Town Hall

Queen’s University hasn’t made a final decision yet on whether students will be welcomed on campus this September.  Today…faculty and staff will get an update from Queen’s Principal Patrick Deane.  Deane is holding an online townhall to discuss the current COVID-19 situation at Queen’s.

Deane will be joined by other university officials during the session on Microsoft Teams from 12:30 to 3:30 today and there will be a question and answer period.  The meeting will be recorded and posted on the principal’s website.

 

SIU – Kingston Investigation

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit is checking into serious injuries suffered by a 16-year-old who was arrested in Kingston last Wednesday.

Kingston Police issued a news release last Thursday saying an officer and the teen exchanged punches during the arrest – but did not say the teen had been injured.

He was charged with assaulting police, resisting arrest, assault with a weapon and breaching his probation.

The police watchdog says the youth was taken to hospital following his arrest and the incident was reported to them on the day the arrest took place.

 

Charges – Robbery and Stabbing

Two Kingston men in their 20’s have been charged after a man was robbed and stabbed.

Kingston Police say two men followed the victim into a downtown apartment building around 7:30 Monday morning. One of the men demanded he hand over a backpack and tablet.

A fight ensued and the man was stabbed in the shoulder.  He was treated in hospital for the stab wound and released.

A 22-year-old and a 27-year-old have both been charged with robbery and assault with a weapon.  The 27-year-old was also charged with breach of probation.

 

Road Safety Week

It is Canada Road Safety Week and the OPP says physical distancing doesn’t include driving like you’re in a NASCAR race.

Officers from the Frontenac OPP detachment have charged seven individuals with stunt driving since April 25th.

The latest incident involved a 19-year-old male driver who was stopped at 3am yesterday on Perth Road north of the 401 in Kingston.  He was charged with going 129km/h in a 50 zone and told police he was late for work as a delivery driver.  His vehicle was impounded for seven days and his driver’s license has been suspended for seven days.

 

Pumpkin Festival Cancelled

The Battersea Pumpkin Festival scheduled for October 3rd has been cancelled because of concerns over COVID-19.  Organizer, Amanda Pantrey say inviting people to the village of Battersea seems socially irresponsible this year.

The organizing committee is asking festival-goers to donate this year’s admission cost to Battersea United Church which has also had to cancel fundraising events due to the pandemic.

 

Donations can be made by e-transfer to batterseaunited@outlook.com or by mail to Battersea United Church, 2217 Wellington St., Battersea, ON, K0H 1H0.

 

LaSalle Causeway – Lane Closures

Traffic on the LaSalle Causeway will be reduced to one lane today and tomorrow from 7am to 5pm.

Public Services and Procurement Canada says one lane will remain open in both directions while repairs to the bridge take place.  It will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians during the repair work.

 

Britt Smith – 100

A Happy 100th birthday to Kingston’s Britt Smith – the owner of Homestead Landholdings.

The decorated army veteran was named to the Order of Canada last year – the country’s highest honour.

Smith usually goes to the office four times a week, but he has been working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because of the pandemic he will be celebrating today with his family today and staff from Homestead are planning to raise a toast to Smith on the front lawn of his property.