Sitka Power Inc., in partnership with Good Energy Partners, is pleased to invite you to a public open house to discuss the proposed 10MW solar energy generation development project at 908 Churchill Road in the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley. The project is to be developed on 180 acres of privately owned land. We wish to engage with stakeholders in the Lanark County region to introduce our companies, provide an overview of the project, share the results of technical assessments undertaken, and, most importantly, answer any questions you may have.

Please join us on July 21, 2025, between 6:00 and 8:00 PM, at Perth Legion, located at 26 Beckwith St E, in Perth. Enjoy complimentary refreshments and snacks while you meet our team in a relaxed, informal setting.

To RSVP, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and address.

If you are unable to attend, please visit the Project’s website (sitka-power.ca/perth-solar) for an overview of the proposed development. This website will be constantly updated as we progress the project, including dates for future open houses. As well, if you have any questions, please use the email address above.

For more information, an overview of the proposed development and a map, please visit the Project’s website

sitka-power.ca/perth-solar

Special Air Quality Statement and Heat Warning issued for the SEHU region

For immediate release
July 14, 2025

Environment Canada has issued a Special Air Quality Statement alongside the Heat Warning for the South East Health Unit (SEHU) region. When there’s an extreme heat event happening, indoor temperatures can get very high. When extreme heat and wildfire smoke occur at the same time, protecting yourself from heat is the priority.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath, Public Health suggests you consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activity until the air quality improves.

People with lung ailments, heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, those with mobility issues, and people who work or exercise outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke and extreme heat.

Please follow these protective measures to keep cool and protect yourself and others from the effects of wildfire smoke:

• Regularly check local weather forecasts, heat alerts and local air quality conditions using the AQHI or special air quality statements.
• Limit time outdoors, consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.
• When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. Remember, when there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool.
• Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Precautions can include using a clean, high-quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.
• If you must spend time outdoors, a well-fitted NIOSH-certified N95 respirator or equivalent may help reduce your exposure to harmful fine particles. Masks can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in smoke, but do not reduce exposure to gases.
• Public Health currently has N95 masks available for free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. They will be made available this week at the following SEHU office locations during regular business hours while supplies last:
  • Belleville – 179 North Park St.
  • Trenton – 499 Dundas St. West
  • Bancroft – 1P Manor Lane
  • Napanee – 99 Advance Ave.
  • Cloyne – 14209 Hwy 41
  • Kingston – 221 Portsmouth Ave.
  • Brockville – 458 Laurier Blvd.
  • Smith Falls – 25 Jonhson St.
• Check in on others who may be more vulnerable to poor air quality, such as older adults, young children and people with existing health conditions.

Watch for symptoms of heat illness, which include: 

• dizziness or fainting 
• nausea or vomiting 
• headache 
• rapid breathing and heartbeat 
• extreme thirst 
• decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine 

If you experience any of these symptoms during extreme heat, immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids. Water is best. 

Watch for symptoms of smoke exposure, which include:

Mild and common symptoms of smoke exposure include:

• sore and watery eyes
• runny nose and sinus irritation
• scratchy throat and mild coughing
• headache

Severe symptoms of smoke exposure include:

• shortness of breath 
• wheezing (including asthma attacks)
• severe cough
• dizziness
• chest pains
• heart palpitations

Seek medical attention if you develop severe symptoms.

To learn more about the signs, symptoms and health effects of extreme heat and wildfire smoke exposure visit Health Canada’s Resource Wildfire smoke 101: Wildfire Smoke with Extreme Heat.

Heat warning issued for South East Health Unit region 

July 11, 2025

 Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for the South East Health Unit region. The extreme heat is expected to last until Wednesday, July 16. The Health Unit is sending a reminder that high temperatures may impact your health.

Heat warnings are issued when:

• Daytime temperature of 31 C or higher and nighttime temperature not cooler than 20°C lasts for at least two days, or;
• Humidex of 40 C for at least two days are expected.

Becoming overheated can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and, in some cases, death. Even short periods of exposure to high temperatures can cause health problems. If you experience the following symptoms after exposure to extreme heat, seek medical attention immediately:

• Nausea, dizziness, blurred vision
• Difficulty or rapid breathing
• Severe headache or confusion
• Convulsion
• Fever

Everyone is at risk; however, the following people are in greater danger of being affected:

• Elderly;
• People with chronic illness or who take certain medications;
• Infants and preschool children;
• People who have challenges with housing and shelter;
• People who participate in physical activity or are involved in strenuous outdoor work for prolonged periods.

During a Heat Warning, the public is strongly encouraged to check on a neighbour or a friend who may have a greater risk of suffering negative health consequences from the heat and humidity. Use this guide to check on friends and family.  

Dr. Linna Li, Deputy Medical Officer of Health for the South East Health Unit, advises to keep cool and hydrated when it is hot outside and to take the following precautions:

• Do not leave children, adults or pets in parked cars or sleeping outside in direct sunlight.
• Consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding the side effects of your medications.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel very thirsty. Remember to take sips often and not to guzzle your drink. Learn more about hydration at unlockfood.ca.
• Eat foods that have high water content such as watermelon, grapes and oranges.
• Limit caffeinated beverages such as coffee and cola.
• Avoid going out in the blazing sun or heat. If you must go outside, stay in the shade as much as possible.
• Take a cool bath or shower periodically or cool down with cool, wet towels.
• Whenever possible go to an air-conditioned room or building.
• Wear loose fitting, light clothing and a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
• Keep window shades or drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home.
• Avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
• Keep electric lights off or turned down low.
• Visit a local splash pad, wading pool, or cooling centre.
• If you can, eat a variety of foods that can be prepared safely without using the oven.
• Don’t skip meals. Instead, eat smaller amounts more often. Use Canada’s New Food Guide. Check out the snacks on this page.
• Use fans to draw cool air at night, but do not rely on a fan as a main cooling device during long periods of high heat and humidity.
• Reduce the use of personal vehicles, stop unnecessary idling; avoid using oil-based paints and glues, pesticides and gas-powered small engines.

For more information on how to protect your health during extreme heat, visit our Exposure to Hot/Cold Temperatures page. For specific health heat-related questions call 1-800-660-5853 or 613-345-5685. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter @LGLHealthUnit or Instagram @lglhealthunit.z for important public health updates.

For immediate release

June 25, 2025

South East Health Unit to unveil new art installation honouring Indigenous representation in health spaces

 Kingston – On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the South East Health Unit (SEHU) will unveil new commissioned artwork by Indigenous artist Judi Montgomery at its Kingston office. Montgomery’s artwork, to be permanently displayed in the public health office foyer, reflects Indigenous perspectives on health, wellness, identity and belonging. It embodies SEHU’s commitment to health equity and the meaningful inclusion of Indigenous voices in health-care environments.

The SEHU Kingston office (formerly KFL&A Public Health) is one of six locations selected to participate in the Indigenous Spaces and Places in Health Care Initiative, a collaborative effort led by the Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Ontario Health Team (FLA OHT), Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC), and Three Things Consulting.

The goal is to recognize and celebrate Indigenous worldviews of health and well-being while fostering meaningful relationships with local Indigenous artists, Knowledge Keepers and Elders. These collaborations ensure that the artworks are not only visually powerful but grounded in teachings that honour Indigenous ways of knowing, being and healing.

“As a member of the Anishinabek nation and a successful writer and artist, I know that the stories of my Ancestors have and will keep us strong, give us courage and teach us about who we are,” says Montgomery.

This project reflects SEHU’s broader commitment to embed Indigenous cultural understanding and representation into the fabric of public health service delivery.

“Representation in health spaces matters,” says Dr. Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO of SEHU. “The South East Health Unit is dedicated to integrating Indigenous perspectives in our work, in ways that influence our public health systems, relationships and environments across the region.”

In addition to creating visibility through these culturally relevant art installations, the Indigenous Spaces and Places in Health Care Initiative is advancing change across multiple pillars:

• Developing and strengthening policies that foster equitable, culturally safe care for Indigenous clients, staff and volunteers;
• Providing training, education, and wellness circles for health-care providers and leadership to deepen cultural understanding and build long-term capacity for change;
• Supporting reconciliation through relationship-building and knowledge-sharing with Indigenous communities across the region.

To learn more, visit the Indigenous Spaces and Places in Health Care Initiative web page.

Event details

Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Time: 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 221 Portsmouth Avenue, Kingston

Notice from Hydro One

Planned power outage scheduled for this Friday, June 27th from 12:30am to 3:30am in your community and surrounding area. 

 This work will be carried about to install new equipment and replace critical poles. While completing this important work, we will also take the opportunity to connect a 44kV customer.

 We thank customers for their patience as we complete this work. Affected Hydro One customers have been notified via an automated phone call. Additionally, Hydro One customers can visit our outage map or call 1-888-664-9376 for more information.

For immediate release

June 24, 2025

Beach Water Testing Program begins this week

The South East Health Unit (formerly Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit) has started weekly water sampling of the area’s public bathing beaches for this year. The results of the testing will appear on our website and social media starting on June 27, and be posted weekly until the end of August.

Beaches are sampled once a week and monitored for E. Coli. Research has shown that when people are swimming or in the water (bathing) at beaches where the water has a high E. coli level (above the standard of 200) there is a direct relationship with an increase in ear, eye, nose and throat infections in swimmers. Therefore when samples exceed 200, the beach is posted with a warning sign “unsafe for bathing” The bathing beach will remain posted until test results indicate that the water quality meets the bathing beach water standard. To help you better understand “Why Beaches are Posted”, check out the Health Unit website Beaches page.

Testing the water for bacteria is one factor used to determine water quality. The quality of surface water is changeable so the Health Unit advises bathers that before they visit a local beach, to consider other issues that may affect the quality and safety of the water, such as heavy rain in the area within 24 hours and water fowl droppings in the water or on the beach as these may contribute to high bacteria levels. Beach goers should also be on the lookout for the presence of harmful algal blooms and signs of accidental spills that may pollute the water.

Change rooms and washrooms may not always be open to the public so come prepared for the beach by changing at home. Remember to bring hand sanitizer so that you can clean your hands frequently, especially before eating.

For more information about recreational water safety or beach water testing results for this week visit our Weekly Beach Results page or call 1-800-660-5853. You can also connect with us on Facebook and X @LGLHealthUnit or on Instagram @lglhealthunit.z for important public health updates.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Library After Dark fundraising concert series returns to the Perth & District Library with a concert featuring School House!

This summer event, offered in partnership with Stewart Park Festival, offers a chance for people who love music to see top notch artists in a unique, alternative space and support the Perth & District Library.

School House is a folk band from Ottawa. After moving in together in 2021, the three best

friends discovered that their new home was a century-old school house — inspiring the name and giving them a dedicated space to create. They were awarded Group of the Year at the 2024 Ottawa Music Awards and their debut release was named Album of the Year by Ottawa Faces Magazine.

Their sound was born around a campfire, taking turns sharing songs and joining in three-part harmony. They combine upbeat singalongs with emotive folk ballads to bring a wise, yet youthful perspective to the Canadian folk music scene. Releasing their debut album in 2023 and an Acoustic EP in 2024; the band has amassed over 500k online streams.

Doors open at 8:30 pm and music starts at 9:00 pm. You can also enjoy a beverage from the cash bar during the show, and spend intermission under the lights of the library garden!

Tickets are $30 and available for purchase online in advance at www.perthunionlibrary.ca/library-after-dark or at the door. A charitable receipt for $15 will be issued for each ticket.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 19, 2025

As we come to the peak of the local growing season and with the ‘buy Canadian’ movement continuing to be top of mind, now is a great time to search out local farms for fresh, delicious, and nutritious foods. Supporting local producers puts consumer spending power to work building a more dynamic and resilient local food system. It also keeps funds circulating through local economies. To help residents and visitors improve their access to local foods, FoodCore Leeds-Grenville-Lanark (FoodCore LGL) is excited to launch a newly expanded and updated listing of local producers and farmer’s markets: Local Flavours Leeds-Grenville-Lanark.

The Local Flavours Project includes an online map and printed brochure with information on 10 weekly markets and 38 farms, apiaries and sugar bushes. The online map can be found at FoodCoreLGL.ca and copies of the printed brochures have been distributed to farmers markets, municipal offices, food businesses and tourism offices across the region. The project was inspired by Lanark Local Flavour, a map and listing first created by EcoPerth which needed an update.

“It’s the perfect time of year to get out and experience what our amazing local farms have to offer. Purchasing local fresh and delicious produce is a great thing for your health, your taste buds and our local economies. It’s a triple win,” says Elaine Murkin, a FoodCore LGL member and Manager of Population Health with the South East Health Unit.

Sarah Mackenzie and her husband Eric Stewart have a small mixed farm called Hollyhock Grange. As long time members of the Perth Farmers Market, Sarah helps run the market as President of the board. Sarah notes: “Farmers in this area grow some of the best tasting and unique foods that you won’t necessarily find at your big grocery store. While they are working long hours planting for our relatively short season, they don’t have a lot of time to also market themselves and get the word out about their business. FoodCore LGL’s revamp of the Local Flavour website, where the public can find their closest farmer and market, will make shopping for seasonal food easier for everyone.”

Addresses are provided for most of the producers, but unless a farm listing states it has farm gate sales, it’s never a good idea to show up unannounced. It is very important to contact farms ahead of time to make arrangements to purchase products or, where offered, visit the farm. 

FoodCore LGL acknowledges there are many more farms than are listed in Local Flavours and would be happy to hear from any of them that would like to be included in 2026. To contact the Local Flavours team, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Local Flavours project was possible thanks to a community grant provided by Lanark County and administrative support from the Table Community Food Centre.

FoodCore LGL is a coalition of food activists and organizations who take practical steps to realize the vision of the Leeds-Grenville-Lanark Food Charter. The Charter describes an aspirational vision of the region’s food system where food producers, eaters, community organizations, businesses, institutions, and local governments work together to create a future where: the right to food is realized in our communities; our farmers, growers, producers, processors and retailers are thriving; our communities have high food literacy; our natural environment is thriving; our communities are resilient; and food and farming are celebrated. For more information, please visit FoodcoreLGL.ca.

At the Township Council meeting on June 10^th, Reeve Steve Fournier presented the 2025 Senior of the Year Award to Grant McFarlane. The award is granted by the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism and gives municipalities the opportunity to honour one of their local seniors, who have made outstanding contributions to enrich the social, cultural, and civic life of their community.

Grant’s contributions to the community include years of dedication to the Ferguson’s Falls Hall Music Social, 30 years of service at the Prestonvale Cemetery, 15 years with Archives Lanark, and involvement with the fiddle and keyboard bands that bring joy to local nursing homes. For the past 20 years Grant has also volunteered and dedicated his time organizing a Fiddle Service at St. Andrew’s United Church.

Your commitment has enriched countless lives, and this recognition is a testament to the lasting impact you have made, said Reeve Fournier.

Grant isn't the only one making a difference, his wife Gail is equally dedicated, volunteering both independently and alongside Grant. 

Council members gave both Grant and Gail a heartfelt thank you for their unwavering commitment to volunteering and making a meaningful difference in the community.

Drummond/North Elmsley Reeve Steve Fournier presents the 2025 Senior of the Year Award to recipient, Grant McFarlane.