Bus Cancellations

Some students in Hastings County got today off because of icy side roads.

Triboard Transportation says the rain washed salt and sand away leaving some roads very icy and there were numerous bus cancellations in Hastings County today.

 

Teachers – Job Action

More job action is planned by teachers as they ramp up pressure on the province to reach a contract agreement.

Elementary school teachers will begin phase two of their work to rule campaign starting tomorrow by withdrawing a number of services including not planning new field trips.

Another one-day strike is being planned by public high school teachers.  It will be held in nine school boards on Wednesday…including the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. The Limestone District School Board is not included in this one-day strike.

 

Prisons – Needle Challenge

An Ontario court is set to hear a constitutional challenge this week to the federal ban on needles for drug-using inmates.  The case was launched in 2012 by a former prisoner.  It argues the current rules violate inmates’ rights and expose them to serious blood-borne diseases.  Several HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations are also involved in the challenge. The Correctional Service did launch a program last year offering inmates in some facilities access to sterile equipment.  Court filings say the program is currently only available in a handful of Canada’s 43 federal prisons.

 

Third Crossing – Construction

Construction work on the bridge over the Cataraqui River will start up soon after the city got final approval of the detailed impact assessment.

The first step will be the creation of a temporary rock causeway.  That is expected to take about eight months of crews working Monday through Saturday from 7am to 10pm.

Five passages will be built to allow turtles and other wildlife to move through the work site.

 

Band Council Elections

The Chief of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Band Council has been re-elected.

Chief R. Don Maracle easily won the election on Saturday.  He has served as Chief for over 20 years.

Josh Hill and Carl Maracle were re-elected as councillors.  Joining them on the council will be Lynda Leween and Kelly Maracle.

 

Tree of Hope

Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington says it is in urgent need of donations to reach the goal of its Tree of Hope campaign.

The holiday appeal has raised about $30,000 dollars of its $40,000 goal and the campaign ends on December 18th.

The money is used to buy things children need and fund enrichment activities, including summer camp.

Donations can be made at: helptreeofhope.ca

 

Paramedics – Toy Drive

Frontenac paramedics and dispatchers did some extra work on the weekend.

They held a Toydrive to fill an ambulance for children in need in the Limestone District School Board.

The members of OPSEU collected 720 toys & $1000 in six hours on Saturday at ToysRUs.