Kingston News, August 3, 2016

BODY DISCOVERED IN BROCKVILLE
Brockville Police are still investigating after a body was pulled from the St. Lawrence River Saturday afternoon. ?St. Lawrence Park and its beach were closed for several hours after a body was discovered near the west dock, The body was taken to Ottawa to determine the identity and cause of death. No other information has been released at this time.

HIT AND RUN
Kingston Police are looking for the vehicle and driver of a damaged silver Toyota that they say was involved in a hit-and-run collision in the downtown core in the wee hours Thursday morning.  The suspect vehicle was travelling southbound on the closed section of Wellington St approaching Princess Street at a high rate of speed, failed to stop for a red light and was struck by another vehicle before leaving the scene.  Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crimestoppers.

KINGSTON MAN CHARGED
A 27-year-old Kingston man has been arrested by police after witnesses saw the man break a window at a downtown business.  Police located the man and upon questioning found him to be in possession of several illicit substances.  Ryan W. Boles has been charged with mischief and drug possession for the purpose of trafficking.  Boles is the same person who recently appeared in court after he was accused of refusing to share a bench with an elderly lady and subsequently assaulted an elderly gentleman who came to her defense.

TRAGICALLY HIP RULES/RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MARKET SQUARE ATTENDEES
If you’re planning on catching the live stream of the Tragically Hip’s concert in Springer Market Square, the city of Kingston is out with a list of rules and recommendations.   There’s no alcohol, tents or folding chairs permitted on site and all bags will be searched as a safety measure. The city is also advising to be prepared for any weather conditions.  They also suggest that if you want to go to a restaurant that day, you should book your reservation now. For the complete list visit the city’s website at cityofkingston.ca

POLICE LOOKING FOR VEHICLE B&E/CREDIT CARD THIEF
Kingston Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect who may have used a stolen credit card obtained by breaking into a military vehicle.  The vehicle was locked and at the Kingston Mills Locks while members were performing training as a group. When they returned they noticed wallets and identification had been stolen. The suspect was seen later that day using the credit cards at the Shell gas station and The Beer Store, at Division and 401.  Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crimestoppers.

CENTENNIAL DRIVE LAST LINK
The last link of the Centennial Drive extension will soon be falling into place. The city has hired  Forefront Engineering to begin laying the groundwork to complete the northern section of the busy roadway.   The aim is to extend the two-lane road to the existing terminus of Centennial Drive east of Gardiners Road. The $3.8 million extension – with sidewalks and bicycle lanes – will cut through the Cataraqui Estates business park.

TRENTON MURDER TRIAL
A trial will be held next year for a Trenton man charged with attempted murder.  Forty-five-year-old Shawn Birt was arrested after a 49-year-old woman was assaulted at a home in Carrying Place, south of Trenton, in August of 2014.   The victim was treated in hospital for serious injuries.   Pretrial motions will be heard next June and the trial is set for September of 2017.

VEHICLE FIRE AT RBC
Kingston Fire and Rescue responded to  a vehicle fire in the parking lot of the RBC at Bath and Gardiners Roads yesterday afternoon.  It is suspected that a blower motor malfunctioned and started the fire in the engine compartment, which quickly spread through the rest of the vehicle.  The Driver and passenger escape injury.

KINGSTON HOSPITALS FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT
Ontario’s Minister of Health and long-term care was in Kingston yesterday to reveal how much Kingston hospitals will receive of the $51.8 billion that the province committed to invest in health care in the 2016 budget.  Doctor Eric Hoskins announced the province has earmarked over 13 million dollars in total for all three hospitals in the Kingston region.  Despite the funding announcement the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions say Kingston is about $42M under funded every year.

SUPER HERO WINDOW WASHERS
Dozens of pediatric patients and children battling cancer at KGH got a huge surprise yesterday.  They watched as some of their favourite crime fighters cleaned windows right in front of them. Batman, Thor, Spiderman and other superheroes took the day off from fighting crime to break out the squeegees and water and disguised themselves as window washers and scaled the exterior of KGH.