The Journal

Pure Art re-born Story and photo by Nick Zacharias Pure Art’s Deborah Woodhead (left) poses with founders Brigitte and Robert McKinnon who are all smiles under their masks as they welcome customers for the first time to the new home of their not-for-profit boutique, which runs on the principle of Fair Trade and supports the Pure Art Foundation’s efforts to improve the lives of impoverished but hardworking people in Peru and around the world. Much work has gone into turning th...Continue reading

Fishermen still missing Story and photo by Nick Zacharias Though a boat was found in the choppy waters of the Lake of Two Mountains on Sunday, November 15, the two fishermen have not yet been located. _______________________________________________________________ Two young men from Mascouche who have been the focus of a massive search effort on the Lake of Two Mountains starting last weekend have yet to be found. The avid fishermen are identified as Dylan Auger and Antoine P...aquin, both in their early 20s. They went out on the cold water of the Ottawa River in the area of Saint-Placide (west of Oka) Saturday, November 14, and were reported missing by their families when they did not return home Saturday evening. Co-ordinated effort Pleas went out on social media for assistance in locating the two missing men, whose small boat was found floating, half-submerged and unoccupied. The search so far has involved many civilians, as well as the Canadian Coast Guard, the Sûreté du Québec and responders from Hudson, Rigaud and Oka. Search efforts on Sunday took place by boat and along the shoreline, and also saw SQ divers take to the water while helicopters searched from the air. High winds and choppy frigid water did not make the efforts easy, and so far the missing parties have not been found. We had guys out searching all night Saturday until about 3 o’clock in the morning, said Daniel Leblanc of the Hudson Fire Department, and we resumed Sunday at 7 a.m. Hudson’s crew was part of the co-ordinated effort, turning up some floating debris that appeared to be from the capsized boat. Search for recovery continues Leblanc reports that rescue crews were called off late Sunday, while SQ recovery crews continued to search. Said Leblanc, I spoke with the SQ this morning (November 18) and they still had boats out on the water, but unfortunately they haven’t turned up anything yet. If anyone should have information that would help with the search, they are encouraged to contact the Oka division of the Sûreté du Québec at (450) 479-1313.

Fox dies after being shot in residential neighbourhood By Carmen Marie Fabio PHOTO BY ALEX KITZANUK A senior citizen who found the dead fox on her Vaudreuil-Dorion property is warning residents to take extra care while walking on area trails. _____________________________________________________... A 96-year-old woman living in Vaudreuil-Dorion near Hudson wants to warn her fellow residents to be vigilant when out for a walk after finding a juvenile fox shot dead on her property last November 11. I would like to advise all those enjoying the autumn woods that a lovely young fox was found shot a few feet from my residence where he died from his severe wound, she wrote. The Journal has agreed to her request for anonymity. The area in question is on Route 342 near the Ultramar gas station, in the general vicinity of residential houses, a popular restaurant, a campground and a daycare centre. Over the years, she’s seen fox families living on her property and raising their young, said friend and Hudson resident Carolyn Kitzanuk. It’s just a warning some idiot is out there with a gun. Kitzanuk and the homeowner both speculate that someone in the area may be keeping chickens, a trend that has gained popularity since the COVID-19 lockdown rules first came into effect, and was protecting the birds from the fox. The town allows residents to keep two hens on lots of less than 400 sqare-metres and five hens for larger lots. Roosters are not permitted. While they initially didn’t know what had killed the animal, Kitzanuk’s husband Alex discovered the bullet’s exit wound while placing the fox’s body into a bag for retrieval from the animal control contractor. The scary part of this is that people are out walking with their dogs on trails, said Kitzanuk. The homeowner did not report hearing a shot and it’s not known if the fox was killed on her property or arrived there following the injury.

Arrest made for drug trafficking Photo courtesy Shutterstock On November 13, police officers from the Sûreté du Québec of the MRC Vaudreuil-Soulanges East station carried out a search and arrest on Montée Léger in Les Cèdres in relation to drug trafficking. A 48-year-old man from Les Cèdres was arrested and released on a promise to appear in court. He could face drug trafficking charges.... The investigation began a few months ago and the search resulted in the seizure of; More than 40 methamphetamine tablets More than 50 grams of cocaine Almost 50 grams of cannabis and a few cannabis plants 2 cellphones Documents and material related to drug trafficking More than $25,000 in Canadian money and a certain amount in foreign currency A vehicle as offense-related property The police canine handler also participated in the operation. The Sûreté du Québec reminds the public that any information relating to the trafficking or production of narcotics can be communicated confidentially at any time to the Central Criminal Information Center at 1 800-659-4264.

Bands in the Bubble The Better Half By Brian Gallagher PHOTO COURTESY THE BETTER HALF John Murray and Sandra Giguere at their home studio in Hudson. Insert is their ‘No side is wrong’ album cover. __________________________________________________________________...Continue reading