Kingston News, January 9, 2017

Cancer Collaboration

The Canadian Cancer Trials Group at Queen’s University and the US-based Cancer Research Institute have announced a five year collaboration.

The partnership is designed to speed up the clinical development of new immunotherapy treatments for cancer.

A news release says there are currently 940 immunotherapy agents in clinical development.  It says all of the agents have the potential to improve the standard of care for patients fighting myriad types of cancer.

Not Gord Downie Secondary

Moira Secondary School in Belleville will not be renamed Gord Downie Secondary.

The Hastings Prince Edward School Board decided last night that Moira Secondary School will be renamed Meyers Creek Secondary.  The board says the name has historic significance for Belleville.

Students from Quinte Secondary are being transferred to Meyers Creek Secondary and Centennial Secondary School this September.  Quinte Secondary is being closed.

Sir John’s Public House

Sir John’s Public House in downtown Kingston is changing its name.

Owner Paul Fortier says the name is offensive to some of his Indigenous customers.

Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, is considered to be responsible for residential schools and the mistreatment of Indigenous people.  Fortier says the pub on King Street will be called…The Public House and the new sign is scheduled to go up today.

St. Lawrence – Construction Contract

Wemp and Smith Construction of Harrowsmith has been awarded the contract for part of the major renovations taking place at St. Lawrence College in Kingston.  Wemp and Smith will do the work to renovate Newcourt House.  The heritage designated building will house the new Centre for Behavioral Studies, as well as an applied research centre.

Work will begin this month and is scheduled for completion in August.

Child – Rescued from Cold

A Kingston man is being praised for his quick actions to rescue a three-year-old boy with autism he found outside around 4:30 Saturday morning.

Police say the man was returning home when he heard a child crying in the parking lot of an apartment building.  The boy, who was in pajamas and bare feet.  It was minus 25 with a wind chill of – 38.  The man quickly got the child indoors called police.  Investigators say the boy woke up, unlocked the door and left his apartment without waking his parents. He was taken to hospital as a precaution and then returned to his home.

Woman Sentenced – Drugs/Stolen Property

A 44 year old Kingston woman has been sentenced after pleading guilty to charges of drug trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime and possession of stolen property.

Kendra Napier was given credit for spending almost a year in jail since being arrested and was sentenced to serve just over three more years in prison.

Napier was arrested for shoplifting in December of 2015. Kingston Police found her in possession cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, prescription medication and a large amount of cash.  Searches of two storage lockers and a home on Sydenham Road turned up $100,000 cash, stolen goods and more drugs.

Young Driver

Leeds County OPP say a vehicle driven by a 12 year old boy out for a joy ride with a friend crashed into a ditch on Autum Drive in Rideau Lakes Township on Saturday.

Police were called to the crash around four in the afternoon and say the boys were returned home with a diversion plan in place to gain alternative support from local youth services.

Kingston Transit – Student Art

A Kingston Transit bus now features the artwork of some students from the Limestone District School Board.  The bus has been wrapped with 36 paintings and drawings,

They were created by students in the Creative Arts Focus Program.

The traveling display of artwork was created as part of the partnership between Kingston Transit and the Limestone District School Board.