Polytechnique Anniversary

Today is the 30th anniversary of the mass murders of 14 women at l’École Polytechnique in Montreal.  The 14 women will be remembered in events in Kingston and from coast-to-coast today.

The Royal Military College in Kingston will join 13 other Canadian universities in a unique nationwide vigil.

From approximately 5:10 until 9 p.m., the Kingston skyline will include a single beam of light streamed from the RMC parade square.

The beam of light shining from RMC will be one of 14 shining from universities across Canada.  They will be synchronized with similar beams shining over Montréal from the top of Mount Royal.

There will be half-hour long nationwide vigil broadcast on CBC starting at 5:10 pm and the public is welcome to attend at the RMC Parade Square.  You are being asked to arrive by 5pm.

 

Catholic Teachers

Ontario’s Catholic teachers will soon be in a legal strike position.

Their union says there are no strike plans yet, but they will be in a legal position to go on strike on December 21st.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce said he is disappointed they have taken another step toward job action.

Public high school teachers held a one-day strike on Wednesday to back their contract demands.

 

Stunt Driving

The need for speed has resulted in fines and a court date instead of Christmas presents for a 19-year-old driver stopped on the 401 westbound near Mallorytown last night.  The vehicle he was driving has also been seized for seven days.

Leeds OPP says the G2 driver was clocked at 204 km/h.  He has been charged with both dangerous driving and stunt driving.

 

Road Rage

A Kingston man has been charged following a road rage incident.

Kingston Police say a vehicle passed another vehicle going west on King Street around 10p.m. on Sunday and jammed on its breaks.  The driver got out and damaged the other vehicles windshield while yelling and screaming at the driver.  The driver of the vehicle that had been forced to stop took off and the other vehicle passed it again…stopped and this time the driver who was forced to stop opened his window.  He was punched in the face and shoulder.

A 39-year-old man was arrested at a residence in downtown Kingston early Wednesday morning.  He’s been charged with assault and mischief.

 

Mohawks Election

Members of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte will be electing their Chief and four Councillors tomorrow.

Chief R. Don Maracle has been the chief for 26 years.  He is running for re-election and is facing three challengers. Six people are running for the four councillor seats.

Voting takes place at the Quinte Mohawk school on York Road, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow.

 

Nurses

Graduates of the Practical Nurse program at St. Lawrence College have beat the national average on the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination.  Passing the exam is required before they can enter the profession.

42 of the 44 graduates from the program in Kingston passed the exam.  The 95% passing rate is above the national average.  Kingston graduates scored higher than the national average in nine of the exam categories.

 

Jingle Bell Run

Over 15 thousand students and staff from 60 schools in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington will take part in the 19th annual Jingle Bell Run today.

The students will be donating non-perishable food items in exchange for a jingle bell and will take part in a 1km fit break where they walk, run or skip.

 

Snow Much Fun

The City of Kingston is hosting an evening of music and skating in Springer Market Square today.

Snow Much Fun features live music with a DJ…skating on the outdoor rink…a curling exhibition promoting the Brier…carols by the St. George’s Choir and a chance to visit Santa, Rudolph, Frosty and the Grinch.

Snow Much Fun will take place between 5 and 9pm today.  Mayor Bryan Paterson will read “Enjoy A Charlie Brown Christmas” at 7 p.m.

 

Bake Off Fundraiser

A group in Kingston supporting a fight against the Capitol Condo high rise development is holding “The Great Kingston Bakeoff” tomorrow to raise money.  Vision for Kingston has already raised over $80,000 for the Building Kingston’s Future and the Frontenac Heritage Foundations fight against the 16-storey Capital condo.  The project was turned down by the Local Planning Tribunal in 2018.

IN8 Developments is appealing the decision and the court case will take play in the new year.  The Bakeoff is raising money for the legal battle against IN8’s appeal.  It takes place at St. Paul’s Church Hall on Queen Street from 4 to 6pm on Saturday.