County – Snowfall

It’s the first day of February and there are now snow squall watches or warnings.

That’s good news for Prince Edward County where lake effect snow created hazardous conditions and led to the closure of some roads earlier this week.  The OPP used snowmobiles to patrol some roads on Wednesday to look for people who may have been stranded in their vehicles because of huge snowdrifts. Police responded to nearly 40 collisions on Wednesday.

There was an extreme cold warning for today…but Environment Canada says things are improving as temperatures begin to climb out of the deep freeze this weekend.

 

UK Youth – Kingston Bomb Threats

Kingston Police say they will be seeking a warrant to arrest a youth the United Kingdom in connection with bomb threats at Kingston high schools on December 5th and 6th.  Police say the youth was identified on the first day of the threats.  They say the threats were the result of online interactions the youth had with people in Kingston.

While police will be seeking a warrant to arrest the youth on seven counts of public mischief, and seven counts of uttering threats….they won’t actually be asking for him to be extradited to Canada to face the charges.  He’ll only be arrested if he travels to Canada. But…Police in the U-K are considering charging him in connection with incidents there.  The response to the threats by Kingston Police cost taxpayers $22,534.33.

 

RMC Cadet – Sexual Assault

An officer cadet at the Royal Military College in Kingston has been charged with sexually assaulting another member of the Armed Forces.

The military’s investigation service says the charges relate to incidents reported to have taken place between September of 2015 and May of 2017 in various locations in Ontario and Quebec.

The complainant reported the incidents to military police in Kingston last week and Officer Cadet Cody Carter was charged last Friday with three counts of sexual assault and two counts of assault.

 

Contraband – Collins Bay

Correctional staff have found more contraband at Collins Bay Institution.

A news release from the Correctional Service says a package was seized in the medium security unit at Collins Bay around 5pm on Tuesday.

The items seized included mini cell phones and chargers, ceramic blades, rolling papers and 124.6 grams of marijuana.  The Correctional Service says the estimated value of the seizure is $15,000.

Police have been notified and the institution is investigating.

 

Health Care – OFL

The Ontario Federation of Labour says the Ontario government is planning to privatize health care.

It says draft legislation leaked yesterday includes plans for a super-agency with extraordinary powers over the delivery of health care across Ontario.  The OFL says it clears the pathway for privatization and would make it difficult or nearly impossible for many to get the care they need.  It also says it will lead to increased costs for everyone and put people in Ontario at the mercy of a for-profit health care system.

 

Record Demand – Coat Drive

It may be a sign more people in Kingston are facing tough times.

The annual Hotel Dieu Hospital – St. Mary’s Cathedral Coat Drive experienced its biggest demand ever.  964 people visited the distribution centre at St. Mary’s Parish Hall from mid-November to mid-January. That’s 262 more people than last year.  2,600 items were handed out including 848 coats and almost 1,800 accessories like socks, mitts, gloves, scarves, blankets and boots.

Organizers of the coat drive are thanking everyone who donated items and time to help a record number of people who needed warm clothing.

 

QHacks – Hackathon at Queen’s

Some of the brightest students from across North American are in Kingston for QHacks 2019…a hackathon at Queen’s University.  Teams of students will be collaborating to develop an idea into a finished product in Grant Hall and Kingston Hall over the next three days.  They’ll also have the opportunity to hear from speakers from top global tech companies including Google, Microsoft, Shopify and Snap.

More than 500 students from all over North America attended last year’s QHacks event.

 

Feb Fest

Feb Fest kicks off this weekend in downtown Kingston.

An award winning ice sculptor and snow carver will be carving ice sculptures in Springer Market Square.

Kurt Browning headlines the Imagination on Ice figure skating show along with local skaters at 1pm on Saturday.

There’s music in the square Saturday night and the Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics takes place Sunday at 11 on the pier at the foot of Brock Street.

Feb Fest continues through the month and next weekend Saturday is Hockey Day in Kingston.