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

"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.

Lanark County
Media Release
July 12, 2023

The County of Lanark is pleased to announce the commencement of the public consultation period for its new draft Speed Management Policy. The policy aims to establish a standardized approach for evaluating and addressing requests for speed management measures on County Roads, with the ultimate goal of enhancing safety for all road users, curbing aggressive driving, and improving the overall livability of our communities.

Recognizing the importance of engaging with residents and gathering their valuable insights, the County of Lanark invites all community members to contribute their feedback during the consultation process. This opportunity allows residents to have a direct impact on the finalization of the draft policy, ensuring it reflects the needs and concerns of the local population.

To facilitate the public consultation, the County of Lanark has established a user-friendly feedback submission form, which will be available at (lanarkcounty.ca/hitthebrakes). Residents are encouraged to visit the website and access the form starting from Wednesday, July 12, 2023, until Monday, August 7, 2023. All feedback received will be compiled into a comprehensive report. This report will then be presented to the Public Works Committee on August 16, 2023, for its consideration.

Lanark County Public Works Manager, Sean Derouin, stated, "Since the pandemic began in 2020, the County of Lanark has received an increased number of requests to reduce speed and install traffic calming measures on County Roads, especially within hamlets.

The County has proceeded with multiple speed reductions over the past three years but has found it challenging to find suitable locations to implement the traffic calming mitigation measures provided within our existing policy.

The County has retained Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited to update the existing policy, providing staff with a standardized, balanced procedure for assessing such requests and providing recommendations on proposed mitigation measures, if any, to County Council."

For more information/media interviews, contact:
Sean Derouin
Public Works Manager Lanark County
1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Due to dry conditions, a partial open air burn ban is now in effect. Only residential fires are permitted at this time (campfires, fire pits, burn barrels, chimneas, outdoor fireplaces) are permitted until further notice. . Agricultural fires are prohibited until further notice. Residential fires must be closely monitored and completely extinguished when finished. 

A fire permit is required for all open air burning. To obtain a fire permit please logon to https://dnetv.burnpermits.com/ or call 613-267-2596 ext. 4.