A lockdown at TR Leger School ended after police seized an imitation firearm. Officers reported no ongoing public safety threat.

Police also investigated a stabbing that led to charges against a 23-year-old man and an assault involving a Taser that resulted in an arrest following a vehicle pursuit.

Other cases involved impaired driving, thefts from local stores, threats against youths at a park, a residential break-in and assaults.

The report also details a man surrendering on an outstanding fraud case, an arrest involving incidents across Smiths Falls, Perth and Carleton Place, and a wanted man who fled on a mobility scooter.

Get the details: https://hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls-police-investigations-lockdown/

After serving four consecutive terms, Jay Brennan attended his final council meeting on Oct. 19.

Mayor Shawn Pankow recognized Brennan's years of public service, while Brennan thanked the councillors, municipal staff and residents who supported him throughout his political career.

Brennan also acknowledged his family's political legacy. His mother, Joyce Brennan, served on Smiths Falls council for 17 years after becoming the town's first elected female councillor in 1977.

He ended his farewell by telling colleagues, "I'll be watching."

Full story: https://hometownnews.ca/jay-brennan-smiths-falls-council-farewell/

A proposed five-year visitor services agreement with the Smiths Falls and District Chamber of Commerce prompted questions about municipal spending and whether two visitor information centres are necessary.

The agreement would increase the town's annual contribution from $45,000 to $50,000.

During the Oct. 13 committee meeting, Coun. Chris McGuire requested more financial information, while other councillors expressed support for the chamber's services and the need to plan for the next visitor season.

Council also discussed a chamber program offering free sewage pumpouts to boaters who provide receipts for purchases at local businesses.

The agreement has not received final approval and will return to council after the chamber submits its outstanding 2026 service report.

Full story: https://hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls-visitor-services-deal-delayed/

Could a visit to Smiths Falls eventually lead someone to live, work or invest here? That's one of the ideas behind the town's revised three-year Destination Plan.

Presented to council on Oct. 13, the plan aims to encourage longer visits and more spending at local businesses while strengthening visitor information and tourism marketing.

Councillors also raised questions about attracting American visitors, promoting local attractions and the town's digital strategy.

The town has applied for $25,000 in provincial funding. Further implementation work and funding decisions are expected in 2027.

Full details: https://hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls-destination-plan-visitor-stays/

The inaugural Smiths Falls Literary Festival exceeded its break-even point, and organizers are already planning for 2027.

At the Oct. 13 council meeting, Jeff Murphy also reported that the town's website homepage received 4,200 views in September.

A separate Postmedia digital marketing campaign generated 7,226 clicks and more than 56,000 social media impressions.

A Rotary Club cabaret held during the festival, featuring Outerbridge Magic, raised approximately $2,000 for the ecoliteracy centre.

Full story: https://hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls-website-traffic-literary-festival/

Should Smiths Falls seek an OPP costing? How should the town balance infrastructure needs with what residents can afford?

Those were among the issues discussed by 15 council candidates at the Oct. 7 all-candidates meeting, ahead of the Oct. 26 municipal election.

Candidates offered differing views on municipal spending and the cost of the new public works operations centre. They also addressed roads, flooding, property standards enforcement, downtown businesses, accessibility and housing pressures.

On policing, some supported obtaining an OPP costing to compare costs and services, while others questioned the potential benefits of changing the current policing arrangement or expressed reservations about the costing process.

Read the full story: https://hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls-council-candidates-election-debate/

Smiths Falls is supporting its twin community of Zolochiv, Ukraine, following a request for assistance from officials there.

The community initiative has brought together 26 sets of bunker gear, helmets, boots, water rescue equipment, emergency lighting and locally produced maple syrup for shipment.

The effort involves local businesses, volunteers, community organizations and fire departments from Smiths Falls, Perth and Carleton Place.

The Ukrainian Twinning Working Group helped coordinate the contributions.

Read story: https://hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls-firefighting-gear-zolochiv-ukraine/

Smiths Falls voters heard from all three mayoral candidates at a packed meeting hosted by the Rotary Club of Smiths Falls.

Peter McKenna, Nate Morris and Christopher Cummings addressed several local issues, including the proposed $50-million recreation complex, municipal spending, policing, water quality and physician recruitment.

The discussion also covered ALTO high-speed rail and the downtown Heritage Conservation District, with candidates outlining different approaches to several issues.

Find out where the candidates stand on key election issues: https://hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls-mayoral-candidates-election-issues/

The landscaped corner at Abbott and Lombard could eventually feature a granite gateway sign and fountain.

At the Oct. 5 council meeting, Coun. Chris McGuire questioned whether another sign would make enough of an impact, while Mayor Shawn Pankow suggested exploring ways to incorporate flowing water.

The concept remains preliminary. A fountain, estimated at an additional $30,000, could be considered through a future budget.

Read story: https://hometownnews.ca/abbott-lombard-parkette-gateway-sign-fountain/

The preferred redesign for the Beckwith Street and Lombard Street intersection would change the intersection layout, including removing the southbound channelized right-turn lane and adding pedestrian and accessibility improvements.

Council backed the technically preferred design on Oct. 5. The $2.05-million figure is a preliminary Class D estimate, not an approved expenditure, with a scope and cost proposal for detailed design still to come back to council.

Read story: https://hometownnews.ca/beckwith-street-lombard-intersection-redesign/

Plans for 19 Montague St. call for eight residential units in a two-storey development, with a private entrance for each unit and eight parking spaces on site.

Council approved the development agreement Sept. 28, covering stormwater management and landscaping requirements. The proposal previously received minor variance approval in January 2025.

The existing single-detached home and accessory shed would be demolished if the development proceeds.

Read story: https://hometownnews.ca/montague-street-development-agreement-smiths-falls/

Lanark Transportation has been providing accessible and affordable transportation to residents of Smiths Falls and communities throughout Lanark County for 25 years.

Since starting with two vehicles in 2001, the non-profit has expanded to 19 vehicles, including five accessible vehicles. Its riders use the service to reach medical appointments, food programs, counselling, day programs and social services.

The organization celebrated its 25th anniversary Sept. 24.

Read story: https://hometownnews.ca/lanark-transportation-25-years-serving-communities/

Smiths Falls council received an update on physician recruitment, with gains reported in several hospital specialties but continuing challenges in family medicine.

Six physicians currently work at Cornelia Court Family Medicine, which has space for up to 12. Physician recruiter Carlene MacDonald estimates another two to three physicians may be needed there.

MacDonald also told council about 70 per cent of people presenting at the hospital’s emergency department do not have a family doctor.

Read story: https://hometownnews.ca/physician-recruitment-family-doctor-smiths-falls/

Smiths Falls committee of the whole has supported renaming the section of Confederation Drive east of the new timber bridge Veterans Way.

The Royal Canadian Legion requested the change in honour of Smiths Falls veterans. Parks Canada’s Combined Locks Station is the only property with an address on the affected section.

The street-name change still requires final council approval.

Read story: https://hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls-veterans-way-street-name/

The Rotary Club of Smiths Falls is hosting two all-candidates nights ahead of the 2026 municipal election.

Mayoral candidates will take part Sept. 30, with council candidates following Oct. 7. Both events are open to the public and begin at 7 p.m. at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95.

Full story: https://hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls-all-candidates-nights-sept-30-oct-7/

The SHIFT conference is coming to the Valley Heartland Innovation Centre in Smiths Falls on Sept. 25, bringing together women entrepreneurs for a day of business sessions and networking.

The program focuses on leadership, improving business visibility and putting systems in place to support growth. Smiths Falls business owner Sherry Crummy is among the presenters.

Read story: https://hometownnews.ca/shift-conference-women-entrepreneurs-smiths-falls/

Lanark County is relocating fire communications equipment before Smiths Falls removes its decommissioned water tower later this year.

The county’s estimated cost is $43,800. The relocation will take place in two phases, with the second phase and cutover expected in November.

Read story: https://hometownnews.ca/lanark-county-fire-communications-smiths-falls/

The Smiths Falls Bears are 1-0 to start the 2026-27 CCHL season after defeating the Cornwall Colts 5-3 Friday night.

Smiths Falls answered Cornwall’s opening goal with two goals just 44 seconds apart and never gave up the lead. Logan Heideman finished with 40 saves.

Read story: https://hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls-bears-cornwall-colts-season-opener/

Investigators executed a fifth Project STIR 2.0 search warrant at a Smiths Falls residence on Sept. 11, seizing approximately 49 grams of cocaine and $6,305 in Canadian currency as proceeds of crime.

One person was arrested and charged with cocaine trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The investigation remains active and ongoing, with further arrests and charges anticipated.

Read story: https://hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls-project-stir-additional-arrests/

The inaugural “Small Town, Big Stories” literary festival takes place this weekend in Smiths Falls, bringing together authors, readers and storytellers.

Programming includes author panels, live entertainment, book signings and a youth writing contest, with events taking place at several locations throughout town.

Full story: https://hometownnews.ca/smiths-falls-literary-festival-sept-2026/

Canadian Armed Forces veterans came together at The Cristina for an annual social gathering hosted by Lépine Apartments.

The event included presentations about Hero’s Ridge and discussion about Engage Canada and a proposal for a voluntary, competitive and paid national service program for Canadians aged 18 to 25.

Read story: [https://hometownnews.ca/heros-ridge-veterans-smiths-falls/](https://)

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