Lianne Lahaie joined The Review news staff in December 2009. Lianne prepared a brief, first-person biography to tell us about herself.
When it comes to being a small-town girl, I'm about as small town as they come.
I was born in a small town, raised in a small town and, for the past 10 years, I've dedicated my life to covering the stories and events that matter most to people in small towns.
I was born and raised in Smiths Falls, Ontario and attended high school in nearby Perth, Ontario. I left my hometown in 1998 when I headed off to the "big city" (Ottawa) to pursue my passion for the written word at Algonquin College.
Two years later, armed with a Print-Journalism diploma and itching to set my notepad on fire with hot issues, I got my first job at a small newspaper in Carleton Place, Ontario. Four years later, I moved to the Perth Courier, which, at the time, was one of the few remaining independent newspapers.
In 2006, I was given an offer I couldn't refuse and moved to the Record News/EMC. My time there was cut short when my husband and I found out I was expecting my first child - a baby boy - who was born on November 21, 2008.
I retired my camera, notepad and roving reporter lifestyle to spend a year giving my undivided attention to my baby boy. My husband and I moved from Ottawa to Plantagenet because we were growing wary of life in the big city and wanted to raise our son in a quiet, rural area.
Though I was quite happy to stay at home with my family, I did find myself longing for the good ol' days of tight deadlines, breaking news and last minute assignments. The newsroom was calling to me, begging me to come back, and thanks to The Review, I got my chance.
I can't tell you how happy I am to be reporting again and how excited I am to meet the amazing people who make the communities we cover such great places to live, work and play.
Well, now that I've told you my story, why don't you tell me yours? Feel free to contact me anytime at 613-678-3327, ext. 1017 or by email at llahaie@thereview.ca.
I can't wait to share your stories with the community!
Stories from Lianne Lahaie
A lot of people think that newspapers love to report bad news. They think we become giddy with excitement when bad news comes over the wire and that the only time we’re happy is when we’re knee-deep in scandal.
Yes, over the years, we have often heard this complaint: All we focus on is the bad news.
L’ORIGNAL – While regional mayors are not pleased with Ottawa councillor Stephen Blais’ controversial proposal to turn Highway 174 into a toll road, many agreed the best course of action was to keep calm and wait.
The City of Ottawa would like to see the province take back ownership of Highway 174; the road was owned by the province before being downloaded to municipalities.
If the province is unwilling to take ownership of the highway, Blais says that permission should be sought to install tolls, to raise funds for the costly upkeep of the highway.
But since then, Ottawa-West/Nepean MPP an
My little boy was only three when he started junior kindergarten on September 4, 2012.
I had no idea if I was doing the right thing, sending him to school at such a tender age. I wrestled with the decision for months. I asked for advice and got a healthy mix of, “He will be fine, school will be good for him” and “Don’t you think he’s a bit young?”
Is it safe for our children to go to school?
This is a question we find ourselves asking more and more as bullying is brought forward from the shadows and the harsh reality of its effects is thrust into the light.
The issue of bullying has surfaced, once again, since Chloé Rossbach, a student at Le Sommet high school in Hawkesbury, recently came forward to share her experience.
Despite the fact that Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, a new report suggests that we are failing our children.
The report, which was compiled by UNICEF and released on Wednesday, May 22 suggests the well-being of children living in Canada is lower than those growing up in many other wealthy countries.
Canada ranked 17th out of 29 countries in an overall ranking compiled by the child-centred international humanitarian organization.
Sunny days and warm weather are guaranteed to make you want to head outside and enjoy our short Canadian summer.
Unfortunately, there is a danger lurking in our forest, tall grass and shrubs. The danger is one that can be hard to spot, until it’s too late.
Ticks. Tiny creepy crawlies that are part of the arachnid family and enjoy feasting on the blood of animals and human. One species of tick – the black-legged tick – is of particular concern because these ticks are known to carry Lyme disease.
The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is warning residents to take extra precautions this summer as the number of ticks in our part of the province are on the rise.
According to the EOHU, eastern Ontario is seeing an increase in the number and range of black-legged ticks that carry Lyme disease, especially along the St. Lawrence River area.
"Fortunately, simple precautions can help protect against tick bites, and lower your risk of becoming infected with Lyme disease," states Linda Cléroux, manager of the Vector-borne Illness program at the EOHU.
The golden rule when doing anything on a computer - always back up your work.
Unfortunately, a master's student failed to do that with her thesis and was left floundering when her laptop was stolen.
Police report the laptop was stolen on May 8 following a break-and-enter at the student's home in the east-end of Ottawa.
Police used a GPS program on the computer to track it to a home in L'Orignal.
It’s official – the Monument de la francophonie will have a permanent home on Le Chenail Island.
Earlier this month, Hawkesbury council voted unanimously in favour of giving the monument a home on the western portion of the island. Although its exact location has yet to be determined, council’s decision puts an end to years of debate and uncertainty.
Or does it?
While the 15 or so members of the monument committee in attendance collectively cheered and applauded council’s decision, others are not so pleased with the decision.
There’s something fishy going on in Prescott-Russell.
In the April 24 edition of The Review we brought you two pretty surprising stories. Even we were surprised to hear about them and believe us when we say it can be pretty tough to surprise us.
The first discussed how shocked East Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Kirby, his council and municipal staff were to learn that TransCanada Corporation was examining the municipality as a potential thoroughfare for the Energy East Pipeline.
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.
Hawkesbury OPP have confirmed that the fire that forced the closure of VCI today, Thursday, May 2 was the result of arson.
According to a media release, police are still investigating the cause of a fire that that broke out at around 1 a.m. Thursday morning.
Police said they do not have any suspects at this time, but confirmed someone broke into the classroom early this morning and set the fire.
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.
Everyone loves a little bit of anarchy - especially if it has anything to do with the hit television series Sons of Anarchy.
After a sold-out visit from former cast member Ryan Hurst (who played Opie on the show) in March, Goulet Motorsports has once again teamed up with Full Throttle Events to bring two cast members back to Hawkesbury.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
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.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
When residents began calling East Hawkesbury Township wondering about plans for a pipeline that might run through the rural township, Mayor Robert Kirby didn't know what to say.
"It's surprising," he said. "People here are wondering what's going on and we aren't sure ourselves. This is a strange situation...one I've never experienced."
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
The Review has gained access to a report from the Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) that shows the agency is currently examining whether or not Prescott-Russell has any shale gas potential.
So why should this be important to you? Because if the region does have shale gas potential, it could pave the way for big American and Canadian gas companies to come to the region and set up hydraulic fracturing (more commonly known as "fracking") operations.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Do we really need a play-by-play when tragedy strikes?
It all started with a big explosion at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15.
Immediately, media outlets from around the world kicked into high-gear. For the last week and a half, this incident, which claimed the lives of three people and injured nearly 150 more, has played out on live television.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
With increasing pressures in our professional, family and social lives, it seems we’ve become a generation of “yes” men and women. We want to please everyone all of the time. We don’t want to rock the boat. We don’t want to create tension. We don’t want to disappoint. So, we say “yes” when what we really should say is “no.”
The word “no” is viewed as being negative and so, the consequences of saying it are often viewed as being negative too.
But sometimes, saying “no” is the only thing that makes sense. Sometimes, saying “no” can be a good thing.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Some people looking forward to a significant income tax refund this season will be in for a big surprise.
Despite promising things would be different this tax season, the provincial government has neglected to give Ontarians the choice it promised regarding the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB). The government promised Ontarians would be able to choose how they receive their OTB payments - in monthly installments or in one lump-sum. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
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