Weather

• ❄️  Chance of rain or flurries. High of 2°, low of -3°. 

Number 

• 50
• – The number of years that non-profit independent neighbourhood newspaper the Glebe Report has been publishing. Its first issue resulted in a threat by then mayor Mayor Pierre Benoit to  sue. (Liz McKeen in the Glebe Report) 

Ottawans of the Day

• Everyone at Apt613
• The culture, art, music, film, theatre, writing, food and more collective won Best Community News Web Site at the 2023 Canadian Online Publishing Awards. Not that they are blasé or anything but they have won it six times in the past ten years.  (Apt613)

Quote 

• ‘I don’t have any issue with settling the dispute, but I do have an issue that dealings between the city and RTG are being kept secret. This is unacceptable on every level’
• – Bill DeSouza in an Letter to the Editor on the settlement of the lawsuit between the City and the O Train maintainers, Rideau Transit Group. (Ottawa Citizen)

Sports

• 🏒 NHL Ottawa Senators 3 – Edmonton Oilers 6 last Saturday
• 🏒 OHL Ottawa 67s 1 – Les Olympiques de Gatineau 4 last Saturday
• 🏒 OHL Ottawa 67s 6 – Niagara IceDogs 1 last Friday

🗞️ City Auditor General’s report on the Convoy Fallout

Some more responses on the Auditor’s report on the Convoy.

• The Ottawa Citizen
  
  The Editorial Board: ‘Convoy protest showed the weaknesses of the Ottawa Police Services Board’
  
  ‘How the Ottawa Police Service botched the 2022 trucker protest is now well documented — and a federal commission will soon add further details. But the failings of the Ottawa Police Services Board, the local oversight body for policing, also need urgent attention.’
• The Bulldog
  
  Donna Mulvihill: ‘AG Should Have Written Tough Convoy Report’
  
  ‘It seems like no one knew, no one wanted to know. From the Mayor’s office on down, communication was sparse, non-existent. Police appeared chummy, even supportive, until they got their marching orders.’
  
  ➕Related Convoy organizer James Bauder loses his bid to move his trial outside of Ottawa. The judge said it was unlikely anyone knew his name.

❗ Orléans Explosion

• An explosion from a gas leak along Tenth Line Road has injured twelve people. No one was killed but four homes were destroyed and several others damaged. A house under construction was the source of the leak.  (Andrew Duffy in the Ottawa Citizen) (Photos)

✂️ City Hall

• A star chamber of Kitchissippi resident Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Kanata North ward councillor Cathy Curry, and a councillor to be named will review City services for contracting out. Sutcliffe campaigned on the idea that every City service would have a strategic review for its worth and cost benefit. Any recommendations made would be brought to council for ratification. City Auditor General, whose position involves similar work, will not be involved. (Kate Porter at the CBC)

🌲 Neighbours

• City Bylaw officers were put on the back foot after threatening residents in New Edinburgh with fines – but later told it was National Capital Commission territory. Neighbours had put out a Little Free Library, two Muskoka chairs, some wooden figures, and holiday lights on a strip of public land between Dufferin Road, Stanley Avenue, and River Lane. ByLaw had given one resident 48 hours to remove the items or face a $615 fine. The Commission is okay with the Library and the chair but says the lights could damage trees. (Kimberley Molina at CBC)

✈️ The Green Gables Express

• Porter is starting daiy non-stop service between Ottawa and Charlottetown in May. Service will start May 17 and continue to October. (Clare MacKenzie at CBC)

🥫 Blue Light Special

• The Ottawa Police constable who stole $87.68 in items from a Gatineau supermarket has been demoted to Second Class from First Class. Constable Sarah Bell had pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct under the Police Act. Gatineau police had charged her with theft but she ultimately successfully completed a diversion programme. (Ottawa Citizen)

Click here to feature your event

Today

• The City of Ottawa Art Collection is marking Black History Month with an exhibition of works from regional artists, with themes of identity, familial relationships, and lived experience. View the exhibition Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm in Jean Pigott Place, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West.
• Bring your knowledge of video games old and new to the Geek Trivia night at Level One Game Pub, 14 Waller St. It’s best to book a table as the event regularly fills up. $2 per person to take part.
• On this Valentine’s Day Eve, show some recent standup comedy graduates some love at Absolute Comedy. The Stand Up Comedy Class Showcase gives the latest grads of the in-house training program a chance to try out their material in front of kind and generous souls just like you. Call ahead to reserve a spot. 613-233-8000. 412 Preston Street.

Tomorrow

• Marzitellli (360 Elgin St) has announced a classic, romantic Valentine’s Day dinner for two or four people. Standard and high top tables are available at 7:00pm, for a three course prix fixe meal priced at $30 per person (+ fax and service fee).
• Presented by Obsidian Theatre, Necessary Angel, and Canadian Stage, Is God Is continues at the NAC until February 18.
• You can take care of your beer needs and Valentine’s Day in one fell swoop when you shop from Dominion City. They’ve got everlasting dried flower bouquets from Roam Flora available for pick up from the brewery. $50.
• House of TARG welcomes Disco Soul Love Boat, A Valentine Voyage with Remi Royale, and F8-Bit, a booty-shaking evening of disco, soul, and all things the Love Boat. $12 cover.

Wednesday

• The NAC’s Annual Public Meeting will run online from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
• The residents of the Sales apartments had to leave their homes when a pipe burst on the coldest night of the year. If you contribute to the Salus campaign, Merry Dairy will be offering small thank you gifts (i.e., ice cream sandwiches, free toppings for your cone, etc.) depending on the size of your donation.