Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Launches at Perth & District Library

A new self-directed program, 1000 books before Kindergarten, has launched at the Perth & District Union Public Library. Designed to encourage a love of reading, the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is just that - a parent reading books with their child every day. 

“Reading and sharing a book with your child from the moment they are born helps them to develop pre-reader skills for kindergarten, such as understanding letter sounds and building a larger vocabulary”, said Heidi Taber, Children’s Librarian. “Reading a thousand books might sound daunting, but it’s very do-able. If you read one book a night with your child, you can complete the challenge in less than three years. If you read three books a night, you can read 1000 books in one year!”

Any child from birth to five years of age can participate. Families participating in this program receive a log sheet, stickers every 100 books read, and a free book when they reach 1000 books. Families can pick up tracking sheets from the Perth & District Union Public Library or download them from their website at www.perthunionlibrary.ca/1000books.

Please visit www.perthunionlibrary.ca/1000books or call the library 613-267-1224  for more information.

A Free program for seniors ( 55+) residing in Carleton Place and the surrounding Townships

No Curling Club membership needed.

Come join us for a light lunch and social time.  Followed by a variety of card and board games.

Mondays at 11:30 for lunch, followed by 1 pm - 3:30 pm for games

Starting September 15th, 2025,

Location:
Carleton Place Curling Club
120 Patterson Crescent, Carleton Place

It’s a perfect time to learn a new game or play an old favourite!

To sign up, call or email Laura Garrett - 705-653-6747  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If transportation is needed, Laura can help!

Employment Opportunity - Equipment Operator (6 Month Contract)

The Corporation of the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley is accepting applications for an Equipment Operator for a 6 month contract. Reporting to the Public Works Supervisor, the Equipment Operator performs tasks related to regular maintenance and repairs on road equipment, performs winter maintenance activities such as operating snowplow or sand/salt truck, performs roadside maintenance including tree trimming and removal, signage repair.

The ideal candidate will have a secondary school diploma, a Class DZ licence, chain saw certification, experience with heavy equipment such as back-hoe, loader and plow truck, good verbal communication, and ability to work with minimum supervision.

The 2025 hourly rate is $30.25, plus standby pay.  40 hours per week with overtime as required.  The 6 month contract will be from November 2025 to April 2026.

A detailed job description is available.

Please reply in confidence with a detailed cover letter and resume by noon on Friday, September 12^th, 2025.

Janie Laidlaw, Clerk
Township of Drummond North/Elmsley
310 Port Elmsley Rd. Perth ON   K7H 3C7
(613) 267-6500
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion within the workplace. We will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process, please contact Janie Laidlaw, Clerk.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.

Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for employment assessment purposes only. 

For Immediate release

Aug. 21, 2025

First two human cases of West Nile Virus this year identified in the South East Health Unit region

The South East Health Unit (SEHU) is reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites after one confirmed and one probable case of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection have been identified in the region.

WNV is an infection spread to humans usually through the bite of an infected mosquito. Four out of five of people with WNV will experience no symptoms, while others may develop several days of mild flu-like illness with fever, headache and body aches, two to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Less than one per cent of infected persons develop more severe disease, including neurological disease that can be fatal. The risk of severe disease is higher for older people, those with immune compromise, and those with high blood pressure.

There is no specific treatment for the infection, and no vaccine. As a result, preventing mosquito bites is the main way to protect yourself and your family against WNV.

Tips for preventing mosquito bites include:

• Wearing light-coloured clothing with long-sleeves, pants and socks in areas where mosquitoes are present, especially at dusk and dawn when they are most active.
• Using insect repellent with DEET or icaridin (always follow directions for use, especially for children).
• Avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk.
• Removing standing water outside your home.
• Fixing tears in window and door screens.
• Covering rain barrels with screen mesh.

For more information, visit the WNV webpage.

These cases were identified in a resident in the Rideau Lakes, Westport area and a resident in the Smiths Falls area; however, birds and mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus have been found all across the health unit’s region throughout the years. There have also been positive mosquito pools identified within the region in 2025 since monitoring started in June.

Public Health conducts regular mosquito trapping to test mosquitoes for West Nile Virus. The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative also monitors wildlife for evidence of West Nile Virus. Residents can report dead birds by visiting their site at:

cwhc-rcsf.ca/report_and_submit.php.

Aug 19, 2025

Due to ongoing rainfall deficits and prolonged heat waves, the Rideau Valley Water Response Team has declared a Level 3 Low Water Advisory for the Rideau Valley Watershed after officials met to discuss conditions on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Level 3 conditions are triggered when rainfall deficits fall below 40% of the long-term average and/or when streamflow’s decline to severe low-water thresholds (typically below the 10-year return period low flow).

A Level-3 low water advisory is not a declaration of an emergency, but an indicator of significant dry conditions and impacts observed across the Rideau Valley watershed.

Current Conditions

Rainfall over the past several months has been highly variable, but overall conditions remain significantly below normal. To date, the Ottawa region has recorded 22 days with temperatures above 30 °C, further contributing to drought impacts. Looking ahead, the 7-day weather forecast shows possible minor rainfall of 10-15 mm through the weekend, and day-time temperature highs ranging from 20C to 30C across the region.

Rainfall

• 90-day totals across the watershed are 50–70% of the long-term average for this time of year
• 30-day totals are of particular concern, with most areas receiving less than 40% of normal rainfall

Streamflows

• Flows are reduced significantly across all Rideau Valley sub watersheds
• Flows on the Jock River are approaching the 1:20 year return period low flow, and have fallen to less than 30% of the typical summer low flow

Lake & Reservoir Levels

Parks Canada staff continue to closely monitor water levels throughout the Rideau Canal system. The drawdown of reservoir lakes in the Tay River and Upper Rideau sub watersheds is being carried out at the minimal levels required to maintain navigation along the Rideau Canal. Currently, water levels in the reservoir lakes (Bob’s Lake and Wolfe Lake) and the navigation lakes (Upper Rideau Lake and Big Rideau Lake) are below normal and are expected to decline further. Levels on the Rideau Canal system are currently being maintained within navigable range.

Recommended Actions

Ongoing drought conditions are placing increased pressure on both surface water and groundwater supplies, making water conservation essential. Residents and businesses across the Rideau Valley watershed are strongly encouraged to reduce their overall water use and suspend non-essential water activities until natural supplies begin to recover.

Private Wells

Residents relying on groundwater wells are urged to use water responsibly to help protect the aquifers on which they depend. Residents experiencing well water supply issues are encouraged to reach out to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks “Wells Help Desk” (Wells on your property | ontario.ca) for guidance. If direct intervention is required, residents should contact a licensed well contractor for assistance.

Municipal Systems

Residents connected to municipal water supplies should monitor their municipality’s official channels for updates on water use restrictions.

Urban Ottawa

Residents served by the City of Ottawa’s central drinking water system are not subject to the same water supply pressures, as this system draws from the Ottawa River. However, conservation measures are still strongly encouraged to reduce overall demand and to support broader watershed resiliency.

General Advisories

All residents are encouraged to follow municipal updates for guidance on water conservation, water source conditions, and information on fire bans, as dry groundcover and vegetation have increased fire risk.

Permit Holders

Holders of Permits to Take Water from surface or groundwater sources are strongly encouraged to reduce withdrawals wherever possible. During low flow conditions, large surface water takings can significantly impact local water availability.

To better understand local conditions, landowners, businesses, and industries are encouraged to contact Isabelle Maltais by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if they are experiencing any unusual water-related problems.

Conservation Authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed. Updates to this message will be issued as conditions warrant.

More resources:

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks - Wells Help Desk: https://www.ontario.ca/page/wells-your-property#section-4

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks – Find a Licensed Well Contractor: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-licenced-well-contractors

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks – Managing Your Water Well In Times Of Water Shortage: https://www.ontario.ca/page/managing-your-water-well-times-water-shortage

Ontario’s Low Water Response program:

www.ontario.ca/page/low-water-response-program

RVCA website: www.rvca.ca

Hourly and daily streamflow’s and water levels:

www.rvca.ca/watershed-monitoring-reporting/reporting/streamflow-water-levels

August 11, 2025

Level I Low Water – First indication of potential water supply problems, primarily a warning level. Key focus is conservation of water. 

Watershed Conditions: June and July experienced below-average rainfall combined with above-average temperatures, resulting in dry conditions throughout the Mississippi River Watershed. Over the past 90 days, recorded rainfall across the watershed has fallen under 80% of the long-term seasonal average. Conditions have worsened in the last 30 days, with rainfall dropping to under 50% of the seasonal norm. Looking ahead, the 7-day forecast predicts less than 10 mm of rainfall, while daytime high temperatures are expected to range between 25°C and 35°C across the region.

This statement is to advise that present conditions in the Mississippi River watershed have reached Level I Low Water threshold under the Ontario Low Water Response Program.

Actions: The MVCA is encouraging all water users that are not on the City of Ottawa’s municipal distribution network to reduce their water consumption by 10% to help mitigate the impacts of the low water conditions.

Those who have permits for taking water from surface or groundwater sources are asked to reduce their actual taking as much as possible. Residents are also urged to use water conservatively by using rain barrels to water lawns and gardens and avoid using pressure washers to clean houses, driveways, decks and fences. Please check your municipality’s website for current water usage restrictions.  All residents throughout the Mississippi Valley watershed should be aware of any bans or bylaws that may be in place in their municipalities regarding watering or fire bans. 

Conservation Authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed. 

Duration: This message is in effect until an update has been issued.

For More Information: Daily water levels and flows are available on the MVCA website at www.mvc.on.ca/water-levels. For more information, contact:

MVCA Duty Officer

613-220-8462

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

More Resources:

City of Ottawa: https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/water-utility-bills/water-conservation

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks: https://www.ontario.ca/page/managing-your-water-well-times-water-shortage

Ontario’s Low Water Response program: www.ontario.ca/page/low-water-response-program View online version

Update August 10, 2025 - Level 3 Fire Ban in place.  Absolutely no fires permitted at this time.

Media Release

Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls are inviting residents and visitors to participate in the second round of public consultation for the Rural Transit Feasibility Study, which aims to explore solutions for improving transit options across the region.

The study, led by consulting firm Arcadis, is assessing current transportation challenges and developing strategies to enhance mobility for rural communities. Based on feedback from the first round of consultation, the project team has developed several transit scenarios and is now seeking input on their benefits and trade-offs.

Public Drop-In Events will be held in August at the following locations:

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

12:30 to 2:30 p.m. – Perth Library, 30 Herriott Street, Town of Perth

4:00 to 6:00 p.m. – Almonte Library, 155 High Street, Municipality of Mississippi Mills

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

2:00 to 4:00 p.m. – Town Hall, 77 Beckwith Street North, Town of Smiths Falls

These informal drop-in sessions offer an opportunity to learn more about the study, ask questions, and share feedback directly with the project team. Public input is vital to shaping a transit strategy that reflects local needs and priorities.

For those unable to attend in person, feedback can be submitted through an online form available on the Lanark County website at www.lanarkcounty/transit until August 29th, 2025.