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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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Rideau Lakes council and community groups are urging BMO to reconsider the Westport branch closure set for June 19, 2026. Residents and businesses cite concerns about access for seniors and local commerce. Full story: www.hometownnews.ca/westport-bra...
#Westport #RideauLakes #BMO #RuralBanking
Westport branch closure June 19, 2026 confirmed by BMO
BMO confirms the Westport branch will close June 19, 2026, as Rideau Lakes council and community groups raise concerns about rural banking.
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December 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
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Smiths Falls police responded to multiple incidents involving IPV, probation and bail breaches, firearms violations, assaults, and traffic offences. Investigations led to arrests. Full report: www.hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls...
#SmithsFalls #SmithsFallsPolice
Smiths Falls police arrest 7; IPV, weapons, probation breaches
Smiths Falls police arrest seven individuals for intimate partner violence, weapons violations, probation breaches, assaults, and traffic offences.
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December 22, 2025 at 11:01 PM
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The 32nd Perth Polar Bear Plunge takes place Jan. 1, 2026, along the Tay River. Funds raised support Legion Hall upgrades and community programs. 🥶 Details: www.hometownnews.ca/perth-polar-...
#PerthON #NewYearsDay #CommunityFundraising
The Perth Polar Bear Plunge kickstarts 2026 with a splash
The Perth Polar Bear Plunge returns Jan. 1, 2026, along the Tay River, raising funds for accessibility upgrades at the Legion Hall and local programs
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December 22, 2025 at 9:53 PM
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Perth council reaffirms support for maintaining post-secondary education at the Perth Campus following Algonquin College’s closure announcement. Details: www.hometownnews.ca/perth-campus...
#PerthON #LanarkCounty #MunicipalMatters
Perth Campus backed by council in unanimous Nov. 25 vote
The Town of Perth reaffirms support for post-secondary education at the Perth Campus following Algonquin College’s closure announcement.
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December 22, 2025 at 6:51 PM
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Smiths Falls Police investigations led to multiple arrests for assault, theft, impaired driving, drug trafficking, and other offences 🚓 Full report: www.hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls...
#SmithsFalls #SmithsFallsPolice
Smiths Falls police make 13 arrests in recent investigations
Smiths Falls police investigations lead to 13 arrests for assault, theft, impaired driving, drug trafficking, and other offences in the community.
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December 18, 2025 at 11:16 PM
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The Build a Mountain of Food campaign wrapped a six-week run, supporting 11 local food banks with food and cash donations. Details: www.hometownnews.ca/build-a-moun...
#BuildAMountainOfFood #BAM2025 #FoodBank
Build a Mountain of Food campaign wraps 6 week community run
The Build a Mountain of Food campaign wrapped six weeks on the road, supporting 11 local food banks with food and cash donations.
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December 18, 2025 at 9:15 PM
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Leeds OPP have laid 63 charges, including attempted murder, against a Rideau Lakes man after an investigation into intimate partner violence and child abuse. Details: www.hometownnews.ca/attempted-mu...
#RideauLakes #LeedsOPP
Including attempted murder Rideau Lakes man faces 63 charges
Leeds OPP have laid 63 charges, including attempted murder, against a Rideau Lakes man following an investigation into IPV and child abuse.
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December 16, 2025 at 10:21 PM
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The Smiths Falls Bears earned wins over Nepean, Carleton Place, and Cornwall, including a 12–4 victory and a 3–0 shutout to move into first place in the Robinson Division. Recap: www.hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls...
#SmithsFallsBears #SmithsFalls
December 16, 2025 at 9:49 PM
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Ribbon cutting marks the Smiths Falls new water tower officially in service, boosting water pressure and supporting growth. Details: www.hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls...
#SmithsFalls #MunicipalMatters
Smiths Falls new water tower completed with $3.7M funding
Smiths Falls new water tower is now in service, improving water pressure and supporting growth with $3.7M in federal and provincial funding.
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December 16, 2025 at 7:09 PM
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Smiths Falls council clears the way for Confederation Bridge lighting after Parks Canada review, with conditions tied to wildlife and light spill. Details: www.hometownnews.ca/confederatio...
#SmithsFalls #ParksCanada #MunicipalMatters
Confederation Bridge lighting plan clears Dec. 8 debate
Confederation Bridge lighting moves ahead after Smiths Falls council hears Parks Canada conditions tied to bird migration and design limits.
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December 16, 2025 at 5:32 PM
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Carleton Place council approved the 2026 municipal budget, confirming a 1.95% tax levy increase under Ontario’s strong mayor rules. For the average assessed home, the increase works out to about $45 a year. Details: www.hometownnews.ca/2026-municip...
#CarletonPlace #MunicipalMatters
Carleton Place passes 2026 municipal budget with 1.95% hike
Carleton Place council approves the 2026 municipal budget with a 1.95% tax levy increase under Ontario’s strong mayor framework.
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December 16, 2025 at 4:47 AM
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Three Rideau Lakes winter plow trucks were damaged in a Crosby garage fire. Council approved a four-month rental to maintain snow clearing and road safety. Details: www.hometownnews.ca/rideau-lakes...
#RideauLakes #RoadSafety #SnowPlow
3 Rideau Lakes winter plow trucks sidelined by Crosby fire
Three Rideau Lakes winter plow trucks damaged in Crosby garage fire, prompting four-month rental to maintain winter road safety.
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December 15, 2025 at 10:12 PM
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Smiths Falls council heard from Alto that early Toronto–Québec high-speed rail plans will bypass the town. VIA Rail may provide regional connections. Details: www.hometownnews.ca/high-speed-r...
#HighSpeedRail #SmithsFalls #AltoTrain
High-speed rail skips Smiths Falls, council hears Dec. 8
Smiths Falls will be bypassed in early Toronto–Québec high-speed rail plans, with VIA Rail connections key for regional travel.
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December 15, 2025 at 8:41 PM
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The Ontario Land Tribunal has approved a rezoning appeal tied to a severed lot on Indian Lake Road in Rideau Lakes, allowing a new home to proceed. Details: www.hometownnews.ca/indian-lake-...
#RideauLakes #MunicipalMatters #OntarioLandTribunal
Tribunal approves Indian Lake Road rezoning for 1.12-ha lot
Ontario Land Tribunal approved an Indian Lake Road zoning bylaw amendment in Rideau Lakes after a township decision delay.
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December 15, 2025 at 3:47 PM
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Lanark County Council approved its 2026 budget, funding youth housing supports, small-business programs, and upgrades at Lanark Lodge. Over 90 youth have benefited from Cornerstone Landing. Read more: www.hometownnews.ca/lanark-count...
#LanarkCounty #MunicipalMatters
Lanark County Council Approves 2026 Budget & Programs
Lanark County Council approves 2026 budget with youth housing supports and small-business programs to address local needs and growth.
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December 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
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RMEO welcomed nearly 19,000 visitors in 2025 and plans a spring roof project alongside new STEAM exhibits and capital upgrades. Full story: www.hometownnews.ca/rmeo-spring-...
#RMEO #SmithsFalls #RailwayMuseum #STEAM
RMEO unveils exciting spring roof project after record 2025
RMEO welcomed nearly 19,000 visitors in 2025 and plans a spring roof project, alongside capital upgrades and new STEAM exhibits.
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December 12, 2025 at 8:36 PM
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Weekend holiday fun happening across the region! 🎄 Santa visits in Carleton Place to Kintail Country Christmas in Mississippi Mills, Christmas at the Palace in Perth, family events in Smiths Falls, and more. Details: www.hometownnews.ca/hometown-hap...
#HometownHappenings #LanarkCounty
Hometown Happenings brings the festive fun Dec. 12–14
Hometown Happenings highlights Christmas events, Santa stops, concerts and community fun across the region for Dec. 12–14.
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December 12, 2025 at 6:16 PM
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A legal notice sent to five Rideau Lakes councillors over Oct. 6 penalties has been made public. The CAO confirms the matter is a personal dispute. Read more: www.hometownnews.ca/rideau-lakes...
#RideauLakes #MunicipalMatters
Legal notice involving 5 Rideau Lakes councillors released
A legal notice sent to five Rideau Lakes councillors has been made public, highlighting a personal dispute over Oct. 6 penalties.
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December 11, 2025 at 9:09 PM
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Rideau Lakes council has reissued its mayoral reprimand after revisiting procedural concerns, passing the motion 5–3. Full story: www.hometownnews.ca/rideau-lakes...
#RideauLakes #MunicipalMatters
Rideau Lakes council reissues reprimand after 5–3 vote
Rideau Lakes council set aside its procedural bylaw to reissue a mayoral reprimand, following concerns over the original Dec. 1 motion.
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December 11, 2025 at 8:14 PM
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RCL Automotive’s Build a Mountain of Food week 5 raised 2,250 lbs of food and $19,073.86 in Portland and 1,800 lbs and $875 in Merrickville. Final collections are Dec. 13 in Athens and Delta. www.hometownnews.ca/build-a-moun...
#BuildAMountainOfFood #HolidayGiving
December 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
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A $65K settlement tied to the Blueberry Creek dispute has renewed questions about confidentiality clauses in Tay Valley Township. Full story: www.hometownnews.ca/blueberry-cr...
#TayValley #BlueberryCreek #LanarkCounty
Blueberry Creek dispute sparks new transparency questions
A $65,000 settlement tied to Blueberry Creek dispute raises questions about confidentiality clauses and how municipalities handle legal conflicts.
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December 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
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The Rideau Lakes Public Library celebrated a milestone year in 2025, with record circulation, expanded programs, and the successful Portland branch opening. Full story: www.hometownnews.ca/rideau-lakes...
#RideauLakes #RideauLakesPublicLibrary
Rideau Lakes Public Library celebrates record year in 2025
Rideau Lakes Public Library marks milestone with record use, Portland branch success, expanded programs & growing community engagement.
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December 9, 2025 at 11:14 PM
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Rideau Lakes council may put a Chantry office question on the 2026 municipal ballot to let voters decide if the project should proceed. Full story: www.hometownnews.ca/chantry-offi...
#RideauLakes #ChantryOffice #MunicipalMatters
Chantry office ballot question proposed for 2026 election
Rideau Lakes council may put a Chantry office question on the 2026 municipal ballot, letting voters decide if the project should proceed to tender.
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December 9, 2025 at 10:12 PM
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The HART Hub in Smiths Falls held its ribbon cutting Dec. 5 and opened Dec. 8, offering low-barrier addiction treatment and supportive housing. Full story: www.hometownnews.ca/hart-hub-smi...
#SmithsFalls #AddictionRecovery #HARTHub
December 9, 2025 at 8:48 PM
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CHIP’s fundraising campaign for Perth’s Halton Street project has reached the halfway mark as construction continues on the 15-unit build. Full story: www.hometownnews.ca/halton-stree...
#PerthON #AffordableHousing #LanarkCounty
Halton Street project hits powerful halfway fundraising mark
Halton Street project’s fundraising campaign nears halfway as CHIP works with Carebridge to support Perth’s growing affordable housing needs.
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December 9, 2025 at 6:28 PM