to only about 300 people. "My heart dropped," Junior said of learning about the teen's charges. He said his priority now is helping the girl's family as she continues to recover in hospital. The community held a bake sale on Thursday, and a dinner on Saturday raised over $6,000. "I'm proud of that," Junior said. "That's good for a small community." 'I knew it wasn't an animal' Wanda Resmer described Quadeville as a quiet little town where everybody knows everybody. She was preparing bingo cards for this Friday's weekly game when CBC spoke to her Thursday. Residents were scared and worried during the two weeks leading to the charges, she said. "We didn't know what was going on. There was a lot of questions." OPP spokesperson Bill Dickson told Ottawa Morning on Thursday that residents probably no longer have to keep their children indoors. Another Quadeville resident, Beccie Snider, said she was relieved police made an arrest, but added the news is sad. "I knew it wasn't an animal," she said. Dickson said the safety warning issued on June 24 was one of the toughest he's ever had to deal with. "We didn't want to cause excess panic, but yet we didn't want to underplay the potential that there could be a risk to someone else out there," he said. The OPP is holding a town hall on Saturday afternoon.
CTV News
03-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Ottawa
Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Ottawa, warning conditions are 'favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms' this afternoon and early this evening. The forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud today with a 40 per cent chance of showers and the risk of a thunderstorm. High 25 C with the humidex making it feel like 28. At 12:40 p.m., a band of heavy rain was moving through Renfrew County near the Ottawa River. Environment Canada says severe thunderstorms could have wind gusts up to 90 km/h and hail up to 2 cm. 'Isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon. These thunderstorms are expected to move south of the area early this evening,' Environment Canada said. 'When thunder roars, go indoors! Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year.' This is the second straight day a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Ottawa. Some areas of Ottawa saw a thunderstorm on Wednesday afternoon. Environment Canada's forecast says Ottawa will see partly cloudy conditions tonight with a 40 per cent chance of evening showers. Low 12 C. Friday will see a mix of sun and cloud. High 24 C.
