Rain and Roads

There were a lot of school bus cancellations this morning because of snow, ice pellets and freezing rain last night north of Kingston.

The Limestone District School Board has confirmed all buses to Odessa Public School, Centreville Public School, Enterprise Public School, Tamworth Elementary, Newburgh Public School, Land O Lakes Public School, Clarendon Public, North Addington Education Centre and Granite Ridge were been cancelled.

There were also more cancellations,

Parents were being urged to check the Triboard Student Transportation website.

Unsafe Ice

In the wake of a tragic weekend that claimed the lives of three snowmobilers, provincial police are warning riders about unsafe ice and urging everyone, including anglers, to stay off lakes and rivers.

The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority also says ice conditions were already unstable in the region and the rain and mild temperature will make those conditions even worse.

It’s urging people to stay off ice and stay away from fast flowing creeks and rivers.

Lowes – Rona

The Lowe’s home improvement chain is buying Quebec-based Rona Inc. in a deal valued at $3.2 billion. The companies say the combination will create the Canadian market leader. The transaction is supported by management of both companies.

Extendicare

Kingston city council has approved a two year extension of the contract with Extendicare to manage Rideaucrest.

The long term care facility is owned by the city.

The contract with Extendicare Canada is for $342,000 a year.

That covers the cost of an administrator and consultants for things like staff training, dietary requirements, safety and infection control.

The operating cost of Rideaucrest is approximately 5.3 million dollars a year.

Juno Awards

There’s a Kingston connection to the Juno nominations.

Queen’s music professor John Burge has been nominated for Classical Composition of the Year for a piece he wrote for a piano quartet.

Burge won a Juno in 2009.

The awards ceremony takes place on April 3rd in Calgary.

Wolfe Islander – Out of Service

People who use the Wolfe Island Ferry need to remember it will be out of service today for about five hours.

The Wolfe Islander will go out of service for routine maintenance at 9 this morning and is scheduled to resume service at 2 this afternoon.

Hockey Sticks – Dragons Den

A viewing party is being held in Kingston tonight for a special pitch on Dragons Den.

Former NHL enforcer Donald Brashear has developed a line of hockey sticks under the brand name…Brash 87.

Brashear is working with Jibin Joseph of Kingston on marketing the hockey stick.

He says it costs about half of what most other sticks cost.

Their pitch to the Dragons is on tonight at 8.