Kingston Divided

There’s no question Kingston is a divided city when it comes to high rise buildings in the downtown. At least 20 people have lined up to comment at a Local Planning Appeal Tribunal on Homestead Landholdings proposal for a 17 storey and 19 storey building on Queen Street in the downtown.

The Chamber of Commerce issued a statement yesterday outlining its support for the project saying it would be good for Kingston.  Heritage Kingston disagrees.  It started off the hearing yesterday by saying the height of the buildings is out of character with the historic significance of 700 heritage buildings in the area.

 

Kingston – Terror

The teenager facing terrorism-related charges in Kingston made a brief court appearance by video link – but no date was set for his bail hearing on Monday.  His case was put over until February 12th.

The youth faces charges of knowingly facilitating a terrorist activity and with counselling someone to use an explosive or other lethal device to cause death or serious bodily injury.

 

Kingston Driver Sentenced

A 27 year old Kingston man will be spending 35 days in jail on weekends and prohibited from driving for the next 18 months after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

Azaad Merwar hit a vehicle with the vehicle he was driving at 2:30 in the morning on December 17th.

When police tried to stop his vehicle he took off and sped through the Queen’s campus area and eventually alluded Kingston Police.  He was stopped by the OPP on County Road 32 north of Gananoque.

 

Knife on Pole

A 31 year old Kingston man has been charged with robbery after a man pulled out a pole with a knife attached in a downtown restaurant, grabbed the cash register and ran.

It happened last Wednesday night around 11:15.

Police arrested their suspect at a residence on Russell Street around 7:30 Sunday morning.

 

Stolen Bus

Two people are facing multiple charges after a school bus was stolen in Kingston on Sunday.

The bus went missing from a parking lot on Compton Street just before 9am.

Police managed to locate the bus within 5 minutes and shortly afterward arrested a 16 year old and a 26 year old.  On top of charges of stealing the bus the 16 year old has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, driving while prohibited, dangerous driving, and five counts of breach of probation. The 26 year old was also charged with breaching conditions related to other charges.

 

Saturday Night Arrest

A 37 year old Kingston man is facing multiple charges after Kingston Police responded to a report of a man in an apartment on Joseph Street armed with a gun, mace, baton and knife.

Police arrested the man around 8:30 Saturday night.

They seized crystal meth, a large knife, smaller knife, collapsible baton and a black pellet pistol concealed in his clothing.  The man is no stranger to police and faces multiple charges including breach of undertakings and breach of recognizance from previous encounters with the law.

 

Jobs Available

Lowes and Rona are hiring.

58 people will be hired for the Rona store on Princess Street and 32 people will be hired for the Lowes on Gardiners Road.  The jobs are fulltime, part-time and seasonal.

Lowes is also hiring in Brockville and Belleville.

Lowes and Rona will be hosting a National Hiring Day on February 23rd from 9a, to 4pm and management will be on site to accept applications.

 

Summer Jobs – Students

The City of Kingston is looking to hire over 185 students for summer jobs.  The city has job opportunities in multiple departments, including financial services and public works.  Students have to be going to school full time and returning to full time study this September.

Details can be found on the city’s website.

 

Women in the Military

From Tony’s Today in History file…women get the right to fight in Canada’s military.

It was on this day…February 5th, 1987 that Defence Minister Perrin Beatty announced that Canada would begin allowing women into almost every job in the military, including combat roles on a trial basis.