Firefighters Responding To Grass Fires In Cornwall

March 17, 2010 — With little snow and dry conditions, Cornwall is having its share of grass fires. Deputy Fire Chief Richard McCullough says there have been four so far this year including one on the bike path near Water Street and Brookdale Avenue this morning. According to McCullough, employees working on the Seaway International Bridge were using a torch when sparks hit the ground. Only a small patch of grass was affected. Crews also battled a stubborn grass fire for a couple of hours just west of SCM Way yesterday afternoon. There were no injuries in either case. McCullough has said sunny days with warming and cooling cycles are the cause. It was a year ago today that Cornwall experienced its first grass fire of 2009.

Catholic High Schools Battle For Bishop Cup In Cornwall

March 17, 2010 — Catholic high school rivalry is alive in Cornwall with the Bishop Cup taking place next week. The puck will drop next Wednesday in the 4th annual showdown at the Si Miller Arena and it's expected to garner a lot of energy from spectators. Organizer Thom Racine says the school spirit is incredible when St. Joseph's and Holy Trinity battle for hockey bragging rights. Racine tells John Bolton's Cornwall Today there's also a competition in the stands. (Hear audio clip below) Racine jokes the game is becoming the Panther invitational because St. Joes is undefeated. Admission is two bucks or a couple non-perishable items for St. Vincent De Paul food drive.

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How Long Will This Warm Weather Last?

March 17, 2010 — Barbecues have been cleaned and you might be warily eying that rake and lawn mower; Cornwall has been basking in near record high temperatures but how long can it last? Environment Canada says we are expecting double digit highs right through Sunday. The average high for Cornwall for this time of year is plus three. Environment Canada's Jim Prime says a mild El Nino winter paired with stronger sun rays is causing the warm weather but he tells AM 1220 News the high temperatures may not last. (Hear audio clip below) Yesterday's high of 16 matches a record set in 1990.

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City Hopes For $1.7 Million To Pay Inquiry Bill

March 17, 2010 — Cornwall's mayor is still hoping the province will come through with money for the Cornwall Public Inquiry. The city is out $1.7 million for its share of having police officers testify at the probe into institutional response to child sex abuse allegations. Bob Kilger met with Municipal Affairs Minister, Jim Bradley, last week to make his case. The ministry gave the city a $3.2 million special assistance grant in 2007 and Kilger tells AM 1220 News he would like a similar grant this time. (Hear audio clip below) Kilger says Bradley did not give an indication when the province would have an answer.

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Future Of Cornwall's Kinsmen Music Festival Up In The Air

March 16, 2010 — It's been a staple in the city for 55 years and now the future of Cornwall's Kinsmen Music Festival is up in the air. With rising costs and declining enrollment in recent years, the club says it will have to look at whether the festival should continue. The club is facing another hurdle as rental fees at Aultsville Theatre are expected to double next year. Kinsmen President Claude Legault says registrations are coming in now and the executive is recommending the show go ahead this year. The club will make its final decision next week. Legault tells AM 1220 News the event has been a great opportunity for students. (Hear audio clip below) As for next year, Legault says the club will meet this summer to look at options.

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Councillor's Canada Day Plan Could Bite The Hand That Feeds

March 16, 2010 — A move by a city councillor to charge the federal government for using Lamoureux Park on Canada Day could upset a city land deal. Mark MacDonald admitted to John Bolton on Cornwall Today he's targeting local MP Guy Lauzon, who is also the Canada Day festival chairman, for his government's apparent lack on action on the bridge. MacDonald is hoping to get some money back for lost business due to the makeshift border crossing. But Bolton questioned the councillor on whether he knew Ottawa actually owned part of the park. (Hear audio clip below) Andrew Borgora with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation confirms the city negotiates a lease every year with Ottawa for a portion of the park. The bandshell sits on a portion of that land. Bogora says Cornwall is getting the land for "quite a nominal fee" right now.

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Mailboxes Smashed In South Glengarry

March 16, 2010 — There has been a rash of vandalism and now the O.P.P. are stepping up patrols in South Glengarry after several residents discovered their mailboxes were smashed. Police think the damage happened on Sunday night along Paragon Road, Glen Road and Purcell Road. If you saw anything suspicious this past weekend in that area, the O.P.P. are asking you to call them at 1-888-310-1122. They'll be stepping up patrols for the next number of days.

Alexandria Advances Towards Hockeyville Title

March 16, 2010 — Alexandria is still in the running to be Canada's Hockeyville 2010. A lot of locals were glued to the T-V last night as the North Glengarry town made the cut in C-B-C's Kraft Hockeyville contest and advanced to the next round along with eleven other communities. Alexandria was chosen by a panel based on spirit, originality and passion for the sport. Nearly 2,000 submissions on why Alexandria should be Hockeyville have poured in from local residents since the first round of the event in January. On the line for the winning community is an N-H-L pre-season game and $100,000 in arena upgrades. The winner will be announced this summer. Cornwall narrowly missed the title of Hockeyville back in 2007, coming in second place to North Bay. Cornwall ran again in 2008 but did not finish in the top ten.

Charges Laid In Historical Sexual Assault Case In South Stormont

March 15, 2010 — Police have laid charges in a historical sexual assault case in South Stormont. OPP officers were called to a home on Friday after a victim claimed she was touched inappropriately two separate times by her step-father in December, 2008. The victim would have been 12-years-old at the time. A male suspect was arrested and charged with two counts of sexual interference. His name is not being released as it would identify the victim. He will be in court next month.

Will Alexandria Be Named A Finalist For Kraft Hockeyville?

March 15, 2010 — Could Alexandria take the Kraft Hockeyville title? The search for Canada's most passionate hockey town continues as the top 12 finalists are revealed during a special presentation tonight on CBC at 9pm. A panel chose the communities based on spirit, originality and passion for the sport. Alexandria made the cut in January with nearly two thousand entries during the first round. The winning community will host an NHL pre-season game and receive $100,000 for local arena upgrades. We will find out this summer which town is crowned Kraft Hockeyville.

Local Festivals Have Something To Celebrate

March 15, 2010 — Look for some bigger and better events at festivals in the Cornwall-area this summer. The provincial government is putting almost $300,000 into a half dozen events in order to boost tourism and the local economy. The Kinsmen Cornwall Lift-Off hot air balloon festival and the Upper Canada Heritage Festival in Morrisburg are getting the lion's share at $75,000 apiece. The grants come from the provincial government's Celebrate Ontario program.

Here is the complete rundown of grant recipients: The Tubie Festival In Morrisburg $22,750; Kinsmen Cornwall Lift-Off $75,000; Upper Canada Village Medieval Festival $40,000; River Rush $23,500; Upper Canada Heritage Festival $75,000; Alight at Night $63,200.

Councillor Wants To Charge Feds $500,000 To Host Canada Day Celebrations

March 15, 2010 — At least one city councillor would like to charge the federal government half a million bucks for using Lamoureux Park on Canada Day. Mark MacDonald says they need some way to recoup the loss in the local economy from the ongoing border issue. MacDonald says the new low level bridge is going to change the face of Cornwall but its on hold thanks to the border dispute. He tells AM 1220 News the feds should pay $500,000 to use the park for Canada Day. (Hear audio clip below) Canada Day chairman Guy Lauzon, who is also the MP, is baffled by the move and doesn't understand how the two are related. The public safety minister said last week he will not meet with Cornwall's mayor. However, the city will meet with border officials this week to talk about concerns with the make-shift crossing that has been in place for nine months. MacDonald will be asking fellow councillors to back his idea when council meets on March 22nd.

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Plenty To Do In Cornwall During March Break

March 15, 2010 — With kids enjoying a week off school for March Break, many parents in Cornwall will be wondering how to keep them busy. The good news is that thee is plenty for them to do. You can take your son or daughter to the Aquatic Centre for a swim, or families can lace up their skates at the Civic Complex. Both of these activities are free. As well, there are city-run day camps for kids ages five to 12 that will keep them moving all day. And if that's not enough, Cooper Marsh is holding a fun week exploring nature and science through games and crafts. For event details, go here http://www.cornwall.ca/en/index.asp