RAIN FALL WARNING
Emergency officials are bracing for flood conditions in waterlogged central Canada, as well as the Atlantic and Pacific regions.  The provincial government says it’s ready to help as communities across the province face heavy rainfall and potential flooding.  Environment Canada says anywhere from 50 to 90 millimetres of rain is expected through tomorrow from the Windsor and Sarnia areas east to Kingston & The Islands.  Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority updated its flood watch statement for inland lakes and streams. Localized flooding of low lying areas may occur or is already occurring in some areas.

IMPAIRED MAN DRIVES INTO LAKE ONTARIO
Kingston police say a man who was impaired drove into lake Ontario last night. The man drove into the lake off of West street. It was a tow truck driver who noticed the impaired man had entered the water.

SEGREGATION REVIEW
Health groups are applauding the recommendations made in a sweeping review of the province’s use of segregation in its jails.  Howard Sapers, Ontario’s adviser on corrections reform, called for an end to the indefinite segregation of inmates but stopped short of urging an outright ban on the practice.

LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
Construction has started on the Central Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library at 130 Johnson Street. While the Central Branch is closed, the Wellington Storefront, located at 209 Wellington Street, is open 6 days a week to serve downtown Kingston.  Library programs are being offered at the Artillery Park Aquatic Centre and the Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning.

COUNCILLOR POSITION
The City will commission an independent group to look into whether or not the job of City Councillor should be a full time position. Councillors voted in favour of the move at this Tuesday’s regular meeting. The group will look at several ideas, including the full time option, continuing with the status quo, or a hybrid of the two – with Councillors earning more based on the amount of extra work they take on.

SIMULATED PLANE CRASHES
There were two plane crashes at Kingston’s Norman Rogers Airport on Thursday, May 4 — luckily, they were just simulations. The crashes were designed to test the emergency preparedness of Kingston’s first responders. The exercise concluded with a mock press conference for the media where Deputy Chief of Kingston Fire and Rescue, Don Corbett, provided an update on the situation.

Filed under: Councillor Position, Impaired Man Drives Into Lake Ontario, Library Construction, Rain Fall Warning, Segregation Review, Simulated Plane Crashes