Want to get fresh with a local farmer? The annual Lanark County Harvest Festival will give everyone a chance to do just that!

This outdoor event, slated for Sunday, September 10 at Beckwith Park (1319 Beckwith 9th Line), will celebrate the county’s bounty of the harvest featuring local producers, children’s activities, local musicians, historical displays and more.

"Lanark County Harvest Festival is a great way to experience the amazing agricultural products our farmers produce. It is a wonderful day for the whole family,” notes Warden Peter McLaren.

The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is a collaboration of Lanark County and the Township of Beckwith.

Renowned for their country harmony, the “Bowes Brothers” are returning as the musical entertainment; and children’s activities (weather permitting) such as a petting zoo and a giant air bounce can be expected.

The event provides a perfect opportunity for local producers to connect with visitors and residents. The benefits of local food have brought attention to Lanark County as a food destination. This festival is a good time for visitors to celebrate the harvest by sharing food, stories, and laughter. “Beckwith Township is pleased to be the host municipality for the Lanark County Harvest Festival,” says Richard Kidd, Beckwith Reeve. “Our staff has been working very hard with partners to ensure the event is a huge success. It is a tribute to our agricultural past and future.”

This annual event supports local businesses, farmers’ markets, and the development of new business networks for the county’s agricultural producers.

For more information visit www.lanarkcounty.ca/tourism 

Vanessa Dow,
Tourism & Corporate Relations Coordinator
Lanark County
613-267-4200 x 1701

Lanark County is the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager (Service Manager) for both Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls. As service manager, the county is responsible for overseeing and funding various social systems, including licensed child care and Early Years programming. The county completes this work by contracting with child care agencies to carry out the programming.

There are two types of child care in Lanark County: centre- or school-based care and licensed home child care. Home child care providers are licensed and funded through an agency that maintains a contract with the county. To maintain a contract, the agency must meet criteria specified in the Child Care and Early Years Act and its service agreement with the county. Licensed home child-care providers are able to access Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) funding through an approved agency to assist in making child care more accessible and affordable for families. CWELCC is a five-year plan that is being implemented in stages; fees will reduce every year, reaching an average fee of $10/day by 2025-26.

The county recently terminated its contract with Natural Connections, which is a licensed home child care agency in Lanark County. The details of this contract termination are confidential and will not be shared. The termination only impacts the one organization, all other County CWELCC contracts are ongoing. While Natural Connections can still license home child-care providers, families receiving care from these providers will no longer have access to CWELCC funding. The county recognizes this may require families and providers to make alternative arrangements to continue to have access to CWELCC funding and staff will do its best to support local families and providers through the transition.

The county’s termination of its contract with Natural Connections may affect families both inside and outside of Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls. Natural Connections has licensed 11 home child-care providers in Lanark County and 37 providers located elsewhere in Eastern Ontario, primarily in the City of Ottawa.

Guidance for Families in Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls:
The county maintains a contract with Children’s Resources on Wheels (CROW), which licenses and funds home child care providers located in Lanark County. CROW offers CWELCC funding to its providers and their families. CROW has capacity to accept Lanark County home child-care providers in its portfolio. More information on CROW can be found at www.crowlanark.com. If you should have any inquiries, please contact the county via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via telephone at 613-267-4200 ext. 2140 or toll free at 1-888-952-6275.

Guidance for Families outside of Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls:
Families and home child-care providers located outside of Lanark County may reach out to their local Service Manager or licensed home child-care agency in their respective community. Families looking for licensed child care in Ottawa can visit
www.ottawa.ca/childcare, apply to the City of Ottawa Child Care Registry and Waitlist, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The following is a list of licensed home child care agencies located in the City of Ottawa: 
Agence de garde "La Maisonnée" – www.grandirensemble.ca
Andrew Fleck – www.afchildrensservices.ca 
Children's Village of Ottawa-Carleton Home Child Care - www.childrensvillage.on.ca 
Global Child Care Services – www.gccs.ca
Mothercraft Ottawa Private Home Day Care – www.mothercraft.com 
ODAWA Sweetgrass Home Child Care – www.odawa.dreamhosters.com
Parents' Home Child Care of Ottawa Wee Watch – www.weewatch.com

“Child care is a vital component to a thriving community and stable workforce, stated Lanark County Warden Peter McLaren (Lanark Highlands Reeve). “Lanark County acknowledges the great need for more licensed child care in the community and is diligently working at increasing its child care capacity.” The county funds 1,395 licensed child care CWELCC spaces within Lanark County at several child care centres and home child care providers. The County will continue to fund these spaces, and planned expansion spaces, for the duration of the CWELCC program.

In June 2023, the county approved its child care expansion plan based on provincially set expansion targets and is working towards achieving these goals. Details of the plan can be found on the county website at https://www.lanarkcounty.ca/en/county-government/plans-studies-and-reports.aspx. 

For more information, contact:
Emily Hollington
Director of Social Services Lanark County
613-267-4200 ext. 2101
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Reeve Steve Fournier & Council on behalf of the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley
requests the honour of your presence at the
Grand Opening of the Ferguson's Community Hall
& 25th Aniversary Celebration of the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley

Sunday Sepetember 24th, 2023 
1362 Ferguson's Falls Road, Lanark, ON
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Light Refreshments
Musical Performances by Memory Lane and the Clyne Brothers 

Planet Youth Lanark County is hosting a local Youth Summit on Wednesday August 23^rd from 10am-3pm in Carleton Place. The focus of the day is for youth to share their perspectives and ideas on how to create more safe spaces in Lanark County where young people feel valued, respected, listened to, and be their authentic selves. The summit is open to any youth who live, work, or play in Lanark County and are entering grades 7-12 in September.

Youth must register ahead of time in order to attend. Facilitated by staff from the Student’s Commission of Canada and supported by United Way East Ontario, the day will be full of fun activities, offer free food and transportation and give youth a chance to be a meaningful part of positive change in their communities. The Summit will be followed by a family and community BBQ from 3-5pm to help share the energy and ideas youth generated during the workshops. Register for the summit directly at https://PlanetYouthLanarkCountyYouthSummit.eventbrite.ca by no later than Friday August 18^th.

The ideas and recommendations from the participants will guide crucial community based action planning taking place this fall. Local stakeholders and decision makers are encouraged to attend the BBQ portion so they can see and hear first hand what local youth want and need to be valued members of the community.

If you would like to be involved in the summit, have resources or expertise to share or for more information – call Rebecca at 613-345-5685 ext 2259. For more information on Planet Youth Lanark County in general – and to see the results of the surveys done in February 2022 – visit www.planetyouthlanark.ca

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority 
Aug. 10, 2023

Caution is advised around all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed following several large rain events over the last few weeks, with additional rain in the forecast.

Observed rainfall amounts for the last month across the watershed are significantly more than normal. Environment Canada’s short-term weather forecast indicates we may receive an additional 50 to 100 mm of rain over the next 7 days.
 
Water levels and flows in all waterways are generally higher than average for this time of year across the Rideau Valley Watershed. Although no significant riverine flooding is anticipated, water levels and flows are expected to remain seasonally high in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed over the next week.
 
Until the water levels and flows recede, the RVCA advises the public to exercise extreme caution around ALL WATERBODIES AND DAM STRUCTURES and remind children about the dangers of playing near open water. All boaters and swimmers using the Rideau River and other larger water bodies are advised to exercise extreme caution due to much higher flows than normal over the next few days.
 
This watershed conditions statement is in effect until Friday, August 18, 2023 at 5 PM or until an update has been issued.
 

More Information:
Brian Stratton, RVCA Manager Engineering Services
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-6804, 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1141
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"Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is a partnership of municipalities within the Rideau Valley watershed created under the Conservation Authorities Act to deliver a range of programs in watershed management and natural resource conservation."

RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:

• Water Safety – High flows, unstable banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.

• Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.

• Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood prone areas should prepare.

• Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.

PLEASE BE ADVISED that the Township Office will be closed to walk ins from August 14 – 18  while the reception area is being renovated.  The Municipal Office will reopen on Monday August 21. Please phone 613-267-6500 to make an appointment. Thank you for your understanding

Take this once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase an historic boat built locally in the Rideau Lakes. All proceeds from the sale have been generously donated to the Big Rideau Lake Association (BRLA) by Terry Cowan in memory of his late brother, Keith Cowan. The one constant in Keith's life was his love of the Big Rideau and boating.

This magnificent Wykes Lapstrake Runabout will be sold via online auction from August 28 through September 10, with a minimum bid of $10,000. Visit https://can.givergy.com/brla on the specified dates to place your bid.

You will be bidding on a 17 ft Wykes Lapstrake Runabout designed and built by Wykes Boat Works of Harlem, Ontario in 1967 and powered by a 1996 75 horsepower Mercury outboard motor. The motor is well maintained, and the boat recently underwent a complete Wykes restoration: new bottom, keel, ribs, gunwales, mahogany deck, and upholstery. The boat is in pristine condition and a wonderful example of the long history of wooden boat building in the Rideau Lakes area. A tonneau top is included, but a trailer is not.

All proceeds from the sale will go to the BRLA and will be used for much needed improvements to the Cow Island Community Centre. We thank Terry Cowan for this generous donation which will have a legacy impact on our community.

Please share with anyone interested in vintage boats!

MEDIA RELEASE:
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
August 2, 2023

A horse in Lanark County has tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV).

EEEV is normally found in wild birds but can occasionally spread to horses and humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Similar to West Nile Virus, humans get infected with EEEV through the bite of an infected mosquito (humans do not get infected from a horse or another human). The mosquitoes that carry the virus are usually found close to flooded woodlands.

Over the years, there have been three human cases of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in Ontario. Although rare, it can cause a serious neurological disease in all age groups, even death. 

While a vaccine against EEEV exists for horses, there is none for humans; therefore, Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is issuing a reminder to everyone to take precautions against mosquito bites.

To help protect yourself and your family, please take the following steps:

• Apply insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin, making sure to follow label directions. You can also ask a pharmacist for help when selecting an insect repellent.
• Wear light-coloured clothing, long sleeves, pants and socks when outside.
• Avoid being outside at dusk and dawn, as mosquitoes are the most active at that time.
• Ensure that all containers in or around the yard such as tires, pool covers, saucers for flowerpots, wading pools and children’s toys are regularly emptied of standing water.
• Ensure that screens, windows and doors are fully sealed to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.  

For more information about eastern equine encephalitis virus, visit Insect Bites and Diseases – Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit or call 1-800-660-5853. You can also follow LGLhealthunit on social media for important updates. 

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For media interviews, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Katie Lamb

Multimedia Specialist – Social Media

Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

613-345-5685 x 2285 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Find us on social @LGLHealthunit

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
MEDIA RELEASE:
July 25, 2023

Approximately three percent of bats carry the rabies virus. The most common signs of rabies in bats are the inability to fly and resting in unusual places such as the ground or floor. It is important to remember many of the bats that get into our homes are healthy bats and are looking for a way out.

Bats are nocturnal animals and feed most actively two to three hours following sunset. They are efficient pest controllers as they consume three times their body weight in insects per night. Bats select attics for nursery colonies, however, during the day they roost in trees and in buildings. Bats are usually born in June. Nests are not required as the young are able to fly and obtain their own food within three weeks. Hibernation occurs between November and March. Some species typically hibernate in attics of buildings while others prefer caves.

Diseases Bats May Carry

Bats do have the potential to carry diseases such as rabies and histoplasmosis, which can affect humans and animals. They may also transmit distemper and mange to household pets.

• Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system, and is found in the saliva of infected animals. Rabies is fatal if left untreated.
• Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by a fungus that grows in soil contaminated with bat or bird droppings. Exposure to the fungus occurs when the soil is disturbed. The disease primarily affects the lungs and can be fatal if left untreated. If you are cleaning areas where bat droppings have accumulated be sure to wear a protective mask and gloves and keep dust to a minimum.

Bat Encounters

Bat exposures: If a bat is carrying the rabies virus, there is a risk of it being transmitted to an individual when both the following conditions apply:

• There has been direct contact with a bat – direct contact with a bat is defined as the bat touching or landing on a person; 

AND

• A bite, scratch, or saliva exposure into a wound or mucous membrane. If you are bitten by a bat or if saliva from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth or a wound, wash the affected area thoroughly and get medical attention immediately. If the bat is available, the Health Unit can arrange for it to be tested for rabies.

In a child, any direct contact with a bat (i.e., the bat landing on or touching the child, including contact through clothes) could be considered a reason for vaccine administration, as a child may not be able to reliably communicate the encounter with the bat to determine the type of the contact (i.e., a bite, scratch or mucous membrane exposure).

If you have experienced a bat encounter and/or may have been bitten, contact 1-800-660-5853 or on weekends call 613-345-5685 and seek medical attention from a health care provider.

Bat Proofing Your Home

Bat proofing your house is necessary when the bats are entering the living space of your home. It is advisable to contact a pest management company or a wildlife conservation agency for assistance with bat-proofing your home.

If you find a bat in your home and there was no human or animal contact, the bat can be released to the outdoors. Wear thick gloves when handling the bat to avoid being bitten.

Rabies can also affect pets; to protect your pet from rabies it is important to vaccinate them. Rabies vaccination is mandatory in Ontario for domestic cats and dogs. For more information, visit our website: Bats & Rabies - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.

Related Links

• Bats – Health Canada – info on how to get a bat out of your house
• Keeping Bats Out of Your House – Centers of Disease Control and Prevention
• Prevent conflicts with bats | ontario.ca
• Bat Conservation International

MEDIA STATEMENT
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
July 21, 2023

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit identified an Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) lapse during an inspection on June 8th of Piercings by Melissa in Brockville, who operated in relationship with LUX Tattoo and Piercing, when informed of changes to services performed at the premises that were not disclosed to the Health Unit upon starting.

Initial investigation conducted on site identified concerns regarding reusable tools, relating to reprocessing technique, operation of equipment, and documentation. The operator has been required by the Health Unit to use only sterile single-use tools, and not use any jewellery sterilized on site. There have been no infections linked to the premises at this time.

The Health Unit recognizes that this situation can be stressful. Clients who may have been at risk of exposure have been contacted directly by the Health Unit by letter, and we recommend that all clients who received this letter follow recommendations described in the letter, including speaking to a health care provider.

The Ontario Ministry of Health requires that public health units investigate and publicly disclose information about IPAC lapses. The report of IPAC lapse is available here: IPAC Lapse Report. The inspection report for Lux Tattoo and Piercing is available here: INSIGHT. The Health Unit works with all operators to ensure safety to the public both to prevent lapses and to ensure provision of services in accordance to public health guidance and provincial requirements.

Please visit www.healthunit.org and click on the infection control information tab for more information on the IPAC Lapse, and/or contact our toll free line at 1-800-660-5853 ext 2222. Information about the Health Unit’s role in inspection of personal service settings can be found on our website under: Beauty & Body Art.

For media interview, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.