Stephanie Clark, the new Director of Community Services with the town of Smiths Falls, gave a report to council during the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night. This month is the last chance to lace up your skates at the community centre until autumn. “The ice is coming out in the community centre […]
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During Monday evening’s council meeting in Smiths Falls, Acting Mayor Jay Brennan proclaimed Red Dress Day on May 5, 2023. The Red Dress Project was a public art installation created by Jaime Black in 2010, as a way to commemorate missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG), “by hanging empty red dresses in a […]
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At the April 25th meeting of Carleton Place council’s committee of the whole, councilors tackled a plateful of business items and motions. Watch what you pour down the sink During a routine and provincially mandated waste-water treatment report, councilor Mark Hinton asked about the number of plugged lateral line complaints (this refers to sewage lines (or […]
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At Tuesday, April 25’s Perth town council meeting, senior staff provided a detailed report on the municipal response to the ice storm earlier this month. Eleven 9-1-1 calls involved emergency services’ responses for electrical hazards, an elevator rescue, flooding assistance, a medical event, and carbon monoxide (CO) issues from emergency generator use. Lanark County registered […]
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On Monday evening, during the town council meeting in Smiths Falls, Councilor Dawn Quinn encouraged everyone to remember to Pitch in, Smiths Falls! The annual clean-up is underway now until April 29. Pitch In bags are available at the REAL Store on Abbott Street, and, once filled, can be left on the roadside for collection […]
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First-term Carleton Place councilor Sarah Cavanagh held a non-profit summit on Wednesday April 12 at the St James Parish Hall to gather representatives a wide variety of non-profit, charitable, and community service organizations for a discussion among like-minded volunteers looking to provide support for those in need. The afternoon meeting was well attended by members […]
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During the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday evening, Director of Public Works and Utilities Paul McMunn presented an array of potential bridge designs for the Confederation Drive river crossing in Smiths Falls. Council discussed the merits of a Pratt Truss bridge, a Warren Truss bridge, and a Bowstring Truss bridge. Council opted to […]
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Perth town council held its committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, April 4 in front of a packed gallery. They were there for another discussion on an off-leash dog park. Last December, after receiving a delegation requesting such a facility in town, council directed staff to prepare a report detailing possible locations and costs. […]
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Carleton Place council returns to in-person meetings After a 3 year pandemic-induced absence, Carleton Place council returned to in-person meetings on Tuesday, March 21st. Those that have gotten used to the online versions can still view the proceedings from the comfort of their easy-chairs as the streaming of council and committee of the whole sessions […]
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Carley Stewart, from the national organization The Period Purse, shared some startling statistics with CFUW Perth and District at a presentation on February 27. According to Plan International Canada’s research, 34 percent of women and girls in Canada often or occasionally make budget sacrifices to afford menstrual products. Some girls and women miss school and […]
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During the Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls on Monday night, CAO Malcolm Morris welcomed Kerry Costello back to the role of Town Clerk. CAO Morris also introduced Stephanie Clark, Smiths Falls’ new Director of Community Services. Councilor Jennifer Miller, who chaired the meeting, welcomed Director Clark. Clark gave a brief personal introduction. […]
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The Smiths Falls Rotary Club held its first Ladies’ Night since 2019 on Wednesday (Feb. 15) night at the Legion. This has been an annual event for many years for the Rotary Club so it was no surprise that the event sold out of tickets shortly after announcing it was happening again. It was clear […]
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New traffic lights coming On Wednesday, March 8th, Carleton Place Town Hall announced that they had been notified by the Ministry of Transportation that a recent traffic study at the intersection of Highway 7 and Townline Road has concluded that the intersection now meets the warrant to justify the installation of traffic control signals. MOT […]
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Perth Council committee votes to close Perthmore path At the committee of the whole meeting for Perth council on Tuesday, March 7, a full gallery attended to witness another debate on the future of the Perthmore pathway. The utility easement runs from Senators Gate Drive to Harris Street and is owned by the town. It […]
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During Monday night’s council meeting in Smiths Falls, Councilor Stephen Robinson shared some updates from a recent meeting at the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario. Over the winter, several upgrades have been made, Robinson reported, the baggage area and waiting room now have newly refinished floors; the kitchen has been redone; washrooms have been updated. […]
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During Monday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Leslie Richardson from the Smiths Falls Chamber of Commerce made a brief presentation to council. In 2022 the Chamber wished to set up a cantina in Victoria Park next to the Visitor’s Centre, which is run by the Chamber. Council supported this proposal, however, […]
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At the regular Perth council meeting on Tuesday, February 21, Mayor Judy Brown handed out the annual Heritage Perth Architectural Awards. These are given out every year to recognize, promote, and encourage excellence in heritage conservation in Perth. In the buildings category, the winner was Rob Geroux, the owner of the Red Fox on Foster […]
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Patti Morton says she remembers the early months of the COVID Testing Clinic in Almonte. “COVID was very new, and we were all working very hard to keep patients, residents, families and colleagues safe,” says Patti who has led the clinic’s operations. “It was an amazing team that came together to care for our community. […]
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During Tuesday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Mayor Shawn Pankow took a moment to acknowledge this week as the one-year anniversary of Russia’s war in Ukraine. “February 24 is the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of a sovereign Ukraine,” the mayor said, “As of this point, we’ve seen about 8 million people […]
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During the Smiths Falls town council meeting on Tuesday evening, CAO Malcolm Morris announced that the town’s Building Services have seen a change of leadership. The former Chief Building Official David Sutherland has been replaced by former building inspector Peter Black. “We’ve had a change within Building Services, so we want to appoint Peter. He’s […]
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It looks like nothing is happening at the small brick building on William Street; the eviction notice is still taped to the door, the water’s been turned off, there are no snowy footprints going in or out. But…behind the scenes…the game is afoot. Three years ago Julie Chagnon drove through Smiths Falls and fell in […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Fire Chief Rick Chesebrough shared several updates from the Smiths Falls Fire Department. The fire department has been successful in the resale of two of its trucks that are no longer needed by the town. A half-ton truck was sold for $7,400 to Derbyshire […]
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Budget set to go At Tuesday, February 7th’s committee of the whole meeting for Carleton Place council, town treasurer Trisa McConkey ran through the final version of the 2023 budget and its impact on property taxes. Council is proposing a 2.29% levy increase which represents an increase of $46.99, or $3.92 per month, based on a […]
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Perth planning dept warns of some enforcement coming At the committee of the whole meeting for Perth council on Tuesday, February 7th, town development services director Joanna Bowes and chief building official Brian Gass reported on some issues with noncompliance with planning agreements and building codes. They noted that staff turnovers in the past have […]
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During Monday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, CAO Malcolm Morris presented the year’s third draft budget to council. The budget was prepared by interim Treasurer Michael Dickey. Significant items of note in the budget are a proposed property tax increase of 3.38%, a water rate increase of 5.5%, and a wastewater […]
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During Monday evening’s town council meeting in Smiths Falls, council members shared reports from their recent activities. Councilor Jennifer Miller recently attended the Downtown Business Association’s board meeting, the inaugural meeting with a new board. “The DBA plans to build on the success of previous marketing initiatives,” Miller reported, “with four initiatives in the works […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Director of Public Works and Utilities Paul McMunn presented a report to Smiths Falls town council on the current status of the water tower replacement project. The town put out two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) last fall for a detailed design of the water tower, and the […]
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County Council received an update and overview of the Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS) from Mary Wilson Trider, President and CEO of Almonte General Hospital and Carleton Place District Memorial Hospital. The service is operated by Almonte General Hospital on behalf of the County. County council approves the annual budget, collective bargaining mandate, response time […]
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At its meeting Wednesday evening (Jan 25), Lanark County Council adopted the County’s updated Integrated Pest Management Vegetation Management Plan. The original plan was adopted in 2016 to manage vegetation in order to maintain safe roadsides. It aimed to reduce reliance on mowing, brushing and spraying, while restoring pollinator habitat. Updates to the plan reflect […]
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The Detached Trail Bridge located in Smiths Falls will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian usage, effective immediately. The Detached Trail Bridge is a decommissioned railway bridge structure constructed in 1910 that spans the Rideau River. After the railway line ceased operation in 1996, the bridge was assumed by Parks Canada as the abutments […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Smiths Falls’ town council received a report from Director of Public Works and Utilities Paul McMunn. This report included the finalization of the environmental assessment study of the long-closed historic Confederation Bridge, and requested council to make a decision on whether the bridge should be removed, replaced […]
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Water and Sewer Budget The water and sewer budget for 2023 was on the table for discussion at Tuesday, Jan 10th’s meeting of Carleton Place council’s committee of the whole. The plans are for a 1.95% increase to water and sewer rates which will result in a total charge of $990.96 per year for a residential […]
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Perth council sets another budget meeting At Perth Council’s committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, Jan 10th, councilors were supposed to hold a primary vote on the 2023 municipal budget. The final draft called for an affective 5% increase in property taxes and an 11% increase in water/sewer charges. Several councilors still had questions […]
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Smiths Falls council welcomed Interim Treasurer Stephen Dickey, who hit the ground running during Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. In his new role with the town, Interim Treasurer Dickey presented this year’s first draft of the capital budget which council discussed. Proposed items from the budget which council supported included a $174,341.00 donation […]
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During Monday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, CAO Malcolm Morris shared good news with council regarding the long-deferred bandstand planned for the new town square. The town square development has been placed on hold for the winter months, Morris noted, but it is getting close to completion: the rear parking lot […]
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The Almonte General Hospital family is mourning the loss of a committed community volunteer. Elizabeth “Betty” Preston passed away on Wednesday, January 4th, leaving a legacy of caring at Almonte General Hospital (AGH), Fairview Manor (FVM), and our Foundation. “Betty was an enthusiastic supporter of AGH as a Board member on both the hospital and […]
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Mark Czubak knew if the Smiths Falls Welcomes Ukraine (SFWU) committee was going to work, the thinking behind it would have to be thorough, thoughtful and workable. Now, early December 2022, there will be seven Ukrainian families living with host families in the surrounding community — that’s 22 people ranging from a 21-month old, to […]
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Carleton Place council remembers Ecole Polytechnique victims At the beginning of the first full council meeting for the newly elected group, a moment of silence was observed to solemnly remember the 14 victims murdered at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal on Dec 6, 1989. Councilors Dena Comley, Linda Seccaspina and Sarah Cavanagh read out the names […]
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Perth dog park gets another discussion At Perth town council’s committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, Dec 6th, staff presented some options on a leash-free dog park. The report was requested by council after a group of residents appeared at a November committee meeting requesting the town use $150K of reserve funds to create […]
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Mr. Grinch certainly tried his best to derail the North Pole Express at the Railroad Museum of Ontario on Saturday – he sent rain, a bitter cold and stormy winds, everything you could imagine to make the experience a miserable one. But the many visitors were undeterred by the Grinch’s doing and flocked in great […]
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Kick off the festive season in Smiths Falls with the Celebration of Lights starting Saturday December 3rd at Centennial Park by the water tower. The Celebration of Lights will once again offer a magical holiday experience in Smiths Falls with a stroll through the thousands of holiday light displays alongside the Rideau Canal. This year’s […]
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The newly formed council of the town of Smiths Falls will be developing a Strategic Plan to guide their decision making over the next four years. During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Chief Administration Officer Malcolm Morris presented council with the recommendation to pursue strategic plan development with the services of the Queen’s […]
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Local support worker hailed At Tuesday’s (Nov 22) Perth council meeting, the Perth Medal was awarded to Jackie Hart. The Medal is awarded by the Mayor annually to a person who has shown the greatest distinction in a number of endeavours to benefit the community as a whole with no monetary gain to themselves. This […]
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During Monday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Manager of Tourism and Economic Development Julia Crowder shared a list of upcoming holiday festivities in Smiths Falls. The popular Merry & Bright gift box program will be running again this year. Preselected gift items in glossy white boxes will be available for purchase from downtown businesses […]
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“Is there not a better way to do this – with a little humanity perhaps?” Julie Chagnon just put large new windows in the small brick building on William St W in Smiths Falls that she purchased in 2021. It stands immediately beside the Assemblies of God church. Now she looks from the inside out […]
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Monday night marked the final council meeting with the current term of council which has served Smiths Falls since 2018. Mayor Shawn Pankow and councilors Wendy Alford, Lorraine Allen, Jay Brennan, Niki Dwyer, Chris McGuire, and Peter McKenna steered the town through construction, renovations, an unexpectedly fiery response to the removal of angled parking, and […]
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Leading by example, staff, physicians, volunteers and board members from the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) and the CPDMH Foundation, have definitely shown their love for their hospital and their community. This group of amazing individuals, known as ‘Team Vital’, have not only poured their energy, hearts, sweat, and tears into their jobs […]
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On October 12th, 2022, local MPP John Jordan met with the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT) to celebrate the $29,700 Community Building Fund grant received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in October of 2021. This grant allowed MMLT to hire the exceptionally talented Rienne Moore as their Conservation Coordinator for a one-year term – […]
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She’s small. Not just small…petite. But size doesn’t matter for Brooke Henderson on the golf course. There she packs a punch. Brooke spent Thursday afternoon at Chimo Elementary School in Smiths Falls being remembered by teachers and staff and passing along a few putting tips to students. The Upper Canada District School Board school, in […]
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During Smiths Falls’ Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday evening, Chief Administrative Officer Malcolm Morris updated the committee on the status of 1430 Robinson Avenue. This property, which belonged to the town, was declared surplus in March 2022. In July, council voted to give the land to Carebridge Community Support for the creation of […]
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During the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday evening, Alex Hayman from Food Cycle Science shared results from the recent FoodCycler Pilot Project in Smiths Falls. One hundred residents purchased FoodCyclers (countertop composters) at a reduced rate and kept track of their usage for a three-month period during the spring. This pilot project was […]
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The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario (RMEO) is pleased to announce a successful Trainfest 2022, welcoming more than 1200 visitors to Smiths Falls. The train rides of both event days sold-out and the museum was buzzing with railway enthusiasts from across the province and beyond. “We love welcoming visitors driving from hours away coming to […]
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During Monday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Director of Community Services Art Manhire met with town council to discuss the long-awaited construction of a gazebo-style bandshell in the town square. The town of Smiths Falls submitted a request for proposals to bidders earlier this year, and only one construction company – […]
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Self-published children’s book author Natasha Peterson, is excited to present her newest book, Zoo’s News. Like her previous stories, Zoo’s News has a lesson that can be learned by the animal characters, which can be transferred to the lives of the children reading these stories. Zoo’s News introduces the harm that rumours can cause between […]
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The Township of Rideau Lakes was provided with the Final Fire Investigation report by the Office of the Fire Marshal on July 6, 2022 in response to a reportable large loss fire at the Portland Fire Hall at 20 Colborne Street on December 21, 2021. Fire Investigation Services were enlisted to investigate the origin, cause […]
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Al Potvin knows how to prepare for an interview. At 87, about eight years ago he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. The disease has progressed to the point where it’s easier to have others do the talking. His voice is soft, and his speech hard to understand now, so instead of speaking for himself, he […]
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Carleton Place council approves extra clean-up funds At the Tuesday, June 7th meeting of Carleton Place council, the final approval was given for an extra $60K for clean up after the May 21st storm. The funds will come from any surplus posted at the end of this year or from an administrative reserve. Review of storm clean […]
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Ontario Bill 109 brings planning changes At Tuesday, June 7th’s committee of the whole meeting for Perth council, the town’s director of development services Joanna Bowes provided an update on new provincial legislation designed to streamline land use application processes. Bill 109, the ‘More Homes for Everyone’ act that was passed in Queen’s Park in […]
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During Monday evening’s town council meeting in Smiths Falls, various councilors shared several community updates. Councilor Lorraine Allen noted that the Friends of the Library are having their annual book sale to fund literacy-promoting efforts in our community. Stop by Victoria Park on Sasturday June 18 between 9am-1pm to visit the book sale and support […]
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The Township of Rideau Lakes and Country Roads Community Health Centre are pleased to announce a new partnership with the Portland Food Bank and the Community Clothing Co-operative. This newly created partnership will provide a new space for the Portland Food Bank and the Community Clothing Co-operative in the same building as the Country Roads […]
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Carleton Place heritage property improvement grants launched At Tuesday, May 31st’s session of Carleton Place town council, councilors put their final stamp of approval on the town’s first-ever heritage property improvement grant program. Under this initiative, property owners can apply for a grant to cover 50% of permitted works up to a maximum of $5000. […]
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$294,610.53 has been raised for local charities, thanks to the Carleton Place Catch the Ace progressive raffles. Supporting both the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CDPMH) Foundation and the Captain A. Roy Brown Branch 192 Royal Canadian Legion (Legion), each of these charities will use these funds to give back to local residents. The […]
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During Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Director of Community Services Art Manhire outlined the next steps in moving forward with the installation of new playgrounds in Victoria Park and Hyland & Corbett Park. The town had recently requested public feedback on playground designs via their Speak Up, Smiths Falls! platform. […]
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The holiday weekend in May is closely associated with gardening and the South Lanark Community Garden wants to let the community know that there will be plenty of vegetable seedlings, annual flowers and perennial flowers available and its first annual plant sale. The Lanark Highlands Youth Centre will be joining the volunteers from the garden […]
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During Monday night’s town council meeting, Mayor Shawn Pankow proclaimed the month of June to be Pride Month in Smiths Falls. “Whereas the town of Smiths Falls supports the rights of every citizen to experience equality and freedom from discrimination, and whereas all people, regardless of race or ethic origin, colour, religion, age, sexual orientation, […]
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During Monday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Julia Crowder, Manager of Tourism and Economic Development, presented the first annual Business Survey Report based on a town-wide survey from 2021. Crowder developed this survey, which will recur annually, in order to “consistently engage with the business community and obtain feedback and vital […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Director of Utilities and Public Works Paul McMunn shared a brief update with council and town staff about the ongoing town hall renovation. Due to Phase 2 of the Beckwith St Reconstruction project and the town hall renovation, the main entrance for reception at […]
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Kerry Costello, Director of Corporate Services, presented a Refreshment Vehicle Request to the council of the town of Smiths Falls on Monday evening. The Chamber of Commerce, which runs the visitors centre at Victoria Park, requested the town’s permission to set up a cantina on the play structure’s gravel pad next to the yellow airplane […]
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Councilor Lorraine Allen shared updates with council from the Smiths Falls library and the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario (RMEO) during Tuesday evening’s council meeting. RMEO held a special holiday event on Saturday, the Easter Egg-spress, during which the museum welcomed over 600 visitors. There was a petting zoo “which was very well received; most of […]
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Another topic that has seen more than its fair share of discussion at the council table, the public pathway in the Perthmore subdivision, had another debate on Tuesday. The path runs along a town-owned easement and has no fencing between it and the private properties it abuts. There have been multiple complaints from those homeowners […]
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The annual movie survey for Movies Under the Stars is currently being held online. Manager of Economic Development and Tourism, Julia Crowder, shared that the Heritage House Museum will once again be hosting Movies Under the Stars in Centennial Park in Smiths Falls, and is seeking public input on the movie list from the public. […]
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In celebration of Earth Day, Perth’s Climate Change Advisory Panel (CCAP) is hosting the first ever Trashure Hunt on Saturday, April 23, 2022. A town-wide clean-up, the event will not only help beautify the Town, but will bring together the community with fun, family-friendly activities as well! “Springtime tends to unearth quite of bit of […]
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Director of Community Services Art Manhire presented a report to council during Smiths Falls Committee of the Whole meeting Monday evening regarding Phase 3 of the town hall renovations. Manhire recommended that the town award the tender for Phase 3 renovation to Brawn Construction at a cost of $2,529,877.66. “The total is higher than expected; […]
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Julia Crowder, Manager of Economic Development in Smiths Falls, presented a report with a draft RFP (Request for Proposals) to the town council at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night, in regards to the former water treatment plant on Old Mill Drive. This draft RFP included requirements that any potential developer preserve […]
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At the Tuesday, Feb 8th session of Carleton Place council’s committee of the whole, staff brought forward requests from the McArthur Island developer for agreement extensions on the first two phases of a five phase residential/commercial complex. From the beginning the island proposal has met and satisfied a large number of planning and environmental regulations from […]
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Perth’s director of Community Services Shannon Baillon presented plans to extend the Tay River trail in town from Leslie Street, where it currently terminates to an area just behind the County admin buildings. She reported that a portion of this extension crosses Upper Canada School Board property behind Stewart School and their permission would be […]
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Perth town council started off the New Year with a heavy agenda for their committee of the whole. Up first was an official public meeting regarding a street name change. North Street North is a small stretch of Drummond Concession 2 within Perth’s boundaries with one side being in Drummond North Elmsley and the other […]
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Michele Bellows from Rideau Community Health Services (RCHS) presented a vision to Smiths Falls town council during Monday evening’s council meeting. RCHS would like to develop a hub in Smiths Falls for community, health, and social services. A single hub, Bellows explained, would help clients to access coordinated and collaborative health and social care. RCHS proposed […]
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Tony Humphrey, from the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, presented a 2022 Grant Request to the town of Smiths Falls during Monday night’s council meeting. He outlined the museum’s successful past year, even considering the restrictions and limits posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and requested funds for RMEO’s upkeep – particularly for the roof, which […]
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The Township of Rideau Lakes is pleased to announce the launch of its new Facebook and Instagram pages on Meta (formerly known as Facebook). As part of the Digital Content Strategy adopted by Council on December 6, 2021, the municipality has introduced “Experience Rideau Lakes” pages to offer free, accessible, and meaningful content to people […]
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In addition to working tirelessly over many months of pandemic response, the Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS) team made time to support our communities by hosting the annual “Fill and Ambulance with Food” drive on December 11th and 12th. With support from local YIG stores (Barnabe, Mitchell, Patrice and Andress), Paramedics were on location in Perth, […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Senior Planner Karl Grenke brought forward a request from Parkview Homes regarding two proposed street names for the new neighbourhood in Bellamy Farms. The names Parkview proposed, Ferne and Wesley, are not on the town’s Approved Names list. In the related report, Mary Remmig, Planning Clerk, described […]
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On the council agenda was a letter signed by several Tysick Ave., residents concerned with final grading, fencing, and ineffective privacy measures, among other issues related to their new rear-yard neighbour, Lanark Lifestyles Phase 2. The rear of the new seniors-lifestyle residence’s property (primarily used for parking) sits 5 feet about the backyard levels of […]
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At their final meeting before the Christmas break on Tuesday, December 14, Perth Town Council approved the new Strategic Plan as well as its 2022 Budget. Forecasting significant growth over the next several years, both items were developed throughout the latter half of the year with this in mind. The Town of Perth is projecting […]
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Alex Hayman from Foodcycler Science Corporation presented an exciting recycling project to Smiths Falls town council and staff during Monday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting. The Foodcycler is a fast-acting countertop composter, which transforms a bucket of food waste into soil in one cycle (which takes approximately three hours). This is an energy-efficient tool […]
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Responding to a request from the Perthmore Community Association, Bradley Wright, the town’s director of development services, presented the committee with a list of the association’s recommendations for improvements to traffic flow and pedestrian safety. They were asking for a new traffic study, a community safety zone for a 40 km/h speed limit, a by-law […]
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On Tuesday, November 23rd, Carleton Place Mayor presided in council chambers for the first time in almost 2 years. The reason was to honour 3 members of the Ocean Wave Fire Company for exemplary and long service. First up was Deputy Chief Dave Joy who received his 20 year exemplary service medal from Black. Next, […]
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Director of Community Services Art Manhire shared some festive good news during Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls. The behind-the-scenes work of this year’s Festival of Lights is well underway. Like last year, it will be set up at Centennial Park on Confederation Drive. The Festival of Lights, which will begin […]
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Quarterly Building Report Perth’s Chief Building Official, Brian Gass delivered his third quarter report to the committee on Tuesday, Nov 16th. While the number of building permits issued had actually gone down slightly compared to last year, the value of what’s being constructed has skyrocketed. In the first three quarters of last year that dollar […]
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More Downtown trees to be replaced At the November 9th session for Perth town council’s committee of the whole meeting, staff presented a report on the state of the ash trees in the downtown corridor. In 2016 an arborist was contracted to examine them and they found a severe infestation of emerald ash borers in 27 […]
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Starting Monday, November 8, a group of volunteers will begin a two-week blitz to remove LDD Moth egg clusters from trees in parks throughout the Town of Perth. Their efforts will be focused on Last Duel Park, Conlon Farms, and Stewart Park, although they hope to be able to work through the smaller parks in […]
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Local students Jordan-Anne Rich (Almonte) and Clara Misener (Perth) have been highlighted by the David Suzuki Foundations for their local contributions to the National Butterflyway project. Their gardens are part of a national network of butterfly-friendly gardens throughout Canada that blossomed this year with the creation of over 60 new Butterflyways. The Butterflyways are citizen-created corridors of […]
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The Town of Smiths Falls is providing clarification on what proof of vaccination will be accepted at the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre to gain entry. Effective Sept. 22, 2021, the province of Ontario announced that proof of vaccination is required in indoor community spaces, as well as restaurants, music venues, and other indoor gathering […]
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The Town of Smiths Falls is pleased to announce the popular Merry + Bright holiday shopping program will be returning again for 2021. This shop local program was a hit in 2020 and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever, with 25 per cent more unique holiday boxes to choose from. “We […]
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Smiths Falls provides information on proof of vaccination protocols for the Memorial Community Centre and updates on fall events The Town of Smiths Falls is providing information to citizens on proof of vaccination to access the Smiths Falls Memorial Community Centre and updates on guidelines for outdoor community events this fall and winter. Effective Sept. […]
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On Monday October 18th, the town of Westport held a by-election to fill a vacant council seat left by former councilor Melissa Sullivan who resigned for personal reasons in May of this year. Council opted to fill the vacancy by by-election rather than appointment. When the votes were counted on the 18th, life-long resident Ami […]
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Michael Cleland and Stephen Slawuta of RC Strategies presented the Parks and Recreation Master Plan report at the Smiths Falls Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday evening. The town of Smiths Falls hired RC Strategies in December 2020, and the arrival of the report at long last was welcomed eagerly. However, some aspects of […]
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During Monday evening’s council meeting in Smiths Falls, Councillor Lorraine Allen brought a report from the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario (RMEO). Typically, RMEO hosts a North Pole Express event, in which the Railway Museum is transformed into the North Pole. This has included photos with Santa, visiting with the elves, as well as train […]
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Autumn is a busy time for the Rideau Environmental Action League. Councillor Niki Dwyer shared some exciting fall updates from REAL during the Smiths Falls council meeting Monday evening. The REAL tool library is up and running: the grand opening was held on October 2. The lending library is stocked with “a really good array […]
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Residents, businesses and service organizations throughout the Lake 88.1 listening area showed their support for their local hospitals and community healthcare centres (CHCs) by donating a record $120,117.60 during this year’s Radiothon. The phones rang from 6am until 6pm during the live Radiothon broadcast on Lake 88.1 as volunteers in five area call centres accepted […]
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The town’s director of community services, Shannon Baillon presented the latest versions of the town’s new branding images to be used in local signage, letterheads, and a variety of visual representations. The slogan ‘Heritage and Heart’ was recommended by staff over ‘Bridging Time’ as it would connect better with targeted tourism demographics. The town’s logo […]
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At Perth Council’s committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, Oct 12th, the topic of the rocky ramp project came up yet again. This time, Grant Machan, the town’s director of environmental services was recommending that the town turn down the latest bid to modify both sides of the structures. The town received only one […]
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Town council learned on Tuesday what many home owners have found; there are always surprises when renovating or repairing an older home. The town embarked on a $230K project earlier this year to repair the chimney on the town hall, partially repoint the west wall, complete various stone and flashing repairs and replace some slate […]
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Patten Homes failed in its second attempt to get approval for a new block of townhomes on Taber Street at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting for Carleton Place council. They first brought their proposal for seven 3-storey townhomes in August of this year, which the committee turned down because of density and height. Their […]
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Kim Hunton from consulting firm WSP reported back to the Committee of the Whole in Smiths Falls on Tuesday evening with results from this summer’s Public Active Transportation Survey. WSP heard back from 244 total respondents. 70% of those surveyed identify as a pedestrian; 37% feel very comfortable walking in town on existing roads and […]
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It may be Fall but the Lanark County Food Bank Stocking Drive is already on. Because clients only access the Food Bank once a month, stockings start being handed out in the middle of November, so you can see why when we say Christmas is “just around the corner” we mean it. Our minds are […]
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Director of Public Works and Utilities Paul McMunn shared some good news with council during the Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls on Monday night. The Beckwith Street Phase 2 project was recently out for tender, and the town received an astonishing seven submissions. McMunn noted that Smiths Falls had received only one submission […]
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Thursday, October 14, 2021 ‘Supporting our frontline workers by giving them the tools they need’ Local healthcare officials, doctors, nurses, patients and volunteers will take to the airwaves of Lake 88.1 Radio on Thursday, October 14th for a live 12-hour fundraising ‘Radiothon’ in support of our local hospitals and community health centres. The station is […]
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The Rideau Environmental Action League (REAL) is looking for volunteers to help make a local impact on an alarming world-wide problem. Plastic garbage ending up in inland waterways then flowing out to sea is contributing to the spread of huge patches of plastic waste in the world’s oceans. According to information provided by organizers of […]
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In honour of the recently declared National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, the Perth and District Union Public Library and Lanark County Neighbours for Truth and Reconciliation are collaborating on a fundraising campaign to purchase books by and about Indigenous Peoples. Launching today, the campaign’s goal is $1,500. A donation of $25 will cover […]
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Director of Community Services Art Manhire informed the Committee of the Whole in Smiths Falls on Monday night that new basketball courts were installed in Lower Reach park last weekend and have seen lots of use. Councillor Brennan commented “they look great and it’s a great addition to lower reach. Whenever I’m down there there’s […]
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October is Canadian Library Month! During this month, libraries and library partners across Canada raise awareness of the valuable role libraries play in Canadians’ lives. For 2021, Ontario Public Library Week will take place October 17 to October 23, 2021 and the theme is “One Card, One Million Possibilities.” Explore these possibilities through the Perth […]
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A Shoreline Restoration Demonstration planned for Saturday, Sept. 25 in Smiths Falls is being postponed to May 2022 after organizers ran into difficulty obtaining permission to plant trees and shrubs at their preferred location at Lower Reach. The shoreline restoration was originally planned for the shore of the Rideau Canal between Elm and Beech Streets […]
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Members of Perth town council discussed the recent Night Market during the council meeting on Tuesday night. “It was a huge success,” commented Councillor Brock McPherson, “There was a huge turnout; it looked like thousands of people were there. The restaurants had a really busy evening, which was great. I also talked to a couple […]
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During Monday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Deputy Clerk Nadine Bennett presented a recommendation to town council on behalf of the Racism and Discrimination Task Force that council should read a land acknowledgement at every council meeting, committee meeting, and board meeting in Smiths Falls. This land acknowledgement was written by […]
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During Tuesday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Councillor Dave Bird presented council with a suggestion that Perth adopt a community flag pole. This community flag pole would serve the purpose of flying the town’s flag, and could also be used for the flags of various community interest groups. Councillor Judy Brown approved. “This sounds […]
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Perth’s YAK Youth Services came with plenty of support to Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting for Perth town council, but in the end, this well-known organization already had councilors’ backing. YAK (Youth Action Kommittee) had been on the hunt for a suitable home-base at an affordable cost with plans to create a one-stop services […]
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On Tuesday, Sept 14th, the Almonte Community Coordinators (The Hub/Rebound) will host an all-candidates meeting in Almonte at the Civitan Hall (500 Almonte Street). It will be a live in-person event as well as being live-streamed as a Zoom session online. It’s scheduled to start at 7:00 pm and the doors to the hall will […]
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The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (PSFDH) is committed to the health and safety of its staff and physicians and has a duty to actively promote, implement, and comply with COVID-19 immunization recommendations in order to decrease the risk of infection and complications in the staff, physicians, and patients/clients that PSFDH serves. PSFDH has […]
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CAO Malcolm Morris shared several updates with council during Smiths Falls’ Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday evening. The tender for Phase 2 of the Beckwith Street Revitalization was issued on Monday, and it will close on September 22. This gives just one month for applicants to submit their bids. “We have an aggressive […]
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At Carleton Place council’s committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, August 10th, the town’s director of development services, Niki Dwyer, brought forward an application from Cavanaugh Development to create 7 new town-homes on Taber Street in the town’s south-west region. The proposal would see the 3-story walk-ups built in two separate blocks; one with […]
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During Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Perth, Director of Community Services Shannon Baillon shared with council that she had recently applied for a grant from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund. This grant would go toward adding a pathway along the river at Last Duel Park and also a Healing Circle, an extension […]
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During Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Perth resident John Clement presented a request to town council from 18 citizens regarding Perth’s compost. This group pointed out that Perth gathers compost, processes it, but it is not returned to the community. They requested that the compost be made available for public use, as it […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Councillor Chris McGuire alerted council and staff that the beaches in Smiths Falls are currently under a no-swimming advisory due to high levels of bacteria. “I went to check it out on Sunday afternoon and it’s really bad. There are feathers and goose droppings not only in […]
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This Saturday, up to 40 friends and teammates of local resident and Carleton Place Canadian Hockey Club U18 member, 16-year-old James Patchell will shave their heads and raise funds in an uplifting show of support! Just over a month ago, James was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma — formerly known as Hodgkin’s disease — […]
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The Perth and District Union Public Library is pleased to announce newly expanded hours, starting Tuesday August 3. The new hours are Monday 10am-5pm, Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 10am-7pm, Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. “Now that we have moved into Step 3 of Ontario’s Re-opening plan, we’re happy to be expanding our hours to meet our community’s needs […]
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Smiths Falls’ Chief Administrative Officer Malcolm Morris shared an update on road construction with council during Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. Morris related that the work at the Lombard Street and Abbott Street intersection is going well, “a lot of the heavy lifting is done on that project.” Sidewalks and landscaping are being […]
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Deputy Clerk Nadine Bennett brought a report from the Emergency Control Group to the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night in Smiths Falls. The Emergency Control Group last met June 30. There are currently two active cases of Covid-19 in our health unit; one patient is in hospital. Kim McCann, Senior Public Health Inspector […]
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It started with a recent post on a social media account for Carleton Place’s BIA; a picture of Carleton Place councilor Andrew Tennant repairing the stone work high up on the town hall building. That one image sparked some questions. Was he volunteering? Or was he getting paid? If it was a paying job, how […]
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In light of the recent devastating discovery of children’s bodies in mass graves in residential schools, Director of Community Services Shannon Baillon recommended on Tuesday evening to town council that an addition be made to Perth’s Canada Day celebration video. (Due to Covid-19, celebrations for Canada Day 2021 in Perth were canceled. In lieu of […]
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Councillor Dwyer brought a report from the Rideau Environmental Action League (REAL) to council during Monday night’s council meeting in Smiths Falls. “More than 40 volunteers spent their Saturday in the heat and sun, ripping up the asphalt on Daniel Street,” she reported. Depaving the street was the first step in converting a small segment […]
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Drones, pick-axes, chunks of asphalt, overflowing wheelbarrows all caught the attention of passers-by in downtown Smiths Falls Saturday morning. Volunteers were busy as bees on Daniel Street in front of the Library for the first step — pulling up the pavement — in softening and naturalizing a new town square; the next step — planting […]
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During Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, it was decided that the town of Perth will welcome a brand new street sweeper later this year. Director of Environmental Services Grant Machan recommended council authorize the purchase of a 2022 Ravo 5i Street Sweeper, to replace the town’s aging 2006 Vacuum Sweeper. Machan also requested […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Dan Wojcik and Jacob Kelly from +VG Architects presented design element options to council for Phase 3 of town hall renovations. They offered three design options and received feedback from council on the proposed plans. The principles that influenced their design are accessibility and […]
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This year the Rotary Club is quietly marking 99 years of service in Smiths Falls and looking forward to their 100th anniversary next year. Gerald Reilly, President of the Rotary Club of Smiths Falls, met with council during Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss the service club’s 2022 celebration. The Rotary Club’s […]
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During Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Perth, Fire Chief Trevor Choffe presented a report recommending council authorize staff to proceed with the creation of a new four-season sport court at 1881 Rogers Rd. The initial costs of creating this sport court are fully funded by donors, and remaining costs are expected to […]
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During Perth’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday night, town council received a recommendation to assist in a local youth group’s pollinator-protection project. Climate Network Lanark’s youth group requested town council to designate two four-foot-square plots of town land for their Butterflyway Project. This project, which is a local arm of a national initiative […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, town council received a report on Phase 2 of the Beckwith Street Revitalization from James Fookes of Morrison Hershfield and Scott Mason of CSW Landscape Architects. This report required decisions from council on four issues: whether or not the free-flow right turn lane from […]
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On Monday, June 7, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (PSFDH) announced that Dr. Barry Guppy, the President & CEO will be leaving effective August 27, after accepting a position at Health Canada. Donna Howard, Chair, Board of Directors Howard in a notice to all staff praised Dr. […]
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During Tuesday’s special Committee of the Whole meeting, Karen Bonhomme and Trevor Trewartha of 1dea Media + Design presented town council with three new concepts for Perth’s rebranding. The three concepts are Heritage + Heart, Town of Perth, and Bridging Time. A survey was conducted by 1dea Media, gathering responses from 597 community members. Ten […]
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During Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, town CAO Malcolm Morris shared an update regarding upcoming road construction projects. The renovation of the Abbott/Lombard intersection is an “exciting construction project we’re preparing to start next week,” Morris explained. This intersection is one of the town’s busiest. The town has been working […]
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During Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Smiths Falls Fire Chief Chesebrough reported the latest data on Covid-19 in our region. “We have done exceptionally well at bringing the numbers down,” he announced. As of last Friday, we had 21 active cases in the Lanark Grenville Leeds District, with one person in hospital. If the […]
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Grant Machan, Director of Environmental Services, brought an update to council on the Landfill Site expansion. The site has been a hive of activity lately, as workers prepare for a busy summer construction season. “We have issued the tender for the piping system, on budget. There’s lots of activity at the site – the team is […]
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During Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Perth, council participated in a lively discussion about the collection of fines due from those who have died. It is the town of Perth’s policy not to pursue the payment of fees from the estate when a debtor is deceased. Mayor Fenik clarified with Treasurer Brian […]
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Smiths Falls Town Council wished Director of Public Works and Utilities Troy Dunlop all the best in his new venture during Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. Dunlop is moving on to a position with the County of Frontenac after 5 years in his current position with the town of Smiths Falls. Town CAO […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, town council bade farewell Economic Development and Tourism Manager Jennifer Miller. CAO Malcolm Morris expressed appreciation for Manager Miller’s hard work and dedication in her leadership role. “Jennifer Miller joined us 3 years ago, and she transformed Economic Development and Tourism,” Morris said. As well as her […]
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County council has approved an updated policy and by-law to regulate advertising signs and devices in the county right-of-way and on private property adjacent to county roads. The new by-law replaces a previous version. At the committee meeting last month, Director of Public Works Terry McCann explained the policy was updated following numerous complaints received […]
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At Wednesday’s (May 12) Lanark County council meeting, the Connect Lanark program received final approval. This financial assistance is designed to help low-income families to achieve broadband internet installation. The program will be administered by the county’s social services department and will provide up to $2000 per household to cover the costs of installation only. […]
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Following a lively and lengthy discussion during Perth’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday night, Perth town council voted 6-1 in favour of hiring Matrix Solutions to produce a design to adjust the Rocky Ramps, at a cost of $28 856.00. This design will see the water flow split 50/50 between the Tay and […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Fire Chief Chesebrough debriefed council on Thursday night’s diesel spill in Smiths Falls when approximately 100 litres of diesel fuel was accidentally released into the basin. Early on Thursday evening, the Smiths Falls Fire Department received a call that there was a strong smell of diesel and […]
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I am a voter in MPP Randy Hillier’s riding and I can honestly say that he no longer represents me, nor the hundreds of others waiting in a confusing line for a Covid-19 vaccine, nor those who have been laid low or have lost family members to the virus MPP Hillier, I can’t complain to […]
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With the hopeful end of lockdown coming soon, I reached out to some of the surrounding towns to find out what kind of Covid-19 friendly events are being planned this summer. There is an abundance of things for all ages to do in small town Smiths Falls, Ontario! The first covid friendly activity is Picnic […]
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The Smiths Falls Swag Program was introduced to council on April 20 2021 by Jennifer Miller, Manager of Economic Development & Tourism. This program would create a merchandise program to help support the Smiths Falls business community. Miller recommended “that Council authorize use of $20,000 from the Small Business Advisory Centre Reserve Fund to further […]
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Mayor Shawn Pankow took a moment during Monday night’s council meeting in Smiths Falls to highlight a sombre matter. “I want to recognize the Red Dress Project on May 8, which is a day to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women across Canada.” The Red Dress Project is an aesthetic response; a visual reminder of […]
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Over $44,000 has been raised to date as a result of an outpouring of love from the community to help support Smiths Falls mother, Courtney Preece in her mission to find affordable and accessible housing for both her and her six year old son Grayson. Courtney’s search for a home in a time where affordable […]
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A proposal from County Warden and Mississippi Mills Mayor Christa Lowry to provide funding to households in need for internet service installations received an enthusiastic response from the economic development committee. The Connect Lanark Broadband project would provide up to $2K per household to cover the installation fees and would be managed by the county’s […]
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At the Tuesday, April 27 virtual meeting of Carleton Place council’s committee of the whole, shipping containers (known as sea-cans at the town-hall) were once again on the table. Director of Development Services, Niki Dwyer proposed two methods of regulating the placement and use of these large steel shipping units. The first would involve amending […]
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Vanessa Bernicky, Engineering Technologist, presented Smiths Falls’ town council with a recommendation to lease a dual-head electric vehicle charging station during Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. The proposed EV charging station would be placed in the municipal parking lot at the corner of Market Street and William Street East. Two vehicles could be […]
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At the meeting on Tuesday, Niki Dwyer, Director of Development Services, presented her report on the town’s efforts to create affordable housing. She listed the new 20 unit rent-geared-to-income apartment building being constructed by Lanark County at 7 Arthur Street as one such initiative. It’s expected to be ready for occupancy in July of this […]
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On Tuesday, Carleton Place council’s committee of the whole once again amended their waste management bylaw to permit an extra bag of garbage per household while the current public health stay-at-home order is in effect. This is the third such change since the Covid-19 pandemic began with the previous two coinciding with similar lock-down regulations. […]
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During Perth’s virtual Commitee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday evening, Director of Community Services Shannon Baillon requested direction from town council to apply for the 2021 Reconnect Festival and Event program. This would authorize Baillon to apply for a grant of up to $10 000 to partially fund a Night Market event in Perth. […]
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Manager of Economic Development Jennifer Miller presented Smiths Falls town council with a recommendation to award the tender for Visitor Services at Victoria Park to the Chamber of Commerce this year. Miller explained that earlier this spring the town put out a tender for Visitor Services. They wanted to ensure that these services were still […]
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Director of Public Works Troy Dunlop was “very pleased to report that we received $1.8 million towards construction of key elements in Beckwith Street Phase Two” via the 2021-2022 Connecting Links grant program. During Monday night’s virtual Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Dunlop explained that Minister of Transportation Carolyn Mulroney contacted the […]
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Smiths Falls’ Director of Economic Development Jennifer Miller presented town council with a draft of the Municipal Cultural Plan during Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. The Municipal Cultural Plan was created in discussion with the Arts and Culture board, council, community members, and staff. It is “a roadmap of guiding principles for decision-making […]
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A series of boarded-up former social housing buildings in Carleton Place is now up for sale. The units on Edwards Drive near the intersection of Townline Road East and Joseph Street sit on a parcel of land that was the subject of prolonged litigation that was recently settled, according to Lanark County’s Director of Social […]
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Town council got a peek at the initial drawing of Smiths Falls’ future town square on Monday night. The new town square will be created in the space between the Library and Town Hall, eliminating the small segment of Daniel Street between Beckwith and Elmsley Streets. David Lashley, from Lashley and Associates, presented the proposed […]
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On Wednesday March 10th, Lanark County council held a regular and virtual session along with 3 committee meetings; Community Services, Corporate Services, and Public Works. All members of county council sit on and vote at these committee sessions. At the Corporate Services committee meeting, councilors received a presentation from Lanark Paramedics Chief Travis Mellema regarding recent […]
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The Town of Smiths Falls’ Municipal Complex will remain closed until further notice due to the recent increase in active cases in the Leeds Grenville Lanark Public Health Unit (LGLPHU) district. This decision will protect members of the public and staff from the potential spread of COVID-19. The decision to remain closed was made by […]
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During Tuesday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Director of Environmental Services Grant Machan extended thanks to town council on behalf of environmental services staff. Perth’s recent acquisition of a ribbon blower for the sidewalk plow “is efficient and helpful. We’d like to offer a sincere thank you to council. Acquiring the ribbon blower will […]
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Community Services Director Shannon Baillon brought a request from the Perth Business Improvement Association (BIA) to town council during Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. The BIA requested council to continue to waive parking fees through the end of October 2021, as a way to support local businesses and bolster the shop-local initiative during […]
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Due to Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing, the Heritage Perth Architectural Conservation 2021 awards were presented a little differently this year. During Tuesday night’s council meeting in Perth, council members enjoyed watching a video in which Mayor John Fenik presented some of Perth’s citizens with Heritage Perth Architectural Conservation 2021 awards last week. These awards […]
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Directors Kerry Costello and Art Manhire shared some updates with town council during Monday night’s virtual Committee of the Whole meeting. There is currently a vacancy on the Smiths Falls Public Library board, and they will be receiving applications from any who wish to apply to join the Board. The Library Board meets virtually, not […]
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Our current pandemic has inadvertently created a bump in local real estate demands, as those in the market for relocation have expanded their choices to include and sometimes focus on smaller towns and rural areas in search of a residence that’s safer from a public health standpoint. Carleton Place has seen a price tag jump of […]
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The Town of Smiths Falls is pleased to announce that two Smiths Falls’ economic development initiatives have received provincial recognition for excellence in economic development by the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO). The Town of Smiths Falls’ PICNIC program, along with the Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce and Smiths Falls Downtown Business […]
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Jennifer Miller, Economic Development and Tourism Manager for Smiths Falls, presented a report on the SBAC Reserve Fund to town council during Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. The Small Business Advisory Centre (SBAC) Reserve Fund is a fund that has been built over many years through surplus funds from Ontario’s Ministry of Economic […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Art Manhire updated Smiths Falls town council on the demolition work that has begun at 54 Lombard Street. The demolition of 54 Lombard will provide a green space at a busy intersection which is also due for an upgrade. This green space will become a gateway to […]
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Leeds Grenville Lanark (LGL) District Public Health Unit staff were on site at Fairview Manor on January 28th to administer the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to the residents. The Public Health team was assisted by staff from the Lanark County Paramedic Service, Fairview Manor, and Almonte General Hospital. “It was an amazing day, and […]
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Perth’s town council meeting was held virtually on Tuesday night, with Mayor Fenik and skeleton staff present in the town hall and the other councillors joining from their homes via Zoom. Mayor Fenik, who is serving on the board of the Perth & District Union Public Library board, shared a reminder that the library is […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, members of the Smiths Falls town council congratulated Troy Dunlop, Director of Public Works and Utilities, on the completion of Phase 1 of the Beckwith Street Renewal Project. Dunlop presented council with a year-end update on the project, which was completed on time, and came in approximately […]
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Following two decades of advocacy by Rideau Lakes, traffic lights are coming to Crosby. The Highway 15 and Country Road 42 intersection at Crosby is a notoriously blind and dangerous intersection. Earlier today, Mayor Arie Hoogenboom gained the firm commitment from the Hon. Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, during a delegation at the virtual 2021 […]
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Newspaper reporter and photographer, sailor, police officer, elite distance runner, community volunteer, and seeker after intelligent life in outer space – Perth’s own Terrance O’Hearn is a man of many talents. After contributing a monthly column to the Hometown News for a number of years, Terry will be stepping back a bit due to health […]
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When the president of Eastern Ontario Development Association, J.A. (Joe) Perkins, addressed a large crowd at the grand opening of Perth Municipal Airport on August 30, 1956, he could not have realized his remark that “such an airport would be as necessary as a railroad” would prove to be so prophetic, although not in the […]
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Councillor Brennan reported to town council during Monday night’s meeting that there has been lots of activity with the town Planning Committee. Currently, preparation is underway for construction of “a lovely three-unit Brownstone very close to the downtown.” He thanked Karl Grenke, Senior Planner, and town staff for working with the neighbourhood and enabling that. […]
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Smiths Falls Treasurer Janet Koziel presented the third draft of the 2021 budget to town council on Monday night. There was much discussion from the Committee of the Whole on the various budget items. Councillor Dwyer congratulated Treasurer Koziel on this draft, noting the reasonable 1.1% consumer price index (CPI) tax increase. Dwyer inquired about […]
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The Town of Smiths Falls is pleased to announce that two Smiths Falls’ projects have been named as finalists in the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) 2020 Awards of Excellence. The Town of Smiths Falls’ PICNIC program, along with the Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce and Smiths Falls Downtown Business Association (DBA) […]
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The council for the town of Smiths Falls received three delegations during Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, each submitting a Community Grant request. Reverend Christopher Ryan of Trinity United Church and Michelle Bellows of Rideau Community Health Services represented five local organizations who are working together as the Smiths Falls Food Security Advocacy […]
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Jennifer Miller, Economic Director for the town of Smiths Falls, shared good news with council at Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. Merry & Bright boxes, which were developed as a campaign of the town to support local retailers during a Covid Christmas, brought in nearly $40 000 in direct sales. “We delivered 440 […]
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On Monday Jan 11, the Canadian flag atop Carleton Place’s town hall flew at half-mast in solemn acknowledgement of the sudden and unexpected passing of Councilor Theresa Fritz on Sunday Jan 10th. In a statement posted on the town’s website on Sunday evening, Mayor Doug Black wrote, “It is with great sadness that we share […]
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A set of weaving headlights could be seen coming from the east on Highway 7, followed by a string of red flashing lights. The stolen vehicle had a drug-crazed and desperate youth behind the wheel, and the red flashing lights were the pursuing cruisers operated by Ottawa OPP officers. A call had come in the […]
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On Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, the province of Ontario announced a province-wide lockdown to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This lockdown will begin on Dec. 26, 2020 and remain in effect until Jan. 23, 2021. In response to the lockdown and in accordance with provincial and public health guidelines, the Town of Smiths Falls […]
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Registered Nurse Nicki Watkins joined the Emergency Department team at Almonte General Hospital (AGH) team in April – right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. She says she jumped right in. “From day one, excellent policies were in place to keep everyone safe,” she says. “This team is amazing.” Registered Nurse Mark Gormley has […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Mayor Shawn Pankow read a letter from Reverend Christopher Ryan of Trinity United Church. Trinity United in Smiths Falls has been serving approximately 340 lunches over two days each week during the pandemic. “They saw a steep increase in need with Covid-19,” explained Mayor […]
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The Corporation of the Town of Carleton Place learned today (Dec 16) that it will receive an additional $371,000 from the Province of Ontario under Phase 2 of the Safe Restart Program for 2020. The Town will also receive an additional $57,000 for 2021. The program provides the supports needed to respond to COVID-19 impacts […]
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Mayor Pankow opened Smiths Falls Town Council meeting on Monday evening with a few warm words about recently departed Thomas Allen Foulkes. The flags at town hall were lowered today to honour Foulkes and mourn his passing. “We’ve lost a legend. He was led by his values … committed to improving the quality of life […]
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During Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, town staff presented Council with a Rapid Housing report. The Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is a Federal grant project which will spread $1 billion across the country to meet urgent housing needs. Half of that money will go to housing projects in major urban […]
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Dr. Cara Walker is all about families – both her own and those she cares for in her pediatric practice based in Almonte at the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team. “I have my husband, Kyle, to thank for bringing me here,” she says. “He joined the team earlier this year and loves working with staff […]
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On Friday, Dec 11, municipal councilors, county and town staff, childcare managers, families, construction firm management, and the Lanark County Warden, Mississippi Mills Mayor Christa Lowry gathered at the Francis Street Childcare centre in Carleton Place (in a pandemic-safe manner) to cut the ribbon on the facilities new $2.9M expansion. Staff and politicians alike expressed appreciation […]
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Every day, paramedics with the Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS) care for our community. This Holiday Season, they will do so in a different way. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there has been an increase in demand for the food bank. On December 12th and 13th throughout Lanark County, paramedics will hold their annual “Fill an Ambulance […]
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“This Jack has hit the road,” reads a message on the website of the Smiths Falls-based radio station JACK 92.3. Local fans were dismayed to learn that the station, owned by Rogers Sports & Media, had been shut down as of Dec. 3. In place of the adult hits format the station had broadcast since […]
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The Town of Perth has just received notice that Santa’s Elves have been at work preparing the night skies for the big guy’s visit. They are expecting Christmas Eve to be particularly challenging this year, so have decided to light the route in advance. In the evening, if you cast your eyes towards the water tower, […]
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Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the ability to run some of the normal Christmas events in Perth, organizers are finding inventive ways to keep the Christmas spirit alive. The annual Santa Claus Parade is not being held this year, however Santa will still be in Town on two occasions. On December 5th, volunteers […]
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The Remembrance Day Posters, Poems and Essays Contest was held again this year by the Perth-Upon-Tay Royal Canadian Legion Branch 244. This contest is designed for local area school students and gives them the opportunity to demonstrate their artistic and literary skills while addressing the significance and importance of Remembrance Day in Canada. The Covid […]
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Bradley Wright, Director of Development Services, presented an Affordable Housing update to Council during Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. In the past few years, there have been several significant changes to the provincial Planning Act and zoning bylaws. In 2017, the Planning Act was changed to allow additional dwellings or second units without […]
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Inspection Blitz Helps to Prevent Spread of COVID-19 and Keep Workers and Public Safe The Ontario government launched a series of education and enforcement campaigns to ensure businesses across the province are taking the necessary steps to keep employees, consumers and the public safe. These campaigns will support the current efforts of police, municipal by-law […]
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During Monday Night’s town council meeting, Kerry Costello, Director of Corporate Services presented four quick fixes to update the current parking bylaw in Smiths Falls. The council voted to amend schedule A to allow for angled parking along Beckwith from Daniel St to Russell St; establish two-hour parking along parallel spaces on Beckwith St; include […]
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Lanark County Interval House and Community Support is thinking creatively this year – it’s taking its annual Angel Tree campaign online! The virtual Angel Tree website allows people to choose how they would like to support LCIHCS, whether by gift giving or monetary donations, from the comfort of their own home. At a time when the […]
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The Perth Committee of the Whole received a delegation from the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital on Tuesday night. CEO Dr. Barry Guppy and Chair of the board Donna Howard thanked the town of Perth for the contributions they have made to the hospital in the past 2 years. “Thank you,” added Donna Howard, […]
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The Perth town council received a delegation from the Perthmore Community Association during Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. President Michael Flynn and Vice President Chris Cook brought several requests to council from the Perthmore neighbourhood. The PCA requested another traffic study, as there are over 50 new households in the neighbourhood since the […]
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The Perth town council received a delegation from Perth Children’s House Elementary School regarding train whistles. Remy and Jonathan, two young students from the school, brought a short video to council about the value of train whistles blowing in town. In a letter to council, the students of Perth Children’s House requested that train whistles […]
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Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the doors of the Smiths Falls Community Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop have been shuttered since March 11. But thanks to a generous offer from the Settlers Ridge Centre, the shop will be back in business just in time to serve Christmas shoppers. Auxiliary President Jackie Staples recently met with Chris […]
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During the middle years of the twentieth century, high-speed chases in Perth and surrounding townships were not uncommon. Some of those chase stories became legends, often discussed among police officers, and probably by the offenders as well. Contributing to the seeming excess of high-speed pursuits during those times was that there were no restrictions or […]
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Each year, Downtown Carleton Place, with the help of our friends at Christmas Décor & Lighting, install annual holiday and ambient lighting to create a festive and inviting atmosphere in our downtown. This year will be no different; however, we are dressing up our trees in gold and blue! Downtown Carleton Place is paying homage […]
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Charlie and his angels have completed their mission. Although the details of that mission – appearing on the current season of Family Feud Canada – remain shrouded in secrecy, local fans won’t have long to wait to find out what happened. Charles Nichols and his sisters Kathy Leggett, Susan Perkins, Barb Irish and Michelle Jordan […]
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Campaign includes a $50,000 donation to Wounded Warriors by Spectrum Therapeutics and an internal fundraiser to raise additional contributions through November Canopy Growth Corporation (“Canopy Growth” or the “Company”) (TSX:WEED, NYSE:CGC), through its medical division Spectrum Therapeutics, is honoured to announce a donation campaign for the month of November in support of Wounded Warriors Canada […]
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During Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting, Mayor Fenik bestowed the Perth Medal on Vivian Munro, “a citizen who exemplifies volunteerism.” Vivian Munro has volunteered with Perth Figure Skating for over 35 years, with the Perth Legion, Perth Hospital, fundraises with the Perth Cancer Society, volunteers at a local elementary school, volunteers at Glad Tidings Pentecostal […]
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Chief Chesebrough brought the 2019 Fire Department Annual Report to the Committee of the Whole, a complete look at the 2019 calendar year for the Smiths Falls Fire Department. The Department employs six full-time and 18 volunteer firefighters, protects 13600 people, and 7924 buildings. In 2019, the Fire Dept received 4.6 calls/day (both emergency and […]
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The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital is proud to be a recipient of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) Quality Endoscopy Recognition program. The CAG recognized our organization for their active participation and commitment to providing quality endoscopy services. Endoscopy services are provided at both sites of PSFDH. The recognition is obtained through a national program […]
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Our charities this quarter were, Perth Enrichment Program for Older Adults, YAK Youth Services and Home Hospice North Lanark. They not only submitted a video telling us about their respective charities but also attended our zoom meeting and allowed us to ask a lot of questions. We are pleased to announce that Home Hospice North […]
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At the regular and virtual meeting of Carleton Place Town Council on Tuesday, Oct 13, approval was given to extend the patio season to the end of October. This refers to those areas on town property currently being used by businesses on Bridge Street for outdoor seating and food service either on street parking spots or […]
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National event raises money for healthy food programs in Perth and across the country What if your next virtual get-together was about more than staying connected — what if it could help do good in low-income communities? That’s what will happen during the second annual Big Social, a national fundraising campaign benefitting The Table Community […]
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On Tuesday night, Mayor Pankow presented an interim report on affordable housing availability and options in Smiths Falls created by the Housing Task Force. “There is a dire need for affordable housing in Smiths Falls,” noted the mayor. This report focused primarily on affordable rental housing, and it contained some surprising statistics. A full 42% […]
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Development and housing were key themes of Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls. Graham Bird, president of the GBA group brought a presentation to council on the development of the Gallipeau Centre. The Gallipeau Centre, formerly the Rideau Regional Centre, contains over 900 000 square feet of existing buildings. These buildings […]
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During Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, council received a request from residents of Smith Drive for traffic analysis and possible speed humps. Local residents are concerned about the speed of drivers going along Smith Drive, and the fact that vehicles regularly drive on the wrong side of the road’s boulevard strip. The grassy […]
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At the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday night, Perth town council received a delegation from R.J. Burnside regarding the town’s tender for an expansion of the current landfill site; R.J. Burnside is an engineering and environmental consulting company. In August, Perth put out a tender for a major expansion of the current landfill […]
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It’s Halloween and a good scare is in the works. Studio Theatre, Perth is premiering the 1922 horror flick Nosferatu with an original score composed by Perth local musician Mark Bailey. “I started working on a score for Nosferatu about a year and a half ago, as a bucket list project,” said Bailey, adding that […]
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The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario is pleased to announce that Blair Fitzsimons, a teacher at St. Mary-St. Cecilia Catholic School (Morrisburg), has been awarded a Regional Certificate of Achievement for the 2020 Prime Minister’s Award (PMA) for Teaching Excellence in STEM. Having a teacher win a PMA is a tremendous honour and a proud […]
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The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) supports Lanark County’s commitment to plant one million trees through its landowner tree planting program. The RVCA’s program has helped landowners in watershed municipalities plant trees for over 27 years with technical advice, site preparation and planting of native seedlings. The program also offers substantial subsidized costs. Climate and […]
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Shannon Baillon, Director of Community Services, requested that town council provide pre-budget approval of $40 000 in 2021 to go be earmarked for town rebranding. The current Heritage Perth logo has been in use since 2003 and is very dated in style. Councillor Cameron pointed out that many people are attached to the fact that […]
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Town Council Approves Winter Outdoor Dining On Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, Director of Corporate Services Kerry Costello presented a report recommending that council extend the patio season from its current end-date, Oct 31, to Dec 31, as part of the Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Recovery. The report includes […]
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The wolf is back at the door. A Smiths Falls business owner says her faith in the community has been restored after social media followers boosted her plea for help in recovering a mascot stolen from in front of her building. Howling Designs, which produces and sells decals, clothing and awards is located at 10 […]
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Perth Town Council establishes framework for 2021 budget On Tuesday evening Perth’s town council members engaged in a lively discussion about laying the framework for a potential tax increase. Within the current budget-making bylaws, the overriding principle limits council from raising taxes above the cost-of-living index. Mayor Fenik pointed out that the overriding principle “handcuffs […]
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Water tower illuminated in purple to mark Big Brothers Big Sisters month On Monday evening, Smiths Falls’ town council welcomed Sandra Burelli, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County. Mayor Pankow proclaimed September 2020 Big Brothers Big Sisters Month, and celebrated the contribution of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), noting that “changing […]
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Smiths Falls’ council committee approves Small Business Assistance On Monday evening, Smiths Falls’ committee of the whole discussed a presentation from the town’s manager of tourism and economic development, Jennifer Miller about offering financial aid to local small businesses. Mirroring an example created by North Grenville, Miller and the Mayor’s task force were suggesting using the […]
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From September 14 to September 20, the full $1 from every Smile Cookie sold in Carleton Place will support Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Foundation Last year, Tim Hortons® restaurant owners and guests across the country raised a record $9.8 million to support local charities through their annual Smile Cookie campaign. Back again for […]
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Drivers reminded to exercise caution The Grenville Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police reminds motorists that school buses are returning to area roads very soon. Motorists are reminded to exercise caution due to the expected increase in pedestrians, cyclists and school buses, and to give themselves extra commuting time. Students will no doubt be excited […]
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On Friday Aug. 28th, the town hall in Carleton Place issued a press release indicating possible exposure to the Covid-19 virus for a small number of children and staff at the municipally-run daycare on Francis Street. The release also states that anyone considered high risk from this exposure has already been contacted by the Leeds, […]
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At the Aug 25th Carleton Place council committee of the whole meeting, councilor Linda Seccaspina brought forward a motion to implement signs or crosswalk markings at 2 intersections in town where the Ottawa Valley Rail Trail (OVRT) meets busy streets. She proposed Lake Ave East and Moore/Munro streets as the ones she’s received most public feedback […]
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The Town of Smiths Falls is pleased to announce the municipal complex will be reopening, effective Monday, Sept. 1 at which time the complex will be open for regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. “We are pleased to once again be welcoming the public into the municipal complex,” said Shawn […]
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The last few years have seen an increase in construction projects surrounding Wood Avenue and Marguerite Street in Smiths Falls, leaving residents concerned over the state of the street’s storm sewers. Smiths Falls council discussed three different options for moving forward with the Marguerite Street project at a virtual meeting on Monday, Aug. 24. Option […]
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When this column appeared in November, 2018, the subject was the deadly pandemic which began in 1918, commonly known as the Spanish Flu. My closing remark was: “Stay healthy, my friends”, little knowing that another global pandemic would rear its ugly head so soon in far-off Asia, and spread like wildfire around the world. On […]
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Dr. Graeme McKillop contemplated becoming a doctor while living in West Africa in a small house with no electricity or running water. He had already completed a Master’s degree in Agronomy, but decided that the crop science research he was doing might not be enough. “I’d been thinking about it for a while on the […]
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Smiths Falls town council has decided it is too soon to resume in-person meetings. At a virtual special council meeting Mon., Aug. 10, a motion to hold in-person council meetings beginning Aug. 24 was discussed. The province ended its state of emergency on July 24, but Smiths Falls is still continuing with theirs during the […]
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Carleton Place Committee of the Whole approves sign bylaw changes At Tuesday’s virtual session of Carleton Place council’s committee of the whole, Chief Building Official Lennox Smith presented a proposal to amend the town’s sign bylaw. The increase in the number of larger scale development applications has brought requests by builders for larger signs. Smith stated that […]
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On August 6th, local tech collaborator Rob More and his team delivered a very special 2020 event as part of the annual Beckwith Tech Camp with area students attending virtually. This daylong computer-science focused workshop was offered in conjunction with Hackergal, a charitable organization based in Toronto whose mission is to inspire girls to explore opportunities […]
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Carol Anne Esnard and Dave Perley both believe in giving back to their local communities. As the new Board Chairs of the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) and Almonte General Hospital (AGH) respectively, they plan to work together to ensure their communities have the very best care close to home. “I love living […]
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Effective July 31st at 1:30 pm, the Municipality of Mississippi Mills terminated the Declared State of Emergency. The State of Emergency was declared on March 31, 2020 to allow for the municipality to respond quickly to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Mayor Lowry, in consultation with the Municipal Emergency Control Group, has terminated the municipal State of […]
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The Town of Perth has ended the State of Emergency that was declared for the COVID-19 pandemic on April 7, 2020. The removal of the Town’s State of Emergency falls in line withthe ending of the Ontario State of Emergency this week. Mayor John Fenik stated, “While all the health measures around the COVID-19 pandemic […]
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Since adopting its Climate Action Plan in January 2020, Lanark County has taken some decisive actions towards achieving goals for sustainability. Protecting and enhancing the natural environment is a core strategy in the county’s 2005 Strategic Plan, and council established “climate and environment” as one of its top five priorities for this term. “We need […]
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The Town of Smiths Falls is beginning the conversion process to update its street lighting network to LED that will result in an annual cost savings of more than $100,000. Work on this project will begin the last week in July 2020 and is anticipated to take between four and six weeks to complete. The […]
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The historic Confederation Bridge in Smiths Falls was abruptly shut down in 2015 and since then, council has been unable to decide what to do with it. Today, council is in agreement that the bridge will be included as a project for discussion in the 2021 budget year. Town staff presented a report in March […]
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The Corporation of the Town of Carleton Place is pleased to announce that Guy Bourgon has been hired as the Town’s new Director of Public Works. Mr. Bourgon will begin his employment with the Town on Monday, July 13th. His hiring follows the retirement of former Director of Public Works Dave Young. Mr. Bourgon comes […]
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Today Medical Officers of Health from Eastern Ontario Health Unit; Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit; Renfrew County and District Health and Ottawa Public Health announced a regional approach to the use of face coverings/masks in enclosed public places within their respective jurisdictions. Each public health unit will be issuing an Instruction under the […]
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On Tuesday, June 30th, Carleton Place council held a special virtual session instead of starting their summer break. On the agenda were several capital works projects that saw costs ballooning past original staff estimates. The first involved a new playground at the town’s Francis Street Childcare Centre. That facility has been undergoing a major expansion […]
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Carleton Place Library on the move At the June 23 session of Carleton Place Council, councilors heard from the town’s manager of recreation and culture, Joanne Henderson about plans to temporarily relocate the library in August of this year. The building on Beckwith Street is slated for much needed renovations which will take until January or […]
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The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario is pleased to share that Board Chair, Todd Lalonde, has been appointed as a member of the Council of the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). The 37-member Council governs the College and develops and approves policies that regulate the teaching profession in Ontario. The Council is made […]
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Lanark County Public Works staff are playing a part in reducing turtle mortality on county roads, and the public is invited to help! “Road mortality and habitat loss are two major factors in the reduction of turtle species in Ontario,” explained Hillary Fleming, Lanark County’s Climate/Environment Intern. “At this time of year, as nesting is […]
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The Town of Smiths Falls is pleased to announce Canada Day celebrations will feature a new event this year – a Canada Day house decorating contest. “We’re excited to launch this new way to celebrate our nation while maintaining physical distancing recommendations,” said Art Manhire, Director of Community Services for the Town of Smiths Falls. […]
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As part of provincial legislation, all municipalities in Ontario in 2018 must have an integrity commissioner, either by direct employment or via a contracted service. Carleton Place uses the latter method with a firm that handles Lanark County as well as its municipalities. During the previous council, the integrity commissioner was kept busy and the number of […]
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The former site of the South Unit of the Smiths Falls Community Hospital, vacant since 1998, should soon be home to a brand new 132-unit apartment complex. Kanata-based company Lepine Apartments purchased the land last September from a private owner and has announced plans for a v-shaped, four-story building. Demolition of the old structures and […]
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On May 8, known as VE-Day (Victory in Europe), we again remembered the fallen, the wounded, and all those who fought in World War II. The negotiations leading up to the surrender of Germany to the Allies on May 8, 1945, were led by Canadian Lieutenant-General Charles Foulkes, who would be a visitor to Perth […]
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The congestion every summer at the intersection of Lombard Avenue and Abbott Street in Smiths Falls could be more seamless come June 2021. Representatives Lisa Bowley and Lee Sheets of Novatech and Jim Bell of Partham Engineering joined council at its virtual meeting on Monday, June 1 to answer questions about their plans for the […]
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An era which was best known for the counterculture and Vietnam war, also saw the birth of organized women’s softball in Canada in the 1960s, and Perth was in step with the evolution of the game. Playing in the St. Lawrence Ladies’ Softball League, the Perth Girls’ Softball (fastpitch) Club won the trophy in 1968, […]
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The town of Perth will be looking into the feasibility of providing more affordable housing for the community. Town council voted 4-3 in favour of directing staff to prepare a report on the possible development of six affordable housing units on Harris Street, at the teleconference council meeting Tuesday, May 26. Regan Lee presented a […]
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In October of 2019 the Town of Smiths Falls received a letter from Parks Canada terminating the current lease agreement for the Victoria Park campground and demanding that the town permanently move the campground. Manager of Economic Development and Tourism Jennifer Miller presented a report outlining three possible new locations for the campground at a […]
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On May 14th, the Provincial Government announced the first phase of the province’s reopening framework. The announcement included an expanded list of services for select businesses and organizations, including curbside pickup for public libraries. We are excited to announce that we will begin curbside pickup on Monday, May 25th. While our library will remain closed […]
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In accordance with changes to provincial regulations the Town of Smiths Falls is lifting some restrictions for the use of municipal fields, courts, and the skateboard park, effective immediately. Last week the province of Ontario’s announced the Stage 1 re-opening of some businesses that included direction for municipal locations like parks and sports fields. On […]
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The Settlers Square Development, a 110-unit apartment complex at 260 Brockville St. is in the midst of construction. At a May 19 meeting, Smiths Falls council passed all three bylaws in the site plan agreement to allow the project to move forward. The 110-unit apartment complex will include four units in the north building designated […]
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After weeks of closure, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) is reopening all five of its conservation areas for public use on Saturday, May 16. To ensure the safety of the community, only walking trails are open at this time. Bathrooms and buildings are closed for the time being including the R. Tait McKenzie and Dr. […]
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During the COVID-19 pandemic Council business continues to proceed using web and telephone conferencing. All Council meetings are streamed live to the public on the Municipal YouTube channel with recordings linked to the municipal website. At the May 5th meeting Council voted on the 2020 tax rates as well as additional changes to interest and […]
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At a special virtual meeting of Carleton Place Council, held on Tuesday May 5, recently retired director of public works Dave Young presented options for a new recycling collection contract. The existing agreement expires next month, and Young took the opportunity earlier this year to review different options. Due to the extremely soft market for recycled material, […]
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From its beginnings as a British-influenced military town in 1816, Perth citizens continued to march through two World Wars with the 42nd Field Artillery Regiment and its various incarnations. Many area residents served, so the ties between the regiment and the town were strong. Then came the top-secret military base during the cold war, located […]
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Our Community Keeps on Giving! The donations just keep coming – and we are very grateful. Over the past few weeks, our local communities have stepped up with donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other offers of support for the front-line workers at Almonte General Hospital, Fairview Manor, Lanark County Paramedic Service and Carleton […]
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Thank you for nourishing our souls Our local communities care. And we are grateful to everyone who has offered support to the front-line workers at Almonte General Hospital, Fairview Manor, Lanark County Paramedic Service and Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital. Your donations of factory-made personal protective equipment (such as N95 masks, gowns and face shields) […]
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold , we are gratified with the response of the community, stepping up to help in so many ways. Each offer is sincerely appreciated and the support coming from our community for staff and patients means more than we can ever express. We know that many of you want […]
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, Carebridge is reaching out to support those in need in our local communities. Carebridge is collaborating with local Your Independent Grocers stores in Almonte and Carleton Place to deliver groceries to seniors and those at-risk. “This is why we exist in the first place,” notes CEO Robert Eves. […]
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After careful consideration, and in consultation with the Emergency Management Control Group, Mayor Hoogenboom has declared a municipal State of Emergency with the Township of Rideau Lakes in accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Declaring an emergency affords the Township additional powers to protect […]
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To the Carleton Place Community On behalf of Council I would like to take this opportunity, first and foremost, to offer a sincere thank you to everyone for the cooperation we have recently witnessed throughout our community. As we have proven many times throughout the years, the way we continue to pull together and look […]
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Smiths Falls town council has voted to waive interest for late water bills and taxes during the COVID-19 pandemic at a committee of the whole meeting on Monday, March 23. Mayor Shawn Pankow says he is willing to work with Smiths Falls residents “through what will be a difficult time.” Another way council is providing […]
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On Monday, March 23, Smiths Falls Town Council met for a Committee of the Whole and a regular council meeting. During these meetings, a number of items were discussed and agreed upon, including several measures aimed at providing financial relief to businesses and residents dealing with the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Council passed […]
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COVID-19 is spreading across Canada. Chief Administrative Officer Malcolm Morris made a statement on the town of Smiths Falls’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the March 16 council meeting. Town staff met with Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health for the Lanark, Leeds & Grenville District Health Unit on the morning of March […]
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Perth, like most other small communities, has two faces it would seem. One face is the “Prettiest Town in Ontario”, with heritage building galore, and beautiful parks. The other – the dark face – speaks of a past with no shortage of violent crimes against citizens of Perth and the neighbouring townships. Here are just […]
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The town of Perth is hoping provincial funding may be available to turn a vision of a new indoor recreational facility into reality. Perth council saw the master plan for a potential indoor recreational facility at a Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, March 3. John Hack of Sierra Planning Management presented the report, which […]
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On Tuesday March 3rd, Carleton Place council convened a special session of their committee of the whole to deal with several issues. One reason for the gathering was to hold a public meeting to discuss an amendment to the town’s official plan (OP). This request came about as a result of planning by the Ontario Ministry of […]
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On Tuesday, February 25th, 2020, Dave Young, Director of Public Works for the Town of Carleton Place, was recognized for his 35 years of service in the municipal sector with a Long Service Award at the Ontario Good Roads Association Conference held in Toronto. Dave started his career in 1985 at J.A. Knowles & Associates […]
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Following a heated discussion at a Feb. 24 meeting of Smiths Falls town council, an Ottawa-based developer threatened to cancel a 20-unit town home project altogether. After a long council discussion over a proposal to share the cost of a new sidewalk between the town and the developer, representatives of Kevlar Developments stood up and […]
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Carleton Place council’s committee of the whole received a presentation from Joanna Bowes, Manager of Development Services on an application to build a 3-storey apartment building at 31 Townline Road West (the former home of Berry’s Pet Foods). Bowes and Alison Sterling (representing the applicant, Marchurst Development Group) explained that the first level would be reserved […]
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At the Carleton Place council committee of the whole meeting held on Feb 18, local cycling enthusiast and community volunteer Treff Peters gave a presentation on Cycling Without Age, a program he and others are working on to provide seniors with opportunities to enjoy the world of cycling once again. This involves the use of a […]
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On Wed., Feb. 12 the town of Smiths Falls celebrated the reopening of the original site of the Child Development Centre at 43 Thurber St. “The child development centre was closed for a little over a year and nobody thought it would reopen this quickly,” Mayor Shawn Pankow said. “I’d like to thank Tammy (Shepard, […]
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A workshop hosted by the Climate Action Network of Lanark County, Smiths Falls & Region with Keynote speaker Steve Lapp Saturday February 29, 2020 at Algonquin College, Perth Campus, 7 Craig Street, Perth at 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM.Vegetarian lunch with snack breaks will be provided. The workshop is free (donations gratefully received on the […]
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It took a tiebreaker to crown the winner at the annual Friends of the Library trivia afternoon on Sunday in Smiths Falls. The Legion was packed, two extra tables were added (for a total of 22) and at the end of the game, both The COGS (Rotarians) and The Split Decisions (the boxers) pulled together […]
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At Jan 28’s meeting of Carleton Place Council, Mayor Doug Black presented a certificate of appreciation to Bill Slade, the outgoing chair of the town’s environmental advisory committee. Black provided some relief when he clarified that Slade would still remain an active committee member, who was choosing to pass the reins to Dena Comley in order […]
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This is a reminder that the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), which represents elementary teachers within our board will be holding a one-day strike tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 29. This means there will be no classes or transportation for any of our Kindergarten to Grade 8 students tomorrow. This includes Grade 7 and Grade 8 students that attend a secondary school or […]
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The Perth & District Union Public Library is set to use the space like never before. On Saturday February 22 at 8 p.m., the library will be transformed into a unique live music venue for its first every, Library, After Dark event. The event will take place long after the library closes its doors for […]
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Since 1912, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been providing life changing individual and group mentoring relationships amongst adults and youth. One to one mentoring provides youth with a role model to talk to and share common interests supported by experienced case workers. Group mentoring programs Go Girls! and Game On! (for boys) focuses on physical activity, balanced eating […]
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The book titled “Perth Remembered”, a 1967 Centennial project, was not seen as a history of Perth, but rather a series of anecdotes and snippets of news past accompanied by sketches and photographs. The items were lovingly selected and incorporated into the book’s pages by an editorial committee, of which County Court Judge Edward M. […]
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A Christmas Grinch appeared at the Jan 14th edition of Carleton Place’s committee of the whole. The committee received a request from the local Rotary club to refund a facility rental fee of $200 for its booking for a senior’s Christmas dinner on Dec 9th of last year. This project is one that the club has been running for […]
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At the Jan 14th session of Carleton Place council’s committee of the whole, a decision was made effectively reversing one from Nov 12 of last year. At that meeting Rental Village, located at the corner of Cavanaugh Rd and McNeely Ave, had applied for permission to place a temporary building on their lot due to […]
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Starting January 28th you will be able to view town council and committee of the whole meetings live online from the comfort of your home (or wherever else you happen to put up your feet). Council is making good on a promise to improve accessibility to their meetings and ran a trial of the streaming service on […]
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Application deadline extended to February 20, 2020 Tweed CollectiveTM is pleased to announce that it has extended its application deadline and will be accepting submissions until February 20, 2020. Tweed Collective is a social purpose initiative that funds community impact projects that are changing where and how Canadians live in meaningful ways. Canadian non-profits, registered charities […]
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The Heritage House Museum is organizing a fun-filled program for this upcoming PA Day on January 31, 2020. Join us for some exciting winter themed activities, crafts, and games with an emphasis on nature. Children can expect to create snowman slime, a bird feeder and other projects. If the weather permits, we will head outside […]
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The town of Perth plans to renew its contract with the Ontario Provincial Police for another five years. A report presented to Perth town council’s Committee of the Whole Jan. 14 included a billing statement for 2020 indicating that the OPP would provide service to 3,493 residential, commercial and industrial properties in the town for […]
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Lanark County is the first Canadian community to embark on a relatively new yet substantially successful approach to dealing with substance use among youth; Planet Youth. It was just 2 years ago that a small group of Carleton Place residents who regularly met at St. James church came across the news of a seemingly revolutionary approach to […]
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Bridget Manahan, Manager of Youth Services at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County represents one of five organizations seeking donations from the town of Smiths Falls for 2020. Council also heard from Smiths Falls Food Security advocacy group, the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, Lanark Transportation, and the University Hospital Kingston Foundation. Manahan told […]
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Ottawa Greenbelt Construction (R.W. Tomlinson Ltd.), wrapped up work for 2019 on Beckwith Street on December 20, and will be returning to the site to continue with construction in mid-January. “With two months of work already complete, I am very pleased with the progress being made,” said Shawn Pankow, Mayor of Smiths Falls. “I look […]
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Local paramedics from the Lanark County Paramedic Services (LCPS) usually pick up patients, but on December 14th and 15th, they picked up donations as well. The 5th annual “Fill an Ambulance with Food” drive was held in Almonte, Carleton Place, Smiths Falls and Perth. It was another successful food drive across four communities, with 110 […]
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Carleton Place council held a special session of its committee of the whole on Dec 10th with only one item on the agenda; the Bridge St. Reconstruction. As part of planned public consultations, the engineering and design firm RV Anderson Associates Limited’s David O’Sullivan provided council and the gallery with a detailed presentation on suggested changes to […]
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Current Superintendent of Human Resources and Operational Services Jeremy Hobbs has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB). Director of Education Stephen Sliwa announced last week that Superintendent Hobbs will fully transition into this role in February 2020. Trustees confirmed his appointment at their organizational meeting […]
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“Signs, signs, everywhere signs…” The Smiths Falls Downtown Business Association (DBA) sparked some unintended controversy the other weekend as it posted some new signage designed to let the public know that Beckwith Street businesses remain open while the first phase of street reconstruction is under way. The signs, with humorous messages such as “I Dig […]
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It’s a story about old-growth forests, pioneers, hard work and a determination not to break the bank when buying a home. It’s our history. There are at least five cedar log homes in Rideau Ferry that were moved to their current sites by enterprising families. They came from the Lanark Highlands, near Lavant Station, at […]
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Although Perth could never be thought of as a hotbed of activism, the recent Global Climate Strike saw an enthusiastic group travel to Ottawa by bus and by car on Friday, Sept. 27. The climate change combustion chamber was ignited by 15-year-old Swedish sparkplug Greta Thunberg in the summer of 2018, and the movement soon […]
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Christmas is a month away, but Aubree Hunt has already played Santa at Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital. She recently delivered more than a dozen pictures to patients at the Hospital. And she’s just 10 years old! It started with a get-well card for her Nana who was a patient at the Hospital. But […]
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Town and Country Chrysler in Smiths Falls is proud to partner with the CHEO Foundation this holiday season. Starting on November 5th, until December 20th Town and Country Chrysler’s CHEO Christmas Chest campaign will be collecting items for the CHEO Foundation from their “CHEO Bear’s Wish List. “CHEO has been such a great support for our […]
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President and CEO of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital Dr. Barry Guppy presented a delegation about the capital care program to Smiths Falls council at a committee of the whole meeting on Monday, Nov. 25. The hospital is asking the town of Smiths Falls to contribute $174,341 to the capital care program in […]
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Jennifer Brunet has worked as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) at Almonte General Hospital for almost two years. When she moved back to the area from Alberta, she already knew where she wanted to be. “I had my heart set on working at Almonte General Hospital. My family in Almonte raved about the hospital and […]
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Based on reader interest and comments, Hometown News put a few questions to Carleton Place Mayor Doug Black regarding the recent developments (or more accurately non-developments) on an older neighbourhood location known as 50 Allan Street. To recap the history of this issue, in 2013 a local resident, Cheryl Batten entered into negotiations to purchase […]
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Cooler November weather couldn’t keep veterans from marching, nor residents from attending this year’s Remembrance Day services at the cenotaph in Carleton Place. Well over 1,000 were standing solemnly while uniformed veterans and members of the Royal Canadian Legion took their lead in honouring those who defended our freedoms at every corner of the globe. […]
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Senior planner Karl Grenke presented the plans for the recently purchased Rideau plaza on the corner of Lombard and Abbott Streets at a council meeting on Monday, Oct. 21. The plan is part of the Beckwith Street downtown revitalization project, which will help to ease traffic issues at that intersection. “We see this as a […]
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On October 24, 2019, staff and students across the Upper Canada District School Board will join organizations across the province for Ontario Dress Purple Day, a day to raise awareness about the role communities play in supporting vulnerable children and families. The goal is to inform students about their right to safety and well-being, regardless […]
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At the regular session of Carleton Place Council on Tuesday Oct 22nd, BIA Coordinator Kate Murray appeared with local artist Diane Jolicoeur to present a large wall-mountable artwork crafted by Diane (manager of the Creative Studio on Bridge St) to commemorate the town’s 200th anniversary. Her work is an enlarged 3-dimensional replica of the anniversary […]
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A provincially significant wetland will get a makeover this winter, thanks in part to a $55,000 grant from Wildlife Habitat Canada. The Hutton Creek Marsh near Lombardy has become a monoculture: choked and overgrown with cattails, only 10 per cent of the marsh is now open water. Crews will construct three 0.5 acre ponds and […]
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On Sept 10th Carleton Place council took the rare step of convening a Property Standards committee meeting to review an appeal submitted by a resident regarding a municipal order to remedy an issue with her home. This committee is comprised of all members of council, the mayor and deputy-mayor. Nicole Pearson (known well in the community as […]
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For more than 30 years, family physician Dr. Roger Drake has been caring for patients in Carleton Place – and he isn’t done quite yet. Over the past few months, Dr. Drake has been transitioning his practice to colleague Dr. Anthony Caragianis, ensuring his more than 1,100 patients are in good hands. “It was very […]
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OPP teams from detachments across Eastern Ontario are “pulling together” in support of their local United Ways, with the second annual OPP Pulling for United Way truck pull! On October 18th, 2019 come watch and cheer as OPP and other First Responder teams test their strength and attempt to pull a 28,000 pound Mobile Support […]
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We’re updating Foley Mountain Conservation Area’s management plan, and we want your input on the future of Westport’s favourite outdoor oasis. The updated plan will guide the next 10 years of resource management, habitat enhancement, programming, infrastructure upgrades and other developments at Foley Mountain to best meet the needs of visitors, donors, nearby businesses and […]
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Ron Holman, the former Mayor of the Township of Rideau Lakes, will be honoured for his 33 years of service to the community as an elected official. The afternoon event will be on November 8, 2019 at the South Elmsley Municipal Complex, 441 Highway 15, from 2:00pm-4:00pm. The drop-in style event will include remarks at […]
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At Carleton Place’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Sept 24, town treasurer, Trisa McConkey brought forward next year’s water and sewer budget which is slated to see a 5% rate increase. With the input of physical environment director Dave Young, McConkey reviewed infrastructure tender bids and came to the conclusion that a rate increase beyond […]
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New Cannabis Tourism Strategy lays framework to attract more entrepreneurs and visitors The legalization of cannabis, combined with Canopy Growth Corporation’s headquarters in Smiths Falls, has presented the Town with an unparalleled opportunity to become a leader in the cannabis tourism industry. On September 23, the Town presented a Cannabis Tourism Strategy to Council that […]
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The Perth & District Union Public Library is launching two exciting new projects! The library has created STEAM boxes and Literacy Kits that children can take home and use with their families in order to encourage and support learning together. There are 5 STEAM boxes that contain materials, book suggestions, and activity ideas to encourage […]
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On Monday September 9, 2019 at approximately 10 p.m., 3 male suspects attended a restaurant on Main Street East in the Town of Smiths Falls. Two of the suspects entered the store and administered a noxious substance towards two patrons inside. A third suspect waited outside the restaurant during this time. All suspects fled the […]
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At the end of a routine session of Carleton Place council on Aug 27, Mayor Doug Black took the opportunity under the announcements section of the agenda to bring some welcome news on the upcoming central bridge replacement. He read a letter from Minister of Infrastructure, Laurie Scott indicating that the town was successful in obtaining […]
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President/CEO of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital Dr. Guppy presented a delegation to Perth council on Tuesday, Aug. 13 outlining the hospital’s plans to recruitment much needed physicians to town. The hospital is on year two of its 2018-2021 strategic plan and its focus is their unique philosophy about patient centred care. An […]
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At the mid-summer meeting of Carleton Place’s Committee of the Whole, newly installed chair, councilor Toby Randall led council and staff through a packed agenda which included a planning application for an aging in place retirement community on Costello Drive. The applicants, Dr Neel Chadha and Wit Lewandowski were seeking a permission to build and operate […]
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Mills Community had a dream – and supporters from communities across Lanark County made it a reality. Recently, the MCS Board of Directors hosted a special event to honour and thank donors who helped to create a new community space at Country Street in Almonte. “Country Street is an accessible space for seniors and community […]
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On Saturday July 20 the Carleton Place Pride Committee held their second annual Pride Fest at the new Carleton Junction Park from 11 am- 4 pm. The sweltering heat didn’t seem to slow down the crowds that enjoyed the new more spacious digs for the festival in this recently-built expansive multi-use park. Tents occupied by […]
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When “The Whip” came to Perth on June 29, 1967, he was in the twilight of his career. His downward journey over the previous few years had carried him from the boisterous crowds of more than 10,000 at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens, to a few hundred polite souls at Perth Arena. A Perth Courier advertisement […]
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July 11th, a large group of community volunteers were treated to an entertaining and motivational evening of guest speakers and presentations on the history of Carleton Place in the town hall’s upper auditorium. CP’s 200th Anniversary committee and council hosted this major kick-off to the town’s birthday celebrations occurring this year. They heard from Montague Reeve Bill Dobson […]
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The Summer Literacy Program is entering into its 30th year! Established in 1989, the program provides support to local children who struggle with reading and writing. Over the years, this community funded program has grown to serve more than 100 children each summer. Join your library as we celebrate with the following events: 30th Anniversary […]
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“I’m the best father in the world…that’s what my kids tell me, anyway,” Jim Laidlaw says, grinning, as he settles back in his chair. Then he laughs. Laidlaw, almost 58, has raised five daughters, initially as a navy-man and then eventually over the years becoming the owner of the Port Elmsley Emporium — essentially a […]
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Amidst barking dog and honking horns Monday, council once again visited the Beckwith Street redevelopment issue, this time with a firm, specific, draft resolution. Sticking to their guns, both Councillor Brennan and Councillor Dwyer voted against, while Councillors Alford, Mckenna, McGuire and Mayor Pankow voted for; Councillor Allen was absent. The draft is as follows: […]
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It was a good day for a book sale. Smiths Falls’ Friends of the Library volunteers set up their annual event in front of the library, and even before tables were filled with books, buyers were waiting. As tables became empty, volunteers added more…so for those who were looking there was something for everyone. Families […]
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An amended smoking and vaping bylaw was discussed Monday at Committee of the Whole. Two weeks ago, when the proposed bylaw was first brought to committee, councillors requested some amendments; staff returned the bylaw to committee of the whole Monday with those amendments. They included: specifying ‘park’ to ensure no confusion with recreational facilities/sports fields […]
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Perth town council has approved plans for the town’s police services board to apply for two provincial grants aimed at giving a major boost to local community safety and policing initiatives. In a report prepared by Chief Administrative Officer Ronald Ladd for their monthly meeting held Tuesday, May 28, councillors were informed that the Ministry […]
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Parts of CDSBEO & UCDSB School Districts Will Shift Bus Schedules on September 4, 2019. The Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO) is changing bus pick-up and drop off schedules for some students to reflect the reality of a new unified school day for students across the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO) and […]
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Council consented to award Phase 2 of the Parking Study to J. L. Richards Consulting Engineers in the amount of $30,954.37. Phase 1 was prepared by PN Parking Solutions in December of 2018. The results suggested “a fairly fluid turnover” with demand the highest on Beckwith Street. The joint bid from PN Parking Solutions/BA Group […]
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Council consented to Sergeant Paul Klassen’s request asking for a permanent exemption for the Special Olympics Street Toll. The request was to allow the street toll to continue to take place under the Cornelia St overpass. This is the 15th year for the Special Olympics tolling. The Cornelia St. overpass was chosen for its safety; […]
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Jordan Cotton has come a long way, and he wants to keep on movin’! Jordan is just 20, lives in the Winchester area with his parents and two siblings, and is dependent on a wheelchair to get around; he has what’s known as Quadriplegic Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Jordan graduated from North Dundas District High School […]
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Users of Lanark County’s five public libraries are beginning to feel the loss of the interlibrary loan program. The Interlibrary Loan delivery service was scrapped after the 2019 Ontario Budget saw a 50% budget decrease to the Southern Ontario Library Service (SOLS), which organized the service. According to the most recent Ministry of Tourism, Culture […]
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Following participation in the Lanark County Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) Survey in 2018, the Town of Smiths Falls is launching a series of profiles to highlight the businesses who took part in the survey. This series will celebrate the successes of local businesses doing amazing things and contributing to the growth and prosperity of […]
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The need for sidewalks and lower speed limits on highway 7 are priorities identified by Perth residents in a recent survey conducted by town staff, who are in the process of developing an active transportation plan for the town. At a meeting of Perth town council’s Committee of the Whole Tuesday, May 7, Director of […]
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Last night, Council officially appointed Ken Kelly as the new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Municipality of Mississippi Mills. Following a fulsome hiring process, it is with great excitement that the Council of Mississippi Mills announces the hiring of Ken to join the organization. “Council has conducted an extensive process to evaluate candidates and […]
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Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Dr. Barry Guppy has been appointed as the hospital’s President & Chief Executive Officer, effective June 3, 2019. Dr. Guppy is an engaged and visionary senior healthcare executive, bringing a broad diversity of experience across the healthcare sector that has included […]
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Every year, at the Volunteer Appreciation Event, President & CEO Mary Wilson Trider presents an exceptional volunteer with a Guardian Angel Pin. Nominations are submitted by members of the Leadership Team and describe exceptional service generously given by the volunteer nominees. It is always a difficult choice! This year’s recipient is definitely deserving and is […]
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The Hall of Remembrance military museum at Perth’s Legion has unveiled a unique display for its season opening on Friday, May 3. The exhibit features soldier William Del Donegan, who was one of 2,100 Canadian men killed during the 10-day “Battle of Hill 70” in World War I. Donegan, who died on Aug. 16, 1917, […]
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At the Carleton Place Council committee of the whole meeting held on April 23, Acting Manager of Development Services, Tyler Duval, made a presentation on an interim control bylaw to temporarily limit residential buildings in two specific districts of town. Council was considering a one-year moratorium on any development applications to build 4-storey (or taller) buildings […]
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The Lanark County Food Bank – The Hunger Stop’s annual Community BOGO (Buy One Give One) Dinner is Sunday, May 26 and with this year’s English Garden Party theme it promises to blossom with top hats and fascinators. The event has grown so popular it has moved to a bigger venue – the upstairs hall of the Carleton Place arena. […]
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Mackenzie Mills says she likes to give back to her community. And now she is being recognized for her work. Each year, the AGH Volunteer Services Committee and the Fairview Manor Auxiliary present a $1000 volunteer bursary to a deserving student. At the volunteer appreciation breakfast in Almonte on April 10th, Mary Dillabaugh, AGH Volunteer […]
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Smiths Falls drivers will be seeing improvements at the Abbott and Lombard Street intersection next year following the town’s successful purchase of a Lombard Street residential property. Town staff will be working on design plans for the busy town intersection all this year following the successful purchase of the brick home at 54 Lombard Street. […]
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This is a double-whammy opportunity to demonstrate our support for Perth’s exceptional youth, and to sell your awesome goodies too. On May 18 why not join your neighbours in this community-wide yard sale! Folks will be coming from far and wide to buy your items, and we hope you will include Perth’s very own YAK Youth […]
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Christa Lowry, Mississippi Mills Mayor, met with her Ottawa counterpart Mayor Jim Watson for a “Maple Summit” at Fulton’s Pancake House on Sunday morning. The Mayors had a friendly breakfast as neighbours, discussing issues of common interest. “It was a wonderful meeting to get to know one another,” says Mayor Lowry of her initial meeting […]
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There was a full house at Carleton Place Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday March 26th with the majority of those in attendance coming to hear about an application to expand the patio of the Boulton House restaurant. Located at 33-35 Mill St (just down the street from the town hall), the property owner and […]
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Again, amidst honking, hollering and barking dog, Smiths Falls council welcomed two delegations to chambers Monday night. Rob Campbell of Campbell Trucking brought a different perspective to councillors about the Beckwith Street Redevelopment Project, for which Councillor Dwyer, in the chair, thanked him. Campbell, a resident of the Town, said he has spent many years […]
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The studio door opens, the lights lower, the nervousness in your chest rises and falls, and then you exhale, smiling. This is exactly what fiddler Jessica Wedden experienced last Friday morning on March 15th, at the City TV studio in Toronto. Wedden is a former St. John’s High School student and professional 16 year old […]
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In today’s world, a woman can do whatever she sets her mind to…or can she? Truth is, while Canada has gained gender parity in terms of education attainment, this country loses points on the global gender gap rankings when it comes to political empowerment, and economic participation and opportunity. On a global scale, the World […]
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At the Carleton Place Council Committee of the Whole meeting held on Feb 20th, council received the treasurer’s report on the 2019 municipal budget which proposed a 2.97% tax increase (county and education levies not included). The overall revenue requirements for the town rose from $10,016,331 in 2018 to $10,760,469 for 2019. While this represents a 7.43% […]
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Students at Chimo Elementary School in Smiths Falls took a bit of time away from class Thursday to get a Valentine’s present. Kindergarten to Grade 4 kids trooped to the school library where seven Friends of the Smiths Falls Library members met them with boxes of books. This year, as they have for the past […]
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Friends of the Library Once again Einsteins won the Friends of the Library Trivia Pursuit Challenge on Sunday, February 10, at the Smiths Falls Legion. For the second year in a row (with a slightly different team than last year), this year’s team of Heather Currie-Whiting, Annie Laurie, Jack Lessard, Chris and Laurie Mathieson, Tim […]
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Sally Smith Even with ice on the canal, summer and Victoria Park Campground were on council’s mind Monday at Committee of the Whole in Smiths Falls. The future of the park has been on the collective Town minds for at least the last 24 months. CAO Malcolm Morris acknowledged the history of Victoria Park goes […]
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Sally Smith In a recorded vote, a motion to rescind the motion regarding angle versus parallel parking made by the previous council in February 2018, was won 4 to 3 Monday evening in Smiths Falls’ council chambers; those voting for were Councillors Alford, McKenna, Allen and Mayor Pankow. Those voting against were Councillors Brennan, McGuire […]
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Submitted Canadian Blood Services is asking Carleton Place and area blood donors to roll up their sleeves on January 26th to help ensure patients’ needs are met following a busy holiday season. Donations tend to decrease during the holidays as regular blood donors often have seasonal commitments, travel plans or a change in their routine. Since […]
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Sally Smith Jeff Kohl, Executive Director of YAK Youth Services, the Youth Centre in Perth, addressed Perth Committee of the Whole Tuesday asking for money. He didn’t want a whole lot, just $12,000. And, he added quickly, even with that amount, their annual tireless and exhausting fundraising efforts wouldn’t stop. He pointed out that, unlike […]
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Brian Turner On Tuesday, Jan 15, Carleton Place council convened a special meeting of their Committee of the Whole to introduce the 2019 municipal budget. Town treasurer Trisa McConkey made a short presentation outlining a proposed 9.4% revenue increase almost equally split between two sources; growth from new development and a rate increase. The town is planning […]
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Submitted by the Friends of the Smiths Falls Library It’s that time of the year when the Friends of the Smiths Falls Library invite teams to participate in their Annual Trivia Challenge. The 22nd annual fundraiser takes place in the Lancaster Room (Main floor) at the Smiths Falls Royal Canadian Legion, 7 Main Street, on Sunday, February […]
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Sally Smith Another long discussion leading to the January 21 decision on revisiting the angle/parallel parking issue in downtown Smiths Falls faced those attending Committee of the Whole Monday night. Some questions that needed to be answered, were; further opinions were given, and the mandate of the new council was re-stated. Councillor Wendy Alford, at […]
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Submitted The halls are decked, or at least on their way; the parades have started, and streets are alight with holiday twinkle lights. In downtown Carleton Place there are 17,000 lights and the festivities are all underway. The parade has travelled down Bridge Street and re-affirmed its place as the best holiday parade in the […]
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Submitted Come by Heritage House Museum and enjoy the most festive event of the year on Sunday, December 2nd from 1pm to 3pm. Live music, tea in the parlour, goodies, meet local artists and a jolly old soul at the Victorian Christmas Party. Share in the sights, sounds and flavours of an 1860s Christmas. Gather […]
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Submitted Together Smiths Falls is bringing back the Celebration of Lights to Victoria Park for its fifth season after one year hiatus. “It was disappointing to have to cancel last years event due to the construction in the basin but we look forward to bringing the event back and making it one to remember,” said […]
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Submitted Come on out and dance for a great cause! On Saturday, November 17, the Guatemala Stove Project is hosting a fundraising dance featuring the talented local band, The Lucky B’s, playing rock & roll from the 60s, 70s and 80s. This band will have you up on your feet and dancing all night. […]
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Submitted November 15th-25th get a jump start on your holiday shopping and traditional family activities in the inviting and festive streets of Carleton Place. Replace the overcrowded malls, busy parking garages and the usual gifts with mild winter strolls through picturesque streets, warm hot chocolate, fun family activities and unique gifts that will leave a […]
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Brian Turner At a special meeting of Carleton Place Council, held in the upper town hall auditorium on Oct 16, members present received an integrity commissioner’s report from newly appointed commissioner Tony Fleming. The report was initiated based on a complaint received on July 11 of this year that indicated Mayor Louis Antonakos contravened the […]
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Submitted Algonquin College Perth Campus, a long-time supporter of United Way Lanark County (UWLC), will host its annual kick-off breakfast on Thursday, October 25th, to celebrate the work of United Way Lanark County. This breakfast event is open to the public and runs from 7:30 to 9:30 AM in the cafeteria of the College Campus, […]
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Submitted Join us for our first Teen Art Show at the Carleton Place Public Library. We’re excited to present “TEN: TEN TEEN ARTISTS, ONE GALA EVENING” on Friday, October 19/18, 6-8pm at the Carleton Place Public Library, 101 Beckwith St., 613-257-2702. Ranging from drawings to stop motion art, it’s bound to be an interesting evening from […]
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Submitted Please join the Warden and Councillors of Lanark County for a ceremony to mark the official opening of the Ottawa Valley Recreation Trail (OVRT) on Friday, October 5th, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. The celebration will be held at the under the overpass at Highway 7 in Carleton Place, on the trail. The celebration marks […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca At a regular session of Carleton Place council’s planning and protection committee meeting held on Sept 18th, residential housing proposals from both ends of the size spectrum received a lot of attention and prompted a great deal of discussion. Tiny homes hit council’s attention in June of this year when Terrilee Kelford […]
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Submitted The Table Community Food Centre makes healthy food available to the Perth community and uses food as a tool to build health, hope and community. At this time of year The Table benefits from the great abundance of fresh healthy produce available in our local gardens, yards and orchards. Unfortunately there is also much […]
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Submitted On Saturday, Sept. 15, the Rural FASD Support Network launched their first public meeting at Calvary Bible Church in Smith Falls, ON. The day started with Shelley More, co-founder, sharing the milestones achieved in the past two years, introducing the members of the executive committee, and sharing their mandate, vision and mission. Shelley also […]
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Submitted Lanark County’s accessible trail – the Tay River Pathway – just got even more accessible for Lanark Lodge residents thanks to a new all-terrain wheelchair. The Tay River Pathway is located behind the Lanark County Administration Building, Lanark Lodge and Perth Community Care Centre. The looped trail is 1 kilometre in length and passes […]
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Submitted The 2nd Annual Parkinson SuperWalk surpassed organizers’ expectations this year, raising almost $39,000. Over one hundred participants and dozens of volunteers gathered in Conlon Farm for the event, emceed by CTV Ottawa’s Patricia Boal. Perth Mayor John Fenik was joined by Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow, Westport Mayor Robin Jones and Carleton Place Mayor […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca An hour into Committee of the Whole Tuesday night, a big issue, discussed many times, came up for deliberation again — heavy transport vehicles through the middle of town. Grant Machan, Director of Environmental Services, gave an overview of truck routing in Perth; there is a limited north-south corridor on Drummond Street […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Mayor Fenik wants to opt-out of recreational cannabis sales in Perth for a year; it’s not his decision to make — it will have to be made by the incoming council — but if he is re-elected, that’s what he wants to do. Recreational online pot sales are coming October 17. At […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Terrilee Kelford is insistent and persistent; she spoke to Smiths Falls council several months ago, and last night she made an “ask” to Perth’s Committee of the Whole. She knows a lot about tiny homes for homeless kids, and she’s convinced that any future these kids might have depends on giving them […]
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Sally Smith The Director of Public Works and Utilities, Troy Dunlop, asked council to adopt the recommendation to award Novatech Engineers, Planners and Landscape Architects for the design of the Lombard and Abbott Street signalization upgrades. Of the three proposals submitted, Novatech priced out in the middle at $68,258. The three were scored under five […]
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Sally Smith Troy Dunlop, Director of Public Works and Utilities, reported Monday night “the pour on the deck” of the Beckwith old-lock bridge went well last Friday. This week expect to see “sidewalks get poured Tuesday or Wednesday, weather permitting.” He added that the “three days behind” has now lessened to “two days.” The tender […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca It was Perth council’s turn to say aye or nay to a Council Attendance Policy By-Law; it ended as a defeated vote. The proposal originally came to council August 7 for consideration; it’s purpose was to establish an “attendance policy regarding Council members’ attendance on all Committees and Boards.” At the moment […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Mayor Shawn Pankow extended heartfelt thanks to Joe Cayen and his wife Angie of Smiths Falls’ Canadian Tire at Committee of the Whole Monday night. “People come into our community and leave good impressions and strong memories,” he said of the two and their family who are moving to a bigger store […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Councillor John Maloney took a few moments Monday night to thank sponsors of Urban Jungle’s Obstacle and Fitness Challenge held August 12. This year the challenge raised $14,310. Of that, donations included $7,000 going to Lower Reach; $500 to Big Brothers Big Sisters’ after school program; $250 to the Railway Museum; $150 […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Malcolm Morris, Smiths Falls CAO, spoke briefly about the Town’s bridge construction at Committee of the Whole Monday night. It’s proceeding on schedule, he said, acknowledging “There are days with no activities but no one should be alarmed. This is not uncommon for bridge construction projects. “Lane closures on the southbound lane […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca *Clarification: In an August 7, 2018 article Decisions, budgeting could be better, mayoral candidate Joe Gallipeau was quoted as saying, “the Town has spent $500,000 on docks for Le Boat.” Smiths Falls Treasurer Janet Koziel clarified those figures at Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting: “Some docks were purchased in 2017, so for […]
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Submitted You are invited to join the Healing Forest committee, and special guests on September 30th for the unveiling of Perth’s Healing Forest Memorial to the children who were taken away to Residential School and the many children who did not make it home to their families. The memorial also remembers the Missing and Murdered […]
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Submitted The Perth Union Library’s Summer Literacy Program is fully funded for 2018. Each year, the program helps over 100 children in the area. This program is funded entirely by grants and donations, so the library extends a thank you to all who supported this initiative. We truly could not serve these children without the […]
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Stacey Roy The next time tourists make the loop at 1 Hershey Drive looking for a chocolate shop they will find one and much more as the Tweed Visitor Centre officially opens Aug. 25. “It would be completely impossible not to bring back what was here, what is here and now it’s back,” said Bruce […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Costume designer and maker, Sandy Bradley, at The Station Theatre in Smiths Falls is looking for a seamstress. If you can set a sleeve, alter clothes to fit, put in a zipper and make clothes from patterns, please give her a call. Besides sewing (which is something you like to do anyway), […]
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Submitted Let’s “Light up the Labyrinth” together – from 6:30 – 9:00 PM on Friday, September 7th, 2018. During this event, the warm glow of more than 600 candlelit luminaries will flicker along the path of Carleton Place’s Community Labyrinth. This year, during the walk, local musician Rob McMurray will be playing electric guitar with electronic effects (delays, reverb, and […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca A lot “needs to be considered” in Smiths Falls before October 17 — the day pot is legalized; that’s only nine weeks away. CAO Malcolm Morris briefly spoke to council at the end of Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting and said there would be ongoing updates from now on. A […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Mayoral candidate Joe Gallipeau was galvanized into action Monday night stating he would not support a recommendation to purchase and install two pedestrian bridges from Duck Island to the Water Treatment Plant. Pedestrians of Smiths Falls have been without the link from Duck Island heading to Abbott Street since fast flowing waters […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca On Tuesday Aug 7, Carleton Place Town Council held a session of its Policy Review committee with a very full agenda. The meeting was held in the upstairs auditorium to accommodate a larger crowd (approximately 50 attended); most coming out to speak on and witness the fate of a four storey multi-residential […]
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Submitted A Musical Celebration for our Staff and Home Town Community Tweed is pleased to announce the date for the third annual Shindig, the largest community and music event in Smiths Falls. The date: August 25, 2018. Block your calendars and tell your friends! When we started this amazing journey as a cannabis company we […]
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Submitted The Town of Smiths Falls opened their new Visitor’s Centre during a meeting of Council on Monday, July 23rd. Located in the old school house, the new welcoming space will house the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Association, the Town of Smiths Falls departments of Economic Development and Tourism, the Local Immigration Partnership, and […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Committee of the Whole agreed Smiths Falls should be a partner in, and support, the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) system to improve mobile broadband cell coverage in the area. The project covers from Peterborough to the border of Quebec and the cost will be somewhere between $54,000 and $81,000 — on […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca In just over a month kids will be heading back to school. With the push to get children exercising more and school boards increasing the distance they can/should walk, the Town is updating its crossing guard locations and adding/subtracting some. Nadine Bennett, Deputy Clerk, presented a report to Committee of the Whole […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls CAO, Malcolm Morris, was taken to task Monday night at Committee of the Whole. Morris presented the findings of a Waterfront Visioning Exercise undertaken in late March this year of which the general tone was interest, intrigue, potential and possibilities. The chastisement came from councillors who hadn’t been invited to […]
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Sally Smith Shawn Pankow signed and submitted papers today to take a second run for the top spot in the Town of Smiths Falls. If he wins this will be his third term on council, the first one being as a councillor. The election is October 22. Pankow, 53 in September, says his job is […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca They didn’t ask for money, they asked for time at Committee of the Whole July 16. Smiths Falls and District Chamber of Commerce (SFDCC) members presented their “ask” Monday regarding a longer term lease for the Victoria Park Campground; the current agreement expires on December 31 this year. The Campground has a […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca James AE Perkins brought a gift to Committee of the Whole Monday — a flag. It’s a large multi-coloured rainbow flag and he asked if the Town would fly the flag in recognition of the first annual Smiths Falls Pride Event. The parade is scheduled for August 18 at 5 p.m. at […]
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Submitted by Friends of Lanark County Starting in mid-May, Lanark County used Clearview herbicide along County roads in an effort to control wild parsnip. Once again, as for the two previous years, there has been insufficient notification of this program. The small ad in the local newspaper still left residents in the dark. As well, […]
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Submitted Our physical environment is comprised of the buildings, transportation (roads, public/private transit, bike lanes and sidewalks), energy systems (hydro, heat/cool & water), open space (parks and recreation) and farm lands that make up and support our communities. Our physical environment is a social determinant of health and plays an important role in our health and […]
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Submitted The Village of Merrickville-Wolford is participating in the 2018 Edition of Communities in Bloom (CiB) in the 1,501 – 5,000 Population category along with Hanna AB; Madawaska Valley ON and Prescott ON. The Communities in Bloom judges, Lorna McIlroy from Grande Prairie Alberta & Gaétan Deschênes from Saint-Basile-le-Grand Québec will be evaluating the Village of Merrickville-Wolford on July 17-18-19. The […]
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Submitted Planned construction on the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail (OVRT) for 2018 has begun and residents will soon start to see progress and work completed. In particular, two bridges in the Almonte ward will be getting a facelift this summer. After listening to residents regarding the design of the bridge and in consultation with the […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca The evening was warm enough to compel the staff at 4 Degrees Brewing Company in Smiths Falls to open the garage door at the side of their establishment in the hopes of letting in some cool breezes. Stephanie Mitton was there at her first Meet and Greet event; she is one of […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place council held 3 of its committee meetings on Tuesday June 19th and started off the evening with the Corporate Review Committee (finance). Treasurer Trisa McConkey made several presentations related to town wages and the impact of Ontario Bill 148 which raised the minimum wage to $14/hr in January of this year. As per […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca At the Community Issues Committee meeting held on June 19th, council reviewed reports and minutes from various external committees such as Parks and Recreation, Environmental Advisory, etc. Parks and Rec will be forwarding an updated parks/trails use bylaw to council for review and passage. The last amendments were done in 2005 and new changes […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Andrew Hassoun is bringing a new restaurant to Town. Shawarma on the Falls, specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine, is set to open at 16 Beckwith St. N. The location, previously a pet shop, under the Town’s zoning By-law, requires that parking spaces be provided “to accommodate new, expanded and redeveloped land uses.” […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Two mayors attended Committee of the Whole Monday — Shawn Pankow from Smiths Falls and Perth mayor John Fenik. They spoke to council members and those attending the meeting about the Core Capital Campaign of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital, and asked for council’s consideration in their “ask” for money. […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Ryan Abbass was unhappy Monday. He brought a petition filled with names of people who live on Condie Street who object to the proposed reconstruction of the road. The proposal is for sidewalks to be constructed only on the west side of the street, rather than both sides. Having lived there over […]
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Boxing 4 Health Inc. – a unique exercise program based on training used by kickboxing trainers and adapted for people living with Parkinson’s Disease is now available in the Smiths Falls area. The program involves stretching, functional movements, skipping, push-ups, balancing and non-contact boxing lead by trained coaches. “We are excited about bringing this […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca At the regular council session held in Carleton Place on Tuesday, June 12th, Mayor Louis Antonakos and council congratulated the newest member of the CERV (Community Emergency Response Volunteer) team, Mark Dorland on his recent graduation from the required training. This program, initiated in 2003, has been helping out in emergency situations under […]
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Brian Turner Carleton Place Town Council held 2 meetings on Tuesday June 12 in reverse order from their normal process. The Policy Review Committee meeting convened first in the session with a full Council meeting following. The reasoning for the rare schedule change was that last Tuesday, June 5th, saw no meetings due to the […]
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Sally Smith Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95 members left Town Hall happy Monday after the Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls. The Legion has been looking for approval from the Town for a place to build a concrete pad for the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) III its had waiting since December. Monday they […]
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Stacey Roy This Sunday, June 10 family, friends and the Mississippi Mills community will gather behind the Old Town Hall in Almonte to remember the late Bernard Cameron with a dedication of a new Riverwalk water fountain. The official dedication will take place June 10, 1 p.m. in the garden behind the Old Town Hall […]
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Submitted On Wednesday May 23, we kicked off the first of 6 planned Days of Caring where employees from Tweed volunteer their efforts on Tweed company time to tackle projects for our partners throughout Lanark County & Smiths Falls. Our first project was weeding and cleaning up the backyard at The Mission in Smiths Falls, […]
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Sally Smith The Town received an invitation from the Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) asking it to join the “preferred autonomous vehicles test corridor.” This is an initiative for controlled testing of autonomous vehicles (AVs). The OGRA is calling for “the creation of a seamless and well-coordinated preferred AV testing corridor stretching from Windsor to […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca It was Hockey Night in Smiths Falls Wednesday night at the Station Theatre. Mark Borowiecki, Sens #74, was on hand at the Mayor’s Volunteer Appreciation evening, and the whole Smiths Falls PeeWee B Bears team was on stage, too. Bookended by the hockey stars were Bill Widenmaier and Katie Hoffman, recipients of […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Malcolm Morris, Smith Falls’ Chief Administrative Officer, commented at a special Committee of the Whole meeting, May 7, that the initial stages of a First Impressions program have been put to work. He described the program as “a look at the town through the lens of a tourist.” A first reaction driving […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca At the May 15th Carleton Place Corporate Services Committee meeting, former CAO Paul Knowles presented the details of the Ottawa Valley Rail Trail portion inside town boundaries as well as the large park area known as Carleton Crossing (behind the OPP station). The trail will follow the old rail line purchased by […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute’s Gr. 10 Civics class asked council for a grant of $500 to help raise funds to bring 15 indigenous students from North Saskatchewan to visit the town for a week, and, in return, for 15 SFDCI students to travel to the northern community for a week. Council […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca The front corner of the uniquely shaped building at 1 Chambers Street is getting a make-over. The building has been periodically vacant over the years; the proposal is to refurbish it under a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) grant to contain an ice-cream shop on the lower level (Sweet Scoops, to open year-round), […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca CAO Malcolm Morris gave a good-news, bad-news story to CoW on Monday – there is lots of interest in finding rooms and accommodations in Smiths Falls, but there aren’t any! “It’s an unprecedented situation,” says Councillor Cummings. “It’s a problem we thought we’d never have.” Morris says if people have space, if […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca It was good news for the Town of Smiths Falls at Committee of the Whole Monday night. Howard Allen of Allen and Partners gave a brief overview of the financial statement for 2017. Generally speaking, there is a “surplus of $400,000, there is less of a deficit, and the Town’s situation has […]
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Submitted It’s time for the Lanark County Food Bank – The Hunger Stop’s annual Buy One, Give One Community Dinner when every ticket purchased doubles in value and extends an offer for a Food Bank client to attend the dinner too. This year’s Feelin’ Groovy theme promises to be a whole lot of fun with […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca We’re not going to get it soon, but when the pedestrian bridge from small Turtle Island to the south shore is done (for the second time) it will be “serviceable, safe and there for a long time,” says Art Manhire, Director of Community Services with the Town. “We’re in the process of […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Council was asked for direction by staff on allowing chickens to be kept in a residential area; staff’s recommendation is to deny the request under the Animal Control bylaw, as it may set a precedent. Resident Andrew Howard has asked for an exemption. “My wife and I were hoping that council would […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Residents of Harold Street were not wholly assured at Committee of the Whole Monday evening in Smiths Falls that their Saturday morning peace would not be interrupted by ATVs running down the road from sunset to sundown. Rick Gilfillen, president and trail co-ordinator of the Rideau Lakes All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Club, […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Station Theatre hosted the Smiths Falls and District Chamber of Commerce breakfast April 24. Quiche, muffins and coffee, provided by Two Guys for Lunch, enticed about 70 members to stand and chat for a few moments before heading into the theatre for a presentation by Leslie Lentz and Sarah Brownlee, Canopy […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Perth’s Tiny House Festival on Saturday was more than a success. Cars lined the highway by Algonquin College and visitors lined up to get into the tiny houses to see if they might actually be a fit. Ages ranged from babies in carrier pouches to grandparents. Most were just plain curious, others […]
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Submitted On May 1, 1968, Glen Tay Public School welcomed its first students from the fifteen neighbouring one room and two room schools. This amalgamation resulted in many new opportunities for students and staff alike which has continued to this day. On May 1, 2018 current students, family members and all alumni are invited to […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca At the Corporate Services Committee meeting on April 18 council approved a new travel expense policy requiring employees and councilors to utilize the most practical and economical arrangements and capping daily meal allowances at $100. While the previous cap was $75, individuals could apply to exceed that figure. The new limit will […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place Council held their regular session of their Corporate Services Committee on Tuesday April 18. Staff presented various scenarios and options for funding the replacement of the town’s central bridge and the arena’s change-rooms. While council directed staff to begin the tender document process for the arena at the March 20th meeting […]
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Terry O’Hearn terry@pdgmedia.ca Pat Evans, Parkinson’s volunteer and co-chair of the local SuperWalk, reminds us that the month of April is Parkinson’s awareness month. “There is a new sense of hope in Lanark North Leeds for people with Parkinson’s Disease and April, Parkinson’s Awareness Month, is a good time to understand why,” Evans says. “Last […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca The National Healing Forest recommendation returned to Committee of the Whole Tuesday for a final consideration and agreement before it goes to council April 24. It initially came to Committee of the Whole a little over a month ago where there was some disputation from Andrew MacDonald that the plaque for the […]
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Submitted by Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital Report on Progress Strategies from 2017-2018 Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (PSFDH) has prepared its 2018-2019 Quality Improvement Plan for submission to Health Quality Ontario (HQO). It is a blueprint to focus on initiatives for the coming 12 months. A Quality Improvement Plan (the Plan) is […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca The historic Rideau Hotel (20 Beckwith Street N) is on track with a site plan control agreement between the Town and the owner for mixed-use residential and commercial redevelopment. It will include the establishment of 25 residential units (one and two-bedroom) and three commercial units on site. Site plan control looks at […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Those attending the Fifth Annual Eastern Ontario Active Transportation (EOAT) Summit in Brockville this year will see a familiar Smiths Falls face. Troy Dunlop, Director of Public Works and Utilities, will be a member of the discussion panel. Jeff Mills and Danielle Shewfelt, EOAT representatives, spoke at Smiths Falls Committee of the […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Committee of the Whole, Monday night, agreed to temporarily reduce the assessment on the iconic building at 78 Brockville Street previously known as the Kilt and Castle; the assessment, at the moment is unknown, until the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) provides it. The reduction in assessment has been asked from January […]
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Submitted A familiar sight in the Township of Montague could look very different by this time next year. The former Smiths Falls Indoor Flea Market building has been sold, and the Township of Montague is considering a rezoning proposal which will enable the new owners to build self-storage units in its place. According to […]
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Submitted The Cavanagh Family Marketplace presents the 1st Annual Antique and Collectible Show at the Carleton Place Curling Club on April 14 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. This event is free for anyone to attend and is the perfect event for learning a little about local history, to shop for that person on your […]
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Submitted Veggie breakfast omelettes. An oatmeal topping bar. Fruit parfaits. Pembroke Regional Hospital (PRH) is making healthy eating the easy choice in the cafeteria, Mural Café and Sunshine Gift Shop – and they are getting creative too! They’ve introduced a fresh salad bar, new beverages, and an enticing breakfast buffet – all part of achieving […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca Longtime area residents Mary and Wally Cook were honoured with Carleton Place’s Lifetime Achievement Award at a regular council meeting held on March 27th in recognition for their outstanding leadership and tireless community contributions. Mary, a well known former CBC broadcaster and prolific author and her husband Wally, a former town councilor were joined […]
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Terry O’Hearn terry@pdgmedia.ca The rich history of Perth and surrounding townships was highlighted recently with the year-long celebration of the Perth Military Settlement 200th anniversary in 2016. Although there are still many descendants of those original families living in the area who know their history, more recent arrivals have also tended to seek information about, […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls has officially appointed an integrity commissioner to ensure members of council are meeting the terms of their code of conduct. At a March 19 meeting, councillors voted in favour of a recommendation from Director of Corporate Services and Clerk Kerry Costello to appoint Tony Fleming of Cunningham, Swan, Carty, Little […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Fans of the Britt’s Chips won’t have to make much of an adjustment to their routines once the local chip wagon moves to its new location. Britt’s Chips is moving across the road from its current site at 244 Highway 15 to 10 Ferrara Drive. “They’re moving across the road from where […]
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Submitted by The Table Community Food Centre and foodcoreLGL There is a growing movement in schools across Canada, a movement that is looking more closely at the food kids eat at school and that is getting them more involved with growing, making and understanding healthy foods. It is widely acknowledged that school gardens, food literacy programs […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca On Tuesday March 13th, after their regular council session, Carleton Place Council held a regular meeting of the Policy Review Committee. Deputy-Clerk Stacey Blair brought forward a report on the need for creating a policy to cover council members’ use of municipal resources during an election campaign. This is mandated by provincial legislation […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place Town Council convened their regular council session on Tues., March 13 and passed a number of new bylaws. Among these were municipal legislations confirming the appointment of Diane Smithson as CAO, Trisa McConkey as Treasurer, and former treasurer Phil Hogan as deputy-treasurer. While all three have been acting in their […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Councillor John Maloney asked the important question at Committee of the Whole Monday night. Will Smiths Falls get a cannabis store-front this year? Malcolm Morris, who has been involved with provincial negotiations from the beginning, said “no.” The province is opening 40 store-fronts in 2018 and Smiths Falls won’t be one of […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca About 30 newcomers sat down to a potluck supper hosted by Welcome Wagon at St. John’s Anglican Church in Smiths Falls, Wednesday. Reverend Canon Catherine Ascah extended greetings as did Mayor Shawn Pankow before diners tucked into the casseroles, salads and desserts prepared by St. John’s volunteers. Some newcomers were brand new, […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Caroline Mulroney was in town March 6. During a quick whistle-stop campaign drop-by on her way from Peterborough, she spoke briefly to over 100 willing listeners at the Smiths Falls Lions Club on Abbott Street. Mulroney, the Conservative party’s York-Simcoe riding candidate and eldest daughter of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, is […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca Four board members were on hand, Monday, March 5, when Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MP Scott Reid and his aide Shawn Morrison carried two small boxes into Smiths Falls’ Station Theatre. Reid set the boxes on the counter, one a defibrillator and the other the white wall-storage unit. Defibrillators go for about $2,000 and approximately 300 […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca One Smiths Falls town councillor said he felt like “a rock star” after the premier of Ontario singled Smiths Falls out for special praise at a recent municipal conference. At a Feb. 26 council meeting, Councillor Chris Cummings said had “never been so proud” as he was when Premier Kathleen Wynne spoke […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca If you’re a dog lover — specifically puppies — the CNIB has an interesting opportunity for you. The CNIB recently launched CNIB Guide Dogs to raise and train guide dogs exclusively for people with sight loss. CNIB is seeking animal lovers in Carleton Place who would like to be volunteer puppy raisers by taking a puppy […]
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Janelle Labelle editorial@pdgmedia.ca Volunteers and fundraisers filled the Youth Arena Hall in Smiths Falls on Feb. 24 with a common goal: to eliminate homelessness in Lanark County. Cornerstone Landing hosted The Coldest Night of the Year in Smiths Falls, which is an annual and multi-site walkathon aimed at eradicating homelessness. Across Canada, more than 100 […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca In preparation for the launch of Le Boat’s Rideau Canal fleet in the spring of 2018, Smiths Falls town councillors have agreed to invest a total of $40,000 to build two new docks in the Victoria Basin. Economic Development Manager Cyril Cooper advised councillors at a Feb. 20 meeting that half of […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca At the Carleton Place Corporate Services Committee meeting, held at the beginning of the Feb. 20 council session, council voted to forward a bylaw to their next full meeting to officially appoint Trisa McConkey as the town’s treasurer and to move Phil Hogan (the current holder of that position) to deputy treasurer […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca The stereotype of tattoo parlours as seedy joints tucked away in dark alleys has been upended by new-age art shops in Lanark County catering to a surprisingly wide range of individuals. At Lea Maurice’s Ink & Iron Tattoo Co. in Carleton Place, there’s a relaxing spa feel as visitors aged 18 to […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca On February 15th, Notre Dame High School in Carleton Place held its open house to welcome students, parents, family, and neighbours for an evening of connection, information, and opportunities for students to display their love of learning. In the middle of a very busy and noisy entrance atrium an oasis of calm […]
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Janelle Labelle editorial@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls Town Council took on the Pee Wee Bears Good Deeds Cup Challenge today — a challenge presented to them at council last week. Mayor Shawn Pankow and Councillors Lorraine Allen, Jay Brennan, and John Maloney visited Willowdale Retirement Residence and Van Horne Manor, to pass out roses and wish residents […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca It was an unexpected finish — the Einsteins and the Quiztophers nosed ahead by one point to take the 21st Friends of the Library Trivia Challenge 81 to 80 at the Smiths Falls Legion on Sunday, Feb. 11. They were behind throughout the afternoon (just a little!) but the final category gave them […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca At a well attended meeting of Carleton Place Council’s Policy and Review committee, councillors voted in force to apply a forfeiture of 270 days of the mayor’s pay as well as the remainder of his 2018 discretionary allowance as punishment for his three latest contraventions of the municipal code of conduct as […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca A first-time fundraising event to help homeless youth in Lanark County has already attracted some high-level support. Three mayors – John Fenik of Perth, Louis Antonakos of Carleton Place and Shawn Pankow of Smiths Falls – have already signed up to participate in The Coldest Night of the Year, a fundraising walk […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Perth town councillors were again hot under the collar when it came to discussing the heritage palette of colours for downtown Perth. Stewart Bates of Antonio Way urged councillors not to agree to amend the Heritage Conservation District Bylaw. “We are in competition to attract businesses and new residents,” he argued. “We […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Perth councillors went at it claws and nails (figuratively speaking) on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at Committee of the Whole when a report on canteen leases was raised. In both June and July of last year a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued for the operation of the canteen at the community centre; […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca With barely the blink of an eye and absolutely no fanfare, Perth councillors unanimously passed a bylaw authorizing the write-off of 2017 outstanding provincial offences accounts in the amount of $1,623.52 at a recent Committee of the Whole meeting. The accounts have been deemed to be uncollectable throughout the year, the primary […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Ramsey Hart, executive director of The Table Community Food Centre, in Perth, presented a quick overview of the happenings at The Table at Committee of the Whole ob Tuesday, Feb. 6. In 2017 there were: 9,500 community meals served, three times per week 3,737 food bank visits 182 food skills and health […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Representatives of the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, the Smiths Falls After School Program, and the Healthy Living Festival appeared before Smiths Falls town councillors on Feb. 5 to make in-person appeals for community grant funding in 2018. Town policy requires any group seeking a grant of more than $10,000 to appear […]
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On January 24, 2018, the Registrar, Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA) issued a Notice of Proposal to Revoke and an Order to immediately suspend the Crematorium Operator licence of Hilton’s AquaGreen Dispositions Inc. in Smiths Falls, ON. The immediate suspension is believed to be in the public interest. The Notice of Proposal […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca For all the full-figured women out there, your wish has come true. A new shop opened on Nov. 2 in Smiths Falls that’s just for you. Sherri Axford and Kelly Ilan, both 45 and long-time best friends, have put their creativity, their work ethic and their delight in shopping and clothes to […]
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Jane Hobson The Carleton Place detachment of Lanark County OPP hosted its fourth annual free skate and lunch on Saturday, Jan. 20 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. About 75 adults and kids bundled up to play hockey at the outdoor rink on Coleman Street. “It’s a great opportunity for kids to see [officers] outside […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Amanda Brown, President of the Perth local for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, spoke at the Perth Committee of the Whole (CoW) meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17. She explained that four years ago Canada Post embarked on a program to remove door-to-door delivery from all residential addresses across Canada. By the […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca It’s a natural go-together, Perth Rotary club member Jim Peden said. He and fellow Rotarian Frank Larabie presented a summer 2018 proposed dual-event blockbuster to Perth Committee of the Whole Tuesday. As a partner with the town for the 2018 Ribfest, their proposal is to add a music festival and stage the […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls town councillor Chris Cummings, the town’s long-time representative on the Smiths Falls Public Library Board, told fellow councillors at a Jan. 15 meeting that he was disappointed by a recent decision by the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley. The township, he reported, has decided to stop paying an annual grant to […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca A municipal budget with no tax increase tends not to generate much controversy. With Smiths Falls town councillors confident that their 2018 town budget won’t be a bitter pill for residents to swallow, they voted to approve the third and final draft at a Jan. 15 meeting. “That was by far probably […]
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Submitted Classic rock fans in the area are invited to beat the winter blahs at a special British Invasion tribute show to be hosted by Four Degrees Brewing Company in Smiths Falls on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 20. The event is a benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County. From the tight […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca Small town and rural museums are a great place to learn about your community. Not just history, but the stories and tales of how people and events helped to create the place you call home. They’re usually staffed with helpful, knowledgeable and cheery volunteers who never seem to mind going out of […]
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Hometown News staff Canopy Growth Corp.’s Chairman and CEO Bruce Linton (second from right) presented a $34,521.38 cheque to The Station Theatre in Smiths Falls Thursday. The cheque was a donation from Canopy Growth, with the funds being raised at a Canopy-sponsored golf tournament in 2017. The theatre has not yet determined what the funds will […]
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Outcome for stroke survivors from Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Counties drastically improves as a result of joint effort by Brockville General Hospital and Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital. Submitted A person who experiences a stroke is more likely to survive, recover and return home when a specialized team provides early stroke care. Collaboration between […]
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Sally Smith and April Scott-Clarke editorial@pdgmedia.ca The days and weeks leading up to New Years Eve if often a time of reflection for people. We remenice of the good times we’ve had over the past 12 months, and think about all we want to do in the year to come. For those that still make […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca Following a number of years of discussion and planning, it appears that the town of Carleton Place will finally enjoy an upgrade to its street light network this year. It will introduce LED fixtures and fix systemic problems that have seen some areas of the town experience over a dozen outages in […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca The problem of illegal dumping and who is responsible for its removal was the subject of a lengthy discussion at the Jan. 9 meeting of the Carleton Place planning and protection committee. Developer Volundur “Wally” Thorbjornsson had brought a complaint to the town about continued dumping of garbage at the entrance to […]
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Matthew Behrens When Ink & Iron tattoo parlour owner Lea Maurice decided last November to host a Carleton Place Friday night sleepout to raise awareness of Lanark County youth homelessness, she had no idea that within 24 hours, a local developer would be inspired to take concrete action with plans to construct 13 units of […]
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Matthew Behrens A global charitable movement that began a decade ago in Jackson, Michigan has formed a new chapter in Carleton Place thanks to the networking efforts of local entrepreneurs Lynn Vardy and Jeannie Mongrain. The 100 Women Who Care campaign – in which selected charities regularly meet up with potential donors, each armed with […]
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Sally Smith Lois Hunter has lived a lifetime of volunteering. Starting early, before she was a teen, she volunteered at agricultural fairs around her home farm, and it became a lifestyle, a second nature, a belief in how to live her life. She learned it well. In September 2017, the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers was […]
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Brian Turner Beckwith Township residents wouldn’t let frosty temperatures keep them from ringing in the New Year in style at the third annual family festival held in Beckwith Park. While Reeve Richard Kidd mentioned that it’s always been hard to accurately gauge attendance, he estimated that last year’s event drew over 3,000 people. At the […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca At a recent meeting of the Carleton Place planning and protection committee Manager of Development Services Joanna Bowes presented an extensive report on how a proposed 127-unit, 13-story condominium — a phase of the Hawthorne Mill redevelopment project being undertaken by local developer Volundur (Wally) Thorbjornsson — would impact the community. (Read […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdmedia.ca As 2017 draws to a close, Smiths Falls is planning a final Canada 150 celebration and a musical gift to the community. Juno award-winning musician Jenny Whiteley will headline an afternoon and evening of musical entertainment on Friday, Dec. 29 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95 hall. Winner of two Juno […]
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Sara Ritchie editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place council chambers turned into a classroom for a day in early November as twelve curious individuals attended the first of a three-class series dedicated to teaching the workings of local government. Speakers for the sessions were Paul Knowles, Carleton Place chief administrative officer, Duncan Rogers, Carleton Place clerk and Stacey […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca The town of Smiths Falls is still on track to pass its 2018 budget without increasing the burden on local taxpayers. At a Dec. 18 meeting, councillors were presented with the second draft of the budget, which calls for no increase in property taxes. The draft does propose a two per cent […]
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Submitted Council has approved the hiring of a contract position for at least one year to oversee the redevelopment/regeneration process for properties held by the Lanark County Housing Corporation (LCHC). At the community services committee meeting earlier this month, Social Services Director Nancy Green explained the position would report to the county CAO, as Lanark […]
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Submitted by the Canadian Cancer Society Perth and Area Office Christmastime. It’s a season that usually comes with good cheer and celebration, but when you’ve lost a family member or friend to cancer — and it’s the first Christmas without them — you ain’t feeling the cheer. To help you get through this holiday, we’ve […]
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Submitted by Susan Fisher An eight-week course recently offered in Perth was so popular “that we had to turn a lot of people away,” said Ramsey Hart, member of Lanark County Neighbours for Truth and Reconciliation. “Clearly there is a strong desire for this information.” In fact, response to the program, Understanding Canada’s Indigenous Histories, […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca With the December holiday season fast approaching, anyone needing to do business with the town of Carleton Place should take note that town hall will be closed from Dec. 22 to Jan. 2. At a Dec. 12 discussion of the town’s policy review committee, staff noted that regularly scheduled Tuesday evening meetings […]
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Chris Uhlig Santa Claus came to Smiths Falls on Saturday evening with the annual parade winding its way from the Memorial Center down Beckwith Street to Lower Reach Park. People of all ages lined the streets to catch a glimpse of Santa. And since Santa is a being from the magical realms and can show […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Acknowledging that the Smiths Falls Town Hall is presently so poorly designed that visitors often wonder if they have come to the right place, town councillors agreed at a Dec. 11 meeting that renovations to the building are an immediate priority. Presenting an architect’s report on a suggested multi-phase project to both […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Fifty per cent of Lanark County’s homeless young people come from Smiths Falls, town councillors were told at a Dec. 11 meeting. Terrilee Kelford, chair of the board of Cornerstone Landing Youth Services, said the organization has made a great deal of progress in the past two years addressing a problem that […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca For a bit of a noisy but really good lunch, head out to Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute every second Thursday at noon, dig in to tasty food and sit back and listen to up-and-coming musical artists. The Restless Red Hawk Café, located in the front foyer of the school, highlights six […]
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Submitted Perth town council has recommended that staff publish a Notice of Intention to amend the Heritage Conservation District (HCD) bylaw to state that the painting of wooden façade features does not require a Heritage Permit and that further action with Shadowfax (located at 67 Foster Street) be postponed until the Heritage Conservation District By-Law […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Municipalities in Ontario will elect new representative s on Oct. 22, 2018, and the town of Smiths Falls is making sure all the necessary rules will be in place. At a meeting of town council’s Committee of the Whole on Dec. 4, town Clerk Kerry Costello presented councillors with several new and […]
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Sara Ritchie If you are a member of Lanark County Mental Health (LCMH) or other treatment programs and have Friday afternoon free, you may find the Mental Wellness Room your new Friday destination. The Room is designed as a friendly, supportive space for people living with mental illness to socialize, relax or chat with others […]
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Matthew Behrens Carleton Place town council heard a plea from Canadian Union of Postal Workers representative Don Chartrand on Nov. 28 to pressure the federal Liberals to live up to their 2015 election promise to stop further cuts to postal services and to restore home delivery to those communities who lost it under the previous […]
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Modest tax increase for 2018 Carleton Place Budget Matthew Behrens In his 28th and final budget for the town, veteran Carleton Place treasurer Phil Hogan has put together what most members of town council praised as a strong, forward-looking document that will see the municipal share of taxpayer rates increasing 1.97 per cent in 2018. […]
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Chris Must Plans to name the Smiths Falls skateboard park in memory of former Police Chief Larry Hardy are moving ahead. A delegation, including former mayor Dennis Staples, came to town council in May to suggest that the park be named in honour of the former chief, who was instrumental in fundraising efforts to build […]
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Chris Must Howling Designs, a Smiths Falls design firm whose motto is “Stand out from the pack,” has applied for $10,000 façade improvement grant under the town’s Community Improvement Plan. Economic Development Coordinator Ingrid Bron advised councillors at a Nov. 27 meeting of council’s Committee of the Whole that the grant would be used for […]
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Matthew Behrens Announcements of Canadian Tire community involvement awards are about as rare as comet sightings – indeed, only nine winners have been named over the past century. But Pierre Hofstatter, the Perth owner of the iconic chain store, was recognized as one of those shining stars at a September gala. Hofstatter was lauded for […]
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Matthew Behrens Before year’s end, a consulting firm hired by Lanark County is slated to produce a report that municipal planners hope will guide discussion on responding to a 2014 provincial policy statement (PPS) within the Ontario Planning Act that many say is handcuffing area development and complicating longer-term infrastructure planning. The PPS requires municipalities […]
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Hometown News Staff The CP Holiday Train is rolling into Merrickville, Smiths Falls and Perth on Monday, Nov. 27. Expect large crowds but great entertainment. Merrickville 103 East Broadway & County Road #2. South side of crossing near Bay Street 2017-11-27 4:45 PM 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM Colin James and Emma-Lee Smiths Falls Smith Falls […]
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Submitted It’s no secret that there’s something special about the Town of Mississippi Mills, which includes the town of Almonte, the village of Pakenham, the former Township of Ramsay as well as the hamlets of Appleton, Clayton and Blakeney — and Christmastime is no exception. The holiday season begins with A Pakenham Country Christmas on […]
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Submitted Smiths Falls Food Bank Manager Natalia Soteroff accepted a cheque for $570 from Station Theatre board member Lynda Daniluk on behalf of The Continentals. The Continentals took to the stage for an afternoon concert on Nov. 12 and donated the proceeds to the food bank. The Station Theatre donated space, time and utilities to […]
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Chris Must Smiths Falls town councillors have been asked to make an investment in promoting the Cataraqui Trail, which starts near Ferrara Drive in town and winds 104 km south towards Kingston. Rideau Lakes Township Councillor Arie Hoogenboom, who has replaced the late Doug Good (who died in March when a truck crashed through ice […]
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Chris Must The Salvation Army’s Smiths Falls Christmas Kettle Campaign is in full swing, but there are still openings for more volunteers. Major Gerald Reilly told Smiths Falls town councillors at a Nov. 20 meeting that the campaign will consist for 1,250 volunteer hours spanning 625 shifts manning kettles in six locations. Kettles in Smiths […]
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<h2>By Sally Smith</h2> Like soup? How about a bun with that soup and some live entertainment? Come on out Saturday, Nov. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute (SFDCI) at 299 Percy Street, to buy a bowl, fill it with soup, grab a homemade bun and sit back and […]
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Chris Must By replacing Ontario’s 36 existing health units with 14 new regional boards of health, the provincial government may end up “throwing the baby out with the bath water,” said Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow. The mayor agreed that the town should endorse the position of the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit […]
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Sally Smith Emily Duberville was truly surprised to be nominated for the Joyce Brennan Award. This award was inaugurated in 2011 to recognize significant contributions to art and culture in the Smiths Falls area. At an awards presentation on Nov. 9 at the Heritage House Museum, hosted by the Smiths Falls and District Arts and […]
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Sally Smith Share the space and share the expertise is the thinking behind multi-party participation between several area townships. Rather than each of the five townships or towns individually providing service training, senior staff of Drummond/North Elmsley, Tay Valley, Lanark Highlands, Montague and Perth recommended a 2018 inter-municipal service delivery work plan to Committee of […]
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Sally Smith Committee of the Whole authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign a 2018 Letter of Understanding between the town and the District Chamber of Commerce, which included a $10,000 contribution by the town for another year. Some of the economic activities would include an accreditation program and leadership conference at Algonquin College Perth […]
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Submitted 2018 will mark the 25th year of New Year’s Day polar bear plunges into the Tay River. This long-standing event happens thanks to a team of hardworking volunteers from the Perth Legion. Each year the Legion volunteers partner with a different charity to hold the plunge. On this special anniversary year, The Table Community […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Kehoe Marine Construction has been chosen to build 15 new docks at Victoria Basin in Smiths Falls. The docks will be used by Le Boat Ltd., which is beginning its luxury houseboat rental operations on the Rideau in May of 2018. At a special council meeting on Oct. 23, Smiths Falls town […]
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Submitted Affectionately known as ‘the little charity that could’, SchoolBOX started with little more than a notebook and a pencil, and a dream to educate children in Nicaragua. At this year’s annual Latin Fiesta on Nov. 4 at the Citivan Hall in Almonte, community members will rally together to support the construction of SchoolBOX’s 100th […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Former Smiths Falls Fire Chief Norman Beauchamp assumed new duties as chief of the City of Timmins department Monday, Oct. 16, announced Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow. Beauchamp’s last day as chief in Smiths Falls was Friday, Oct. 13, Pankow advised fellow councillors at an Oct. 16 meeting. Pankow also announced that […]
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Sally Smith No longer will Smiths Falls be known just for hockey if Joe Shadoue and his brothers have anything to say about it. And Shadoue is not shy about talking. He talks baseball — he thinks it, he coaches it, he plays it, it’s in his head all the time — and he’s happy […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Eric Halpin doesn’t hold back. He says what he thinks. This is good for a man who’s been appointed as the newest member of the Perth Police Services Board (PSB), but it may be a little tougher on the board itself. Halpin is the fifth member of Perth’s board, joining Chair Jim […]
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Chris Must An engineering consulting firm is recommending a series of “non-intrusive” solutions to relieve traffic congestion on Abbott Street in Smiths Falls during boating season. The swing bridge that opens to allow boats on the Rideau Canal to pass through regularly backs up traffic all the way to Highway 43, a problem exacerbated when […]
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Chris Must Local service clubs are both shrinking and aging, so they must join forces to present major events, Smiths Falls town councillors were told at an Oct. 10 meeting. Gary “Beep” Dalgleish of the Rotary Club came to council to provide an update on plans for a new Oktoberfest event to be held Saturday, […]
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Harrison Field editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Crown and Pumpkin was back once again this year to show off some local talent during the holiday long weekend. This year, the showcase has added 13 new artists, showing off a range of paintings, craft ales, photography, traditional Syrian food and more. In total there were 18 stations around Almonte […]
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The Smiths Falls Community Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce A Beatles Tribute concert and dance Saturday, Oct. 14 with proceeds to the hospital’s Ultrasound Campaign. The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95 hall at 7 Main St. East. The foundation began fundraising efforts […]
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Host Kathy Botham joins Cafe Whim owner Brian Paquette for the 1st Annual Cafe Whim Community Thanksgiving Feast held this passed Sunday in Smiths Falls.
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Jane Hobson Ah yes – the September heatwave has come and gone. School is in full swing. Pumpkin spice everything is everywhere. The air is fresh and cool once again as colourful leaves float to the ground. October has arrived. Thanksgiving seems to be one of the few times of year when people genuinely — […]
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Matthew Behrens The Carleton Place fire department, known since the 1860s as the Ocean Wave Fire Company, has received a coveted $5,000 grant from Project Assist, a joint venture of Enbridge and the provincial fire marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council. It’s the second time Carleton Place has been chosen for the grant, which allows allows […]
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Chris Must Smiths Falls will apply for an additional $1.2 million in provincial infrastructure funding to continue rehabilitation work on three Beckwith Street bridges. Troy Dunlop, the town’s director of public works and utilities, advised that the funding was available through the Ministry of Transportation’s Connecting Links Program for 2017-18. Council voted in late 2016 […]
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Harrison Field A barbecue fundraiser was held on Sept. 20 in Carleton Place by Hometown Hearts for the Eden family to help after a fire destroyed their home. Hometown Hearts is a volunteer group in Carleton Place that aims to help members of the community in times of tragedy such as this. The barbecue offered […]
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Harrison Field editorial@pdgmedia.ca A 1.8 per cent increase is par for the course when it comes to water and sewage costs in Carleton Place. Phil Hogan, treasurer, introduced the sewer and water budget for the 28 and final time at the Sept.19 corporate services committee meeting. According to the presentation given by Hogan, the increase […]
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Chris Must The United Way of Lanark County is investing in outreach efforts on behalf of disabled members of the community, with considerable success. United Way Regional Director Fraser Scantlebury and Partnership Coordinator Amy Elsner attended a special meeting of Smiths Falls Town Council on Monday, Sept.18 to provide an overview of the Accessibility for […]
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Chris Must Friends and family members, including two mayors and a retired senator, gathered on Monday, Sept. 18 to honour long-time volunteer Lois Hunter. Hunter was presented with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by Mayor Shawn Pankow at a special meeting of Smiths Falls town council held in the upstairs hall of the Smiths Falls […]
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The Reconciliation Feast held at the Perth Civitan Club on Sept. 15 was a huge success, with a full house. A delicious meal featuring Indigenous dishes such as local venison stew, Three Sisters soup, sumac tea, and a wild rice dessert, catered, in part, by Algonquin chef Tim Cota was served. Tim Johnson, acting director of the Smithsonian […]
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The Carleton Place and District Chamber of Commerce 10th Annual Golf Classic was hosted at the Canadian Golf and Country Club in Ashton on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. Over 130 local business leaders and their associates took to the greens.
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca Imagine it’s a cool fall evening; chilly enough to need a sweater but warm enough to eat dinner outside. The smell of a freshly-baked pizza wafts through the air as a light breeze blows browned leaves to the ground at Market Square in Carleton Place. By about this time next fall, Carleton […]
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Submitted The new Shout Sister choir is off to a good start with upwards of 30 women coming to the first meeting, which was held on Wednesday, Sept. 13. The choir meets in Smiths Falls every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Trinity United Church, 41 Market St. N. and is for anyone who […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Although financial difficulties recently caused the Smiths Falls & District Centre for Youth to close its building on Main Street West, funding has been found to continue an after school program, town councillors were told at a Sept. 11 meeting. Art Manhire, the town’s Manager of Community Services, said Lanark County will […]
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Submitted On Sunday, Oct. 1, the Lanark & District Civitan Club will host its 7th annual Scarlet Fall Run. Now that school is back in session, so are routines. It’s also the best time to set some fitness goals, and you can start out by putting the Scarlet Fall Run on your race calendar. Taking […]
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Sally Smith With little discussion, Perth Committee of the Whole unanimously passed Perth’s transportation master plan. The plan was initially presented in June. Mayor Fenik commented that although the plan was accepted as a complete document, if the chance arose and money became available, “we could move around within the plan” and work on various […]
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Sally Smith Janice Ashworth, general manager of Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-op (OREC), presented briefly at Perth Committee of the Whole on Tuesday about the possibility of OREC partnering with “local property owners to use their land or rooftops for community-owned renewable power projects (solar).” One of Ashworth’s points was that as electricity prices go up […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca While September marks the start of a new school year for many students and parents alike, it can seem like the start of the glum end-of-summer blues for many seniors. That’s why the Carleton Place Public Library is planning a series of seniors’ programs this fall. Finance seminars “I know that seniors’ […]
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Submitted St. Paul’s United Church in Perth invites community members to take one very simple action in support of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: writing postcards to local representatives in Parliament encouraging them to support Bill C-262. If enacted, Bill C-262, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples […]
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Our reader survey winner of the $25 gift card is Jennifer Irwin of Carleton Place! Thank you to everyone who filled out our reader survey. We’ve already started delving into your answers and implementing your suggestions. Some common threads we’re seeing is that you want the following: Little known stories that nobody else is talking […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Although financial difficulties recently caused the Smiths Falls & District Centre for youth to close its building on Main Street West, funding has been found to continue an after-school program, town councillors were told at a Sept. 11 meeting. Art Manhire, the town’s manager of community services, reported that Lanark County will […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls has agreed to lend its support to an application for provincial Trillium funding for an in-depth study of the community’s assets. Peter McKenna of Rideau Community Health Services spoke to town councillors on Sept. 11 to outline plans for the “local deepening community initiative” which would be carried out by […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca Comfy knit sweaters. Fresh dewy mornings. The crunch of colourful leaves under booted feet. September is here again. As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, the turn of the season represents renewal for many people. Whether it’s back to grade school, leaving home for college or the start of […]
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Chris Must In the midst of September’s mild temperatures, it’s easy to forget how harsh Ontario’s winters can get. But those cold months aren’t far away, and local efforts to help protect young children in need are about to get under way. Smiths Falls’ 2017 snowsuit campaign will be officially launched Monday, Sept. 18 at […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls town council has approved zoning changes to allow the owners of the building formerly occupied by Lockwood’s Sight & Sound to be converted to apartments. The zoning changes, approved by council Sept. 5, apply to both 73-75 Elmsley Street North and 12-14 Daniel Street. Building owners Kate Ryan and brother […]
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Sally Smith The focus is inside at small country fairs on rainy days, as was the case on Sunday, Sept. 3, at the 172nd year of the Perth Fair. It rained, and rained, and rained all day; the ferris wheel was stopped, there were no line-ups for ride tickets – rides closed until 1 p.m. […]
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By Terry O’Hearn Pat Evans is determined to get the message out that those afflicted with Parkinson’s should consider being more open about having the disease. It might also help to seek the advice of a movement disorder specialist, and possibly join a support group. She stressed those things are needed in order to be […]
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As part of our ongoing effort to optimize the use of technology, enhance efficiency, and better serve members of the public, the Smiths Falls Police Service is pleased to announce the launch of a new online application process for employment and volunteer Police Information Checks. “We are very happy to team up with Triton Canada […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls town councillor John Maloney is hoping his colleagues will vote for the town to match funds raised at this year’s Urban Jungle obstacle course, which have been donated to pay for new fitness equipment at Lower Reach Park. Maloney and other organizers of the second annual Urban Jungle event, held […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca With 23 already underway and another planned for Smiths Falls this September, Georgette Fry and the Shout Sister! choirs are making a loud, joyous name for themselves across Ontario. Fry started the first in Kingston in 2002, with another two in Brockville and Picton in 2006, and she hasn’t looked back from […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca “I wake up every morning and get to do what I love,” said valley-raised author David Mulholland who is promoting his third novel called Chaudière Falls. Chaudière Falls is a dramatized historical account of how Ottawa became Canada’s capital. In perfect timing to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial birthday, the novel recounts the self-serving […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place residents will be treated to a brand new seven-and-a-half-acre condo and apartment development in the next few years. “Nothing is finalized yet but we’re very excited as we’re still working on the plans,” said Wally Thorbjornsson, the developer who has plans to turn the Hawthorne Mill property into high-end condos […]
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Sarah Cavanagh The world is your oyster! Well maybe not your oyster in Eastern Ontario but quite possibly your leek, your berry, your apple or your fiddlehead. We are blessed in our region to have a plentiful bounty of wild edibles right outside our door. If you have ever considered trying your hand at the […]
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Sally Smith editor@pdgmedia.ca Anything you ever wanted to know about garlic was there for the asking Aug. 12 – 13 in Perth. Set up on the fairgrounds, there were upwards of 75 garlic growers, sellers and their offshoots – like garlic fudge and garlic ice cream. Crowds were smaller on Saturday than Sunday, and many […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca During the past two summers, Austin Ritz, a confident young singer and guitar player, had the honour of being the first performer on stage at the fabled Stewart Park Festival. But the Perth teenager’s voice was sadly missing from this year’s musical gathering because he has been fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia at […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place native Allison Tario received the New Practitioner Award at the Canadian Pharmacists Conference in Quebec City in June. The New Practitioner Award recognizes a pharmacist who has been in practice not more than five years, has demonstrated a commitment to pharmacy at the undergraduate level and has continued to promote […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Town of Smiths Falls will award contracts for engineering services for both bridge rehabilitation work and replacement of water treatment equipment. At a special meeting of town council’s Committee of the Whole on Aug. 8, Director of Public Works and Utilities Troy Dunlop recommended that the Greer Galloway Group be awarded […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca A new invasive plant species – Japanese knotweed – has been spotted in Lanark County, and the public is urged to watch for and report it so steps can be taken to minimize its impact. “Japanese knotweed has become a big problem in other parts of Canada and the world,” explains Lanark County […]
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On July 19 a memorial stone to the 13 Royal Sappers and Miners who lost their lives during construction of the Rideau Canal at Newboro due to malaria or mishap from 1828 to 1832 was unveiled. With a shortage of local skilled labourers at the time, Colonel John By brought members of a couple of […]
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By Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca It’s a rare occasion when students, teachers, and principal are on the same page, but that happened this year at Perth & District Collegiate Institute (PDCI), where an Indigenous studies pilot project proved so successful that it will remain part of the curriculum. Much credit goes to Grade 12 student Brandon […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca “Every kid should have a bike. We want to give them that opportunity,” says Lynn Vardy, a real estate agent with Royal LePage Team Realty in Carleton Place. For every home Vardy sells, she donates one new bicycle to a child in need, in her client’s name. The bike campaign started in […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca First on the scene was the electric charging station at the Fall River Restaurant, located at 21980 Highway 7 in Maberly. It was officially opened by Tay Valley Township Reeve Keith Kerr in 2015. Drivers can charge their car for free. The station is available at the courtesy of the Maberly Bakery located […]
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By Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Stewart Park festival was still rocking early Sunday afternoon in Perth. Two venues hosted musical entertainment while hundreds sat, watched and listened. The main stage and its audience sang along to EvenSong and Tribe of One, the Wendy Laut River Stage and its audience hummed and swayed along to Morning […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls lawyer Mike Cliffen has never been one to run from a challenge, and so it made perfect sense that the 63-year-old would find himself participating in the 50-km Calgary Ultramarathon on May 28. He crossed the finish line at a remarkable 5 hours and 12 minutes and took home the […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Just graduated, newly married, and now starting their medical practices in Perth. Dr. Shelly Xu and Dr. Scott Charenko are the two newest faces at the Perth Medical Clinic on Isabella Street. The two will start their medical practices in August. Registration details will be on the clinic’s Facebook page. Both doctors […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca “I bet you expected a younger student.” Steve Stanish stood and held out his hand, he certainly wasn’t a fresh-faced kid two years out of high school. Instead the 59-year-old looked a bit weather-beaten, wearing well-used clothes, a baseball cap on his head, and a grin a mile wide. The Algonquin College […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca A crowd gathered at 130 Lansdowne Avenue in Carleton Place the morning of June 29 for a ribbon cutting ceremony for Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth. The child and youth mental health centre opens its doors at this new location after moving from its previous location at 40 Bennett Street. […]
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Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca The amount of weekly waste produced by a restaurant can be astounding, which is why a couple Carleton Place restaurant owners have adopted unique composting strategies to suit their needs. “I saw a lot of waste going to the garbage so we started composting instead,” said Ian Carswell, the owner of Black […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Councillor Jim Boldt was understandably concerned. Janet and John Lafortune came to him with a vexing story. For the last five years or so they have run the concession stand at Conlon Farm selling hamburgers and french fries. They have worked hard often staying longer hours than needed, and have become […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place librarian Meriah Caswell presented the library board’s strategic plan to town council on June 27, a five-year overview that seeks to modernize the book-lending facility while continuing to meet the evolving needs of the community. Caswell explained that libraries in general are experiencing significant challenges as they seek to respond […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca A new executive director takes over the reins at the Smiths Falls and District Centre for Youth as of July 10, and has already been introduced to the members of town council. Bridget Manahan grew up in the area between Smiths Falls and Perth, and graduated from Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute. […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca The best job at Westport’s Heritage Day Festival June 24 fell to three pie-tasting judges – Doris Jones, Sean Rodgers and Rob Roberts. They each got to have a thin slice of 23 pies (apple, caramel, raspberry, strawberry, chocolate, raisin, maple and many more) and then make a decision as to whose […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca On Friday, June 16, 2017 Sheila Coutts of the Sole Sisters Annual Walk and Run for Cancer Research presented by Discover Smiths Falls made two special deliveries in the town of Perth. Coutts delivered two cheques, each for $5,000 to the Perth Great War Memorial Hospital Foundation (GWMHF) and to the Perth office […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca At Perth’s Festival of the Maples in late April both Makenna and Myla Ennis spent some time at Town Hall having vital personal statistics taken: fingerprints, photographs, video and audio, dental impressions and DNA swabs. Makenna is 7 and Myla is 5. This was all part of the MasoniCh.I.P. Ontario program, a […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca The impressive green space of Lockwood Memorial Park in Westport is the new home of the Westport Heritage Festival, on all day Saturday June 24. Over 40 vendors and heritage themed exhibitors will sell art, crafts, unique one-of-a-kind gifts and delicious homemade food in a pastoral setting next to the community centre. There’s a […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca The redevelopment of Smiths Falls’ landmark Rideau Hotel is continuing, with town councillors expressing their willingness to amend their official plan and zoning bylaw to allow the developers to convert the building to an apartment complex. At a special meeting of council’s Committee of the Whole on June 19, town staff presented […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Perth Committee of the Whole passed a motion on June 13 to participate in a Lanark County Request for Proposal for the services of an integrity commissioner. The motion was initiated by the Lanark County and Smiths Falls Clerks’ Group. The Commissioner would be appointed over a five-year contract on a fee-for-service […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca “We need to know the nuances, know the similarities and the differences in our communities,” said Lynn McIntyre, executive director of Perth and District Community Foundation (PDCF) while speaking at Perth Committee of the Whole June 13. The foundation wants to know what’s going on within the purview of its area – […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca During a rare Wednesday evening session of Carleton Place town council on June 14 – the regular Tuesday meeting had been cancelled for lack of quorum – Mayor Louis Antonakos and four councillors passed a by-law to adopt requisite estimates to establish 2017 tax rates. The meeting was also abnormally short at […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Dr. Bryan Pankow was welcomed to the Smiths Falls Family Chiropractic team on June 12 at an early evening open house. Pankow, 26, was born in Smiths Falls, went to school in Perth, and continued his education at Queen’s University graduating from the Kinesiology program with distinction. From there he headed to […]
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Crossing guards are among the most visible signs of a caring community. In all types of weather, they diligently work their daily split shifts at key intersections to ensure students, parents, and other community members are able to safely navigate journeys that could otherwise pose peril due to red light runners, road rage, and distracted […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca According to the most recent census data, the town of Carleton Place is seeing growth in the numbers of older residents, with a drop in those aged 19 and under. Chief Administrative Office Paul Knowles presented the figures to the June 6 meeting of the town’s planning and protection committee, noting such […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca Following a rigorous June 6 discussion at Carleton Place town council’s physical environment committee that weighed the need to replace aging arena change rooms with the importance of minding the public purse, councillors voted to bring the matter forward for future discussion. The decision came in reaction to news that an original […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Smiths Falls Fire Department answered 208 calls for help in 2016, Fire Chief Normand Beauchamp stated in his annual report to town council on June 5. The calls included three fires, one of which, in April 2016, inflicted $1.5 million worth of damaged to 10 row houses located at 14-30 Robinson […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca The sacrifices made by Smiths Falls residents 100 years ago were honoured Saturday, June 3 as the Evergreen Avenue committee unveiled a new monument marking the centennial of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The memorial is intended to honour Canadian contributions in several battles during the First World War: the Somme, Vimy […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca On Monday, May 29, 2017 the Smiths Falls Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (S.F.N.P.L.C) celebrated its five year anniversary with an open house to welcome the public and thank the clients and community for their ongoing support. Since its inception and “go live” date of May 29, 2012 the clinic has registered over 2500 patients […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Councillor Jim Graff asked for Council’s latitude at Perth council on May 30. “This is going to make me look like a grump,” he continued, but he wanted his thoughts heard on messy contractors. Before the council meeting Graff stood behind Town Hall and stared at a mess on the back lawn. “Contractors should […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca This year, 2017, holds the promise of being very busy and exciting for Lanark County Mental Health (LCMH). On the heels of marking its 35th anniversary last fall, this crucial local health care provider is now planning on relocating their main Smiths Falls offices and amalgamating with Lanark Leeds and Grenville Addictions […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca He’s a thinker and a planner. Mark Urquhart’s been on the job as Merrickville-Wolford’s Fire Chief for less than a month and already has two ideas he wants to put into play. He wants to create junior and auxiliary members to the fire department. This is his way of getting youth interested […]
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Staff editorial@pdgmedia.ca A bridge at Highway 401 and Joyceville Road in Joyceville has been officially dedicated in memory of fallen OPP Detective Constable Robinson. Robinson died on May 24, 2013 while attending the Canadian American Law Enforcement Organization conference in Buffalo New York, as a representative of the OPP Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau. Robinson lived […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls residents hoping to enjoy commuter rail service into Ottawa this year will have to wait a while longer as Moose, the private company behind the proposal for a 400 kilometre interprovincial route, battles a federal government that seems uninterested in working with the project. As Canada plans its 150th anniversary, […]
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By Alexandra Mazur and Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca There’s much talk of transportation infrastructure in the spring air. Both the federal government and local municipalities appear interested in expanding Via Rail service to include a link from Peterborough through Perth to Smiths Falls. The line would hook up with the Ottawa-Toronto corridor and provide more frequent […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Perth council passed a bylaw on May 16 to hire a student to provide landscape maintenance and restoration services to Inge-va. Staff asked for Council’s approval to enter into an agreement with Algonquin College and Ontario Heritage Trust. Algonquin College will select the student from its Horticultural Industries Program and provide technical […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Perth town council listened to its citizens and once again deferred the Conlon Farm Recreation Complex garage location decision – this time until the September Committee of the Whole meeting. On May 16, council heard from a delegation of former mayor Lana March, and Perth and District Little League representative Harry Hale, […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca On May 13 Smiths Falls Police along with their partners from Crime Stoppers, and Leeds, Grenville & Lanark Health Unit were on hand at the police station parking lot to accept prescription drugs, expired drugs or any unused drugs. With the fentanyl and opioid crisis at a simmer in the town and […]
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Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca After nine weeks at training camp in Melbourne, Florida, Carleton Place kayaker Monica Black is back on the Mississippi River and her training is as intense as ever. Black wants to represent Canada at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan and is confident of her chances. She trained with the Canadian […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Sommer Casgrain-Robertson, general manager of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), briefly presented Perth Committee of the Whole on May 9 with a 2017 update and highlights of 2016. Given what’s happening throughout the rest of Ontario and Quebec at the moment, Casgrain-Robertson commented that last year was a “quiet flood year […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Rick Wilson from the Perth and District Little League addressed a special Council meeting on May 9 with his views on where a storage building should be placed at Conlon Farm. “With provincials this year, it’s important to have Conlon Farm up to snuff,” he said. To him that means the building […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Scott McLeish, senior business consultant with Honeywell Energy Services Group, was on hand at the May 9 Committee of the Whole in Perth to answer any questions before council passed a bylaw authorizing an agreement for the Honeywell engineering report to go ahead. Council also was asked to consider a budget deviation […]
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Sarah Nelson editorial@pdgmedia.ca Walkers from the Pilgrimage for Indigenous Rights took a brief pause in Perth on May 9 to spend the evening with high-profile speakers the Right Honourable James Bartleman and NDP MP Romeo Saganash. The walkers, part of Churches for Indigenous Rights, are travelling 600 kilometres from Kitchener to Ottawa by foot to […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca A slew of high-profile, negative media stories has left Carleton Place with the risk of the town being viewed as a political Peyton Place instead of a signature location to “meet me on the Mississippi.” Front-page exposés alleging backroom malfeasance, a number of integrity commission complaints, and a mayor who appears to […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls town councillors are considering naming the town’s skateboard park to honour the man who was responsible for raising the funds to build it: former Police Chief Larry Hardy, who died on April 26. Ex-mayor Dennis Staples and former councillor Jack Traynor attended a meeting of town council’s Committee of the […]
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Alex Mazur editorial@pdgmedia.ca Come the end of May, students in Heritage Carpentry and Joinery at Algonquin College’s Perth campus will be able to walk into the school’s library and take out not only books, but tools they might not otherwise have access to. The tool library trend has been growing for several years and came […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca The annual Peter Larmand Outdoors Kids Charity Fishing Tournament officially has a new home in Smiths Falls. “We are excited to announce that we have been welcomed with open arms and the 11th Annual Peter Larmand Outdoors Charity Fishing Tournament has a new home,” said Peter Larmand, event organizer. “Lower Reach Park in […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca A local plan to support police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other front-line workers who may be affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was presented to the Ontario Ministry of Labour last month, according to the Carleton Place director of protective services, Les Reynolds. Reynolds told the May 2 meeting of the town’s […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca Changes to the Carleton Place noise bylaw will help clarify the roles and responsibilities of town staff and residents, according to the town’s director of protective services Les Reynolds. Reynolds told the planning and protection committee on May 2 that noise will be clearly defined as “sound that is excessive, or of […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Smiths Falls Home and Living Expo is coming to the County Fair Mall this weekend, Saturday May 6 and Sunday May 7. This year we’ll be Celebrating 150 Years of Cottage Life in the Heart of the Rideau. There will be a large number of vendors featuring products and services for your […]
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Smith Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow has proclaimed May 1 to May 7 Children’s Mental Health Week in the town and is encouraging all citizens to care for their mental health and share the message that help is available for those who need it. A wave of green is sweeping over parts of Ontario this week […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca The roadside pesticide spraying debate continued at the April 25 Lanark County council meeting even though council has already passed a motion to spray in 2017. Dr. Meg Sears made a presentation to council about the health consequences of pesticide spraying. Sears is a researcher and lead scientist at the national group […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Plans to open a community garden on the grounds of Heritage House Museum in Smiths Falls are moving closer to reality, as members of the museum board have lent their support to the plan. A volunteer group known as the Community Carrot made a presentation to Smiths Falls town council on April […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Engineers will be onsite Tuesday, April 25 in to determine if it is safe to open the South Pedestrian Bridge connecting Turtle Island to Duck Island in Smiths Falls. The bridge was closed earlier this month due to high water levels. “As soon as we get the all clear we’ll open that […]
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The music department at Smiths Falls Collegiate and District High School hosted its third annual Spring Craft Fair in support of our program on April 22. There were more than 50 vendors/crafters on site. All money raised from the table rental goes back to the music department to pay its upcoming competition in the Trills and […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca Join the Neighbourhood Tomatoheads, Lanark municipal and community leaders at the Mississippi Mills Youth Centre at 134 Main St. E., in Almonte on May 1 at 3 p.m. to kick off the fourth annual Great Veggie Grow-off Challenge. There will be snacks and music around the centre’s newly raised garden beds. The Great […]
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Brian Turner editorial@pdgmedia.ca On Thursday, April 20, while some across the country were celebrating world cannabis day, the Carleton Place Drug Strategy Committee hosted a cannabis conversation at the upper hall of the Neelin Street Arena. A panel of local experts comprised of Dr. Manuela Joannou (family and emergency department physician) from Perth, PC Greg […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca For more than a year, Carleton Place Mayor Louis Antonakos has been musing about the best way to commemorate the town’s earliest European residents and founders. Antonakos asked the community issues committee on April 18 to start thinking about picking a location in Carleton Place to honour those who helped build the […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Several Smiths Falls men fought and died at the First World War Battle of Vimy Ridge. One hundred years later, their sacrifice will be remembered through the planning of one the 100 oak saplings grown from acorns gathered on the battlefield shortly before the Canadian Corps captured the ridge in four days […]
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It takes discipline and practice to create a mindset where inspiration thrives. Most of us have been hardwired for struggle. Life can be discouraging at times and we allow ourselves to get depleted by these bad mental states. We need good habits and routines that keep us on track. Here are five strategies to create […]
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Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca The Lenten season is a time of fasting, moderation and spiritual discipline that last for 40 days for Christians. This year, lent started on Ash Wednesday (March 1) and ends on the Thursday before Easter (April 13). The purpose is to set aside time to reflect on the suffering, sacrifice, life, death, […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca The lights are bright, the tables are pushed aside and the smell of lunch lingers in the air of the Notre Dame Catholic High School (NDCHS) cafeteria. About 35 students sit in chairs with music books on stands in front of them. They hold their instruments at the ready. Tony Stuart, music […]
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The tenth annual, free community Bunny Run returns to Downtown Carleton Place on Saturday, April 15. The Bunny Run has seen over 1,200 children gathering treats along Bridge St since it began in 2007. “We have an amazing thirty-one businesses and organizations participating. This is huge,” said Kory Earle, event chair and founding member. From […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca In a unique approach to Lent that is accessible to anyone regardless of their faith, Royal LePage Advantage Real Estate Brokerage in Smiths Falls launched a local 40 Bags for 40 Days initiative on March 1 that encourages community members to declutter, repurpose, share, and donate a bag of household items up […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place’s policy review committee heard on April 11 that a successful Canada150 application will assist with a program to improve the Mississippi River channel marking and install boat docks in the waterway’s downtown basin. “I did go to the AGM of the Mississippi Lakes Association and they were excited about this,” […]
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Matthew Behrens and Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca A group of Carleton Place residents have come together under the banner of “Hometown Hearts” to promote and refresh the community and culture of Carleton Place, with a number of summer events on tap designed to attract visitors and locals alike. “Our mission is to be there as […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca The need for improved mental health services for children will be in the spotlight across Canada during the first week of May. Dr. Kevin Clouthier, executive director of Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth, spoke at an April 10 meeting of Smiths Falls town council’s Committee of the Whole to ask […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca A Smiths Falls group advocating to build a community garden on the grounds of Heritage House Museum has already won some support from town councillors. Following an April 3 presentation by the group known as The Community Carrot, Councillor John Maloney, known as the driving force behind the annual Urban Jungle obstacle […]
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The seventh annual Carleton Place Spring Home and Fashion Show returns to the Carleton Place Arena on Friday, April 7. For three days (April 7 to April 9) the Town of Carleton Place Recreation and Culture department helps the community ring in spring with a weekend of fun and inspiration. Show organizer Jessica Smith describes […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca This year’s Carleton Place Community Builder Award was presented by Mayor Louis Antonakos to Doug Sneddon, who was recognized on March 28 both for his work to clean up the Mississippi River as well as lobbying for upgrades to the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital. “His actions over the years have […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca What’s better than it being Friday? Riding to grade 1 in a fire truck, of course! On Friday, March 24, grade one student Landon Hayward was dropped off at Caldwell Street Public School in an Ocean Wave Fire Company fire truck with Deputy Chief Dave Joy. Hayward’s fellow students cheered him on […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place’s Community Issues Committee heard March 21 that an external consultant conducting a five-year review of the Town’s health and safety program issued a failing grade. Although most of the deficiencies noted by the audit were deemed “administrative,” Chief Administrative Officer Paul Knowles acknowledged that improvements must still be made to […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca As many as five Carleton Place representatives, including Mayor Louis Antonakos, will work with Lanark County and Valley Heartland Futures Development Corporation over the next four months to develop an economic development strategic planning process. The project aims to build community capacity, develop stronger partnerships with stakeholder organizations, provide lower-tier municipalities with […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca The libraries of Lanark County are pleased to announce they will be hosting a How To Fair at libraries across Lanark County on Saturday, April 22. The first annual How To Fair was held at the Perth Union Library in April 2016. This year, it has now expanded to libraries across Lanark County. […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Town of Carleton Place is looking to light one of its buildings green during Children’s Mental Health Week, running May 1-7. The Green Light campaign is part of a provincial effort to help eliminate stigma and raise awareness of the extent of mental health challenges faced by young people. Last year, […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s Honours & Awards Celebration and roast beef dinner is set for Friday, March 31 at the Carleton Place Arena. The event will begin with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.00 each. The evening includes dinner, the awards presentation and musical entertainment. Please join us […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca A year after Carleton Place Town Council discussed limiting in camera meetings to twice a month, councillors revisited the issue on March 14 to formalize that commitment. Historically, in camera meetings have been held during gatherings of the policy review committee (the only body that meets twice a month), but Councillor Theresa […]
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Sarah Nelson editorial@pdgmedia.ca Seedy Sunday visitors filled the Perth Legion on Sunday, March 5 with excited conversation. The event, organized by the Perth Farmer’s Market as part of Seeds of Diversity’s seed saving awareness, brought together vendors and information tables with the goal of promoting the conservation of heritage and endangered seed varieties. Many members […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Heritage Smiths Falls is urging the town to recognize the historical significance of a group of properties on Chambers Street. Group members Tony Humphrey and Christopher McGuire appeared at a March 13 meeting of Smiths Falls town council’s Committee of the Whole to presented a recommendation to list the buildings known as […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place teenagers are being encouraged to participate in a Youth Ambassadors Program, a three-week exchange that would allow them to join fellow students aged 15 to 18, along with adult mentors, on a summertime journey stateside. With a focus on civic education, social inclusion, community service, youth leadership, and citizen-engaged participatory […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Tired of golf and curling? Those who are looking for a new kind of friendly competition will want to check out “The Green Mile,” a new event offering fans of beer and of running the chance to enjoy two of their favourite pursuits at the same time. This first-time event will be […]
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Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca March 8 was International Women’s Day (IWD), a global day that brings awareness to the fact that a serious gender gap still exists. The World Economic Forum predicts that parity won’t be reached until 2186. This year’s IWD theme is #BeBoldforChange. March is also Women’s History Month. While there are many bold […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place Staples hosted its fourth annual International Women’s Day business event yesterday (March 8) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Staples locations across Canada participate in this celebration by inviting female entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses and share their stories. Sixteen women set up displays inside Carleton Place Staples to promote […]
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By Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca As Canada celebrates the 150th anniversary of Confederation this year, Smiths Falls will be embracing a vital part of its history – the Irish connection. In 1871, 63 per cent of the residents of Smiths Falls and the surrounding townships were Irish. Today the town is officially twinned with Carnew, a […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca As a separate municipality, the Town of Smiths Falls won’t be commenting on a proposed amendment to Lanark County’s official plan. The amendment would recognize and classify “areas of natural and scientific interest” within the county, and was requested by the Town of Mississippi Mills, councillors were told at a Feb. 27 […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Perth Police Services Board and Lanark County OPP are jointly hosting special guest speaker Simone Bell in Perth on March 6 to raise awareness about human trafficking and its local implications. Bell is a survivor, speaker, peer support manager and social justice advocate. She was coerced into the sex trade by a […]
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Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place council held an extensive discussion on Feb. 21 on low impact design (LID) as an improved stormwater management tool. LID will often include rain gardens, low slope swales, and other designs that contain, cleanse, and redirect rainwater runoff into the ground rather than through pipes and channels to a surface […]
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By Matthew Behrens editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place council has agreed to prepare a draft bylaw that will incorporate a series of new ideas to address the rise of noise complaints in neighbourhoods where air conditioners and pool pumps produce sounds that, while normal to some, are agitating to others. While town staff conclude its current bylaw […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Providing fire dispatching services for other municipalities has proven to be a lucrative new source of extra revenue for the Town of Smiths Falls. At a town council meeting on Feb. 21, councillors approved a recommendation from Fire Chief Normand Beauchamp to sign a contract with the Municipality of Highlands East to […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca After an in-depth discussion at a special meeting of Smiths Falls town council’s Committee of the Whole on Feb. 21, councillors have agreed for the most part to endorse the 2017 community grants recommended by a committee of staff. Based on an amount equal to one per cent of all revenue collected […]
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Staff editorial@pdgmedia.ca Dr. Chris Deschenes is no stranger to Almonte General Hospital (AGH). In fact, she’s been a family physician there for more than 35 years. Her expertise and experience make her the perfect choice for Chief of Staff. Deschenes assumed the role on Feb, 1, replacing Dr. Melissa Forbes who had completed her term. […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca A $25,000 donation from the Quattrocchi Family will aid in improvements to the children’s department of the Smiths Falls Public Library, town councillors were told on Feb. 6. Councillor Chris Cummings, the town’s representative on the library board, reported that the upper floor of the library is to be renovated some time […]
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Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca At the Feb. 14 Carleton Place council meeting, staff agreed to hire Ainley Graham Associates on an hourly basis to provide engineering and project management services for watermain and sanitary sewer lining work in the town. The projects include lining the Flora Street watermain river crossing, Antrim Street sanitary sewer, Industrial Park […]
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Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca In the 1820s immigrants from Scotland began to settle in Lanark, naming it Lanark after Lanark, Scotland. Joined by many Irish immigrants, the lumber and textile industry in Lanark flourished by the mid-1850s. Many textile mills in the area stayed open and in business until the late 1990s but eventually closed shop. […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95 in Smiths Falls is able to complete an application to purchase a surplus armoured car after town council confirmed that the vehicle can be located next to the town cenotaph, as a memorial to veterans of the war in Afghanistan. Twenty surplus LAV 3 (light armoured vehicles) […]
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Alexandra Mazur editorial@pdgmedia.ca Every week, groups of people set out on a joint journey to discover the wilderness that surrounds the length of Rideau Canal and its tributaries. This adventurous bunch belongs to the Rideau Trail Association (RTA), a charitable organization that has been running since its inception in 1971, when students from Queens University […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca A head of full, dark brown hair shining under bright lights above. The luxurious locks are carefully sectioned into 24 ponytails, and then one by one, those ponytails are snipped off. Attached to what’s left of this head of dark brown hair is Michèle Frenette, a hairstylist at Mahogany Salon and Spa […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place council authorized staff to issue a purchase order to Carleton Place Nursery to buy 100 bare root trees for the price of $6,570.95, during the Feb. 7, 2017 Physical Environment Committee meeting. These 100 trees are being purchased for the Carleton Place Bare Root Tree Program. The program aims to […]
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Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Mayor Shawn Pankow hosted two grade 5 Chimo Elementary School classes in council chambers on Tuesday, Feb.8. Bombarded with questions, he was able to answer them all except “Who was the first mayor of Smiths Falls?” Other questions from students included: “Why are there no girls (in the pictures on the wall […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Here are couple of quick hits from Smiths Falls council to help keep residents in the loop of what’s happening across the town. Smiths Falls provides truck for airport plowing Saddled with an out-of-commission truck once used for snow plowing, the Smiths Falls-Montague Airport Commission has found a solution to the problem. […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca With the drop in entrance fees at the Aquatic Recreation Centre the number of people swimming at the pool has increased, with the pool recently recording record numbers of participants filling the pool for Aquafit. The pool is building on this success by hosting its annual swim-a-thon on Saturday, Feb.11. This year people […]
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Jane Hobson editorial@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place Mayor Louis Antonakos congratulated the Recreation and Culture Department for receiving a grant from the Ontario 150 Community Capital Fund. The town successfully received $75,000 from the Ontario 150 Community Capital Fund, which provides one-time funding to support the repair and renovation of existing community facilities for Canada’s sesquicentennial anniversary. […]
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This is a 2 day event to help kick-off our recent nacho machine purchase! Cost is $25 per person(taxes included) A waver form must be signed prior to participating Ages 18+ The contest will run as follows: February 4th Day 1 – Qaulifying round. First group will begin at 11am. Groups of 10 will face […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca It’s no secret that eating well is the foundation of a healthy life. Early exposure to the fun and health benefits that come from growing, cooking and enjoying healthy foods is best. School environments including classroom curricula, cafeterias, nutrition programs, fundraisers, and extra-curricular activities can all play a central role in creating good […]
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By Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca In 2017 Carleton Place Town Hall will celebrate its 120th anniversary and to commemorate that, council gave approval at the Dec. 20 council meeting for a month-long celebration to take place. In November 2017, the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum will install an exhibit about the construction and history of […]
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By Chris Must chris@pdgmedia.ca The 150th anniversary of Confederation won’t pass unnoticed in Smiths Falls, as the town is planning a full year of celebrations. Planning is still underway, but a number of celebratory events are already confirmed. The town has also been successful in securing funding to help with event expenses. Ingrid Bron, economic […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Kathy Gilligan, who came to Smiths Falls town council on Jan. 23 to ask for $26,600 on behalf of the board of the Smiths Falls and District Aquatic Recreation Centre, received a sympathetic reception. Representing the non-profit board which last summer began operating the former Rideau Regional Centre on the grounds of […]
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Jan 20th 2017 Submitted The Stewart Park Festival committee is excited to announce they’ve recently hired Cathy and Toby James of Cat’s Cove Communications as the festival’s administrators. After a call-out for the position, the festival committee accepted Cat’s Cove’s proposal, which will see the duo work with the committee for a six-month contract. “Cathy […]
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By Sally Smith editorial@pdgmedia.ca Councillor Jim Graff suggested beet juice was the to way to go for Perth when it comes to a salt management plan. His own research, he said, shows some municipalities that have used a beet juice component have reduced their road salt use by 30 per cent. Grant Machan, director of […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca For Smiths Falls mayor Shawn Pankow, the need for Ontario to explore a better way to support the most disadvantaged in society hits close to home. In February 2016 the provincial government announced plans to conduct a pilot study to examine the feasibility of providing residents of Ontario with a guaranteed minimum […]
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By Jenny Burr editorial@pdgmedia.ca On Saturday, Jan. 14 The Mississippi Squares hosted their 28th Annual Halfway Dance where over 300 people attended and danced at Notre Dame Catholic High School in Carleton Place. Three dance halls and levels of dance were offered. The participants were from the 33 clubs in the Eastern Ontario Square and […]
Read moreBy Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place council received information about the Planning Activity End of Year 2016 Report at the Jan. 10, 2016 meeting – the first meeting after the holiday break. The approved report, which deals with development services and planning matters in the Town of Carleton Place, highlighted successful developments in 2016 such […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Town of Smiths Falls’ working group for Canada 150 celebrations is calling for volunteers to help out. Volunteers are need to assist in planning and coordinating a variety of activities including the On the Roll live music series, heritage walking tours, genealogy workshops, First Nations reconciliation events and program, and arts […]
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Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Parkview Homes, new owners of the Rideau Hotel at 20 Beckwith St. North in Smiths Falls, are seeking town council’s approval to proceed with plans for the building that will require amendments to the official plan. The developers want to locate residential units on both the ground floor and in the basement, […]
Read moreChris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Smiths Falls Police Service is planning to replace one of its vehicles with a new Ford Explorer costing about $45,000. Police Chief Mark McGillivray spoke to town councillors Jan. 9 to request pre-budget approval to buy the vehicle. He said the service normally replaces one vehicle each year “to keep our […]
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By Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca What do a hockey stick and a guitar have in common? The answer is Glen James. Carleton Place native Glen James built his first electric hockey stick at 19-years-old. Now 60, James plays the two-string instrument for fun at a Carleton Place watering hole called the Waterfront Gastropub. “An ex-girlfriend gave […]
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By Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca It’s fast, vigorous and fun. Pound is a new trend in fitness that combines cardio conditioning and strength training with lightly weighted exercise drumsticks and lots of rhythm. The moves are inspired by yoga and pilates and it’s guaranteed to make you sweat. “It’s a quick and fun way to sweat and […]
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By Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca In 2017 Carleton Place Town Hall will celebrate its 120th anniversary, and at the Dec. 20 council meeting council gave approval for a month-long celebration to take place. In November, the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum will install an exhibit about the construction and history of the building in the […]
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Submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca The Lanark County Paramedic Services (LCPS), operated by Almonte General Hospital, has moved into its new base and administration headquarters in Montague Township. “We want to thank the Lanark County Council for supporting our paramedics and helping to create this wonderful new facility,” says Mary Wilson Trider, president and CEO of Almonte General […]
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By Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca At the Dec. 13, 2016 council meeting, Jessica Smith presented Carleton Place council with an update about the events planned in Carleton Place for the 150th anniversary of Canada. The anniversary committee, responsible for coordinating events throughout 2017, is hosting its first event on Jan. 1, 2017. This year’s annual New […]
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Chris Must chris@pdgmedia.ca Restoring Smiths Falls’ historic Rideau Hotel will be more of a “labour of love” than a solid financial investment, its new owner told town councillors Monday, Dec. 12. Andrew Cinnamon of Park View homes has purchased the Beckwith Street landmark, built in 1901, and plans to renovate the building into 25 new […]
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Smiths Falls – With another sold out crowd at hand, Big Brothers Big Sisters hosted their 28th Annual Curl for Kids bonspiel at the Smiths Falls Curling & Squash Club in November. Over $4000 was raised to help support mentoring programs in Lanark County. Corporate sponsors Tim Hortons in Smiths Falls and the Smiths Falls Kinsmen […]
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By Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca The Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) invited donors to a private unveiling of the brand new digital X-ray machine at the hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 7. “We are so happy and so thankful to have this beautiful piece of machinery here,” said Robyn Arseneau, the manager of fundraising at […]
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Close to 600 children affiliated with Lanark County Child and Family Services (LFSC) will receive gifts this year at Christmas thanks to the community support of the Lanark County Child and Family Services (LCFS) and Lanark County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) angel tree program. The angel tree program is now in its 31st […]
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By Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca Carleton Place council approved the staff recommendation that the streets in the Pegasus Development be named with the following names; Antonakos Drive, Borland Drive, Cumming Avenue, Dunlop Road, Eastwood Drive, Hooper Street, Hurdis Way, LeBlanc Lane, Peever Place, Pollock Drive, Reynolds Avenue, Robertson Lane, Coor Court and Wylie Way. The names […]
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By Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca At the Dec. 6 Physical Environment Committee meeting, Carleton Place councillors approved the staff recommendation that public works staff move forward with the revised sidewalk winter maintenance policy on a trial basis for the 2016/2017 winter season. The public works department sidewalk winter maintenance policy will now include sidewalks in residential […]
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By Jane Hobson jane@pdgmedia.ca People First of Lanark County and the Free Community Christmas Day Dinner Committee are hosting the 10th annual Christmas dinner at the Carleton Place Legion on Dec. 25, Kory Earle, co-chair of the Free Community Christmas Day Dinner Committee, told Carleton Place councillors at the Dec. 6, 2016 committee meetings. The […]
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By Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca They’re excited not just to be travelling, but to be able to represent their school. The Redhawks girls’ rugby team is in the final throws of fundraising for a trip to California to take part in a rugby tournament. “We chose California because they run an international rugby tournament in March, […]
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By Howaida Sorour-Roberts heddy@pdgmedia.ca It’s supposed to be a very special day, and for Emily Bowick of Smiths Falls it’s turning out to be a dream. As the winner of the $11,000 grand prize at Always and Forever Wedding Show in Smiths Falls, Bowick is thrilled with the variety and generosity of the package. “I […]
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Chris Must chris@pdgmedia.ca On Wednesday, Dec. 6 every child at St. James the Greater School in Smiths Falls will receive a new book, thanks to the Friends of the Library. Councillor Lorraine Allen told Smiths Falls councillors at the Dec. 5 meeting that the books will be matched to the interests of the individual students. […]
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Chris Must chris@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls councillors have voted to endorse a resolution from the Town of Shelburne calling on the provincial government to restore funding for a treatment program for children with autism. According to the resolution, autism spectrum disorder affects one in 94 children, making it the most common neurological disorder. The resolution states […]
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Courtesy of Smiths Falls Bears A crowd of 300 turned out to the Shawville Arena on Saturday, Dec. 3 to watch the 2nd Annual Fish Findlay Classic between the Smiths Falls Bears and the Nepean Raiders. The proceeds from this game are donated to the Shawville Minor Hockey Association. For the 2nd consecutive year the Raiders […]
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The Christmas spirit was certainly alive in Merrickville on Saturday morning. People crowded into the legion for a hot breakfast and a visit with Santa and then lines up outside for a horse-drawn wagon ride. The streets were also busy as people bustled in and out of stores and lined the sidewalk for the annual […]
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The Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce and the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Foundation (CPDMH) have teamed up to raise money for patient care equipment with the 12 Days of Christmas raffle. Starting on Dec. 13 prizes will be drawn daily for 12 days, increasing in value each day for a total […]
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The newly built salt shed on Air Care Drive in Smiths Falls, had its grand opening at 9:00 a.m on Nov. 29. Mayor Shawn Pankow cuts the ribbon while members of council, town staff, public works staff and the MegaDome contractor, who built the structure, gathered around him. “I’m glad we’ve finally got this done, […]
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By Chris Must chris@pdgmdia.ca The Upper Canada District School Board’s plans to close some area schools will lead to an influx of younger students attending Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute (SFDCI), and the potential need for an addition to the school. In a report provided to Smiths Falls town councillors for information, the board indicated […]
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Chris Must chris@pdgmedia.ca Local lawyer Kate Ryan, whose family owns the building at the corner of Elmsley and Daniel Streets formerly occupied by Lockwood Sight & Sound, appeared before Smiths Falls town council Nov. 28 to explain the family’s plans for the property. The long-time business closed at the end of June, shortly before owner […]
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On Friday, Nov. 18, the Smiths Falls Rotary Club increased it’s support of the Earlyact Club at CHIMO public School. The program encourages children to take part in local and international acts of community service. Shown here from left Reese Andison and Lilli Lucas (far right) proudly hold up the Earlyact CHIMO banner as Anna […]
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By Chris Must editorial@pdgmedia.ca Smiths Falls town council gave the green light Oct. 3 to a study to look into ways of slowing down traffic on Harold Street. The town’s public works department recently completed a two-week study of traffic on the street following a number of complaints from residents about speeding drivers. “People use […]
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Evening strolls through Victoria Park often lead to a large stone adorned with a bronze marker laid in 1923. The marker reads “This swimming pool erected by the corporation and citizens of Smiths Falls under the auspices of the Rotary Club”. Antique postcards featuring beautiful images of the Rotary Pool are relatively common. An old […]
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The adolescent stage is between 13-19 years of age. They are filled with untapped potential, but the teenage years are often not seen as positive. It’s the stage of life where we are fraught with insecurity and self-doubt. The stage where we make mountains out of molehills. We sit around feeling isolated, lonely, and believing […]
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Agnes woke up in pitch black darkness—she was shivering uncontrollably and drenched in sweat. By morning she was coughing to the point of choking. The 60-year-old could no longer ignore the inevitable. Agnes picked up the telephone receiver and cranked the handle. “Operator, it’s Agnes Lamb, please connect me with 114,” she requested. This was […]
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On February 24th, 2023, the doors of The Tipped Ship on Main Street in Elgin will open to the public following a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 am. All are welcome. In 1893, John R. Dargavel built and opened a general store on the main corner of Elgin. 130 years later, The Tipped Ship opens […]
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