Delta community vision sessions set for July 18 and Aug. 11 Delta community vision planning is underway in Rideau Lakes, with residents invited to share input through public sessions and an online survey.

Rideau Lakes is inviting input on the future of Delta through community sessions and an online survey, as part of a plan to guide the village’s growth over the next 10 to 15 years.

Details: hometownnews.ca/delta-commun...

#RideauLakes #DeltaOntario #LeedsGrenville

Smiths Falls council backs Alto rail if included in route Smiths Falls council is backing the Alto rail plan if the town is included in the route, with consultation on the project open until April 24.

Smiths Falls council has backed the Alto rail project, but only if the town is included in the route with a station or other rail presence. A split vote followed debate over cost and regional opposition.

hometownnews.ca/alto-rail-sm...

#SmithsFalls #AltoRail

Elgin park plan debate reopened by Rideau Lakes council Rideau Lakes council is revisiting an Elgin park plan after moving to rescind surplus status for land on Harry Seeley Drive, reopening debate on its future use.

Rideau Lakes is reopening debate on land in Elgin as a potential park plan moves forward, with council considering rescinding surplus status for the Harry Seeley Drive property.

hometownnews.ca/elgin-park-p...

#RideauLakes #MunicipalMatters

Red Dress ceremony marks 10th year in Smiths Falls, May 9 Smiths Falls will mark the 10th annual Red Dress ceremony May 9, honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

The 10th annual Red Dress ceremony will be held May 9 in Smiths Falls, honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls at the bandshell.

hometownnews.ca/red-dress-ce...

#SmithsFalls #MMIWG

A fourth person has been charged in a 2023 Smiths Falls homicide investigation. A 42-year-old man was arrested April 21 and charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Details: hometownnews.ca/fourth-perso...

#SmithsFalls #LanarkCountyOPP

Great Canadian Lumberjack Show at Perth Maplefest 50th Great Canadian Lumberjack Show will perform at Perth Maplefest’s 50th anniversary with three free shows on April 25 in downtown Perth.

The Great Canadian Lumberjack Show will be part of the Festival of the Maples, marking its 50th anniversary with three free performances on April 25 along Market Street in downtown Perth.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/great-canadi...

#PerthON #PerthMaplefest

Art for Aid Supports Reconciliation Through Art & Education Art for Aid provides art supplies to Indigenous schools and supports land-based learning as part of ongoing reconciliation efforts.

Art for Aid, based in Carleton Place, has supported Indigenous schools across Canada since 2013 by distributing art supplies and supporting land-based learning programs as demand continues to grow.

Details: hometownnews.ca/art-for-aid-...

#CarletonPlace #CommunitySupport

Poonamalie Road Request Denied After 150-Metre Review Rideau Lakes Township will not extend Poonamalie Road maintenance after Parks Canada refused legal access across federally owned land.

Poonamalie Road maintenance will not be extended after Rideau Lakes denied the request, saying the property lacks legal access from a publicly maintained road.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/poonamalie-r...

#RideauLakes #MunicipalMatters #LeedsGrenville

Smiths Falls waterfront trail improvements backed by council Smiths Falls waterfront trail improvements will be phased, with council focusing on accessibility and extending seasonal use at Lower Reach Park.

Smiths Falls council backs phased waterfront trail improvements at Lower Reach Park, focusing on accessibility and extended seasonal use.

Initial work will cover part of the project under a $60K budget.

Details: hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls...

#SmithsFalls #MunicipalMatters

Smiths Falls sewer backup dispute raised April 13 at CoW Smiths Falls sewer backup dispute raises questions over municipal responsibility after wipes and pipe issues caused repeated backups.

Smiths Falls resident questions who should pay after sewer backups; town cites wipes and bylaws as factors. $3,775 cost remains unresolved.

Full story: www.hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls...

#SmithsFalls #LanarkCounty

Hwy 15 crash near Portland followed by altercation leads to 4 charges Hwy 15 crash near Portland, followed by a physical altercation and one driver fleeing the scene, resulted in four charges and sent other driver to hospital.

A late-night crash on Hwy. 15 near Portland was followed by a physical altercation, leaving one driver injured and another facing four charges after allegedly fleeing the scene.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/hwy-15-crash...

#LeedsGrenville #OPP

Early morning Smiths Falls gas station fire causes $350,000 damage A Smiths Falls gas station fire caused an estimated $350,000 in damage Thursday morning. No injuries were reported, according to Chief Rick Chesebrough.

An early morning fire at Scott’s Corner Store in Smiths Falls caused an estimated $350,000 in damage Thursday. No injuries were reported.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls...

#SmithsFalls #LanarkCounty

Perth committee backs BIA, parking fee changes on April 7 Perth committee backs BIA plans, doubles parking fees and reviews volunteer awards, street naming and municipal updates on April 7.

The Town of Perth's Committee of the Whole backs BIA push, doubles parking fees for developers to $10K per space and reviews volunteer, planning and operational updates from April 7 meeting.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/perth-commit...

#PerthOntario #MunicipalMatters

Carleton Place committee backs BIA, CIP, Shoppers on April 7 Carleton Place committee backs BIA budget, CIP changes and a new Shoppers Drug Mart, along with updates on municipal spending and savings.

Carleton Place committee of the whole backs 2026 BIA budget, CIP changes and a new Shoppers development on McNeely Ave., with $345K+ in savings reported.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/carleton-pla...

#CarletonPlace #MunicipalMatters

Perth bring your own alcohol rules unchanged despite April 30 law Perth bring your own alcohol rules remain unchanged as council opts out of Ontario’s April 30, 2026 law allowing BYOB at outdoor events.

The Town of Perth will not adopt new provincial rules allowing "bring-your-own" alcohol at outdoor events starting April 30, citing safety, staffing and liability concerns.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/perth-bring-...

#PerthOntario #MunicipalMatters #BYOB

Road Closures Remain After Death at Last Duel Park Perth April 12 Road closures remain in place near Last Duel Park in Perth as Lanark County OPP continue investigating a death reported on Sunday, April 12.

Road closures remain around Last Duel Park in Perth as OPP continue investigating a death reported Sunday. Residents are asked to avoid the area.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/road-closure...

#PerthOntario #LanarkCountyOPP

Carleton Place Council Backs $377K Loader Purchase Carleton Place council backs a $377K loader purchase, waiving procurement policy after concerns over the bidding process.

A $377K loader purchase in Carleton Place led to discussion about procurement policy. Council approved the purchase after an invitational bid process was used instead of an open tender.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/carleton-pla...

#CarletonPlace #MunicipalMatters

Perth Public Works Garage Plan Sparks Community Concerns April 7 Concerns over proposed Perth public works garage near Sunset Boulevard continue as residents raise safety and environmental issues ahead of consultation.

Proposed public works garage on Sunset Blvd is prompting questions from nearby residents in Perth. Town staff say the project remains under review, with a public information session still to come.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/perth-public...

#PerthOntario #MunicipalMatters

Centennial Park redesign discussed April 7 in Carleton Place Centennial Park redesign in Carleton Place is in early stages, with council reviewing options focused on accessibility, trails and waterfront features.

Carleton Place council reviewing early plans for a Centennial Park redesign, discussed April 7, with a focus on accessibility, trails and waterfront features.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/centennial-p...

#CarletonPlace #MunicipalMatters #ParksAndRecreation

3 SFDCI students charged following high school lockdown Three SFDCI students charged after bringing imitation firearms to school, prompting a police investigation and lockdown on April 7.

Three students charged after April 7 incident at Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute. One released unconditionally, two released to parents with conditions.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/3-sfdci-stud...

#SmithsFalls #SchoolSafety #SFPS #SFDCI

1 Rogers Road Perth zoning change backs 23.7 m² tiny home plan Plans for 1 Rogers Road Perth are moving forward after a zoning change that could allow a 23.7 m² tiny home alongside an existing triplex.

A zoning change backed by Perth committee could allow a 23.7 m² tiny home at 1 Rogers Road, while recognizing an existing triplex.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/zoning-chang...

#PerthOntario #MunicipalMatters #TinyHome

Mayor Brant Burrow Will Not Seek Re-election in 2026 Municipal Election Elizabethtown-Kitley Mayor Brant Burrow will not seek re-election after two terms, citing timing, personal commitments and future plans.

Elizabethtown-Kitley Mayor Brant Burrow will not seek re-election after two terms in office, citing personal commitments and timing. The nomination period runs from May 1 to Aug. 21.

Full story: hometownnews.ca/mayor-brant-...

#LeedsGrenville #2026MunicipalElection

Smiths Falls Bears lead Ottawa 3-0 in the Bogart Cup semifinals after a 2-1 win Tuesday. Carvallo and Benoit scored in the first period. Game 4 is April 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Ottawa.

Full recap: www.hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls...

#SmithsFalls #CCHL

Rideau Lakes Business Recognition Awards Draw 50 Nominations Rideau Lakes Business Recognition Awards include 50 nominated businesses across four categories, with winners to be announced April 15 in Elgin

Rideau Lakes Business Recognition Awards draw 50 nominations across four categories, with winners to be announced April 15 in Elgin.

See all nominees: www.hometownnews.ca/rideau-lakes...

#RideauLakes #LocalBusiness

SFDCI Lockdown Lifted After Replica Handgun Incident April 7 SFDCI lockdown lifted after police seized two replica handguns and took a youth into custody; all students safe as investigation continues.

A youth was taken into custody after police seized two replica handguns at Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute. All students were reported safe following the lockdown.

Full story: www.hometownnews.ca/sfdci-lockdo...

#SmithsFalls #SFDCI

Smiths Falls Bears have taken a 2-0 lead over Ottawa in the Bogart Cup semifinals after a 4-3 OT win and a 7-2 victory on the weekend. Game 3 is Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Smiths Falls Memorial Centre.

Full recap: www.hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls...

#SmithsFalls #CCHL

Mississippi Mills Affordable Housing Partnership Renewed Mississippi Mills affordable housing plans move forward with Lanark Community Alliance through a renewed partnership and proposed Almonte development site.

Mississippi Mills and Lanark Community Alliance have renewed a partnership to explore affordable housing on municipally owned land in Almonte, with planning work underway and a zoning meeting set for April 14.

Full story: www.hometownnews.ca/mississippi-...

#MississippiMills #Housing

Perth Annual Seed Library Returns with April 21 Workshop Perth annual Seed Library returns with free seeds and an April 21 workshop at the Perth & District Library supporting local gardening.

The Perth & District Library has reopened its annual seed library, with seeds available for home gardens and a seed-saving workshop set for April 21.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/perth-annual...

#PerthOntario #PerthLibrary #Gardening

Rideau Lakes Lawsuit Filed by Mayor, Councillors Against Colleagues Rideau Lakes lawsuit filed by mayor and councillors alleges bad faith conduct and misuse of authority amid ongoing council conflict.

Rideau Lakes mayor and two councillors have filed a lawsuit against five colleagues, alleging bad faith conduct and misuse of authority. Those named say they followed the integrity commissioner process.

Full story: www.hometownnews.ca/rideau-lakes...

#RideauLakes #MunicipalMatters

Be a Donor Month Smiths Falls: Rates Above Average, Registration Gap Remains Be a Donor Month Smiths Falls highlights organ donation rates above the Ontario average, while registration levels remain below half.

Smiths Falls is taking part in a provincewide effort to boost organ and tissue donation, with April marked as Be a Donor Month and April 7 as Green Shirt Day.

Details: www.hometownnews.ca/be-a-donor-m...

#SmithsFalls #OrganDonation #BeADonorMonth