401 – Closure

The 401 westbound remains closed between Trenton and Colborne this morning following a crash involving a tanker truck that happened at 10:00 a.m. yesterday.  The tanker spilled tar onto the highway creating a challenge for the cleanup crew after hardening on the highway.

There is no word on when the westbound lanes between Trenton and Colborne will reopen.

 

Water Rescue

Emergency services is asking people to stay off the ice after a close call near Belle Park on the weekend.

A man went through the ice around 11am on Saturday.

He was able to crawl out of the hole in the ice and was treated by Frontenac Paramedics.

Kingston Fire and Rescue searched the area after reports there were possibly two people who went through the ice…but police confirmed with the victim that he was the only person involved and the search was called off.  A firefighter suffered a minor injury during the search.

 

House Fire

Nobody was injured in a fire at a home on Crossfield Avenue in Kingston’s west end.

Kingston Fire and Rescue was called to the town home around 4pm on Friday.

The fire was located in the roof area of the second storey bathroom.

Damage has been estimated at $55,000.

No cause has been given for the fire.

 

Refugee – Crash Victim

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family of a Syrian refugee who is in critical condition in Kingston General Hospital after being hit by a vehicle.

The family of a 35-year-old Abeer Abo Hajar says doctors do not yet know if she will survive but they will be getting an update today.

The family came to Canada in December.  They have four children…one is just four months old.

A female passenger in the vehicle also suffered life-threatening injuries.  Her condition is not known.

Brandon Desjardins of Kingston has been charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

https://www.gofundme.com/8b94bq-bashar-family?teamInvite=FdspxF34a4R6mapHkDgntwZcf5BlWtRoMLXBUhTf8UuaqIV1KtPadmStZwR8GUa1

 

Search – Collins Bay

A lockdown continues in the medium security unit at Collins Bay Institution.

The Correctional Service says it was put in place at 7am on Friday in order for staff to conduct an exceptional search.  Anyone who had planned a visit is being asked to contact the institution directly.

 

Plastics Bans

The Ford government is weighing a possible ban on single-use plastics, which include bags, water bottles and straws. Ontario Environment Minister Rod Phillips says the government is open to the idea.  The province is also considering a deposit return system for plastic bottles and other containers.

Grade 4 and 5 students at Elginburg Public School are collecting names on a petition for the Ontario government to ban production and use of plastic bags and coloured polystyrene.

A separate petition will be presented to Kingston city council in April.

 

Queen’s Students – Retaining Talent

A survey is currently underway to help determine the best way to keep Queen’s University graduates from leaving Kingston to seek careers elsewhere.

The Kingston Economic Development Corporation have commissioned fourth year students in the Smith School of Business to survey 3,000 students and alumni.

The Queen’s Business Consulting Group will then develop a sales and marketing plan aimed at convincing students to stay in Kingston when they graduate.

 

Distracted Driving

The OPP is launching its March Break distracted driving campaign today.

The force says it is the leading cause of fatalities on highways.

The OPP laid more than 13 and a half thousand distracted driving charges last year.

It says those drivers chose to make road unsafe by dividing their attention between driving and using a hand-held electronic device.