Power Outage planned for RMC, CFB Kingston and Barriefield

Heads up for Kingston Hydro customers in the areas of Barriefield Village, the Royal Military College and CFB Kingston. Residents in the those areas will experience a 15-minute planned power outage on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 7:15 a.m. The alternate date for this outage is Wednesday, Dec. 30.

These power outages are necessary to allow Hydro One workers to safely complete equipment upgrades to the submarine cables crossing the Cataraqui River.

For a more detailed map of the affected areas, please visit www.UtilitiesKingston.com.

Gross Indecency – Gananoque Man

Gananoque Police have reported the former Gananoque church organist who was recently convicted on indecent assault and gross indecency charges was slapped with another charge on Monday.

67 yr old Brian Lucy has been charged with another count of gross indecency, stemming from a new alleged victim.

In October, Lucy was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to indecent assault, gross indecency on two youths more than three decades ago, as well as the  possession of child pornography.

Police added the new charge after a third alleged victim came forward, with police continuing to investigate the matter.

Should Lucy be convicted of the latest charge, his prison term could be extended.

Impaired Driving

A southwestern Ontario resident has been charged with impaired driving after a serious collision on Monday.

Hwy. 401 between Montreal Street and Highway 15 was closed for almost 2 hours on Monday afternoon due to a two car collision.

Both drivers were taken to hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.

28 year old Jason  McCafferty, from the Port Elgin area, was arrested and charged with, driving a motor vehicle while ability impaired and dangerous operation of motor vehicle.

McCafferty was released on a promise to appear to attend Ontario Court of Justice in Kingston on January 28.

Utilities Kingston – Warning

Utilities Kingston is warning residents to be wary of door to door sales people!

They continue to receive reports from residents who have been approached by door-to-door water filtration system sales people who are misrepresenting themselves as being from Utilities Kingston or providing other false information.

Utilities Kingston does not sell water filtration systems door-to-door and advises consumers to understand their rights and be wary when dealing with door-to-door sales people.

Customers are reminded:

* Always make sure you get a business card and look at the salesperson’s ID badge first.

* Ask to see their City-issued license to sell door-to-door in Kingston.

* Don’t share personal information (i.e., your gas or electricity bill) unless you are sure you want to sign a contract.

* Carefully read the contract, disclosure statement and price comparison provided by the salesperson.

* You do not have to let sales people in your home or even open your door. Remember, you have the right to ask sales people to leave your property.  If they don’t, then contact police.

* The Consumer Protection Act gives you special rights when you buy something in your home (e.g., at your door) that costs more than $50. For example, you have the right to cancel a contract for any reason within a 10 calendar-day cooling-off period, with the exception of water heater contracts for which you have a cooling-off period of 20 days.

Learn more about your consumer rights at www.UtilitiesKingston.com.

Frontenac and Sharbot Lake OPP – RIDE Campaign

Frontenac and Sharbot Lake OPP detachments have conducted 39 RIDE checks at various locations throughout the area since the Ontario Provincial Police Festive RIDE campaign began on Nov. 23,

Frontenac OPP, reported as of mid-December just over 1,200 vehicles were checked, resulting in two impaired driving  charges and one “warn range” charge carrying a three-day driver’s licence suspension.

Compared to years past these are low numbers, but they are up from 2014 RIDE season statistics.

The Festive RIDE campaign will continue until Jan. 2.

The OPP also advises members of the public to call 911 if they suspect someone has been drinking and is about to drive a motor vehicle.

Crash –Kills Baby

A seven-week-old infant has died in hospital after being injured in a crash on Highway 7 east of Peterborough.

The O-P-P says the baby boy was among five members of a Bowmanville-area family in an S-U-V that left the road and collided with a culvert yesterday near the village of Norwood.

Police say the baby’s grandmother and a six-year-old child suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Highway 7 was closed for three hours while a collision reconstruction team investigated the cause of the crash.  (The Canadian Press)

Ford Recall – Ontario
Ford is recalling more than 300-thousand cars built at a now-closed assembly plant in Ontario.
The Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis with 2003 to 2005 model years were built at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant south of London, before the factory stopped production in 2011.

The large cars are being recalled because their headlights can go dark and cause a crash.

The recall came after U-S safety regulators opened an investigation into the problem that caused 15 crashes and one injury. (The Associated Press, The Canadian Press)

Ski Season – Conditions

Ontario’s unseasonably warm weather is proving a challenge for those who love winter sports, and the resorts that cater to them.

At Blue Mountain ski resort in Collingwood, north of Toronto, a spokeswoman says this year could be the latest season opening for the resort ever.

Tara Lovell says the resort was all set for a November 27th start date but with no snow, it could be well past Christmas before the slopes are open.

Blue Mountain is reopening some of its summer activities like the rope course, zip line and climbing wall, but will also  offer its usual holiday activities like live music, fireworks and wagon rides.  (The Canadian Press)

Tribunal – Child Welfare

A ruling next month is expected from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal on aboriginal welfare.

The tribunal is expected to weigh in on whether Ottawa discriminated against First Nations children by not funding child welfare services on reserves at the same level as services elsewhere.

The T-R-C says governments must enact child welfare legislation that establishes national standards for aboriginal child apprehension and custody cases. (Canadian Press)

Manitoba-PTSB-Compensation

Manitoba’s Workers Compensation Board is about to recognize post-traumatic stress disorder as a work-related disease.

Starting January 1st, anyone in Manitoba diagnosed by a medical professional with P-T-S-D after a traumatic on-the-job event will be eligible for treatment and compensation.

Premier Greg Selinger calls it compassionate but smart legislation. (Canadian Press)

Trudeau Christmas

Syrian refugees were on Justin Trudeau’s mind as he delivered his first Christmas message as prime minister.
Trudeau said this is the time of year when Canadians are generous towards friends and family.

And, he encouraged Canadians to do the same with Syrians who are experiencing Canadian holidays and winter for the first time.

His government vows to re-settle 25-thousand Syrians by the end of February.

At the start of this week, the number stood at just over 16-hundred. (Canadian Press)