RMC Investigation

A team from the Canadian Armed Forces has started working on a two-month review of every aspect of the Royal Military College in Kingston.  Observers say the situation at the college warrants a detailed look, particularly given the seriousness of the problems.  But they are questioning why the team doesn’t include any academics or other non-military personnel.  The probe was ordered by Chief of Defence, General Jonathan Vance after a series of troubling events at the college, including several suspected suicides and concerns about a sexual misconduct. Vance wants preliminary recommendations no later than December 31st and changes could be made as early as the next school year.

Shafia – Appeal Rejected

Ontario’s top court has rejected an attempt by three members of the Shafia family to appeal their convictions for murdering four family members.   Mohammad Shafia, his wife Tooba Yahya and their son Hamed were convicted in January 2012 of four counts of first-degree murder – killings their trial judge described as being motivated by their “twisted concept of honour.” In June 2009, the bodies of the couple’s three teen daughters and Shafia’s first wife were found in a car at the bottom of the Kingston Mills Lock.  They argued that allowing evidence on honour killings at their trial was prejudicial and Hamed Shafia argued he was too young to be tried as an adult.  The appeals court rejected their arguments.

Living Wage

The Kingston Living Wage Network says $16.58 an hour is what a person needs to earn in a full time job to exist above the poverty line.  It says nearly 11 thousand people in Kingston are employed in the retail sector where wages are typically much lower and that means thousands of workers don’t earn enough to live comfortably.  The current minimum wage in Ontario is $11.40 an hour.

Drought

The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority says severe drought conditions are still being felt in the area despite recent rainfall.  It says the region has received about 100 mm less rain than normal this year.  It also says from October 1st of 2015 to September 30th of this year rainfall was almost 200 mm below average.

It is continuing to track drought conditions and is asking people who have dry wells to contain the conservation authority.  It is also urging people to continue conserving water.

United Way – Science Formal

The public will have a chance to check out the work of Queen’s engineering student for the Science Formal on Saturday and help the United Way campaign.

More than 600 students are transforming Grant Hall into the Golden Age of Film.  The public can tour their tribute to the best movies of the 1920’s -1960’s from 10am to 4pm on Saturday for a donation to the United Way.

Transplants

Kingston General Hospital and Quinte Health Care are at the top of the list when it comes to organ donations.

KGH, Quinte Health Care and ten other hospitals in Ontario had 100 percent of potential organ donors go on to become actual organ donors during the period between April and June of this year.  Kingston General says 5 people went on to give the gift of life.  The Trillium Gift of Life Network says the provincial average was 61%.

Tree of Hope

The Children’s Aid Society is launching its annual Tree of Hope campaign in Kingston and Napanee today.

The campaign by Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington has been collecting toys, food, clothing and other items for children for 122 years. Last year it helped 900 children.

 

 

http://www.facsfla.ca/TreeofHope2

 

Filed under: appeal-rejectd, drought, living-wage, rmc-investigation, science-formal, shafia, transplants, tree-of-hope, united-way