Kingston News July 19, 2018

Arrests – Gravestone Vandalism – Picton

A 15 year old from Kingston and a 17 year old from Picton have been charged after extensive vandalism at Glenwood Cemetery in Picton.

Headstones and monuments suffered over $100,000 in damage at the 145 year old cemetery on June 20th.

The 15 year old male from Kingston and 17 year old male from Picton were arrested yesterday.  They have been charged with mischief over $5,000 dollars and are scheduled to appear in court in Picton on August 20th.

Police Chief Retirement

Kingston’s Police Chief is retiring.

Chief Gilles Larochelle announced his retirement at a news conference yesterday.

He has spent the last five years of his 37 year career as Kingston’s police chief.

Larochelle has endorsed Deputy Chief Antjy McNeely as his successor.

But that decision is up to the Kingston Police services Board.

McNeely says it would be an honour to be Kingston’s police chief – but wouldn’t say if she’s the one who will be taking over the job.

Transport Fires

The eastbound 401was down to one lane between Wallbridge Loyalist road and Highway 62 this morning after a transport truck crashed and caught fire.

The 401 eastbound in Brockville re-opened last night after a transport truck carrying a load of Freezies crashed and caught fire.  Nobody was injured.  The highway had to be resurfaced in the area before it could be opened to traffic.

Green Rebates

Kingston and the Islands MPP Ian Arthur say the Ford Conservatives cancelation of Green Energy Rebates is hurting small business in Kingston and across Ontario.

The newly elected NDP member asked Energy Minister Rod Phillips in the legislature yesterday to extend Green Energy rebates signed beyond October 31st for work booked before the Ontario election.

Arthur used Aaben Windows and Doors in Kingston as an example…saying it has clients that would have been eligible for 177 thousand dollars in rebates – but the company can’t complete the work until January.

Phillips says the program will be cut at the end of October because taxpayers are tired of paying for a subsidy program and propping up a cap and trade program that is not working.

Burn Bans

Fire departments throughout the region have now issued complete bans on all open air burning.  Kingston, South Frontenac and Central Frontenac Fire and Rescue all issued complete bans yesterday.  That means no outdoor burning including bon fires, camp fires, cooking fires and all previously issued permits for burning.

The bans will remain in place until the area gets enough rain to cut down on the risk of grass, brush and forest fires.

How Dry Is It

It is so dry…even garden mulch can catch fire.

An OPP officer on foot patrol on Main Street in Picton saw smoke coming from the base of a tree on Tuesday. The officer stomped out the smoldering much that had started to burn after a cigarette was discarded.

Police are asking smokers to be especially careful with disposing cigarette butts during the hot, dry weather because of the chance they can easily start a grass or forest fire.

History File

From Tony’s Today in History file….

It was on this day in 2006, 15-year-old Jenna Lambert of Kingston became the first woman with a disability to swim across Lake Ontario.  Lambert was born with cerebral palsy and couldn’t use her legs for the swim.