Helium Balloons – Release Ban

 

Releasing helium filled balloons outdoors in Kingston will soon be against the law.

City Council approved a motion last night to have staff prepare a report on how the city can ban the intentional release of helium-filled latex and Mylar/foil balloons in the outdoors.  The motion says when the balloons pop or deflate they become an environmental hazard for wildlife.

 

City Council – Briefs

 

Kingston City Council has unanimously approved a request to have the Federal government designate Navy Memorial Park as a Canadian War Memorial.  City staff will also work with local Navy Veterans in support of their request to designate the park as a valuable historic site.  The proposed fire route for a high-rise development on the waterfront threaten the future of the park.  Plans show the fire route going through the middle of the park.

 

The city will be spending $1.5 million to create 11 new affordable housing units.

City council has approved $1.2 million dollars for 8 units at 28 Cliff Crescent and $338,000 for three units at 35 Lyons Street.

 

City Council also unanimously approved the Third Crossing Action Plan Update.

City staff will now prepare the funding agreements for both the provincial and federal governments.  The city is still waiting for the federal government to confirm its 60million dollar share of the cost for the bridge over the Cataraqui River.

 

Auditor – RMC

 

Canada’s auditor general has found the Royal Military College in Kingston isn’t being run in a cost-effective way and often fails to provide effective instruction on military leadership.

The findings are part of a report on the federal government’s operations by auditor general Michael Ferguson. Ferguson found RMC has failed to ensure cadets learn proper military conduct, ethics or adequate leadership skills.

Chief of Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance says many of the things the auditor general has identified are already being addressed after he ordered a special review of RMC.

 

Naloxone – Schools

 

The Limestone District School Board is equipping high schools with Naloxone kits.

Naloxone can help save someone suffering from an opioid overdose.

The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board is also working on an implementation plan for naloxone kits.

 

Police – Help Request

 

Kingston Police are asking for help in finding the person responsible for shooting at a woman with a pellet or BB gun.  The woman was walking on York Street near Division Street shortly after 5am on November 14th when she was hit in the arm with what’s believed to be a pellet or BB.

Police say she suffered a relatively minor injury.

Anyone with information about the incident is being asked to contact Kingston Police or Crime Stoppers.

 

Lockdown – Collins Bay

 

The maximum security unit at Collins Bay Institution is under a lockdown after an inmate was assaulted.  The Correctional Service says a prisoner was taken to hospital for treatment on Monday following the assault.  The Joint Forces Penitentiary Squad and the institution are investigating.

Prison officials say the inmates involved in the assault have been identified and the warden has ordered the lockdown and an exceptional search of the maximum-security unit.

 

Dirksen – Missing Man Located

 

Good news about a Kingston man who had been reported missing after not being seen since November 2nd.

Leeds OPP says 60 year old John Dirksen has been located safe and sound.

 

National Housing Day – Habitat

 

It’s National Housing Day and Habitat for Humanity is inviting people in Kingston to celebrate by helping with construction at the Good Shepherd Legacy Project.

Construction is under on the first of three duplexes being built at 46 Cowdy Street.

The public is invited to help with the build between 8:30 this morning and 4:30 this afternoon.