Monthly Archives: December 2014

News

Tanger Outlet Mall shooting investigation results in arrest, multiple charges

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A 26 year old man has been arrested and is facing numerous charges after a shooting incident at the Tanger Outlet Mall on December 26.  The Ottawa Police Guns & Gangs Unit arrested and charged Yaqoub ALI of Ottawa yesterday.

He faces the following charges:

·         CC 86 (1) USE/HANDLE/STORE FIREARM, ETC. CARELESSLY
·         CC 87 (1) POINT A FIREARM
·         CC 88 (1) POSSESS WEAPON, ETC./DANGEROUS TO PUBLIC PEACE
·         CC 90 (1) CARRY CONCEALED WEAPON, ETC.
·         CC 91 (1) POSSESS RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED FIREARM WITHOUT HOLDING A LICENCE AND REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
·         CC 92 (1) POSSESS RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED FIREARM KNOWINGLY NOT HOLDING A LICENCE AND REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
·         CC 95 (1) POSSESS LOADED REGULATED FIREARM
·         CC 96 (1) POSSESS FIREARM, ETC. OBTAINED BY CRIME
·         CC 117.01 (1) POSSESS FIREARM, ETC. WHILE PROHIBITED
·         CC 180 (1) (a) COMMON NUISANCE/ENDANGER LIVES OR SAFETY OF PUBLIC
·         CC 244 (1) DISCHARGE FIREARM WITH INTENT TO WOUND, ENDANGER LIFE OR PREVENT ARREST
A warrant was also executed at a home in the east end of the City.

“Gun violence and the gang activity associated with it is an enforcement priority for our Service and this arrest is the direct result of hard work by our officers,” said Ottawa Police Acting Chief Jill Skinner. “Investigations into other shootings in Ottawa remain underway and we are significantly increasing the number of Guns & Gangs investigators looking into those cases.”

In 2014, Ottawa Police made 83 arrests of gang members and associates and seized 53 crime guns – more than half of them were handguns. Direct Action Response Team (DART) officers continue to monitor offenders to ensure compliance with court conditions. A total of 26 gang associates have been found breaching their court conditions in 2014.

“Ottawa remains a safe city,” added Acting Chief Skinner. “We are committed to addressing these crimes.”

Anyone with information can contact the Ottawa Guns & Gangs Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5050. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS), toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or downloading the Ottawa Police iOS app.


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News

The top topics on StittsvilleCentral.ca in 2014

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Here are the top topics on StittsvilleCentral.ca in 2014 … at least since we launched on September 1!

1. Kathleen Edwards opens Quitters coffee. Kathleen’s coffee shop opened on Thanksgiving weekend and has since become a magnet for both local coffee lovers and her fans from across the region (and beyond).  It’s Stittsville’s biggest tourist attraction.

2. Tanger Outlets.  From the chaos of opening day at the end of October to the shooting on Boxing Day, the new shopping centre north of the Queensway has been a popular topic for our readers.

3. City council race.  Shad won a third term, but challenger Dave Lee picked up 40% of the vote.  Not bad for his first time running for office.

4. Car drives into Main Street Cafe.  The windows were smashed but nobody was hurt, thankfully. It was the second time a car drove into the plaza in 2014 — ironic since it’s also home to a driver’s license bureau.

6. Support Local Stittsville. We helped organize a day at the beginning of September to help bring attention to local businesses.

7. Stittsville priest charged with sex assult.  A well-known priest with ties to Holy Spirit Catholic Church and Sacred Heart High School was charged in connection with a 2008 sexual assault.

8. Closure of Mini Muffins Daycare.  Parents lost cash and were left scrambling to find alternate child care after the sudden closure of the Kanata facility.  (We’re working on a series about upcoming changes to daycare in our region for 2015.)

9. Rogers Wireless Coverage.  Dozens of residents rated their coverage on our interactive map, revealing a pattern of poor service in Stittsville.

10. Schools.  Several stories contributed to this topic, including the push for a public high school in Stittsville, the trustee elections, the groundbreaking for a french high school, and proposed boundary changes for Munster Elementary School.

Other popular stories over the past few months:

Thanks to everyone for visiting StittsvilleCentral.ca during our first four months … we have big plans for 2015, stay tuned!


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Entertainment & Events

Guitar and sax duo at Gaia Java this Friday

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Gaia Java welcomes Justin Orok (Guitar) and Zakari Frantz (Saxophone) for a music night on January 2.

Regulars of Gaia Java will know both of these excellent musicians, each of whom has appeared in other ensemble configurations over the recent months.

In fact Justin was one of our inaugural artists, helping to kickoff the very idea of having a music night several years ago. I recall that back then his duo would play a few songs, have a break, and then play the same songs again (they were in the process of building up their repertoire!)

Things have evolved substantially since those days, and as well as jazz standards we hear lesser-known pieces and originals when Justin is playing. He has now migrated south to the sunny climes of Humber College in Toronto, which is a mecca for talented jazz youngsters from the Ottawa area – many of our ‘Gaia Java alumni’ are now gathered there, learning from some amazing mentors. I am delighted to have an opportunity to hear Justin’s well-constructed guitar style again, and particularly look forward to hearing how he connects with a gifted sax player.

Zakari Frantz has also graced us previously with his very interesting and enjoyable sax style. Although originally from Idaho, Zak is based around the Ottawa region where he hosts a Monday night jazz evening at Le Petit Chicago in Gatineau. He teaches at the Bells Corners Academy of Music as well as Shine Academy, and performs locally in a variety of ensemble configurations.

Zak has been very involved with the Souljazz Orchestra, and in 2013 they earned a second JUNO nomination for ‘World Music Album of the Year’. The band has just completed its 6th full-length album. Zak’s styles range from Jazz/Afro/Soul to Funk and Latin, and we can expect some very informed improvisation when his brain connects with Justin’s this coming Friday. Make time to come and hear the blending of these two talents as they help us kickoff the New Year in style.

We are closed New Year’s Day, but look forward to greeting you with optimistic wishes for another twelve months, so please drop by on Friday and come and hear this great music!


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Transportation

OC Transpo adds extra service to Stittsville for New Year’s Eve

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OC Transpo will add extra buses from downtown to Stittsville on New Year’s Eve.

Five 96 buses will leave Hurdman Station after midnight, taking the regular route via Stittsville Main Street, ending at the GRC.  Buses depart Hurdman at:

  • Departs 12:03 a.m. – Arrives 01:14 a.m.
  • Departs 12:53 a.m. – Arrives 02:04 a.m.
  • Departs 01:19 a.m. – Arrives 02:30 a.m.
  • Departs 02:15 a.m. – Arrives 03:26 a.m.
  • Departs 02:44 a.m. – Arrives 03:52 a.m.

The City of Ottawa is pleased to announce that free transit service will again be available to residents on New Year’s Eve after 8 p.m. This city-wide service is provided through a partnership between MADD Ottawa, the City’s Safer Roads Ottawa program and OC Transpo.

“New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest social nights of the year and, thanks to OC Transpo and its generous partners, residents once again have a safe and worry-free option for travelling,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “If you plan on drinking, plan not to drive. Have a safe and happy holiday.”

Free service will be available on OC Transpo and Para Transpo after 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. OC Transpo routes will operate a reduced weekday service on December 31. Customers should check the holiday schedules before heading out.

The Safer Roads Ottawa program is a leading community partnership between Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Paramedic Service, Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Public Health and the Public Works Department that is committed to preventing or eliminating road deaths and serious injuries for all people in the city of Ottawa, through culture change, community engagement and development of a sustainable safe transportation environment.

In addition to the free bus service, the City encourages Ottawa drivers to also consider the use of designated drivers, taxi services or Operation Red Nose to ensure a safe return home throughout the holidays.

For more information and travel planning assistance, contact OC Transpo at 613-741-4390 or visitoctranspo.com.


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Business, Entertainment & Events, Shopping

Meet Elizabeth Kondruss, curator of Stittsville’s Barbie museum

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If you’ve ever visited the “new” Stittsville Flea Market on Carp Road, you’ve stumbled on the Barbie collection that belongs to Elizabeth Kondruss, pictured above.  There are over 20,000 dolls and accessories in her collection, making it one of the biggest collections in Canada if not the world.  

Here’s an interview I did with Kondruss about what’s in her collection and why she’s such a fan of the iconic doll.  All photos by Barry Gray. Continue reading →


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News, Police, Fire & Paramedics

UPDATE: Police seek two “persons of interest” in Tanger shooting

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The two people arrested yesterday by Ottawa Police after the Tanger Outlets shooting have been released without charges.  Police are looking for two “persons of interest” in connection with yesterday’s events.

You can read eyewitness reports from yesterday’s events as they unfolded here.


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News, Transportation

Here’s how you can help with winter road maintenance

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Report potholes and any other road or sidewalk deficiencies by calling 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).

Clear snow on your property. The Use and Care of Roads By-Law No. 2003-498 and Parks and Facilities By-Law No. 2004-276 prohibit the disposal of snow or ice on roadways or in any park. When clearing snow from your driveway or walkway (even if a contractor is doing it for you), snow and ice may not be pushed, thrown or otherwise deposited on the street, sidewalk or park. Anyone charged with an offence may be subject to a fine. Continue reading →


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News, Transportation

Councillor says public info session with OC Transpo to be held in New Year

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OC Transpo has announced several service changes that take effect January 4. New timetables go into effect the same day. But other than different routing for some 96A trips, there is no change to the frequency of routes for Stittsville residents.

In October, Shad Qadri said that he was working with OC Transpo staff to increase service as of January.  But it now looks like the earliest residents will see additional bus service will be in April. Continue reading →


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Nature & Environment, News

Residents invited to make comments regarding Carp landfill expansion

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From the Ontario government:

The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change received a submission for a multi-media Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) under Part II.1 of the Environmental Protection Act from Waste Management of Canada Corporation (WMCC) for a proposed landfill capacity expansion of Ottawa Landfill Site. Continue reading →


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Entertainment & Events, Schools

STITTSVILLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS #3: Renshaw Avenue

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Where are the best Christmas light displays in our community?  Send us a note or send a photo to feedback@stittsvillecentral.ca

Thanks to Barry Gray for sending along these photos of a house on Renshaw Avenue that’s all lit up for the holidays. There are a few other handsome houses nearby that have nice light displays as well.

Christmas lights on Renshaw Avenue. Photo by Barry Gray.
Photo by Barry Gray.
Christmas lights on Renshaw Avenue. Photo by Barry Gray.
Photo by Barry Gray.

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Heritage

Boyd House: Family memories of Christmas on the farm, and more (Part 5)

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(Above: Lyman Boyd with his niece Karen Boyd on left and friend, David MacBeth, early 1950s.)

EDITOR’S NOTE: This series on Boyd House, an old stone farmhouse on Huntmar Drive, originally appeared a year ago on OttawaStart.com.  We’re updating and republishing the original research over the next few weeks on StittsvilleCentral.ca. Photos and research by Glen Gower. This post features excerpts from emails and interviews with descendants of the Boyd family who have contacted me over the past year.  You’ll notice in the photos that the stone house features prominently in many of the pictures.  It must have been an important part of the Boyd family.

Continue reading →


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Business, Entertainment & Events, Food & Drink

Stittsville’s craft brewery celebrates one year in our community this Saturday

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(Above: Kathy and John vanDyk, owners of Covered Bridge Brewing)

Covered Bridge Brewing on Iber Road is celebrating their first anniversary this Saturday with an open house from 12:00pm-4pm.

Covered Bridge first anniversary "ONE" beerThey’re releasing a one-year anniversary beer called “ONE”,  a bourbon barrel aged version of our sweet stout.

They’ll also set up tasting stations featuring samples from a variety of Stittsville and Kanata businesses:

  • Beer and some Serious Cheese
  • Beer and Jojo Coco chocolates
  • Beer and Double-Double cupcakes (courtesy of Wiches Cauldron)
  • Beer and Double-Double chocolate cake and coffee from Gaia Java
  • Wiches Cauldron is making us some chili samples too

Customers are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation for the Stittsville Food Bank.  Anyone who brings in a donation will have their name entered into a draw for some brewery swag.

There’s also a raffle with prizes including:
  • Paddle + 4 glasses
  • Gift certificates from Covered Bridge and Wiches Cauldron
  • Chocolate from JoJo CoCo
  • Coffee from Gaia Java
  • Brew Donkey prize pack (shirt, coaster, glass and discount code for two tour tickets.)

Happy birthday Covered Bridge


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News

PHOTOS: Demolition of a fire-damaged home on Bell Street

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Rolly Renaud took these photos of a demolition on Bell Street. The house was destroyed by fire way back in June.

There were no injuries in the fire but neighbours did have to rescue the family’s dog, a chocolate lab.  Firefighters said the fire was due to worn electrical wiring in a gazebo on the rear deck. It caused an estimated $475,000 in damage. Continue reading →


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