Kingston News, October 5th, 2016

South Frontenac Fire

A fire near Hartington has resulted in serious injuries to a man and an investigation by police and the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office.

The man was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.

The South Frontenac fire department says the fire in the basement of the home on Vanluven Road caused 60 to 70 thousand dollars.

Vanluven Road was closed from about 10 am to 6pm yesterday.

Rideau Towers Fire – Update

A man who suffered serious burns in a fire at Rideau Towers in Kingston has been transferred from Kingston General Hospital to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.

Kingston Fire and Rescue says the fire was caused by smoking in bed.

Firefighters were called to the building at 205 Rideau Street at 1:15 yesterday morning.

Sly – Guilty

A 79 year old Kingston man has been convicted on charges of child pornography, sexual exploitation and invitation to sexual touching.

Well known kennel owner and dog trainer David Sly was cleared on two counts of sexual assault – but only because the victim couldn’t be cross-examined by his lawyer.  The 16 year old girl committed suicide after Sly was charged by Kingston Police.

No date has been set for his sentencing.

Integrity Commissioner

An integrity commissioner will be hired by the city to investigate whether Councillor Adam Candon had a conflict of interest when he voted in favour of the Capitol condominium.

The vote was unanimous last night.  Candon says his family has been threatened and his property has been vandalized since the vote that approved the development.

Economic Development

Kingston City Council has approved recommendations to split the Kingston Economic Development Corporation into two separate organizations.

Council has approved establishing an agency for tourism and one for other aspects of economic development. Each will have its own board of directors and will have to make quarterly financial reports to council.

A working group will also conduct a performance review of the newly formed economic development agency in 2017.

Patio Season

Patio season in Kingston may be extended into November.  City council has asked staff to prepare recommendations on allowing restaurants to keep their patios open past the end of October.

Staff will also look into the possibility of starting the patio season earlier in the spring.

UHKF – City Taxpayer Donation

Kingston will continue to make a major financial donation to the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation.  City council has approved a donation of $1.3 million dollars a year over a five year period beginning in 2017.  The city’s ten year commitment valued at 16 million dollar ends this year.