Public Service – Cutbacks

 

People who work for the Ontario government in offices in Kingston and across the province have received a notice about voluntary departures.

An existing program is being extended and a new program has been introduced aimed at managers.

The notice says, “As part of the government’s comprehensive plan to address its fiscal challenges, the government is exploring measures to manage its compensation costs in a way that ensures vital services to citizens are not compromised while avoiding involuntary job losses.

 

Recreation Centre Redevelopment

 

The W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre in Amherstview will be undergoing a $50 million dollar redevelopment.  Loyalist Township Council has approved the establishment of a steering committee to work on the plans.  The redevelopment includes the recreation centre and a new municipal office.

 

Kingston – Newcomers

 

Kingston will become the new home for 45 refugees from a variety of countries including Libya, Somalia, Syria, Iraq and Eritrea this month.

The KEYS Job Centre has announced it is working with Kingston Community Health Centres to make sure the necessary supports are in place to assist the newcomers to find homes and settle in Kingston.

Thirty volunteers are needed. People interested in volunteering or making a donation should contact the KEYS office on Sydenham Street.

 

Man Sentenced – Sexual Assault

 

A 38 year old Kingston man has been sentenced to the equivalent of ten years in prison for sexually assaulting three pre-teen girls.

Robert P. Solomon was found guilty on 14 counts of molesting the girls.  In one case he used zip ties to restrain a victim and in another he took pornographic photos and threatened to make them public.

Court heard victim impact statements saying all three girls have engaged in self-harming since becoming his victims and have admitted to thoughts of suicide.

 

Hold and Secure

 

Kingston Police say a hold and secure at Regiopolis Notre Dame Catholic High School was not related to threats last Wednesday and Thursday. The hold and secure was put in place just after noon yesterday as a precautionary measure, due to an investigation at a nearby residence.

The hold and secure was lifted shortly after it was put in place.

 

Contraband – Collins Bay

 

A package containing contraband has been found on the perimeter of the medium security unit at Collins Bay Institution.  The package was discovered around 7:20p.m. on Saturday.  It contained 510 grams of tobacco and cigar wrappings.  The estimated value of the contraband inside the institution would have been $10,000.  There has been a complete smoking ban in place at all federal prisons since 2008.

 

Bath Institution – Lockdown

 

A lockdown has been put in place at the medium security Bath Institution.

The Correctional Service says it was put in place around 1pm yesterday to allow staff to conduct and exceptional search.  No specific reason has been given for the lockdown. Corrections says it is to ensure the safety and security of the institution, its staff and inmates.

 

Kids for Kids

 

The 10th annual Kids for Kids Christmas Teen Luncheon raised about $15,000 for children’s charities.

The luncheon was held yesterday at the Colonnade Golf and Country Club.

A record 170 people attended and bid on live and silent auction items donated by local businesses.

Proceeds from the luncheon go to the Boys and Girls Club, the pediatrics unit at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre and Jumpstart.

Filed under: Collins Bay, Hold and Secure, Kingston News, public service, refugees, robert solomon, wj henderson