County paramedics testing new life-saving technology
Pembroke Today reported on November 29 that paramedics in Renfrew County are testing new smartphone technology which would send notifications when someone goes into cardiac arrest. It would tell them where the nearest defibrillators are located. The technology is known as “Good SAM” which stands for Smartphone Activated Medics application. The County has over three hundred public access defibrillators and this feature would help local residents respond in advance of paramedics arriving on the scene. It will be tested over the next couple of months with the service likely rolling out some time in the spring. Paramedic Chief Mike Nolan said, “When it comes to responding to a cardiac arrest, your chances of survival decrease by ten percent per minute.” He added that County paramedics will be the first in the province to move forward with Good SAM.
How to help Madawaska Valley Food Bank
The annual MooseFM Radiothon for Madawaska Vally Food Bank takes place this Thursday, Dec. 5 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. As The Current has previously reported, this is the Food Bank’s major fundraiser of the year. To donate during the live Radiothon, please call 613.756.1881. Local businesses can also contact MooseFM in advance about Radiothon sponsorship.
And at any time of year, MV Food Bank advises that you can now donate through PayPal . Click HERE for the link.
Hunter’s Spaghetti Dinner postponed again
The 2020 Prom Committee at Madawaska Valley District High School (MVDHS) advises that due to the current political situation involving teachers, the annual Spaghetti Dinner that was put over to Dec. 5 will be postponed to a future date. Stay tuned for information from the MVDHS Student Activities Council about the new date.
Let MV Public Library help you with Midnight Madness gift-wrapping
Next Friday December 6, as the BIA holds its annual Moonlight Madness sales in downtown Barry’s Bay, the Madawaska Valley Public Library offers to help with your gift-wrapping from 5 to 8 p.m. To sweeten the offer, Andrea’s donuts will be available to buy and kids can have a free photo with Santa.
University of Ottawa women’s soccer team are world champions
University of Ottawa Gee-Gees women’s soccer team won the International University Sports Federation University Women’s World Cup last Saturday in Jinjiang, China. The team won the final against Brazil 1-0, the only goal being scored by Mikayla Morton. The Brazil team had not allowed a goal in the tournament up to that point.
Reminders from St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation
Catch The Ace goes into Week #9 as last Thursday’s winner, Jeannie Johnson, chose #11 to reveal the King of Diamonds. Johnson’s prize was $1,112. The winning ticket for the Dec. 5 draw will win the lucky holder an estimated $16,236 if the elusive Ace of Spades is found. Proceeds from ticket sales go towards the Valley Manor Redevelopment project.
Tree of Lights celebrations have started throughout the Valley with Killaloe last night and tonight in Palmer Rapids. The Barry’s Bay Tree of Lights event begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday Dec. 6. Campaign proceeds will help upgrade the X-ray unit at St. Francis Memorial Hospital. There’s still time to give the gift of a priceless picture by calling the Foundation at 613-756-3045 ext. 333 or Click HERE to donate online.
“Jagged Little Pill” now a rock musical
Alanis Morissette’s iconic album has inspired a Broadway musical which, according to the New York Times, began previews on November 3. A Times article about Morissette, “a former teenage pop star from Canada,” contains a fascinating statistic. With a total of 30 million sales, the Jagged Little Pill album “has sold as many copies as Taylor Swift’s entire discography combined.”