Kingston News, January 19th, 2017

Trip to China – Cost

The cost for Kingston taxpayers to send a delegation to China will be about $26,000.

Mayor Bryan Paterson, Utilities Kingston President and CEO Jim Keech and four staff from the Kingston Economic Development Corporation will have their travel bills covered by taxpayers.

Feihe International paid for all ground travel and meals in China.

Mayor Bryan Paterson says it was worth every cent.  His tab for the trip is just under $4,400 including airfare and hotels.

Feihe International is spending a quarter of a billion dollars to build a plant in Kingston that will employ 200 people.

Escape Attempt – Joyceville

The Correctional Service and Joint Penitentiary Squad are investigating an attempted escape at Joyceville Institution.  It took place Tuesday morning.

The correctional service says the inmate never breached the exterior walls and no lockdown was put in place after the escape bid was uncovered.  It hasn’t released any other information.

Kingston Men – Napanee Arrest

Two men from Kingston are facing charges after the OPP tried to stop a vehicle on Centre Street in Napanee late Sunday night.

The vehicle took off but was later stopped on York Road.

It turns out the vehicle had been stolen.

19 year old Benn Trecartin faces six charges including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, possession of property obtained by crime, and failing to comply with probation.

22 year old Gary Jansen has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime, and failing to comply with probation.

Planning Meeting – Church of the Good Thief

Kingston’s planning committee will consider an application on the future of Kingston’s second oldest church when it meets tonight.  The Catholic Archdiocese is requesting re-zoning for the Church of the Good Thief on King Street near Portsmouth Avenue.  The church was built with limestone quarried by inmates at Kingston Penitentiary in the 1890’s.  It has been closed for three years.

The archdiocese wants to convert the church into an archive.  It wants to sell the rectory as well as the church hall and three adjoining lots for private housing.

The Hip – Screen Awards

The Tragically Hip has been nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards.

The nominations are for the August 20th broadcast of their concert at the Rogers K-Rock Centre on CBC.

The broadcast has been nominated for the best live entertainment special and the members of The Hip have been nominated for best performance in a variety or sketch comedy program or series.

The Canadian Screen Awards show takes place in Toronto on March 12.

CORRECTION:  Habitat – Home Ownership

A correction about the Habitat for Humanity Home Ownership information night…it is next Wednesday, January 25^th.

A story posted on Tuesday incorrectly reported the event was taking place on January 18th.

Habitat for Humanity is looking for three families and the home ownership information session is next Wednesday, January 25, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the ReStore location at 607 Gardiners Road.