(Via the Province of Ontario) In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Public Health Measures Table, and local medical officers of health and other health experts, the Ontario government is introducing additional targeted public health measures in the Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto public health unit regions. ...

“New Flyer” Photo by Justin S. Campbell, via Flickr. (Used under a Creative Commons License.) OC Transpo will carry out “Operation Mask Up” from October 9 to 23 to help change the behavior of the small number of customers failing to comply with OC Transpo’s mandatory mask policy. ...

Photo by Don Douglas via the OttawaStart Flickr pool. Monday, October 12 is Thanksgiving Monday in Ottawa which means a long weekend for most people. Here’s a list of what’s open and closed. To add to this list please email feedback@ottawastart. ...

(Via Ottawa Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Vera Etches on October 2, 2020) I have something really important I need you to hear. Our health system is in crisis because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am thankful for all you are doing to prevent COVID from spreading in our city. ...

Photo: A look at how the second stage of LRT will traverse the west end. Politicians held a socially-distanced groundbreaking late last week on the cut-and-cover LRT tunnel for the Line 1 expansion west. Here’s some more info via the city: ...

(Via Province of Ontario) As part of its fall preparedness plan, Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19, the Ontario government is partnering with pharmacies to expand access to COVID-19 testing to track, trace and isolate cases. Starting Friday, September 25, 2020, the pharmacy locations below will be offering free testing by appointment only to individuals with no symptoms of COVID-19. ...

The sun is setting earlier, and the days are cool and crisp. With the September Equinox happening on September 22, 2020, summer has come to a close and it’s time to embrace fall again. For a preview of your fall 2020 camera roll, here are some great photos contributed by Howard Whiting/Lightchasers. ...

Photo: Pumpkin season in Manotick. By Ross Dunn via the OttawaStart Flickr group. For the purposes of the list, we’re loosely defining pumpkin patch as any farm or larger roadside pumpkin-selling establishment. Additions/corrections? Click here to contact us… Abbey Hill Farms (Richmond) Headquartered in Richmond with smaller satellite locations around the region. ...

Apples from Hall’s Apple Market. Photo by Katy Watts. Apple season in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec is on for 2019! Call ahead to confirm the current apple crop! All of these locations are within about an hour from downtown Ottawa, unless noted. ...

(Via City of Ottawa news release.) To help address housing affordability in Ottawa, the City’s Planning Committee today approved a zoning amendment to encourage new eight-to-12-unit low-rise apartments in established inner-urban neighbourhoods like Centretown, Sandy Hill, Vanier, Overbrook, Hintonburg and Westboro. ...