Doctor Shortage

A group of Kingston doctors says there are already over 10 thousand people in Kingston who do not have a family doctor and that number could increase dramatically.

Family physicians are in a battle with the Ontario government over what they get paid. The province has put a cap on how much they can earn. That means doctors have no incentive to take on extra patients in a family medicine practice.

A recent survey indicates 10 family doctors in Kingston will be retiring and that will leave 8 thousand more people without a family physician

A group of about 80 doctors met with Kingston and the Islands MPP Sophie Kiwala to outline their concerns and she says she’ll send those concerns along to the health minister.

Domestic Assault – Man Charged

A Kingston man is facing charges in a nasty case of abusive behaviour and domestic violence.

The 35-year-old Kingston man was arrested at a Guthrie Drive residence on Wednesday.

Police have charged the man with assaulting his female partner, breaking a window in her vehicle, smashing her new smart phone, threatening her, slashing all four tires on her car and cracking its windshield during various outbursts over a six month period.

Fraud Charges

A 51 year old woman on probation for fraud has been charged with defrauding a Kingston realty company of about $15,000.

Kingston Police say the woman was responsible for payroll software and began overpaying herself.  She is also charged with using a company credit card and writing company cheques to herself.

She was fired and police were contacted.  The woman was charged with Fraud over $5,000.

Drinking and Driving – Operation Red Nose

Festive RIDE programs will be out in full force this weekend and police are asking the public to call 9-1-1 if they suspect someone has been drinking and driving.

Frontenac and Sharbot Lake OPP say they’ve conducted 39 RIDE checks at various locations in Frontenac County since November 23rd.

12 hundred vehicles have been checked and two people have been charged with impaired driving.  One driver was issued a three day suspension.

Police say there are many ways to avoid being charged…including the services of Operation Red Nose.

So far this season…Kingston’s Operation Red Nose has provided 351 rides and raised over $9,000 for charities.

Volunteers will provide rides for people and their vehicles tonight, tomorrow night and New Year’s Eve.