Vacant House – Fire

The cause of a fire in a vacant house in Kingston is under investigation.

Kingston Fire and Rescue says the fire was discovered around ten last night in the house at 482 Division Street – near Stephen Street.

Firefighters decided not to enter the house because of concerns about what might be inside the vacant building.

They were on the scene for about four hours but no further information has been released.

Offender – No Photo

Kingston Police say a decision not to release the picture of sex offender was made after they decided he’d be more likely to re-offend if he was identified in public.

56 year old Alexander Casselman is living at a residence on Montreal Street.  He was released on Friday after serving a 20 year sentence for rape.  Casselman has agreed to a peace bond and is under strict conditions that will be monitored for two years by Kingston Police.

Kingston Police spokesperson, Constable Steve Koopman, says they weighed all of the options and decided Casselman would be under significant stress and more likely to re-offend if his personal information and picture were released.

Westbrook Email

Kingston’s mayor says he’s discussed a controversial email from city councillor Kevin George and both agree it doesn’t meet the code of conduct for councillors.

That code requires them to treat the public with dignity, understanding and respect.

George sent an e-mail last week saying residents of Westbrook Meadows complaining about secondary suites might be knocked off their pedestals for their arrogance.

It went on to say they appear to think they’re better than other classes of people.

72 year old Steve Fraser tells the Whig he thinks George should be disciplined by council and should formally apologize.

ATV’s – No Kids

The OPP’s Snowmobile, ATV and Vessel Enforcement Unit based in Odessa says don’t let children operate adult ATV’s.

Constable Randal Haddrall says children don’t have the weight or experience to control the machines.  He says smaller children simply aren’t heavy enough to maneuver an ATV with their body.

There have been 10 fatalities involving ATVs this year…one involved a nine-year-old.

Fatal Crash – ID

Police have identified the victim of a fatal single vehicle crash in the Town of Greater Napanee on Friday afternoon.

79 year old Madge Hartick of Bath passed away in hospital following the crash near the intersection of County Road 2 and Palace Road.

The 84 year old man driving the car is in serious condition in hospital.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation.

Scuba Diving Deaths

Two people have died while scuba diving in the St. Lawrence River east of Kingston.

55 year old Raymond Block of the Windsor area died Sunday afternoon.  He had been diving in the river west of Brockville.

On Saturday…43-year-old John Earle, a former provincial Liberal candidate, died after scuba diving in the river near Cornwall.