Kingston News, March 1st, 2018

Phoenix Pay Problems

People working for the federal government have held rallies to mark the second anniversary of the launch of the disastrous Phoenix pay system.  Their unions says they will hold the government to its word that it will replace the system with one that works.  The Phoenix pay system has been a nightmare for tens of thousands of civil servants, including many in Kingston who have been underpaid, overpaid or haven’t been paid at all.

Arrest – Warrants

Kingston Police have arrested a third man as they work to wrap up their investigation into two robberies.

Police arrested 37 year old Calder Morley Smith at a residence on Van Order Drive on Tuesday night.  They’d already arrested two other Kingston men for the robberies at homes on Nelson Street and Glen Arden Court.

There’s an outstanding warrant for the arrest of the fourth man…36 year old Kevin William Harris.

Smoke Alarms

Central Frontenac Fire and Rescue is stepping up its home inspection program after finding an alarming number of homes that don’t have operating smoke alarms.

They’ll be conducting door to door checks for smoke alarms next weekend…the time change weekend when people are encouraged to check the batteries in their smoke alarms.

Fire Chief Greg Robinson says they don’t want to give people tickets.  Robinson says they’ll work with homeowners to make sure they are properly protected by smoke alarms.

McDonalds – New Ownership

The McDonalds restaurants in Kingston and Gananoque are under new ownership today.

Ron and Karen Sutherland spent their last day on the job Wednesday.  The Sutherlands have retired to spend more time with family.

They’ve sold the seven restaurants to Todd and Amy Shea of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

Physio Fund

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy staff at Providence Care will the opportunity to further their education thanks to a new endowment fund.

The money for the endowment has been donated by Hans Blaser…one of the first male physiotherapists in Canada.  The Hans W. Blaser Education Endowment will be awarded to one applicant a year to help them advance their training.  There are more than 25 physiotherapists and 40 occupational therapists working at Providence Care.

Providence Care – Pink

Providence Care Hospital has raised $4,250 dollars through the sale of pink t-shirts and toques.

The hospital held a news conference and photo opportunity yesterday with over 100 staff and patients sporting the T-shirts for the Be Kinder anti-bullying campaign.

The money will be used for child and youth programming at the Boys and Girls club of Kingston & Area.

Film Festival – Opening

The Kingston Canadian Film Festival kicks off tonight with the screening of the film…Meditation Park.

The movie is being shown at the Isabel Bader Centre.

The Opening Night Reception will follow that at the Delta Hotel.

Festival Passes are no longer available – but advance tickets are being sold for films playing throughout the weekend.

Oops!  Raft Drop

An investigation is underway after a Canadian Air Force helicopter dropped an inflatable raft on a home in Miami, punching a hole in the roof.  The Griffon search-and-rescue helicopter was on a training exercise in Florida and was returning to a US Coast Guard air station.  Photos from the scene show a gaping hole in the roof of the residence.  One person suffered minor injuries.

Sing with Foreigner Contest

When Foreigner plays at the Rogers K-Rock Centre on March 24th…a group of young people from the Kingston area will be on stage singing with the iconic rock band.

K-Rock has announced a contest to select a choir of high school age or younger people to perform on stage with Foreigner.  Choirs need to submit a video.

The winner will also get a $500 donation for their choir program.

Details of the contest are on the K-Rock1057.ca website.

https://www.krock1057.ca/contests/sing-with-foreigner/#/gallery/enter