Smiths Falls Record News
65 Lorne Street K7A 3K8 Smiths Falls, ON, Canada

The Town of Smiths Falls has taken measures in response to the emergency declaration and stay-at-home orders declared by the province, which took effect on Jan. 14.

Lanark County has received authorization from the Province of Ontario to open three licensed child care centres to provide care for school aged children of essential service workers during the lockdown.

Ontario’s long-term-care homes have seen more than 3,000 deaths since the pandemic began. Adding to the public’s concern was a leaked report about horrid conditions in homes after the military was called in to help them in April.

A total of 54 people are being reported as having passed away of COVID in LGL. Two people are reported to currently be in the hospital, neither in the ICU.

A new partnership aims to provide the mental health supports needed for people to stand on their own two feet when it comes to securing and staying housed.

The Town of Smiths Falls’ PICNIC program and the Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce and Smiths Falls Downtown Business Association (DBA) Local Subscription box programs were among the 24 projects selected as finalists.

The province is once again in a state of emergency with Premier Doug Ford issuing a stay-at-home order that comes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.

Smiths Falls police won’t be conducting random vehicle or individual checks in light of the recent stay-at-home order issued by the province on Jan. 14 under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA).

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, provincial ministers, and health officials speak on likely changes to COVID-19 restrictions, following a five-hour cabinet meeting yesterday.

The Upper Canada District School Board says that parents, guardians, staff and students at SFDCI received notification on Wednesday, Dec. 9, that an individual at the school tested positive for COVID-19.

Firefighters on the scene of an ice rescue east of Maberly.

As Lanark County’s small businesses endure a second lockdown, there are several programs out there that may bring some much-needed relief.

Smiths Falls police posted to their Facebook page late in the the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 24, that they have issued a warrant for a local man.

Smiths Falls town council authorized a community grant funding agreement with the Rideau Roundtable (RR) in the amount of $4,630.87 to help with the shoreline restoration project.

The Town of Smiths Falls reports that municipal and local programs and funding opportunities have driven approximately $100,000 to small businesses, with $50,000 coming from the Small Business Support program.

NASA Meteor Watch shares video, photos of widely reported sighting:

Six new recovered cases today, plus one new case, leaves seven confirmed active cases.

Police say approximately 25-30 strands of Christmas lights were taken from Centennial Park.

On Monday the province announced its abiding faith in Dr. David Williams. And the most polite possible response was, him? That guy?

Nearly eight months into the pandemic, people across Ontario are continuing to find shortages of certain products at their usual retail locations.

Smoke was visible above the trees as Lanark Highlands firefighters worked to put out a structure fire on Tuesday.

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit report COVID-19 precautions have been in place at the church, therefore the risk to the rest of the congregation is considered low.

An expert weighs in on their strengths and weaknesses:

One Kemptville resident who’s been writing COVID-inspired haikus every day since mid-March has accumulated a collection of over 230 poems, now published and available for purchase.

"...I developed what they call the covid cough, the shortness of breath, and the pain in your lungs. It was the shortness of breath that really scared me."

While the symbol for theatre is made up of the Greek masks of comedy and tragedy, there has been more use of the latter, tragic mask of late as theatres contend with the second wave of the pandemic.

Could CCTV help curb crime in Smiths Falls? The Smiths Falls Police Service isn’t convinced it's the best solution.

The Lanark Highlands Fire Department is responding to a structure fire at 1406 French Line Road.

My recommendation is to forge ahead and sign those nine leases, CAO Malcolm Morris said.

If youve looked up at the water tower at night this week, youll notice its lit up purple.

Behind The Crimes: Solved and Unsolved Cases in Ontario is our latest series to remind readers of crimes that dominated headlines in our communities. This week, we are putting the spotlight on the 2019 murder of Kurt McKechnie.

During Thursday’s hearing, the Crown indicated the coming discovery is substantial and requires a hard drive. As a result, the matter has been adjourned until Oct. 29.

If you've been downtown lately, you'll notice Phase 1 of Beckwith Street's redevelopment is starting to come to a close.

Melanie Mills has chronic back and leg pain for which she has been receiving treatment at the Ottawa General Hospital that is, until COVID-19 hit.

This reflects an increase of 3 new active cases over yesterday.

What is Ontario waiting for? The province says its fall pandemic plan has been ready since July, but that it is being rolled out in instalments this week because it is so robust, so vast.

If youre looking for something fun to do, check out what the AOG Art Gallery near Frankville has in store during Culture Days, starting this weekend, and extending through to Oct. 18.

On Oct. 8, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP Randy Hillier, addressed the document during question period at Queen’s Park an address that was shared online by numerous conspiracy theorists. I asked this government if the people of Ontario should prepare for internment camps, Hillier said in the video. How many of these camps will be built and how many people does the government expect to detain?

OPP say the suspect circled and drove between the fishing vessels several times almost causing them to capsize.

"While it contained valid points, the one-sided presentation of the tourism and hospitality industry presented was misleading, damaging to local businesses and uninformed."

According to the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases currently sits at 409 (two more than Tuesday), including 52 deaths, as of Wednesday, Oct. 14. 349 cases are considered recovered (six more than Friday), meaning there are eight active cases.

With COVID-19 throwing many of our usual plans out the window, there’s still plenty to do in the Ottawa Valley to get in the Halloween spirit.

There is no change in reporting over yesterday:

There are a few different COVID-19 isolation facilities currently available to Canadians, and plans for others in the future none of which are internment camps, as some skeptics have been expressing online, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently assured Canadians.

Health Canada has recalled 77 types of hand sanitizers that contain ethanol or denaturants that are not permitted for use in these products in Canada.

This year’s Turkey Trot saw goodbyes, hellos, and a lot of change, both moneywise and otherwise.

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit says the public is not at risk after an employee at Kemptville Walmart tested positive for COVID-19 last week.

A new vision has been proposed for the Gallipeau Centre property: an entire mixed-use community built with the intention to connect and integrate the site with the rest of town.

From the vantage point of her large pediatric clinic, Dr. Dina Kulik has an insider’s view of what’s happening with COVID-19 and kids.

The Town of Smiths Falls is pleased to announce the introduction of a new funding program to offer financial support to businesses struggling with the impacts of COVID-19.

Like many shoppers, MPP Steve Clark made Gordanier’s Freshmart his one-stop shop in Elgin on Friday, Oct. 9, for not just one, but two announcements.

The box is designed to bring comfort and joy as the pandemic marches on into the winter months.

Canada’s top doctor Dr. Theresa Tam says COVID-19 is scary but it’s not a reason to cancel Halloween.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks with reporters at Queens Park after announcing details of the provinces plan to deal with a potential second wave of COVID-19. The strategy comes amid new provincial limits on social gatherings aimed at countering the recent increase in the number of coronavirus cases.

With the encouragement and support of key partners and the dedicated efforts of this years volunteers, Merrickvilles Jazz Fest (MJF) is hosting a scaled-down but exciting online edition for our 10th anniversary, from Oct. 15 to 18.

Lanark County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) apprehended a male in connection with an undisclosed incident in Carleton Place on Oct. 26.

UPDATE: OPP tweeted just after 9 a.m. on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 27 that Kathleen Murray has been located safe.

"I urge constituents to go on record by contacting Mr. Hilliers office, asking Mr. Hillier to take a more common-sense approach to pandemic precautions."

The People’s Party of Canada would be ‘delighted’ to have MPP Randy Hillier on their team but it appears he will be trying to hold on to his day job at Queen’s Park instead.

For the first day of fall, Canadian comfort food, Kraft Dinner (KD) is shaking up pumpkin spice season with its new Pumpkin Spice KD - a mac and cheese to please KD lovers and the cult following of pumpkin spice latte aficionados.

The COVID-19 pandemic has pummelled Canadas automobile industry but its the lack of supply thats helping to short-circuit electric vehicle adoption across the country.

The Christmas Set Up will be centred on a gay romance a first for the network.

According to the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases currently sits at 372 (three more than Friday), including 52 deaths, as of Monday, Sept. 21. 314 cases are considered recovered, meaning there are six active cases.

Police say the driver was ejected from the SUV as they had not been wearing their seatbelt.

Four organizations hope to be better prepared for future waves of COVID-19 and other emergencies, thanks to social services funding.

Individuals who were in the school on Sept. 14, Sept. 15 or Sept. 16 are asked to monitor for symptoms carefully.

Theres lots of potential here. Were easily providing something where (guests) can come and set the world aside.

The COVID-19 pandemic has pummelled Canada's automobile industry but it's the lack of supply that's helping to short-circuit electric vehicle adoption across the country.

Melanie Young is going back to the root of animal care. That means, she will focus on a spay and neuter program and educating people about caring for their pets.

When the 2020-21 season opens hopefully in December, maybe January there will be a familiar name in Jr. B hockey.

The group now has over 40 members from all over eastern Ontario including Perth, Merrickville, Portland, Smiths Falls, Kemptville and Ottawa.

Theres lots of potential here. We're easily providing something where (guests) can come and set the world aside.

A portion of Rideau Ferry Road had been closed since 3:30 a.m. following a serious collision involving a car and deer.

Our 15-bed shelter is over capacity and our second stage housing is full. We have had to access two community-based hotels to keep women safer.

Tammy MacKenzie drove thousands of kilometres this spring and summer, crisscrossing parts of Lanark County, in a trusty yellow 2004 Chevy Aveo to help local turtle populations.

Premier Doug Ford announced Saturday that the government is reducing limits on the number of people allowed to attend unmonitored and private social gatherings across the entire province.

For todays address, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is joined by other premiers from across Canada to discuss what they would like to see in the upcoming federal throne speech.

A surge in requests for testing has prompted the Smiths Falls COVID-19 assessment centre to modify its hours of operation to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 7 days a week.

The collision took place west of Rideau Ferry. Two people were sent to hospital with serious and life-threatening injuries.

Some churches delight in the changes, the way the congregation has adapted to new ways of worship, others wish things were back to the good old pre-pandemic days.

No new cases or recoveries were reported today:

For today's address, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is joined by other premiers from across Canada to discuss what they would like to see in the upcoming federal throne speech.

Anyone headed to Algonquin Provincial Park on a weekend to view fall colours in 2020 will want to check ahead.

Members of the Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) didnt have to go far to locate and charge a driver with impaired.

On Thursday, Sept. 17, OPP tweeted a photo of a black bear seen strolling outside a home north of Athens, Ontario on County Road 5. As a result of this sighting, police issued information about what to do if you see one around, and the difference between emergency and non-emergency situations.

Uncertainties surround CCHL league play this year.

Premier Doug Ford is expected to announce new limits on size of gatherings in some Ontario cities on Sept. 17. Watch live here:

Shane Sabourin is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of local Pat Lynch.

Members of the Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) didn't have to go far to locate and charge a driver with impaired.

Sarah Woodley literally had to move down the hall to her new office as Chimo elementarys new vice principal.

There are now three active cases in the tri-county area.

At least one teacher at a Pembroke high school came to work with symptoms of COVID-19, and more were not wearing masks before an outbreak that has left at least three teachers ill and prompted the first school closure in the province.

Smiths Falls Police recently charged two local residents with theft in two separate incidents.

In May, the town received the zoning amendment application submitted by David Simpson, on behalf of Big Sea Engineering and Construction Inc. the owner of the 1.24-acre vacant lot accessed through Van Horne Avenue.

An organization known for always helping the community now needs the communitys help.

Todays confirmed active COVID-19 cases in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark remains at 2 - no new cases or recoveries.