RIDEAU LAKES – Ontario Free Press

(RIDEAU LAKES TOWNSHIP, ON) – The Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid fraud charges against the operator of a former cat rescue in the Elgin area of Rideau Lakes Township.

The lengthy investigation by the OPP and Animal Welfare Service began in October 2024 after complaints were received regarding the well-being of cats under the care of the rescue and irregularities related to donations and expenses.

On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the Chief Executive Office of Eastern Ontario Cats was arrested. Johanna CAKE, age 33 of Rideau Lakes Township, has been charged with:

Fraud over $5000
Fraud under $5000 – two counts
Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime
Obtaining by false pretence-over

The accused has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on May 30, 2025.

(RIDEAU LAKES TWP., ON) – The Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating a fatal collision just south of Smiths Falls.

Leeds County OPP officers and a member of the Smiths Falls Police Service (SFPS), along with the Smiths Falls Fire Department and Lanark County Paramedic Service, responded to the single vehicle collision on County Road 29, shortly before 3:30 a.m. this morning (January 1, 2025).

A car had left the roadway, entered the ditch and struck a tree. It later caught fire. The lone occupant of the vehicle was removed from the car by a passerby and the SFPS officer. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The victim has been identified as a 31-year-old man from Jasper.

The collision remains under investigation with assistance from an OPP Collision Reconstructionist.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation, who witnessed the collision or has relevant dashcam video should contact the Leeds County OPP at 1-888-310-1122 and refer to incident E250000623

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