Plane Lands – Coronavirus – Ship – Gerretsen

 

The Canadians aboard the COVID-19 infected Grand Princess Cruise ship have arrived at CFB Trenton.

Among the Canadians on the ship were former Kingston Mayor and MPP John Gerretsen and his wife Assunta.

The Canadians were screened in two large tents on the wharf in Oakland, California yesterday and then flew to the air base in Trenton.  The plane chartered by the federal government landed at the base around 6:30 a.m.

Canadian health officials are now asking people not to take vacations on cruise ships.

 

Homestead Plan Rejected

 

Plans for an apartment building on the former Rideau Marina property have been rejected by the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal.  Homestead Landholdings had proposed a seven story…90 unit building on the property.

The city was opposed to the project saying it was too big for the site.  Vicki Schmolka was also opposed saying it would damage the natural heritage of the location.

The planning tribunal called the project too big and incompatible with the surrounding area.  It also said it would have a negative impact on the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Designation.

 

Warrant – Robbery Suspect

 

Kingston Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a man charged with robbery.

Police say 42-year-old Cory James Stevenhaagen was supposed to be in court on March 6th but failed to show up.  Stevenhaagen was arrested last May for a robbery that took place at the Scotiabank at 863 Princess Street in 2003.  Police believe he may have left Kingston.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Cory James Stevenhaagen is being asked to contact Kingston Police.

 

Fire – Napanee

 

Fire has heavily damaged a barn on County Road 8 in Greater Napanee.

Firefighters were called to the scene around midnight and found the barn engulfed in flames.

Reports from the scene say it has partially collapsed.

All residents and animals were out of the home and barn and no injuries are being reported.

 

Ice Rescue

 

Police are asking people to stay off the ice after a rescue on the St. Lawrence River near Gananoque.

A person fell through the ice about 150 meters from shore yesterday morning

A Leeds County OPP officer was able to find a canoe and with the help of a public works employee…tied a rope to and then headed out onto the ice to rescue the person.

The person was taken to hospital for treatment of possible hypothermia.

 

Economic Spinoff – Coronavirus

 

The federal government is offering assurances the economy is strong enough to weather any economic storm from the coronavirus.   Finance Minister Bill Morneau says the federal government will be able to help individuals and businesses deal with the fallout.   A bleak report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development warns COVID-19 will trigger a recession in some countries and slow economic growth around the globe.

 

Art in Victoria Park

 

A Kingston sculptors work has been chosen as the first public art installation to grace Victoria Park.

A news release from the city says Nicholas Crombach’s sculpture of a horse and cart was selected by a jury of arts

community members and residents of Williamsville District.

A piece of art was first promised for the park when it was renovated in 2017.

The budget for Horse and Cart is $55,000 and it should be installed in Victoria Park by August.

Filed under: county-road-8, gerretsen, ice-rescue, morneau, rideau-marina, victoria-park, williamsville