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ARGENTEUIL – On Monday, May 6, Quebec Minister of Natural Resources Martine Ouellet issued an official fire ban for most areas of Quebec, following a weekend that saw 66 forest fires.

While there isn't any fracking taking place in the region yet, it remains unclear just how much shale gas potential exists in the Prescott-Russell area.

The Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines contacted The Review last Friday, April 26 in response to an article the newspaper ran on the front page of the Wednesday, April 24 edition (What the frack is going on?).

The ministry said it didn't want people "to be alarmed" by the article and said it would prepare a statement regarding the study of the shale gas potential in southern Ontario and beyond.

Clients of the Hawkesbury Central Food Bank won't have to worry about paying $5 or $10 to use its services and will once again be able to visit on a monthly basis.

According to a press release issued by the newly-elected board of directors on Monday, April 22, the food bank is abolishing two controversial policies - one that required members to pay to use the food bank and another that limited the number of times clients can visit the food bank annually.

The Ontario Fire Marshal and police are investigating the cause of a fire that left one man dead following a massive barn fire in Ste. Rose, in the Nation Township, on Monday, April 22.

On Tuesday, April 23, Hawkesbury OPP said foul play was not suspected in the blaze, which erupted at a barn on Leroux Road just before 7 p.m. Monday evening.

Police said it's still not known exactly how the barn caught fire, though Nation Township fire chief Tobias Hovey told media there was more than one fire to worry about when crews arrived.

Someone is asleep at the switch.

That's how United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR) chief administrative officer (CAO) Stéphane Parisien summed up his report on how the OPP costing proposal is proceeding.

"Honestly, I am very frustrated," he told The Review. "It's taking forever and I really don't understand. All we're asking for is numbers and we keep getting put off. At this rate, I won't even be able to put forward a recommendation until late this fall or early this winter."

The ongoing tension at the Hawkesbury council table has taken a toll on Mayor René Berthiaume's patience.

Following a number of contentious debates at recent meetings, Berthiaume made it clear he won't tolerate any further disrespect around the council table.

"My job as mayor is to ensure council meetings run smoothly," he said during the meeting held on Monday, March 25. "That has not been the case, particularly at the last council meeting."

Regional municipalities are going to have to accept the fact that their landfills are reaching capacity and, as a result, they're going to have to find a better way to deal with the growing garbage problem.

L’ORIGNAL – The United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR) is taking steps to create a plan that will support, promote and enhance the rich culture found in communities across the region.

At the committee of the whole meeting held on Wednesday, March 6, Brian Arnott, a consultant with Novita Interpares Ltd., presented an update on how the UCPR’s cultural plan is progressing.

HAWKESBURY – The 2013 Poker Run and Ottawa River Festival is causing turmoil around the Hawkesbury council table once again.

At the regular meeting of council held on Monday, March 4, tempers flared and insults flew over a proposal to build new wharf/marina at Confederation Park in Hawkesbury for the 2013 Poker Run and Ottawa River Festival, which are set to take place in July.