Ottawa news

• Malfunctioning furnace fills east Ottawa townhouse with smoke

  19-12-2017 23:39 via ottawacitizen.com
  Heavy black smoke pouring from a malfunctioning furnace prompted a 911 call for firefighters on Tuesday afternoon.
  Ottawa Fire said it received the call shortly before 5 p.m. and declared a working fire when a crew arrived at 2837-A Baycrest Dr. a few minutes later due to thick smoke on the second floor of the townhouse.
  Further investigation revealed the furnace in the basement had malfunctioned, sending smoke through heating ducts to the second floor.
  There were no injuries and the scene was t
  
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• Furnace malfunction the source of black smoke & emerg. response to home on Baycrest Dr. in Herongate. @OttFire had… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  19-12-2017 23:31 via twitter.com
  Furnace malfunction the source of black smoke & emerg. response to home on Baycrest Dr. in Herongate. @OttFire had… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• Arbitrator's award settling issues behind Ontario college strike expected this week

  19-12-2017 22:44 via ottawacitizen.com
  An arbitrator is expected to make a decision this week on the issues that prompted a five-week strike by faculty at Ontario colleges this fall.
  The province enacted back-to-work legislation to end the strike, the longest in Ontario college history. An arbitrator appointed to help settle the dispute met with both sides and will issue his decision this week, according to both the union and the council representing the province’s 24 colleges.
  The decision will form the basis for a new collect
  
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• Gatineau flood victims face a Christmas of frustration

  19-12-2017 22:28 via ottawacitizen.com
  Snow has replaced flood waters in Gatineau, but months after the water receded many families will spend Christmas in Red Cross-sponsored hotel rooms and apartments.
  On Jacques Cartier Street, beside the Gatineau River’s east bank, Lucie Fortin lives in her grandfather’s former home. She still sees the river as a friend; people in this neighbourhood blame Hydro-Québec dam operators upstream for the suddenness of the flooding, if not for the high water itself.
  “In my
  
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• Reevely: New 'inclusionary zoning' rules will make affordable housing easier, but not a cinch

  19-12-2017 22:16 via ottawacitizen.com
  Ontario cities will have to pay almost half the cost of new affordable housing if they force builders to include it in new developments, under rules the province has just released.
  Municipalities have been eagerly waiting for the fine print on “inclusionary zoning,” an idea the Liberal government put into law a year ago. At its most basic, it means that cities have the power to say to a developer that yes, you can build a condo tower here, but a certain number of units have to be pri
  
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• Priest acquitted of sex assault appointed to downtown church

  19-12-2017 22:13 via ottawacitizen.com
  An Ottawa priest acquitted of sexual assault earlier this year has been appointed to a senior position at Saint Patrick Basilica, one of the city’s oldest churches.
  Stephen Amesse’s appointment as associate rector takes effect on Dec. 23, according to the Archdiocese of Ottawa. 
  Amesse had been charged in December 2014 with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old boy and sexual interference. The incidents were alleged to have happened in 2008.
  In May, Amesse, former pastor at St. Pa
  
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• Ottawa Police officer faces assault charge in off-duty 'domestic' incident ow.ly/vsGX30hkvFl https://t.co/TKgECbwz43

  19-12-2017 21:17 via twitter.com
  
  Ottawa Police officer faces assault charge in off-duty 'domestic' incident ow.ly/vsGX30hkvFl https://t.co/TKgECbwz43
  
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• Why is Santa ignoring Justin Trudeau's texts ow.ly/FVSO30hkvrW https://t.co/QiDmRWcdoB

  19-12-2017 21:14 via twitter.com
  
  Why is Santa ignoring Justin Trudeau's texts ow.ly/FVSO30hkvrW https://t.co/QiDmRWcdoB
  
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• House passes $1.5T tax bill in major win for GOP ow.ly/dcq830hkv6Y https://t.co/shBAxXbTPo

  19-12-2017 21:10 via twitter.com
  
  House passes $1.5T tax bill in major win for GOP ow.ly/dcq830hkv6Y https://t.co/shBAxXbTPo
  
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• JUST IN: Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for Ottawa and its surrounding areas.

  19-12-2017 21:01 via twitter.com
  JUST IN: Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for Ottawa and its surrounding areas.
  
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• Criminal pro tip: Stealing gas with police at the next pump seldom works out

  19-12-2017 20:35 via ottawacitizen.com
  Rule One if you’re going to steal something is probably to check and see who is watching, but an accused man from Harrowsmith, near Kingston, skipped that step.
  The man, aged 36, was pumping gasoline at a station on Kingston’s Division Street late Monday afternoon. So was a Kingston police officer. Same time, same station.
  The first man pumped $60 worth of fuel and then went inside and told the cashier he was short of money, but it was just a mistake and he would go and get some and
  
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• City hall blog: City fine-tunes informal piano policy

  19-12-2017 20:10 via ottawacitizen.com
  City hall’s public piano was covered up on Tuesday morning, as per standard operating procedures when there’s an event happening in Jean Pigott Hall.
  There’s no formal policy that governs the piano, which sits in the rotunda on the first floor.
  People play at all hours of the day when city hall is open.
  There are regulars.
  One guy comes almost daily and plays Lionel Richie’s Hello. Coldplay’s Yellow was on heavy rotation for months. So was the Game of Thrones theme
  
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• Transpo fined $25,000 for not calling out stops, despite having automated system

  19-12-2017 19:31 via ottawacitizen.com
  OC Transpo, which has an automated system for announcing bus stops, has been fined $25,000 for drivers not calling out major stops on three different buses on a single day in November.
  An enforcement officer with the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) filed the notice of violation on Monday and gave Transpo until Jan. 23 to pay the fine. Transpo has the option to request a review of the decision.
  According to the CTA, the violations happened in the early afternoon on Nov. 14 on three buses: a
  
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• Today's letters: Liver transplants, and Eugene Melnyk's comments

  19-12-2017 19:26 via ottawacitizen.com
  Hockey fans are still reacting to Eugene Melnyk’s weekend comments, and several readers take a dim view of our editorial on liver transplants. You can write to us too, at [email protected]
  —
  Fans must step up for Sens
  Re: ‘Disaster’ could make Melnyk consider moving franchise, Dec. 16.
  Fans of the Ottawa Senators: There are plenty of seats available for all home games at the Canadian Tire Centre. They are easily accessed and reasonably priced. If you love your tea
  
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• Twitter users don their holiday worst to aid the Ottawa Food Bank

  19-12-2017 19:03 via ottawacitizen.com
  Things got pretty ugly on social media Tuesday with a deluge of ugly Christmas garment tweets, all in support of the Ottawa Food Bank.
  Participants submitted “elfies” of themselves in ugly sweaters, ugly T-shirts, and other woolly ugly goodness, with prizing for the ugliest sweater.
  Participants uploaded their “elfies” to Twitter, tagged with #OttawaFoodBank and #CozyComfyChristmas. Giant Tiger donated $1 per eligible post which combined with the bank’s other financ
  
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• Off-duty Ottawa police officer charged with assault in Outaoauis

  19-12-2017 18:46 via ottawacitizen.com
  An Ottawa Police Services officer has been charged with assault causing bodily harm stemming from an off-duty incident last week in the Outaouais.
  Police said the officer was arrested and charged Dec. 15 by the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais police following an incident Dec. 14.
  The officer was released by the MRC on a promise to appear in court.
  The officer’s name is not being release in order to protect the officer’s privacy as this relates to a domestic matter, Ot
  
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• UK Defence Ministry refuses to say what F-35 will cost

  19-12-2017 18:31 via ottawacitizen.com
  Parliamentarians in the United Kingdom are angry because of repeated refusals by the Ministry of Defence to provide details about what the purchase of F-35s will cost taxpayers.
  The UK defence committee has stated it is unacceptable to keep such figures from Parliament.
  The purchase involves 14 F-35Bs.
  The defence committee noted that it views the Ministry of Defence’s “failure to provide adequate cost estimates, either on an overall programme basis or on a per-aircraft basis, as who
  
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• Cohen: Trudeau's sentimentality triumphs over his reason

  19-12-2017 18:31 via ottawacitizen.com
  Justin Trudeau’s Liberals end 2017 buoyed by unlikely byelection victories in Quebec and British Columbia, unbloodied by two new opposition leaders and riding a robust economy. In the afterglow of Canada’s sesquicentennial, the country enjoys a contentment unseen in years.
  Canadians are comfortable with their prime minister of smiles, socks and selfies. Two years later, Trudeau still benefits from not being his dour and detached predecessor. We accept a leader who is more temperament
  
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• Lougheed: Seasonal slowdowns at hospitals aren't just about holidays

  19-12-2017 18:22 via ottawacitizen.com
  As we enter the Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Ramadan, Kwanzaa, Festivus, and overall winter holiday season, it is a good time for us to collectively reflect on our health. And no, I don’t mean the flu season or the risks of holiday overindulging (though both are important topics in their own right). I mean health care rationing.  
  While it is true that some slowdown in health care services over holiday periods may be expected with doctors and health care teams hoping to spend some tim
  
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• The @rick_gibbons Show for Tuesday, December 19th: 1:10: @mrpaullandini 1:15: @drakefenton 1:30: @GryphonReport 1:4… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  19-12-2017 18:12 via twitter.com
  The @rick_gibbons Show for Tuesday, December 19th: 1:10: @mrpaullandini 1:15: @drakefenton 1:30: @GryphonReport 1:4… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• Coming up at 11:45: @AndreaHorwath joins @_MarkSutcliffe on the NDP's request for a full-scale inquiry into long-… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  19-12-2017 17:37 via twitter.com
  Coming up at 11:45:@AndreaHorwath joins @_MarkSutcliffe on the NDP's request for a full-scale inquiry intolong-… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• Coming up on the Power Lunch at 12 p.m. @KurtStoodley & @MelAdams1310 join @_MarkSutcliffe in studio: Listen:… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  19-12-2017 17:35 via twitter.com
  Coming up on the Power Lunch at 12 p.m. @KurtStoodley & @MelAdams1310 join @_MarkSutcliffe in studio: Listen:… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• Coming up 11:30: Pollster @niknanos joins @_MarkSutcliffe for weekly segment: bit.ly/1uwtdOs https://t.co/zJ3ZPrkFqt

  19-12-2017 17:22 via twitter.com
  
  Coming up 11:30: Pollster @niknanos joins @_MarkSutcliffe for weekly segment: bit.ly/1uwtdOs https://t.co/zJ3ZPrkFqt
  
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• Audi recalls more than 52,000 cars; fuel lines can leak: bit.ly/2kkF2wN https://t.co/XrrBV8vmXO

  19-12-2017 17:10 via twitter.com
  
  Audi recalls more than 52,000 cars; fuel lines can leak: bit.ly/2kkF2wN https://t.co/XrrBV8vmXO
  
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• Special forces airman who saved Canadian lives receives medal for Operation Medusa

  19-12-2017 17:04 via ottawacitizen.com
  A U.S. airman has received a Silver Star medal for his actions during the 2006 Canadian-led Operation Medusa in Afghanistan.
  Chief Master Sgt. Michael West, a Special Tactics operator with the 720th Operations Support Squadron, directed 58 coalition aircraft in dropping 24,000 pounds of bombs during the 2006 battle. The commander of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, presented the Silver Star to West during a ceremony on Dec. 15. West was assigned to various U.S.
  
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• Coming up at 11: @StephanieCarvin joins @_MarkSutcliffe for her weekly International Affairs segment:… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  19-12-2017 16:50 via twitter.com
  Coming up at 11: @StephanieCarvin joins @_MarkSutcliffe for her weekly International Affairs segment:… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• What is behind Eugene Melnyk’s comments about moving the Senators? @JSportsnet joins @_MarkSutcliffe coming up at… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  19-12-2017 16:35 via twitter.com
  What is behind Eugene Melnyk’s comments about moving the Senators?@JSportsnet joins @_MarkSutcliffe coming up at… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• Coming up 10:30: @Kyle_Duggan joins @_MarkSutcliffe LIVE: bit.ly/1uwtdOs @ipoliticsca https://t.co/8GYMNv1OIv

  19-12-2017 16:22 via twitter.com
  
  Coming up 10:30:@Kyle_Duggan joins @_MarkSutcliffe LIVE: bit.ly/1uwtdOs @ipoliticsca https://t.co/8GYMNv1OIv
  
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• Kingston mayor seeks extra lanes, other measures following Highway 401 crashes

  19-12-2017 15:24 via ottawacitizen.com
  The mayor of Kingston has called on the province to invest in extra lanes and other safety measures to improve conditions on the busy Highway 401 in Eastern Ontario.
  Bryan Paterson said physical improvements to the highway, such as the addition of a third lane in both directions, improved interchanges and more electronic road signs alerting drivers to poor weather or driving conditions would help.
  In April, Kingston city council called on the ministries of transportation and environment to
  
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• Stittsville chimney fire forces two from home

  19-12-2017 15:08 via ottawacitizen.com
  A Monday-night house fire in Amberwood Village in Stittsville forced two occupants from their home and caused about $200,000 damage, according to Ottawa Fire Services.
  The fire, which started in the chimney and moved to the walls of the rowhouse at 2 Pine Tree Court, was reported just after 9:30 p.m. Monday.
  Fire crews had the blaze extinguished within 30 minutes. 
  No one was injured.
  Fire caused $200,000 to this home in Stittsville Monday night.
  
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• Body found in Pembroke-area fire identified

  19-12-2017 14:25 via ottawacitizen.com
  The identity of a woman whose body was found at the scene of an Oct. 30 fire near Pembroke has been released.
  Marion Turcotte, 77, was found at a barn fire on Zanders Road, about seven kilometres west of Pembroke, according to Ontario Provincial Police.
  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
  
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• Gun violence at record high after weekend shooting

  19-12-2017 14:13 via ottawacitizen.com
  A weekend shooting that saw a man show up to hospital after being shot marks the city’s latest case of what is now record gun violence.
  There have now been 69 reported shootings in Ottawa this year, the most to date in any one year.
  Police were called for reports of a shooting near Crestway Drive and Prince of Wales Drive on Sunday afternoon just before 3 p.m. Officers found a spent shell casing but no victims or suspects.
  Later, a male victim presented himself at hospital with non-life t
  
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• No complaint filed against Laurier teacher severely chastised by supervisors: bit.ly/2oHH6n2 https://t.co/41XqRKH80o

  19-12-2017 13:47 via twitter.com
  
  No complaint filed against Laurier teacher severely chastised by supervisors: bit.ly/2oHH6n2 https://t.co/41XqRKH80o
  
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• Messy morning, wet afternoon: Expect snow, rain, freezing rain, fog and wind

  19-12-2017 13:35 via ottawacitizen.com
  Looks like a day of confusion in the capital area, with a little bit of everything weatherwise, most of it unappealing.
  Traffic was building to a crescendo in the early going, with commuters backed up in the usual spots by about 7 a.m.
  Schoolbuses were cancelled in STEO territory but all schools are open.
  The snow is expected to change to rain showers by about noon, leaving a total of five cm in its wake.
  It’s a snowy morning at #YOW! Check the status of a flight with the airline, #FlyCANA
  
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• POLL: Do you agree with NDP Leader Andrea Horwath that there should be an inquiry into abuse in long-term care home… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  19-12-2017 13:28 via twitter.com
  POLL: Do you agree with NDP Leader Andrea Horwath that there should be an inquiry into abuse in long-term care home… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• Meryl Streep: 'I wasn't deliberately silent' on Weinstein: bit.ly/2yXWlIo https://t.co/fGidIlD6AB

  19-12-2017 13:21 via twitter.com
  
  Meryl Streep: 'I wasn't deliberately silent' on Weinstein: bit.ly/2yXWlIo https://t.co/fGidIlD6AB
  
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• Trudeau to focus on economic agenda in 2018, hopes to put ethics flaps behind him: bit.ly/2kKtSRu https://t.co/c4xeX70qdF

  19-12-2017 13:15 via twitter.com
  
  Trudeau to focus on economic agenda in 2018, hopes to put ethics flaps behind him: bit.ly/2kKtSRu https://t.co/c4xeX70qdF
  
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• How 17 people died at Ottawa long-term care homes

  19-12-2017 13:14 via ottawacitizen.com
  At least 17 people have died in Ottawa long-term care homes since 2012, with the care they received before their deaths leading to findings of non-compliance with provincial legislation, an investigation by this newspaper reveals.
  On Monday, this paper documented how there have been 163 reported cases of abuse and 2,033 instances of non-compliance since 2012 at Ottawa’s 27 long-term care facilities. This newspaper gleaned its data from reviewing thousands of pages of Ministry of Health and
  
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• NOW: The 1310 NEWS Extreme Weather Centre is open, tracking cancellations and delays this morning:… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  19-12-2017 13:00 via twitter.com
  NOW: The 1310 NEWS Extreme Weather Centre is open, tracking cancellations and delays this morning:… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• ‘Are you looking for him?’ Grieving daughter recalls Marcel D'Amour's tragic death in long-term care

  19-12-2017 13:00 via ottawacitizen.com
  Pauline D’Amour sat in stunned silence as she learned for the first time the details of her father’s death.
  Marcel D’Amour died two years ago at age 82 while in care at Residence Saint-Louis, his body found lying face down next to his wheelchair outside on the property — a 198-bed long-term care facility on Hiawatha Park Road in Orléans.
  Since 2012, at least 17 people have died in Ottawa long-term care homes. In each case, the care residents received before their d
  
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• Some school bus service has been cancelled due to bad weather

  19-12-2017 12:36 via ottawacitizen.com
  ‘Tis the season.
  All school bus service has been cancelled for:
  Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
  Upper Canada District School Board
  Bus service in the following regions are cancelled for the French Public and French Catholic schools:
  Brockville
  Carleton Place
  Kemptville
  Merrickville
  Prescott-Russell
  If you’re new to this: All schools remain open.
  And all school buses are running in Ottawa.
  Obviously there may be delays.
   
  
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• Stittsville fire causes $200K damage: bit.ly/2BdvD4F https://t.co/VcQeVMw10p

  19-12-2017 12:31 via twitter.com
  
  Stittsville fire causes $200K damage: bit.ly/2BdvD4F https://t.co/VcQeVMw10p
  
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• Wet forecast for Ottawa w/ snow, possible freezing rain and rain; freezing rain warnings outside the city:… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  19-12-2017 12:08 via twitter.com
  Wet forecast for Ottawa w/ snow, possible freezing rain and rain; freezing rain warnings outside the city:… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• Freezing rain warning has ended for Kingston. twitter.com/1310NEWS/statu…

  19-12-2017 12:00 via twitter.com
  Freezing rain warning has ended for Kingston. twitter.com/1310NEWS/statu…
  
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• Also freezing rain warnings for areas including Kemptville, Brockville, Kingston & Cornwall:… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  19-12-2017 11:41 via twitter.com
  Also freezing rain warnings for areas including Kemptville, Brockville, Kingston & Cornwall:… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• BREAKING: All school buses for the Upper Canada District School Board & Catholic District School Board of Eastern O… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  19-12-2017 11:35 via twitter.com
  BREAKING: All school buses for the Upper Canada District School Board & Catholic District School Board of Eastern O… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• Firefighters battle Stittsville house fire

  19-12-2017 04:57 via ottawacitizen.com
  Two occupants of a single-storey row house escaped a west-end house fire Monday night.
  Ottawa firefighters received a 911 call reporting the fire at 2 Pine Tree Ct. in Stittsville at 9:32 p.m. The caller reported that flames were shooting from the chimney.
  When firefighters arrived, the residents of the home were outside and heavy smoke was visible from the eaves and windows. 
  The fire did spread into the walls, but firefighters managed to get the flames under control before 10 p.m.
  Ottawa
  
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• Residents throw snow at Gatineau garage fire

  19-12-2017 04:55 via ottawacitizen.com
  Gatineau firefighters continued the efforts of some residents and put out a garage fire on rue Elzear Monday around supper time. 
  Residents called 911 after seeing smoke coming from their garage. By the time firefighters arrived, the residents were outside throwing snow on the flames. Firefighters put out the rest of the fire, which had spread.There were no injuries, but two people evacuated the home. 
   
   
  
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• Police see record number of shootings in Ottawa in 2017 - CBC.ca

  19-12-2017 01:58
  CBC.ca
  Police see record number of shootings in Ottawa in 2017
  CBC.ca
  After a young man took himself to hospital with a gunshot wound last weekend Ottawa recorded its 69th shooting, breaking a record in a city that has seen violent crime on the rise in recent years. For a second consecutive year, the city has broken its ...
  Gun violence at record high after weekend shootingOttawa Citizen
  Police investigating daylight shooting in Barrhaven EastCTV Newsall 4 news articles »
  
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• Lush Nepean property, once owned by a Confederation poet, eyed for 13 homes

  19-12-2017 00:52 via ottawacitizen.com
  A Nepean community’s hope to transform a historic estate into a neighbourhood park is fading with a developer’s new plan to build 13 new homes on the lush property.
  Theberge Homes has filed a development application for 21 Withrow Ave., which is about a block west of Merivale Road in the City View community.
  Company president Joey Theberge said the new stone-exterior homes would “play off the heritage look” of the existing house on the two-acre property. The house dates b
  
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