Prisons – Needle Exchange

The Correctional Service has announced the introduction of a needle exchange program in a bid to reduce infectious diseases among inmates…but none of the institutions in the Kingston area are among the first two prisons to get the program.  All federal institutions in Canada will have the program in place by early next year.

The move has been denounced by the union representing correctional officers.  Union of Canadian Correctional Officers President Jason Godin, of Kingston, says it will encourage criminal activity inside the walls instead of investing in the care and treatment of inmates.

KGH Staff – New Contract

Staff at Kingston General Hospital have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new four year contract.

98 per cent of the 1,400 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees…Local 1974 approved the deal.

Union local president Mike Rodrigues says the deal provides for wage increases of 1.4 per cent for the first two years, 1.6 per cent in the third year and 1.65 per cent in the final year of the agreement.  He says it also provides job security for staff if there’s a merger of departments between Kingston General Hospital and Hotel Dieu Hospital.

Westport – Woman – Critical Condition

A 57 year old woman is in Kingston General Hospital in critical condition after her vehicle wound up in Upper Rideau Lake late Friday night.  The OPP says the woman’s vehicle went into the lake at a boat ramp on Forrester’s Landing Drive, just outside Westport, around 11:55 Friday night.  The vehicle was fully submerged in the water.  The woman was rescued by an OPP officer and volunteer firefighter and rushed to hospital.

Fire – Milford Drive

Nobody was injured in a fire at a house on Milford Drive in Kingston.

Kingston Fire and Rescue was called to the home on Monday afternoon after a report of an explosion.  There has been no confirmation there was actually an explosion.  The fire started in the basement of the bungalow and there was heavy smoke inside the house when firefighters got there.  They rescued a cat from the home.

There’s no word on the dollar estimate of damage or what caused the fire.

Bong Assault

A 19 year old Kingston woman is facing charges of assaulting her roommate with a bong and possession of cocaine.  Kingston Police say the woman was arguing with one of her roommates around 7:30 on Sunday morning when another roommate attempted to intervene.  Investigators say the accused went to the bathroom of their Division Street residence and came out with a large bong.  It was smashed over the roommate’s head.  The victim had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

Community Foundation – Grants

The Community Foundation for Kingston & Area has awarded a total of over $165,000 to 16 organizations in Kingston.

The grants were announced for the local charitable organizations during a ceremony yesterday afternoon.

The Foundation says the grants will directly benefit over 4,000 people…half of them youth and will have indirect benefits for thousands of others.

The grants include just over $3,000 for the Open Voices Community Choir to offer a free show for 700 kids at the Grand Theatre and two projects totaling over $50,000 to address children’s mental health.

St. Lawrence College – Budget

The St. Lawrence College Board of Governors has approved the College’s budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year. The budget of $128 million was approved at its May 8th meeting.

A news release says the budget will allow St. Lawrence College to continue to invest in new programs, the student learning experience, its people, and support strategic initiatives.

St. Lawrence – Energy Tech Partnership

A partnership between a private company and St. Lawrence College will benefit students in the college’s Energy Systems Engineering Technology program.  St. Lawrence has announced the partnership with Reliable Controls…a company that designs and manufactures internet connected building controls.  It will provide $200,000 in the latest equipment for the college as part of the 10 year deal and will upgrade that equipment throughout the partnership.

Filed under: Bong Assault, Budget, Community Foundation, Crash, Critical Condition, Energy Tech Partnership, Fire, Grants, KGH Staff, Milford Drive, Needle Exchange, New Contract, Prisons, St. Lawrence, St. Lawrence College, Westport, Woman