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Splash pads will be open in Ottawa for the May Long Weekend after all. The province had initially decided they would only open later into June, but pushback from local officials swayed the Ford government to change its mind and permit their opening as of Friday instead. ...

(Via Ottawa Humane Society) High temperatures forecasted for Ottawa this week pose a great danger to pets left alone in cars, warns the Ottawa Humane Society (OHS). “Dogs die in hot cars,” said Bruce Roney, OHS President & CEO. “Temperatures in vehicles rise extremely quickly — even with windows open. ...

(Via Ottawa Public Library) Ottawa Public Library has put in place safe access to printing, WiFi and computers, during the current provincial stay-at-home order, to help address the disparity in access to technology in our community. As one of the largest providers of public computing in Ottawa, the Library is a lifeline for printing and internet for many. ...

(Via Government of Ontario) As the pace of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to accelerate with 2.2 million doses scheduled to arrive this week, the government is extending booking eligibility at mass immunization clinics to individuals aged 18 and over. This high number of doses is due to an early delivery of the week of May 24 shipment, to accommodate the long weekend, and is an opportunity for the province to offer an appointment to receive the vaccine to more Ontarians ahead of schedule. ...

(Via Government of Ontario) With the new, more contagious variants continuing to pose significant risks, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has extended the Stay-at-Home Order (O. Reg. 265/21) until at least June 2, 2021. ...

Adrian Harewood: the double-duty anchor of CBC Ottawa. (Photo via Chris Roussakis/Carleton University). (The following is a press release from Carleton University. In addition, Harewood said on Twitter that he will continue to be seen on CBC Ottawa, so fans needn’t worry. ...

An “unprecedented” level of public engagement with the City of Ottawa’s new official plan will result in a second draft plan to be released this summer. City planners will also put together an interim report to review the public comments received from the original draft, to be released sometime this spring. ...

Photo: One of OC Transpo’s new operator barriers. Via Allan Hubley on Twitter. OC Transpo has made the move to permanently install protective barriers for drivers across its entire bus fleet. The barriers have been installed on 12 buses since 2019 as part of a test. ...

A COVID-19 vaccine. Photo via Spencer Davis/Unsplash. As the phase two vaccine rollout continues in our city, Vera Etches, Ottawa’s medical officer of health, is looking ahead to the next steps. “By the end of April … we’ll have protected most people over 60,” Etches said on Wednesday. ...

The city won’t pursue a uniform 8 p.m. closing time for its parks, but “certain problematic parks” could be closed by 9 p.m. or earlier if the local councillor approves. The idea of an early closing time came from Mayor Jim Watson, in response to recent problems at parks such as large gatherings, public drinking, and littering. ...