After the Teachers Strike

The one-day strike by public high school teachers is over but it has sparked a negative backlash from Ontario’s education minister and a group in Napanee.

The Napanee group says teachers unions are not bargaining in good faith, have bullied taxpayers and have held children hostage.  They have planned a protest in Napanee’s Market Square this afternoon and another one for Saturday morning.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the one-day strike was unacceptable and he believes all the teachers care about is a wage increase higher than the legislated 1% the government is offering.  He wants the union to take part in private mediation.

 

Inmate Death – Homicide

An inmate who was assaulted at Joyceville Institution on Sunday has died in hospital and his death is now considered to be a homicide.

43-year-old Glen Darrel Vandusen died yesterday as a result of his injuries.

Vandusen had been serving a sentence of just over four years for sexual assault, assault and uttering death threats.  He had been in prison since August 22nd.

The Joint Forces Penitentiary Squad is investigating his murder but has not said if any arrest has been made.

 

Video Production

The Kingston Film Office has launched an initiative to promote local video production companies and musicians who want to make a music video.  Individual production companies are being offered $1,000 each to produce a music video with the artist of their choice.

The Film Office has already partnered with several video production companies. Musicians will have to make their pitch to the video production companies before January 6th.

You can find the contact information for the Film Office on the Visit Kingston website.

 

https://www.visitkingston.ca/media/film-office/

 

Protected Habitat

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is expanding a corridor of protected land just north of Kingston thanks to a lifelong environmentalist.

The charity has purchased 119 hectares of land to what is known as the Loughborough Wilderness.

The Loughborough Wilderness is a collection of protected lands in the Frontenac Arch about 25 kilometres north of Kingston.  John (Jack) Hunter Allum bought the land 40 years ago and planted 20,000 native trees on former farm fields and it was his wish that the land be sold to the Conservancy when he passed away.

 

Change in Location – New Year’s Celebration

The city of Kingston is changing up its New Year’s Eve celebration.

It is holding the celebrations at the Invista Centre in the west end this year instead of the Leon’s Centre in downtown Kingston.

The city says the change in venue will allow for more public skating and staged performances.

K-Town Countdown will run from 5 to 9pm on New Year’s Eve.