Latest news with #AltaVista
CTV News
18-07-2025
- CTV News
Police investigating two distraction thefts at Ottawa homes in June
The sign outside Ottawa Police headquarters on Elgin St. is seen in this undated photo. (Aaron Reid/CTV News Ottawa) Ottawa police are asking for the public's help to locate suspects, after two people had jewelry stolen in distraction thefts at homes last month. The first incident occurred on June 26 in the 2200 block of Hillary Avenue in the Alta Vista neighbourhood. Police say a 92-year-old woman was sitting outside her residence when a vehicle stopped in her driveway and waved her over between 4:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. 'Believing the people in the vehicle to be neighbours, the victim approached. The female suspect sitting in the backseat asked to look at the victim's rings,' police said. 'Throughout the interaction the suspect removed a necklace and two rings from the victim before she could be stopped.' The suspects left the scene in a light-coloured four-door sedan driven by a man. Police say the female suspect may go by the name 'Maria,' and had shorter, light brown hair. The second incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on June 28 in the 1500 block of Beaverpond Drive in the Pineview neighbourhood. A 94-year-old man was at home when a woman knocked on the door. 'Upon answering, the suspect placed a gold necklace around the victim's neck and then left,' police said. 'Shortly after, the victim realized that the gold necklace he had been wearing was missing.' Investigators are asking residents and businesses in the areas to review any security, doorbell or dashcam footage for anything suspicious. Anyone with information can contact the Ottawa Police Service's Alternate Response Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5300. 'If you believe you have been a victim or witness to a distraction theft and the suspect is still nearby, do not attempt to follow them,' police said. 'Instead, call 9-1-1 immediately and try to note as many details as possible, including the suspect's physical description, clothing, and any associated vehicle (make, model, license plate, etc.).'
CTV News
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
City fines Escapade Festival organizers for early start to loud music
The organizers of the Escapade Music Festival in Ottawa will face a fine for allegedly playing music earlier than permitted under a noise exemption granted by the City of Ottawa, according to Alta Vista Coun. Marty Carr. The popular electronic music festival at the grounds of the RA Centre is allowed to play music on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. According to Carr, no noise from the grounds was permitted before noon, but a sound check could be heard as soon as 8 a.m. before the exemption period began. The violation resulted in a $490 fine from Bylaw Services, she said. Escapade organizers did not respond to a request for comment. CTV News Ottawa also reached out to Bylaw Services but a response was not immediately available. The festival wraps up on Sunday night after a weekend featuring some of the biggest artists in EDM, including Kygo, DJ Snake and The Chainsmokers. Overnight thunderstorms and heavy winds forced organizers to delay the start of the day by one hour to clean up the venue, according to the festival's Instagram. The annual festival elicited dozens of noise complaints from residents of nearby Alta Vista and Old Ottawa South over the weekend. According to Carr, Bylaw Services received 26 complaints on Friday and 21 on Saturday. 'I appreciate that there are some concerns from residents, that it has been disruptive. I understand people may not have been able to undertake the daily activities in the same way, but it is allowable,' Carr said, who adds she received additional complaints through email and social media. The festival was allowed to play music on Friday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Under the exemption granted to the organizers, sound is not permitted to go over 65 dBA when measured at nearby homes and businesses. 'Every single reading that bylaw has done in response to a complaint or because they're proactively monitoring, has been within the threshold. For both evenings so far, it has been within the allowable noise levels,' Carr said. Some residents say events like Escapade are important to make the nation's capital a vibrant city. 'To me, actually, it's a nice sound. It's something that makes us think about the community and the city around us and people having fun,' said Alta Vista resident Brady Allin, who admits he's more of a 'rock and roll guy.' Carr says events like Escapade are a big driver of tourism and have a positive economic impact on the city. 'Economically, they help the city, and they do provide an opportunity for people to listen to the music and have a good, enjoyable three days,' she said. It's the first time the festival has been held at the RA Centre since 2013 after moving to Lansdowne Park in 2017. Bylaw Services laid charges against the festival's organizers in 2023 after receiving over 100 complaints from residents about excessive bass noise and loud music. That year, the city said organizers did not receive a noise bylaw exemption. Carr says she sees the festival returning to the RA Centre grounds. 'I wouldn't be surprised if we see it at the RA Centre again in future years. The only impacts that have really been reported are the traffic impacts that occur when it shuts down and that's the same as any other event in the city,' she said.
CTV News
04-06-2025
- CTV News
Ottawa police looking to identify suspects in distraction theft on Bank Street
The Ottawa Police Service is asking the public for help in identifying a man and a woman involved in an alleged distraction theft that happened last month in Alta Vista. The Ottawa Police Service is asking the public for help in identifying a man and a woman involved in an alleged distraction theft that happened last month in Alta Vista. On May 18, a woman exited a white sedan in the 1500 block of Bank Street and started to walk north towards another woman, while a man waited for her in the driver's seat, police say. The suspect then approached the victim, starting a conversation with her, claiming that she had lost her mother. When the victim became engaged in the conversation, the suspect offered her jewelry items and $5 bills then forcibly removed her gold chain and bracelet, police add. That was when the suspect ran back to the car, officers add. Both suspects are described as being between the ages of 35 and 40. The woman is described as having long black hair in a ponytail. At the time, she was wearing a black top, black and white coat, black tights, shoes and a black purse. The man is described as having black hair and a full beard. He was seen wearing dark clothing, a grey coat and a black knapsack at the time the incident happened. Anyone with information about these two suspects is asked to call police at 613-236-1222, extension 5116, or Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 to remain anonymous. The city's police service shared some tips to protect yourself: When you're in public, avoid displaying expensive jewellery Keep an eye on what's going on around you, especially in parking lots. Do not allow people you do not know to approach you or 'to place an object on you, it's a red flag.' Walk away from strangers if they approach you and seek help if need be. If you fall victim to a robbery, stay away from the suspect, do not follow them, call 9-1-1 immediately 'and try to remember as many details as possible, including their physical description, clothing, and any vehicle involved.' 'Thieves may target jewellery, but wallets, phones and purses are also at risk,' police said in a news release Wednesday.
CTV News
03-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Heron Road construction causing headaches for businesses
Ottawa Watch A major summer construction project is causing headaches for drivers and small businesses in the Alta Vista neighbourhood. CTV's Dave Charbonneau reports.
CTV News
03-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Heron Road closure causing headaches for drivers and businesses in Alta Vista
Heron Road is closed between Bank Street and Alta Vista Drive this summer for construction. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa) A major road closure in Ottawa's Alta Vista neighbourhood is already causing headaches for drivers and small business owners. As of Sunday, Heron Road is closed between Bank Street and Alta Vista Drive as part of the Bank Street Renewal Project. On day three of the road closure, Alta Vista resident Heather Ingrams says she has had enough. Construction Construction crews are working on the Bank Street Renewal Project, with work underway on Bank Street and Heron Road. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa) 'This is way too much construction. I'm sorry,' said Ingrams. She says more traffic, and more drivers speeding through her area has made it unsafe. 'It would be nice if we had Bylaw officers or a few cops lying in wait. Yeah, it's a mess,' she said. The closure affects the section of Heron Road between Bank Street and Alta Vista, where sewer and watermain work is underway. Motorists will be detoured to Walkley Road and Heron Road, east of Alta Vista. Ottawa construction The City of Ottawa shows the proposed detour around the Heron Road construction project this summer. (City of Ottawa/release) The councillor for the area says she is aware of the complaints about traffic congestion in the nearby residential neighbourhood and is addressing them. 'Staff have been very responsive but cannot address everything in one day unfortunately. They will be making adjustments throughout the weeks and addressing the most problematic areas first.' Marty Carr said in a Facebook post. According to Carr, some of the traffic changesinclude Farm Boy removing an unauthorized detour sign from their window, and plans to place a crossing guard at Alta Vista and Heron. City staff are also assessing extra traffic calming measures on Evans and Wesmar, improving signage and pavement markings at Bank and Evans, and lengthening left-turn lanes along Bank Street to improve traffic flow. The closure at Heron Road at Bank Street is part of the Bank Street Renewal Project, which began in June 2024. According to city, Phase 1 of the work on Bank Street, from Riverside Drive to Collins Avenue will be completed in 2027. But the completion can't come soon enough for some. 'We're down almost 80 per cent,' said Eli Ayoub, owner of Cigar Man on Bank Street. Heron Road Construction on Heron Road is sending traffic into Alta Vista. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa) The Cigar Man on Bank Street says his customers are avoiding the area due to construction. 'They don't know how to get into the mall because it's all blocked off, you know. You can't turn left. You can't turn right on Bank Street. Anywhere. You know that's ridiculous. Who's going to pay my rent,' he said. And it's the same at Magid's Barber Shop, who now only do about five haircuts per day. That's down nearly 75 per cent due to the construction. 'We were busy, you know like 20 or 15 haircuts a day,' said owner Magid Skana. But some residents in the area say the extra traffic is fine. 'No, it doesn't bother me,' said Eileen Pruneau, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years. Pruneau says you just have to accept it. 'Not much we can do because of this sewer system that they're changing.' Some residents even applauding the work being done. 'They're doing a great job. Just keep it up. I like the way they sectioned it off. I really like the way they're doing it this year,' said another resident, Tina.
