Queen’s – SARS

Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu says Canada is taking the right steps to control the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus.

Queen’s University professor Dr. David Walker is an expert on the subject and agrees.

Walker says it is very unlikely there will be an outbreak of the virus in Kingston and says Canada is well prepared to deal with the Wuhan coronavirus.

Walker was speaking at a panel discussion at Queen’s.

He was chair of the Ontario Expert Panel on SARS and Infectious Disease Control in 2003.

 

Chinese Association – Dinner Cancelled

The annual Chinese New Year Potluck Party in Kingston has been cancelled due to the Wuhan coronavirus.

Chinese Canadian Association of Kingston and District President Hay Boon Mak says it is not because of concerns about the coronavirus reaching Kingston.  He says the decision was made over concerns people may mistake someone who has a cold or the flu of carrying the virus.  KFL&A Public Health advised the association there was no reason to cancel it, but the annual New Year’s gathering scheduled for tomorrow will not be held.

 

Drug Bust

The OPP says twelve high-level and mid-level drug dealers have been charged as the result of a nine-month investigation.  51-year-old Stephen Kraus of Kingston is facing six charges including trafficking cannabis and possession of over $5,000 worth of property obtained by crime.

Project Daytona culminated with raids in Ontario and Quebec last week.

Police seized 8.5 kilograms of cocaine, nine kilograms of methamphetamine, four kilograms of ecstasy, more than 45 kilograms of cannabis, 8.5 kilograms of cannabis concentrates and $30,000 in Canadian currency.

 

Rantz Retires

The Director of Education at the Limestone District School Board is retiring.

Debra Rantz has announced she will be leaving the school board on August 31st.

Rantz become director of education in 2015.

A news release says Trustees with the Limestone District School Board will soon begin the process of recruitment for a new director with assistance from an executive search firm.

 

Feb Fest

Feb Fest kicks off tomorrow in downtown Kingston with the Imagination on Ice show on the rink in Springer Market Square.  Canadian figure skating star Kaetlyn Osmond is the headliner of the show.  It

There will also be horse drawn wagon rides from 11am to 2pm and ice sculptures in the Square.

Boucher Park on Clarence Street will feature a winter park with slides.

https://www.downtownkingston.ca/events/2020/feb-fest-2020

 

Kingston Polar Plunge

Some people in Kingston will be jumping into the frigid waters of Lake Ontario on Sunday to raise money for the Special Olympics.

The Kingston Polar Plunge starts at 11a.m. on Sunday on the Crawford Wharf at the foot of Brock Street.

82-year-old Gail Hayes will be the oldest person to takes the plunge.

111 people took part last year and raised $64,900 for the Special Olympics.

 

http://www.polarplunge.ca/plunges/kingston/