Barrhaven Independent
PO Box 567, 5567 Manotick Main St., Manotick K4M 1A5 K4M 1A5 Ottawa, ON, Canada

As the rate of new daily COVID-19 cases climbs around the city, Barrhaven’s rate of infection is declining, according to data from December. In the last month of 2020, Old Barrhaven East reported 23 new COVID-19 cases, with 13 cases in neighbouring Barrhaven West. Stonebridge/Half Moon Bay/Hearts Desire reported 19 new cases of COVID-19, with another 14 in Chapman Mills. Rideau Crest/Davidson Heights also reported 19 new cases of COVID-19. The statistics are provided by the ...Ottawa Neighborhood Study which provides a breakdown of which communities have the highest rates of infection. Neighbouring Barrhaven, Manotick reported 13 new cases in December with another 23 in Riverside South/Leitrim. Five cases were reported in the Greenbelt and 11 in Merivale Gardens. January’s numbers will not be released until the month is over. The numbers Barrhaven is seeing have remained relatively stable to what the community has seen in months past, despite the number of new cases in the city climbing. Ottawa’s top Doctor, Vera Etches, says Ottawa’s rate of infection is the highest it’s been yet and we are now in the red zone, approaching grey zone territory. Ottawa's COVID-19 levels are dramatically higher since before the holidays: three times the rate of infection, highest yet," said Dr. Etches on Twitter. "We are deep into the 'Red' zone and approaching 'Grey' territory; three times the percent of tests coming back positive; 2.5 times the hospitalizations; wastewater levels increasing." Just before the Christmas holidays, Ottawa's COVID-19 cases per 100,000 was 29.2. Just a week before that the positivity was 1.2 per cent and it’s even higher now.

The City of Ottawa confirms skating rinks and toboggan hills can remain open during Ontario’s 28-day stay-at-home order. The limit capacity of 25 people remains along with physical distancing. Masks are strongly recommended and required around ice surfaces. #ottnews

An employee at the Minto Recreation Complex in Half Moon Bay has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a memo released by the city Monday. The employee was last at work on November 24 and was asymptomatic at the time. A day later on November 25, the employee did not attend work upon receiving news that a close contact had tested positive. A positive test was confirmed on November 28 and the individual continues to self-isolate at home. Two other employees have been de...emed close contacts to this individual and will also be self-isolating as a result, the memo said. To protect the privacy of the individual, we will not be releasing their name. The Minto Recreation Complex remains open and the centre continues to follow enhanced daily cleaning protocols. Ottawa Public Health is working on contract tracing for anyone who may have been around the infected employee.

As we approach closer to Christmas, the Barrhaven Independent is looking for happy, positive stories to cover in the next few issues of the paper. If you have any ideas about someone or something which should be covered, please send us a private message or email [email protected].

Remembrance Day to look different this year across the country; Legions also change the way they run their poppy campaigns. By Charlie Senack Remembrance Day ceremonies all across Canada are expected to look different this year due to COVID-19 health concerns. ...Continue reading

Mark Snow reflects on his 30 years in the Canadian Military and his missions around the world. By Charlie Senack Reflecting on his 30 years in the Canadian Military, Barrhaven resident Mark Snow said the job let him travel around the world and serve his country. ... Snow joined the military in 1980 and started out in the infantry. Soon after he became a communications technician, and had the chance to visit 54 counties throughout his career including Italy, France and Egypt. I had an amazing amount of trips to see what Canada has made as an influence in the world, Snow said. It (has) one of the most respected flags, it’s one of the most respected symbols around the world and you really don’t appreciate that until you go overseas and see what people still remember. The former communications technician served on many missions to Bosnia, and spent nine months in the Golan Heights with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force monitoring the demilitarized zone between Syria and Israel. Snow also spent a lot of time in Cyprus, a small island country in the eastern section of the Mediterranean. It is a country where the Canadian Military played a big role in peacekeeping missions, with over 25,000 Canadian Troops serving over a series of decades. During his time overseas, Snow said he learned a lot about the state other countries around the world, and said it made him realize how thankful he is to be a Canadian citizen. It always amazes me how quickly things can turn, how sad things are and how we are so fortunate and lucky that we haven’t experienced that, the now retired vet said. To live and work in that environment really makes you say ‘thank god we live in Canada.’ Remembrance Day is a time to remember those who fought for the freedom of not only Canadians, but also those overseas. For Snow, Remembrance Day has brought back a lot of emotions after many of his friends have died from suicide after developing post traumatic stress disorder, more commonly known as PTSD. Snow said when he and his fellow soldiers were serving over in Bosnia, mental health was not recognized. We just thought let’s get back to work, let’s do this, he said. While progress has been made, Snow said governments both past and present have made promises that have not been kept. He feels a lot of money is going to help other countries, but not enough funding is being put towards our own veterans. We need to make sure that the people who are making these promises are held to account, he said. Not enough is being done in a way that is making it better for our troops. Snow had to leave the military in 2011 due to injuries he sustained while serving. He continues to serve in a different capacity as a public servant for the Department of National Defence.

Nick Hebert reflects on his time serving in Afghanistan. By Charlie Senack Nick Hébert always wanted to be a police officer, but when that career path didn’t pan out the way he had hoped in College, the then 19-year-old decided to join the military. ...Continue reading

Several Barrhaven vendors among those at Christmas-themed market at the Richmond fairgrounds this weekend. By Charlie Senack and Jeff Morris The Richmond Outdoor Market will be running again this weekend with a great forecast in store. ...Continue reading

Barrhaven Santa Claus Parade cancelled; residents asked to give back if they can this year. By Charlie Senack The Barrhaven Santa Claus parade won’t be making its way down Strandherd this year after being cancelled due to the novel coronavirus. ...Continue reading