School Threats

Kingston Police continue their efforts to track down the person responsible for threats at Kingston schools.  Four schools received threats yesterday…Marie Rivier, LCVI, Rideau District High in Elgin and KCVI.

The schools were put in a lockdown along with several nearby schools.

Police searched the schools and found nothing.

They are urging the public not to engage with the person claiming responsibility on social media.

 

Day of Remembrance

People gathered at Sydenham Street United Church and Queen’s University to remember the 14 women killed at Montreal’s Ecole Polytechnique on December 6th, 1989.

During the annual National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women event at Queen’s organized by the Engineering Society…13 female engineering students and one staff member held red roses, lit white candles, and read a brief biography of each of the victims.

The Engineering choir also debuted a choral piece called Chrysalides during the event attended by dozens of people.

 

Kingston Fire & Rescue – Alarm scam

Kingston Fire & Rescue is warning people about a scam involving callers who want to set up home visits to check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.  The fire department says the caller may claim to be from the City of Kingston.  Kingston Fire & Rescue is not conducting a survey of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

It says if you get one of these calls – hang up and report the call to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

 

There’s another phone scam going on.  Utilities Kingston is advising you not to give out banking or account information to callers offering low rates on a fictitious monthly carbon tax.

 

And the best advice – don’t give out banking information to anyone who calls you.

 

Smith School of Business – Forecast Luncheon

The annual business forecast luncheon held by the Smith School of Business at Queen’s has been told the Canadian economy will remain upbeat in 2019, despite falling oil prices and rising interest rates.

Associate Professor of Finance Evan Dudley told a group of 200 people yesterday…he expects the economy to grow by 2%…the same rate as this year.

Dudley also believes inflation will drop to 2% next year.

The Conference Board of Canada says Kingston’s economy will have grown 1.9 per cent this year with unemployment slightly below the national average and 5.5%.

Dudley says “Kingston is becoming more attractive for students, retirees and also increasingly for professionals as new companies establish themselves here.”

 

Hospice – New Gift

When he was alive…Larry Gibson donated half a million dollars to Hospice Kingston saying palliative care was a labour of love for him.

That was in 2009.  Yesterday, the estate of Larry Gibson gave the fund raising drive for a new residence and palliative care centre in Kingston a check for $500,000.

The Capital Campaign goal for the new residence and palliative care centre is $11 million and over 10.2 million has already been raised.

 

Snow Much Fun

The City of Kingston is hosting Snow Much Fun in Springer Market Square from 5 to 9pm today.

The skating rink is open…there will be carols provided by the St. George’s Cathedral choir, interactive games, a warm up zone with fire pits and a chance to meet and greet Santa.

The event tonight also features a holiday market and an acoustic Christmas concert from 8 to 9pm.