Outage

A power failure hit a widespread area north of Kingston this morning.  The area included Yarker, Colebrook and Murvale.  Hydro One reported close to 1,500 customers were without power.  At 8:30 a.m. it was reporting it anticipated having power restored by 9:45 this morning in that area.

Localized Flooding

The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority says rain and strong winds could lead to localized flooding in low lying areas.  It says there could also be flooding and shoreline erosion along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

Pay Increase

Kingston City Council has approved hefty increases in pay for the new mayor and council that will be elected this fall.

Council passed the bylaw last night to increase the pay for the mayor to 116 thousand dollars a year from the current 94 thousand…a 24% increase.

Councillors will get a 40% increase an earn 40 thousand a year…up from 31 thousand.

The new rates take effect starting next year and were recommended by an independent committee.

Pay Day Loans

The city will be investigating changes to its bylaw on payday loan after a motion from councillor Mary Rita Holland was given unanimous approval last night.

Holland is proposing the current bylaw be amended to limit the payday loan outlets to no more than one per electoral district.  City staff will report back to council on the issue.

Gun Shots – Arrests

A man and woman from Kingston have been arrested after a woman was robbed at gun point and four shots were fired from a hand gun.

Kingston Police say a woman had her jewelry and tablet stolen last Wednesday night in the area of Amberdale Crescent.  The woman was then taken in her vehicle to a residence on Wilson Street.  The handgun was fired in a parking lot and the pair took off in the woman’s vehicle.

The man was arrested a few hours later and the woman was arrested on Friday.  24-year-old Jesse Decardo Turner and 21-year-old Janelle Danika Street are both facing numerous charged.

Turner was also wanted on a warrant for aggravated assault in Edmonton, Alberta.

Charges – Train Incident

Three men involved in a wild chase that ended with their vehicle being destroyed by a VIA Rail passenger train last week are all facing charges of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Kingston Police say they had been investigating a cocaine trafficking operation when they attempted to stop the vehicle last Thursday.  It hit a cruiser and took off before eventually winding up on the train tracks north of Bath.  Kingston Police say cocaine that was tossed out of a vehicle was recovered.

A 27 year old man from Ajax, a 23 and a 19 year old man from Pickering are all facing charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Drugs Hidden for Inmate

Two Kingston men have been charged after police found drugs hidden in the Superior Court of Justice in Kingston for a Millhaven Institution inmate.  Kingston Police say they were tipped off by the OPP Penitentiary Squad and Correctional Service and found the drugs last Thursday morning.  Two men were arrested on Barrie Street.

The 42 year old and 33 year old both face charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking and the 33 year old has also been charged with breach of probation.

Kiwala – Handouts

Kingston and the Islands MPP Sophie Kiwala will be handing out more cash today.

Kiwala will be at the Fort Henry Discovery Centre at 10:00 a.m. to announce support for local festivals and events in the Kingston area.

Filed under: Arrests, Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, Charges, Drugs Hidden for Inmate, Gun Shots, Kingston City Council, Localized Flooding, Pay Day Loans, Pay Increase, Power outage, Sophie Kiwala, Train Incident