Kingston Fire

Fire has caused extensive damage to an apartment unit at 37 Joseph Street in Kingston.

Kingston Fire and Rescue says the lone occupant of the apartment was outside when they arrived around 10:20 last night.  A news release from Platoon Chief Shawn Babcock says the person was taken to hospital by ambulance with unknown injuries.

Babcock says damage was contained to the apartment unit where the fire started and no other units in the building were damaged.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

 

Fire – Napanee

Fire has destroyed a home on Dafoe Road in Napanee.  Nobody was home when the fire broke out yesterday afternoon.

The house was engulfed in flames when fire crews got there.

Investigators will be back on the scene today to try and determine the cause of the fire.

 

High School – One Day Strike

The Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation says talks with Premier Doug Ford’s government appear to have stalled, and it is left with no choice but to move ahead with job action today.

High School teachers working for the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board and eight other school boards

in Ontario are staging a one-day strike today.

 

Dollarama Man

A 39-year-old Kingston man is facing charges after crawling through the ceiling of the downtown Dollarama.

Police say the man stole items from the store and was caught by store security as he left on Monday night.  When he was brought to the store office he pulled out a knife…swung it at security staff…began destroying the office and ceiling tiles before climbing into the ceiling. He fell from the ceiling when police arrived and was caught after a short foot chase inside the store.  He’s now facing five charges including assault with a weapon and mischief over five thousand dollars for the damage to the store.

 

Manpower Hiring Survey

Survey says…Kingston area employers expect a positive hiring climate during the first three months of 2020.

The Manpower Group Employment Outlook Survey found 20% of employers plan to hire…7% expect cutbacks.

The remaining 73% of employers expect to maintain their current staffing levels.

 

Queen’s Staff Appreciation Day

Queen’s University is recognizing the contributions of its staff today.

Staff Appreciation Day is highlighted by the Principal’s Holiday Receptions from 11:30 to 1pm in the main gym of the Athletics and Recreation Centre.

 

Groundbreaking – East Community Centre

The ground-breaking ceremony for the Kingston East Community Centre will take place today.

Mayor Bryan Paterson, members of city council and city staff will be on hand at 9am for the ground-breaking on the southeast corner of Highway 15 and Grenadier Drive.

The $13.5 million community centre will feature a full-sized gym, fitness centre, community kitchen, multi-purpose rooms, meeting rooms, splash pad and an emergency reception centre.

 

Dray’s Field of Dreams

The University Hospitals Kingston Foundation says four-year-old Drayden Brimble and his family are giving hope to local families dealing with cystic fibrosis. The Brimble family started fundraising through the Foundation four years ago to support the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic at Hotel Dieu Hospital.

Drayden was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly after he was born and has inspired “Dray’s Field of Dreams” fundraising events. This year, the family organized a baseball tournament and a fashion show, which raised $20,774.

That brings “Dray’s Field of Dreams” four-year event total to $50,629.

The funds are being used to help families with costs that are not covered by insurance.