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Hometown News
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Hometown News, serving the vibrant communities of Lanark, Leeds, and North Grenville, is a trusted source of local news, information, and community engagement, providing coverage of the events, stories, and issues that shape our diverse region.
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Fire response concerns in South Elmsley have prompted a Rideau Lakes councillor to seek advice on renewing automatic aid with Smiths Falls. No new agreement has been approved.

Full details: hometownnews.ca/rideau-lakes...

#RideauLakes #SouthElmsley
October 22, 2026 at 9:25 PM
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Perth mayoral candidates split on strong mayor powers. Housing, child care and regional transit also featured in the forum. Voting closes at 8 p.m. Oct. 26.

Full details: hometownnews.ca/perth-all-ca...

#PerthON #MunicipalElection2026
October 22, 2026 at 8:41 PM
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Smiths Falls councillor Jay Brennan has concluded 16 years and four consecutive terms on council. At his final meeting on Oct. 19, Mayor Shawn Pankow recognized his service.

Full story: hometownnews.ca/jay-brennan-...

#SmithsFalls #SmithsFallsCouncil
October 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM
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Bellamy Park's lease is generating a surplus for Elizabethtown-Kitley Township: $14,185 as of Sept. 30, with about $21,000 in reserves for park improvements.

Get the full story: hometownnews.ca/bellamy-park...

#BellamyPark #ElizabethtownKitley
October 21, 2026 at 5:16 PM
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💧 Carleton Place could raise water and sewer rates 1.95% in 2027, adding about $20.48 annually to the average household bill. Committee of the Whole supported the proposal Oct. 13; final approval remains pending.

hometownnews.ca/carleton-pla...

#CarletonPlace #WaterRates
October 16, 2026 at 6:15 PM
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Smiths Falls has not approved a proposed $250,000 visitor services deal with the Chamber of Commerce. Councillors want more financial details before proceeding.

Full details: hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls...

#SmithsFalls #SmithsFallsCouncil
October 16, 2026 at 5:07 PM
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Smiths Falls is planning to turn short visits into longer stays and economic opportunities. Its three-year Destination Plan links tourism with local business growth. The town has applied for $25,000 in funding.

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

#SmithsFalls
October 15, 2026 at 8:56 PM
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Smiths Falls’ first Literary Festival sold 300 tickets and exceeded break-even. The town also reported 4,200 September homepage views and 7,226 clicks from a separate marketing campaign.

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

#SmithsFalls #SmithsFallsCouncil #LiteraryFestival
October 15, 2026 at 8:03 PM
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🏒 The Smiths Falls Bears dropped both Thanksgiving weekend games, falling 5-2 to Renfrew on Friday and 2-1 in overtime to Ottawa on Saturday. Weston Ebrahim scored in both games.

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

#SmithsFallsBears #CCHL
October 14, 2026 at 6:36 PM
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Fifteen Smiths Falls council candidates discussed affordability, infrastructure, municipal spending and OPP costing at the Oct. 7 all-candidates meeting ahead of the municipal election.

Full details: hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls...

#SmithsFalls #MunicipalElection2026
October 14, 2026 at 2:05 AM
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Road costs, municipal spending and transparency dominated Tay Valley’s all-candidates meeting. Nine candidates attended; three withdrew and one was absent. Residents also raised strong mayor powers and council recordings.

Details: hometownnews.ca/tay-valley-a...

#TayValley #MunicipalElection2026
October 13, 2026 at 8:15 PM
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Tay Valley candidates are divided over strong mayor powers. Of 13 candidates contacted by HTN, 10 responded, with views ranging from outright opposition to conditional support.

Full details: hometownnews.ca/strong-mayor...

#TayValley #MunicipalElection2026
October 13, 2026 at 6:49 PM
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About 107 residents attended Merrickville-Wolford's Oct. 5 all-candidates meeting. Spending, council conduct and candidate priorities were discussed, with some statements drawing scrutiny.

Full story: hometownnews.ca/merrickville...

#MerrickvilleWolford #MunicipalElection2026
October 13, 2026 at 3:26 AM
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Elizabethtown-Kitley has approved $900,000 in repairs to the former Frankville Public School, but moving municipal offices there remains undecided. Mayor Brant Burrow wants a decision; some councillors favour waiting.

Full details: hometownnews.ca/frankville-m...

#ElizabethtownKitley #Frankville
October 13, 2026 at 3:26 AM
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The Town of Smiths Falls and community partners have brought together firefighter gear, emergency supplies and maple syrup for shipment to twin town Zolochiv, Ukraine.

Get the full detaila: hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls...

#SmithsFalls #Ukraine
October 12, 2026 at 4:00 PM
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County has received a $180,300 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant to expand culturally relevant youth mentorship programs, aiming to reach 140 children and youth over two years.

Full story: hometownnews.ca/big-brothers...

#LanarkCounty #YouthMentorship
October 12, 2026 at 3:31 PM
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Smiths Falls mayoral candidates Peter McKenna, Nate Morris and Christopher Cummings outlined their positions on recreation, municipal spending, policing and other key issues at a mayoral all-candidates meeting.

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

#SmithsFalls #MunicipalMatters
October 9, 2026 at 7:43 PM
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Saunders Farm is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. Founded as a strawberry farm, the family-run attraction is marking the milestone with PumpkinFest, FrightFest and a new Ferris wheel.

Full story: hometownnews.ca/saunders-far...

#SaundersFarm #PumpkinFest #FrightFest
October 9, 2026 at 5:19 PM
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Smiths Falls is considering more “wow factor” for the Abbott-Lombard parkette. Councillors discussed a proposed gateway sign, future fountain and ways to incorporate flowing water. The design remains preliminary.

Full story: hometownnews.ca/abbott-lomba...

#SmithsFalls #MunicipalMatters
October 9, 2026 at 12:31 AM
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Smiths Falls council backed the preferred redesign for the Beckwith Street and Lombard Street intersection. The plan would remove the southbound channelized right-turn lane and add pedestrian and accessibility improvements.

Read story: hometownnews.ca/beckwith-str...

#SmithsFalls #BeckwithStreet
October 8, 2026 at 12:14 AM
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Lanark County Paramedic Service Chief Travis Mellema and Commander Janice Steele have received Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medals, recognizing exemplary conduct, dedication and service.

Full story: hometownnews.ca/lanark-count...

#LanarkCounty #Paramedics
October 7, 2026 at 7:41 PM
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Pike Lake Trailer Park in Tay Valley Township is closing after more than 50 years. Owner Lyle McParland says he was told sewage system upgrades could cost $250,000 to $300,000.

Full story: hometownnews.ca/pike-lake-tr...

#TayValley #PikeLake
October 7, 2026 at 6:39 PM
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Outgoing Mayor Arie Hoogenboom is endorsing three candidates in the Township of Rideau Lakes election after registering as a third-party advertiser. He says his 1,700 flyers also encourage voter turnout.

Full story: hometownnews.ca/3-rideau-lak...

#RideauLakes #MunicipalElection
October 7, 2026 at 1:57 AM
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Eleven candidates are seeking five Carleton Place council seats. About 100 people attended an Oct. 1 all-candidates meeting to hear from five incumbents and six newcomers.

Read story: hometownnews.ca/carleton-pla...

#CarletonPlace #MunicipalElection
October 5, 2026 at 9:33 PM
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Eight residential units are proposed for 19 Montague St. in Smiths Falls. Council approved a development agreement Sept. 28 covering stormwater management and landscaping requirements.

Full story: hometownnews.ca/montague-str...

#SmithsFalls #MunicipalMatters
October 5, 2026 at 8:15 PM